SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 5/6/2020 1174316 Coyotes’ Clayton Keller, Conor Garland to team up in NHL 1174344 Panthers agree to terms with 2018 first-round draft pick 20 series Denisenko 1174317 A Q&A with chef (and Coyotes defenseman) Jason 1174345 Getting younger? Panthers prospect Grigori Denisenko Demers ready to move over from KHL Bruins 1174318 Another great assist from former Bruin 1174346 The Kings’ Jim Fox on enjoying wine during quarantine 1174319 Derek Sanderson was a big part of the Bruins run in 1970 MontrealCanadiens 1174320 Harry Sinden proud that B's have kept 'Be-A-Bruin' mojo 1174347 The NHL wants to take some time before making a final alive all these years determination on June draft 1174321 This Date in Bruins history: May 5 a great day of Game 2 wins for Boston 1174322 Time for fireside chat with Derek Sanderson about glory 1174348 Predators' Mattias Ekholm back in Sweden, unsure when days of Big, Bad Bruins or how he'll return to U.S. 1174323 Bruins Fan Survey results: Your take on the state of the 1174349 Q&A: Joel Ward reminisces about his Predators career, franchise the 2011 playoffs and more Buffalo Sabres 1174324 NHL Draft lottery proposal is not good for Sabres. Here's 1174350 Ranking the Rangers’ best undrafted collegiate signings why 1174351 Analyzing the top 10 prospects for the NY Rangers: No. 10 Lauri Pajuniemi 1174325 Hitmen sign hometown draftee Yakemchuk to deal 1174326 'They are unbelievable,' says Flames GM of Giordano 1174352 The NHL wants to take some time before making a final family's good deeds during COVID-19 determination on June draft 1174327 Flames GM Treliving tempers excitement amid Alberta's 1174353 NHL still trying to come up with a final plan for a return to reopening strategy play 1174328 Flames sign goalie-of-future candidate Dustin Wolf to 1174354 How would the NHL’s proposed draft changes affect the entry-level deal Senators? 1174329 Hitmen ink first-rounder Tulk 1174330 Flames’ gamers ready for virtual faceoff in video-game challenge 1174355 Flyers offering season-ticket holders refunds or credit for 1174331 Flames sign Swedish defenceman Johannes Kinnvall 2020-21 NHL season 1174356 Flyers vs. Penguins: Let the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs Blackhawks begin | On the Fly 1174332 Blackhawks 2019-20 season in review: Kirby Dach 1174357 76ers, Flyers to offer ticket holders refunds for missed 1174333 Scenarios Blackhawks fans could see when United Center games potentially opens 1174358 Flyers' best college prospect? Excitement building around 1174334 Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook breaks down ascension of Noah Cates each Stanley Cup-winning team 1174359 Kevin Hayes, Flyers donate lunch from Brûlée Catering to 1174335 Blackhawks 2019-20 season in review: Malcolm Subban Philadelphia first responders 1174360 Flyers release update for fans with tickets to remaining 2019-20 home games 1174336 Exactly what happened with the Avalanche’s 2014 draft 1174361 2020 NHL draft profile: Will Flyers go defensive route in class? 1st round with Justin Barron? 1174362 ‘There’s things you remember for all your life’: Flyers relive Dallas Stars their 2009-10 run 1174337 Stars bold predictions, revisited: Khudobin’s brilliance, depth scoring and more 1174363 From Dave Burrows to Brian Dumoulin, defense still has value for Penguins 1174338 Detroit Red Wings were bummed when they drafted Steve 1174364 Penguins coach Mike Sullivan makes donation for Yzerman in 1983 groceries 1174339 Salary cap dip could help financially-sound Red Wings in 1174365 Penguins A to Z: Goalie Casey DeSmith still has free agency management’s trust 1174340 Red Wings’ Danny DeKeyser recovering from back 1174366 Tim Benz: Ideas for ESPN’s next docuseries after ‘The surgery, eager to return Last Dance.’ Cast your vote. 1174341 New NHL face masks allow Detroit Red Wings fans to 1174367 Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin cherishing time at help slow spread of coronavirus, raise money for charity home, knowing it might soon end 1174368 Penguins coach Mike Sullivan buys groceries for senior Oilers shoppers at Giant Eagle 1174342 Georges Laraque is home from hospital after COVID-19 scare 1174343 Lowetide: Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins far more than ‘also in photo’ contributor World Leagues News 1174369 How Sharks plan to reopen SAP Center after coronavirus 1174400 NFL provides teams with ticket refund policy amid shutdown ends coronavirus uncertainties 1174370 Former Sharks forward Joel Ward figuring out next step of 1174401 NBA to reopen practice facilities in states with eased NHL career stay-at-home guidelines May 8, per report 1174371 Bay Area athlete power rankings: Stephen Curry and 1174402 Wizards coach Scott Brooks will get buzz cut to raise George Kittle lead the way money for charity 1174403 Scott Boras wants baseball back as soon as possible, but St Louis Blues is his plan even logical? 1174372 St. Louis' love-hate relationship with Snepsts ended with 1174404 Jazz VP on coronavirus incident: Rudy Gobert, Donovan mutual love Mitchell 'ready to put this behind them' 1174373 Molly’s margaritas: The adult beverage of choice for Blues 1174405 Coronavirus pandemic presents opportunity for changes to spouses and fans MLB’s structure 1174406 Baseball with no fans? Korean league opener shows glimpse of possible MLB future 1174374 Simulating the 2020 Stanley Cup final: Lightning vs. 1174407 How Sharks plan to reopen SAP Center after coronavirus Golden Knights shutdown ends 1174408 Another coronavirus case in German soccer before key Maple Leafs meeting 1174375 Doug Ford says MLSE asked about Toronto being a hub 1174409 No spitting, no fans: Baseball leads South Korea's city should NHL resume its season sporting restart after coronavirus lockdown 1174376 Leafs’ Justin Holl says American players waiting for SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 ‘concrete plan’ before crossing border 1174377 Leafs’ Holl plays wait and see with NHL game plan still murky 1174378 What's the Stanley Cup calendar for Matthews, Marner and Nylander? 1174379 Leafs notebook: Making plans to return? 1174380 The Leaf Report Q&A: Jack Campbell talks his career and being a Maple Leaf 1174381 The video scouting report on new Maple Leafs defenceman Mikko Lehtonen 1174382 12 UFA options the Maple Leafs might consider to boost their defence 1174390 Ben Kuzma: Vancouver’s got substance, Edmonton sparkle in NHL hub city bids 1174391 Why the Canucks should give up their conditional first- round pick this year 1174392 What Thatcher Demko learned about being an NHL starter after the trade deadline Vegas Golden Knights 1174383 Golden Knights roster review: Brayden McNabb 1174384 Pete DeBoer interested in naming Golden Knights 1174385 NHL’s 2020-21 salary cap decision could drastically affect the Golden Knights 1174386 Simulating the 2020 Stanley Cup final: Lightning vs. Golden Knights 1174387 Why Alex Ovechkin's is so hard to stop, according to Braden Holtby 1174388 The best Capitals player to wear each jersey number: 21- 40 Websites 1174393 The Athletic / NHL player poll: What they are saying about resuming the 2019-20 season 1174394 The Athletic / 2020 NHL offseason goalie market: Team needs, free agents and trade possibilities 1174395 The Athletic / LeBrun: Q&A with Seattle GM Ron Francis on coaching criteria, bar set by Vegas 1174396 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Can you figure out the simple rules behind these weird rosters? 1174397 .ca / Maple Leafs' Holl eager for chance to finish Masterton-worthy season 1174398 Sportsnet.ca / Q&A: Dave Andreychuk on trade to Toronto and Leafs versus the world 1174399 TSN.CA / Wild’s Matt Dumba remains ambitious despite tough season Winnipeg Jets 1174389 How would an early June draft impact the Jets? 1174316 Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes’ Clayton Keller, Conor Garland to team up in NHL 20 series

Staff Report

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

MAY 5, 2020 AT 10:25 AM

Arizona Coyotes forwards Clayton Keller and Conor Garland will be teammates on the virtual ice as they pair up for the league’s NHL Player Gaming Challenge.

The series has NHL players facing one another in matchups of EA Sports’ NHL 20 video game, and the matchups will be featured on the league’s social media platforms, including YouTube and Twitch.

Keller and Garland lead off Week 2 matchups by playing Boston’s Charlie McAvoy and Jake DeBrusk. Keller played with McAvoy at , while Garland is native to Scituate, Mass., not far from Boston.

The game will take place on Thursday at 2 p.m. Arizona time. It can be seen on Twitch, YouTube, Twitter or Facebook.

In Week 1, Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators faced Calgary’s Matthew Tkachuk and Noah Hanifin. Dallas’ Jamie Oleksiak and Stephen Johns beat Pittsburgh’s Bryan Rust and Zach Aston-Reese, and Nashville’s Filip Forsberg beat Colorado’s J.T. Compher.

In addition to Keller and Garland versus two , Week 2 will also feature Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers playing Washington’s Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174317 Arizona Coyotes Oh, geez. What a question to ask. Hayts heard that one and laughed. I think I know what I’m going to get into once my kid gets to 19. I think more, I know what’s coming and I’m not looking forward to it. Everything A Q&A with chef (and Coyotes defenseman) Jason Demers else before it I am. I’m very much interested in having kids whenever the time is right, but now I’ve got a preview to see what’s going to happen in the adolescent years, which is a lot of good days and a lot of bad days, as anyone with kids will tell you. By Craig Morgan

May 5, 2020 The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020

Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers likes to cook — for his parents, Darrell and Guylaine, for himself, for his girlfriend, Jillian Mueller, and for his teammates, including roommate Barrett Hayton.

“Salmon, chicken dishes and he loves to mix spices,” Guylaine Demers said. “He’s a great cook, by the way.”

The Coyotes made Demers available via Zoom chat on Tuesday, so I asked him a series of questions about his cooking prowess while Hayton was within earshot.

Your mom says you are an excellent cook. How did you learn to cook?

I enjoy cooking a lot. I started as being kind of the sous-chef for my mother. She would always have me just chop up the vegetables and what not. I always enjoyed watching it and eventually kind of got into it. Once I started playing in the AHL and then once I made it pro, my mom wanted to make sure I was able to cook for myself and be able to take care of myself and not just go to restaurants every night. As fun as that is, you never know what they’re really cooking stuff with, so from a health aspect she kind of instilled that in me a little bit. I ended up just picking it up and enjoying it. It’s just a fun thing. It’s relaxing, especially during a season when you come back from the road and you’ve been eating at the restaurants in the hotel, it’s nice to just kind of make a long meal for yourself and watch TV and basically decompress.

Aside from your mom’s early teaching, are you self-taught?

My mom was always just going in the kitchen and putting something together without even looking at a recipe so that’s kind of how I learned, just going by taste. I have a pretty good app on my phone called yummly. It’s almost like Yelp for people’s dishes. They post some of their dishes that they’ve made and then people create them and like them. I kind of like to go in and put a bunch of spices together and see what works and what doesn’t. Stuff that I like, I keep making and the stuff that I don’t, I give to Hayts (Barrett Hayton) to eat.

What are your favorite dishes to make?

Guys always joke about it and I haven’t made it in a while because I have been trying to branch out a bit, but I love making a blueberry salmon; just a salmon in blueberry sauce. I’ve started doing a lot more cooking in cast iron and we started using the grill more than we have this year and just making steak. We found a good butcher shop here in Arizona (The Meat Market in Carefree) so we’ve been making a lot of steak and rib eyes and stuff like that. I try to mix it up as much as possible. I don’t like to kind of pigeonhole myself and just do one thing over and over again. I know Hayts liked that I used to do a ground lamb; kind of like ground lamb tacos and I’d make a little mint yogurt on the side for him. He kind of enjoyed that so we did that for a little bit; might have to bring that back now.

Which wine would you pair with blueberry salmon?

Something light. I might zin(fandel) blend Ridge and Lytton Springs.

Could you imagine a career as a celebrity chef?

No, I don’t like the spotlight that much. It just looks like I like it. I wouldn’t mind just going to learn and maybe taking some classes or stuff like that and learning on my own. But in terms of that, no I don’t need that kind of spotlight. Once hockey is done for me, I don’t know if people will see me that often.

Has Barrett Hayton’s cooking improved under your tutelage?

He’s getting very skilled in the kitchen and he seems to enjoy it so I let him do his thing. He has done a great job actually. He has really improved.

Does your time with Barrett make you more or less likely to have children? 1174318 Boston Bruins yes, that includes two Stanley Cup teams. Family, friends and teammates can love you, can root for you, can encourage you, but his victory he ultimately reached, he did it himself.”

Another great assist from former Bruin Derek Sanderson ⋅ Asked to name a favorite story from that time, he went with a classic: when the 1973 team wheeled , still in his hospital bed after knee surgery, out of Massachusetts General Hospital and across the By Matt Porter Globe Staff street to the Branding Iron for the season-ending party.

Updated May 5, 2020, 7:54 p.m. ⋅ Most hated team: “I hated … It was the most difficult place to play in the first 10, 12 minutes. Wow. I didn’t think a team could come out

that hard every time.” He also noted how fans at Madison Square Garden In the decades since the Big, Bad Bruins first took over this town, some burned Sanderson in effigy during the 1972 Final. of the tales have become as worn as a leather pair of Tacks. Derek “They made a straw dummy, with a Bruins sweater and Bruins pants. Sanderson was asked to share something from that time that we haven’t Then somebody lit fire to it, and they didn’t realize all the people down heard. below were going to get burned … People’d try to hit you. You’d have “That’s going to be tough,” he replied. “Fifty years, I think we’ve pretty coffee thrown on you. That smarts.” well covered it all.” ⋅ When he left for the WHA’s Philadelphia Blazers in 1972, he said he True to form, he had a good one ready. Before Game 4 of the 1970 made $300,000 from his facial expression. A rep for the team offered him Stanley Cup Final, the shaggy-haired center swaggered into the old $2.3 million. “I was stunned,” Sanderson said. “Speechless. And the guy in a tuxedo, surely in the flowery mod style he brought to thought I was disinterested. He says, ‘I’m authorized to go as high as the buttoned-down NHL of the day. If there was a party that night, and he $2.6.’ Beautiful!” The Bruins, owned by Weston W. Adams, wouldn’t go was certain there would be, he wanted to be properly attired. “a penny” above $80,000.

When Sanderson arrived, he recalled, “The guy said, ‘Aww, what are you and Derek Sanderson have remained close over the years. doing?’ ⋅ Underappreciated Bruins: “[The late] Ace Bailey. Garnet, he was fast. “Teddy Green said to me, ‘What are you going to do if we lose this?’ I Donny Marcotte should have gotten a lot more attention than he did. You said, ‘I never thought of that. I’ll wear a sweat shirt home.’” could trust him ... Eddie Westfall. We got a lot of kudos for being killers.” Hockey fans all over know the rest of the story. ⋅ The toughest players he fought? “You didn’t fool around with guys like How later that Mother’s Day, the Bruins’ dressing room was doused in John Ferguson and Orland Kurtenbach … Ferguson could punch with champagne after Sanderson fed Bobby Orr. The next morning, they all both hands. I used to like to rough people up, a bit like [Brad] Marchand.” paraded through the frenzied streets of Boston, and Johnny “Pie” McKenzie doused Mayor Kevin White with a pitcher of beer at City Hall. ⋅ It may not be a surprise that Marchand is Sanderson’s favorite Bruin of Orr and Sanderson never made it to the rally. They were hidden in the today. mayor’s office, after outracing a throng of adoring young fans to safety. “I think it was his first training camp, an exhibition game,” Sanderson How Sanderson, whose off-ice exploits earned as much ink as his fierce recalled. “They lost the puck behind the line, and I don’t know how penalty killing, spun out of control in a haze of booze and drugs and was he did this, but he cut back out and roofed it over the goalie’s shoulder, out of hockey at age 32. How he attained sobriety and resurrected his and hit the crossbar. A fabulous move. I said, ‘This kid’s got talent.’ He’s life, became a sharp-tongued color commentator and financial adviser, never ceased to amaze me since. and began to tell his cautionary tale. How he remains as beloved as any “He’s gritty, he’s in your face, he’s got a great pair of hands. [Patrice] Bruin who didn’t wear No. 4. Bergeron is as good as anybody in the game two ways, up and down. Sanderson, who turns 74 next month, spoke to local reporters on a video Surprisingly, the no-name guys are playing really well. I like that. They call Tuesday, in advance of Sunday’s 50th anniversary of the ‘70 Cup get in and involved.” win. On that Black and Gold musketeer squad — all for one, one for all

— he was the swashbuckling center who made The Pass to set up The Goal. He still tsk-tsks St. Louis defenseman Jean-Guy Talbot, who was Boston Globe LOADED: 05.06.2020 at the side of the goal, for reaching too far toward him as Orr swooped in behind.

“You make a play, and you hope it works,” he said. “It was a lot of fun. Exciting moment and a great time. We just didn’t realize how popular we were.”

He is a long way from those days, when he ran with Joe Namath, and Bachelors III and Daisy Buchanan’s were the hot spots. He has enjoyed sobriety since the mid-’80s, around the time he teamed with on NESN and TV-38. He and his wife of 33 years, Nancy, have homes in Needham and Sandwich. They have two sons, Michael, 29, and Ryan, 27.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her,” said Sanderson, not quite tech- savvy, on the Zoom call. “I wouldn’t get on. I wouldn’t know what to do.”

He is getting through the time of coronavirus at home, “by the grace of God,” he said, “one day at a time.”

▪ On the closeness of the 1970 team: “There were 27 guys, and everybody liked everybody. Everybody knew if you were in a mood, you had an attitude, they’d just shake you off. We had a rule: nobody would be in a fight alone.”

They’ve lived it since. Sanderson has credited his teammates, with Orr leading the pack, for helping him get clean. In 1988, at a roast of Sanderson to benefit the March of Dimes, Orr deflected.

“The real victory he has experienced over alcohol and drugs is many times greater than any victory we experienced on the ice,” Orr said. “And 1174319 Boston Bruins “When I was young playing bantam, 11 or 12 years old, my father had me pay attention to every faceoff,” said Sanderson. “He said, “You’re a centerman, so win them all.’

Derek Sanderson was a big part of the Bruins Stanley Cup run in 1970 “I tried some things that I had never tried before and I had some success.”

By RICH THOMPSON | [email protected] | Boston Comparing players across generations can be skewed because modern Herald NHL athletes are bigger, stronger, faster and better trained and equipped than the helmetless horde of the 1970s. PUBLISHED: May 5, 2020 at 3:35 p.m. | UPDATED: May 5, 2020 at 3:46 p.m. Sanderson’s defensive skills, two-way play and prowess in the faceoff circle and on the penalty kill makes for a favorable comparison to Bruins’ first-line center Patrice Bergeron.

Derek Sanderson was a product of his times with a nickname to match. But Sanderson’s demeanor on the ice and willingness to mix it up with opposing tough guys better resembles first-line left wing . The player Bruins fans called “Turk” was young, brash, outspoken with movie-star looks and tuned into the cultural transformation taking place in “Brad Marchand is the player to me who is gritty and in your face and Boston during the late 1960s. he’s got a great pair of hands,” said Sanderson. “Bergeron is as good as anybody in the game two ways, up and down. Sanderson was also a productive player with unique skills that propelled the Bruins to a four-game sweep of the St. Louis Blues in the 1970 “Marchand is my favorite.” Stanley Cup Final. The Bruins captivated the Boston sports scene by winning their first NHL title in 29 years.

In a clubhouse filled with superstars and characters, Sanderson stood Boston Herald LOADED: 05.06.2020 out on a team ruled by Harry Sinden, an old-school hockey practitioner despite being one of the youngest head coaches in the league.

With the NHL shut down in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Bruins are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their 1970 Stanley Cup season. Sanderson looked back at the team and the times during a Zoom town hall meeting with Bruins season ticket holders on Tuesday afternoon.

Sanderson fielded inquiries in a Q&A format.

“Harry Sinden had it going, there was nothing he did not think of and I never went into a game that Harry Sinden didn’t give me something to think about,” said Sanderson.

“When you come to a game and you think you are prepared but you are not unless someone gives you something specific like, ‘This is what we are going to do tonight.’ ”

Sanderson would play an important role in the Bruins’ 4-3 overtime victory in Game 4 that clinched the Cup. Sinden chose Sanderson’s third line to start the overtime instead of either of the Bruins’ scoring lines centered by Phil Esposito and .

Sinden’s hunch created a few grumblings on the bench but proved to be the right move.

“Phil might have been a little upset,” said Sanderson. “But Harry came to me at the end of the game (regulation) and said, ‘Listen, usually these things end quickly and the only chance they’ve got is if it ends quickly.’

“I sat beside Phil and he goes, ‘I can’t believe that.’ I said, ‘What are you going to do?’ ”

Defenseman Bobby Orr made the closing statement on the Bruins’ remarkable run when he potted the game-winner 40 seconds into the extra frame.

The game-winning play was a give-and-go pass from Sanderson to Orr in the slot and Blues’ Hall of Fame goalie Glenn Hall never had a chance.

“It was over pretty quickly and Bobby took a chance along the wall,” said Sanderson. “He broke to the net on a give-and-go and (Blues defenseman) Jean Guy Talbot should never have come to me.

“When you’re a defenseman you are not going to go behind the net but he reached in and that was all I needed.”

There were two aspects of Sanderson’s game that were crucial in the recently expanded NHL when he broke in with the Bruins in the 1968-69 season.

Sanderson was a maestro in the faceoff circle and was, along with sidekick Eddie “the Shadow” Westfall, one of the NHL’s premier penalty killers.

Sanderson’s signature play was the sweep check, a wildly successful defensive dodge that created turnovers and reduced the number of body blows he absorbed in a game. 1174320 Boston Bruins

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.06.2020

Harry Sinden proud that B's have kept 'Be-A-Bruin' mojo alive all these years

By Joe Haggerty

May 05, 2020 6:15 PM

Count legendary Bruins head coach and longtime executive Harry Sinden as a big fan of this current group of Black and Gold players.

The venerable Sinden was on a Zoom call with reporters commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1970 Stanley Cup team that will also be featured in a Big, Bad Bruins documentary premiering this weekend ("The 1970 Bruins: Big Bad & Bobby" on May 10 at 8 p.m.) on the NHL Network.

So naturally some of the conversation was about some good, old- fashioned, old-time hockey, but there was also time to gauge Sinden’s hockey thoughts on what he sees with the current edition of the Bruins as well.

Get the latest news and analysis on all of your teams from NBC Sports Boston by downloading the My Teams App

Certainly, he wasn’t going to give out public advice to the current Bruins management group that has pushed the team to three straight postseason appearances, and brought them to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last June. Instead, Sinden was thankful that the current group of Bruins have kept intact the franchise tradition of tough, skilled, hard- working players from the heyday of the Cup teams in the early 1970s.

In other words, the Black and Gold have not lost their mojo.

Nowadays the Bruins aren’t exactly identical to the teams that had the NHL’s best player in Bobby Orr or later editions that featured all-around Big Bad Bruins brawlers like Terry O’Reilly, or John Wensink.

Instead it’s about a combination of skilled top-line players like Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak, and some old-school, hard-nosed, on-the- edge players like Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand that keep the Big, Bad Bruins tradition alive.

Haggerty: Lauko's potential highlights 2018 draft class

It’s a tradition that Sinden was afraid would fall by the wayside, but that hasn’t happened as guys like O’Reilly, , and Chara have carried the torch over the last 50 years while being extremely tough to play against.

“I think I would call it whatever way Don Sweeney is going to call it, and Bruce Cassidy, and Cam Neely,” said Sinden. “They came in here with a few problems. Don Sweeney’s first draft he had never seen of the players play. He’d spent all his time in Providence and had nothing to do with the three draft picks we had in the first round. He had never really seen them play at all and had to live with [the picks] who they are.

“We came out of it okay and we’ve done better since. I just think that what the team and players have established as an example for the way you have to behave and the way you have to play has never gone away. The fans have not gone away and you guys [in the media] certainly won’t let it go away. They bought into it big-time. It has a lot to do with Cam, with Donnie and with Bruce. There are so many years that I’d fear we would lose the Be-A-Bruin type of thing, which is maybe just something that’s in my mind. We had a couple of good players we got in drafts, but I never thought of them as Bruins and we couldn’t. But as long as we keep that alive we’re going to be challenging for the Stanley Cup forever.”

When the regular season was put on pause, the Bruins were atop the NHL standings with 100 points and they had traded for another big- bodied, tough player in Nick Ritchie at the trade deadline while in hot pursuit of another Stanley Cup.

It’s unknown when the 2019-20 hockey season will get going again, but the B’s brain trust continues to keep the Big Bad Bruin tradition going even if the NHL has totally changed its idea of hockey toughness. And that keeps a smile on the 87-year-old Sinden’s face as he watches as many Bruins games as he can these days. 1174321 Boston Bruins

This Date in Bruins history: May 5 a great day of Game 2 wins for Boston

By Nick Goss

May 05, 2020 11:46 AM

The Boston Bruins have earned a couple huge Game 2 wins on May 5 in their storied Stanley Cup Playoff history, and none were more important than their victory over the St. Louis Blues in 1970.

Boston beat St. Louis 6-2 in Game 2 of the 1970 Stanley Cup Final, giving the Bruins a 2-0 series lead with the action headed to the old Boston Garden. Bruins forwards and Derek Sanderson each scored twice for the Bruins, who would go on to clinch the

Another memorable Game 2 win on this date came in the Bruins' Prince of Wales Conference final series versus the Washington Capitals in 1990. The B's earned a 3-0 win, aided by goaltender Andy Moog's 28- save performance. Boston eventually swept the series to set up a Stanley Cup Final matchup with the .

Two years later, the Bruins took a 2-0 series lead against the rival in the 1992 Adams Division Finals with a 3-2 overtime victory at the old Montreal Forum. The B's won the next two games in Boston to sweep the Canadiens for the first time.

The Bruins own a 5-3 record on May 5, but they've only played one game on this date since 1994, despite making 17 postseason appearances over that span.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174322 Boston Bruins the insanity of being young, 24 years old and a millionaire. You buy 10 of everything and it was good.”

And it was good, at least briefly — until the oft-injured Sanderson was Time for fireside chat with Derek Sanderson about glory days of Big, Bad bought out for $1 million, having played only eight games for Bruins Philadelphia, before returning to the Bruins. It was never the same for him in Boston.

By Joe McDonald Listening to Sanderson talk is like being back in a bar with him in his heyday, when it was all Stanley Cup wins and seemingly blank checks. May 5, 2020 Fast-forward to 2020.

The Bruins were supposed to honor the 50th anniversary of the 1970 When Derek Sanderson — Stanley Cup champion, assist-man on Bobby Stanley Cup team with several events, but because of COVID-19, they Orr’s famous leaping goal, Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the year — have instead brought luminaries from that team out for video calls with signals that it’s storytime, you pull up a chair and listen. reporters and fans. On Tuesday, Sanderson spent 33 minutes conducting a town hall meeting with season ticket holders. And when Sanderson — who owned a nightclub with Joe Namath, married a Playboy Bunny, wrote three autobiographies and had a movie Sanderson is 73 now, but his storytelling touch and his knack for one- made about his life — agrees to tell the story of how he became the liners haven’t faded. We’ve compiled some of the best tidbits and zingers highest-paid athlete in the world, well, then you’re in for a real treat. from his talk:

It was 1973, the man known as “Turk” recalls, and that’s a long time ago Sanderson: I’m glad he didn’t miss the pass … It would’ve been a ho- now. Many athletes would look back on becoming the world’s best-paid hum goal if (Noel) Picard didn’t trip him. athlete as a moment of glory. But with the benefit of distance, Sanderson recalls the events that led to the multimillion-dollar deal he signed with Take us back to 1970 and tell us a story you haven’t told yet. little but regret. Sanderson: Fifty years I think we’ve covered it all … I wore a tuxedo that “No, it was not the right move,” he says. night (of Game 4) to the Garden because St. Louis wasn’t going to beat us. The guys said, “What are you doing?” They had the Stanley Cup Nowadays, Sanderson works with money. After many years of personal there and everything. No one expected it to be that close. Teddy Green troubles, Sanderson has reinvented himself as a wealth manager, with said, “What are you going to do if we lose this?” I said, “I never thought of clients who have included Orr, Cam Neely and Glen Wesley. that.” I wore a sweatshirt home.

But back then? The money? It was outrageous, overwhelming. On playing for the fans in Boston. Sanderson had just come off his second Stanley Cup win when the Philadelphia Blazers of the rival told him they Sanderson: If you worked hard, they’re not going to throw rocks at you. were interested in his services. Sanderson’s friend and former Bruins During the intermission before overtime in Game 4, coach Harry Sinden teammate Johnny McKenzie had also left the NHL and was considered a told Sanderson his line would start and Phil Esposito would be on the player/coach for the Blazers. Sanderson was in the midst of a contract bench. Sinden believed Boston’s best chance to win would be early in holdout with the Bruins, over what felt like big money. He wanted OT. $80,000, and the Bruins wouldn’t go over $75,000. So he went to listen to the Blazers’ offer, figuring at least it would offer him some leverage with Sanderson: Phil might’ve been a little upset … I sat beside Phil. He was the Bruins. on my right and he goes, “I can’t believe that.” I said, “Oh, well. What are you going to do?” Once we got it in their zone, they never got it out … it “I went into the room, right, and the guy says, ‘I’m authorized to offer you was over pretty quickly. $2.3 million,’” Sanderson recalled. “I was stunned. Stunned. Speechless. So, the guy thought I was disinterested. He said, ‘I’m authorized to go as Sanderson was a third-line center and understood why Orr, Johnny high at $2.6.’ Beautiful, I got another $300,000 in a matter of seconds.” Bucyk and Esposito dominated the local headlines.

But believe it or not, Sanderson vows, the decision to leave the Bruins Sanderson: When you get a really good team, the writers get sick and wasn’t that simple. He explains that when he was a teenage hockey tired of writing about the stars all the time, so it starts to trickle down and player, no one believed he would make it to the NHL, so breaking in with they’ll get to the third line somewhere around Christmas. the Bruins meant something to him. All his friends were in Boston. He was part owner of several bars there. His father also taught him to be One of the most infamous off-ice stories from that era occurred when loyal, so the decision to leave the Bruins weighed on him. Esposito had blown out his knee and was laid up in Massachusetts General Hospital. Many teammates — not including Sanderson — came Sanderson says he asked Philadelphia management to give him five to visit. explained the boys were going to a local bar, days to make a decision, because he needed to talk to the Branding Iron, across from the hospital. Esposito was in traction Sr., the owner of the Bruins. when Cashman, Dallas Smith and Teddy Green snuck Esposito, bed and all, out of the hospital and over to the bar for beers. Possibly because of “I went up to see him in Marblehead and showed him the contract. He his hard-living reputation, Sanderson is often credited with the heist. But, said, ‘My, God. Rogues and thieves.’ I said, ‘Well, what do you want me he said Tuesday, he wasn’t a part of the shenanigans. to do? I’m not here for your advice.’ He never lied to me and had always been good to me. He said, ‘I’m getting a sense that you would stay.’ I Sanderson: I got blamed for it, but I never did it. I thought that was a was always a Bruin. He said, ‘Under the circumstances we’ll give you the great move. $80,000.’ He didn’t go a penny above.” His response when asked by a season ticket holder about being one of Unbelievably, Sanderson almost re-signed with the Bruins, before he the best penalty killers in the game: thought better of it. In the end, it was just too much money. Sanderson: Smart guy, that kid. “They’re going to put me in Bridgewater (State Hospital) if anyone finds out I turned down $2.6 million,” he said. “I’m going to go to the nuthouse.” The 6-foot-2 Sanderson then explained that usually, shorter players in the league were the best on the penalty kill. Just like that, Sanderson was on the biggest sports contract in the world. He hardly knew what had happened. Sanderson: Bobby Lalonde was 5-foot-4 and he actually sawed off the bottom of his shin pads because the normal ones wouldn’t fit him. And then he started buying things. Lots of things. When asked for his current favorite Bruin, Sanderson pointed out Brad “First day in Philadelphia and I don’t know a soul,” Sanderson said. “I Marchand and Patrice Bergeron — and then had an interesting way of don’t know anything. I take a cab to go see a movie and I drove by a describing the other players on the team. Rolls Royce dealership. I wanted to see if the money was real, so I went in with a cashiers check and bought a Rolls Royce and that wasn’t the Sanderson: Marchand is a player to me that is gritty, he’s in your face smartest thing. I should’ve known I was in trouble when I did that. It was and he’s got a great pair of hands. Bergeron is as good as anybody in the game two-ways. I’ll tell you what, surprisingly the no-name guys are really playing very well and I like that. I like that they get involved.

What was your initial reaction when Orr’s shot went in?

Sanderson: I was pumped. I saw it hit the back of the net and said, “Oh, well. That’s it, I think.” I never really reacted right away. It was kind of like the NFL when you’re waiting for a penalty flag. “Everything OK?” And, it was so it was a lot of fun. It was an exciting moment and great time. We just didn’t realize how popular we were at the time. We had great fans. We were lucky.

Team you hated the most?

Sanderson: Montreal. I hated Montreal. It was the most difficult place to play in the first 10-12 minutes. You didn’t think a team could come out that hard every time. They always had talent.

What about New York?

Sanderson: I liked New York. They burned me in effigy one time. They hung me off the top of the balcony. They actually had a straw dummy with a Bruins sweater and then somebody lit fire to it and they didn’t realize all the people down below were going to get burnt. Yeah, New York was good … getting coffee thrown on you, that smarts.

On fights.

Sanderson: You could be as tough as you wanted against somebody you know isn’t going to fight and then you could really play rough. But, if you’ve got somebody who’s willing to drop ’em; you didn’t fool around with guys like John Ferguson, those big, tough guys.

On how the 1970 Bruins were a tightknit group.

Sanderson: There was no one there you didn’t like. That’s hard to believe there are 20-something guys and everybody liked everybody. We had a great team of guys that cared about each other. We had a rule that no one would be in a fight alone, so if you got into a fight the closest Bruin to the fight would jump the other guy. It was gang tactics most of the time. Then they put the third-man-in rule and that’s where it came from.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174323 Boston Bruins join Cleveland of the WHA in the mid-70s, only to return to the Bruins, has hurt his chances.

Thomas’ accomplishments as a starter during his eight seasons in Bruins Fan Survey results: Your take on the state of the franchise Boston are incredible and he probably deserves to have his number retired, too. A Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe, two Vezina Trophies, a Jennings Trophy and two All-Star nods should do the job. By Joe McDonald and Fluto Shinzawa As far as Chara’s No. 33, it will no doubt one day hang from the rafters, May 5, 2020 and soon after will be followed by Patrice Bergeron’s No. 37.

The Athletic’s readers believe it’s a shame that is not in the Hall of Fame. We asked, and you answered. Thanks to the 848 readers who participated in the Bruins fan survey, we now have some interesting data, Middleton has the resume. He registered 448 goals and 540 assists for spread out among 31 questions over four categories about this 988 points in 1,005 games. He was nearly a -per-game player and organization. finished 12 points shy of the 1,000-point milestone.

We’ve learned that you really, really want Torey Krug back — no matter He ranks fourth on the organization’s all-time list with 898 points behind what it costs — and that you think Tuukka Rask has been treated a little (1,506), Johnny Bucyk (1,339) and Phil Esposito (1,012). unfairly. You’re still smarting from the Game 7 loss last year. You know All three of those players are in the Hall of Fame. Middleton’s 402 goals just how good David Pastrnak’s contract is for the team. And, shocker, are third-most in Bruins history behind Bucyk (545) and Esposito (459). you think prices at TD Garden are inflated and you’d like to see Jeremy He also registered 45 goals and 55 assists for 100 points in 114 career Jacobs sell the team. playoff games.

Again, thank you to all who voted. Here’s what you think: A player’s complete body of work in the game of hockey is considered for enshrinement. Before the NHL, Middleton was a standout with the This was very close. By a narrow margin, readers latched on to the where he registered 207 points in 115 games in junior. Bruins when had traded in his skates for a whistle. His only season in the AHL, Middleton scored 36 goals and added 48 You saw one of the best defensemen of all time and a premier power assists for 84 points in 63 games for the , then the New forward do their thing at Boston Garden, which included losing to York Rangers’ affiliate. Edmonton twice in the Stanley Cup final. Perhaps this made the 2011 Thomas also deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, starting with his championship even more meaningful. collegiate career at Vermont, his accomplishments in Finland, his minor- The Bruins and Canadiens have been fighting it out for almost a century. league success and ultimately his prowess in the NHL. But that Original Six rivalry lies dormant now, with Montreal one of the Another close one. Acquiring Neely before his prime was the definition of league’s lesser lights. The Bruins have had bigger battles of late with timing the market. But the sharpest move was grabbing Phil Esposito Tampa and Toronto, but it’s the Maple Leafs who really emerged as the before he shredded the record book. team’s main rival in your minds, following several tight playoff battles over the last few seasons. There is no questioning Bobby Orr’s brilliance. But without Esposito commanding the front of the net, Orr’s mastery of the game would not Nothing in the sports world can compete with a Game 7 to decide a have produced two Stanley Cups in three years. championship. The anxiety is off the charts for fans, players and coaches. The build-up is intense, and the end result is either exhilaration Ownership, TD Garden and media or complete devastation. There is no sport that crackles in person like hockey. But it’s not that It was the latter for the Bruins and their fans when they witnessed the St. easy to make it to Causeway St. because of travel, cost or other Louis Blues hoisting the Stanley Cup on June 12, 2019, at TD Garden. In circumstances. Given that regular attendance is extremely rare, we hope fact, it was the second time in a seven-season span that a visiting team that every game you attend is one you enjoy, regardless of the outcome. won a championship on Garden ice. The celebrated a title with a victory in Game 6 on June 24, 2013, on Causeway Street. Pretty clear here. We’d suspect similar answers would be common around the NHL. It’s not like you expect supermarket prices at the airport. According to our readers, the loss to the Blues hurt much more. Arenas consider captive audiences to be profit centers. TD Garden is no different. The Bruins dropped a 4-1 decision in Game 7 to the Blues and had many Boston fans wondering what might have happened if Brad Marchand Many season-ticket holders were outraged at the start of the season at didn’t make his ill-fated decision to skate to the bench in the closing what they said were smaller seats inside the arena. Many voiced their second of the first period for a line change that allowed Alex Pietrangelo opinion, claiming there was less leg and elbow room and it was to score at 19:52, giving St. Louis a 2-0 lead. uncomfortable to watch a game. Other new amenities, including more food and beverage options, were welcomed, with the exception of the At least the Blues didn’t trash the locker room as bad at the Blackhawks prices. did in ’13. Oh, all you need to do is go back and watch the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley It is no surprise that you would not care to have a 6-foot-9, 250-pound Cup parade to remember how boring and dull Causeway Street was not strongman bloody your face. On Oct. 25, 2007, Zdeno Chara did exactly too long ago. Even though many fans and employees are livid with owner that to David Koci. for how he’s reacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, he The previous season, Chara’s first in Boston, then-coach Dave Lewis deserves a bit of credit for sprucing up the area around the Garden. instructed his captain not to fight. Claude Julien issued no such This answer was an obvious one given the longstanding feud between restrictions. fans and ownership. First, there’s no way Jacobs sells the team. He Koci was a 6-foot-6, 238-pound monster. Chara turned his face into recently said he has made sure the family company will remain intact for hamburger. It’s likely that Chara has held back in fights because he another generation under the watchful eye of his son, Charlie. Plus, the knows the damage he can do. This scrap was proof that he is frightening price tag for the Bruins would be close to $1 billion. when he chucks for real. Feud or no, Jacobs has been committed to winning and the team has Chara wins in a landslide, which is understandable. been perennial Cup contenders over the last decade.

Realistically, No. 30 should also be honored for both and Money talks. It’s not easy for fans, especially those with families, to Tim Thomas, for their heroics in net during their respective careers. Sure, attend Bruins games in person. many people will argue that Cheevers had an incredible team in front of This one definitely speaks to a generation of Bruins fans that only know him, which is true, but he still helped the Bruins to two Stanley Cup team success. We figured this one would be close, but we’re not victories and he’s a Hall of Famer. Maybe the fact that he left Boston to surprised that Jack Edwards pulled out the victory. This was another interesting result. While both men are true There is no debating Krug’s worth. As noted repeatedly, he is one of the professionals at their craft, and respected for their ability to call a game in NHL’s best power-play quarterbacks. Krug has become trustworthy at 5- interesting fashion, Bruins fans spoke and want to hear Jack on the mic. on-5 on the second pairing. He is a natural leader, willing to engage with any and all opponents. Coaching, management and the roster Matt Grzelcyk and Charlie McAvoy could split Krug’s power-play shifts. There were times during the summer of 2017 when it appeared the Jeremy Lauzon could take some of Krug’s 5-on-5 responsibilities. But the Bruins would have to offer David Pastrnak something in the Bruins would not be a better team if Krug walks. neighborhood of eight years and $68 million. It was the deal that Leon Draisaitl, the No. 3 pick in 2014, signed on Aug. 16. The Players

In Draisaitl’s third NHL season, the left-shot center scored 29 goals and As we just saw, fans believe Krug’s value is significant. Even if it causes 48 assists. The same year, Pastrnak recorded 34 goals and 36 assists. the Bruins cap trouble, readers believe Krug is too important to let go. J.P. Barry, Pastrnak’s agent, could make an argument that in terms of worth, there was not much daylight between his client and Draisaitl. There are plenty of good young all-around defensemen. Seth Jones, Zach Werenski, Rasmus Dahlin, Jaccob Slavin, Miro Heiskanen and Ivan Sweeney held his ground. Training camp started without an agreement. Provorov should be putting up points and keeping pucks out of their nets On Sept. 14, the sides struck a deal — a sweet one for the Bruins, in for a long time. retrospect. Pastrnak was on his way to 50 goals when this season was paused. He may approach the milestone multiple times before the But readers believe McAvoy is good enough to emerge from this cluster contract expires. and win a Norris Trophy. McAvoy, just 22 years old, had 32 points while manning the No. 1 pairing when the league shut down. As such, it’s a Pastrnak will be 27 years old at the deal’s conclusion. By choosing a six- good bet the Norris is in his future. year term, it may give Pastrnak one more big-time kick at the can provided his production does not decline. But for now, No. 88 is a It’s a slam dunk. Everybody likes David Pastrnak wearing No. 88. bargain. Tuukka Rask has a ring, albeit as a backup. Rask has played in two Jake DeBrusk is a long-term No. 2 left wing. Brandon Carlo, the right- other finals. He won the Vezina in 2013-14. Rask was in contention for side shutdown presence on the No. 2 pair, is going nowhere. Jeremy another this season. Lauzon may develop into a top-four defenseman. Readers believe that such results on his resume should better insulate That’s a pretty good return from Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2015 draft. That, Rask from his critics. But it may be the nature of his position that causes combined with the previous year’s theft of David Pastrnak (No. 25 in Rask to take the heat. There are no safety nets when Rask makes 2014) and the subsequent summer’s home-run selection of Charlie mistakes. McAvoy (No. 14 in 2016), confirm that Sweeney and his amateur staff A huge response with many believing Rask will remain on the ice after know what they’re doing. his current contract expires in 2022. However, there’s a real possibility The trouble with 2015, however, was that the Bruins had three straight Rask will retire to live a quieter life with his family. He’s played a lot of first-round picks. So far, it appears they missed on two: Jakub Zboril and hockey during his career, and fortunately he’s remained relatively Zach Senyshyn. You all know the alternatives, such as Mat Barzal, Kyle healthy, which is always a concern for a goalie. Plus, the organizational Connor, Thomas Chabot and Brock Boeser. depth at the goalie position has greatly improved the last few seasons and a new era is dawning between the pipes. This season, Cassidy benched DeBrusk and Anders Bjork. He scratched DeBrusk, Bjork, Matt Grzelcyk, Sean Kuraly and Joakim Nordstrom. Chara and Bergeron are no-doubt first-ballot inductees. Voters don’t Interactions, during games on the bench or in video meetings the day seem to agree, but Krejci should be a Hall of Famer one day too. He hits after, are not always comfortable. all the marks and is a proven postseason producer. Marchand still has plenty ahead in his career, but early indications point to the possibility of But by wielding playing time as his most productive tool, Cassidy has enshrinement — if voters don’t hold his antics against him. Like it or not, done well to maximize player performance. It shows in his record. he’s become an elite player in the NHL and shows zero signs of slowing down. Even after Bergeron retires, Marchand will still have David Analytics departments believe shootouts are an exercise in random Pastrnak on his line and the center could be Jack Studnicka. Rask has results. But it’s understandable why readers scratch their heads at some the resume and should be a home run. of the players Cassidy has selected this season: Chris Wagner, Charlie Coyle, Charlie McAvoy. Of course it’ll be Patrice Bergeron.

The Bruins are 0-7 in the shootout. The coach should bear some responsibility for this outcome. The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 Then again, if this is Cassidy’s greatest weakness, the Bruins are in good shape.

Brad Marchand believes that teams with older players are at a disadvantage if play resumes this year. Readers agree.

It may not be easy for Zdeno Chara (43), Patrice Bergeron (34), David Krejci (34) and Tuukka Rask (33) to reclaim fitness, timing and touch. It’s not like any of the four are perimeter players. All of them are chain- pullers with important roles.

Toronto, by comparison, leans heavily on Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander. All are under 30.

Even if those veterans have a tough time getting back to normal, fans think they’ll have enough to get it done in the end. Almost 60 percent think the Bruins will be raising the Cup if the season resumes.

Another close outcome. If the cap stays flat at $81.5 million, it may be challenging to re-sign Torey Krug, the most important of their remaining unrestricted free agents-to-be. The restricted market is tougher to read, but the Bruins have to budget for raises for Jake DeBrusk, Matt Grzelcyk and Anders Bjork.

A runaway result, even before the recent re-signing of Jaroslav Halak, which was already on our ballot. 1174324 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo isn’t the only team penalized by way of these proposed lottery changes – in fact, most teams in the draft lottery see their odds penalized to the benefit of Detroit and Ottawa. With only one ball drawn, Detroit NHL Draft lottery proposal is not good for Sabres. Here's why carries a whopping 57 percent chance at grabbing forward Alexis Lafreniere with the first overall pick, and a 100 percent chance of selecting either Lafreniere or center Quinton Byfield.

By Travis Yost Ottawa makes out quite well, too. The Senators already have San Jose’s pick, which means they go from two picks inside of the top six (the most Published Tue, May 5, 2020|Updated Tue, May 5, 2020 likely combination being No.4 and No. 5) to two picks inside of the top four (the most likely combination being No. 2 and No. 3).

Travis Yost has been involved in the world of hockey analytics for a The smaller penalties each draft lottery team not named Detroit or decade and is part of TSN's Hockey Analytics team. Before joining TSN, Ottawa carries are aggregated to the benefit of the league’s two worst Yost was a contributor at the Ottawa Citizen, the Sporting News and NHL teams. Which, if you are Steve Yzerman or Pierre Dorion, you aren’t Numbers, and he has been a consultant for an NHL franchise. He will be complaining. But Jason Botterill and the rest of the general managers contributing breakdowns on the Buffalo Sabres for The Buffalo News. looking up at these two teams should quickly assess the math and Follow Yost on Twitter: @travisyost. realize this is a bad bet.

The NHL circulated a seven-page memorandum last week addressing a And if it comes to fruition, that’s a rather significant handicap for a team number of issues concerning the 2020 NHL Draft. such as the Sabres, who are already fighting with Detroit and Ottawa to move up in the division standings. The league has become increasingly curious about moving up the draft into early June – perhaps in large part because of the ratings monster the NFL generated with its draft a few weeks ago. Buffalo News LOADED: 05.06.2020 The NHL has spent the greater part of two months working on a variety of contingency plans for the hockey calendar – the league still has a faint hope of finishing the regular season, and has been kicking around the idea of an expanded postseason to address the disparity in games played at the time play was stopped. That’s important context when you bring in the idea of also moving up the draft.

The league memorandum addressed three concerns shared by general managers – draft positions, conditional trades and limits on the trade market. The draft position discussion was particularly interesting, with general managers signaling concerns over using points percentage to create the order. Others were concerned about the remote possibility of a bubble team winning the draft lottery and the Stanley Cup should the regular season resume.

For whatever reason, this prompted the league to redefine the draft lottery rules, which sent me down a mathematical rabbit hole. The league proposing to only draw one lottery ball – which, consequently, means a team can only slide one spot down – significantly shifted the lottery odds in favor of Detroit and Ottawa, and less so for everyone else.

What would this mean for the Buffalo Sabres? One of the things that happens when you look at the math in both lottery situations is that the second-tier teams – bad enough to have an outside shot at a pick, not bad enough to be inside of the top four – really lose out. In Buffalo’s case, it’s really bad news.

Let’s bring in the revised lottery odds and a popular mock draft to show the impact to Buffalo. On the left side, you see the Sabres' chances of landing certain prospects based on their expected lottery odds. On the right side, you see Buffalo’s adjusted odds. Remember: Buffalo is seventh in either scenario.

In the old format, the NHL would have drawn a ball for the first overall pick, the second overall pick, and the third overall pick – in each scenario, Buffalo had about a 7 percent chance of winning. The Sabres had an outside chance at an impact player such as German forward Tim Stutzle, particularly if they saw their odds improve as teams such as Detroit and Ottawa (carrying much higher percentages) were called. The Sabres had a 26 percent chance of remaining at No. 7, but a 54 percent chance of picking lower.

In the new format, the odds of Buffalo landing a player like Stutzle diminishes. The league will draw one ball for the first overall pick, in which the Sabres have a less than 7 percent chance of winning. That means the team has a 93 percent chance of not seeing its ball drawn. There is a 75 percent chance the Sabres stay with their slot at No. 7, and an 18 percent chance of seeing that pick slide to No. 8.

In other words, Buffalo trades a real shot at moving up in the draft in exchange for security, as the chance of sliding to No. 8 is small and the chance of them sliding beyond No. 8 is impossible.

For most teams, that’s not exactly a winning trade – the league’s most elite players are found at the very top of the draft, whereas differentiating the value between the seventh overall pick and, say, the eighth overall pick is microscopic. 1174325 Calgary Flames

Hitmen sign hometown draftee Yakemchuk to deal

Staff Report

POSTMEDIA NEWS SERVICES

Publishing date:14 hours ago

The Calgary Hitmen have signed defenceman Carter Yakemchuk to a WHL standard player agreement.

Yakemchuk, a hometown kid from Calgary, was selected by the Hitmen in the third round — 65th overall — of the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.

“We feel Carter is one of the top offensive defenceman in the province in his age-group and are excited to have him commit to our program,” said Hitmen GM Jeff Chynoweth. “He has all the skills needed to run a power play, with a good shot and the ability to get pucks to the net.”

This past season, the 14-year-old was the second highest-scoring blueliner in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League. The Calgary Flames defenceman notched 28 points, including seven goals, in 32 games and also wore a letter an as alternate captain with the club. During the post-season, he added another six points, including two goals, in 10 games.

“It is super exciting to sign with my hometown team,” added Yakemchuk. “I am looking forward to having an opportunity to play with the Hitmen one day.”

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174326 Calgary Flames

'They are unbelievable,' says Flames GM of Giordano family's good deeds during COVID-19

Kristen Anderson • Postmedia

Publishing date:4 days ago

The word started circulating of Mark and Lauren Giordano’s latest acts of kindness.

Already known in this city for their exemplary charity contributions, the Calgary Flames captain and his wife have been reaching out to various families and meeting some of their needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Calgary woman posted on Facebook of her interaction with someone who worked for Giordano, indicating that he’d like to buy her groceries at Walmart; something he and his wife had been doing to help out the community.

In her post, the woman said her grocery bill came to $430.

“I am in still (sic) shock what just happened,” she wrote on Facebook.

Flames general manager Brad Treliving confirmed the Giordanos gesture, which exemplifies the captain’s leadership and his better half’s selfless nature.

“They are unbelievable,” Treliving said. “The last thing he’s going to do is publicize that. Paying for groceries is just one of the things he’s done in the last six weeks to help this community. He’s not going to blow his own horn — I’ll blow it for him. They’ve been active in finding out — and Lauren’s been unbelievable — the needs people have. Someone was looking for a computer so they went out and got them one and delivered it. They’ve done unbelievable work. And he’s never going to tell you about it.

“But he just gets it.”

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174327 Calgary Flames think we have to be careful — there are people that need testing who are way more important than we are … when you start talking about if and when that time comes when we can re-engage, that’s going to come Flames GM Treliving tempers excitement amid Alberta's reopening when the greater community is allowed to gather to a certain extent.” strategy The very nature of the sport of hockey at any level — including professionally — involves contact, incidental or intentional. There are many variables and uncontrollable aspects of the game from a health Kristen Anderson • Postmedia and safety perspective making physical distancing virtually impossible.

Publishing date:3 days ago Testing, Treliving believes, will play a big role in their return to the ice to ensure players do not have the coronavirus.

“In this new normal that we’ve been living the last six weeks, it seems Alberta’s recently unveiled reopening strategy coupled with the gaining really odd we’re going to get to a point where hockey games will be steam of games resuming in hub cities has happening and people will be colliding,” Treliving said. “But we’ll get many eagerly anticipating a return to normalcy. there, whenever we get there. However, Brad Treliving’s excitement is tempered. “We’ll just follow the direction and whenever we’re allowed to get to that The Calgary Flames general manager said while the forward motion is spot, we’ll get there.” good news, they are still at the mercy of health authorities to ensure the safety and health of all parties involved. Calgary Herald: LOADED: 05.06.2020 “This is a gradual approach and we’re not out of the woods,” Treliving said on Friday during his weekly media conference call. “We all have to be cautious of how we operate. But I just take it as there are signs that we are moving forward. It’s a positive. I haven’t broken it down, to be honest with you, of how it’s all going to work. But certainly the biggest point for me is how does that relate to us with groups (of people)? I’m not talking about fans in the building right now.

“But organizing a training camp with 30-some-odd people, how does that work?”

Provincial guidelines from chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw have banned gatherings of more than 15 people through Aug. 31, while physical distancing measures — ensuring people stay two metres a part — are still in place to continue Alberta’s fight to stop the spread of COVID-19.

However the province’s phased reopening which was announced by Premier Jason Kenney on Thursday would see the relaxing of restrictions on some public gatherings during Stage 2.

When asked about Edmonton’s potential of partially hosting the restart of the NHL, Kenney said Alberta would consider a plan put forth by the NHL “that follows our health guidelines with appropriate protective equipment and with nobody in the stands.”

While Kenney has had a conversation with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in recent weeks, he added the Alberta government hasn’t received any potential plans yet.

Treliving indicated their group has plans in place, outlining how a training camp would look in a restricted format — three groups of 10 players, for example, or four groups of eight.

He added that the Flames are cognizant of potential limitations if they are allowed to reopen their own facility to give players informal access to the ice and dressing rooms.

“Generally speaking, it’s a positive versus if the message was we’re on lockdown here for a few more months,” Treliving said. “But we’re turning a little bit back to normal here.”

Prior to Treliving’s hiring as general manager in the spring of 2014, the Flames drew criticism in 2009 when some players and their families received the H1N1 flu vaccine at a special clinic with the help of Alberta Health Services.

He indicated preferential treatment like that would not be the case this time around when it comes to public health and safety.

“We’re never going to be in a position where we circumvent or get ahead of the line,” Treliving said. “I wasn’t here for the flu (H1N1) shot situation, but I’ve heard plenty about it and certainly we don’t want a repeat of that.”

Treliving assured their potential plans would satisfy AHS and provincial guidelines, but there is no rush to put anything into motion yet.

They have to follow the procedures just like everyone else, he said.

“You have to pump the brakes a little bit here,” Treliving said. “They’re going to let us know. The key to all of this stuff is going to be testing and I 1174328 Calgary Flames qualities — athleticism and competitiveness. Now, if he’s 6-foot-2 with the characteristics he has? I think you’re talking about a top-two round pick, in my mind. So he’s a little bit shorter. We’ll see how it all plays out Flames sign goalie-of-future candidate Dustin Wolf to entry-level deal … The kid is either going to make it or die trying.”

That drive and determination was apparent Friday, shortly after Wolf signed his entry-level deal and before he laced up his rollerblades to Wes Gilbertson work on his “grip-it-and-rip-it” technique.

Publishing date:4 days ago “It’s obviously an awesome, awesome day,” he said. “It has been something we’ve looked forward to — not only myself but as a family, as

well — for a long time. For it to finally come true and put my name on Unable to hit the ice due to the global health crisis, Calgary Flames puck- paper, it’s unbelievable. The work is just starting now. I can’t wait to see stopping prospect Dustin Wolf has taken his game to the streets. what the next few years hold.

Except that somebody else can tend the twine. “It’s another step in the right direction, but I have a lot of work to do.”

“No way, I’m not a goalie in roller hockey — that’s way too difficult. Not being able to stop is a struggle,” Wolf said with a chuckle. “I like to think Calgary Herald: LOADED: 05.06.2020 of myself as a sniper in roller hockey, but others might say otherwise.”

Wolf is determined to quiet his naysayers, and not by picking corners on the pavement.

The 19-year-old scribbled his signature Friday on a three-year, entry- level contract with the Flames, another significant step in his quest to prove that his size — he is listed at 6-foot and just 165 lb. — won’t stop him from a career in the crease at the Saddledome.

Wolf, who hails from Tustin, Calif., was Calgary’s seventh-round selection in the 2019 NHL Draft. After a superb season with the Everett Silvertips, he is now a finalist for the Del Wilson Trophy as the ’s top goaltender.

“What you hear about is he’s not 6-foot-4. But as our western scouts kept saying, ‘Yeah, he’s not, but all he does is stop the puck,’ ” said Flames general manager Brad Treliving. “He’s just so competitive and so driven and continues to search for ways that he can get better. He doesn’t like to take a day off, this guy. He wants to play in all the games. So that fire … Yeah, he doesn’t have the luxury of being a 6-foot-4 goaltender, but he makes up for it in being positionally sound, being athletic and then being ultra, ultra competitive.

“Dustin doesn’t burn any calories on what he doesn’t have. He maximizes what he does have. With all these kids, you’re always projecting, but all you can take for performance is what they’ve done at the level that they’re at. And he’s been nothing short of dominant at that level, so he’s a really intriguing guy.”

Goalie-of-the-future always seems to be a hot topic among the Flames’ faithful, and Wolf certainly put himself in that conversation after another splendid campaign with the WHL’s Silvertips.

He tied for the league lead with 34 wins in the truncated season and topped the charts with a .935 save percentage and 1.88 goals-against average. In 46 appearances, he posted nine shutouts. (With 20 career donuts, Wolf is only six shy of tying the WHL’s all-time record and he should be back in Everett next winter to challenge that mark.)

“Obviously, when you’re not 6-foot-3 or 6-foot-4, you have to find other ways to stop pucks,” Wolf said after Friday’s announcement. “Size is one thing, but I pride myself on just the will and compete to stop every single puck. When you’re smaller, you have to be super-technical and you can’t over-commit on anything. You have to be patient in the net. Those are some strong foundational points.

“The way that I look at, I’m just going to keep doing my thing. And if I happen to sprout up an inch or two, that’s great. But you know what? Height is one thing, but there are a lot of other attributes and skill sets that I have that some other goalies may not. Size is one thing, but it’s definitely not going to limit me.”

It hasn’t so far, although size is the reason that Wolf was still available in the seventh round of the NHL Draft last summer.

At No. 214 overall, he was the fourth-from-last pick, squirming in his seat at Rogers Place in Vancouver until a teary-eyed trip to the draft floor to meet his future employers.

He could turn out to be a steal for the Flames.

“When you get into the seventh round, you’re not finding the perfect player, but you’ve gotta find elite qualities,” Treliving said. “What’s going to get him into the league? It might not be his size. But he’s got two elite 1174329 Calgary Flames

Hitmen ink first-rounder Tulk

Staff Report

POSTMEDIA NETWORK

Publishing date:4 days ago

Oliver Tulk is moving forward with this hockey career.

Right into a future with the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen.

The Hitmen announced Friday that they’ve signed forward Tulk to a WHL standard player deal.

Tulk, a product of Gibsons, B.C., was selected by the Hitmen in the first round — 12th overall — in last month’s 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.

