SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 09/05/19 1151693 signs three-year deal to remain with Kings 1151725 Shap Shots: Plano native Stefan Noesen getting his 1151694 Ducks by position: Previewing Anaheim’s 2019-20 chance with hometown Stars 1151726 Niklas Kronwall's emotions hit hard at retirement: 'There 1151695 Arizona Coyotes believe 's long-term are other things in life' contract extension is worth the risk 1151727 Niyo: Timing was everything for Red Wings' Niklas 1151696 Coyotes take risk to seek reward, sign Clayton Keller for 8 Kronwall more years 1151728 Niklas Kronwall: Playing for Red Wings was 'more than 1151697 Arizona Coyotes sign 8-year extension with forward hockey' Clayton Keller 1151729 Red Wings’ Niklas Kronwall on retirement: Time was right 1151698 Five players to watch as Coyotes rookie camp opens 1151730 Detroit Red Wings release 2019-20 TV schedule 1151699 2019-20 NHL Preview: Arizona Coyotes 1151731 How Red Wings defense stacks up without Niklas Kronwall Bruins 1151700 Bruins hold captains practice, still not over loss in Stanley Oilers Cup Final 1151732 Joakim Nygard could fill the role Tobias Rieder failed on 1151701 After election to US , Tim Thomas last year finally speaks 1151733 Swiss forward Gaetan Haas could fill the 3C hole for 1151702 Former Bruins goalie Tim Thomas recalls Boston fondly 1151703 Bruins players try to get past the pain of Game 7 1151734 Lowetide: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the configuration of 1151704 Bruins notebook: Captains practice opens team activities the Oilers second line 1151705 Tim Thomas breaks his silence, but former Bruins goalie is as elusive as ever 1151706 Bruins DeBunked: Time to dispel David Krejci rumors, and 1151735 Adrian Kempe signs three-year deal to remain with Kings appreciate last season 1151736 Kings sign Adrian Kempe to 3-year contract extension 1151707 ‘I have other interests. Totally other focus’: Tim Thomas 1151737 Adrian Kempe opts for some security with new contract speaks about life after hockey and Kings hope they get a bargain 1151708 Would a group therapy session help the Bruins move past 1151738 MCLELLAN ON SPEED, DEFENSE, TRAINING CAMP, the pain of their Game 7 loss? KOVALCHUK, TOFFOLI, PLAYING ROOKIES 1151739 KEMPE SIGNS FOR THREE YEARS, SIX MILLION 1151709 Sam Reinhart 'looking forward' to first Sabres camp under Ralph Krueger 1151740 Wild invites Drew Stafford to training camp on professional 1151710 Devils make it official: No. 1 overall pick Hughes will be on tryout prospect team here this week 1151741 As Wild’s season nears, ‘top priority’ Jared Spurgeon 1151711 Former Sabres Brian Gionta selected for U.S. meets with Bill Guerin Hockey Hall of Fame Canadiens 1151742 Canadiens draft pick Jayden Struble commits to 1151712 Flames Notes: Talbot keeping net role in perspective Northeastern University 1151713 Flames GM Treliving still hopeful they'll sign Tkachuk 1151743 Former Canadien Brian Gionta to be inducted in U.S. before 2019-20 training camp Hockey Hall of Fame 1151714 How Bill Peters managed his forward lines last year and 1151744 Stu Cowan: Habs' pick Cole Caufield begins college what that means for Calgary’s trios this season career with a bang 1151745 Wisconsin hockey a family affair for Canadiens prospect Cole Caufield 1151715 Goalie Petr Mrazek still the Carolina Hurricanes’ wild card 1151746 Canadiens' prospects to watch as rookie camp begins in 1151716 Canes’ Rod Brind’Amour counting on Ryan Dzingel to add Brossard more speed to a fast lineup 1151747 NHL career of ex-Hab Paul Meger, who died at 90, ended 1151717 Canes’ McGinn, Williams will always be linked by a special in on-ice accident Game 7 moment 1151748 Carey Price only Canadien in The Hockey News list of Top 50 NHL players 1151718 What's the holdup in contract negotiations between Brendan Perlini and Blackhawks? 1151749 Ryan Johansen on the Predators’ outlook this season: 1151719 , Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome jump start ‘The bottom line is we know what we’re capable of’ season at Darryl Belfry’s camp 1151720 Avalanche player (p)review: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare 1151721 Avalanche player (p)review: Matt Nieto 1151722 Blue Jackets' Sonny Milano pleads not guilty to assault 1151723 ‘She did what?’: Three classic stories involving Fox Sports Ohio analyst Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre 1151724 The Gifted: How Blue Jackets prospect Emil Bemstrom mastered getting open 1151750 Devils’ Jack Hughes, Ty Smith, Jesper Boqvist highlight 1151775 Caps of Year Bracket: No. 2 Backstrom’s Spinning team’s roster for 2019 Prospects Challenge Sauce vs No. 7 Kuzy Bar Down 1151751 Devils’ most important players: No. 4 Mackenzie 1151776 Caps Goal of Year Bracket: No. 1 Ovi Dangles Canes vs Blackwood | Why goalie could be vital half of his position No. 9 Dowd Alley-Oop to Stephenson 1151752 State of the franchise: The questions and tantalizing 1151777 Smith-Pelly gets another shot at sticking in the NHL, this possibilities hanging over the Devils’ wings time with Calgary Flames 1151753 2019 NHL farm system rankings: No. 3 New Jersey Devils 1151778 Capitals Mailbag: Why only 3 Caps deserve to have their numbers retired 1151779 Players for a day: Capitals give media a taste of the grind 1151754 Five questions for the New York Rangers entering the with unique training camp experience Traverse City Tournament Websites 1151789 The Athletic / NHL players’ respect for tennis on display at 1151755 After a summer free of major distractions, Senators the U.S. Open prospects kick off rookie camp 1151790 The Athletic / has spent a lifetime turning obstacles into opportunities 1151791 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Five coaches and five 1151756 SugarHouse Casino becomes official sportsbook partner GMs who absolutely won’t get fired this year, maybe with Flyers, Wells Fargo Center 1151792 The Athletic / Most intriguing NHL prospect to watch at 1151757 This summer as an RFA: A Q&A with Flyers defenseman camp for every team, 2019-20 edition Travis Sanheim 1151793 The Athletic / Inside the Summit: How Auston Matthews, Hilary Knight and hockey’s elite get better 1151794 .ca / Pettersson feeling quicker, stronger after 1151758 had the top-selling NHL Shop jersey last summer of conditioning season 1151795 Sportsnet.ca / Leafs' Liljegren, Sandin determined to crack 1151759 Penguins 2019-20 camp preview: How much (if at all) will opening-night roster Phil Kessel be missed? 1151796 Sportsnet.ca / McDavid has not had any setbacks in 1151760 So the Penguins have to make a trade? Not so fast, Jim recovery; return date still unclear Rutherford says 1151797 TSN.CA / Escrow the symptom of a larger issue 1151798 TSN.CA / NHLPA weighing risks of poking the bear 1151800 TSN.CA / Andersen ready to shoulder the load again for 1151761 Sharks GM Doug Wilson confirms Patrick Marleau won't Leafs sign in San Jose 1151801 YAHOO SPORTS / Canucks' Elias Pettersson willing to 1151762 Sharks' bares (almost) all for ESPN in pressure Brock Boeser to sign annual Body Issue 1151802 YAHOO SPORTS / Flames invite Devante Smith-Pelly, 1151763 Patrick Marleau won’t be returning, but will ‘always be a Zac Rinaldo to camp on PTO Shark, no matter where he goes’ 1151803 YAHOO SPORTS / Report: Pierre McGuire removed from NBC's top NHL broadcast crew St Louis Blues 1151804 YAHOO SPORTS / Clayton Keller signs maximum-term 1151764 It's hockey time: Blues prospects head to Traverse City contract with Coyotes tournament 1151765 A timeless toast: From his final resting place, longtime Blue Barclay Plager sips from the 1151780 Little centre of attention for Jets 1151781 Second-line middle-man position Little's to lose 1151782 Morrissey, Jets talking about long-term extension 1151766 Lightning announce plans for three-day fan event 1151783 Losing Trouba tough, but Morrissey marching onward 1151784 Morrissey would love to play whole career with Jets Maple Leafs 1151785 One-on-one with Paul Maurice: On centre issues, changes 1151767 Maple Leafs' Andersen ready to embrace load for 2019-20 and the future of his young stars management once 2019-20 gets underway SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1151768 SIMMONS: Leafs coach Babcock has to change —⁠ but can he or will he? 1151769 Maple Leafs GM Dubas denies coach Babcock is under the gun 1151770 Fallen Leafs: Did hockey kill Dan Maloney and Greg Terrion? 1151771 ‘He’s good at everything’: Leafs prospect Mikko Kokkonen has always been ahead of the curve 1151772 Inside the Summit: How Auston Matthews, Hilary Knight and hockey’s elite get better Canucks 1151786 Ben Kuzma: Stronger Pettersson looks, sounds like he won't suffer sophomore slump 1151787 Ben Kuzma: Canucks dangle one more contract carrot in front of Goldobin 1151788 Solving the Canucks’ biggest lineup challenges and how it impacts their playoff chances 1151773 Players to watch during Vegas Golden Knights rookie camp 1151774 Golden Knights’ confident core says lingering disappointment will be ‘biggest weapon’ 1151693 Anaheim Ducks

Adrian Kempe signs three-year deal to remain with Kings

Calgary Flames v Los Angeles Kings

By JACK HARRISSTAFF WRITER

The Kings signed forward Adrian Kempe to a three-year deal Wednesday, locking up a member of their young core after a summer- long contract negotiation.

According to the team, the deal will be worth $2 million in average annual value for Kempe, who was a restricted free agent this offseason.

“It makes sense for him and it makes sense for us,” Kings President Luc Robitaille said. “We think he’s a great young player. Plays with a lot of pace, plays the way we want our players to play.”

A first-round draft pick in 2014, Kempe flashed potential in his first full NHL season in 2017-18. He had 16 goals and 21 assists and a plus-11 rating that year, helping the team to a playoff berth.

He took a step back last year, though. After a slow start that saw him total 13 points in his first 49 games, he finished the campaign with just 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) and a minus-10 rating even as he played a career-high 20:29 per game. The Kings finished last in Western Conference.

“[This deal] gives him a chance to get another kick at the can,” Robitaille said. “Every player deserves that.”

Robitaille sees Kempe, who will turn 23 on Sept. 13, as an important piece to the franchise’s future. A 6-foot-2, 201-pound center who has represented in the last two World Championships, Kempe’s defensive play has already impressed Kings brass. Now, Robitaille wants to see him develop offensively.

“It’s up to him,” Robitaille said. “He’s played a certain role with our organization, with our team. This year, he senses that he has a little bit more of an offensive role he’s going to have to fulfill. That’s going to really give him a chance to probably create and get more chances.”

Kempe, whose brother Mario signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Kings in July, was one of several notable restricted free agents around the league who had a contract negotiation stretch deep into the summer. The deal Wednesday ensures he will be on the roster when the team’s training camp opens next week.

“We need guys like that, that come in and have a great attitude,” Robitaille said. “He works hard every day. Even though he’s only 22, he’s going to be helping some of our young guys coming in the next couple years.”

LA Times: LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151694 Anaheim Ducks year for Anaheim and easily can get back above 30 – his high of 31 is very reachable – with improved team play around him (for instance, he received much better offensive support when he came back from injury Ducks by position: Previewing Anaheim’s 2019-20 goaltenders last March). He also has the capability of a bust-out career year in which he’s putting up leading or top-five numbers in several categories.

By Eric Stephens Sep 4, 2019 What is realistic: Even if he doesn’t have that one massive season that elevates him from first-level elite to the very best, Gibson will deliver

quality starts on most nights and give the Ducks a chance to win. And The final aspect of preventing goals is the most important one. So it is while scoring may continue to rise, it’s a safe bet that he’ll want to fitting that The Athletic closes out this positional preview series on the improve on his 2018-19 numbers and move closer to a 2.50 GAA while Ducks by looking at those directly tasked with stopping pucks. getting his save percentage back above .920. A team in transition will make it challenging but the combination of Gibson’s talent and more The goalie position in Anaheim might carry the most impact of any NHL inspired play under a new coach should allow him to top last year’s win city. The Ducks are blessed with an absolute star in net, a genuine total. game-changer when he is at the top of his game. Or even when he is just merely near the top. Ryan Miller

And they’ve got a backup who has been what the starter is now. Every Age: 39 other position – which we’ve covered in looking at the centers, left wings, NHL season: 17th right wings and defensemen on the left and right sides – contains its share of question marks. The Ducks have none in their most important What he can do: Be the ultimate professional and win games when it is position. Their best player resides there and a highly respected, his turn in the crease. Miller’s extensive experience as a clear-cut No. 1 accomplished veteran is beside for support. goalie and willingness to accept a backup role at this stage of an impressive career makes him the ideal partner (and mentor by example?) This exercise has been about looking at what each player is able to do for Gibson. He has seen it all and virtually done it all. this season, what they need to avoid doing, what we should hope is possible and what we should anticipate that is more realistic. What is In Miller, Anaheim knows that it has a backup who can do more than start possible for the Ducks this season could rest on what they get within the the second half of back-to-back games. He can run with the net for a few net. games in case Gibson needs a break or is dealing with an ailment. He has long been great in the shootout with 59 wins (along with an John Gibson impressive plus-19 mark compared to losses), second only to Henrik Age: 26 Lundqvist, while possessing a strong .713 save percentage.

NHL season: Sixth What he can’t do: Don’t expect him to play at an elite or All-Star level for months in case something catastrophic happens to Gibson. Miller is a What he can do: Win the as the NHL’s best goalie. When technician and a student who not only focuses on every situation he’ll he was keeping the Ducks in games (and winning some) almost single- face in games but carries extensive knowledge of the league’s forwards handedly during the first three weeks of last season, it seemed as though and their moves or preferences when taking aim. But while his lanky Gibson was going to run away with the honor. And he was still making physique allows him to retain good agility in the crease, it isn’t saves at a .927 clip through the middle of December when Anaheim reasonable to expect him to repeatedly make athletic saves. remained in playoff position. He closed the year by going 9-3-0/2.51 GAA/.926 SV% in his final 12 games after coming back from a What is possible: Miller was stellar in his first season with Anaheim and concussion. He can also be counted on to make one or two saves a night solid in his second. Even when working with clear No. 1s like Gibson, that rate high on the impossibility scale. Few netminders possess his teams are starting to spread the workload more evenly in the regular ability to make multiple movements in the crease on quick-changing season. No goalie played in 70 games last season (Minnesota’s Devan plays and be in position to make a stop on each. Dubnyk led the NHL with 67). It is fair to think a healthy Miller will at least draw 20 starts and could get 25-30 if anything pops up with his crease Even when Gibson was in peak form, his numbers didn’t match those of mate. He might not record 2.35 GAA/.928 SV% like he did in 2017-18 but other goalies. Other goalies also played on better teams or in better he can get 12 to 15 wins and sit around the 2.50 GAA/.915 SV% mark. defensive systems. He still finished 10th in Vezina voting even though his 2.84 goals-against average was by far the worst of his career and his What is realistic: With wrist and knee issues the past two seasons, Miller save percentage slipped to .917 from the .920-and-above levels he put could get dinged at some point and miss time. The hazards of the up in three straight seasons. But one must also consider that scoring position make it tough for goalies (starters or backups) to stay physically continued to trend upward, with the league average of 3.01 goals per intact through an entire season. The Ducks have games on back to back game being the highest since 2005-06 and the .910 save percentage nights just twice in the season’s two months and four times before being the lowest in a decade. Christmas. We will have to see if Dallas Eakins – with goalie coach Sudarshan Maharaj providing counsel – mixes in additional starts for What he can’t do: Lift the Ducks into the playoffs all by himself. Did I Miller, in addition to those the schedule makes more natural. But it’s fair jump the gun here? Maybe he still can. It just wasn’t so last season. to say you’ll see him in up to 25 contests, the majority being starts. Gibson finally succumbed to the horrendous play from his teammates that resulted in a coaching change, one many felt had been long Ryan Miller. (Sergei Belski / USA Today) overdue. Frustration mounted and it seeped into his play, as he had one Anthony Stolarz stretch of two wins in 17 appearances with below-average GAA (3.68) and SV% (.891). The weight of carrying the team in the early months Age: 25 took its toll. NHL season: Third Gibson isn’t perfect. Though he has improved his technical game and improved the marriage between being economical in his movements and What he can do: Grab the No. 3 goalie job and establish himself as a using his superior athleticism, Gibson can still stray from the former and trusted option to win NHL starts if Gibson or Miller suffers a long-term lose his positioning when under constant duress. And while his puck injury. Once a solid prospect with Philadelphia, Stolarz used 2018-19 to handling is far better than when he entered the NHL, he isn’t going to bounce back from two knee surgeries that limited him to four games in remind anyone of or even Marty Turco when it comes to 2017-18. He did have a 38-save for the Flyers against the New playing it and operating as a de-facto third defenseman. But there are York Rangers but made only two starts and six appearances for few flaws. Edmonton after a February trade for Cam Talbot. Stolarz has great size (6-foot-6), good athleticism for that frame and can cover plenty of net What is possible: Questions about Gibson’s durability should be moot at when he’s on his angle and squared up to shooters. this point. Teams are giving their clear No. 1 goalies more rest these days and his totals of 60 and 58 games played over the last two seasons What he can’t do: Earn a long look at the NHL level. Stolarz appeared to are in line with most top netminders. He still won 26 games in a dreadful get stuck within the Flyers’ crowded system as veterans (, Michal Neuvirth, Brian Elliott) were above him and Carter Hart flew by on the depth chart. The knee injury was ill-timed after he showed some promise during a seven-game run in 2016-17. A lower-body injury also made him unavailable for a few weeks last season. He also hasn’t lit up the AHL even though he long has been considered a goalie with raw NHL-level ability.

What is possible: Stolarz signed a two-year deal, a strong clue that the Ducks are giving him the opportunity to play well and position himself to win the backup job next year if Miller makes this season his last. Barring injuries, Stolarz will play a lot for San Diego and must show that he can stay healthy. Strong numbers as a No. 1 for the Gulls – with a little time spent in Anaheim on the nights that either Gibson or Miller can’t dress – will leave a favorable impression.

What is realistic: He’ll battle for net time with incumbent Kevin Boyle and prospect Roman Durny, who signed an AHL deal last month. Stolarz played in 47 AHL games with Lehigh Valley in 2015-16 and figures to get 35 to 40 of the Gulls’ 68 games as long as he is physically sound. Regular action should help him find consistency, and new San Diego coach Kevin Dineen should give him that unless his game goes south for an extended period. Time with the Ducks doesn’t figure to be plentiful unless they deal with a significant injury and then choose not to bring in an available goalie, as they did with Chad Johnson last season.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151695 Arizona Coyotes "Last season is over with," Keller said via conference call on Wednesday. "This is a new start. There's nothing to worry about and I can just go out and play my best. I'm just so excited to be here for eight more years. This Arizona Coyotes believe Clayton Keller's long-term contract extension is is going to be a great year." worth the risk The other important wrinkle to all of us is that of new owner Alex Meruelo, who Chayka said signed off on the Keller extension before the parties put pen to paper. It is yet another commitment from the billionaire Richard Morin, Arizona RepublicPublished 10:24 a.m. MT Sept. 4, 2019 | owner to a team he "sure as sh--" wants to see win. Updated 3:50 p.m. MT Sept. 4, 2019 "He's put his money where his mouth is," Chayka said of Meruelo, who also blessed the offseason trade for Phil Kessel (and the remaining $19 million of that contract). "His directive has been clear to me. He's focused With the Coyotes signing forward Clayton Keller to an eight-year on being a sustainable, long-term contender. extension through the 2027-28 season, they have guaranteed themselves at least nine more years of No. 9 on their roster. "When that's your goal, there are certain risks that come along with it but also certain actions you need to take." The long-term deal, which carries an annual average value (AAV) of $7.15 million, is the second-largest contract handed out in team history Arizona Republic LOADED: 09.05.2019 and will make Keller the highest-paid forward on the team when the deal begins in 2020-21.

Keller's agent, Scott Bartlett, confirmed the details of the contract on Wednesday via his Twitter account.

Pleased to confirm @ClaytonKeller37’s new deal is an AAV of $7.15M. Deal also contains lockout protection and trade protection during UFA years of the deal, as follows: pic.twitter.com/DI9YwZ2IFw

— Scott Bartlett (@SCGscott) September 4, 2019

Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Chayka seemed to already have a sense of how controversial it was to give an eight-year, $57.2 million contract to Keller, who is coming off a 47-point campaign in 2018-19.

"Clayton Keller is a player you want on your team," Chayka said via conference call on Wednesday. "The value of the contract will be debated and will be played out for many years. But the reality is that the player wanted to sign here long-term, wanted to be here and is going to be a part of this team for a long time.

"I drafted Clayton Keller seventh overall and some questioned that at the time as well. I think that will be proven to be a good decision and I feel the same about this decision."

Chayka has been extraordinarily proactive in locking up his young players (see: Jakob Chychrun, Nick Schmaltz, Christian Dvorak, etc.), but there was perhaps even more motivation in Keller's case given the slow-moving market of this summer's restricted free agent (RFA) class.

Keller, 21, will play out the final year of his entry-level contract this season and would have required a new deal next summer, becoming RFA-eligible for the first time. This summer has seen marquee names such as Mitch Marner, Brayden Point, Matthew Tkachuk and others waiting around without contracts.

When those elite-level players are inevitably signed, it should have a profound effect on the RFA market, of which Keller would be a part next season. And while he acknowledges the risk of the extension, Chayka ultimately decided it would have been an even greater gamble to wait.

Chayka also has little interest in waiting and allowing other teams to dictate how much he should pay his players. That's not what championship teams do, he said.

"To try to win a Stanley Cup," Chayka said, "you have to do some things that in the short term might make you a little uncomfortable, but long-term you believe are the right thing for the organization.

"Following the herd will ensure that you'll never be number one."

But just because Chayka feels he has minimized risk does not mean he has eliminated risk. Keller may have broken virtually every Coyotes rookie record in 2017-18, but he was visibly not the same player last season.

And at this new price-point, the Coyotes are undoubtedly banking on Keller to lead them to their first playoff berth since 2012. Keller has made it clear he wants to play in Arizona for a long time, but can he rise up to the level of his contract?

As a player with a seemingly unflinching focus on hockey, Keller seemed to think a benefit of signing early would be to hit the ice with a fresh mental approach. 1151696 Arizona Coyotes The paradox of the narrative surrounding Keller is that he was an All-Star as a 20-year-old, but he’s been described as having a down year. He led his team in points, but reaction from fans to news of his extension was Coyotes take risk to seek reward, sign Clayton Keller for 8 more years somewhat mixed. He had 65 points in his first year and 47 points in his second. What will his NHL career look like?

“You can either frame it as a player who struggled last year,” Chayka BY MATT LAYMAN | SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 AT 4:50 PM said, “or you can frame it as a player that broke a lot of records at the U.S. National Development Program, was one of the top players in

college hockey, won at World Juniors, came in first year and broke all of GLENDALE, Ariz. — Think back to eight years ago. The hockey team in our franchise records in terms of offensive production and is learning to Arizona was called the Phoenix Coyotes, and they played at Jobing.com grow and still has a lot of room to grow, but someone that we want to Arena. Their best players were Mike Smith, Ray Whitney, Radim Vrbata have as part of the long-term of our organization. So that was our and Shane Doan. Their head coach was Dave Tippett, and they went all thought.” the way to the Western Conference Finals. Keller told reporters in a conference call on Wednesday that he’s been Years from now, the Coyotes’ top players might not be a list of names too training all summer and working particularly on his shot, one that different than the ones on their roster now. Their general manager, John produced 23 goals his rookie year and 14 goals last year. Chayka, has made a point to lock down young players that he sees as But keep in mind, too, that Keller, like the whole team, might benefit next pieces of their future core. In 2024-25, the Coyotes will have a combined year and beyond from having healthier personnel. They were battered by cap hit of $22.05 million tied up in Nick Schmaltz, Christian Dvorak, injuries to key players last year, removing offensive producers like Clayton Keller and Jakob Chychrun. Those four players are currently an Schmaltz, with whom Keller seemed to work well on the ice. It also helps average age of 22 years old. that Arizona brought in Carl Soderberg and Phil Kessel this offseason, Whatever the outcome, Chayka has certainly shown a willingness to stick further bolstering the group Keller will play with. to his beliefs and put his chips on the table before the stakes get “I think with a healthy team, we’re a really tough team to beat,” Keller prohibitively high. He did it again Wednesday, signing Keller to an eight- said. “We’re going to play a fast style of game, and I couldn’t be more year extension for a reported $7.15 million average annual value (AAV) excited to get Phil and Soderberg and guys that are really going to help that makes the 21-year-old the highest-paid forward on the team next our team and help us be more successful this year.” year. It was a risk, one that took conviction and belief in the player for the team to make such a commitment. Chayka, on that matter: “Obviously we’re betting on him rebounding with our team. Having a Phil Kessel, having a healthy Nick Schmaltz, having “I think at its core, really, the philosophy is that we just don’t want to have some other guys around him that bring speed and skill, certainly our bet to follow the herd,” Chayka said. “We wanted to make a proactive is that last year was a down year and he’ll continue to improve and get decision. We wanted to make that decision on our terms. And we wanted better as his contract matures and as Clayton matures. Hopefully it’s one to make sure it was one that would allow us to keep our core of young where it’s good for the player and good for the team.” players together for a long time and also allow us to build a team. I think there’s risks in any move you make, and in this instance, there’s some In 2019-20, barring a big acquisition of another highly-paid player, Keller risk to make this type of a deal and there also would’ve been risk to just will be the second-highest paid player on the team behind Oliver Ekman- wait. Larsson. That, and Chayka’s acknowledging that signing Keller is a risk, should be statement enough that he believes strongly in what Keller can “I drafted Clayton Keller seventh overall. Some questioned that at the do. And the team seems to feel that the risk of getting it done now is time, as well. I think that will be proven to be a good decision, and I feel better than the risk of waiting until later. the same about this decision.” “I think in order to try to win a Stanley Cup, you’ve got to take risks, and TRADING ONE RISK FOR ANOTHER you have to do some things that sometimes, short-term, make you a little Next summer, Keller would’ve been an RFA — three pesky letters that as uncomfortable, but long-term, you believe is the right thing for the of Wednesday were the callsign of a group of unsigned stars; players organization,” Chayka said. “Again, I just know that following the herd will across the NHL wondering when a contract standoff with their team will ensure that you’ll never be No. 1. And we didn’t want to do that.” end and allow them to get back to work. The Coyotes and Keller avoided Arizona Sports LOADED: 09.05.2019 that.

They also avoid watching Keller’s play take off in 2019-20 and driving up his asking price with each goal and assist, leading Chayka to wonder how the team will get him signed to an extension.

But in circumventing those risks, the Coyotes take on another risk in its own right: Keller needs to be the player the Coyotes are convinced that he is in order for this deal to be the team-friendly one they hope it someday will be.

Chayka hinted that “there’s going to be some macro factors that affect the cap and what players are paid.” Translation: As the cap goes up and player salaries go up, in a few years, Keller’s $7.15 million AAV won’t be what $7.15 million is today. It will be diluted by market inflation. That, combined with Keller progressing, could make this deal extremely palatable.

“Unfortunately, the way the market works here is if you become reactionary and just wait for players to produce and then react to that, and you’re waiting for everyone to have a good year before you sign them, then you’re going to struggle to find value deals, keep your team together and be a sustainable winner,” he said.

“This deal got done because Clayton Keller wanted to be here long-term. You go around the league and understand what’s occurring, and shorter- term is the trend. Those are deals that the AAV might start a little lower, but ultimately, you lose control of the player, they reach free agency and they get more flexibility of movement, and as we’ve seen, if you want to wait then it starts breaking up your team.”

WHAT COMES NEXT? 1151697 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes sign 8-year extension with forward Clayton Keller

BY MATT LAYMAN | SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 AT 10:14 AM

The batch of unsigned restricted free agents has been a major story this offseason across the NHL, but the Arizona Coyotes have taken one off the board from next year’s class.

Coyotes forward Clayton Keller, who would have been eligible to become a restricted free agent in the 2020 offseason, has signed an extension with the team for eight years. The contract is for an average annual value of $7.15 million, according to The Athletic’s Craig Morgan and Sportsnet’s .

The deal would make Keller the second-highest paid player on the team behind captain defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

“Clayton is elite in every sense of the word,” GM John Chayka said in a press release. “He is not only an All-Star and one of the premiere offensive playmakers in the league, but he is equally special as a person with his drive and determination to be great. We are thankful to Clayton for believing in our future and look forward to him playing a vital role on this team for many years to come. We are also very appreciative of Mr. Meruelo’s willingness to invest in our future and solidify one of our core players here in Arizona for a long time.”

Keller, who is going into his third full season, has led the Coyotes in points in both of the years he’s played in the NHL. That said, his point total of 47 last year ranked him tied for 121st in the league among all NHL skaters. He registered 14 goals and 33 assists, and the year before had 23 goals with 42 assists for 65 points.

The seventh overall pick in 2016 was considered an elite prospect coming out of Boston University, and his rookie campaign put him third in the Calder Trophy voting for the NHL’s top rookie.

Pleased to confirm @ClaytonKeller37’s new deal is an AAV of $7.15M. Deal also contains lockout protection and trade protection during UFA years of the deal, as follows: pic.twitter.com/DI9YwZ2IFw

— Scott Bartlett (@SCGscott) September 4, 2019

“This is a truly special day for my family and I,” Keller said in the release. “I love everything about being a Coyote. My teammates are great. We have a great coaching staff. Everything about this organization is on the right track and I know we have an opportunity to do some special things here for a long time. Arizona is where I want to be and I’m proud to commit to the Coyotes long term. I’m thankful to the organization for believing in me and believing in what we can accomplish moving forward.”

In 2017-18, Keller was the first rookie in Coyotes history to win multiple Rookie of the Month awards. He enters this year with the third-most assists among players selected in the 2016 draft and last year became the youngest player in team history to be selected to the All-Star game.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151698 Arizona Coyotes “I like the fact he feels some urgency, but with all the injuries he’s been through, we are looking for continued growth,” Coyotes assistant general manager and GM Steve Sullivan said. “There is no Five players to watch as Coyotes rookie camp opens set timeline on development and when you are ready.”

Outlook: Merkley could lock down one of the final forward roster spots when the season begins, but if Hayton makes the team, that might mean By Craig Morgan Sep 4, 2019 the 14th spot and a lot of nights in the press box instead of the bench. Chayka has suggested the 14th spot could be filled by a player on a two-

way deal, so while Merkley could play some games with the NHL club, There was a time when the infusion of rookies into the Coyotes lineup the Coyotes might choose to rotate the 14th forward between the NHL was the team’s most intriguing storyline. and AHL teams to give several players looks while providing them enough game action in Tucson to develop. In 2015, Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and Jordan Martinook provided hope. In 2016, it was Christian Dvorak, Jakob Chychrun and Brendan Kyle Capobianco Perlini. In 2017, Clayton Keller and Christian Fischer made the jump. Age: 22 Last season, Dylan Strome got a brief look before president of hockey operations John Chayka traded him to Chicago with Perlini for Nick Position: Left defense Schmaltz. Draft history: No. 63 pick in 2015 As rookie camp begins at Gila River Arena on Thursday, there are precious few roster spots up for grabs for newbies. Ten forwards, seven Storyline: Capobianco has come a long way since the Coyotes drafted defensemen and two goalies return from last season, and new additions him. Sullivan loves his puck-moving ability, and Capobianco had seven Phil Kessel and Carl Söderberg will eat up two more spots. Barring a goals and 32 points in 40 games for Tucson last season. An ACL tear in trade or the unexpected demotion of Christian Fischer, the only one of his second NHL game cut his season short, but he is progressing well in those 12 forwards who is waivers-exempt, that leaves two forward roster his rehab and could be given the green light for contact at camp. spots open and maybe one spot on the blue line, with Ilya Lyubushkin Outlook: Capobianco’s path to the NHL essentially involves beating out also waivers-exempt. Lyubushkin for the final roster spot. The fact Lyubushkin is one of two Outside of Barrett Hayton, it’s difficult to envision any of the Coyotes right-handed defensemen on the Coyotes blue line helps his cause, but rookies securing a major role on the team, but there is a handful worth at some point, the team’s depth will be tested, and Capobianco is the first watching for various reasons and a larger group whose development guy in line for a call-up if he doesn’t make the NHL roster. It might even could become a factor in years to come. make sense to allow him to round into shape in the AHL after such a long absence. Here are our top five rookies to watch at camp, which will feature 27 players. The schedule can be found here. Ivan Prosvetov

Barrett Hayton Age: 20

Age: 19 Position: Goalie

Position: Center Draft history: No. 114 pick in 2018

Draft history: No. 5 pick in 2018 Storyline: Prosvetov is an intriguing combination of size, athleticism and competitive fire. He’ll have to learn how to control that fire, as it got him Storyline: We provided a detailed look at Hayton’s progression in a story into some hot water last season and might have cost his team, the on Monday. As the top prospect in the Coyotes’ system, Hayton is as Saginaw Spirit, an OHL title. Prosvetov had the fourth-highest save important to the future of the team as any player already on the roster. percentage (.910) in the OHL last season among goalies who played at The Coyotes do not have a bona fide No. 1 center, but they are hoping least 30 games and the fifth-best goals-against average (2.94). The Hayton can be at least a top-six force with a strong, two-way game and Coyotes are extremely high on him, but goalies often take a long while to the offensive upside he displayed last season in the Hockey develop. League when he had 26 goals and 66 points in 39 games. Outlook: In a perfect world, Prosvetov will earn a roster spot in Tucson Outlook: Hayton’s future is at center, but with Schmaltz, Derek Stepan, this season and challenge Adin Hill for the starter’s job and the title of No. Dvorak, Brad Richardson and Söderberg on the roster, coach Rick 1 goalie prospect. If he doesn’t look ready for the pro game, Erik Källgren Tocchet could choose to start him at wing to ease his transition to the or Merrick Madsen could serve as Hill’s backup. NHL game. Victor Söderström “I think he is a hybrid type of guy, so I think he could adapt to the wing positions,” Tocchet said. “He’s a very good centerman, and I’d like to Age: 18 keep him at center, but there’s a lot of things that dictate that. Can he be Position: Right defense on a kill? Can he take some power-play reps? A regular shift? The one thing I can tell you is the last thing we’re going to do is have him Draft history: No. 11 pick in 2019 on our team and then play him four or five minutes a night. That’s not going to develop him. That’s not what we’re looking to do here, so he’s Storyline: Despite the expected optimism from the management and got to check the boxes.” coaching staffs, Söderström’s first NHL training camp will be more of a look-see. The Coyotes want to expose him to the NHL club and In other words: Hayton won’t be a spare part. He’ll earn a top-12 spot or everything that entails getting him comfortable, but he is 18 and the head back to Sault Ste. Marie for another year. He is not AHL-eligible, Coyotes have a well-stocked blue line that offers no significant per the CHL-NHL agreement. opportunities. He is part of the future, but that future is not now.

Nick Merkley Outlook: The decision for the Coyotes is this: Should they send Söderström back to the for another season with Age: 22 Brynäs, where he will still be playing against men, or should he begin his Position: Right wing North American pro experience with Tucson? Because he is a European draft pick, Söderström is not beholden to the CHL-NHL agreement, which Draft history: No. 30 pick in 2015 could help accelerate his development. His play at training camp will dictate that decision. Storyline: Merkley is finally healthy and able to participate in his first full training camp after suffering four significant injuries in less than three Others to watch seasons. As he enters the final season of his entry-level contract, Merkley is treating this camp as a final opportunity — a sense of urgency Kevin Bahl (19): Bahl’s combination of size (6-foot-6) and decent skating that might not be shared by the Coyotes. ability makes him a unique defense prospect in the Coyotes system. Cat Silverman will have a deeper story on Bahl this weekend. Nate Schnarr (20): Schnarr put up 102 points last season for OHL champion Guelph. His size at center (6-3) intrigues, as does his ability to produce without noticeable flash to his game. He’ll get a look in Tucson this season.

Jan Jenik (18): With good size, a well-rounded game and skill, Jenik is a promising forward prospect who had 30 points (13 goals) in 27 games with Hamilton (OHL) after coming over from the Czech Republic.

Ty Emberson (19): Emberson didn’t put up big offensive numbers in his first season at Wisconsin, but he played a steady role and is a right- handed defenseman, which helps his chances.

Tyler Steenbergen (21): Steenbergen didn’t have a great first season of pro hockey with Tucson (nine goals, 22 points in 63 games). He’ll have to display more dynamic offensive ability to be anything more than a depth player, but he did score 98 combined goals in 128 games over his final two seasons in the OHL with Swift Current.

Cameron Crotty (20): Crotty is a big, right-handed defenseman with good feet who hasn’t shown a lot of offensive ability but excels in a shutdown role.

Erik Källgren (22): The Coyotes surprised some analysts when they signed Källgren, a seventh-round pick, to an entry-level deal. Scouts convinced Chayka he was worth the investment. He has a chance to play in Tucson this season as Hill’s backup.

Cam Dineen (21): As with Merkley, injuries have set Dineen back to the point where the 2016 third-round pick is almost a forgotten man. He has reportedly looked much better in summer workouts.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151699 Arizona Coyotes goals share and 45 percent goals percentage, both of which hover around team average. He isn’t exactly elevating the group when he’s on the ice, and while his raw numbers last year were a slight improvement at 2019-20 NHL Season Preview: Arizona Coyotes 49 and 44 percent respectively, they were both over two percent worse than when he was on the bench. Defensively, his RAPM numbers were quite weak. When you’re being compared to your peers on a poor team that’s not the best sign. Ekman-Larsson is still the team’s strongest puck- By Dom Luszczyszyn Sep 4, 2019 mover which suggests he can drive play, but the team isn’t getting results from it, meaning something else is missing from the equation.

One of last year’s most pleasant surprises was Arizona’s rise to His scoring rate isn’t that great either, settling in around the 45-point prominence. While the Coyotes didn’t make the playoffs, the team was range for the majority of his career aside from one outlier season. Part of only four points out, finishing with 86 points – their highest total in five that stems from a struggling power play that’s been in the league’s seasons. Couple that with the number of injuries the team was dealing bottom 10 for four straight seasons and is dead last overall in that time with throughout the year and it becomes enough reason for optimism for frame, but while a lack of forward help is the main problem, Ekman- a team that’s missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons. Adding a Larsson hasn’t exactly been the solution either. star winger over the summer only furthers that. There is reason for hope though and it comes from Ekman-Larsson’s Playoffs are the goal and anything less would be a disappointment, but strong finish to the 2018-19 season. While he and the team got off to a as inspiring as last year’s run was, I’m not sold just yet. Much of last slow start, the Coyotes hung around the playoff race in the second half year’s success hinged on good fortune that included incredible on the strength of a 22-15-6 record down the stretch, sparking optimism goaltending, and while the Coyotes have one of the league’s stronger about the season to come. From the first half to the second half, Ekman- tandems, a playoff spot still feels slightly out of reach at the Larsson’s average Game Score improved from a replaceable 0.07 to a organization’s current juncture. top-pairing caliber 0.50 off the strength of a 52 percent expected goals share. It’s that second half that most people expect from Ekman-Larsson With a 26 percent chance courtesy in part to a weak division, Arizona regularly and if he can keep it up for a whole season, the Coyotes can be making the playoffs is not out of the question. If you’re a Coyotes fan, flip better than projected here. a coin twice and if you get heads twice, congratulations, the team is in. Those are the odds, and under that context, they become tangible, albeit More assuring though might be the play of Jakob Chychrun down that not the best or even the most likely outcome. same stretch. He’s struggled to stay healthy in each of his first three seasons, but when playing he’s shown consistent improvement and has What is most likely for Arizona is landing somewhere between 80 and 90 taken big steps towards being a top-four defender or better over the last points, which happens in 45 percent of simulations. It means the Coyotes two seasons. Last season’s second half was his biggest step yet as he should be in the playoff race for much of the season and likely fall short, was arguably the team’s best defender, earning a staggering 56.7 with a chance of squeezing in. From there it’s a likely first-round exit, but percent expected goals rate that was eight percentage points higher than that’s better than nothing, right? when he was on the bench. There’s a chance his booming shot gets some time to shine on the power play this year too. The Coyotes The Coyotes finishing with basically the same point total as last season generated more goals with the man advantage with him on the ice despite offseason additions and better health may not seem fair, but compared to Ekman-Larsson. there was plenty of reason for skepticism with last year’s club. For starters, they weren’t the strongest 5-on-5 team earning 46 percent of the Niklas Hjalmarsson is also rated as a top-four defenseman, buoyed by goal share and that’s despite top 10 goaltending. The offense just wasn’t his stingy and careful play in his own end. Among defenders who play there, scoring 1.99 goals-per-60 off 2.28 expected goals and while some tougher minutes, my model expects him to have the league’s fourth- would decree “bad luck,” the roster was low on finishing talent. And yet, largest defensive impact, behind Colton Parayko, and the Wild’s pair of when down a man, the team somehow managed to score 2.46 goals-per- Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin. Last season, his expected goals 60. Go figure. against RAPM ranked first in the league and that gap increases when you look at the past three seasons. He’s been consistent. I’m skeptical that shorthanded excellence can be repeated and the team’s elite penalty-killing is one reason to downgrade their ability So why doesn’t he rate any higher, even after my model’s increased overall. They produced 9.9 goals more than expected on offense, and 5.6 prioritization on skater defense? While Hjalmarsson is elite at defending, more on defense which combined is worth nearly three wins of value. My his sheer lack of offense undermines some of his value (and I’m of the model does not currently consider penalty-killing (aside from crediting mind that goalies make skater defense less important than offense). He’s goals saved to the goalie) which may underrate this team, but with how awful at moving the puck and that’s contributed to weak numbers driving volatile that area of hockey tends to be, it may not be worth the trouble. offense. Hjalmarsson, 32, also took a step back in the second half, which could be a sign of him slowing down with age. It comes back to the team’s roster where there is depth, but a lack of star-power. The Coyotes at this point appear similar to last year’s The rest is a mixed bag and rate as some of the team’s least valuable who fell short of the playoffs only because of how players. None of the three move the needle much, but Alex Goligoski is strong the East was; 96 points would very likely be good enough in the an intriguing name considering how wildly different his past few seasons West. The Canadiens were built on a death by a thousand cuts strategy have been. He’s right on the cusp between top four and bottom pair, but up front, where nearly every player was good – just not great. was legitimately decent last year, especially in the second half. What brings him down is just how bad he was in the previous two seasons Arizona can try for a similar strategy this season, one that could work if creating skepticism of a full resurgence – especially considering he’s 34 goaltending stays strong, but there are still plenty of questions and they years old. If he can repeat last year’s performance, the Coyotes would start with a very expensive back end that’s arguably not worth the price move one win closer to a playoff spot. Despite his struggles, he’s tag. Collectively, they’re strong on defense, but in terms of the whole remained a very capable puck-mover. package, they’re lacking relative to what other teams can ice. There’s potential for a few names here to be better than expected, but for Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s value here sticks out like a sore thumb. Just 0.8 now, I would proceed with caution given how uneven the last few wins and second pairing caliber for a 28-year-old making $8.25 million for seasons have been. Ekman-Larsson, Chychrun, Goligoski, Hjalmarsson the next season is far from appealing and what looks to be the biggest and Demers have all shown glimpses of greatness before, but it hasn’t issue here in terms of cost-benefit. By any other name that would be a been consistent enough for long enough. This year can change that, but fair assessment, but Ekman-Larsson’s comes attached with a high it looks like the team has three steady second pairs, on the lower end of pedigree and a strong reputation, one that’s difficult to shake despite his that tier no less. No real liability, but no real driver either unless Ekman- uneven play over the last few seasons, causing such a low algorithmic Larsson can return to form or Chychrun can take the next step. opinion. It’s not 2015 anymore, the last season where he played like a legitimate No. 1. That group is expected to protect the team’s goaltending duo of Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper, a tandem that’s expected to be one of the Though Ekman-Larsson sees tough usage from playing shutdown league’s best this season and the main reason for hope in Arizona. minutes and doesn’t have much support up front from a weak forward Though team defense is collectively quite strong, it’s the team’s two corps, that doesn’t fully excuse his weak numbers at 5-on-5. Over the past three seasons, Ekman-Larsson is sporting a 47 percent expected current netminders that deserve much of the credit over the last two exactly flush with high-quality options at center (or left wing for that seasons. matter), the idea of pairing Kessel with Nick Schmaltz is troubling given Schmaltz is no defensive whiz himself, not to mention he struggled to The duo is expected to split time this season until one of them manages produce once he arrived in the desert. Last year, his expected goals to seize control of the starting job. Despite a season lost to injury, my against RAPM was even worse than Kessel’s and sat 10th last in the money is on Raanta after looking exceptional the year prior where he league among forwards. As one of Arizona’s few offensive threats – a saved 25 goals above expected (fourth-best in the league) and has a player that has 60-point upside with excellent puck-carrying skills – I see strong history as a back up in the three seasons prior. In the three years the argument, but there’s a good chance the high octane game of risk before last year, Raanta had the second-highest delta save percentage doesn’t manifest into the reward of having a top line providing an above behind only Philipp Grubauer. My projections for this season have break-even goal differential. Perhaps placing the line with specific Raanta third behind John Gibson and Sergei Bobrovsky. pairings on defense can help balance things out here.

Kuemper was good in a pinch last year, saving eight goals above Like the defense group where there’s little differentiating each pair, the expected (11th in the league), but his .925 benefited significantly more name of the game among the forward trios is balance too. Why else from the play in front of him than Raanta’s .930 did in 2017-18. His would Lawson Crouse be on the first line? Kidding aside, Crouse did step expected save percentage of .920 was behind only Devan Dubnyk’s .925 up in the second half last season, scoring 1.58 points-per-60 which was among starters, so perhaps the defense does deserve more credit than fourth on the team – and that was while only scoring on 5.8 percent of his I’m giving them. shots. He’s not great with the puck, but he can shoot and grind in the Either way, the Coyotes are sitting pretty here with two very capable corners and that might be exactly what two players who love to dish the options that should be able to propel the team into the playoff race. With puck and aren’t the strongest forecheckers need. Adin Hill waiting in the wings, there’s strong organizational depth in place Though there’s an obvious dichotomy between the top and bottom six, in case something goes awry too, and last year’s defensive improvement there’s still very little separating either end. On average, the difference in terms of limiting quality chances is an encouraging sign too. between the top six and the bottom six is 9.1 wins. In Arizona, it’s just 2.6 Though the team will be set in keeping its goals against down, the issue wins, which ranks second lowest in the league. It’s a matter of the team with the Coyotes is always scoring and that looks no different in 2019-20. lacking high-end talent, but also because the team does have depth and They’ve been bottom five in goals-per-game in four of the last five years spreads it out to offset the lack of elite players. They may lose the first and to be competitive this season, that’s going to have to change. line battle more often than not (it’s projected to be the league’s worst), but they can win the war elsewhere. At 3.9 total wins, Arizona’s bottom The team made a big splash in the offseason by trading for Phil Kessel in six is the league’s sixth most valuable and the Coyotes are one of two hopes of doing just that. Over the last three seasons, Kessel is top 20 in teams in the league with just a single player projected to bring fourth line points-per-game and his supreme durability pushes him up to 11th in value or worse. That’s an underrated advantage. total points. In terms of power-play acumen, only Nikita Kucherov’s 116 power-play points are better than Kessel’s over that time frame. A big part of the bottom six’s utility is the surprising effectiveness of Brad Considering Arizona’s annual power play struggles, Kessel’s skill set Richardson and Vinnie Hinostroza last season, two players most casual there should provide a big boost. He’s elite at entering the zone and fans would struggle to pick out of a lineup. The duo played 537 minutes creating chances. together and were sensational in earning 57 percent of the expected goals share. Those are elite numbers and difficult to find on most teams, But while Kessel is still a premier offensive talent, he’s no longer an elite let alone the third line here. Neither was nearly as strong without the player and comes with plenty of caveats that diminish his overall value. other, but the chemistry together seems very real. Hinostroza is the much For starters, he’ll be 32 when the season starts meaning the Coyotes will stronger player in transition and in the offensive zone, while Richardson likely be paying for his decline. The player they traded for that’s been is one of the team’s best defensive forwards. Harmony. near the top of the scoring charts the past few seasons will likely drift farther away from that domain. He slowed down in the second half last On the fourth line, which ranks as the league’s second-best, the Coyotes year which is a concern. That he no longer has the same supporting cast have a ton of youthful upside. Christian Dvorak, 23, hasn’t figured it all only exacerbates the issue. out yet, but he’s been decent in his first three seasons with last year being derailed by injuries. Conor Garland, 23, has goal-scoring upside Over the last three seasons, Kessel has scored 2.38 points-per-60 in the showcased by one spicy stretch where he scored 11 goals in 20 games 1917 minutes he’s spent with one of Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby (or after starting slow, but he slumped hard after that. Barrett Hayton, 19, is both, though there’s only 24 minutes total overlapping between the three) still a teenager and isn’t a lock to make the team, but he’s the biggest and 1.85 points-per-60 without either. That gap widened last season wildcard here on upside alone. After being a controversial top-five pick in where he was at 2.61 with and 1.66 without. The expected goal numbers 2018, he made good on the selection with an electrifying post-draft are even worse as Kessel is at 44 percent without either center on the ice season, scoring 66 points in 39 games. Our Corey Pronman rated him as – and you have to assume those are sheltered minutes when he’s not – the fifth-best prospect in his mid-season rankings and on a weak left side while both do well with or without him. A lot of that is on defense and it’s he has a chance to be a difference maker. why Kessel’s RAPM for expected goals against is the ninth-worst mark among forwards over the last three seasons. That’s an intriguing fourth line that very few teams can stack up against. Paired with a strong third line, there’s a chance for the Coyotes to Obviously, good players play well with other good players, but in succeed in their death by a thousand cuts strategy up front. Now if only Pittsburgh Kessel had access to two of the best centers in the league. In their top six wasn’t ranked 28th in the league … Arizona, he won’t, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see his scoring numbers drop as a result as he struggles to anchor a line on his own, The team will need much more out of Clayton Keller this season to especially considering his defensive downside. My model accounts for improve that standing. With Kessel in tow, some of the pressure from teammate strength, but in this case, may be underselling the difference in opposing teams might be off and that could help him get back to the level environment Kessel is about to experience. Most of his projected value is he started his career at. Last year was very uneven and his 1.24 points- tied to his ability to score, and if that drops off, Arizona has a problem. per-60 at 5-on-5 was only ahead of and Michael Grabner One other issue: his penalty differential has dropped in every season with en route to a disappointing 47-point season all while struggling to carry the Penguins and his minus-10 last year was the lowest of his career. play. It was a sophomore slump indeed as he was a year removed from 65 points and a near first-line scoring rate at 5-on-5. At 21 the upside is All that puts a damper on the acquisition of Kessel, but those red flags still apparent and my model thinks he can rebound back to the 60-point are only to showcase that he’s not the elite player his point totals may range, but until he cleans up play in his own end it’s hard to see him as a suggest. He’s still a strong offensive player that has potential to be worth legitimate top-line player. His speed and craftiness do lead to a high the defensive risk, which is more than could be said about the player he penalty differential though. was traded for, who is all defensive risk (to an even higher degree I should add) without the payoff on offense. At the very least, Kessel Derek Stepan needs to rebound too as he’s declined in two straight should still be a sizeable improvement over what the team previously had seasons since joining the Coyotes via trade. He’s still arguably the in , even if what he brings to the table is likely a bit team’s best center but may take a backseat to a healthy Schmaltz. Carl overrated. (No, NHL Network, he’s not a top 20 winger in hockey). Soderberg rounds out the second line and is dependable, albeit mostly unremarkable. If a young player steps up, it wouldn’t be surprising to see While lines and pairings are likely still up in the air, the Coyotes’ initial his minutes being a causality of that. idea of who to pair Kessel with is also concerning. While the team isn’t There’s potential here, and for the first time in a while, it seems like the playoffs are a legitimate possibility. With strong goaltending buoyed by a stingy defense and the hope of youth finding its potential, there’s plenty of reason for optimism here. Few teams are as deep as the Coyotes at every position too with just three of its players not having top nine, top four or starting goalie value. The next best teams have at least four such players.

Better health and the addition of Kessel make this a better team on top of all that, but as it stands now that still might not be good enough as the team likely struggles to find goals once again. Unless a lot of things go right for the Coyotes, they still figure to be on the outside looking in this season.

Market Expectations

Arizona Coyotes: 89.5 points

While most of the market prices until now have been close, the Coyotes’ line of 89.5 points represents the largest deviation so far, with my model believing the team is 4.4 points worse. It’s not often my model bets against Arizona, but despite the strong offseason, I don’t see the team taking the step forward as advertised here.

What Fans Predict

Public Sample: 1,337

Fan Sample: 27

It was a low turnout for Coyotes fans, but those that did participate were very bullish on the team’s chances with a majority of them placing the team in the 90-to-100 point range and 96 percent in the playoffs. That’s confidence. The public was less convinced, placing them five points lower at 88.2 on average, which falls just a shade below the market price. In any sense, many seem much more confident in the Coyotes than my model currently does, which is a strange position to be in as the previous source of Coyotes optimism.

What The Athletic Insider Thinks

Craig Morgan: Dom highlights all of the key questions facing the Coyotes this season. Can Clayton Keller regain his rookie-season form? Can Phil Kessel maintain his point production without an elite center? Can Oliver Ekman-Larsson increase his point production through improved power- play personnel and more reps under his belt in a different role on coach Rick Tocchet’s power play than he had under Dave Tippett? Can the penalty-killing unit possibly be as effective as it was last season when it tied Tampa Bay and Columbus for the highest success percentage (85) and was second to Calgary in shorthanded goals (16)?

In assessing the factors in Arizona’s 220 goals allowed last season (tied for fifth), I think too much credit is given to the goaltending and not enough to team defense. As coach Tocchet has noted, the Coyotes’ gap control, puck tracking and commitment to defensive structure greatly aided Darcy Kuemper in particular last season, but Dom’s greater point remains: The Coyotes still need elite goaltending to make the playoffs unless their offense takes a quantum leap over last season when it finished dead last in 5-on-5 goals with 132.

Better health should help a lot. I also wonder if new assistant coach Phil Housley might be able to coax more offense out of the Coyotes’ well-paid blue line, but so much of this team’s success still depends on the all- round development of the younger players such as Keller, Schmaltz (14 points in 17 games), Jakob Chychrun, Christian Dvorak, Vinnie Hinostroza, Lawson Crouse and Christian Fischer. I projected this team to finish in the low 90s in points – a bit more optimistic than Dom’s 85- point projection. Will that be enough to land the first playoff spot since the 2012 Western Conference final run? Much of that will depend on how the wide-open Western Conference shakes out.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151700 ■ Ex-Bruin Adam McQuaid, popular among former teammates, donned Columbus gear for the practice. The 32-year-old defenseman remains an unrestricted free agent.

Bruins hold captains practice, still not over loss in Stanley Cup Final ■ Wagner said he’s fully healthy. “I had a hat trick in the scrimmage, so you tell me,” he said.

By Matt Porter Globe Staff,September 4, 2019, 7:29 p.m. ■ One of the top golfers on the Bruins, Wagner reported logging 20-plus rounds after his arm healed. He arrived for a chat with reporters wearing a hat from the Masters, a gift from pal Kyle Palmieri.

Zdeno Chara was among the Bruins back on the ice on Wednesday. “Devils didn’t make the playoffs,” Wagner quipped, “so he got to go to the Masters.” In a shortened summer, there was always something to remind David Krejci of how close the Bruins were. Boston Globe LOADED: 09.05.2019 Maybe it was an article online, or a segment on TV, or even a certain song on the radio. It was hard to avoid thoughts of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final when he picked up a stick or a dumbbell. Though Krejci enjoyed the respite with his family, a cloud of memories made his summer hazy.

“It happens all the time and I’m sure it’ll keep happening,” Krejci said. “The only way out of it is to have a good season and make a push for the playoffs.”

Unofficially, that began Wednesday, when Krejci and several teammates returned to Brighton for an hour-long captains practice at Warrior Ice Arena. Those at TD Garden on June 12 still deal with the fallout in their own ways.

“I don’t think we’re over it. I don’t think I’m over it,” Sean Kuraly said, 12 weeks to the day the Blues left Boston with the Cup. “But you move on. You’ve got hockey to play. I think playing again will help. It’ll be something fun to do again and enjoy it. Try to win some games and feel good about that. Try and get right back there and realize that’s our goal. You kind of realize how much you want it after how close you get. You get a taste.”

Chris Wagner, who missed the Final because of a broken forearm sustained in the previous round, had to grit his teeth and watch his team lose on home ice.

“It’s tough,” he said. “I wouldn’t say it’s tougher watching, but it’s tough. You just feel bad for everybody, but eventually you’ve got to get over it. You can’t change it now, you have to get ready for this year. Thankfully, that’s in a week or so.

“You’ve got to learn from it. Three periods away, so we obviously did a lot of things to get there. With a lot of the guys coming back, it’s still on the minds a bit. It’s probably going to light a fire, too.”

Like Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, , and Torey Krug, Krejci had to stomach a Stanley Cup Final loss to Chicago in 2013. He’s not over that one yet, and this one stings worse. He has put neither behind him.

“No,” Krejci said. “Not sure I ever will. But I’m excited to start the season again.”

Other notes from Wednesday’s session:

■ No sign of defensemen Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy, who remain without contracts. Training camp begins Sept. 12.

“I’d love to see them out there,” Kuraly said. “They’re great teammates, great players, great friends. I hope it’s done as soon as both sides can get an agreement.”

McAvoy reportedly attended the recent Darryl Belfry camp in Estero, Fla., along with Auston Matthews, Patrick Kane, Mathew Barzal, and women’s pros Hillary Knight, , and Brianna Decker.

■ Of 31 attendees at Warrior, Chara, David Backes, and Krejci were the most senior skaters. Other notables included Rask, Jaroslav Halak, Kuraly, Wagner, Joakim Nordstrom, Connor Clifton, and Steven Kampfer. Skating and skills coach Kim Brandvold led the session.

■ Newcomer Brett Ritchie also was there, wearing a Dallas Stars helmet. The Bruins’ other July 1 addition, Par Lindholm, was not seen.

■ Several rookies, including Anders Bjork, Karson Kuhlman, Trent Frederic, Zach Senyshyn, and Urho Vaakanainen, were skating, as well. Prospects are slated to skate Thursday at Warrior, before departing for this weekend’s rookie tournament in Buffalo, against the Devils, Penguins, and Sabres. 1151701 Boston Bruins When asked about the most rewarding part of his post-NHL life, Thomas paused, as he typically did before speaking in front of his locker stall.

“My whole life is rewarding,” he said. “My time with the Boston Bruins After election to US Hockey Hall of Fame, Tim Thomas finally speaks was very rewarding. My time with USA Hockey was very rewarding. I’ve decided to keep what I’ve been doing with my life and learning to myself, at this point for sure, and probably forever. By Matt Porter Globe Staff,September 4, 2019, 3:50 p.m. “Obviously family, if you want to go there . . . family is the most rewarding thing in the long run, right? They’re the ones who are there when you cut through all the smoke.” Making rare public comments on Wednesday, former Bruins star Tim Thomas said he has no plans to become involved again with the NHL. Boston Globe LOADED: 09.05.2019 “I just don’t see it,” said the ex-netminder, speaking on a conference call with other members of the US Hockey Hall of Fame’s class of 2019. “I don’t know, but I would highly doubt it.”

Thomas, absent from the spotlight since he last played in 2014, is part of a five-person class including NHL commissioner , ex- Boston College Eagle Brian Gionta, amateur coach Neal Henderson, and women’s standout Krissy Wendell. The induction ceremony is Dec. 12 in Washington, one day after the Bruins play the Capitals in that city.

Thomas, who made headlines when he skipped the Bruins’ 2012 trip to the White House under protest, will be celebrated for a remarkable career, which saw him spend nearly a decade in Europe and the minors before becoming a four-time All-Star, two-time Vezina Trophy winner, and, at age 37, the oldest winner of the Trophy when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011.

“Everybody probably knows nowadays I don’t have all that much to say, at least publicly,” Thomas said. “In this case though, I’m honored to be receiving this recognition.”

Tim Thomas speaks with the media after a 2012 playoff loss.

Thomas, 45, has been living privately post-career in an undisclosed location. He said he is estranged from the game. “My focus and mind is on learning about other stuff. I learned so much about hockey and that area,” he said. “I feel like I’ve learned as much as I needed to learn about it.”

After the 2011-12 season, his seventh as an NHL full-timer, he took a year off to focus on “family, friends, and faith,” as he wrote in a post on his since-deleted Facebook page. He last played in 2013-14, splitting 48 games between Florida and Dallas.

That season, Thomas revealed in 2017, he suffered a concussion that “affected me greatly.” He sought treatment for the ailment in Colorado Springs, making those comments in a promotional video for a physical therapy treatment center there.

“From a lifetime of sports and a high-level career in hockey, I accumulated a lot of brain damage,” Thomas said in the YouTube clip, noting the wear came from his 16 years in pro hockey and a “lifetime playing sports: football, baseball, hockey, any neighborhood game you can imagine.

“I didn’t understand it until it finally caught up to me a couple years ago.”

Thomas alluded to those issues when asked Wednesday about an online rumor that he would appear at TD Garden before Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, and whether he envisioned himself getting involved with the Bruins again.

“That’s a tough one,” he said. “With the state of my nervous system since I retired, I wouldn’t be able to hardly handle the energy of the crowd in Boston. So it isn’t as simple as it may seem. Having said that, you never know what the future may hold. I’m just taking life as it goes.”

Thomas, who revealed that his daughter recently secured an internship with the Bruins, said he started watching hockey again last postseason “because Boston was doing so well.” His thoughts, however, are far from stopping pucks.

“I have other interests,” he said. “I have a totally other focus. I live in a totally different world than the hockey world that I lived in before. I live a long ways away from Boston, and it’s not that fun for me to travel anymore.

“It isn’t anything to do with the Boston Bruins or the Boston fans, especially. My goodness, they loved the crap out of me when I was there, to the point where it was hard to handle.” 1151702 Boston Bruins

Former Bruins goalie Tim Thomas recalls Boston fondly

Stanley Cup champion to be inducted into U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

By MARISA INGEMI

The Bruins fan base was hopeful it might hear from Tim Thomas a few months ago.

The 2011 Conn Smythe-winning goalie was rumored to be a banner captain ahead of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, but it never happened.

On Wednesday, Thomas talked about his former team publicly for the first time in years after being named an inductee to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

“Everybody probably knows nowadays I don’t actually have all that much to say, at least publicly,” he said. “In this case though, I’m honored to be receiving this recognition.”

Since retiring from the NHL after brief stints in Florida and Dallas in 2013- 14, Thomas has been as off the radar as a Boston-area sports legend can be. There are reports he’s living in Idaho, and he’s been completely absent of anything related to the Bruins, or hockey in general.

On a conference call Wednesday, he said his withdrawal has nothing to do with the Bruins, or their fans.

“With the state of my nervous system since I retired, I wouldn’t be able to hardly handle the energy of the crowd in Boston,” he said. “So it isn’t as simple as it may seem.”

Thomas was one of five people selected to be honored Dec. 12 in Washington, including former Boston College great Brian Gionta, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Krissy Wendell, and Neal Henderson.

Thomas became the oldest player and just the second American to win the Conn Smythe when he led the Bruins to the Cup in 2011. He played 426 career NHL games — most of them in Boston — after bouncing around through Europe and the minors.

Thomas, who hasn’t been in the spotlight in years, said while he hasn’t paid much attention to hockey since retiring, he tuned in last season because of how well the Bruins were doing.

And while he’s distanced himself — intentionally or otherwise — from the organization, he hasn’t severed his ties completely.

“She might get mad, but my daughter just landed an internship with the Bruins,” he said. “I don’t personally have any relationship with the game. My focus and mind is on learning about other stuff. I learned so much about hockey and that area. I feel like I’ve learned as much as I needed to learn about it. My focus is on learning about other stuff.”

Hockey is not in his life, but Thomas reiterated it has nothing to do with the fan base, which he remembers fondly.

“I live in a totally different world than the hockey world that I lived in before,” he said. “I live a long ways away from Boston, and it’s not that fun for me to travel anymore. It isn’t anything to do with the Boston Bruins or the Boston fans, especially. My goodness, they loved the crap out of me when I was there to the point where it was hard to handle.”

That seems to rule out any return to hockey or the Bruins, and end any future banner captain speculation, though Thomas didn’t totally close the book on that.

“You never know what the future will hold,” he said. “But I’m just taking life as it goes”

Boston Herald LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151703 Boston Bruins

Bruins players try to get past the pain of Game 7

Captains’ practices signal start of season

By MARISA INGEMI | PUBLISHED: September 4, 2019

Inevitably, much of the narrative surrounding the 2019-20 Bruins will be shaped by 2018-19.

Making a run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final will do that, and predictably, most of the conversation on Wednesday when captains practices began at Warrior Ice Arena focused on the loss to the St. Louis Blues.

Nearly three months after falling in Game 7, the loss is stuck in the Bruins’ minds.

“Not over it,” center David Krejci said. “I don’t think I ever will (be). I’m excited to start the season again and get some games and get back at it.”

More than 30 players were on the ice when practice started, most of whom will lace up their skates in Providence this season. But a few regulars, like Krejci, Zdeno Chara, David Backes, Chris Wagner, Sean Kuraly, Joakim Nordstrom, and Steven Kampfer, were on the ice.

The short summer means everyone can focus on a new season and put last year behind them. The Bruins are using this informal start of training camp to do just that.

“It’s tough,” said Wagner, who didn’t see any time during the Blues series because of a right arm injury sustained in the Eastern Conference finals against Carolina. “I wouldn’t say it’s tougher watching, but it’s tough. You just feel bad for everybody, but eventually you have to get over it. You can’t change it now, you have to get ready for this year. Thankfully, that’s in a week or so.”

Unlike the others who spoke Wednesday, Wagner said he was past the loss at this point.

“Yeah,” he said. “I mean, you can’t pout about it anymore, so you might as well focus on this year.”

Getting over it might mean different things to different people. Not being past the defeat and using it as motivation is different than dwelling. Also, knowing what it takes to go that deep into the playoffs is ultimately an asset for future seasons.

“I don’t think we’re over it,” Kuraly said. “I don’t think I’m over it, but you move on, you know you have hockey to play. I think playing hockey again will help just kind of be something fun you get to do again and enjoy it. Try to win some games and feel good about that, try to get back (to the Cup Final) and realize that’s our goal. You realize how much you want it.

“You put it behind you, and you move forward and keep working. We’re just going to try to do it again.”

The Bruins are almost a week away from playing preseason games, with captains practice under way for a short while before rookie camp, followed by a break leading into the main camp.

Having been three periods away from winning a Stanley Cup will help the players’ motivation, especially when the hurt fades.

“It’s just something that you have to learn to live with,” Krejci said. “The only way out of it is to have a good season and make a push in the playoffs.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151704 Boston Bruins

Bruins notebook: Captains practice opens team activities

By MARISA INGEMI

The last time Chris Wagner skated in game action was moments before the Bruins swept the Hurricanes to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. He blocked a shot and badly injured his right arm, forcing him to sit out the championship round.

It wasn’t exactly the same stage Wednesday as captains practice opened at Warrior Ice Arena, but Wagner was fully confident he’s ready to contribute again.

“Well I had a hat trick today in the scrimmage,” he said when asked about if he still had any injury effects. “So, you tell me.”

Wagner was just one name on the long list of walking wounded once the postseason came to an end in mid-June, but he’s projected to be ready for the opener. The Walpole native has always come home during the summer in his NHL career. This time around, he didn’t have to go far.

“I couldn’t say no to the PR guys much. You kind of get roped in, being the local kid,” he joked. “You get to have fun with it. It’s not going to last forever, so when you’re hot, you have to stay with it I guess.”

One advantage for Wagner heading into this season is he’s already made the adjustment to being the local kid. Instead of joining an entirely new team and roster and being in the semi-spotlight, he at least knows what to expect.

A Cup run under his belt doesn’t hurt, either.

“It’s so cool to make it that far, and then Game 7, I’m sure there’s a handful of guys who hadn’t even played in the playoffs,” said Wagner, who had made it to one conference final previously. “To make it to that round, it’s still a pretty special accomplishment.”

RFAs reaction

Notably absent from the Bruins roster are Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo, both restricted free agents. The NHL has seen a relative freeze in RFA signings this season, but with two core members of the blue line still unsigned, the Bruins still have to address how that shapes the start of their preseason.

“I know (Bruins general manager) Don (Sweeney) will do what’s best for the team,” said David Krejci, one of the veterans who skated on Wednesday. “And I know Chuck and Carlo want to be here.”

McQuaid skates

Former Bruins defenseman and current unrestricted free agent Adam McQuaid skated during Wednesday’s informal practice. Clad in Columbus Blue Jackets attire, he partook in all the regular drills with some of his former Bruins teammates.

McQuaid suffered a concussion after being traded to the Blue Jackets and didn’t play in the postseason, cutting his season short heading into free agency.

The Bruins traded McQuaid to the Rangers ahead of the 2018 season, and the Rangers shipped him to Columbus at last year’s trade deadline, when the Blue Jackets bulked up in most departments.

Boston Herald LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151705 Boston Bruins Hopefully one day Thomas and the Bruins can find a way to fully reconcile and the brilliant, publicly withdrawn goalie can receive the warm wave of appreciation he deserves from B’s fans for what he — and his Tim Thomas breaks his silence, but former Bruins goalie is as elusive as team — accomplished eight years ago. ever For now it sounds like Thomas is doing just fine living a quiet life outside of the hockey world, and outside of the public realm that became a pretty unwelcoming place for him after the highest apex of his NHL career. By Joe Haggerty September 04, 2019 5:07 PM Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.05.2019

Tim Thomas hasn’t really spoken about anything publicly since his retirement from the NHL in 2014, and he’s never returned to the TD Garden for any Bruins events since a split with the team back in 2012 that wasn’t really all that amicable.

Now 45, Thomas was the unlikeliest of folk hero hockey stories when he broke into the NHL with the Bruins at age 30 after toiling for years in the minor leagues and in Europe. He won a pair of Vezina Trophies and had a brilliant .938 save percentage in the 2010-11 season when Boston won the Stanley Cup.

But the eccentric Thomas, an ardent supporter of the Tea Party political movement, decided to boycott the B's White House visit to celebrate their Cup victory in the 2011-12 NHL season, and that created friction between the and the hockey club that employed him. He skipped the following NHL season rather than play for the Bruins, and finished out his career unceremoniously with the and Dallas Stars in the 2013-14 NHL season.

Thomas was rumored to have moved to Idaho in recent years after settling in Colorado following his playing career, but he’d purposefully remained quiet when it came to speaking with the media after he drew criticism for bringing his own personal politics into the B’s visit to the White House.

Haggerty: Time to appreciate, not trade, Krejci

There were rumblings that he might return to Boston to serve as an honorary banner captain during the Bruins' run to the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, but that never materialized with the mysterious Conn Smythe and Vezina winner. Now it’s in question if we’ll ever again see Thomas back in Boston to be feted as the puck-stopping hero behind the 2011 Stanley Cup championship based on his first public comments in a long, long time.

Thomas was announced as an inductee to the 2019 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday afternoon in a class that also includes former Bruins forward Brian Gionta and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman among others. The former Bruins netminder was then part of a afternoon conference call with reporters and made several unsolicited references to some sort of anxiety that doesn’t see him traveling or making public appearances very often anymore.

"Everybody probably knows nowadays I don't have that much to say, at least publicly," said Thomas, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner who had one of the NHL’s greatest seasons ever by a goalie in 2010-11. "I've decided to keep whatever I've been doing in my life to myself, probably forever.”

In 378 games with the Bruins, Thomas posted a 196-121-45 record and seemed on track for a run at the Hockey Hall of Fame until things fell apart with Boston in 2012.

Does he ever envision a return to TD Garden for a celebration of his career, or if the 2011 Cup champs are ever called back together in Boston for any reason?

"That's a tough one. With the state of my nervousness since I retired, I wouldn't be able to handle the crowd. It isn't as simple as it may seem,” said Thomas, without really getting into what his newfound nervousness stems from. "It's not fun for me to travel anymore. It has nothing to do with the Boston Bruins or Boston fans. They loved the crap out of me when I was there; it was almost too much to handle.”

Thomas said he prefers that his private life remain private even as he’ll travel to Washington, DC for a December induction ceremony to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. The former B’s goaltender did let one personal nugget slip when he mentioned that his daughter earned an internship with the Bruins for this coming year, proving that perhaps the ice has thawed a little between the player and organization all these years later. 1151706 Boston Bruins up to be a No. 2 in the , they are not quite there yet. And David is filling that role quite nicely for us.”

Perhaps next season the Bruins might be in a position to think about Bruins DeBunked: Time to dispel David Krejci rumors, and appreciate moving on from Krejci if Studnicka, or Oskar Steen, or even Jon Beecher, last season comes in and shows that they might be ready to handle top-6 center duties at the NHL level. Certainly, they’ve fooled around with the notion before like when they hotly pursued in free agency a By Joe Haggerty September 04, 2019 11:27 AM couple of summers ago when the franchise center was available in unrestricted free agency.

But now is not a time to deal Krejci when there’s nothing ready center In a series of “Debunked” articles, we’ll take a look at some of the hot position-wise in the Bruins prospect pipeline with great expectations and heavy Bruins rumors from this summer and just how much truth headed into this season. Instead maybe it’s time to appreciate the work there is — or isn’t — to the grist in the rumor mill. Krejci put in last year to produce an excellent season at 33 years old, and Let’s start off by saying that it was patently ridiculous that David Krejci set himself up for at least another good year or two before any was ranked second on the B’s list of players who didn’t meet replacement plans become a reality. expectations last season. It was part of the 2019 New Sports Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.05.2019 survey and had the playmaking center second behind only the aging, declining David Backes as an underachiever on last season’s team.

Sure, Krejci wasn’t great in the playoffs with just four goals in 24 postseason games, and he didn’t lead the playoff field in scoring as he’d done in each of the other two postseasons when the Bruins made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. But we’re still talking about a player who had a bit of a middle-aged renaissance last season with 20 goals and 73 points in 81 games during the regular season. It was his best season in more than a few years and was the ceiling for reasonable expectations for a player at the tail end of his prime at 33 years old.

In other words, Krejci stayed healthy, productive and consistent all season while dealing with a revolving door of right wingers including Karson Kuhlman, the immortal Joakim Nordstrom, Backes and Ryan Donato among others. It boggles the mind to think on what planet it would actually be fair to call that “not meeting expectations”, but it certainly isn’t Planet Earth.

Could injuries alleviate B's cap concerns?

So the entire conversation surrounding Krejci starts from a pretty unfair place when it comes to the player, but that strange fan sentiment may have something to do with his status as the highest-paid player on the team. Does Krejci deserve to be paid more than guys like Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand or Tuukka Rask when all things are considered?

Probably not, but it also shouldn’t translate into trade notions that once again surrounded Krejci this summer.

With the Bruins in need of space (currently at a smidge over $7 million per Cap Friendly) to help sign restricted free agents Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy, it makes sense to look at the highest-priced items on the roster. Naturally moving Krejci’s $7.25 million cap hit would open up plenty of room to re-sign players and perhaps finally find that elusive top-6 right wing that’s been missing from the second line.

It’s also true that the no-trade language in Krejci’s contract has finally softened to the point where dealing him is realistic. The Bruins could now deal Krejci to half the teams in the NHL, where before he had a strict no- movement clause in his big money deal.

But there’s the rub as well.

Bruins Debunked: Krug trade rumors are just talk

The Bruins might be filling other needs if they traded a player like Krejci who's surely going to start on the decline within the next couple of seasons.

But they’d also be creating a giant hole on their roster by shipping out a top-6 center still capable of playing big minutes, playing two-way hockey and posting something in the neighborhood of 20 goals and 70 points like he did last season. The Bruins don’t have a ready-made replacement for Krejci on their NHL roster, and even Bruins President Cam Neely admits that youngsters like Jack Studnicka aren’t anywhere close to stepping into Krejci’s shoes at this point.

“I thought David had a fantastic year. He had a really strong year. I think he’s a guy that’s generally been a playoff performer, and wants to be known as a playoff player…not just a regular-season player,” said Neely in an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Boston over the summer. “To your point, I think we’ve got some centermen in our pipeline. But to step 1151707 Boston Bruins TD Garden. “It isn’t as simple as it may seem. Having said that, you never know what the future may hold. I’m just taking life as it goes.”

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 ‘I have other interests. Totally other focus’: Tim Thomas speaks about life after hockey

By Fluto Shinzawa Sep 4, 2019

Where Tim Thomas now calls home is unknown, although he acknowledged it is a long ways from Boston. The 45-year-old’s health might be compromised, having referred to issues with his nervous system.

But the mysterious former Bruins goalie, speaking on a conference call on Wednesday, made it a point to be clear that he is quite appreciative of being named to the US Hockey Hall of Fame alongside Gary Bettman, Brian Gionta, Neal Henderson and Krissy Wendell.

“Everybody probably knows nowadays that I don’t actually have that much to say, at least publicly,” Thomas said. “In this case, I’m honored to be receiving this recognition. I’d like to thank USA Hockey for the experience that led to this storybook life. I’d like to specifically give recognition to (USA Hockey consultant) Art Berglund, who was instrumental in me receiving my chance both with USA Hockey and at higher levels. I’d also like to give recognition to (former USA Hockey executive) Jim Johansson, who I got to know very well over the course of all my interactions and time spent with USA Hockey. I’d like to say thanks and I’m grateful.”

Hall induction was a slam dunk for Thomas. He is one of the country’s most decorated goalies. The 2011 winner backstopped the Bruins to the Stanley Cup. He won the second of two career Vezina Trophies that season by mastering an aggressive and unorthodox style he classified as the battlefly. He was just a year removed from major hip surgery.

“It was amazing,” Thomas said of 2011. “Anybody who can semi-put themselves in my shoes for just a minute with that season, it was amazing for me, amazing for my teammates, amazing for the city. It was an amazing year. I think it’s similar for every team that wins a championship in whatever city they’re in. The energy of the 2 million people projected at the parade we had, it was pretty wild.”

Thomas starred overseas in Finland and Sweden. The native of Flint, Mich., helped the University of Vermont advance to the Frozen Four in 1996 alongside Martin St. Louis. Thomas finally became a full-time NHLer in 2006 after arriving in Boston via Providence, passing through waivers without a sniff.

By the time Thomas lifted the Cup in 2011, his tale was already layered. But unexpected chapters were added shortly after.

The following season, Thomas declined to attend the Bruins’ White House celebration. In a Facebook post, Thomas explained his belief that the federal government had grown out of control, prompting his decision not to visit the White House.

After 2011-12, Thomas informed the Bruins he would take the following season off. He had one year left on his contract. On Feb. 7, 2013, the Bruins traded Thomas’ rights to the Islanders. He never played for the franchise. Thomas concluded his career with stops in Florida and Dallas in 2013-14.

“I have other interests. Totally other focus,” Thomas said when asked about whether he’d become engaged with hockey again. “I live in a totally different world than the hockey world that I lived in before now. I live a long ways from Boston. It’s not that fun for me to travel anymore. It isn’t anything to do with the Boston Bruins or the Boston fans, especially. My goodness. They loved the crap out of me when I was there to the point where it’s hard to handle.”

Thomas said he followed last season’s Stanley Cup run, which was the first time he watched hockey since retiring. Before Game 1 of the final, 2011 champions Gregory Campbell, Andrew Ference, Chris Kelly, Daniel Paille, Rich Peverley, and Shawn Thornton served as banner captains. Thomas did not attend.

“With the state of my nervous system since I retired, I wouldn’t be able to hardly handle the energy of the crowd in Boston,” Thomas said of visiting 1151708 Boston Bruins Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy is fretting about the fall and how the grind could affect early performance. Rask, for example, will regularly cede the net to Jaroslav Halak, who did not play a single second during the Would a group therapy session help the Bruins move past the pain of playoffs. their Game 7 loss? What concerns Cassidy equally is his players’ mental engagement in the fall. Games in October and November, compared with those in June, are as flat as a bottle of shaken-up Coke. By Fluto Shinzawa Sep 4, 2019 It is within such an environment that the events of June 12 can flare up and damage performance. Slumps can lengthen. Morale can dip. Coaches can adjust lines, pairings and ice time. General managers can Twenty-nine teams would have loved to have advanced as far as the shred their rosters to turn things around. Bruins did last year. None of those clubs, however, would have enjoyed experiencing the heartache of losing in Game 7. “If the season isn’t going in a similar manner, you have a losing streak, then it can be, ‘Oh, God, we won’t get that opportunity again,’” Naylor This is the perspective the Bruins have to maintain as they enter the new said. “Then you pull that ripcord too soon.” season. Naylor’s recommendation is a session of balance. Acknowledging last “When you lose in Game 7 of the finals, you have to be careful of year’s end would be a good way to bring the Cup-losing campaign to a overcorrection,” said Adam Naylor, mental game consultant at close. But delving deeply and hunting for nonexistent problems could do Northeastern University. “It’s incredibly emotional, but it probably doesn’t more harm than good. The goal would be to accept what happened and speak to dramatic correction.” channel the disappointment constructively. The shock of Game 7 cannot help but blur the lens through which last “I was lucky enough to get one Stanley Cup,” Krejci said. “It could have season will be viewed. It was the type of loss that can define careers in been a couple more. One more, at least. But I’m not done yet.” ways no athlete prefers. Three months have ticked by with little abatement of the suffering. Notes from captains’ practice

“I don’t think we’re over it. I don’t think I’m over it,” center Sean Kuraly • Thirty-one players participated on Wednesday at Warrior Ice Arena said. “But you move on. You’ve got hockey to play. I think playing again under the watch of Chara, Krejci and Backes. Other regulars included will help. It’ll be something fun to do again and enjoy it. Try to win some Rask, Halak, Kuraly, Wagner, Joakim Nordstrom, Connor Clifton and games and feel good about that. Try and get right back there and realize Steve Kampfer. Skills coach Kim Brandvold led the practice. that’s our goal. You kind of realize how much you want it after how close you get. You get a taste.” “I feel like two-and-a-half months, it’s enough,” Krejci said of the abbreviated offseason. “We’re professional athletes. If you get a couple A hangover, one far more unpleasant than the Stanley Cup-winning kind, weeks off, it should be enough.” could be a real thing. The upcoming season starts with a four-game road trip, which is no easy task for any team, let alone one sharing its dressing • Neither Charlie McAvoy nor Brandon Carlo, who are without contracts, room with an elephant. participated Wednesday. Whether either of the defensemen signs before camp opens on Sept. 12 is unknown. It’s why a session to talk about Game 7, perhaps led by the coaching staff or the captains, might be critical for team-building before the puck “I’d love to see them out there,” Kuraly said. “They’re great teammates, drops on the new season. great players, great friends. I hope it’s done as soon as both sides can get an agreement.” “I’m sure we’ll talk about it internally,” Chris Wagner said. “Kind of more about moving on and learning that lesson. Because if you take it into this • Old friend Adam McQuaid, wearing Columbus practice gear, practiced year, you’re going to think about it. You’re going to get sad and mad and alongside some of his former teammates. The 32-year-old is unsigned. all that. You can’t let it affect the games coming up, because that’s over • Prospects, including Anders Bjork, will practice Thursday at Warrior. and we’ve got business to take care of.” They will then leave for Buffalo to participate in a rookie tournament The Bruins take sports psychology seriously. They use the services of against peers from the Devils, Penguins and Sabres. Stephen Durant and Max Offenberger regularly during the season. In this Last year, Clifton, Ryan Donato, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Trent case, a professional might not even be needed if the coaches and Frederic, Karson Kuhlman, Zach Senyshyn, Jeremy Lauzon, Urho veterans lead the chat. Vaakanainen and Jakub Zboril were tournament participants who “It doesn’t have to be something dramatic,” Naylor said. “Even if it was appeared in at least one regular-season game for the Bruins. horrible for everyone, you don’t admit that. No one admits that out loud. • Tim Thomas will be inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame on Dec. It’s who we are as humans. But acknowledgment allows a little stress to 12 in Washington. The Cup-winning goalie will be joined by short-time drop off your shoulders. It lets the air out of the balloon. You say, ‘That Bruin and former Boston College standout Brian Gionta. sucked. It was tough. We’ve learned.’ That’s enough to drop the tension.” • After the practice, Wagner wore a Masters Tournament hat, courtesy of Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Tuukka Rask and Brad summer buddy Kyle Palmieri. Marchand own rings from 2011 to help blunt their sadness. But their collective Black-and-Gold window is closing. This could be the final “Devils didn’t make the playoffs,” Wagner cracked, “so he got to go to the season in Boston for Chara, 42. The long-timers know better than Masters.” anyone else that last year could have been their best opportunity to take another duck boat ride. The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019

The pain cuts even deeper for David Backes. Not only is the right wing without a ring in his jewelry box, but the ex-Blue also had to watch his former teammates — as a Game 7 healthy scratch, at that — swipe a trophy he trusted would be his.

These are big-picture blemishes that are not merely painful to acknowledge; they can linger well beyond the typical forecast for healing. These bruises can be dangerous if left untreated.

“Pretending it didn’t happen, that it’s all just rainbows and unicorns, is probably disingenuous,” Naylor said. “But then dwelling on it and just getting stuck in it is equally bad. This speaks a lot to the coaching staff and the leaders and how to strike it with nuance. You’re acknowledging, ‘This kind of sucks. It hurts. We’ve learned and it’s time to pivot.’” 1151709 Buffalo Sabres confidence moving forward into camp. I’m looking forward to getting things started."

That trip to the world championships also included Reinhart's first face-to- Sam Reinhart 'looking forward' to first Sabres camp under Ralph Krueger face meeting with Krueger. Following his hiring as coach, Krueger traveled with Botterill to Slovakia to speak with Reinhart and Eichel. The details of that conversation have not been divulged publicly, however, By Lance Lysowski Published Wed, Sep 4, 2019|Updated Wed, Sep 4, Reinhart echoed what other Sabres have said about the man who will be 2019 coaching them when training camp opens Sept. 12.

"A lot of good first impressions around here for sure," Reinhart said. "There’s no dancing around that. First and foremost, he’s a good person. Sam Reinhart wanted to be among the first Buffalo Sabres to greet Dylan He’s easy to talk to. He goes out of his way to make it known what he Cozens when the seventh-overall draft pick stepped off the stage in wants out of you. We’re only going to learn that more as we get going Vancouver's Rogers Arena in June. here into camp. We’re looking forward to that communication and Reinhart, a 23-year-old winger, asked Sabres brass if he could have a leadership that’s going to come from him." seat at the draft table in his hometown and congratulated Cozens on Buffalo News LOADED: 09.05.2019 becoming a top NHL draft pick after growing up in the Yukon Territory. Reinhart also gave Cozens one piece of advice: The journey is only beginning.

That sort of wisdom resonates when delivered by someone with Reinhart's experience. Though the Sabres have mostly struggled since Reinhart's draft day in 2014, he has developed into one of the franchise's top offensive threats by scoring 22 or more goals in three of the past four seasons.

When asked about Reinhart this offseason, General Manager Jason Botterill cited the draft-day visit as the latest example of how the team's former second overall pick has continued to mature off the ice.

"I know how overwhelming that experience is and you’re meeting so many people," Reinhart, who spends each offseason in Vancouver, told reporters Wednesday in Harborcenter. "I think if you can meet someone who is kind of established on the team it just provides that much more comfort, to have someone there who has been through that experience as well. It wasn’t too far out of the way for me. I thought it would help out being there, and obviously, wanted to show my commitment to the Sabres’ organization from being around as much as possible."

Reinhart was also among the first Sabres to return to Buffalo for informal skates leading up to Ralph Krueger's first training camp as coach. Reinhart was back on the Harborcenter ice Wednesday with a group that included Tage Thompson, Zemgus Girgensons, Johan Larsson and Carter Hutton, among others.

Reinhart is here to stay this time. He missed the start of training camp last fall because he was an unsigned restricted free agent. Though Reinhart participated in informal skates with teammates, he returned home until a contract was done.

The contract negotiations officially ended Sept. 19, when Reinhart signed a two-year, $7.3 million deal. The later arrival seemed to have little impact on Reinhart's play. Though he went scoreless in his first nine games of the season, Reinhart finished with 22 goals among a career- high 65 points while playing all 82 games for a second consecutive year.

"It’s a little bit less stress coming into it," Reinhart said when asked about being under contract. "I’m happy with where I’m at now."

The Sabres' offseason seems to have added to Reinhart's excitement. In addition to hiring Krueger, the team signed winger Marcus Johansson and traded for winger Jimmy Vesey. Both were acquired to take pressure off Reinhart, Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner.

The possible boost in supplementary scoring could also place additional responsibility on Reinhart. Rather than uniting with Eichel and Skinner on the top line, Reinhart could be tasked with leading the team's second group of forwards.

Botterill also seems encouraged by Reinhart's progress on the ice, which was on display at the IIHF World Championships in May. Reinhart scored three goals among five points in 10 tournament games for Canada, and his best performance came in the gold-medal loss to Finland.

Following the tournament, Reinhart returned to Vancouver for the offseason, where he focused on the offseason goals outlined by Sabres management.

"There are certain goals I set for the summer and coming into here with both the staff here going into the summer and all my guys back home," Reinhart said. "I think we accomplished that. It gives me a lot of 1151710 Buffalo Sabres

Devils make it official: No. 1 overall pick Hughes will be on prospect team here this week

By Mike Harrington Published Wed, Sep 4, 2019|Updated Wed, Sep 4, 2019

What has been assumed for weeks was made official Wednesday afternoon by the New Jersey Devils: No. 1 overall pick Jack Hughes will be on their Prospects Challenge roster for this week's tournament in Harborcenter and will thus meet the Sabres in Friday night's game.

Hughes, the slick-skating center from the U.S. National Development Team, had 25 goals and 100 points in 50 games last season and is expected to step right into the NHL as an 18-year-old. He is one of three first-rounders on the New Jersey roster, joining defensesman Ty Smith (2018, No. 17 overall) and forward Michael McLeod (2016, No. 12). Hughes will wear No. 86.

The Devils meet the Sabres Friday night at 7, play Pittsburgh Saturday at 3:30 and meet Boston Monday at 9:30 a.m. New Jersey has 15 forwards on its roster so it's possible Hughes does not play in all three games.

After meeting New Jersey, the Sabres play Boston Saturday at 7 and Pittsburgh Monday at 12:30. Tickets for each game are $10. They are available at the KeyBank Center Box Office, by phone at 1-888-223-6000 or at Sabres.com.

Buffalo News LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151711 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo, everything is primed and hopefully they can keep taking those steps to move forward."

The Hall's first class was in 1973 and Wednesday's announcement Former Sabres captain Brian Gionta selected for U.S. Hockey Hall of pushes the number of members to 187. The Hall's museum is located in Fame Eveleth, Minn.

Buffalo News LOADED: 09.05.2019 By Mike Harrington

More than 1,000 NHL games for four teams, a Stanley Cup, nine international competitions that included two Olympics.

The career resume for former Buffalo Sabres captain Brian Gionta is a glossy one and that made the Rochester native a strong choice as one of five inductees for the 2019 class of the Hockey Hall of Fame, USA Hockey announced Wednesday.

Gionta will enter the Hall along with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, former Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas, former U.S. women's Olympian Krissy Wendell and 82-year-old Washington D.C. youth development coach Neal Henderson. The inductees will be enshrined during the Hall's annual dinner Dec. 12 in Washington.

Gionta retired in 2018 after playing the final 20 games of his career with the Boston Bruins. He became just the 43rd American in NHL history to skate in more than 1,000 games, a milestone he reached with the Sabres on March 27, 2017. He's also 43rd among US players in points with 595 (291 goals, 304 assists). Gionta was Team USA captain in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

"Any time that you can represent your country and go out there and put on that jersey, it's a dream come true and every time I put on that jersey, it sent chills down my back," Gionta said Wednesday on a USA Hockey conference call. "It's one of those things where you're competing on the stage, especially the Olympic stage, it's something you dream of as a kid."

Gionta is the fourth former Buffalo captain who will enter the Hall, joining Mike Ramsey (Class of 2001), Pat LaFontaine (2003) and Chris Drury (2015). Ex-Buffalo goalie Tom Barrasso, a 1983 Calder Trophy winner after entering the NHL as an 18-year-old, was a member of the Class of 2009 and Former Sabres defenseman and coach Phil Housley was in the Class of 2004.

Gionta was a seven-time 20-goal scorer in the NHL and was a Stanley Cup winner in New Jersey in 2003. He still holds the Devils' single- season record with 48 goals in 2005-06. Gionta had 40 goals and 63 assists in his three seasons with Buffalo from 2014-2017.

In 2018, Gionta stepped away from the NHL to train with the Rochester Amerks for the season and even played one game for his hometown team before heading overseas.

Even though the Olympic experience did not result in a medal, Gionta said he was thrilled to share it with his family and was particularly grateful to late USA Hockey executive Jim Johannson for having faith in him to lead the team. Johannson passed away suddenly at age 53 a few weeks before the '18 Olympics.

"Jimmy Johannson was a huge influence on me and USA Hockey," Gionta said. "For him to turn around and have the confidence in me at the end of my career to go over there and help lead a team was a huge honor for me. I don't want to say it was more special than the 2006 Olympics but as you get older, you really are able to soak in the whole experience. For me kids to be a part of it and see that was really special. I'm very fortunate I had the opportunity with (coach) Tony Granato and Jimmy giving me that shot."

Gionta will be an assistant coach this year for the 14-under Buffalo Jr. Sabres, whose head coach will be former teammate Patrick Kaleta. As a former captain, Gionta said he'll be involved in some ceremonies surrounding the Sabres' 50th anniversary season and acknowledged he's curious to see the impact that new coach Ralph Krueger can have on the team.

"A new voice, a new perspective that hasn't been around might be a nice fresh start for the club," Gionta said. "I'm sure the optimism around the room is extremely high. I will be part of it watching the team grow and hopefully they can continue to make steps and improve year to year. The goal in Buffalo is to make the playoffs and win. With the fan base that's in 1151712 Calgary Flames Treliving from his days with the Arizona Coyotes. Forwards Zac Rinaldo (a veteran of 351 NHL games with Philadelphia, Boston, Arizona and Nashville) and Alexandre Grenier (a third round selection of the Flames Notes: Talbot keeping net role in perspective in 2011) round out the group.

STAYING THE COURSE

Kristen Anderson, Postmedia Aside from anything that may come out of training camp or the PTO invites, Treliving’s roster remained relatively untouched throughout the off-season.

Gone are the days of a true, bonafide No. 1 netminder who puts Miikka They added Talbot and traded James Neal for Milan Lucic. They signed Kiprusoff-like miles on his body throughout an 82-game schedule. Sam Bennett and David Rittich. But aside from a few tweaks, a few free agent departures (Garnet Hathaway, Mike Smith), the 2019-20 Flames Cam Talbot understands this. are set to look relatively similar to the 2018-19 group. And the 32-year-old also knows that no matter how his one-year deal And that, according to the general manager, was somewhat by design. shakes down with the Calgary Flames this season, a positive relationship with the other guy is a good thing. Treliving still believes in the group that finished with 107 points, 50 wins, and was the best team in the Western Conference throughout the regular “It’s huge,” said the six-foot-four, 196-pound puck stopper, a free agent season. signing by general manager Brad Treliving on July 1. “Any time you can have that partnership where it doesn’t really matter who is in the net, “There’s a process and there are steps you have to take to achieve the you’re just cheering for each other. You also get that element where ultimate goal,” he said. “This is a team that, two years ago, missed the there is internal competition and you can push each other and want to playoffs and became an 107-point team in the regular season this year. push each other. I think we’ll be battling for some starts to start the Did we accomplish what we wanted to in the playoffs? No. But you have season.” to take steps … you have to, sometimes, go through difficult times to learn what it takes to win at certain times of the year.” The other guy in these parts is, of course, David Rittich. Rittich was inked to a two-year contract worth US-$2.75-million per season this summer. But, according to Treliving, that doesn’t mean you trade everyone, fire Wednesday was the unofficial ‘welcome back’ for players as they filed everyone, and start with a clean slate every single season. into Country Hills Golf Club for the Calgary Flames Celebrity Charity Golf Classic. But it was also Talbot’s first meet and greet with some of his new “I know everybody wants change,” he said. “And I don’t think there was a teammates, including Rittich. team that went through more change (than the Flames did) a year ago. I don’t think you just ship out 10 new guys every year. Patience is While Talbot is gearing up for a bounce-back season after enduring a something nobody has in this business and I get it … there’s obviously difficult 2018-19 campaign, Rittich is the known factor in the equation. some business we all know needs to get done and a big piece of The 26-year-old quirky Czech native grew in leaps and bounds last financial pie that we’re holding to get Matthew done. season, posting a 27-9-5 record, a 2.61 goals against average and .911 save percentage. “But, having said that, you’re not just going to go out there and make changes for the sake of making changes.” There is plenty of upside to having a tandem, riding the hot hand, and managing workloads throughout the grind of a season. VALIMAKI ON THE MEND

“Especially lately, you can see the teams that you see going deeper in Juuso Valimaki underwent surgery a few weeks ago to repair his torn the playoffs,” said Talbot, who made 29 starts with the Edmonton Oilers anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee and everything went as last season and another three with the Philadelphia Flyers. “If you look at anticipated. Boston last year, I think they split 50/30 … it’s kind of the way the Now, the rehabilitation and recovery begins for the team’s 16th overall league is going right now, you need to have two guys rolling to, first of all, selection from the 2017 NHL draft. Treliving indicated that a return to the to get into the playoffs. And then you need to be fresh and healthy when lineup is still many months away. you get there. “We’ll get through the first phase and the initial rehab and then we’ll have “I’ve played a lot of games in the past, sometimes you get into that a better sense,” he said. “But this isn’t somebody we have a plan for rhythm and want to play. But sometimes it’s more beneficial to take a coming back any time soon. step back, let your mind and body reset, and take a night off.” “But it went well, he’s on the mend, and he’s going to tackle it hard. And “There’s something to be said for both.” he’ll be back. This is an unfortunate blip for him but he’s got a lot of SMITH-PELLY HEADLINES RECENT PTO INVITES hockey left in him.”

The Calgary Flames announced a handful of players who are invited to Calgary Sun: LOADED: 09.05.2019 training camp on professional tryout offers with one name standing out more than the others.

Right-winger Devante Smith-Pelly was a playoff hero for the Washington Capitals during their magical run to hoisting the Stanley Cup in the spring of 2018.

A few months later, however, the 27-year-old from Toronto quickly fell out of the team’s lineup — a curious decision that was eventually tied to issues with physical conditioning.

Smith-Pelly — who was one a one year, US$1-million contract last season — played in 54 games for the Capitals in 2018-19 and another 20 for their farm club, before being recalled by the Capitals in the playoffs. He was point-less in three post-season contests as the Capitals were bounced in the first round.

Without a contract, Smith-Pelly spent the summer training with BioSteel founder Matt Nichol. Nichol told the Canadian Press that last summer was “a learning process” for him and that he was very “dialled in” this off- season.

Also at training camp on a PTO is winger Tobias Rieder, who played last season with the Edmonton Oilers and is familiar to general manager Brad 1151713 Calgary Flames

Flames GM Treliving still hopeful they'll sign Tkachuk before 2019-20 training camp

Kristen Anderson, Postmedia

The only rain on Wednesday morning occurred exactly the moment Brad Treliving approached the gathered media scrum outside Country Hills Golf Club.

Purely coincidental?

Given that the Calgary Flames general manager was the bearer of bad news — that, no, he had no further update on Matthew Tkachuk’s contract status and that negotiations were still ongoing — likely not. The black cloud over the team’s annual golf course was somewhat symbolic.

“Thankfully, we’re not shovelling anything yet,” quipped Treliving.

So, then, it could be worse.

The Calgary Flames Celebrity Charity Golf Classic serves as the unofficial ‘welcome back’ for the team’s staff and players, gathering before the start of training camp which kicks off on Sept. 5 as the rookies report for fitness testing and physicals while the veterans report on Sept. 12.

Well, almost all of the veterans. Tkachuk, one of the more high profile restricted free agents who still remains unsigned, is not in the city. Neither is Andrew Mangiapane, who, for reasons unknown, still hasn’t agreed to terms with the Flames either.

In the former player’s case, the holdout is worrisome for many reasons.

Thoughts immediately turn to Treliving’s negotiations with Johnny Gaudreau a few off-seasons ago, talks that continued to drag on through the team’s 2016 training camp and preseason. Fifty-two hours before the season opener, No. 13 finally inked a six-year pact with the Flames who took a chance on him with their 104th selection in the 2011 NHL draft.

But Gaudreau, who had played for Team North America in the World Cup of Hockey that fall, had a slow start and had trouble getting into rhythm having not trained with the team prior to the 2016-17 NHL season.

There is value to being in camp from the start and competing in pre- season contests. Heck, that same fall that Gaudreau and the Flames had an impasse was the same fall that Tkachuk stormed on scene and made an impression during the exhibition schedule.

Pump the brakes, though. It’s still the first week in September.

At the moment, the Flames have a limited amount of cap space — $7.756-million according to CapFriendly.com — and it’s likely that significant moves may be necessary to fit everything in under budget.

“We remain committed to getting something done as soon as we can get something done and that’s our goal,” he said. “We want him here to start camp but it is what it is, right? We need both sides to feel comfortable in the deal and that’s sort of what we’re working through right now. So, we’re not there today, we don’t start today.

“But we’re hopeful we can get something done before we kick off training camp. And that’s the goal.”

Treliving added that missing training camp isn’t good for the team — or the player.

“We’re all confident to have him here. We all want him here, we know what he means to our team,” Treliving said. “But the coaches are going to coach who is here. That’s just natural. We want him here. My mind isn’t even on the possibility that he’s not going to be here. But, if he’s not, you carry on.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151714 Calgary Flames Czarnik. After that night, another home loss, 2-1 to the Dallas Stars, Peters said enough of that nonsense and reverted to the tried and true. A 6-1 whipping of the Anaheim Ducks came next and the Flames would How Bill Peters managed his forward lines last year and what that means begin the playoffs two weeks later with those same trios. for Calgary’s trios this season Games together (regular season + playoffs, percentage excludes games 80-82 when regulars were being rested):

By Darren Haynes Sep 4, 2019 75 (88 percent) | Gaudreau – Monahan – Lindholm

5 (6 percent) | Gaudreau – Monahan – Tkachuk

It’s the hockey observer version of old men talking about the weather. It’s 2 (2 percent) | Gaudreau – Ryan – Lindholm just what we do, daily. In the pub, at the restaurant, while waiting at the 2 (2 percent) | Gaudreau – Monahan – Bennett bus stop — it can be an all-consuming point of obsession. Line 2 | Ups and downs of Frolik The same holds for the man in charge in Calgary, Bill Peters, who says it’s a recurring point of spirited debate in his circles during the offseason. Mikael Backlund and Tkachuk were first tried together eight games into Tkachuk’s rookie season. At the time, pairing up the rambunctious, “You’re always making notes, writing stuff down,” the Flames coach said prickly left winger with the veteran, shutdown-centre seemed like a on Tuesday at the Flames golf tournament luncheon. “But I like getting marriage that wouldn’t last any longer than when Britney Spears tied the input from other people, too. So you get a lot of free advice in the knot with her childhood friend, Jason Alexander. But as odd as that fit summer from people at the lake. And you get your assistant coaches seemed at first blush, three years later that pairing has become the 1b in doing some things, some ideas.” terms of continuity to Gaudreau and Monahan.

Input? Advice? Ideas? Oh, we’ll offer plenty of that on a topic that at this Last season, only seven times were Tkachuk and Backlund separated on point is best described as partly cloudy. nights in which both were in the lineup. Mangiapane took Tkachuk’s spot “We’ve got some versatile players, but we also like some of the things we twice when the latter bumped up to the top line. Three other times, know work. We know there’s certain things that work. We know there’s Lindholm and Tkachuk flip-flopped. The other two times — in the two lines that work. We know there’s pairs that work,” Peters said. “And we games leading into the All-Star break — Neal and Tkachuk changed know there’s some things that don’t work nearly as well.” places.

But, before we start scribbling down numbers in a long-term forecast of Add in mainstay Michael Frolik and that familiar 3M line, which had been what the Flames’ lines could look like on Oct. 3, it can be a useful so effective the first couple years together, is how the second trio looked exercise to first look backward. to begin last season. But in what would become a recurring pattern, Peters abandoned it quickly. After a 5-2 opening night loss in Vancouver, In Peters’ first year at the helm in Calgary, how did he deploy his lines? Czarnik was moved up into that spot for the next four games while Frolik Did we learn anything from last season? Are there any tendencies that was dropped to the fourth line. Just like that, the hair started to rise on might help us determine how the trios could come together in 2019-20? the back of the neck of Frolik’s outspoken agent, Allan Walsh, who later in the season would publicly blast the Flames for how they were misusing In an attempt to answer that question, here’s a line-by-line recap of how his player. the skipper handled his forward group a year ago. For Frolik, a good soldier, the reuniting of that line would be like comfort Line 1 | If it ain’t broke … food for Peters. While he always yearned for more from the second line Talking to Peters a year ago on this same topic, before he had stepped and starting in early November and in a stretch that lasted through New on the ice with his new club for the first time, the question arose of who Year’s Eve, he tried Neal, Bennett and Czarnik for auditions of varying would ride shotgun with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, a pairing lengths in Frolik’s spot, he would invariably end up reverting to that he correctly predicted would play together 95 percent of the time. His familiar look. A dozen times throughout the season, the 3M line was response was he would let the chemistry happen, adding that James together, broken up, then reunited. They were never together for longer Neal, Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk could all see time in that role. than five games in a row until late in the season when they remained intact for eight games in one stretch. That same configuration was kept As it turned out, Lindholm earned the first opportunity during the together for the first four games of the playoffs, too. preseason and immediately put a death grip on that coveted job. The newly-acquired Swede became a fixture as the first-line right winger and Games together: that trio was arguably the best line in the NHL in the first half of the 41 (48 percent) | Tkachuk – Backlund – Frolik season. Other than one game — the Oct. 27 matinee against Washington, two days after the fabled 9-1 home-ice drubbing to the 19 (23 percent) | Tkachuk – Backlund – Bennett Pittsburgh Penguins — in which Peters tried Sam Bennett in that spot, Lindholm lined up beside Gaudreau and Monahan for the first 59 games 8 (10 percent) | Tkachuk – Backlund – Czarnik of the season before the coach finally did some tinkering with the top trio. 4 (5 percent) | Tkachuk – Backlund – Neal

Any changes, however, were short-lived. When that line was finally split 4 (5 percent) | Tkachuk – Ryan – Bennett up in late February, Tkachuk got three games with Gaudreau and Monahan. That same trio was reunited for another two games in early Line 3 | Yearning for more March, but those five games were it for Tkachuk. What we never saw — and now won’t see — was the trio everyone was expecting last year at Over the course of the season, Peters deployed 24 different this time of Gaudreau, Monahan and Neal. Not once did they start a combinations of a third line involving 13 different players. The usual game together. The only time they shared the ice was when Lindholm suspects were Mark Jankowski (67 times) and Neal (60 times) with would grab a breather after penalty kill duty and Neal would head over Bennett (48 times) and Czarnik (32 times) next in line. You also saw the boards for a cameo appearance with No. 13 and No. 23. In fact, Dillon Dube (6 times) and Alan Quine (4 times) get some service time on speaking volumes of how well things did not go for Neal, his only official the third line. It could be argued that one player that didn’t see enough foray onto the top unit was in meaningless game 82 when, with Monahan time on this line was Derek Ryan (15 times). being rested, Peters ran out a line of Gaudreau, Lindholm at centre and That said, it’s worth noting that as the fourth line heated up in the second Neal. half, any distinction between those two bottom-six units became blurred. As for Gaudreau and Monahan, they rarely left each other’s side. Derek But from a traditional line-numbering sense, Jankowski got more than Ryan slotted in there three times while Monahan was either hurt or being four times as many opportunities at centre on the third line than Ryan, yet rested late in the season. Just once was Monahan in the lineup and when it came to even-strength points, Ryan finished with 27 compared to anywhere other than at Gaudreau’s side and that came in game 77. After Jankowski’s 24. a 3-0 dud of an effort at home against Los Angeles, trying to find a spark, As you’ll recall, Jankowski didn’t arrive on the third line until two weeks Peters’ turned his line blender to the puree setting and tried this top-nine: into the season. After a lackluster training camp, he started out on the Gaudreau-Ryan-Frolik, Tkachuk-Backlund-Lindholm, Neal-Monahan- fourth unit and was a healthy scratch for the third and fourth games of the season. It wasn’t until Dec. 6 that Jankowski took over the third line gig changes, you might play a guy in a different position than you really have for good. He remained in that spot for the season’s final 59 games, other him penciled in for the regular season. Lindholm is a guy I could play in than the aforementioned shakeup of the top line, in which for one night the middle. I might do that, I might not. We’ll see.” only, Monahan slipped between Neal and Czarnik, bumping Jankowski to the fourth line. The ongoing issue with this group is they just couldn’t With that in mind, here are three forward line options to mull over: produce consistently, no matter the configuration. Conservative Edition – Sticking with what’s worked in the past

Games together: Gaudreau – Monahan – Lindholm

24 (27 percent) | Bennett – Jankowski – Neal Tkachuk – Backlund – Frolik

13 (15 percent) | Bennett – Jankowski – Czarnik Bennett – Jankowski – Czarnik

6 (7 percent) | Mangiapane – Jankowski – Neal Mangiapane – Ryan – Lucic

5 (6 percent) | Neal – Ryan – Czarnik Pros:

4 (5 percent) | Neal – Jankowski – Czarnik The top line stays intact after all three produced career-best seasons last 4 (5 percent) | Frolik – Jankowski – Czarnik year.

Line 4 | Expect the unexpected The 3M line remains together. There’s proven chemistry there.

Make no mistake, the story of the Flames second half was how Familiarity all around — each of the four lines include a duo that played impressive the Andrew Mangiapane, Ryan and Garnet Hathaway line together frequently in 2018-19. was. While the top line scuffled, that fourth line was time and time again Cons: the team’s most effective trio at even-strength. From the All-Star break through the end of the season, Ryan’s 22 points were tied for second on If you’re someone that feels that Bennett can still break out offensively, the team, behind Gaudreau (26). Over that same period, his nine goals it’s unlikely to happen utilized in the same bottom-six role as last year. were second to Tkachuk (10) for the team lead. Meanwhile, Limiting the ice time for Mangiapane, who has shown that he’s a young Mangiapane’s eight goals — all of them at even-strength — were fourth player who has earned a bigger bite of the apple. on the team — one more than both Gaudreau and Monahan. You’re still limiting Ryan’s minutes, despite him showing last season that So consistent was that line that the only time they were broken up was in he could/should shoulder more playing time an attempt to get the other lines going. It was the best the fourth line has looked in Calgary for a long, long time and it helped Hathaway fetch a Extreme Makeover Edition – And now for something completely different four-year, $6-million deal with the Washington Capitals after he became a free agent on July 1. Gaudreau – Lindholm – Bennett

But it took a while for that trio to formulate. Before Mangiapane was Tkachuk – Monahan – Mangiapane summoned from the AHL, Anthony Peluso and Ryan Lomberg both got Dube/Frolik – Backlund – Ryan looks on that fourth unit. Of course, Dube spent lots of time on that line at the start of the season before the 20-year-old was jettisoned to Stockton Lucic – Jankowski – Czarnik to get more playing time. Pros: It wasn’t until Jan. 13 that the trio was first formed, but from that point forward, the only time they were broken up was for promotions. After the first line flatlined in the playoffs, this is an opportunity to shake Mangiapane was bumped up to the second and third lines for a handful things up by inserting Bennett, who was the team’s best player in the of games, Frolik typically dropping down to take his spot. Ryan made a postseason. handful of appearances on the first line with Quine taking his spot. Along with more ice time for Bennett, you’re also bumping up the role of Hathaway, however, remained a fixture. Mangiapane, another guy deserving of a greater opportunity. Games together: The third line becomes the shutdown unit (Backlund and Ryan each 34 (39 percent) | Mangiapane – Ryan – Hathaway taking faceoffs on their strong side), which adds depth to the Flames lineup. 8 (9 percent) | Dube – Ryan – Hathaway Cons: 7 (8 percent) | Dube – Jankowski – Hathaway You’re moving two left wingers to the opposite wing of what they’ve 7 (8 percent) | Frolik – Ryan – Hathaway normally played. That’s a lot of change.

5 (6 percent) | Czarnik – Ryan – Hathaway Splitting up longtime duos Monahan-Gaudreau and Tkachuk-Backlund could impact the production from all four. Less than two weeks away from the start of the preseason and just over four weeks away from the regular-season opener, where does this leave If Bennett doesn’t rise to the challenge offensively, loss of production us? from the first unit could be costly.

Some changes are coming, we know that. Hathaway is gone so there will Tkachuk Holdout Edition – If the Tkachuk contract stalemate carries over be a new look to the fourth line. Neal is gone, too, which changes the into the regular season complexion of the third line. One continues to wonder about the fate of Frolik, who could potentially be moved out to clear much-needed cap Gaudreau – Monahan – Lindholm space for unsigned restricted free agents Tkachuk and Mangiapane. Mangiapane – Backlund – Bennett For 2019-20, does Peters take the approach of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it Dube/Frolik – Jankowski – Ryan and stick to the same lines as close as he can? Let’s not forget that despite the bitter ending, this was still a club that was the second-best Lucic – Quine – Czarnik team in the NHL over a six-month span. Perhaps you chalk it up as a team light on playoff experience, who were fed a boatload of what not to Pros: do by an underappreciated team led by an elite player that was playing at Return to form of the top line hopefully mitigates any loss of production in a high level going into the postseason. After the Game 1 loss, the Avs the absence of Tkachuk. quickly grabbed momentum by the you-know-what and never let it go. Promoting Ryan to the third line, potentially opposite Dube, could make Or is it time to blow things up and try some different looks? that trio more effective. “We don’t just want to put our lines together in Game 1 of the preseason and it’s the same-old, same-old,” Peters said. “In order to make some More ice time and opportunity for Mangiapane, even if just for a short time, could have a long-lasting, positive effect.

Cons:

Lots of potential on the new-look second line with Mangiapane and Bennett, but will that translate to actual production.

If the first line slumps like the second half last year, this team could be in real trouble.

The fourth line will likely not generate much.

While on the surface, the net outcome of the Neal-Lucic swap this summer was the same — one bottom-six player leaving, one bottom-six player coming in — what the Flames accomplished with that offseason deal is to bring in a guy that is expected to be more content in that role than the guy outgoing.

This isn’t to suggest Lucic will be satisfied with fourth line deployment, but he will be a better teammate about it. Meanwhile, what Neal’s departure has done is opened up third-line minutes for Dube, or Ryan — if the club is open to shifting him to right wing where he’s played before — or even Mangiapane if he’s not elevated into the top six. Considering Neal only contributed seven goals last season, getting more collectively out of his spot in the lineup is very possible.

That is one of several opportunities for internal growth on this club that could help offset a slight drop-off offensively from the top line and make up for the loss of production from a new-look fourth line.

But the way the team struggled in the playoffs, especially the top line, expect Peters to be more open this season to trying different combinations if things aren’t working, especially in the top six that will continue to be relied upon.

That includes, as offered up in the extreme makeover set of lines, potentially playing Lindholm at centre.

“He’s a real good centre. The analytics that we have on him as a centreman over the years are really strong. So we’ll see what happens,” Peters offered on Tuesday.

You know what they say about the weather: If you don’t like it, just wait five minutes and it will change. If Peters doesn’t like what he is seeing from his club, he may battle that storm with a little (lineup) change of his own.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151715 Carolina Hurricanes

Goalie Petr Mrazek still the Carolina Hurricanes’ wild card

BY LUKE DECOCK

RALEIGH-For all that is different for the Carolina Hurricanes from one year ago, and the changes over the past 12 months are multifold, everything still circles back to the same player.

Petr Mrazek.

Not to put it all on the goalie’s shoulders, but some of it’s unavoidable.

The difference between then and now is that the Hurricanes know Mrazek, who resurrected his career here after signing a one-year deal and carried the team into the playoffs, and aren’t going into the season wondering if he can handle the workload. They know he can. But he still has to do it.

The Hurricanes are in dramatically better shape in terms of goaltending than a year ago, when they were still hoping Scott Darling would pan out, before the last-minute waiver addition of Curtis McElhinney saved the season.

There’s more room for error this time around with veteran James Reimer as a sort of 1B, a backup with starting experience. But for the Hurricanes to be the best they can be, they need Mrazek to be the guy.

“He fits perfectly with what we’re trying to do,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Wednesday at Hurricanes media day, “but everybody’s got to prove themselves daily, and he’s no different.”

As good as he was in the first round against the Washington Capitals, Mrazek’s struggles against the Boston Bruins in the conference finals after returning from an injury helped put the Hurricanes in a 2-0 hole on their way to getting swept, although there were many reasons for that. That led to a brief examination of other free-agent options on both sides in July, with the Hurricanes briefly pursuing Semyon Varlamov, before the team and the goalie realized there wasn’t anything better out there. The Hurricanes and Mrazek ended up back together, their fates again entwined.

Even without captain Justin Williams -- “We’re moving on,” Brind’Amour said several times Wednesday -- the Hurricanes are in better shape across the board going into this season. They’ve upgraded at center (Erik Haula), added a finisher (Ryan Dzingel) and still have one of the best blue lines in the league, at least as far as the top two pairs are concerned.

The experience of winning in the playoffs will only strengthen the culture Williams and Brind’Amour built, and Brind’Amour should only be more comfortable in his second year behind the bench. Throw in the expected sophomore improvement of Andrei Svechnikov, and there’s a lot more reason for optimism than there was last September.

But just as the Hurricanes labored in the playoff wilderness with substandard goaltending as they swung and missed on Eddie Lack and Darling before hitting on Mrazek and McElhinney, the success of this entire project continues to teeter on that precipice.

There’s a reason Mrazek was available last summer; his game collapsed in his final years in Detroit and Philadelphia. Mrazek said Wednesday a big part of last season’s success was his work with Jaromir Jagr’s sports psychologist, something he started last summer, which has him in a different frame of mind now than at any point in his career.

“He was the right person I needed to talk to about hockey situations, about what to do in your head,” Mrazek said. “I think that’s maybe 60-80 percent of your game.”

If he can back it up, and there’s every reason to believe he can, the Hurricanes will be in good shape. But there’s obviously some internal doubt. If there wasn’t, Mrazek would have been re-signed before he reached free agency. Mrazek had something to prove here last season, and he proved it. Now he has to prove it again.

News Observer LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151716 Carolina Hurricanes nontraditional hockey market that struggled to fill PNC Arena, hasn’t created a lot of buzz and couldn’t make the playoffs. All that changed last season. The Canes became the talk of the league and reached the Canes’ Rod Brind’Amour counting on Ryan Dzingel to add more speed to Eastern Conference finals in the playoffs. a fast lineup “When you come in during the week [to play] you heard there wasn’t the greatest fan base, but that comes with winning,” he said. “That’s with any sport, any city. You need to have a good product out there and you need BY CHIP ALEXANDER to win for the fans.

“When we showed up, they showed up. That’s awesome and we’ll continue to show up and they will, too. And in the playoffs it was the RALEIGH-Ryan Dzingel quickly caught Rod Brind’Amour’s attention loudest rink in the National Hockey League. It’s good to hear, and I’m just when the Carolina Hurricanes were playing the Ottawa Senators the past excited. I think there’s a winning culture now and everything is together.” few seasons. Brind’Amour, in his first year as a head coach, quickly gained a “He opened my eyes,” the Canes coach said Wednesday. “Every time we reputation for being a players’ coach, honest but fair, willing to listen but played them it was like, ‘Who is that guy?’ As a coach when you don’t firm and fiery when he needs to be. really know the other team or certain players and they stand out ... he was always standing out for me.” “He’s going to demand you to work and that’s how I pride myself,” Dzingel said. “He’s going to tell you when you don’t play well and tell you And now Dzingel’s a part of the Hurricanes. As Brind’Amour put it, “I’m when you don’t work hard, and he’s going to tell you when you do well. hoping he has the other coaches asking that question.” He’s going to keep you accountable. When Canes owner Tom Dundon and general manager Don Waddell “He’s a coach who communicates with you well and that’s what you want. came to Brind’Amour this summer and asked about Dzingel being signed You don’t want to come in the room and walk on eggshells. You want to as a free agent, the coach quickly agreed. The forward, an unrestricted know where you stand. I’m happy to play for guy like that.” free agent after last season, agreed to a two-year contract that will pay him $3.25 million this season and $3.5 million in 2020-21. And for more than two years, if everything works out. Dzingel was engaged in January to Elise Lobb, a co-host of Fox Sports’ “Swing Clinic” Dzingel is 27, and only centers Jordan Staal and Erik Haula, another who has had a big following on YouTube and Instagram. Both are avid newcomer, are older among the Canes forwards. He’s a former seventh- golfers — Lobb a scratch player and former college golfer, Dzingel a 5- round draft pick by the Senators. Dzingel also has made the most of handicap — who would enjoy staying in North Carolina. every opportunity in his hockey journey and career and now has another one with the Canes. “I like the fact that he really wants to be here,” Brind’Amour said. “That’s the kind of people we want to get and attract. He wants to make a “I like being written off and finding a way,” Dzingel said Wednesday. “A difference here.” lot of things happened to get here, but I’m glad it worked out. It’s so fresh and new to me that I’m just excited. I think the system we play is built off News Observer LOADED: 09.05.2019 speed, so I’ll be able to fit right in and hopefully contribute right away.”

That’s what Brind’Amour is counting on. Dzingel scored 22 goals in 57 games with the Senators last season before the Wheaton, Illinois, native was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb. 23. Dzingel did his job in the Blue Jackets’ late push to reach the with four goals and eight assists in the last 21 games of the regular season, but was a nonfactor offensively once in the playoffs — one goal in nine games, his only point.

But in looking at his season as a whole, Dzingel had career highs in goals (26), assists (30) and points (56). He had five game-winning goals, another career best.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Ryan Dzingel, left, reacts with left wing Nick Foligno (71) after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, April 5, 2019, in New York. The Blue Jackets won 3-2 in a shootout. Julio Cortez AP

“We’re hoping he brings that offensive speed element,” Brind’Amour said. “We’re going to rely on him to score some points and get on the board and play the way we want to play, which is fast and getting on the puck.”

And helping the power play. The Canes have had myriad problems the past few seasons and in last season’s playoffs, finishing 20th in the NHL last season at 17.8 percent, a slight dip from 2017-18. Dzingel set new career marks last season in power-play goals (five) and power-play points (11), and could help offset the departure of Justin Williams, who hasn’t retired from the NHL but hasn’t decided if he’ll play this season.

“I obviously took strides in my game and had career highs in pretty much every category,” Dzingel said. “And I got traded and I learned a lot after that. I learned what it’s like to be traded and getting with a new team. Obviously, it’s much different halfway through a season to have chemistry.

“To come in fresh into a new team is going to be a lot nicer. But I definitely learned a lot and think I’ve grown in all four years in the NHL ... and think I have a lot of room to grow. I hope I bring a lot of things, but a few things I try to do well are use my speed and my shot. That’s what I rely on most. I think the system that we play is built off speed, so I’ll be able to fit right in.”

From afar, playing in a Canadian market, Dzingel formed a perception of Raleigh and the Hurricanes that many have had: A team in a 1151717 Carolina Hurricanes Canes general manager Don Waddell said he was “relieved” to have the deal settled without arbitration, calling McGinn a “important part of what we accomplished last season.”

Canes’ McGinn, Williams will always be linked by a special Game 7 McGinn was relieved, too, to have it done. moment “I can play a little more relaxed,” he said. “Just play my game and not worry about all the stuff off the ice, the negotiations and stuff. Just play BY CHIP ALEXANDER hockey and play the way I can. Play with confidence.”

A second-round draft pick by Carolina in 2012, McGinn has missed just two games the past two seasons. While his goal production dropped from Brock McGinn will always be linked with Justin Williams, as hockey 16 in 2017-18 to 10, he had a plus-10 rating last season, effectively killed teammates with the Carolina Hurricanes and for a special shared penalties and gave the Canes a degree of physicality that has always moment in time. been a part of his game. He had two goals and four assists in the playoffs. That said, Williams’ decision to step away from hockey, and the former captain’s absence as a new season begins, will be felt by McGinn and McGinn also was a central figure in one of the more memorable Storm the others. Surge postgame celebrations with his Thor-like hammer strike at center ice. Canes fans loved it. “It’s tough to replace a guy like that, but he’s kind of showed us the way you have to play, the right way to play,’ McGinn said Tuesday. “If we just Like Williams, McGinn has a passion for the game. Even with Williams follow what he instilled in all of us, I think we can do it as a group.” missing, McGinn believes the Canes can improve on last year’s 99-point finish that ended their nine-year playoff drought in the first year with Rod McGinn will always have that moment from last year’s Stanley Cup Brind’Amour as head coach. playoffs -- Game 7. the second against the Washington Capitals. The Canes and Caps, a team so intent on winning another Cup, “We really grew as a team last year and we added some good were locked in an intense game, a test of will and stamina. components to our team,” McGinn said. “I think us going in this year, we have a lot of confidence. We expect a lot from our team.” McGinn can take it from there. The winger has been reminded and asked about the play countless times in the past few months, especially at News Observer LOADED: 09.05.2019 home in Fergus, Ontario. And he has watched the replay more than a few times -- Williams centering the puck to the net, McGinn going to the net.

“I saw Willy go to the corner and he was spinning so I just took a couple of hard strides to the net there and just tried to get body position on my guy,” McGinn said Tuesday after an informal workout at Raleigh Center Ice.