“We are very excited to have Oliver sign with our program and commit to Calgary,” said Hitmen general manager Jeff Chynoweth. “He is a talented young man who we believe will become a core piece of our franchise moving forward.”

This past season the 15-year-old more than doubled his point total from 2018-19 to lead Delta Hockey Academy Bantam Prep Green in scoring.

Tulk notched 69 points, including 27 goals, in 30 games. He was also off to a blazing start to the post-season with 10 points, including three goals, in two games before the coronavirus pandemic cancelled play.

“I am so excited to be drafted and signed by such a first class organization like the Calgary Hitmen,” Tulk said. “This is a tremendous honour for me and my family. I look forward to working hard on my game to be able to earn the respect of the players and coaches, when it’s my time to join the Hitmen.”

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174330 Calgary Flames I’d like to give him a little taste of his own medicine and take it to him pretty good.”

Flames’ gamers ready for virtual faceoff in video-game challenge Calgary Herald: LOADED: 05.06.2020

Wes Gilbertson

Publishing date:6 days ago

The Tkachuk brothers have blossomed into power forwards, both hard to handle for their NHL opponents.

But just imagine them like this …

“Growing up, I remember we would always make our own players in the NHL video games and we’d make ourselves like 6-foot-10 and 300 pounds, just massive, and a 99 (rating) in skating, and we’d go around and be beasts out there,” chuckled Matthew, who measures a more reasonable 6-foot-2 and 202 lb. as an alternate captain and go-to guy for the Calgary Flames. “Now, to have us in those games realistically and to have us on our separate teams, it is pretty cool. But honestly, I don’t think it’s as cool to us as it is to some of our buddies or some guys that play more of it than we do. They thought, when we first entered the league, ‘How crazy is it that you’re in a video game?’

“I remember actually, when I played in London, junior teams were on the video game. My buddies back then thought that was so cool that I was on NHL 16 or NHL 17 or whatever it was, playing for London. And then the next year, they were playing with me for Calgary. It was pretty funny.”

On Thursday, with fans watching via Twitch or YouTube or several other sites, Matthew will be playing EA Sports NHL 20 as himself.

Ditto for his younger brother, Brady, a franchise piece for the Ottawa Senators.

With the on-ice action paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the biggest names in the sport will be facing off over the coming weeks in the NHL Player Gaming Challenge, with 32 teams — including the yet-to- be-named expansion squad in Seattle — represented in the video-game showdown. (Seattle’s gamer is -raised Luke Willson, a tight end for the NFL’s Seahawks.)

Thursday’s opener pits Calgary against Ottawa, Tkachuk vs. Tkachuk.

Noah Hanifin will also be at the controls for the Flames in this best-of- three matchup, which will be broadcast online at 3 p.m. MT.

“I played NHL a lot when I was a kid. It was my favourite video game when I was younger,” said Hanifin, who is back in Boston with his family as he awaits word on an NHL re-start. “I kind of stopped playing as I got older, but now with this quarantine thing, I’ve been back on playing a ton. It’s a bit creepy sometimes to see how similar they can make you look on the video game, but it’s pretty cool.”

Just like Tkachuk, long before the EA Sports programmers were building Hanifin’s profile, the smooth-skating defenceman was doing it himself.

“Always a 99 overall in everything, of course,” Hanifin chuckled. “Just to come back and play now and see how far it’s come and see yourself in the game, it’s pretty neat.”

Matthew Tkachuk, for what it’s worth, is rated an 86 in NHL 20, four points higher than his younger brother. (Hanifin is an 84.)

On the ice, Tkachuk owns a 3-1 record in four big-league matchups against Brady, but the Flames’ all-star left-winger insists he is the underdog whenever the PlayStation is plugged in.

The brothers have been isolating together at their family home in St. Louis, competing head-to-head at just about everything you can think of.

“I’m looking forward to playing against Brady but he’s the gamer in the family, so I know I have no chance against him,” said Matthew, teeing up a bit of trash-talk. “I guess that’s the difference between me and him — I like to be outside doing stuff, and he just parks his ass right on the couch, watching and playing video games.

“I haven’t been dialled in on the video games as much as he has, but hopefully I can get lucky. Hopefully, the Flames can beat up on the Senators and beat up on Brady’s mental state, as well, when it comes to video games. Because I know he’s pretty confident coming into this, so 1174331 Calgary Flames develop more for one more year and hopefully become ready to get into the NHL team.”

Because he has fond memories of that summertime trip to Calgary, but Flames sign Swedish defenceman Johannes Kinnvall he’s yet to experience a winter evening in front of the C of Red.

“I heard they are crazy, and I just want to play in front of them,” Kinnvall Wes Gilbertson said. “I think I can do that if I just develop more. Hopefully, I can be on the ice there too. Publishing date:6 days ago “It’s a dream come true just to sign this NHL contract. This is what I’ve been working for all my life and now it’s a reality, so I’m really excited.”

As he boarded his outbound flight, Johannes Kinnvall was hoping he’d be back in Calgary someday. Calgary Herald: LOADED: 05.06.2020 The up-and-coming defenceman was invited to attend the Flames’ development camp last July and, after a standout season in the , booked an eventual return trip Wednesday by signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the club.

Kinnvall will spend another winter in the SHL and then will be headed to North America — either to the Saddledome or to AHL Stockton — after the 2020-21 campaign.

“I had a really good impression of the Flames organization when I was there last summer, so it was a really, really easy decision for me when they wanted to sign me,” Kinnvall said from his home in Jonkoping, Sweden. “I just liked everything about Calgary. All the people were so kind. I just loved the city. Also, I had the chance to meet a few fans. Everything was just so good.

“I had a great feeling about the organization, and I’m so happy to have signed this contract.”

Kinnvall, still only 22, is a fascinating addition for the Flames.

The right-handed rearguard was the leading point-producer this winter for HV71 Jonkoping, notching 11 goals and 29 assists in 51 games.

Across the SHL, only one defenceman racked up more points in the truncated season.

Calgary’s top scout in Europe knows plenty about putting pucks in the net, and Hakan Loob figures Kinnvall’s talents will translate.

“I think he has very good potential to become a really good player — and I’m talking about the NHL level — sooner than later,” said Loob, who helped the Flames raise a Stanley Cup banner in 1989 before returning to his native Sweden. “I’m very hopeful. I was really happy when Brad (Treliving) called me and said we signed him. A right-handed shot, good on the power-play, scoring points like he’s done the last two years . . . You don’t find too many free agents like that.

“I’m happy he picked Calgary, because he probably had other teams that were really looking for him to sign.”

Indeed, he did.

Kinnvall hails from Gavle, the same hometown as Flames forward Elias Lindholm, and grew up idolizing Nicklas Lidstrom and .

He hopes to follow their footsteps to the NHL, but figures another season as a key piece for HV71 Jonkoping will do wonders for his development.

The Flames’ blue-line could look a lot different by the time that Kinnvall arrives.

Of the nine rearguards on the roster when action was paused due to the COVID-19 crisis, five are set for unrestricted free-agency in July — TJ Brodie, Travis Hamonic, Michael Stone and trade-deadline acquisitions Derek Forbort and Erik Gustafsson.

Oliver Kylington will be a restricted free agent this summer.

That leaves captain Mark Giordano, plus Rasmus Andersson, Noah Hanifin and Juuso Valimaki — he has missed this entire season after ripping up his knee — as the only sure-things under contract.

The Flames inked a pair of defencemen, Connor Mackey and Colton Poolman, out of the NCAA ranks last month and are also preparing to welcome Carl-Johan Lerby, who signed a similar deal to Kinnvall a year ago and played for Malmo in the SHL this past season.

“I think I can develop more here in Sweden,” Kinnvall said. “I think I had a really good spot and a role here with my team in Sweden, and I think I need to be more strong and work on my defensive game. So I think I can 1174332 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks 2019-20 season in review: Kirby Dach

By Charlie Roumeliotis

May 05, 2020 10:15 PM

The NHL put its 2019-20 season on pause March 12 due to the COVID- 19 pandemic but remains hopeful to award the Stanley Cup at some point. Although it's unclear if or when it could return, NBC Sports Chicago will recap the season of each Blackhawks player to date in our "season in review" series. Next up is Kirby Dach.

There were plenty of storylines to follow going into training camp, perhaps none more intriguing than whether Kirby Dach would be ready to secure a full-time NHL roster spot out of the gates. Unfortunately for both Dach and the Blackhawks, the No. 3 overall pick suffered a concussion at the 2019 Traverse City Prospect Tournament and missed all of preseason.

But that didn't stop him from making a strong impression when his opportunity finally came on Oct. 20. And the Blackhawks weren't afraid to throw him into the fire either, matching his line against Alex Ovechkin's all game. Welcome to the pros, kid.

The very next game, Dach was credited with his first career NHL goal after the puck bounced off his knee and in. In his third game, he recorded his first career NHL assist. Things were off to a solid start.

The biggest challenge early on for Dach was making the most of ice time. He was only getting about 9-11 minutes a night and he's someone that's accustomed to playing in all situations.

"I'm pretty used to playing a lot of minutes in a game and obviously that transition for a little bit to not play as many minutes was tough," Dach said. "I had to learn that you go through those stretches where you're not going to play a ton, especially as a young guy. You have to learn how to deal with that and play your best minutes when you're out there."

Dach's hottest stretch came in November when he recorded seven points (four goals, three assists) during a career-long five-game point streak. But after that, his production cooled off significantly.

Dach registered only one point over the next 28 games and went through goal droughts of 16 and 13 games, respectively. But the encouraging part was, his confidence never wavered. He was still generating chances and playing his game, the points simply weren't coming.

After snapping that drought on Jan. 19, Dach compiled 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) and had a plus-3 rating while averaging 15:51 of ice time over the next 21 games. The Blackhawks gave him more responsibility as the season went on and he handled it well.

There will certainly be growing pains as Dach progresses as a pro, but the upside is evident, and he never once looked out of place despite his ups and downs. And that's why Dach's rookie campaign with the Blackhawks should be considered a success.

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Scenarios Blackhawks fans could see when United Center potentially opens

By Scott King

May 05, 2020 12:08 PM

San Jose Sharks president Jonathan Becher spoke candidly with ESPN's Greg Wyshynski on the measures the organization has been taking amid the NHL pause, which began on March 12, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Sharks, whose last game was a 6-2 loss against the Blackhawks in Chicago, have been going to great lengths to prepare for when play resumes and if it doesn't. If the other teams around the league aren't already taking similar precautions, they may want to.

Becher was asked if the franchise will be able to benefit from insurance covering any of the financial damage caused by the pause.

"The short answer is no. There are some cases where insurance can help, but almost all policies don't have a pandemic exception in them," he said. "I don't think any of the lawyers drawing up these policies were alive back in 1918, the last time we went through this."

Becher also disclosed how season-ticket holders will be refunded if the Sharks don't play their 12 remaining games. The Blackhawks also have 12 regular season games left during the pause.

"If you're a season-ticket holder or a suite holder, you have a contract for a certain number of games. If they're less than those number of games, the question then becomes whether you take a refund or you take a credit into next year," he said. "Most people want to come back next year, so now there's a choice: I'll pay less for next year, or I'll get money back and pay the full price next year. The math is the same."

Becher said the franchise doesn't plan on raising prices for season ticket holders next year to compensate for this season's potential losses.

Like the Hawks and other NHL teams, the Sharks are waiting to see if and when the league will resume play. San Jose has been preparing for 8-10 potential scenarios on how the SAP Center would reopen to host games, any of which the Blackhawks and other teams could potentially see at their home arenas as well.

"Scenarios like if there's no fans, and it's TV-only. There's no fans, with just TV and radio," Becher said. "A TV broadcast truck requires a bunch of people. Maybe we're allowed 250 people, roughly -- that's a crew, coaches, doctors on site and other things. The minimum number of people is a lot more than you'd think. And it's a big building."

Becher and the Sharks are also considering scenarios based on if only suites or other sections of the arena are solely permitted to hold fans at first, and if it came into play, how season-ticket holders be dealt with in those situations.

"Whatever is decided probably won't be one of our models," Becher said. "But the hope is that it's a combination of things we're already worked through, so we can be ready in a short number of days. We build likely outcomes and one of those hopefully happens. What we're not doing is starting from scratch."

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Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook breaks down each Stanley Cup-winning team

By Scott King

May 05, 2020 8:04 AM

On the latest episode of the Blackhawks Talk podcast, Brent Seabrook details the difference between the 2010, 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup championship Blackhawks teams on a jam-packed episode that also features Troy Brouwer, Andrew Laad, Dave Bolland and Kris Versteeg joining Eddie Olczyk and Pat Boyle for a 2010 team reunion.

Seabrook was asked which of the three championship teams was the best. He wouldn't bite, but he did provide great insight into each special squad.

“I think that [2010] team was a special team. We were so young, we were raw. We lost to Detroit in the conference finals, I think we learned a lot from that,” Seabrook said. “We also were sort of up against the fence, we knew a lot of guys might be leaving, so it was sort of our last chance and we might not get another one.”

Then the veteran blueliner gave his thoughts on the 2013 team.

“We won the Presidents Trophy. We knew how to win, we’d been there before. We were excited, we had some new young guys,” Seabrook said. “We had some older guys, [Michal] Handzus, Jamal Mayers, some guys who had been around, so we wanted to do it for them and we wanted to do it for ourselves.

“We had a good team, we had a tough stretch against Detroit. We really learned a lot about ourselves in that series, being able to fight back and come back and win that and get to the top of the mountain and win again.”

Lastly, Seabrook detailed the 2015 team, the most recent of the Hawks groups to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup.

“That whole playoffs, I think we were just a resilient, scrappy team," he said. "I think losing Kaner for the second half of the season or the last 20 games was tough. We were able to find a way to claw and scratch and get him to play more games which were big for us and when he came back, he was a special player as he always has been and we just sort of went, we just started rolling.

“We had guys step up in big moments throughout the playoffs. [Antoine] Vermette I think, what did he have, two or three game winners in the Finals or something like that? And some big overtime goals from a lot of different guys. We just sort of felt like we had that belief. We were never out of a game, we were never going to lose.”

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Blackhawks 2019-20 season in review: Malcolm Subban

By Charlie Roumeliotis

May 05, 2020 6:00 AM

The NHL put its 2019-20 season on pause March 12 due to the COVID- 19 pandemic but remains hopeful to award the Stanley Cup at some point. Although it's unclear if or when it could return, NBC Sports Chicago will recap the season of each Blackhawks player to date in our "season in review" series. Next up is Malcolm Subban.

When Robin Lehner was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights at the NHL trade deadline, you knew the Blackhawks were going to ride Corey Crawford as the No. 1 goaltender down the stretch, especially if they were still mathematically in the playoff race. And that's exactly what head coach Jeremy Colliton did until the season was put on pause, giving Crawford 10 straight starts.

Malcolm Subban, who was part of the package coming back to Chicago, had been a backup for three seasons for the Golden Knights and was likely aware that'd be the case with the Blackhawks for the rest of the season. What remains unclear is what happens next.

The Blackhawks have three signed to an NHL contract next season (Collin Delia, Kevin Lankinen and Matt Tomkins) and one under an AHL contract (Tom Aubrun). Crawford, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent, remains unsigned but you figure he's near the top of the priority list, although the financial ramifications of the COVID-19 crisis could change the outlook of things.

That leaves us with Subban, who's a pending restricted free agent. He only saw 70 seconds of game action in a Blackhawks uniform, so the team didn't truly get a fair look at what he can bring to the table, but his body of work is large enough to know what you may have in him.

Subban is 30-23-7 with a 2.97 goals-against average, .899 save percentage and one shutout in 66 career appearances. His numbers improved when he briefly took over the starting job in Vegas this season after Marc-Andre Fleury stepped away due to personal reasons, so you could make an argument he just needs consistent reps. But it would be a gamble to draw that conclusion.

If the Blackhawks don't see a future for him in Chicago, it's difficult to see them bringing him back considering they've just about rounded out their goaltending depth for the 2020-21 campaign.

Subban was drafted in the first round (No. 24 overall) in 2012 by the Boston Bruins, so there's clearly some upside there. But he hasn't shown many flashes of it yet at the NHL level and the Blackhawks might not have the patience to see how he progresses with Delia and Lankinen taking strides and waiting next in line.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174336 Colorado Avalanche Blues did not re-sign Bleackley in summer 2019 with the forward bouncing between the AHL and ECHL before the 2019-20 season was on indefinite suspension.

Exactly what happened with the Avalanche’s 2014 draft class? Wood, however, signed an ELC with the Coyotes. He was an AHL All- Star who was also named to the AHL All-Rookie Team in his first season. In 2018, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks. Wood re-signed with the By Ryan S. Clark Sharks in July 2019 but was traded the next month to the Carolina Hurricanes. He played for the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate before being May 5, 2020 moved to the Detroit Red Wings’ organization. Wood was with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL before the season was placed on pause.

Anton Lindholm. He is the answer to the question of who is the only Pajpach, who was one of seven goalies drafted by the Avalanche since player from the Colorado Avalanche’s 2014 draft class who has reached 2013, remains in Europe. He had a two-year stint in the Finnish Junior the NHL. “A” before returning to his native Slovakia. Most of his three-year tenure in Slovakia was spent in the nation’s second division. The 24- Relying upon what they have done with draft picks such as Gabriel year-old spent the 2019-20 campaign in the French second division with Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar has Clermont. played a role in why the Avalanche appear to be in a long-term position to potentially win a Stanley Cup. Applying a similar approach with The last known whereabouts for Pepin, who also did not sign an ELC prospects Justus Annunen, Bowen Byram, Martin Kaut and Alex with the Avalanche, was Concordia University, where he played in 2017- Newhook is how the front office plans on sustaining that status. 18 after spending four seasons in the Major Junior Hockey League. Knowing the 2014 class yielded that type of return might sound bizarre given the Avalanche’s current philosophy. Especially to one person Magyar did not sign an ELC as he was forced to retire early because of particularly close to the situation. an ankle injury. He scored 20 goals and had 46 points in 66 games in his first year with the Kitchener Rangers in the . That “I’d never thought about that. I had no idea,” Lindholm remarked. “To be is what led to him being on the Avalanche’s radar prior to them selecting honest, I was not at the draft. I was in Sweden. I did not know if I was him with one of two fourth-round picks. Magyar scored 16 goals and had even going to get drafted. I was not even a big name back in Sweden. … 32 points in his second season but his third year with the Rangers is I know all the names and I’ve been to various development camps. I’ve what altered his plans of playing professional hockey. crossed paths with everyone. I didn’t know I was the only one who played a game (in the NHL).” “After I got drafted, I broke my ankle my second game into my third season in Kitchener. That kept me out for most of the year,” Magyar said. Center Conner Bleackley was the team’s first-round pick while “I came back for the playoffs but I never really got an opportunity again. I defenseman Kyle Wood was a third-round selection. Wingers Nicholas never felt the same. To this day, my ankle is bugging me. I have gotten Magyar and Alexis Pepin were drafted in the fourth round. Lindholm was other professional looks at it. I have had any procedures that need to be a fifth-rounder with goaltender Maximilian Pajpach going in the sixth. The done. From there, I am not one to make excuses. organization’s seventh and final selection was forward Julien Nantel. “That was something I still don’t think I fully recovered from and it was a Much has been said about the Avalanche’s draft class that year. The real big deciding factor as to what happened in the years after I was Athletic’s Corey Pronman revisited what the organization did and graded drafted.” it with an “F”. Pronman also did a first-round redraft examining what every club could have done that year in retrospect. Looking back, the He is currently a university student who is one term away from suggestion was the front office could have taken Philadelphia Flyers graduating. In January, he will start working for Ernst & Young in the defenseman Travis Sanheim. The 24-year-old has emerged into a top- firm’s accounting department. Magyar said the first couple of years of four option who hypothetically could have done the same for the Avs. university were difficult. There were moments when he found it tough to study for a mid-term or final when he would normally be on his way to the Retrospective questions often come when draft classes yield this type of rink for a game. return. Naturally, one could explore what a team might have done differently. Like opting to choose Sanheim in the first round. That third- “All of it made me mature a little bit sooner than the normal 20-, 21-, 22- round pick could have been Los Angeles Kings center Michael Amadio. year-old,” Magyar said. “I don’t regret anything I have done. My injury Or how those two fourth-round selections turn into Nashville Predators was a low point and if that did not happen, who knows where I would be winger Viktor Arvidsson and forward Danton Heinen. Or and what occurs over the past couple of years? I have made a name for maybe one of those picks is used to draft New York Rangers goaltender myself in the Kitchener-Waterloo community. I am 24 and I can say I Igor Shesterkin instead of drafting two forwards. have traveled the world for hockey and I left home at 15. I have gone to the Junior Olympics and have played for Team USA. Anders Bjork, Ondrej Kase, Kevin Labanc and Victor Olofsson were all later-round options who could have been part of a mythical draft class. “I have checked every box aside from playing pro. That is something only Those are all players who have gone on to have varying degrees of NHL the one percent make. You hear that cliche but I never really believed success. It is possible they could have at least replicated those efforts that as I was coming through the ranks.” with the Avalanche. But there is no guaranteeing those results could This leaves Lindholm and Nantel as the only players from the 2014 class have come with the Avs or another club. who are still in the organization. That leads to another reflective question about the Avalanche’s actual Lindholm has been in North America since the 2016-17 season. He spent 2014 draft class: What happened? the majority of that season with the San Antonio Rampage in the AHL. “Obviously, being drafted, you’re 18 years old and it’s hard to know who But Lindholm was called up to the NHL for 12 games. A year later, he is going to pan out and who is not going to pan out,” Lindholm offered. “A finished with four points — all assists — while playing 48 games with the lot of things can happen between 17 and 20, 21. I think it’s whoever you Avalanche. The 25-year-old defenseman has largely played in the AHL draft, it’s always not a gamble but you never know. You can’t see into the with the Colorado Eagles and has only played in six NHL games over the future. Predicting what a 17-year-old will become is always a tough job last two seasons. for the scouts.” Nantel spent his first three seasons with the organization going between It starts with the fact Bleackley and Wood along with Alex Tanguay were the AHL and ECHL. He established himself as a productive ECHL player traded in 2016 to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Mikkel Boedker. over a small sample size by averaging 0.79 points over 33 games. The Several items, such as injuries, contributed to Bleackley never being 23-year-old is averaging 0.18 points in 187 AHL contests between the offered an entry-level contract by the Avalanche. The Coyotes opted to Eagles and Rampage. not offer Bleackley an ELC after he missed significant time with injuries in “I’ve played in the NHL and I feel like I can play there and make an what would be his final season with the in the Western impact,” Lindholm said. “But, at the same time, I try to remind myself that Hockey League. Bleackley re-entered the 2016 NHL Draft and became a the whole world of hockey is in line for those spots.” fifth-round pick who then signed a contract with the St. Louis Blues. The Colorado was not the only organization that had challenges with its 2014 draft haul. The Dallas Stars’ class has amounted to 87 games with the club and all of them belong to Finnish defenseman Julius Honka. The have a combined 14 games among their eight draftees that offseason. Alex Tuch played in six games with the team before being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. It leaves defenseman Louis Belpedio with three games and goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen with five games.

The received 36 games from its 2014 class. John Quenneville played 33 times before he was traded while Joshua Jacobs has three NHL games. Shesterkin played in 12 games for the Rangers and has worked to establish himself as the potential long-term successor to Henrik Lundqvist in net. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators received 33 games from Andreas Englund, the only player from their draft class to reach the NHL.

How does one grasp with the fact that their draft class is labeled a bust?

“I’d be lying if I said that hasn’t come to my attention or it has not come into my thoughts,” Magyar said. “You look at what (the Avalanche) have done recently and who they have picked up and the caliber players at the next level. At the end of the day, the NHL is unique. You only get drafted once when you are 18. You are banking on 18-year-olds transitioning from Denver to eventually play pro hockey where there are so many different barriers from that level. … I think it’s unfair solely to say an 18- year-old is a bust because there is so much growing and developing at that age.

“Whether it is injuries, someone doesn’t pan out, they have an off-year. There are so many factors that go into a draft class.”

Magyar said he will “always have a special place” for the Avalanche and what they did for him. He shares connections with Landeskog because they had the same billet parents when they were with the Kitchener Rangers. He still has his draft jersey framed in his basement and will go see the Avs whenever they are playing the Buffalo Sabres or .

Lindholm returned to Sweden after the AHL season was suspended. Discussing his draft class made him reflect on how he still has an opportunity to become an NHL player but his window is getting tighter. He has one more season remaining on his contract knowing he could potentially be a factor for a roster spot. Mark Barberio is an unrestricted free agent who might not re-sign with the team. If not, the team will be in need of a seventh defenseman, which could create an opening for Lindholm.

“I feel like I have a lot of hockey left in me and I’m not ready to give up on it just yet,” Lindholm said. “I think that motivation comes from myself knowing that I am able to play in the top league. So when the time comes for an opportunity, I will do my best to take it.”

The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174337 Dallas Stars his career — a career average of .921 — and Khudobin continues playing the way he did last year, it’s not too far-fetched to look at the end of the season and see Khudobin with the better stat line. Again, this Stars bold predictions, revisited: Khudobin’s brilliance, depth scoring and doesn’t threaten Bishop’s standing with the team. He is undoubtedly the more top goaltender. He will be out there for every playoff game when it comes to that point and Khudobin’s role is to help maximize Bishop’s potential. He’s just really good in that role.

By Saad Yousuf It’s also worth mentioning that while the Stars do have a system in place with goalie coach Jeff Reese to play to the matchups, Bishop distinctly May 5, 2020 holds the title as the starter, so all things being equal, he gets the call against a top opponent.

Before the 2019-20 NHL campaign started, I made 10 bold predictions My prediction of Bishop finishing with a save percentage around .921 about the Dallas Stars season. This was back when the fanbase was was nearly spot-on; he sits at .920. On the other hand, Khudobin stands drunk on Stanley Cup Kool-Aid, Jim Montgomery was set to lead the alone atop the entire NHL with a league-best save percentage of .930 group, Joe Pavelski was the shiny new commodity, Denis Gurianov was (granted he had only 26 starts compared to Bishop’s 43). Given the just a borderline NHL player and a 1-7-1 start seemed unimaginable. team’s reliance on defense, it’s a legitimate argument that they are the Stars’ MVPs. If the season is completed in some fashion with a playoff It feels like an eternity ago, but that’s where things stood in early run, Dallas has a chance because of this tandem. October. Some of my predictions were stronger than others, but they all had some element of risk attached. However, I took a good amount of 3. Miro Heiskanen will get Norris Trophy votes time putting these together in late September because while they were This one is a bit unpredictable, but it has little to do with Miro Heiskanen’s going to be “bold” in nature, I wanted them to have legitimacy. And merits. Heiskanen is a budding superstar, already one of the best what’s the point of putting something like that out there if I don’t hold defensemen in the NHL. His rookie season was phenomenal. His myself accountable? defensive wizardry was on display throughout his rookie season, in which While chatter about a resumption in play has started to ramp up, the NHL he scored 12 goals and added 21 assists on his way to 33 points in 82 season continues to hang in limbo. Even if a champion is crowned, it games. Heiskanen only got better in his sophomore campaign, improving feels unlikely that the full remainder of the regular season will be played his defensive prowess while elevating his offensive game. He sits at eight out as scheduled. Through 69 games, the Stars sit at 37-24-8. Whether goals, and it’s reasonable to think he would have come close to matching or not the remaining 13 games are played, that’s a big enough sample his total from a year ago had the remaining 13 games been played. His size to draw conclusions on these season predictions. Let’s jump in. 27 assists already surpassed his rookie number in 14 fewer games. And he still can’t purchase alcohol in the United States. 1. Jamie Benn is an All-Star The mixed bag here isn’t about Heiskanen’s talent but when he’ll start This one deserves a sound explanation. Jamie Benn wasn’t an All-Star getting his due from the broader hockey community while playing in a forward, but there was real reason to believe that he could return to that non-traditional hockey market. As good as he was his rookie season, he form coming into the season. For the first time since 2016, Benn was was not a Calder finalist. It’ll be interesting to see how things shake out going to enter the season playing for the same coach he finished the when votes for the Norris are eventually tallied, but ultimately, I do think previous season with. Jim Montgomery was still finding his footing in Heiskanen will get some love. 2018-19 as a first-year NHL coach, and there were certainly growing pains for Benn on the ice that came along with that. Joe Pavelski’s 4. The Winter Classic will feature the Stars, Predators… and snowfall addition figured to open things up a bit more for Benn. John Klingberg Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. missed a large chunk of the previous season due to injury, so him being healthy and quarterbacking the power play was anticipated to be a boost On January 1, 2020, puck drop temperature was 54.9° F at Cotton Bowl as well. Stadium. It marked the warmest ever for a Winter Classic game and the fourth-warmest for an NHL regular-season outdoor game. It’s wishful Instead, Montgomery was gone by early December. Pavelski took some thinking to ever predict snowfall in Texas, but it was worth a shot. Like time to get acclimated, then got stuck in a system under Rick Bowness Mother Nature, Stars brought the heat and beat the Nashville Predators that was even more defense-focused than Montgomery’s. Klingberg 4-2. struggled to play at the level expected of him. 5. The number of players that score 15+ goals will double from last So Benn finished with 19 goals and 20 assists, neither number season particularly impressive. Benn’s 19 goals were second on the team, behind only Denis Gurianov (20), while his 39 points trailed only Tyler The important context of this prediction is the number of players who Seguin’s 50. He probably hovers around 25 goals if the season was scored 15+ goals last season. The Stars had four players score 15+ played to completion, which isn’t great but not much was when it came to goals in 2018-19: Seguin (33), Alexander Radulov (29), Benn (27) and offensive hockey for the Stars. While the All-Star prediction was clearly a Radek Faksa (15). I made the case that eight players could crack the 15- miss, Benn deserves credit for his leadership this season. Whether it was goal mark this season. Here’s why: navigating his guys through an abrupt coaching change or housing his star goalie after a tornado, Benn’s role as a captain was under a — Pavelski hadn’t scored less than 15 goals in a season since his rookie microscope, and he did what he needed to do. campaign back in 2007

2. Anton Khudobin will statistically be the best goalie on the team It’s a little tricky to judge this on an incomplete season because we’re just projecting goals but as it sits right now, there are already more players Picking the team’s backup goalie to outperform a reigning Vezina finalist this season (five) with 15+ goals than last season (four). You have old with both providing a decent sample size fits the bill of “bold prediction,” standbys in Benn (19), Seguin (17), Radulov (15), while Hintz (19) did but this was one I honestly expected to turn out to be true. I’ll let my burst on the scene, especially early in the season under Montgomery. words from seven months ago do the explaining: The big surprise here is Gurianov, who has a team-leading 20 goals. Pavelski, meanwhile, has 14 goals, so with 13 games left to score one This isn’t a slight to Ben Bishop, but a credit to Khudobin. There might more, he likely would have hit the mark as well to make at least six not be a team with a better goalie tandem. players with 15+ goals. After that, Faksa sits at 11 goals, and there’s a Montgomery has said that he would like a healthy split between Bishop chance he gets to 15. Even so, unless the Stars were to just burst and Khudobin, with a slight edge to Bishop. Assuming health isn’t a offensively, it would be seven players. factor, that means around 47-52 games for Bishop and 30-35 for In case you’re wondering how there could be more guys scoring 15+ Khudobin. Last year, Khudobin started 37 games and had a save goals this year than last year, given how nonexistent the offense felt, it’s percentage of .923. It really wasn’t that far off from the resident Vezina because the Stars have been more balanced this season. Last season’s finalist, who had a .934 save percentage in 45 starts. top-three goal scorers scored 33, 29 and 27 goals. This year, it’s unlikely Bishop had a career year, and he could very well carry that kind of anybody is going to get past 26 goals, let alone three players. production into this season. But if he slips to where he’s been for most of 6. Julius Honka plays games in Finland

No surprise here. After requesting a trade in the offseason, Honka was not dealt by the Dec. 1st deadline, so the Stars retained his rights as he became ineligible to play in the NHL this season. Honka played 46 games with JYP Jyväskylä of the Finnish Liiga. He scored four goals and 11 assists. Stars continue to retain his NHL rights.

7. Landon Bow will play his way into being the backup goalie role for 2020-21

Khudobin’s status makes the backup goalie situation a bit of a question mark for next season. He’s set to be a free agent, there’s no telling what the market around the league for him will be or if the Stars are able to sweeten the pot to keep him around. The Boston Bruins recently signed Jaroslav Halak to a one-year deal with a cap hit of $2.25 million, so that may be around the range that Khudobin lands in.

As far as Landon Bow, he did nothing in the AHL that would allow the Stars to confidently wave goodbye to Khudobin and bring in the younger goaltender behind Bishop. His .895 save percentage in 30 games is right about where it was the year before, and he’s been outperformed by promising prospect Jake Oettinger, whose .917 save percentage in 38 games is top-10 in the AHL and best among AHL rookies.

8. Mattias Janmark plays his way out the lineup

Mattias Janmark hasn’t had a great season, but he hasn’t exactly been bad enough to play his way out of the lineup. He appeared in 62 of the 69 games, and in the Stars’ last game to date, Janmark played on the fourth line alongside Justin Dowling and Andrew Cogliano. He has six goals and 15 assists on the season, and while he continues to miss opportunities to really break out, he has done enough to stay in the rotation.

9. The front office will acquire a top-four defenseman at the trade deadline

I’m going to cheat here and give myself this one. Here’s what I wrote before the season:

The top three defensemen right now in Klingberg, Heiskanen and Lindell are more than solid, but that fourth spot can use some help. Whether it’s Polak, Jamie Oleksiak, Andrej Sekera or Taylor Fedun, there’s a drop-off. With the uncertainty surrounding Stephen Johns’ playing future, it could turn out to be an area of need.

The Stars stood pat, but a big reason they were able to was Johns returning to the lineup the month leading up to the trade deadline. Not only was Johns playing, but he was playing like that top-four defenseman the Stars needed. He scored a couple of goals and was mostly back to being his old, physical self before the injury.

With Klingberg, Esa Lindell, Heiskanen and Johns, Dallas has created a solid couple of pairings.

10. Nicholas Caamano will make an NHL impact

This is just a complete whiff. Caamano played 12 games in the NHL but scored just one goal and had two assists before making his way back to the AHL before Thanksgiving and staying there the rest of the season.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174338 Detroit Red Wings “I don’t think Mr. Devellano could pass on a guy of his ability,” Yzerman said the day of the draft. He also liked his chances with his new club, saying, “They’re rebuilding. I think I have a chance.”

Detroit Red Wings were bummed when they drafted Steve Yzerman in Yzerman went from consolation prize to The Captain, leading the Wings 1983 to three Stanley Cups from 1997-2002 and winning a fourth while a member of the front office in 2008. He left the organization after 27 years in 2010 to serve as GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, returning in April 2019 to guide the rebuild as general manager. Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

Published 6:00 a.m. ET May 5, 2020 | Updated 10:28 a.m. ET May 5, 2020 Detroit Free Press LOADED: 05.06.2020

It sounds incredulous now, but there was a time the Detroit Red Wings considered Steve Yzerman a consolation prize.

Yzerman, who turns 55 on May 9, has spent more than half of his life with the Wings. In this edition of Red Wings revisited, a series designed to distract while the hockey world is shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we look back at the time he was drafted.

The 1983 NHL draft was the first one run by Jimmy Devellano since being named general manager of the Wings on July 12, 1982, weeks after Mike Ilitch bought the franchise from Bruce Norris. Devellano had spent 10 years with the , winning three Stanley Cups partly while serving as director of scouting. He immediately added that title to his duties with the Wings.

Entering the draft, Devellano estimated he had watched around 75 junior games. During nearly every interview in his first season, which concluded with a disappointing 21-44-15 record, Devellano would mutter, “we’re building through the draft,” whether he was asked or not.

The draft took place June 8 at the Montreal Forum. The Wings had the fourth pick. The picked first because of a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who’d finished the 1982-83 season at the bottom of the 21-team NHL standings. Minnesota GM announced before the draft he would select American Brian Lawton. The , who finished second-worst, owned the second pick. The Islanders had the third pick, also because of a trade.

It wasn’t considered a particularly stellar draft. There was speculation whether Sylvain Turgeon or Pat LaFontaine, both centers out of the Quebec league, would go second. Turgeon had two inches and 15 pounds on LaFontaine’s 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame.

LaFontaine had played junior hockey in Verdun, a Montreal suburb, and was adored by French Canadian reporters. One local paper referred to him as “La Merveille de Detroit” (the Wonder of Detroit).

The other guy billed as a top-four pick was Yzerman, who was listed as 5-11, 177 pounds. At a media gathering a Montreal hotel the week of the draft, Yzerman described himself as “a not very rugged player” but one who plays “a skating, play-making game. I move the puck well.” The Central Scouting Bureau described 18-year-old Yzerman as “mentally tough … great desire and attitude with excellent hockey sense … good leadership qualities.”

The Wings coveted LaFontaine because he grew up in Waterford and was considered a slam dunk to increase ticket sales. He was due to graduate from Waterford Kettering High School later that June.

“I’ve heard some people dream about LaFontaine slipping to four,” Devellano said two days before the draft. “If he gets by two, there’s a hell of a chance he’ll slip to four.”

LaFontaine did get by two, as the Whalers chose Turgeon. But the Islanders chose LaFontaine at third. His name drew cheers from the crowd in the stands. Seated in the second row of the Forum seats, LaFontaine hugged his parents and his agent.

A 1983 Free Press article described the scene at the Wings table when LaFontaine’s name was called: Ilitch lowered his head and stared at the floor. “Business is business,” he said when asked about the Islanders nabbing LaFontaine. “They’ve been nice to us in small ways. You don’t expect then to be nice in a big way.”

Devellano was equally resigned. “I said it would take a miracle,” he said. “He’s too good a player to last until fourth. And the Islanders are too smart.”

Even Yzerman understood. 1174339 Detroit Red Wings With holes in many spots in their lineup, the Wings could be active in the market.

Getting a defenseman such as Krug to return home and play for one of Salary cap dip could help financially-sound Red Wings in free agency his former coaches — Jeff Blashill coached Krug in junior hockey — would be a big addition.

A goaltender to tandem with Jonathan Bernier would also be a need. Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News But many questions remain about the resumption of the NHL regular Published 5:12 p.m. ET May 5, 2020 season and playoffs, and the exact financial impact because of coronavirus.

Detroit — Many players can’t wait for their first venture into unrestricted free agency. Detroit News LOADED: 05.06.2020 It’s their first opportunity to test the market, have the market dictate their worth, and decide where to play on their own terms.

And not through the draft, or trade, or waivers.

Torey Krug

For teams also, free agency can be a huge asset. It can turn around a franchise with one swift stroke, strengthening a lineup with a proven veteran player.

Signing that key free agent can be the final piece to constructing a championship roster, as the Red Wings showed during their Stanley Cup-winning years.

But this coming NHL free-agency period, whenever it’ll be this year, is marred with uncertainty because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Originally scheduled to begin July 1, after the NHL playoffs and Entry Draft would have been done with, free agency will take place much later now given that the season has been paused and the NHL is planning to resume it this summer.

But all the revenue that’s been lost, and will be lost, will drastically affect the NHL, its finances, and the salary cap. And through that, unrestricted free agency.

The NHL’s salary cap for 2019-20 was $81.5 million. But in early March, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said at the general manager meetings he could see the cap rise to between $84 and $88.2 million for next season.

But that was before coronavirus. The season stopped on March 12, and there’s been no significant revenue coming into the NHL since.

And when play does resume, it’s very likely games will take place with no fans in the arenas — another significant blow to the NHL’s finances.

The NHL and the players’ association likely will work something out to at least keep the cap stable. But there’s a good chance the cap will drop several million dollars, causing havoc with teams strapped to the limit, and impacting prospective UFAs.

Defensemen Alex Pietrangelo (St. Louis), Livonia’s Torey Krug (Michigan State/Boston) and Tyson Barrie (Toronto), forwards Taylor Hall (Arizona) and Mike Hoffman (Florida), and goalies Robin Lehner (Vegas) and Braden Holtby (Washington) are among the big names available.

Some of those players will likely find a way to stay with their present teams. But some will hit the market. And the Wings could be one of the teams that benefits.

Few teams will be in better shape than the Wings to take advantage of the constrained market. Long having been riddled with expensive, long- term contracts, those are expiring, giving general manager Steve Yzerman much more financial leeway.

The Wings only have 11 players signed for next season for a cap hit of $46.2 million.

Now, restricted free-agent forwards Anthony Mantha, Tyler Bertuzzi and Robby Fabbri, among 12 restricted free agents total, will take a bite of the available cap space. But it’s not going to be nearly so severe that the Wings wouldn’t be able to roam the UFA market.

The Wings will have $11.4 million off the books with defensemen Trevor Daley and Jonathan Ericsson, and goalie Jimmy Howard becoming unrestricted free agents and likely not being re-signed. Forward Sam Gagner has a $2.83-million cap hit, but the Wings might choose to bring Gagner back. 1174340 Detroit Red Wings “I’m itching to get back out there,” DeKeyser said. “I just want to play again.”

Red Wings’ Danny DeKeyser recovering from back surgery, eager to Michigan Live LOADED: 05.06.2020 return

Posted May 05, 2020

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

Losing their top defenseman in late October was one of many factors that contributed to a historically bad season for the Detroit Red Wings.

Danny DeKeyser was limited to eight games due to back pain that eventually required surgery in December.

“I trained hard all summer, get through a training camp, play a few games and boom! All that work for nothing,” DeKeyser said. “That was the hardest part, coming to the rink every day and having to watch the games on TV and not be able to get on the ice.”

The team hoped he would be able to return following a month of rehab.

“It was going pretty good, I had a couple injections and it seemed to bring the inflammation down and I was almost ready to play in the middle of December,” DeKeyser said. “But then I was practicing and kind of twisted on it wrong and I felt it right away and that made it much worse. I went to see the doctor right away and he told me it was time to go in there and fix it.”

Part of the disc that was pressing on his spinal nerves was trimmed.

“They said sometimes when you injure a disc you feel it right away or sometimes it just kind of builds up over time,” DeKeyser said. “Maybe there was an injury a year or two ago and it just kind of slowly built up.”

DeKeyser feels good and said his recovery is going well. He is working out regularly in the home gym he installed a few years ago.

“All the equipment I put into the house is worth it just for these last six weeks,” he said. “I’m able to get all my workouts in and rehab my back. I’ve been working with our trainers and staff over Facetime, they’ve been messaging me workouts. Pretty much everything I would do at the rink I’m still doing at home. I’m feeling better each week. I’m looking forward to playing hockey again.”

The NHL is prepared to play into September to complete the season suspended on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic. If the league completes the regular season – the Red Wings have 11 games remaining – DeKeyser didn’t rule out returning.

If not, he will be ready for the start of the 2020-21 season, whenever that may be.

“I’m just looking forward to getting back on the ice and skating again,” DeKeyser said. “I love the game so much and really miss it right now. It’s tough when it gets taken away from you a little bit. You take a step back and it puts a lot of things in perspective. One of those things was I was able to be around my family a lot more.”

DeKeyser’s wife, Melissa, gave birth to their second daughter, Claire, on April 4. Their oldest daughter, McKinley, just turned 2.

It was a bit unsettling, he said, being at the hospital during the height of the pandemic but everything went well.

“We were pretty nervous going into the hospital; they said that week was going to be the highest volume of coronavirus cases,” DeKeyser said. “Once we got there the hospital took really good precautions and made us feel really comfortable. Everything went smooth and they got us out of there as quickly as they could, pretty much the next day. It was good but definitely a little bit unnerving.”

DeKeyser, 30, will be the longest-tenured Red Wings defenseman in 2020-21, his ninth season. He will be joined by veterans Patrik Nemeth and Alex Biega and young Filip Hronek. The club expects Moritz Seider, the sixth overall pick in 2019, to be NHL-ready. Dennis Cholowski, Gustav Lindstrom and possibly Madison Bowey will be competing for spots. The team will look to sign a free agent or two. 1174341 Detroit Red Wings

New NHL face masks allow Detroit Red Wings fans to help slow spread of coronavirus, raise money for charity

Updated May 05, 2020; Posted May 05, 2020

By Lauren Williams | [email protected]

Just last week the state required that all Michigan residents should wear face masks when they’re inside stores and enclosed public spaces.

Now, Detroit Red Wings fans can add a little personality to that policy -- and help raise money for the hungry.

The masks are available for sale on Fanatics and it will give fans the chance to show their support for the team while the NHL is still on hold. The face coverings are made of cloth and they aren’t medical-grade but officials say wearing facial coverings will help curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Fanatics sells them in two different sizes and the masks come in a pack of three for $24.99.

If the Wings are not your team, the site also offers face masks for other NHL teams.

All of the royalties raised from the sale of the masks will go toward Feeding America, which is a group of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs that serve more than 40 million people a year. The money will also assist Food Banks Canada a hunger-relief organization in Canada that collaborates with a network of more than 3,500 organizations serving across the country.

Michigan Live LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174342 Edmonton Oilers “One of the reasons I did a post from hospital (twitter) was so people I had come in contact with would know I had it.”

“In hospital I was watching SportsNet’s Oilers-Philadelphia Flyers final in Georges Laraque is home from hospital after COVID-19 scare 1987. Kevin Lowe was playing, MacT (Craig MacTavish), Wayne (Gretzky), Mess (Mark Messier) and (Flyers goalie Ron) Hextall was hacking everybody,” said Laraque.

Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal “At the same time, MacT, , Kevin, Grant Fuhr, Craig Simpson, Paul Coffey, Glen Sather were sending me text messages and May 5, 2020 I was watching them on TV. I actually had just watched Kevin Lowe score Updated: a short-handed goal on a Gretzky pass. I texted Kevin back and said ‘I just saw you score on Hextall.’ I think Kevin joined as the May 5, 2020 6:12 PM MDT only defencemen to score two short-handed goals in a playoff series. Kevin chirped Hextall after he scored.

“When the best player who ever lived is texting you and wishing you a After five days in hospital in Montreal, Georges Laraque is home after good recovery that shows you ‘Once an Oiler, Always an Oiler.’ The testing positive for COVID-19 and hooked up to oxygen to handle his life- family we have (as players), it’s an unbelievable bond,” said Laraque. long asthma. “But I also had Jarome Iginla text, , Milan Lucic and Mike The former Edmonton Oilers winger, who was preparing to run his third Grier sent their regards. The whole world of hockey, it makes you feel so marathon at, “my NHL playing weight of 250 pounds, 50 pounds more awesome to have their support.”. than everybody else I’m sure”, is still fighting a cough as he talks on the Laraque still has his cough and doesn’t know how long that it will last. He phone. can’t believe they are re-opening the Montreal schools to elementary kids But, he is on the mend. May 11.

“I never thought I would get it (coronavirus). I thought I was invincible,” he “In Edmonton, there’s way fewer cases of COVID and the schools aren’t said. “I don’t think people realize how easy it is to get this.” opening until September because they want to do what’s best for people,” said Laraque. “Why in Montreal? With more cases (17,000) are Laraque first went to hospital 10 days ago when he was having trouble they opening so they can start a second wave? breathing but they didn’t do a coronavirus test. They sent him home with some cortisone pills but, “every day my breathing got worse and worse” and he went back to hospital last Thursday. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 05.06.2020 “I said, ‘guys, what the heck … can you test me?’ They found I had COVID and I also had pneumonia and that’s when they plugged me to oxygen,” said Laraque, 43, who played 490 games with the Oilers.

Laraque doesn’t scare easily but he says he was afraid last Thursday.

“My breathing was slow and you’re wondering why but even when I was diagnosed with COVID, I knew I was fine when the oxygen kick started my breathing to where it was normal. I’ve always suffered from asthma, but never had an attack. OK, I’m wrong … I had two in the two marathons I ran,” laughed Laraque.

Laraque doesn’t know when he contacted COVID-19. But he knows how he probably did it.

“I was delivering food for elderly people, picking up groceries at different stores. People wanted specific things, so I said ‘just give me your grocery list.’ I was picking up so much and I would be touching my hair, my face, and you’re not supposed to do that,” he said.

Laraque didn’t wear a mask when he went grocery shopping.

“In Montreal, you have to be two metres away from people, there’s arrows on the floor where you can walk, and you are washing your hands with soap and somebody is checking you when you come into the store. But, with my stupid hair it’s always on my face, and I’m touching it. It’s a habit.

“When I would go to my car I put Purell on my hands but I’ve touched my face 20 or 25 times, picking up stuff. That’s how I got it.

“On the Monday (he went to hospital) to push my luck even more I was supposed to go that day to the old people’s home. I was supposed to work there. But the night before, I called the lady (organizer) and told her I was sick. She said ‘Georges, are you sure, we really need you.’ I don’t think she believed me,” said Laraque.

“I was most afraid that I had infected somebody else I had delivered food to because they were elderly, even though I was leaving the food at the door. I wasn’t coming in and having a party. But (Monday) I got confirmation that the last people I was waiting for (COVID results), nobody had gotten infected.”

Apart from trouble breathing, Laraque had no other COVID symptoms.

He was in a hospital room with two elderly people who were infected and suffering greatly.

“I felt so bad for them. I was one of the youngest on the floor,” he said. 1174343 Edmonton Oilers better over these years in this area, Nuge’s performance more closely resembles Calgary Flames forward Sean Monahan. Now, let’s look at things against mid-level competition:

Lowetide: Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins far more than ‘also in photo’ Nuge played about the same amount against mid-level competition in contributor 2019-20, getting better possession results while outscoring the opposition. He had one poor possession season (2018-19) and over these five seasons gave up as much as he scored against opponents (69-69). Overall, the Oilers were closer to 50 percent with Nugent- By Allan Mitchell Hopkins on the ice during these years. Now, the performance against the May 5, 2020 lesser lights, the group Puck IQ calls Gritensity:

This shows up often with Oilers forwards against the soft parade, solid to excellent possession numbers without the corresponding goal differential. On December 31, 2019, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins enjoyed a quality That situation was rectified in 2019-20, but those seasons past either left evening. He scored a five-on-five goal in the first period, and added three some great chances uncashed or the goalies let the Nuge down. Despite assists on the power play as the Edmonton Oilers beat the New York some solid numbers against the soft parade in possession, opponents Rangers on the final night of the decade. Nuge played on a line with outscored Edmonton when he was on the ice to the tune of 60-70. Jujhar Khaira and Sam Gagner that night, the trio playing 10:01 at five on Ironically, Monahan also has an uneven track record in this area. five and sawing off the shots at 6-6. Nine years on the job means RNH has accumulated some impressive It was a time in the season where coach Dave Tippett was trying to find numbers. He ranks high on the team’s all-time points list: chemistry. That night Connor McDavid’s wingers were James Neal and Zack Kassian, Leon Draisaitl was at centre between Joakim Nygard and Wayne Gretzky 1669 recall Kailer Yamamoto, and the fourth line contained two centres (Riley Jari Kurri 1043 Sheahan and Gaetan Haas) plus Josh Archibald. Mark Messier 1034 In the following game, RNH moved to left wing, with Leon Draisaitl at centre and young Yamamoto on the right side. Nugent-Hopkins scored a Glenn Anderson 906 goal in the first period that featured good work from each man on the line, and a star trio was born. Paul Coffey 669

The line was pure fire. In 317 five-on-five minutes, the trio outscored Ryan Smyth 631 opponents 28-8, won the shot share 188-165 (53.26) and according to Doug Weight 577 Natural Stat Trick had an expected goal share of 55 percent. Ales Hemsky 477 It was the kind of performance that received plenty of attention, and stories surrounding each man began to emerge. We found out Draisaitl Connor McDavid 469 liked playing with Yamamoto, and the young winger seemed to be a key to turning the season around for Edmonton. Shawn Horcoff 447

From time to time his skills and resume will get passed over nationally, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 443 and that happened recently when NHL.com wrote a 2011 “re-draft” that Esa Tikkanen 436 landed Nuge at No. 11 overall. Re-drafts, like beauty, lie in the eye of the beholder. Leon Draisaitl 422

The re-draft gives us an opportunity to have another look at the resume Kevin Lowe 384 to remind ourselves about this player, what he brings, and how long he’s been bringing it. Jordan Eberle 382

Nine NHL seasons is a long time, a player has a chance to struggle and The Oilers as a franchise tend to offload players as they begin to climb flourish, overcome injuries and establish a strong track record. Nugent- toward the top-five overall, but this list is a stunning group of talent for a Hopkins has posted .73 points per game over 604 games. Over the last franchise so relatively young compared to the established teams. 25 years, four men — Gabriel Landeskog, Max Pacioretty, Matt Duchene Looking at this list, every player named had a mammoth impact on the and Todd Bertuzzi — matched him. That’s some nice company, tied for team and the organization. No. 66 since 1995 among skaters who have played 500 or more games. Including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

2019-20 season What could have been

I wrote about Nugent-Hopkins and the coming season in early Nugent-Hopkins is in his second incarnation of the “young gun” Oilers, September, predicting he would play 72 games, scoring 20 goals and 52 playing with McDavid, Draisaitl, Yamamoto and other players who are a points (.72 points per game). He delivered more offence (22-39-61) in 65 little younger. If the club had been able to cobble together better support, games (.94 points per game). His five on five points per 60 (2.23) ranked the good days would have come sooner. Consider the numbers for the No. 56 among NHL forwards who played 500 or more minutes in 2019- Taylor Hall-Nuge-Jordan Eberle line between 2011 and 2016: 20. That’s top line production. Hall-Nuge-Eberle, 2011-12: 275 minutes, 53 percent shot share, 59.09 Versus elites percent (13-9) goal share

Nugent-Hopkins was playing against the NHL’s best early in his career Hall-Nuge-Eberle, 2012-13: 342 minutes, 57 percent shot share, 53.13 but the last few seasons (when Connor McDavid arrived) things have percent (17-15) goal share been easing off for the two-way forward. Via Puck IQ, all numbers five on five, here are his numbers over the last five seasons beginning with his Hall-Nuge-Eberle, 2013-14: 432 minutes, 47 percent shot share, 56.76 work against elites: percent (21-16) goal share

DFF is Dangerous Fenwick, described by Puck IQ as weighted shot Hall-Nuge-Eberle, 2014-15: 357 minutes, 49 percent shot share, 53.13 metric using shot distance location and type of shot to give each shot a percent (17-15) goal share “danger” value. It is described here as a percentage based on shots for and against while Nugent-Hopkins was on the ice. DFF Rel shows how Hall-Nuge-Eberle, 2015-16: 24 minutes, 54 percent shot share, no goals he performed compared to the rest of the Oilers roster. Totals: 1434 minutes, 51.4 percent shot share, 54.4 percent (68-57) goal Nuge has outscored elites 69-61 over these seasons, and performed well share relative to his teammates (considering Connor McDavid was hammering Hall, who overshadowed Nugent-Hopkins 2011-16, is gone, replaced by elites at up to 56 percent in some seasons). His possession numbers even more dominant players in McDavid and Draisaitl. In both cases, (DFF%) are well shy of 50 percent, a player like Landeskog has shown Nugent-Hopkins adapted and made himself useful to the new lineup.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174344 Florida Panthers

Panthers agree to terms with 2018 first-round draft pick Denisenko

By BRETT SHWEKY

SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL

MAY 05, 2020 | 12:46 PM

The Florida Panthers have agreed to terms with forward Grigori Denisenko to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Denisenko, who most recently was a member of the Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the Kontinental Hockey League, was selected by the Panthers in the first round (No. 15) of the 2018 draft. The 19-year-old generated 12 points (6-6-12) in 38 regular-season contests for Yaroslavl while also recording one goal over six KHL postseason games.

“Grigori is an exciting, dynamic and highly skilled young forward who has been a top player on the international stage and served as captain of Team Russia at the World Juniors,” Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager said in a news release. “We are thrilled for his bright future with the Panthers for years to come.”

Over his career in the KHL, Denisenko compiled 18 points (10-8-18) in 63 regular-season games. Before reaching the KHL, Denisenko was a star for Loko Yaroslavl of Russia’s junior league (MHL), where he tallied 47 points (19-28-47) over 63 regular season performances.

On the international stage, he served as the captain for Team Russia and helped his squad earn silver medals at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. The Novosibirsk, Russian native recorded a team-high nine points (3-6-9) to fuel his team over the seven-game span.

In 2019, he led the IIHF World Junior Championship with nine points (4- 5-9) as he helped Team Russia receive the bronze medal.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174345 Florida Panthers Although the Panthers have a number of players who speak Russian, including captain Sasha Barkov and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, there is going to be a large learning curve for Denisenko both on and off the ice.

Getting younger? Panthers prospect Grigori Denisenko ready to move Tallon said the Panthers are going to do everything in their power to over from KHL make the adjustment as smooth as possible.

“We haven’t had a chance to spend much time with him, but now that he has signed, we are elated to be able to work with him now,” Tallon said. By George Richards “It is a difficult step for any kid who comes over here from a foreign May 5, 2020 country. We’re going to help him in any way we can, will give him every tool to be successful. We’ll get him a tutor, help him learn the language.

We’ll do whatever we can to make him as comfortable as he can be. We SUNRISE, Fla. — Dale Tallon was pretty excited two years ago in Dallas have a great group of guys around the team who will help him out.” when, with the 15th pick in the NHL Draft, the Panthers were able to pick Denisenko has spent the last two seasons playing for Yaroslavl Russian winger Grigori Denisenko. Lokomotiv in the KHL and, as one of the youngest players in the league, Although Denisenko had an inconsistent junior year leading up to the did not get a ton of playing time. draft, Florida loved Denisenko’s speed and saw flashes of elite Last season, he averaged 13:28 of ice time and scored six goals with 12 playmaking ability. points in 38 games as a 19-year-old. The season before, he scored four “He has energy, great skill and plays aggressively,” Tallon said from the goals with six points in 25 games. floor at the AmericanAirlines Center in Dallas following the first round in In competition against players his age, however, Denisenko has excelled. 2018. “I love his personality. He is a dynamic player who is going to help us.” As captain of the silver-medal winning Russian team at the World Juniors, Denisenko scored three goals with nine points in seven games. Now, Denisenko will get a chance to show off his skills in the United The previous year, he had four goals with nine points as Russia won the States. bronze. On Tuesday, the Panthers announced they have come to terms with “He hardly played (in the KHL), didn’t get any ice time on the big club, so Denisenko on his three-year, entry-level contract which marks his you don’t see the point production from the kids,” Tallon said. “When he departure from his KHL team and the beginning of what could be a played in the World Juniors and those kinds of tournaments, the kid is permanent move to Florida. dynamic. He is an exciting young player.” The Panthers have big plans for Denisenko, but when he’ll join the team With a number of pending free agents, the Panthers have already begun remains up in the air. looking ahead. Denisenko’s contract could kick in this summer if the NHL season Both Evgenii Dadonov and Mike Hoffman are free agents, and both could resumes. command more than the Panthers are willing to pay, especially in this Because he was a Florida draft pick and is now signed with the team, if uncertain time. Erik Haula, who came to Florida in the Vincent Trocheck the regular season continues and playoff games are held, Denisenko deal, Mark Pysyk and Brian Boyle are also unrestricted free agents may be eligible to join the Panthers. following this current season.

Regardless, Denisenko and 2017 first-round pick are Of those five UFAs, perhaps only one or two will return to the Panthers expected to be with the Panthers next season. next season.

“We are going to give them every chance,” Tallon said Tuesday morning, That opens the door for some younger players — especially ones named “and he and Tippett are going to battle for spots on our team. Tippett and Denisenko — to jump in.

“We don’t care how old you are or what experience you have. Coach Q Henrik Borgstrom, Florida’s first-round pick in 2016 who has played in 58 (Joel Quenneville) will make that decision, but we like what those guys NHL games since leaving the University of Denver, is also expected to bring to the table.” challenge for a spot next season.

The Panthers have been planning on having Tippett and Denisenko play a role on the 2020-21 team for some time. The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 Had Tippett not needed wrist surgery around the All-Star break, he likely would have been called up from the minors after he scored 19 goals with 21 assists in the first half of the Springfield Thunderbirds’ season.

Tippett looked ready to make the jump to the NHL, his development having been aided by playing seven games for the Panthers at the beginning of the 2017-18 season and by taking part in three training camps. In training camp this season, Tippett was one of the final cuts.

“They told me this a marathon and not a sprint and they want to take their time with me, make sure I develop in the right way, and that is only going to help my career,” Tippett told The Athletic in January before the severity of his injury was known.