That “guy” being the Caps’ tough guy, Tom Wilson, a 6-4, 220-pound forward who is hard to budge.

“It worked out,” McGinn continued. “I just saw it coming and was able to bat it down.”

Meaning the puck. McGinn batted it down and past goalie Braden Holtby and just like that, the series was over. Make it McGinn with the goal, Williams the primary assist. Capital One Arena in Washington, so loud for so long quickly became a somber place. The Canes were moving on to the second round.

“As soon as you see it cross that line I don’t think anything runs through your mind,” McGinn said. “You just black out and your body takes over. And then you’re looking at the smiles on everybody’s faces. It was awesome. A cool moment.”

Williams, the man called Mr. Game 7 in the NHL, had delivered again in Game 7. The Canes were on to the second round and McGinn, who scored 10 goals in the regular season, had a Game 7 winner and the memory of a lifetime.

“All my friends back home who have little kids said they all stayed up and watched,” McGinn said. “It was cool to relive it and see how excited the town was for us.”

McGinn, 25, has returned to Raleigh to prepare for preseason training camp. Williams has not retired from the NHL at 37 but said Monday he would “step away” from the game for now, with a return at some point in the 2019-20 season still possible.

“He’s a really good friend and I respect everything he’s done in the game,” McGinn said. “We don’t know it he’s completely done or not but you want to follow those guys who have the passion. You can see the way he led us in the playoffs and the last part of the season. He’s an incredible person off the ice and a great ambassador for the game of hockey, as well.”

McGinn was a restricted free agent after last season and elected to file for arbitration rather than accept the Canes’ qualifying offer. But arbitration was not needed after McGinn and the team agreed July 12 on a two-year contract that will pay McGinn $1.9 million this season and $2.3 million in 2020-21. 1151718 Chicago Blackhawks

What's the holdup in contract negotiations between Brendan Perlini and Blackhawks?

By Charlie Roumeliotis September 04, 2019

Labor Day has officially passed, which means players are starting to trickle back to their respective cities in preparation for the 2019-20 NHL season. But there are still plenty of housekeeping items on the agenda for general managers across the league.

Brock Boeser, Kyle Connor, Patrik Laine, Mitch Marner, Brayden Point, Mikko Rantanen and Matthew Tkachuk are all notable restricted free agent forwards who have yet to sign with their respective clubs and may not have a deal before training camp opens. Same with defensemen Charlie McAvoy, Ivan Provorov and Zach Werenski. These are significant names.

The holdup among the upper tier forward group appears to be Marner, who could reset the market for wingers because he feels he deserves to be paid as much as, if not more than, teammates Auston Matthews and John Tavares — $11 million average annual value. And if he gets close to that, you better believe the camps of Point and Rantanen will argue they should be in the same ballpark.

But the trickle-down effect shouldn't have a direct impact on the middle- to lower-tier RFAs who are seeking bridge deals. So what's holding up the contract negotiations between Brendan Perlini and the Blackhawks?

First off, it doesn't appear to be cap-related. The Blackhawks have room to squeeze in whatever Perlini's number comes in at so it's not like they have to move salary out to make it work. The question is whether the organization feels he's worth whatever he's asking for or whether they're better off going with a cheaper option who could provide just as much value if the two sides can't agree on an extension.

There have been three signings over the past week that we could point to as potential comparables, as we discussed on the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast: Ivan Barbashev (two years, $1.475 million cap hit), Anthony Beauvillier (two years, $2.1 million cap hit) and Adrian Kempe (three years, $2 million cap hit). All three of those players are coming off their entry-level contracts and have produced at a similar rate as Perlini over their first three seasons:

— Barbashev: 26 goals in 163 games, 0.31 points per game

— Beauvillier: 48 career goals in 218 games, 0.40 points per game

— Kempe: 30 career goals in 187 games, 0.38 points per game

— Perlini: 45 career goals in 199 games, 0.36 points per game

The two players we should be looking at are Beauvillier and Kempe, both of whom were first-round draft picks and play top-nine roles for their respective teams. Barbashev is viewed as more of a bottom-six forward, but we mentioned him in here because Perlini's camp could argue that their client deserves at least as much as Barbashev and his $1.475 million cap hit.

But now look at it from the Blackhawks' perspective: While Perlini finished with 21 points (14 goals, seven assists) in 68 total games in 2018-19, eight of those 14 goals and 10 of those 21 points came during a seven-game span in March when he had an offensive explosion. The other 61 games? 11 points (six goals, five assists) for a points-per-game average of 0.18.

Which Perlini would the Blackhawks be getting? The team is probably hoping for somewhere in the middle on a nightly basis, but they can't afford to healthy scratch a player who's making $2 million per year (or somewhere in that range) like they did on multiple occasions last season if the production isn't there.

With training camp starting on Friday, Sept. 13, we should get more clarity on the situation soon, one way or another.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151719 Chicago Blackhawks “I went back through their video and it was just great to see some of the things, the little glances that they were doing,” Belfry said. “We could see their relationship as a line was definitely deepening. Whether they play Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome jump start season at together, like maybe two of them play together, maybe three of them or Darryl Belfry’s camp maybe none of them, but it’s going to help them in some way. It’s just such a smart thing Patrick’s done that since the beginning. He’s brought really just three guys who he thinks he’s going to spend time with, and every year that line has started as a line coming out of this camp and By Scott Powers Sep 4, 2019 they’ve always done really well. So he’s on to something.”

All of the sessions were recorded on iPads, and Belfry and his team ESTERO, Fla. – Patrick Kane laughed when he was told roughly how provided clips with commentary for each player before each day’s many goals for and against he, Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat were session. Strome said he heard a lot about keeping his feet moving, on the ice for last season. something he hoped to improve by week’s end. Belfry pointed out how DeBrincat positioned his hands while protecting the puck, and how that “It’s a fun way to play, but it’s not the coach’s favorite line,” Kane said. affected his weight distribution and ability to get away from opponents.

Ain’t that the truth. “A lot of it is habit,” DeBrincat said. “You’re not necessarily thinking about it all the time. When you’re doing something wrong, if you’re thinking The DeBrincat-Strome-Kane line was a rollercoaster for Blackhawks about it, it’s not too hard to change. It’s just a little change in your hands coach Jeremy Colliton. He rode it for some time because the trio was or whatever. When you’re not thinking about it, you’re going always back capable of scoring goals galore. The line was on the ice for 14 goals for to what you’re used to. If you keep trying for the first few skates get that in 145 minutes of 5-on-5 play together, according to in and make sure you’re doing it right, then it’s going to be natural for NaturalStatTrick.com. The problem was the line’s susceptibility to getting you. For me, I’m trying to take whatever he says in the video and really lit up the other way. DeBrincat, Strome and Kane were on the ice for 15 incorporate it into every play that I have, really make it habit for me, make goals against in that same span. It’s why Colliton eventually moved away it normal to do.” from it. Belfry noticed improvements in DeBrincat’s game from a year ago. He For some context, the Artemi Panarin-Artem Anisimov-Kane line was on also saw DeBrincat be more assertive against his peers. the ice for 3.05 goals for and 2.38 goals against per 60 minutes in its two seasons together. Last season, the DeBrincat-Strome-Kane line was on “This was his second year there and I thought he was way more the ice for 5.77 goals for and 6.18 goals against per 60 minutes. comfortable this year than he was last year,” Belfry said. “Last year, he worked hard, but he kind of spoke when spoken to you and he was really Will Colliton reunite DeBrincat, Strome and Kane this season? It has to respectful and just, you know, he worked hard, but he wasn’t trying to be an option Colliton is kicking around. But even if Colliton doesn’t go take away anybody’s time. This one he was really an active participant that direction to begin the season, the three players will undoubtedly see and was looking to really get involved. the ice together. They’ll likely be on the top power play unit again. If the offense dries up, it’s a nice option to have in your back pocket. “Like we all know he can slide into space and shoot the puck like that. You know this year what was interesting was I thought he made a lot of That went through Kane’s mind as he decided which teammates to invite really good plays. I thought he was really good in traffic. We did a lot of to skills coach Darryl Belfry’s recent week-long NHL camp in Florida. high-traffic, high-pressure situations where he had to find his way out to Belfry has been working with Kane since Kane was 9 years old. Two find a solution and then find a guy. I had remarked a couple of times that years ago, Kane invited Ryan Hartman and Nick Schmaltz to the camp I was really impressed with his ability to do that. It wasn’t something that I because he envisioned them playing together. Last year, Kane asked had like as a real strength of his. But after watching him in the camp, I Schmaltz and DeBrincat. This year, he invited DeBrincat and Strome. was like you know that’s something that he is underestimated how good “I asked DeBrincat last year and he came down here with Schmaltzy, and he was at that. He was really finding solutions and finding his way out I thought we had some pretty good chemistry that we built from that and being able to protect the puck and make some plays. There’s a lot of camp,” Kane said last week at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida. “He loves good stuff on him in the camp of how he was able to do those things. hockey. I asked him if he’d want to do it again and he said yes. I think he That was really cool because I didn’t see that as much last year.” really likes the camp, being here and being able to skate with a lot of Belfry hadn’t had any experience with Strome prior to the camp, so he good players. As far as Strome, like another young kid coming in that was curious how Strome would perform in that setting. Belfry came away maybe I’ll be playing with at some point in time. So, I thought it’d be a impressed. good idea to invite him down. He had something going on, kind of changed around his schedule and made a sacrifice to come down for five “That’s the first time I’d spent any time with him, and I thought he was days. excellent and was really, really receptive,” Belfry said. “The interesting part was he was really asking a lot of questions, like he genuinely was “Got to give those guys credit for putting the effort in and coming down there to learn, and I think he knew why he was there. This is an here for five days. You know you’re on the ice a lot. I think every day it’s opportunity to get a head start on the season and build some deeper been over three hours, so it’s a lot of ice time. It’s like a little bit of a grind. chemistry with that group. Overall, I thought he worked hard. He was I think those guys made the sacrifice to come down, so hopefully it pays really an active participant.” off.” DeBrincat and Strome were also active in the 88 Summit, which brings Twenty-two NHL players attended the camp, including Auston Matthews, the players together one evening where they’re asked to share thoughts Mat Barzal, Clayton Keller, Kevin Hayes, Roman Josi, Charlie McAvoy on their own and others’ video clips as they’re shown on a projector. and Aaron Ekblad. Belfry got the idea from an article about Richard Sherman putting Darryl Belfry has been working with Patrick Kane since the Blackhawks together a summit for NFL cornerbacks. Belfry shared the idea with star was 9 years old. (Scott Powers / The Athletic) Kane, and they brought it to life for the first time in 2018.

Strome originally had other plans, but he felt the camp was too important “This year guys really seemed to be into it, and they’d bring up a clip of to pass up. someone and a guy goes up there, stands up, talks about the clip, what’s he’s seeing,” Kane said. “It’s really cool to talk with these players “You know he asked me to come to this and it was a great opportunity to because everyone sees something different. Whether it’s like what the get better and I think it’s a special camp, a lot of real good guys here,” defense is doing in the clip or you had your body positioning here, you Strome said. “So, moved some things around but wanted to get here and had one hand on the stick here, you’re accelerating at this time, slowing see what it was like. They all talk so highly of it, so glad I could get here.” down here, it’s just like so many different things. It like opens your eyes to what other people are seeing. I think it was a great idea by him, and I The players were on the ice from about 8:30 a.m. to noon each day and think last year was pretty good. I think this year is even better, so I think it participated in individual skill drills, multi-player drills and 4-on-4 could be like an annual thing that could really develop. scrimmages. Some combination of Kane, DeBrincat and Strome were often on the ice together. “(DeBrincat and Strome), two really smart players, like even in that summit they put up a clip of them two and had them talk through a clip. Belfry noticed the trio’s connection throughout the week. It’s not like anything overly skilled, but everything was just easy in the clip. They’re just so good with their awareness on the ice and where to be whether it’s Strome making plays and making quick little passes or Brinksy finding holes in the defense to get open.”

DeBrincat explained to the other players what he was thinking and how he went about finding those holes. During the week, someone compared DeBrincat to a 7-Eleven store because he was always open.

“That’s a pretty cool experience,” DeBrincat said of the summit. “Last year, I more sat down and took it in and figured out what other people are saying and tried to sit back and take it all in. This year, there were a few clips I was in that Kaner was doing, I was in a few of them, just kind of said what I was thinking on the play. For me, it’s more getting open than anything. That’s a big part of my game. Most of those clips were about that and finding the open space. It’s good for me watching the other clips, you hear what they’re thinking, and I can really relate to that and try to do that to the best of my ability. When I’m talking and giving these guys my insight into what I’m seeing on the play, it’s good for everyone. Everyone is different players and trend towards different areas. It’s good to change that up every once in a while and try to make your game as dynamic as possible.”

Kane talked about a few clips, including his epic back-and-forth goal battle with Matthews in Chicago last season where each put a hand up to their ear to hear the crowd after scoring.

“So we’ve been having some fun with that,” Kane said. “Even after, (Kevin) Hayes is going like this every time he scores. He’s a funny kid, by the way.”

In addition to the group settings, Kane and Belfry carved out some time to work 1-on-1 on the ice. After nearly everyone had left the ice following the Thursday session, Kane and Belfry talked along the boards and discussed ways for Kane to improve his shot. Kane would then put their ideas to use on the ice and return to the boards to discuss some more.

“It’s all footwork,” Belfry said. “I mean it really comes down to whenever you’re doing anything to do with shooting it’s all footwork. So we were looking to refine footwork in specific situations where he gets a lot of opportunity to see if he can become a little bit more dynamic in those areas. So try to walk through it, we’ve talked about a concept and then finally you know I had some time to really like dig into it with multiple layers. It’s a lot of really finite details that don’t look like much but add up to be a big deal.

“You know he’s obviously ultra-committed to his off-ice regime, as a true professional he’s the first one there, last one to leave and he’s definitely as motivated as ever. He always has a fire of competitiveness in his game. He’s in a great spot, like he knows his game really well. So much of what he’s trying to do is refine it to be even better in certain parts, and then other parts like just trying to add a little wrinkle here and there, little areas where he feels he could be less predictable or he could have more effectiveness or, you know, like a little change of speed at a little better time creates a little more space, which makes a better play, like he understands that. So he’s always looking for just another layer of efficiency and effectiveness, 3 or 4 percent better in an area. With the number of times he touches the puck in a game, over 10 games, over a year, it’s a lot.”

Kane’s hope for the week was to gain something individually, but also find ways to improve with DeBrincat and Strome. Kane has been around long enough to know he’ll likely bounce around linemates and get some chances to play with nearly everyone.

“I think we played a little bit together last year and I think we had some success, but defensively we probably could have been a little bit better,” Kane said of DeBrincat and Strome. “I think it could be (a line again) at some point in time. I mean, you’re not going to play with the same guys all year. I know me and Jonny (Toews) had some success last year playing with (Drake) Caggiula. You know, see what happens with some young guys coming in. It looks like that (Kirby) Dach could be a player. So, you never know who you’re going to end up playing with.”

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151720 Colorado Avalanche 3 yrs PHI NHL 237 17 17 34 -12 65 16 0 1 2 15 0 2 305 5.6 Avalanche player (p)review: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare 575 3107 13:07 1032 1131 47.7 192 259 93 56

2 yrs VEG NHL 148 12 19 BY AJ HAEFELE SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 31 7 20 10 0 2 1 19 0 0 200 6.0

350 1832 12:23 748 665 52.9 Colorado’s failed free agent pursuits of both Brian Boyle and Ryan 114 112 86 48 Carpenter eventually led them to the other Vegas penalty-killing ace, Career 5 yrs NHL 385 29 36 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. For a team that has talked often about its 65 -5 85 26 0 3 affinity for getting younger and focusing on high-end skating, Bellemare 3 34 0 2 505 5.7 is really neither. 925 4939 12:50 1780 1796 49.8 The 34-year-old Bellemare has followed a peculiar career path to get to 306 371 179 104 Colorado as he made his NHL debut at 29 and managed to stick despite Data courtesy Hockey-Reference.com. his age. After three years in Philadelphia, Bellemare ended up in Vegas after the expansion draft and became part of a pesky fourth line that Next season helped set the tone for the Golden Knights. As a potential faceoff ace late in games, Bellemare is immediately an A physical presence in the middle of the ice, Bellemare doesn’t bring a lot upgrade at the fourth line center spot that was a source of frustration last of offense as he scored just 15 points (6g, 9a) in 76 games played but he season after Vladislav Kamenev went down with another upper-body was a trusted veteran for Gerard Gallant all the same. He helped key a injury that ended his season. Bellemare brings stability to a position that very effective and frustrating to play against fourth line and has the was a revolving door after Kamenev’s injury. versatility to play both left wing and center depending on the situation. His penalty-killing ability will replace what the team lost when they traded That flexibility will likely come in handy in late-game situations as away Carl Soderberg to Arizona and his ability to win faceoffs is Bellemare’s other big skill he brings to Colorado is the ability to win something the Avalanche simply lacked last year. Combined with Nazem faceoffs. As a team last year, Colorado was 26th in the NHL, winning just Kadri, Bellemare will boost that aspect of Colorado’s all-around profile. 48.1% of the faceoffs they took. Bellemare won 54.7% of the draws he took last year and he has steadily improved in that area in his five years He also plays a consistently heavy game that is not fun to play against in the NHL. and should he be paired with Matt Nieto and Matt Calvert, those three would align as one of the league’s most annoying trios to go up against. Last year’s fourth line for Colorado was a revolving door of ineptitude and the lineup disparity from the top to the bottom line put head coach Jared BSN DENVER LOADED: 09.05.2019 Bednar in a position to overplay his top line to make up for a wildly ineffective fourth line. Bellemare’s addition, along with a few others this summer, will allow the Avalanche to ice a much more competitive fourth line.

NHL Standard career statistics

Scoring Goals Assists Shots Ice Time

Season Age Tm Lg GP G A PTS +/- PIM EV PP SH GW EV PP SH S S% TSA TOI ATOI FOW FOL FO% BLK HIT TK GV Awards

2014-15 29 PHI NHL 81 6 6 12 -3 18 6 0 0 1 6 0 0 113 5.3 204 1039 12:50 360 395 47.7 61 121 32 19

2015-16 30 PHI NHL 74 7 7 14 -8 27 6 0 1 1 6 0 1 102 6.9 199 1004 13:34 272 307 47.0 61 65 37 23

2016-17 31 PHI NHL 82 4 4 8 -1 20 4 0 0 0 3 0 1 90 4.4 172 1064 12:58 400 429 48.3 70 73 24 14 Selke-48

2017-18 32 VEG NHL 72 6 10 16 5 14 6 0 0 1 10 0 0 92 6.5 164 888 12:20 355 339 51.2 63 41 49 25

2018-19 33 VEG NHL 76 6 9 15 2 6 4 0 2 0 9 0 0 108 5.6 186 945 12:26 393 326 54.7 51 71 37 23 Byng-30 1151721 Colorado Avalanche 92 685 15:56 2 2 50.0 26 18 20 14

2017-18 25 COL NHL 74 15 11 Avalanche player (p)review: Matt Nieto 26 6 14 14 0 1 1 11 0 0 84 17.9 144 1103 14:55 4 9 30.8 BY NATHAN RUDOLPH SEPTEMBER 3, 2019 56 27 21 12

2018-19 26 COL NHL 64 4 19 23 2 8 3 0 1 This Season 1 17 0 2 86 4.7 Matt Nieto found himself as a bit of a Swiss Army knife for the Avs’ 140 881 13:46 9 8 52.9 middle six this season. At five on five, he was usually on the do-it-all line 26 50 19 11 alongside Soderberg and Calvert, but he found a home as one of 4 yrs SJS NHL 221 28 42 Colorado’s best penalty killers. 70 -27 50 24 2 2 Points-wise Nieto was on pace with his previous season as he scored 23 4 34 7 1 373 7.5 points (4g, 19a) in 64 games. A lower-body injury that held him out for 608 3105 14:03 5 17 22.7 the second half of February and the majority of March kept him from 124 86 80 96 approaching the 30-point barrier. Despite the production, the significant 3 yrs COL NHL 181 26 34 drop in goal scoring is still apparent and with a shooting percentage of 60 -1 26 24 0 2 just 4.7% (more than 4% below his career average), it stands out as 3 31 0 3 231 11.3 somewhat of an anomaly. 376 2670 14:45 15 19 44.1 Nieto averaged 13:46 of TOI this year – down over a full minute from 108 95 60 37 2017-18 – placing him as the Avs ninth-ranked forward in the category. Career 6 yrs NHL 402 54 76 Of that time, just shy of 20% came on the penalty kill where he saw a 130 -28 76 48 2 4 significant bump in ice time from previous seasons. Tied for the team 7 65 7 4 604 8.9 lead in shorthanded points with three, Nieto also boasts the best PK goal 984 5774 14:22 20 36 35.7 differential of the Avs regular penalty killers at just -11. 232 181 140 133 Where Nieto truly stood out this year was the playoffs. He equaled his Data courtesy Hockey-Reference.com. goal total from the regular season in just 12 games including two shorthanded goals and tacked on three assists for seven points, good for Next Season the sixth-most on the team. Expect Nieto’s role to continue being reduced as the wing additions of NHL Standard career statistics Burakovsky and Donskoi as well as the return of Colin Wilson will likely push him down into a fourth line role. A fourth line of Nieto, Bellemare, Scoring Goals Assists Shots Ice and Calvert would be quite stout defensively and with Nieto’s Time effectiveness on the penalty kill, that should be more than enough to

keep him in the lineup night in and night out. Season Age Tm Lg GP G A Nieto will be asked to bring consistency to the fourth line on both sides of PTS +/- PIM EV PP SH the puck. While Nieto’s spot is relatively secure, with players like Greer GW EV PP SH S S% and Kaut in the system an extended spell of poor play could potentially TSA TOI ATOI FOW FOL FO% put his spot on the chopping block. BLK HIT TK GV Awards BSN DENVER LOADED: 09.05.2019 2013-14 21 SJS NHL 66 10 14 24 -4 16 9 1 0 2 11 3 0 124 8.1 199 929 14:05 3 8 27.3 45 7 17 29

2014-15 22 SJS NHL 72 10 17 27 -12 20 9 1 0 1 13 3 1 135 7.4 221 1098 15:15 0 1 0.0 38 24 38 36

2015-16 23 SJS NHL 67 8 9 17 -8 10 6 0 2 1 8 1 0 90 8.9 151 882 13:10 2 6 25.0 33 33 17 27

2016-17 24 TOT NHL 59 7 6 13 -12 8 7 0 0 1 5 0 1 85 8.2 129 881 14:55 2 4 33.3 34 40 28 18

2016-17 24 SJS NHL 16 0 2 2 -3 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 24 0.0 37 195 12:13 0 2 0.0 8 22 8 4

2016-17 24 COL NHL 43 7 4 11 -9 4 7 0 0 1 3 0 1 61 11.5 1151722 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets' Sonny Milano pleads not guilty to assault

Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch

Sonny Milano’s appearance in New York Criminal Court on Wednesday did not bring closure to his pending assault charges.

Instead, the Blue Jackets forward entered a not guilty plea along with Colorado Avalanche forward A.J. Greer in a case that will continue with a second court date Oct. 16.

Milano, 23, and Greer, 22, were released on their own recognizance and not given travel restrictions, meaning they can attend the start of NHL training camps next week.

The two appeared in court Wednesday for their arraignment before Judge Jay Weiner, but according to Kevin Keating — a defense attorney representing Greer — neither is required to return to New York for the next court date.

Both players are accused of assaulting a 28-year-old man at 6:35 a.m. on July 7 inside an apartment in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. According to the police report, the incident was sparked by a dispute over a bar tab about an hour after the three men returned from 1 Oak nightclub in Chelsea.

The unidentified male said Milano and Greer attacked him with punches and kicks that caused bruises and other injuries to his upper body, neck and face. Milano and Greer were arrested and charged by New York City police with two counts of third-degree misdemeanor assault, one count of third-degree attempted assault and one count of second-degree harassment.

According to New York state law, third-degree assault is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, three years of probation and/or criminal fines up to $1,000 — though first-time offenders usually avoid jail time.

Milano, who is from Massapequa, New York, accepted a one-year, two- way qualifying contract offer from the Blue Jackets a week after the incident. He played all but eight games last season with the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League after spending most of 2017- 18 in the NHL.

Labor talks

Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard attended a players union meeting Wednesday in Chicago to discuss the current collective bargaining agreement with the NHL.

The National Hockey League Players' Association must decide by Sept. 15 whether to use a clause in the CBA that would allow players to terminate the agreement a year early and reopen negotiations.

The league had a deadline of Sept. 1 to reopen negotiations but announced Aug. 30 that it would not exercise that right. Now, it’s up to the players, who seem to have more reasons than the league to end the current deal earlier than planned.

Several prominent players have voiced concerns about the CBA’s escrow tax levied against player salaries each season, which could be a big sticking point in negotiations on a new agreement. The league uses escrow to create a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenue each year, which leaves players with less money than expected.

If players exercise their early termination right, the CBA will expire Sept. 15, 2020, and set the stage for another potential work stoppage before the 2020-21 season.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151723 Columbus Blue Jackets Grand-Pierre was recalled later in the season by Buffalo and played in 11 games in 1999-2000 for the Sabres.

“But that was my last year in the Buffalo organization,” Grand-Pierre said, ‘She did what?’: Three classic stories involving Fox Sports Ohio analyst with a laugh. “Big surprise, right?” Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre Grand-Pierre, it must be noted, is now happily married with two kids.

“Knock it off!” By Aaron Portzline Sep 4, 2019 In the summer of 2000, Grand-Pierre was traded to the expansion Blue Jackets in a deal with expansion draft implications to help the Sabres COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former Blue Jackets defenseman Jean-Luc protect their stable of goaltenders. Grand-Pierre, who has dabbled in part-time TV and radio broadcasting The Blue Jackets signed Grand-Pierre to a one-way contract — the first with the club in recent seasons, was hired Tuesday by Fox Sports Ohio deal of his career that guaranteed he would make an NHL salary for a full to serve as studio analyst next to host Brian Giesenschlag. season — and penciled him into the lineup for the inaugural season.

Grand-Pierre has a magnetic and effervescent personality, which should But that first day of training camp (Sept. 8, 2000) is almost hard to serve him well in a difficult task — following franchise legend Bill imagine now given the way the game has changed. Davidge, who retired after last season. The Blue Jackets couldn’t get through five consecutive minutes of a “Billy is somebody I hold really, really high when I think of the people who scrimmage without gloves flying into the air and a fight breaking out. I admire,” Grand-Pierre said. “There’s my parents, my family, and Billy’s Grand-Pierre was involved in three of them. right there with some of the great people I’ve met. I’ve definitely been in touch with him throughout the process this summer, and he was one of “You talk about a bunch of hungry guys trying to make a permanent spot the first people to congratulate me. in the league and willing to do anything to make it,” Grand-Pierre said. “We had all kinds of fourth-liners grinding it out and trying to show they “I’m no Billy Davidge. I’m going to be completely different than him, but deserved to be there, and dropping the gloves was a big part of the game hopefully, everyone is going to enjoy it. He will be missed on TV and at back then. the rink, that’s for sure. Absolute legend, obviously. I look at it as a great challenge for myself, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.” “There was not much hockey in that first day of scrimmages until Dougie MacLean came down from upstairs (in the stands). He just had enough.” Grand-Pierre, who was a member of the inaugural Blue Jackets team back in 2000-01, had a 16-year pro career that spanned four NHL MacLean stomped down to the bench area, grabbed a stick and banged franchises as well as leagues in Finland, Germany and Sweden before it on the wall and glass until he had everybody’s attention. he retired as a player in 2013. “Knock it off!” MacLean screamed. He almost certainly spewed some His NHL career was fairly brief (269 games), but it was certainly adult words in there, too, but the message was clear: Enough with memorable, including one story involving a long-ago girlfriend that has fighting your teammates; save it for the games. become NHL folklore. “That training camp was more nerve-wracking than my first NHL camps Here’s that story, told by Grand-Pierre for the first time publicly, plus two with St. Louis and Buffalo,” Grand-Pierre said. “To me, it was my first real other snippets from his career: chance to stick with an NHL club. I wanted to prove myself and prove to Columbus they made the right decision trading for me. All you had to do “She did what?” was look at me funny and we were going.

After two seasons spent mostly with AHL Rochester, Grand-Pierre was “That was a wild day. You just had no idea what was going to happen hopeful that 1999-2000 would be his first season spent entirely in the from shift to shift, ’cause you didn’t know who half these guys were. That NHL with the Buffalo Sabres. was old-time hockey. Torts would have loved that stuff!”

But after an early-season game, then-Sabres general manager Darcy Was that Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre? Regier pulled Grand-Pierre to the side to tell him he was being sent back down to the minors. Grand-Pierre was an excellent skater and a physical player, but he wasn’t what you’d call an offensive defenseman. In 269 career NHL Grand-Pierre wasn’t pleased with the news, obviously, but he headed games with Buffalo, Columbus, Atlanta and Washington, he totaled 7-13- back into the dressing room to shower and pack his belongings. His 20. girlfriend took matters into her own … feet? You would have never known that on Oct. 12, 2002, when the Blue “She heard the news and it made her so mad,” Grand-Pierre said. “Darcy Jackets played in New Jersey, the second game of the 2002-03 season. Regier walked out into the corridor where all the wives and girlfriends were standing, and when he walked by her, she stuck out her foot and At 4:58 of the third period, the Blue Jackets (Geoff Sanderson, hooking) she tripped him. and Devils (Scott Gomez, roughing) were both down a skater, resulting in four-on-four play. What followed is one of the greatest goals in the two- “Yeah. Yep. She tripped him. The general manager.” decade history of the Blue Jackets.

Grand-Pierre is careful to note that he didn’t witness the high-heeled Grand-Pierre carried the puck with speed through the neutral zone and revenge, but Sabres tough guy — now a broadcaster with the entered the attack zone above the left circle, cutting to his right toward Sabres — is willing to testify still today. the right circle once he cleared the blue line.

“She was pissed he was being sent down,” Ray told The Athletic. “Really Devils defenseman Scott Stevens — one of the most feared hitters of his pissed. I think Darcy was afraid of her. I know everyone else was. generation — was waiting for Grand-Pierre near the right dot, but Grand- “(Regier) only stumbled, but he came very, very close to hitting the Pierre … well, we’ll let the newest broadcaster take it from here. ground.” “I saw open ice, so I attacked,” Grand-Pierre said. “I remember getting Grand-Pierre said Ray couldn’t get back in the dressing room fast past the blue line and there’s and Scott Stevens. I was enough, and he couldn’t contain his laughter. going so fast and I’m coming in on those guys, and I was like, ‘OK, we’re going to toe-drag this bitch through this traffic.’ “He was just giggling and giggling, saying ‘I can’t believe this,'” Grand- Pierre said. “I was like, ‘She did what?’ Rob Ray definitely had a riot with “I had no idea it was Scott Stevens. No idea. I realize I could have died it. All the veterans did, and there were a lot of veterans on that team. right there on the ice, carrying the puck that long in his direction. But, hey, I’m alive. It worked!” “(The girlfriend) would never confirm it or deny it. But it made its way around the league pretty quickly, which probably wasn’t favorable for me. Grand-Pierre pulled the puck behind him (say what?), skated to the left of I should have sent out a press release when we broke up, maybe.” Stevens (he did what?) for a clear path on the Devils’ goal where future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur was waiting. “I was so surprised and I was going way too fast to even have time to shoot,” Grand-Pierre said, “so I just kind of chipped it on net, and it went bar-down on Marty.”

Bar down. On Brodeur.

“It was the perfect storm,” Grand-Pierre said, with a laugh. “But it was more of a blackout moment than anything.

“Actually, it was also a really emotional night for me, even before the game started.”

One day earlier, Grand-Pierre’s father, Allaix, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. On Saturday, the morning of the game, he learned that Allaix was facing surgery on Sunday in Montreal.

“I talked to (coach) Dave King before the game, and Kinger is such an awesome guy and an awesome family man, he said, ‘No problem, take the time you need,'” Grand-Pierre said. “I played that game and then flew to Montreal instead of going back to Columbus.

“Being honest, I think Kinger put me in that situation because of what I was going through emotionally, because four-on-four really wasn’t my thing. Kudos to him for giving me the opportunity.”

Nearly 20 years later, Allaix Grand-Pierre is alive and well and living in Montreal.

“He’s very healthy and we’re very grateful,” Grand-Pierre said. “My dad was able to watch that game against the Devils somehow in the hospital the night before his surgery.

“I saw him right after the surgery, and he said to me, ‘Nice goal last night, kid.’ That was really cool.”

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151724 Columbus Blue Jackets How about the world juniors? Nope, no dip there either (he was named a top-three player on Team Sweden).

Sometimes, players just score more efficiently than others and they’re The Gifted: How Blue Jackets prospect Emil Bemstrom mastered getting able to sustain higher-than-average shooting percentage outcomes as a open result.

In an effort to explain why Bemstrom is so good at that, or why his By Scott Wheeler Sep 4, 2019 breakout season may not be a one-off, I watched all 19 of his SHL playoff games, to get a sense for how he managed to continue to perform against his toughest competition to date. In that 19-game sample, which included a review of nearly 400 shifts, Bemstrom produced 10 points (five In hockey, as in life, there are archetypes built on hyperbole and goals, five assists) and nearly 50 shot attempts spread out across a little buzzwords that are designed to fit every player into a pre-defined box. over 12 minutes in average ice-time a night. Scouts and evaluators often fall prey to lazily characterizing young prospects in this way: the power forward, the two-way center, the speedy Note: Bemstrom is wearing No. 72 in all clips. winger, the one-dimensional scorer, the stay-at-home defenseman. But sometimes, just sometimes, there’s a player who is so different from The shot everyone else in approach or ability that he is able to distinguish himself All great scorers need a good shot. It all ultimately starts with the actual through his uniqueness. These players have turned one skill into the mechanics of the player’s shot and the different ways he’s able to use it. body of their game, and they illustrate the varied ways hockey can be played at the highest levels. “The Gifted” is a 10-part series that The best scorers have an excellent release and complementary skills examines, through video, the NHL’s most fascinating prospects and the that give their shot some variety. unique skill sets that define them. By popular demand, “The Gifted” is back for a third year at The Athletic. It runs every Wednesday from July Bemstrom’s straight-on wrist shot (his shot when he’s skating straight 24 to Sept. 25. and releasing in motion) looks like this:

The Gifted (2017 series): Part 1: Carl Grundstrom | Part 2: Jordan Kyrou | It ticks most of the boxes you’re looking for: Part 3: Vitaly Abramov | Part 4: Juuso Valimaki | Part 5: Vili Saarijarvi | He extends through it quickly. Part 6: Filip Chlapik | Part 7: Travis Sanheim | Part 8: Timo Meier| Part 9: Kirill Kaprizov | Part 10: Elias Pettersson He leverages his weight.

The Gifted (2018 series): Part 1: Miro Heiskanen | Part 2: Casey He’s balanced and in control (the motion isn’t flailing or forced, but fluid). Mittelstadt| Part 3: Dylan Strome | Part 4: Oliver Wahlstrom | Part 5: But not all shots are taken in stride. Therefore, shooters need to be able Gabe Vilardi | Part 6: Adam Boqvist | Part 7: Evan Bouchard | Part 8: to release from different stances. This is what Bemstrom’s shot looks Kristian Vesalainen |Part 9: Jonathan Dahlen | Part 10: Morgan Frost like, from the exact same spot on the ice, when he has to open up his The Gifted (2019 series): Part 1: Cale Makar | Part 2: Nick Robertson | stance: Part 3: Jason Robertson | Part 4: Aleksi Heponiemi | Part 5: Adam Fox | Here’s another example for a better idea of how opening up allows him Part 6: Dante Fabbro | Part 7: Emil Bemstrom | Part 8: Cody Glass | Part the time and directional change he needs to avoid his shot getting 9: Martin Necas | Part 10: Bode Wilde blocked: From the outside looking in, Emil Bemstrom’s meteoric rise to the front of You combine the two — an in-motion release with the ability to open up the hockey world’s (or at least the hockey prospect world’s) and shoot — and you get this release from a lateral curl: consciousness would appear to be a surprise. In June of 2017, he was a 117th overall pick. And then there’s the fourth and final shot type: the one-timer.

Now he’s the SHL’s reigning goal-scoring champion on the back of 23 Last season, given the role Bemstrom played as the second point option goals in 47 regular season games. And he did it on just 92 shots (61 on the powerplay, the one-timer became his most frequently used shot fewer than Joakim Nygard, the league’s only other 20-goal scorer) while type over the nearly 50-shot sample studied for this piece. playing just 13:46 a night (nearly five minutes less than Nygard’s 18:29). I’ll spare you the repetition but I gathered more than a dozen clips that How could we have predicted this, right? look just like this:

There’s an argument to be made the Bemstrom’s remarkable season The intent of the shot was the byproduct of luck. Nobody shoots 25 percent and lives to tell the story with an as-impressive follow-up season. In isolation, none of the above sequences are particularly impressive. But if you’re paying close attention, you’ll notice that these plays weren’t Bemstrom wasn’t a possession-driver, either. His 47 CF percentage was designed to drive a high shooting percentage. In fact, in some of them better than all but two of the 28 players who played more than 10 games he’s not shooting to score at all. for Djurgarden last season. His 105.9 PDO also suggests he was the third-luckiest regular on the team. This is a good thing because many young players never learn the skill they display: shooting for rebounds. Bemstrom isn’t picking his spot high But his goal-scoring exploits — and the high shooting percentage that and trying to pick a corner under the bar. He consistently shoots hard comes with them — aren’t a particularly new development. and low. Sometimes it goes in. But at least when it doesn’t, the play is still alive because the puck isn’t wrapping high off the glass. In both of the two prior years, his goals per game pace led the league. Two years ago, his 12 goals in 18 SuperElit games paced for 30 goals Here, by keeping his one-timer low, he creates a scramble in the slot: over a 45-game season, a total that would have stood alone. A year before that, in his draft year, Bemstrom’s 21 goals in 28 SHL games also Here, another low rebound kicks into the slot because he keeps his one- paced for No. 1 on the goal-scoring leaderboard. In fact, his 34-goal pace timer low: of that season would have been six more than the league’s leading Here he is looking for a rebound in transition: scorer. It was only one shy of Joni Ikonen for the most by an under-18 player that year … despite playing in 12 fewer games than Ikonen. And here he is opening up to attempt to create the same effect:

Surely, in 2019, when his Djurgardens played to a silver medal as the Again and again, there’s a common threat in Bemstrom’s game: despite SHL’s runner-up and the level of play rose, the rookie’s luck ought to a high shooting percentage, he isn’t a selfish scorer. have faded? This isn’t to say he won’t occasionally shoot to score. He’s trying to put Conventionally, that’s what you would expect. Instead, Bemstrom’s luck this shot high and short side with a quick release, confident he can never took a hit (his PDO was 104.4 in the playoffs) and his play driving surprise the goalie (which he does, though not quite enough to score): actually exceeded expectations, with a 51.4 CF percentage. But plays like the one below are more common — and inherently unselfish. This is more pass than shot, really: As with any other skill, this mentality (with repetition) eventually leads to By slowing down into the offensive zone below (where many players goals. would push for the rebound), Bemstrom is able to intercept the goalie’s clear and nearly score as the trailer: Here, the net-drive, the low shot and the rebound combine to create a primary assist: But, again, this should never be a relied upon skill. Because if it is, it means you’re not playing within your team’s schemes. Because the Here, the net-drive, the low shot, the rebound and the willingness to trailer is situational. It’s not designed for a certain player on a line. F3 (the follow the shot create another primary assist when he wins back his own high forward) activates out of circumstance. Hockey is too fluid to build a shot attempt: gameplan that caters to one trailer.

Bemstrom’s reflexes are on full display at the top of the zone as he Which leads us to the third skill, which is one of hockey’s most valuable. cleanly controls the drop pass (in one fluid motion the puck is kicked off And that’s that knack for finding pockets that I talked about. of his skate to his stick, meaning he doesn’t have to over-handle it). This is one of those skills that’s extremely hard to teach because it’s all This is another of the many skills that Bemstrom’s frequently displays about reading and reacting and some players just don’t do that well. The that make him so successful. On the play below, he corrals a pass off of kids that do, players like Cole Caufield, will find success. his foot to drive the front of the net and attempt a tuck play off the cycle: And Bemstrom is one of those players. The best scorers layer these skills with an instinctual net-driven nature. It should be a simple, universal skill. Every kid is taught to follow their shot He anticipates the play well enough that he doesn’t have to be on top of to the net. That’s a novice-level learning exercise. the puck all the time to get it back and create chances for himself.

But it’s not instinctual for many players. For Bemstrom, it is. Watch him Instead, on sequences like this, he’ll slide into the center of the opposing follow his one-timed puck below, eventually getting a stick on it to help team’s box and recognize that if his guys win the 2-on-2 battle that he’s create a second opportunity: in position to support them as a shooting option:

In time, the player’s intentional effort to layer his skills also creates In theory, this skill seems like it should be natural. Get open, right? It positive outcomes in the way opposing teams react to that player as a can’t be that hard! But there are players who just want to hunt the puck in threat. In my 19-game sample, there were several instances where it was these situations and it takes a special kind of patience and spatial clear the opposing team overcompensated to respect that awareness not to. aforementioned repetition from Bemstrom. More than that, it takes the right kind of movement. It’s about going Here, Bemstrom makes the Frolunda forward bite on his one-timer and undetected and living on the backs (and thus out of sight) of the then attacks to his forehand and drives the slot. In doing so, he puts opposition. himself in a position on the ice where he can be more selective with his shot, and instead of shooting for a rebound, he shoots to score: Below, we get two looks at it from Bemstrom.

But on a similar player, from a similar location, after a similar cut, Early in that sequence, as he moves off of the Skelleftea forward (if you Bemstrom is just as comfortable shooting for the rebound if he’s unable look closely you’ll notice he actually lifts the opposing forward’s stick in to get to a more dangerous area on the ice. He knows that getting this the process, to disrupt him as he pushes toward the point), he opens up shot on net is better than trying to rip it and miss the net: his stance to make his blade available for the pass, while still moving his feet to attack the available space in the slot and take the shot to a more A shooter’s ultimate skill dangerous location.

How is it that an unselfish shooter who routinely throws shots on goal Later in the sequence, when he scores, the goal is created because that drives down his shooting percentage sustains such a high rate over Bemstrom curls away from the Skelleftea defender after he makes the the course of several seasons? pass, rather than with him. By curling off of him into the corner, the opposing defender stops tracking him and assumes he’s not a threat. That all comes down — as it does with every great scorer — to the final When that happens, he circles back to the net as a blind option, where and most important skill. he finishes the rebound in that soft space.

That’s the skill of finding soft space (or pockets) in the offensive zone. And when you can routinely get open in that kind of space, high shooting The knack for getting open, even when there are five guys on the ice percentages follow. who’ve been told to prevent you from doing exactly that. That, in essence, is Bemstrom’s greatest skill. Because goals are scored from high-leverage spaces on the ice. It’s the ability to move into space when it’s there (which requires plus- But getting to those spaces is half that battle. This is why shooters like level skating) or sneak out of it when it’s not. Jake Virtanen, Owen Tippett and Kieffer Bellows struggled (or struggle) relative to where they were taken. Scouts saw three kids with ridiculously Watch again, the way Bemstrom opens up (there’s that rudimentary skill I heavy shots who could cleanly beat junior-level goalies. But they didn’t mentioned off the top coming into play again!) and keeps his feet moving recognize that those players lack other necessary skills. Because those to go from the point to the slot here: players are straight-line players who don’t properly consider timing and space, which meant that they struggled (or will struggle) to create their That’s Bemstrom creating a point blank one-timer between the own chances at the next level — as well as cleanly beat significantly hashmarks (literally the most dangerous location on the ice), surrounded better goalies. by a triangle of three Frolunda defenders, none of whom get a piece on it. The skill of the shot remains important, but a player’s ability to get to dangerous areas matters just as much, if not more. The important thing isn’t that he’s going to those spaces. There are a ton of players who’ve made a habit of going to these spots on the ice. There are three mains ways to create that space for yourself. Everyone recognizes that’s where goals are scored.

The first is through shiftiness with the puck. This requires a player to beat What’s impressive about Bemstrom is that he doesn’t sit there and wait another player 1-on-1. It’s objectively hard and shouldn’t be the only way for defenders to match up with him. He slides in and out of the space to you create your shot. make sure defenders lose him. Or he slides off of them just enough to present himself as a brief option. Bemstrom is capable of going inside-out to burn a defender: Watch on the goal below the way he slides around a man-on-man battle But he doesn’t rely on that skill. Instead, it’s just there if he needs it. This in front (after getting dumped in the corner), knowing that the net-front is key. defenceman can’t defend two players:

The second way to create space for your shot is to be the trailer into the Finding soft space like that isn’t just an offensive zone skill, either. offensive zone. Because the puck needs to get to the offensive zone in order to create Bemstrom is a major threat as the trailer because of the shot mechanics those chances, so you better be capable of finding open space in the broken down at the top of this analysis. Here, he hits the post: neutral zone too. Bemstrom has mastered that as well. This is a combination of patience and speed to hit that pocket at the offensive zone blue line at just the right time:

Above, the patience gets him open. By slowing down on the curl to open up, he remains in motion (ie. he doesn’t stop up, which would allow opposing defenders to quickly close the gap when he receives the puck) just enough to pick up speed and attack the slot, where he shoots to score — and does.

That’s true on the below assist, too. Bemstrom intentionally slows himself down through the neutral zone to delay into that open space. When he does, he’s able to present his stick, receive the pass and create the entry, which inadvertently results in the assist:

What do the Blue Jackets have in Bemstrom?

They have a player who can shoot in transition, who can open up and shoot and who can pound a one-timer. But more than that, they have a player who shoots for rebounds when he’s not a threat to score and shoots to score when he is one. And above all else, they have a player who can get to the areas of the ice where goals are scored — and get there without drawing a ton of attention in the process.

That’s quite the package — and should help Bemstrom transition to the game’s highest level and remain a scorer.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151725 Dallas Stars There’s a precedent for that: Three years ago, the Stars signed Lauri Korpikoski to a contract right before the season started after the Finnish forward had started training camp on a PTO with the Edmonton Oilers.

Shap Shots: Plano native Stefan Noesen getting his chance with But for now, there’s Noesen, who has been skating with the rest of the hometown Stars Stars players already in town the past two days and has worn No. 81 on his helmet. If things shake out a certain way, that would be the number he wears when he becomes the first Texan to play for the Stars in By Sean Shapiro Sep 4, 2019 October.

Stars pride

FRISCO, Texas — When he was three years old, Stefan Noesen got a The NFL season starts this weekend, which reminds me of a small story I pair of Fisher-Price rollerblades for his birthday. Almost immediately, he forgot to add to a prior edition of Shap Shots. joined the neighborhood street hockey game, which featured kids as much as eight years his senior. Back in July, the internet found out that New York Jets safety Jamal Adams had a Dallas Stars tattoo on his right thigh, something I believe A year later, out of what Glen Noesen called parental survival, he signed was first discovered by the folks on Reddit. four-year-old Stefan up for skating lessons and in Plano, plotting an unlikely path that would eventually make Stefan one of the Adams is from Lewisville and played college football at LSU. I sent an few born-and-bred NHL players from Texas. email to the Jets public relations staff to inquire about the tattoo. They reportedly asked Adams about the ink and emailed back that Adams got Now, two decades later, Noesen could become the first Texan to play for the tattoo to represent the city of Dallas on a whole and show pride in his his hometown team after signing a professional tryout contract with the hometown. Stars. Maybe it’s something I can have Saad Yousuf, our do-it-all utility man, Noesen spent the past three seasons playing for the New Jersey Devils, track down, as the only media member in DFW who actively covers including a 2017-18 season where he had 27 points in 72 games and hockey and football at a high level. formed a nice hometown connection with fellow Plano native Blake Coleman. He took a step backward in the 2018-19 season: He dealt with Traverse bound injuries throughout the season, and New Jersey elected to not qualify the Equipment managers have among the most thankless jobs in hockey. restricted free agent after he had eight points in 41 games. They work long hours, make sure everything looks great above the Noesen didn’t find a job this summer, partly a side effect of the league- surface and complete every odd job imaginable to make sure athletes wide standstill surrounding big-name RFAs. Now Dallas has come calling have their best chance of success. with a tryout opportunity in August. It’s a good deal for both sides: Sometimes, that includes driving a truck more than 1,300 miles over the Noesen has a chance to prove he’s still a viable NHL player, and if he is, course of two days from DFW to Northern . he could bolster the Stars’ bottom-six forward depth. The Stars are desperately searching for more offensive production from their third- and That’s the journey the Texas Stars equipment staff began on Tuesday as fourth-line forwards this fall. While bigger names like Joe Pavelski and they transport gear and equipment from the Stars’ practice facility in Corey Perry are expected to provide a boost, the team needs to find Frisco to Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, where the Dallas prospect internal solutions after only three forwards not named Jamie Benn, Tyler team will play four games this coming weekend. Seguin or Alexander Radulov reached the 25-point threshold. The AHL equipment staffers, who also work NHL training camp, will then According to a source, the Stars believe there is a chance that Noesen make the return drive next week with just two days to the 22 prospects’ wins a job and signs a contract with Dallas in training camp. That sort of gear back to Frisco before training camp begins on Sept. 13. positivity doesn’t apply to the chances of another player in Stars camp on a PTO: Scottie Upshall. The drive really signifies that hockey season has arrived. It won’t be the Dallas Stars officially playing a game on Friday, but it’s certainly going to Stars general manager Jim Nill discussed Noesen’s PTO on Tuesday. look like it when their understudies play the Minnesota Wild prospects on Friday afternoon in a community rink in Traverse City. “He’s been an NHL regular player, but he’s had some injury troubles. You get to a certain age in your career, where you’ve got to take that final A majority of the prospects arrived in Frisco last week and got early work step, and that’s where he’s at,” Nill said. “He’s a local player, so it’s nice in with the Dallas training staff as part of a mini-training camp. They were to give him an opportunity.” put through off-ice workouts with strength and conditioning coach Brad Jellis, while there were additional on-ice skating days with skills coach Noesen will have to make the team based on merit, but his potential Stan Tugolukov, including a power-skating session on Monday. addition would be a clear marketing win for the Stars. Since the franchise moved from Minnesota in 1993, the Stars have contributed significantly On Tuesday, while the equipment made its way up Interstate 35, the to the growth of youth and local hockey in DFW. That pipeline has prospects went through the mandatory baseline concussion testing that produced a handful of NHL products, and Noesen could become a real will be used in the NHL and AHL this season if such an issue arises. poster child for those efforts if he played for the home team in Dallas after learning to skate in Plano. We’ll have more on what to expect and what to watch for from Traverse City in a story on Thursday. I’ll also cover the tournament, just as I did “It’s important, it’s important for our game,” Nill said of having DFW last season. My flight leaves DFW at 5:10 a.m. Friday. natives in the NHL. “It grows our sport down here where it’s important for our game to keep growing. And I think it’s a great opportunity for young Video time men and young women (to see).” Some of my favorite stories at The Athletic have been ones where I’ve Adding PTOs like Noesen and Upshall further crowds the competition for been able to go off the beaten path and find a unique angle or approach the final two or three forward spots on the NHL roster. Dallas has 11 to Stars coverage. roster spots spoken for at this point, and the team will carry 13 or 14 into It’s an approach I like to think was cultivated early in my career as a opening night. That leaves a pool of six or seven players with a real student at Bowling Green, even if it took a couple of years before chance to grab a few spots. execution ever matched the intent.

“It ups the skill level in the camp. It’s an opportunity for them and it’s an On Tuesday, I was reminded of the following videos, where I attempted opportunity for us and it’s an opportunity for the whole league,” Nill said. to go off the beaten path with sports coverage while working for The BG “We are watching other teams, too. There are other guys on PTOs out News, Bowling Green’s student paper. there that we are watching … right now, everybody loves what they’ve done, they love their team. All of a sudden you get to camp, you get I’m not sure what’s worse, my cringe-worthy interview after trying out for three, four, five injuries – it happened to us last year and three years ago the Division I hockey team or the production value on the How To Kick a – things change quick, and now you are looking for players. So you can Field Goal clip. never have enough depth and enough players.” I’m not really sure why I’m sharing the following clips, but it’s comical and if we can’t laugh at ourselves, what can we laugh at? So, enjoy?

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151726 Detroit Red Wings though, he’ll be wearing a black jacket with a Wings logo on it and sitting in a corner taking notes.

“It’s going to be very, very different,” he said. “But I’m very much looking Niklas Kronwall's emotions hit hard at retirement: 'There are other things forward to learning as much as possible, seeing how things are run and in life' finding my own way.”

Detroit Red Wing Niklas Kronwall answers questions from the media Helene St. James, Detroit Free PressPublished 5:09 p.m. ET Sept. 4, during a visitation for Red Wings great at Little Caesars 2019 | Updated 5:35 p.m. ET Sept. 4, 2019 Arena in Detroit on Friday, March 8, 2019.

His transition to the front office — a path Yzerman took in 2006 after he retired — eases the transition from "Kronwall-ing" to a corner office. Niklas Kronwall isn’t sure he’s ready to appear in an alumni game as soon as this month, but going to training camp in any capacity eases the “It won’t be a hard cutoff from everything,” Kronwall said. “I still get to be emotional decision to retire. a part of this, and I’m excited for the challenge.”

Kronwall fought back tears a handful of times as he spoke Wednesday at Detroit Free Press LOADED: 09.05.2019 Little Caesars Arena, dressed in street clothes rather than athletic gear.

It was the day after he announced his professional playing career was over after 15 seasons and 953 games with the Detroit Red Wings, though he’d known this day was coming for “a long time,” he said.

“A lot of it was just making sure that I didn’t say anything too soon,” Kronwall said. “I wanted to make sure that I didn’t get into training and then change my mind and still want to play. So looking back, I think I’ve known for a long time, but it wasn’t until not too long ago that it was completely clear that there wasn’t going to be anything more.”

General manager Steve Yzerman told Kronwall to take as much time as he needed to make sure he was making the right decision. Yzerman and coach Jeff Blashill have known of Kronwall’s decision “for a little bit,” he said.

Kronwall was in tears after the April 6 finale; he admitted “I knew for a fact that I felt like this could have been the last one. I don’t think it was 100%, but the signs were there, for sure.” He approached last season as if it would be his last, but then it was the best he’d felt in three years, the best he’d moved on the ice in three years, and he ended up playing a team-high 79 games.

“I felt like I could still do this,” he said. “That gave me some peace. But there are other things in life. I think there is a time for everything and I just think it’s time. It’s time for me to see my kids a little bit more than I have — they’re at an age now where there will be more activities and I’m very excited about that. For the team as well, I think it was time.”

Kronwall said he wished he’d reached 1,000 games, but not enough to gut out one more season. There was never a chance he’d finish his career elsewhere; Kronwall said former general manager Ken Holland asked Kronwall at the trade deadline what he wanted to do, and Kronwall had no desire to be traded to a team in the hunt for a Stanley Cup. That might have been different had he not won the Cup in 2008, but with that on his mantel, Kronwall wanted to stay put.

Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings fires a shot against the during an NHL game at on December 23, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings 5-4 in overtime.

“I owe Ken Holland so much,” Kronwall said. “He had the respect — he came to me and asked me what I wanted to do. I think a lot of GMs would have just done what would have been best for the team and the organization in the long run, whether you get a pick or whatever it might be.

“I wanted to stay. I wanted to see this through. I wanted to play my whole career for this franchise.”

Kronwall and his family — which includes two sons in preschool — won’t take the same path as compatriots Nicklas Lidstrom and Tomas Holmstrom, both of whom returned to Sweden after retirement.

“There are a lot of things that appeal to us here in Michigan,” Kronwall said. “Our kids are born here. They have their friends here, they have their schools here. And getting a chance to resurface with the Detroit Red Wings, that have meant so much to me, I’m thrilled for the opportunity.”

Kronwall will "resurface" at training camp as an adviser to Yzerman, a job that came about after Yzerman asked Kronwall: " 'If you won’t be playing, what would you like to do?' I said I’d like to stay within hockey.”

The details are still being worked out, but Kronwall will be at training camp in Traverse City when the Wings gather later this month. This time, 1151727 Detroit Red Wings And while coaches valued Kronwall's skill as a mobile, puck-moving defenseman, what gets remembered most are all the hip checks. From that ’08 Stanley Cup run alone, there’s the clip of him going boom on Niyo: Timing was everything for Red Wings' Niklas Kronwall Nashville’s Radek Bonk in the first round.

And one of him pinwheeling Antti Miettinen of the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference finals. Then there’s the hit where he broke Ryan John Niyo, The Detroit News Published 9:54 p.m. ET Sept. 4, 2019 Malone’s nose to set the tone in Game 1 of the final against Pittsburgh.

Getting ‘Kronwalled’

Detroit — He was important enough that his name became a verb. And Ask him to pick a favorite now, though, and he’ll politely decline. That’s yet for Niklas Kronwall, the soft-spoken Swede who became such a big the way it always was, really. Fans and media might have reveled in hit in Detroit, the legacy was always going to be harder to define than opponents getting “Kronwalled,” but for him, “It was just part of the that. game.”

Because when he was playing at his peak, the Red Wings’ roster always “You give some, you take some,” he said. “And then you get up and go boasted bigger names and flashier stars. And then when it finally was his back to work.” turn to lead, well, we all know what follows the end of a dynasty. All that work finally paid off that night in Pittsburgh in June 2008, when Frustration, mostly. the Wings dispatched with the Penguins in Game 6 and Kronwall’s blueline partner, Brad Stuart, handed him the Cup. Kronwall, like so many others in this proud franchise, felt plenty of that in recent years, as his body began to betray him and the losses became Stuart was a late addition to that team, arriving at the trade deadline and numbingly routine. quickly forming an indispensable pairing with Kronwall, who led the Wings with 15 assists that postseason. Still, he was determined to finish what he’d started. And once he had — a 38-year-old defenseman leading the Red Wings with 79 games played And it was that memory that ultimately swayed Kronwall’s thinking more last season in the final year of a contract he’d signed way back in 2011 than a decade later, when general manager Ken Holland approached — he knew it was time. him this past winter and inquired whether he was interested in chasing another Cup with a contending team. “Last year, I felt more like I could still do this,” he admitted Wednesday, choking back his emotions several times in a 20-minute media session a Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall walks out of the tunnel for the start day after he’d made his retirement official. of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, at Little Caesars Arena, in Detroit, October 11, 2018. “And I think that gave me some peace, I guess. Like, ‘You know what? I can do this.'” The deadline was approaching and the Wings — mired at the bottom of the standings — were going to be sellers. He can, and he did, and in the end, that’s the probably where his legacy lies. Not that you’ll get him to admit it, even now as he moves into a front- “I think if we didn’t win here in ’08 it might’ve been different — I’m sure it office role and begins the next chapter of his professional life as a special would’ve been different,” Kronwall said. advisor to general manager Steve Yzerman. But it wasn’t. And Kronwall, who broke down again Wednesday as he “I think stuff like that is for other people to decide,” Kronwall said, thanked the Wings’ former GM — “I owe Ken Holland so much” he said understated as always. — had no interest in finding out what he already knew.

“I think all through the years you just try to be a good teammate and work “This is an franchise,” he explained. “And it’s more than hard. Regardless of what you do in life, I think everything comes back to hockey. “The people, the fans, there’s just so much around it with this that.” team.

As a player, timing really was everything for Kronwall, and not just in the “I wanted to stay. I wanted to see this through. I wanted to play my whole way he’d line up highlight-reel hits. career for this franchise. And I’m happy I got that opportunity.”

A first-round draft pick in 2000, he recalls an early trip to Detroit just as Even through these past few years, when some of the joy was harder to the Red Wings were churning toward another Stanley Cup in 2002. find, thanks to a chronic bad knee and a painful roster reconstruction.

Kronwall and Henrik Zetterberg were in town together — the latter to sign “I think it has been tough on everybody,” he said. “We used to be one of his first NHL contract — and they saw the Wings beat the Colorado the powerhouses. And we were for so many years, and I got to be a part Avalanche, 5-3, in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. Darren of some of those years. So yes, it’s been frustrating. There’s been some McCarty scored a hat trick that night, and as Kronwall later recalled with tough times, there’s no doubt. But it should be tough when you’re losing. a laugh, “It was quite a trip.” You can never be satisfied if you’re losing.”

"I'm excited to learn a different side of the game," said Niklas Kronwall, That’s a message Kronwall kept delivering in lieu of those open-ice hits who will Join the Red Wings’ staff in an advisory role. The Detroit News the past few years. When teammates sought refuge in the training room after losses, Kronwall — an alternate captain dating back to Lidstrom’s He had no idea, though, the journey that awaited him in a 15-year NHL retirement in 2011 — often was the veteran who stepped forward to career that ended just shy of 1,000 games but chock full of speak to the media. Take that rock-bottom loss at home this past accomplishments, if not accolades. February, for example. Kronwall never made an All-Star team but he finishes his career ranked It was an 8-1 loss to Montreal the day after the trade deadline, and behind only Hall of Famers (Nicklas Lidstrom, Marcel Pronovost) in Kronwall, who’d decided to stick it out, had no qualms about calling out games played by a Red Wings defenseman, and he’s among the top five the Wings’ pathetic effort that night. in several other categories. “We’re not even trying out there,” he said that night, practically spitting He’s also one of fewer than 30 hockey players who can claim out the words. membership in the exclusive “Triple Gold Club,” having helped Sweden win Olympic and World Championship gold in 2006, then adding a “It’s just absolutely embarrassing. … Let’s not walk out of here feeling Stanley Cup title in 2008. sorry for ourselves. We should be embarrassed.”

And for the better part of a decade, Kronwall probably was one of the 15 He might’ve been a bit embarrassed again Wednesday, strolling into that or 20 best defensemen in the game. same dressing room to find a riser set up for him and a bank of TV cameras waiting. Of course, he was overshadowed in Detroit by Lidstrom, his mentor and fellow Swede, as well as the tag-team wizardry of Zetterberg and Pavel This wasn’t quite the informal setting he’d hoped for, largely because he Datsyuk. knew the tears might flow, just as they did after his final game back in April. “It’s been my profession for the past 20 years, but I’ve been playing hockey my whole life,” he explained. “It’s what I do. It’s who I am.”

But once he worked through some of those emotions, he was usual composed self again.

He’s eager to spend more time with his young family — the eldest of his two sons, Douglas, is 5 1/2 now — but also to “learn a different side of things” in the game.

“I still get to be a part of this," he said, “and I’m excited for the challenge.“

Detroit News LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151728 Detroit Red Wings ► On how difficult the decision to retire is: “There are so many things that go into it. It’s what I know and it’s what I’ve done for the past – it’s been my profession – for the last 21 years. I’ve been playing hockey my Niklas Kronwall: Playing for Red Wings was 'more than hockey' whole life. It was a hard decision, but at the same time, it wasn’t, if that makes any sense. It’s what I do, it’s who I am, but in saying that, I’m excited for the future as well.”