“When they sent me down, it was important … to take my time, to be patient. If you focus on where your feet are at the moment, it helps you to get better as a player. Any time you have a chance to perform, prove something, good things are going to happen.”

There are more question marks surrounding how ready Denisenko will be when his time comes.

Not only does he play a different style of hockey than Tippett (who is bigger and more physical), but Denisenko is going to be adjusting not only to a new league but a new lifestyle.

When the Panthers drafted him in 2018 (and brought him to development camp in Coral Springs a week later), he did not speak very much English. 1174346 Los Angeles Kings night (Sake), Indian night (sparkling wine), Mexican night (tequila), BBQ night (Patiné Gap’s Crown Vineyard). … I think you get the idea.

We also have tasted many of our more mature vintages of Patiné, going The Kings’ Jim Fox on enjoying wine during quarantine back to our inaugural vintage of 2011. We have been extremely happy with how our wines are aging. We felt that the vineyards that we source from would provide wines that age well. It is nice to verify that with a little taste now and then. As everyone knows, “quality control” is very By Josh Cooper important for any product. May 5, 2020 Tell us how Patiné came about and the reasons you selected Pinot Noir as your wine of choice.

In California, we are blessed to have some of the best wines in the world. When I retired from the Kings in 1990, I found myself trying more and We are also incredibly fortunate to have someone in local sports media more wines as we dined at local restaurants in the South Bay area of Los who knows a ton about wines — Kings broadcast analyst Jim Fox. Angeles. I didn’t appreciate wine at first, but once I found one that I liked, that was it. I still remember it: Chateau La Nerthe, a white blend from the Fox, who is the co-founder of the label Patiné, an excellent Pinot Noir, Rhone region in France. It hit me and I found myself asking, “How do gives us some of his best ideas for wine drinking as we’re at home they make something this good?” I was hooked. I started to take wine watching “The Last Dance” and dreaming of how amazing sports will be classes and seminars all over the world. when they come back — because they will and we can’t wait to cover them. When I played pro hockey, everything was so black and white, always about the final score. It should be that way and that fit my personality. But Fox said he read that wine consumption has gone up by 42 percent when I discovered wine, it offered something for me that I had never during this time. Wowzers! So hopefully you find this story helpful. enjoyed before. The intrigue was overwhelming, and I had to keep studying and experiencing more and more. Although wine is scored and Here is our Q&A with Fox, who responded via email to our questions rated, it has more to do with the experience and the journey than the final about wine and and how you can broaden your palette in quarantine. If score. you have any specific questions on wine, Jim has promised to jump into the comments to answer when he can. Through a friend who I met at the beach, Dean Nucich, I was introduced to winemaker Mike Smith, no not the goaltender or Hall of Fame jockey, What are some types of California-based wines you’ve really liked but if you asked me, Mike would be in the winemakers’ Hall of Fame. through the years that are easy to access via ordering online? Also, do Along with the outstanding vineyards that we source our fruit from, Gap’s you have any pairing recommendations for them? Crown and Sun Chase Vineyards in the Petaluma Gap AVA and the This is a very difficult subject to tackle, since there is so much world- Soberanes Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Mike’s purist quality wine being made in California, and as a member of the wine- approach to winemaking promotes the fruit to fully reveal itself while making industry, it’s tough to single out brands without upsetting some of showcasing the personality and terroir of the vineyards to their fullest our friends and competitors. There are also so many categories such as extent. We are very fortunate to have Mike at the helm of Patiné! “everyday drinking,” “special occasion,” “drink young” and “more mature” The wine industry, maybe more than most industries, is very cyclical as wines, and then there are so many different styles that it can be unfair to far as our fiscal year goes. Since the growing season is dictated by try and select just one. Maybe if we get deeper into this area in future Mother Nature, we harvest in the fall and that is when most wineries stories, it would be more appropriate to go ahead and come up with release previous vintages for sale, the timing as of now works for us. We examples that fit a specific category. usually do 80 percent of our sales in a one-month period, usually in mid- Food pairings are also a very difficult area to get into, since each person October, and approximately 85 percent of our wine is allocated to our has their own likes and dislikes as far as both wine and food go. But I will mailing list members, so for the 2017 vintage (released in October 2019), also say that the more I get experience with wine, the more I appreciate we are basically fine as far as sales go. selecting wines to pair with certain foods. Something that we are very Recent statistics say that wine consumption has gone up as much as 40 proud of at Patiné is that we have three single-vineyard designate pinot percent during the coronavirus quarantine. So, people are continuing to noirs that all offer different flavor profiles. Since pinot noir is considered enjoy the “fruits” of our labor as we speak. But — and this is a big but — the most versatile wine to pair with foods over a wide spectrum, pinot noir the rest of the year, we would normally hold wine dinners to introduce can always be a choice that works for me. Patiné to new customers. Of course, this can no longer take place. Also, I will be very basic and fundamental here, but maybe I can help. For tasting rooms have been hit hard as noted in the same article that barbecued meats, I find that Syrah from the Sonoma Coast is something mentioned the 42-percent consumption increase. This is clearly tough I would suggest. Light white fish dishes that you would normally put news. The 15 percent or so of our sales to retailers, and especially lemon on, I find that sauvignon blanc or pinot gris that have lemon restaurants, may not take a big hit now, but when we offer our 2018s this aromas and flavors work great. If you dab your lobster in butter, try a fall, we expect that retailers and restaurants will have inventory left over buttery chardonnay; It will do the same trick. Steak and cabernet and they will not need to reorder. That is when the biggest impact will be sauvignon is also a classic pairing, but if you want to go against the red felt in the wine industry. meat and red wine stereotype, I’d find a chardonnay with enough power that can also work. Sparkling wine is a hidden gem when pairing with dishes that bring a lot of hot spice. With pinot noir, try pairing with dishes The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 that feature mushrooms, and you can go against the white wine with fish stereotype and go with a classic pairing of pinot noir and salmon.

So many different avenues to go and so many flavors to experience. Another reason I selected pinot noir for Patiné was because of how well it adapts and how flexible it can be when pairing with food. It is not necessary to put a high priority on pairing wine with food, or food with wine, but when it works, it can be special.

What have you and your wife been drinking during quarantine? Have you been trying different pairings you never had imagined trying before?

My wife, Susie, and I have stayed very busy during the coronavirus quarantine. We have twice-a-week Zoom meetings with friends from the Legion Post 184 in Redondo Beach. As we try to keep things fun and change things up a bit, we create different themes for each meeting, which usually involve a specific food style or region, as well as pairing a drink with the theme. For instance, we have had themes for Italian food (Brunello di Montalcino), French night (Puligny-Montrachet), Japanese 1174347 MontrealCanadiens one bone of contention by just using what the league has in place right now.

There are a lot of details to be ironed out, but you can bet across the The NHL wants to take some time before making a final determination on NHL right now they are gearing up to get ready for the draft at a even June draft faster pace than they already were. It just feels like a matter of time before the league confirms that it will welcome some new young stars next month.

Bruce Garrioch

Publishing date:10 hours ago LOADED: 05.06.2020

The NHL is playing the waiting game on a final decision on whether to hold the draft in June.

Though the expectation is it will happen, the topic dominated a conference call between commissioner Gary Bettman, deputy commissioner Bill Daly and the board of governors Monday afternoon, and the league just wants to take a bit more time to evaluate the situation before making a final decision on whether it will go ahead with the draft virtually after the event scheduled for Montreal was cancelled.

All the governors had a chance to express their opinions on the idea of holding the draft before the regular season is actually completed and now the league wants to take a step back before determining how it will conduct the lottery plus the draft under that scenario.

The expectation is if all this goes as planned the made-for-television lottery, with proper physical distancing, will be conducted closer to the end of this month and then the draft itself will be held in mid-to-late June which is the time the NHL hopes that teams are also hoping to be gearing up to make a return from the pause that started March 12 because of COVID-19.

We’ve certainly hit the point where nobody really thinks there’s any turning back from this now and it’s almost inevitable the draft will take place.

“It really feels like it’s going to happen because the league wants it and they’ve spent a lot of time on this file to try to alleviate everybody’s concerns,” a league executive told this newspaper Tuesday.

After getting pushback from the general managers on an early draft when the initial suggestion was made to go this route two weeks ago, the league has been aggressive in its approach of trying to sell the idea. One concern general managers have is they’re not sure if the NHL is going to be able to finish its season in any case, and the league wants to go ahead with the draft without even knowing if that’s going to happen.

Before a decision is made, one issue that needs to be ironed out is the format.

Though the league will use points-percentage to determine the odds in the lottery, where there is some dispute amongst the teams is whether everybody should be in the lottery or just the non-playoff teams. It only makes sense that those currently sitting in playoff positions want to be in the lottery so they want the current system to stay in place.

Yes, it’s quite possible that under the current system a team could win the lottery and then go on to win the Stanley Cup, but Daly did point out in a memo on the weekend that’s not likely to happen.

“That certainly is a ‘possibility,’ ” Daly wrote. “But we think it is a very remote possibility and is extremely unlikely to happen.”

That’s why the league has proposed going back to the old system which would allow teams to move up only four spots and fall back one. Under that scenario, the Ottawa Senators could fall no further than No. 3 and No. 4 with the two first-round selections they hold, including their own and the one they picked up from the San Jose Sharks in the deal for Erik Karlsson.

Of course, that has been met with resistance because all 31 teams want a shot at Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Oceanic, who’s considered the can’t-miss top prospect in this draft. Quinton Byfield of Sudbury and Tim Stutzle, a forward in the German league, are also highly ranked.

If the NHL goes back to the old system, it takes some teams out of the lottery. The season may in fact be over, because even at this point, there’s no guarantees the league will resume despite all the plans being made by the Return to Play committee. It may make sense to remove 1174348 Nashville Predators

Predators' Mattias Ekholm back in Sweden, unsure when or how he'll return to U.S.

Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean

Published 5:00 a.m. CT May 5, 2020

Toddler beds needed assembling. Leaves needed raking. Bushes needed trimming.

So Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm and his family caught the last Scandinavian Airlines flight home, to Sweden, a couple of weeks after the NHL indefinitely suspended the season and allowed players to leave their home team cities in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's been sort of boring," Ekholm said Monday during a video conference. "But it's what we need to do right now as a whole on this planet."

How Ekholm and others who European players who opted to do same return to the United States if and when training camps open remains to be seen.

Travel bans could leave many players who are out of the United States stuck.

"I think we're all in the same boat," Ekholm said. "And we're a pretty big number (of players). That's something we'll have to manage if it comes to a point where it looks like we can start up again, but really no good answer for that.

"Right now there's just so much up in the air. For me to even sit here and guess would be silly."

Ekholm said he'd "like to be back tomorrow if I could" and begin playing in three weeks, but "that's not looking like the case."

For now, Ekholm will continue tending to his yard and his partner Ida Björnstad and their 2-year-old.

"The great part about having a 2-year-old, he doesn't understand at all what's going on in the world," Ekholm said. "That's really the great side of this, you can really spend more time with the family."

William grew out of his crib, which meant Ekholm and Björnstad put their building skills to use.

"To be able to share those kind of moments has been awesome," Ekholm said.

William isn't the only thing that's been growing.

Ekholm found he'd be hanging up his hockey stick for a rake, a lawnmower and some hedge trimmers when he returned to his home in Sweden.

"You get back and you haven't seen the house for eight to nine months, there's trees everywhere, there's leaves everywhere, there's grass that's way too long or bushes that are way too big," Ekholm said. "I've just been trying to clean that kind of stuff up.

"It's hard to keep a 2-year-old inside all day, so we're trying to come up with fun stuff to do out in the yard and get some new toys in here."

But Ekholm's job is to play. And he really wants to get back to work.

He said he's been working out in the gym in his garage. Been rollerblading and biking. Been binge-watching "Tiger King," which he called "pretty funny, to say the least," and "The Last Dance."

"You're used to playing against the world's best hockey players night in and night out," Ekholm said. "I miss that. ... I'm a competitive guy and now that's kind of part of me that's been taken away. That's been the hardest thing."

Tennessean LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174349 Nashville Predators It was just so loud. It still gives me chills. Even when I came back to play in the playoffs (with the San Jose Sharks in 2016), I was like, “Guys, be ready here. This place gets jamming, and the momentum can shift very easily. If they get that crowd going, who knows what could happen?” It Q&A: Joel Ward reminisces about his Predators career, the 2011 playoffs was just so loud. It made it so easy to play, because you felt like you and more were up already. You knew the crowd was on your side. You just had to go out there and execute.

Your reputation as a big-game performer was built on your performance By Adam Vingan in the 2011 playoffs, when you had seven goals and 13 points in 12 May 5, 2020 games. What worked for you that spring, and how did it change your career?

I was just having a good time out there. You know that time of year. The In July 2008, the Predators signed a relative unknown named Joel Ward weather starts to get nice. You know how loud it is (inside Bridgestone to a $500,000 contract. From there, he forged an unlikely and inspiring Arena). We went over and played Anaheim. You’re going to SoCal. The NHL career that lasted 726 games and was filled with clutch moments. weather is even nicer. It was so easy to get motivated for those games. Everybody is buzzing. Everybody is getting into it. For us, it was a good Ward, 39, announced his retirement last week. He shared memories of opportunity to see what we were made of. We were a tight-knit team on his three seasons with the Predators (2008-11) with The Athletic. and off the ice. I thought our chemistry was really good. Who knew how Note: Answers have been edited for clarity. far we could’ve gone?

Take me back to Predators training camp in 2008. As a 27-year-old free For me, I was in the moment. I was in that groove where the game felt so agent on a two-way contract, how did you feel going into it? slow. The puck seemed like it was the size of a basketball. I couldn’t miss it. I was dialed in but having so much fun with a bunch of guys that made I said, “This is my shot here.” I’m sure a few people would have had me it really easy to go to battle. pegged going to (AHL) Milwaukee right away. I brought enough clothes — I didn’t bring everything thinking I was going to go to Milwaukee right I remember at the time, I was bummed out (about leaving Nashville) after. I just brought enough clothes to get through training camp and go because I was looking to stay. We had such a good run and everything. I from there. I was saying, “Hey, this is my opportunity.” I knew there were thought we were on the up, and that was the place where I got my start. I some possible openings; (Alexander) Radulov not being back was one, was hoping to have one of those crazy-long careers in the same spot. It and Jed Ortmeyer was (dealing with blood clots). I knew if I got in there was so much fun that we were having. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but and tried to do something to stand out and make a name for myself, then I started a new chapter of my life (with the Washington Capitals). something could happen. I remember it to a tee. It was a really We had a couple good runs there as well. memorable time. I remember thinking, “This could be a good opportunity In Nashville, was there a form of community outreach that was for me. I’m going to lay all the cards out there and just see what particularly gratifying to you? happens.” That’s all I did. I was part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. I really loved What do you remember most about being told you made the opening- the city, and it was something I wanted to do to give back. I was having night roster? so much fun, and the people received me so well there. I was During training camp, I remember (assistant coach) Brent Peterson overwhelmed with all the praise and the love that I got over my time pulling me aside one day and saying, “Stay with it. You’re doing well. Just there. Growing up, I had a lot of help myself, so it was a way for me to pay attention to details.” I think he told me to move my feet about 1,000 give back. I was also from a single-parent family, so when I got in contact times. That was cool for me to know that someone on the coaching staff with Big Brothers Big Sisters, it was a no-brainer. was in my corner. (Barry Trotz) called me into his office, and I was like, How has your relationship with Malik Johnson evolved since you left “Oh no.” When you get called into the office, it’s not a good feeling. Nashville? Usually, it’s doomsday. He called me into the office and said congratulations. He gave me some great words and said I could get a It’s been good. Obviously, we’re a little bit further in distance now, but place. What a feeling that is, man, for the coach to tell you to get a place. we’re still together. We’re still brothers for life. He’s come a long way. For the first time in my life, I felt like I finally made it. He’s such a smart kid. He’s got a great head on his shoulders. Same as me growing up, sometimes you just need a little kick in the rear end, What was your favorite on-ice moment during your time with the whether it was finishing homework or whatever the case may be. Predators? Everybody needs a hand at times. I was just happy to be there for him. I have so many, man. I think when we put out Anaheim (in 2011) to win He just developed into becoming a young man. I’m so proud of the (first-round) series was something special. I also thought I had a The Predators really helped out. They stepped up huge. (Head good game in (the) playoffs (in Game 5) against Vancouver to bring it equipment manager) Pete Rogers and the staff down there, they took back home. That was a really special moment. I was really proud of him in. They got him a job there. Now he’s a mini-celebrity down there at myself for helping to contribute to the hockey team. the rink. I think a lot of players in the league know who he is now. He Obviously, scoring my first goal in the National Hockey League (on Oct. found himself there, which is great. He’s come a long way. I’m just so 10, 2008) was such an amazing feeling. I was playing with Jason Arnott proud of him. I love that kid. and J.P. Dumont, and Dumont gave me a nice pass in the slot. There were so many memorable things, but that one definitely sticks out, of course. It wasn’t long ago I was playing in the minors and Canadian The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 university hockey, and now I’m scoring a goal in the National Hockey League. What a feeling that was. I think just overall the memories of the guys that I played with, but scoring my first goal is obviously one that really sticks out.

What was the best piece of advice, either professional or personal, you received from Trotz?

If he told me to move my feet one more time… (laughs)

That just sticks in my head to this day. I can just see him now. “Move your feet.” It felt like a parent telling their kid to do homework every night.

In your retirement announcement on The Players’ Tribune, you said, “There’s 2011 in Nashville, and the best crowd I’ve ever seen in my life.” What made it so memorable? 1174350 New York Rangers Played 77 games while recording 14 points (2-12) with Blueshirts over parts of three years before trade to Detroit that brought back Mike McEwen for a second (brief) tour on Broadway.

Ranking the Rangers’ best undrafted collegiate signings 7. Tim Bothwell, D, Brown (1978)

The Ivy Leaguer posted 14 points (4-10) in 62 games with the Rangers through 1981-82 but could never quite earn a regular spot. Had a reliable By Larry Brooks 501-game NHL career predominantly spent with the Blues.

May 5, 2020 | 8:42PM 6. Matt Gilroy, D, Boston University (2009)

Blueshirts won a spirited competition to sign the Long Island native who never quite lived up to the hype. No. 97 played 142 games with the The Rangers bulked up their rather thin complement of forwards in Rangers over two stints, recording seven goals and 19 assists. Hartford for 2020-21 — or at least they think they did — by signing three undrafted collegians who might even have a higher ceiling than the AHL. 5. Jed Ortmeyer, RW, Michigan (2003)

Patrick Khodorenko, a 21-year-old center who led Michigan State in The right wing on the critical HMO fourth line of 2005-06 that had Ryan scoring with a 16-33-49 senior season, is in. So is Austin Rueschhoff, the Hollweg on the left and Dominic Moore in the middle. Recorded 24 points 22-year-old, 6-foot-7, 228-pound winger who recorded 26 points (12-14) (9-15) in 177 games for the Blueshirts and is currently the team’s director as a junior for Western Michigan. Last but not least in projections is of player development. Justin Richards, the 5-10 righty center who went 14-11-25 as a junior for Minnesota Duluth. 4. George McPhee, RW, Bowling Green (1982)

As a hit-or-miss proposition, the whiffs come as often as Aaron Judge’s Feisty, undersized, blue-collar guy who fit well into the New York scene, but without the home run ratio. As a risk-reward proposition, the registering 21 goals and 24 assists in 109 games for the Rangers with downside is limited to problems that might arise from having non- 247 penalty minutes. prospects clogging the 50-contract organizational maximum. The 3. Neal Pionk, D, Minnesota Duluth (2017) Rangers, though, think these three are prospects. Played 101 games over two seasons with the Rangers during which he If so, anyone would be the exception. Of course, Khodorenko, was primarily utilized as the club’s first-pair right D and power play first Rueschhoff and Richards are three distinct cases whose chances of unit point man. Recorded 40 points (7-33) for Blueshirts before his trade making it have absolutely nothing to do with the fates of those signed to Winnipeg last June in the deal that brought Jacob Trouba to New York. before them, but here is a review of the Rangers’ previous 24 signings of undrafted college players in the universal draft era that commenced in 2. Cam Talbot, G, Alabama-Huntsville (2010) 1970: Compiled a 33-15-5 record in 57 games with a 2.00 GAA and .931 save Ten of the 24 did not make it/have not made it to the NHL. They are: percentage as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup for two seasons. Went 16-4- Chris Nell, G, Bowling Green (signed in 2017); Mat Bodie, D, Union 3/2.16/.929 to pace team to Presidents’ Trophy in 2014-15 while The (2014); Lee Baldwin, D, Alaska-Anchorage (2010); Paul Crowder, C, King was sidelined for two months after being struck in the throat with a Alaska Anchorage (2009); Chris McCarthy, RW, Vermont (2014); Vince puck. Pedrie, D, Penn State (2017); Tommy Grant, LW, Alaska Anchorage (2011); Adam Chapie, F, UMass-Lowell (2016); Ryan Haggerty, RW, RPI 1. Mark Pavelich, C, Minnesota Duluth by way of the US Olympic Team (2014), who was traded to Chicago straight up for Antti Raanta; and, and HC Lugano (1981) Patrick Newell, F, St. Cloud State (2018), who has finished his second Signed on to join on Broadway following a year in season with the Wolf Pack with 13 points (6-7) in 57 games. Switzerland, became one of the headliners of The Smurfs. Recorded 318 Ken Duggan, a defenseman out of the University of Toronto whom the points (133-185) in 341 games with 24 points (7-17) in 23 playoff Blueshirts signed in May of 1986, played one game in the NHL, for the matches in a five-year stay. North Stars in 1987-88.

Ranking the Top 13: New York Post LOADED: 05.06.2020 13. Terry Kleisinger, G, Wisconsin (1985)

Went 0-2 with a 4.42 GAA and .872 save percentage in four games for the Blueshirts in 1985-86.

12. Ron Scott, G, Michigan State (1983)

Recorded a 3-7-4 record with a 3.77 GAA and .868 save percentage in 16 games through 1987-88, including nine in 1983-84.

11. Jay Caufield, RW, North Dakota (1985)

Played 13 games for Rangers in 1986-87, with two goals, one assist and 45 penalty minutes. Was traded to North Stars before becoming an for the Penguins.

10. , RW, Minnesota (2017)

A work in progress, was leading Wolf Pack with 47 points (25-22) when the AHL season was suspended. Scored goal in first game as Ranger on Dec. 29, 2017 in Detroit but has produced only two goals with six assists in 46 games over a handful of NHL looks.

9. Thomas Pock, D, UMass-Amherst (2004)

Not only inserted into the lineup on the night he signed his contract on March 23, 2004, but scored on a 55-footer in his debut against the Penguins. Played 59 games with Blueshirts, recording 14 points (7-7) through 2007-08 before spending one year with Islanders.

8. Steve Richmond, D, Michigan (1982) 1174351 New York Rangers Bergen Record LOADED: 05.06.2020

Analyzing the top 10 prospects for the NY Rangers: No. 10 Lauri Pajuniemi

Vincent Z. Mercogliano, NHL Write

Published 1:17 p.m. ET May 5, 2020 | Updated 4:34 p.m. ET May 5, 2020

With the 2019-20 NHL season on pause, we're taking time to analyze the top prospects in the New York Rangers' organization. Based on conversations with players, scouts, executives and coaches at various levels, we'll be releasing a series of reports on each of our top 10 overall players in the system, followed by in-depth positional rankings. Any players who are 25 or younger and have played fewer than 25 NHL games are up for consideration.

No. 10: Forward Lauri Pajuniemi

Arguably no prospect for the New York Rangers saw his stock rise last season quite like Lauri Pajuniemi.

The Finnish forward was a fifth-round pick (No. 132 overall) in 2018 and managed a modest total of 20 points in 76 games spanning his first two seasons in Liiga.

Then came an explosion in his third season.

At just 20 years old, Pajuniemi emerged as the leading scorer for TPS, stepping up to fill the role of a familiar name for Rangers fans — Kaapo Kakko.

Pajuniemi posted 40 points in 49 games, tying for third in the league with 26 goals.

"He matured and understood that to be able to score goals, he needs to work more without a puck," TPS general manager and former NHL player Tomi Kallio said. "His overall game improved, which gave him more scoring chances. He also got bigger role. For example, the first power- play unit was built (in a) way that he gets shooting opportunities."

"I knew his potential, so I wasn't surprised that he scored so many goals," Kallio said, adding, "(It) was maybe a little positive surprise."

That scoring potential — particularly a right-handed shot that one scout called "sniper caliber" — is what attracted the Rangers to Pajuniemi in the first place.

"We drafted him based on our guys liking his shot and and his ability to get open in the tough scoring areas," Rangers assistant GM Chris Drury said.

The 5-foot-11, 187-pounder has been especially effective on the power play, where he scored half of his goals (13) this season, which was the second-highest total in the league. Kallio indicated that Pajuniemi was a focal point of the TPS power play because of "his hard, accurate shot and his will to score goals."

But Kallio also pointed out that "it's important that he keeps developing next season," when he is expected to return to TPS. He's also expected to vie for a spot on the Finnish national team.

Pajuniemi's shot should translate to the NHL, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's a plug-and-play goal-scorer. As Drury noted, "there are very few — if any — guys that just play the power play, or just go to a certain spot and wait for the puck to get fed to them."

"Every player has to learn how to play the whole sheet (of ice) and be trusted in all three zones," Drury added.

That's the next step for Pajuniemi, who scouts believe has the skating ability and competitive drive to round out his game. Whether his goal- scoring outburst will lead to a productive NHL career is a lingering question, but the optimism surrounding the once-overlooked prospect is trending up.

"I think he can be (an) NHL player in the near future," Kallio said.

1174352 Ottawa Senators There are a lot of details to be ironed out, but you can bet across the NHL right now they are gearing up to get ready for the draft at a even faster pace than they already were. It just feels like a matter of time before the league confirms that it will welcome some new young stars The NHL wants to take some time before making a final determination on next month. June draft Ottawa Sun LOADED: 05.06.2020

Bruce Garrioch

The NHL is playing the waiting game on a final decision on whether to hold the draft in June.

Though the expectation is it will happen, the topic dominated a conference call between commissioner Gary Bettman, deputy commissioner Bill Daly and the board of governors Monday afternoon, and the league just wants to take a bit more time to evaluate the situation before making a final decision on whether it will go ahead with the draft virtually after the event scheduled for Montreal was cancelled.

All the governors had a chance to express their opinions on the idea of holding the draft before the regular season is actually completed and now the league wants to take a step back before determining how it will conduct the lottery plus the draft under that scenario.

The expectation is if all this goes as planned the made-for-television lottery, with proper physical distancing, will be conducted closer to the end of this month and then the draft itself will be held in mid-to-late June which is the time the NHL hopes that teams are also hoping to be gearing up to make a return from the pause that started March 12 because of COVID-19.

We’ve certainly hit the point where nobody really thinks there’s any turning back from this now and it’s almost inevitable the draft will take place.

“It really feels like it’s going to happen because the league wants it and they’ve spent a lot of time on this file to try to alleviate everybody’s concerns,” a league executive told this newspaper Tuesday.

After getting pushback from the general managers on an early draft when the initial suggestion was made to go this route two weeks ago, the league has been aggressive in its approach of trying to sell the idea. One concern general managers have is they’re not sure if the NHL is going to be able to finish its season in any case, and the league wants to go ahead with the draft without even knowing if that’s going to happen.

Before a decision is made, one issue that needs to be ironed out is the format.

Though the league will use points-percentage to determine the odds in the lottery, where there is some dispute amongst the teams is whether everybody should be in the lottery or just the non-playoff teams. It only makes sense that those currently sitting in playoff positions want to be in the lottery so they want the current system to stay in place.

Yes, it’s quite possible that under the current system a team could win the lottery and then go on to win the Stanley Cup, but Daly did point out in a memo on the weekend that’s not likely to happen.

“That certainly is a ‘possibility,’ ” Daly wrote. “But we think it is a very remote possibility and is extremely unlikely to happen.”

That’s why the league has proposed going back to the old system which would allow teams to move up only four spots and fall back one. Under that scenario, the Ottawa Senators could fall no further than No. 3 and No. 4 with the two first-round selections they hold, including their own and the one they picked up from the San Jose Sharks in the deal for Erik Karlsson.

Of course, that has been met with resistance because all 31 teams want a shot at Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Oceanic, who’s considered the can’t-miss top prospect in this draft. Quinton Byfield of Sudbury and Tim Stutzle, a forward in the German league, are also highly ranked.

If the NHL goes back to the old system, it takes some teams out of the lottery. The season may in fact be over, because even at this point, there’s no guarantees the league will resume despite all the plans being made by the Return to Play committee. It may make sense to remove one bone of contention by just using what the league has in place right now. 1174353 Ottawa Senators Asked in his briefing Sunday if European hockey players would be allowed to go back and forth across the borders because they’re not an essential service, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated his office is in talks with the league about that matter. NHL still trying to come up with a final plan for a return to play “That’s a question we’ll have to have a look at,” Trudeau said. “At the very least, anybody who arrives here from another country is going to have to follow all quarantine rules very strictly in fact, but we haven’t Bruce Garrioch reached that point in our discussions with the National Hockey League yet.

Fifty-six days into the NHL’s pause and all options remain on the table. “We do recognize that re-opening is a possibility but it depends on many things and I don’t want to put forward any tentative hypothesis until we’ve The Return to Play committee, which includes commissioner Gary discussed the matter further.” Bettman, deputy commissioner Bill Daly, Don Fehr of the NHL Players’ Association along with active players Connor McDavid of the Edmonton In the memo sent out last week, the league indicated it would like to send Oilers and John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs along with others, instructions on moving to Phase 2 sometime this week. Whether that will will gather for the fourth time by video Wednesday to discuss road map happen or not remains to be seen and it’s difficult to put a date on to bringing back the league in the summer. anything because those are usually moving targets. If all goes well, the league would like to open its rinks in late-May and then hold some sort of While the threat of the novel coronavirus has hardly subsided, parts of training camp in June. the United States and several provinces are planning to re-open slowly over the course of the next couple of months and the league is hopeful The best bet for the NHL is to keep every possibility on the table and there’s a light at the end of the tunnel to be able to move to Phase 2 of its that’s what they’re doing. plan which calls for bringing players back to the rinks in small groups. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 05.06.2020 Ideally, the NHL would like to have all 31 teams return to finish the season in four neutral sites this summer, and even though a league executive believes in a few cases some players on the non-playoff teams would be brought back “kicking and screaming” there’s no shortage of logistics involved if the league is actually going to go through with this.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed Tuesday he has held talks with officials from Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment about Toronto being one of the hubs but didn’t provide many details.

“They’re coming up with a game plan, the NHL as a whole, and they haven’t really divulged anything else,” Ford said during his daily briefing.

The best-case scenario would be to have everybody return play a shortened schedule to finish the season and then hold the playoffs starting in early-July in empty arenas, however, Bettman, Daly and the NHL’s board of governors have to look at other options and that means no scenario can be ruled out because it’s difficult for anybody to predict what may happen with the spread of COVID-19.

The league is also studying the possibility of bringing back the 24 teams that were in the playoff picture when the decision was made to shut down. Under that scenario, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres would all officially see their seasons come to a close and the reality is they’re not going to make the playoffs.

Though Brendan Gallagher and Phillip Danault of the Montreal Canadiens have both expressed that they’d rather not return, under this scenario they’d be back to participate in a play-in round for the teams in the East and West that are ranked from No. 8-to-No. 12. They still have a chance of making the post-season and there’s been some talk about a best-of-three format.

Of course, the other option is to only bring back the 16 teams that were already in playoff positions when the pause took place. That’s unlikely to happen because there’d be too much pushback from the teams that are on the outside looking in _ including the Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes, , New York Rangers and Islanders.

One of the big issues for the league is trying to find a way to get players back to their various NHL cities.

The league told staff and players away from their home city to start coming up with a plan to get back to their NHL cities.

“Players and club staff who may currently be sheltering outside of the club’s home city should consider whether to plan to return to their club cities, understanding the attendant travel restrictions and self-quarantine measures that may either be imposed by the NHL/NHLPA or remain applicable in certain jurisdiction,” Daly wrote in a memo.

There are a couple of huge hurdles: First, the players overseas won’t be able to get into the country. Secondly, the borders between Canada and the United States remain closed. 1174354 Ottawa Senators No. 2 and No. 3 No. 2 and No. 4

No. 3 and No. 4 How would the NHL’s proposed draft changes affect the Senators? As stated above, the Senators have a 25 percent chance at drafting first

overall, which would also land them the third overall pick. They would By Hailey Salvian May 5, 2020 have a 25.5 percent chance at drafting No. 3 and No. 4 (their worst-case scenario). That would happen if Los Angeles, Anaheim or New Jersey 25 won the lottery.

It’s increasingly likely that the NHL Draft will be held in June before a If the Sabres won the lottery, they would move up to third overall possible season resumption this summer. because of the four-spot maximum, which would land the Senators at No. 2 and No. 4. There is only a 6.5 percent chance of that happening. The NHL’s Board of Governors reconvened remotely Monday afternoon to discuss the idea, and a final decision is expected soon. Meanwhile, the greatest odds the Senators have is a 43 percent chance at drafting No. 2 and No. 3 overall, which would happen if anybody other There has reportedly been pushback from general managers since the than the aforementioned teams won the draft lottery. league first floated the idea of a June draft a few weeks ago. But given the details in the memo sent to teams Friday, it seems commissioner Those are a lot of numbers and odds, but the key takeaway is this: If this Gary Bettman and league executives believe it’s the best course of proposal is approved, the Senators are locked in to get two players from action. a group that includes Lafreniere, Quinton Byfield, Tim Stützle and Marco Rossi or Jamie Drysdale (depending on your interpretation of whom Among some of the positives of holding a June draft, the league believes should go fourth overall). it has an “extremely valuable opportunity” to engage with diehard hockey fans and attract some new ones. The league pointed to the success of Before the pause, the Senators’ picks could have dropped as low as No. the NFL Draft, which was the most-watched ever, as an example. 5 and No. 6. The proposed changes would see the Senators maintain a 1-in-4 shot at landing Lafreniere and gain the guarantee to not drop The memo also outlined the idea of reverting to old draft lottery rules (for outside the top four picks. This has been classified as a heavy draft for this year only) so that only one team would win the lottery and no team elite forwards, certainly in the top 10. Acquiring two of them would be would move up more than four places. The lottery would be ranked by massive for a franchise that needs more high-end skill on the roster. point percentage as of the pause rather than point totals. Even if Detroit’s higher odds lead to a Lafreniere miss for the Senators, This year’s draft has long been circled as a potentially franchise-altering that’s not a bad consolation prize, right? moment for the Ottawa Senators. While many GMs have complained about this idea, I can’t imagine Pierre So, how would these proposed changes affect the Senators? Let’s take a Dorion is too upset about it. look at the four main implications. 3. The Islanders’ conditional pick 1. Odds for the No. 1 pick One of the more interesting parts of the NHL’s memo concerns what to The draft order remains arguably the most important piece of the do with the 15 conditional picks that teams had acquired for this year’s upcoming draft for the Senators. draft through trades.

Before the season was suspended, the Detroit Red Wings clinched last The memo states that the various conditional picks will be reviewed by place in the league and had an 18.5 percent chance at the first pick. the NHL. The league believes those deals can be resolved with relatively That’s supposed to be the highest chance any team can get. However, simple fixes. by owning San Jose’s pick, the Senators actually had the best total odds From the memo: “We would propose that we share our review and at winning the lottery at 25 percent (13.5 and 11.5 percent, respectively). proposed ‘solutions’ to each of the participating Clubs in each of the That’s by the usual lottery rules. implicated Trades and then provide the teams with a period of up to The league’s proposal for a June draft would revert to the previous draft seven (7) days to either: (a) reform the Trade on terms acceptable to lottery system, in which just one lottery winner is selected and any lottery both teams, or (b) accept the ‘solution’ that has been proposed to them winning team could move up a maximum of four spots. The lottery odds, by the League. Obviously, both teams would have to agree to the terms however, would not revert to the 2012 odds, which has been a common of any ‘reformation’ of any Trade.” thread online. Right now, teams seem to be awaiting clarification about the extent of It’s important to note that this format has not yet been approved. If it is, it what they can propose. As it stands, it appears teams could propose any would take the greater odds of winning the top pick away from the revisions to their conditional picks as long as they are agreed upon by Senators and give them to Detroit. their trade partners.

The Red Wings would still have an 18.5 percent chance of winning, but This directly relates to the Senators, who have one of those conditional they would have an additional 38.5 percent chance of retaining the No. 1 picks. Ottawa owns the Islanders’ first-round pick from the Jean-Gabriel pick if a team outside the top five wins the lottery. That bumps them up to Pageau deal. The condition on the trade is that the Islanders would retain 57 percent odds of controlling the first pick. the pick if it falls in the top three of this year’s draft. In that scenario, the Senators would receive New York’s 2021 first-rounder. The Senators’ chances at No. 1, meanwhile, would remain at 25 percent when the odds of their pick and San Jose’s are combined. The league’s proposal for a June draft uses points percentage as of the season’s pause to determine the standings. Only the bottom 15 teams While that still gives the Senators the second-best odds of winning the would be in the lottery. And only the bottom seven teams would have a draft lottery by a large margin, reverting to the old format would mean the chance at a top-three pick. Senators would no longer be the front-runners to land consensus No. 1 pick Alexis Lafreniere. If the proposal is approved, the Islanders would sit firmly in the league’s top 16 and the Senators would have the 21st overall pick in the 2020 2. Two of the very best prospects, guaranteed draft.

The Senators may have lost leading-contender status in the Lafreniere NHL standings by points percentage sweepstakes, but they will be guaranteed two of the top four players in the draft. WESTERN CONFERENCE

The proposal would guarantee that Detroit drafts either No. 1 or No. 2, 1 while Ottawa could do no worse than drafting No. 3 and No. 4 overall. St. Louis Additionally, the Senators have only four potential draft options: 0.662 No. 1 and No. 3 2 5

Colorado Pittsburgh

0.657 0.623

3 6

Vegas Carolina

0.606 0.596

4 7

Dallas Islanders

0.594 0.588

5 8

Edmonton Toronto

0.585 0.579

6 Columbus

Nashville 0.579

0.565 Florida

7 0.565

Vancouver Rangers

0.565 0.564

8 Montreal

Calgary 0.5

0.564 Buffalo

Winnipeg 0.493

0.563 New Jersey

Minnesota 0.493

0.558 Ottawa

Arizona 0.437

0.529 Detroit

Chicago 0.275

0.514 This one stings a bit. The Islanders struggled after the trade deadline, securing only four points between Feb. 24 and March 11, and looked as Anaheim though they might be on their way out of the playoff picture and into a 0.472 lottery. You could excuse Senators fans for beginning to dream of having three top-15 picks in a deep draft. Los Angeles Having read the memo — and again, the wording is open to 0.457 interpretation — it is my understanding that the Senators could still approach the Islanders about the pick and propose changes to the San Jose condition, like pushing the pick to 2021, for example. 0.45 Any major changes here would seem unlikely. EASTERN CONFERENCE The Senators would push for changes only if they think the Islanders will 1 take a step back and not make the playoffs in 2021 to get a higher pick.

Boston And Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello would need to agree to any changes. You’d think the Islanders would be happy letting the Senators pick at No. 0.714 21 rather than risk losing a lottery pick next year if the team takes a step back for whatever reason. 2 Additionally, the Senators would need to offer something enticing to Tampa Bay make it worth the Islanders’ effort to make that change, like granting 0.657 protection on the pick in 2021. In other words, essentially bring back the same conditions that were on the pick for 2020 and 2021 but shift it to 3 2021 and 2022.

Washington It may turn out to be nothing, but I think things could get interesting for teams holding conditional picks. 0.652 4. Fewer trade options 4 One of the major concerns expressed about the draft changes is the way Philadelphia they would limit the trade market. 0.645 If the draft were to be held before a resumption of play, the league would need to put restrictions on the types of assets teams could acquire or trade leading up to, or in connection with, the draft.

The memo states that trades with active-roster players would be eliminated during the draft because rosters are frozen for a potential return to play. But teams could still make moves with unsigned draft choices, prospects signed to future-year deals and even non-roster prospects on current deals, the caveat with the latter being those players could not be used as a “black ace.”

As far as the Senators are concerned, this would effectively eliminate the idea of moving some of their 13 draft picks to acquire a veteran player to assist the team next season. I’m not convinced the Senators would have done much of that in any event. I’d expect them to opt for league- minimum contracts in the summer over a draft-day trade.

According to the NHL’s memo, an analysis of the past five drafts showed 106 draft-day trades conducted. Sixty-four of those deals would have been permissible under the newly proposed rules for the 2020 draft, meaning they did not include an active-roster player.

Over the past five years, the Senators have made six draft-day trades. Four of those trades were flipping picks to move up a few spots. For example, the Senators sent the 12th pick and a third-round pick to New Jersey to move up one spot and select Logan Brown at No. 11.

Two of those trades, however, included active-roster players. Both were at the 2015 draft — first, when the Senators traded Robin Lehner and David Legwand for the 21st pick, which they used to select Colin White, and second, when they moved Eric Gryba to Edmonton for Travis Ewanyk and the 107th pick, which Ottawa used to draft Christian Wolanin.

It’s a small sample. But assuming the Senators wouldn’t make major changes to what has been status quo at the draft, these limitations shouldn’t have major implications for the organization. With so many picks, the Senators will have more flexibility than most to make deals.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174355 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers offering season-ticket holders refunds or credit for 2020-21 NHL season

by Sam Carchidi,

Flyers offering season-ticket holders refunds or credit for 2020-21 NHL season

The Flyers announced updates Tuesday on ticket-refund policies for the six regular-season home games that have not been played because of the coronavirus outbreak.

In a statement, the team said it was “hopeful” the season would resume. Even if it does, the regular-season home games are not expected to be played at the Wells Fargo Center. If the season returns, the league is exploring playing games in as many as four cities not hit hard by the coronavirus.

The season was suspended March 12 because of the virus.

The Flyers said they were giving season-ticket holders the option of getting a refund for the six remaining regular-season games or crediting their amount toward 2020-21 campaign.

In celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the #Flyers 2010 Stanley Cup run, the club is bringing together members of the team for season-ticket holders on Wednesday at 4 p.m. The live-stream show will be hosted by Steve Coates and Tim Saunders.

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) May 5, 2020

Those who purchased single-game tickets to any of those remaining games will be given a credit if they paid with a credit card; if a ticket was purchased with cash, buyers will be given a refund once the Wells Fargo Center box office reopens.

Those who purchased group tickets will be contacted by a representative for credit and refund options, the Flyers said. Fans who purchased tickets through a secondary website, such as StubHub, need to contact that company for refund options.

» ASK US: Do you have a question about the coronavirus and how it affects your health, work and life? Ask our reporters.

In the unlikely event that any of the remaining six regular-season home games are played at the Wells Fargo Center, fans who bought tickets through the Flyers for those games will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the rescheduled games.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174356 Philadelphia Flyers Penguins 4, Flyers 3 (OT): Trailing 3-1, the Flyers got goals from Tyler Pitlick and Scott Laughton to force overtime and salvage a point. Crosby won it 55 seconds into OT, giving him 43 goals and 105 points in 70 career games against the Flyers. Flyers vs. Penguins: Let the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs begin | On the Fly Elliott, who started all three games against the Penguins, stopped 16 of 20 shots. The Flyers allowed only a combined 39 shots over their last two games against Pittsburgh. by Sam Carchidi, Overall, the Flyers are seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.29) this

season, while the Penguins are 10th (3.20). The Flyers are tied for Maybe the NHL will resume its suspended season. Maybe it won’t. seventh in goals allowed per game (2.77), and Pittsburgh is tied for 11th (2.84). Both teams are almost identical on special teams. Maybe Canada’s strict quarantine rules for getting non-Canadian residents across the border will trigger too much chaos, causing the NHL So what did we learn from the three games between the teams? That to use only American arenas if it returns. Maybe it won’t. they are virtually even, and the Flyers’ fortunes depend on how well they can contain Crosby. Simple as that. Maybe the NHL will realize it should scrap the regular season and return with just the playoffs. Maybe it won’t. Sean Couturier vs. would be must-see TV. Let’s hope we get to see it. As you can see, there is nothing but uncertainty surrounding the NHL in a coronavirus world. No one knows the answers yet. Not Gary Bettman, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby falling on Flyers goalie Brian Elliott at the the NHL’s commissioner. Not deputy commissioner Bill Daly. Not any of Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 21. Crosby has 105 points in 70 career the players, coaches, or general managers. games against the Flyers.

The answers will come only after the coronavirus is deemed under Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby falling on Flyers goalie Brian Elliott at the control. Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 21. Crosby has 105 points in 70 career games against the Flyers. But just for the fun of it, let’s say the league returns and skips the rest of the regular season and goes directly to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Let’s Things to know also assume that the teams are ranked by points percentage and that 16 The NHL might face another obstacle if it decides to resume its season. teams make the playoffs. I’m not fond of this setup, but, hey, play along with me. Andrea Helfrich, the Flyers’ arena-TV host, opens up about her battle against the coronavirus. That would mean the Flyers would face the Pittsburgh Penguins in a delicious first-round matchup. Bernie Parent and NBCSN bring the Flyers’ Cup-clinching 1974 win to life. You’re signed up to get this newsletter in your inbox twice a week during the Flyers season, and once a week while the season is suspended. If Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov is one of the lucky ones during the you like what you’re reading, tell your friends it’s free to sign up here. I paused season. want to know what you think, what we should add, and what you want to read, so send me feedback by email ([email protected]) or on The NHL hopes players can return to their training facilities at some point Twitter (@broadstbull). Thank you for reading. in May.

— Sam Carchidi ([email protected]) Feeling a draft

Great theater The NHL may move its draft to early June, and a decision could be finalized this week. Never mind that fans aren’t expected to be able to attend games. Because of extenuating circumstances, the league this year is reverting A Flyers-Penguins playoff matchup would still be great theater -- even to the old way of determining who gets a chance at the No. 1 overall pick though it would be odd not having a screaming crowd as part of the in the draft lottery. Only the bottom five teams will have that chance, atmosphere. TV ratings would be astronomical. meaning the lottery winner can’t move up more than four slots.

It seems like eons ago, but the Flyers and Penguins met three times this This is being done because if the draft is held before the regular season season. The Flyers were 1-1-1, and the teams did not play their March ends and the current format was used, there would have been a slight 29 game, scheduled at the Wells Fargo Center, because the season was chance that the team that won the lottery could also have won the suspended by the coronavirus. Stanley Cup. That wouldn’t have looked too good.

To get you ready for the possible playoff matchup and to jog your Bottom line: Detroit, the NHL’s worst team, will have a 57% chance of memory, here is how the series went: getting the No. 1 overall pick (hello, Alexis Lafreniere) in this year’s draft lottery. Penguins 7, Flyers 1: The Flyers weren’t yet close to the form that saw them emerge as the NHL’s hottest team when the season was paused, Based on ranking teams by points percentage, the Flyers would have the winning nine of their last 10. This game was played in Pittsburgh on Oct. 26th overall pick in the first round. 29, long before the Flyers had grasped the system implemented by their new coaching staff, long before they had four lines and six defensemen Important Dates: playing as one cohesive unit, long before Carter Hart became one of the Tuesday: On this date in 1974, Dave Schultz set the tone by pummeling league’s most dependable goalies. Dale Rolfe in an early fight, and scored the winning goal Flyers killer Sidney Crosby and Dominik Kahun each had a goal and a as the Flyers outlasted the visiting Rangers, 4-3, in Game 7 of the pair of assists for the Pens, who built a 4-0 first-period lead and coasted. Stanley Cup semifinals. Brian Elliott allowed six goals on 28 shots for the Flyers, and Hart Wednesday: Alumni game between the Flyers and Rangers at Citizens relieved him early in the third period. Oskar Lindblom scored the Flyers’ Bank Park from Dec. 31, 2011. Shown on NBC Sports Philadelphia at 8 goal. p.m. Eric Lindros returns and Bernie Parent stops a breakaway. Flyers 3, Penguins 0: Nearly three months after their embarrassing loss Thursday: On this date in 2000, the Flyers’ Andy Delmore became the in Pittsburgh, the host Flyers played a strong defensive game and paid first NHL rookie defenseman to register a hat trick in a playoff game as back the Penguins. Elliott (19 saves) was flawless, and Jake Voracek, Philadelphia whipped the Penguins, 6-3. James van Riemsdyk, and Justin Braun (empty-netter) scored for the Flyers in the Jan. 21 game. Crosby was minus-2. Saturday: On this date in 1974, Bobby Clarke scored an iconic goal -- some believe it was the most important in franchise history -- to beat Before this game, the Flyers were nine points behind the Penguins. Boston in overtime, 3-2, and even the Stanley Cup Final series at one When the season was suspended March 12, the Flyers (41-21-7) were win apiece. It was the Flyers’ second-ever win in Boston, and it showed three points ahead of Pittsburgh (40-23-6). Philly it could compete with the favored Bruins. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174357 Philadelphia Flyers

76ers, Flyers to offer ticket holders refunds for missed games

By The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — The Flyers and 76ers are set to offer refunds or credits for unplayed regular-season games at the Wells Fargo Center because of the coronavirus pandemic.

While neither the NHL or NBA has officially canceled the remainder of their seasons or decided when and where the seasons may resume, both organizations Tuesday decided to address the ticket status for games scheduled for the Wells Fargo Center.

Flyers’ season ticket holders will receive a credit for the six unplayed home games, to be applied to their 2020-21 season payment due in June. They may also opt to receive a refund. Fans who bought single- game tickets will receive an automatic refund. All fans who purchased tickets through a secondary website, such as Stubhub, will need to contact that site for refund options.

The Flyers policy is on their website.

The Sixers outlined a similar process for their 10 unplayed home games. There are rollover and refund options for season ticket holders and single-game holders can request a refund. The Sixers had suspended season-ticket payments during the pandemic and will resume payments on June 12. The team will work with any ticket holders affected with financial difficulties.

Delaware County Times LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174358 Philadelphia Flyers In 2018-19, his freshman year with the Bulldogs, Cates had a productive 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship for the U.S., playing alongside guys like Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, Joel Farabee and Josh Norris.

Flyers' best college prospect? Excitement building around ascension of Sandelin was one of the team's assistant coaches and watched Cates Noah Cates return to Minnesota Duluth as a freshman surging down the stretch.

"I thought he had a very good tournament there," Sandelin said. "Very versatile, he can play wing, he can play center, so he was very valuable By Jordan Hall May 05, 2020 8:40 PM to that team.

"You know what that tournament can do for players. I thought he really, really excelled in the second half for us, played with more confidence in Division I coaches in Minnesota never like when local recruits sneak out everything that he was doing. I think this year, through his summer, of the state. training hard, came here — you know, confidence is a funny thing, right? Fortunately for , he knew Noah Cates going back to the You come off a really strong year as a freshman and sometimes guys prospect's early teenage days. The Stillwater, Minnesota, native played can go the other way, but I think he took another step and rode that wave summer hockey with Sandelin's son Ryan. of confidence."

They were just kids. (Minnesota Duluth Athletics)

"I remember Noah when he was not 6-foot-1, 6-foot-2," Sandelin, the With Cates as a sophomore, his role was "pretty much everything," Minnesota Duluth head coach, said, "I remember when he was about 5- Sandelin said. He killed penalties and handled a variety of jobs on the foot-8, 5-foot-9. power play because of his multifaceted skill set.

"I'm just glad he picked Duluth." "He’s played the bumpers, he’s played the half wall, he’s played different things and I think that’s important to those guys, too, from a development Cates stayed and is still in Minnesota ... but not for much longer. standpoint — you put them in different spots," Sandelin said. "You try and find, for all those players, especially on a power play, you try to find Sandelin is now OK with that looming reality. Of all people, he where they can really excel. understands best why Cates' days in the home state are numbered. "His strength along the wall, his puck protection skills, his ability to play in Cates is no longer a skinny high schooler. He no longer portrays a fifth- those areas is really good. A lot of guys don’t always get to those areas round pick. And the Flyers are no longer well off in the distance. or want to play in those areas all the time, but he’s certainly not afraid of It wouldn't be outlandish to proclaim Cates as the club's top college that. He’s good around the net. He’s kind of a net-front guy on our power prospect in the system. After playing a notable role in his freshman play that can get pucks. We did some different movements with that." season for a Bulldogs team that won the 2019 national championship, Sandelin, a three-time national champion head coach, recalled a the 21-year-old winger made an even bigger stride as a sophomore. weekend in February when the Bulldogs lost Cates' older brother Cates scored just a shade under a point per game with 14 goals and 19 Jackson Cates to an injury for the rest of the season, which forced assists in 34 contests, tying him as the second-leading scorer for fifth- Minnesota Duluth to shift the younger Cates to center. ranked Minnesota Duluth. "He didn’t really miss a beat," Sandelin said. When Cates left Stillwater Area High School in 2017, he was 165 pounds and relied a lot on his skill. Sandelin does not see that anymore. "That’s what I love about him, he doesn’t care, he just wants to play. He played center in junior hockey, as well, and even according to the Cates is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound, all-situation winger — a prospect the coaches, he really excelled there. It’s nice to have that versatility in a Flyers couldn't stop talking about last summer. player. For us, losing Jackson was a big loss, but being able to move "He’s a fun player to watch, he does so many little things within his Noah to the middle and not really miss a beat was important to our team. game," Sandelin said April 11 in a phone interview with NBC Sports "Positionally, he doesn’t really care. ‘I’ll go there and I’ll do what I need to Philadelphia. "He’s got tremendous compete level, he’s hard on pucks, do.’ ... Some guys are like, ‘I don’t want to play there,’ or they kind of look great body position, he’s strong on his feet. He’s got everything. He’s not at you. They don’t even have to look at you or say anything, sometimes going to wow you with Connor McDavid speed, but he does a lot of they’re just like, ‘I don’t know, I don’t really want to play there.’ He just things that sometimes maybe the normal hockey person doesn’t always doesn’t care, he just wants to play — he’s a hockey player.” see all the time, but as a coach and as a teammate, you really appreciate. I think that’s what makes him, in my opinion, special.” And one that is closing in on the pro level.

Another look at Noah Cates' third-period goal ... Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.06.2020 pic.twitter.com/okx5o2K9kD

— UMD Athletics (@UMDBulldogs) February 8, 2020

.@UMDMensHockey GOAL! Noah Cates puts the Bulldogs on the board.

https://t.co/gTzzVe9NjK pic.twitter.com/tsOv9gmQyp

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) October 20, 2019

The 2020-21 season has the makings to be a special encore for Cates. Sandelin expects him to turn pro after his junior year.

"For us, I think the plan is probably one more year of college and then making the jump, which I think would be pretty realistic for him," Sandelin, who played for the Flyers in 1990-91 and was a teammate of player development coach Kjell Samuelsson, said. "I’d love to keep him for four years, but I don’t think that’s going to happen and I hope that he continues to develop so he has that opportunity after next year to be able to step in and maybe play in Philly and have a long career.

“He just loves to play the game. And that’s what you want to see. He comes to the rink with a smile, he works hard every day, he works on his game, he’s a student of the game and that’s why down the road a year from now hopefully the Flyers are going to be getting a pretty good hockey player.” 1174359 Philadelphia Flyers

Kevin Hayes, Flyers donate lunch from Brûlée Catering to Philadelphia first responders

By Jordan Hall May 05, 2020 4:00 PM

Back in early April, when the Flyers were beginning a new month of the suspended 2019-20 season, Kevin Hayes didn't have any problem grasping the magnitude of the stoppage.

“No matter how much anyone in the league says they miss the game," Hayes said, "it’s a lot more important to figure out what’s going with our society right now."

Hayes and the Flyers have continued to help.

In the spirit of Cinco de Mayo, Hayes and the Flyers teamed up with Brûlée Catering to deliver a Taco Tuesday-themed lunch to 10 police precincts and firehouses across Philadelphia. The deliveries fed 300 first responders who have served the community during the coronavirus outbreak.

In April, Hayes showed his support to those working on the front line of the pandemic by donating lunch from Angelo's Pizzeria.

On Tuesday, Hayes had the following message for Philly's first responders.

Today we’re dropping off Mexican-style meals for Cinco de Mayo to heroes at 10 different fire stations and police precincts throughout Philadelphia. Showing support to first responders is something that means a lot to me. You can help support them through my Hayes’ Heroes program online by nominating a local community hero. Thank you so much for always keeping our community safe and keeping everyone healthy. I hope you enjoy your lunch and hopefully see you soon.

Lunch was on @kevinphayes12 and @Brulee_Catering today as he hooked up 10 local fire and police stations with some of Cinco de Mayo’s finest offerings. pic.twitter.com/aHxJdTSe9k

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174360 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers release update for fans with tickets to remaining 2019-20 home games

By Jordan Hall May 05, 2020 12:25 PM

INSIDE THE TURNAROUND

An inside look at how Flyers have built 2019-20 turnaround

With perspective from the players and head coach, let's take an inside look at how the Flyers have built their 2019-20 turnaround. By Jordan Hall

Among the Flyers' 13 games remaining on their 2019-20 schedule, six were slated to be played at the Wells Fargo Center over the course of March and April.

With the coronavirus outbreak forcing the NHL to suspend its season on March 12, the chances of those games being rescheduled and played are in jeopardy.

Fans who had purchased tickets to any of the final six home games will receive credit to apply toward future scheduled events or the option to request a refund, the Flyers announced Tuesday in an FAQ on the team's official website.

The team's release (which you can read here) addressed all fans who had held tickets for the remainder of 2019-20 — from season plans to single games, group tickets and those who purchased through the Flyers or a secondary website.

Prior to the stoppage, the Flyers were the NHL's top home team at 25-6- 4 with a plus-53 goal differential and a league-best .771 points percentage.

Attendance had been growing steadily as the Flyers started climbing the standings. The team's largest attendance figure of the season came on Feb. 22, when the Flyers beat the Jets, 4-2, in front of 19,870 fans. On March 7, five days before the NHL suspended the season, the Flyers had their third-biggest attendance of 2019-20 with 19,781 for a 3-1 win over the Sabres. On March 10, in the team's final game prior to the hiatus, 19,689 fans marked the official listed attendance as the Flyers lost to the Bruins, 2-0.

Last week, Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault was staying optimistic about his team's situation and the potential of sports resuming.

"As far as feeling any sense of frustration because the season has been suspended and our climb to the top has been put on hold, I do not feel any frustration and I don't think I should or any of our players should," Vigneault said. "With what the world is going through, with what people are going through at this time, the challenges that are out there for society and individually for some businesses and people, there are a lot bigger things than hockey right now.

"There’s no doubt that we were playing our best hockey of the season at that time, but I don’t think we can go into this showing any signs of emotional frustration. With how the world has been put on pause and what people are going through right now, when we come back, we can help them by doing the best job that we can as far as playing on the ice."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174361 Philadelphia Flyers

2020 NHL draft profile: Will Flyers go defensive route in 1st round with Justin Barron?

By Brooke Destra May 05, 2020 10:35 AM

Will Flyers continue to add RW depth, potential sniper with this draft pick?

As time progresses, more questions continue to be raised about the 2020 NHL draft — from the lottery order, to where the Flyers will pick and just when the draft will be — there’s a lot of unknown territory.

Until such things begin to be hashed out, we’ll continue to take a look at possible options the Flyers could draft at 26th overall — the current spot they are slotted to make their first selection.

Justin Barron

Position: Defenseman

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 195

Shoots: Right

Team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

Scouting report

There’s not a ton of negative aspects to Barron’s game, which is enticing for any team that is looking to add a sturdy defender in the first round. At the jump of the 2019-20 season, reports had the 18-year-old out of Halifax with the potential of being selected in the top 15, but as the year progressed, with a few unfortunate speed bumps along the way, chances are he’s moved down the rankings a bit.

The defenseman was out for just over 12 weeks after developing a blood clot during the season. When the news was first released, Halifax’s general manager Cam Russell praised his work ethic both off and on the ice in a team interview.

“When you lose a player of Justin’s caliber it’s a big blow to your hockey team,” Russell noted back in December 2019. “Not only on-ice, but he’s a real leader in our dressing room.”

Even facing that battle, he ended his season with the Mooseheads leading the defense in points (19) with four goals and 15 assists.

Barron holds all the potential to be a strong two-way defender that controls his zone, distributes the puck well at the blue line, isn’t afraid to shoot and has already proven his skillset in skating.

While his offensive contribution has dwindled from previous seasons, if he is able to combine his strength in skating with what he’s shown in the past in the offensive zone — chances are, he could become a very solid addition.

Fit with Flyers

The Flyers love their two-way defensemen and if Barron pieces those elements of his game together, he’d fit in quite well with the organization.

Not to mention, if he happens to fall this far back in the draft and is available at No. 26, it’d be difficult to find a reason to not want to bring him to the organization.

You can never go wrong with building up that blue line, but many of the recent top defenders the Flyers have drafted all have a left shot (Travis Sanheim, Ivan Provorov, Cam York) — Barron would shake that up.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174362 Philadelphia Flyers play with him than against him. Those slashes to the back the legs, it felt a lot better not playing against him on a nightly basis.

Jeff Carter: Obviously, Prongs is a strong personality and a strong voice ‘There’s things you remember for all your life’: Flyers relive their 2009-10 in the room and a guy that had been around for a long time. And, you run know, they command respect in there. Richie was the captain, but Prongs was a huge part of that leadership, as well. As far as any, like, feud or anything between the two of them, I didn’t see any of that.

Kevin Kurz May 5, 2020 John Stevens: With Pronger coming in there I think everybody was expecting us to take a big step. There was a little bit of the media making

a deal about Prongs and the veteran guys, and Richie being a young The splashy move came in the 2009 offseason. guy, and how is that all going to work? But we started the year (12-5-1). We had a great start, but then we started to slide a little bit. Games After consecutive years of being bounced from the playoffs by the started to get away. We had a road trip out West where it did not go very Pittsburgh Penguins, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren figured his well. roster needed another real difference-maker to compete with his team’s hated rival. On June 26, 2009, at the NHL Draft, he traded forward When the change was made, we were (13-11-1) and we had gotten shut Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa, a pair of first-round picks and a out at home by Vancouver, 3-0. I think (Holmgren) just wanted to see — conditional third-round pick to Anaheim for former Hart Trophy winner they thought that team was ready to take a step, and I just think that Chris Pronger and throw-in forward Ryan Dingle. Pronger, 35, was still at maybe (they thought) bringing a guy like Laviolette in, who had more the top of his game, a stud defenseman with a winning pedigree who experience and won a Cup before, was the right thing to do. They made could push a talented young core to new heights. In 2005-06, Pronger the change. I just think it was a matter of they were expecting big steps to had helped a young Oilers team reach the Stanley Cup final in his only be taken, and I think they were early, but once that momentum started to season in Edmonton, and one year later led the Anaheim Ducks to their get away from us and we started to slide a little bit, we certainly didn’t get first-ever championship. it stopped quickly enough.

Along with praising the veteran’s “presence in all zones on the ice,” Dan Carcillo: We had a really shitty start. There are consequences when Holmgren said Pronger would be “a good role model” for the team’s that sort of stuff happens. Then Lavy (Laviolette) came in, and he was younger players. On the ice and in the dressing room, Pronger seemed this talker, this slick guy. I liked that he thought we had the potential to like the perfect addition. play high energy and fast, and with guys like Pronger and Kimmo (Timonen), we had a really great veteran core. Even though Richie and The captain’s ‘C,’ though, remained stitched to the front of 24-year-old Carts were young, they were fuckin’ proven winners. Mike Richards’ jersey when the 2009-10 season began. When the scuffling Flyers fired head coach John Stevens in early December in Hartnell: I remember John Stevens getting fired, losing a good coach, favor of Peter Laviolette, there was rampant speculation that the and not knowing much about Peter Laviolette. I think that first game was personalities of Pronger and Richards and some of the other young against Washington, we lost (8-2 on Dec. 5). It wasn’t pretty for his first players didn’t mesh. game, but he came in, he changed the system. He’s a great motivator, a great talker. And, you know, I think he captivated that whole dressing “Not that there was turmoil, but there was a lot of balls in the air and it room just to believe that we’re all family, that we’re all in this together. just took us a little bit of time to really come together as a group and form that bond and chemistry that elite teams need,” said Pronger, reflecting Peter Laviolette: Walking into something like that, I think when you’re on the 10-year anniversary of the 2009-10 season. “I think as we were winning as a team and finding success there’s usually more camaraderie, coming down the stretch, and trying to win games to get into the playoffs, so that might be easier to spot when things are going well. We were that kind of forged a bond with the group and allowed us to really come obviously in a position where things weren’t going well. … There was a together.” big hill to climb. And I do think that the guys worked on trying to be a tighter-knit, closer group. It did come together, just in time. The Flyers qualified for the playoffs on the last day of the regular season and advanced to the Stanley Cup final. Kimmo Timonen: Lavy obviously brought some new systems and new It wasn’t always a smooth ride, but their playoff run had more than a few excitement and energy to the room. But still I thought we should have iconic moments that remain vivid in the minds of many key participants a played better as a team than we played. If you look at the lineup, we had decade later. some good players. It was an up and down regular season when you win like three games, you lose two or three, you win again for four games Regular season and then you lose three. That was our whole year.

After getting off to a 13-11-1 start, Stevens was replaced by Laviolette on Pronger: We also had a lot of goalie issues — injuries and rotating Dec. 4. The team’s goaltending was an issue for much of the season, as goalies, things like that. As is typical in Philly. Ray Emery, Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton — claimed off of waivers on Dec. 15 — each took turns as the No. 1, and all spent time Brian Boucher: What was supposed to be the goaltending tandem of Ray out due to injury. The Flyers finished in third place in the five-team Emery to start, myself as a backup, didn’t play out that way. Fortunately, Atlantic Division with a 41-35-6 record. when I was struggling, they brought in Michael Leighton. I got hurt right before Christmas and Leighton played well, and then Leighton got hurt. Chris Pronger: We were trying to find a way, we were trying to figure out So we were all over the place. our identity. I was brought in there. Those young guys didn’t look upon me initially. Obviously, one of their buddies (Lupul) got traded, so that’s It was just a season where we couldn’t really lock it down for long always difficult. I think you’re trying to change a culture, you’re trying to stretches of time. I think after Christmas, after the Winter Classic, we kind change the identity of the team. And now, players really need to stay of got our act together. That helped out. But then Emery and Leighton got focused. In years past, seeing the team play, they were very inconsistent hurt, and I hadn’t played for two months. And now I was thrust in there – much like we were at the start of that season – and really didn’t take and it took a little while for me to get my game back, too, after having sat hold until maybe I would say three-quarters of the way through the year. for two straight months.

Mike Richards: I thought (Pronger and I) got along well. It was stated that Richards: (The goaltending) wasn’t the reason why we struggled. But we didn’t, but I thought we did. I thought it was an adjustment for when you have the same team, that obviously helps. So just the people everybody. He’s an alpha personality, and he definitely has that presence going out, people coming in — I think we struggled with that. But we all about him in the dressing room. I think right at the beginning of the year, knew we had a really good team and really, the focus was just getting it was a little bit different for a lot of people. (into the playoffs) because, we knew if we did get in, we could have success. Scott Hartnell: Any time you add a superstar, a guy with his presence, on the ice and off the ice — I don’t think we were in awe of him, but he The shootout commanded respect in the dressing room and (with the) coaches, and all It all came down to the final game of the regular season when the Flyers that kind of stuff. To have the group that we had already in there, too, I hosted the Rangers on April 11, 2010. The winner would qualify for the don’t think there were any rifts or anything like that with him in the room. playoffs; the loser would go home. After outshooting the Rangers 47-25 When push came to shove, he always was a beast to play with. I’d rather through overtime of a 1-1 tie, the Flyers won in the shootout on goals Boucher: We came in feeling we’re on a high a little bit, having won that from Daniel Briere and Claude Giroux. Boucher stopped New York’s Olli pressure game to get into the playoffs. I think I needed to prove to myself Jokinen to clinch it, sending the Flyers to the postseason with a 2-1 win. that I belonged in this moment again. I’d done this, what, 10 years prior I was in that situation. So it’s been a long time since I started a playoff Boucher: I remember it was an afternoon game and pulling into the arena series, and I certainly wanted to feel that I belonged. So for me, it means late morning. There were fans outside with bags on their heads. People get into the groove. Early on, I felt like I made some saves in that series. were really down on us. People were pissed. I got the sense that there were some angry fans. They were mad that this was not going to work in The one save that I remember was a glove save on (Ilya) Kovalchuk from our favor. And there were fans that were supportive that were, like, ‘You the slot. It was a point-blank chance and I had a great read on it, and I guys can do this.’ But even during warmups, there were people with bags made a really nice glove save. At that moment, I finally was like, “OK, on their heads. … We had a chance to clinch it in New York two nights you belong here.” And I felt like we gained confidence each and every prior and we didn’t do it. And so it came down to the last day. shift, each and every period in that series early on.

Hartnell: I remember sitting in the hot tub with Arron Asham before the When we came home at 1-1, it was far different than the crowd that we game. Ash said to me that whoever wins this game is gonna win the Cup. saw for Game 82. I feel like the fans really were fired up, they were into And then you’re like, let’s go. Let’s go and win. Got out of the hot tub and it. … Multiple guys chipped in, like (Carcillo) scoring the game-winner in got dressed. Game 3.

Ian Laperriere: I was 36 years old. I was older than those guys, and I’m Carcillo: I kind of rimmed (the puck) around the net to Richie. And then like, this is probably one of my last chances. he tried to stuff it, but (Martin) Brodeur had an answer. Everybody kind of collapsed into him, like whacking at the side of the net. I just creeped into Carter: That was insane. Last game of the year and you have to go into a the back door and the puck just fucking squirted right on my stick. It was shootout to make the fucking playoffs. Just the intensity in the building. one of the easiest goals I’ve ever scored, but also just didn’t know what Laviolette: I’ve been involved in quite a few Game 7s now in the playoffs, the fuck to do, because I just scored a Stanley Cup overtime winner. It’s and to me, the whole day had the feel of that. just, it’s amazing. Got the French sandwich from (Gagné and Giroux), and Lappy was right there. Just everybody piling on. … That’s stuff that Daniel Briere: I felt the Rangers were playing to get to a shootout. We I’m really proud of that I did, you know? had deserved to win in regulation but (Henrik) Lundqvist was standing on his head. On their side, they’re probably thinking, look, we have the best Carter: (Game 4), we’re on a 5-on-3, I was in front of the net. Prongs shootout goalie in the NHL, probably. And the Flyers are struggling in a ripped a one-timer, and it just caught me perfectly on the laces, but I shootout. So if we can get there, that’ll be a huge advantage for us. actually scored on the play, too. Brodeur was sliding and it hit me on the laces and just sat right in the crease. Then I just glided back to the bench Timonen: I went to YouTube a couple days ago and it still gave me chills because I knew something was wrong. It fucking shattered my second to see how it actually ended. Danny Briere scored first, then the Rangers metatarsal in my foot in like five or six places. guy didn’t score, then Richards I think missed the net or Lundqvist saved it, but then their guy scored. So it came down to Claude Giroux and Laperriere: Unfortunately, I took that puck to the face (in Game 5), and actually my buddy, Olli Jokinen. “G” scored, and I still remember Olli that put me on hold a little bit. going for the last shot, and he almost went behind his own net to get Richards: I remember seeing (Laperriere) right after the game, and just some speed. I was like, ‘Olli, what are you doing?’ an empty (feeling), like your stomach or your heart drops just seeing him I remember being nervous on the bench, and shootouts, you never know and seeing what he did to win a hockey game. I remember seeing him — anybody could win it. I knew we had some good shooters, Danny, right after and just having that like total joy taken away from winning just (Giroux), Richie and (Simon Gagné) was on the team. I knew we had a because of seeing what he did. It was pretty scary, actually. good chance, but you never know. But then I remember Boosh Timonen: He blocked that with his big nose (laughs). But that’s Lappy, he celebrating on one leg. I remember that not even looking at the YouTube was willing to do anything for the team. video. Pronger: When you first see Lappy get hit in the face with the puck, it’s Richards: It was absolutely crazy in the building. … I actually saw the like “Oh my god.” It’s certainly not something you like to see with shootout (recently), I don’t know if it was the NHL Network or just online. I anybody, and knowing how hard Lappy worked, the kind of heart and had forgotten I actually missed until I saw it the other day, so that was fun soul type of guy he is, it was a tough loss for us. But it also showed our (laughs). … I just remember being extremely nervous because after group what it was going to take for us to be successful. If you’re going to you’ve missed, everything’s out of your control now. At least when I was block a shot with your face then that’s what you do. I think that really shooting, you had some sort of contribution to the outcome, whereas opened up a lot of eyes and kind of really spurred the team on. when you’re done, now you’re just sitting there watching as a spectator. So it was extremely nerve-wracking. Briere: Losing Lappy and Jeff Carter in that round were big blows. (After) Game 5, we were, I wouldn’t say down in the dumps, but we were Boucher: In the end, I think all those bags were put away. They were on wondering, can we keep going after losing those two key parts? One key, the floor. It ended up being a great afternoon, one of the greatest Jeff Carter on the power play, and Lappy, a key player on the penalty kill. memories in my NHL career. I was glad that we were able to clinch in Game 5 and not give them the Laperriere: We knew we had something special, maybe not right after chance to slowly climb back into that series, and also give us some time that game, but we knew we were way better than what we finished in the to maybe heal some bumps and bruises, having an extra week before regular season. Round 2.

Laviolette: I remember looking to my left, and I’m three or four rows into Second round: Flyers vs. Bruins the stands, and there’s a lady there, her head’s in her hands and her knees, and she’s just bawling, she’s crying. It took a minute to enjoy that The Flyers became just the third team in NHL history and the first in 35 because there was so much build-up going into that game. years to erase a 3-0 hole and win a best-of-seven playoff series. In their Game 5 win in Boston, Boucher was hurt in the second period and Hartnell: Just an awesome feeling, like you’ve won something. You get in Leighton took over in net in a combined 4-0 shutout. In Game 7 in the last day of the regular season. It was just all smiles, everyone’s Boston, the Flyers erased a 3-0 deficit in the first period to win, 4-3. hugging each other. (Two) days later we’re on a bus to play that first series. Boucher: Because we wrapped up Jersey pretty quick, we had a pretty extended break there, you get out of that playoff groove. It certainly hurt First round: Flyers vs. Devils me. My timing was off, didn’t feel the same. Maybe you’re listening to The seventh-seeded Flyers faced the second-seeded Devils in the first people pat you on the back, feeling really good, but you’ve got to restart round. After splitting the first two games in New Jersey, the Flyers won that engine come the start of Round 2. I feel like we didn’t start it quick three in a row to claim the series, including Game 3 on an overtime goal enough, myself included. by Carcillo. It came at a price, though, as Carter (foot) and Laperriere We lose Game 1 in overtime, and obviously that stings. That game could (concussion) were injured late in the series. Laperriere blocked a shot have gone either way, but we lose that one, and we kind of were on our with his face on a penalty kill in Game 5 in one of the most frightening heels after that. moments in recent Flyers history. Pronger: I don’t think anybody in the locker room, to my knowledge that I I remember when I was a really young coach, I’m on the bench, and I’m saw or talked to, was down in the dumps after being down (3-0 in the thinking I should call a timeout. It was 2-0, do you call it? And they ended series). I don’t think anybody thought we were being outplayed. I don’t up scoring a goal, 3-0, and we lost the game 5-1 or whatever. And I think anybody thought we deserved to be down 3-0, but you are. promised myself that if I ever thought that there needed to be a timeout, I would never not call it again. If my gut was saying, call it, then call it. And Timonen: Even if we were down 3-0, we thought that we were, not the that was kind of an easy one because it happened so quick. That better team, but we should have earned maybe one or two wins out of building, it was explosive after the first 10 minutes. They blew the roof off those three games. the building. … We needed to slow it down and just see if we could get it Hartnell: The turning point probably was when Richards hit (David) Krejci going in a different direction. (in Game 4) and knocked him out of the series. Richards: Once (James van Riemsdyk) scored (to make it 3-1), I Richards: I remember the play, it’s an open-ice hit. I actually didn’t even remember it just being kind of like a light switch that turned on in us. That see him. Like it wasn’t a big hit or anything; I must have just hit him in the gave us that boost. But that timeout was the biggest thing that I right/wrong way. It was a solid hit, but I just remember it just being like remember from it. body to body. Hartnell: Reemer got that one and I got the second one. Great play by Pronger: That kind of weakened their power play and weakened their Ville (Leino) and Danny B. Danny got the next one, and we’re like, man, second line. It created a chain of events and kind of mucked up their it’s tied up before you know it almost, really. Simon made a great shot lineup and the way they like to roll lines and all the rest of that. I think we there, and that was the winner. were able to really focus in on the (Patrice) Bergeron line and focus in on Briere: I remember (after the game) trying to look in the crowd for my dad shutting them down. to make sure he was still alive. In Boston, you know, it was pretty Carcillo: When Richie knocked out Krejci, then we’re just saying, “Oh intense. That was one of the better moments in my career, winning that boy, let’s fucking go.” game.

Briere: To me, the key was Game 5, because you’re going back in their Timonen: The thing I remember actually the most after the game, (Flyers building and they want to win that game so they don’t have to come back chairman Ed) Snider came to the room and he was crying. He was so red and play Game 6 in our building. We knew Game 6 we were going to win because he was probably yelling, and probably having a glass of red at home if we got there. But the toughest game to win in my mind was wine or two during the game. … “That’s one of the best hockey memories going to be Game 5. I’ve ever had in my life,” he said.

I think it was the key to that series, winning that game in their building Pronger: It was awesome to see (Snider) in there and how fired up and and creating doubt and pressure. Now, all of a sudden, the pressure was excited he was. You could see the sense of pride in his eyes, and the on them. So, you know, when we won Game 5, that’s when I started way he was walking around talking to guys. Just genuinely happy to be a thinking, OK, this is a possibility now. part of the monumental comeback like that. And to see the way his team fought and battled. I think that kind of emulated him and the way he Timonen: I know Boosh very well and that he doesn’t mind me telling this always wanted his teams to play. story probably, but sometimes when he gets hurt it feels like he’s dying. He’s like whining like a little boy (laughs). I remember I was on the ice Laviolette: You don’t notice at the time, but there’s a lot of players who when he got hurt. And I was one of the first guys going on the ice to say, were in that room that proved to be really competitive guys, and gone on “Boosh, you OK? You OK, Boosh?” And he was yelling so hard. Then, to win Stanley Cups, or had won a Stanley Cup. Pronger and Kimmo, obviously, after the game, I had to give it to him. I said, “Boosh, I thought Richards, Carter. Claude Giroux and JVR were really, really good young you were dying there, buddy. You were screaming so hard!” players. When you’re in those situations, you need players that aren’t intimidated to be down 3-0 in a game or 3-0 in the series. I think we had Boucher: I sprained my MCLs in both knees. I had a Grade 2 (sprain) in a lot of players like that in the room. one of my knees and Grade 1 in the other. If you thought that winning in a shootout was an emotional game to Michael Leighton: I had a high ankle sprain in the middle of March. That’s qualify for the playoffs, you know, being down 3-0 (in the series) and 3-0 a pretty tough injury to come back from. I was doing everything I could, again inside the game and come back, that’s emotional. There’s things taking cortisone shots to PRP (platelet-rich plasma) shots to tons of you remember for all of your life, and I think that’s one thing that whole treatment every day. Eventually got back on the ice, but I don’t think I group will remember. was at 100 percent, for sure. My ankle wasn’t 100 percent. I still had to wrap my ankle up, almost like into a cast. I couldn’t move it certain ways. Hartnell: It’s almost like you won a Stanley Cup. I never won, but the feeling of that comeback was right up there and something that I’ll never So, I worked hard to practice and then (Game 5) was my first game back forget. And Montreal beat Pittsburgh, so I was like, this is gonna be on the bench. Then Boosh went down. First thought in my head was, awesome, because we always had problems with Pitt but we dominated crap. How am I gonna feel on the ice? I haven’t played in almost two Montreal. This is, like, the perfect storm. We’re gonna go to the Cup months. Definitely pretty nerve-wracking. But once I got in and got a few finals. shots, just like any other game, you kind of get into groove and get comfortable. Eastern Conference final: Flyers vs. Canadiens

Timonen: We started rolling, and going the right way. We got little The Flyers remarkably found themselves with home-ice advantage for bounces there and then we got lucky a little bit. But I think you have to the Eastern Conference final against the eighth-seeded Canadiens, who have those two things. And all of a sudden we have the Game 7 in knocked off Washington and Pittsburgh in the first two rounds. The Boston, and then we’re down 3-0 and that rink was going crazy. I Flyers, who welcomed Laperriere and Carter back into the lineup during remember we’re sitting on the bench (thinking) we’ve battled so far in the series, won the first two at home by a combined 9-0 score, got coming back from three games to nothing. crushed 5-1 in Game 3 in Montreal, captured Game 4 in a 3-0 shutout, and closed it out in front of their home fans with a 4-2 win in Game 5. The Hartnell: Game 7, you’re down 3-0 about 12 minutes into the first and clinching game also featured one of the most iconic goals in Flyers Lavy calls a timeout. I just remember him saying, “All we need is one.” history, a shorthanded marker by Richards that tied the score, 1-1, in the And looking at Michael Leighton, you know, “You shut the door.” first period.

Leighton: I skated over to the bench and he looked over at me said, Briere: When we won against Boston, not to sound arrogant and you “You’re fine. You’re good, don’t worry. Let’s go.” And that right there gave don’t want to overlook the next opponent, but I knew at that point we had me confidence, knowing that he had confidence in me that I was going to a solid chance to go to the . That matchup against still do the job. … Keeping me in there was risky on his part, too. It’s Montreal was perfect, in my mind, for us. pretty easy to pull the goalie and blame the goalie. If you win, great; if you lose, you can always put it on the goalie. Pronger: Now you’re on a high coming back from down three-nothing, you’re feeling confident. We had played Montreal very well throughout Laviolette: Back then, to me, the timeout was always an opportunity to the course of the season, so we knew them, we knew how to beat them. stop a game that you don’t like or it’s not going your way. Timonen: I remember, obviously, after that series against Boston, we were like, nobody’s gonna beat us now. Richards: (I remember) just how good Danny, Ville and Hartsy were. Philadelphia in overtime, 4-3, on a bad-angle shot by Patrick Kane that Danny kind of led the charge, but that whole line was insane. somehow snuck through Leighton.

Briere: As a player, that’s what you’re looking for, that chemistry with Laperriere: We scored five goals in that first game in Chicago. When you certain guys. We hadn’t played together. I had played sporadically with score five goals on the road, especially in the playoffs, you should win Hartnell here and there throughout the years. Ville Leino came in a trade that game. I feel like it would have been a different series if we could earlier that year (on Feb. 6); nobody really knew him that much. It was have at least taken one game out of Chicago. instant chemistry the first time we played together. That’s the best feeling, when you are able to create that right off the get-go. When you Laviolette: That was tough. It’s not good to have a game stolen against don’t have to practice with each other, you just understand each other on you. You’ve got to find a way to win those games. the ice. Hartnell: We’re up (3-2) after the first. And then, bam, they just had Hartnell: That was some of the best hockey that I’ve ever played on the firepower and goals were coming in. I don’t think Leighton played his best biggest stage. hockey of the playoffs. Boosh was going in every other game.

Pronger: We got off to a great start at home. Then we went into Montreal, Boucher: My knees were sore, there’s no doubt about it. Any time I we didn’t play great (in Game 3). We didn’t play terrible, but obviously, kicked my legs out, my inside ligament, you could feel it was not the different environment — conference finals in Montreal. … It was a same. And it wasn’t just one knee, it was both knees. I wasn’t 100 spectacle. They obviously fed off the energy of the building and the fans percent but I wanted to be on the bench. If we were going to hoist that and the media, and came out playing probably their best game. Cup, I wanted to be in uniform and be there with the guys. But truthfully, looking back on it, I got thrown into Game 1, I just remember being like, We rebounded and played, I think, the best game of the playoffs in Game so excited, fired up, Stanley Cup finals, finally made it. 4. It was men against boys, the way we handled them in Game 4. I wasn’t even close to the same guy that I was in Round 1 health-wise, Laviolette: When we did have that tough (Game 3), we talked about it as and that to me is what’s most frustrating, because you wish you could a group, and going back out the next game, it was probably one of our have had a shot at it in much better shape, and I just wasn’t. I wasn’t able tightest, hardest-fought games, where you just knew that you were going to help the team out in relief and that, to me, was frustrating. to go on to win that hockey game. Laviolette: I actually thought that we could have won both games in Carter: I came back in Game 4, and I was fortunately able to put a couple Chicago. And we didn’t. And then we came back and we fought back and in (in Game 5), but I was just trying to get my bearings straight out there tied it up. because I was not in a good place physically. So it was a challenge. Leighton: We played two really solid games and got wins. But every time Briere: (Richards’ goal) set the tone for (Game 5). Chasing that puck we played in Chicago, they just they had an extra gear that we had down on the penalty kill, colliding with the goalie and then finding the trouble keeping up with. Game 5, for me, was the kicker. loose puck. That was a huge momentum swing in our favor early in the game and I think it took the wind out of them. Anything they were trying Timonen: Game 5 is where I feel like that turned the thing around. I felt to build to get back into the series, that was kind of the punch in the gut. like we played the worst game of that series in Game 5, where we had to play the best game. Richards: I remember, obviously, the final product of it — scoring — and the puck bouncing loose. Other than that part, I always forget how long Pronger: We went back for Game 5, and, oof, I was spent. That was the shift was until somebody sends it to me or I see it online. The rush probably my worst game of the playoffs. I was just gassed at that point. It before leading up to it, the back-checking, and that last little jolt of was a struggle. Injuries and everything had kind of taken its toll on me energy. But I do forget how long that shift was until the goal. through the course of playoffs. I just had nothing in the tank. I was done.

Carcillo: It was as if like that puck just bent, I remember, at center ice, Briere: We took a tough loss in Game 5, and then we come back home and he just — Richie was so instinctual, man. Richie was so good, even and, again, we played a solid game. Going into overtime, there’s no in junior when I played against him in the OHL. He’s just like such a doubt in my mind that (it) was just a matter of time, that we were going to predator on the PK, and you always have to be aware of him because he Game 7. always broke, and always got sprung, it seemed. That was no different in Carter: I was on the bench. I actually could see (Kane’s overtime goal) that situation. A bit of a lucky bounce, but you’ve got to be good to be kind of squeak through, but I know a lot of people didn’t even realize that. lucky. Timonen: I went (through) that situation in my mind so many times. Laperriere: It was a blur. I came back and I played that series, but I Should I take a different route? Obviously, a guy like Kane can make a wasn’t 100 percent. My head was still hurting. To say I enjoyed the ride move. If I went a different route, then maybe he can shoot the puck — … I didn’t enjoy it as much as I could (have) because I was so worried these kinds of things. Oh my God, I went through that 10,000 times in my about getting hit again. I know what was going on in my head. I wish I head. But hockey is like that. I remember, I’m going to make sure he was 100 percent for that series, but I wasn’t. I knew it was gonna be the doesn’t come up to the net to the front post. I’m gonna get there. If he last time that I had a chance to win the Cup. That’s why I came back wants to go behind the net, I’m gonna give him that. … Then he shot it, early. and it went in. Then nobody knew it was in, but me and Kaner skated Richards: There was a conversation on the ice (after Game 5). I behind the net and I could see the puck got stuck behind the net, so I remember Prongs saying don’t touch (the ), knew it was in. because I think he didn’t do it in Anaheim. I remember talking to some It’s funny, when I got traded to Chicago in 2015, the first thing (I see) guys who said just to grab it. To be honest, I didn’t know what I was when I walk into the practice rink, there’s a huge picture when you walk going to do while skating up there. I’m not a superstitious guy. I don’t up the stairs of Kane celebrating, and you can see my name. I’m like, think that’s the reason why we didn’t win the Cup (laughs). But once I got “What the fuck!” there, I just kind of said screw it and grabbed it. We had kind of done things unconventionally all year. But when I grabbed it, I had no idea Leighton: When you’re in overtime of the Stanley Cup finals and that’s what I was even doing with it. I skated it off the ice and threw it in the the game-winner, it’s obviously tough to swallow. trainer’s room, I think, and that was that. For me, the way I played that situation is something that I learned from. Pronger: I just said, “Are you gonna grab it?” He didn’t really have an Actually, all goalies kind of started changing (their styles) around that answer. So I said, “Well, then don’t.” He’s like “No, fuck that.” I go, “OK, time. A year later after that goal I would have already been down on my well, do what you want. You’re going to do what you want anyway, so go knee, covering low ice before he even shot the puck. I have no doubt that ahead.” a year later I would have already been down to make that save, no problem. Stanley Cup final: Flyers vs. Blackhawks It was just the style of play we played then. For me, I see him coming Chicago won the first two at United Center, 6-5 in Game 1 and 2-1 in wide and I was more or less thinking he was going to pass it out front. He Game 2, before the Flyers responded with two wins in Philadelphia. just beat me along the ice. Tough goal to give up in overtime of the Chicago handily captured Game 5 at home, though, and won Game 6 in Stanley Cup finals, obviously. Laperriere: That last goal — Leights played unbelievable for us. I felt bad for him, that’s his Flyers memory right there, but I thought we played pretty good for a team playing against Chicago, a dynasty in the league after that. We kind of started their dynasty.

Briere: We all know how it ended with the goal that nobody saw. It was just unfortunate how it ended. It was a great series and we left it all out there. That’s what I’m proud of when I look back, there’s no doubt in my mind we played to the best of our capacities. We left it all out there.

Carcillo: I just think it was a really good series. It was always tight. Every game was a great game. They were just a little bit better, you know, and their goaltending was a little bit better. I’ll never forget that run. It was just really special, and the city was just fucking on fire. I really wish I could have won in Philly. I’d probably be living there.

Richards: I remember waking up after the series, kind of going through however many games we played, and just that empty feeling of disappointment for not ending up winning the Cup that year. You dream about it for so long, you hope on it, you put so much effort into it, and then you lose when you’re that close. There’s definitely a sense of not only disappointment, but you put your body through that much and didn’t get anything from it. I think we deserved better.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174363 Pittsburgh Penguins The same can be said of Dumoulin given his role on the 2016 and ’17 Stanley Cup championship squads. While he served as something of a counterbalance to the gambles of defensive partner Kris Letang in ’16, Dumoulin was essentially the team’s No. 1 defenseman during the ’17 From Dave Burrows to Brian Dumoulin, defense still has value for run as he led the team in average ice time (21 minutes, 59 seconds) Penguins during that postseason in the absence of Letang, who was recuperating from a severe neck injury.

Now, Dumoulin, who missed 37 games this season because of a left SETH RORABAUGH | Tuesday, May 5, 2020 6:07 p.m. ankle injury, is routinely one of the first players sent over the boards to open a penalty kill and, along with Letang, he regularly draws assignments against the opponent’s top forwards. There really is no way to compare Dave Burrows with Brian Dumoulin. But he’s hesitant to limit his style of play with a label. Burrows, roundly considered the best defensive defenseman in Pittsburgh Penguins franchise history, primarily played in the 1970s. “I wouldn’t say that I consider myself just a defensive defenseman,” Dumoulin, who by most measures is the current team’s top defensive Dumoulin said during a video conference call with local media Tuesday. blue-liner, made his NHL debut in 2013. “I like to jump up the rush too and create offense. I would say I’m more timely in the defensive zone. I don’t take as many chances or that I’m not • Virtually every second of Dumoulin’s on-ice activities are recorded in as high risk as other players offensively. I try to not have any cheat in my real time by NHL statisticians, run through various algorithms and turned game and try to take pride in my defensive coverage and my into analytical data available to anyone within range of a WiFi signal. responsibilities. With Burrows, a metric seemingly as basic as time on ice was not yet a concept for the NHL to maintain. “I know I can help out our team, especially if I’m out there with (Sidney Crosby’s) line, (’s) line, any of our lines. It does us no good • There are plenty of highlights, interviews and other clips of Dumoulin on to be spending a lot of time in our defensive zone.” YouTube. Burrows? He might as well not exist as far as online video is concerned. For many years, one of the primary (if not only) stats to gauge a defensive defenseman was blocked shots. Today, there is a seemingly • Anyone with free time — and that’s not exactly in short supply these endless registry of advanced metrics to measure a player’s value. days — literally can watch every shift of Dumoulin’s career with an online subscription to the NHL’s video service. For Burrows, analysis of his play Even with that added scope to look through, Rutherford suggests might be limited to an anecdote (which probably has morphed more into evaluating defensive players such as Burrows or Dumoulin isn’t all that a fable) of an uncle who got free tickets to a game at the Civic Arena in different fundamentally. 1977 and saw Burrows take a puck to the face against the Minnesota “I don’t think it’s changed,” Rutherford said. “The analytics are really North Stars then finish the game with 27 stitches on his shattered nose. beneficial to us now. And they’re expanded from those days. In a lot of Burrows was a two-time All-Star for mostly ho-hum teams. Dumoulin was ways, we use different terminology for some of the analytics that we used a vital component of two-time Stanley Cup championships. back then. We didn’t call them analytics or use the same words to describe them. There’s a lot of similarities.” It’s nearly impossible to weigh them against each other. Dumoulin doesn’t seem to put much weight into any numbers, Unless you’re Jim Rutherford. rudimentary or progressive, when evaluating his defensive prowess.

As a goaltender for the Penguins in the early 1970s and the team’s “I’m pretty honest with myself,” Dumoulin said. “I know if I played a good current general manager, Rutherford has a unique perspective as game or a bad game. I don’t really have to look at points or stats or Burrows’ teammate (and the benefactor of all those shots he blocked) as anything like that. I have a pretty good memory of shift by shift about well as Dumoulin’s boss. what happened, if I got beat or if I missed a chance. I mentally know if I played a good game or a bad game. That’s important to be honest with “There’s a lot of comparisons,” Rutherford said during a phone yourself because that’s the only way you can get better, at least in my conversation with the Tribune-Review on Tuesday. “(Burrows) was a game. wonderful person and a wonderful team guy. And that leads me into Brian Dumoulin before I talk about what he does on the ice. He is really “Some people might base that off points. But that’s not me. I’d rather win one of the quiet leaders on the ice now. He has been for a few years. the game than get a point any day. That’s kind of what I take pride in. It’s And such as good person.” a lot more fun winning the game than getting a point. I wouldn’t say I gauge it on necessarily anything. After the game, I like to watch my shifts Dumoulin has been designated as an alternate captain at times this (on video). I can usually tell what kind of game I had. Usually, if we win or season when injuries have hindered the players who normally inhabit we lose, that plays a part in it too. That’s the biggest stat for me.” those roles. Burrows routinely served the same role throughout the 1970s. Tribune Review LOADED: 05.06.2020 “Then you go to his game on the ice, there’s a lot of similarities in his game to Dave Burrows from a defensive point of view,” Rutherford said. “When you look at Brian Dumoulin over the last number of years here, going from winning the (Stanley Cup titles) and right through to now, you could make the case that he’s our most consistent defensemen of all our guys.”

Rutherford stopped short of saying one player was better than the other.

But it’s clear how he feels Burrows, who played during a somewhat disorganized era of the 1970s, would fare in today’s highly regimented game.

“He could play in any era because he was a good skater and smart,” said Rutherford, who labeled Burrows as a close friend during their careers. “Just really one of the best defensive defensemen in the league.”

“He was so smart. I can’t say he didn’t make any mistakes. … But he made very, very few mistakes. Couldn’t beat him one-on-one. At that time when he played, he probably didn’t get the recognition he deserved. He was probably the best defensive defenseman in the league. The offensive guys always get the recognition. But he’s certainly in the group of defensemen that are the all-time best of the Penguins.” 1174364 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan makes donation for groceries

SETH RORABAUGH | Tuesday, May 5, 2020 12:44 p.m.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan paid for shoppers’ groceries Tuesday at the the Waterfront Giant Eagle and South Hills Market District during designated senior hours.

According to a news release from the team, shoppers’ costs were paid in advance by Sullivan.

No additional specifics on Sullivan’s donation were included in the release.

“We have been so proud to see the generosity of the Pittsburgh community throughout this challenging time,” Sullivan said in a statement. “My wife, Kate, and I wanted to do something for those at higher risk for the illness. We know that most seniors live on fixed incomes and have to worry more about getting out in general, so it is our hope that we were able to give them a little relief during a stressful time.”

The Penguins are a corporate partner with Giant Eagle.

Tribune Review LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174365 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins A to Z: Goalie Casey DeSmith still has management’s trust

SETH RORABAUGH | Tuesday, May 5, 2020 12:41 p.m.

While the NHL is on hold because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 55 individuals under NHL contract with the organization, from mid- level prospect Niclas Almari to high-profile trade acquisition Jason Zucker.

Player: Casey DeSmith

Position: Goaltender

Catches: Left

Age: 28

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 181 pounds

2019-20 AHL statistics: 41 games, 18-18-2 record, 2.92 goals-against average, .905 save percentage, two shutouts

Contract: First year of a three-year contract with a salary-cap hit of $1.25 million. Pending restricted free agent in 2022. (Note: Given DeSmith is signed to a one-way contract and is assigned to the Wilkes- Barre/Scranton Penguins, he still counts $175,000 against the salary cap.)

Acquired: Undrafted free-agent signing, July 1, 2015

This season: DeSmith entered the 2019 training camp in an open competition with Tristan Jarry to hang onto the backup job he claimed in 2018-19.

He didn’t so much lose that competition as much as his seven-figure salary forced management — in the face of a salary cap crunch — to assign him to their AHL affiliate despite the potential of losing him through waivers.

As Jarry has fulfilled his immense potential with a breakout season, DeSmith has battled through the 2019-20 campaign with a below- average team in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, often facing a barrage of high- danger shots.

Despite having been a professional for five seasons, this is actually DeSmith’s first opportunity to be a team’s No. 1 goaltender since his final NCAA season at New Hampshire in 2013-14.

While he has faced an increased workload, he has shown few signs of fatigue this season. For November, DeSmith was selected as AHL Goaltender of the Month.

DeSmith was briefly recalled in early January to serve as the team’s backup goaltender for a road game against the Montreal Canadiens in a transaction intended to allow Jarry rest up for a home game the next night. But he misplaced his passport and was not able to make the trip.

When he’s in the NHL, DeSmith is one of the league’s smallest goaltenders. In an era when goaltender is the only position where players are getting larger, DeSmith relies on quickness and reflexes to ply his craft. Fundamentally sound under the tutelage of long-time goaltending coach Mike Buckley, DeSmith still has the full trust of management to step in net should the need arise, as was the case often in 2018-19.

The future: In the likely event the AHL season is formally canceled, DeSmith could be one of the Penguins’ top candidates for a recall if the NHL allows teams to use expanded rosters to complete its season.

Beyond 2019-20, the Penguins have an uncertain future with Jarry as well as fellow goaltender Matt Murray, each of whom are pending restricted free agents. Any decision management has to make with those two is complicated by the looming expansion draft in 2021. If one of those two players departs, DeSmith, under contract for two more seasons, could gain an easy promotion.

Tribune Review LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174366 Pittsburgh Penguins Keep in mind, it’s hockey. We love it in Pittsburgh. And other diehard markets do, too. But some guy in Topeka or Santa Fe ain’t watching 10 episodes about anybody from Canada or Russia on a sheet of ice.

Tim Benz: Ideas for ESPN’s next docuseries after ‘The Last Dance.’ Cast Therefore, none of these ideas would be an ESPN thing. The appeal your vote. wouldn’t be as large. And hockey isn’t their sport. These ideas would have to be an NHL Network or NBCSN project. And it may be less drama and more a love letter. However, all of them could — and should — be done. TIM BENZ | Tuesday, May 5, 2020 6:12 a.m. But what will ESPN do next as a subject if they want to follow up “The

Last Dance” with another similar 10-part docuseries? Here are six worthy ESPN’s “The Last Dance” has been quite a hit. The 10-part documentary candidates. series on Michael Jordan and the Bulls of the 1990s is generating an My vote would be the Brady-Belichick Patriots. The personalities. All the incredible buzz. Super Bowls. The Super Bowl losses to the Giants. Spygate. Pittsburgh Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer joined me for our Deflategate. The massage parlor. The foiled perfect season. Rob usual “Breakfast With Benz” hockey podcast, and we spun the Gronkowski. Aaron Hernandez. Randy Moss. conversation into a hockey chat. But we may need another five to 10 years for the dust to settle on that From a hockey standpoint, who would be the best possible person — or story now that Bill Belichick is coaching in New England while Tom Brady team — to focus on for a 10-part documentary? and Gronk have gone to Tampa Bay.

Wayne Gretzky is the easy choice internationally. Aside from the Same thing with LeBron James’ new career in Los Angeles. Plus, ESPN controversy surrounding his exit from Edmonton to Los Angeles, though, has already done a docuseries much longer than 10-parts featuring I don’t think that Gretzky had enough spice or conflict in his career to LeBron. It’s called “SportsCenter.” Ever heard of it? make the series saucy enough. The Bonds and Woods options would be almost as compelling as the Gretzky’s shortcomings late in his career with the St. Louis Blues and the Patriots series. Unfortunately, I doubt they would be honest enough to New York Rangers — even coaching with the Arizona Coyotes — talk in depth about the juiciest subplots during their competitive years. If weren’t dynamic enough to create drama. Woods doesn’t talk about his extramarital issues and Bonds does little more than no comment away the steroid discussion, then there is no I’d say any combination of the following hockey topics could work better series. as a documentary subject: Plus, in Woods’ case, does 10 hours of golf footage hold up the same • : His career arc is shockingly similar to Jordan’s. Plenty way 10 hours of dunks, touchdowns and home runs do? of eye-popping individual highlights in the mid-80’s, shrouded in team disappointment. Resurrecting a moribund franchise. Then multiple Tyson is a real good option. It’s just that Jordan played in about 1,200 championships. games. Tyson had 58 fights. Many of which lasted about 58 seconds. Filling out the footage of actual competitions may be tough. So maybe Jaromir Jagr as his Scottie Pippen. Burning through multiple coaches. “Iron Mike’s” is only about seven or eight episodes. The Gretzky comparisons. The 1987 . The battles against injury and cancer. The Yankees one would be the quickest, easiest and most tidy to produce between now and 2021 or 2022, if they wanted to do it. The fan The comeback. The ownership. The new arena. Winning as an base is obviously there to support it. And the hatred of the franchise is executive. Some of the heat he took from Pittsburgh for playing with there to support it, too. Team Canada in Salt Lake City. Saving the team twice. Passing the torch to Sidney Crosby who lived at his house. I just need another Hallmark card to the Yankees like I need a hole in the head. Yeah. You could get 10 episodes out of that. Twenty even. But you can cast your vote above. And click the podcast below as Metzer • Jaromir Jagr: This is the idea Metzer likes. Jagr has provided many and I talk about our hockey documentary ideas, the potential “podding” visual highlights. He’s won. He’s become a sort of iconic “man of myth” system for a rebooted NHL season, and how hockey coverage may within the sport for playing as long as he has. change in the future.

All the teams he’s played for. All the countries he played in. And his Tribune Review LOADED: 05.06.2020 exploits on the ice and in casinos are the stuff of legend.

His emotional ups and downs from the glory years in Pittsburgh to the sour days on the way out. His roller coaster spins through Washington and New York. Dissing the Pens before going to Philadelphia. Beating the Pens with Boston. The complicated relationship with Lemieux.

It’d all be great. Could Jagr be his own narrator in English the way Jordan has been for this piece? That might be an issue, and you may have to lean on others to move the stories along in that regard.

But I’d watch every minute.

• Sid & Ovi: At this point, could you get 10 episodes out of either by themselves?

From a strictly hockey standpoint? Yes. From a storytelling standpoint? I don’t know.

Crosby is too squeaky clean. The only thing resembling controversy for him was a concussion. And would Alex Ovechkin be as engaging for 10 hours as Jordan? No way.

But link the two of them together, and now you are onto something. You can’t properly tell the story of one without the other anyway. Plus, Evgeni Malkin played with Ovechkin for Team Russia and with Crosby in Pittsburgh.

Geno should get his own hour for himself! 1174367 Pittsburgh Penguins It remains to be seen if the NHL can find a safe solution to satisfy both sides. For now, Dumoulin said the pandemic has encouraged him to stay in the moment and enjoy the extra time at home.

Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin cherishing time at home, knowing “That’s why I’m not taking anything for granted with my family,” Dumoulin it might soon end said. “I’m enjoying every moment of it. Obviously, if that’s what the NHL decides and what we decide, that’s what we do. We go there. We focus on winning a Stanley Cup and that’s our goal.”

Mike DeFabo Post Gazette LOADED: 05.06.2020

When Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin lacerated tendons in his ankle Nov. 30, the injury came with more than just surgery and a three- month recovery.

There was also a silver lining.

The 28-year-old blue liner became a father just a few weeks earlier when his wife, Kayla, gave birth to their first child, Brayden. So instead of long road trips to Calgary, Phoenix and Detroit, Dumoulin spent some unexpected time at home. With the COVID-19 pandemic pausing the NHL season and forcing players to quarantine at home, that silver lining has been underscored even more.

“Obviously, I wish I could have played every game that I missed,” Dumoulin said Tuesday. “But in that time, I was able to spend a lot of time with Brayden and see him develop. He turned six months the other day. It was pretty cool to not miss much of his life so far — especially early on in his life, where a lot of his development happens, both mentally and developing trust in his parents. I’m very fortunate.”

Depending how and when the NHL decides to return, that might change dramatically.

While the NHL has yet to outline any specific plans for a return to play, one hypothetical scenario that’s gaining steam would be to have teams compete in a handful of “hub” cities. These neutral-site games would significantly reduce travel. The NHL might also limit the virus’ ability to penetrate a so-called “bubble” by sequestering players in hotel rooms, limiting contact with the outside world and testing regularly.

Dumoulin said it would be his “duty” to play if and when the league chooses to resume, even if it’s in an empty arena.

“If we’re playing in my driveway, that’d be fine with me if we’re playing for the Stanley Cup,” he said.

But some other players in the league don’t necessarily share that same opinion. Some are less than thrilled about the idea of spending a significant amount of time away from their loved ones, especially during an uncertain time when their families might need their support.

“Some players could be away from their families for three to four months and I think that’s way too much,” Canadiens forward Philip Danault told Montreal media members. “I’m not the only one thinking like that, I’m sure.”

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a radio interview with 630 CHED in Edmonton that he understands this concern from players.

“We don’t intend them to be isolated and away from their families for a two-, three- or four-month period of time,” Daly said. “We understand the importance of family interaction. We’ll find a way to accommodate that.”

That might be easier said than done.

Sure, players could theoretically bring their families. But there are about 700 NHL players. If each one brought, say, a wife and a kid like Dumoulin, that would increase the scale of this bubble exponentially.

What about someone like Patrick Marleau, who has four sons? Or how about Nick Bjugstad, who has one kid and a wife who is pregnant who may need to visit a doctor regularly?

Those 700 players could quickly turn into 3,000 or more people. At some point, what was supposed to be a small bubble becomes a large community.

Each additional person means the NHL would need more tests. And every time someone else joins the bubble, the statistical probability of infection increases. 1174368 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan buys groceries for senior shoppers at Giant Eagle

Matt Vensel

Local shoppers got quite the surprise Tuesday morning when they tried to check out at two Giant Eagle locations and were told to put their wallets away.

The cashiers said that some guy named Sullivan was picking up the tab.

The Penguins announced Tuesday that Mike Sullivan surprised shoppers with free groceries during designated senior hours at the Waterfront and South Hills Market District stores. Shoppers were told at the checkout that no payment was necessary and that all costs were paid in advance by Sullivan.

“We have been so proud to see the generosity of the Pittsburgh community throughout this challenging time,” Sullivan said. “My wife, Kate, and I wanted to do something for those at higher risk for the illness. We know that most seniors live on fixed incomes and have to worry more about getting out in general.”

Added the Cup-winning coach, who was not present at the stores: “It is our hope that we were able to give them a little relief during a stressful time.”

Giant Eagle offers a shopping hour for seniors aged 60 and older at participating locations. That hour is 6 to 7 a.m. on Monday through Wednesday.

In their press release, the Penguins said the Sullivans asked Giant Eagle to choose two stores that had higher foot traffic during these designated hours.

“We are amazed by the generosity displayed by Mike and Kate Sullivan as they helped provide groceries to some of the most vulnerable members of our community this morning,” Giant Eagle spokesperson Jannah Jablonowski said.

Post Gazette LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174369 San Jose Sharks "If some fans still aren't comfortable, I'm not going to hold that against them. It's a personal decision. But I don't want you in my building if it's not safe. Because then I'm in my building, because you're in my building." How Sharks plan to reopen SAP Center after coronavirus shutdown ends While several franchises decided to enact staff and pay reductions with no games being played, the Sharks opted to pay their employees who have been impacted by the stoppage in play. By Josh Schrock May 05, 2020 8:21 AM "We were born in San Jose," Becher said. "We've always been here.

Most of our players live here as well, and many of them have houses Like the rest of the sporting world, the Sharks are waiting to reopen and nearby. Our practice facility is in San Jose. We're a community sport." planning for what that might look like in the wake of the coronavirus For now, the Sharks and the rest of the sporting world wait to get (COVID-19) pandemic. restarted. The NHL and NBA are hoping they can finish their seasons For Sharks president Jonathan Becher that question has a lot of moving and crown a champion. hopes to get underway at parts. The Sharks assume that SAP Center will be one of the last some point in the summer. The NFL is hoping to hold a normal season buildings in the NHL to open back up for games, and they currently are come fall. planning for several different scenarios. Whenever sports return, Becher and the Sharks plan to be ready quickly "Here's the way I think about it: We don't know when we'll be back," after the A-OK is given. Becher told ESPN. "We don't know what the rules are when we get back. "Whatever is decided probably won't be one of our models. But the hope But we can guess 8-10 likely scenarios. For example, we already know is that it's a combination of things we're already worked through, so we how to put on a game with full fans. That's the best-case scenario. We can be ready in a short number of days," Becher said. "We build likely also had to model how to put on games with no fans in the building, outcomes and one of those hopefully happens. which is something we were almost forced into doing." "What we're not doing is starting from scratch." The Sharks were prepared to play a game without fans March 19, but the NHL boarded up its season a week earlier. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.06.2020 "Scenarios like if there's no fans, and it's TV-only," Becher told ESPN. "There's no fans, with just TV and radio. A TV broadcast truck requires a bunch of people. Maybe we're allowed 250 people, roughly -- that's a crew, coaches, doctors on-site and other things. The minimum number of people is a lot more than you'd think. And it's a big building."

One of the bigger variables in every scenario is how many fans will be allowed in and how the Sharks will get them through the gates and to their seats safely in a manner fitting with the direction of public health officials.

"What if, on top of that, the only people you're allowed to have are ones in suites, because all the suites have glass enclosures on them and they sit between 12-18 people?" Becher said. "Maybe groups of 12-18 people are allowed, so we'll build a model for that. I don't know that's something that will be suggested, but that's a model we can build. What if it's only 1,000 people?

"OK, now we lay 1,000 people into the upper and lower bowls, and we talk about how we'll get them in through the doors, what that looks like. We probably have to give them times for them to show up. And which 1,000 get in? We have between 8,000-10,000 season-ticket holders. We have to think through that."

The ability to keep everyone safe and give fans and employees a sense of security and safety is a paramount concern.

"People have speculated that maybe everybody has to have their temperature checked. OK, if that ends up being true, then how many thermal thermometers would we need? How long would it take to buy them? We're not going to buy them now if we don't need them," Becher said. "Which doors do we open up? Do we have to tell people to wear masks? What happens if someone shows up without a mask? We probably have to sell them or give them one. Do we turn them away?

"We're just building, scenario by scenario."

Santa Clara County was one of the first to ban large gatherings. Becher believes the county will be one of the last to lift such restrictions. The Sharks might not return to SAP Center until December even if the NHL restarts its season. They likely could play their games elsewhere as Santa Clara County continues to practice social distancing and quarantine to fight the virus.

But Becher wants to make sure everything is safe before the Sharks and fans return to SAP.

"We were the first to close. My guess is that we'll be the last to open," Becher told ESPN. "That's OK. If we're the last to open, that means that [the message is that] it's OK to open. I don't want to open up until fans know it's safe for them to come in. Part of my DNA is that I don't want you in my building if it's not safe. If I've convinced myself that it's safe for employees, then it's probably safe for fans. 1174370 San Jose Sharks

Former Sharks forward Joel Ward figuring out next step of NHL career

By Brodie Brazil May 04, 2020 8:03 PM

When he officially retired one week ago, it had been 751 days since Joel Ward’s last NHL game.

Which puts Ward in that rare category of former athletes, who just kind of… forgot to self-announce their end.

“I was just so busy focusing on my little guy here,” Ward said via FaceTime. “That, I kind of got sidetracked.”

Ward was referring to his 1-year old son Robinson, who was one of the several key elements that helped with the mental conclusion of his hockey career.

“If I ran into you, I’d pretty much tell you I was done,” Ward said. “But for a lot people that didn’t know, they were still up in the air. It was good for me Monday to tell my story, and put it to rest.”

Ward penned one beauty of a goodbye note in The Players’ Tribune to make it official.

He shared memorable pieces of an uphill hockey journey, including the passing of his father, the dedication of his mother and the storybook path of playing 726 NHL games, despite never even being drafted.

“What a ride it was for me,” Ward reminisced. “Back then, If I could play just one game that would be great.”

Ward’s first NHL game came with the Minnesota Wild, but he was more prominently known for his time with the Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals. However, it’s no coincidence he has made San Jose his permanent home.

“We have a lot of roots here, my little guy was born here,” Ward said. “Right at El Camino hospital up the street. A lot kind of hit home and seemed like a good fit at the time. We’ve made the transition of sticking out here.”

Now that the Ward family is settled, Joel has his eventual sights on a hockey coaching career.

“I don’t really have anything set in stone,” Ward explained. “It’s just something I’d kind of like to pursue.”

After 11 NHL seasons, Ward has a resume of experience that should go over well in a dressing room.

“I’ve been in bottom end of the lineups to playing a couple times on the top end,” Ward said. "Just feeling like I could relate to a lot of guys.

“It would be insane for me not to share.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174371 San Jose Sharks Upside: 9 Fame: 7

Q Score: 10 Bay Area athlete power rankings: Stephen Curry and George Kittle lead the way Total: 43

Kittle broke through in his second season in 2018 with 1,377 receiving yards, the most ever for a tight end. But he solidified his standing as a By Steve Berman May 5, 2020 superstar in 2019, when the nation took notice of his overall game and he asserted himself as a personality and pitchman, bringing all of the fun of professional wrestling to football in a way that seemed both innocent and How do you quantify star power? Part of it stems from how a player uncontrived. He also displayed incredible toughness, whether in Arizona makes you feel. A mix of the tangible and the intangible come together, running over defenders after breaking a bone in his ankle or dragging and the more time you need to decide if someone is a star, the less three Saints defenders along the sideline in what was arguably the best certain you are of that person’s “it” factor. But resting too much on NFL play of the year. He was named the league’s best player by Pro emotion, and biases stemming from your upbringing, rooting interest, Football Focus (an incredible achievement in a league where Aaron favorite sport, etc., allows subjectivity to reign. Donald wreaks havoc every week), and, at 26, the best may be yet to come. At the end of 2010, a Bay Area athlete power rankings list would’ve been headlined by Giants. Tim Lincecum was the region’s top star, Matt Cain 3. Klay Thompson, Warriors was a fantastic No. 2 starter, Brian Wilson was a national curiosity, and Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner were already foundational Talent: 8 players. The Giants didn’t have much competition back then, either. The Resume: 10 A’s were rebuilding after letting two MVPs, a Cy Young winner and other stars depart. The 49ers and Raiders struggled to win seven games each Upside: 6 season. Chris Cohan finally sold the Warriors in 2010, but not to Larry Ellison, the region’s preferred choice as the would-be savior at the time. Fame: 8 And the Sharks drove their fans nuts with playoff runs that annually fell Q Score: 10 short of a Stanley Cup final appearance. Total: 42 Obviously, the landscape has changed pretty drastically since then. So what better time than now, when we’re all forced to take an extended While he’s improved in areas like ball-handling and layup-converting over breather, to rank the region’s top stars? While this list will surely lead to the years, Thompson’s game might not be such that he’d thrive as a criticism and arguments — which, let’s face it, is part of the fun of power team’s No. 1 player. But Thompson’s peak performances are peerless, rankings — hopefully my attempt to quantify star power, albeit it in an and he may be the most beloved NBA star at a time when just about imperfect way, will help make some sense of this. Specifically, I’ve every dominant player is polarizing, at least in some circles. Warriors created a 1-10 scoring system based on five categories: fans would appreciate him if he were merely a gunner without conscience; instead, Thompson built himself into a dogged defender and Talent: How skillful is the player? Are your eyes drawn to what they do? dangerous clutch performer, one who also displayed legendary Resume: A look at what they’ve already accomplished (this category is toughness when he walked back out to the line and nailed two free Bay Area-centric by design). throws after tearing his ACL. That injury is the only question mark now. But even if a step was permanently lost, he’ll always be one of the Bay Upside: The allure of the players’ future prospects is often stronger than Area’s most popular figures. what they’re doing today. Are a player’s best days ahead? 4. Buster Posey, Giants Fame: How difficult would it be for a player to walk the streets of , Oakland, San Jose or the surrounding suburbs without getting Talent: 8 mobbed? Resume: 10

Q Score: Different than the fame metric, this measures an athlete’s Upside: 3 general appeal. Fame: 8 1. Stephen Curry, Warriors Q Score: 9 Talent: 10 Total: 38 Resume: 10 Posey’s standing locally is currently at a nadir, thanks to a lack of recent Upside: 7 production and the team’s fall from grace since the early 2010s. But one Fame: 10 can’t ignore what he’s accomplished (Rookie of the Year, MVP, batting title, Gold Glove, four Silver Sluggers, three titles). While the future Q Score: 10 doesn’t seem incredibly promising, there’s still a chance that the extra time off allows him to come back stronger than he’s been in years. But Total: 47 even if he can’t, he’s still the face of an improbable dynastic run. Curry is this generation’s Joe Montana, and even that might be 5. Nick Bosa, 49ers understating his popularity slightly. Three titles, two MVPs and countless moments of basketball ridiculousness (all with the same team) have Talent: 9 solidified his spot on the Bay Area’s sports Mt. Rushmore. It’s nearly impossible to knock anything Curry has done from a productivity sense Resume: 6 — although detractors often point to his lack of Finals MVPs — and off Upside: 10 the court he’s a model superstar. The only question with Curry comes from his age (32), and whether he can sustain his excellence much Fame: 7 longer in a league where smaller guards tend to exit their primes a little more suddenly than frontcourt stars. His otherworldly shooting and hand- Q Score: 5 eye coordination should prevent a precipitous fall though. Total: 37

2. George Kittle, 49ers Bosa got off to a bit of a rocky start, with collegiate injury concerns Talent: 9 lingering through training camp and social media activities that turned off a segment of fans. But once he started playing for the 49ers, those Resume: 8 criticisms vanished almost immediately. He showed flashes during his phenomenal rookie season of potentially vying for defensive player of the Q Score: 7 year as soon as next season, and had the 49ers held onto their fourth- quarter Super Bowl lead he would’ve been heavily in the mix to be Total: 34 named that game’s MVP. Bosa’s personality traits — unabashed His timing couldn’t have been worse, as Garoppolo left 49ers fans with a confidence and honesty, but presented in a way that’s charmingly bitter taste after his overthrown pass to Emmanuel Sanders one month disarming — aren’t unlike Thompson’s, so his popularity will likely only before a deadly pandemic left bored fans with nothing better to do than rise as 49ers fans get to know him better. debate Garoppolo’s merits as the current and future quarterback of the 6. Draymond Green, Warriors 49ers. But he’s the unquestioned starter at the Bay Area’s most glamorous position, and if he can improve off of his first full season in Talent: 7 Kyle Shanahan’s offense (off of a torn ACL, no less), then he can quickly rise several spots in these rankings. He’s a lot more famous and popular Resume: 9 than one might think, as Garoppolo finished ninth among all NFL players Upside: 4 in licensed merchandise sales last season (Kittle was 10th, and Bosa was the top rookie at No. 16). Fame: 8 9. (tie) Joe Thornton, Sharks Q Score: 8 Talent: 9 Total: 36 Resume: 10 His popularity elsewhere is quite low, but not around here. That’s because Green was the first Warrior of the modern era to represent Upside: 1 brash toughness and defensive integrity, after decades in which the Fame: 5 team’s most popular players were known for supplying offensive firepower and fun during losing seasons. This was a franchise in Q Score: 9 desperate need of a bully and Green happily filled that role. The question now is whether he’s fully past his prime or simply took an active Total: 34 sabbatical last season after reading the (locker) room? That’s up for Thornton is in the twilight of his career at age 40, but he’s a future Hall of debate, but his standing as a Warriors legend is forever safe. Famer who’s so engrained with the Sharks that one forgets he spent the 7. (tie) Matt Chapman, A’s first eight seasons of his career with the Bruins. We should also mention Patrick Marleau in this space; he was dealt to the Penguins at the Talent: 9 deadline, but spending at least parts of 20 seasons with the Sharks puts him in the same category as Thornton. Unfortunately for both, it appears Resume: 7 that hoisting a Stanley Cup while wearing teal will never happen.