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit NewsPublished 3:41 p.m. ET Sept. 4, 2019 | ► On the time and space afforded by Yzerman and coach Jeff Blashill Updated 8:09 p.m. ET Sept. 4, 2019 this summer: “It’s something I’m very thankful and grateful for. They gave me all the time and space that was needed and basically said just take

your time and do what you need to do and let us know. They’ve known "I'm excited to learn a different side of the game," said Niklas Kronwall, for a little bit, and I’m thankful for them giving me the time and giving my who will Join the Red Wings’ staff in an advisory role. The Detroit News family the time, and here we are.”

Detroit — Niklas Kronwall retired as a Detroit Red Wing, just as he ► On being asked by then-GM Ken Holland last season at the trade always wanted. deadline whether Kronwall wanted to be dealt to a Stanley Cup contender: “I owe Ken Holland so much (long pause). He came to me After announcing his retirement Tuesday, Kronwall met the media at and asked me what I wanted to do. A lot of GMs probably would just Little Caesars Arena Wednesday to further explain his decision. have done what would have been best for the team and organization in the long run, getting a (draft) pick or whatever. But again, it’s just another “To me, being part of an organization — this is an Original Six franchise thing that stands out for me how he treated me over the years. — there’s so much around it, it’s more than hockey,” Kronwall said Wednesday. “The people, the fans, there’s just so much around it with “If we didn’t win here in 2008, it might have been different. I’m pretty sure this team. it would have been different. But I got to be a part of something there in 2008 that was very special and I won’t forget.” “I wanted to stay, I wanted to see this through and I wanted to play my whole career with this franchise and I’m happy I got that opportunity.” ► On whether Kronwall knew the Wings’ final game last season was going to be his last: “Part of me knew, I knew for a fact that this could Niklas Kronwall meets with reporters Wednesday at Little Caesars Arena. have been the last one. I didn’t know 100 percent but looking back, the Kronwall, 38, spent a memorable and prolific 15-year NHL career with signs were there for sure.” the Wings, the team that drafted him in the first round, 29th overall, in ► On whether Kronwall will put away the hockey equipment forever, and 2000. whether he’ll be in Traverse City next week for training camp: “I don’t Kronwall will become a special advisor to general manager Steve think it goes into the garage for good. I don’t know how much you’ll see Yzerman, a former teammate. me skating. I haven’t even thought about it. I still love the game, it’s a special game. “I don’t know exactly what it’s going to look like but I’m super excited,” said Kronwall of the newly-created position. “I feel like I have a good “I will be up there. It’s going to be different, but again, I’m very much perspective of things around the ice. When it comes to hockey, I’m looking forward to learning and seeing how things are run and finding my excited to learn a different side of the game.” own way.”

Missing the playoffs the last three seasons have been difficult, after so ► On the big hits that Kronwall delivered to many opponents over the much team success, including being part of the 2008 Stanley Cup years: “I didn’t think much about it. It’s up the media and fans to show champions. their feelings for certain things. It never bothered me one bit, it was just part of the game. You hit and you get hit. Mikko Koivu (Minnesota) “Of course it has (been frustrating), it has on everybody,” Kronwall said. knocked me out a few years ago and that’s part of the game, so you give “We used to be one of the powerhouses, we were for so many years, and some and take some and you get up and go back to work.” I got to be part of some of those years. But yes, it’s been frustrating. There’s been some tough times, no doubt about it, but it should be tough Detroit News LOADED: 09.05.2019 when you’re losing. You can never be satisfied if you’re losing.

“Now, I do think there’s a lot of good pieces in here and we’ll surprise a lot of teams this year.”

Kronwall has been troubled with a damaged left knee the past several seasons but was able to persevere and miss only three games in each of the last two seasons.

In doing so Kronwall was in more games than any other Red Wings defenseman — and last season he played in more games than any other Red Wings player. He had 27 points (three goals, 24 assists) in 79 games last season, finishing with a minus-5 rating.

“I felt real good last year, and body-wise, I felt like I was able to move better than I had the previous few years,” Kronwall said. “I felt more like I could still do this. That gave me some peace, that I could still do this, but there are other things in life. There’s a time for everything, and I just think it’s time for me to see my kids a little more than I have, and they’re at an age where there will be more activities and I’m excited about that.”

Kronwall touched on a variety of topics, talking about his decision to retire:

► On how long he’s known it was time to end his playing career: ‘I’ve probably known for a while, a lot of it was just making sure that I didn’t say anything too soon.”

► On how difficult it was telling his family: “Everyone has probably known for a while, even just going back to last summer. I went into last season thinking it was definitely going to be the last one. I didn’t even dream that the potential of playing another year was even going to be on the table. So that was obviously very humbling.” 1151729 Detroit Red Wings It would have been different if hadn’t won a Stanley Cup in 2008.

“I got to be a part of something here in ’08 that was very special that I’ll never forget,” Kronwall said. “And to me, being a part of one Red Wings’ Niklas Kronwall on retirement: Time was right organization, this is an Original Six franchise, there’s so much around it, it’s more than hockey. The people, the fans, there’s just so much around it with this team that I wanted to stay, I wanted to see this through, and I By Ansar Khan wanted to play my whole career for this franchise and I’m happy I got that opportunity.”

He prefers not to talk about the many big hits he’s delivered through the DETROIT – Niklas Kronwall felt good enough physically to play another years, what became known in hockey circles as being “Kronwalled.” season, and his love for the game hasn’t waned. “It never bothered me one bit. It was just part of the game,” Kronwall But after 15 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, the hard-hitting, puck- said. “You hit and you get hit. Mikko Koivu knocked me out a few years moving defenseman knew it was time to retire. He waited until he was ago and that’s just part of the game. You give some, you take some, you 100 percent certain to make it official. get up and you go back to work.” Kronwall, 38, paused several times to compose himself while speaking to He doesn’t concern himself with his legacy, saying that is for others to media Wednesday at Little Caesars Arena, one day after announcing his decide. retirement. Emotions still linger. “All through the years you try to be a good teammate and work hard,” “It’s time for me to see my kids a little bit more than I have,” Kronwall Kronwall said. “Regardless of what you do in life, I think everything said. “They’re at an age now where there will be more activities and I’m comes back to that.” very excited about that. For the team as well, I think it was time.” Michigan Live LOADED: 09.05.2019 Kronwall hasn’t yet spoken in detail with general manager Steve Yzerman about his new role as an adviser. It will be strictly in the front office, not on the ice working with players.

“I feel like I have a good perspective of things around the ice when it comes to hockey,” Kronwall said. “I’m excited to learn a different side of the game, behind the scenes, what goes into different decisions and scouting players.”

He looks forward to working with former teammates now in management -- Yzerman, Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby, Jiri Fischer and Daniel Cleary, and a former opponent he knows well in Shawn Horcoff.

The transition to retirement is made easier by remaining in metro Detroit rather than returning to his native Sweden.

“There are a lot of things that appeal to us here in Michigan,” Kronwall said. “Our kids are born here. They have their friends here. They have their schools here. It’s a good system to be a part of. Getting a chance to work with the Detroit Red Wings staff that have meant so much to me, I’m thrilled for the opportunity.”

After struggling for two seasons on his chronically bad left knee, Kronwall felt good the past two years, playing 79 games each season, more than any Red Wing in 2018-19 and more than any Detroit defenseman over those two years.

“I felt like I was able to move better than I have the previous few years,” Kronwall said. “Last year I felt more like I could still do this.”

But there are other things in life he wanted to pursue.

“It’s been my professional for the past 20, 21 years, but I’ve been playing hockey my whole life,” Kronwall said. “So, in a way it was a hard decision, but at the same time it wasn’t.”

Kronwall appeared in 953 games. The allure of reaching 1,000 was tempting.

“I always looked at 1,000 as something extremely special,” he said. “I always had so much respect for guys that have played 1,000 games. I wish I would have played 1,000 games. But at the same time, the situation is what it is, and I feel at peace with the decision. I know it’s the right call.

“It’s been an amazing run. I’ve been fortunate and lucky to be on the right teams and the right situation with coaches that believed in me, gave me a chance. I’m extremely thankful for getting to be a part of this run.”

It means a lot to Kronwall to have played his entire career with the Red Wings. Former GM Ken Holland approached him before last year’s trade deadline asking if he was interested in moving to a playoff team, but Kronwall didn’t give it a second thought.

“I owe Ken Holland so much,” Kronwall said. “He had the respect … I think a lot of GMs probably would have done what would have been best for the team and for the organization in the long run, whether you get a pick or whatever that might be. But again, just another thing that stands out for me with how he treated me over the years.” 1151730 Detroit Red Wings 23 – at New Jersey, 7:00 (FSD Plus)

24 – CAROLINA, 7:00 (FSD)

Detroit Red Wings release 2019-20 TV schedule 27 – TORONTO, 7:00 (FSD)

29 – at Philadelphia, 4:00 (FSD)

By Ansar Khan 30 – WASHINGTON, 7:00 (FSD)

December

Fox Sports Detroit will air a total of 77 preseason and regular season 2 -- NY ISLANDERS, 7:30 (FSD) games for the Red Wings this season. 7 – PITTSBURGH, 7:00 (FSD) Eight regular season games will be national exclusive broadcasts on NBC or NBCSN. 10 – at Winnipeg, 8:00 (FSD)

Here is the Red Wings’ complete 2019-20 schedule with TV information: 12 – WINNIPEG, 7:30 (FSD Plus)

Preseason: 14 -- at Montreal, 7:00 (FSD, CBC)

September 15 -- LOS ANGELES, 7:00 (FSD)

17 -- CHICAGO, 7:30, FSD Plus 17 – COLUMBUS, 7:30 (FSD)

18 -- at Chicago, 8:30 21 -- at Toronto, 7:00 (FSD, CBC)

20 -- NY ISLANDERS, 7:30 22 – ARIZONA, 7:00 (FSD)

22 – PITTSBURGH, 5:00, FSD 28 -- at Florida, 7:00 (FSD Plus)

23 -- at NY Islanders, 7:00 29 -- at Tampa Bay, 7:00 (FSD)

25 -- at Pittsburgh, 7:00 31 – SAN JOSE, 7:30 (FSD)

26 -- ST. LOUIS ( in Calumet, Mich.), 7:00 (NBCSN) January

27 – TORONTO, 7:30, FSD Plus 3 – at Dallas, 8:30 (FSD)

28 -- at Toronto, 7:00 5 – at Chicago, 7:30 (NBCSN)

Regular season: 7 – MONTREAL, 7:30 (FSD)

October 10 – OTTAWA, 7:30 (FSD)

5 -- at Nashville, 8:00 (FSD) 12 – BUFFALO, 5:00 (FSD)

6 – DALLAS, 7:00 (FSD) 14 -- at NY Islanders, 7:00 (FSD)

8 – ANAHEIM, 7:30 (FSD) 17 – PITTSBURGH, 7:30 (FSD)

10 – at Montreal, 7:00 (FSD) 18 – FLORIDA, 7:00 (FSD Plus)

12 – TORONTO, 7:00 (FSD, CBC) 20 – at Colorado, 3:00 (FSD)

15 – at Vancouver, 10:00 (FSD) 22 – at Minnesota, 8:00 (NBCSN)

17 – at Calgary, 9:00 (FSD) 31 -- at NY Rangers, 7:00 (FSD Plus)

18 – at Edmonton, 9:00 (FSD) February

22 – VANCOUVER, 7:30 (FSD) 1 – NY RANGERS, 7:00 (FSD)

23 -- at Ottawa, 7:30 (FSD Plus) 3 – PHILADELPHIA, 7:30 (NBCSN)

25 – BUFFALO, 7:30 (FSD) 6 – at Buffalo, 7:00 (NBCSN)

27 – ST. LOUIS, 5:00 (FSD) 7 – at Columbus, 7:00 (FSD)

29 – EDMONTON, 7:30 (FSD) 9 – BOSTON, 12:30 (NBC)

November 11 – at Buffalo, 7:00 (FSD)

1 -- at Carolina, 7:30 (FSD) 13 – at New Jersey, 7:00 (FSD)

2 -- at Florida, 7:00 (FSD Plus) 15 – at Boston, 1:00 (FSD)

4 – NASHVILLE, 7:30 (FSD Plus) 16 – at Pittsburgh, 12:30 (NBC)

6 – at NY Rangers, 8:00 (NBCSN) 18 – MONTREAL, 7:30 (FSD Plus)

8 – BOSTON, 7:30 (FSD) 21 – at NY Islanders, 7:00 (FSD)

10 – VEGAS, 5:00, FSD 23 – CALGARY, 7:00 (FSD Plus)

12 – at Anaheim, 10:00 (FSD Plus) 25 – NEW JERSEY, 7:30 (FSD)

14 – at Los Angeles, 10:30 (FSD) 27 – MINNESOTA, 7:30 (FSD)

16 – at San Jose, 10:30 (FSD) 29 – at Ottawa, 7:00 (FSD, CBC)

19 – OTTAWA, 7:30 (FSD) March

21 – at Columbus, 7:00 (FSD) 2 – COLORADO, 7:30 (FSD) 6 – CHICAGO, 7:30 (FSD)

8 – TAMPA BAY, 5:00 (FSD)

10 – CAROLINA, 7:30 (FSD)

12 – at Washington, 7:00 (FSD)

14 – at Tampa Bay, 4:00 (FSD)

16 – FLORIDA, 7:30 (FSD)

20 – at Arizona, 10:30 (FSD)

21 – at Vegas, 10:00 (FSD)

24 – at Boston, 7:00 (FSD)

26 – PHILADELPHIA, 7:30 (NBCSN)

28 – WASHINGTON, 7:00 (FSD)

31 – at St. Louis, 8:00 (FSD)

April

2 – at Toronto, 7:00 (FSD)

4 – TAMPA BAY, 7:00 (FSD)

Michigan Live LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151731 Detroit Red Wings

How Red Wings defense stacks up without Niklas Kronwall

By Ansar Khan

Niklas Kronwall appeared in more games than any Detroit Red Wings defenseman the past two seasons, missing only six.

Nobody could have predicted that after two difficult seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17), when he missed a combined 43 games, mostly due to a chronically ailing left knee.

He probably could have played another season at age 38 but decided it was time to step aside, announcing his retirement on Tuesday.

Where does this leave the Red Wings’ defense? It’s still the team’s weakest area, a position that surely will transition to more youth during the season and in 2020-21 as several veterans enter the final year of their contract.

Health was a major issue for the unit in 2018-19. Mike Green, Trevor Daley and Jonathan Ericsson missed significant time due to injuries. All are expected to be ready for the start of training camp Sept. 13 in Traverse City.

While the Red Wings’ defense is a work in progress, with a number of combinations likely to used throughout the season, there is a distinct line between the top four and the rest for now.

Green, Danny DeKeyser, Patrik Nemeth and Filip Hronek are expected to form the top two pairs, providing the team with two lefty-righty combinations, an offensive-minded player with a stay-at-home type.

Green, who missed the start and the end of the season due to a virus, and DeKeyser likely will form the top pairing, having played some together.

Nemeth, signed to a two-year, $6 million contract on July 1, figures to join young Hronek on the second pair. Nemeth (6-3, 219) was described by general manager Steve Yzerman as “a big, strong, solid, defensive defenseman,” shoots left and could complement the more offensive- minded right-shooting Hronek, who struggled defensively at the start of his rookie season, getting sent back to the , but improved significantly after being recalled in February.

Ericsson and Daley, who played together last season, likely will comprise the third pairing. Young Madison Bowey, acquired in the Nick Jensen trade, could be the seventh defenseman and will compete for a lineup spot.

Rookie free agent Oliwer Kaski, 23, will be pushing for a job. The 6-3, 190-pound right-handed shooter was the MVP of the Finnish League (SM-), leading the Pelicans in goals (19) and points (51) in 59 games.

Where does this leave 2016 first-round pick Dennis Cholowski? Probably starting the season in Grand Rapids, where he ended it. Cholowski impressed in training camp, earning a roster spot, and played well at the start of the season before defensive struggles began to mount, leading to his demotion.

Regardless of where he starts the season, Cholowski is certain to be in Detroit at some point, either as an injury replacement or after the Red Wings move some veterans for draft picks at the deadline (Green, Daley, Ericsson are possibilities).

Joe Hicketts, signed to a two-year contract in the off-season, also will competing for a job. He is no longer exempt from waivers.

Moritz Seider, the Red Wings’ top 2019 pick (No. 6 overall), isn’t apt to reach the NHL as an 18-year-old, but the club will evaluate him in training camp before deciding whether it’s best for him to return to his German team, Adler Mannheim, or play in Grand Rapids.

Michigan Live LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151732 Edmonton Oilers “I didn’t see many Western Conference NHL games on TV because they’re on at 3:30 in the morning back home and I’m asleep but on the weekends the games start at 7 o’clock at home (if afternoon face-offs, Joakim Nygard could fill the role Tobias Rieder failed on last year usually in the East). But I saw a lot of playoff games,” said Nygard.

“The games in the NHL seem to go much faster. The rink is smaller. More contact, there’s people everywhere when you watch the playoff Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal games on TV,” he said.

“In Sweden, it’s a big rink, it seems slower, it’s a pretty defensive league. It’s hard to score goals.” Joakim Nygard had the second-most goals in the ultra-defensive Swedish Hockey League last season, which means he has hands to go But Nygard had 21 goals and 38 points for one of the powerhouses with some of the quickest feet over there. But if you’re looking for an NHL there. comparable, maybe we should dial it back a little with the Edmonton Oilers free-agent signee. His speed is world-class.

What the Oilers are hoping for is a much upgraded Tobias Rieder on the “I’m not going to think too much (at camp), just show my skills and my depth chart. Not last year’s Rieder, obviously, because he went the speed. My speed is my No. 1 thing. Without that, I wouldn’t be here, I whole season without scoring. But an older left-winger who can score, think.” say, 12-15 NHL goals and use his speed at both ends of the rink. “I guess I’m born with (fast feet).”

More like 40-something fellow Swede Magnus Arvedson than Nashville’s ON THE BENCH — Kyle Brodziak, who has another year on his contract, Viktor Arvidsson if you want to turn the clock back. wasn’t on the ice with the Oilers at Downtown Community Arena for a “Older Europeans come over and what they often turn out to be is really second straight day which is raising some red flags. He had back issues solid third-liners,” said long-time NHL assistant Perry Pearn. “We had last season…Rieder is going to Calgary’s camp on a tryout…Gretzky Arvedson and Andreas Dackell when I was in Ottawa. They were very said there were no main camp PTO’s as of Wednesday. good for the Senators.” Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 09.05.2019 Arvedson came over at 26, just like fellow LW Nygard, who was never drafted. Both played for Farjestads. Arvedson’s high in Sweden was 13 goals. But he had 21, 15 and 17-goal years with Ottawa. Dackell, a right- winger, was in the NHL at 24 after a best 16 goals in Brynas, in Sweden, also in the 90s. He had two 15-goal seasons with Senators.

Both were very good two-way players, which is the book on the fleet Nygard, who had 21 goals in Farjestads in a break-out SHL season which had NHL teams knocking on his door.

“A few years ago I didn’t think I had a chance (of making the NHL) but I’ve been getting better and better,” said Nygard, who was on Sweden’s world championship squad this spring with an array of NHLers on teams missing the playoffs or out after round 1 until Gabe Landeskog arrived when Colorado was eliminated in round 2. “I was on the team but in the stands and went home after a week when Landeskog arrived. Lots of NHL players to practice with our team, though.”

“I can’t say I’ve always been a goal-scorer … I’ve always created lots of chances but it’s been difficult to score. Last year, I scored 21 though and hopefully this is the start,” said Nygard, whose speed is certainly NHL calibre.

He chose the Oilers because he took a look at their depth chart — strong at centre, weak on the wings. “It felt like they have something good going on, a new general manager who did some good things in Detroit. The superstars in McDavid and Draisaitl, too. I guess I went with the gut feeling,” he said.

But, there was also a good friend in Oscar Klefbom. “We’re both from Karlstad. We played together my first senior (SHL) season with Farjestads and he’s in Karlstad in the summer. I practised with him and other NHLers like (Jonas) Brodin. Great experience to practice with them before coming here. This is a new challenge, the NHL, smaller rinks, new country, new language.”

On the Oiler depth chart, Draisaitl is the first line LW with McDavid. Then it’s a free-for-fall.

There’s Nygard, Markus Granlund, Tyler Benson, Jujhar Khaira, Joe Gambardella.

Benson, who had 66 points in 68 games his first pro year in Bakersfield, is the only true North American threat there with Granlund, Khaira and Gambardella role players.

“It’s obviously different coming over from Europe but he’s got NHL speed. It’ll come down to compete and battle … his work along the wall is what we have to see. But 21 goals in that league is good,” said assistant GM Keith Gretzky.

“He’s a fast guy and we’re hoping he finds a spot. It’s easier for an older guy coming over because they are stronger. This will be a good test for him,” said Gretzky. 1151733 Edmonton Oilers the normal way (progressing, not coming to NHL in his early 20s) but it’s my way. I’m happy,” he said.

Haas, who came here two weeks ago, was on the ice at the Downtown Swiss forward Gaetan Haas could fill the 3C hole for Edmonton Oilers Community Centre Tuesday with an array of Oilers. He’ll need the exhibition games obviously to see where he fits as an NHLer. He has a two-way deal but Bakersfield isn’t in his plans. Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal “We talked right away with every team (free-agent) that I wanted to come over with a fair chance to play in the NHL. If it works, it’ll be a dream come true. For sure I would play a couple of games in the minors but I Of course, Gaetan Haas says he has been called a “Swiss army knife” don’t want to have the whole year there,” he said. “At the same time, I player. can play in Bern against good competition in my country and the world A veteran of almost 400 games in the National League in Switzerland, championships are in Switzerland too.” first in Biel, then Bern, he’s a right-shot centre with a deceptive wrist shot, Haas seems to have the ability to play in any situation. many of his goals coming off the left side if you watch his video highlights. But, he can also check, and he’s worked hard on his face-offs, “Tippett says that’s what he’ll call me … Swiss army knife,” he said with a taking some feedback from Nico Hischier on the importance of strength laugh. on draws in the NHL. “I’ve always looked on the ‘D’ side, but at the same time, I can score. My Going into camp, Haas is the Edmonton Oilers’ third-line centre. first national team coach Patrick Fischer told me about that (versatility). If they were looking for a player for a defensive line, I did that, if it was an He’s an NHL rookie at 27, but on a team heavy with left-shot centres — offensive line I did that. I’m ready to play anywhere,” he said. Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl if he plays in the middle, not left side with the captain, and Colby Cave — Haas has a ON THE BENCH good chance to fill a large hole. Right now, point-a-game farmhand Cooper Marody and 35-year-old Kyle Brodziak, coming off a rough Haas has worn 92 for years in Europe but newcomer Tomas Jurco, with season, compounded by back issues, are the only true right-shot Cs with NHL experience, has dibs on that number so Haas will be 91. As of now, more a RW than a centre at this point. there are no PTO’s coming to Oilers, with camp opening Sept. 12…James Neal, on the ice at Downtown Community Arena, turned 32 Haas had interest from Calgary, Montreal and Chicago the last two years Tuesday…Draisaitl was at DCA Tuesday but McDavid is coming in later but the undrafted centre chose the Oilers on a one-year, two-way in the week. contract. If he doesn’t make the Oilers out of camp, he’ll go to Bakersfield only briefly to learn the NHL game because he has an agreement to Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 09.05.2019 return home rather than the AHL for months not weeks.

The Oilers signed the six-foot, 180-pound centre to be an NHLer, not a farmhand.

“I had an opportunity to come to the league last year but had a contract with my team (Bern) back home so couldn’t come over but my agent worked with my team there to get an out-clause … and now I’m here,” he said. “There were a couple of other teams interested with Edmonton the last to come to me because they changed almost all of their organization. When I got on the phone with (GM) Ken Holland I got a good feeling and I talked to Dave Tippett too. I got the feeling, they knew how I played. This was the best chance for me.”

After Ryan Strome was dealt to the New York Rangers last November for Ryan Spooner, which totally backfired, the Oilers have been looking for a right-shot, 3C who can hopefully drive that line.

Haas had 15 goals and 38 points in 50 games for Bern last season as a Swiss League all-star, with former Oiler winger Mark Arcobello getting 53 points. He was on the power play and snapped several wrist shots for goals. He’s got obvious ability with the puck but heard he had to get better on draws.

“To be honest I wasn’t that good at it five or six years ago but I worked at it and this summer I talked to a few NHL players like Nico Hischier and he gave me a couple of tips. I think I’m ready,” he said.

Goalie Mike Smith will bring a puck-handling savvy, veteran presence and a strong second-half showing with the Calgary Flames last season to the Edmonton Oilers in 2019-20 to split duties with Mikko Koskinen, who was shaky down the stretch.

Hockey beat writer Derek Van Diest and host Craig Ellingson discuss how things could play out in Edmonton’s net this year.

Haas played in two under-20 world juniors for Switzerland, one in Buffalo in 2011 and another in (Calgary) in 2012. Twice with Sven Baertschi, once with Nino Niederreiter. He also played on four Swiss world championship teams and the 2018 Swiss Olympic roster. This past spring, Hischier, Niederreiter and Roman Josi were teammates on the 2019 worlds squad. So, he’s had a feel for playing against and with NHLers.

“When I was playing juniors, the NHL seemed a long ways away and I made the decision to stay in Europe. At first (against men in the top Swiss League) I was on the wing, but I was put at centre. That’s my normal position. I had a big role with the national teams. Maybe it’s not 1151734 Edmonton Oilers Alex Chiasson: The big winger scored 22 goals last season and signed a new two-year contract with the Oilers. His numbers with RNH at 5-on-5 last season (289 minutes) included a 44.8 CF% and 3-3-6 boxcars (1.24 Lowetide: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the configuration of the Oilers per 60). second line Markus Granlund: He doesn’t bring a lot of offence (8-7-5 in 824 minutes 5-on-5 in 2018-19, 1.09 points per 60) but he might help Tippett as a checking winger on a Nuge line. By Allan Mitchell Sep 4, 2019 Joakim Nygard: Something of an unknown in that he has no NHL experience, Nygard has terrific speed and scored 21 SHL goals.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is an effective skater. His edges are outstanding, Jujhar Khaira: I looked at Khaira recently and found him to be a meaning he’s in every frame of the game because his stops and starts fascinating match with Nugent-Hopkins. Khaira played 177 minutes at 5- are brilliantly efficient. He is noticeable as an aggressive forechecker, a on-5 with RNH in 2018-19, finishing 49.12 CF% and with a 7-8 goal stealth backchecker and an intelligent player over all 200 feet of the ice. differential, via Natural Stat Trick. That’s an impressive set of numbers.

Per 82 games of his NHL career, he has delivered 22-36-58 boxcars, a Tyler Benson: His passing ability and offensive potential make him an solid total, but shy of both Connor McDavid (37-69-106) and Leon obvious option for a skill line, although it’s likely to be midseason. Draisaitl (29-44-73). Sam Gagner: In 126 minutes together at 5-on-5 last season, Gagner Nugent-Hopkins’ best seasons have two things in common: Good health didn’t score much and his possession number (43.7 percent) was poor. and a more talented offensive player on his line. As a complementary Despite those things, Gagner represents one of the few offensive options player, he provides a defensive conscience and a worthy target. His most available to Tippett. recent campaign (82, 28-41-69) represented career highs in games, goals, assists and points. His time with McDavid (15-25-40 in 674 Cooper Marody: Mostly forgotten this summer, it was Marody who played minutes, 3.56 points per 60) was sublime production. However, his work the dynamic role on in Bakersfield and led the team away from the captain (13-16-29 in 1,005 minutes, 1.79 points per 60) offensively. He will arrive in training camp a little under the radar but the shows the with or without you offensive gap. competition is not strong at his position (offensive forward).

The measure of Nuge as an offensive player is best shown by breaking Projecting the 2019-20 totals down his 5-on-5 minutes with and without 97 one year ago. This is an RNH scored 12 points with McDavid in 376 minutes a year ago; that important piece of information, as we anticipate Nuge and McDavid being represents his most productive partnership and my projection has those split for most of the coming season: minutes unavailable in 2019-20. I am projecting an offensive downbeat Nuge with McDavid 5-on-5: 5-7-12 in 376:03 (1.91 points per 60) for Nugent-Hopkins in the coming season:

Nuge w/o McDavid 5-on-5: 10-12-22 in 787:27 (1.68 points per 60) As I mentioned previously, Nugent-Hopkins scores 22-36-58 including all disciplines for his career. My projection for him represents a slight uptick One of the questions Oilers fans argue over each winter is whether or not over his career points per game totals. I have 42 percent of his offence to play Nuge over Draisaitl alongside McDavid. The big German forward coming from the power play. RNH is an exceptional player with the man ended speculation last season (we assume) by scoring 50 goals with the advantage; it’s his own misfortune that he plays on the same team as the captain as his centre, but it’s interesting to go back to 2017-18 and see otherworldly McDavid. Draisaitl’s 5-on-5 splits: The linemates Draisaitl with McDavid 5-on-5: 5-17-22 in 498:33 (2.65 points per game) Excluding McDavid and Draisaitl, eight wingers scored at least one goal Draisaitl w/o McDavid 5-on-5: 8-13-21 in 628:15 (2.01 points per game) while playing with Nuge in 2018-19. Milan Lucic (4), Alex Chiasson (3), Jesse Puljujarvi (3), Drake Caggiula (3), Zack Kassian (2), Ty Rattie (2), In all cases Draisaitl is the more productive player. Dave Tippett will have Jujhar Khaira (1) and Sam Gagner (1) are as a group shy of what you’d to make a decision about his second line. The bet is Nugent-Hopkins hope for when scanning the roster in search of second line scoring gets the assignment. That said, if offence becomes an issue, Draisaitl’s options. solo numbers should be a consideration. My belief is that Nugent-Hopkins will once again play with myriad wingers Lines in 2018-19 as Tippett shuffles the deck looking for offensive magic. I suspect Neal Corsica.Hockey allows us to look back on last season and have a close spends most of his time with McDavid and the four most common look at Nugent-Hopkins’ usage and success. The first thing we notice linemates for Nugent-Hopkins in 2019-20 will be: about the Nuge in 2018-19 is just how much he got jerked from one line Cooper Marody: 37, 5-10-15 (.41) to another at 5-on-5: Tyler Benson: 34, 5-7-12 (.35) Lucic-Nuge-Chiasson: 95 minutes, 44.6 Corsi for and 2-4 goal differential Alex Chiasson: 66, 12-10-22 (.33) Nuge-McDavid-Rattie: 93 minutes, 49.4 Corsi for and 4-2 goal differential Joakim Nygard: 60, 9-5-14 (.23) Khaira-Nuge-Puljujarvi: 80 minutes, 49.2 Corsi for and 4-6 goal differential I have both Marody and Benson arriving around midseason and it’s likely the two youngsters will move their way up the depth chart over time. Nuge-McDavid-Yamamoto: 72 minutes 50.3 Corsi for and 1-3 goal There’s a sense entering camp that Benson has a real shot at an NHL differential job, while not much has been said about Marody. My own feeling is that It would seem impossible for an NHL forward to play 1,163 5-on-5 the injury to Marody last spring, which meant Ken Holland didn’t see him, minutes and still not manage 100 minutes with the same linemates but has driven the lack of content on the young centre/winger. Nugent-Hopkins’ season proves it can happen. The fact he delivered 34 Nygard is a fascinating player and there’s much that is not yet known points and 1.75 points per 60 under these circumstances may be more about him. I picked Nygard over Gagner as a match for Nuge because impressive than it looks at first blush. Gagner’s track record as a defensive forward is not strong. I do see Options Gagner getting substantial power play time and that will be reflected in the next ‘reasonable expectations’ article. James Neal: There’s no doubt Neal and RNH will play together in 2019- 20 but Nuge’s history suggests he requires a more dynamic winger in Chiasson is an uneasy match for the Nuge line for several reasons. He order for his line to move the needle defensively. I listed Neal as primarily and RNH were not solid as a tandem in possession or offensively, but the a McDavid winger for this coming season and believe it’ll happen that alternatives (like Granlund or Gagner or even Josh Archibald) are less way. than ideal. Expect a lot of change on the second line this season. I have Nygard and Chiasson beginning the season there and at some point losing out to Benson and Marody, respectively. If the Oilers add a veteran winger via contract or PTO, my sense is that the goal will be to upgrade second line scoring.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151735 Los Angeles Kings

Adrian Kempe signs three-year deal to remain with Kings

By JACK HARRIS

The Kings signed forward Adrian Kempe to a three-year deal Wednesday, locking up a member of their young core after a summer- long contract negotiation.

According to the team, the deal will be worth $2 million in average annual value for Kempe, who was a restricted free agent this offseason.

“It makes sense for him and it makes sense for us,” Kings President Luc Robitaille said. “We think he’s a great young player. Plays with a lot of pace, plays the way we want our players to play.”

A first-round draft pick in 2014, Kempe flashed potential in his first full NHL season in 2017-18. He had 16 goals and 21 assists and a plus-11 rating that year, helping the team to a playoff berth.

He took a step back last year, though. After a slow start that saw him total 13 points in his first 49 games, he finished the campaign with just 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) and a minus-10 rating even as he played a career-high 20:29 per game. The Kings finished last in Western Conference.

“[This deal] gives him a chance to get another kick at the can,” Robitaille said. “Every player deserves that.”

Robitaille sees Kempe, who will turn 23 on Sept. 13, as an important piece to the franchise’s future. A 6-foot-2, 201-pound center who has represented Sweden in the last two World Championships, Kempe’s defensive play has already impressed Kings brass. Now, Robitaille wants to see him develop offensively.

“It’s up to him,” Robitaille said. “He’s played a certain role with our organization, with our team. This year, he senses that he has a little bit more of an offensive role he’s going to have to fulfill. That’s going to really give him a chance to probably create and get more chances.”

Kempe, whose brother Mario signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Kings in July, was one of several notable restricted free agents around the league who had a contract negotiation stretch deep into the summer. The deal Wednesday ensures he will be on the roster when the team’s training camp opens next week.

“We need guys like that, that come in and have a great attitude,” Robitaille said. “He works hard every day. Even though he’s only 22, he’s going to be helping some of our young guys coming in the next couple years.”

LA Times: LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151736 Los Angeles Kings

Kings sign Adrian Kempe to 3-year contract extension

The 22-year-old forward, a talented but inconsistent player, now has a salary worth an average annual value of $2M

By ROBERT MORALES

Kings restricted free agent Adrian Kempe has signed a three-year contract extension worth an annual average value of $2 million, the club announced Wednesday.

The forward from Sweden won’t be 23 until Sept. 13 but will be entering his fourth season with the Kings.

Kempe played in 25 games in 2016-17 and had just six points (2 goals, 4 assists). He had 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) in 81 games in 2017-18, but he did not score a goal over the final two months of the season.

Kempe’s production waned this past season when he had just 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) on a team that had a Western Conference-worst 71 points and was second-to-last in the league in scoring at 2.43 goals per game.

Kempe was drafted 29th overall by the Kings in the first round of the 2014 draft.

Earlier in the off-season, the Kings signed Kempe’s older brother, 30- year-old forward Mario Kempe, to a two-way contract.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151737 Los Angeles Kings

Adrian Kempe opts for some security with new contract and Kings hope they get a bargain

By Lisa Dillman Sep 4, 2019

It looked something like graduation day for Adrian Kempe. A career night against an original-six franchise earned appropriate kudos from Kempe’s teammates, who were marveling at his display of skill and speed.

“We need him to be one of our top scorers this season,” Kings defenseman Drew Doughty told me after the game.

But that was on Oct. 18, 2017, nearly two years ago. In retrospect, Kempe’s breakthrough night – a hat trick and assist against the Montreal Canadiens – felt more like a couple hours of than a hint of things to come.

Sure, there were glimpses of chemistry last season with linemates Carl Grundstrom and but less certainty about his ceiling, which is what The Athletic colleague Josh Cooper explored last month when taking a deeper look at his RFA value and potential. You could say those were among the many reasons why negotiating his contract was so tricky and talks lingered throughout the summer.

On Wednesday, the Kings finalized a three-year contract extension with the 22-year-old Swedish forward, an agreement carrying a $2 million annual average value. His North American agent, J.P. Barry of CAA Hockey, said the contract breakdown is $1.25 million, $2.25 million and $2.5 million.

“You get into a future projection thing,” Barry said. “If you are going to do a three-year deal what are those last two worth? There’s a lot of deals out there that have that approach, where you’re evaluating the arbitration side of it.”

Evolving-Wild had projected a two-year term for Kempe, not three, but was close on the money, estimating an AAV of $2.021 million.

At the end of the deal, Kempe will be an arbitration-eligible RFA.

Kings forward Alex Iafallo, who had 33 points to Kempe’s 28 last season, signed a two-year contract extension ($2.45 million AAV) on July 10. He was also an RFA but the 25-year-old had arbitration rights. In fact, the extension was completed 10 days before Iafallo was scheduled to go to arbitration, which happens in most cases.

The bridge deal means Kempe will only be 25 years old when this contract expires. He turns 23 on Sept. 13.

“If he winds up being a 20-goal or 50 points guy … and being a centerman, he goes to the $5-million plus range pretty quick,” said an NHL source.

For Kempe, there is still plenty of growth opportunity, as colleague Dom Luszczyszyn noted in his Kings season preview last week. Kempe possesses good defensive instincts and he showed a bit of improvement in the faceoff circle last season.

He went from 38.5 percent in the dot two seasons ago (taking 683 faceoffs) to 42.6 percent (739 faceoffs) in 2018-19.

His older brother Mario joined the Kings organization as a free agent when he signed on July 5. Mario, 30, played 70 NHL games the past two seasons with the Arizona Coyotes and 57 games during that time with their AHL affiliate in Tucson.

So Adrian Kempe has the security of the new deal, a family member in the same organization and a fresh start under new Kings coach Todd McLellan.

The same NHL source thought Kempe won’t be the only player who will benefit from McLellan’s guidance, saying, “I think he’s going to be a good hire for some of these younger guys. He’s going to see his future in some of these young guys.”

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151738 Los Angeles Kings Todd McLellan: I think that youth is exciting, I think that the young players in today’s game have way more courage to attempt things to not be satisfied with the innate pecking order from old to young. They’re willing MCLELLAN ON SPEED, DEFENSE, TRAINING CAMP, KOVALCHUK, to put their game out there a little bit more, but they also have to earn TOFFOLI, PLAYING ROOKIES their stripes and they have to grow up quickly, they have to become professionals. We use that term often but they’ve got to train properly, they’ve got to show their teammates that they’re committed to the game and I think we have some of those players in this organization. The youth JON ROSEN SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 have to provide that energy, that excitement and the veterans have to nurture the youth so they can bring them along. We all have to reflect back on what it’s like to go to our first training camp, to play our first COACHING game, to score our first goal, to get our first win and sometimes that can be very refreshing in my mind for some of the older players as well. Reporter: You mentioned Toffoli at your initial press conference, a little bit of a relationship there, but what’s the going-in thought process? Is it to Reporter: Are you starting to pick up any differences or similarities in put him in the best position possible to succeed, i.e. playing with Kopitar, lifestyle between Southern California versus Northern California? or to put him in a position where he’s going to have to earn something? Todd McLellan: Yeah, there are some significant differences. When we Todd McLellan: I think Tyler’s got to put himself in that position, not me. lived in the North Bay, the San Jose, San Francisco area, in San Jose, He’s going to have to come in and have a real good training camp, he’s you’re not near the ocean, you’re a mountain range away. The weather’s going to have to lead the team in practice. He was quite vocal about different, the lifestyle’s a little bit different. The majority of our people live practices and the commitment level at them, so I’m going to look at him in the South Bay here, the “beachiness”, the lifestyle is significantly to lead and to push the team and push himself as an individual. He’ll sort different from North to South, but California is still a great place, the out where he belongs in the lineup as we progress. My vision, or my people are unreal. The passion of the three fan bases in California is memory of Tyler Toffoli, is 2015 at the World Championships. He was a significant, it has had a great impact on the league and will continue to. significant contributor to that team and a success there and I know him that way, that’s how I want to know him. I’ve told him that already over Reporter: Because there are so many of the players that live so close to the summer and I’ll meet with him again before training camp starts, but I each other in the South Bay, how unique is that throughout hockey? It think he’s a very important piece throughout training camp and always seemed, in juniors, like you always wanted the younger players throughout the season. live close together?

Reporter: How much faster do you want this team to play, if that’s your Todd McLellan: I think that’s happening more, certainly in the bigger preference? cities. The players will migrate to the area where the practice facilities are. We’re very lucky to have a great one here. They’ll live close to those, Todd McLellan: I think every coach in the league right now is stressing they’ll find good schools, they’ll find great neighborhoods to live in. speed, skill, some tenacity with that speed, and we’ll be no different. Hockey’s not just about life at the rink. You’ve got families at home, We’ll look at adjusting some of the systematic things that we do to try and you’ve got children that need to go to school. In my short time here in the incorporate a little more tenacity on the forecheck, a little more speed. It South Bay, the families are very fortunate to have the opportunities that will take a while for the players to adapt or to adjust, but we hope that we they have here. can evolve into a quicker team. Speed is often viewed as just how fast you can skate. For me, it’s puck movement – how fast can the puck Reporter: Rob mentioned that Forbort is hurt right now, is it time for Drew move, get from A to B, anticipation skills, are you able to read and react, to find a new defensive partner? can you predict where the play is going? I think that’s where coaches Todd McLellan: Well, we’ll sort that out as training camp goes on. come into play and systems come into play and we’ll begin to incorporate Obviously, with Derek likely not being ready to go at training camp, he’ll them, basically from day one on and continue to pound away and try to have a new one right off the bat. New partner, possibly, I can’t answer make the team a little bit faster. that question until we see this group play together. We’ll have some new Reporter: Before you see these guys on the ice, how much have you dug players back there, Joakim Ryan coming from San Jose may be a into their backgrounds, gone through video, what’s that process like? candidate as we go forward, but we’ll get to know them a little bit. We have a month to figure things out before we head to Edmonton for Game Todd McLellan: A fair amount. Each of the coaches on the coaching staff 1. have had some assignments throughout the summer. We had a chance to review once already, that being at the development camp. We’ll meet Reporter: What about the whole, righty-lefty, veteran with a young guy – again over the next few days and just get after it, but the reality of training what’s your general philosophy? camp, is that’s where we’ll truly develop our own opinion. We’ll get to Todd McLellan: Well, righty-lefty I think is somewhat important, but you’re know them individually, we’ll get to know their moods, their body not always dealt the cards that you like. Sometimes, you’re over rightied language. I’m not sure what a good day looks like yet for Anze Kopitar at or over leftied. In our case, we’d like to set righties and lefties up as much practice – I haven’t been around him. So, we’ll get to establish some as we possibly can. There’s the old theory of a puck mover and a perimeters and some ideas of what players should look like so that we defensive stay-at-home guy, does that fly anymore? We’ll see with what can begin to evaluate them from there. our group is. We’ve got to figure out the ingredients we have before we Reporter: Rob said last year’s camp wasn’t good. What would a good really start to predict who will play with who. camp look like to you? Reporter: Rob said you had the chance to talk with Ilya a little bit more Todd McLellan: A good camp will have some pace, there will have some recently? passion in it, it won’t just be going through the motions. It will be players Todd McLellan: I have had some calls with Kovy, they were great calls. understanding the type of language that we’re using, there will be What can I tell you about them? First of all, Kovy is a very proud player. progression in the drills and players grasping the concepts. There will be He’s proud of what he’s done in the past and he’s looking forward to mistakes made because those are teachable moments. I think we’re playing hard for the team and playing hard for the Kings. I left the already off to a pretty good start, the players have been back earlier than conversation kind of open-ended and we’re going to meet and sit down they’ve been in the past. They’ve been all skating, at least since I’ve and really create a relationship that way. I think that’s the approach that’s been around, together, there aren’t many players who are taking their really important between him and I, as coach-player, and then we’ll option at this time in the season and I think we’re off to a good start incorporate him into the team environment, but we expect him to have a there. It would be a great question to ask me six or seven days in, have very successful year. we accomplished some of the things we wanted in that short period of time and I’d be able to answer it better. Reporter: Last year, there was talk about he needs a very specific type of center, was that part of the conversation at all? Reporter: Rob mentioned a lot of young players in this organization. … What’s your approach to rookies, knowing that you come out of the Todd McLellan: Nope, that was not one of the sticking points of the Detroit organization – that “overcook,” or stay one year longer in Grand conversation at all. It was just about a fresh start, a new coach, a new Rapids – so what’s your approach to potentially having the youngest approach, a new energy. Me believing in him, him believing in the team you’ve ever coached? organization and when I hung the phone up, I hope he felt the same way I did, it was a great conversation. I truly look forward to taking him out for lunch and really digging in at that point, we’ll get a lot more done that way than we will on the phone.

Reporter: When did that conversation happen?

Todd McLellan: I’m trying to think back, I’ve had so many phone calls. Probably post draft I would think it was, somewhere in that range.

Reporter: Have you had experience, where you’ve inherited an established guy like that, who’s coming off kind of a rough year, trying to get him back on track?

Todd McLellan: One thing that I know is that not everybody’s going to have a career year. There’s going to be players that really excel, I look at Kyle Clifford. If we can keep Kyle’s game where it is right now, we’ve got a hell of a player. He just had a career year in a year that maybe it didn’t go that well for a lot of individuals. Every team has guys that have taken a step back, every team has guys that have had career years. You’d love to maintain the elite, keep them going, you’re searching for answers for the other guys. A new coaching staff, a new way of playing, perhaps we can turn that around for some others, but we don’t want to lose the ones that have had success over the last 82 games.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151739 Los Angeles Kings Goalies (2 / $6,475,000): Quick, Campbell

Mike Richards Cap Recapture: $1,320,000; expires after 2019-20

KEMPE SIGNS FOR THREE YEARS, SIX MILLION Mike Richards termination: $250,000; expires after 2031-32 – details here

Dion Phaneuf Buyout: $2,187,000; fluid, expires after 2022-23 – details JON ROSEN SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 here

Total: $74,711,171

CONTRACTS AND FINANCES 2019-20 Salary Cap: $81,500,000

Adrian Kempe, who had been close to contract terms with the club for Again, waivers will play a role in the initial roster construction, and given much of the latter half of the off-season, signed a three-year, $6-million Derek Forbort’s back injury*, there will be even more young competition contract with the LA Kings nine days before the first on-ice training camp among the blue line during training camp. In any event, this is not a session. Kempe, who turns 23 next week and was selected 29th overall salary cap team this year, nor will they shift gears and recalibrate that in 2014, has recorded 71 points (30-41=71) in 187 career NHL games based off early success, as was intimated by Blake at the State of the and is coming off an 81-game, 12-goal, 28-point campaign as well as Franchise forum. another productive international spell at the IIHF World Championship. Via the LA Kings: John Russell/NHLI LOS ANGELES – The LA Kings have signed restricted free agent Kempe’s signing brings all 2019 restricted free agents under contract. forward Adrian Kempe to a three-year contract extension, Kings Vice Kempe’s production was muted by the team-wide malaise early in the President and General Manager Rob Blake announced today. His season, and with one goal and two points through the first 16 games, his contract carries an AAV of $2 million. start was particularly grueling. His best play took place late in the season, The 22-year-old Kempe (born Sept. 13, 1996) appeared in 81 games last particularly out of the bye week, which he used as a springboard towards season with the Kings, where he posted 28 points (12-16=28) and 50 seven goals and 15 points in the team’s final 32 games. Even when he’s penalty minutes. It marked the second consecutive season that the not scoring, he’s providing competitive and usually responsible hockey, forward played in 81 games. During the 2018-19 season, he posted a and most players his age don’t show the same aptitude or willingness career-long point streak (five games) and a career-high TOI (20:29). towards backchecking – though there are still areas to improve on in the defensive zone and in coverage. Selected by the Kings in the first-round (29th overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft, the , Sweden native has appeared in 187 regular-season With a +4.7% CF%Rel, Kempe posted some of the most encouraging games for the Kings, posting 71 points (30-41=71) and 105 penalty possession rates on the team, and he did so against mostly even minutes. Earlier this summer, his brother Mario Kempe was signed by the competition and almost-level zone skews. With a .9815 PDO, a Kings. They are just the third set of brothers to play in the Kings promising possession rate and positive expected goal differentials on a organization, and should they appear in a game together, would be just poor team, and depressed on-ice and personal shooting rates, the the second set that overlapped and played together. Jan and Roman advanced stats provide a cursory glance of a young player who could be Vopat played together, while Brayden and played for the poised for a modest breakthrough amidst the right surroundings. Kings at different points in their career.

He could receive those, given that he’ll enter training camp with a spitting LA Kings Season Ticket Memberships for the 2019-20 season are on chance at the second line center role. It was the same role he thrived in sale now with three membership levels: Full Season, Half Season, and during the first half of 2017-18, but the second line was an offensive drain Quarter Season. Deposits are also being accepted for Groups of 15 or for Los Angeles a season ago, leading to questions about Jeff Carter and more and Private Event Suite rentals, and deposit holders will receive Kempe’s slots and roles. Both can play center or wing, and Todd exclusive pre-sale windows before the general public. Individual tickets McLellan’s teams in San Jose thrived with versatile center/wing tandems for the 2019-20 season will be on sale to the general public on August 1 up front that led to a remarkably consistent run at the faceoff dot. (Kempe with Season Ticket Member and eNews subscriber pre-sales in advance isn’t close to that yet, and through two full seasons has posted raw of this date. Select Mini-Plans and Ticket Packs will also go on sale prior 38.5% and 42.6% faceoff rates.) to the public on sale of August 1. Call 1.888.KINGS.LA or visit The chatter and speculation as to whether Kempe could ultimately move LAKings.com for more information. to wing has come from outside the organization. In the past, LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 09.05.2019 management, his coaches and Adrian himself have all stated their preference that he remain down the center of the ice.

“I’ve played center for almost two seasons now straight, so I think that’s the position I want to play in, that they want me to play,” he said shortly after the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. “There are still a lot of things to work on on my game, and I’m excited to get better on both faceoffs and my overall game in both zones as well. There’s a lot to improve, but I’d say center is the position I want to play.”

Using the template I shared when Michael Amadio, Matt Roy and Daniel Brickley signed in July (based on CapFriendly’s financials), the team is now up to roughly $74.7M in commitments to 23 players. Injuries and unexpected performances take shape during training camp, so it’s nearly impossible to concretely project the opening night roster, but Blake acknowledged on Friday that waivers would play a factor on how the initial roster is constructed. With that said, the group below is simply one of many plausible roster scenarios and aligns with the expectation as reported by LAKI that the team would operate with a cushion below salary cap ceiling this season. (I’d originally reported a target of $77-79 million; it looks like they’ll check in lower than that.)

Forwards (14 / $44,009,671): Kopitar, Kovalchuk, Brown, Carter, Toffoli, Iafallo, Kempe, Lewis, Clifford, Grundstrom, Wagner, Luff, Prokhorkin, Amadio

Defense (7 / $20,470,000): Doughty, Martinez, Forbort*, LaDue, Walker, MacDermid, Roy 1151740 Minnesota Wild

Wild invites Drew Stafford to training camp on professional tryout

By Sarah McLellan SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 — 3:55PM

The Wild will have another player to consider for its roster at training camp after inviting right winger Drew Stafford in on a PTO (professional tryout).

Stafford spent the last two seasons with the Devils after stints with the Jets, Bruins and Sabres. He spent the bulk of his career with Buffalo, racking up 145 goals and 322 points in 563 games after the Sabres drafted him 13th overall in 2004.

Last season, Stafford chipped in five goals and eight assists in 57 games with the Devils. He's coming off a one-year, $810,000 contract with New Jersey.

Born in Milwaukee, Stafford played at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault before spending three seasons at North Dakota.

Players report to camp next Thursday.

Star Tribune LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151741 Minnesota Wild Guerin didn’t disappoint Spurgeon, taking him on a trip down memory lane. He told Spurgeon about those Oilers teams, where he lived in Edmonton and how much he enjoyed playing in Spurgeon’s hometown As Wild’s season nears, ‘top priority’ Jared Spurgeon meets with Bill despite the fact Guerin was an American from far-off Massachusetts. Guerin There’s actually one more interesting tie between Spurgeon and Guerin.

“I told Bill how my first Islanders camp, he was there and Doug Weight as By Michael Russo Sep 4, 2019 well,” said Spurgeon, who was originally drafted by the Islanders in the sixth round in 2008 after winning the Memorial Cup with the Spokane Chiefs. “So, we talked about that and life, but nothing too serious as far as my contract goes. It was more of a get-to-know-you lunch, and it was It’s eight days before Wild players are set to report to training camp, nice to catch up with Craig because I hadn’t talked to him in awhile.” although every player other than unsigned Kevin Fiala is already back in the Twin Cities and skating in daily high-tempo, informal skates in the Like everyone, Spurgeon was blown away when Fenton was fired July Western burbs that have Jared Spurgeon salivating for the upcoming 30. season. “You’re sort of shocked that it happened because it was so recent that he But what may be worrisome to some is it’s eight days before Wild players just got hired,” Spurgeon said. “For us, as players, we have a different are set to report to training camp and Spurgeon, one of the Wild’s best relationship with him than (reporters) would have with front-office staff, so defensemen in history, remains without a contract beyond this season. for myself, it wasn’t like I was talking to him after every single game. So when I found out, I just couldn’t believe it.” The Wild have maintained all offseason that it was a priority to get Spurgeon extended well into the future, but the limited discussions After the announcement was made, Leipold called Spurgeon and offered between Paul Fenton and Spurgeon’s agent that began peculiarly late in to get on a plane and come visit. Spurgeon was up at his cabin in the first place were interrupted in late July when Fenton was northern Alberta, so they delayed the meeting until last week and Guerin unexpectedly fired. joined the conversation.

Bill Guerin is now in the driver’s seat. Amidst the myriad other chores on Spurgeon was impressed with Guerin’s message. his jam-packed to-do list, Guerin is trying to catch up on where Fenton was at in the Spurgeon talks and has also been public in his declaration “We mostly talked about what he expects of the team and the mindset that Spurgeon is a “top priority.” that we’ve got to have coming into camp and all that kind of stuff,” Spurgeon said. “He explained the experience he had playing and also “These are the type of people we want to play for the Minnesota Wild,” what he learned being in Pittsburgh from the people he’s worked with. Guerin said during a recent sitdown with The Athletic. “Character is huge When one is a player and then in management as well, he sees good to me, and this guy epitomizes that and you just don’t let guys like that teams and how it works and what goes into winning from a player’s go.” standpoint and management.

Spurgeon, himself, isn’t worried one iota. “So just hearing what he sees for us in the future was an encouraging sign as well.” “It’s not like I don’t have a contract for this year and am going to miss training camp or anything,” Spurgeon told The Athletic last Friday … one Guerin and Spurgeon’s agent, Eustace King, have had a very preliminary day after having lunch with Guerin and Wild owner Craig Leipold. phone conversation. King knows Guerin well from the past, respects and likes him and called to congratulate Guerin for getting the job. Guerin So chill is Spurgeon right now, he cut himself short and asked aloud, made sure to convey to King how much he values Spurgeon as a player, “Honestly, do you believe this is my 10th training camp?” how important Spurgeon is to the Wild and how much he wants Obnoxiously, it seems like the 29-year-old Spurgeon hasn’t aged one bit Spurgeon to be in Minnesota for the long-term. in the decade since he burst onto the Minnesota scene as a prospect Guerin obviously needs a little time to get acclimated, then the two sides camp invitee. But pointing to the right side of his head, Spurgeon said are expected to begin substantive contract talks. King told Guerin he’d with a big laugh, “Not true. There are two gray hairs up here.” even fly to Minnesota to meet in person the way he did last summer “We’re about to do 10 years this year. It’s pretty crazy, isn’t it?” Spurgeon when he sat down with Fenton and then-assistant GM Shep Harder in continued, the we referring to him and his high school sweetheart, late July 2018 to cement Jason Zucker’s new five-year contract. Spurgeon’s wife of seven years, Danielle. “We’ve had three of our four King basically told Guerin that there was no reason to review Fenton’s kids in Minnesota. We’ve made some friends outside of hockey and notes on the Spurgeon case. Let’s just start from scratch, King told him. having kids, they make friends, too. We love it here and obviously to bring a Stanley Cup here would be pretty special.” Jared Spurgeon

Spurgeon is so relaxed about his current situation, when he drove to For all the focus on his contract, Spurgeon insists he’s in a good place. Herbies in downtown St. Paul last Thursday to dine with Guerin and “It’s not like I don’t have a contract for this year and am going to miss Leipold, he says his contract status was the furthest thing on his mind. training camp,” he says. (Harrison Barden / USA Today)

Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon King obviously would love to get an extension done before the season begins. There is a bit of a back story to that. King also represents Wayne Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon have long led a formidable Wild Simmonds, and last fall, a contract extension wasn’t able to get done, defense. Suter has his big contract. Now, Spurgeon is in line for his. The Simmonds struggled during the season, so did the Flyers and he was question: Will it be in Minnesota? (Brad Rempel / USA Today) ultimately traded to Nashville. He was mostly anxious to hear some old Edmonton Oilers stories from Simmonds had to settle for a one-year, prove-it deal from New Jersey Guerin. coincidentally after the Wild opted to sign Mats Zuccarello to a five-year, The soft-spoken Spurgeon met the new Wild general manager for a few $30 million contract over him. minutes after his introductory press conference August 22 and was King doesn’t want to go through that again. After all, if the Wild happen to almost starstruck because Spurgeon, an Edmonton native, was a fan of struggle to start the season and Spurgeon’s playing in the last year of his Guerin as a kid. deal with free agency around the corner, there’s a likelier chance that the “I grew up watching him play,” Spurgeon said. Wild would be unable to get Spurgeon signed and he could be dealt in advance of the 2020 trade deadline. Guerin played for the Oilers for parts of four seasons. He was traded to Edmonton from New Jersey when Spurgeon was eight years old and But Spurgeon also understands Guerin, hired abnormally late in the then traded to Boston two weeks shy of Spurgeon’s 11th birthday. offseason, has a full plate and needs some time to truly get to know the team. “I remember him and Doug Weight and how good they were and the playoff series between them,” Spurgeon said. “I remember the one year “With Bill coming in obviously he has to get settled and stuff like that,” they beat Colorado in the playoffs (1997-98) and being so excited.” Spurgeon said. “Obviously you’d rather have it out of the way before the season starts so it’s not on your mind, but at the same time, we’re not dressing room talks. When I’m talking in the dressing room, he’s going to rush into anything.” following my eyes with his eyes right away. So you know he’s paying attention to everything you say. He’s not looking at his skates, looking at Spurgeon said especially with Guerin’s late arrival to the organization, his shin pads, looking in the air. He’s following you, and you know in he’s not about to instruct his agent to cease negotiations if an extension practice that you could have him start any drill and he knows exactly isn’t complete by opening night, Oct. 3. what it is.

“I don’t feel that way just because I’m not doing it anyway,” Spurgeon “He plays 25 minutes a game. He doesn’t do it with any fanfare, but, boy, said. “Eustace told me he’s not going to come to me unless something he protects every defenseman he plays with.” pressing’s coming, and I like that because then you’re sort of kept in the dark when stuff’s going on and it won’t be a distraction while I’m playing. Of course, Boudreau had to hurl at least one barb, saying, “And he’s just I’m sure everyone’s going to talk at some point, so I’m not stressing a good, solid father. You know he has four kids, and they’re all bigger about it.” than him and they’re only eight years old and under. But he looks like he’s 15, and he’s got a great attitude every day. So it’s not hard to be One thing Guerin must do before diving into Spurgeon negotiations is to attracted to Jared. analytically project Wild contracts and their roster out into the future. “I mean, you get to know him in a hurry, and a better human being you’ll Spurgeon already makes $5.5 million with a cap hit of $5.187 million. It’s never find.” believed Fenton was already considering moving into the $6.8 million range, which theoretically is below market value now that the New York Spurgeon has come a long, long way since the Islanders cut him loose Rangers traded for and signed Jacob Trouba to a seven-year contract and he made the Wild off a tryout. He has come a long, long way since with an average annual value of $8 million. making his NHL debut on his 21st birthday way back in 2010, a story a certain reporter didn’t break because he thought his source was kidding Remember, too, the market could further elevate because Spurgeon isn’t when he received a text that Spurgeon was on his way to Calgary. the only high-profile defenseman who could become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Others include St. Louis’ Alex Pietrangelo, He is downright humbled that so many keep asking about his contract, Nashville’s Roman Josi, Toronto’s Tyson Barrie, Boston’s Torey Krug, that so many Wild fans have fallen for him and want him to stick around Pittsburgh’s Justin Schultz, New Jersey’s Sami Vatanen and Carolina’s for a long time. And he’s blown away that he very possibly soon could Justin Faulk. turn into a $7 or $8 million hockey player.

While Spurgeon doesn’t look like he’ll get old quick (he played all 82 “It’s pretty surreal, especially from not being the high draft pick type thing games last season and scored a career-high 14 goals and 43 points), and having to work to just get a tryout here,” Spurgeon said. “It was Spurgeon does turn 30 on Nov. 29. So signing him to a lucrative contract pretty tough for Eustace just to get me a tryout anywhere and we were with a length of conceivably five, six, seven or eight years is quite a able to get a chance here. commitment that Guerin fully has to analyze. “Can’t be more thankful for that, but that’s why I try to just keep it that On the other hand, if the Wild lose Spurgeon and then want to replace way, I try not to change anything I’ve ever done and that’s why we have Spurgeon with a similar statured player, Guerin has to take into account agents that say you don’t have to worry about this stuff. But I try not to the replacement cost in terms of dollars spent on the new player and think about it, try not to change who I am or what I’m doing and approach potentially the assets that would have to be sent away if the new player the season the same way as usual. I’m sure it’ll all work out.” came via trade (i.e. Trouba). In terms of prospects, a couple right-shot potential replacements in the future include Louie Belpedio and Brennan The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 Menell, but the reality is Spurgeon is one special player.

Among defensemen, Spurgeon ranks second in Wild history with 591 games, first with 70 goals, second with 178 assists, second with 248 points, second with a plus-51 rating, second with 80 power-play points, first with 13 game-winning goals and second with 944 shots. His 13,211 minutes rank third.

When it comes to WAR (wins above replacement), a metric that aims to estimate how many wins a team gets from a player compared to a replacement-level player, Spurgeon’s 11.3 is tied for sixth among all NHL defensemen and 24th among all NHL skaters since 2014-15, according to Evolving Hockey.

The only blueliners ahead of him? Victor Hedman, John Klingberg, Mark Giordano, Erik Karlsson and Ryan McDonagh.

ENTERING THE FINAL SEASON OF HIS CONTRACT, @MNWILD DEFENSEMAN JARED SPURGEON SAYS HE WANTS TO WIN IN MINNESOTA. PIC.TWITTER.COM/RXFNIRW2LE

— FOX SPORTS NORTH (@FSNORTH) APRIL 9, 2019

According to Corsica, his expected goals-for percentage at 5-on-5 of 56.9 is first in the NHL since 2014-15 with teammate Ryan Suter on his tail at 56.1.