Upside: 8 11. (tie) Marcus Semien, A’s

Fame: 2 Talent: 8

Q Score: 9 Resume: 8

Total: 35 Upside: 6

The only thing holding Chapman back is his team, which despite his Fame: 2 standing as one of the most fun players to watch play defense on a daily basis, has rendered him nearly anonymous. Many reading this probably Q Score: 9 have no idea that Chapman has finished in the top 7 of AL MVP voting in each of his two full seasons, and he would’ve finished higher than sixth Total: 33 last year if he hadn’t gone through a prolonged slump in the second half. Perhaps the most underrated Bay Area athlete at the moment, Semien Chapman is under team control for a while, but A’s fans are hoping that (very quietly) had a breakthrough 2019 season, playing all 162 games at the team won’t find an excuse to deal him away — or let him join a team a demanding position and finishing third in the MVP balloting. He used to without self-imposed budgetary constraints — when he’s eligible for free have a reputation as a spotty defender and last season he turned himself agency in 2024. into one of the league’s best, while at the same time finishing with a 138 7. (tie) Fred Warner, 49ers OPS+ after never even finishing at 100 (the league average) in his first six seasons. A’s fans are bracing for his seemingly inevitable departure; Talent: 8 unless he’s willing to take an extreme discount to stay with the A’s, his price tag when he hits the open market in 2021 will almost surely be too Resume: 6 high, especially with 2020 revenues taking a nosedive and an open path Upside: 9 to a new stadium in Oakland not yet in sight.

Fame: 3 11. (tie) Deebo Samuel, 49ers

Q Score: 9 Talent: 8

Total: 35 Resume: 4

As our Matt Barrows noted, Warner might be the heir to DeForest Upside: 8 Buckner as the next long-term defensive leader in the 49ers’ locker room. Fame: 4 He’s the perfect linebacker for this era, with a nose for the ball and strong coverage skills. Warner has been overshadowed to an extent over his Q Score: 9 first two seasons by higher-profile teammates, but he’s a future All-Pro in the making whose popularity will grow exponentially if the 49ers remain Total: 33 competitive. There’s something captivating about watching Samuel with the ball in his 9. (tie) Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers hands, and it doesn’t hurt that his nickname matches his playing style perfectly. You know a player made quite a mark as a rookie when he’s a Talent: 6 totally unique wide receiver, yet draft followers are already labeling certain prospects as the “next Deebo Samuel.” Samuel has also built a Resume: 6 nice connection with fans at Levi’s Stadium with his pregame routine of Upside: 7 playing catch with spectators around the end zone.

Fame: 8 11. (tie) Josh Jacobs, Raiders Talent: 8 17. Brent Burns, Sharks

Resume: 5 Talent: 8

Upside: 8 Resume: 8

Fame: 4 Upside: 2

Q Score: 8 Fame: 4

Total: 33 Q Score: 9

Based on the amount of interest the Raiders still garner on our Bay Area Total: 31 site, despite officially becoming the Las Vegas Raiders after last season, a player like Jacobs deserves mention here. He may not have been At 35, his prime is probably in the rearview, and our Kevin Kurz handed named the AP’s offensive rookie of the year, but no rookie on that side of him a C- for his work in the 2019-20 season. But he’s a three-time All- the ball was as consistently good or great as Jacobs when healthy. His Star and 2016-17 Norris Trophy winner and one of the most popular upside is only capped by the position he plays, considering the brutal Sharks (he finished 11th among NHL players in sweaters sold during the reality faced by NFL ball carriers. But he has the potential to assert 2018-19 season, when he was the leading All-Star vote-getter among himself as one of the league’s top backs whenever football resumes. defensemen).

14. (tie) Matt Olson, A’s 18. Brandon Crawford, Giants

Talent: 8 Talent: 7

Resume: 5 Resume: 8

Upside: 8 Upside: 2

Fame: 2 Fame: 6

Q Score: 9 Q Score: 7

Total: 32 Total: 30

The A’s first baseman has one of the prettiest swings in all of baseball It’s easy to forget that Crawford was an All-Star as recently as 2018, won and his work with the glove is just as smooth. He’d be a lot more famous his third straight Gold Glove in 2017 and led the league in triples in 2016. if he played on the other side of the Bay, but our Alex Coffey Yes, 2019 was a pretty dreadful season for Crawford. But he’s still a demonstrated that Olson’s character deserves plaudits. At some point his beloved figure and seems motivated to prove that last year was an game will garner recognition too. exception to the rule. He has a full no-trade clause, so unless the Giants decide to release him outright, he’ll get his chances to get back into the 14. (tie) Richard Sherman, 49ers fans’ good graces.

Talent: 9 19. Chris Wondolowski, Earthquakes

Resume: 6 Talent: 8

Upside: 3 Resume: 9

Fame: 8 Upside: 1

Q Score: 6 Fame: 2

Total: 32 Q Score: 9

Keep in mind, the resume portion is from his time in the Bay Area only. Total: 29 The fact that most of his production came as a member of a team that gave the 49ers fits dinged his popularity around here, but he’s won over He may never play another MLS game, but he’s currently the all-time the majority of 49ers fans since betting on himself as a free agent and leading goal scorer in league history after breaking Landon Donovan’s establishing himself as a corner that quarterbacks still fear. He’s also record last May. Wondolowski was named MLS MVP in 2012, a season very well-liked internally — players seem to gravitate to him, often yelling in which he was also the Golden Boot winner as the league’s leading out “Sherm” to gather his opinion on whatever they happen to be goal-scorer, an honor he also earned in 2010. The Danville native also discussing at their lockers. We saw some signs that his best days might made 35 appearances for the U.S. Men’s National Team. be behind him at the end of the 49ers’ playoff run, but he also played 20. Derek Carr through some painful lower-body injuries during the regular season that would’ve kept many players out longer; doubt him at your own peril. Talent: 7

14. (tie) Logan Couture, Sharks Resume: 5

Talent: 8 Upside: 5

Resume: 7 Fame: 6

Upside: 6 Q Score: 4

Fame: 3 Total: 27

Q Score: 8 His last game at the Coliseum, which ended with Carr making his way to the Black Hole with fans booing (and one of them chucking a box of Total: 32 nachos onto the field in his direction), was rough, to the point where The Sharks captain has only made two All-Star teams in 11 seasons, but some thought he’d be on another team by now. But he’s still the Raiders’ he’s been outstanding when it counts. Couture led everyone in assists starting quarterback and has shown flashes of being productive in that and points during the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs and scored more goals role in the past — including last season, when he was efficient yet (14) than anyone else during the 2019 playoffs. No one acquitted maddeningly conservative at times. Carr just turned 29, which is ancient themselves all that well during the 2019-20 season for the Sharks. But for some NFL positions but not quarterback, and he goes into next Couture just turned 31, so he has a chance to lead the way if they can season with the skills and weapons required to change his reputation if turn things around fairly soon. he can take advantage. The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174372 St Louis Blues Snepsts retired after the season and loved his year at Peoria, where he succeeded , and then joined Plager’s NHL staff when Plager replaced Brian Sutter as head coach. But Plager abruptly resigned after 11 games as coach and was replaced by . After that season, St. Louis' love-hate relationship with Snepsts ended with mutual love Snepsts was let go, even though he had a year left on his contract.

After leaving the Blues, Snepsts coached for one more season, with San Diego of the International Hockey League, and then got into scouting, Tom Timmermann first for the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau, then with the Vancouver Canucks, for whom he had played 12 seasons. He retired from scouting after last season. (Fourth in a series of "Where are they now?" stories on former St. Louis Blues players.) The life of an amateur hockey scout can be a tough one, having to show up in remote places in the dead of winter. Snepsts started off scouting The chant of “Har-old! Har-old!” followed defenseman Harold Snepsts North America for Central Scouting, then did the Western Hockey throughout his hockey career. League, then Minnesota teams in the USHL, and finally, back to the Western League. It was started as a derisive gesture by a fan in Washington who wanted to get the Capitals’ fans going and chose Snepsts as a villain. It wasn’t a “I don’t miss it,” he said. “That’s why I retired. Some days, you’re tough choice. Snepsts was routinely in triple digits in penalty minutes, traveling in snow, blizzards. I can’t remember the place, it was in and three times he cleared 200 minutes in a season. He had 82 fights in northern Minnesota that I had to travel to in the snow and I got to the his NHL career. “I don’t know why,” Snepsts told the Post-Dispatch in arena and outside were parked three cars and six snowmobiles.” 1990 about why so many fans hated him. “The name, maybe the mustache and no helmet.” One thing that lives on for Snepsts is his mustache.

When Snepsts moved on to Detroit, the fans there picked up the chant, “I shaved it off for six, seven years,” he said. “I didn’t want to be but without the derision, and it followed him when he went back to recognized. Everywhere I went, people said ‘Where’s the mustache?’ So Vancouver where he had started his career. In those days, the Blues and I said I’ll grow it back. At least they don’t bug me about ‘Where’s your Red Wings were rivals and the Blues were often on the mustache?’ anymore.” receiving end of Snepsts’ physical play during his three years in Detroit Almost 30 years after leaving the Blues, Snepsts said he was proud to (and one more with the Minnesota North Stars), so when the Blues see the Blues finally win and was happy for one person in particular. acquired Snepsts along with Rich Sutter at the trade deadline from the Canucks in 1990, he was surprised by what happened next. “Usually when they show the celebrations,” he said, “I turn off the TV because I don’t want to see celebrations I never was in on. For some There came the chant. “Har-old! Har-old!” reason, I watched, and the biggest thing I got out of it was seeing Bob “Holy geez,” he recalled of the first time he heard it. “It was eye-opening Plager hoist the Cup. That means a lot to me. in every place, but I couldn’t believe it continued in St. Louis.” “When I was in Peoria, he spent a lot of time with me. His stories, his Snepsts went from despised to loved at the Arena, just like that. passion for the game. He’s a character. I just think the world of him. He’s a special man.” Snepsts played only two seasons with the Blues, and one was just a smattering of games after the trade deadline, then coached their minor- St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.06.2020 league team in Peoria for a season and spent one season with the Blues as an assistant coach, but the man with just one vowel in a seven-letter name (it’s Latvian) and the big bushy mustache lives on in team memory, a cult hero here like he was in his other stops.

“Hate is the closest thing to love,” general manager Ron Caron said at the time about acquiring a player he said he admitted to hating. “I love him now.”

“I was there for a short time,” Snepsts said from his home in Vancouver, “but the fans treated me fantastic, I love the city. It was great to me. I wish I had a couple more years, but I knew I was at the end of my career.”

Snepsts is the classic NHLer who fans love when he’s on their team while everyone else can’t stand him. He played 17 seasons in the NHL and was a two-time All-Star whose forte was not offense. In 1,033 regular-season games, he scored just 38 goals. “I consider myself a journeyman defenseman,” he said. “I wanted to win at any cost. I knew I didn’t have the talent, but if I had to block shots to protect a player I’d do that.”

His one full season with the Blues was one of the team’s most memorable, 1990-91, when Brett Hull scored 86 goals. Amazingly, in 54 games for that high-scoring team, Snepsts had one goal and four assists.

“I played with Jeff Brown and he was a real good puck-moving defenseman,” Snepsts said. “I told him I’d do the dirty work, give you the puck and you can move it out. He didn’t want to do the dirty work. I said, ‘I’ll do that.’” It must have worked. Brown was second on the team in assists with 47.

The Blues finished that season with 105 points, one point behind Chicago for the most in the league, but lost to Minnesota, which finished with 68 points, in the second round.

“I thought we were going to win the Stanley Cup,” Snepsts said. “If you look at that lineup, it was star-studded. We had everything. We had no problem till we met Minnesota in the second round. Minnesota did the trap, nobody knew how to break it. We were a very open club and they didn’t give us space. We didn’t have the team for that.” 1174373 St Louis Blues After a first-round game against Winnipeg, Shannon ordered one for Molly.

“I express-shipped a citrus juicer to Molly’s house the next day,” Allen Molly’s margaritas: The adult beverage of choice for Blues spouses and said. “We didn’t have time to hand-squeeze limes anymore. When the fans guys kept winning, we assumed it was from the tequila intake, and kept it up.”

By Jeremy Rutherford May 5, 2020 Ah, so there’s the answer to what helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup: Molly’s margaritas. Therefore, it was a no-brainer when the Bozaks had their day with the trophy in July what they would be drinking from it.

For many around the NHL — and beyond — an adult beverage or two The party was at the Bozak’s cottage in Canada. has provided a source of sanity during this quarantine, and Molly Bozak has been happy to help. “It was just so fun to be with everyone from Tyler’s side of the family … everyone crowding around getting a turn with the Cup,” she wrote. “It’s so If you’ve followed the wife of Blues forward Tyler Bozak on social media cool to be able to share such a rare opportunity with family.” in the past year, you’ve probably heard of “Molly’s margaritas.” With so many people on hand, however, that meant even more There were pictures of the Bozaks sipping margaritas from the Stanley margaritas than at the wives’ watch parties. Cup last summer, and she has even shared her special recipe with Blues fans during the quarantine. “That explains my old-school measuring cup I mixed the giant marg in,” she wrote. “And I had to squeeze about 40 limes by hand since I didn’t With many celebrating Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday, a day known for have the commercial citrus press Shannon Allen bought me in the drinking margaritas, The Athletic thought it would be fun to check in with playoffs.” Molly and find out how all of this unfolded. So we reached out to Bozak through her Twitter account (@MollyBozak) for an interview. Allen couldn’t believe that.

“Any chance you could type up a few questions in place of a phone call?” “Surely they could have put that in a suitcase!” she said. “I’m going to say she wrote back. “Easier to squeeze in instead of trying to line up nap that the margarita out of the Cup wasn’t their first drink of the day, so I’m times over here haha.” sure the squeezing went quickly!”

That was a totally understandable request since the Bozaks are now A LITTLE SALT, A LITTLE LIME AND A BIG CUP TO SERVE IT IN. parents of three young children: Kanon (4 years old), Blake (1) and THAT'S THE RECIPE FOR A GOOD @MOLLYBOZAK MARG. Carter (born March 16). In fact, it may explain why they need a strong #STLBLUES #STANLEYCUP PIC.TWITTER.COM/N5HAQYDH7P cocktail now and then. And for the record, it didn’t go unnoticed that she — ST. LOUIS BLUES (@STLOUISBLUES) JULY 8, 2019 used the word “squeeze.” Let’s just say that word comes up a lot in the telling of this story. From the playoffs to the day with the Cup, Blues fan Jen Keown from St. Ann, Mo., followed Bozak’s pictures and videos on social media. We’ll get to how Molly’s margaritas became so popular in a moment, but first, let’s learn how they’re made. “I remember watching all the Instagram stories with the wives watching the games and drinking her margs,” Keown said. “It really showed how For the drink that’s “always been a personal favorite of mine,” Bozak close they all are and how nervous they are, just like all the fans. I says she uses one-third cup of Cointreau (an orange-flavored triple sec thought it was awesome watching her make and drink the margs from the liqueur), one-third cup of fresh lime juice and one-half cup of tequila to Cup. We are so used to seeing beer drank from the cup, so it was great make three. to see her and her family take her margs and make the moment special. “Less is always more when it comes to margs,” she wrote. “The fresh The salt rim and limes really topped it off great.” lime juice is the most important part.” Keown is a margarita lover, too, but had never made them from scratch MOLLY MARGS, MAKES 3: until Bozak posted her ingredients and measurements during quarantine.

OVERFLOWING 1/3 CUP COINTREAU “I always used a pre-made mix, but her recipe was easy to follow,” Keown said. “I think the ratio is great, and makes a great amount. The OVERFLOWING 1/3 CUP FRESH LIME JUICE Cointreau, I think, is what makes them so good. I mix them with chopped ice, and shaken well, they are so refreshing!” 1/2 CUP TEQUILA PIC.TWITTER.COM/WY12CKRLBG Many fans, in fact, have caught on. — MOLLY BOZAK (@MOLLYBOZAK) MARCH 20, 2020 “I’ve noticed in quarantine, I get a picture tweeted to me of my margarita Bozak admits that her husband isn’t exactly fond of her margarita recipe made at home every other day or so,” Bozak wrote. “I think it’s mixture. nice to connect with people right now, especially with how isolating it can “He says they’re too sweet, but there’s not much I can do to lighten it up feel to be stuck at home. Glad I can help in the booze department.” when there’s only three ingredients,” she wrote. “He’s more of a whiskey But until recently, pregnant with the couple’s third child, Bozak couldn’t guy.” consume any herself. Her husband missed the Blues’ final game — But there is a group of ladies, the players’ wives and girlfriends, who are March 11 against Anaheim — to be home for the birth. A day later, Carter quite fond of them. Last season, whenever the better halves got together, Bozak was born. Molly’s margs are what many had in their glasses. LIFE’S GREATEST BLESSING BABY BOY ARRIVED EARLY THIS “Girls dinners, away games, Molly’s drink of choice was a margarita, and MORNING @BOZIE42 PIC.TWITTER.COM/XWTP2RKBWB she just had a three-ingredient recipe that everyone loved,” said Shannon Allen, wife of Blues goaltender Jake Allen. “I personally don’t — MOLLY BOZAK (@MOLLYBOZAK) MARCH 17, 2020 drink tequila, but that didn’t keep me from helping squeeze limes or “Not saying there’s ever a good time for a global pandemic, but Carter suggesting refills for the others. They swear by them.” was born on March 16, so we had pretty good timing for having a baby They really became a thing in the postseason, when the pressure kicked and getting home during this crazy time,” she wrote. “After the last seven in for these women as well. weeks, I think Tyler would like to postpone retirement as long as possible. We obviously never expected him to be able to be home as “I would make margs for the games we watched at home — usually at much as he has been, (but) it’s been great for me. Definitely missed the (Vladimir and Yana) Tarasenko’s house,” Bozak wrote. social aspect of going out for drinks with the girls before games and whatnot. I made up for it in snacks. We’ve definitely been indulging (in Bozak had been hand-squeezing the fresh limes herself, but when adult beverages) since the baby was born. My tolerance isn’t what it was making them in mass quantity, that can be cumbersome. Fortunately, in the playoffs last year.” Yana Tarasenko had a commercial-grade citrus press, which helped tremendously. Well, with Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday, there’s a perfect reason to have another margarita.

“We’ve been doing taco Tuesdays most of quarantine, so the timing couldn’t be better … I’ll be having a marg,” she wrote. “I recommend them most days, but it’ll be fun to have an excuse.”

And when the Blues return to the ice and fans are allowed into Enterprise Center again, they may have their opportunity to sample Molly’s margaritas. She has shared her recipe with the team and believes they’ll be available at the rink.

“Hopefully when hockey comes back, we’ll be able to drink them at a Blues game,” she wrote. “I don’t know if it’s going to be a special feature or what, but as long as they don’t (use) bottled lime juice, I’m happy to let them call it a Molly margarita.”

The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174374 Tampa Bay Lightning Game 7 in the last month. But goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy carried Tampa Bay, racking up 34 saves. There were none better, or bigger, than his sprawling toe stop on Mark Stone with 25 seconds left in the third. William Karlsson had poked a loose puck from the slot to Stone at back Simulating the 2020 Stanley Cup final: Lightning vs. Golden Knights post. Vasilevskiy had been nudged out of position by Max Pacioretty, who craftily held the Russian goalie’s stick. Vasilevskiy – nicknamed the

Big Cat – let go of his stick and did the splits, just getting the edge of his By Joe Smith, Jesse Granger and Dom Luszczyszyn May 5, 2020 right toe blade on Stone’s shot. “How the hell did he stop that?” Stone said postgame. “That’s why he’s the best goalie in the world,” Victor Hedman said.

The NHL isn’t back yet, but we’re going to pretend it is. Over the last Anthony Cirelli added an empty netter to make it 3-1 and seal the game month, we’ve run a simulation of how the NHL’s regular season might with eight seconds left. But it was clear that Tampa Bay dodged a bullet. have played out if the league hadn’t been suspended on March 12. Now, And that Vegas may be a tougher out than people expected. Former the standings have been set and we’re carrying that forward through the Lightning wing Jonathan Marchessault, who scored the only goal for playoffs. This time around, one of our beat writers from each team will be Vegas, went up to the Lightning bench postgame and told buddy Yanni in charge of every lineup decision, the narrative for every playoff game Gourde and Tyler Johnson. “This is far from over, boys,” he said. “I’ve got and they’ll get to decide what “happened” in each game. Join us as we something special planned for Game 2.” make our way through the simulated postseason to crown a virtual Stanley Cup champion. — Joe Smith

The moment has finally arrived: The Stanley Cup final – on Earth 2. The Golden Knights trail for the first time this postseason, but coach Peter DeBoer was still pleased with his team following Game 1. When we started this fun project almost two months ago it was difficult to know what the future would hold, whether there would even be a Stanley “I thought we played well enough to win, against a really good hockey Cup awarded on Earth 1. This was meant to be a little something to fill team, but it just didn’t go our way,” DeBoer said. “We’re happy with the the sports-less void, to emulate some of the raw emotion that sports process.“ brings out of fans everywhere, whether that’s joy from your favorite team The Golden Knights top forwards did an admirable job defending the winning a virtual round, or rage when your team was upset. Lightning, keeping their top scorers in check. However, DeBoer knows All the credit in the world for that belongs to the beat writers who helped his top players can’t spend the majority of their time defending if Vegas is with every series, crafting each narrative to make the games feel as real going to win this series. as they can be – even when they veered off into strange and absurd “We need to find some ways to get more offensive zone time,” he said. avenues. Hey, Earth 2 is a weird place where Nathan MacKinnon can upload a copy of his conscience into an unassuming Valeri Nichushkin or — Jesse Granger the Penguins can win a series after trailing 3-0, including winning one of those games 12-4. Game 2

Still, there were the moments that felt all too believable like yet another No changes for Tampa Bay ahead of Game 2, but with Vegas trailing for Penguins and Capitals series, Tampa Bay and Boston duelling to seven the first time in these playoffs it was time to make a bold move: pairing games, Toronto losing in the first round, and a few upsets along the way. Shea Theodore and Nate Schmidt. Expect coach Pete DeBoer to play the duo as much as he can. Even the eventual Stanley Cup final tracks pretty well: Tampa Bay vs. Vegas. The Lightning redeem themselves after last year’s Tampa Bay wins a nailbiter to take both games at home. embarrassment. They belong here given they were arguably the league’s In Game 1, there was “The Save.” best team after a slow start. The Golden Knights have looked like a contender since their inception and they too redeem themselves after last This time, it was “The Shot.” A called shot, to boot. year’s heartbreaking Round 1 loss. They belong here as one of the best teams in the West. The Golden Knights pushed the Lightning to the limit, and – yes – Jonathan Marchessault delivered on his promise of having something On Earth 2 though, Vegas stumbled down the stretch. Clearly going into special planned. The former Tampa Bay forward scored twice and got the playoffs cold didn’t matter to them, but it did hurt the team’s odds of into a nasty bout with Cedric Paquette. Paquette appeared to leave with winning in each round due to the regular season Elo adjustment applied a shoulder injury in the second, his status unknown for Game 3. after each game. Tampa Bay was the opposite going in hot, and those two things would’ve combined for a lopsided series where the Lightning But what decided this one was legendary shot by captain Steven would’ve been 75 percent favourites. Stamkos. Stamkos, asked at second intermission by Fox Sports Paul Kennedy on the power play’s struggles, said it wasn’t good enough. And Would’ve is the key word there. We’re going to change the rules a bit the 30-year-old said, “If I get a chance in the third period, it’s going in. here for the final series in order to make things a bit more interesting and Bar down. Bar none.” make the odds closer – and more true to life on Earth 1. For the final series, I took out the regular season adjustment and the two teams will Stamkos ended up good to his word on a late third period power play, be put against each other based solely on the talent of their rosters. breaking up a 3-3 tie. With Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov on opposite flanks, it was tough for Vegas to cover both. But Nate Schmidt nearly did, That means Tampa Bay is still the favorite, but not overwhelmingly so. darting out to the left circle to Stamkos, who cleverly slid deeper towards The Lightning win this series 66 percent of the time. They’re deeper at the boards, on par with the goal line. Victor Hedman put the puck on his every position and have better high-end talent, especially in that top line tape and Stamkos – from his knees – ripped a one timer from an and with Victor Hedman patrolling their back-end. Vegas is no slouch, a opposite angle over the shoulder of a sliding Marc Andre Fleury. Bar true elite team, but the Lightning are just a bit more complete. down. Game over.

With just one round left, let’s see if they can prevail or if the Golden “‘Stammer called his shot,” Hedman said. “And if you have golfed with Knights can pull off the upset. him, you know he doesn’t miss his spot much.”

Game 1 “‘The biggest goal of my career,” Stamkos said. “Now we’ve got to go to Vegas and take care of business there.” Tampa Bay takes Game 1 at home. — Joe Smith A few years ago, Braden Holtby came through with “The Save,” flipping the momentum in the Stanley Cup final. Despite falling behind 2-0, the Golden Knights remain positive, and DeBoer doesn’t anticipate any lineup changes for Game 3 back in Vegas. Well, Golden Knights fans, welcome to a sequel that might have been better – and more painful – than the first. “We haven’t played well enough down here, but that’s a good team and they protected their home ice,” DeBoer said. “Now we have to go home Vegas came into Tampa and played well enough to steal Game 1 against and do the same.” a gassed Lightning team that was catching their breath from a third Jonathan Marchessault wasn’t as tempered following the 4-3 loss. The Lightning can taste it now, just one win away from their first Stanley Cup since 2004. Andrei Vasilevskiy, still ticked after Jonathan “Everyone is probably counting us out right now, but we know we can Marchessault’s trick shot in Game 3, shut the door with 34 saves. That beat this team,” he said. “We need to show it next game, and I think we included a few 10-bell stops in a 5-on-3 penalty kill with three minutes to will.” go. “

— Jesse Granger They should know better than to make me mad,” Vasilevskiy said.

Game 3 “He’s a Russian after all,” Tyler Johnson quipped.

Vegas wins a crucial game at home to make the series 2-1. After playing in three Game 7s, Tampa Bay would love nothing more As Jonathan Marchessault slid on his stomach, face-first toward the goal, than to close it out at home in Game 5. Rumor has it that some former Andrei Vasilevskiy was completely dumbfounded. stars from ‘04, including Marty St. Louis and , might be in the house. His Tampa Bay teammate, , couldn’t help but crack a smile as he watched from the bench. “We are 60 minutes from living our dream,” captain Steven Stamkos said. “But the fourth win is always the toughest.” While on his stomach Marchessault flipped the puck with his right glove, onto his stick, and knocked it past Vasilevskiy, to give the Golden Knights — Joe Smith their first win of the Stanley Cup final, 2-1 in overtime. It’s been a tough Cup final for the Golden Knights, who have been “He stole my move,” Stamkos exclaimed in the dressing room following outmatched by the Lightning in nearly every aspect. The bounces the game. “I pulled that off in the 2008 skills competition. Gotta hand it to certainly haven’t gone Vegas’ way to this point, but Tampa Bay’s him, for trying it in overtime of the Cup final.” fortuitous goals have been a product of playing most of the games in Vegas’ end. Marchessault didn’t speak following the game, he just casually walked through the dressing room and smiled, yelling “I told you” as the door “We are spending way too much time in the defensive zone,” Mark Stone closed behind him. said following the 4-2 loss to fall behind 3-1 in the series. “We need to close our gaps quicker, force turnovers, and force the puck into their end “I hope he never tries that move again,” coach Peter DeBoer said. “Glad more than we have.” it worked. It was a hell of a move. But I’d rather not see that one again.” The Golden Knights are one game away from elimination, but they’ve Marchessault continued his Cup Final heater, while Mark Stone pitched seen the Lightning surrender 3-1 series leads to force a Game 7 twice in Vegas’ only goal in regulation. this postseason.

Nikita Kucherov opened the scoring during an early power play, with a “It’s not over, but we need to play a lot better,” Stone continued. “We will gorgeous finish after a pass from Stamkos. have to play the best game of our lives to stay alive in Tampa.”

Tampa Bay held that lead through the first period, and most of the — Jesse Granger second until Stone broke through. Game 5 “Both teams have protected their home rinks well,” defenseman Brayden McNabb said. “We just have to keep it up.” Peter DeBoer hasn’t touched his top-six forward lineup this entire postseason but will change things up with his back against the ropes in — Jesse Granger Game 5. The Golden Knights top-six have competed well with Tampa Bay’s, but the Lightning’s strong third line of Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson You’ve got to give Jonathan Marchessault credit for creativity. and Yanni Gourde have tortured Vegas’ third line. The Vegas forward being able to pull off an impression of Steven In an attempt to send out three scoring lines DeBoer will move Chandler Stamkos’ belly flop shot from 2008 – in this big of a moment – was one Stephenson back between Stone and Max Pacioretty, dropping Karlsson for the ages. But the Lightning’s goal is to make that highlight just a to the second line. He’ll also shuffle Alex Tuch and Reilly Smith, while footnote in their chase of history. That’s three extremely tight games so moving Nick Cousins up to the third line. far in the Cup final, and you have to think that the winner of Game 4 could win it all. — Jesse Granger

“You gotta love Marchy and his swagger,” coach Jon Cooper said. “But I Vegas keeps Tampa Bay in check with a massive home victory to stay don’t think (Andrei Vasilevskiy) will forget that one. You might not want to alive. poke the Big Cat.” Last season Marc-Andre Fleury candidly told me that despite all the — Joe Smith success he’s had in the NHL, he still dreams of two things: Dropping the gloves, and scoring a goal. Game 4 He checked the first box earlier this postseason when he fought Cam No changes for Vegas, though expect Tampa Bay to lean a little more on Talbot. its top line. And he checked the second box tonight, scoring what would eventually Tampa Bay is one win away from winning the Stanley Cup. be the game-winning goal to keep the Golden Knights’ season alive with Brayden Point hit the jackpot in Vegas – twice. an 8-7 win in Tampa Bay.

The Lightning center – a notorious napper – had trouble getting to sleep “That was fun! I finally got lucky with that last shot,” Fleury said with a on the team’s offday before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final. He took a giant grin stretching across his face. “I’m just happy we have another walk down to the lobby of the team hotel, decided to play a few hands of hockey game to play back in Vegas.” blackjack. The word around the Lightning room the next morning was The Lightning and Golden Knights traded goals throughout the game, that Point left a big winner. with Vegas eventually pulling ahead 7-6 late in the third period. In a last- “Let’s just say that he’s picking up the next team dinner,” joked Pat ditch effort to finish the series Jon Cooper pulled Andrei Vasilevskiy for Maroon. an extra attacker. Tampa Bay dumped the puck into the offensive zone, but Fleury snuck behind his own net to beat the Lightning forecheckers to Maybe Point’s luck carried over to T-Mobile Arena. Because the former the puck. All-Star had a fortuitous bounce on his go-ahead goal. He glanced to his left, thinking of sending the puck around the glass, then With Tampa Bay up 3-2 midway through the third, Point drove to the net fired it straight into the air, eventually sliding into the Lightning’s empty off a rush. He sent a wrist shot off the crossbar, with the puck bouncing net. off Marc-Andre Fleury’s back, then off the right post and in. “Sometimes the bounces go your way,” said Peter DeBoer, who was “It’s not the way I drew it up,” Point said. “But I’ll take it.” happy with the play of his newly-constructed forward lines. Tampa Bay scored one more goal following Fleury’s goal but it was too for Alex Killorn to do a special “Dock Talk” episode with the Cup during late to complete the comeback. The Golden Knights now head home, the Fountains of Bellagio). where they’ll try to protect home ice and force a Game 7. The many different heroes on the Lightning’s redemption tour will all take — Jesse Granger their turn holding hockey’s holy grail. There were deadline acquisitions Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow, who brought needed toughness This series has had a little bit of everything. and grit. GM Julien BriseBois had paid a hefty premium, but it proved A Jonathan Marchessault trick shot from his stomach. well worth the gamble.

A lucky bounce by “Blackjack” Brayden Point. “Flags fly forever, right?” coach Jon Cooper said.

Even a called shot by Steven Stamkos. There was Pat Maroon, signed over the summer to provide a Cup winner’s presence and calm both on and off the ice. Safe to say, he’ll Still, it took a heck of a lot of guts for Vegas’ Marc-Andre Fleury to pull off show the group how to celebrate. There were Anthony Cirelli and Mikhail the shot of the Stanley Cup final. Sergachev, pending RFAs who came of age the past two seasons; Cirelli provided a spark early in Game 6 by fighting Mark Stone, who had The Golden Knights, on the road in a must-win Game 5 (and clinging to a elbowed Brayden Point up high. The Lightning are champions for the first one-goal lead), were trying to hold off a Lightning attack when Fleury time since Marty St. Louis, Brad Richards and Dave Andreychuk brought flipped a shot from his goal line into the empty net. “I’ve seen a lot of it home in 2004. Andreychuk had given the team a pep talk after dinner crazy things in my career – I mean, I coached in Texarkana,” coach Jon the night before. “You’re going to join the club soon,” the Hall of Famer Cooper said. “But that one, wow.” told them. “And you’ll be bonded forever.” This was a wild game all night, with 13 combined goals. Nine power — Joe Smith plays. Two fights, including Brayden McNabb and Pat Maroon going toe to toe. When the NHL expanded to Las Vegas, it foresaw a multitude of benefits to the league. One unexpected benefit, is the Las Vegas Strip has But the biggest gut punch came on Fleury’s goal, which shifts the series seemingly become the unofficial host of Stanley Cup championship back to Vegas for a Game 6. The fact the Cup was in Amalie Arena, the celebrations. city’s riverwalk and Thunder Alley ready to explode, only makes this one toughest to take. “We’ve never done any easy all playoffs,” Victor For the second time in only three years of existence, the Golden Knights Hedman said. “So why should we start now.” watched the hoisting of the Cup on their home ice.

— Joe Smith Before Stamkos and Kucherov return to Tampa Bay for the parade, they led a parade of their own down Las Vegas Boulevard, from Hakkasan, to Game 6 Drai’s, Omnia and XS. Neither team opts to make any changes ahead of another potential Cup- It’s heartbreaking for the city of Las Vegas, but there are two ways to clinching game. view it. The optimist sees the Golden Knights have enjoyed more They’ve done it. The Tampa Bay Lightning have won the Stanley Cup… success in their brief history than some franchises have in decades. In on Earth 2. fact, Vegas is now tied for 17th in the league in Cup Finals appearances, and has more conference championships than Florida, Nashville, Ottawa Steven Stamkos cradled the Stanley Cup like he never wanted to let it and San Jose in only three seasons. go. The pessimist sees that Vegas fans have experienced gut-wrenching The Lightning captain, his undershirt soaked in a sweet blend of sweat losses to end their season in all three campaigns to this point. From and champagne, held court in a packed T-Mobile visitor’s dressing room. watching Alex Ovechkin skate around T-Mobile Arena with the Cup in 2018, to the controversial five-minute major in Game 7 against San Jose This has been a year for the ages for the 30-year-old center, who in 2019, and now falling just short in 2020. At times it feels the Golden became a Cup champion 11 months to the day he became a father to Knights fan base is enrolled in an accelerated course in hockey misery. son Carter. Looking forward, the Golden Knights front office will have some tough “This is the best feeling in the world,” Stamkos said. “You can’t even put decisions to make. They’re already pressed tightly against the NHL’s it into words.” salary cap, without much room to improve their team. The question is, Even Stamkos had to wonder if this time, his time, would ever come. was this team good enough to win it all, or does it need improvement? There was the broken leg. The blood clot. The torn meniscus. The playoff Sure, Vegas ended up two wins shy of the Cup, but it also needed to win collapse to Columbus last spring and then, the core surgery that three straight series as the road team to reach this point. Is the Golden sidelined him through the first two games of the playoffs. It should be little Knights’ core of Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, William Karlsson, Jonathan surprise that the Lightning’s run started when Stamkos returned, Marchessault and Shea Theodore good enough to get over the hump, or overcoming a 2-0 deficit against Toronto and three Game 7s before do they need an overhaul? finally eliminating Vegas, 4-3 in double OT in Game 6. It will be an interesting offseason for Vegas, and regardless of the front “He wears the ‘C’ for a reason,” said defenseman Victor Hedman. “He’s office’s decisions, the Golden Knights should ice a Cup contender again our conscience. Our heart. And now he’s a champion.” in 2020-21. Once Stamkos took his turn with the Cup after a handoff from — Jesse Granger commissioner Gary Bettman, he made a beeline to his good buddy, Hedman, the Conn Smythe winner. Hedman was a beast all playoffs The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 long, averaging nearly 30 minutes, taking on stars like Auston Matthews, David Pastrnak, Alex Ovechkin and, in this series, Mark Stone. Hedman and Stamkos are the two-longest tenured Tampa Bay players. They arrived as teenagers, the No. 1 and No. 2 picks in 2008-09, with the franchise cornerstones dreaming of this day when they decided to re-sign long term, one day apart, in the summer of 2016. The fact Stamkos fed Hedman for the double OT winner, a backdoor tap in off the rush, was fitting.

“I hope Ovik is ready for a hell of a party,” Hedman said of his small northern Sweden hometown, where legends like Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund and the Sedin twins also hail from. “Because the Cup is finally coming home.”

But first, the party will start on the Vegas strip (sources say Rob Gronkowski already got a head start on the festivities, securing a Jetski 1174375 Toronto Maple Leafs

Doug Ford says MLSE asked about Toronto being a hub city should NHL resume its season

JOSHUA CLIPPERTON PUBLISHED MAY 5, 2020

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the Toronto Maple Leafs’ parent company has been in contact with the province about the possibility of Canada’s biggest city serving as a so-called “hockey pod” for teams should the NHL resume its season.

Speaking at his daily COVID-19 media briefing Tuesday, Ford said Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment has reached out, but hasn’t provided any details about a potential proposal.

“They’ve been in contact,” Ford said. “They’re coming up with a game plan, (the) NHL as a whole. They haven’t really divulged anything else as of yet, but we have had a conversation.

“Once I get more information, I’ll be able to pass it along.”

The NHL, which was forced to pause its schedule March 12 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, has been looking at plans to centralize groups of teams in low-risk centres in hopes of resuming the 2019-20 campaign this summer.

Under one rumoured proposal, fans wouldn’t be allowed in arenas and teams would be sequestered in hotels. There were 189 games left in the regular season when the NHL halted play.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman had a conversation last month about Edmonton as one potential hub city.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, was asked Monday about Vancouver potentially serving in the same capacity.

“We’ve been looking at how you can have this type of sporting event safely around the world,” she said. “I absolutely think that these are the types of things that we need to think about.

“How we can do this safely during the summer?”

Apart from not allowing fans in arenas, Henry said players might look different on the ice.

“There’s ways that players can take precautions to make sure that there’s physical distancing,” she said. “When we think of hockey, which I love, people are already wearing facemasks.

“So there’s ways that players are protected when they’re on the ice.”

As of early April, eight NHLers were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19, including five members of the Ottawa Senators.

The league and NHL Players’ Association have formed a joint committee to determine a path forward that could get games back on the ice sometime in July.

The committee said last week in a statement they “have not made any decisions or set a timeline for possible return to play scenarios,” but remained hopeful that players could return to their teams for “small group activities” later this month.

Bettman recently noted that government and medical officials will ultimately make the call on when sports can return.

Globe And Mail LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174376 Toronto Maple Leafs Globe And Mail LOADED: 05.06.2020

Leafs’ Justin Holl says American players waiting for ‘concrete plan’ before crossing border

JOSHUA CLIPPERTON

Maple Leafs defenceman Justin Holl is ready to go. He’s just waiting for the green light.

Holl has spent most of the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down the NHL, and much of North America, at home in Minnesota since the season was paused March 12.

The 28-year-old said Tuesday he’s encouraged by news that some other sports are beginning to make plans to resume activities, and that the league could open team facilities to small groups of players later this month.

But as an American-born NHLer, Holl knows he could face an extra hurdle getting back to Toronto.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said over the weekend that non-residents would “at a strict minimum” need to follow quarantine protocols if they arrive in Canada while the border remains closed because of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

For the Leafs, that would mean the likes of Holl, along with star centre Auston Matthews and No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen, who both are in Arizona, isolating for two weeks before being allowed to start activities with teammates.

Holl has “tentative plans” if the NHL gets the go-ahead from government and health officials, but he’s not going to make any premature moves.

“The general consensus amongst American players [on Canadian teams] is that we’ll wait until we have a concrete plan before we go back,” Holl said on a conference call with reporters. “Because you never know if you go back there and then you’re sitting around for another month or two.

“Once we have a plan, being in Minnesota, I’ll hop in the car that day basically and just drive back and then start that process, and hopefully I’ll be good to go.”

A number of European players on Canadian clubs returned to their home countries in the weeks after the NHL suspended its schedule. Plenty of Americans did the same, including Matthew Tkachuk of the Calgary Flames, and younger brother Brady, who plays for the Ottawa Senators.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said last month he’d had a conversation with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about Edmonton being a so-called “hockey pod” that could hold games without fans during the summer months, while Ontario counterpart Doug Ford said Tuesday that Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment had reached out about Toronto serving in a similar capacity.

“They’re coming up with a game plan, [the] NHL as a whole,” Ford said. “They haven’t really divulged anything else as of yet, but we have had a conversation.”

The most aggressive scenario would have players returning to their home rinks as early as May 15, followed by a training camp and possible exhibition games in June. Under that timeline, the regular season would resume in July, with the Stanley Cup final likely stretching into September.

The league and NHL Players’ Association have formed a joint Return to Play Committee – which includes Leafs captain John Tavares – to determine a path forward.

Holl, who became a full-time NHLer in 2019-20 in his sixth professional season, said he’s been keeping a close eye on proceedings.

“I’ve been paying close attention to the [NHLPA] calls and I’ve been in touch with some of the guys on the Return to Play Committee,” he said. “Just trying to get a better idea of where we’re headed, but it seems like other sports are starting to open up and set dates for return, so I hope that means that we won’t be far behind.

“I’m optimistic. I’m ready to go at a moment’s notice.” 1174377 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs’ Holl plays wait and see with NHL game plan still murky

By Mark Zwolinski Sports Reporter Tue., May 5, 2020

Maple Leafs defenceman Justin Holl says American-born players now in the U.S. are waiting for “a concrete plan” before crossing the border and eventually rejoining Canadian-based NHL teams.

On a Tuesday conference call from his Minnesota home, Holl — one of 253 active U.S.-born NHLers — said he is ready to return to Toronto as soon as the go-ahead is given. He was aware of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent statement, reiterating that “at a strict minimum, anyone who arrives from another country will have to follow all the rules of quarantine in an extremely strict manner.”

That would mean two weeks of self-isolation, although the prime minister — who has since had further talks with the NHL — added “we’re not there yet in our discussions” with the league, which has been on pause since March 12 because of the pandemic.

“The general consensus amongst American players is that we’ll wait until we have a concrete plan before we go back there,” Holl said. “You never know, you could go back (to Toronto) and sit for a month. Hopefully, I can get into my car and drive back, and just do that process and be ready to go.”

Holl is one of three Americans on the Leafs roster, along with centre Auston Matthews and goalie Jack Campbell. They also have seven players of European descent — including goalie Frederik Andersen, who has been staying at Matthews’ home in Arizona — and quarantine restrictions would also apply to those currently outside Canada.

In a memo last week, the NHL told teams it’s looking at moving to phase two of its return plan. Phase one involved quarantining players and related staff. The next step would see players return to team facilities in limited numbers to train, with strict guidelines on skating (perhaps no more than six at a time). That scenario mirrors other sports leagues, including Italian soccer’s Serie A, where players resumed training in small numbers this week.

NHL deputy commissioner said recently that phase two could begin “some time in mid-May.” The lack of a firm date, however, leaves players such as Holl wondering when they should travel to factor in a likely two- week quarantine.

Toronto is one of several NHL cities under consideration as hubs to host four teams apiece, for practices and eventually games. Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday that he has had preliminary discussions with Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment on the subject. Other cities reportedly being considered include Carolina, Las Vegas, Dallas, Edmonton, Columbus, Minnesota and Pittsburgh.

Another potential option for Holl and other border-crossing players is immediate testing for COVID-19.

Dr. Glenn Copeland, a consulting doctor with the Blue Jays and adviser to Toronto investment firm QuestCap, says five NHL teams have asked about QuestCap’s efforts to acquire coronavirus antibody test kits from South Korea’s PCL. The kits reportedly produce reliable results in 15 minutes from a blood sample.

However it plays out, Holl says he’s eager to get back on the ice with his teammates whenever he gets the green light: “I’ve been here for the past month and a half …hopefully we can get back to normal soon.”

Toronto Star LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174378 Toronto Maple Leafs Not always does it come early or easily for Stanley Cup winners. Steve Yzerman was 31 when he won his lone Stanley Cup in Detroit. That was his 13th season.

What's the Stanley Cup calendar for Matthews, Marner and Nylander? Mike Modano was in his 10th year in Dallas/Minnesota when the Stars won in 1999. He was 28 at the time. And Joe Sakic won the Stanley Cup in Colorado, as well as the Conn Smythe Trophy, when he was 26, in his eighth NHL season. And the longest wait of recent times came from Alex Steve Simmons Ovechkin’s — although he’s not a centre, but he has been the leader of the Washington Capitals forever. He was 32 years old and in his 11th season when the Caps finally won. In those playoffs, the big three for the By the time Dave Keon was 23 years old — the age Auston Matthews is Caps — Ovechkin, Nick Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov — combined turning in September, the age Mitch Marner just turned the other day, for 82 points. They scored just under four points a game, with Kuznetsov one year younger than William Nylander — he had already won his third raising his level in a way in which he hadn’t done before or since. Stanley Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s understandable why Leafs president Brendan Shanahan is patient The times and circumstances in a six-team National Hockey League with a team that others may be losing patience with. He sees the long were clearly different than they are today, but the fact that Keon walked term. He’s more pragmatic than emotional. He understands that he won into the NHL and quickly became a player of significance is something his first Stanley Cup as a player in his 10th NHL season when he was 28 worth remembering and still celebrating. and then won his last of three at the age of 33. The victories did not come easily. It was probably more difficult to be a difference- maker right away at a time when 20 goals was considered magical and, with so few teams, Not everybody wins at 21 the way Keon and Crosby and Toews there were so few spots available. It was rare to walk into the NHL and managed in different decades. But you wonder, in these impatient times, turn heads right away. when or if the championship bells will ring for the kids who aren’t necessarily kids anymore, Matthews, Marner and Nylander. The timetable for Keon, either age-wise or championship-wise, though, is not at all unusual in hockey history. Even modern history. It’s just unusual Toronto Sun LOADED: 05.06.2020 around Toronto.

Sidney Crosby was 21 and in his fourth season in Pittsburgh — the same season number that Matthews, Marner and Nylander are playing together with the Leafs — when he won the Stanley Cup for the first time. His teammate and fellow centre, Evgeni Malkin, was 22 at the time, and no more experienced.

Jonathan Toews was also 21 when the Chicago Blackhawks won their first of three championships in the past decade, as was his teammate Patrick Kane. Both were in their second NHL seasons. The two combined to score 57 points in the 22 playoff games Chicago played in 2010.

After Toews and Kane had won at 21 years of age, Drew Doughty followed suit during his first Stanley Cup in Los Angeles. He was 22 at the time and playing 26 minutes a game for the Kings. He was the clear leader on the ice for both of Los Angeles’ championship seasons. He was 24 when he won his second and probably his last Stanley Cup.

Everything about the Maple Leafs today and tomorrow is based around Matthews, Marner and Nylander and their superior talents. Sure, they have a goaltender in Frederik Andersen and a captain in John Tavares and Morgan Rielly on defence, but it’s the kids up front, the three still youngsters, who will determine where it is the Leafs go if anywhere in the future.

And almost always, it is the front-line centre of the Stanley Cup winner who has been a giant on the way to a championship victory.

Bobby Clarke was 23 and in his fourth season when the Philadelphia Flyers won their first of two Stanley Cups in the 1970s. Clarke won the Hart Trophy as most valuable player three times in his first seven seasons.

Bryan Trottier was 23, as well, when the dynastic New York Islanders won their first of four straight Stanley Cups. In those four Cup-winning seasons, Trottier scored 107 points in 75 playoff games. The giants do that when called upon.

Trottier won the Hart Trophy before Wayne Gretzky went on to win the next eight in the 1980s.

The dominance comes in almost every Stanley Cup season from the expected sources, starting with the first- or second- line centres. The way Crosby and Malkin managed to dominate in the Penguins’ first Stanley Cup in 2009 — with 67 points combined in 24 playoff games. You need that kind of extraordinary performance to take the extra Stanley Cup steps.

Career to date: Matthews, Marner and Nylander have combined to score 41 points in 20 playoff games over three seasons. That’s among the reasons the Leafs have yet to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs. 1174379 Toronto Maple Leafs staff (Nicholson did volunteer work there) posted on Facebook after the 71-year-old’s passing.

His close friend and fellow archivist Paul Patskou spoke of one of Leafs notebook: Making plans to return? Nicholson’s many kind gestures when they worked on a documentary on the history of the Toronto Marlies’ junior and AHL teams, that included St. Mike’s OHLer Sheldon Keefe, the Marlies Calder Cup-winning coach.

Lance Hornby “After the interview, Dan presented Sheldon with a St. Mike’s magazine with him on the cover. It was something Sheldon didn’t have and really

appreciated. Dan was always looking for interesting things to give to With Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment Ltd. approaching the Ontario former players.” government about Toronto being a hub city should hockey resume, Bay LOOSE LEAFS St. has never looked better to players such as Justin Holl. While KHL blueline star Mikko Lehtonen departed on Monday for But the Leafs defenceman knows he and others will likely face a two- a one-year ELC deal with Toronto, Metallurg has re-signed 33-year-old week quarantine whenever they do cross the U.S.-Canadian border. Holl former Leaf Nikolai Kulemin for 2020-21. He gets under the wire of a new decided to return to his native Minnesota in late March when it became KHL team hard salary cap of 900 million rubles ($12 million US per club). clear COVID-19 would not be a short-term halt to the season. Now, with He never duplicated his 30 goals as a Leaf in 2010-11 … Mitch Marner chatter about NHLers being allowed to work out in small groups later this turned 23 on Tuesday … Mississauga native Kelly Babstock has signed month, pending a reduction in cases of the deadly virus, he’s in the same with the National Women’s Hockey League’s Toronto expansion team for boat as other Leafs trying best to time their return. her fifth pro season. “I’d call them tentative plans,” Holl said Tuesday on a conference call Toronto Sun LOADED: 05.06.2020 with Toronto media. “The general consensus amongst American players is that we’ll wait until (authorities) have a concrete plan before we get back there. Because you never know if you go back and you’re sitting around another month or two.

“Once we have a plan, I’ll hop in the car that day, basically, drive back (airports could be a nightmare) and hopefully be good to go.”

Later on Tuesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed preliminary talks with MLSE about activating Scotiabank Arena and related GTA facilities if a league idea to stage several games in one venue is pursued. The Chief Medical Officer of Health in British Columbia has spoken to the World Health Organization about the possibility of Vancouver in such a role.

“They (MLSE) have been in contact with me,” Ford said. “They’re coming up with a game plan with the NHL as a whole. They haven’t really divulged anything else of yet.”

A call to MLSE was not immediately returned.

Auston Matthews and Frederik Andersen are among other Leafs currently riding out the postponement in the U.S. All are watching the global COVID situation and getting NHL updates through general manager Kyle Dubas. Holl says he’s also plugged in via the Players Association and the Return To Play committee of which Toronto’s John Tavares is a member.

“It seems like other sports are kind of opening up and setting dates for returns, so I hope that means we won’t be far behind,” Holl said. “I’m ready to go at a moment’s notice.”

STAY-AT-HOME DEFENCEMAN

Leafs blueline great Borje Salming revealed in recent days he fought through a suspected case of COVID-19 during March in Sweden. Though not tested for COVID, he experienced severe breathing problems that required him to be rushed to hospital in an ambulance. The 69-year-old has since used the experience to urge others, via .com and the Hockey Hall Of Fame of which he’s a member, to stay indoors.

Speaking of which, Doug Gilmour and broadcasters Ron MacLean and Joe Bowen are among those promoting #Stay The Puck Home hoodies and T-shirts. Until this Friday, 100% of net proceeds from the sales goes to charity partners of Hockey Helps the Homeless, a not-for-profit charity that runs pro-am hockey tournaments across Canada, where amateur players fund raise to skate with hockey greats.

Shirts can be purchased via http://www.gobardown.com/collections/staythepuckhome

HONOURING DAN NICHOLSON

The Toronto hockey community remains in shock after the sudden death of Dan Nicholson last week.

A long-time teacher at St. Michael’s College and minor-hockey referee, he provided invaluable research and photos to projects on the school’s famous graduates, among them many Leafs. He was a member of the Society for International Hockey Research and many ex-NHLers and 1174380 Toronto Maple Leafs that I’ve seen is John Tavares. I mean, he is like, as serious as it gets, but he also has a great personality, you know, when it’s time to relax, have some fun. But just as far as, you know, I think when you’re willing to sacrifice all the things a lot of people don’t want to and totally commit to The Leaf Report Q&A: Goaltender Jack Campbell talks his career and being the best at your craft. I think that’s what John brings. He brings like being a Maple Leaf the work ethic and the commitment to nutrition, things like that, that really stuck out to me. I thought about that before I watched The Last Dance

with John and then after watching episode 1 through 4, he’s definitely the By Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle May 5, 2020 closest I think.

Siegel: Have you been able to like crack him a little bit, like make him laugh, break him out of that? Because I remember some of his old We don’t often transcribe and post our podcasts here, but then again, we summer workout buddies told me that they used to call him iRobot. don’t often have a member of the Maple Leafs on the podcast. Because he was just like a robot with everything he did. You seem outgoing — have you been able to kind of break him now and again? We welcomed goaltender Jack Campbell to the program on Tuesday afternoon, and he was a terrific guest. Below is a lightly edited Campbell: You know, it’s funny because I do like to, I’m pretty goofy and I transcription of our conversation about his life in hockey, his time in feel like I get along great with everybody. John included, but I’m definitely Toronto and a few other items of note. a little more reserved still around JT. Being the captain and he’s such an amazing player. I still like just respect who he is and what he’s done. So I For the audio version of our chat (and archives of other episodes), you don’t want to be too much, you know, too soon. So I mean, I haven’t. I can visit our podcast hub page here or listen in the audio player below. mean, we’ve had some good dinners together and some good laughs. Siegel: All right, James: It’s a very special edition of the podcast. We But, you know, I’m still getting comfortable for sure around him. have our second Maple Leaf ever on the podcast, Jack Campbell. Jack, Mirtle: Jack, you joined the team in midseason. You weren’t really with how are you doing? them for that long. You only played six games. How did you become so Campbell: I’m doing fantastic. Thanks guys for having me. close with your teammates so quickly? Like, it just seemed like you fit in really, really well and some of the players who didn’t know you before Mirtle: So, Jack you said (before we started recording that) you’re going really gravitated towards you, and you built friendships really quickly. on a long drive while we talk. Where are you headed off to today? How did that come about in Toronto?

Campbell: Oh, I just kind of like driving around killing some time. I get my Campbell: I mean, truthfully, I just think it’s a credit to them because workouts in nice and early. And then just kind of rip around and get some they’re just such great character guys. And I think just the common goal fresh air and that’s about it. of putting the team first and wanting to win and we have a really Mirtle: It’s funny you say that because I find that there’s kind of a sense competitive group as far as, you know, we have high goals and we of normalcy when you get in the car and you just go somewhere. It feels expect to do well. So I think my demeanour matched well with theirs and like nothing’s changed a little bit because that’s still something that you it’s been really fun to get to know everybody and I’m looking forward to can do (that’s the same as before). And the traffic’s not as bad as it was continuing that in the near future. in the past so … Mirtle: One of the things that your teammates say about you and even Campbell: Exactly. I just think it’s relaxing. You know, listen to a podcast. the fan base has started saying about you is you just seem like such a Listen to music. Kind of having a little alone time to myself. It’s nice. nice guy. Have you gotten that before? Is that how you try and go about life is just being, I mean, just the way you are — so friendly and Siegel: Do you have a favourite podcast, Jack? personable all the time?

Campbell: I’ve been doing a little Joe Rogan lately. I’m a big military Campbell: I mean, I appreciate that. I kind of was just raised, you know supporter. He has some special forces operators on there and different — I had some good role models. My parents and my sister, older sister, people. That’s pretty interesting. So I’ve been doing a little bit of that. she’s just turned 30. They’re like the nicest people I’ve ever met, so I’ve Pretty much music, though. I love country music and just kind of relax. kind of just tried to follow their lead a little bit. But I mean I can always get Makes me feel good. better and be nicer I guess you could say so. You know, it definitely means a lot that the boys and the fans think that of me. But always Mirtle: Where are you spending the downtime? Are you in California or looking to improve for sure. Michigan or … Siegel: Well, so obviously, coming to a new team is a big thing. But you Campbell: I’m back at my place in Los Angeles. So Manhattan Beach. So knew some guys from before, obviously from L.A., Jake Muzzin. Kyle it’s a pretty laid back community. Sun’s out. So it’s been pretty nice. Clifford came with you, but you also have the past connection with Kyle Mirtle: Everyone in Toronto is jealous of the players that are in the warm Dubas from the Soo. When the trade happened, did you guys reminisce spots right now. That sounds like a nice place to be hunkered down for a at all about like the trade and it kind of happening again in a different way bit. in the NHL?

Campbell: Yeah, it’s been nice. I just have all my workout stuff here, so Campbell: The only thing that we talked about was when he called me it’s been a little more efficient. I was in a hotel room during the season the night I got traded. I was like, you know, so excited. I was just crazy — when I got traded. Appreciate the Leafs setting me all up. It was like, pretty shocking. I had no idea I was on . But when it awesome to experience the city and everything and I’m really looking happened, I told him — because when he traded for me in the Soo, you forward to getting back in the near future. Just having my own place here know, things didn’t work quite as well as we had hoped. I basically told it’s been nice to get back to cook and stuff like that. him like, “Look, it’s not going to happen like that again. We’re gonna succeed and do great things.” And he’s like “Jack, I don’t want you to Siegel: Jack, you mentioned being in L.A. Have you been watching The compare that experience with this one. You didn’t let me down the first Last Dance, the Michael Jordan doc? time. We’re gonna do great things this time, too.” So he was just really awesome. He’s just such a great guy. And I just love Kyle’s demeanour Campbell: You know what I missed it this Sunday, but I am gonna watch and his intensity and just everything about him. He’s a great general it probably tonight, actually. I’m a big fan. I love basketball. And it’s been manager and a great person. I’m just lucky to be around him some more. really fun to watch. Mirtle: Were you surprised that he traded for you? Because I mean that Siegel: You will like episodes 5 & 6 — they are amazing. But I’m curious. was kind of a controversial trade that happened back in junior. I wonder if I was thinking last night: Have you ever had a teammate like Michael like a lot of GMs just wouldn’t do it maybe for like karma reasons or Jordan at any point in your career who is like that driven? That intense? something. So were you surprised that Kyle went ahead and did that? Like does anybody come to mind? Campbell: Yeah, I mean, phew, that’s pretty loaded. I mean, back then Campbell: Oof, that’s a great question. I mean, it’s hard to compare that was, you know, nine years ago, maybe. So, I mean, I think I’ve anybody to Michael Jordan. But I know what you’re saying. For sure. I’d proven I’ve gotten over some struggles and stuff, but I think he just saw say, I mean, just the short time I’ve been here, I think the closest person maybe the character side as well as the ability and thought it’d be a good match. So I’m glad he ended up trading for me again and definitely won’t pretty, pretty fortunate to learn so much from him. Not just at the rink and let him down. That’s for sure. as a goalie partner, but like we were really tight off the ice, too, and kind of had similar interests and stuff. Siegel: Well Jack, when you look back on the early part of your career, now that you’re kind of deeper into it, like you’ve established yourself in So he decided to ask me to go to the Awards for his Jennings Trophy, the NHL, what do you kind of go back and look at that point of your and I was talking to one of my teammates, Derek Forbort, and he’s like career and say, like, “I learned this” or “I had to go through this,” like, was “You should dress up like the backup goalie on the red carpet.” “I’m like there something that you kind of take from that experience now? good idea!” Like, I’ll do that. Quickie’s a pretty intense guy, and I think he had a really good time, just being relaxed. We had a pretty good laugh Campbell: Absolutely. I mean, when I was 18, I got drafted and I about it. So it’s something I’ll remember forever. expected to make the team, in Dallas, out of training camp. I just always had … like, every goal I had set up to that point I had accomplished. Not Siegel: Well, seeing as Quick is kind of like more serious and Frederik to be arrogant, but it’s just the way it was and when I didn’t make that Andersen’s quieter. What’s it been like trying to develop a relationship team, it really kind of hurt me and hurt my confidence for a long time. with him and just kind of getting to know him now? And, you know, I think now I still have huge goals and I expect myself to accomplish those things. But it also, you know, you’ve got to enjoy life, Campbell: I mean, Freddie makes it so easy. He’s such a laid back and too. Back then I used to just view myself as a person based on how I just a really nice person. I’ve heard that my whole career, too — not just performed on the ice and now I know I can still be a really good person now that we’re teammates. I’ve always heard about how Freddie’s a and enjoy life without getting a shutout every single night. Even though I really nice guy, and I was excited to win when they made the trade for expect that. me.

Mirtle: What was the process like for you to go from there to here. Do you I was excited just to get there to meet him. He has such a great rely on books or was there some kind of sports psychologist or — what demeanour about him and it’s something that I’m just trying hopefully it was that journey like for you to figure that out? rubs off on me a little bit, just that calmness. He brings so many great elements for the team. And it’s been really fun. We’ve had a lot of dinners Campbell: Well, with Dallas, it was a lot of like — just everything. Tons of together, and it’s nice to not just have a good relationship at the rink, but sports psychologists — just tons of work. It’s kind of like the motto: Are actually be able to hang out away from the rink and have a great time. So you working hard or working smart? You can work hard, but working we’ve definitely done that. smart is the better play. So when I got traded to L.A., I had an amazing person in Dusty Imoo, who’s the goalie coach there. Mirtle: I’m curious, Jack, when you first came to Toronto, was there anything that surprised you about playing for the Leafs or the And he kind of just solved it all for me. He basically just taught me that organization or the team? What really caught you off guard after the what I just said about enjoying life and, you know, I don’t have to be an trade? amazing hockey player to enjoy life. I can just enjoy different things and have more realistic expectations of myself, and once I kind of grasped Campbell: Man, it’s crazy. I mean I obviously knew how historic the that concept, I really started to take off. I was having fun on the ice again. franchise was, but I just never expected the feeling of walking in the It’s not fun going into a game when you only accept yourself if you get a locker room for the first time. The feeling it gave you. The chills. It’s just shutout. If the second you give up a goal, you’re completely sick of like, you know, playing in the NHL is so special, but playing for the Leafs, yourself. That’s how I used to be. He basically just taught me go out, is just like another level. And it’s just like there’s a such a standard that have fun, compete, stop the puck. And that’s what I did and then I ended you want to hold for yourself and the team just because the community’s up having a lot more fun and a lot more success. so, so incredible and the support and you just want to give them, you want to win every time you’ve on the ice. It’s definitely an incredible Siegel: Had you found, Jack, that it was starting to affect like your feeling. And that’s the biggest thing I remember. Still even to this day, it personality? You were not maybe the same person? I would have to hasn’t gone away. imagine it would make you more irritable and frustrated. Did you find that your personality was shifting in those years before you got to L.A.? Mirtle: You didn’t grow up that far away from Toronto. Did you spend time in the city when you were younger or did you know the city very well? Did Campbell: Oh, yeah, for sure. I mean, that went on for a very long time. you follow the Leafs at all? Like what was your relationship with Toronto I’m comfortable talking about it now because maybe you can help before you came here to play? somebody else and it’ll take them a lot less time to figure it out as it did for me. It just, it’s fun to enjoy life and to not just fake it to make it with Campbell: Actually, some of my fondest childhood hockey memories are like a smile. Like actually be in the moment and being happy and … you from Toronto. I just remember doing the prospect tournaments … know, there was definitely some dark times and it wasn’t very fun. My Anytime I went to Toronto, it was like the Stanley Cup finals as far as parents kind of realized it, too. They saw I wasn’t having a lot of fun and youth hockey, like, that was like the big show and I always rose to the being unhappy. Once I got to L.A., Dusty really, really, truly made such a occasion and just loved every second of it. You always knew you were big impact for me and I can’t thank him enough. Because life’s great now. gonna play the best competition. And I just remember those memories so It’s so much fun and I’m enjoying being hockey player and playing for the much and so well. I still remember like saves from each game and, like, Leafs — it’s just the cherry on top. goals I gave up. Like it’s crazy. Toronto definitely has a special place in my heart from youth hockey and now hopefully I get to make some great Mirtle: I’m curious, Jack, do you look around the league — there’s been a memories here in the National Hockey League. number of goalies who became No. 1 guys or starters later in their career. Do take inspiration from anybody around the league that stands Siegel: Well, so what do you do — like you mentioned that you’d been out to you that’s followed that path? staying in a hotel, you’re gonna want to get like your own place and get set up here but obviously you can’t. How are you kind of like game Campbell: To be honest, I don’t really have an individual that I can point planning for when you do get to come back and find a home and all that to, but I mean, for me, it’s just I expect myself to accomplish some goals. stuff? What are you planning? Be the No. 1 guy is definitely a goal. It’s always been my goal. And not just being the No. 1, but a top No. 1. I know you gotta accomplish each Campbell: Actually, I got my place today! I’ve been looking since I got one first before you can skip the line on those goals. But I just know now there for a place and back before we were locked down I was able to everybody’s different. That’s the biggest thing. Everybody has a different kind of drive around and get familiar with the area, see where I wanted to journey, and it doesn’t really matter what your journey is as long as you live, and kind of went back and forth just because Toronto has so many can reach your full potential and that’s my goal every day is just to work amazing areas to offer. Whatever you’re into it definitely has. So I found as hard as I can. So I reach my full potential and help the team win. a place and I’m really excited about it. I’ll move in when it’s safe to do all that. But I’m just glad I got a place I like locked down. Siegel: In light of that, Jack, what’s it like when you’re developing a relationship with someone like Frederik Andersen? You knew Jonathan Mirtle: Are you looking at a nice condo? Are you gonna be in a house? Quick obviously for a while in L.A. I remember there was at one point you There’s a bit of both among players on the team. went to the NHL Awards I think with him as like his caddie, is that right? Campbell: Yeah, I mean, I was looking downtown because it’s obviously Campbell: Yeah. So with Quickie, he and I had a such a great such an exciting city and I love food and stuff. So the restaurants. But I relationship — still do to this day — and I’m blessed to have him when I ended up — I’m a big kind of rink rat. So I found a place like a mile away first got my real shot in the NHL, he was the guy I got to play with. So I’m from the Ford Performance Centre. So I’m really excited about my location and kind of having a little more space and just — it’s gonna be Mirtle: Do you have a quick Pierre Engvall story you can tell us before really nice. I’m really excited about it. you go?

Siegel: So the good news from there is it’s a quick drive downtown — Campbell: Oh, yeah! For my short time, actually, it’s so funny. So I’ve you mentioned food. Are you a foodie? never minded plane turbulence until this past season. Just something happened where I think we were coming back to L.A. one time and the Campbell: I mean I really enjoy cooking and I enjoy watching you know turbulence was just terrible and it really freaked me out. So, in Toronto, Food Network and YouTube on different chefs and stuff. But I’m not like we were coming back from — I don’t know, it was a short flight — but anything crazy. I don’t like expect to cook luxurious meals. I just, you Pierre sits right in front of me and we were basically just looking (at each know, enjoy some meat and potatoes kind of thing. But the restaurants other). He was looking back at me and I was looking at him the whole are great downtown for sure. time because we were just freaking out about the turbulence and, man, Siegel: But when you’re on the road — one of the guys that we travel we always have a pretty good chuckle. We like to joke around about like, with, Shawn McKenzie, who works for Sportsnet, he like scopes out I don’t know, just being scared, but he’s a great guy. He’s got a great restaurants for us to go to weeks in advance. Are you doing that? Is sense of humour and he’s an extremely good player. So, lucky to have anybody doing that on the team? him on the squad.

Campbell: Wow, I mean that’s pretty next level. I’m very impressed. I’m Siegel: Awesome. All right, well, Jack, enjoy Cali. Enjoy the sunshine. definitely somebody who will go on like Yelp and, you know, review it and And we’ll see you again soon. We hope. then get excited and I’ll try it. But weeks ahead? I usually don’t plan too Mirtle: Thanks for coming out, Jack. much like that. I’m more go with the flow, but I’ll definitely keep that in mind. Campbell: I’ll see you guys soon. Thanks for having me.

Mirtle: Jack, another question I had about the Leafs. I was just wondering The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 what your impression was of the coaching staff? Of working with Sheldon Keefe, the goaltending coaches, assistant coaches. What have you taken away so far in your time with the team with them?

Campbell: Yeah, good question there. I really enjoy him. I mean, just it’s fun to go to a different structure as far as the coaching staff goes. With it kind of like freshens you up, like something different. Sheldon brings a lot of energy and passion and the way we play is really exciting. I really enjoy his meetings, things like that.

The assistant coaches are awesome. I really enjoy all of them. Actually, (Dave) Hakstol, he sounds so much like Matt Greene. Greener was in L.A. So whenever I talk with them, it’s like I’m talking to Greener and Greener is one of my favourites. So it’s always kind of fun. And then I’m pretty fortunate to have Steve Briere as the goalie coach because I know Freddie and I both really benefit from having him. He’s just so knowledgeable and personable, too, and we have a great time. He brings a great demeanour and energy and is a super positive guy. A lot of attention for Freddie and I both, so it’s been great.

Mirtle: The other thing I wanted to ask you, Jack, was growing up in Port Huron in Michigan. How did you get into hockey and being a goaltender? Did it run in your family? And maybe you can just talk a little bit about your hometown and why you gravitated towards being a goalie?

Campbell: Yeah, good question. I love my hometown, Port Huron. It’s great. It’s super close to Toronto. (About 300 kilometres.) So I’m really excited to be able to get home more.

My cousin — his name’s Marshall Campbell — he was a phenomenal athlete. He played college football at Michigan State. And he was all- state in football, baseball and hockey in high school. So he was a goalie, actually, but he chose to play football in college. He was always my hero. He’s 10 years older than me. And I’ve always idolized him. Just a phenomenal guy and athlete, so that’s kind of why I chose being a goalie because I wanted to be like him. I kind of just started playing and fell in love with it. I always loved other sports, too, but I decided to pursue hockey at a pretty early age.

Siegel: It’s funny how those things work out. Your cousin is your idol, so you end up kind of following him and now like, look at your life. It’s funny how it all kind of takes shape.

Campbell: It is. I’m pretty fortunate to have somebody like him. He kind of paved the way and now it allows me to really enjoy life and have a great opportunity here. It’s cool.

Siegel: All right, well, Jack, we appreciate you taking some time. We hope you stay safe and we hope we get to start seeing some games again soon when everything is safe and ready for us to come back. So thank you for doing this.

Campbell: Absolutely. Thanks for having me. It was a blast and appreciate you making me the second Leaf on the show. That’s awesome.

Siegel: Pierre Engvall, No. 1.

Campbell: No way! What a guy — I love that guy. He’s hilarious. 1174381 Toronto Maple Leafs Jake Muzzin 3

Travis Dermott/Rasmus Sandin The video scouting report on new Maple Leafs defenceman Mikko Lehtonen Timothy Liljegren

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By Scott Wheeler May 5, 2020 Calle Rosen

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At this point, it’s almost as if the Maple Leafs have a quota each May to Martin Marincin sign a coveted European defenceman. Without Lehtonen signed, you might also be able to add Kivihalme (an In 2016, it was Nikita Zaitsev. The next year it was Calle Rosen and RFA) into the competition for some of those extra spots with Rosen and Andreas Borgman. In 2018, it was Igor Ozhiganov. A year later, Teemu Marincin, with Joseph Duszak, Mac Hollowell, Jesper Lindgren, and Kivihalme. Kristians Rubins likely Marlies-bound.

On Monday, for the fifth straight year, the Maple Leafs continued their With Lehtonen signed, things get a little more interesting. He doesn’t recent May tradition by signing 26-year-old, left-shot defenceman Mikko likely sign with the Leafs unless he has been promised an NHL job. Lehtonen to a one-year, entry-level contract. Because he’s also a lefty, though, someone is going to have to move over. And if the Leafs are intent on icing both Rasmus Sandin and Travis Lehtonen’s track record speaks for itself. Dermott, that means that two of the lefties would have to play on their off- In 2015-2016, he led under-22 Liiga defencemen in goals (12) and points side, leaving Timothy Liljegren on the outs in the process (which might (22). A year later, his 0.58 points per game led all under-23 players in not be the worst thing in the world for him after struggling when asked to Liiga and earned him a spot on Finland’s entry at the IIHF world play more than limited minutes with the Leafs last season). All of this championships. assumes the Leafs don’t add a cheap right-shot defenceman in free agency, which seems likely). In search of stiffer competition and NHL interest, Lehtonen played the 2018-2019 season with HV71, a top-ranked SHL team. There, he led the The other questions, the ones of who is Lehtonen and what he will be team’s defencemen in scoring before adding five points in nine playoff able to offer, are a little more complicated. games while averaging 25:32 of ice time. To answer those, I reviewed all six of his KHL playoffs games against After finishing his SHL season, Lehtonen was named one of Team , spanning 157 shifts and 138:48 minutes played Finland’s assistant captains for the 2019 world championships. In a (23:08 per game), to break down the ins and outs of his skill set. Jokerit leading role, he racked up seven points in 10 games, guiding Finland to a won the series 4-2, and Lehtonen led the defence in points (four in six gold medal and landing himself on the tournament all-star team games) and minutes played, as well as his team in shots on goal (19). alongside Andrei Vasilevskiy, Filip Hronek, William Nylander, Mark The tape Stone, and Jakub Voracek. Lehtonen played alongside three primary defence partners this season: For the 2019-20 season, with NHL eyes on him from the get-go, righty Alex Grant and lefties David Sklenicka and Viktor Loov. What’s Lehtonen joined Jokerit in the KHL, arguably the world’s second-best pro noteworthy about that is that with both Loov and Sklenicka, Lehtonen league. He made his mark immediately with the Finnish club, being played the majority of his shifts on the left side. Though Lehtonen does awarded the league’s defencemen of the month for three consecutive have some experience on his off-side he can lean on if the Leafs ask, it’s months beginning in November. definitely worth noting that he wasn’t asked to do that in the KHL, despite When the season was over, the accolades continued to pile up. Not only playing on a team that also had a predominantly left-handed defence. His did he finish sixth in the league in scoring and first on his team, but ability to play his off-side could dictate his ability to win minutes with the Lehtonen also led all KHL defencemen in goals (17), assists (32) and Leafs. points (49). Lehtonen can also kill penalties. It’s easy to look at his production, In the context of the Leafs’ other recent import signings, only Nikita assume he was deployed in offensive situations and wonder whether Zaitsev ever garnered the same kind of notoriety. Rosen, Borgman, he’ll be able to help out a penalty kill that ranked 21st in the NHL this Ozhiganov and Kivihalme were viewed as top young defencemen in their season. He’s not a big shot-blocker, but he can hold his own on the leagues and potential NHL depth options if all went well for them in North penalty kill. America. Zaitsev and Lehtonen were regarded as arguably the best I’ll be interested to see what he weighs in at with the Leafs because, players at their position outside the NHL. despite the fact he’s only 6-foot, he looks heavy out there and he plays Lehtonen’s late-bloomer status prompts some natural questions, though. like it too. And that has helped him defensively in recent years.

Why was he passed up several times in the NHL Draft? If his track record Lehtonen also doesn’t play like you probably think he does. He doesn’t was so strong relative to his age group and then eventually relative to play like someone who produced at his rate. He doesn’t possess the flair everyone, why didn’t he make the jump earlier? Why did so many NHL you’d expect to see from a defenceman with such gaudy offensive clubs only develop an interest in him now? And how might he fit into the numbers. Frankly, he just doesn’t look all that dynamic. Leafs’ depth chart? The one quality of his game that stands out is his long-range, one-timer. The answer to that last question is a relatively simple one. Part of the This is something the Leafs have lacked in recent years. Though Morgan reason the Leafs have become a destination for these players is that Rielly led all NHL defencemen in goals two years ago, he did it with a their defence is perceived to be an area of weakness. When you wrister. And though Tyson Barrie has long been one of the NHL’s more consider that the Leafs are cap-strapped and don’t likely have the room, prolific scoring defencemen, he has done it more as a volume shooter or the willingness, to re-sign Tyson Barrie or Cody Ceci, there are than as a shot threat. Lehtonen’s game definitely resembles Barrie’s in obvious opportunities available for a player such as Lehtonen. the shot-volume category. He shoots a little too much and that was reflected in his 184 shots on goal (second among all KHL defencemen) Before the Leafs signed Lehtonen, their depth chart on D for next year this season. probably looked like this: Here’s Lehtonen (No. 44 in all sequences) taking two shots in eight 1 seconds. Notice how eager he is to get pucks on the net:

Morgan Rielly Lehtonen can also bomb it, which could give the Leafs a new element if he earns some time on the second power-play unit behind Rielly next Justin Holl season. Here’s the lone regular-season clip you’ll see here, from one of 2 my viewings earlier in the year, as an example of that shot: Otherwise, his numbers don’t reflect what you might expect out of his He’ll use his feet to get things going north-to-south, but as soon as he’s style of play. Lehtonen led his team in scoring by impacting the game in turned up ice, he’ll headman the puck, like he did here: subtle ways, rather than beating players one-on-one, or wowing with his ability to walk the line. Or, when his teammates are standing still, he’ll turn into his stride, advance the puck as far as he can as a carrier, and revert to the simple I would actually argue that he ices the puck his fair share. I would also play when time runs out, as he does after creating this entry: argue that there are moments in games when his stride can look a little sloppy and uncoordinated. His feet can splay and there’s a lot of Lehtonen’s idea of starting and ending a sequence is a short-zone exit movement through his stride being wasted side-to-side through his pass to get things going, and a one-timer to finish it with a goal: shoulders (something Leafs skating coach Barb Underhill will surely try to That’s the essence of his game. In fact, his shot created three of his four correct). points in the six games I watched.

He is fast though. You can be fast without looking like it all the time. One of his assists came off a rebound created by his low shot from the Lehtonen generates excellent power through his stride, which helps him top of the left-wing circle: escape pressure as a carrier in transition, particularly on zone exits. He’s actually much more effective carrying the puck out of his zone than into Another of his assists also came off a tip from one of his shots. the offensive zone. (He actually does a really good job going back against the grain to Most often, once Lehtonen has used his skill and skating to start a rush surprise the forechecker and change his angle there.) with a more confident, risk-taking approach in his own zone, he’ll finish And the third assist came, predictably, off a simple headman play up the the rush with a safer play into the offensive zone. boards: Watch him use his feet to create the exit, before electing to dump on the But from the offensive zone blue line in, he’s not going to wow you with a entry, here: tough seam pass, or dance his way into the slot to make something And watch him do the same, beating the first layer of pressure happen and draw attention. He’s going to stand at the top of the zone, defensively before dumping it offensively: make quick decisions with the puck and dictate over the course of a shift, rather than in a moment. And likewise here, where he skates the puck out of the zone, before swapping out a dump for a flip on this sequence: He’ll occasionally attack off the line and beat his man one-on-one, but he’s not likely to try his luck twice in a row. This is a good example of Hell, he’ll use the dump play twice in the same sequence if he has to. But that. Watch him beat the first guy before making the smart decision to he’ll also side-step pressure with his hands and feet to make one of pass the puck off: those plays: And don’t get me wrong, he can make plays when they’re available to Don’t let the simple play that finishes the sequence distract you from the him. valuable skill needed to start each of those plays on the exit in the first place. Lehtonen has a real knack for starting rushes and handling If you give him space, he’s going to drive the puck up the middle of the pressure as a carrier in his own zone. Some of the dump/flip tendencies ice and try to make something happen with it: may be team-oriented as well (i.e. something Jokerit’s coaching staff If you give him space out wide, he’ll take that too: wants their defenceman to do). Even when his shot isn’t resulting in goals or assists on the scoresheet, it But he’s not an overt risk-taker. Lehtonen doesn’t try a ton of things with often comes close, too. His slap shot can create havoc: the puck. He takes what’s there and whenever that disappears, he makes a calculated decision with the puck. Despite his huge numbers, In other cases, he’s often the quote-unquote third assist on a scramble in he’s not a particularly noteworthy individual creator. front that started off a low shot he sent into traffic:

Watch him use his skating to drive into open space up the wall, taking a His defensive game is reflective of his game offensively, as well. Just like dead puck from behind his net (a position of weakness) into a soft dump that slap shot sometimes shows up in an otherwise simple game, the behind the Lokomotiv net (a position of strength): same is true of the way his physicality plays into his defensive game.

I would say he’s comfortable and confident with the puck on his stick, He’ll step up every couple of games to lay someone out in open ice: without being cocky. He’s also more likely to lead with his body than his stick (which has its He will also slow down the game and take his time when the play calls for advantages and disadvantages) in man-on-man battles on the cycle. it. That, in and of itself, demonstrates certain confidence. Watch him wait for the play to develop before setting up the entry here: And he will blend his skating with that physical approach to stick with puck carriers, stay on top of them, and wait for an opportunity to be And watch him wait for his forwards to turn up ice instead of rushing into disruptive on the puck. Watch that sticktoitiveness at play in this an outlet here: takeaway:

Or the way he realizes, after trying to skate the puck out, that he’s under Lehtonen also plays a tight gap, which helps him use that skating to force too much pressure and turns back before executing a little bump pass to dumps: the middle here: I was actually quite impressed with his defensive game throughout the None of this is to say that Lehtonen can’t make tougher, more high-skill series. The heads-up plays he makes on offence are mirrored in his plays typical of a player who produced the offence he did. The play defensive game. For every time he uses his feet to push for a controlled above isn’t an easy one to make under pressure. exit, there’s a good example of a smart choice under pressure to push the puck up the wall, as he does with two men on him to start a sequence He’s an impressive outlet passer as well, which is definitely among the that eventually leads to a goal here: harder skills for a defenceman to master. On several occasions when I’ve watched him, he stretched the ice with clean, flat, two- and three-zone Again and again, I was consistently impressed with the simplicity of his passes. This is a great play: defensive game. He does a good job getting back to pucks, and when there’s pressure on him and he doesn’t feel comfortable attacking with As is this: control, he rarely tries to do too much. Sometimes the easy play is the But Lehtonen isn’t going to look to beat several layers of pressure by right one: himself. He’ll look to beat the first one and then make the next available Other times, even when there was space for him to attack, he recognized play. a better option up ice and made that play instead: If every available play has a time limit, he’s making his decisions before And whenever teams swarmed him, he never tried to do too much. it’s too late. He’s very unlikely to hang onto the puck in an effort to create Despite knowing that he was counted upon to make things happen for himself. If there’s a beginning, middle, and an end to a sequence offensively, I don’t recall a sequence where he tried to navigate through a (which is normally too late but occasionally worth the risk), he wants to swarm scenario. make his play in the first or second phase, rather than the third. This sequence might be the best example of his skills, tools, and approach coming together at both ends. He plays a tight gap defensively, disrupts at just the right moment to win back possession, and then uses his skating to advance the play back up ice. But when the Lokomotiv players collapse on his middle-lane drive at the offensive zone blue line, he has the wherewithal to make the simple lateral play:

If Leafs fans can temper their expectations, they will learn to appreciate those small plays. If they don’t, they’re destined to be disappointed with a player whose style isn’t indicative of his impressive production. Lehtonen isn’t going to produce huge offensive numbers at the NHL level. And I would argue that Rasmus Sandin is the better choice for the Leafs’ second power-play unit, too.

But there’s a control to Lehtonen’s game at both ends that should still make him a good NHL defenceman, he’s got a nice heaviness and a physicality to his game for a 6-foot player, and there are elements in his toolbox that the Leafs could use a little more of, including that one-timer.

Now the Leafs just have to convince him to play the right side full-time.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174382 Toronto Maple Leafs He can transport the puck and logged almost 20 minutes a night when the Penguins repeated as Cup champions in 2017. But Schultz isn’t the guy Sheldon Keefe would lean on with a one-goal lead in the final minute of a playoff game. 12 UFA options the Maple Leafs might consider to boost their defence Injuries have also been an issue.

Unlike Tyson Barrie, another not so seamless fit, Schultz doesn’t create By Jonas Siegel May 5, 2020 much offence either — just 27 points over 75 games the last two seasons

Fit: Just finding the cap dollars to dive into free agency in 2020 was always Cost: going to be difficult for Kyle Dubas and the Maple Leafs. Conclusion: Not the guy for the Leafs to spend precious cap coin on. A flat-lining cap due to the pandemic only makes the challenge that much more onerous. 4. Alex Pietrangelo

But let’s say Dubas, Brandon Pridham, Laurence Gilman and the rest of Aside from maybe age, it would be hard to find a better fit for what the the Toronto front office can create the necessary space to dip a toe in the Leafs are looking for than Pietrangelo, who turned 30 in January. UFA pool. Is there anyone out there that fits the Leafs’ biggest remaining need: an impact defender to play the right side? He’s 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. A right shot. Experienced. Can play against anybody. Penalty kill. Power play. Point producer. Goal scorer. And Factoring in both fit and likely cost (which we’ll grade on a scale of 1-4), bonus! Pietrangelo is from King City, Ont., just north of Toronto. Add him let’s take a look. to the mix and the Leafs would suddenly boast a spiffy defence next season which could look something like this: 1. Chris Tanev Morgan Rielly — Alex Pietrangelo Ready to gamble? If so, then Tanev might be the guy. Jake Muzzin — Justin Holl The 30-year-old suited up in all 69 games for the Canucks this year, the most for him in the last four seasons. He was injured in Vancouver’s last Travis Dermott — Rasmus Sandin/Mikko Lehtonen game before the pause and was slated to miss weeks. And that’s been the story year after year with Tanev, a Toronto native playing out west. But of course, it’s not so simple. He’s missed 30 percent of the Canucks’ games over the last four Pietrangelo will be the No. 1 free agent on the market, with the price tag seasons — 96 games total. to match. And related: The Leafs are leaning right up against the cap There’s some Joffrey Lupul here, with a litany of injuries derailing an even without that kind of contract on the books. otherwise quality NHL career. Ankle. Hip. Knee. Groin. Thumb. What might that deal look like?

In theory, Tanev is the right kind of defenceman for the Leafs, a willing Roman Josi, who’s about six months younger than Pietrangelo, got an defender and one of the league’s top shot blockers. He’s played most of eight-year extension from the Predators with a cap hit just over $9 this season with wunderkind Quinn Hughes but wasn’t as effective million. Something right around there feels right for the guy who without him (40 percent expected goals). captained the Blues to their first Stanley Cup.

That, on top of the injury question, is a concern. That would call for the Leafs to clear some serious cap space. Something Fit: like one of Kasperi Kapanen ($3.2 million cap hit), Andreas Johnsson ($3.4 million) or Alexander Kerfoot ($3.5 million), plus something even Cost: bigger — say, Frederik Andersen and his $5 million cap hit or Morgan Rielly, also at $5 million. Or, otherwise, an even bigger contract like Mitch Conclusion: As a short-term solution who might come cheapish, you can Marner ($10.893 million) would need to go. talk yourself into Tanev — if you’re comfortable betting he can remain healthy. And since the idea is to clear space, the Leafs could presumably take back only futures and/or players making entry-level coin. 2. Radko Gudas Does Pietrangelo even want to play in his hometown? John Tavares has Roman Polak 2.0? so far proven the exception on that UFA front.

Not quite. Still, maybe there’s a world in which Pietrangelo is willing to take less to come home and chase a Cup with the Leafs. Would he consider a short- While Gudas very much looks the part of the former Leafs defenceman, term deal that would allow him to ride out the ripple effects of the it’s unclear if he has the staying power to have a Polak-like career. pandemic and cash in later? When the NHL season paused, the 29-year-old Gudas was getting “I know for me with a family, it’s certainly important to be able to have scratched by the Capitals. His ice time had plummeted to barely 12 some security time-frame wise so we can settle in,’’ Pietrangelo told The minutes in his final appearance. Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun last month, while acknowledging that he’d A top four defenceman for the Leafs? I think not. What about a brutish consider all scenarios. third pair contributor? It’s pretty much certain the Leafs would rather give Pietrangelo will be coming off a seven-year contract with $6.5 million cap those minutes to Travis Dermott, Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren or hit, for what it’s worth. new addition Mikko Lehtonen. The other vitally important question is whether it’s even wise to pony up Fit: long term for a defenceman on the wrong side of 30.

Cost: Fit: Conclusion: Not what the Leafs need. Not the guy for this front office. Cost: 3. Justin Schultz Conclusion: The Leafs will have to get creative to make it work and Plant Jake Gardiner’s former University of Wisconsin teammate next to Pietrangelo would need to feel the draw of home. All of that makes it a Morgan Rielly and have the Leafs solved their problems on the right side, difficult, perhaps untenable proposition, but one, given the calibre of the if only for next season? player, that’s worthy of consideration.

With Schultz, it doesn’t feel like it. 5. Tyson Barrie Let’s say the Leafs can net another right shooter to play in the top four Back in April, Dubas mentioned that for some free agents, “maybe the via trade and Barrie is willing to play for cheap next season — build up market isn’t what they envision it being,” which “might (lead them to) look his value again while the league does the same. at our situation in the short term and think it can really boost them and help them forward.” Does a reunion make even a bit of sense? Brodie, who had a $4.65 million cap hit on his last deal, fits that bill. Under such a construction (and it would take some finagling in light of how tight the Leafs are to the cap) Toronto’s defence could look Fit: something like this: Cost: Rielly — X Conclusion: He’s not Pietrangelo, but given the acquisition cost, Brodie Muzzin — Holl would be a nice alternative.

Dermott — Barrie 8. Ron Hainsey

That means no Sandin and Lehtonen, which doesn’t make much sense. Reunion! We’ve also seen this season the limitations on how Barrie can be used. And the Leafs can make up for his power play presence with Rielly. But if the Dubas-led Leafs didn’t want to bring back Hainsey at age 38 last summer, what would inspire them to take another look at 39 after this Fit: season?

Cost: Hainsey played more than 20 minutes a night for the Senators, and at this point, you know what you’re getting from the wisecracking veteran: A Conclusion: It’s not impossible. It just wouldn’t seem like the best plan of smart defender who knows where to stand. But looking to Hainsey, at attack for improving the defence to bring back Barrie. this stage of his career, to boost the top four of a Cup contender?

6. Sami Vatanen Not anymore.

Vatanen isn’t what you or I might think of when it comes to the Leafs’ And the Leafs have better options to fill out the 6-8 spots. need on the right side. Fit: He’s only 5-foot-10 and under 200 pounds and not the kind of defensive force the Leafs might want to pair with Rielly against stiff competition. It’s Cost: possible that Vatanen’s best days are behind him. That said, the undrafted, soon-to-be 29-year-old has shown he moves the puck, chew Conclusion: For cheap? Even to play on a third pair, it feels like the up minutes — at least 21 a game in each of the last six seasons — and Hainsey days are over in Toronto. be tenacious in spite of that size. 9. Roman Polak The Leafs have expressed interest in the past. Reunion Part 2! Vatanen played most of his minutes in New Jersey this season with Damon Severson (an interesting trade target) and really suffered without Could the Leafs use some Polak in their life? That abrasiveness and 240 him. Now, that’s on a bad Devils squad, but still, a red flag, along with pounds to push forwards off the puck. Stick him on a third pair again with expected goals numbers inching downward since early and perhaps Dermott and let him disrupt power plays and patrol the net front, just like overlooked years in Anaheim. the good ol’ days? Again, like Hainsey, those days have likely passed. Polak just turned 34 Fit: and the numbers point to decline — even in a lesser role for the Stars Cost: this season.

Conclusion: Vatanen feels like a so-so fit for the Leafs at best. Move on. Fit:

7. T.J. Brodie Cost:

The Flames want to keep Brodie but the Leafs should at least sniff Conclusion: The Leafs walked away from a younger Polak two years around. ago. It’s hard to envision a reunion, even for cheap.

Remember, it was Brodie whom the organization initially sought last 10. Kevin Shattenkirk summer only to have Nazem Kadri block the trade, which brought about the swap for Barrie. Shattenkirk had a sneaky good comeback season in Tampa.

Brodie makes a lot of sense for the Leafs. He’s got the easy-moving, He played 19 minutes a game for the Lightning (mostly with Mikhail puck-dishing skills a Dubas team desires and the top pair experience on Sergachev), racked up 34 points and posted strong underlying results. the right side the organization desperately needs. Not bad at all for someone pulling down $1.75 million on the cap. Can Tampa, facing their own cap challenges, afford to keep the 31-year-old? He would fit nicely beside Rielly. Does Shattenkirk, who played a bit with Victor Hedman, even fit the Leafs’ desires? Though he shoots left, Brodie has spent the past couple years mostly playing the right with Flames captain Mark Giordano. There are lots of He’s a bit bigger than Barrie but may pose similar challenges on the indicators that Giordano is propping up Brodie. Take him away from the defensive side of things. (Again: The numbers were positive but are they reigning Norris Trophy winner and maybe he can’t do the whole top line the product of the Lightning system/talent?) dance effectively night after night. Or maybe that’s just what great defenders like Giordano do for their partners. Still, a potential value buy? Or has this season pushed his worth higher — if not to the levels of his rich payday with the Rangers? Brodie might not be as effective without Giordano, but perhaps he can still be effective. And maybe Rielly can have a similar, if lesser, uplifting Fit: effect. Cost: This might be the right time to buy on Brodie. Conclusion: He’s probably not the rock star the Leafs need for their top The stalled cap ceiling could suppress his value in free agency. The 30- four, but for a short-term exercise if the price is right? Maybe? year-old also had only 19 points in 64 games, his lowest output in a 11. Dustin Byfuglien while, and his ice time continued to dip, from almost 24 minutes a night two seasons ago to 20 and a half minutes per game this season. Byfuglien will have missed an entire season by the time next year rolls around. He has had ankle issues and may not be intent on playing again. He just turned 35. Feels like too many red flags.

Anyway, would Byfuglien even want to play in a market like Toronto?

Still, for the right price, it’s worth talking about. Byfuglien remained a top- end defender when he last played for the Jets (31 points in 42 games, 52 percent expected goals during the 2018-19 season) and would theoretically solve the Leafs need on the right side. He had eight points in six games while averaging 26 minutes for Winnipeg during the 2019 playoffs. Pair him with either Muzzin or Rielly and the Leafs have a well- rounded top four capable of going four rounds in the postseason.

It’s fair to wonder whether the Byfuglien of old reemerges after such a long, complicated layoff, though.

Fit:

Cost:

Conclusion: Given that he walked away from $14 million, money doesn’t appear to be an issue for Byfuglien. If the price tag is low and the risk is therefore minimal, the Leafs could be inclined to gamble.

12. Travis Hamonic

Hamonic hails from Manitoba, and there’s always been some thought that he wants to play out west — like in Calgary. And like Brodie, the Flames have expressed interest in having the 29-year-old back next season.

Hamonic feels like the kind of meat and potatoes defenceman the Leafs could use on the right side, though. Play heavy minutes with Muzzin on the PK and be the reliable partner that Rielly needs at even strength. And while he does play a coveted position, he only had 12 points in 50 games so his value could be suppressed in the aftermath of this weird season.

He’ll be coming off a long seven-year deal, which carried a $3.85 million cap hit.

Fit:

Cost:

Conclusion: The hockey fit makes some sense. Does the off-ice end of it work in the Leafs favour?

The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020

1174383 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights roster review: Brayden McNabb

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal May 5, 2020 - 11:56 am

The Review-Journal presents its “Roster Review” series, which will examine each Golden Knights player’s production and outlook in alphabetical order. Wednesday: Defenseman Brayden McNabb. Background Brayden McNabb’s game is just like the pickup truck he drives. He’s dependable. He’s missed seven games in three seasons with the Golden Knights. He’s tough. He’s one of the NHL’s premier hip-check artists. He’s never afraid to mix it up in front of his own net. And he’s willing to do the grunt work while shinier, flashier players grab everyone’s attention. McNabb would scarcely be featured on a Knights’ highlights reel. But he would have done a lot of the work to make those plays possible. As a result, McNabb is one of the Knights’ unsung heroes. He’s an understated defenseman who shows up, plays hard, handles tough assignments and happily cedes the spotlight to his teammates. His best games are the ones in which he goes unnoticed. None of that has changed this season. “We love having him out there,” former Knights coach Gerard Gallant said in January. “He does an unbelievable job on our penalty kill, and he plays against the top players every night. We don’t talk a lot about him, but he does his job perfectly.” Performance McNabb was thrust back into a familiar role this season: shutdown defenseman. He and partner Nate Schmidt were often tasked with slowing opposing top lines. It’s a role the two performed well. McNabb’s shot attempts percentage (52.87), scoring chance percentage (53.59) and high-danger chance percentage (55.13) showed the Knights controlled the puck more often than not when he was on the ice at five-on-five. Considering how tough his matchups were, that’s impressive. Schmidt credits McNabb for making it possible. “He frees up a lot of room for a lot of guys, me in particular, so I really appreciate that,” Schmidt said in January. “You just have so much faith in him to the point where when the puck is on his side, I can start looking up and trying to find other guys coming into the zone not having to worry because I know he has such a good stick and blocks a lot of shots.” McNabb ranks second on the team in penalty kill time, behind Deryk Engelland. His heavy lifting makes the lives of his teammates easier, and it’s a key reason for the Knights’ success. Future McNabb’s role shouldn’t change anytime soon. The 29-year-old is under contract for another two seasons at a reasonable $2.5 million annual cap hit. That means he and Schmidt can continue to be a shutdown pair for the foreseeable future, giving defenseman Shea Theodore easier matchups to exploit offensively. McNabb, of course, has no problem with that. “It’s a fun role for me and a challenge for sure,” he said in January. “I like playing against the other team’s top players. It’s fun for Schmidt and I. We know we work well together. Some nights are more challenging than others, but it’s a part of the job. I never care if I don’t get any credit.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174384 Vegas Golden Knights Gusev: Ten-minute answer in Russian. Translator: “Lower body injury.”

A management’s dream. Pete DeBoer interested in naming Golden Knights captain Gallant: Another huge long shot for obvious reasons. But even for a just a day, maybe he would tell us the real story behind his firing and, well, By Ed Graney Las Vegas Review-Journal when and why the rift between him and McPhee began. Because if we know anything, and we know very little, it sure didn’t have much to do with a loss at Buffalo. Pete DeBoer apparently wants a single designated leader for the Golden Oh Captain! My Captain! Knights. DeBoer should choose wisely. The team has never attached a “C” to a specific sweater. The Knights have, since an expansion beginning in October 2017, instead chosen a If, of course, given a chance by the second name. handful of alternate captains. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 05.06.2020 The reasoning hasn’t changed. It’s a tight group. Everyone gets along. It has always worked this way. There are 23 captains. Handling it that way makes it is easier to write than a grocery list. Yet there is evidence for keeping it simple and consistent. When your first three seasons deliver a Stanley Cup Final, playoff berth and first place in the Pacific Division at the time sports went dark because of the coronavirus, change is difficult to endorse. But it seems DeBoer will take a shot. The man who on Jan. 15 replaced Gerard Gallant as coach said on a recent team podcast he believes in naming a captain. It’s a theory he would need to run past owner Bill Foley, president of hockey operations George McPhee and general manager Kelly McCrimmon. The second name makes most decisions while being supported by the first. The third one tends to agree a lot. So the second will decide. Captains converse with referees over rule interpretations. They face more media than anyone. They represent the team in most all matters. Not every franchise has one. Most do. Marc-Andre Fleury isn’t eligible for the Knights as a goalie. Good. Keep his dry sense of humor intact. But should DeBoer convince the hierarchy that Vegas would do well to make that change, here are a few suggestions as to who would most deserve that coveted letter. Mark Stone: He’s the layup. A more obvious pick than Daniel-Day Lewis for best actor in “There Will Be Blood.” Captains aren’t always the best player on a team. Stone is. Works as hard as anyone. Has enough experience. Is signed through 2026-27. He’s doesn’t embrace talking with the media — few Knights do despite what many reporters want to believe — but does so in a measured tone, unless the Knights don’t show up in Minnesota and lose 4-0. Then he’s not so measured. Jonathan Marchessault: He would be terrific. Small in stature, massive in heart. Fearless. Guys would follow him. He is brutally honest. Good or bad, he tells things as they are. For this, he’s respected as much or more than anyone in the room by those who cover the team. Problem is, such public openness would mean trainers having to revive McPhee after he passes out following each media availability. Max Pacioretty: He already wore the ‘C’ in Montreal, a role that’s more lost cause than trying to reach an unemployment office right now. Want to feel like you’re running a marathon every day? Be an American captain of a Canadian team. That team. Pacioretty seems more content not having to face such scrutiny. Pressure? In coming from the Canadiens to the Golden Knights, he went from driving in rush hour through the Holland Tunnel to lounging on the sands of Maui. Nate Schmidt: He is the team’s union representative and never at a loss for words. But he has also spent part of his coronavirus quarantine having himself filmed picking up penne pasta with his mouth via a strand of uncooked spaghetti. He might be a few jacks short of a full deck. Eh, I’m guessing this isn’t the guy. Nikita Gusev: Sure, it’s not a sensible choice. Would be a heavy underdog at the books given he’s been traded to New Jersey. But if DeBoer gets his wish and can name a captain, how much will those upstairs regret not giving their coach the option of picking a player who doesn’t speak much English? Reporter: “Nikita, you guys have lost five straight and players are questioning the desire and work ethic of some teammates. Screams have constantly been heard from inside the room. What has happened to this team?” 1174385 Vegas Golden Knights would bring Lehner back to form a formidable goalie tandem with Marc- Andre Fleury.

Here’s an example of how Vegas could slip just underneath a $82.5 NHL’s 2020-21 salary cap decision could drastically affect the Golden million salary cap while signing Lehner, Stephenson and Reaves, using Knights Cap Friendly’s armchair GM tool. This is cutting it extremely tight and means playing with a 20-man roster for at least a portion of the season, but it appears possible, if nothing else. By Jesse Granger May 5, 2020 If Lehner doesn’t re-sign in Vegas and the front office goes with a cheaper backup goalie like Oscar Dansk or Garret Sparks, that frees up an additional $4 million (or so), that can be used to sign any of Vegas’ In early March, during the NHL’s GM meetings, deputy commissioner Bill own free agents (Cousins, Nosek, Merrill and Engelland) or be active in Daly announced a projected salary cap for the 2020-21 season of $84 the open market. million to $88.2 million. If the cap stays at $81.5 million That was a sizable increase from the $81.5 million in 2019-20, but a lot This scenario may only differ by $1 million from the first one, but when a has changed since then. team is as close to the salary cap as Vegas is, every dollar counts. The NHL is missing out on millions of dollars in revenue due to the recent If the NHL opts to remain at the same salary cap as the 2019-20 season, stoppage. The possibility of finishing the season still remains, but that it makes it that much more difficult for the Golden Knights to keep both would most likely happen without fans, which further hurts the league’s Lehner and Fleury. Unless Lehner takes a significant home-town bottom line. discount for a team he’s only played three games for, it would require Because of those factors, it’s highly unlikely that the salary cap will see moving another salary to fit him in. that bump next season, if it goes up at all. As The Athletic’s James Mirtle There’s also a chance the NHL will implement compliance buyouts to wrote, a best-case scenario could be a $1 million raise (up to $82.5 help cap-strapped teams like the Golden Knights. They’ve already done million), but the salary cap could remain steady at $81.5 million or go it, following the 2012-13 lockout, when the league allotted each club two down. buyouts spread over two seasons. As one of the teams closest to the salary cap ceiling, the Golden Knights They work the same way regular buyouts do, except the money doesn’t will undoubtedly feel the effects of whatever decision the NHL makes. count against the salary cap. In 2013 and 2014, 18 teams bought out a How will next season’s salary cap impact Vegas? First, let’s examine the total of 28 players. This may not be the most ideal solution, and I’m sure Golden Knights salary cap situation as it stands today. the NHLPA wouldn’t be happy with it, but it may be necessary. Vegas has pressed the limits of the salary cap ceiling over the past year, As it pertains to the Golden Knights, I actually don’t think they have a and will continue doing that in 2020-21, whatever the ceiling may be. great candidate to use the buyout on. Fleury, Paul Stastny and Max Most of the impact players are already under contract for next season, Pacioretty are all on the wrong side of 30, with sizable contracts, but they which means the Golden Knights may not lose any major pieces, but were all key players for Vegas this season. Vegas likely doesn’t want to they also won’t have much flexibility to change their roster this offseason. move these players, but even if it did, they all have enough value to be traded. But it could be an option if worst comes to worst. Vegas has 17 NHL players under contract, totaling $74.238 million in salary – that is the sixth-most in the league. To break it down further, the With an $81.5 million salary cap, here’s what the Golden Knights could Golden Knights have 10 forwards with a cap hit of $46.663 million, six look like if they opt to let Lehner walk in free agency. defensemen with a cap hit of $20.075 million, one goalie with a cap hit of Not only would Vegas be able to keep Cousins in this scenario, but it $7 million, and are still retaining $500,000 of Tomas Tatar’s salary. would give it room to field a roster of more than 20 players. Under this These figures include Cody Glass’ cap hit of $863,333. He played full projection, the Golden Knights have an extra forward and $1.4 million still time in the NHL last season when healthy, so no reason to believe he remaining in cap space. won’t be on the roster, especially considering the value of his extremely If the cap goes down to $77.5 million low cap hit. There’s also a chance the NHL’s salary cap will decrease next season If the cap goes up to $82.5 million due to the loss in revenue. It’s tough to predict how far it could drop, but This is obviously the best-case scenario for the Golden Knights and for the purposes of this exercise let’s go with roughly a five percent dip, would allot them roughly $8.3 million to fill out the roster. to $77.5 million. That would allow GM Kelly McCrimmon the ability to sign both of the If this happens the NHL would almost certainly have to give teams some restricted free agents — Chandler Stephenson and Nick Cousins — with sort of cap relief, whether that’s in the form of a soft salary cap with money left over to make decisions on the five unrestricted free agents. luxury tax (similar to the NBA) or with compliance buyouts. It would also guarantee that the Golden Knights will lose at least one significant player Based on comparable contracts and their production, expect Stephenson off their 2019-20 roster. That could be letting Lehner walk or trading a and Cousins to each get roughly $2 million AAV in their next deals. They top-six forward, but keeping them all doesn’t seem possible with such a may get slightly more, or slightly less, depending on the length of each tight cap squeeze. contract. But it’s safe to assume those two would eat up roughly half of the remaining cap space. Even without factoring in Lehner’s upcoming deal, Vegas would still be tight to the cap if it falls to $77.5 million. If McCrimmon opts to keep them both, it would give Vegas 12 forwards, six defensemen and one goalie with around $4 million to spend on three This roster is obviously not nearly as formidable as the first two skaters and a backup goalie. If Nic Hague is ready to become a full-time examples, showing just how much of an impact the NHL’s decision on NHL player (after playing 38 games in Vegas this past season), that the 2020-21 salary cap impacts the Golden Knights. In order to build this would give the Golden Knights another cheap entry-level contract on the 20-man roster, Vegas would need to: roster, and leave them with just over $3 million to spend. Let all four unrestricted free agents walk Vegas could again spend a majority of next season with less than 23 Let Cousins walk as an RFA players on the active roster, which actually becomes much easier next season with the AHL affiliate playing in-town at the Orleans Arena. Move a sub-$1 million contract into the lineup (Brandon Pirri in this example) Even in this best-case scenario, the Golden Knights will still have a hard time finding space for pending unrestricted free agent Robin Lehner, who Sign a backup goalie for under $1 million (Dansk in this example) should command at least $5 million AAV, but possibly $6-7 million. It would require some maneuvering, but isn’t impossible. Play with no healthy scratches for most of the season Lehner is seeking long-term stability after signing a one-year contract in And after all that, Vegas is still $363,333 over the salary cap. three-straight offseasons. Vegas could lower his cap hit by offering more While this scenario may not be the most likely, it’s certainly possible. It’s years, and Nevada’s lack of state income tax means Lehner would bring an example of how difficult things could get for the Golden Knights with a home more of his salary than in most other NHL cities. It would likely reduced salary cap. require Vegas relinquishing most, if not all, of its other pending UFAs (Ryan Reaves, Tomas Nosek, Jon Merrill and Deryk Engelland), but it In the end, these are just projections. But it demonstrates that McCrimmon and president of hockey operations George McPhee have some difficult decisions to make this offseason. And as of right now, they aren’t even sure how much money they’ll be working with. The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174386 Vegas Golden Knights who craftily held the Russian goalie’s stick. Vasilevskiy – nicknamed the Big Cat – let go of his stick and did the splits, just getting the edge of his right toe blade on Stone’s shot. “How the hell did he stop that?” Stone said postgame. “That’s why he’s the best goalie in the world,” Victor Simulating the 2020 Stanley Cup final: Lightning vs. Golden Knights Hedman said. Anthony Cirelli added an empty netter to make it 3-1 and seal the game with eight seconds left. But it was clear that Tampa Bay dodged a bullet. By Joe Smith, Jesse Granger and Dom Luszczyszyn May 5, 2020 And that Vegas may be a tougher out than people expected. Former Lightning wing Jonathan Marchessault, who scored the only goal for Vegas, went up to the Lightning bench postgame and told buddy Yanni The NHL isn’t back yet, but we’re going to pretend it is. Over the last Gourde and Tyler Johnson. “This is far from over, boys,” he said. “I’ve got month, we’ve run a simulation of how the NHL’s regular season might something special planned for Game 2.” have played out if the league hadn’t been suspended on March 12. Now, the standings have been set and we’re carrying that forward through the — Joe Smith playoffs. This time around, one of our beat writers from each team will be The Golden Knights trail for the first time this postseason, but coach in charge of every lineup decision, the narrative for every playoff game Peter DeBoer was still pleased with his team following Game 1. and they’ll get to decide what “happened” in each game. Join us as we make our way through the simulated postseason to crown a virtual “I thought we played well enough to win, against a really good hockey Stanley Cup champion. team, but it just didn’t go our way,” DeBoer said. “We’re happy with the process.“ The moment has finally arrived: The Stanley Cup final – on Earth 2. The Golden Knights top forwards did an admirable job defending the When we started this fun project almost two months ago it was difficult to Lightning, keeping their top scorers in check. However, DeBoer knows know what the future would hold, whether there would even be a Stanley his top players can’t spend the majority of their time defending if Vegas is Cup awarded on Earth 1. This was meant to be a little something to fill going to win this series. the sports-less void, to emulate some of the raw emotion that sports brings out of fans everywhere, whether that’s joy from your favorite team “We need to find some ways to get more offensive zone time,” he said. winning a virtual round, or rage when your team was upset. — Jesse Granger All the credit in the world for that belongs to the beat writers who helped with every series, crafting each narrative to make the games feel as real Game 2 as they can be – even when they veered off into strange and absurd No changes for Tampa Bay ahead of Game 2, but with Vegas trailing for avenues. Hey, Earth 2 is a weird place where Nathan MacKinnon can the first time in these playoffs it was time to make a bold move: pairing upload a copy of his conscience into an unassuming Valeri Nichushkin or Shea Theodore and Nate Schmidt. Expect coach Pete DeBoer to play the Penguins can win a series after trailing 3-0, including winning one of the duo as much as he can. those games 12-4. Tampa Bay wins a nailbiter to take both games at home. Still, there were the moments that felt all too believable like yet another Penguins and Capitals series, Tampa Bay and Boston duelling to seven In Game 1, there was “The Save.” games, Toronto losing in the first round, and a few upsets along the way. This time, it was “The Shot.” A called shot, to boot. Even the eventual Stanley Cup final tracks pretty well: Tampa Bay vs. Vegas. The Lightning redeem themselves after last year’s The Golden Knights pushed the Lightning to the limit, and – yes – embarrassment. They belong here given they were arguably the league’s Jonathan Marchessault delivered on his promise of having something best team after a slow start. The Golden Knights have looked like a special planned. The former Tampa Bay forward scored twice and got contender since their inception and they too redeem themselves after last into a nasty bout with Cedric Paquette. Paquette appeared to leave with year’s heartbreaking Round 1 loss. They belong here as one of the best a shoulder injury in the second, his status unknown for Game 3. teams in the West. But what decided this one was legendary shot by captain Steven On Earth 2 though, Vegas stumbled down the stretch. Clearly going into Stamkos. Stamkos, asked at second intermission by Fox Sports Paul the playoffs cold didn’t matter to them, but it did hurt the team’s odds of Kennedy on the power play’s struggles, said it wasn’t good enough. And winning in each round due to the regular season Elo adjustment applied the 30-year-old said, “If I get a chance in the third period, it’s going in. after each game. Tampa Bay was the opposite going in hot, and those Bar down. Bar none.” two things would’ve combined for a lopsided series where the Lightning Stamkos ended up good to his word on a late third period power play, would’ve been 75 percent favourites. breaking up a 3-3 tie. With Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov on opposite Would’ve is the key word there. We’re going to change the rules a bit flanks, it was tough for Vegas to cover both. But Nate Schmidt nearly did, here for the final series in order to make things a bit more interesting and darting out to the left circle to Stamkos, who cleverly slid deeper towards make the odds closer – and more true to life on Earth 1. For the final the boards, on par with the goal line. Victor Hedman put the puck on his series, I took out the regular season adjustment and the two teams will tape and Stamkos – from his knees – ripped a one timer from an be put against each other based solely on the talent of their rosters. opposite angle over the shoulder of a sliding Marc Andre Fleury. Bar down. Game over. That means Tampa Bay is still the favorite, but not overwhelmingly so. The Lightning win this series 66 percent of the time. They’re deeper at “‘Stammer called his shot,” Hedman said. “And if you have golfed with every position and have better high-end talent, especially in that top line him, you know he doesn’t miss his spot much.” and with Victor Hedman patrolling their back-end. Vegas is no slouch, a “‘The biggest goal of my career,” Stamkos said. “Now we’ve got to go to true elite team, but the Lightning are just a bit more complete. Vegas and take care of business there.” With just one round left, let’s see if they can prevail or if the Golden — Joe Smith Knights can pull off the upset. Despite falling behind 2-0, the Golden Knights remain positive, and Game 1 DeBoer doesn’t anticipate any lineup changes for Game 3 back in Vegas. Tampa Bay takes Game 1 at home. “We haven’t played well enough down here, but that’s a good team and A few years ago, Braden Holtby came through with “The Save,” flipping they protected their home ice,” DeBoer said. “Now we have to go home the momentum in the Stanley Cup final. and do the same.” Well, Golden Knights fans, welcome to a sequel that might have been Jonathan Marchessault wasn’t as tempered following the 4-3 loss. better – and more painful – than the first. “Everyone is probably counting us out right now, but we know we can Vegas came into Tampa and played well enough to steal Game 1 against beat this team,” he said. “We need to show it next game, and I think we a gassed Lightning team that was catching their breath from a third will.” Game 7 in the last month. But goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy carried Tampa — Jesse Granger Bay, racking up 34 saves. There were none better, or bigger, than his sprawling toe stop on Mark Stone with 25 seconds left in the third. Game 3 William Karlsson had poked a loose puck from the slot to Stone at back post. Vasilevskiy had been nudged out of position by Max Pacioretty, Vegas wins a crucial game at home to make the series 2-1. As Jonathan Marchessault slid on his stomach, face-first toward the goal, “We are 60 minutes from living our dream,” captain Steven Stamkos said. Andrei Vasilevskiy was completely dumbfounded. “But the fourth win is always the toughest.” His Tampa Bay teammate, Steven Stamkos, couldn’t help but crack a — Joe Smith smile as he watched from the bench. It’s been a tough Cup final for the Golden Knights, who have been While on his stomach Marchessault flipped the puck with his right glove, outmatched by the Lightning in nearly every aspect. The bounces onto his stick, and knocked it past Vasilevskiy, to give the Golden Knights certainly haven’t gone Vegas’ way to this point, but Tampa Bay’s their first win of the Stanley Cup final, 2-1 in overtime. fortuitous goals have been a product of playing most of the games in Vegas’ end. “He stole my move,” Stamkos exclaimed in the dressing room following the game. “I pulled that off in the 2008 skills competition. Gotta hand it to “We are spending way too much time in the defensive zone,” Mark Stone him, for trying it in overtime of the Cup final.” said following the 4-2 loss to fall behind 3-1 in the series. “We need to close our gaps quicker, force turnovers, and force the puck into their end Marchessault didn’t speak following the game, he just casually walked more than we have.” through the dressing room and smiled, yelling “I told you” as the door closed behind him. The Golden Knights are one game away from elimination, but they’ve seen the Lightning surrender 3-1 series leads to force a Game 7 twice “I hope he never tries that move again,” coach Peter DeBoer said. “Glad this postseason. it worked. It was a hell of a move. But I’d rather not see that one again.” “It’s not over, but we need to play a lot better,” Stone continued. “We will Marchessault continued his Cup Final heater, while Mark Stone pitched have to play the best game of our lives to stay alive in Tampa.” in Vegas’ only goal in regulation. — Jesse Granger Nikita Kucherov opened the scoring during an early power play, with a gorgeous finish after a pass from Stamkos. Game 5 Tampa Bay held that lead through the first period, and most of the Peter DeBoer hasn’t touched his top-six forward lineup this entire second until Stone broke through. postseason but will change things up with his back against the ropes in Game 5. The Golden Knights top-six have competed well with Tampa “Both teams have protected their home rinks well,” defenseman Brayden Bay’s, but the Lightning’s strong third line of Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson McNabb said. “We just have to keep it up.” and Yanni Gourde have tortured Vegas’ third line. — Jesse Granger In an attempt to send out three scoring lines DeBoer will move Chandler You’ve got to give Jonathan Marchessault credit for creativity. Stephenson back between Stone and Max Pacioretty, dropping Karlsson to the second line. He’ll also shuffle Alex Tuch and Reilly Smith, while The Vegas forward being able to pull off an impression of Steven moving Nick Cousins up to the third line. Stamkos’ belly flop shot from 2008 – in this big of a moment – was one for the ages. But the Lightning’s goal is to make that highlight just a — Jesse Granger footnote in their chase of history. That’s three extremely tight games so Vegas keeps Tampa Bay in check with a massive home victory to stay far in the Cup final, and you have to think that the winner of Game 4 alive. could win it all. Last season Marc-Andre Fleury candidly told me that despite all the “You gotta love Marchy and his swagger,” coach Jon Cooper said. “But I success he’s had in the NHL, he still dreams of two things: Dropping the don’t think (Andrei Vasilevskiy) will forget that one. You might not want to gloves, and scoring a goal. poke the Big Cat.” He checked the first box earlier this postseason when he fought Cam — Joe Smith Talbot. Game 4 And he checked the second box tonight, scoring what would eventually No changes for Vegas, though expect Tampa Bay to lean a little more on be the game-winning goal to keep the Golden Knights’ season alive with its top line. an 8-7 win in Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay is one win away from winning the Stanley Cup. “That was fun! I finally got lucky with that last shot,” Fleury said with a giant grin stretching across his face. “I’m just happy we have another Brayden Point hit the jackpot in Vegas – twice. hockey game to play back in Vegas.” The Lightning center – a notorious napper – had trouble getting to sleep The Lightning and Golden Knights traded goals throughout the game, on the team’s offday before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final. He took a with Vegas eventually pulling ahead 7-6 late in the third period. In a last- walk down to the lobby of the team hotel, decided to play a few hands of ditch effort to finish the series Jon Cooper pulled Andrei Vasilevskiy for blackjack. The word around the Lightning room the next morning was an extra attacker. Tampa Bay dumped the puck into the offensive zone, that Point left a big winner. but Fleury snuck behind his own net to beat the Lightning forecheckers to the puck. “Let’s just say that he’s picking up the next team dinner,” joked Pat Maroon. He glanced to his left, thinking of sending the puck around the glass, then fired it straight into the air, eventually sliding into the Lightning’s empty Maybe Point’s luck carried over to T-Mobile Arena. Because the former net. All-Star had a fortuitous bounce on his go-ahead goal. “Sometimes the bounces go your way,” said Peter DeBoer, who was With Tampa Bay up 3-2 midway through the third, Point drove to the net happy with the play of his newly-constructed forward lines. off a rush. He sent a wrist shot off the crossbar, with the puck bouncing off Marc-Andre Fleury’s back, then off the right post and in. Tampa Bay scored one more goal following Fleury’s goal but it was too late to complete the comeback. The Golden Knights now head home, “It’s not the way I drew it up,” Point said. “But I’ll take it.” where they’ll try to protect home ice and force a Game 7. The Lightning can taste it now, just one win away from their first Stanley — Jesse Granger Cup since 2004. Andrei Vasilevskiy, still ticked after Jonathan Marchessault’s trick shot in Game 3, shut the door with 34 saves. That This series has had a little bit of everything. included a few 10-bell stops in a 5-on-3 penalty kill with three minutes to go. “ A Jonathan Marchessault trick shot from his stomach. They should know better than to make me mad,” Vasilevskiy said. A lucky bounce by “Blackjack” Brayden Point. “He’s a Russian after all,” Tyler Johnson quipped. Even a called shot by Steven Stamkos. After playing in three Game 7s, Tampa Bay would love nothing more Still, it took a heck of a lot of guts for Vegas’ Marc-Andre Fleury to pull off than to close it out at home in Game 5. Rumor has it that some former the shot of the Stanley Cup final. stars from ‘04, including Marty St. Louis and Brad Richards, might be in The Golden Knights, on the road in a must-win Game 5 (and clinging to a the house. one-goal lead), were trying to hold off a Lightning attack when Fleury flipped a shot from his goal line into the empty net. “I’ve seen a lot of crazy things in my career – I mean, I coached in Texarkana,” coach Jon When the NHL expanded to Las Vegas, it foresaw a multitude of benefits Cooper said. “But that one, wow.” to the league. One unexpected benefit, is the Las Vegas Strip has seemingly become the unofficial host of Stanley Cup championship This was a wild game all night, with 13 combined goals. Nine power celebrations. plays. Two fights, including Brayden McNabb and Pat Maroon going toe to toe. For the second time in only three years of existence, the Golden Knights watched the hoisting of the Cup on their home ice. But the biggest gut punch came on Fleury’s goal, which shifts the series back to Vegas for a Game 6. The fact the Cup was in Amalie Arena, the Before Stamkos and Kucherov return to Tampa Bay for the parade, they city’s riverwalk and Thunder Alley ready to explode, only makes this one led a parade of their own down Las Vegas Boulevard, from Hakkasan, to toughest to take. “We’ve never done any easy all playoffs,” Victor Drai’s, Omnia and XS. Hedman said. “So why should we start now.” It’s heartbreaking for the city of Las Vegas, but there are two ways to — Joe Smith view it. The optimist sees the Golden Knights have enjoyed more success in their brief history than some franchises have in decades. In Game 6 fact, Vegas is now tied for 17th in the league in Cup Finals appearances, Neither team opts to make any changes ahead of another potential Cup- and has more conference championships than Florida, Nashville, Ottawa clinching game. and San Jose in only three seasons. They’ve done it. The Tampa Bay Lightning have won the Stanley Cup… The pessimist sees that Vegas fans have experienced gut-wrenching on Earth 2. losses to end their season in all three campaigns to this point. From watching Alex Ovechkin skate around T-Mobile Arena with the Cup in Steven Stamkos cradled the Stanley Cup like he never wanted to let it 2018, to the controversial five-minute major in Game 7 against San Jose go. in 2019, and now falling just short in 2020. At times it feels the Golden Knights fan base is enrolled in an accelerated course in hockey misery. The Lightning captain, his undershirt soaked in a sweet blend of sweat and champagne, held court in a packed T-Mobile visitor’s dressing room. Looking forward, the Golden Knights front office will have some tough decisions to make. They’re already pressed tightly against the NHL’s This has been a year for the ages for the 30-year-old center, who salary cap, without much room to improve their team. The question is, became a Cup champion 11 months to the day he became a father to was this team good enough to win it all, or does it need improvement? son Carter. Sure, Vegas ended up two wins shy of the Cup, but it also needed to win “This is the best feeling in the world,” Stamkos said. “You can’t even put three straight series as the road team to reach this point. Is the Golden it into words.” Knights’ core of Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault and Shea Theodore good enough to get over the hump, or Even Stamkos had to wonder if this time, his time, would ever come. do they need an overhaul? There was the broken leg. The blood clot. The torn meniscus. The playoff collapse to Columbus last spring and then, the core surgery that It will be an interesting offseason for Vegas, and regardless of the front sidelined him through the first two games of the playoffs. It should be little office’s decisions, the Golden Knights should ice a Cup contender again surprise that the Lightning’s run started when Stamkos returned, in 2020-21. overcoming a 2-0 deficit against Toronto and three Game 7s before finally eliminating Vegas, 4-3 in double OT in Game 6. — Jesse Granger “He wears the ‘C’ for a reason,” said defenseman Victor Hedman. “He’s The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 our conscience. Our heart. And now he’s a champion.” Once Stamkos took his turn with the Cup after a handoff from commissioner Gary Bettman, he made a beeline to his good buddy, Hedman, the Conn Smythe winner. Hedman was a beast all playoffs long, averaging nearly 30 minutes, taking on stars like Auston Matthews, David Pastrnak, Alex Ovechkin and, in this series, Mark Stone. Hedman and Stamkos are the two-longest tenured Tampa Bay players. They arrived as teenagers, the No. 1 and No. 2 picks in 2008-09, with the franchise cornerstones dreaming of this day when they decided to re-sign long term, one day apart, in the summer of 2016. The fact Stamkos fed Hedman for the double OT winner, a backdoor tap in off the rush, was fitting. “I hope Ovik is ready for a hell of a party,” Hedman said of his small northern Sweden hometown, where legends like Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund and the Sedin twins also hail from. “Because the Cup is finally coming home.” But first, the party will start on the Vegas strip (sources say Rob Gronkowski already got a head start on the festivities, securing a Jetski for Alex Killorn to do a special “Dock Talk” episode with the Cup during the Fountains of Bellagio). The many different heroes on the Lightning’s redemption tour will all take their turn holding hockey’s holy grail. There were deadline acquisitions Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow, who brought needed toughness and grit. GM Julien BriseBois had paid a hefty premium, but it proved well worth the gamble. “Flags fly forever, right?” coach Jon Cooper said. There was Pat Maroon, signed over the summer to provide a Cup winner’s presence and calm both on and off the ice. Safe to say, he’ll show the group how to celebrate. There were Anthony Cirelli and , pending RFAs who came of age the past two seasons; Cirelli provided a spark early in Game 6 by fighting Mark Stone, who had elbowed Brayden Point up high. The Lightning are champions for the first time since Marty St. Louis, Brad Richards and Dave Andreychuk brought it home in 2004. Andreychuk had given the team a pep talk after dinner the night before. “You’re going to join the club soon,” the Hall of Famer told them. “And you’ll be bonded forever.” — Joe Smith 1174387 Washington Capitals