His individual giveaways per hour at 5-on-5 of 0.8 since 2014-15 are the lowest among 139 defensemen.

Since 2011-12, Spurgeon ranks 35th in the entire NHL in minutes logged (12,412:07). No NHLer has played more during that stretch and amassed fewer penalty minutes (94) than Spurgeon.

On Monday, at the State Fair, Wild coach Bruce Boudreau co-hosted a radio show on KFAN. An 8-year-old boy named Everett stole the show by asking Boudreau, “What is your favorite hockey player on the Wild?” It led to one of the sweetest and most candid moments of Boudreau’s show.

“To me, Jared Spurgeon is the perfect athlete,” Boudreau said to a round of applause from the fairgoers watching the show. “It starts from the 1151742 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens draft pick Jayden Struble commits to Northeastern University

"This guy’s a natural athlete, but he’s also a hockey player," assistant GM Trevor Timmins said after selecting defenceman in second round.

STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: September 4, 2019

Northeastern University confirmed Wednesday that defenceman Jayden Struble — the Canadiens’ second-round pick (46th overall) at this year’s NHL Draft — will join the Howlin’ Huskies this season.

There had been some speculation that Struble, who won’t turn 18 until Sept. 8, might play one season in the BCHL before making the jump to NCAA hockey. Last season, the 6-foot, 205-pounder posted 10-30-40 totals in 28 games as a high-schooler with St. Sebastian’s School.

“Jayden comes to Northeastern very heralded as a skilled, physical and smart defenceman who can play in all situations,” Huskies head coach Jim Madigan said on the school’s website. “Jayden has a skill set that will allow him to be involved in offensive situations, and the physicality and toughness he brings will come into play in the defensive situations, as well.”

Struble put on an impressive performance at the NHL Combine before the draft when he ranked first in the bench press, mean power output, standing long jump, right-hand grip, and tied for first in left-hand grip. He was also second in squat jump and third in vertical jump.

In 2014, Struble played in baseball’s Little League World Series with a team from Cumberland, R.I., representing the New England region.

We just wrapped up the first day of classes, and do we have some BIG news for you:

Defenseman Jayden Struble, a second round pick of @CanadiensMTL, has joined the #HowlinHuskies!

 : https://t.co/mXyQynATKk pic.twitter.com/SjD1lkusZy— Northeastern MHKY (@GoNUmhockey) September 4, 2019

“This guy’s a natural athlete, but he’s also a hockey player,” Canadiens assistant general manager Trevor Timmins said in Vancouver after drafting Struble. “He’s really intense. I don’t want to make a player comparison, but just to give you guys an idea because you’ve never seen him play … you guys all watched the (NHL) playoffs. A guy like Charlie McAvoy in Boston, that’s his style. He really engages the game. He’s strong, powerful, great skater and really physical. He’s what Shane Churla (the Canadiens’ director of amateur scouting) likes to call an alpha male. He’s that type of guy.

“He was one of our targets, so we were happy to get him in the second round,” Timmins added. “The combine’s important, especially the medical portion of the combine, to make sure there’s nothing that will impede that player from reaching his full potential. With him, I mean he blew the fitness testing away. But it’s also his personality that’s strong. We just like the way he plays and his upside. He should be going to Northeastern in the fall.”

Now, that’s official.

The Huskies open the 2019-20 season with a pair of weekend games at Union on Oct. 11-12 before returning to Boston for their home opener against Massachusetts on Oct. 15.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151743 Montreal Canadiens

Former Canadien Brian Gionta to be inducted in U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

The Canadiens reached the Eastern Conference final in Gionta's first season with the team in 2009 and again in his final season in 2014.

PAT HICKEY, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: September 4, 2019

When Sam Gionta enrolled his three sons in a minor hockey program in Rochester, N.Y., he was looking for something to keep them occupied and out of trouble.

He never dreamed that two of them would play in the National Hockey League and that his middle son, Brian, would win an NCAA championship, a Stanley Cup and a place in the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.

“My father couldn’t skate a lick, but we were growing up in western New York and hockey was what you played in the winter,” the former Canadiens captain said Wednesday during a conference call to introduce the latest inductees into the U.S. Hall. “We had a passion and a love for the game, but our parents also gave us support and a work ethic.”

Montreal Canadiens’ Brian Gionta celebrates his second period goal against the Florida Panthers in Montreal on Jan. 6, 2014. JOHN MAHONEY / THE GAZETTE

The class of 2019 also includes former Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas and U.S. women’s team star Krissy Wendell in the player category, while NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Neal Henderson, a longtime minor hockey organizer in Washington, D.C., were selected in the builder category.

Gionta had a 16-year-old NHL career, including five seasons with the Canadiens. He was a part of Bob Gainey’s rebuild in 2009, joining the team along with former New Jersey teammate Scott Gomez and Michael Cammalleri. The Canadiens reached the Eastern Conference final in his first season and again in his final season in 2014.

“It was difficult to make a move after playing in New Jersey for nine years and winning a Stanley Cup and leaving friends, but Montreal was good to me and my family,” said Gionta. “Montreal is a hockey mecca and every game I played at the Bell Centre was special. The fans in Montreal are so passionate.”

On Wednesday, he recalled playing against Thomas in 2011 when the goaltender led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup with Claude Julien behind the Boston bench.

“We lost to them in seven games in the first round and he was in the zone,” said Gionta. “I remember I had a chance in double overtime in Game 5. It was a 2-on-1 break and he made a great save.”

Can rookies Ryan Poehling and Nick Suzuki crack the Canadiens’ lineup?

Gionta was a fan favourite wherever he played and part of his appeal was his willingness to go into the dirty areas despite a lack of size. The 5- foot-7 Gionta never tipped the scales at more than 178 pounds.

He and his younger brother Stephen attended Boston College on hockey scholarships. The Eagles reached the Frozen Four in each of his four seasons and won the NCAA championship in 2001. Two years later, he won the Stanley Cup in his first full season with the Devils.

Gionta represented the United States at the 2006 Olympics and returned to the international stage in 2018. The NHL decided not to participate in the Olympics and Gionta, who had served as captain of the Buffalo Sabres for three seasons, turned down a couple of NHL offers so that he could join the U.S. team in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

“Even though we didn’t win a medal, it was a great experience, especially because my family was involved,” said Gionta, who was the captain of the U.S. team.”

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151744 Montreal Canadiens Why Wisconsin hockey?

We'll let the experts tell you. pic.twitter.com/yXhoXOkCZg— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) August 29, 2019 Stu Cowan: Habs' pick Cole Caufield begins college career with a bang Wednesday was the first day of classes at the University of Wisconsin as Canadiens prospect can't attend rookie camp because of NCAA rules, Caufield begins the next chapter of his life on and off the ice. The but is off to a great start at University of Wisconsin. Badgers don’t play their regular-season opener until Oct. 11 at Boston College and until then they will spend four hours each week on the ice practising and another four hours in the gym, working on strength and STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: September 4, 2019 conditioning. Caufield grew up in Stevens Point, Wis., so he is close to home. One of Caufield’s teammates is left-winger Jack Gorniak, who was

selected by the Canadiens in the fourth round (123rd overall) at the 2018 When the Canadiens’ rookie camp opens Thursday in Brossard there will NHL Draft and posted 4-11-15 totals in 37 games last season with the be one very noticeable absentee. Badgers. Another teammate is Caufield’s 20-year-old brother, Brock, a right-winger who is also entering his second season at Wisconsin after Cole Caufield, the Canadiens’ first-round pick (15th overall) at this year’s posting 7-5-12 totals in 37 games. NHL Draft, won’t be there because of NCAA eligibility rules that prevent U.S. college players from attending NHL rookie camps. But the 18-year- “He’s going to get a lot of attention, as he deserves,” Granato said about old right-winger is in very good hands at the University of Wisconsin. Caufield. “His most important thing now is that classes have started and he’s a student-athlete. His focus is to improve and get ready so when he Caufield made his university debut last weekend when the Badgers does sign his first pro contract he’s ready to play for Montreal and have visited Vancouver to play a couple of exhibition games against the an impact on their lineup, just like he had an impact on our lineup the first University of . Caufield scored his first goal in a Badgers day he stepped on the ice. That’s what he’s working to get ready for.” uniform in Friday’s 3-0 win over UBC and then had a hat-trick in Sunday’s 7-5 victory. Caufield completed his hat-trick with a beautiful toe- The kid is certainly off to a great start. drag move on a defenceman before snapping a shot high over the Montreal Gazette LOADED: 09.05.2019 goalie’s glove hand from the slot. It was a pure goal-scorer’s goal and if there’s two things the 5-foot-7, 163-pound Caufield can do, it’s shoot and score.

Last season, Caufield scored 72 goals in 64 games with the USA Hockey National Development Team Program’s U-18 team, breaking the club’s single-season record of 55 set by Auston Matthews, now with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Caufield played on a line with centre Jack Hughes, who had 25-75-100 totals in 50 games and was selected by the New Jersey Devils with the No. 1 pick at this year’s NHL Draft.

Caufield impressed me at the draft with his answer when I asked him how he might have helped Hughes as opposed to the other way around.

“I’ve said this before, he wouldn’t have the amount of assists if it wasn’t for me, too,” Caufield responded. “I’m confident in myself in that way. I know he’s such a great player, he can make anyone better. But the way we work so well together is because our brains are so smart and we do things at such a high pace. I can play with anyone, I can make anyone look better.”

#Badgers hold on for 7-5 win at @ubctbirds

Here’s sixth goal for UW, third for @colecaufield@gorny11 added empty- net goal to seal the win.

Both @CanadiensMTL draft picks. pic.twitter.com/kQ5G7K6CKL— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) September 2, 2019

At Wisconsin, Caufield is playing with centre Alex Turcotte — the son of former Canadien Alfie Turcotte — who was selected fifth overall by the Los Angeles Kings at this year’s NHL Draft. They were teammates the last two years with USA Hockey development teams with Turcotte posting 27-35-62 totals in 37 games last season. Their left-winger this season could be Dylan Holloway, another Wisconsin freshman who was named the CJHL’s Player of the Year last season after posting 41-47-88 totals in 53 games with the AJHL’s Okotoks Oilers and is a top prospect for next year’s NHL Draft.

The Badgers are six-time NCAA champions and Wisconsin has one of the best programs in U.S. college hockey with Chris Chelios, Brian Rafalski, Ryan Suter, Jake Gardiner, Joe Pavelski, Dany Heatley, Ryan McDonagh, Curtis Joseph and Mike Richter among the former Badgers who went on to play in the NHL. Tony Granato, who played four seasons at Wisconsin before playing 13 years in the NHL, is heading into his fourth season as the Badgers head coach.

“He’s a tremendous goal-scorer and we saw it on the weekend,” Granato said about Caufield during a phone interview Tuesday. “All four of his goals were vintage … what he’s been advertised as. I think everyone knows that he’s going to be able to score goals like that … that’s the way Cole scores. Him and Alex have a special bond from a standpoint that they played together lots over the last two years, practised together, came in together here as freshmen. So there’s some chemistry there that is kind of built in over the past couple of years of knowing each other so well.” 1151745 Montreal Canadiens next, and you sometimes forget where you are now and how special it is and you forget to enjoy it. That’s what I want these guys to do is realize where they are now, it’s a special place, and we’re going to do it Wisconsin hockey a family affair for Canadiens prospect Cole Caufield together. We’ve got a special group of kids coming together and they’re going to have a chance to have a fun year together that might be their Entire Badgers team invited to barbecue at home of and most enjoyable one in hockey in 15 or 20 years when they look back. — the Wisconsin coach's sister — during trip to This team that we have here is special because of the kids that we have. Vancouver. “I think that’s the biggest advice that I have is just enjoy the moment,” added Granato, who is hoping to lead the Badgers to their seventh NCAA championship. “Don’t get too far ahead of yourself, thinking: How am I STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: September 4, 2019 going to get to the NHL in six months or a year from now? Just enjoy the college experience because once it’s done, it’s done. You can talk to any NHL player that played college hockey and they’ll say: ‘Man, would I love Imagine how much work must be involved when inviting an entire to do that again. It was so enjoyable.’ The program is wonderful and it’s university hockey team over for a late-summer backyard barbecue. everything that it’s cracked up to be. But the college part of it is really special and that’s what I’d like these guys to kind of grasp, that that’s That’s what former NHL player and current TSN hockey analyst Ray what this year is all about.” Ferraro and his wife, Cammi Granato, did last weekend when the University of Wisconsin Badgers were in Vancouver to play a couple of Montreal Gazette LOADED: 09.05.2019 exhibition games against the University of British Columbia.

Granato, a former Concordia Stinger and captain of the U.S. team that won a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, became the first woman inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010 and is the younger sister of Badgers head coach Tony Granato, who played 13 years in the NHL.

Hockey is definitely a family affair in the Granato/Ferraro household. It’s also a family affair for Cole Caufield, the Canadiens’ first-round pick (15th overall) at this year’s NHL Draft, who joins his older brother, Brock, on the Badgers roster this season.

“It was a really nice night,” Tony Granato said during a phone interview Tuesday from Wisconsin. “Ray and Cammi were great hosts. The whole family was there. Landon and Matthew (Ferraro’s two sons from his first marriage) were there and Cammi and Ray’s little guys (Riley and Reese) were there playing soccer with our guys. So it was a real nice night for our guys.”

The Badgers won both games against UBC with Cole Caufield scoring four goals. Caufield scored once in Friday night’s 3-0 victory and had a hat-trick in Sunday’s 7-5 win.

“The whole trip wasn’t to go there and have a mini training camp and really wear the guys down and say we’ve started now and we’re going two-a-days,” Granato said. “It was an experience for us that we wanted to use to kick the season off in a fun way, experience some things that we wouldn’t be able to experience during the year. We did practise two of the days we were there for 45 minutes just to get a little bit on the ice. But for the most part it was a team-building experience and certainly that was a great night with Ray sharing stories and Cammi feeding 40 of us or whatever we had there. My dad came out, my wife came out to help prepare and cook and get ready for it, and it turned out to be a wonderful night. Hopefully it was memorable night for the kids.”

Thank you @CammiGranato, @rayferrarotsn and the rest of the clan for having us over. What a fun night! pic.twitter.com/3lysPxQMfz— Coach Tony Granato (@TonyGranato) September 1, 2019

Canadiens fans will have a lot of interest in the Badgers this season to see how Caufield progresses after the 5-foot-7, 163-pound right-winger posted 72-28-100 totals in 64 games last season with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s U-18 team. Caufield broke the U- 18 team’s single-season record of 55 goals that was set by Auston Matthews, now with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Caufield scored 126 goals in 123 career games with the U-18 team, breaking the previous record of 104 set by Phil Kessel, now with the Arizona Coyotes.

Granato played four seasons for the Badgers before making the jump to the NHL. In 774 career regular-season games with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks, Granato posted 248- 244-492 totals.

Why Wisconsin hockey?

We'll let the experts tell you. pic.twitter.com/yXhoXOkCZg— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) August 29, 2019

When asked what his best piece of advice is for a freshman like Caufield beginning his college hockey career, Granato said: “I can tell you this and I remember from my experience in college and different phases of my playing career: You always look forward to the next chapter, what’s up 1151746 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens' prospects to watch as rookie camp begins in Brossard

Annual event gives fans an opportunity to see some stars of the future as well as players who are living a dream if only for a week or two.

PAT HICKEY, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: September 4, 2019

Summer is drawing to a close.

The kids are back at school, temperatures are dropping and there will be hockey players wearing Canadiens jerseys on the ice in Brossard on Thursday afternoon.

The Canadiens’ annual rookie camp gives fans an opportunity to see some stars of the future as well as a number of players who are living a dream if only for a week or two. Here’s guide of what to expect during the next week leading up to the start of the main training camp next Thursday.

What: This is a camp for players in the development stage of their careers. There were 28 players invited to the camp, but only 27 of them will be on the ice. The one exception is free-agent signing Joel Teasdale. He helped Rouyn-Noranda win the Memorial Cup in the spring, but he is sidelined by an off-season knee injury.

Who: Let’s start by noting that the Canadiens’ most recent first-round draft pick won’t be at this camp. Cole Caufield is at the University of Wisconsin and NCAA rules don’t allow him to attend the camp. Caufield has made a good first impression at the college level, leading the Badgers to a weekend sweep of two exhibitions against the University of British Columbia. He had a hat-trick in a 7-5 win in his debut and scored again in a 3-0 victory.

Players to WATCH: There are three players in camp who will be battling for a place in the NHL this season.

Centre Ryan Poehling made his NHL debut on April 6 and scored three goals and added the shootout winner in a 6-5 victory over the Maple Leafs. He’s a step ahead of the other players in camp, but he’s trying to crack a roster that already has 15 forwards with NHL experience.

Nick Suzuki is facing a similar challenge. He was touted as the key in the deal that sent Max Pacioretty to Las Vegas. He was a centre when the Canadiens acquired him but it appears that, like Alex Galchenyuk and Jonathan Drouin, his future is on the wing. He was a prolific scorer in junior hockey, but he has to prove he can handle the physical challenge in the NHL.

Josh Brook is a right defenceman who is coming off a 75-point season in 59 games with Moose Jaw in the WHL. He’ll need an outstanding camp to grab a spot on the third defence pairing. He has to be in the top- six to earn a spot because you don’t want a young player sitting as a spare when he could be logging big minutes in Laval.

Cayden Primeau, the top goaltender in U.S. college hockey last season, will get lots of attention but he’ll start the season in Laval.

The rookie roster includes 13 draft picks and eight players on tryouts. Seven of the drafted players will eventually return to their junior clubs. Most of the players will earn invitations to the main camp because the Canadiens need bodies to spread the workload in practice and through a seven-game exhibition schedule.

The coaching duties for the camp will be handled by head coach Joël Bouchard and his staff.

The schedule: Most of the action will take place at the Canadiens’ practice facility in Brossard, but the rookies will hit the road for two games in a three-team rookie tournament at the CAA Arena in Belleville, Ont. The young Canadiens will play Ottawa on Saturday and Winnipeg on Sunday, with both games starting at 7 p.m. (Both games will be streamed live on the Ottawa Senators’ and Belleville Senators’ YouTube channels.) The public is invited to watch the practices in Brossard on Thursday at 3 p.m. and on Friday at 11 a.m. The camp wraps up Tuesday with a game against local university players at 1 p.m. The stands in Brossard will be open for that game.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151747 Montreal Canadiens

NHL career of ex-Hab Paul Meger, who died at 90, ended in on-ice accident

The Canadiens were playing the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 25, 1954, when one of Leo Labine's skates caught Meger in the temple.

PAT HICKEY

Paul Meger, who was a left winger on the Canadiens’ Stanley Cup team in 1953, died on Aug. 27 at his home in Barrie, Ont. He was 90 years old.

Meger played 212 games with the Canadiens before an on-ice accident ended his career on Nov. 25, 1954. The Canadiens were playing the Chicago Blackhawks when one of Leo Labine’s skates caught him in the temple. He suffered a fractured skull and brain tissue damage. The legendary Dr. Wilder Penfield and his team performed a number of surgeries during a year-long convalescence at the Montreal Neurological Institute. Meger was fond of telling friends that Dr. Penfield saved his life and allowed him to lead an active and productive life.

A Saskatchewan native, Meger played junior hockey in Barrie and was the AHL rookie of the year with the Buffalo Bisons in 1950. After two all- star seasons with the Bisons, Meger was called up to the Canadiens and helped them reach the Stanley Cup final in 1951 and 1952.

In 1951-52, he scored 24 goals for the Canadiens while playing with Billy Reay and Bernie (Boom Boom) Geoffrion. He dropped to nine goals the next season then had a goal and two assists in five playoff games as the Canadiens won their first Stanley Cup since 1946.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151748 Montreal Canadiens games last season with Northeastern University. The Devils selected him in the seventh round (192nd overall) at the 2016 NHL Draft. Santini, 24, was selected in the second round (42nd overall) by New Jersey at the Carey Price only Canadien in The Hockey News list of Top 50 NHL 2013 NHL Draft and the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder posted 1-3-4 totals in 39 players games last season with the Devils.

"Without him, the Habs are not a playoff contender," THN writes about Kudos to W. Graeme Rouston, the new owner and publisher of The goalie who comes in at No. 47 on list. Hockey News, for the improvements he has made to the magazine since taking over, including his decision to digitize every edition of the magazine dating back to its first issue in 1947.

STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: September 4, 2019 The 2019-20 NHL season will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 2, with the Canadiens playing their first game the next night against the Hurricanes

in Carolina. A sure sign the NHL season will be starting soon is when The Hockey Montreal Gazette LOADED: 09.05.2019 News Yearbook shows up in your mailbox.

Reading through this year’s Yearbook it’s interesting to note that only one Canadiens player made THN’s list of Top 50 Players in the NHL with goalie Carey Price coming in at No. 47.

“He’s not prime Price, but he’s still one of the best netminders in the league thanks to his size and coolness,” THN writes. “He had a nice bounce-back season after a rough 2017-18. Without him, the Habs are not a playoff contender.”

THN predicts the Canadiens will finish fifth in the Atlantic Division this season and has their odds of winning the Stanley Cup listed at 45-1.

Price finished last season with a 35-24-6 record, a 2.49 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage following a terrible 2017-18 season when he had a 16-26-7 record, a 3.11 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. Price, who turned 32 on Aug. 16, is heading into the second season of his eight-year, US$84-million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $10.5 million. Price will actually earn $15 million this season, according to CapFriendly.com, with a $13-million signing bonus and a $2 million base salary.

The Top 10 players in The Hockey News Top 50 are:

Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning

Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche

Patrice Bergeron, C, Boston Bruins

Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals

Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning

Aleksander Barkov, C, Florida Panthers

Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

Ryan O’Reilly, C, St. Louis Blues

Carolina centre Sebastian Aho, who the Canadiens tried to get this summer by making him a five-year, US$42.27-million offer sheet that was matched by the Hurricanes, comes in at No. 40 on the THN list.

“The offer sheet with Montreal was awkward, but Aho was worth every penny in the end,” THN writes. “Smart, skilled and responsible, the Hurricanes’ top pivot had a breakout 83-point season and he just turned 21. More to come.”

Former Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban, now with the New Jersey Devils, comes in at No. 43 on the THN list.

“New town, same passion as Subban brings his heavy shot and hard- hitting defensive game to Newark,” THN writes. “The Devils will be a lot more exciting this year, and P.K. will do wonders for the power play.”

Subban didn’t do wonders for the Nashville power play last season as the Predators finished dead-last in the NHL with a 12.9 per cent success rate. The Predators traded Subban to the Devils at this year’s NHL Draft in exchange for defencemen Jeremy Davies and Steven Santini, a second-round pick at the 2019 NHL Draft (used to select forward Bobby Brink) and another second-round pick in 2020.

Davies, 22, is from Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and played midget Triple-A hockey for the Lac St. Louis Lions on Montreal’s West Island. The 22- year-old, who is 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, posted 8-28-36 totals in 37 1151749 Nashville Predators Let’s talk about this season. Where will Matt Duchene’s impact be most felt?

Matt Duchene is an experienced, veteran guy who’s performed every Ryan Johansen on the Predators’ outlook this season: ‘The bottom line is single year and made players around him better and led the charge on we know what we’re capable of’ offense. With his versatility up front and as a guy down the middle of the ice, he’s going to be just another threat for our group. There’s a lot of players on our depth chart that are going to be champing at the bit for By Adam Vingan Sep 4, 2019 opportunities to play with him. I think we’re going to take a big step with our group in the offensive end. We know what our defensemen are

capable of already, but with him coming in, he’s going to make people With training camp starting next week, the number of Predators players around him better, which is going to make our team better. taking part in informal skates has swelled. After a recent workout, center Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson have demonstrated over the past few Ryan Johansen answered a few questions as the team’s latest pursuit of years that they have the tools to be elite scorers in this league. You know the Stanley Cup begins. their games better than anybody, so what more do they need to do to Some of Johansen’s responses have been edited for clarity. vault themselves into that tier?

We last spoke in April before the team conducted its exit meetings, which I agree with you. I think there’s still another level, which is hard to believe GM David Poile recently said were perhaps the most extensive he’s had. (when considering) how they play the game. Just the way they carry How would you describe your conversations with the coaching staff and themselves every day, how they push themselves to be better and better, management about the direction of the team? it inspires me as their centerman and teammate. Just knowing the daily work they’re continuing to put in, that’s what makes it exciting as a Well, a lot of the conversations were communicating between the teammate, seeing how they go about their business and continue to try to management side, the coaches and the players (about) having a clearer get better. It’s always exciting for me being on the ice with them and idea of where we need to be going and what we need to do to achieve playing with them. They’re always trying to elevate. our goal. We’ve put a recipe together for success where we think we can win. We’ve always been confident and believed in each other. But it’s a What about you? What’s the next step for Ryan Johansen? pretty darn good league, and it’s been disappointing how we haven’t It’s the same thing. We’ve put together a group, a core here where our been able to have more success during the postseason the last two motivation and our duty every day is to push ourselves, which becomes years. I think the big thing was just us all communicating and trying to contagious for our team. Guys on our team are pushing themselves to be understand what needs to be done to take us to that next level. better and better individuals, which obviously makes our team better and At the end of last season, you said: “I think playoffs (were) the story of our game better. I want to continue what I’ve been doing and be the best our season. There were moments where you’d be playing a game and No. 1 center I can be. With those two by my side doing the same thing, you’d be like, ‘No one can beat us. We’re unstoppable.’ And then you’d there’s definitely room to elevate. have moments like, ‘We’re never going to win a game playing like that.’” The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 With the benefit of hindsight, why do you think that was, and what steps must the team take to avoid that happening again?

To be completely honest with you, I’ve totally erased that. Going through last year, obviously there was concern (about) why we weren’t as consistent as we needed to be and things like that. But the bottom line is we know what we’re capable of. Going into this year, when we look around our dressing room, there’s going to be a team put together that can get the job done. We all know that, and we all believe that. We’ve had some pretty good success here over the last few years. We know if we put it together and have each other’s backs — I know it sounds cliché — on a day-to-day basis, where we’re doing everything it takes to make ourselves as good as possible, we know we can be successful. We believe we’ve communicated enough and put a few things together that we’re going to have a team that’s going to have a lot of fun.

How long do you allow yourself to stew over the end of a season before you turn the page?

It’s usually once playoffs are done. It’s always tough to watch playoffs and seeing guys compete for the Cup and going through that process and just seeing it on TV, whether you’re just going to lunch or hanging with your family. It’s all over the news and sports channels. When you put your head up and see those things, it’s always frustrating that you’re not out there. Once it’s done, I can totally just focus on myself and what I need to do to get prepared for the upcoming year. It always stings a bit watching other guys play.

What aspect of last season was the hardest to move on from?

Going into last year, there was no reason we couldn’t compete for the Cup, and that didn’t happen. We had a pretty good year, but just too many ups and downs where we weren’t in a groove going into the postseason. You’ve still got to look at the team that we have and how we won our division, but our expectations are to win (a Cup). I think that’s a great thing for this organization, how we carry ourselves going into every day wanting to be the best. It’s also a privilege for us players to have those expectations, where we’re counted on to get the job done. This organization has put together a pretty darn good team that can go out there and get the job done, but we also need to understand that September just started. There’s a process, and there’s going to be a system where we need the 20 men in our room to buy in right from day one. We’ve got some pretty good leaders in our room that take charge and are passing down the message to the rest of our team. It’s every day starting now. 1151750 New Jersey Devils 92-Graeme Clarke, F

Star Ledger LOADED: 09.05.2019

Devils’ Jack Hughes, Ty Smith, Jesper Boqvist highlight team’s roster for 2019 Prospects Challenge

By Chris Ryan

The unofficial start of the Devils’ preseason is here.

The team will send 27 players to the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo to compete in three games against other prospects from the Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Sabres, starting on Friday.

While the annual tournament always serves as an early look for Devils prospects who will be competing for roster spots in NHL training camp, this year’s tournament will give a glimpse at a few players who could have big impacts in New Jersey.

Jack Hughes, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft, will headline the roster, playing in his first competitive games in a Devils uniform.

Ty Smith, the team’s 2018 first-round pick, will also suit up for a second straight year, and 2017 second-round pick Jesper Boqvist will make his first appearance in the tournament.

Michael McLeod, Nathan Bastian, Joey Anderson, Brandon Gignac and Colton White, who all got some NHL experience last season, will all participate.

Two players also made notable number changes prior to the start of the tournament. Anderson will wear No. 14, while White will wear No. 2. Expect both players to carry those numbers into training camp.

Here's the full roster for the Prospects Challenge:

2-Colton White, D

14-Joey Anderson, F

24-Ty Smith, D

31-Gilles Senn, G

33-Akira Schmid, G

41-Michael McLeod, F

42-Nathan Bastian, F

46-Blake Speers, F

50-Evan Cormier, G

51-Brandon Gignac, F

53-Yegor Sharangovich, F

57-Mitchell Hoelscher, F

59-Fabian Zetterlund, F

62-Xavier Bernard, D

67-Marian Studenic, F

70-Nikita Popugaev, F

71-Colby Sissons, D

73-Mikhail Maltsev, D

74-Ludvig Larson, F

75-Jeremy Groleau, D

78-Noah King, D

81-Michael Vukojevic, D

82-Nikita Okhotyuk, D

83-Nicholas Canade, D

86-Jack Hughes, F

90-Jesper Boqvist, F 1151751 New Jersey Devils Either way, the Devils are betting a lot on Blackwood sustaining his brief NHL success.

Star Ledger LOADED: 09.05.2019 Devils’ most important players: No. 4 Mackenzie Blackwood | Why goalie could be vital half of his position

By Chris Ryan

Devils hockey will be back in a matter of days.

To help you prepare for the 2019-20 NHL season, NJ Advance Media will be counting down the 18 players most important for the Devils’ success this winter.

Continuing the countdown, we’ll take a look at No. 4 on our list: goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. The countdown will continue through Sept. 6, when the No. 1 player will be revealed.

So here’s a look at Blackwood’s 2018-19 season, what he brings to the table for 2019-20 and what to expect from the goalie.

Top 18

No. 18: Miles Wood | No. 17: Blake Coleman | No. 16: Pavel Zacha | No. 15: Andy Greene | No. 14: Will Butcher | No. 13: Wayne Simmonds | No. 12: Jesper Bratt | No. 11: Travis Zajac | No. 10: Damon Severson | No. 9: Nikita Gusev | No. 8: Sami Vatanen | No. 7: Kyle Palmieri | No. 6: Jack Hughes | No. 5: P.K. Subban

And now on to No. 4 ...

Mackenzie Blackwood

Position: Goalie

Age: 22 (23 on Dec. 9)

2018-19 stats: 23 GP, 10-10-0, 2.61 GAA, .918 save percentage

Look back at 2018-19

Coming off a rough AHL season in 2017-18, Blackwood settled down and reestablished his game in the minors to start last season, and that warranted his first full NHL call-up when went down with an injury in December.

Blackwood made the most of his time in the NHL, and after briefly returning to the AHL upon Schneider’s return, the team moved Keith Kinkaid at the trade deadline to open a spot for Blackwood in the NHL to finish the season.

A nine-goal loss to the Calgary Flames was Blackwood’s biggest blemish on his record, dipping his overall numbers considerably. But take out that loss, and Blackwood posted a 2.29 GAA and a .930 save percentage. He evenly split time with Schneider during the final five weeks of the season.

What he brings to the table

When the Devils drafted Blackwood in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft, he quickly became the goalie expected to be the Devils’ future NHL workhorse. Goalie development always takes time and can be tricky, but his 2018-19 season was an important step for Blackwood to get his foot in the NHL door.

Blackwood’s biggest asset is his size and athleticism.at 6-4, he’s got the length to cover at lot of the net, and he has the ability to quickly stretch across the net to make acrobatic saves.

2019-20 expectations

Blackwood’s exact role, along with Schneider’s, will be one of the biggest questions for the Devils entering training camp and the start of the regular season. Both goalies played well in the final month of the 2018- 19 season, and they will clearly be the two guys for the NHL roster in 2019-20.

Given Schneider’s injury history, the Devils likely won’t push him to play 60 games, even if he’s playing at a high level again. So Blackwood will get plenty of playing time, even if he’s the true backup. But if Schneider struggles or Blackwood takes another step forward, that playing time could be spilt more evenly. 1151752 New Jersey Devils games with New Jersey. Marian Studenic had 10 goals and 23 points in his first 34 games as a pro, but only five points in his final 30 contests.

Blake Speers was part of the training camp competition, but slumped State of the franchise: The questions and tantalizing possibilities hanging upon returning to Binghamton. He finished with eight points in 43 games over the Devils’ wings and did not play for New Jersey. Nikita Popugaev began the season with his second KHL team in as many years, but signed an AHL contract in February and played 17 games for Binghamton. By Corey Masisak Sep 4, 2019 Offseason in review

The headline moves at the NHL draft were selecting Jack Hughes and This week, The Athletic takes a detailed look at the state of the Devils, trading for P.K. Subban, but the Devils also added John Hayden in a deal exploring each position on what could be the most exciting New Jersey with the Blackhawks for Quenneville. New Jersey then signed Wayne roster since Gary Bettman handed Scott Stevens the Stanley Cup for the Simmonds to a one-year, $5 million contract on July 1. The Devils third time in 2003. wanted a natural right wing who could score goals and add value beyond the boxcar stats. Next up, the wings. “The obvious things are leadership, accountability, toughness, grit,” Tuesday: Centers Devils center Travis Zajac said. “If you’ve played as long in the league as Wednesday: Wings he has, you’re doing something right. He’s going to be a good player for us. One of the great things about Wayne is you know what you’re getting Thursday: Defensemen from him every night. For me as a player, those are the types of guys I want to play with. I know what he’s going to do every shift. I think we’re Friday: Goalies getting that from him, and the bonus is he’ll add some toughness and he 2018-19 in review can score a lot of goals. He’s also going to be hungry and out to prove himself on a new team.” had 11 goals and 37 points in his first 33 games, which was similar to his output at the start of his 2017-18 MVP-winning campaign Adding Simmonds looked like the big move on the wing, but then the (12 goals, 34 points in 33 contests). A knee injury kept him out for the Devils made a deal with the Golden Knights for Nikita Gusev in late July. rest of the season and delayed the start of his offseason training. Gusev led the KHL in scoring last season by 13 points and made a case for best player in the world not in the NHL (Hughes did, too). Kyle Palmieri was tracking toward a new career-high in goals and played in the All-Star game for the first time, but multiple injuries and the team’s Agostino signed a two-year deal with the Maple Leafs. Gabriel (Flyers), offensive struggles without Hall left him just short of the mark (27 goals in Pietila (Ducks) and Lappin (Blues) all signed two-way contracts. Noesen 74 games). signed a tryout contract with the Stars on Tuesday.

Jesper Bratt missed the start of the season with a broken jaw and the Three big questions for 2019-20 end with a lower-body injury. In the middle, he scored at a 53-point pace 1. Will Taylor Hall be with the Devils beyond this season? (33 in 51 games). It’s the biggest question for the franchise until there’s a resolution. It’s Blake Coleman was the club’s breakout player in the first half of the also not guaranteed that the two sides will strike a deal at any point this season, finishing with a career-best 22 goals. He also played in nine season. How much the lingering question affects Hall or the team in different places (everywhere but first-line center and either wing on the general will be a popular topic. fourth line), and was a menace for opposing teams on the penalty kill. Hall has said on multiple occasions that he wants to be patient. Devils Marcus Johansson had five points in the first 18 games, then looked general manager Ray Shero followed through on his pledge to add more more like the guy from his final seasons in Washington (22 in 30 talent this offseason. Early on-ice success this season would help make contests) before the Devils traded him to the Bruins before the deadline. a compelling case for the 2018 MVP to re-sign with New Jersey. Miles Wood had three goals and eight points in his first 35 games. He Hall is going to command a big price — likely eight years and eight was creating about the same number of chances as the year prior, but figures per season. That big of a contract always involves some risk, and was intentionally generating his high-danger shots farther away from the Hall’s injury history adds even more. Still, he’s one of the most talented goaltender. The last 28 games (seven goals, 16 points) were more in line and impactful players in the NHL. Many teams would be happy to with what was expected of him after he scored 19 goals in 2017-18. assume the risk on the backend of his contract for the potential of 4-5 Brian Boyle had a hat-trick on Hockey Fights Cancer night in Pittsburgh years of dominance. and 13 goals in 47 games despite playing exclusively on the fourth line The group of wings at the top of the NHL, the elite of the elite, are worth before a trade to Nashville. Drew Stafford didn’t have a contract when the “center money.” There’s been a lot written about Mitch Marner, a club went to Europe to start the season, but signed when Bratt got hurt restricted free agent who has the same agent as Hall, and why he might and ended up playing in 57 games. not deserve as much money as Auston Matthews and John Tavares. Stefan Noesen struggled to get back to 100 percent after an offseason It doesn’t look like Marner is going to settle for significantly less and injury and then to find a consistent place in the lineup. Joey Anderson’s Devils fans shouldn’t expect Hall to, either. rookie season included a 10-week layoff because of a broken ankle and flashes of a well-rounded player who could play up or down in the lineup. 2. What should the Devils expect from Nikita Gusev?

Kurtis Gabriel became a fan favorite because of his desire to promote Gusev might be the biggest wild card in the entire NHL when training mental health awareness and be an outspoken ally for the LGBTQ camps open next week. Zajac skates with a couple of guys in Winnipeg community. The goal he scored while using Pride tape on the Devils’ in the summer who have played with Gusev. When Zajac asked them official Pride Night was one of the most inspiring moments of the season. about his new teammate, the reviews were glowing.

Kenny Agostino came home to New Jersey after the Devils claimed him “They said he’s pretty good,” Zajac said, with a wry smile and raised on waivers, took advantage of various openings in the top half of the eyebrows. lineup and collected 13 points in 27 games. “Early on, I didn’t know really anything about him. I watched some John Quenneville won the competition for the final forward spot in camp, highlights and saw the skill. Obviously people have been talking about but ended up with one point in 19 games over two stints with New him being a great player and comparable to (Artemi) Panarin. If we get Jersey. Blake Pietila and Nick Lappin combined for one point in 30 anything close to that, I think everyone is going to be really happy. There games. will be a learning curve, like there is for everyone, and adjustments to make. That’s why it’s the best league. We’ll be there to help him and Nathan Bastian improved his goal total from 10 to 18 in his second hopefully he can get comfortable and be the player everyone thinks he season with Binghamton and added three more in seven promising can be.” Devils legend Martin Brodeur spent a lot of time scouting when he was The good news is there seems to be a strong correlation between a an assistant GM for the Blues. Every time he saw Gusev play, he had the productive plus-two season in the SHL and becoming an NHL regular. same thought: Why wasn’t this guy in the NHL? Boqvist might have the skill set to outperform the others on this list.

“Just a slick, slick player,” Brodeur said. “Just a guy that slows down the Depth chart analysis game. He’s got great vision, good scoring touch. Not a big guy, but this game right now doesn’t really ask for that anymore. He’s 27 years old, If Hall is healthy on opening night, it’s a safe bet to slot him in as the left he’s a seasoned player now. He’s got the success where he played wing on the first line. After that … it gets trickier. before, played with some NHL players in the KHL and now he’s moving Coach John Hynes could start the season with Hall and Palmieri on the on to the NHL.” top line. Those two between Nico Hischier was one of the best trios in the Here are a few NHL players worth comparing to Gusev: NHL at the end of 2017-18 and for the first month of last season.

Panarin had 46 goals and 102 points in 105 games during his age-22 That would make Gusev, Bratt and Simmonds the leading candidates for and 23 seasons. He signed a seven-year, $81.5 million contract with the the spots flanking Hughes on the second line. Gusev is a righty who Rangers after four stellar NHL seasons. prefers to play on the left side. Bratt has played a lot on both sides, and could also slot in on the right side of the top line, with Palmieri dropping Evgenii Dadanov played in the NHL in his early 20s, went home and down to play next to Hughes. Pavel Zacha could also be a wild card for came back. He had 43 goals and 112 points in 112 games during his the second line if the Devils want to help Hughes out on faceoffs and in age-26 and 27 seasons for SKA St. Petersburg. He then returned to the the defensive zone. Panthers and scored 28 goals in each of the past two years, along with 65 and 70 points, respectively. Coleman is probably a lock to play next to Zajac on the third line. Bratt or Simmonds could occupy the other wing spot, or Zacha if Hynes opts for a Vadim Shipachyov had 43 goals and 136 points in his age-28 and 29 “shutdown” line. The most consistent wing next to Coleman and Zajac seasons, then joined the Golden Knights and lasted three games in the last year was Wood, and he could still be an option there. NHL. Depending on which direction Hynes goes, Wood or Simmonds could Two big successes and a big failure. Gusev, by the way, had 44 goals also end up on the fourth line. If Zacha is the fourth-line center, Boqvist’s and 86 points in 111 games in the same two-year age span as Panarin. top competition for the final spot would likely be Hayden, Anderson and Since then, he had five more points than Dadanov did in his final season Bastian. Kevin Rooney, Brett Seney and Michael McLeod — all guys who before he returned to the Panthers, then led the KHL in assists each of would compete for the No. 4 center spot if Zacha is elsewhere — could the past years. Gusev also won the scoring title last year, finishing 13 be in the mix, as well. points clear of the closest challenger. Got all of that? It’s going to be a different kind of camp for Hynes. If Gusev is at Dadanov’s level, he’s a great addition for the Devils. If he’s even close to where Panarin is, he’s a potential cornerstone player and Special teams New Jersey’s forward corps could pose a big problem for opposing If you thought figuring out where everyone fits on the wings at even teams. strength was tough …

3. Is Jesper Boqvist ready for the NHL? Hall is either going to be on the left or right flank of the top power-play Boqvist has been one of New Jersey’s top prospects since the Devils unit in New Jersey’s 1-3-1 setup. Simmonds is the early favorite to man selected him in the second round of the 2017 draft. His first season after the net-front position. being drafted was limited by a broken wrist, which was a big reason why That leaves two spots (the wing opposite Hall and the “bumper” in the Boqvist decided to spend a second season at home with Brynas in the middle) on PP1, with a defenseman manning the top of the formation. Swedish Hockey League. The top candidates for those spots are wings Gusev and Palmieri, but Boqvist responded with a big offensive season as one of the top young also centers Hughes, Hischier and Zajac. scorers in the league. Now, he’s ready to challenge for a place on the Hynes has liked Zajac and Hischier in the “bumper” role, in part for Devils’ roster. Finding players whose development paths compare to his faceoffs, and because they both excel at helping the team regain control own isn’t as easy as you might think. of the puck when it gets loose in the corners or around the net.

Here’s a look at all of the Swedish forwards taken in the top 100 picks The Devils have used two defensemen on PP2 the past two seasons. from 2008-17 who spent their draft plus-two season in the SHL, along Now, they might have as many as five defensemen making a case for a with their production in that season: spot on the power play. The Devils also now have a vice president of At first glance, it’s not a particularly strong list. The best Swedish analytics in Tyler Dellow, who has been an advocate for employing four forwards in the NHL came to North America either after they were drafted forwards on the power play. or after their plus-one season. Andre Burakovsky, like Boqvist’s brother, Whichever way they see it, the Devils’ power play is a logjam. Let’s start Blackhawks defenseman Adam, played his post-draft year in the Ontario with a prediction: PP1 will include Hall, Simmonds, either Gusev or Hockey League. Palmieri, and one of three centers.

Karlsson is the exception, but “Wild Bill” was also traded and selected in That leaves either Gusev or Palmieri, two of the top three centers, plus an expansion draft before he became a star. A handful of others like Bratt, Wood and maybe Boqvist to compete for four (or three) spots. Calle Jarnkrok, Oskar Sundqvist and Johan Larsson have become solid NHL players, but are bottom-six guys and were all traded before The penalty kill is more straightforward. Coleman will log a ton of PK becoming NHL regulars, as well. Wallmark and Asplund still have a minutes. The rest of the minutes could go to the centers, though chance to develop into more than that, but seem destined for the third Anderson could be the fourth or fifth guy if he makes the team. Bratt or line. Palmieri are potential backup options in the event of in-game injuries or a regular penalty killer in the box. The second part of the equation doesn’t offer any more clarity. Only three of the 21 forwards listed played more than eight games in the NHL in Salary cap watch their plus-three season — Tedenby, Lander and Janmark. Seven of Hall’s next contract (or lack thereof) will have a huge effect on the Devils’ them, including Asplund and Wallmark, played in the American Hockey future cap planning. Palmieri and Gusev each have two years remaining League, while the rest remained in Europe. Devils assistant general on their contracts and could command interesting negotiations if they manager Tom Fitzgerald said the club will let Boqvist return to Byrnas have productive seasons next to Hischier or Hughes. and the SHL if he doesn’t make the NHL team, so Binghamton won’t be an option for him. Bratt will be an RFA after this season and is a candidate for a long-term deal that would solidify his place in the core of the club. Simmonds is on If the Karlsson comparison is the best-case scenario for Boqvist in the a one-year deal and will be 32 next season, but it wouldn’t be surprising long term, Janmark might be the one in the short term. He had 15 goals to see both sides extend the partnership if it’s a successful one. and 29 points as an NHL rookie in his plus-three season, and followed that up with 19 goals and 34 points the following year — despite taking a Coleman’s deal (three years, $1.8 million per) looks team-friendly after step back in his third NHL season. one year. If he has another 20-goal season and does well on the PK and in a shutdown role at even strength in each of the next two years, he’ll command at least twice as much per year, if not more, in his next contract. Palmieri, Gusev and Coleman will all be 29 or 30 when they are UFAs, which could make term a big deal for both sides.

Wood has three more seasons at $2.75 million per, which is solid value if his goal scoring returns to 2017-18 levels and he continues to generate a lot of shot attempts.

There are no bad contracts among the wings, and some very team- friendly cap figures. That figures to change over the next couple of seasons.

In the pipeline

Boqvist was the team’s top forward prospect before New Jersey won the lottery. If he doesn’t make the team and returns to Sweden, he’ll spend this season atop the Devils’ list. If Hughes, Boqvist and Ty Smith all make the team, McLeod could earn that designation.

There’s also Aarne Talvitie, who had a great start to his freshman season at Penn State and captained Finland to the gold medal at the world juniors, but also tore an ACL in the championship game and missed the rest of the season. Talvitie and Fabian Zetterlund are both returning from ACL tears — Talvitie expects to play on opening night for Penn State, while Zetterlund’s timeline wasn’t yet clear at development camp. He’ll play for Binghamton when he’s ready.

The B-Devils could have several intriguing wings on the roster this year beyond Zetterlund. Anderson has played too many NHL games to qualify as a rookie, but he’s still young and a prospect. Bastian and Studenic made important strides in their development last season and need to show more before they become NHL regulars. Popugaev will be there too, trying to convince the organization he’s worthy of an NHL entry-level contract.

New Jersey didn’t draft any centers after Hughes in Vancouver, but did add several intriguing wings to the mix. Graeme Clarke played with Hughes when they were kids and could have a big year with the Ottawa 67s. Patrick Moynihan and Tyce Thompson will be teammates at Providence this year.

Two seventh-round picks — Nikola Pasic this year and Eetu Pakkila from 2018 — are players to monitor. Pasic will play in the Swedish second division and Pakkila could get a chance with Illves in Finland’s top league.

Final assessment

The Devils haven’t averaged three goals per game in a season since 2000-01. That group averaged 3.6 and finished with 295, tied for the fourth-most in franchise history. Six wings scored 20 or more goals, highlighted by Alexander Mogilny, Patrick Elias and Petr Sykora all pouring in 35-plus.

It would take some best-case scenarios playing out, but the Devils have the potential for that type of depth and firepower on the wings this season. A healthy Hall is a game-changer and Gusev has similar potential.

Palmieri and Simmonds are proven scorers, though the “Wayne Train” will be out to prove his dip in production the past two seasons was due to more injuries than a decline. Coleman, Wood and Bratt are all players with the ability to score 20 goals.

New Jersey is deeper and more experienced on the wings. It could be the best group the club has put on the ice in a long time.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151753 New Jersey Devils can regularly push the pace and be relied on to gain the zone with control of the puck. He’s a skilled offensive player who can play through defenders and create on the flank. I don’t think his skill level will wow 2019 NHL farm system rankings: No. 3 New Jersey Devils you, but he can create offense in the NHL. He’s not the most physical or best defensive forward, though; and given he’s not a game breaker offensively, he will need to be very consistent with his compete level.

By Corey Pronman Sep 4, 2019 4. Michael McLeod, C, New Jersey-NHL

Feb. 3, 1998 | 6-foot-2 | 187 pounds

Corey Pronman’s deep dive into the farm system of every NHL Tier: Legit NHL prospect organization includes a ranking of all of the team’s prospects, broken into tiers based on their projection; the impact on the upcoming season and McLeod had a fine first season in the AHL and ended his season with a an overall ranking of all players under 23. Further explanation of lengthy call-up to the Devils. McLeod certainly has the pure tools to be a Pronman’s system, player eligibility, prospect tiers and the complete second line forward, but for the past few years the consistency hasn’t ranking of all 31 teams can be found here. been there. His skating is great, particularly for a 6-foot-2 forward. He showed in his NHL games that he can skate at that level and put The Devils’ farm system was one of the toughest for me to rank. In Jack pressure on defenders with his speed. He’s got good hands too and can Hughes they have a foundational piece of their future. Defenseman Ty maneuver with the puck. He competes well and shows no hesitation to Smith is also a great player. But after those two, the top of the system play between the dots. McLeod’s sense has always been my main doesn’t resemble a lot of the best systems around the league. The question. He made more plays as a rookie pro than I expected, but there Devils’ depth is quite good, but it’s a lot of players on the bubble. The are times I find his vision fades. Devils high ranking mostly comes down to how much I value Hughes and, to an extent, Smith. 5. Daniil Misyul, D, Yaroslavl-KHL

Key additions: Jack Hughes, Daniil Misyul Oct. 20, 2000 | 6-foot-3 | 176 pounds

Key subtractions/graduations: Jeremy Davies, Joey Anderson, Tier: Legit NHL prospect MacKenzie Blackwood, Brett Seney Misyul was the best defensemen for one of the MHL’s top clubs. His 2018 farm system ranking: No. 20 counting stats don’t jump out at you, but he was a solid two-way defenseman for Lokomotiv. He was also impressive during a late call-up 2019 draft grade: A-plus to the KHL and early into this preseason in Russia. Misyul stands in at 6- foot-3 and has intriguing tools for a big man. He skates and closes gaps Prospect Ranking well, and can join attacks. He’s got solid puck skills, with enough 1. Jack Hughes, C, USNTDP-USHL evasiveness to weave through traffic on a rush or make a play off the blue line. His stick handling is a bit rigid when he tries to do anything too May 14, 2001 | 5-foot-10 | 170 pounds crafty, but there is some offense in his game. I like his hockey sense. He anticipates the play well, he sees lanes develop and he knows where to Tier: Special NHL prospect jump up or defend. Misyul is a big defenseman and uses his frame. He Hughes could be the first USNTDP player to make the direct jump to the has a bit of feistiness and often is involved in post-whistle drama. Overall NHL. What makes him a top prospect isn’t his skill level, but his pace. I see a well-rounded player, and NHL teams think he would have gone He’s a unique skater who is so tough when he gets going with speed. higher last June if he didn’t sign a three-year extension in the KHL. Defenses can see it coming and they still can’t stop it. His speed is 6. Akira Schmid, G, Omaha-USHL dangerous but particularly his edge work is special. He spins off pressure so well and he can create space for himself like few others with his May 12, 2000 | 6-foot-5 | 205 pounds cutbacks. He’s got a high skill level and fantastic vision with the puck, and at a standstill, he can make highly skilled plays. But what makes Tier: Legit NHL prospect Hughes stand out from your typical playmaker is how he makes those Schmid started the season in the WHL, which had a roster crunch, before plays at a million miles an hour. He’ll put pucks through legs while eventually ending up in the USHL, where he was dominant, led the skating full speed and hit a target across the ice. He has a small, slight league in save percentage and often stole games for Omaha. Schmid frame, and plays hard, which can lead to him getting knocked around a checks off all the boxes. He’s 6-foot-5, moves very well, and his game bit. His compete level is high, though. When he loses a puck, he wants doesn’t break down with a lot of extra movement or losing his technique. the puck as bad as anyone on the ice, and he attacks the net without His athleticism for his size and ability to make unorthodox saves stands fear. He has the potential to be a star, play-driving, No. 1 center. out. I’ve seen the odd bad goal slip by him at the major events and his 2. Ty Smith, D, Spokane-WHL international track record is so-so, but it’s hard to ignore how he looked in the USHL. March 24, 2000 | 5-foot-11 | 179 pounds 7. Aarne Talvitie, LW, Penn State-Big 10 Tier: High-end/very good bubble Feb. 11, 1999 | 5-foot-11 | 201 pounds Smith had another great year in the WHL, as the top rearguard in the league. He has elite hockey sense. While he has skill and speed, he Tier: Legit NHL prospect won’t dazzle you with end-to-end rushes that hit a highlight reel, which is Talvitie was having a great season before a mid-season injury ended his what you expect in a top 5-11 defense prospect. His efficiency though is year. He was in the middle of a great freshman season at Penn State just fantastic. He sees the whole ice. He’s a constant controlled zone exit and was a top player for the gold medal-winning Finland team at the and entry machine. His entries are always followed by a pass on the tape world juniors. You can watch Talvitie on a given shift and not be wowed to his teammate. He breaks up a ton of plays defensively. Smith does by him. He’s 5-foot-11 and not that fast or skilled, but he gets a lot have the elusive skill and edge work to make plays in open ice, but he accomplished. He’s very smart, and he competes very hard. He’s not often doesn’t lean on that as he prefers to make a play. He’s a player you devoid of talent either, as he makes plays, has a hard wrist shot and his need to watch a lot to appreciate and he’s grown on me a lot. I see a skating has progressed over the years. potential No. 2/3 defenseman in the NHL. 8. Gilles Senn, G, Davos-NLA 3. Jesper Boqvist, LW, Brynas-SHL March 1, 1996 | 6-foot-5 | 192 pounds Oct. 30, 1998 | six-foot | 181 pounds Tier: Legit/chance bubble Tier: Very good/legit bubble In terms of pure tools, Senn is a no doubt NHL goalie. He’s a 6-foot-5 Boqvist had a successful season in the SHL. He had a torrid first half goalie with amazingly good quickness. He makes saves he has no where he was among the leaders in scoring but cooled off in the last few business getting, and how quickly he gets to some pucks for a goalie his months. Speed is Boqvist’s defining trait. He’s a very good skater who size is something Binghamton fans will be constantly entertained by. His game needs a lot of work. I find he has too many self-inflicted errors. His Nov. 7, 1997 | 5-foot-11 | 179 pounds game has extra movement, he’s jumpy in his crease and his stance looks odd at times. If he can round out the kinks and find some consistency, I Tier: Has a chance can absolutely see him playing games. I was impressed by Gignac this season, more than in any previous 9. Marian Studenic, RW, Binghamton-AHL season. I saw a player with very good quickness who hustled hard and utilized his skating at both ends of the rink. Gignac’s skill isn’t top-end, Oct. 28, 1998 | 6-foot-1 | 163 pounds but he’s got some hands and can create a few chances for his teammates. He’s also got a good shot and can beat goalies with clean Tier: Legit/chance bubble shots. He played on both special teams for Binghamton and earned one Studenic was up and down as a rookie pro and ended his season strong game up with the big club. If he brings a tad more offense I think he could at the world championships for Slovakia. His skating and hockey sense make the jump. stand out. “He’s got a different gear, he can go from 0 to 60 pretty 15. Michael Vukojevic, D, Kitchener-OHL quickly,” said Binghamton coach Mark Dennehy of Studenic. I wouldn’t call Studenic a natural skill guy, but he’s got some puck ability, and I June 8, 2001 | 6-foot-3 | 212 pounds thought he showed high-end vision. If he can get better defensively or just be more consistent offensively, I can see him playing for the Devils. Tier: Has a chance

10. Nathan Bastian, RW, Binghamton-AHL Vukojevic is a tall defenseman with some pro attributes who was a quality player in the OHL the past two seasons. He started off the season Dec. 6, 1997 | 6-foot-4 | 205 pounds slow but picked up as it went along. What stands out about Vukojevic’s game is his hockey sense. He moves the puck very well, showing good Tier: Legit/chance bubble instincts inside the offensive zone. His offensive tools won’t dazzle, but Bastian had a better second pro season, scoring 21 goals and earning he can skate pucks through the neutral zone and has enough skill to some time in New Jersey. There can be a lot of a blandness to his game, make some plays. Defensively he’s very solid. Vukojevic uses his but he’s also a 6-foot-4 forward with good hands who can score and that reads, feet and brain to disrupt a lot of plays, and could play tough has value. You can watch Bastian and wonder whether he’s quick minutes at the pro level. There may not be a ton of offense at the higher enough, or wonder if the 14 assists in the past two years is an indication levels from him, but with his size and skating, there is some potential. he just doesn’t see the game well enough. But there is value to having a 16. Fabian Zetterlund, RW, Farjestad-SHL guy like him who is awesome around the net and slot, knocking in a lot of pucks and making plays in small areas. Aug. 25, 1999 | 5-foot-11 | 198 pounds

11. Reilly Walsh, D, Harvard-ECAC Tier: Has a chance

April 21, 1999 | 5-foot-11 | 181 pounds Zetterlund was hurt a lot last season and was OK when healthy. He’s a winger with a good skill level and can make plays. Inside the offensive Tier: Legit/chance bubble zone Zetterlund does a lot because he can create for his teammates off Walsh was one of the top scoring defensemen in the ECAC. When he the perimeter, but he also can get to the net and play in the tough areas. has the puck on his stick he’s dangerous. Walsh is an excellent passer He’s an average skater particularly for his size – and his consistent knee with the vision and creativity to make difficult plays. He finds seams injury issues that won’t reassure those issues. Zetterlund also hasn’t consistently. He isn’t afraid to jump up into attacks and attack with his shown at the pro level he can pennalty kill, so unless he has a big skill. Walsh also has a hard shot, and can create chances with both his offensive breakthrough at some point, I don’t know what his NHL vision and shot. He’s by no means a perfect player, though. He’s projection could be. undersized and an average skater, leading to issues defending size and 17. Mikhail Maltsev, C, SKA-KHL speed. If he gets quicker I can see him in the NHL. March 12, 1998 | 6-foot-3 | 198 pounds 12. Colton White, D, Binghamton-AHL Tier: Has a chance May 3, 1997 | 6-foot-1 | 185 pounds Maltsev is a tough player for me to get a read on. He looks like an Tier: Legit/chance bubble NHLer, yet he’s barely been able to make a dent in the KHL in his 20- After spending parts of his first pro season bouncing between the AHL year-old season. He did play for SKA, which is never an easy team to get and ECHL, White established himself and became Binghamton’s best ice time on, but it’s been a trend for years that the tools stand out with defenseman playing all situations. He was making plays on the power Maltsev but the results don’t follow. He’s a 6-foot-3 center with skill and play and was often matched up against the opponent’s best players. vision, and his skating even has improved a bit, although he’s still not the White is a smart puck-mover who shows poise moving it out of his zone. quickest. I’ve seen shifts where he winds up, goes through a few He skates fine, able to stay with checks and elude pressure. I don’t know opponents and generates a chance. That consistency hasn’t been there if his quickness or skill is truly NHL level, but it’s close enough that he’s in his game though. got a shot to play. 18. Nikita Okhotyuk, D, Ottawa-OHL

13. Graeme Clarke, RW, Ottawa-OHL Dec. 4, 2000 | 6-foot-1 | 194 pounds

April 24, 2001 | six-foot | 174 pounds Tier: Has a chance

Tier: Legit/chance bubble Okhotyuk is a very mobile and physical defenseman whose athletic traits Clarke was a highly touted player coming from minor midget. He’s a can pop on a given shift. He has good vision with the puck, too. I don’t regular Cy Young candidate, in that his goals often outpace his assists. like his skill level, though, and don’t think he will be able to make many He was solid this season for the 67’s but wasn’t consistent. On such a plays at the pro level. Some scouts disagree and think he didn’t show deep team, he also wasn’t going to be handed ice time. Clarke has a much offense because of the caliber of team he was on. We’ll see if he good skill set. He can make defenders miss and has impressive offense can add offense next season with more opportunity. instincts with the puck to move it around despite his low assist totals. 19. Nikola Pasic, LW, Linkoping-J20 SuperElit There’s no question his best asset is his shot and his ability to score from a distance. Clarke is a power play weapon due to his skill and shot. His Oct. 16, 2000 | 5-foot-10 | 187 pounds main weakness is his skating. The stride is wonky and lacks power. I’ve seen him turn some defenders and get up the ice fine, so I can see the Tier: Has a chance argument it’s not a huge issue, but it’s not a strength. Clarke isn’t a great Pasic had a fine season playing junior hockey for most of the campaign. I defender, but I like the way he competes. I do wish he would get inside to also liked his play in the summer a lot. He is an undersized forward, but the net as opposed to always trying to rely on his shot. he’s quite skilled. It’s not game-breaking skill and sense, but he’s got a 14. Brandon Gignac, LW, Binghamton-AHL very good brain and makes plays. While he’s an above-average skater, he lacks a true dangerous top gear for a player his size. He does Nico Hischier, C (20) compete well, though. Ty Smith, D (19) 20. Tyce Thompson, RW, Providence-Hockey East Jesper Bratt, LW (21) July 12, 1999 | six-foot | 165 pounds Pavel Zacha, C (22) Tier: Has a chance Jesper Boqvist, LW (20) Thompson is an interesting prospect. He has offensive touch and makes plays. He competes hard and can get to the net well. His skating isn’t Mackenzie Blackwood, G (22) amazing, but it’s fine. I was never consistently sold on the offensive Michael McLeod, C (21) upside, but I saw it in flashes and knew some scouts who were big fans of his game. I saw Thompson a few times between live and video, but I Daniil Misyul, D (18) wish I watched him more all season. Akira Schmid, G (19) 21. Xavier Bernard, D, Charlottetown-QMJHL I’m sure some may oppose putting Hughes over a guy like Hischier given Jan. 6, 2000 | 6-foot-3 | 203 pounds his NHL track record, but I think Hughes is just so dynamic and has the potential to produce much more offense than Hischier has. I do like Tier: Has a chance Hischier a lot and think he has all the tools to be a very good player for a Bernard had an OK year, with up and down play in Drummondville before long time. Blackwood is inconsistent but was very impressive when up being traded at the deadline and then playing a bigger role in with the Devils. I like his size and athleticism, but don’t know if his sense Charlottetown. The tools are there for Bernard. He’s a 6-foot-3 and tracking are elite enough to be more than a solid backup. defenseman with decent quickness and some offensive ability. Scouts The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 question his pace and decision-making at times, but I’ve seen reasonably good skating for his size and some good puck play. He defends hard and can break up plays with his reach. He needs to be more consistent, though.

22. Matthew Hellickson, D, Notre Dame-Big 10

March 21, 1998 | six-foot | 183 pounds

Tier: Has a chance

Hellickson played a significant role for a good Notre Dame team. He’s a well-rounded player and is mobile. His coach Jeff Jackson praised Hellickson’s ability to close his gaps well due to his skating. He can get into attacks. He also has some offense, being a regular on the power play and can move pucks. His skill isn’t anything noteworthy but he has some. There isn’t anything about his game that truly pops, though.

23. Patrick Moynihan, RW, USNTDP-USHL

Jan. 23, 2001 | 5-foot-11 | 183 pounds

Tier: Has a chance

Moynihan is a very smart and competitive two-way winger who got better as the season went along. He can create offense through his vision very well. His hands and skating are average, though, and he’s a bit on the smaller side. The offensive upside question is legit, but some scouts feel he could still become a bottom-six forward.

Depth Players

Yegor Sharangovich, C, Binghamton-AHL (Age: 21): A 6-foot-2 forward with good skill. His skating is average and, while he looks the part, the offense has never really come.

Mitch Hoelscher, C, Ottawa-OHL (19): Good compete and a playmaker, but undersized and a mediocre skater. He’ll have more opportunity to score next season in Ottawa.

Arseni Gritsyuk, RW, Ufa-MHL (18): Gritsyuk has a good talent level. He’s skilled, makes plays, skates fine. For a 5-foot-10 forward, I don’t see consistent high-level skill. He plays bigger than his size.

Case McCarthy, D, USNTDP-USHL (18): McCarthy has a good toolkit between his skating, skill and shot. He also has a physical component to his game. His decision-making with the puck leaves a lot to be desired, though.

2019-20 Impact

Hughes will slot into a scoring role right away. I could see him put up 55- 65 points in his rookie season if he stays healthy. Smith should get a long look. I think he’ll make the team and then it’s a month-to-month approach on whether he gets sent back to junior. Boqvist and McLeod are knocking on the door, but I’m not expecting a ton out of either next season. Studenic I think could be a sleeper.

Organizational Top 10 (23 and Under)

Jack Hughes, C (18) 1151754 New York Rangers Nick Jones scores his second goal during the New York Rangers prospect development camp scrimmage June 27, 2019 at Chelsea Piers in Stamford, Conn.

Five questions for the New York Rangers entering the Traverse City Excluding what we’ll call the Fab Five — Kakko, Kravtsov, Fox, Rykov Tournament and Shesterkin — there are a number of players to keep an eye on who were either recently drafted or will skate for AHL Hartford this season.

Vincent Z. Mercogliano, NHL writerPublished 6:01 a.m. ET Sept. 4, 2019 Among the forwards, 2019 second-round pick Karl Henriksson has a real | Updated 10:17 a.m. ET Sept. 4, 2019 chance to show he’s a viable option for the Rangers in the not-so-distant future. It was a bit of a surprise to see him on the roster because he hasn’t signed an entry-level contract and is slated to play in Sweden this season, but clearly the Rangers want to take a closer look at him. He’s Don't be sad that summer is coming to an end. Be glad that hockey is drawn praise for his play-making ability, and the Rangers are unproven at almost here! center. The Rangers won't begin training camp until next week, but that doesn't Among the older forwards on the roster, right-winger Jake Elmer can mean you have to wait that long for hockey. Many top young players will show that his gaudy numbers in the WHL were no fluke and center Nick report Thursday before heading to Traverse City, Michigan for an NHL Jones will look to build on a strong showing at Development Camp. prospects tournament this weekend. Defensively, 2018 fourth-round pick Nico Gross has a chance to make an MORE RANGERS: Roster of top prospects announced for Traverse City impression, while recent draftees Robertson and Skinner will bring solid Tournament puck-moving and shooting skills. MORE RANGERS: A list of candidates who could serve as the next 4. How does the Rangers’ roster stack up with the other seven teams? captain Kaapo Kakko during the first day of New York Rangers development The Rangers announced their 24-man roster last week, and it's loaded camp June 24, 2019 at Chelsea Piers in Stamford, Conn. with intriguing talents. They have four games slated for Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. This tournament is more about development than winning — but winning would be nice. And based on who the Rangers are bringing, it's a real It'll be a chance for some of these prospects to shake off rust before possibility. training camp and make an impression on the Rangers' brass. With that in mind, here are five questions I have heading into the tournament. Their prospect pool has been widely touted as the best in the NHL, with Sporting News ranking five of their prospects in their top 50. Of those 1. Who will have a bigger impact — Kaapo Kakko or Vitali Kravtsov? five, four will be playing in the Traverse City Tournament — Kakko Vitali Kravtsov takes practice shots before the second half of the New (ranked No. 2), Kravtsov (No. 11), Fox (No. 14) and Shesterkin (No. 35). York Rangers prospect development camp scrimmage June 27, 2019 at (The only one missing is defenseman K’Andre Miller, who is at the Chelsea Piers in Stamford, Conn. University of Wisconsin for his sophomore season.)

Of all the notable prospects the Rangers are sending to Michigan this By comparison, the most prospects any other roster will have from the week, their top draft choices from the last two years will be watched top 50 is two. The Chicago Blackhawks are bringing defenseman Adam closest. Kakko was selected second overall in June and Kravtsov was Boqvist (No. 10) and center Kirby Dach (No. 13), while the Columbus picked ninth in 2018, and both are expected to make the Rangers’ roster Blue Jackets are bringing center Alexandre Texier (No. 40) and goalie this season. There has been debate about which player will shoulder Elvis Merzlikins (No. 46). The Detroit Red Wings have two prospects in more responsibility out of the gate, with the Traverse City Tournament the 50 — left-winger Filip Zadina (No. 4) and center Joe Veleno (No. 17) offering a pre-training camp opportunity for both to show the coaching — but had yet to release their roster as of Tuesday afternoon. staff they’re ready for prominent roles. 5. How many of these prospects will make the New York Rangers’ Their first opportunity of the offseason came back in June at regular-season roster? Development Camp in Stamford, Connecticut, and it was Kravtsov who Three seems like the safe bet. Kakko, Kravtsov and Fox each have clear earned the leg-up with his flashy play-making ability. Kakko was coming openings, as long as they don’t do anything this month to dissuade the off a whirlwind of draft events, admitting that he hadn’t stepped onto the Rangers. Kakko and Kravtsov are viewed as eventual top-six forwards (it ice in a month prior to camp. Now he’s had the summer to focus on remains to be seen how quickly they’ll ascend from the bottom six), while training, and I would expect that to show this weekend. Fox is a much-needed, right-handed defenseman who can fill the void left It would be encouraging to see them both back up the hype — but by the Kevin Shattenkirk buyout. whether they light it up or show signs of their youth, there is still a long The next most-likely player to make the roster out of camp is Rykov. He’ll way to go before the Rangers decide how to deploy them in 2019-20. Be be locked into a competition with Hájek and others to earn a role on the careful of overreacting one way or the other. left side of the defense. 2. Will Adam Fox, Yegor Rykov or any other defensemen show they're Because the Rangers have established NHL goalies in Lundqvist and ready for the NHL? Alexandar Georgiev, Shesterkin seems destined to start in the AHL in his Kakko and Kravtsov will provide star power up front, but the depth of the first North American hockey season. It isn’t out of the question for defense makes the blue line the strength of this roster. Fox and Rykov Reunanen to make the roster, but he’d have to leapfrog both Rykov and give the Rangers a top pair we could see together in the NHL this Hajek on the depth chart. season, with a strong potential second pair of Tarmo Reunanen and Joey Beyond those players, a forward like Elmer or defenseman like Keane Keane. Add in talented 2019 draftees Matthew Robertson and Hunter could position themselves as in-season depth pieces should the injury Skinner, and there is a lot to like about the defensive unit the Rangers bug hit the NHL roster. are sending to Michigan. Bergen Record LOADED: 09.05.2019 Fox should break camp on the 23-man roster regardless of how he plays here, but it’ll still be exciting for fans to see him in his first real action as a Ranger. The player who probably has the most to gain is Rykov, who will battle at camp with Libor Hájek (and to a lesser extent Reunanen) for the left-handed spot on the third pair.

And we can’t talk about the strength of the prospect team’s defense without mentioning goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Here’s his first chance to show management he’s ’s eventual replacement.

3. Who are some lesser-known prospects to watch out for? 1151755 Ottawa Senators The challenge is finding the consistency to avoid prolonged slumps, but Batherson has the inside track on an opening day roster spot.

Logan Brown: The great potential has been replaced by great pressure After a summer free of major distractions, Senators prospects kick off for the organization’s most intriguing prospect. rookie camp The 6-6, 220-pound centre promises he’ll battle to gain the attention of Smith and Dorion, confident that a new summer training regime will pay Ken Warren off. Going through the motions like he did at rookie camp last year certainly won’t cut it. September 4, 2019 4:35 PM EDT At this point, there would appear to be little room to wedge himself into a lineup that already includes centres Colin White, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Chris Tierney and Artem Anisimov, but the Senators would love nothing Relatively speaking, a calm summer was a welcome relief from the better than for Brown to force them into some tough decisions. previous heat for the Ottawa Senators. Jonathan Davidsson: If he has a chance to make the Senators opening In the big picture of filling the Canadian Tire Centre, the organization day lineup, it will be as a depth player, battling the likes of fellow wingers must rediscover the lost business community and ramp up season ticket Alex Formenton, Max Veronneau, Nick Paul, Filip Chlapik and Jack sales following the trades of former stars Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone and Rodewald. Matt Duchene, but with rookie camp kicking off Thursday, at least there’s some optimism about a plausible plan for years to come. Arriving along with Vitaly Abramov from Columbus in the Matt Duchene trade, the 22-year-old has two years of pro experience in Sweden. If he We’ll soon see if the limited expectations – the primary goal for the 2019- showcases his speed and defensive awareness – again, remember the 20 season is for the core of kids to show significant improvement under Smith mandate to drastically reduce goals against – perhaps rookie new coach D.J. Smith – can translate into a re-energized fan base, but at camp will give him a head start in the bigger battle ahead. least there was no repeat of the uncertainty and endless distractions of the previous summer. Josh Norris: Sidelined from game action at June’s development camp due in his recovery from shoulder surgery, the rookie tournament The biggest headlines in Ottawa surrounded the delays in the LRT (Light represents his first chance to flash his tools at the pro level. Rail Tomorrow?) and the eyesore of an addition to the Chateau Laurier, not about the Karlsson-Mike Hoffman soap opera and other assorted Norris, a 2017 San Jose first round pick who came to the Senators in the snafu off-ice developments. Karlsson trade last September, was a point per game player in his second year at the University of Michigan last season. And unlike the summer of 2018, when the Senators couldn’t re-sign Stone and Duchene to long-term extensions, paving the way for their He could be a season or two away from seeing regular NHL duty, but in eventual trades, general manager Pierre Dorion did take care of the an organization desperately looking for an impact centre (see Logan necessary business, re-signing Colin White to a six-year extension. Brown) he could beat that timetable.

For a change, the will-they-or-won’t-they re-sign distractions lie elsewhere in the country: Mitch Marner in Toronto, Patrick Laine in Winnipeg, Brock Boeser in Vancouver and Matthew Tkachuk in Calgary. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 09.05.2019

In two years time, the Senators will eventually have their own Tkachuk (Brady) to deal with and when the current season ends, Thomas Chabot will be in the same boat as all of the above.

Today, though, there should be some buzz about a prospect pool that is one of the NHL’s best and about whether Smith can implement an approach that enhances the development of those young players.

The Senators are bringing a loaded lineup, especially up front, to the Rookie Showcase this weekend in Belleville. The Senators will play Winnipeg on Friday and Monday and Montreal on Saturday.

With that in mind, Postmedia takes a closer look at the intrigue surrounding five players this weekend.

Erik Brannstrom: Poised and slick with the puck, the 20-year-old defenceman has the skills to dominate the rookie tournament the way Christian Wolanin did a year ago.

It’s the first step in what should be an intense four-week battle to try to win a roster spot ahead of Wolanin, Max Lajoie and/or Christian Jaros.

In the Senators perfect world, the guy who came to Ottawa in the Mark Stone trade would play big minutes immediately, but will Smith’s emphasis on cleaning up the defensive end mean more time in Belleville?

A year ago, under former coach Guy Boucher, Wolanin was a surprise early demotion to the AHL for those same reasons.

Drake Batherson: A year ago, he was a step ahead of his competition at the rookie tournament.

Bigger and stronger following another summer working out with Sidney Crosby, Nathan Mackinnon and Brad Marchand, this weekend could very well mark the last time he sees Belleville.

Batherson’s stunning start as a rookie with Belleville in 2018-19 forced the Senators into an earlier than expected recall to the NHL, where he faded after a quick start. He had an up and down second half of the season with Belleville, recognizing that he needed more strength to separate himself from the tighter checking. 1151756 Philadelphia Flyers

SugarHouse Casino becomes official sportsbook partner with Flyers, Wells Fargo Center

By Jordan Hall

September 04, 2019 1:33 PM

The fan experience at Flyers games is going to a new level in the 2019- 20 season.

SugarHouse Casino and PlaySugarHouse.com have become the official sportsbook partners for the Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center.

The agreement is a multi-year deal and will place two sports lounges inside the arena, where fans can watch the Flyers and other sporting events "on nearly 100 screens throughout the lounges, all while betting on the action via their mobile devices," a press release stated Wednesday.

"With Pennsylvania on the forefront of legalized sports gaming, we and our SugarHouse partners are excited to elevate the game day experience at the Wells Fargo Center in a unique way," Valerie Camillo, Flyers and Wells Fargo Center president of business operations, said in the release. "These new lounges will bring the energy and excitement of PlaySugarHouse.com, a market-leading sportsbook, into the arena and introduce another step in our transformation to become one of the most technologically-advanced arenas in the world."

Via the release, here are details on the sports lounges:

The sportsbook-style lounges will be in two locations in the building — both on the main concourse and on the arena’s top level. The nearly 6,500-square-foot-lounge located on the arena’s top level will face the bowl so fans can watch the live action as it happens. The fun and open sportsbook-like environment will also feature other spaces for fans to cheer on the action while betting online and enjoying Philly’s favorite foods and drinks. Each space features club chairs, bar and table seating, as well as a custom 22 feet long by eight feet tall LED video wall that will anchor the viewing area, which has its own dedicated seating area. There are also dozens of live action screens, measuring 86”, 65”, and 50”, respectively.

The main concourse level lounge is located in the completely redesigned south end of the arena and is approximately 5,680 square feet. This exciting space features 10, 86” screens grouped throughout the seating areas, mixed with odds boards and an additional 16, 65” monitors at the bar. SugarHouse ambassadors will also be in both lounges to assist guests in registering for the online sportsbook so they can get in on the action.

The sports lounges will debut for the Flyers' home opener Oct. 9 against the Devils.

"We are thrilled with this sponsorship deal to become the official sportsbook of the Philadelphia Flyers and Wells Fargo Center," Mattias Stetz, the chief operating officer of Rush Street Interactive, the operator of sports betting at SugarHouse Casino and PlaySugarHouse.com, said in the release. "Philly has some of the best sports fans in the country, and we look forward to hosting them in our sports lounges at the stunning Wells Fargo Center."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151757 Philadelphia Flyers in conversations. Everyone goes through it so I just tried to take some advice and do it as best I can.

DI: What are your expectations both for yourself and this team? You took This summer as an RFA: A Q&A with Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim a big step forward last season and now there’s two more veteran defensemen ( and Justin Braun) who replaced two other veteran defensemen (Radko Gudas and Andrew MacDonald) so it’s not Dave Isaac, NHL writer really as much of a numbers game for you but a different set of eyes watching and a different set of ears to talk to. Published 9:05 a.m. ET Sept. 4, 2019 TS: Coming in I think the team expectation has got to be playoffs. The

way we’re set up, I think we’re built for the playoffs and it’s up to us to go The Flyers had a handful of restricted free agents to negotiate with this and do that and perform. I think we’re gonna be on the right track. Guys summer and two of them are still without contracts in Ivan Provorov and are excited for the upcoming season. For me, it’s just…obviously a new Travis Konecny. Defenseman Travis Sanheim was the first of the group coaching staff. Same management but still fairly new, I think you still to sign — a two-year, $6.5 million deal on June 24 — and has one of the want to show them what you’re capable of and what you can do to help brighter futures on the team's roster. this team win.

In his first full NHL campaign last season, Sanheim played mostly first- DI: How did you feel in your own game last season? You were up for all pair minutes with Provorov and won the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial 82, weren’t getting yo-yoed down to the minors a couple times. That Trophy, awarded to the most-improved player as voted on by his probably helps the confidence, I would imagine, but in terms of what you teammates. were able to whether it be statistical or otherwise.

This week Sanheim returned to the area ahead of training camp, which TS: It was a little bit up and down early on, I guess. Once you start to find begins for veterans on Sept. 13 and for rookies this Saturday. He spoke your role and started to get a little more opportunity and taking advantage with reporter Dave Isaac about what the summer was like as a member of those, same thing with the season. When opportunity arises, you’ve of a restricted free agent class that is getting paid more handsomely than got to take advantage and make the most of them. Last season I was ever before and his expectations for this season. able to do that and continue to develop and hopefully I can continue on that path. Dave Isaac: What did you do all summer? DI: When you did get back on the ice this summer, was there a particular Travis Sanheim: Obviously took some time off. Enjoyed family and area you were working on with this season in mind or was it all fine friends back home, just catching up with everyone. After that, a few tuning after taking some time off? weeks, started training and still stayed off the ice. I tried to take a good couple months off the ice. I think that’s good for the body and it benefits a TS: Yeah, there’s definitely some rust to shake off. Especially when you longer career and recovery and stuff like that. I didn’t start skating until don’t make the playoffs and you’re out for that long, there’s some rust to July and from about July on it’s been full force trying to train hard and shake off but once I started to feel better, things I was trying to work on make improvements. was just trying to be stronger in 1-on-1 battles, containment and being harder on guys. Trying to have a good gap and control my 1-on-1’s. DI: You signed in late June. At one point just after the season Chuck Hopefully that will benefit me coming into the season. Fletcher was saying one of the guys unsigned might be done quick enough to play at World Championships. I think it was you he was DI: When you look at the roster on paper, do you start envisioning who referring to. Take me through the contract process and how involved you you might play with or who this pair and that pair might be? were, wanted to be, didn’t want to be. TS: When new faces come in, you start to see the roster kind of take TS: Early on I think with our season ending early I wanted to go over and form. You have ideas and things are running through your head but for play and have that opportunity. I think we worked hard to try to make that me there’s so many good players in this room so whoever I’m lucky happen but sometimes it takes time and ultimately it took a little bit of enough to be paired with, hopefully we can do good things and work extra time but happy with the contract situation. together well.

DI: How involved were you in that? DI: I guess you also have to prepare for the possibility of Ivan (Provorov) not starting camp on time considering he’s still unsigned. How much are TS: Early on more so just because we were trying to get it done and you able to pull from playing those top-pair minutes last year with him if talking lots and once we knew I wasn’t going over, things slowed up a that’s what happens at the start of camp? little bit. I just kind of let my agent take care of it. He talked to me when he needed to. TS: Yeah, he’s obviously a big part of this team. Hopefully that stuff takes care of itself, but playing with him last year I learned a lot from him. He’s Travis Sanheim won the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy last year as such a mature player and thinks the game higher than anybody I’ve ever the most-improved Flyer as voted on by his teammates. After signing a played with so being able to learn from him and some of the ideas he has two-year contract, he'll be looking to improve again for a bigger payday and runs by you was pretty cool. down the road. DI: The two new guys that came in are both righties. If that shifts you DI: This RFA class, there’s still several big names unsigned and two of back to the left, how much would that be more comfortable for you? Was them are (usually) in this room. Is it just the way that the game is going it difficult playing the right side when you were with Ivan? the younger guys have a bigger influence? Everyone’s talking about how the salary cap might shoot up two years from now. Was there any extra TS: I think obviously forehand, being able to play your normal side talk about all that? I guess all of this was new to you because it was your definitely benefits you in the long haul and with being able to have first contract extension. Did you hear even from your agent’s side that another right-shot defenseman it adds to that lefty-righty, but I’m more this summer is a little bit different? than capable of being able to play on the right side if needed as well and I think that’s something that’s beneficial for my game. TS: Yeah. I think everyone knew that going in. There were so many good high-end players that needed to sign and still need to sign. I think everyone kind of knew that going in. Now it’s a waiting game and seeing Courier-Post LOADED: 09.05.2019 who falls first, but for me, I don’t quite have the resume of some of those players. It was something I wanted to get done and we were able to work out a deal.

DI: Most guys are working out in groups with other pros. Did any of that contract talk in this particular offseason come up with the guys who you were working out with?

TS: Obviously guys talk. I think whether you’re a guy that has to sign or has signed in the past, you talk about contract situations and it comes up 1151758 Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby had the top-selling NHL Shop jersey last season

JOSHUA AXELROD

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

SEP 4, 2019 2:17 PM

Sidney Crosby is still the face of the NHL after all these years, which is reflected most obviously in jersey sales.

NHL Shop and Fanatics said this week that the three-time Stanley Cup champion was their top-selling jersey of the 2018-19 season.

He beat out other stars such as Capitals wing Alex Ovechkin, who came in at No. 2, and Golden Knights goalie and ex-Penguin Marc-Andre Fleury, whose jersey was the fourth-most popular last year.

It’s not surprising that Crosby is still as marketable as ever. The man has been immortalized in literal works of art multiple times in the past few years and has produced heartwarming moments like the time he helped a blind veteran find his favorite player’s name on the Stanley Cup.

Penguins right wing Phil Kessel jokes with left wing Jake Guentzel during afternoon practice Tuesday Jan. 29, 2019 at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Pa.

Penguins 2019-20 camp preview: How much (if at all) will Phil Kessel be missed?

Plus, folks are still recognizing his brilliance on the ice, like ESPN recently giving Crosby its all-decade Hart Trophy.

Young talent such as Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews may be creeping up, but at least in terms of jersey sales, the old guard still reigns supreme.

Post Gazette LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151759 Pittsburgh Penguins Kessel helped the Penguins set a franchise record by converting 26.2 percent of their power plays in 2017-18. Despite coughing up an NHL- high 15 short-handed goals in 2018-19, their success rate was similar. Penguins 2019-20 camp preview: How much (if at all) will Phil Kessel be Given all the firepower still here, and the addition of Alex Galchenyuk’s missed? big shot, they can still be formidable.

At 5-on-5, Pittsburgh’s lines shouldn’t be as top-heavy as a season ago, which could be a good thing. Kessel is the only winger of significance to MATT VENSEL depart this offseason, though the Penguins could still ship somebody out before camp opens. Meanwhile, they’ve added Galchenyuk, Dominik Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Kahun and Brandon Tanev. SEP 4, 2019 7:00 AM The Penguins were too often a one-line team last season, with Crosby and Guentzel doing a lot of the heavy lifting during the team’s late- season surge. They hope the new guys will again give them at least This is the second installment of Penguins primers leading up to the start three lines that can score. of training camp on Sept. 13. We started at center. Today, we move over to the wing. That brings us to Malkin, the team’s unquestioned X-factor. Mike DeFabo, the new partner on the beat, wrote about Kessel’s old partner Four years ago, shuffling into Pittsburgh was a “laissez-faire, flippant, Tuesday in the first of nine preseason primers we will be publishing over mostly uncoachable” hot-dog enthusiast whose high point totals were the next two weeks. To summarize: No matter whom Malkin skates with, considered empty calories. This summer, a fan favorite and clutch they need him to get his groove back. champion said goodbye. Galchenyuk, a 30-goal man in 2015-16 whom the Penguins got back Jim Rutherford, Mike Sullivan and Co. bringing to end the Phil Kessel era from the Coyotes in the Kessel trade, should get the first crack at being a was the biggest offseason move around here after the Penguins mainstay next to Malkin. The two have laced up the skates together in surprisingly went winless in the playoffs then mused about trading Evgeni recent days. But the Penguins don’t need Galchenyuk to fill the stat sheet Malkin or Kris Letang. like his predecessor.

The Penguins all offseason talked about the need to change the “culture” They are banking on increased hunger and a collective effort throughout in their locker room, which to them largely meant having more players their lineup to be better sans Kessel. Sounds good in theory. We’ll see if who are starving to do everything it takes to get their name engraved on it works. the Cup. It also meant getting rid of a high-profile scorer they felt did more harm than good. The Penguins currently have three right-handed forwards on their roster, one of whom is Nick Bjugstad, their likely third-line center if he isn’t Penguins center Sidney Crosby celebrates his 100th point of the season traded to get under the cap. That means a couple of lefties will have to April 6, 2019, against the Rangers. play on their off wings.

They said it wasn’t personal with Kessel. But Kessel clearly felt Are the Penguins worried about that? Presumably not, considering they otherwise. One thing both sides eventually agreed on was that it was surely took note of how guys held their sticks while evaluating would-be time to move on. newcomers.

The spark the quirky right winger provided the Penguins during their Cup But that is something to keep an eye on early. Playing on the off wing runs in 2016 and 2017 had fizzled out, as did his joy. Kessel loved his has some advantages offensively, notably the ability for, say, a lefty to teammates here and the feeling was mutual. But Kessel and the coach? cut to the middle from the right wing and whip a shot. It’s not ideal in the Not so much. other two zones.

So Kessel and his sassiness, effortless speed and lethal snap shot are All those lefties also make it difficult to project what the lineup will look out of here, as are the 76 points he averaged over four regular seasons like. in Pittsburgh. For example, late last season, Guentzel shifted to the right wing to The Penguins will miss Kessel’s ability to take over any game with his accommodate Jared McCann when the latter got promoted to the top quick-strike capability. They will not miss his decline in 5-on-5 line. But that didn’t last long, as Sullivan moved Guentzel back into his performance and his costly lapses in focus, particularly on the power play comfort zone before the playoffs. and during 3-on-3 OT. They’ve bet that parting with his top-20 talent and production will lead to improvement. So whether McCann rejoins Crosby and Guentzel on the top line could hinge on how comfortable either McCann or Guentzel is skating on the How exactly? Look to a young winger on the cusp of stardom, a deeper off wing. group of forwards and hopefully a big bounce-back from Kessel’s old linemate. Patric Hornqvist had a rocky 2018-19, suffering a pair of concussions before finishing the season with three goals in his final 40 games, Let’s start with Jake Guentzel, who last season did something that including playoffs. He spent a lot of time in the bottom six and was no Kessel has never done — scored 40 goals — and he did it with limited longer a premier power-play pest. power-play time to boot. A strong case can be made that Guentzel, whose 25th birthday is coming up in a few weeks, eclipsed Kessel in the Here’s where we are obligated to point out that the 32-year-old is under Penguins’ pecking order in 2018-19. contract for four more years with an average annual value of $5.3 million. Much is made around town about Jack Johnson’s contract. This one isn’t Usually skating next to Sidney Crosby, he became the first Pittsburgh looking much prettier. winger since James Neal to bury 40, and the second since Jaromir Jagr. He dished out 36 assists. And he typically made sensible decisions Hornqvist’s strong play at the IIHF world championship gives hope that defensively and with the puck, though he did occasionally draw Sullivan’s the power forward, assuming better health, can bounce back. The ire for careless plays at the far blue line. Penguins need it, especially since he is one of those three aforementioned right-handed forwards. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin battles for loose puck against the Islanders in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series Sunday, April 14, Another thing to monitor in the coming weeks is where the new guys slot 2019, at PPG Paints Arena. in.

With Kessel gone, Guentzel figures to see more time on the power play, Galchenyuk is expected to play with Malkin and Rutherford has indicated where the Penguins might miss Kessel most. Sure, Matt Murray fired as that the former No. 3 overall pick will be asked to play on Malkin’s right many one-timers as did Kessel. But Kessel still scored 24 power-play wing. goals the past two seasons and was a deft playmaker, often delivering Tanev, a grinder whom Rutherford signed to a six-year contract on the back-door feeds from the left circle. first day of free agency, will probably play somewhere in the bottom six in addition to being the first forward through the door when it’s time to kill a penalty.

Kahun, acquired in the Olli Maatta trade, is a former center who shined on the wings of and Alex DeBrincat in Chicago. The Penguins may want to get an early look at this speedy, two-way forward next to Crosby or Malkin.

The addition of those three wingers this offseason threatens to bump a couple of intriguing but underperforming homegrown Penguins down the lineup.

Dominik Simon is an advanced stats darling who has yet to see favorable shot-share numbers translate to numbers on the scoreboard. And Zach Aston-Reese is a former Hobey Baker finalist whose young NHL career has repeatedly been interrupted by injury. Now is the time for them to make their mark.

If not, they could fall out of the mix with young pros like Adam Johnson, Anthony Angello, Jake Lucchini and Kasper Bjorkqvist waiting in Wilkes- Barre/Scranton.

Post Gazette LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151760 Pittsburgh Penguins • Two forwards in particular — Bryan Rust and Nick Bjugstad — found themselves in trade rumors all summer, but Rutherford is fond of both players. They aren’t untouchable by any means, but Rutherford’s forward So the Penguins have to make a trade? Not so fast, Jim Rutherford says group is deep and talented, and he would prefer to keep it intact.

So how can Rutherford get the Penguins under the cap without making a trade once Pettersson is signed? By Josh Yohe The Penguins could save more than $500,000 under the cap by going Sep 4, 2019 51 with Jarry instead of DeSmith as Murray’s backup, though they’d risk losing DeSmith to waivers should they attempt to send him to Wilkes-

Barre/Scranton. Jarry, too, would have to clear waivers if he was sent Jim Rutherford’s roster is already dangerously close to not complying back to the American Hockey League. with the NHL’s salary cap, and Marcus Pettersson, a defenseman the They also currently have eight defensemen — not including Pettersson Penguins expect to contend for a top-four spot this season, is a restricted — counting against their cap figure, but Zach Trotman signed a two-way free agent who remains unsigned with nine days remaining until the start contract, so they can return him to Wilkes-Barre. of training camp. The Penguins still would rather make a move and lock up Pettersson for Rutherford has stated all summer a trade to clear cap space in order to a few seasons. sign Pettersson is likely. “But it’s looking like that might be tough to pull off right now,” Rutherford Now, not so much. said. “We’ll see how things go over the next few days. There’s no point in Rutherford explained in an interview late Tuesday evening that an making a trade if there’s not one to be made. We’ll get everything audible is perhaps going to be necessary. straightened out, and we expect Marcus to be in camp.”

“You can’t make a trade when you can’t find anyone to trade with,” Getting under the salary cap, Rutherford insists, won’t become an issue. Rutherford said. “Just the way it is.” “We have ways we can get compliant,” he said. “And we will. We don’t While it’s impossible to pinpoint the Penguins’ precise salary figure, they have to trade anyone.” are very much on the verge of being over the current cap allowance. The general manager touched on some other issues: Pettersson’s signing, regardless of the figure that would be settled on, would put the Penguins well over the cap. • Patric Hornqvist is going to receive considerable attention during training camp because he scored only three goals in his final 39 games “That’s OK,” Rutherford said. “It might turn out that we won’t be able to of the season and clearly wasn’t the same player after sustaining his fifth give Marcus the contract that we want to be able to give right now. But if concussion in five seasons. that’s the case, we’ll make everything work with the cap. And we can do that without trading anyone.” “I’m not worried about him,” Rutherford said. “He’s healthy and we know what he brings. That said, I do think having such of a long summer might Rutherford would prefer to give Pettersson, 23, a long-term contract. The be a really good thing for a guy like him. It gave him a chance to get Penguins traded their most talented prospect, Daniel Sprong, for away, to feel refreshed. We have a lot of guys who have played a lot of Pettersson, and the defenseman immediately became a reliable hockey in that category. But especially Hornqvist.” presence on the blue line. Many in the organization, including Rutherford, believe Pettersson will be a top-four mainstay with the Penguins and that • Rutherford made a number of trades during the 2018-19 season, he is capable of putting a stranglehold on such a role as early as this overturning his roster by acquiring Pettersson, Jared McCann, Bjugstad season. and Erik Gudbranson. The Penguins also added new players this summer in Dominik Kahun, Alex Galchenyuk and Brandon Tanev. Thus, the organization would prefer to sign him to a long-term deal. Thus, the general manager believes this training camp is a big one. However, a bridge contract might have to suffice if Rutherford finds no alternative to alleviate his team’s salary structure. Pettersson’s cap hit “We have so many new players who haven’t had a training camp under was around $800,000 last season and, while he would receive a raise in Sully (Mike Sullivan),” Rutherford said. “I think it’s going to make all of a bridge deal, his cap hit would be significantly smaller than it would be in those guys better hockey players.” a long-term contract. • Rutherford hasn’t spoken with Evgeni Malkin this summer, but is clearly “I’m not that worried about it,” Rutherford said. “We’ll get him signed at expecting big things. Malkin recently posted pictures of himself during some point.” summer workouts and it’s pretty clear that he has added muscle to his frame. Pettersson technically could take part in training camp without having a contract signed, but that appears to be unlikely. Rutherford isn’t surprised.

“That’s not his preference,” Rutherford said. “And it’s not our preference, “I’ve heard a lot about how hard Geno has been working,” Rutherford either.” said. “He’s a special guy, and I know he’s going to have a great season for us.” The Penguins did orchestrate a couple significant trades during this offseason, sending Olli Maatta to the Blackhawks and Phil Kessel to the Coyotes. The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 Attempts to further alter his team’s roster, both in terms of financial structure and for the sake of making “hockey trades,” have been unsuccessful for Rutherford the past two months.

• The Penguins had a deal in place with Minnesota in May that would have sent Kessel and Jack Johnson to the Wild. Kessel vetoed the trade, which, per his no-trade clause, was his right. This serves as proof that the Penguins are willing to move Johnson.

• Rutherford was interested in trading goaltender Tristan Jarry during the summer but couldn’t find any takers. Given that Matt Murray is the Penguins’ long-term goaltender and that the organization is satisfied with Casey DeSmith as the backup goaltender, Rutherford would like to give Jarry a chance to land an NHL job elsewhere while receiving something in return for the former second-round pick. 1151761 San Jose Sharks

Sharks GM Doug Wilson confirms Patrick Marleau won't sign in San Jose

By Brian Witt

September 04, 2019 6:34 PM

When Patrick Marleau's agent told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Wednesday that the former Sharks captain doesn't fit into San Jose's plans right now, some brushed off the news as a player's rep simply doing his job in trying to rile up interest from other teams.

But when the general manager of the team at the center of the discussion confirms it in his own words, you can't brush it off any longer.

Sharks GM Doug Wilson did as much Wednesday, telling The Athletic's Kevin Kurz that the team has chosen to go in a different, more youthful direction.

"We feel that we have one of the strongest groups of young players that we have ever had, knocking on the door, and we have promised them that same opportunity to show they deserve a spot," Wilson explained. “This takes nothing away from what Patrick accomplished here as a player and as a man. He will always be a San Jose Shark, no matter where he goes.

“But the team is at a different place right now and is continuing to evolve. We owe it to the players who have put the time in preparing for their opportunity to show what they can do."

In explaining his reasoning, Wilson compared the Sharks' current state to that of when Marleau departed San Jose for Toronto in free agency two years ago, which created opportunities for younger players such as Tomas Hertl, Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc. Those players benefitted from those opportunities and have become a part of the Sharks' core. Clearly, after losing captain Joe Pavelski to the Dallas Stars, Wilson is hoping the decision to opt for youth will result similarly this time around.

With confirmation that the Sharks won't sign Marleau, their roster isn't any more finalized, but we can start to more accurately zero in on how they will fill it out.

At some point before the start of training camp on Sept. 13, Joe Thornton is expected to sign a short-term contract extension, which will fill a big hole in the middle. But as you look down the roster, it isn't exactly loaded with established wingers on the right side, outside of Labanc.

Certainly, Wilson is counting on some of the younger players to fill those spots, but Kurz also mentioned the possibility of a late-offseason acquisition, depending on how the restricted free-agent market resolves itself.

As of now, there still remains plenty of mystery as to how the Sharks will fill out the remainder of their roster. But one thing is clear: It won't involve Marleau.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151762 San Jose Sharks

Sharks' Evander Kane bares (almost) all for ESPN in annual Body Issue

By NBC Sports Bay Area staff

September 04, 2019 10:21 AM

It's a tradition unlike any other, and no we're aren't talking about The Masters.

Every summer, ESPN drops its much-talked-about "Body Issue," which highlights the physical prowess of the world's best athletes.

The 2019 edition features stars like Chris Paul, Brooks Kopeka, Liz Cambage and Sharks winger Evander Kane.

Kane, who was drafted by the at age 18, was traded to the Sharks in February 2018 and signed a seven-year, $49 million extension with San Jose shortly thereafter.

The talented winger has seen his goal numbers increase each year, a tribute to his tireless work ethic, which can be seen in his commitment to his body and his game.

"I've got a lot of compliments on my butt through the years," Kane told ESPN. "When you're in a squat position on the ice and skating low to the ground your a-- gets a workout, so I guess that's one of the areas that looks good apparently."

You see Kane bare (almost) all for ESPN here.

Not a bad way to spend the offseason.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151763 San Jose Sharks There is a good possibility, too, that Wilson is still exploring his options in the trade market. Several top restricted free agents are still not signed by their respective clubs, and that may lead to some player movement that Patrick Marleau won’t be returning, but will ‘always be a Shark, no matter could put the Sharks’ deft general manager in a good position to pounce where he goes’ on a mid-range scoring forward. It would be a bit surprising to see the Sharks open the season on Oct. 2 in Vegas with just one established top- nine right wing.

By Kevin Kurz But as Wilson also said, the Sharks are high on their prospect pool headed into this weekend’s rookie tournament in Irvine at the Ducks’ new Sep 4, 2019 training facility. Forwards such as Sasha Chmelevski, Ivan Chekhovich and Joachim Blichfeld are the most notable former draft picks that have developed nicely, while others like Alex True and Antti Suomela remain At some point before training camp opens Sept. 13, the Sharks are in the organization and are looking to show they belong in the NHL. expected to finalize a one-year contract extension for 40-year-old future Chmelevski and True, in particular, could both be options at right wing. Hall of Famer and franchise icon Joe Thornton. Marleau, meanwhile, will have to seek opportunity elsewhere. But Thornton’s longtime teammate and close friend Patrick Marleau, an unrestricted free agent set to turn 40 himself on Sep. 15, will not be putting a teal sweater back over his head. ’s The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 Elliotte Friedman reported on Wednesday that “the fit is not there” for a Marleau return to the Sharks, per Marleau’s agent, Pat Brisson. And general manager Doug Wilson confirmed to The Athletic that the Sharks’ all-time leading scorer will not be returning to the place he spent the first 19 seasons of his NHL career.

Marleau will look to keep playing elsewhere after he was traded from Toronto to Carolina on June 22, and was bought out of the final year of his three-year, $18.75 million deal by the Hurricanes.

For Wilson, the decision to not bring Marleau back is all about giving the young players in the organization a chance to have a greater role, while also allowing some of the prospects a chance to make the opening night roster in what should be a competitive training camp.

“With (Joe Pavelski) leaving, we’re in a similar situation to where we were a couple of years ago when Patrick left,” Wilson told The Athletic via text message. “With a veteran player moving on, it opened up opportunity for some of our younger players — Tomas Hertl, Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc at that time — to evolve and earn that ice time. Those players grew into core pieces of our lineup.

“We feel that we have one of the strongest groups of young players that we have ever had, knocking on the door, and we have promised them that same opportunity to show they deserve a spot.

“This takes nothing away from what Patrick accomplished here as a player and as a man. He will always be a San Jose Shark, no matter where he goes.

“But the team is at a different place right now and is continuing to evolve. We owe it to the players who have put the time in preparing for their opportunity to show what they can do.”

At the time he was bought out by the Hurricanes after declining to play in Carolina, Marleau made no secret that he wanted to return to the Sharks.

On June 28, he told Pierre LeBrun: “Yeah, it would be nice to come back here and play where I started. It would be a good fit for me for sure.’’

Considering forwards Pavelski, Gus Nyquist and Joonas Donskoi all departed the Sharks as free agents, it made sense that the Sharks might want to bring back one of their most popular players for another kick at the can. There were holes at forward, and Marleau, assuming he took a deal at or near the league minimum, posted a respectable 16 goals and 37 points in 82 games with Toronto last season.

We reached out to a few different experts at that time for their take on Marleau’s game, and a couple of them seemed to suggest that he still had some gas left in the tank.

“Still a good two-way player that can skate and thinks the game better than a lot of players,” one longtime NHL scout said. “He is probably, for me, more of a second- or third-line guy, but doesn’t look out of place in a top-six role.”

NBC analyst said Marleau “looked like he could still keep up. Lots of young guys ahead of him in Toronto. Still a reliable player.”

From the Sharks’ perspective, though, they seem to be set on the left side with Timo Meier, Evander Kane and Marcus Sorensen, which is where Marleau played the entirety of last season with the Maple Leafs. The holes are at right wing. Labanc will play in the top six, but after that, it’s anyone’s guess who will fill out the remaining three spots on that side. 1151764 St Louis Blues And the Blues don’t have a first-round pick to bolster their Traverse City roster from this year’s draft, sending it to Buffalo as part of the Ryan O’Reilly trade.

It's hockey time: Blues prospects head to Traverse City tournament As a result, the Blues’ are ranked only 20th by The Sporting News in this year’s prospects rankings, No. 19 by The Athletic and No. 23 by Elite Prospects. By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch Dominik Bokk, the Blues’ most recent first-round pick (2018), will not be in Traverse City as he concentrates on his upcoming season for Rogle BK in the Swedish Hockey League. There will be Blues hockey played Friday in Michigan. OK, Blues “prospects” hockey. Nonetheless, the organization’s annual trek to Kyrou, who’s coming off kneecap surgery and already has played in Traverse City for the NHL Prospect Tournament signals the beginning of three Traverse City tournaments, won’t be attending, either. Nor will another season. promising defenseman Niko Mikkola, who was impressive in Blues camp last September before spending the season with San Antonio. He then The Blues’ “varsity” starts camp next week. The first preseason game is was one of the top performers for Finland’s gold medal-winning team at Sept. 16 and ready or not, the regular season begins in less than a the World Championships in May. month, Oct. 2 against the Washington Capitals at Enterprise Center. But Kostin is back for his third go-around in Traverse City. The roster As for this weekend, many - but not all - of the Blues’ top prospects take also includes forward Nikita Alexandrov, the Blues’ highest pick in this on their counterparts from seven other NHL teams. year’s draft (Round 2, No. 62 overall). Another player to keep an eye on The Blues are competing in the Gordie Howe Division with the Chicago is forward Alexey Torpchenko, a fourth-round pick in 2017 who starred in Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. They open the junior hockey playoffs this spring for the Guelph Storm of the OHL against the Toronto prospects Friday at 5:30 p.m. (Central), face Detroit with 13 goals in 24 games. on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., and close out division play Monday at 4:30 Defensemen Mitch Reinke and Tyler Tucker also bear watching. Reinke p.m. against Chicago. was signed as a college free agent during the 2017-18 NHL season and Toronto is new to Traverse City this year, having replaced Carolina. had a productive AHL season in San Antonio with 12 goals and 33 assists. Tucker was a seventh-round draft pick in 2018 and showed The Blues’ prospects conclude tournament play Tuesday with a surprising scoring prowess for the Barrie Colts of the OHL last season crossover game against a team from the Ted Lindsay Division, which with 14 goals and 45 assists. includes the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers. The time and opponent for Tuesday’s game depends All told, the Blues’ 24-man roster in Traverse City includes 12 Blues draft on how the Blues finish in their division. picks and 14 players who took part in the team’s post-draft development camp at Enterprise Center at the end of June. The seventh-place game starts at 11 a.m. Tuesday on one of the two rinks at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City. The fifth-place game starts at The competition should be stiff in Michigan. The Chicago prospects 11:30 a.m., the third place game is at 2:30 p.m., and the championship roster, for example, features a first-round pick from each of the Black game starts at 4 p.m. Hawks’ past three drafts: center Kirby Dach (2019), defenseman Adam Boqvist (2018) and defenseman Nicolas Beaudin (2017). Columbus won last year’s tournament, and has won three of the past five championships in Traverse City. Forward Kaapa Kakko, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft, is on the New York Rangers’ roster for Traverse City. This is the 21st year of the tournament, and the Blues have won it four times - but not since 2004. Before that, they won three titles in a row from 1999 through 2001. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 09.05.2019 The Blues took a highly-regarded roster to Traverse City last year, one that included forwards Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou and Klim Kostin, as well as goalie Evan Fitzpatrick.

At the time, Thomas was the reigning playoff MVP in the ; Kryou was the reigning regular-season MVP in the OHL; Kostin had come off a season in the American Hockey League with San Antonio; and Fitzpatrick had led Acadie-Bathurst to the Memorial Cup championship - a tournament that features the playoff champions of the top three junior hockey leagues in North America.

Despite those credentials, that group struggled in Traverse City, going 1- 2-1 in the tournament and finishing in seventh place. An 8-4 victory over the New York Rangers in the seventh-place game marked their only win.

Kyrou scored a hat trick in that contest, tying for the overall tournament lead with five goals. He rode that momentum into Blues camp and earned a spot on the team’s opening-day roster although he was ultimately sent down to San Antonio on Oct. 29.

The Blues entered that tournament rated as having the No. 3 prospects group in the NHL by The Athletic and No. 5 by The Sporting News. So the Traverse City results were disappointing.

“Sometimes when you have a lot of expectations it plays with your head a little bit,” Fitzpatrick said after the seventh-place game. “I’m really proud of the effort we put in (against the Rangers). We showed that our prospect system as a whole is a lot better than what people may think right now.”

To a large degree, this year’s team arrives in Traverse City without the press clippings of its immediate predecessor. Past prospects such as Thomas, Sammy Blais and Jordan Binnington “graduated” to the big club where they helped the Blues win a Stanley Cup. 1151765 St Louis Blues The Plagers weren’t getting their hopes up last season, with the Blues sitting in last place in the NHL standings in January. They said it was the hardest toll they’d ever seen a year take on Bobby. But like the rest of the A timeless toast: From his final resting place, longtime Blue Barclay city, the family was swept up by the second-half turnaround. Plager sips from the Stanley Cup “It was a dream season,” said Kevin Plager, 48, one of Barclay and Helen’s two sons. “The playoffs were a blur.”

By Jeremy Rutherford “A blur!” said Helen, who delayed her summer trip to a cottage just outside of Toronto, where she spends every June. Sep 4, 2019 The family attended several postseason games, and after the Blues’ 5-1 loss in Game 6, the clan gathered at Kevin’s house to watch Game 7.

Helen Plager, the widow of former Blues player and coach Barclay “I had the feeling ‘It’s not going to happen … it’s not looking good,'” said Plager, stood near the chapel of Bellerive Gardens Cemetery last Kelly Plager, 54, their other son. “But after we came out of the first period Sunday and recalled what she whispered to her late husband during this with the two-goal lead, it was pretty solid. There were a few tears, for year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. sure.”

“I’d say, ‘Hey, your boys really need it tonight. You better spruce them As the final seconds ticked off the clock in the Blues’ 4-1 victory, Helen’s up, get them ready!'” the 80-year-old said. thoughts were immediately with her late husband.

The Plager family, bonded by Barclay’s younger brother Bobby, is as “We did it! We finally did it!” she said. close-knit as the stitching on the Blues sweater. In the postseason, they took turns visiting his gravesite, leaving “Let’s Go Blues” signs and rally The Blues had the Stanley Cup, and following a time-honored tradition, towels on his headstone. The decorations brought warmth to his loved current members of the team’s management, coaching staff and players ones and good luck to the team, but there was one thing missing. began passing it around the U.S., Canada and Europe.

A Stanley Cup. It was widely assumed that Bobby would have his day with it, but he honestly didn’t know if or when until about a month ago. He received a So before Game 1 of the Blues’ best-of-seven series against Boston, one text message from the Blues that it would be Sept. 1 and passed that of Barclay and Helen’s four children, Karen Hecht, 52, found a miniature along to his daughter, Melissa Briggs, who began the planning. replica Cup, and her daughter, Rachel, 23, placed it next to her grandfather’s famous last name and the Blue Note logo. “She sent out the emails to warn us, ‘Save the date!'” Helen said.

“My uncle Bob gave it to me years and years ago,” Karen said. “They If you know anything about the Plagers, you know that they are must have given them out at a game one night and he had a bunch of consumed by finding a connection to the “No. 8” for Barclay or “No. 5” for them.” Bobby, the numbers they wore with the Blues and are now retired.

“So Rachel went and put the Stanley Cup up there,” said Karri “We’re all numbers in our family,” Kevin said. Solimando, 43, Barclay and Helen’s other daughter. “And that picture “If we’ve got an eight or a five, we’re good,” Helen added. “You know was all over our family’s Facebook pages.” what I found this year? Bud Light, the Gloria beer, came out in an eight- In a playing career that spanned 10 seasons, Barclay played 614 games pack. An eight-pack of beer! It’s usually a six-pack or 12-pack. So of with the Blues from their inaugural season in 1967 until 1977. After that, course, with my mind, I’m thinking, ‘Are they going to put (Bobby’s day he coached the club’s minor-league affiliates, both as a head coach in with the Cup) on a number, like the 8th or the 5th?'” Kansas City and as a player-coach in Salt Lake City. It was the first day of the ninth month, so the date didn’t have numerical “At his age (37), being a player-coach, that was not done a lot,” Blues significance, but little did the family know then, the timing would. Hall of Famer Bernie Federko, who played for Barclay in Kansas City, Kelly and his family cut short their vacation to Punta Gorda, Fla., and had once said. “Here was a guy who was a respected NHL player that gave just made the 19-hour drive home the day before. Everyone who pulled up his NHL playing days to go down and actually play in the minors and up began hugging siblings, cousins and grandkids while they waited. coach at the same time. I’ve never had more respect for anybody than Barc.” “It was super exciting because we were all together,” Karri said. “We were just hanging out, telling a couple of stories.” Barclay became the Blues head coach in 1978, but resigned the following season because he said he wasn’t getting the most out of the Meanwhile, a magical moment, one that would eclipse all others, was team. He also had health issues and underwent an exam for some scar unfolding in front of them. tissue on his brain, believed to be the result of an injury suffered earlier in his career. His No. 8 sweater was retired in 1981, after which he returned A police escort led by Ballwin Sgt. Robert Wetzel, a former Blues to the bench as an assistant coach and even filled in as the interim head employee, drove ahead of a van carrying the Stanley Cup. coach. “I can’t even tell you how excited I was,” Karen said. “Seeing the Cup In 1984, it was announced that Barclay had an inoperable brain tumor coming up with a police escort was … it brought tears to my eyes. I and just six months to live. But the person who said was “as couldn’t believe that this was actually happening.” tough of a man as I’ve ever met,” lasted more than three years, As the van doors opened, Helen turned and said: “I don’t know what to remaining on the bench as an assistant coach until shortly before his expect … whatever happens, happens. We’re just very lucky to be there.” death in 1988. He was 46. Then, 42 years after Barclay played his last game as a Blue, Bobby, The years and the decades would go by and the Plager kids and accompanied by Blues general manager Doug Armstrong, carried the grandkids would hear the courageous stories about their father. Cup to where the miniature version had sat just three months earlier.

“I didn’t really realize who my dad was, as far as like people saying, ‘Oh “They put the little one there, but I knew if I got it and when I got it, that my gosh, your dad is Barclay Plager?” said Karen, who was 20 when he was an automatic, that was the first place it was going to go,” Bobby said. died. “It was like, ‘Yeah, but he’s just my dad.'” The crowd erupted as the replica was replaced by the real thing. The time would also pass without a Stanley Cup, and despite being a member of the three Blues’ teams to play in the Cup final, including the “There was no words to even describe that,” Karri said. last one in 1970, the family would never get a chance to celebrate one. “Unimaginable … just unbelievable,” Karen replied. “I was busy with four kids and never really thought about what it meant “He’s flying high up there right now,” Helen chimed in. until the years kept going by and by and by and my kids were getting older,” Helen said. “I thought, ‘Oh, man, we could have won it way back Armstrong declared that Barclay would be the first to drink from the Cup, when.'” so after some champagne was poured, he and Bobby tilted it directly over the ground where Barclay has been buried for the past 31 years and As the group giggled, Sgt.Wetzel, who led the police escort, stood nearby gave him a long-awaited sip. pinching himself. He grew up playing hockey with Kevin and working as a stickboy for Kelly’s Junior Blues team and he also worked with the Blues “It was a bottle of champagne because you know those boys when they from 1990-95, setting up the locker room among some other duties. get in (the locker room), the first thing they do, they have the champagne in the Cup,” Bobby said. “Armstrong picked it up and said, ‘Here we go.’ “I’m a kid in a candy store because Mr. (Bob) Plager, at the old Arena on So we gave Barclay a little drink there, and then I look and everybody is Oakland, there were times where we would sit and he’d tell me stories pouring beers and saying, ‘Here’s to you, Barc!’ I said, ‘I don’t know about the past,” Wetzel said. “It was truly unique and I’m really blessed to who’s buried beside him, but if he ever wakes up, he’s going to have one have that experience. As somebody that is so accomplished with the heck of a hangover.'” organization, he just always treated me way better than I deserved.”

The laughter aside, the Plagers truly felt that Barclay was soaking it up. That’s not the first time the Plagers have heard those personal stories in public. “Oh, absolutely, 100 percent, without a doubt,” Karri said. “Bobby has been here since day one, so he’s been a fixture this whole “That was the first time I teared up when they did that,” Karen added. “I time,” Kevin said. “But it’s still incredible that to this day, people hear the didn’t expect that at all and I got the chills.” Plager name and say ‘Are you related? Yeah, but I’m pretty sure I’m 30 If that didn’t give you chills, the specific hour and minutes on the clock years older than you, dude. How do you know?’ They say, ‘My dad or my would have. mom, they’re big Blues fans. I think a lot of that has to do with the parents that brought them up, who were Blues fans and made their kids It was 4:58 p.m. Blues fans. It just goes to show what they did back then and what they still mean to the city.” “Maybe they’re trying to tell us something from up above,” Bobby said. “Five for me, eight for Barc, and Barc’s best friend, Noel, No. 4, was And what Bobby still means to Barclay’s family. there to watch.” “My dad and him were very close – he was over every night when my After Barclay, it was Bobby’s turn to drink from the Cup. dad was sick,” Karri said. “Even now, he stays very close with our family and he is always including his teammates, my dad and our family. “I did my thing, but what you want more than anything else is to let them Everything that he ever gets kudos for, he passes that on to everyone fill it up and watch my family and Barclay’s family take a drink out of it,” else around him, which is amazing.” Bobby said. “It was great for me, but it was their day, too.” Told about the impression he’s left on his brother’s family, Bobby briefly They lined up one after the other, and after Helen drank from it, her got choked up. children followed. “Well, it’s a little promise you make … yeah … well, I’ll tear up now … “It’s fantastic!” Helen said seconds after her lips came off. that I would take care of his kids,” he said. “So they were my family. They “She is going to be 81 in October, so to watch her drink out of the Cup, didn’t get to really enjoy their dad that much. He went too soon, that’s that’s just surreal,” Karri said. “Who would have ever thought we’d be all.” doing that?” There have been hundreds of visits to Bellerive Gardens Cemetery over Kevin, an eighth-round draft pick of the Blues in 1989, said: “You only the years, but none like last week. So perhaps Sept. 1 did have some see it on TV, and now to be able to touch it.” significance after all.

Kelly thought he had lost his lone opportunity. “That was number …” Helen said, starting the sentence.

“The day after the Blues won, they went to OB Clark’s,” he said. “I should “No. 1!” Kevin finished. have went there right after work, but I didn’t, I went home. I was like, ‘I “It was No. 1 for sure,” Karen added. “That was the best hour and a half hope I didn’t miss my chance to swig out of the Cup. So when we found that we’ve ever had up there for my family, for my mom, for our Uncle out we were getting it, I was like, ‘That’s all I need, just one picture Bob. I will never forget it. I had no idea how it was going to go – are we drinking out of the Cup.'” just going to meet and take some pictures ? – but oh my gosh, there Bobby then gathered everyone around for a toast, which the Blues were tears of happiness the whole time. It ended up to be an awesome captured in the tweet below. celebration for all of us. We’ll be talking about that forever.”

Bobby mentioned the name of seven former Blues, including his brother, during the tribute. The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 “It was in Boston this year, and we lost it the last time we were in there, the Stanley Cup,” he said. “It’s sort of like a payback. When you say that, right away you think of our team before: Barclay, Noel, Jimmy Roberts. You look up and you know that they’re there and they’re watching, so you give them a little wink and a thumbs-up.”

There was a piece of their era in the crowd, as Kevin’s son Jack, 13, was wearing one of Barclay’s original sweaters.

“It’s super cool,” Kevin said. “She had a lot of that stuff down in the basement, and they started clearing it out, and lo and behold, there’s a jersey.”

“That was the one thing he wanted, and I said, ‘You can have it,'” Helen said. “He said, ‘It’s got grandpa’s blood all down here.'”

Jack had the option of framing the sweater or wearing it, and he’s chosen the latter. He had it on when the Blues won the Cup, as well as the day at the cemetery.

“There’s a connection,” he said. “It feels special.”

Bobby joked, however, that the stain on the sweater wasn’t from Barclay.

“When you see the sweater of mine that’s down at the rink, with the blood on there, I say, ‘Oh yeah, that’s blood – but it ain’t mine,'” he said. “If Barc was here, he’d have the same answer, ‘Oh yeah, that’s blood, but it ain’t mine.'” 1151766 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning announce plans for three-day fan event

By Ernest Hooper

Published Yesterday

TAMPA — The Lightning will look to stir fan interest with three events on the weekend of Sept. 13.

The team announced its Lightning Launch Weekend on Tuesday. It will feature a Family Fun Night at Sparkman Wharf on Sept. 13 and a free public skate at Amalie Arena on Sept. 14 before culminating with its annual Fan Fest on Sept. 15.

The Family Fun Night will run from 6-10 p.m. and consist of Lightning programming and music at the renovated retail area east of Amalie Arena. Events will include trivia contests, bubble hockey tournaments and social contests for Lightning prizes throughout the night. Fans also will be able to pick up yard signs, car magnets and other promotional items.

The free public skate at the arena on Sept. 14 will run from 1-6 p.m. and consist of five 45-minute windows for fans to come skate where the Bolts play. Interested fans will need to claim their time slot and mobile ticket in advance by visiting nhl.com/lightning/fans/lightning-launch-weekend. Participation will be limited to 200 people per session and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fan Fest, presented by Florida Blue, will be held Sept. 15 at the arena. Fan Fest will be the first chance for fans to see and interact with the 2019-20 Lightning team. The event is free and open to the public, but fans must obtain a mobile ticket by visiting the page.

Those in attendance will experience player interactions at autograph or photo stations, as well as the opportunity to participate in alumni autographs. The fest also will include a merchandise sale, kids zone, used equipment sales and food and beverage specials.

Also, fans will have the opportunity to receive two complimentary Trane Terrace Level tickets to a 2019 Lightning preseason game with the purchase of $100 worth of merchandise at Tampa Bay Sports inside Amalie Arena.

Fans can redeem their mobile tickets for the public skate and Fan Fest starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

Prospects report on Thursday and fly to Nashville Saturday for a prospects tournament. Veterans will report next Sept. 12 and the Lightning play the first of seven preseason games on Sept. 17. The Bolts open the regular season at home on Oct. 3 against the Florida Panthers.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151767 Toronto Maple Leafs “It’s great to see young guys doing well up there and hopefully I can be one of those guys too,” Sandin said.

Also with his eye on a spot with on the Leafs blue line is Sandin’s good Maple Leafs' Andersen ready to embrace load management once 2019- pal Timothy Liljegren, looking to make the jump after two seasons with 20 gets underway the Marlies.

“With Dermott out to start the year, there is a spot to fill and that’s good Terry Koshan for young guys to come into camp with that knowledge,” Liljegren said.

September 4, 2019 6:28 PM EDT “Confidence can have a lot to do if (whether) you make the team or not. I think I have pretty good confidence coming into camp now and I have felt pretty good the last couple of days here (skating with Leafs regulars).”

Hey, if it worked for Kawhi Leonard Frederik Andersen is open to the idea LOOSE LEAFS of a taking a seat on the bench in 2019-20 when Maple Leafs staff decides it’s required, perhaps a little more commonly than what Auston Matthews made his first appearance at the informal skate, but Andersen experienced in his first three seasons with the Leafs. didn’t speak to reporters, as he is heading to Chicago for the annual NHL player media tour. Matthews, naturally, made an impression in his initial “I am sure we will try to do some load management or whatever you call skate with teammates and other players in the Leafs organization. “Just it,” Andersen said after taking part in the Leafs’ informal skate at the Ford so fun to watch, seeing what he was doing on the ice,” Sandin said. Performance Centre on Wednesday. “Amazing to see you’re skating with a guy like that and see how he is handling the puck and knocking down pucks from the air. He is a very Even those with just a passing interest know that during the Toronto skilled guy. He makes you compete.” There’s no question coach Mike Raptors’ charge to an NBA championship last season, Leonard was Babcock should be on the hot seat once the season starts. Even if the given time off every so often to not only try to ensure that he was in the Leafs begin without winger Zach Hyman (knee) and Dermott, as well as, best condition for a long playoff run, but also keeping in mind he was perhaps, the unsigned Mitch Marner, general manager and coming off a quadriceps injury that limited him to nine games the his staff have provided Babcock with plenty of depth. Once the roster is previous year. full, and as long as the Leafs can avoid major injuries to key players, Andersen doesn’t have anything similar to digest regarding coming back there’s little reason this club shouldn’t enjoy a long playoff run next from a serious injury, but there have been groin woes that have been an spring. Babcock will have more than enough talent at his disposal to issue. make it work Andersen on heading to St. John’s, N.L, at the end of next week for the start of training camp: “Interesting area of the world. Pretty Andersen had a one-word answer and didn’t elaborate when asked about cool to get a chance to get back.” his health in comparison to where it was when the Leafs’ season ended in April at the hands of the Boston Bruins.

“Better,” Andersen said. Toronto Sun LOADED: 09.05.2019

Significantly better?

“Yeah, thanks,” Andersen said.

Andersen, who turns 30 on Oct. 2 – the Leafs that night play host to the Ottawa Senators to begin the regular season – has started 192 games in his past three years combined with Toronto, coming in at 60 starts last season after getting the call 66 in each of the previous two.

Crucial in the amount of time Andersen winds up spending in the crease will be the play of the backup.

One of Michael Hutchinson or Michal Neuvirth, who will attend camp on a tryout, will be the man in the relief role. And once that’s determined, the overall performance of Hutchinson or Neuvirth should, the team’s fingers crossed, make lessening the load for Andersen more palatable.

SANDIN ON TARGET

With a spot on the Leafs’ third defence pair up for grabs, especially with Travis Dermott expected to be on the sideline well into October as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery, Rasmus Sandin knows what he wants.

“My goal is for sure to take a spot up there and if not, then it’s for the better to go down (to the ) and hopefully get a lot of ice time this year as well,” Sandin said. “I’m confident in myself and we will see where that leads.”

Sandin developed throughout last season, flourishing under Marlies coach after the Leafs selected Sandin with the 29th overall pick in the 2018 NHL draft. Whether Sandin, who won’t turn 20 until March, can turn that growth into a spot on the Leafs blue line will be determined by his play in camp and in the pre-season. If a return to the Marlies is deemed best for Sandin for now, it won’t be long before he is a Leafs regular.