Why Alex Ovechkin's shot is so hard to stop, according to Braden Holtby

By J.J. Regan May 05, 2020 2:00 PM

Alex Ovechkin has already established himself as one of the best goal scorers of all-time. In his career, he has scored a number of highlight-reel goals, but there is one goal in particular that we see over and over again. Ovechkin will go to his "office" in the faceoff circle and hit a one-timer into the back of the.net. We all know it's coming and yet no one can figure out how to stop it other than just trying to keep him from getting the puck. Even the best goalies in the world can't seem to figure out how to stop that one-timer. As his teammate, Holtby has seen more of Ovechkin's shots than any other goalie in the league because he sees them in practice, and he is not surprised that no goalie out there has been able to crack the code. "I definitely know why no one else can figure it out because it doesn't go where it's supposed to," Holtby said Monday in a video conference. "It's like a pitcher in baseball who throws a 95 mile-an-hour knuckleball. It moves like crazy." You would think that Ovechkin would tone it down in practice and go easy on his own netminders, but Holtby explained that it took some time for Ovechkin to realize just how hard he could shoot the puck. "In practice, we had some run-ins early on in my career because if you shoot that hard, you don't really understand it," Holtby said. "I think he figured it out after a while once our coaches made us switch the starting goalie on the power play units so he didn't hit us anymore." Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174388 Washington Capitals recorded 584 points over the course of his career, but he played only nine games for Washington. Alex Semin scored 408 points in 469 games with the Caps and could have been one of the top offensive players in franchise history had he lived up to his potential. There's a case for all The best Capitals player to wear each jersey number: 21-40 three players here, but I went with Semin just because he peaked while with Washington whereas both Lane and Brown are better known for what they did with other teams. By J.J. Regan May 05, 2020 6:00 AM 29: Joe Reekie Reekie didn't put up much offense over the course of his NHL career, but Say No. 8 to a Capitals fan and every one of them will know exactly who that is because he was a quintessential defensive blueliner. He did that you are talking about. Some players with their play can essentially claim for nine seasons in Washington and over 900 games in the NHL. a number within a franchise. There have been several players who have 30: Jim Carey worn the numbers 5, 8, 12 and 19 for the Caps and yet, there is only one player that comes to mind for the fans for each of those numbers. Other This one came down to two players whose careers ended sooner than numbers, however, are not as obvious. most anticipated. Carey, of course, took the NHL by storm winning a Vezina Trophy as the league's top goalie in his second season in the With that, let's go through the history of the Capitals and determine which NHL. His career was over by the time he was 25. Paul Gardner was a player is the best to ever wear that number for the team. forward who scored 402 points in 447 NHL games. While most players Today's list will go through the numbers 21 through 40. are entering their prime in their late 20s, that's when Gardner's offensive production plummeted. Since Carey had the greater impact on Check out previous lists here: Washington, he gets the nod here for No. 30. Nos. 1-20 31: Philipp Grubauer 21: Dennis Maruk The answer is Roger Crozier who won a Calder Trophy in 1965 and a Conn Smythe in 1966 despite losing in the Stanley Cup Final to the When Maruk was on top of his game, he was one of the best and luckily Montreal Canadiens. He is the first player ever and one of five players to for Washington, he was at his best when he was with the Caps. From win the Conn Smythe despite his team not winning the Cup. But of the 1980 to 1982, a span of two seasons, Maruk scored 110 goals. In his five 515 games he played, only three of them came with Washington. If seasons with Washington, Maruk scored a total of 182 goals. Patrick Roy played 3 games with the Caps, I would give it to him. Crozier 22: Dino Ciccarelli was very good, but he was no Patrick Roy. Instead, I went with another goalie, Grubauer, who put up a sterling .923 save percentage and 2.29 Ciccarelli was an incredible player who scored over 600 goals and GAA with Washington. exactly 1,200 points in his NHL career. What he is best known for, however, is being one of the biggest agitators in the league. He was the 32: Dale Hunter kind of player that everyone hated...unless he was playing on your team. One of four players to have his number retired by the team, Hunter 23: served as the team captain for the Caps for five seasons. He was at his best making life miserable for opponents, but he also scored 181 goals Bellows played over 1,100 games in his career. Only 87 of them came and 375 assists while with the Caps. He also scored the iconic Game 7 with Washington, but he was a big factor in the team's run to the Stanley goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in 1988. Cup Final in 1998 with six goals and seven assists in 21 playoff games. Not many would consider Bellows a star, but he was a key player 33: Don Beaupre everywhere he went. His best season was in 1989-90 with the Minnesota Beaupre put together a 128-96-27 record during his six-season stretch North Stars. On a team with Mike Modano and Mike Gartner, Bellows led with the Capitals and still ranks third in franchise history in wins. the team with 99 points. 34: Al Iafrate 24: Bob Kelly The mullet alone should be reason enough, but Iafrate was an all-star Kelly won two Stanley Cups with the Philadelphia Flyers as one of the defenseman for the Caps known for having one of the hardest shots in Broad Street Bullies. He came to Washington and immediately put up the league. career highs in goals (26), assists (36) and points (62). 35: Al Jensen 25: Doug Jarvis In six seasons with the Caps, Jensen put together a 94-48-18 record and Only one Capitals player has ever won a Selke Trophy as the best he did it at a time in which the franchise was still looking to recover from defensive forward in the game and it was Jarvis who won it in 1983-84. its dreadful beginning. He helped bring Washington into the playoffs for He also won a Masterton Trophy in 1986-87 with the Hartford Whalers the first time. and four Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens. 36: Mike Eagles 26: Pierre Bouchard Never afraid to drop his gloves, Eagles was a feisty forward who spent Bouchard was a defensive-defenseman who played a key role in five six seasons in Washington with 35 points and a lot of penalty minutes to Stanley Cup championships for the Canadiens. As good as he was in show for it. Montreal, his time in Washington was bizarre. The Canadiens put Bouchard on waivers where he was claimed by the Caps. Allegedly 37: Olaf Kolzig Washington and Montreal had an agreement that would see the Caps return Bouchard to the Canadiens, but the NHL would not allow the Eight players have worn the No. 37 for Washington and five of those transaction. Bouchard considered retiring and ended up playing only one players wore it in the 1990-91 season. After that, Kolzig laid claim to the game for Washington in that first season in 1978-79. He ultimately number as one of the top netminders in franchise history. He holds the decided to play the next three seasons but spent the majority of his last franchise record for wins with 301 and also earned a Vezina in 2000 and professional season in Hershey. a King Clancy Trophy in 2006 for humanitarian contribution. 27: Dave Christian 38: Jan Bulis Not only did Christian put together an NHL career of over 1,000 games, Bulis spent the first three seasons of his career in Washington and the not only was he a strong playoff performer with 36 points in 49 playoff beginning of a fourth before getting traded to Montreal. He scored 96 games for the Caps, not only did he produce over 80 points twice with total goals and 245 NHL points with 58 goals and 134 points coming from Washington, but Christain was also a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic his time in Washington. Hockey team. That's right, he was part of the . 39: Alex Chiasson 28: Alex Semin Chiasson had only one season with the Caps, but it was for the Stanley This was a really tough one. Gord Lane helped the New York Islanders Cup run. In the series-clinching Game 6 win over the Pittsburgh win four straight Stanley Cups. He was injured and missed most of the Penguins, Chiasson scored Washington's lone regulation goal. postseason in 1984 and, low and behold, the Edmonton Oilers ended 40: Steve Konowalchuk New York's reign. Jeff Brown was a dominant offensive defenseman who Konowalchuk is better known as No. 22, which he wore from 1992 to 2003, but he wore No. 40 for one season. Semyon Varlamov is probably more deserving of claiming No. 40, but he already makes the list at No. 1. Since Ciccarelli has No. 22 on lock, this is a good chance to shoutout a player who was a fan favorite in Washington over his 13 seasons with the team. Konowalchuk played 790 NHL games and fewer than 100 were played for another team other than the Caps. He finished with 146 goals a196 assists for Washington. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174389 Winnipeg Jets That’s a pretty limited quantity, especially for a draft-and-develop organization like the Jets.

Unlike the past two NHL trade deadlines, the Jets did hold onto their first How would an early June draft impact the Jets? round selection, but moved a third-rounder to the Ottawa Senators for defenceman Dylan DeMelo.

This year’s fourth rounder belongs to the Montreal Canadiens as part of By Ken Wiebe May 5, 2020 the salary dump deal that included goalie Steve Mason (who was subsequently bought out), right-winger Joel Armia (who has blossomed into a top-six forward). This time around, there will be no massive jump in the NHL Draft Lottery The Jets’ seventh rounder was dealt to the Minnesota Wild in 2019 to re- to help bring a franchise-altering sniper into the fold for the Winnipeg acquire Matt Hendricks. Jets. So, as it stands right now, the Jets hold two selections in the top-43 and The last time the Jets enjoyed draft lottery success was 2016, when the then won’t pick again until the fifth round. The final pick will be in the Jets moved up from sixth to second and were guaranteed to get one of sixth, barring something unforeseen. Auston Matthews or Patrik Laine. Things can change over the course of the next month, but the Jets Merely as a point of reference, Matthew Tkachuk went to the Calgary probably won’t have the same opportunity to add draft picks as they Flames with the sixth selection. might have otherwise, had the draft been held after the playoffs. The almost forgotten narrative from that time was that a late-season The available salary cap space remains an obvious asset, though the surge by the Jets had hindered their draft position when it came to the potential draft capital would be added for 2021 — where the Jets have percentages — and had many criticizing the organization for not six of their seven available picks. embracing the tank. There are still going to be teams facing a cap crunch trying to keep their When the ping-pong balls went the Jets way, that chatter vanished into respective core groups together and others who could suffer a first-round the ether. exit and are looking to change their mix. And while there was some early debate over which player the Jets were The potential for a flat salary cap for a year and possibly team could ultimately going to get, the Toronto Maple Leafs picked Matthews first leave additional teams vulnerable to making deals they would not overall and Laine went to Winnipeg, where he became an immediate fan consider otherwise. favourite and is in the midst of a fourth consecutive 30-plus goal season before things were put on pause. Plus, with the Seattle expansion draft now 13 months away, some teams could be looking to get ahead of the curve to make deals that could open With talk of a June draft now dominating a discussion that already up space on their protected lists. includes debate over a number of return to play scenarios, the focus shifts to what the proposed changes to the draft and the lottery would Although the Jets aren’t included in the group of teams that have mean for the Jets. conditions attached to the 2020 NHL Draft, their deal to acquire centre Cody Eakin from the Vegas Golden Knights includes a conditional pick in Not surprisingly, the Jets remain in the murky middle — a common 2021. theme for this season — though they’re going to end up being closer to the upper crust than the bottom third. What’s left to determine is whether it will be a third round pick or a fourth. The Jets don’t stand to see a big-time benefit like the Ottawa Senators or The terms of those conditions are as follows: the fourth round pick Detroit Red Wings, but they won’t necessarily be crippled by the decision becomes a third if the Jets qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2020 or either. if Eakin re-signs with the Jets before July 5. Murky middle. How would the NHL interpret the deal if the playoffs need to be expanded and the regular season isn’t completed? When it comes to draft position alone, the Jets are most likely to hold the 12th overall selection (95 percent chance), based on points percentage Remembering the Jets would qualify based solely on points, but would to date. drop out if points percentage is used and the NHL doesn’t expand to 20 or 24 teams. By winning the lottery outright (and there will only be one winner this time around), the Jets have a slim chance of moving up to eighth overall Would the Jets and Golden Knights find a suitable solution on their own (three percent chance). or be forced to accept a suggestion from the NHL? The significance of that wouldn’t be anywhere close to what transpired in In the grand scheme of things, that’s a pretty minor detail, though not an 2016, though any organization would be happy to move up to try and insignificant one. ensure the opportunity to choose the player that remains highest on their respective board. For now, the Jets will continue the process of finalizing their draft board like they do every year — even if it needs to be completed roughly three The worst-case scenario for the Jets is slipping to 13th (two percent weeks early. chance), which in the grand scheme of things would still be a higher selection than they would have generated had the draft been held after If they only end up with four picks, the task for Jets amateur scouting the conclusion of the current season. director Mark Hillier and his staff will be to provide a couple of early round hits before attempting to unearth a few late gems. Yes, I realize the Jets could have faltered during the stretch and finished out of the playoffs, which would have left an opportunity to hold a higher After that, the focus shifts back to Cheveldayoff for what figures to be one selection than 12th or 13th — provided the normal lottery rules were of the most interesting off-seasons since the franchise relocated to used. Winnipeg in 2011. But based on the way the Jets were playing and getting healthy, they The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 were looking more and more like a playoff team, so they were more likely to be in the 16-to-31 category. So from a flat out order of selection point of view, the Jets seem to score an early win. But given the Jets salary cap situation for next season after the termination of Dustin Byfuglien’s contract ($7.6 million) and the expected departure of blueliner Dmitry Kullikov ($4.33 million), one of the areas they won’t likely be able to capitalize on is in the area of potentially taking on contracts in order to add assets or draft picks in the 2020 NHL Draft. First and foremost, the Jets are limited when it comes to draft capital, holding only four picks currently. 1174390 Vancouver Canucks “And right now, Vancouver needs that stimulus to just feel good about the city as a whole — that somebody would choose the city and the players are here and there’s a certain sense of normalcy.” Ben Kuzma: Vancouver’s got substance, Edmonton sparkle in NHL hub Even with social distancing still in place for the summer and restricted city bids restaurant services, Rajwani still believes getting the bid would be a boon.

“Normally, July and August are very busy and hotel rates are the Ben Kuzma highest,” he said. “The simple fact that we have the infrastructure in place to accommodate them (players) and have hosted so many tournaments and events in Vancouver, we’ve proven ourselves.” ‘The simple fact that we have the infrastructure in place to accommodate Vancouver has at least a dozen five-star hotels in the downtown core that them (players) and have hosted so many tournaments and events in house from 377 to 733 rooms. But convincing the NHL that television- Vancouver, we’ve proven ourselves’ — UBC Sauder School of Business ready Rogers Arena, , UBC, Abbotsford and Langley professor Aziz Rajwani could also meet criteria for games and practices, multiple locker rooms, Vancouver has a long, hockey-hosting history. gyms, medical treatment facilities and transportation will be challenging. Edmonton has a sparkling and spacious new arena. Edmonton has a leg up with the new and spacious Rogers Place. It sports several large locker rooms, a practice facility attached to the While both National Hockey League cities have submitted bids to be one building and a new 346-room JW Marriott hotel across the street and of four tournament hubs when the NHL season resumes — and are accessed by an overhead tunnel. ahead of the curve in addressing novel coronavirus pandemic concerns that placed the league on pause March 12 — resuming play is Vancouver can counter with its 517-room JW Marriott a block away from complicated. Rogers Arena and close proximity to world-class restaurants and seaside strolls to stay sane. The Canucks put out a statement regarding their bid There’s the testing of players on a regular basis and keeping them in while the Oilers refused comment Tuesday. hotel isolation for months and away from family. That trumps escalating escrow clawbacks from plunging hockey-related revenue — the league “We would certainly have a strong interest in hosting games in stands to lose US $1 billion if the season is scuttled — and obvious Vancouver, if the NHL decides to move forward with the hub-city skating and conditioning concerns. scenario, providing the plan is in accordance set by health authorities and the provincial government,” said Canucks chief operating officer Until the high hurdle of a process for reliable and frequent COVID-19 Trent Carroll. testing is cleared and doesn’t place professionals ahead of citizens, then the conversation can shift to the game and playing in empty rinks “For the time being, we will continue to have dialogue with all the because of social-distancing edicts. stakeholders and assess feedback and information as it becomes available prior to any decision.” “There would be parameters we’ve talked about,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. “I would not see there being an (arena) B.C. Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare. audience for example, but we could broadcast the games. And there are Lisa Beare, B.C.’s minister of tourism, arts and culture, is also a bid ways that players could take precautions to ensure there’s physical advocate. distancing.” “The last couple of months have been challenging and I know many On Tuesday, B.C. health officials reported eight new positive cases to people are missing professional sports in their lives right now,” she said. bring the provincial total to 2,232. There were four more deaths to up the “Like many British Columbians, I am excited at the prospect of an NHL count to 121. In Vancouver Coastal Health, there are 849 confirmed restart here in our province. cases with 74 deaths and 575 recoveries. “British Columbia has world-class sports facilities and a strong record in Alberta Health Services has reported 5,386 confirmed cases with 104 hosting sport tournaments. I have spoken with the Canucks about their deaths and 2,942 recoveries. In the Edmonton region, there are 503 plans to restart NHL play and our government would welcome a plan to cases and only 12 deaths. The province has also completed 164,722 host games in B.C. that adheres to the provincial health officer’s tests compared to 96,517 in B.C., which includes 27,850 in VCH. directives and advice.” Unlike other international airports in the country, Edmonton wasn’t hit The NHL has an appetite to resume the regular season to help recover with an influx of travellers from Asia and the U.S. when the virus became revenue, but resumption is a moving target. Government and health a pandemic. There was little cross-border traffic and with low population officials hold the hammer. density in Edmonton, and the province having the youngest population in Canada, the impact of COVID-19 in the provincial capital was lessened. With the NHL self-isolation edict extended to May 15 before players can gather at Rogers Arena to train in very small groups. Those travelling There was also aggressive testing and not the meat-packing plant from outside Canada require a further 14 days of self-isolation when they outbreaks in southern Alberta. return. That would push a two-week training camp to mid-June and play In the interim, hosting bids are largely predicated on stimulating the wouldn’t resume until some point in July. economy because of lodging and food-service demands to feed And if the resumption gets pushed back every further, the regular season hundreds of players for at least two months. Aziz Rajwani, a professor at could be in jeopardy. It could be replaced by a 24-team tournament that the UBC Sauder School of Business and Langara School of would include bubble clubs close to post-season positions when the Management, sees positives in the Canucks’ interest. season was put on hold. “The stimulus is subject to debate because you have to look at With a difference in games played, points percentage makes the most incremental costs and in a normal economy you could ask what does it sense to seed the tourney. bring?” Rajwani said Tuesday. “But right now, the stimulus would be great because COVID-19 has hit the hospitality and hotel industries The top four clubs in each conference would get first-round byes and the where they’re basically shut down and it (revenue) is zero for most remaining eight would be in best-of-three, play-in series. The Canucks places. would be seeded sixth and face the ninth-seeded Arizona Coyotes in that scenario. That would get the playoffs down to the traditional 16 teams for “There’s a whole hub of hotels around Rogers Arena within walking the second round. distance. And with the casino (JW Marriott) where (NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman probably stayed for the draft, that bodes well for Vancouver Province: LOADED: 05.06.2020 Vancouver. Everybody is suffering now, so any business is good business. “The practice facility will probably be out at UBC (three rinks) and the other benefit — and normally you don’t consider it an economic benefit — is that times are hard right now. And when sports teams want to get money from governments, they always use civic pride. 1174391 Vancouver Canucks leading goal differential and Vezina-calibre goaltending from Markstrom for the team to emerge as a bubble team.

Will the Canucks continue ranking second in the NHL in drawing power- Why the Canucks should give up their conditional first-round pick this play opportunities and have a man advantage that operates at an elite year efficiency? Will Markstrom be a top-five goalie in the NHL again? A slight drop in either area would hurt.

The other factor that needs to be considered is the risk of injuries. By Harman Dayal May 5, 2020 Vancouver’s coming off a year where they were uncharacteristically healthy relative to years past. Tanev remarkably didn’t miss a game after suiting up for just 55 games the year prior. Alex Edler missed just 10 The NHL Draft is likely to take place in June, before the conclusion of the games this year compared to 26 last season. Pettersson (missed 11 2019-20 season. games last year), Hughes, Bo Horvat, Pearson, Jake Virtanen (missed This carries a variety of implications for the Vancouver Canucks – most 12 games last season) and Tyler Myers all missed no more than a single notably concerning the conditional first-round pick that they gave up as game. part of the J.T. Miller trade. It took until late February for the Cauncks to really feel the injury bug If points percentage is used as the determining factor for draft order, that when Markstrom and Brock Boeser simultaneously went down in late would leave the Canucks in a playoff position and with the 18th overall February, but the Canucks only had to do without them for a few weeks pick. The NHL says they can rule “fixes” on conditional pick trades if the before the regular season was suspended. The injury scope could look two teams can’t mutually agree to amendments within seven days and far worse in the future than it did this time around. the league’s resolution would probably see Vancouver give the pick away We’re viewing these potential issues through a pessimistic lens, but you this season. have to consider these scenarios where things don’t go your way when I’d argue that this scenario works to the Canucks’ benefit. In examining talking about an unprotected first-round pick. If Ottawa and San Jose the pros and cons, my opinion is that Vancouver should give up a non- aren’t proof enough, consider the Tampa Bay Lightning as another lottery first-round pick this year as opposed to an unprotected 2021 first. example of a team that looked strong but missed the playoffs. It comes down to fixing the cost of the Miller trade and avoiding the risk Heading into the 2016-17 season, the Bolts were on a three-year playoff of giving up a lottery pick next season. streak, including the 2016 Eastern Conference and 2015 Stanley Cup final appearances. Seventeen games into the season, Steven Stamkos We’ve seen in recent years that the hypercompetitive modern NHL has suffered a season-ending knee injury and Tampa Bay narrowly missed increasingly blurred the lines between winning and losing. As this year’s the playoffs. Western Conference playoff race has shown us, the margin between making and missing out on the postseason can be razor-thin. It’s one All this is to say that there’s a non-negligible chance that the Canucks that’s now twice burned a club that was overly confident in its roster. take a step back in 2020-21 and that they would consequentially be better off locking in the price for the Miller trade now. In November 2017, just a few months after being one goal away from reaching the Stanley Cup final, the Ottawa Senators made a blockbuster It’s the better of the two outcomes, in my eyes, but I’d be remiss not to trade to acquire Matt Duchene. It was a win-now trade that Senators GM acknowledge the downside of giving up this year’s first, starting with the Pierre Dorion thought would take his team over the top in the playoffs strength of the 2020 draft class. This draft indeed boasts high-end talent and the cost included giving up a first-round pick in either 2018 or 2019. relative to other classes, though many scouts will point out that it’s top- heavy with a steep drop off after the top-10. Little did Dorion know that the Cup contending team he thought he had would crash and burn en route to a 30th place finish – eventually THIS ‘20 CLASS IS LAUDED FOR ITS CREAM. THE TOP 10 ARE THE surrendering a fourth overall pick in 2019 to Colorado. PRIZES. YOU’LL FIND GOOD ASSETS IN THE NEXT TIER OR TWO BUT THE LEDGE IS REAL. HTTPS://T.CO/R91ZKU3BYU Ironically, the second example also includes the Senators, except this time on the opposite end. As part of the Erik Karlsson trade almost two — /CAM ROBINSON/ (@HOCKEY_ROBINSON) MAY 3, 2020 years ago, the San Jose Sharks sent an unprotected 2020 first-round Scouts I’ve had discussions with also highlight that the first-round is pick to Ottawa. Despite making the Western Conference finals last year, pretty forward-heavy with a defence group that’s rather volatile. There the Sharks saw an almost equally precipitous decline – currently third- could be intriguing defencemen available, but it’s also possible that the last in the NHL by points percentage. best player available at 18th overall is a forward. 2021, meanwhile, is If you’re betting on yourself with an unprotected first-round pick on the expected to have much more blue line talent which benefits a team like line, you need to be damn sure you’re going to make the playoffs. With the Canucks that needs help on the backend. Only time will tell, but it how volatile the regular season is, this is the type of bet that only the seems like the disparity between the 2020 and 2021 class isn’t as NHL’s elite teams should be making. The Canucks aren’t part of that significant as you might imagine once you’re past the top 10-15 picks. exclusive company and it’d be naive to assume that a playoff berth is a The other main argument against giving up the 2020 first is that the guarantee in 2021. Canucks would have to wait one more year for the top prospect to join Teams don’t always improve in a linear fashion and if we play devil’s their system which isn’t ideal given the trajectory of this team and how advocate you can see the reasons for uncertainty. Firstly, with the very they could use more young talent to take the next step. This concern is likely possibility of a flat cap, Vancouver is going to be squeezed for much more concrete. salary space. The Canucks can’t keep everybody and that means the In the end, it might not be something Vancouver can do something about roster is hard-pressed to improve compared to 2019-20. If anything, the anyway. If the Canucks can’t come to a mutual agreement with the team will take a slight step back on paper if they can’t get creative. Devils, it won’t be in their power to choose to keep the 2020 first-round Once you consider $1.7 million rolling over from Elias Pettersson and pick or not. And that might be for the better. Because for as tough as it Quinn Hughes’ performance bonuses, the Canucks will be left with $15.3 would be to wait until round three to pick in this year’s draft, it may million in projected space and seven roster spots to fill out under the ultimately be their best outcome to mitigate risk. assumption of an $81.5 million ceiling. With just under $2.2 million per The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 roster player to allocate, the available space will not be enough to retain all three of Vancouver’s top UFAs in Jacob Markstrom, Tyler Toffoli and Chris Tanev. Most in the market seem to prefer Markstrom and Toffoli and while I’d agree on that order of prioritization, you can’t deny the type of hole Tanev would leave on the right side of the blue line. A look under the hood of the team’s performance this year reveals further question marks. It felt like Vancouver had almost everything go right for them this year and they were still on the bubble. In examining Vancouver’s underlying profile, you’ll note that the Canucks were 23rd and 28th respectively according to Natural Stattrick in controlling shot attempts and scoring chances at 5-on-5 – they were a subpar even-strength team. It took a roaring power-play with a league- 1174392 Vancouver Canucks As Demko has processed the lessons from the first 83 percent of the season during the pandemic lockdown, he’s also focused on his fitness and staying sharp. In San Diego, he’s had good weather and has been able to avail himself of the options outdoors. What Thatcher Demko learned about being an NHL starter after the trade deadline He does a daily workout at 9 a.m. with some other professional hockey players in the area. Then, in the afternoon, he goes to the park, plays tennis, soccer, or throws around a football. He goes kayaking regularly with his girlfriend. And he’s among the NHL players getting in on the in- By Thomas Drance May 5, 2020 line skating trend, which is a partial solution to the lack of ice time. “It’s tough, I’ve called around to see if there’s any synthetic ice. It would Playing video games, getting out to the park to stay active and procuring be good to even just throw skates on,” Demko said. “I have rollerblades a new quarantine puppy for the family. that I’m big into, that’s how I’ve been doing my cardio.” Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko has passed the time in league- Demko and his girlfriend have also welcomed a new family member recommended quarantine in much the same way you or I have. during the quarantine period, a tri-colour Bernedoodle pup named Delilah. Demko, though, is a world-class puck stopper. And that means he’s resilient. Thrust into the role of an everyday starter in mid-February “It’s been great, my girlfriend and I had been talking about getting one following a knee injury to teammate Jacob Markstrom, Demko struggled and we were planning on May, June, July depending on the playoffs,” initially on a tough road trip, but his form rebounded as the club returned Demko said. “With everything that went down, we decided to call our home. breeder and ask about finding one a bit earlier and it ended up working out. It’s been awesome. We got really lucky, our dog is smart, she’s Then, just as he recaptured some rhythm and momentum, the NHL doing well being trained. We’re definitely staying on her at all times — season ground to a halt. want to make sure we have a well-trained puppy.” It was a dizzying sequence for any young player to live through. It’s a Demko has also been playing video games — on Twitch with former sequence of events that — almost two months since the NHL suspended Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack, and with teammates. In the coming play — Demko has had some time to reflect on. weeks, he’ll represent the Canucks — along with teammate Adam Gaudette — in the NHL’s Player Gaming Challenge. “I learned a lot and I thought I was starting to understand the deeper meaning behind being a starter towards those last few games,” Demko For Demko, the NHL video game is something to kill time. It’s also told The Athletic during a phone call from his hometown of San Diego. something that helps keep him sharp. Asked for a scouting report on his “Moving forward, I think that’s going to be an important time that I’m approach to the Electronic Arts series — is he a puck possession guy, going to be able to draw back on. does he focus on attacking one-on-one against the grain, lean heavily on the glitch goals — Demko answered that he’s a pucks-in-deep guy. “It was an insightful look into what I want to become as a goaltender throughout my career. It’s something I’ve been studying a little bit in my “I like to outsmart guys, I like to play the right way,” Demko said. “So I’m downtime.” not really running out of position, but I’ve got some skill. It’s fun and honestly kind of keeps my mind sharp on hockey in a way. It’s something On the whole, Demko had a solid first full season as a full-time NHL to do.” backup goalie. In a league in which average save percentage has been in decline in four of the past five seasons, Demko managed a .905 save Perhaps the conservative, systems play will serve him well when the time percentage behind a far too permissive defensive club. comes to play the “NHL 20” video game competitively, on a national broadcast. Certainly, the Canucks’ backup goaltender isn’t lacking for In February, Demko surpassed 1,000 NHL-level shots faced in his confidence. He didn’t even hesitate too much to suggest that, at least career. In 37 career NHL games, he’s managed a .906 save percentage, among his Canucks teammates, he’s the best at the NHL video game. which is just a tick below league average over the past two seasons, while playing behind a club that has struggled to prevent scoring “There’s only a couple guys that play, so the pickings are slim,” Demko chances. said. “But Brock Boeser’s not bad, and Gaudette is pretty good.” It’s a sample of performance far too small to read much of anything into. The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 What matters more than those superficial numbers is that Demko has been an ace in net at every level prior to reaching the show. His technique, work ethic and calm demeanour continue to earn the admiration and praise of those who understand the position. Demko, 24, has long been seen as the crown jewel of a carefully constructed and managed Canucks goaltending succession plan. He still is, although the complications of expansion are upcoming and in an environment where Markstrom has excelled to the point that he’s rightly viewed as a core piece by Canucks management. Still, it’s clear that is Demko just scratching the surface of what he’s likely to be able to do at the NHL level. What’s apparent already is that he’s disciplined, reflective and thoughtful in his approach to the position. He’s the type of goaltender who instinctively knows not to dwell on a short, negative stretch of games. It seems his natural reaction is to focus instead on what he’s learned. “It’s a different role, a different responsibility,” Demko said of being thrust into the starter’s role late in the season. “I definitely gained a lot of respect — not that I didn’t have it before — but I’d never been a starter in the NHL and that was a very small sample size, to say the least, but it gave me a different look into it. It was important for me, and it was good to be on that side of things, even if it was just for a couple of weeks.” That’s the mindset of a goaltender who, while the first few starts in Markstrom’s absence — on a rough Canucks road trip that included losses in Ottawa and Toronto — didn’t go the way he’d have wanted, managed to bounce back. In his final four starts prior to the pause, Demko managed stops that permitted the Canucks to exceed their expected goals against by 0.6 — an excellent number over a short stretch of games. “It’s just learning and becoming more comfortable in that role,” Demko said. “And it’s going to take situations like that one I just had, where I had to step up in a way.” 1174393 Websites Some players want to play again but are skeptical it will happen. “Do I think it’s likely to happen? Not really,” said a Western Conference

player. “Seems like there are too many things to overcome to make that The Athletic / NHL player poll: What they are saying about resuming the work right now, and no one really has an answer for when it’s going to 2019-20 season end. Worst part of it is if we do come back and play and whatever team goes on to win will always have an asterisk beside them.”

It’s not as simple as just coming back and playing games either. The By The Athletic NHL Staff May 5, 2020 players have to consider complicated matters around their paychecks, hockey-related revenue, escrow and the long-term health of the league.

“For almost no revenue, there’s this massive cost to try to make this We’re starting to get the sense that hockey may actually return in the not- happen. Unless the league wants to foot the bill for all the costs that too-distant future. Or at the very least, the NHL wants to return. We know wouldn’t normally be there, it makes no sense,” said a Western the NHL Draft is probably right around the corner. We know the NHL is Conference player who voted to cancel the season. “I mean, hotels, food, looking into “hub cities” to host games once it gets the OK from to charter the Europeans back. It’s crazy. Wouldn’t it make more sense, government and health officials to resume play. There are a lot of instead of them putting all of this effort into trying to get this season going different return-to-play scenarios out there. and to do all these things that don’t seem possible, wouldn’t it make more The question is, do the players actually want to resume the season? sense to take this time to focus heavily on making next season run smoothly? Plan for that. Have a good, solid plan in place instead of Over the last week, our beat reporters anonymously polled players to ask panicking to try to tackle all these endless issues.” their thoughts on returning to play this season. Another Western Conference player from a different team agreed they In all, we reached 57 players from 22 different teams. Among those 22 want to know what future seasons will look like if the 2019-20 season teams, we would break them down as so: Five Stanley Cup contenders, drags on into the summer or even fall. four playoff locks, eight teams on the playoff bubble and five lottery teams. “It’s a tough one,” he said. “I want to play because we had a good shot this year. I don’t want to compromise next season, either. I want a plan Let’s get right to the actual voting results, then we’ll provide more context that is going to be viable and not jeopardize next season. They are and lots of input from players below. talking about plans that end in late September and the next season starts in November. It’s a short break.” How would you like to see the 2019-20 season play out? “Playoff hockey is great and would generate us the most money on HRR, Much of the talk lately has been about players being hesitant to re-start so I suppose my final vote would be to go to the playoffs at the end of the the season. That’s not the case in our results. The majority of players we day,” said an Eastern Conference player. spoke to want to play some regular-season games before starting the playoffs. So what we learned from our non-scientific poll is, generally, yes, players want to play, even if they don’t think they will, and only if the conditions But that may speak to some of the inherent biases in our poll. Let’s break are right and it’s as close to “normal” as possible. it down further. Even if hockey does return soon it’s almost certain to be without fans in Among the eight teams we identified as “bubble teams” above, six of stands. That’s a non-starter for some players who said an important part them would miss the playoffs if the NHL went straight to playoffs and of the playoffs is experiencing it with your family. chose the playoff teams based on points percentage. So if making the playoffs is the ultimate goal, it’s in the best interest of those players we “I don’t want to play playoffs without fans. When you win a Cup, the best polled to play more regular-season games to help decide their fate. part is sharing it with all the people you want there,” said an Eastern Conference player. “If I can’t share it with my family or people I want Players just from those eight bubble teams voted 70 percent in favor of there, it’s not the same. If we can’t have a parade because of rules or playing regular-season games (24 percent straight to playoffs; six whatever, it’s not the same. Would we even get the Cup for a day? Do percent cancel the season). people think of those things when making the decision? They should. “I think if you asked most players they’d say they want to play again. Part of winning it is all of that.” Sure, we have concerns and you hope those are taken care of as best as The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 the league can take care of them, but we want to play,” said a Western Conference player. “I would say some regular season and playoffs, I think everyone is willing to play,” echoed an Eastern Conference player. Among the detractors to the regular-season plan, one Western Conference player said: “I get why the league wants to play the regular season but I just don’t think it makes sense for every team to come back for a few games. What’s the point for the teams that are out of the playoffs?” One Eastern Conference player perhaps summed up the true sentiments of all players: “I’d skip every regular season if we were given a playoff spot.” Here’s the other thing about the poll results you see above: They came with a lot of caveats. The players often said they would return to play with a lot of “Ifs” and “Buts.” The players still have as many questions as fans and media when it comes to how a resumed season would look. “I don’t know if I can give you a straight answer because there are too many variables,” said an Eastern Conference player. “If it’s not safe, we can’t play. I think everyone wants to finish the regular season and playoffs if we are able to, though.” “I want to play, but I’d want to know what would the isolation be like,” said a Western Conference player. “Are we trapped in the hotel? Can I not see my girlfriend, my friends, my parents? Do we have to play all (divisional) teams to make the playoffs? How do you play our sport when it’s impossible to social distance on the ice, on the bench, in the locker room, in the workout room, heck, in the shower? The long list of problems seems endless.” 1174394 Websites Cam Talbot Jon Gillies

The Athletic / 2020 NHL offseason goalie market: Team needs, free agents and trade possibilities Hurricanes Petr Mrazek By Jonathan Willis May 5, 2020 James Reimer Alex Nedeljkovic It’s easier to get a feel for the NHL’s offseason goalie situation than it is the markets for forwards and defencemen. The reason is for that is simple: it’s far less flexible. Blackhawks Traditionally, every team has room for just two healthy goalies on its Corey Crawford roster. Occasionally a team in a particularly difficult spot will run a three- Malcolm Subban man rotation, as the New York Rangers did this season, but it’s awkward and rarely lasts for very long. It’s not like when a team has too many Collin Delia good centres and can slide someone to wing, or too many good defencemen and flip one to his weak side. There just isn’t much give. It’s also reasonably easy to spot the teams looking for help and identify Avalanche which free agents are plausible fits for which openings. Starting goalies are expensive and difficult to move, and good backups are increasingly Philipp Grubauer valued in a tandem league. Occasionally, there’s a bit of confusion as to Pavel Francouz which side of the NHL/AHL bubble a player belongs, but outside of that, the candidates and the jobs are fairly clear. Adam Werner Usually, it’s a buyer’s market, with more available goalies than jobs, and players getting pushed out. There is some of that in this offseason’s situation, especially in terms of starting gigs, where the supply of Blue Jackets plausible No. 1s exceeds the positions available. Elvis Merzlikins That being said, for the first time in a few years, the overall number of Joonas Korpisalo jobs available isn’t a lot smaller than the number of plausible NHL goalies. Matiss Kivlenieks This free-agent class has a lot of older or poor-performing goalies at its bottom end. Ordinarily, those slots would be filled by the best goalies in Europe and the AHL. However, this year, a lot of the best available Stars names are either locked down overseas or have waiver exemption Ben Bishop remaining, leaving their teams with options. Anton Khudobin That’s the general situation. Let’s get into specifics, both on a team-by- team and player-by-player basis, starting with current rosters. Jake Oettinger 2019-20 NHL goalie depth charts Ducks Red Wings John Gibson Jonathan Bernier Ryan Miller Jimmy Howard Anthony Stolarz Calvin Pickard

Coyotes Oilers Darcy Kuemper Mikko Koskinen Antti Raanta Mike Smith Adin Hill Stuart Skinner

Bruins Panthers Tuukka Rask Sergei Bobrovsky Jaroslav Halak Chris Driedger Daniel Vladar Samuel Montembeault

Sabres Kings Linus Ullmark Jonathan Quick Carter Hutton Cal Petersen Jonas Johansson Kevin Poulin

Flames Wild David Rittich Alex Stalock Devan Dubnyk Alexei Melnichuk Kaapo Kahkonen Lightning Canadiens Andrei Vasilevskiy Carey Price Curtis McElhinney Charlie Lindgren Spencer Martin Cayden Primeau Predators Maple Leafs Juuse Saros Fredrik Andersen Pekka Rinne Jack Campbell Connor Ingram Kasimir Kaskisuo Canucks Devils Jacob Markstrom Mackenzie Blackwood Thatcher Demko Cory Schneider Louis Domingue Zane McIntyre Golden Knights Islanders Marc-Andre Fleury Semyon Varlamov Robin Lehner Thomas Greiss Oscar Dansk Christopher Gibson Capitals Rangers Braden Holtby Alexandar Georgiev Ilya Samsonov Henrik Lundqvist Vitek Vanecek Igor Shesterkin Jets Senators Connor Hellebuyck Craig Anderson Laurent Brossoit Anders Nilsson Eric Comrie Marcus Hogberg * unrestricted free agents marked in blue Every NHL team, ranked by current need Flyers 1. Chicago Blackhawks Carter Hart Corey Crawford’s a pending UFA, though it feels weird to imagine him anywhere other than Chicago. One also wonders if Malcolm Subban, an Brian Elliott arbitration-eligible RFA who came back in the Robin Lehner trade, Alex Lyon actually fits into the club’s plans. Collin Delia stands a good chance of moving to the NHL; he’s on a one-way, $1-million contract and requires waivers next fall. His AHL partner, Kevin Lankinen, looks ready to move into the No. 3 role. Penguins 2. Vancouver Canucks Tristan Jarry It certainly feels like there should be a path to an extension for Jacob Matt Murray Markstrom in Vancouver, especially with the likelihood of a buyer’s market on the starter side this offseason. The Canucks will either need Casey DeSmith him or another top goalie to partner with Thatcher Demko next season.

3. San Jose Sharks Blues Martin Jones is still under contract, but a team with an aging core and Jordan Binnington playoff ambitions can’t afford to rely on him as its sole starting option. Aaron Dell’s a free agent, which opens the door to add either a starter or Jake Allen a tandem goalie here, The Sharks have already signed KHL starter Alexei Melnichuk to shore up the system. Ville Husso 4. Ottawa Senators

The Sens could use a reliable 1A/1B goalie to partner with Anders Sharks Nilsson next season. If Nilsson were a more established starter, there Martin Jones would be a case to graduate one of the organization’s many decent prospects from the AHL, but as it stands that would be a major risk. Aaron Dell 5. Detroit Red Wings Jonathan Bernier is a perfectly capable tandem netminder. Jimmy Semyon Varlamov is an established starter and should be more than Howard, 36, had a brutal year and might find it difficult to secure another capable of handling that gig for the Isles. His likeliest partner at this point backup gig. And despite his one-way contract, Calvin Pickard did not would seem to be KHL star and top prospect Ilya Sorokin. If that’s the have the kind of season that warrants promotion. way the Isles go, it would push Thomas Greiss, a quality tandem option, on to the open market. 6. Calgary Flames 17. Minnesota Wild Cam Talbot was arguably the best goalie in Calgary this year. He’s bound for free agency but might find it difficult to upgrade upon his Everyone has another year under contract, but these are nervous times current situation. He’s certainly a candidate to return. David Rittich’s all the same. Devan Dubnyk struggled mightily, and although Alex capable enough, especially with a reliable partner. The Flames could Stalock stepped in capably enough, he doesn’t inspire confidence as a also use a veteran No. 3. starter. Kaapo Kahkonen looked good in limited use and maybe that’s enough depth through the position, but it’s not hard to imagine things 7. Edmonton Oilers going pear-shaped next season if the status quo is maintained. Mikko Koskinen was an effective tandem goalie, while the 38-year-old 18. Los Angeles Kings Mike Smith had high ups and low downs. The Oilers will be one of several teams in need of an outside hire since nobody in the minors has L.A. has its fading legend and its goalie of the future both under contract pushed for major-league employment. for next year. It’s a reasonable enough approach. The team should probably get an established No. 3, but the major-league jobs appear to 8. Vegas Golden Knights be sown up. Beyond Marc-Andre Fleury, who will turn 36 early next season, there’s a 19. Carolina Hurricanes lot of uncertainty in net for Vegas. Lehner was a great deadline addition but is bound for free agency and might be too expensive to return. Also Both Petr Mrazek and James Reimer are signed for another year and heading for the open market are both of the team’s strong reserve represent a reasonably competent tandem. Alex Nedeljkovic’s deal goalies (Oscar Dansk and Garret Sparks). Minimally, the Knights need to becomes a one-way contract this offseason and he’s eligible for waivers, add a backup, and given their Western Conference travel, a proper but he looked more like a No. 3 than an NHL-ready goalie in the minors tandem goalie isn’t a bad idea. One wonders if they try and pick up a this year. discount bin No. 1B/2 to play with Fleury. 20. Buffalo Sabres 9. Philadelphia Flyers Carter Hutton having a tough year is the only item of note here, and it’s Carter Hart did a nice job of locking down the starting role, but the depth probably not significant. Linus Ullmark was fine as a starter, while Jonas chart behind him is in flux. Brian Elliott has had a reasonable career, but Johansson had a solid year in the AHL and has waiver exemption struggled this season and given his age, it could make finding a new remaining. home difficult. That said, he’s in his third year with Philadelphia and might have earned the benefit of the doubt from the Flyers. 21. Tampa Bay Lightning 10. Dallas Stars The addition of a third-string goalie who is capable of challenging Curtis McElhinney wouldn’t be a bad thing, but the Bolts are mostly set in net. Dallas has had success running a tandem, and the team’s excellent 1B Andrei Vasilevskiy’s $9.5-million AAV extension kicks in next season and goalie is now a pending free agent. Jake Oettinger, a 2017 first-rounder, marks him as the starter for the foreseeable future. had a very good rookie year in the AHL and is on-track to play in the majors at some point, though perhaps not yet as a regular. 22. Toronto Maple Leafs 11. Montreal Canadiens Toronto addressed its goaltending earlier this year, trading for Jack Campbell after backup Michael Hutchinson imploded. That gives them a Keith Kinkaid’s collapse this year opened up a backup job behind Carey capable tandem at the NHL, though like the Kings and Lightning, the Price, one Charlie Lindgren filled by default. He hasn’t looked like an Leafs could benefit from the addition of a solid No. 3. NHL regular the past two seasons, and nobody wants the 20-year-old Cayden Primeau sitting, so an outside hire for the backup gig makes 23. Nashville Predators sense. Pekka Rinne faltered, but Juuse Saros stepped in and looked capable, 12. New Jersey Devils continuing a long trend of Nashville grooming quality replacements behind its current starter. Also on the upswing was the team’s No. 3, Mackenzie Blackwood’s great, and the Devils were a true .500 team in Connor Ingram, who looked great on the farm. Everyone will likely be games where he recorded the decision. Collectively, his backups went 6- back. 15-4, and although Cory Schneider’s still under contract, keeping him around for a fifth season of decline seems unwise. 24. Florida Panthers 13. Anaheim Ducks Sergei Bobrovsky’s contract makes him the man for the foreseeable future. Chris Driedger was a pleasant surprise, forcing his way into the John Gibson had a tough year but is a legitimate No. 1. Anthony Stolarz backup role on merit. Where top prospect and the team’s was great in the AHL and like many third-stringers is on a one-way deal. respectable young No. 3 Sam Montembeault fit in remains to be That sort of contract is useful to discourage teams from making waiver determined. claims, but Stolarz is also a plausible backup. They could bring in a veteran to replace Ryan Miller or even re-sign the still-capable 39-year- 25. Columbus Blue Jackets old, but simply promoting their AHL starter is a reasonable course of Columbus got strong performances from both its young goalies this year action, too. and just finished locking them up for two more seasons. Arguably the 14. Washington Capitals team could trade one of Elvis Merzlikins or Joonas Korpisalo, but there’s no pressing financial reason to do so, the goalie trade market rarely Want to live dangerously? Ilya Samsonov was great for Washington this yields rich returns and it’s certainly not a bad idea to have some year. The team has two quality AHL goalies in the system, both on one- insurance in case one of the two falters next season. way contracts next season, and the better of the two (legitimate prospect Vitek Vanecek) will need to clear waivers to go back down. A 26. Boston Bruins Samsonov/Vanecek tandem would be a big risk, but would also be dirt One of the best goalie tandems in the league will carry on. With the cheap and potentially very good for a long time. Bruins extending Jaroslav Halak late last week, he and Tuukka Rask are 15. Winnipeg Jets both under contract and should supply the same steady netminding the club has had for years. Dan Vladar had a good year in the AHL but has Connor Hellebuyck is enshrined as the starter. Last fall, the question was another season of waiver exemption, so giving him more minor-league whether to run Laurent Brossoit or Eric Comrie in the backup slot and time makes sense. thanks to a great year Brossoit had the edge, with Comrie subsequently being lost on waivers. Now Brossoit is bound for free agency, Comrie is 27. Colorado Avalanche back and has played well in the AHL, and it’s entirely possible that the The Avs have two quality starting goalies on dirt-cheap contracts, along succession which didn’t come this season does next year. with a pair of plausible No. 3 goalies in the minors. They’re in a good 16. New York Islanders position to trade from strength, or just enjoy the luxury while they have it. Veteran stopgap Hutchinson is a pending free agent but is an unlikely 34 candidate for a regular NHL job to start next season. 101 28. St. Louis Blues 0.924 Jordan Binnington won the starting job in the best possible manner, by backstopping his team to a championship, and one middling year won’t Jacob Markstrom unseat him. Jake Allen is a pricey backup, Ville Husso’s a reasonable 30 (and waiver-eligible) NHL candidate and World Juniors standout Joel Hofer is on the way, so it wouldn’t be ridiculous to expect St. Louis to try 163 to free up some money in net. That said, Husso’s star has dimmed the last few years and there’s something to be said for having insurance in 0.923 goal. Laurent Brossoit 29. Pittsburgh Penguins 27 Last fall it looked like Pittsburgh had one goalie too many, but then 54 Casey DeSmith cleared waivers. Tristan Jarry and Matt Murray are both restricted free agents and DeSmith could reasonably be cast as the 0.922 backup, so it’s an open question once again. It’s far from automatic that someone gets moved, but the possibility of Murray being traded cannot Brian Elliott be ignored. 35 30. Arizona Coyotes 100 The Coyotes’ tandem of Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta is good but pricey, and there’s a wrinkle. Adin Hill has been flirting with NHL 0.921 employment for three years, looks ready to be a backup and will need to Jimmy Howard clear waivers to be sent down this fall. Trading the injury-prone Raanta in the final year of his contract makes some sense. 36 31. New York Rangers 142 The three-headed monster in net was an ongoing story this year. Igor 0.918 Shesterkin might well be the best of the three today, and if so that leaves the Rangers with the choice of trying to move on from expensive legend Cam Talbot Henrik Lundqvist or trading the still-young, still-cheap Alexandar 32 Georgiev. 128 The openings and the candidates 0.917 By my count, there are only 12 definite or near-definite NHL jobs available for goalies this offseason, with a handful of teams that might Braden Holtby consider their options. Only three of those gigs are stating positions. 30 Starting jobs: Chicago, San Jose, Vancouver 161 Tandem job, with starting potential: Detroit, Ottawa 0.916 Tandem job, probably as a backup: Calgary, Dallas, Edmonton, Montreal, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Vegas Mike Smith There are, unfortunately for the players involved, more than a dozen 38 experienced applicants for those dozen positions. Just looking at free 136 agent NHL goalies with 100 games played since the start of 2017-18 produces 11 names; add in trade options, less-experienced candidates 0.913 and players from other leagues and not everyone is going to have a seat when the music stops. Aaron Dell UFAs: Stats since the start of 2017-18 31 Anton Khudobin 87 33 0.912 102 Keith Kinkaid 0.934 30 Ryan Miller 88 39 0.91 71 Craig Anderson 0.931 38 Robin Lehner 142 28 0.907 135 Louis Domingue 0.927 28 Corey Crawford 62 35 0.906 107 Anton Forsberg 0.924 27 Thomas Greiss 38 0.905 bet on the smallish Francouz, but Lassinantti is smaller still – two inches shorter than any NHL netminder (Saros, Khudobin and Halak). If this was the entire field of options, we’d probably be looking at Lehner, Markstrom and Braden Holtby getting starting gigs, with Crawford and Liiga’s best goalies are prospects like Colorado’s Annunen and the one of Anton Khudobin, Greiss or Talbot sliding into the more desirable Ducks’ Lukas Dostal, players who aren’t likely to be tested against NHL tandem slots. That would leave five jobs, with Brossoit, Elliott, Howard, competition this early. It would also certainly take a lot of courage to Smith and Dell the likeliest candidates based on age and platform promote someone like Reto Berra out of the NLA or Patrik Bartosak from season. the right to the NHL, especially given both have already had runs in North America. (We’ve looked at three-year stats here, but it’s more common for players to be evaluated off of their most recent work, which is perhaps one Give or take someone like Lassinantti, that leaves the AHL. That league’s reason why there’s so little connection between what a goalie is paid and best performers were prospects with waiver exemption remaining, how he performs.) meaning their teams have no rush to make a decision and can stash them in the minors next fall. The Ducks’ Stolarz – 6-foot-6, 26 years old A bunch of those players will be on the outside looking in. Let’s add a and just one year removed from a reasonable NHL performance – is a quartet of trade candidates to the mix. By no means do I predict that candidate for backup work, but not a lock for it. these are the four goalies their respective teams will trade, and in a couple of cases a trade isn’t necessarily going to happen, but if you’re a The bottom line GM looking for goalie help, each of these names is worth asking about. That lack of upward push from other levels means that NHL free agency Trade candidates, stats since 2017-18 isn’t quite the buyer’s market in net that we often see. Antti Raanta The number of possible starters exceeds the number of available jobs, so at the top end, it’s going to be important for teams not to bid against 30 themselves. If Vancouver re-signs Markstrom before the market opens, 92 Chicago could find itself the only team in the NHL with both money to spend and the necessity of bringing in a first-rate starter. San Jose 0.931 already has one pricey goalie and will have to be wary of overspending, while teams like Ottawa and Detroit could spend but have a strong Jake Allen incumbent and the option to run balanced tandems. 29 Further down the list, however, teams looking for reliable backups might find that they have to consider options who would have fallen out of the 129 league due to age or performance in a more competitive year. At least 0.922 seven teams will be joining the five listed above in adding goalies to their rosters, and the free-agent class features just seven players under the Alexandar Georgiev age of 35 with a 5-on-5 save percentage north of .915 over the last three seasons. The league average the last few years has hovered around 24 .920, and any player falling much below .915 and seeing significant 77 action will cost his team wins in a hurry. 0.918 Even with trade options and AHL promotions, there will be compromises made. Matt Murray The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 25 137 0.918 All four of those guys are comfortably within the range of an NHL starter’s performance over the past three seasons. Murray and Georgiev are the likeliest to command a lot in trade. Murray is a Cup-winning starter while Georgiev is young and likely to be very cheap. One has a lot of appeal to a team looking for a No. 1 it can have confidence in, while the other is extremely attractive to teams up against the cap. Raanta won’t (and shouldn’t be) free, but the Coyotes are remarkably tight to the cap and have three good goalies, so they aren’t in a great position to just walk away from trade talks and maintain the status quo. St. Louis also has ample financial reasons to want to shed Allen’s contract and bring in a cheaper backup behind Binnington. Colorado isn’t listed here but is in an interesting spot. They have Philipp Grubauer and Pavel Francouz in the NHL, two quality AHLers in Adam Werner and Hunter Miska, and a 20-year-old prospect (Justus Annunen) who just led Liiga in save percentage last season. Nothing has to give this season, but there’s a lot of depth there and the Avs won’t be able to keep it all. That brings us to the possibility of non-NHL goalies pushing into the fray. In that respect, this year’s class of free agents is fortunate: that there isn’t as much push from Europe as is often the case. The KHL has a long list of impressive performers, but for the most part, they’re locked into their current deals. The most obvious exceptions, Ilya Sorokin and Alexei Melnichuk are already signed and only the former is likely to push for NHL work next fall. Maybe someone takes a chance on on-time Jets prospect Juho Olkinuora, who had a respectable year, but in a save-heavy league his .929 save percentage is merely good, not extraordinary. The SHL goalie crop isn’t all that impressive, outside of 5-foot-9 Joel Lassinantti, who was the league’s best goalie a year ago and finished second in save percentage this season. NHL teams don’t often take chances on goalies that small, but Lassinantti is six years into a stellar SHL career and is still only 27 years old. Colorado was rewarded for its 1174395 Websites and things related to us and at the right time, we’ll have those discussions.