“He has a great attitude, is very coachable, he listens, but really the biggest key for him is he is a very intelligent player,” Keefe told us during the Marlies’ post-season this past spring. “He reads the ice very well and reads pressure very well.”

Sandin takes some inspiration from defenceman Miro Heiskanen, who was excellent at the age of 19 for the Dallas Stars last season, marking his strong play with an appearance at the NHL all-star game in San Jose. 1151768 Toronto Maple Leafs what could be available in the future. No one plans the way Babcock does, with that kind of daily 24/7 intensity.

When he signed with the Leafs, he researched all professional salaries in SIMMONS: Leafs coach Babcock has to change —⁠ but can he or will he? all of the major sports before doing a deal with Shanahan.

It’s a deal that paid him giant money up front that will make his eventual Steve Simmons firing be rather inexpensive for the Leafs because they front-loaded his eight-year contract. Four years are gone. September 4, 2019 5:13 PM EDT There have been some giant improvements, some giant steps taken. Babcock’s best work has come in not just establishing a way to do their business, but in the individual improvement of those players he has The tightrope walk for Mike Babcock as coach of the Maple Leafs has believed in and worked with. already begun. He has gotten an absolute ton out of Morgan Rielly, as well as Zach He is metaphorically wobbling as training camp is about to begin, trying Hyman and the departed and Ron Hainsey. But the to remain stable with a new coaching staff around him, trying to remain problems of the past three seasons have been too similar. The Leafs balanced with so many comfort-zone players removed from his roster, have been a so-so defensive team while playing without the puck. Rarely trying to focus on his team and its goals with full knowledge there is a has that gotten better — and that’s not a two-man defence issue, it’s a front-office split of sorts on his present and his future. five-man issue.

There isn’t consensus around the Leafs that Babcock should still be the In each of the past three first-round playoff defeats, the Leafs played coach. Publicly, they will smile, the way general manager Kyle Dubas relatively even hockey against their opponents, but were badly outplayed smiled the other day, saying he tripped over his words at the end of last on special teams in each series, especially on the penalty kill. Babcock is season when not being certain about Babcock’s return, but the fact of the sensitive about that, but it cost him the Boston series last April. matter is not so definitive. That has to change this season. Babcock has lost his main defenders on Management wants to see a different Babcock this season. He knows the kill — Hainsey and Nikita Zaitsev, whom he often went almost two full that. He’s had to adjust before. He’s had to grow on the job before. He’s minutes with — and now must find a new group he can rely on. He’s lost capable of doing that so long as he defeats his long-time penchant for Connor Brown from the PK as well. He won’t have Hyman to start the stubbornness along the way. season. That’s a lot of change for a coach who doesn’t care much for Babcock has been a my-way-or-the-highway kind of coach. Not change. necessarily open to suggestions. Not necessarily open to adjustments. Camp will begin next Friday in Newfoundland and it’s highly unlikely star His way, in truth, has usually worked. winger and leading scorer Mitch Marner will be there, pretty certain that Only now, at this time with this Leafs team, with this group of young Hyman and Travis Dermott won’t be healthy enough to participate. stars, he begins a new season in a precarious position he has never Babcock won’t have his lineup anywhere close to what he wants it to be experienced before in the NHL. There are questions swirling around him and, frankly, he doesn’t need or care for that kind of uncertainty around — maybe the most after 16 years of success — and one seems to be: him. With a difficult first month on the schedule, he needs his team to Will Babcock finish the season as Leafs coach? click early.

That was never a question before in Toronto or Detroit. It was never What the Leafs want from Babcock this season is a more open-minded really a thought. He had eight 100-point seasons in Detroit, a Stanley coach, someone who can get the best out of Auston Matthews and Cup win, a Stanley Cup loss, a Stanley Cup loss as a rookie in Anaheim. William Nylander, someone who can protect Freddy Andersen better and There was never a reason to consider replacing him before. He was the play him less, someone less-rigid about ice-time played and who gets standard. that ice time and how and when they get it.

Now there are two factors in play, the first question being: Is this Leafs Babcock has been on that short list of the best coaches in hockey for team getting better under Babcock? And the second matter is that years, along with Joel Quenneville and Mike Sullivan and Barry Trotz and Dubas’s coach of choice, Sheldon Keefe — who will be the next coach of Claude Julien and Jon Cooper and . All of those coaches, the Leafs — is just a few kilometres and a telephone call away. except for Cooper, have been fired before.

If everything doesn’t line up the way Dubas and Brendan Shanahan and Babcock will never show weakness. It’s not his way. He controls the company want it to line up, Babcock may be in some difficulty. At the end message daily and the environment as best he can. He’s rather a master of the season, should the Leafs not advance beyond the first round of the at that. playoffs, then it’s all but a certainty Babcock will be replaced by Keefe. But, deep down, he knows what’s going on no matter what he shows But first, there is this season to deal with. The sure sign of a coach under externally. He knows this could be his last year in Toronto. difficulty is the replacement of most of his coaching staff. D.J. Smith has gone to the Ottawa Senators as head coach. He may not have been back with the Leafs under any circumstances this season. Jim Hiller, Babcock’s long-time assistant, wasn’t fired — he was just told to find a Toronto Sun LOADED: 09.05.2019 job elsewhere, and he did so, with Lou Lamoriello’s . The Leafs brought in Dave Hakstol from Philadelphia and Paul McFarland from Florida to work with Babcock.

These were not Babcock’s selections. That’s always a sign of a coach who is on the ropes. In baseball, they fire a hitting coach or a third-base coach before they fire a manager. In football, the offensive or defensive coordinator often goes before the head coach does.

This is basically the warning shot from Leafs management. Here’s your new staff. This is what needs to change. Now let’s all work together and do that.

Babcock is no fool. He knows he might have been fired at the end of last season. He knows there was conversation about that — and I’m not talking about media conversation.

He looked around the league — he has no intention of not coaching unless forced to — and took stock of what might have been available or 1151769 Toronto Maple Leafs “It’s the most exciting camp we’ve had in my time here because we have real battles, to replace Hyman with Tavares and throughout the bottom of the forward lines. They’ve had success in the short run and we’re hoping, Maple Leafs GM Dubas denies coach Babcock is under the gun with guidance, we can increase that in the long haul.

“On the back end, our top four everyone knows (Jake Muzzin, Tyson Barrie, Morgan Rielly and Cody Ceci). Then you have Jordan Schmaltz, Lance Hornby Kevin Gravel, Martin Marincin, Justin Holl, Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren, Ben Harpur and Teemu Kivihalme. I don’t think anyone can September 4, 2019 8:39 PM EDT complain about the amount of opportunity they get. It’ll be interesting to see who can grab hold of it, beginning this weekend in Traverse City (at an eight-team prospects tournament).” A year ago, Kyle Dubas inherited the ideal situation as the new general manager of the Maple Leafs. What kind of summer has it been for your assistant general manager and salary-cap specialist Brandon Pridham? Regarding the slow process of Young talent, salary-cap flexibility and coach Mike Babcock still in his the Marner contract, you’ve said there are different leverages for different honeymoon phase with a vast fan base. The Leafs reached 100 points Leafs such as Matthews and Tavares. What has Brandon done trying to again, but there have been some significant roadblocks to success as make it all work? Dubas enters Year 2. “Frankly, without Brandon, we’d be in a real bind. His ability to sift After a third straight first-round playoff defeat, Babcock has to win back through countless situations and scenarios and come up with a strategy some support from not only the paying customers, but the hockey office, that will best help our team is remarkable. The work he did on all the too. Mitch Marner remains unsigned (Dubas has expressed regret that contracts we’ve completed, even with the situation hanging over us Marner and William Nylander weren’t locked up sooner), while two (Marner), to be able to insure we’ll be protected (including acquiring starters (Zach Hyman and Travis Dermott) will miss the first month with David Clarkson’s dead contract money for LTIR purposes) so we can injuries. Also, a number of new players and two new assistant coaches make the moves we need to, has been really outstanding.” must be worked in. You said earlier this week there is a plan in place to sign Marner without Not exactly a forecast for success, though Dubas dismisses off-season resorting to LTIR money on Oct. 2? speculation that Babcock’s team must get off to a fast start or he’ll be on the U.S. Thanksgiving endangered species list. “There are a number of ways. The question was do we have to wait until the beginning of the regular season to sign him, and that answer would With training camp starting next week in St. John’s, N.L., the GM be no. addressed a number of topics with the Toronto Sun: “Without getting into the minutiae of it, say tomorrow or before camp What kind of scrutiny is on the team, given the missing players and there’s a breakthrough, there will be no delay in getting Mitch in here.” personnel changes could lead to a slow start and thus negatively affect Babcock’s future? You’ve hinted there’s a chance Jake Gardiner returns, though it clearly would take some-cap manoeuvring … “I don’t look at it that the team has to win ‘X’ amount of games or Mike has to do anything. Mike’s proven himself elite a long time. What we’ll be “Because of the quality of person Jake is, until he’s locked in elsewhere, watching for at the beginning of the season and at the end is how the the door will never be closed here.” team is playing. There have been stretches in the past where we haven’t Coming off the playoff defeat to a club such as Boston, do you hope to played well and won and played very well and been losing. The key focus add to team toughness, either grown organically or importing it? will be, are we incorporating the changes we want to make? “When it comes to toughness, our group is accumulating experience. “It’s a long year, and to say we have to win ‘X’ amount the first month or Most of the guys now have three years of playoffs and, relatively first two months is not really the way I’ve ever approached hockey. The speaking, three years of playoff disappointment. As they continue to major focus will be on the process of how we’re playing versus points.” grow, their tenacity and their use of those experiences to become more But isn’t it a more challenging dynamic this year with the holes on this battle-hardened and ready for what lays ahead will increase. roster? “Our focus was to bring in players that fit our vision, who have the talent “Every team will have those. We don’t have to look very far in our and ability. Just by chance some of those guys were also bigger. That division, specifically Boston and Tampa Bay, who last season had very, might be something that comes into play. We continue to show patience very key guys out of their lineup for long stretches of the year. They could and the group continues to grow. We’ll be able to overcome a lot of those withstand it and have a great season. (toughness) questions in time.”

“That pressure goes to me. We’ve tried to stock our team with guys that Do you look forward to stability in backup goaltending? It became a big are going to get a good opportunity, who have shown promise in the story on its own last year with Garret Sparks (the GM’s choice) struggling past, also give our own prospects a good opportunity and build depth of behind Frederik Andersen. the organization up that way. “I think Garret is still going to be a good NHL goalie (now with the Vegas “No team is the same coming back, whether it’s changes in coaches or in Golden Knights). It just didn’t go well for him last year, but it doesn’t player personnel. I think we’ll be well-equipped to make some headway mean he’s not going to have success. in training camp and pre-season and be ready to roll.” “For us here, it’s Michal Neuvirth, Michael Hutchinson and (Marlies With all the new players (a number of cheaper contracts were added veteran) Kasimir Kaskisuo having a shot as well. We know what their during the summer), what kind of impact must they make, such as history is (when playing well), it won’t be discounted, but let’s see how forwards Kenny Agostino and Garrett Wilson, so you can dance a fine they perform, what our goaltending people have to say, and we’ll make line around the salary cap? the call at the end of camp.”

“Unfortunately, Garrett has a (hamstring) injury that will keep him out It has been asked many times if a captain will be chosen. Some feel likely right through the pre-season. That put a damper on things. having one might have made a difference at moments in the Boston series. Is the ‘C’ a front-burner issue this year? “But you’ve got a young core (forwards) you know are going to be there. Notwithstanding Mitch’s situation, you’ve got Tavares, Matthews, “It’s something I spend a lot of time thinking about. I understand the value Nylander, Kapanen, Johnsson, Kerfoot, Spezza, Moore, (new Russian of it and why people are interested in it. One of the reasons we’ve been Ilya) Mikheyev. Then you have guys who have shown promise in the patient is the history of captains the Leafs have had. It is a different role past: Pontus Aberg, Nick Shore, Agostino, Jeremy Bracco, Kalle Kossila, here than other places. That’s not to say other situations are easier, but Mason Marchment, Dmytro Timashov, Yegor Korshkov, Adam Brooks, we have to be sure when we make that decision in Toronto, that we’re Pierre Engvall, on and on. absolutely correct. “With the quality of people we have, I don’t know if they would have really changed in that series or changed the way they operated if they were captain. They all bring various leadership attributes and I would hope that none of them would have changed in the series just because they had a different letter on their jersey.

“But whenever you lose, there’s a number of things that people who’ve been around the game a long time just look at and point to and they very well might be right. We’ll never know.”

Ricky Olczyk, one of your top pro scouts, departed the team this week to become assistant GM of Seattle. Any other changes with that staff?

“No. A lot of time last year was spent hammering out the details of the player-personnel department, getting it all set. Once Ron Francis became GM in Seattle, we had an inkling because of his relationship with Ricky that would happen. We still feel pretty good about our pro scouting staff. We have Blair MacKasey with essentially more experience than anybody, Jimmy Roque and Troy Bodie is our director. Ricky just became official (Tuesday), so if a star candidate comes up, we have the flexibility to deal with that now.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151770 Toronto Maple Leafs They met in the sixth grade. Her father was a hockey coach and her brother played too. She was at the rink all the time. And that’s where she saw him for the first time, skating so effortlessly and fast. Cindy asked Fallen Leafs: Did hockey kill Dan Maloney and Greg Terrion? around and learned that the boy lived next door to one of her friends, one town over.

“Do you want me to ask if he’ll go out with you?” the friend asked. By Dan Robson Cindy blushed.

The next day, the friend came back. There were times when Greg Terrion savoured the fame he’d earned living his boyhood dream. “The answer is, ‘Yes!’” she said.

But near the end, few traces of Terrion’s great times remained. Greg Terrion went to the Catholic school and Cindy Fox went to the public school. The only place they could be together was at that local For the fans who cheered his name through the 1980s, he was a faded arena. So they met to go skating each week. memory. To many old friends, he seemed like a ghost. Only his family knew just how close he was to becoming one. Their first child, Jason, was born when Cindy was 16. The couple navigated teenage parenthood together while Greg became a junior If you followed Terrion through his career, it’s unlikely that you’d hockey star with the Brantford Alexanders. He was drafted by the Los recognize him now. The years had changed so much: His shape, his Angeles Kings in 1980. face, his spirit. They had three grown sons, and two grandchildren. An old chocolate When he showed up at the annual gathering of former Toronto Maple Lab, named Fred. A house on the edge of the water, close to where they Leafs in September 2018, his old teammates were surprised. grew up, and where they’d shovel off a rough rink each winter and wave at passing boats each summer. Terrion seemed cheerful. He’d lost a bit of weight. He was excited to pick up his bag of Leaf paraphernalia. He laughed, reminiscing about those After his playing days, Greg Terrion returned to his hometown of long-ago days with teammates. He smiled. Marmora, Ont., to raise his family with his wife, Cindy. (Courtesy of Cindy Terrion) But during the gathering, Terrion learned the news about his former coach, Dan Maloney. He was devastated. It was 1975 and Dan Maloney sat in his living room in Bloomfield, Mich., his long arms folded across his knees, staring uncomfortably into the Maloney had been one of the toughest guys in the game as a player and television camera. attacked coaching the same way. Sometimes he would challenge Terrion’s reputation as one of hockey’s hardest workers. At practice, He wore a white dress shirt with blue stripes and a red cardigan. His hair Maloney often pushed him to go faster through grueling skating drills. was neatly parted for the “Hockey Night in Canada” interview, shortly after he had been named the Red Wings leader. But Terrion never faltered. “Being appointed captain is probably one of the greatest honours I’ve As Maloney hollered, Terrion chirped back. ever had in hockey,” he told the interviewer. “You can’t break me.” “I’ve always felt that a captain … has to be a leader on the ice as well as Maloney was known as a fierce brawler in his playing days. But recently off the ice. I think on the personal side of things, he’s got to help guys out he’d been deemed cognitively incapable of caring for himself after years when they’re having problems.” of declining health and severe alcoholism. Terrion had learned he was The camera panned to Maloney’s young family — his wife, Susanne, and staying in a facility for patients who suffered from dementia. their two children, 4-year-old Shelly and 1-year-old Tom. Maloney’s After the alumni gathering in Toronto, Terrion drove two-and-a-half hours favourite dog, Blue, sat at his feet. It looked like the image of a perfect east to Marmora, along Highway 7, the cottage-country route from which family, living their dream. he took the number he wore with the Leafs. From the time he broke into the NHL with Chicago Blackhawks, Maloney Along the way, Terrion passed several other routes he’d travelled was known as one of the toughest players in the game in an era known recently to rehabilitation facilities seeking help for anxiety, depression for bare-knuckled brawling. He finished his 737-game career with 192 and alcoholism — all of which he believed were caused by brain trauma goals and 451 points. He also accumulated nearly 1,500 penalty minutes he suffered while playing in the NHL. — and close to 100 fights. He battled noted tough guys like the Blues’ Barclay Plager, the Bruins’ Terry O’Reilly and the Flyers’ Dave (The When Terrion arrived home, he told his wife, Cindy, what he had learned. Hammer) Schultz. He once broke the jaw of notorious brawler Steve It wasn’t just Maloney, he said — there were others, too. Durbano, splattering the ice with blood.

“You have no idea how many players struggle,” he said. “How many After three years in Detroit, Maloney joined the Toronto Maple Leafs, players are out there, suffering silently.” where he played the last six seasons of his career before becoming a coach with the organization in 1982. Greg Terrion died a few weeks later. Less than two months after that Dan Maloney died, too. But since the mid-1970s, Susanne — whom he’d met while they both were high school students in , Ont. — became frustrated by There was little ceremony to mark the late-2018 deaths of those men Maloney’s frequent boozing with teammates, which would often spill over beyond tributes to careers that had mostly paled with time. But not much into life at home. Beyond their private arguments, there was little impetus was mentioned about their lives beyond hockey, about the burdens the for Maloney to give up alcohol. His drinking blended in with the accepted game might have left them to carry. The two Leafs shared a fate that culture of the game at the time. Teammates knew he liked to have a few, awaits many former players but is rarely discussed. They are among the but no one thought anything of it. many men for whom friends and family ask again and again: What could have been done to save them? And what can be done so this Maloney was given the Leafs head coaching job in 1984. He was an old- never happens again? school, hard-nosed coach, and he demanded the most from his players. He was known to toss a few garbage cans to punctuate his points Cindy Terrion stares out her kitchen window, watching jagged blocks of ice drift down Beaver Creek, in Marmora, Ontario, a tiny town exactly Terrion, a fast-skating workhorse, was always up for that challenge. halfway between Toronto and Ottawa. The water is black and cold and rising so high that it might soon swallow the wooden dock and red “I remember Greg Terrion very well. Vividly, actually,” says Tom hockey net that rests on top of it. Maloney, who used to watch from the sidelines while his father coached the Leafs. “He would work so hard that his face would be red at practices It’s been one winter without him. and every time he’d come off of a shift.”

“It’s always there. It never really seems to go away,” Cindy says. “They Maloney was fired after two losing seasons as the Leafs head coach. He say it does. But it hasn’t really gotten any better.” had more success with the Winnipeg Jets, but he lost his job partway through the 1988-89 season. The Maloney family settled into a lakeside During his playing days, Terrion’s tenacity was tough on his body. He cottage near Barrie, Ont., and welcomed their third child, Matthew, in took many hard hits to the head but knew the well-established rule of the 1990. game: Never show weakness if you get your “bell rung.”

Maloney briefly returned to the NHL as an assistant coach with the New Terrion always planned to return home when the game was done. He York Rangers in 1992-93, but he lasted only one season. The game was grew up nearby in Crow Lake and loved to be out on the water fishing or moving on without him. hunting, deep in the woods. His family owned a campsite on Beaver Creek. He went there with his sons, where they’d track muskie or hunt Hockey was all Maloney had known— and with few opportunities deer — just sitting out in the quiet for days. emerging in the game, he needed to find a new career. At home, Greg and Cindy often embarrassed their three sons by playing He started working in real estate in Barrie and, on the surface, it looked old ’80s hits and dancing. The boys would scoff as their parents twirled like he’d transitioned well to life beyond the game. Maloney was good at slowly to “Lady in Red,” a favourite, in the middle of their living room. The selling houses. He was intelligent, and he knew how to work with couple spent hours drifting across Crow Lake together, fishing during the different kinds of people. day and watching the sunset at dusk. In the morning, they’d be up by But his charisma also helped hide the dangers of his increasing dawn. Cindy would make coffee as Greg got ready to go out fishing alcoholism. Maloney was capable of working hard all day and then again. She’d watch him walk to the dock, climb into the boat and fade binging each night. In part because of his success and personality, away in the morning fog. Maloney was able to avoid the scrutiny that might have pressured him to Greg and Cindy Terrion danced often — especially at home, to the recognize that he needed to change. But his dependence on alcohol laughter of their three sons. (Courtesy of Cindy Terrion) started to rip the family apart. They begged him to get help. He refused. Just as he had on the ice, Terrion worked tirelessly at the service station. It escalated to the point where Susanne packed up their kids and moved He sold used cars on the side. Cindy ran a small café at the station. Their to London, Ont. Despite the difficult end, Susanne would always think sons Jason and Ryan worked the pumps. fondly of the life she and Dan had built — from that first time he’d playfully stuffed her in a locker, through their long journey through the Terrion continued to operate the service station until the early 2000s, but NHL, raising a family together. While he lived his hockey dream, she was the grind of running the place became too much to justify the dismal right there shouting “Come on, Danny!” from the stands. financial return. After selling it, he found work repairing machinery in factories. At first, he was nervous about how he’d be received by Dan Maloney cradles his youngest son Matt during a birthday coworkers who had trained for decades for the position he’d dropped into celebration. When sober, Maloney was a kind and loving father. in his 40s. But Terrion endeared himself to his coworkers with his work (Courtesy of Tom Maloney) ethic and sense of humour. It also helped that he was a former Leaf.

But Maloney’s addiction and the pain it caused was too severe to He enjoyed the trips that sometimes took him on the road for months, continue their life together. He lived alone in the same house on the working large jobs out west. At times he seemed comfortable, even water where they’d once hoped to grow old together. happy.

Maloney’s family visited occasionally. Matt, his youngest son, remembers Dan Maloney sat in the back seat, angry and confused. His long spiral some of those moments fondly — like the time he spent playing ball had quickened. As much as he fought against it, his alcoholism and hockey with his dad on the long driveway at the house. But Maloney’s cognitive decline were quickly killing him. mood could swing swiftly. He could be happy and then miserable, patient and then suddenly not. When they went fishing, Matt never knew which And now he was in the back of a police car, heading to jail. version of his dad he’d get. Maloney had been through a long list of programs for alcoholism over the Some family members wondered if head injuries had anything to do with years. And he had extended stays at addiction centres in Guelph and his unpredictable mood and reliance on alcohol. Through his career and Toronto. But little had helped. otherwise, Maloney had sustained his share of blows to the head. There were the fights, of course. But that was far from the only head trauma It was always a painful process. The effect of alcohol withdrawal can be Maloney sustained. He took several hard falls during drunken spells and severe. Maloney had a difficult time keeping his hands steady. He likely was in a few car accidents — including one in the early 1990s when he suffered worse symptoms, but always tried his best to hide his pain. was thrown through his windshield. Eventually, Maloney’s license was In the summer of 2016, he suffered a severe seizure related to alcohol taken away. withdrawal. The seizure was so devastating that doctors likened it to a To many, Maloney seemed like a success. When he wasn’t drinking, he stroke. was polished and well-dressed. He was kind and loving. He was an Maloney was unable to walk. He showed signs of dementia. He was 66 early-riser. A hard worker who earned his wealth and the right to enjoy it. years old and had difficulty caring for himself. He could carry on a Maloney sometimes took Matt to Leafs games, where he was always conversation, but was incapable of simple tasks, like making breakfast. swarmed by fans looking to talk to him. Doing laundry, taking out the garbage, or taking medication for his diabetes on a regular schedule seemed too complicated. Maloney could But as time went on, those trips became less frequent. When Matt was recall specific details about his NHL playing days, but he struggled with older and studying in Guelph, Maloney would sometimes make plans his short-term memory. with his son to go to Toronto to watch the Leafs. Then hours before game time, he’d call him, drunk, saying he couldn’t make it. Maloney stayed at Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital in Orillia for more than three months, recovering from his seizure. It was a safe place for him to “It was devastating,” Matt says. live — and rehabilitate — with regular food, medication, and no alcohol.

Every summer, cars would line up at the “No. 7” Esso Station on He missed several NHL alumni events, like the Heritage Classic outdoor Highway 7 in Marmora as fans stopped to fuel up and chat with Terrion. game between the Jets and Oilers, for which he was supposed to coach He bought the station with his uncle and branded it with the Leafs’ blue — and the Centennial Classic, between the Leafs and Red Wings, on and white, trading on the fame Terrion earned while making less than a New Year’s Day. $100,000 a season throughout his NHL career. That summer, in 2017, Maloney suffered another serious seizure. He Terrion’s time in the NHL ended when an argument with Leafs coach was in the hospital for a month. He returned several more times after created a rift that he believed was behind a demotion to the repeated benders that autumn. Over the course of just a couple of years, minors in 1989. As he spent months riding buses from town to town, Tom Maloney estimates his father was hospitalized at least 20 times, Terrion fell out of love with the game. He retired at the end of the season, including three extended stays. when he was 28. By then, Maloney was 67 years old and some of his family members At the time, few players could make enough to live comfortably when believed there was much more to his cognitive issues than his they were done playing the game. In the early 1990s, as more and more alcoholism. players in the NHL began to ink lucrative contracts, former players like Terrion were embarking on second careers. “He wasn’t that old of a man. He had a lakefront property. He could have “Cindy, when I’m gone,” he said. “I want you to know there is more to this had 10 more good years,” Tom Maloney says. “He could have been than just the alcohol.” fishing and hunting and all of those things that he loved to do. But he wouldn’t have been able to do all of these things until we knew what was Throughout his career, Terrion played through several concussions. The going on.” symptoms that he felt later in life — impulse control, impaired judgment, anxiety, depression — have all been linked to brain trauma. Charismatic and intelligent, Dan Maloney thrived in the real estate business after his NHL career. His success helped mask the dangers of He was one of more than 300 retired players who attempted to create a his alcoholism. (Courtesy of Tom Maloney) class-action lawsuit against the NHL. The suit claimed the league had failed to protect them from head injuries or warn them of the risks of After much effort, some members of Maloney’s family arranged to have playing. The NHL opposed the suit and has denied there is any provable him evaluated by a gerontologist. The doctor found Maloney not connection between head trauma sustained while playing the game and competent to make his own personal care decisions. the health issues that some players have experienced afterward.

In Maloney’s capacity assessment, the doctor indicated that he wasn’t a More than half a dozen deceased NHL players have been diagnosed candidate for an addiction recovery program, Tom Maloney says, but with CTE, including Bob Probert, Derek Boogaard, Steve Montador and instead should be treated for brain trauma recovery. Todd Ewen. Several of those players were known to suffer from addiction and depression. But Maloney resisted neurocognitive testing. Jack Valiquette, one of Maloney’s former teammates and a close friend, drove him to Baycrest “There are clear suggestions that the rate of traumatic brain injury is Hospital in Toronto, where he was supposed to undergo testing for brain higher in subjects in care for addiction services,” says Dr. Bernard Le trauma. But when they arrived, Maloney refused to get out the car. He Foll, who conducts clinical trials to research the connections between made Valiquette turn around and drive him back to Orillia. addiction and mental health at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. “That suggests that maybe traumatic brain injury While Maloney’s family hoped to have him moved to a facility closer to creates a vulnerability that may enhance risk for addiction or a difficulty to them in London, the appeal process with the consent and capacity board quit drugs altogether.” kept Maloney in limbo, living in the hospital as though it were his apartment. Dr. James Bjork, a professor of psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University who studies the relationship between traumatic brain injuries Then one day in June 2018, Maloney left. He took a cab to a Montana’s and addiction amongst war veterans, says there are generally two types restaurant in Orillia and ordered a drink. And then several more. When a of alcoholism. The first is characterized by habits formed in adulthood, bartender cut him off, Maloney was angry. She called a cab to come and often in response to emotional symptoms — commonly referred to as pick him up. self-medicating.

When the cab arrived, the bartender went outside to explain the situation The other is more hereditary and manifests by mid-adolescence. This to the driver. Maloney followed, yelling. Then, according to a witness, type of person often suffers from other mental illness and shows poorer Maloney put his hands on the bartender’s throat. Maloney let go quickly control over harmful decisions. This group might be vulnerable to the and was shoved to the ground by another patron. effects of traumatic brain injuries, because their ability to control their As he got up, Maloney didn’t seem to understand what he’d done. He behaviour and emotions is already compromised, Bjork says. continued yelling and was shoved back down. Alcohol is also often used to counter anxiety, creating a dangerous spiral. When the police arrived, Maloney was handcuffed and put in the back of As the body builds up alcohol tolerance, the mind creates more anxiety the cruiser. He spent the night in jail. No charges were laid. — leading to the need for more alcohol, says Le Foll. It can be a difficult cycle to break. In July 2018, a room finally opened up at the Parkwood Institute, a large facility in London. Tom made the two-and-a-half-hour drive with his But both researchers stress that these are still early days in our mother and brother to pick up his father and bring him back to London — understanding of the relationship between brain trauma and addiction. hoping they could finally get him the help he needed. “It’s an area that needs far more work,” Le Foll says.

The sleepless nights didn’t arrive until Greg Terrion hit his mid-40s. The Regardless of the cause, Cindy Terrion knew that her husband needed anxiety was overwhelming. The thoughts kept whirling. help. She begged him to get it.

He’d obsess over small things: Tasks that needed to be finished … items She reached out to GreenStone, an addiction treatment facility in he couldn’t find … the fact that he couldn’t sleep … Muskoka. When Terrion agreed, he took out more than $20,000 in an “My brain won’t stop,” he’d tell Cindy. “I just can’t get my brain to calm advance on his NHL pension to pay for his month-long stay. down.” While at GreenStone, Greg met Rob Ford, the embattled mayor of A family doctor prescribed Trazodone, a drug that can decrease anxiety Toronto who was seeking help for his own addictions. The two became and insomnia related to depression. The pills helped a bit, but not quite good friends. Later, when Ford learned that Terrion didn’t own a enough. So Terrion would add a glass of rye to the mix — and just one computer, he had one shipped to their house in Marmora as a gift so they more … and maybe another. That would do the trick, for a while. It could keep in touch via email. calmed him down just enough that he could close his eyes and rest. Terrion returned from GreenStone looking healthy and sober. Cindy was The next night, Terrion would do it all again. But his mind never really optimistic. But a week later, he started drinking again. stopped. He could only mute it for a bit. This time, Cindy contacted Terrion’s old teammate, Rick Vaive, who had And the anxiety grew. been through his own battle with addiction. Vaive told Terrion about the Emergency Assistance Fund, provided by the NHL and NHLPA. Terrion “I need something to just get me down,” he’d tell Cindy as he poured did not know it existed. another glass. “I can’t stop. It just won’t stop.” He went back to GreenStone for another month, a trip that was covered Terrion was convinced that there was something wrong with his head. He by the fund. Terrion managed to go a little longer without having a drink had been told after an MRI that there were indications he’d suffered brain once he returned home. But less than half a year later, he was back damage. again.

Terrion believed that he had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, better “I can’t help it, Cindy,” he told his wife. “If you could just get inside of my known as CTE, a neurodegenerative brain disorder that is commonly body … I can’t explain it.” linked to repetitive brain trauma. The condition causes the progressive loss of cognitive functions, which leads to the development of dementia. In London, Maloney was put on a feeding tube and a liquid diet because The effects resemble Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease and can lead to of a painful stricture in his esophagus. He was monitored by a thoracic premature death. Currently, CTE can be detected only posthumously. surgeon for the condition. He received treatment for the festering wound Terrion wanted his brain to be tested when he died. on his foot. His improvements were closely monitored. The intent was to get him living independently again. His family visited often. Susanne would pick up her ex-husband to take Every day, Terrion met with a group of men who also suffered from him to games, where they watched together — the way addiction. Many of them remembered him from his days with the Leafs. they’d met all those decades back. Other times, she’d visit him at the Terrion connected with the group right away. They bantered and playfully facility just so they could go for a walk with her dog, which Maloney had a mocked each other. Terrion dished it out as well as he took it and he soft spot for. She took him shopping for shoes and clothes, and on other seemed to enjoy the camaraderie. It was like being in a locker room small errands. He went to see their grandson play hockey and baseball. again. Sometimes, they went out to get ice cream at Dairy Queen, even though he wasn’t supposed to. Maloney loved Blizzards. The men shared entries from the journaling they did each day, telling the stories of their lives — the good and the bad. Terrion became particularly One day, as Susanne and Maloney were walking out of Parkwood, an close to some of the younger guys in the group, giving advice and telling elderly lady sitting on a bench lost her slipper. Maloney stopped, bent Lewis if he thought one of them was struggling. down and picked it up. “He was like a father figure,” Lewis says. “He would try to solve all their “Here you go, dear,” he said. “I’ll get this on for you.” issues. I’d say ‘Greg, you’re here for yourself.’ And he’d say, ‘Yeah, but this guy needs help.’” And he carefully put the slipper back on the woman’s foot. After a couple of stints in the addiction centre in Cobourg that spring, Susanne also took Maloney to weekly meetings at the Alzheimer Society Terrion spent the summer of 2018 back home. He took a trip to the family for London Middlesex, where they were counselled on how to better campsite to build a new hunting stand. He spoke often about getting back understand and cope with his condition. out in the woods during the upcoming hunting season.

In early November 2018, Maloney received another assessment by a In early September, he drove to the annual Maple Leafs alumni meeting doctor the family didn’t know and who wasn’t connected to Parkwood. in Toronto, where he seemed to be rejuvenated by being back among his Maloney had pushed to be retested but refused to speak to doctors who old teammates and peers — and where he learned about the health of had done the previous assessments. The mental health team at his old coach, Dan Maloney. Parkwood where Maloney had been living for several months was not consulted. Tom Maloney told the doctor he didn’t believe his father could The next week, Terrion attended another alumni event — this time as a take care of himself. past guest at the Canadian Centre for Addictions in Cobourg. He caught up with is old friends and gave Lewis a hug. A few days later, Maloney’s friend Dave Hutchinson arrived at Parkwood with the intent of bringing Maloney back to Barrie. On the surface, he seemed happier. But that internal battle still raged.

Susanne stopped in that day and met Maloney in the lunchroom. He was On the night of Sept. 27, Cindy left a message for Lewis asking him to waiting for the official word about his latest assessment. They shared a convince Terrion to go back in for treatment. His phone was off and he short visit, sitting together at the table. It was the last time she saw him. didn’t get the message. That night, Greg repeated the words he’d said to her several times before. Later that day the doctor who conducted the latest capacity assessment sent an email confirming that Maloney was competent to make his own “I just want to die,” he said. decisions. He stayed in the bed the next morning and into the afternoon. Cindy laid He walked out of Parkwood that afternoon, Nov. 8, 2018. down beside him, cuddling into him. He asked her to feel his chest and see if it felt hot. She placed her hand on his heart. He died 11 days later from the effects of a ruptured esophagus. Terrion hadn’t been able to keep food down. Cindy asked if he felt well Cindy Terrion woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of a enough to have some soup from the Chinese restaurant in town. She left metallic clank. It sounded like a toolbox opening. the house to run errands and to pick up their order.

“What is he doing?” she thought. Then she remembered what Greg kept While she was out, Terrion got out of bed and walked out into the living there. room. He picked up a glass and poured some rye.

Cindy rushed downstairs and found him with a rifle in his hand, searching When his son Tyson returned home for a weekend visit, he found his for the bullets. He was distraught. father on the floor, his head leaning against the wall. He was facing the “What are you doing?” Cindy asked. wide windows that look out over Beaver Creek, shattered pieces of the glass that held his last drink beside him. The official cause of death was “I can’t keep on like this anymore,” Greg said. “I can’t go on …” a heart attack.

“Greg, no,” Cindy said. “You don’t want to do this.” gets the same call, often. It’s rarely one of his former NHL colleagues. It’s usually a wife, a son or a daughter — someone He looked at her, eyes filled with pain and fear and confusion. desperate to get their husband or father back. “No,” he said. “I guess not.” “I never get a call from a player,” he says. “They’re too proud. They don’t The next day, Cindy took all of the guns out of the house and refused to call.” tell Greg where she put them. As the executive director of the NHL Alumni Association, it’s Healy’s job He continued to spiral. He carried an unhealthy amount of weight. He to watch over more than 1,100 former players. In the bigger picture, the fought with insomnia. He battled anxiety and, at times, paranoia. Alumni Association builds partnerships with businesses and charities to Sometimes, he’d call Cindy and accuse her of being unfaithful without create financial opportunities for former players – in conjunction with an any proof or hint of logic. But his mind kept spinning and spinning. And umbrella association of the different franchises. But on a more direct he tried to drown the chaos in rye and Diet Coke. level, it’s also intended to help the many former players who find themselves in need. In January 2018, Terrion went to the Canadian Centre for Addictions in Cobourg, about a half-hour from Marmora. Healy was aware of the struggles both Terrion and Maloney endured, but he’s unable to speak specifically about either. Terrion arrived so drunk that he had to stay in an isolated room while he went through alcohol withdrawal. The transition to life after the NHL is hard for many players, Healy says. In particularly dire situations, the Alumni Association tries to help players When Sean Lewis read the name Patrick Gregory Terrion, it didn’t financially or guide them toward treatment, he says. Most of these cases register that the new client he was assigned to counsel was the player are directed to the Emergency Assistance Fund, a partnership between he’d watched with the Maple Leafs as a teenager. Lewis and another the NHL and NHLPA that is funded by the fines and suspensions of counsellor had to carry him down the stairs because he couldn’t walk on current players. his own. It took almost five days for Terrion to go through withdrawal. In a statement, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said that the “He was probably close to death when he came in the first time,” Lewis Emergency Assistance Fund has played a significant role for many years says. in supporting former players. “Needs have varied, and each player’s situation is different,” Daly said. After his death, Maloney’s brain was donated to the Canadian “Some requiring immediate attention for health and well-being reasons Concussion Centre at Toronto Western Hospital. Some of his family and others requiring funding over a period of time to get through rough members hoped to find answers regarding the trauma that they believe times and to make ends meet.” he’d sustained either while playing or through the subsequent falls he’d taken in his later years. Daly added that the NHL and NHLPA also fund programs for current and former players, to help them transition into careers off the ice. “It’s important to note that my dad would never want to do anything to make the NHL look bad,” says Tom Maloney. “If you were to say ‘You’re Depending on the circumstances, a former player who needs financial or going to have an 11-year career and coach for several years, but these medical help can receive assistance almost immediately, says Healy. are the risks’ — he would do it again and again and again.” Each case is reviewed by a small board made up of representatives from the NHLPA and the NHL, which is headed by Pat LaFontaine. The Canadian Concussion Centre (CCC) looks for evidence of CTE in the brain of deceased people who have suffered head trauma, and “They do a really good job. They are super secretive, as we are, of all the commonly in former athletes who played contact sports like hockey and players’ privacy,” Healy says. “There are players that will get help and no football. one will even know that they went and got help. Nobody.” In August 2019, Tom Maloney was contacted by the centre and told that That assurance doesn’t always help. While the NHL’s alumni are often studies of his father’s brain revealed features of CTE. referred to as a brotherhood, many players find themselves isolated when they need help the most. Part of that is due to the persistence of a The results offered some clarity for what Maloney had endured as he culture that frames seeking help as a weakness — as something to be battled through addiction and cognitive decline. But the diagnosis was ashamed of. expected, his son says, and it brought little relief from the harsh reality of Maloney’s end. “We’re a proud group,” Healy says. “And we’re reluctant to reach out.” “He died alone and without dignity,” Tom Maloney says. “It didn’t need to But part of it is also due to a lack of awareness. Several former players happen that way.” interviewed for this story describe a disconnect within the perceived “brotherhood,” with many unaware of the program. After Terrion’s death, his family grappled with the past — the good times and bad — sorting through the legacy of the man they loved as he fell A few years ago, Kurt Walker founded an organization called Dignity apart. After Hockey, trying to raise money to provide care for former players he believed weren’t getting the help they needed. Walker — who played for Tyson — the youngest, who found him — took a trip to the hunting cabin the Leafs in the late 1970s — was angry about the lack of support on Beaver Creek. It was something they had always shared, father and provided to retired players. son. They would spend days in the wild, playing darts and cards, fishing and hunting. Terrion left it to Tyson and his own young son. “My dad was helping homeless retired players who were mentally ill or sick,” says Zoe Walker, his daughter. “He was fed up and tired of it — the Tyson climbed up into the hunting stand they had put up the summer whole thing got him to the point of ‘no more’, and that’s how Dignity was before. He thought about how his dad always looked forward to getting born.” back there again. The stand sat up on a ridge in the trees, overlooking a valley. Tyson stayed there for three days, in the patter of rain that fell on Walker died in August 2018, at the age of 64. the roof his father built.

While stories like Terrion’s and Maloney’s surface, some colleagues still “That was his paradise,” he says. in the game have to tried to find ways to help. Ryan, in the middle, clashed with his dad the most. They were similar. Since becoming president of the Maple Leafs in 2014, Brendan Shanahan has sought to build a strong relationship with the franchise’s “We told each other the things that no one wants to hear but needed to alumni association and has attempted to bridge a gap between the hear,” he says. organization and its former players. “He made me who I am today,” Ryan says. “It’s incredibly important to me that our alumni don’t feel forgotten,” Shanahan says. “I think it’s not enough to just wait and hope for players Cindy considered having Greg’s brain tested for traces of CTE. She knew that need help to come forward. I think a lot of times it’s through word of that he wanted to prove there was more to this than alcohol. He wanted mouth through family and old teammates.” people to understand why he couldn’t shut his brain off.

Shanahan grew up in Toronto through the 1970s and early 1980s, Cindy thought about the fight — and how the league had battled to idolizing the players he watched in the blue and white sweaters at the discredit the claims of yesterday’s players like Greg during the NHL Gardens or on “Hockey Night in Canada.” concussion lawsuit. Part of Cindy still wanted to keep going, but what good would it do now, she thought. Nothing would bring Greg back. It He fondly remembers Terrion as a “Johnny Hustle-type” player who was over. worked tirelessly. And he remembers Maloney as a notoriously tough player who became an equally tough coach. “He didn’t have to prove anything to me,” she said. “I knew.”

“When you grow up in Toronto, these guys are all heroes for you,” he Jason, the eldest, dug into the adoration he first felt while watching his says. dad play for the Leafs.

But hero status on the ice offers no guarantees when the game is over. “He was my hero,” he says. But near the end, even visiting the house Shanahan knows the challenges many players face when their playing was hard. His hero wasn’t himself anymore. days are through. There have been circumstances where the Leafs Once, during a rare moment of clarity, Terrion shared a request with his organization has learned that a former player is struggling with a financial son. One that Jason swore to live by, to honour him. or medical need and the team has stepped in, he says. Those instances have been taken care of quietly, beyond the help offered through the “Jay,” Terrion said. “Don’t end up like me.” Emergency Assistance Fund, he says.

Still, there are some — players suffering from the lingering effects of The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 injuries they sustained in the game and struggling to support themselves — who don’t find the support they need. And both Healy and Shanahan say there are more players suffering than most realize.

“You’re never going to be able to replace the feeling of what it was like to be a Maple Leaf or a professional athlete,” Shanahan says. “I think it’s important for us to continue to find and capture some of the guys who are struggling.” 1151771 Toronto Maple Leafs “Actually, right now he really doesn’t have strengths and weaknesses. He’s pretty solid at everything. He needs to get stronger, get faster, get a better shot, improve at everything, but he has no flaws,” Kauppinen said.

‘He’s good at everything’: Leafs prospect Mikko Kokkonen has always Suokas views Kokkonen as an intelligent, modern NHL player. And while been ahead of the curve he admits Kokkonen doesn’t have a standout elite skill, he too doesn’t believe that will hold him back.

By Scott Wheeler “All of his skills are good. There are no big weaknesses in his skills. There’s no lack of puck handling skill, of nothing. He doesn’t have Laine’s Sep 5, 2019 shot or McDavid’s skating but he’s good at everything. I think he’s super skilled. It’s a skill not to have big weaknesses,” Suokas said.

“When he started playing with men he adapted very quickly to the men’s There are few people in the hockey world who are more familiar with game from juniors so I’m pretty sure when he takes that step to the NHL Leafs draftee Mikko Kokkonen than Marko Kauppinen. that he will pick it up pretty quickly. But he’s still a young player. He has Kauppinen, now Kokkonen’s head coach at the highest level in Finnish time to develop.” hockey with Liiga’s Jukurit, first saw his team’s youngest defenceman Last season was undoubtedly a success for Kokkonen. play a decade ago at an area hockey camp. “He can play with the puck, he can make quick passes to the forwards, Back then, Kokkonen was way ahead of his minor hockey peers. Ten and last season he needed to learn to defend very well. He was playing years later, he still is. against big pro hockey players and he was doing that better and better all You’d just never know it by the way he acts. the time,” Vaarasuo said.

“Last year he played one under-18 game and he was so, so good there “He played a full season in the men’s game and he did that very well. He and still every goal he was celebrating like it was a world championship took huge steps developing himself. It’s different to play professionally goal. He was so into the game. He really enjoyed playing with teammates than in junior but last season, in my opinion, was an excellent season for that he had played with five or 10 years ago,” Kauppinen said in a recent Mikko.” phone interview. The only thing standing in Kokkonen’s way from another excellent, “After playing with us that level was so low for him but still he was ahead-of-the-curve season may be injury. This summer, in an exhibition celebrating all the goals and talking and teaching other guys like normal.” game ahead of the World Junior Summer Showcase, Kokkonen suffered an injury that derailed his summer. The more people you talk to about him, the clearer the picture becomes: Kokkonen, taken in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Leafs, is It came, as he was being primed to play a leading role in the under-20 beyond his years. tournament.

The proof is in the experience the 18-year-old already has under his belt. “He looked good at camp. I thought he had a really good camp. We were all excited for him. It’s too bad he couldn’t stay here,” said Team Finland Last season, just 12 under-18 players appeared in a Liiga game. None of assistant coach Tuomo Ruutu. them played more minutes (975) or games (56) than Kokkonen, who also led all under-18 defencemen in points (19). The year before, he played “He wants to get better every day. That’s one of the main characteristics 44 games of pro hockey split between second-tier and Liiga in his Mikko has, along with good hockey sense. He’s got great character. under-17 season. The year before that, he played four games of pro There are a lot of things to like about him.” hockey in his under-16 (!) season. He has been represented by Markus On Wednesday, a month after the showcase, Kokkonen’s agent Markus Lehto and his ACME Sports agency since he was 16 — and, according Lehto called it an upper-body injury and said that he’d received an to Lehto, closely watched by a variety of scouts and agents since 14. He update that morning that Kokkonen, who has yet to play in Jukurit’s was the only 2001-born player on Finland’s gold medal-winning team at preseason schedule but has occasionally travelled with the team, still the 2018 under-18 world championships. wasn’t feeling 100 percent. Kauppinen chalks that expedited development curve up to Kokkonen’s “Everybody’s a little bit worried about it but before we get more maturity, his upbeat spirit, his friendliness and an eagerness to learn. information it’s too early to get worried about the injury. Unfortunately, he “He’s not cocky at all. He knows what he can do but he’s not too proud of may miss some time and not be able to start the Finnish season in a that. He’s a team player, always. I like his personality so much. Some week and a half but it’s still going to be a long season so right now I’m players who play at that level are too proud of what they are. Mikko is not worried about it,” Lehto said. nothing like that. He’s always got his feet on the ground. He keeps a low Like everyone else, Lehto credited Kokkonen for the way he has handled profile but still when he goes on the ice he wants to be the biggest player his earlier-than-most progression. there,” Kauppinen said. “He’s really easy to deal with and he’s I would say a pretty smart young It’s a sentiment that is shared by Jukurit assistant coach Teemu Suokas, person who is always in a good mood,” Lehto said. “Mikko is a steady as well as the team’s general manager Ilkka Vaarasuo. guy who can play with the puck. Is he going to be a No. 1 or a No. 2 “He’s a great, great guy. He’s always willing to learn more. He has that defenceman? That’s hard to say. But you need everybody to play little spirit that ‘I want to be better every day.’ He’s always positive, a nowadays and his versatility is pretty good. But I used to coach and I good kid,” Suokas said. would love to have a defenceman like Mikko Kokkonen.”

“I think he’s a very good-minded player,” said Vaarasuo. “He knows his Still, when the Leafs’ prospects descend on the Traverse City Prospect strengths and weaknesses that he needs to develop and his mind is very Tournament next week, Kokkonen won’t be there. stable. He keeps his head very cool and when he runs into difficulties he When he inevitably returns to the ice, though, Jukurit staff believe a can fix those things inside his head. He’s got a good mentality.” healthy Kokkonen can have a big year. That off-ice approach is matched by physical gifts (despite standing 5- Kauppinen said he will “for sure be in our top four,” while Vaarasuo said foot-11, Kokkonen is already nearly 200 pounds) and on-ice maturity. he expects Kokkonen to play 20 minutes a night, something only 29 Liiga All three Jukurit staff admitted they were surprised Kokkonen (ranked defencemen did last season. 23rd in my end-of-year draft ranking and 10th among European skaters “He’s quite the all-around player. His role is getting bigger and bigger. by NHL Central Scouting) fell to 83rd overall at June’s draft. Last season he was playing the full season in pro and now he’s very Kauppinen pointed to concerns some scouts had following this year’s anxious to take the next step and I’m sure he’s going to play a very big under-18 worlds about Kokkonen’s skating, concerns he insisted are role,” Vaarasuo said. overstated because Kokkonen was tired by the time the event arrived, “He’s going to play on the power play and the penalty kill and take on a having logged as many minutes as he did in Liiga (17:25 per game). big role. I think he will handle it well, too.”

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151772 Toronto Maple Leafs Williams rips the ball across the court. Han pauses it. Then comes a 90- second breakdown between Han and Belfry focusing on why she hit the ball where she did. Svitolina returns it. Pause. Another analysis. This is Inside the Summit: How Auston Matthews, Hilary Knight and hockey’s repeated over and over again. The rally comes to an end when Svitolina elite get better barely gets to a backhand, lofting a return to the middle of the court that Williams was waiting for in perfect position.

“… then you report to that middle T and you have your shot,” Han Craig Custance concludes.

Sep 4, 2019 “I like it,” Belfry said.

It goes to commercial and they get back to work. That’s how Belfry’s mind works — even when he’s taking a break from hockey, he’s still ESTERO, Fla. — Auston Matthews stood at the front of the room and trying to figure out how elite athletes operate. Maybe there’s something immediately jumped into his explanation. He was in a conference room at there to learn, to steal, to pass on to the players with whom he’s working. a Hyatt resort that, it’s safe to say, never hosted a group quite like this. There’s no off switch. There can’t be, he believes. He leaned one arm on the podium, freeing up his other arm to point at the screen to his immediate left showing a goal he scored. Belfry didn’t play hockey at a high level. He’s worked his way up to having a stable of yearlong clients, this annual camp of NHL standouts In front of him was an incredible collection of women’s hockey players. and his spot on the Maple Leafs coaching roster as a player development American stars like Hilary Knight, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Brianna consultant by constantly learning and innovating. Decker were mixed in with counterparts from rival Canada like Laura Fortino, Natalie Spooner and Brianne Jenner. A combination of elite “I feel like when you don’t have an accomplished playing career at any hockey players from two hockey superpowers setting aside country for high level, you have to assume that there is just a ton you don’t know. So one shared goal: to get incrementally better at their craft. Just like NHL there is an endless search for meaning that you’re going to try and check stars did in that room a few days earlier. and recheck,” Belfry said. “The league evolves, people are getting better. I took that on myself. I’m responsible for providing new ideas or teaching First, Matthews lets the clip run in its entirety. It’s a one-timer he scored them something new, then I have to take that on as a challenge for against the Panthers after a lengthy possession in the offensive zone. myself. I have to get better. I have to find faster, more efficient, more There’s a lot to talk about. So he plays it back, walking everyone through effective ways.” what he sees. There’s cycling. A bit of chaos and, ultimately, Matthews finding open ice. And when he does, he has to clearly communicate that to the players with whom he’s working. During this camp, everything is recorded. The “I think guys moving around like that, you don’t really know who to conversations. The meetings. There are coaches on skates with iPads, check,” Matthews says of the issue facing the Panthers defenders. constantly recording every drill, every sequence and then tagging the “Nobody knows who to guard, who to take. It opens up space and I just players so that they can be cut into clips after the session. There was kind of try to find an area where I can get the puck back.” even a drone above the ice until it came a little too close to the action for He finishes and it’s quiet. everyone’s comfort.

Knight breaks the silence with an observation. Then there’s a question When the clips are sorted by player, the coaches look for nuances to and the conversation slowly gets going. There’s a point made about the highlight and tweak. Then Belfry does a personalized voice-over for each angle of his skates. There’s a question about who Matthews looks at player after every session, with detailed suggestions on areas they can when trying to find an opening. improve.

When it gets quiet again with an extended pause, Matthews smiles. It’s now later on Wednesday afternoon when Belfry sits down on his patio, an iPad on the table and a plan to help Blackhawks sniper Alex “This is how we started off, too. Don’t worry,” he says, to laughs. DeBrincat improve his vision. He shuts off the outdoor fan for clearer audio. The clips of DeBrincat are playing and he records his observations It wouldn’t stay quiet for long. Like the group of some of the NHL’s best over them: players who experienced this same exercise a few days earlier, this conversation would heat up quickly. To understand how all these great I want to go through this one habit that you have as it relates to your hockey players quietly ended up all in one place, in a rigorous late- hands and puck protection. This first one, you’re going to see your hand, August week of on-ice training mixed with high-end film study, it helps to see how it tucks there? With this top hand right here, it goes underneath. understand the mind of the guy who made it all happen. What that’s going to do is throw your weight back on your heels and you’re going to have a hard time getting out of this to make your next Auston Matthews leads a film session with a room full of the world’s best play. women’s hockey players. (Craig Custance/The Athletic) He moves on to a clip of DeBrincat doing a similar play more effectively, Darryl Belfry is standing in his Naples living room next to a giant highlighting the positives. He goes over very small details about the television showing the U.S. Open. Venus Williams is taking on Elina placement of DeBrincat’s elbows and how one small tweak might give Svitolina. It’s Wednesday afternoon in one of the busiest, most stressful, him more flexibility to make the next play. exhilarating and rewarding weeks of Belfry’s calendar year. More than 20 of the NHL’s best players, like Matthews, Patrick Kane and Mathew Then it moves to a clip of DeBrincat working against Sabres forward Kyle Barzal, have been training with him all week in a group that also includes Okposo. standouts like Roman Josi, Charlie McAvoy, Frederik Andersen among many others. Some train with Belfry or fellow skills coach Adam Nicholas I love this cutback. One of the reasons I love this cutback is you turn all year, others came via personal invitation. Another 20-plus Okposo’s feet in before you turn back. So that’s really effective. Allows accomplished women’s Olympians have either just arrived or are en you to really open that play up. route to take part in the first Olympian summit. His house is full of activity. “It’s great to have,” DeBrincat says the next afternoon after watching his Three coaches helping him out — Tristan Musser, Adam McHugh and clips. “It’s just great to see the video to what he’s talking about. He’s Dan Dukart — are at the kitchen table breaking down video from the drawing on it too right there. It’s easy to understand … anything different morning session with NHL players. Belfry’s golden retriever Solo is I can take and put in my game is obviously a positive.” stalking lizards on the other side of the sliding door. Belfry’s son is As useful as that might be, it’s not the most impactful part of this week. playfully chasing Nicholas in the hallway. That comes from the collaboration between the players. Belfry pauses in the midst of it to watch Williams play tennis. Jack Han, Patrick Kane, the namesake behind The 88 Summit, has taken the lead the video coach of the Toronto Marlies, is on the couch manning the in sharing his insight with fellow players. (Syl Corbett / Special to The remote control. Han is a tennis player, so Belfry starts grilling him about Athletic) strategy. Han grabs the remote, rewinds to the beginning of the most recent rally and they immediately break it down. Vegas forward Alex Tuch admits later that he was surprised to see his name up on the screen in the front of the hotel conference room. That meant a clip featuring a play he made during the season was going to be then tried to see if he could influence his stick one way or the other in the shown at the 88 Summit, the gathering of NHL standouts breaking down way he uses his feet. film of each other’s game one evening at Belfry’s camp. “Sometimes, I’ll decelerate just a little bit to get a hesitation one way and During the season, Nicholas, a skills coach who trains with Tuch, sent then I go the other way,” Barzal explained to Dumba. Belfry six or seven clips of Tuch repeating a move often enough for it to clearly be intentional. Do it once, it’s a fluke. Six times? This was Later, Dumba shared his own knowledge with Noah Hanifin on how to someone who had mastered a unique skill. Nicholas noticed Tuch using get more velocity on one-timers, a conversation Nicholas witnessed. Not his size and reach to extend plays by taking one hand off his stick, only did he see the conversation, he saw immediate results. These mini shielding a defender with the other and making one-handed passes to sessions between players happened repeatedly. teammates. It was the perfect skill to share with a roomful of players “Dumba was teaching Hanifin how to rotate his stick on one-Ts. Dumba hungry to add to their toolbox. has an absolute rocket,” Nicholas said in relaying the advice. “He has The best example of Tuch’s move came during a November game that snap at the end. That little snap at the end, when he rotates his hips against the Bruins. The highlight shines on the screen, showing Tuch and his hands release through that hip rotation? That’s what gives him driving down the left side of the ice, defended well by Bruins defenseman that extra added kick. He’s showing Hanifin how to do that.” John Moore. Just when you think he’s going to keep going behind the Later in practice, Hanifin put a one-timer through the net. net, he reaches out with one hand and wraps around a pass to Cody Eakin, who was streaking into the slot. Eakin buries a goal past Jaroslav “Right through the net,” Nicholas said. “Ridiculous.” Halak. It all certainly raises the question: Why do these elite NHL players give The room is quiet as Tuch explains his thought process. away their secrets?

“My stick allows me to stretch out and whip the puck around a little more “It’s actually funny you mention that,” answers Kane. Kane has been than other guys,” Tuch begins, standing at a podium in the front of the working with Belfry for years. Last year, Kane was the first player Belfry room. “By taking off my inside hand, I try to almost shield the pokecheck pitched the idea of the film portion of the camp where players break each to create space between the puck and the gap and the defender as much other’s plays down. It’s even named after him, with The 88 Summit logo as possible here and almost tie him up, which allows my stick to come filling the screen on those sessions. across and put it into the slot area.” He smiles at the question. Then come the questions and comments from NHL players sitting around “We were laughing — me, DeBrincat and (Dylan) Strome — after it the dark room. because Roman Josi was asking me a lot of questions, more than Moore plays that pretty well but you put the puck in a position where he anybody else,” Kane says, laughing. “You give up information because can’t get it. everyone is genuine.”

It’s funny to watch the other defenders backcheck because they pretty “It I were Patty, I wouldn’t give away too many things,” Tuch jokes but much think the play is dead when you’re pretty much on the goal line with then adds some insight. “Even Roman Josi grilling Patrick Kane — he’s one hand, they think the play is dead. You tossing the puck right back to also giving input to see what he’s trying to exploit so Patrick can go back the guy down the slot is a surprising play to the defense. and say, ‘If he’s trying to exploit this, I have this option.’ It’s a give-and- take kind of thing. We’re making each other better hockey players as a Yeah, I don’t know how you defend that. You can’t really defend that. whole.”

Tuch responds. Belfry addresses the group of women’s hockey standouts before an on- “I try to keep (Moore) behind me like I’m going to be cutting to the middle ice session. (Craig Custance / The Athletic) a little bit. I just try to lower my shoulder. I’ve found that extending the It’s 1:15 p.m. on Thursday and the best women hockey players in the stick and being able to protect the puck allows me to reach around. I’m world are getting ready to take the ice at the camp for the first time. still pushing him behind me, so he’s not going to have the same reach I They’re sitting in their dressing room stalls, in full uniform, as Belfry walks do.” in to address the group. Any other week of the year, these are heated If he backed off you, would you have taken it to the net? rivals working separately to try and beat each other in the inevitable showdown that always materializes between the United States and “Yeah, probably driven the shoulder down, extended my inside leg and Canada. In this moment, they’re eager to get a look at the training their tried to keep two hands on the stick so I could shoot the puck.” NHL counterparts have been getting all week.

(Torey) Krug is getting ready for the release to the back of the net. He’s “This is about the most comfortable I would like you the rest of the day,” thinking you’re going to go around and he’s going to jump it. That’s a Belfry says to the players in the room. “My objective is to make you feel smart play. terrible and really awkward for as much of the time you’re here as I can. Otherwise, if you’re just feeling good, that means you’re in old habits. It’s At this point it’s rapid-fire. The players are legitimately curious about the all the same and it’s what you normally do. Then we’re not getting play. Tuch answers it all. This goes on for several more minutes. Just this anywhere.” one clip sparking observations from all over the room. Goal scorers are wondering if you can shoot it. The defensemen are trying to figure out He explains that he’s going to focus on many of the progressive tactics how to defend it. There’s no coach telling these players what to do, just a he works on with the NHL players, even if it may run counter to what their group of elite athletes brainstorming around a unique play. coaches prefer during international play. He hopes adding new pieces of movement and skill to their games is something they’ll ultimately be able Then, the next morning, these same players are on the ice at Hertz to incorporate within their normal structure. Arena (home of the ECHL’s Florida Everblades) and as you might expect, there’s a group of them out there trying to incorporate one- Then he gets at his motivation. handed Tuch passes into their game. “You’ve taken on some big challenges. You’ve battled . “Guys were apparently pretty impressed,” Tuch said after the camp You’ve battled USA Hockey. You’re battling anybody and everybody, it wrapped up. “It’s exciting for me being a first-time player in here, still a seems. It just seems to me like you could use a week where you’re not young guy trying to make my footprint in the league. Guys like Kane and battling anybody, you’re collaborating together to try to make yourself Auston Matthews, a couple other guys who were just passing by and better,” Belfry says. “This is all about you. It genuinely is.” complimenting it, trying to break it down. Roman Josi says he doesn’t know how to defend it. I’m like, ‘Maybe I should start doing this more.’” With that, the women take the ice and it’s the same experience as the men’s session, right down to the iPads recording every moment to later The on-ice sessions provided opportunity for more organic collaboration. be broken down into individual film sessions. There was Barzal and Matt Dumba chatting on the ice and talking about entries. Dumba wanted to know how Barzal determined which side of the That night, like the men, they gather in the Hyatt conference room to body to attack against defensemen while entering the offensive zone. break down clips of each others’ games together. These are primarily Barzal explained that he looked to see which hand the defender was and Olympic clips from PyeongChang in 2018, stakes much higher than the regular season NHL clips the men examined. These aren’t regular- season games from October where the players have more freedom to take risks and showcase individual skill. This is USA versus Canada, where one mistake can mean four years of pain.