I wrote last month about the possibility of NHL Seattle trying to pull off The Athletic / LeBrun: Q&A with Seattle GM Ron Francis on coaching hosting next year’s draft, which isn’t been awarded yet; given that you’re criteria, bar set by Vegas going to have an expansion draft anyway. But the building would be a key element in all that. Is that still something you guys are wondering about (hosting the draft)? Or does it seem too much to pull off at this point? By Pierre LeBrun May 5, 2020 I think we’re looking at it and realistically it’s probably a lot tougher for us to do under the circumstance. And I think there’s probably some respect When original plans we’re being hatched a few years ago, NHL Seattle for Montreal which was supposed to host it this year and having it taken had designs on dropping the puck in the fall of 2020 but arena away. I think the league is going to look at all those things. I know (NHL construction concerns, and perhaps to some degree the uncertainty at Seattle CEO) Tod Leiweke was supposed to talk to Gary (Bettman) about the time with the potential re-opening of the CBA for September 2020, that a little bit. But it is certainly on our radar for sure. led the NHL to push Seattle’s entry into the league to the fall of 2021. A miniature of the new arena that will be home to the NHL Seattle team. Which now looks rather brilliant given what a nightmarish year 2020 has (NHL Seattle / handout) become for the entire world. I know the rink construction in Seattle got stopped for a few days and The plan remains for the NHL’s 32nd franchise to begin play in the 2021- then started again with all the new (COVID-19 safety) protocols in place. 22 season, but the preparations for next year’s expansion draft have Is the idea the rink will still be ready in time for puck drop in the fall of been affected by the season pause. 2021? To get a better handle of where things stand for Seattle, I caught up with Yes, the rink is incredible. It’s progressing nicely and on time at the GM Ron Francis last Friday. He still lives in Raleigh, N.C., but is planning moment. I think it’s going to be one of the most spectacular sports and to eventually make the move to Seattle over the next year. entertainment facilities in the world. I mean, what they’re doing from an engineering standpoint is phenomenal. And they’re tying it to the historic Here’s our Q&A conversation, which has been lightly edited for clarity: connections of the past which is cool. It was shut down for a couple of days and then, because of the fact the roof is kind of suspended by itself Plans change when the world is hit by a pandemic, that’s for sure. How and because of the engineering feat that’s taking place, it was granted an has it affected the day to day for NHL Seattle at this point? exception. But our construction crew really spent some time putting in Well, Seattle was one of the first places affected. The companies there extra precautions for the workers and so on and so forth. To the point and the governor did a really good job of jumping on it early. It’s been a where actually it’s my belief that now throughout the state of Washington while now, our entire staff has been working from home. And we do a lot if they’re looking at anything else and granting any permission of opening of meetings via the internet or phone calls over the course of the week to anything else up (for construction), they’re making sure that people use stay in touch and make sure everybody is doing alright. There’s still a lot that same protocol that our people put in place at the big arena. of things on the go, right? We’re still building our rink downtown, we’ve Certainly, we’re pretty respectful and cautious about what’s going on and got the practice facility and working on (AHL) Palm Springs, just a lot of the people that are working there. But at this point, everything is things associated with that. You probably don’t think of locker rooms and progressing on time and should be ready to open up prior to that season. not just the design and layout but where do you want your TVs, where do Are you getting calls already from other NHL GMs? Not talking about you want your whiteboards, where do you want everything located, etc. social calls, but I mean GMs maybe already planting the seed ahead of So a lot of things happening there. Still working on our team name and the expansion draft? In other words, before they do something with their logo and jerseys and all that fun stuff. We continue to work with our rosters whenever the offseason comes, wanting to know some of your analytics department and prepare for the (expansion) draft. A lot of “what ideas before they do something? if” scenarios under the current circumstances. I’m aware, you hear the scuttlebutt, teams are having those meetings With no games being played these days, what do you do with your and preparing. You know, we may do this, or that team may do that, I’m scouting staff? Is it a lot of video? Is it going over your lists and mock sure a lot of teams are having those type of discussions. I still think it’s a drafts? bit early for them though. There’s still a possibility of completing the For the scouting, we started with a skeleton staff per se but it was season and then the free-agent period and potential trades ahead of next actually quite productive. People don’t think about it, but before we even season. My initial thought was once I get into the start of the 2020-21 hire scouts we have to kind of build our scouting staff within the RinkNet season, they will have a better idea of what their roster looks like and (scouting software), so we did all that, we hired some people to work for what they may or may not be able to do and that’s when the dialogue will us completing game reports to begin adding to our player database. We ramp up. started from scratch. Over the course of the year, we got NHL, AHL, Do you have a general philosophy in your discussions with your front NCAA, USHL, CHL, Europe, people put all that stuff into the system. office of the kind of team potentially you want to have or the style of team Currently, with no games going on, your best tool is video and so we’re you would hope to ice in your first year? The Vegas success out of the doing that. We’re going back over things. And a couple of different gates was unbelievable. But could you go younger? Or try to be faster? projects here and there. But we’re kind of waiting here and seeing what’s Are there themes like that, that you touch on in your meetings? going to happen moving forward. Are they going to finish the season, are they not going to finish the season? When’s the next season start? A lot Yeah, I think when we look at teams and who we think they might protect more questions than answers unfortunately right now. and who might be available and what we might want to select; I think we look at it in different ways. If we want to build a team in this regard, do we What’s your communication been like with the NHL about the player do it this way; if teams protect this way we may have to go this way … criteria which may be affected in terms of eligibility for the expansion draft Again, I think we’ll get a lot more clarity later on. I think if the season had given that now there are players whose games played totals may be ended in April like it normally would, and the playoffs had started and different? It may or may not affect which players are available or not. teams were losing out, you’d see a lot of this stuff happening over the (Francis with a chuckle) I mean, we’ve got a list of questions. I think the course of the summer and teams would have a clearer picture and we league has got its hands full now with everything it’s dealing with. I think would have a clearer picture. But with the uncertainty, and whether it’s important for people to understand, too, we’re technically not part of there’s going to be staff changes or player changes, until they get that the league yet. I’m not allowed to participate in the GM calls. I wasn’t clarity and make those moves, it’s really speculative. But we’ve looked at allowed to go to the GM meetings, those kinds of things. I think George a lot of those “what if” situations; what if it went in this direction, how (McPhee of the Golden Knights) was allowed in the March GM meetings would our team look? You try to run all those different scenarios and I’m prior to the summer draft when they had their expansion draft. I’m sure we’ll run 1,000 more before we get to the point of picking our team. assuming that would be kind of the same timeline as far as wanting to be I don’t think the salary cap is going to go up anytime soon. This may lead fair. But yeah, what happens to the (salary) cap, what happens to games to – depending on how all the teams come out of this and what devices played requirement, the timing of next season in reading what some of the league allows teams to use to navigate their rosters – a lot of roster you are writing, maybe next season starting in December. Maybe that pressure on teams, which could potentially play into your hands? pushes back the expansion draft and amateur draft out of the month of June and maybe the free agency period? What do we do if there’s no Again, that’s purely speculative, right? On the surface, it looks like the AHL next year? Or if there’s no CHL because fans can’t get into the cap isn’t going to go up because of the situation we’re in. But what tools buildings? There’s been speculation about that. There’s a lot of questions are there that help teams adjust to that? Until we see what the guidelines I think the NHL is trying to sort through, I trust they have one eye on us are and what the rules are, I think everybody is kind of guessing at this point. That’s fair. Which is what I like to do (we both laughed). It makes for good reading. Speaking of which, I reported last month that New Jersey had commenced its coaching interviews with candidates. I know that ownership has given you the green light that if you felt you needed to hire as early as this offseason, one year out before puck drop, that you could. It’s a pretty impressive group of coaches available already, what’s your sense of how you may play that out on the coaching front? There’s still a lot of possible scenarios. If the (regular) season had ended on April 4, would there have been more coaching changes? If teams lost out in the first round of the playoffs, would there have been more coaching changes? Would there be different guys available? You know, we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing, we’re doing our due diligence. We feel we have some time on this, and we’re curious to see where we go here moving forward. There are a lot of things that affect what we’re looking at, too, right? If we feel we’re going to draft a certain type of team, what kind of coach is best suited for that as well. So a lot of timing issues with the season as well. Really, at this point, nothing is off the table. It’s such a unique situation. So we’re being patient, doing our homework, and seeing what happens here as we move forward the next month or so as to whether the season is finished or not and whether changes will start to happen sooner or later in that regard. I’m sure you’ll talk to a lot of candidates and I’m not trying to be cute about it but, amazingly, Gerard Gallant is sitting there available after what he did for expansion Vegas, right? There’s no question that whole Vegas situation from what George did and Kelly (McCrimmon) and Gerard’s coaching, that organization has had a boatload of success and raised the bar for anyone looking at being the next team and that’s us, right? The expectations in a lot of regards are higher than they’ve ever been in building an expansion team. Certainly, we want to look at everything. You can’t really talk (with the media) about him (Gallant) because he’s under contract with somebody else. So we’ll do our due diligence on candidates and when the time is right, talk to the right people. That was some good stick-handling on your part (both laugh). Before I let you go soon, I was reading a piece recently on (Seattle director of hockey administration) Alexandra Mandrycky, such an interesting story. The game is changing for the better as far as different types of people being hired and certainly, there’s the continued growth of analytics. What’s it been like working with Alexandra since things started? It’s been great, right from Day 1. I’ve said this before, Alexandra was promised nothing coming in. She was hired month to month and actually was told, her future would depend on the new GM. I was happy that once I got in there and had discussions with her, that I wasn’t scaring her off and she agreed to stay. We reached an agreement to keep her around for a while, and that’s been great. We’ve had a lot of discussions about how we want the analytics department to look, the tools we want to build, and we’ve had some hires over the course of the season. It’s been a fun process and she’s obviously very bright. She’s really good at what she does. It’s been a lot of fun as we build that portion of our operation. Last question: my daughter keeps asking me when is Seattle announcing its team name? (Laughing). What does she want it to be? No, look, we’ve got a lot of people working extremely hard on this. We want to get it done, we want to get it out there, but we want to make sure we do it right. We’ve got to cross all our T’s and dot our I’s before we can announce it. And on the flip side, we are in the middle of a pandemic here and we want to make sure that we’re sensitive to our timing. There’s a lot of people hurting right now. We want to make sure we’re sensitive to how we go about this and when we announce it so that we’re doing it right. The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174396 Websites Let’s try a different mix with Team 2, which turns out to be an eclectic collection of legends from the old days, modern era stars and a few names from today. The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Can you figure out the simple rules This rule was a little tougher to work with, and I have to admit that the behind these weird rosters? final roster is not as strong as a result (and features one unavoidable exclusion). They do have two of the greatest players ever plus a pro wrestler’s dad, which helps. But they’ll need some extra help, so we’ll include some additional depth to go with a coach and GM. By Sean McIndoe May 5, 2020 Team 2: What rule was used to build this roster?

Henrik Zetterberg We’re going to try something different today. Wayne Gretzky Well, yes, pretty much everything has been different lately. That’s really the only way you can go when the sport you cover presses an indefinite Yvan Cournoyer pause button. The unofficial motto around The Athletic’s hockey pages has been “let’s get weird” and between 27-year-old power rankings, Dave Andreychuk jersey-based futility lists and one psyche-damaging trivia question, I think Phil Esposito it’s fair to say we’ve delivered. Vladimir Tarasenko But today, we’re going to try a different kind of different. Instead of me banging my head against a wall for your amusement, you’re going to get Zach Parise to play too. Evgeni Malkin One of my favorite posts to write is the kind where I take some weird rule or limitation and then try to build the best possible roster based on it. Owen Nolan We’ve done a showdown between NHL brothers and father/son combos. Ted Irvine We made fun of Maple Leafs trades and bad free agent signings. Last week, it was an all-time roster where nobody had ever played a game Norm Ullman with anyone else. Mark Stone You guys seem to like it, so I went ahead and made a few more. But this time, I’m not going to tell you what rule I was following when I put the Bobby Orr team together. Your job is to figure that part out, working through the players I’ve given you to see if you can crack the code. You can post your leads, thoughts or brainstorms in the comment section and I’ll drop Gump Worsley in the offer hints or nudges where needed. Fern Flaman Will this work? Maybe not, but don’t act like you have anything better to do today. Let’s make some rosters. Roman Josi We’ll start off with what I think should be a pretty straightforward opener. Andrei Vasilevskiy It’s a 20-man squad that’s made up entirely of active players (although it wouldn’t necessarily have to be). It’s a pretty good-looking team, albeit Kris Letang one that’s going to run into some cap trouble. It’s also the best roster I Quinn Hughes could come up with that follows a simple rule. Can you figure out what that is? Chris Drury Team 1: What rule was used to build this roster? Joel Quenneville Alexander Ovechkin Steve Yzerman Sidney Crosby Uwe Krupp Patrick Kane Ilya Bryzgalov Jonathan Huberdeau That one was probably a little trickier, although you’ll know it when you see it. Let’s try another one that should probably be relatively Tyler Seguin straightforward, as we go back to a standard 20-man roster that’s pretty Mikko Rantanen darn good, given that the rule we’re working with eliminates most of history’s greatest stars (and almost all of today’s active players). Taylor Hall Team 3: What rule was used to build this roster? John Tavares Mark Stone Joe Sakic Andrei Svechnikov Gordie Howe Dylan Larkin Joe Malone Claude Giroux Ron Francis Victor Hedman Lanny McDonald Mark Giordano Ilya Kovalchuk Carey Price Mike Modano Seth Jones Mike Gartner Drew Doughty Brendan Shanahan Ryan Miller Newsy Lalonde Brent Burns Mark Recchi Jacob Trouba Paul Coffey That one might stump a few of you, at least at first. Others might get it right away, and think it was too easy. If so, consider it a warmup. Chris Pronger Gump Worsley Chris Chelios Harry Howell Clint Benedict Big Train Conacher Larry Murphy And since at least a few of you probably got that last one relatively quickly, let’s crank up the difficulty for our final squad. Or at least, I think that’s what we’re doing. This one was a lot tougher to build, I can tell you that much. Honestly, it was one of those ideas that seemed good in my head and then had me regretting some life choices once I dove in. There’s a couple of picks I’m not crazy about (starting with the one forward who’s playing out of position). But I think I successfully solved it by the end. Can you? Let’s see … Team 4: What rule was used to build this roster? Alexander Ovechkin Newsy Lalonde Gordie Howe Frank Mahovlich Jarome Iginla Ilya Kovalchuk Doug Gilmour Phantom Joe Malone Babe Siebert Anze Koptiar Dino Ciccarelli Eddie Shore Paul Coffey Dominik Hasek Big Train Conacher Zdeno Chara Ken Dryden Rod Langway Leo Boivin Four teams is probably a good place to call it quits on this edition. If you think you’re on the right track – or if you’re completely lost and want to see what everyone else is thinking – wade on into the comment section. Let’s see where this goes. One request, though: If you spotted the answers right away, maybe hold off a bit on posting it directly. There are no prizes here, and others might be working through theories of their own. If you just give them the answers, they won’t learn for themselves. At least that’s what my teachers used to tell the smart kids sitting next to me in class. The Athletic LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174397 Websites Mikko Lehtonen. “On the positive side, it allowed for a player like Justin Holl to really flourish and get more opportunity.

That presented us with more certainty on one end of it.” Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs' Holl eager for chance to finish Masterton- Given the renaissance his career’s gone through, it’s understandable worthy season why Holl is anxiously awaiting the chance to finish off his impressive season. He’s been waiting out COVID-19 back home in Minnesota and closely following updates provided by Dubas and the NHL Players’ Chris Johnston | May 5, 2020, 3:46 PM Association.

The 28-year-old plans to drive back to Toronto as soon as there’s a TORONTO — It was the kind of breakthrough Justin Holl always believed concrete plan in place for when team facilities will reopen. He’ll then he had in him. But even in the early stages of this Toronto Maple Leafs observe the government-mandated 14-day period of self-isolation before season there was very little to suggest he was about to become such an getting back on the ice. important figure in the organization. “It seems like other sports are starting to kind of open up and set dates Consider where the defenceman stood at training camp as a 27-year-old for a return so I hope that means we won’t be far behind,” said Holl. “In with 13 career NHL games on his resume. that sense, I’m optimistic and I’m ready to go at a moment’s notice.” Oh, and 71 healthy scratches the season prior. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.06.2020 Holl was just battling to stay off waivers in September, with the Leafs having brought in a number of depth options over the summer who had more big-league experience than he did: Ben Harpur, Kevin Gravel and Jordan Schmaltz, among them. Even after making the opening night roster, he watched the first game from the press box. Holl played nine minutes two nights later in Columbus and was immediately scratched again. Who could have predicted then he was about to take a spot on the team’s shutdown pairing and run with it? Did Holl even believe it possible himself? “I didn’t have any doubt that I could play at this level, but you know there’s always uncertainty of whether you will. You know what I mean?” he said Tuesday. “There’s a difference between knowing that you can and knowing that you’re going to do it or that you will do it or that you’ll get the chance. “I think in that sense there was some doubt.” As we reflect on his 2019-20 season — which may or may not be over, depending on the coronavirus pandemic — it’s clear that Holl is worthy of serious consideration for the Bill Masterton Trophy. That award recognizes the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey, and what better sums up his story than that? There were times in 2018-19 where he felt like he was “grinding away for nothing” while going months between playing. He had become a dominant AHL defenceman but was only one rung above a practice player with the Leafs, squeezing just 11 games and 137 total minutes of ice time from a campaign where he was completely healthy. A couple things broke his way this season. The Leafs dealt with more injuries, for starters, which helped get him in the lineup. The November coaching change from Mike Babcock to Sheldon Keefe didn’t hurt, either, since it reunited him with a man who had leaned heavily on him during their time with the Marlies. “I was able to get my foot in the door a little bit as the season went on and started accumulating more responsibilities,” said Holl. From early December onwards, he thrived while being tasked with facing the opposition’s best players. He and Jake Muzzin formed the Leafs’ most reliable pairing — generating 58 per cent of expected goals and 55 per cent of even-strength shot attempts together while often starting shifts against dangerous attackers in their own end. Holl logged more minutes than half the defencemen in the NHL — averaging 18:31 in his 68 appearances — and was rewarded with a $6- million, three-year extension hours before facing his hometown Minnesota Wild on New Year’s Eve. “It just is a credit to his personality and his positivity and his passion for life and for the game and the type of teammate that he is that he just continued to work and made it easy to keep him around,” Keefe said that day. Kyle Dubas pointed to Holl as one of the silver linings from an up-and- down Leafs season that saw Muzzin, Morgan Rielly, Cody Ceci and Travis Dermott all miss time to injury on the blue line. “It was unfortunate in one regard in that we never got to see the group really all together,” Dubas said Monday, after signing KHL free agent 1174398 Websites Andreychuk: One, we’re at home. And the excitement of playing playoff hockey in Toronto we all know about. That’s first and foremost. Again, we’ve got nothing to lose. Yeah, we’re in that spot [trailing 0-2 in the series], but it’s that really close-knit team that came together and said, Sportsnet.ca / Q&A: Dave Andreychuk on trade to Toronto and Leafs “Hey, we gotta go for it here. We got our backs against the wall. There’s versus the world nothing to lose.” The experience some of the guys had — Jamie Macoun, Bob Rouse, Mike Krushelnyski, Glenn Anderson — I mean, these guys had won before. It’s not like it was a young group that hadn’t experienced Luke Fox | May 5, 2020, 8:38 AM some things in the past. I had definitely never experienced this in the past, but we had a lot of leaders in that room that let us know this is possible. Dave Andreychuk is feeling grateful. SN: You led the series with six goals, all even-strength. What was clicking for you? “We’re actually in a pretty good spot here, to be honest,” the 56-year-old Hall of Famer says from Florida. “We don’t have a lot of cases in our Andreychuk: Well, the excitement of being in the playoffs with a new county. We’re all walking outside, holding our distances. I can still get on team. That’s first and foremost. It is very unfortunate that I look back on my boat, still go golfing, and I don’t have to go into the office. Other than my career with all the good teams in Buffalo and I just really never had no hockey, it’s not too bad.” any playoff success. For me personally, you’re back in the playoffs, you’re with a new team, you’re excited. Obviously, the chemistry between In a normal world, Andreychuk might’ve been treated to a doozy of a Gilmour and myself. I was speeding to get to the rink every day knowing I playoff series between the two clubs for whom he played his best have a great opportunity here to be successful. Going into that series, I hockey, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Those wanted to be a difference. I wanted to win my first playoff series. trips to the office would involve walking past a larger-than-life-sized bronzed statue of himself hoisting the Stanley Cup that welcomes fans to SN: What was the scariest aspect of that Detroit team? Amalie Arena. Andreychuk: The talent level. The Yzermans, the Fedorovs… they had a Who knows? Andreychuk may not have been able to captain the lot of talent. For me personally, it was the Vladimir Konstantinov Lightning to glory in 2004, however, had he not had the bitterness and matchup. Unfortunately, we know what happened to him later, but, man, hard lessons, good and bad, from the Leafs’ 1993 run to lean on, to lead he was a heck of a player. He was a competitor. And I challenged myself by. every day to compete at that kind of level against him. They made sure he was on the ice against the Gilmour line. So, just some unbelievable The Lightning’s vice president of corporate and community affairs is more battles that I look back on and think what a heck of a player this kid was, than happy to talk about his blockbuster trade to the Maple Leafs, a ’93 and how he battled. Nothing fazed him. He was going to do his best to playoff series that had him flooring the gas to the rink, and how Wendel keep us off the scoreboard. You think of hockey today and the way it’s Clark changed his approach. played, which is awesome with the speed, but I think the compete level in Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey that series was just incredible. world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what SN: Which Leafs teammate stuck out? A guy you knew was good before they think about it. you got traded to that room but made you say, “Wow, I didn’t realize he Sportsnet: Have you caught any of the classic games being aired these was this good”? days? Andreychuk: We all watched Wendel [Clark] from afar. We knew he was Dave Andreychuk: Our Fox Sports [in Tampa] is showing our ’15 run and a good player; we knew he’s a tough guy who’d scare ya to play against. the ’04 run. They’re doing all of our 16 wins. It’s kind of cool, actually. I’ve But just the way he came to the rink every day, you saw the struggles live-tweeted off our Fox Twitter account. But I think we’re going to go via that he had physically and what he fought through — it was inspiring to Zoom, get a bunch of guys online. It’s amazing, those teams that have all of us, really. I looked at him and his leadership skills, and I borrowed a success, how close you still are. A lot of those guys, we’re gonna get him lot of that later in my career — what he did and how he acted. He was back on the air and let ’em watch those games. But anytime something the one guy that, when I look at that team, he exemplifies who we are. ’93 comes along, my phone blows up and there’s a lot of text messages Obviously, Gilmour played a lot and racked up a lot of points and was a going on. So, I’m sure that those games are going to cause a lot of Hall of Fame player, but the way the Wendel conducted himself every commotion in Toronto. day was special. SN: Take me back to 1992-93. At the deadline, you get traded by Buffalo, SN: Who flew under the radar? the only NHL team you knew. How did you feel joining the Leafs and Andreychuk: Glenn Anderson. You watched him in the ’80s. You knew he leaving the club that drafted you? was on a team stocked with talent. But now you realize, after playing with Andreychuk: Your first trade is always the toughest. When you think him, why the Oilers won. Yeah, they have Gretzky and Messier, but, about it, I was in Buffalo for almost 12 years. I think the timing was right man, this guy was good. I just loved playing with him. I loved the way he for me to move on. Was it all of a sudden? I mean, you hear rumours, but competed. His fearlessness, the way he approached the game, he really I’d heard rumours for a bunch of years. To find out I’m going down the rounded out our line. He wasn’t necessarily on our line constantly, but QEW to basically my hometown team, I was excited. The Leafs had when he was there, I was just impressed with the way that he played the made some deals earlier. [Doug] Gilmour was now on board. At the time, playoffs. He called himself a playoff player and sure backed that up. I didn’t know Felix Potvin was taking over in net. They had a bunch of SN: After defeating Detroit in seven, did you start believing you could go people I was watching. I make the move; I drive 90 miles. You know, I all the way? couldn’t have asked for anything better. Not always is the grass greener on the other side, but it definitely was when I got to Toronto. Andreychuk: I don’t know if we felt like we’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. We still felt like we’re underdogs. Yes, we slayed the dragon and a team SN: Heading into that Round 1 series against Detroit, which was an that was supposed to win, but next, we had to play another team we’ve offensive powerhouse, what was the mood? Did you feel you could take had some battles with in St. Louis. Going into the L.A. series, maybe our them down? heads got a little bit past us and we start to look ahead a little bit. For me, Andreychuk: When I got to Toronto [in early February], the Leafs had just I was so happy winning one series and playing in the second round. gone undefeated for 10 in a row, and we actually lost my first game That’s probably why we had some success, because we didn’t look too there. That team was starting to make the turn. Our second half was far ahead. much better now that things were in place. They talked quite a bit down SN: Was the disappointment of ’93 in your head during your 2004 the stretch drive and going into the playoffs about how well we can play. championship run with Tampa? Pat Burns was his same old self, pitting David versus Goliath, making us feel that we were underdogs and we had no chance. Challenging us to Andreychuk: One hundred per cent. Yes. I talked about that a lot, be better. So, going into that series, that was our mentality: Hey, if we especially in that 2004 conference final. We’re playing the Philadelphia play well, we know we can beat them. We obviously know they’re a much Flyers. It’s a battle. The whole seven games is back and forth. It’s win better team than us, but let’s rally together. It was that us-against-the- one, lose one. I talked about my other two conference final appearances world mentality that Pat installed, and we ran with it. with the Leafs, saying, “It’s a missed opportunity. We have to seize this right now.” I used that as motivation in ’04, no doubt — not just for myself SN: You get blown out in the first two games. What turned the tide in but for my teammates. Game 3? SN: Anything else fans should know about 1993? Andreychuk: The one thing that you’ll hear from every guy is the closeness of that team and how we came together, how we battled for each other. That’s something that still lives with me today. I still talk to all of those guys, as many as I can. There’s a definite bond there that is different from the 22 other teams I played with. I’m sure the fans understand that, but if players are going to continue to say that, there’s something there. There was definitely that bond that pushed us on together. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174399 Websites in video. It's not really to bash anyone, but it's just to point it out so we can all grow and learn together so that was another cool thing. Our team was just building up and building up and then it got put on hold, so I think guys on our team are very optimistic and would like that opportunity to TSN.CA / Minnesota Wild’s Matt Dumba remains ambitious despite tough get to the playoffs." season Are you optimistic, pessimistic or unsure about the season resuming?

"Just unsure. I see all the sides. I understand why people are pushing so Mark Masters hard to get it back and also the other side with health services and not wanting to rush into anything or put anyone at risk. So, it's just kind of confusing. You kind of jump back and forth every day and just try to stay No National Hockey League defenceman has scored 30 goals in a sane and not think about it too much." season since Washington's Mike Green potted 31 in 2008-09, but Matt How are you staying busy? Dumba believed he could challenge that number this season. "I'm trying to put as much into my days as I can. We got a new dog, so After all, the Minnesota Wild blueliner scored 12 goals in 32 games she's been keeping us busy, and also the golf course just opened up during an injury-shortened 2018-19 campaign. That's a 31-goal pace. around here, so trying to book some tee times and get out fishing But through 69 games this year, Dumba scored just six goals. whenever I can. Been trying to get into a bit of a routine. I wake up, have my coffee and sit in my hot tub for a bit and then a workout. So, you try to "To be honest, looking back on it, it's been a tough year," he said. "You enjoy it, try to enjoy this time, try to build some type of routine." don't realize how hard it is to come back from an injury of that extent." — Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 17, 2020 Dumba sustained a torn pectoral muscle in a fight with Calgary's Matthew Tkachuk on Dec. 15, 2018 that required season-ending surgery. How do you maintain good mental health? "I put so much work and effort into rehabbing my pec and shoulder and "That's the tough thing right now and that's why I've built some routine getting this whole arm strong that it took away from some of the other into my day ... as a hockey player, we're built into that [routine of], ‘You stuff I usually do in the summer skills-wise," Dumba revealed. got to be here at a certain time, you can't be late for meetings, practice every day, you got video sessions, workouts.' So without that you’re kind Matt Dumba explains how 'anger' towards Matthew Tkachuk led to of a little lost. So, for me, routine really helps." indefinite injury. MORE @ https://t.co/nhSZo7eZbp pic.twitter.com/ciRslIq0u5 If games resume it will likely be without fans. What would that be like? — BarDown (@BarDown) January 20, 2019 "Ah, man, that'd be something else. Definitely would change the game from a momentum [perspective]. Our fans in Minnesota, they can really Dumba endured a 33-game goal drought that extended from Nov. 12 to get going, especially come playoff games, so that's something that I think Feb. 4 as Minnesota struggled to stay in the Western Conference playoff will be a big change for a lot of the guys. It'd be a weird feeling. It'd be a race. weird feeling scoring a big goal and then just [hear] crickets in the stands. Yeah, I don't know. You’ll have to build your energy, that's for sure." "At certain times, I felt like I was working a little too hard and kind of gripping the stick a little too hard," he said. One idea being considered is having teams sequestered in hub cities away from their families for potentially three or four months. Would that But Dumba, like his team, showed resilience. After starting 4-9-0 during a be a challenge? road-heavy October, the Wild were making a strong push to salvage their season when the NHL hit pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Yes, especially for guys with kids. That'd definitely be hard to be pulled away from your family at this time. But also, as professionals, we'd be "I feel like I was starting to find my groove in the second half," Dumba able to do it ... there's only [limited regular season] games left and then said. "I started to calm down and let the game come to me. I felt my playoffs, so half the teams aren't even in it and get to go home after a game was pretty tight for the last while there." couple weeks." Minnesota was just a point out of a playoff spot when play was halted on With so much time off, some guys are thinking about the big picture and March 12. the sport in general. If you could change one thing about hockey, what "That sucked, because it was kind of coming full circle," Dumba said. would it be? The 25-year-old remains as ambitious as ever. "I'd probably take the trapezoid out and just let the goalies freewheel again. I think that could speed up the game, make it a little more "I missed my goals [for this season], but it's not the end of the world," he interesting and take some of the pressure off defencemen." said. "Hopefully I have a long career and I can still shoot for some of those goals and create new ones as well." You are a big supporter of the ACES (Athletes Committed to Educating Students) charity in Minnesota. The mission is to help reduce the During a Zoom interview with TSN from his home in Calgary, Dumba academic achievement gap and improve the likelihood of success for explained how the Wild got on track after Dean Evason replaced Bruce low-income students. What drew you to this cause? Boudreau as head coach on Feb. 14. Dumba also opened up about a charitable cause that is close to his heart. The following is an edited "What drew me to that cause is just my mom always harping on me transcript of the interview. about school when I was younger. I couldn't really do anything outside or go play with my friends or be on the rink unless I finished my school The Wild went 8-4-0 after the coaching change. What led to the surge? work. So, that was just a part of my upbringing. To see these kids and how there is such a gap between the public-school system and private "Nothing against Bruce, but I think a change just needed to be made, and schools, where these schools are within the city, you know, to bridge that having a stern voice and a guy like Deaner was awesome for our group. gap is essential. So, [helping] these kids is why I've joined up with ACES. He was holding guys accountable and just pushing us. That transition he They're coming from tough situations and don't have all the guidance that had from assistant coach to head coach, he just knew the team so well they need. The volunteers at ACES, just from me watching as an and guys were able to talk to him and feel comfortable. That's why you outsider, it's awesome to see how they interact with them and how they were seeing our best game." can relate to these kids and put them on a path that doesn't set them up for failure, because with the current system that's what’s happening to Matt Dumba joins @markhmasters to talk about the impact playing them. They're being trapped and I just don't think that's right." games without fans in the building would have should the NHL go that route upon a possible return: https://t.co/JfKbaopLD9 I’m auctioning off this custom 47 hat along with 4 tickets and locker pic.twitter.com/6NwGkC4XkU room tour to support the @ACES4Kids COACH program. Will you join me today in supporting this amazing program that helps the students — TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 4, 2020 affected most… https://t.co/wtaBuXMTS8 How is Evason different than Boudreau? — Matt Dumba (@matt_dumba) April 22, 2020 "Just the intensity that Dean brings. Also, his outlook on how we play the TSN.CA LOADED: 05.06.2020 game. He lets you make plays and try to be as creative as you can [while] supporting the puck. All he asks is if you turn the puck over or make a mistake that you work as hard as you can to get back to your spot and take accountability for that, because you will see it the next day 1174400 World Leagues News

NFL provides teams with ticket refund policy amid coronavirus uncertainties

By Associated Press May 05, 2020 10:50 PM

While planning to play a full regular-season schedule, the NFL has formulated a ticket refund plan for canceled games or those held without fans. In a memo sent to the 32 teams by Commissioner Roger Goodell and obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday, a uniform baseline for full refunds on any tickets purchased directly from the clubs was prepared. Goodell wrote that “all clubs will have in place a policy under which, if a game is cancelled, or is played under conditions that prohibit fans from attending, anyone purchasing a ticket directly from the club (i.e., season tickets, group sales and/or partial season plans) will have the option of either receiving a full refund or applying the amount paid toward a future ticket purchase directly from the club.” As for the secondary market, the league received pledges from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek to make full refunds available for all ticket sales within no more than 30 days of cancellation. StubHub, however, will do so only where required by state law. The NFL will reveal its 2020 regular-season schedule on Thursday night. While it is discussing contingencies for alterations to the schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic, it currently is planning for a normal season. “In preparing for all elements of the 2020 season, including the schedule release, we have considered the unique circumstances facing us this year,” Goodell wrote, "and have been clear that all of our decisions will be guided by medical and public health advice and will comply with government regulations. We will be prepared to make necessary adjustments just as we have in other contexts, such as the offseason program and the draft. “I believe the policies that clubs have in place will serve the league and all member clubs in a variety of ways and will allow us to continue preparing for the 2020 season while also protecting the interests of our fans.” Each team will communicate directly with its fans over the next few days with specific details on potential refunds. Although contingency plans hardly are a regular procedure for the NFL, the specter of significant changes to the season, from delays to a shortened schedule, have to be considered this year. Each season, NFL teams and the league office re-examine what they term “fan friendly” ticket refund policies. The 2020 season is set to kick off on Sept. 10, with the first full weekend of games on Sept. 13-14. LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174401 World Leagues News

NBA to reopen practice facilities in states with eased stay-at-home guidelines May 8, per report

Sam Quinn

It may have taken longer than first thought, but the NBA finally appears ready to reopen its practice facilities in areas with relaxed stay-at-home guidelines. The league has informed teams that it will do so on May 8 "pending new developments," according to The New York Times' Marc Stein. The league will also reportedly issue guidelines to teams on Wednesday on the specifics of what will be allowable, with Stein noting that lifting weights with a spotter will be prohibited if it forces the player to be within 12 feet of a staffer. Additionally, the league set the following guidelines for workouts at its facilities last week. No more than four players would be permitted at a facility at any one time. No head or assistant coaches could participate. Group activity remains prohibited, including practices or scrimmages. Players remain prohibited from using non-team facilities such as public health clubs, fitness centers or gyms. Players in team facilities must wear facemasks at all times except during physical activity, and team staffers must remain at least 12 feet away from them, per The Athletic's Shams Charania. The initial decision to reopen practice facilities was based on Georgia's plan to slowly reopen its economy, as players considered traveling there to facilitate workouts in ways the NBA considered unsafe. But the Atlanta Hawks, Georgia's only NBA team, had decided not to open their facility on May 1, a Hawks source confirmed with CBS Sports. That May 8 date applies only to areas with relaxed stay-at-home guidelines. The original May 1 plan sought to find safe facilities in areas that had not relaxed their guidelines for the sake of competitive balance. A number of high-level players currently lack access to proper equipment to train or even shoot, so if a return to basketball is ever going to come, allowing players the ability to work out properly is critical. That goes for players in areas that have not relaxed guidelines as well, but as of yet, no plans for such teams have been reported. According to Charania, though, NBA players will not be allowed to workout in facilities other than those of their NBA team. Teams have also been asked to name a Facility Hygiene Officer from among its current staff, according to Charania. For now, the NBA has informed its teams that "it is not possible or appropriate in the current public health context to regularly test all players and staff for COVID-19," according to Charania, and any sort of widespread return to basketball would have to include regularly testing. Players must also receive a resting ECG and troponin test prior to engaging in physical activity, according to Charania. The most recently reported plan to bring basketball back involved a 25- day preparation period in which players would work out individually for 11 days before coming together as teams for a 14-day training camp. Some players have expressed skepticism at the viability of such a truncated timeline, and now, with the opening facilities delayed, any hopes of initiating that plan have been dashed for the time being. No NBA games have been played since March 11. Nearly two months without basketball are now in the books, and quite a bit more are surely coming. Nothing is set in stone yet, but this news is at least a slight step towards the resumption of the season. CBS Sports LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174402 World Leagues News

Wizards coach Scott Brooks will get buzz cut to raise money for charity by Gabriel Fernandez May 5, 2020 at 10:34 pm ET • 1 min read

In an effort to raise money for charity, Scott Brooks has decided to place his hair up against the public's generosity. The Washington Wizards coach said that if donations to Feeding the Frontlines, an organization that gives meals for first responders and health care staff battling coronavirus, top $25,000, he'll let his child shave his head. You can view his announcement for what has been dubbed the "Brooks' Looks charity challenge" below.

Introducing the #BrooksLooksChallenge pres. by @FreshVineWine! Like many of you, Coach Brooks needs a haircut desperately. He will allow his daughter, Lexi, to cut his hair if $25,000 in donations are reached for Feeding The Frontlines! "As you can see, I need a haircut desperately, and my daughter has been threatening me for the last two weeks," Brooks says to the camera. "So, I told her if we can raise $25,000, I will let her shave my entire hair off." The deadline for this wager is for May 15, so if you're a fan of bald coaches, this is your chance to make another one. Assisting fans will be a wine company local to the DC area that will donate 15% of all proceeds through the month of May to this particular charity. Brooks has served as coach of the Wizards since 2016 and has posted winning records for two of his first three complete seasons. In his fourth season that coronavirus interrupted, Washington was 24-40, which was 5.5 games out of the playoff race. CBS Sports LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174403 World Leagues News an entire site for two weeks? It’s easy to envision a scenario where one positive test results in another suspension of the season. There would be too many roadblocks to overcome if MLB is going to take a positive test Scott Boras wants baseball back as soon as possible, but is his plan seriously. even logical? Boras — like many — wants MLB to return as soon as possible. Unlike many, however, Boras’ motivation is monetary. He makes more money the sooner baseball come back. Boras may see the game’s return as a Chris CwikMay 5, 2020, 6:12 PM UTC way to boost morale around the country, but his desire to make money should not be ignored.

While Boras’ plan has major issues, his motivation remains significant. Boras’ argument hinges on baseball being used to help the country Despite worries about coronavirus, baseball is barreling toward a return. overcome previous tragedies. He cites Pearl Harbor and 9/11 to make The league is motivated to make a season happen, and it has the his point. backing of some politicians. “Nearly 60 years [after Pearl Harbor], baseball again helped reassure the Like Boras, all of those groups are going to cite the mental boost the nation after the Sept. 11 attacks. In the first game back in New York, 10 game would bring. They’ll talk about the way baseball has healed the days after the towers fell, Mike Piazza’s home run in the eighth inning country in the past, and helped the United States overcome some of its became a potent sign that our healing had begun. The very next month, biggest tragedies. we all felt the gravity of the moment as President George W. Bush walked onto the field at Yankee Stadium before the first World Series But, also like Boras, their real interest in restarting the baseball season game in New York since the attacks. Alone and secretly wearing a stiff will be all about making money. bulletproof vest, he climbed to the top of the mound and fired a strike. The pain of those we lost would never leave, and the rebuilding was only Yahoo Sports LOADED: 05.06.2020 just beginning. But at that moment America, as an idea, roared back to life.” While Boras is correct that baseball provided an emotional boost during those moments, he fails to point out how coronavirus is different than a terrorist attack or natural disaster. In those instances, the decision to restart sports was a matter of appropriateness. Had enough time passed from those tragedies that we could assume playing baseball? That’s not the case with coronavirus, which is still a major threat in the United States. While watching sports would help people feel like life was getting back to normal, it would come with the massive risk of spreading the virus, which was not a concern in the situations Boras outlined. Large gatherings have been discouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for weeks. The CDC has recommended gatherings of 250 people be canceled. In Boras’ opinion piece, he says 1,600 people would be involved in bringing baseball back. “Players must feel safe when they return, and they understand that they would be in a controlled environment where they could be evaluated by the medical staff each day. The numerous medical experts I have spoken to recommend clubhouses be sanitized daily, and that masks, latex gloves and hand sanitizer should be standard in each one. Major League Baseball, with the understanding that the medical needs of our country’s population comes first, will need to contract with a testing company to make this all safe for approximately 1,600 players, plus coaching staffs, groundskeepers, umpires and other officials.” It’s unclear whether Boras sees those 1,600 people gathering in one isolated area, or if he views that 1,600 being spread over multiple sites. Boras doesn’t touch on how that number could present a major issue to the league getting restarted. It’s also unclear whether he factors in medical staff, clubhouse attendants or the people responsible for sanitizing the clubhouse every day in that number. His solution calls for a slow buildup to that figure, with players reporting at different times, but 1,600 is still a lot of people, even if you spread them over multiple sites. There’s also the issue of completely quarantining those people from their families for a lengthy period. That’s not going to be something all players can accept. Mike Trout’s wife is due to give birth in August. Is he expected to miss that birth and spend months away from his newborn son? Trout is among the most prominent players to question that strategy. Clayton Kershaw doesn’t want to leave his family for a quarantined season either. Should clubhouse attendants or arena staff or the people who clean the clubhouses also be kept from their families for months at a time? The issue isn’t as simple as saying, “Baseball players get paid a lot of money, so they should be willing to do it.” If you can ignore that dehumanizing argument, consider the other, less-privileged groups involved in Boras’ plan. Until there’s a coronavirus vaccine, baseball’s return is going to carry massive risks. The league has flirted with a number of options, including a three-site plan. At the very least, that would require smaller groups to be gathered in one place at a time, which is essentially what the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) — a 10-team league — is doing. Even if MLB gets to that point, it’s unclear how the league would react to a positive test. In all the ideas thrown around, that aspect hasn’t been mentioned. If one player tests positive, what will the league do? Will that player and his team be quarantined for two weeks? Will that shut down 1174404 World Leagues News

Jazz VP on coronavirus incident: Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell 'ready to put this behind them'

Jack Maloney

Nearly two months ago, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus just prior to the start of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which prompted not only the postponement of that matchup, but ultimately the entire season. Soon, all other sports leagues, as well as most of the country, followed suit and shut down. In the immediate aftermath, a number of other high-profile players were found to have COVID-19, including Kevin Durant, Marcus Smart and Gobert's teammate, Donovan Mitchell. Thankfully, all of them have since recovered, and didn't seem to ever have any serious symptoms. Still, Mitchell's diagnosis prompted some pretty negative feelings towards his teammate. Obviously it's not possible to know if Gobert was the one who passed on the virus, but the big man was acting rather careless in and around the team in the days prior. Most infamously, he made a point to touch every microphone during a press conference. There were even reports in the following weeks that the relationship between the Jazz's two best players was on thin ice. But now, according to the team's executive vice president, Dennis Lindsey, things seemed to have thawed. Jazz executive VP Dennis Lindsey on Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell: "They're ready to put this behind them, move forward, act professionally. ... We're very pleased with the collective makeup of our group, Donovan and Rudy in particular. We look forward to moving forward." — Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 5, 2020 This is certainly welcome news if you're a Jazz fan, and echoes sentiments that both Gobert and Mitchell have expressed. "There's no fight," Gobert said in late April, while Mitchell added, "we've moved on." Obviously only Gobert, Mitchell and the people in the Jazz organization know how fractured the relationship was between the two, but Lindsey's statement does seem to admit that there was some real strife. He didn't downplay that it occurred, but rather said that they're ready to move on. Given how careless Gobert was acting back in March, it's no surprise that Mitchell was genuinely upset with him. We've seen how deadly this virus can be, and Gobert's choices could have had real consequences. At the same time, it's also understandable that after a few months apart, and with time to reflect, Mitchell has chosen to forgive Gobert and move on. CBS Sports LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174405 World Leagues News room for some of these creative ideas to make their way into the rulebooks for good.

Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, LOADED: 05.06.2020 Coronavirus pandemic presents opportunity for changes to MLB’s structure

By Matt Weyrich May 05, 2020 6:05 PM

While there hasn’t been any official word from MLB on what a plan for a shortened season might look like if the sport is able to return in 2020, there have been plenty of media reports laying out various scenarios that league officials are open to considering amid the coronavirus outbreak. There’s the Arizona Plan, where all 30 teams would essentially agree to enter a biosphere and cut themselves off from the rest of the world while they share facilities across Arizona. For those who don’t find that feasible, there’s also the three 10-team divisions setup, which would divide clubs up geographically and allow them to play only those within their region until the playoffs. Those are far from the only plans being considered, and many of these scenarios include additional changes such as an expanded playoff picture and the implementation of an automated strike zone. Although these suggestions were made in an effort to salvage the current season amid a global pandemic, is there room for some of them to become permanent parts of the game moving forward? MLB Network analyst Jon Morosi joined NBC Sports Washington’s Todd Dybas on Tuesday’s episode of the Nationals Talk podcast to discuss the state of the sport amid so much uncertainty in the world. Morosi dismissed those who are weary of playing out a shortened season because it wouldn’t be considered legitimate when compared to full 162-game campaigns—in fact, he thinks MLB has an opportunity to test out some ideas in a way it wouldn’t have a chance to under normal circumstances. “You think about the larger picture of this and, as all the experts remind us, at some point in time we will get through this,” Morosi said. “When we do, there could perhaps be a way to consider where we’re at and look at the present construct of American sports and think of some different ways to stage baseball in terms of its championship structure, playoffs— expanding them, which already was on the table for the future. “This is a time to think really deeply about what the next 10, 15, 20 years of the game will look like and then hopefully take this time of thought to be as intentional and creative about what that future can look back as possible.” For years, fans have clamored for an automated strike zone every time a bad call costs a player or team the game or an achievement. While tested out in the independent Atlantic League, the system has yet to reach the MLB level as it faces backlash from the umpires union. If the league is forced to use some kind of tracking system to call balls and strikes in order to comply with social distancing guidelines, that could open the door for an automated strike zone to stick around. As for the season itself, MLB has already reportedly looked into the possibility of shortening the regular season to 144 games while expanding the playoffs to include more teams. Just last February, the New York Post reported that MLB was considering adding four new playoff teams to the postseason bracket and instituting a selection show to determine the seeding for the Wild Card round. It’s unclear what kind of expanded format MLB might be considering for 2020. But even if the games are played at neutral sites, the league would still be able to gauge how much fans enjoy the new version compared to the traditional seeding. An expanded playoff could also reduce the number of games in a season in order to prevent the league year from stretching past its typical April- to-October timeframe. However, commissioner Rob Manfred has already entertained the idea of expanding the league to include 32 teams, saying it would be "great for our sport." The divisions could be completely redrawn, with perhaps some structural ideas used from the aforementioned geography-based setup. Of course, there are still a ton of obstacles standing in the way of baseball’s return in the U.S. Even though the Korean Baseball Organization kicked off its season Tuesday, there are plenty of factors league officials must consider before any games are played in 2020. But just because circumstances for this season has changed doesn’t mean MLB will be operating in a vacuum. With the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expiring after the 2021 season, there may be 1174406 World Leagues News

Baseball with no fans? Korean league opener shows glimpse of possible MLB future

By AUSTIN KNOBLAUCHWEB EDITOR AND STAFF WRITER

A new baseball season started in South Korea on Tuesday with one glaring omission — fans. The Korea Baseball Organization is one of the few sports leagues in the world to restart during the COVID-19 pandemic. The opener between the LG Twins and Doosan Bears in Seoul offered a glimpse into what baseball in the United States could look like if Major League Baseball starts its season. While there might not be cheerleaders in the empty stands of MLB ballparks like there are in South Korea, the eerie silence of the spectacle was probably the most glaring takeaway that Victoria Kim, The Times’ Seoul correspondent had from covering the game. Here are tweets from Kim during the game: T-30, spraying the infield pic.twitter.com/GPZr4wEXhi — Victoria Kim (@vicjkim) May 5, 2020 Mr. Hyun here, the director overseeing the workers cleaning the bleachers at Jamsil Stadium, has been a KBO fan since the league's founding in 1982. He's been a loyal fan of one of the two teams playing today since, he wouldn't tell me which one (they're both his employers)! pic.twitter.com/6QplDyCESZ — Victoria Kim (@vicjkim) May 5, 2020 Masked mascots (LG Twins) pic.twitter.com/tRbD7YanTM — Victoria Kim (@vicjkim) May 5, 2020 Foul ball in the stands with no one to catch. Should I walk the length of the stadium to go get it y/n pic.twitter.com/HKaAigxuFJ — Victoria Kim (@vicjkim) May 5, 2020 HOMERUN! From LG's Kim Hyun-soo. 2-0 Twins-Bears pic.twitter.com/hLYxMSyYFD — Victoria Kim (@vicjkim) May 5, 2020

Whatever these cheerleaders make they deserve a raise pic.twitter.com/vgRaFSGZUM — Victoria Kim (@vicjkim) May 5, 2020

Final score, Twins win 8-2. Victorious fist bumps pic.twitter.com/ZYr2GQ2QdG — Victoria Kim (@vicjkim) May 5, 2020 Los Angeles Times LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174407 World Leagues News While several franchises decided to enact staff and pay reductions with no games being played, the Sharks opted to pay their employees who have been impacted by the stoppage in play. How Sharks plan to reopen SAP Center after coronavirus shutdown ends "We were born in San Jose," Becher said. "We've always been here. Most of our players live here as well, and many of them have houses nearby. Our practice facility is in San Jose. We're a community sport." By Josh Schrock May 05, 2020 8:21 AM For now, the Sharks and the rest of the sporting world wait to get restarted. The NHL and NBA are hoping they can finish their seasons and crown a champion. Major League Baseball hopes to get underway at Like the rest of the sporting world, the Sharks are waiting to reopen and some point in the summer. The NFL is hoping to hold a normal season planning for what that might look like in the wake of the coronavirus come fall. (COVID-19) pandemic. Whenever sports return, Becher and the Sharks plan to be ready quickly For Sharks president Jonathan Becher that question has a lot of moving after the A-OK is given. parts. The Sharks assume that SAP Center will be one of the last buildings in the NHL to open back up for games, and they currently are "Whatever is decided probably won't be one of our models. But the hope planning for several different scenarios. is that it's a combination of things we're already worked through, so we can be ready in a short number of days," Becher said. "We build likely "Here's the way I think about it: We don't know when we'll be back," outcomes and one of those hopefully happens. Becher told ESPN. "We don't know what the rules are when we get back. But we can guess 8-10 likely scenarios. For example, we already know "What we're not doing is starting from scratch." how to put on a game with full fans. That's the best-case scenario. We also had to model how to put on games with no fans in the building, Comcast SportsNet California, LLOADED: 05.06.2020 which is something we were almost forced into doing." The Sharks were prepared to play a game without fans March 19, but the NHL boarded up its season a week earlier. "Scenarios like if there's no fans, and it's TV-only," Becher told ESPN. "There's no fans, with just TV and radio. A TV broadcast truck requires a bunch of people. Maybe we're allowed 250 people, roughly -- that's a crew, coaches, doctors on-site and other things. The minimum number of people is a lot more than you'd think. And it's a big building." One of the bigger variables in every scenario is how many fans will be allowed in and how the Sharks will get them through the gates and to their seats safely in a manner fitting with the direction of public health officials. "What if, on top of that, the only people you're allowed to have are ones in suites, because all the suites have glass enclosures on them and they sit between 12-18 people?" Becher said. "Maybe groups of 12-18 people are allowed, so we'll build a model for that. I don't know that's something that will be suggested, but that's a model we can build. What if it's only 1,000 people? "OK, now we lay 1,000 people into the upper and lower bowls, and we talk about how we'll get them in through the doors, what that looks like. We probably have to give them times for them to show up. And which 1,000 get in? We have between 8,000-10,000 season-ticket holders. We have to think through that." The ability to keep everyone safe and give fans and employees a sense of security and safety is a paramount concern. "People have speculated that maybe everybody has to have their temperature checked. OK, if that ends up being true, then how many thermal thermometers would we need? How long would it take to buy them? We're not going to buy them now if we don't need them," Becher said. "Which doors do we open up? Do we have to tell people to wear masks? What happens if someone shows up without a mask? We probably have to sell them or give them one. Do we turn them away? "We're just building, scenario by scenario." Santa Clara County was one of the first to ban large gatherings. Becher believes the county will be one of the last to lift such restrictions. The Sharks might not return to SAP Center until December even if the NHL restarts its season. They likely could play their games elsewhere as Santa Clara County continues to practice social distancing and quarantine to fight the virus. But Becher wants to make sure everything is safe before the Sharks and fans return to SAP. "We were the first to close. My guess is that we'll be the last to open," Becher told ESPN. "That's OK. If we're the last to open, that means that [the message is that] it's OK to open. I don't want to open up until fans know it's safe for them to come in. Part of my DNA is that I don't want you in my building if it's not safe. If I've convinced myself that it's safe for employees, then it's probably safe for fans. "If some fans still aren't comfortable, I'm not going to hold that against them. It's a personal decision. But I don't want you in my building if it's not safe. Because then I'm in my building, because you're in my building." 1174408 World Leagues News

Another coronavirus case in German soccer before key meeting

AUE – Second-division German soccer club Erzgebirge Aue put its entire squad in home isolation on Tuesday after a member of staff tested positive for the coronavirus. It was the first confirmed case in the German league’s second round of testing, coming a day before a government meeting on loosening lockdown measures to pave the way for soccer to return in empty stadiums. Aue didn’t name the staff member involved or say how the person could have contracted the coronavirus. The club didn't report any positive tests from the first round of testing last week. All players, coaches and backroom staff will stay at home ahead of more coronavirus testing on Thursday, though German soccer's restart plan doesn't require automatic quarantine measures. Ten people tested positive last week from the 36 clubs in the top two men’s divisions. That included two Cologne players and a staff member. The club did not put its squad in isolation, nor did second-division club Stuttgart, which reported one “inconclusive result.” The other cases have not been publicly attributed to any club. The German Football League, which oversees the top two divisions, has asked clubs not to disclose cases. Last week, Chancellor Angela Merkel and 16 state governors postponed a decision on whether the Bundesliga could resume without fans present. She warned there was still a danger that COVID-19 infections could rise if containment measures were relaxed too soon. A meeting between Merkel and the governors on Wednesday will discuss resuming soccer in Germany. The league's plan has faced public criticism regarding the use of coronavirus testing kits on people who appear healthy, and concerns that fans could gather near stadiums. There was a further backlash Monday after Hertha Berlin forward Salomon Kalou live-streamed a video of himself greeting teammates with physical contact and bursting in on a teammate’s coronavirus test. Kalou was suspended by the club. Commenting on the incident on Tuesday, Health Minister Jens Spahn said German soccer's plan was sound despite the flouting of social distancing shown in Kalou's video. “The basic concept makes sense and can also be an example for other pro sports categories, by the way. But it has to be lived, too,” Spahn told Deutschlandfunk radio. The influential state governor of Bavaria, Markus Söder, was more critical. “The league makes excellent concepts and then there are individual players, who you can read about, who are behaving very, very, very incorrectly,” he said in televised comments. “I find it good, too, that the professional clubs take a very hard stand against it because that brings the whole concept into disrepute.” Clubs in the top two divisions have committed to finishing the season by the end of June. The first step to resuming the season is to get teams back into full training, rather than the small group sessions they've run in recent weeks. Title contender Leipzig has clearance to train after the state of Saxony updated its rules on the coronavirus Monday. Wolfsburg team manager Jörg Schmadtke told the German website Sportbuzzer that his side was also resuming full-team training after talks with the mayor. LOADED: 05.06.2020 1174409 World Leagues News

No spitting, no fans: Baseball leads South Korea's sporting restart after coronavirus lockdown

South Korea's professional sport springs back into action Tuesday after the coronavirus shutdown with the opening of a new baseball season, while football and golf will soon follow suit in a ray of hope for suspended competitions worldwide. Friday will see the delayed start of football's K-League, and next week some of golf's leading women players will tee up in a domestic tournament as South Korea becomes a rare hotspot for live sport. Fans will not be allowed into stadiums for any of Tuesday's five opening Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) matches, and strict health checks and hygiene measures will be enforced. Players must have their temperature checked twice before games, with face masks to be worn in all areas except the playing field and the dugouts, according to the KBO. Players have also been asked not to shake hands or exchange high- fives, while spitting is prohibited -- putting a new complexion on what is South Korea's most popular spectator sport. ESPN announced it will show six KBO League games per week to fans pining for live baseball in the US, while broadcasters in 10 foreign territories have snapped up rights to air K-League matches. South Korea endured one of the worst early outbreaks of the disease outside China, prompting professional sports to suspend or delay their seasons. But the country appears to have brought its outbreak under control thanks to an extensive "trace, test and treat" programme. The start-up will bring welcome live action in a barren sports world where fans have had to make do with sports channels and broadcasters airing repeats of past events. The K-League, originally due to start in February, will kick off Friday with a blockbuster clash between Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, champions for the past three season, against FA Cup winners Suwon Bluewings. And South Korea will next week become the first country to see women's professional golf resume after COVID-19. South Korean players dominate women's golf with eight featuring in the world's top 20, including number one Ko Jin-young. The $1.8 million the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Championship begins on May 14 in Yangju, east of Seoul with world number six Kim Sei-young and 10th-ranked Lee Jeong-eun in the 144- strong field. South Korea has been seeing only a trickle of new coronavirus infections in recent days, with three fresh cases reported on Tuesday taking the total to 10,804. LOADED: 05.06.2020