It leads to a different discussion than that with the men’s group. For the NHL players, there was a lot of one-on-one focus. As the video clips play for the women, there’s much more talk about how to better utilize the players around them more in a team setting. The clips are extended possessions for each team in the offensive zone and it’s an hourlong glimpse into the minds of elite hockey players.

In the dark room, voices pop up from all over. There are questions. Observations. Players sharing all they know with each other. At one point, Coyne Schofield fires a shot from near the goal line and it’s immediately met with a question from the back of the room.

“Kendall, what prompts you to take that bad angle shot there? Is it the way the goaltender goes down in the post or do you see two U.S. players headed to the net?”

“I was thinking I probably should have not shot there.”

The entire room laughs.

“I probably should have pulled back,” she says. “Driving with speed, it was a good entry. I could have created more space and separation for the other two guys by pulling up … and let the D come up in the play. Not a great shot selection.”

“I’m just curious with the way the goaltender is playing, what we call a RVH, you see her going down like that, does that prompt you to shoot, just seeing her down like that?”

“I think you’re giving me too much credit.”

“I think too if you would have curled back, I think all red was really backchecking super hard, you would have a lot space. Even walk it yourself or go far-side D if they were jumping in.”

It’s amazing to witness. Historic, really. It’d be like the ’72 Russians and Canadians getting together in a room and explaining the way they play. But the most poignant moment comes from Coyne Schofield after 60- plus minutes of video, 60-plus minutes analyzing different opportunities for these women to show more creativity and skill in their game.

Coyne, who captured the imagination of hockey fans across the world with her blazing speed during the NHL All-Star skills competition in San Jose, explains why we’re not always seeing that creativity on the ice in these big moments.

“The difference between a man making that play and us … he makes a turnover, he’s still making money. He still has a job. He’s still on the team,” she tells the room. “Our spot is not guaranteed — neither is his — but we’re constantly cycling through things. Sometimes the creativity gets taken away. We’re always under the pressure of making the next roster. It’s finding that balance, combine creativity with confidence. We’re fighting those two things.”

The session ends shortly after that. A sobering reminder of the difference between the men and women. That there’s still so much more to see from the women, if they are just given the opportunity. You see it the next day on the ice, where they’re working on all these concepts, trying to get better. Maybe those concepts will never make it to an Olympic game. Maybe they will. Either way, they’re clearly eager to learn it all.

“It’s awesome. Whenever you can get the top athletes in the world together and you can learn from one another, it’s a great environment to be in. Belfry has provided an amazing opportunity,” Knight says after one of the on-ice sessions. “It was overwhelming trying to be a sponge and soak everything up as much as possible. These opportunities are rare and you have to make the most of them.”

Perhaps Dumba summed it up best. After the final men’s on-ice session, they all lingered on the ice like the last day of summer camp. Players seemed genuinely reluctant to leave. When Dumba finally skates to an exit, he’s smiling.

“Great camp right there,” he says, stepping off the ice, ready to head home.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151773 Vegas Golden Knights don’t fret if he doesn’t show off an offensive zeal that Hague or Schuldt might, as he fashions himself as a defensive defenseman in the mold of San Jose’s Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Yet the 18-year-old had 33 points in 68 Players to watch during Vegas Golden Knights rookie camp games with Kelowna last year, more than doubling his output from his age-17 season. He’s a smooth skater who likes to play physically and could be fun to watch for observers who look beyond the stat sheet.

By Justin Emerson Zach Whitecloud, defenseman

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019 | 2 a.m. Don’t sleep on the former undrafted free agent in the battle for a spot on the blue line. Like Schuldt, he had a strong collegiate career that Vegas

rewarded with a contract and an NHL game in 2018. He spent last year A few players on the ice at City National Arena this week could be with at AHL Chicago and had 28 points in 74 games to help the Wolves reach the Golden Knights at some point in during the regular season. When, or the Finals. He’s a right-handed shot, which could play in his if, that happens could depend on how those players perform in rookie favor considering that among Hague, Schuldt, and the six defensemen camp, which begins Thursday. Vegas has returning from last year, only Deryk Engelland is not a southpaw. Here are a few players to watch during rookie camp. LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 09.05.2019 Cody Glass, center

The crown jewel of the Golden Knights’ farm system, Glass is the last remaining of Vegas’ three first-round picks in its inaugural draft. He’s the top prospect in the system and the one who will be under the strongest microscope in camp. While there were high hopes for him the last two years, this will be the camp he gets to truly push for a roster spot. There might not be a spot for him among Vegas’ forward group, but if he plays well enough he has the chance to force his way onto the roster, potentially grabbing a spot on the big club’s third line. If not, he’ll start the season with AHL Chicago. Either way, barring an injury we should see Glass at T-Mobile Arena this season.

Nicolas Hague, defenseman

The 2017 second-rounder will be part of the most high-profile roster battle of camp, and he comes in as one of the favorites to land a spot earmarked for a rookie defenseman. In an Erik Brannstrom-less world, Hague is the top defensive prospect in the organization. He showed his mettle with a full year in AHL Chicago last season and was clearly the best blue-liner at development camp in June. He’s big at 6-foot-6 and 214 pounds, and has a chance to show what he can do at the NHL level. It will truly depend on how well he plays at training camp and if he shows he’s better than the other defensemen.

Jimmy Schuldt, defenseman

Schuldt didn’t get a chance to play at development camp, missing the week while nursing a minor injury. Still, he and Hague might be a 1a and 1b to win the final defensive roster spot out of camp. He was tremendous in his senior year at St. Cloud State, finishing with 35 points in 39 games and was a Hobey Baker finalist as college hockey’s best player. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Golden Knights in April, then he played in the season finale. He’s 24 years old, four years Hague’s senior, and that advancement may play in his favor in October. As of now, Schuldt, a restricted free agent, is still without a contract for next season.

Jonas Røndbjerg, winger

The Danish winger was taken in the third round three years ago and figures to make the jump stateside to play with Chicago in the AHL this year. He’s struggled to score since moving to the Swedish professional league two years ago (17 points in 95 SHL games), so this could be a big year for him getting in the Golden Knights’ system. He looked great at development camp playing with Glass and Jack Dugan, and continued to drive play even after Glass left with an injury.

Marcus Kallionkieli, winger

The 2019 fifth-round pick is headed to Brandon of the , where he'll play alongside goalie Jiri Patera on the team that General Manager Kelly McCrimmon used to own and Mark Stone used to play for. Kallionkieli didn’t stand out at development camp in June, but he is the only one of the 2019 draft class to sign an entry-level deal, so the Golden Knights see something in him. He had a strong season in the United States Hockey League last year playing on one of the circuit’s best lines. He’s a big, goal-scoring winger who Vegas is excited to watch develop both at camp and in Brandon.

Kaedan Korczak, defenseman

The 2019 second-rounder is expected to return to Kelowna of the WHL. That’s not a knock on his talent, but simply a reality of his age and the Golden Knights’ depth on the blue line. When watching him at camp, 1151774 Vegas Golden Knights “I wouldn’t say it was one or two skills that I was focused on, there were just a lot of things that I wanted to fine-tune going into the season,” Tuch said. “Every year you want to get a little bigger, stronger and faster. It’s Golden Knights’ confident core says lingering disappointment will be tough to really get into game shape before the preseason starts, but you ‘biggest weapon’ do the best you can possibly do.”

Vegas returns a very similar team to last year’s squad. The team jettisoned forwards Erik Haula, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Ryan By Jesse Granger Carpenter, and defenseman Colin Miller during a salary cap dump this summer while adding very little. Sep 4, 2019 “There aren’t too many new faces,” Tuch said. “(Management) has really

put a lot of trust in us going forward and keeping our core together.” Golden Knights players gathered on the gorgeous links of TPC It’s the same group, but expectations for this season are much higher. Summerlin golf course Wednesday morning for the team’s annual charity tournament. “I think we want to, not really get revenge, but we knew that we had a really good team and we were playing well,” Tuch said. “It wasn’t the Marc-Andre Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault, Alex Tuch, Brayden McNabb greatest circumstances, but with the majority of the guys coming back we and several other players were all smiles as they teed off. For many, it know we’re going to be in that same position, and hopefully we’ll come was their first time seeing their teammates since last season ended. out on top this year.” “I’m very excited to be back, especially seeing the other guys in there,” After chatting with most of the players, my biggest takeaway of the day said Tuch, who flew into Las Vegas late Tuesday night just in time for the was how confident this team is in itself. Vegas certainly didn’t improve its golf tournament, after spending Labor Day weekend with his family in roster on paper this offseason, but the players clearly feel their group is New York. much better than the first round exit they suffered in April. Tuch was already excited for training camp, but said hanging out with his They’re more than happy to return mostly the same group, and believe fellow teammates in the clubhouse “upped my anxiousness a little bit.” the results will be different this time. The fervor to return to the ice was evident on the face of nearly every “I love it,” Marchessault said. “We know what we get from everyone in player, and with good reason. The gut wrenching overtime loss in Game that locker room. Obviously there are a few spots open, and that’s just 7 of the first round of the playoffs that ended the Golden Knights’ 2018- healthy competition. But we all know each other and all know our roles. 19 campaign far earlier than all of the players anticipated hasn’t escaped We’re ready to push each other and have a great year.” their minds this summer. Golden Knights rookie camp starts Thursday at City National Arena. The “You think about it a lot,” said McNabb, who is one of Vegas’ best veterans will join them on the ice on Sept. 13, and the preseason opener defenseman but was on the ice for all four of San Jose’s power play is Sept. 15 at T-Mobile Arena. It’s all leading up to the highly-anticipated goals late in that game. “It never really goes away to be honest with you. regular season opener, when the Golden Knights will host the Sharks on That’s a conversation a lot of people bring up, so it still lingers. It’s good Oct. 2. motivation. We’re all excited and motivated, and that’s your biggest weapon going into a season.” “I think our team is going to take it one game at a time, concentrate on playing good, solid hockey everywhere,” Marchessault said, “and I think The Golden Knights are 134 days removed from that game. Some we’ll be one of the teams to beat this year.” players, like Tuch, said they mentally pushed through it much faster. The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 “There’s not much you can do,” Tuch said. “For a couple days you’re a little on edge because of what happened, but you have to just forget about it. Whatever happened last year happened, and it’s in the past.”

NATE SCHMIDT OPENING THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC IN STYLE. #VEGASBORN PIC.TWITTER.COM/6TMSZKGUAO

— JESSE GRANGER (@JESSEGRANGER_) SEPTEMBER 4, 2019

One benefit of the first-round exit is the players were afforded a much longer offseason than the year prior when they reached the Stanley Cup final. The players put that time to good use.

“It was too long of an offseason,” Marchessault said. “I think everybody’s super excited and everybody looks really in shape, so I think everybody can’t wait to start.”

The NHL’s 82-game regular season is a battle of attrition. Players fight small injuries throughout the season, constantly rehabbing to keep their heads above water. The offseason allows them time to improve their physical attributes.

“It’s always about trying to build strength, speed and power,” McNabb said. “That’s always kind of been my thing ever since I turned pro and it’s something that’s always going to need to be worked on. I feel good. Really good.”

McNabb spent nearly his entire offseason in his hometown in Saskatchewan.

“It was pretty long, but it was nice to heal the body,” he said, wiping the sweat off his forehead. Vegas heat is just a bit different from Saskatchewan. “It was pretty quiet for the most part. It was nice to just work out, train, skate and just not being on an airplane all the time.”

Tuch, 23, enjoyed a breakout sophomore season with the Golden Knights, tallying his first 20-goal, 50-point season of his career. He hopes to build even further on that after a strong summer of workouts. 1151775 Washington Capitals underwhelming season that’s left a bad taste in our mouth. If that was McDavid, we’d be going crazy over a no-look, bar down goal. But I’m ok with either of these goals moving on.

Caps Goal of Year Bracket: No. 2 Backstrom’s Spinning Sauce vs No. 7 jmurph: Agreed, both goals are more than worthy of reaching the third Kuzy Bar Down round

Rob Carlin: And, when I say “we” are underestimating it, I mean JJ

By NBC Sports Washington bmcnally: Yeah I hate that I'm arguing against Kuznetsov's skill here. It's September 04, 2019 7:06 PM world class.

Rob Carlin: And TMac

With less than a month before training camp opens in mid-September, bmcnally: Just like the other play a little better. we are taking one last look back at the 2018-19 season as we dive into It's me, it's not you the best goals of last year. We compiled our bracket based on the cumulative rankings of our Capitals team, from reporters to producers Rob Carlin: And McNally and everyone in between, and now is your turn to help us determine the best Capitals goal of 2018-19. Below is a Slack conversation between JJ Regan: Hey, I would have ranked the Kuznetsov goal higher than it is the members of our Capitals content team. in the bracket, but I wouldn't put it above the Backstrom pass. jmurph: The second matchup in the second round of our Goal of the Year jmurph: So agree to disagree and let the fans decide? bracket is a doozy. Backstrom’s spinning backhand sauce to Oshie up bmcnally: I'd abide by the fans' decision. against a Kuznetsov snipe off the bar against the Maple Leafs. Where do we even start? JJ Regan: Looks that way.

Rob Carlin: Backstrom’s pass is insane. Puts it right on Oshie’s tape in Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.05.2019 stride. HOWEVER, I believe there’s just a little bit of luck in that play. Kuzy, on the other hand, squeezed a 1 inch thick puck into a 2 inch hole without looking in an NHL game. That’s ridiculous.

JJ Regan: Wait, what? jmurph: I'm not gonna lie, I had this Kuzy goal as my best of the year for the vast majority of when I was doing my rankings

Rob Carlin: Oh, and it was over the shoulder & under the bar against a really good goalie

JJ Regan: Backstrom looks up, sees Oshie coming, then spins and puts it on his tape! He knows exactly what he's doing! jmurph: That he does, and it was a heck of a finish by Oshie too, but it's not bar down. And I don't want to hear the power play argument today

Rob Carlin: Agreed. It’s an amazing pass. But that shot — that’s a play most players don’t even think to try much less actually pull it off jmurph: here I was ready to die on a hill for Kuzy's goal, looks like JJ is going to be battling uphill to get Backy-to-Osh through

JJ Regan: So far I have not heard any description of the Kuznetsov goal that does not also describe the Backstrom pass.

How many people are trying a no look behind the back pass?

Rob Carlin: BTW, this is Caps-Penguins in round 2. Either of these could win the whole thing. Criminal that it’s a round 2 matchup timmcdonough: I stumped HARD for Vrana's goal to get through against Kuzy, I'm certainly not going to vote Kuzy over a way better goal this time around jmurph: what about Kuzy's goal do you not appreciate? bmcnally: Sorry I just started watching both goals again and couldn't stop. I'm back

I have to go Backstrom/Oshie here. It's two players doing an incredible thing instead of one. I like passing. I watch Hoosiers a lot. Both are great. This is like choosing between your kids. I just have to go with the pass. It's both skilled and incredible anticipation and vision and the whole thing. jmurph: I get the feeling that we are not going to come to a conclusion on this and I imagine this will be the closest vote of the whole bracket

JJ Regan: I appreciate the Kuznetsov shot, but that goal isn't moving. Backstrom hits a moving target without even looking and he does it on the back hand timmcdonough: Kuzy's goal is an incredibly special shot. No questioning that. But other goals in this have had a lot more special qualities to them, including this Backstrom/Oshie combo

Rob Carlin: I love the Backy pass. It’s so typical of his brilliance. I just think we are underestimating that Kuzy shot. Maybe because he had an 1151776 Washington Capitals JJ Regan: Let's call this one. It's Ovechkin and it's not close. Sorry Arlo.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.05.2019

Caps Goal of Year Bracket: No. 1 Ovi Dangles Canes vs No. 9 Dowd Alley-Oop to Stephenson

By NBC Sports Washington

September 04, 2019 6:27 PM

With less than a month before training camp opens in mid-September, we are taking one last look back at the 2018-19 season as we dive into the best goals of last year. We compiled our bracket based on the cumulative rankings of our Capitals team, from reporters to producers and everyone in between, and now is your turn to help us determine the best Capitals goal of 2018-19. Below is a Slack conversation between the members of our Capitals content team. jmurph: The first round of your Goal of the Year bracket is complete with only 1 upset sneaking through. That upset is in our first matchup of the second round and today we discuss the #1 goal in our bracket - Alex Ovechkin dangling through the Canes in Game 7 to feed Tom Wilson and the #9 goal in our bracket - Nic Dowd's alley-oop to Chandler Stephenson. Safe to say we're going chalk here?

JJ Regan: Ovechkin. Good talk. Thanks for coming out everybody! bmcnally: Now wait just a minute JJ I think...

Just kidding. It's hard to top Ovi here.

Rob Carlin: As I said last week, I love the Dowd pass. I don’t think it was luck. He did exactly what he wanted to do & hit Stephenson in stride. It is a sick goal.

Having said that — Ovi wins! jmurph: and let's not forget, Dowd has another of his alley-oops still in play that could still march on.

JJ Regan: One day when Ovechkin retires, you know, in 35 years or so, there will be an ultimate highlight reel of his best plays. I honestly believe this setup for Wilson will be on it.

Dowd and Stephenson can't top this one. bmcnally: It'd be kind of amazing if Nic Dowd was just REALLY good at two-zone alley oop passes to spring teammates. Looking forward to the first time he does it this season.

JJ Regan: When you do it twice, it's not luck. timmcdonough: I've kind of memorized all of Ovi's great goals, but could this possibly be the best set-up of his career? I can't remember a better one...

Rob Carlin: Listen, McNally, I’m not saying he’s gonna try this every night. I’m just saying it’s clearly something he works on. bmcnally: Haha I'm not making fun of it at all. I would love it if he was just randomly elite at that specific skill. jmurph: I saw JJ try one of these backhand flips at media fantasy camp and it went about 6 inches.

Rob Carlin: They should put that in the All Star skills competition. Dowd could win! bmcnally: I'd watch! But back to the Ovi goal - JJ is right. That should be on the highlight reel. jmurph: maybe make one of the mini net passes a backhand flip, that would be awesome. bmcnally: I love that it isn't the typical one-timer. That it shows Ovechkin is somehow underrated as a playmaker just because his shot is so good.

Rob Carlin: TMac has worked on so many Ovi goal montages over the years, I believe you’ve memorized all of them. But you’re also probably right that this pass is one of, if not the, best of his career

He’s got 553 career assists. More in the playoffs. Yet he’s underrated as a passer. That’s nuts. 1151777 Washington Capitals Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.05.2019

Smith-Pelly gets another shot at sticking in the NHL, this time with Calgary Flames

By J.J. Regan

September 04, 2019 4:45 PM

Devante Smith-Pelly will get another shot at the NHL as he has been invited to training camp with the Calgary Flames on a professional tryout, the team announced Wednesday. If he sticks in Calgary, it will be his fifth NHL team.

The keyword, however, is “if.”

The Flames do not have much cap room to work with to keep Smith-Pelly even if he impresses during camp. The team currently has a little over $7.75 million in space, but still has two restricted free agents left to sign including Matthew Tkachuk who will command most if not all of that remaining space.

Still, PTOs are not always about impressing your current team, it is about impressing your next one. If Smith-Pelly has a good training camp, it may just earn him a contract somewhere else and allow him to stay in the NHL.

A return to Washington seemed unlikely for Smith-Pelly after some ominous words from general manager Brian MacLellan at the end of the season.

“Internally we had a couple of issues we had to work through,” MacLellan said. “I think we’ll talk to him going forward. I had an exit interview meeting with him and out-laid our expectations and we need to be assured that requirements would be met before we brought him back.”

Those comments were the exclamation point on a tumultuous year.

Smith-Pelly became a playoff hero for his seven goals during the Caps’ Cup run in 2018 including the game-tying goal in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup-clinching win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The following season got off to a rough start, however, as he appeared to be out of shape at the start of training camp, Though he denied the reports that he was out of shape, he did not play until late in the preseason and head coach Todd Reirden commented that Smith-Pelly was “working really hard to get to the level that I'd like to see him at.”

The season itself was a struggle for Smith-Pelly who managed only four goals and four assists in 54 games and was ultimately placed on waivers. His stock was low enough that he actually cleared waivers without a team putting in a claim for him.

Now Smith-Pelly has the difficult task of convincing one of those teams that would not take him for free to sign him to a contract.

For his part, Smith-Pelly acknowledged the short summer after winning the Cup affected his season.

“The summer was different for a lot of guys,” he said “I mean, very short. Guys are hurt going into the summer so obviously you don’t have the same routine as you’ve had in years past to get ready. I guess that just affected me more than some other guys. You try to get your footing and stuff happens.”

Hopefully for his sake, he has had a better summer this year because his future in the NHL may depend on it.

No one could question whether or not Smith-Pelly is a playoff performer. Before the Caps, there was his run with Anaheim in 2014 when he scored five goals in 12 games. The problem is that he seems to have trouble sticking with teams. He was traded by Anaheim to the Montreal Canadiens in 2015 and then traded to the New Jersey Devils in 2016. He only came to Washington after he was bought out by the Devils in 2017. How things turned out in his last season with the Caps no doubt scared away many potential suitors for his services making this training camp with Calgary critical.

Smith-Pelly may not just be playing for a spot in Calgary, he may be playing for the future of his NHL career. 1151778 Washington Capitals For those of you who may not know, Gunston Hall was the home of George Mason. And so on Saturday I went out to Lorton, Virginia, to watch Williams become a U.S. citizen so I could ask him about free Capitals Mailbag: Why only 3 Caps deserve to have their numbers retired agency.

What I remember most about it was the very end. Each new citizen was given a mini American flag and they all waved in celebration, including By J.J. Regan Williams. Seeing Williams waving his little flag around with the same wry smile he always seems to have has always stood out in my mind as a September 04, 2019 12:15 PM funny memory.

You can read the article I wrote off of it here, and don’t worry, I got It’s time for a new Capitals mailbag! Check it out below. pictures.

Have a Caps question you want answered in the next mailbag? Send it How’s that for a random memory? on Twitter using #CapsMailNBC or by email to John F. writes: Evgeny Kuznetsov, John Erskine, Donald Brashear, even [email protected]. poor - are the Caps and former Caps more prone to troubled Please note, some questions have been edited for clarity. lives than those on other NHL teams?

Joseph P. writes: It would be a crime if Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas No. It just seems that way because we follow the Caps so closely. Backstrom’s numbers are not retired when it’s all said and done. Who First off, Brashear played for five NHL teams, Murphy played for seven. else currently on the team or from recent years do you believe should Neither of them spent the bulk of their careers in Washington. Plus, have their names in the rafters of Capital One? Murphy played nearly 20 years ago. I don’t know how we can look at the Uh-oh. You’re going to get me in trouble, Joseph. I am very, very strict problems they had and say this is a Caps issue. when it comes to that particular honor. Retiring a player's number is one There is no question that Kuznetsov was unfortunately one of the bigger of highest honors a team can bestow and you cheapen it when you give stories of the offseason. Last year it was Austin Watson. Is anyone it away to too many players. To me being a good player and a fan questioning the culture in Nashville? favorite are not enough to warrant having a number retired. It has to transcend that. To that end, the only players who I believe should have The fact is that a guy like Erskine has name recognition here, but he may their numbers retired for the Caps are Rod Langway, Alex Ovechkin and not in other places. How many depth, fourth line, third pairing players Nicklas Backstrom. That’s it, that’s the list. Yes, that does not include who used to play for the Jets have had incidents the past few years? some players who already have their numbers retired, nor does it include What about former Anaheim Ducks? Arizona? Coyotes? I have no idea. Peter Bondra or Olie Kolzig. Those stories do not circulate around here because no one would recognize who they were. I love Bondra and Kolzig. Those were the players I grew up watching. Bondra, in fact, was my favorite player. I do not see why being a really "Breaking: Former NHLer John Doe arrested for marijuana. He played 13 good player who spent most of his career in Washington should warrant games for the Vancouver Canucks in 2002." CNN isn’t picking up that either player getting their numbers retired. I’m sorry, I just don’t. story. Neither is Pro Hockey Talk, NBC Sports Washington, the Washington Post, etc. Maybe people in Vancouver are paying attention Langway coming to Washington quite literally saved the franchise, plus because they saw John Doe fight that one time in that random game they he was an incredible defenseman. Ovechkin is one of the greatest went to 11 years ago. players of all time and led the Caps to their first Stanley Cup. His legacy will live on in the interest he sparked in hockey in the area. Backstrom is The point is, I do not think anyone around the organization is looking at a Hall-of-Fame player whose career and accomplishments will forever be the recent stories and wondering if there is an issue with the Caps’ entwined with Ovechkin’s. To separate the two would be an inaccurate culture. These things are not unique to Washington. depiction of what this era was for the Capitals. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.05.2019 The bottom line is that what Langway, Ovechkin and Backstrom did for the Caps transcended their play and popularity.

It is all right to have nostalgia for those guys for players like Bondra and Kolzig. I certainly do, and I am not criticizing or downplaying their accomplishments in any way. In fact, if you want to raise their number to the rafters as “honored” I have no problem with that. But to me, retiring a number requires more. It requires not just a good career, but a transcendent one. There are only three players in the history of the franchise who fit that criteria.

@CAPSNFIVE on Twitter writes: What’s a story or memory you have of Justin Williams?

Did you know that Williams is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States? I do and the reason I do is because I was at Williams’ naturalization ceremony.

In 2017, Williams was a free agent. Given his leadership and the fact that he was still a top-six forward, there was certainly reason to keep him. Just like in 2019, however, the team was tight against the salary cap and no one knew if Williams would be back.

In June 2017, I was looking ahead to a weekend off. The Caps’ season was over, my wife was out of town and I supposedly had the weekend to myself. When you work in sports media, it is always a mistake to think that way. Sure enough, Thursday or Friday of that week someone at the office reached out and asked if I was free Saturday.

“Yeah...why?”

“Justin Williams is becoming a naturalized citizen on Saturday. The ceremony is at Gunston Hall.”

Uh...ok. 1151779 Washington Capitals when the teams were formed. Ben "I haven't skated in 10 years" Raby from Capitals Radio, for example, suddenly scored the first goal for Team Red. The real lowlight of the game was when The Athletic's Tarik El- Players for a day: Capitals give media a taste of the grind with unique Bashir scored. Tarik is many things, but humble is not one of them. training camp experience Team White definitely listened to our coach as Laughlin declared, "We're down 4-1, no backchecking." You can guess how that turned out.

By J.J. Regan I held my own pretty well during the game. My highlight was grabbing the puck, getting challenged by my NBC Sports Washington colleague Jason September 04, 2019 9:40 AM Murphy, tapping the puck off the boards and going around him with an all-star deke. Unfortunately, I did not score. I had a breakaway, cut left to

try to draw the goalie with me and I fired the puck far-side and missed the ARLINGTON, Va. -- When I first heard that the Capitals would be holding net. a Media Training Camp at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, I immediately The final score was...well, that's not important. circled the date on my calendar. As a lifelong hockey fan, I, of course, envisioned myself playing in the NHL when I was a kid. That childlike Sometimes in sports the best team doesn’t win. I feel like that was the excitement came rushing back when I read a description of the event. case today with team white. #CapsMediaCamp

There was no way I was going to miss this. — JJ Regan (@JJReganNBCS) September 3, 2019

The event, which was held Tuesday, was meant to give media a glimpse All kidding aside, it was an absolute blast. Huge thanks to the Capitals into what life is like for the players and coaches. I kept my professional PR staff for making it happen. demeanor for about five minutes when I arrived at MedStar. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.05.2019 Been here 5 minutes. I’m already geeking out. This is pretty awesome. pic.twitter.com/dsFTPTBdGt

— JJ Regan (@JJReganNBCS) September 3, 2019

Yeah, that was pretty cool.

The day began with a welcome from Capitals head coach Todd Reirden. He spoke to the media in the Caps' locker room which, by the way, added new cushions at each stall and painted the backsplash of each stall red. We then were treated to a fascinating presentation from video coach Brett Leonhardt about the video the players watch and how the video staff collects and organizes the clips to scout opponents.

The video staff scouts opponents by watching each of the team's three games before they play the Caps. That means they have to map out the entire season to determine which games they need to watch and when. Those games are then broken down play by play and grouped into certain situations -- power-play breakout, 5-on-5 offensive zone transition, neutral zone faceoffs, etc. -- so that players can scout specifically how an opponent handles certain situations. He also talked about the camera angles and technology they use to determine if a play was offsides. He joked that sometimes the puck enters the zone and he can tell the coaches don't worry, the puck was offside so it doesn't matter if they score.

All of this begs the question, if the video staff knows right away if a puck is offside, why don't the refs? But I digress....

Leonhardt was followed by head equipment manager Brock Myles who introduced the media to Catapult, the team's player tracking system. Each player will wear a harness with a player tracker for all practices and games so the team can monitor how a player is doing physically and what areas they need to improve.

I'm glad I didn't have to wear one as my results for what to improve on would probably have just read "Everything."

After that, it was time to hit the ice. I can skate, but it had been a while and it sure felt that way when I first stepped on. After a couple of minutes and a couple of laps, I finally got my legs under me and felt pretty comfortable...sort of.

I'm an OK skater. Not an expert by any means, but I can keep my balance and skate pretty well. I just can't stop.

The media went through three different drills that were run by assistant coaches Blaine Forsythe, Scott Arniel, Reid Cashman, as well as players Alex Alexeyev, Jonas Siegenthaler, gold medalist Haley Skarupa and several MedStar Iceplex coaches. We worked on stickhandling, passing, shooting and skating.

I'm not one to brag, but I nailed a shot through the five-hole during drills. Just saying.

Then it was the moment we had all been waiting for, the game.

My team, Team White, was Craig Laughlin while Team Red was coached by Alan May. It soon became clear that some people were perhaps better or had more experience than they had originally indicated 1151780 Winnipeg Jets together, you need all three guys to play good at the same time. And when one thing is thrown off, if I’m not playing well, it’s going to throw off how my wingers are responding," he said.

Little centre of attention for Jets "I imagine going into the season, stuff isn’t going to be set in stone and it Veteran forward hoping to secure spot this season will be kind of trial and error. And just because stuff hasn’t worked out before doesn’t mean it won’t work out this year. People grow as players and mature, and we have a lot of guys in that position. They’re changing and learning the game more and getting older, so you never know what’s By: Jason Bell going to click and what’s not going to." Posted: 09/4/2019 7:21 PM Little dressed for all 164 games the past two NHL regular seasons, yet his production of 31 goals and 84 points mirrored his total from the two previous, injury-filled campaigns (2015-17) when he had 38 goals and 51 Bryan Little had never openly admitted to feeling out of sorts at any point assists in just 116 games. during his long tenure in a Winnipeg Jets uniform. Still an effective checker and faceoff guy, Little maintains the offensive Not after life was turned upside down when he and his teammates made gifts are still there as well. the sudden move north from Atlanta to the Manitoba capital in 2011. Not at training camp in the fall of 2016 when there was, undoubtedly, some "I definitely went from contributing a lot offensively in years prior… I’d like trepidation after a long recuperation from a fractured vertebrae. Not after to see contributing a bit more this year," he said. "It was tough last year, damaging a knee just a few weeks later in the Jets 2016-17 season near the end of the year not really knowing where I fit in sometimes. But opener. going into camp, I feel like there is some responsibility from the older guys to step up and for the young guys to progress. And not after being shuffled down the lineup following the past two NHL trade deadlines when team brass felt an upgrade at the second-line "I know (Maurice) is not just going to give me that role, that spot. It’s up to centre position was imperative. me to come in and earn it, just as kids are earning spots on the roster. If I play like crap, I don’t deserve to be in that position." But the veteran forward acknowledged Wednesday he struggled the last few months of the 2018-19 NHL season, not knowing where he fit in Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 09.05.2019 when the Jets acquired pending unrestricted free agent Kevin Hayes from the New York Rangers in late February.

"It’s been a little difficult, especially those last 20 games or so when we pick up a new guy and then I’m kind of not really sure where I fit in, if I’m going to be playing wing or if I’m going to be more of a checker," Little said in conversation with reporters at Bell MTS Iceplex after an informal skate. "So, I’ve tried to take that when stuff like that happens, I talk to (head coach) Paul (Maurice) and ask him what my role is and what he wants me to do."

“I imagine going into the season, stuff isn’t going to be set in stone and it will be kind of trial and error. And just because stuff hasn’t worked out before doesn’t mean it won’t work out this year," said Little.

Two games into his brief time in Winnipeg, Hayes supplanted Little down the middle on Winnipeg’s second forward unit with Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers. Little moved to the wing on the bottom six and remained there for much of the stretch drive to the playoffs, although he returned to his regular spot during an opening-round series defeat to the St. Louis Blues when Hayes was sputtering.

Little said the confusion and uncertainty he felt was almost immediate.

"We’re bringing in another centre. As soon as that happens, you automatically think, ‘This guy is playing second line, (Adam Lowry) is third line.’ So, that’s just where it comes from," he said. "As soon as that happened, I realized my role might change and that’s why I said before I was prepared to play wing or whatever he told me."

Hayes is now gone, signing a monster deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Jets, just more than a week away from training camp, have picked up no centres ahead of Little on the depth chart, and neither Andrew Copp nor Jack Roslovic has demonstrated a readiness or productiveness to assume the job.

So, just like in each of the last five camps since Mark Scheifele’s emergence as an NHL star, Little remains the team’s best option to anchor the second forward group – despite the bemoaning of many Jets fans who look at the 31-year-old’s big cap hit — nearly US$5.3 million this season and the next four — and his inability to find a spark with young wingers Patrik Laine and Ehlers.

“It was tough last year, near the end of the year not really knowing where I fit in sometimes. But going into camp, I feel like there is some responsibility from the older guys to step up and for the young guys to progress."

— Bryan Little

Even Little notes chemistry was discovered in intermittent doses.

"I wish I had the answers. Sometimes, it feels like it’s going well and we’re producing, and sometimes it’s not. I think for a line to play well 1151781 Winnipeg Jets play, so don’t be surprised to see him get plenty of opportunities in that spot to start this new season.

MY ODDS OF HIM STARTING THE SEASON AT THE POSITION: 60 Second-line middle-man position Little's to lose per cent

Andrew Copp

By: Mike McIntyre 2) ANDREW COPP: I would have received plenty of strange looks with Posted: 09/5/2019 7:00 PM this suggestion a year ago, but plenty has changed since then. First, Copp has shown he can be just as successful playing centre as he is on the wing. He’s also proven to be able to move up and down the lineup, balancing a strong defensive game with some offensive pop (career-high Immediate help wanted: second-line centreman. Must be able to play 11 goals last year, plus 14 assists, in 69 games). sound two-way game, contributing at both ends of the ice. Chemistry with talented but inconsistent young wingers required. Now (desperately) Copp, 25, is also a highly motivated player with a bit of a chip on his accepting applications from within. shoulder, the result of going to arbitration with the Jets earlier this summer after failing to come to terms on a new deal. After being It’s become a common concern around these parts, one the Winnipeg awarded a two-year deal worth US$2.28 million per year, Copp has the Jets have been struggling to address for quite some time. chance to really strike it rich on his next deal if he can carve out an even Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff sought outside help the past bigger role on the team. two trade deadlines, bringing in (great fit) in February 2018 I wouldn’t bet against him. The Michigan product might just continue to and Kevin Hayes (not so great fit) in February 2019. surprise. And as the Jets get set to embark on a new campaign, who will fill this MY ODDS OF HIM STARTING THE SEASON AT THE POSITION: 25 all-important job opening remains a mystery. Yes, it’s deja vu all over per cent again. Winnipeg Jets Jack Roslovic These were not long-term solutions, as both players moved on to sign lucrative long-term deals with Vegas and Philadelphia, respectively. 3) JACK ROSLOVIC: there may not be a player with more to prove this season than Roslovic, the talented 22-year-old first round draft pick who All of which means we’re back to square one. And as the Jets get set to many believe hasn’t been given a fair shake by the organization. embark on a new campaign, who will fill this all-important job opening Roslovic is part of that chorus, privately airing his concerns about remains a mystery. minutes and usage with the team last season and then again through Yes, it’s deja vu all over again. what is now his former agent, Ken Robinson, earlier this summer.

There’s no question 26-year-old Mark Scheifele is No. 1 up the middle, Roslovic (nine goals, 15 assists in 77 regular-season games) will be a albeit with room for improvement despite a career-best 84 points last restricted free agent after this season and is going to need a major season. breakthrough if he truly wants to cash in. He played plenty of centre last year, albeit in a more sheltered bottom-six role for the most part, and But after that, how exactly does the depth chart look? That will be one of struggled at times. Roslovic seems to be more at ease on the wing, the key storylines when training camp begins next week, in addition to a where he can focus on what he does best without worrying about the revamped blue-line and the contract situations of young wingers Patrik added defensive responsibilities. Laine and Kyle Connor. As such, it’s tough to see him really grabbing a permanent spot as a One thing is clear: the second-line centre position is likely to be filled second-line centre, although he’s still young enough that I’m not internally. With the Jets up against the salary cap, there was no chance prepared to write him off entirely. He should at least be given a shot. of signing a high-profile free agent this summer. MY ODDS OF HIM STARTING THE SEASON AT THE POSITION: 10 Unless Cheveldayoff swings a big trade to dramatically change the per cent makeup of his roster, what you see is what you’re going to get. Blake Wheeler To help get this job search underway, I’ve short-listed five potential candidates along with a brief resumé for each and my take on how this 4) BLAKE WHEELER: file this one under the "not likely to happen" might shake out. category, if for no other reason that it would mean splitting up the seemingly joined-at-the-hip duo of Scheifele and Wheeler on the top line. Bryan Little However, Wheeler filled in admirably as the No. 1 centre when Scheifele 1) BRYAN LITTLE: what’s the definition of insanity again — doing the went down with an injury during the 2017-18 season, making you wonder same thing over and over again and expecting a different result? Yet what this roster might look like if he slid off the wing into the No. 2 spot. here we are again, another year older and, one would hope, another year wiser. Yes, Wheeler, 33, is one of the better right-wingers in the game, but the Jets certainly have plenty of depth on the flanks, especially once Laine Little, 31, is coming off his least-productive offensive season since he and Connor sign new deals. was just a young pup way back in 2009-10, then with the Atlanta Thrashers. With just 15 goals and 26 assists in 82 games last year, this Why not at least experiment with this during the pre-season? Like I said, might just be the new normal for an aging player whose best years are don’t hold your breath. likely behind him. MY ODDS OF HIM STARTING THE SEASON AT THE POSITION: 5 per We’ve also seen enough evidence to suggest pairing him with Laine and cent Nikolaj Ehlers simply doesn’t mesh, assuming the top line of Scheifele Adam Lowry between Connor and Blake Wheeler stays intact. 5) ADAM LOWRY: this one’s a bit of a long shot. And don’t forget the very reason Cheveldayoff brought in Stastny, and then Hayes a year later, was the belief that Little on that line simply Technically, the 26-year-old already may be the "second-line centre" on wasn’t good enough. In fact, not only was he moved down the lineup, he some nights, simply by deployment, but I’m not sure there’s enough was also shifted on occasion to the wing. offence in his arsenal to carry a permanent top-six workload.

So what makes anyone think it’s going to work out better this time Lowry (12 goals, 11 assists in 78 games last season) is much better around? being used in a shutdown role. And the Jets are likely a better team with him being deployed in such a manner. Head coach Paul Maurice loves his veterans, and can also be a bit stubborn when it comes to making changes. Little represents the "safe" MY ODDS OF HIM STARTING THE SEASON AT THE POSITION: 0 per cent No, none of the above suggestions are perfect. Likely far from it. But in a salary cap world, sometimes a little creativity, not to mention flexibility, is required.

Time will tell who ultimately gets hired — and whether they’re fit for the job.

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 09.05.2019 1151782 Winnipeg Jets we've got some really good young players on the back end. As a group we're going to have to be better this year and all take our game to the next level."

Morrissey, Jets talking about long-term extension Morrissey isn't sure who he'll be paired with, although Dustin Byfuglien or Neal Pionk (acquired from the New York Rangers in exchange for Trouba) seem like the likely candidates. By: Mike McIntyre "I'm guessing there's going to be some shuffling around to see what Posted: 09/4/2019 3:21 PM works and what fits," said Morrissey. "Sometimes as a player it's fun to get to know new guys and new teammates. I think we're all kind of

excited to see how everything shakes out and what works the best." Could the Winnipeg Jets be closing in on a long-term extension with one Morrissey isn't concerned all the turnover means doom and gloom for the of their most prized young players? local club. No, not Kyle Connor. And no, not Patrik Laine. We're talking about top- "It's kind of the evolution of a team. There's always going to be changes, pairing defenceman Josh Morrissey, who revealed Wednesday that additions, subtractions. Those three guys were big pieces of the back contract talks are underway. end. I think I'd be concerned, I guess, if I didn't feel like we didn't have "I've always maintained I want to be a Jet and I want to play here in some good young players here that can come in and I think ready to take Winnipeg. I'd love to get something done," Morrissey said following an the next step in their game as well," said Morrissey, who puts himself in hour-long skate at Bell MTS Iceplex in advance of the start of training that category as well. camp next week. "That's definitely my goal. I feel like as a player all you want is "As a player, you just want to go through the process and handle it the opportunity. To have the chance to take yourself to the next level and right way. But I'd love to get something done and I'd love to play here improve your game. I worked hard through the off-season and the throughout my career. We'll see what happens." opportunity's there to step up and improve. For that part of things I'm excited about that opportunity." Morrissey missed the start of camp last September as part of a contract impasse, only to sign a two-year deal a few days later worth $3.15 million As for Trouba, Morrissey won't have to wait very long to see his old per season. The 24-year-old Calgary native will once again be a partner, as the Jets begin the 2019-20 regular season on Oct. 3 in New restricted free agent again next summer, this time with arbitration rights, York playing the Rangers. but is hopeful any future drama can be avoided. "The schedule maker obviously had that one circled. It'll be fun to play in. "We've chatted a little bit throughout the last couple of weeks and It'll be weird as well," said Morrissey. throughout the summer," said Morrissey. "It's exciting. But at the same "(Trouba) has got a fresh new deal as well (seven years, $56-million). I time, throughout that span, I'm really just focused on preparing for the made sure to mention that he'd be taking us out for dinner in New York. season and if something happens to get done, that would be awesome. We'll have to try to find a nice restaurant to run the bill up a little bit." I'm sure it will all be figured out in due time. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 09.05.2019 "I just feel like (Winnipeg) is a great fit for me and as a person."

Laine and Connor are current RFAs who need new deals, and it appears more likely with each passing day that they won't be signed in time for the official start of training camp on Sept. 13. A seven-game exhibition schedule begins Sept. 16.

"Obviously, we want both those guys here; obviously, they're amazing players," he said. "I understand it's just kind of the business of things, until there's a new rule in place or something like that, it's probably what's going to happen each year."

Indeed, Connor and Laine are among several high-profile young NHL stars still without contracts. Other big names include Colorado's Mikko Rantanen, Toronto's Mitch Marner, Tampa's Brayden Point and Calgary's Matthew Tkachuk.

"It's just sort of the way things seem to be working right now. I don't think anyone loves that it is the way it is. I went through it myself. With the CBA and the rules the way they are, it's just something that seems to happen," said Morrissey.

"It's part of the game at the moment right now. Until there's a change that would benefit both sides, it is the way it is."

Morrissey said his own experience last year was a real eye-opener.

"It's your first time where, for me, you kind of experience the business side of the game. It was just a process that wasn't a whole lot of fun. Anyone would be remiss if they didn't have that thought in their mind every day, 'Are we going to get something done or not?' At the same time, you look at the way this trend has been going, so I think everyone is kind of prepared it might take some time," he said.

That could be bad news for a Jets team that has already undergone major changes this summer, including the departures of forward Brandon Tanev and defencemen Ben Chiarot and Tyler Myers in free agency, plus the trade of Morrissey's longtime blue-line partner Jacob Trouba.

"It's tough. (Trouba) and I have become really good friends. It was tough to see a friend go. Obviously that's part of the business we're in. But it was hard," said Morrissey.

"Losing him and Mysey and Benny, three great guys in the room and three great players. We have to, from within, find a way to step up. I think 1151783 Winnipeg Jets

Losing Trouba tough, but Morrissey marching onward

Scott Billeck

Published:September 4, 2019

Updated:September 4, 2019 6:32 PM CDT

Losing Jacob Trouba was a tough loss, for both the Winnipeg Jets as a whole, and for Josh Morrissey, personally.

Speaking for the first time since Trouba was traded, Morrissey called it tough to see Trouba traded to the New York Rangers back in June.

“Obviously, that’s part of the business that we’re in but it was hard,” Morrissey said. “The fact that we’ve been playing together and what-not, we became really good friends. It’s sad to see a friend go, but it’s part of the business. As another player, you keep going along. That’s how this game works.

The Jets lost more than Trouba on defence this summer, with veteran D- men Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot leaving as unrestricted free agents.

“Those are three great guys and three great guys in the room and three great players, so we have to, from within, find a way to step up,” Morrissey said. “We’ve got some really good young players on the back end that, as a group, we’re going to have to be better this year and all kind of take it to the next level.”

Some have seen this summer as a step back for the Jets, particularly in its rearguard. Morrissey doesn’t see it like that.

“I would be concerned if I didn’t feel like we had good young players here that could come and are ready to take the next step in their game too. So, that’s just part of the game and I think from talking to Paul (Maurice) and the other coaches, we’ve got some kind of exciting things going into this year to try and keep working on our game. And like I said, for everyone to take it to another level.”

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 09.05.2019 1151784 Winnipeg Jets Via Micah Blake McCurdy at HockeyViz.com

Keller has played 167 games and has 37 goals and 114 points so far in his career. Connor has played 11 more games at 178 and has 67 goals Morrissey would love to play whole career with Jets and 128 points during that time.

Keller’s contract likely becomes the benchmark now for a deal between Scott Billeck the Connor and the Jets. It favours Connor in a big way.

Published:September 4, 2019 Let’s do a quick Connor (left) vs. Keller (right), using statistics from five- on-five action this past season: Updated:September 4, 2019 6:35 PM CDT 1.8 – Points/60 – 1.24

0.93 – Goals/60 – 0.70 There was no hesitation in Josh Morrissey’s voice on Wednesday. 0.88 – Assists/60 – 0.54 Asked if talks had begun on a new contract extension for the 24-year-old defenceman who is entering the final season of a two-year, $6.3 million 7.83- Shots/60 – 7.61 deal, Morrissey volunteered that, indeed, they had. 14:12- TOI/GP- 13:33

Over the past couple of weeks, and at other times throughout the Connor is the superior player here, and while both struggle in their own summer, Morrissey said chats between club and player have taken respective zones, it’s Connor who struggles less. place. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 09.05.2019 In a summer that has lacked commitment from a wide range of big-name players, Morrissey then offered this:

“I’d love to get something done. I’d love to play here throughout my career,” Morrissey said after an informal skate at BellMTS Iceplex. “We’ll see what happens.”

For fans of the Jets, a statement like that comes at a time when the futures of both Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor remain in flux, and after three years of knowing that Morrissey’s former defensive partner Jacob Trouba was likely going to leave after this past season.

“From the time, throughout last summer when we spoke after I had signed, I’ve always maintained I want to be a Jet and that I want to play here in Winnipeg,” Morrissey said.

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Morrissey’s role as a top-pairing defenceman is only expected to expand this season with the departures of the aforementioned Trouba, along with veterans in Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot.

And with an expanded opportunity comes the potential for an expanded dollar figure if Morrissey was to wait a bit and see how this coming season progresses.

To that, Morrissey said he doesn’t think it would be a bad thing if the season finishes without an extension in place.

“I still have another year left on this deal,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter, I guess, if the deal gets done any time before you walk into the arbitration room if that was something that was going to happen.

“But I’m hopeful and I would like to get it done and I would like to be playing here in Winnipeg. I just feel like it’s a great fit for me as a player and a person.”

A year ago at this time, Morrissey was in the same boat as both Laine and Connor. Morrissey wouldn’t sign until a few days into training camp, eventually settling on the bridge deal that will carry him back into restricted free agency — this time with arbitration rights — next summer.

Morrissey understands the business side of the game now, he said. But he didn’t not long ago.

“You sort of don’t know what to expect,” he said. “For myself, it helped me a lot last summer in terms of understanding and learning about the business side of the game.

“It was just a process that wasn’t a whole lot of fun. From the start of the summer, I think anyone would be remiss if they didn’t have that thought into their mind every single day of, ‘Are we going to get something done or not?’ But at the same time, you look at the way this trend has been going, I think everyone is kind of prepared that it might take some time.”

CONNOR COMPARABLE

While nothing has changed in terms of where Laine and Connor stand, a comparable for the latter entered the fray on Wednesday when Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller signed a massive eight-year, $57.2 million deal (annual average value of $7.15 million). 1151785 Winnipeg Jets So there’s emotion that goes into this thing — emotion that you’ve got to check.

I’ve got the advantage over all the players at the end of a game. I have One-on-one with Paul Maurice: On centre issues, changes for 2019-20 an extra 10 minutes and that extra 10 minutes is important sometimes. and the future of his young stars You get certain players — and we’ve got a couple in our room — if you get them within 10 minutes of a loss, they’re still snorting a little bit. They’re not nice. They’re angry. I always enjoy seeing that from a player, By Murat Ates right? The guy that’s, “Hey, that’s just a tough one” — you’d like a little more emotion than that. Sep 4, 2019 41 That extra 10 minutes, for me, is good. So I don’t mind walking out and

saying, “I don’t have the answer to that but I’m going to work real hard at Paul Maurice will have his work cut out for him this season. getting it by tomorrow.”

I think he knows this. I also think he has plans. Whether or not he’s You’re reminding me of a conversation I had with Blake Wheeler last willing to share those plans with me, time will tell, but I’ve convinced him season. to sit down with me and dig into a wide variety of pressing Jets topics. He gets really fired up but I also think he’s funny. There’s a witty I’ve wanted to have a conversation like this for a very long time. Maurice presence about him. He’ll take a shot at your question and then answer it has been extremely gracious with my more analytically bent questions very well. I find that very interesting. Anyway, he told me, “I just have to since I first started covering the Jets. He’s been patient and kind, get to a place where I’m this competitive. This is where I have to get to to alternating insightful answers with good-natured jabs and one time, very be a hockey player. When I come in and I haven’t had a chance to cool early in my career, he stopped reporters from leaving the room after a down, sometimes that’s going to happen, but I do my best.” post-practice scrum after noticing my failed attempts to signal for the What you’ve just stated is his greatness as a leader. He has the capacity microphone. Today, I can’t remember what I asked in that moment but I to find the other answer. You’re exactly right. He lathers himself for the haven’t forgotten the act of kindness or the thorough nature of his lack of a better word. He gets himself wired to the point that, when you response. ask a question 10 minutes after a game, you’re going to get some edge I share my version of that story with Maurice, read an expression that on your question. And that’s true. That’s the confrontation he’s just been looks to me like he remembers it too, and say my thanks. Then I proceed through for an hour so he gives you a bit of that. Let him breathe for 10 to ask him everything on my mind about the 2019-20 Winnipeg Jets. seconds and he’s going to answer your question.

What is next for Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor? Why do we see so much Most players — most people — will do one or the other. It’s either all man-to-man defence in Winnipeg’s zone? Is Neal Pionk a top-four emotional and they don’t have the capacity or the grace to give you a defenceman? Which centre other than Mark Scheifele will get a feature nuanced answer or, what I’m sure bothers you guys sometimes, is that role? And, as I’ve argued in the past, is it time to see Scheifele and there’s no emotion — it’s all out of the book. Blake’s unusual in that he’ll Wheeler anchoring different lines when the season begins? show you both sides to him and that’s what makes him great.

Our conversation was long so I’ve broken it into two parts. Maurice’s Let’s talk about hockey. I have a theory that for 2017-18 the power play, responses were detailed and articulate; other than minor edits, I’ve left PK, and 5-on-5 were all new. That was the first power play with Scheifele them intact. in the middle, Laine at the far side, Byfuglien at the point — and you said in a press conference that year that the original idea was to have some of We enter the conversation with Maurice speaking… them rotate a little bit. The PK — I don’t know what word you use but I think of it a stack — was new. Even at 5-on-5, the aggression, the I’ve had some things come out of my mouth where I thought, “Oh geez, forecheck, the defencemen and the backpressure. you just needed not to say that.” I felt like there was a lot of new stuff. But I don’t know if that’s completely But for the most part, I love to talk about hockey. I love to ask questions, true. too. And in a long enough interview, you’re going to ask me a question and I don’t like my answer at all. To the point where I’m going to want to That would be 100 percent accurate. There was really one philosophical call you back to fix it. I wouldn’t have given it enough thought but, usually, change from a coaching point of view. I’ll get to that last. those will lead you somewhere and a way of thinking about something you haven’t thought about in that way. So ask away. In terms of the specifics of each of those three ideas, those were all player-based. We went to a different idea on the power play because it It’s such a unique thing about your job — you have to have the answers. wasn’t Patty’s first year in the league, trying to figure it out. Blake had When we ask you questions, you have to say something even if you established himself at that point as a pure, legitimate passer. Mark was hadn’t considered it that day. willing to — I mean, there’s a sacrifice for the guy going into that hole. You get beat up a little more. We had run Adam Lowry as a left-hander There’s truth to that. I’m sure there are a lot of leadership books out there but, when you’re that young, you’re waiting for people to get to the next that will tell you that’s wrong. That a certain amount of vulnerability with level. these answers is really important and you can build a more cohesive group if people don’t think you think you know what you’re talking about The power play came of age. And you’re right. The original concept was all the time. But you are expected to do that — and, very possibly, more that if we’re going to run four righties up top, one of them has to be a in the pro sports world. really good passer.

So you’re right. But you know what? To be honest, there are far more But then we’ve always looked at Mark as being a really good passer and times now at my age and my experience level where I’ll admit I don’t we could create more motion. I think we’re eventually going to get to that have the answer. And that’s the truth but I also know I’ll need to have it because, what we’ve run now which has been really successful for two by the next day. That will happen after games or if I’ve got a situation years, there are different ways that teams are trying to choke that out. with a player I’m trying to work through. Sometimes, if you have that You’ve seen teams that have run versions of what we are — like answer the minute you walk off the bench, you need to revisit that Washington and some of those teams — and then you start to move. answer. The emotion comes out. You watch the game again and maybe That original idea — we just didn’t need to. Now you’re going to see more that’s not exactly the way you felt. motion.

Analytics, then, may be a way for you to look at it in a different way. Was The penalty kill, we changed partway through the year prior to that. We this player that weak in fact? What did they give up when they were on went to it in the last 13 games of the season that we missed the playoffs the ice? What did they generate? (in 2016-17.) We needed to find a way where we’d be far more aggressive at our blue line and hopefully stay on pressure points a lot If we could perfectly qualify chances for and against — the quality of harder. But again, Adam Lowry’s not in his first year in the league them and what you gave up — that would be the next best indicator from anymore, right? So we were waiting on these players to get to that place. goals for and against in terms of how to evaluate a player’s play. You And you’re also teaching during that. There was a lot of just learning the can’t perfectly qualify that or quantify that as a number for and against. basics, systems wise. Now we’re a couple of years into it and players start to come of age. We So Dustin’s not a guy that hangs around the gym for two hours to try to went far more aggressive with everything that we did because we get better there. And he might do it with a smile on his face — which I thought we could. The part that was philosophical was, having gone love — but he comes to practice to practice. He passes the puck as hard through all of that teaching — the minutiae of the forecheck, where as anybody else. He’s chirping guys. With Dustin, I think he just people’s sticks are, all of these reads that you’re trying to teach young absolutely loves playing hockey — even if he might tell you he’d rather players to make — you can then stop. go fishing. But put him on the ice and if there’s any kind of gamedness to what we’re doing, he’s wired. Any kind of competition. You can say, “Let’s just read these two or three things” because we’ve spent time, a lot of time, on the smaller details. He’s an exceptional pro at preparing himself through practice. You just have to accept the fact that a guy can do that with a smile on his face. It’s At times, it would look like more chaos came into our game but our idea not snarling every day and driving like some guys do. He’s out there and was to try to play this thing as fast as we possibly can. And the way you he likes it. As long as you’re not running this drill too long and he doesn’t do that is with fewer and fewer reads — not slowing your team down. deem it boring. But he’s so focused in practice. He’s hard to beat one-on- Can you give an example of minutiae? one. He makes players better.

On the forecheck? OK, let’s talk about our breakout. You mentioned Adam Lowry a couple of times and Kyle Connor. I wonder about guys like this a lot. I look at Lowry’s 5-on-5 numbers from All teams are different in how they break out. There are teams that are his first few seasons and he was getting outscored and outshot but — looking to go D-to-D right away. There are teams that are looking to go and this is where I trust hockey people — you knew there was something right to their centreman right away. A lot of the trap teams. Because how about this man where could eventually drive. You talk about waiting for you come back into your own end affects how you move the puck. these guys — what did you see?

We can kind of tell, going into it, where that first pass is going. That The first thing with Adam, is I saw him play in the American Hockey would be a pre-scout adjustment. If we think a team’s going to reverse League and he has a good stick. That was the first thing. He knocks stuff the puck a lot, we’ll shade the next layer of player over to the reverse. If down. He put his stick in the right spot before the pass was made. we think there are teams that will rim the puck, we’ll get really aggressive with our back end against those teams. The other thing, I mean he’s 6-foot-5 — he’s heavy. Nobody likes playing against this guy and after he’s been in the league and you talk to other But you’re not doing an awful lot of that when you’re still just trying to get coaches and then you trade for players or your players go to the other your routes down. Right? team and the stories come back. Nobody likes playing against this guy. And he’s a very clean player. At 6-foot-5, occasionally your elbow comes That’s part of being a coach with a new program. You’re trying to get that up but he’s a clean, hard man. down. And then we’ve got the other program running here, which was the youth program. So we had these two things going concurrently and then The things I like the most about him are it’s winning first for him and he you finally get to the point where, OK: these guys are just about old loves playing in Winnipeg. That matters to me because those guys will enough and these guys have seen this enough times that you don’t need become the fabric of your team — and he has. to read every single thing. Let’s just talk about reading two things and let’s go as fast as we can. One of the stats that really jumped out – when I first got here, the stat that set the lines for me on Day 1 against Arizona was the amount of So, first option plays: offence that we gave up against the other team’s top two players. We were very poor in that department. The top two guys on the other team Where you think they’re going to be. Where their centreman is. What destroyed us. So it went, “Who’s our best defensive left winger” and it happens when the puck gets to their centreman. was Andrew Ladd and “Who’s our best defensive centreman” and it was If the puck gets to the centreman in Edmonton under a full head of Bryan Little and “Who’s our best defensive right winger” and that’s Mike steam, you’ve got a whole different problem then if it does against Frolik. And I said, “All right, well there’s your line. Let’s build after that.” another team who really sits their centreman low. I guess the simplest Then you’ve got Mark Scheifele and we’ve got Adam Lowry as kids kind way to say that is the ability to pick out where that puck goes. of coming in. The idea was, we would like to at some point have two One of the things that the four conference finalists were all very good at centremen – the model would be a two-way centreman, an offensive this year is the ability to break the puck out under pressure. That was a centreman and more of a defensively bent centreman, regardless of what telling stat for me when I watched the games. Not necessarily to the point holes they come out of. Over the last two years I think we’re — maybe — of an offensive attack but certainly limiting what you did on the forecheck. the second-best home record in the National Hockey League and some of that is what Adam Lowry does for us. Who excels at making these reads and knowing where that puck will go? He’s not going to outscore the other opponents, so the statistics aren’t From a stick point of view, Kyle Connor is very good at knocking those going to look good, but is he going to take enough off your best that our things down. Andrew Copp is really good at knocking things down and best can be better than your checking line. reading where the puck is going to go. I’m going to refute what I said with Kyle Connor but the guys who aren’t really fast usually become better I think, given the right amount of speed on his wings and intelligence on anticipators of the game. his wings, I think he can start carrying more skilled guys, that we can put a player there that’s maybe a prototypical checker because Adam’s there Going back a few years, Ronny Francis was brilliant at it. He wasn’t the and he’s at a maturity level — whether that’s Andrew Copp or we have fastest guy but if you’re going to win a couple Selkes and you’re not the more of a checker on his right wing and we put a more offensive winger fastest guy, you’ve got to be in the right spot with the right stick all the on his left wing — I think he can morph into more. time. He was, he’s still probably the very best that I’ve ever seen. You’d see a guy coming up the ice and you’d ask him, “Why did you stand There were stretches of times there — last year and especially two years there? You were right, but why?” And he’d say, “I know that guy. I know ago — that on a chances-for basis, their line was our best, game after what his tendencies are. And based on where everybody else was, I game. But more importantly, on a ratio basis — chances for to chances mean if you play the percentages, I think the puck’s coming here.” against — their number was higher than the other lines.

On our back end, Josh Morrissey is really good at anticipating. Buff is Now they’re not gonna finish as much, but, if I’m getting them out against too, but sometimes it’s hard to separate whether it’s Buff’s anticipation or the other team’s best and that ratio holds true, we should be a pretty maybe the other player’s fear. He’ll come down the wall and all of a good team. sudden the puck’s on his stick but maybe the winger wasn’t quite as You mentioned Bryan Little’s name. He’s a controversial guy — in some interested in hanging onto it, right? But Josh is very good from the back ways — at this point. end at when to go and when not to go down the wall. Yeah. On that note, how great is it that Byfuglien is in his mid-30s and still playing like he is? I feel like he’s so important, especially on the D that I want to wear myself on my sleeve. You can tell me I’m wrong, you can you have right now. And he’s still at this level. ask me to clarify or what have you, but, moving…

I think what people don’t know about Dustin is what he does on the ice at (There is a knock at the door and a brief conversation ensues. Maurice is practice. And that was new to me, too. looking forward to a Project 11 event later today.) OK, so go ahead ask that — finish that. Well, let me ask you a question: Because if you play left wing with Scheifele and Wheeler, you’re going to Where do you stand on that issue? put numbers up. The other piece is everybody loves playing with Kyle Connor. I don’t think that he can carry a second line, but I do think he can be part of a successful second line. I don’t think that he works between the kids, I almost would say I don’t want to have an answer right now, because but I think — you have to leave room for these guys to have gotten better — that the mix changes on the fact that they’re not 21 anymore. Look how much Which kids? different Mark Scheifele is today than he was three years ago or when he Ehlers and Laine. first came into the league. That’s going to happen to all of these younger, elite players. They’re all going to go through this. The cost of that for our OK. hockey team is that you’re not going to be able to keep all of the other people around, because, those numbers are going to say, they get paid a I, I’ve never— certain amount of money. Is that a function of him? Or the function of the kids — the age of the I’m a big Bryan Little fan. I think he’s under-appreciated. But how the kids, the style of play? pieces fit now becomes just as important, then, as the quality of the talent I think it’s a little bit of everything, if you want my opinion. that they are as individuals. And to say that this guy should be playing with that guy, at their age — for certain — is a dangerous thing to do. I’m That’s why I asked. not going to limit anybody playing with anybody. They’ll change and morph. I think, because, when Scheifele was hurt and missed 16 games, Ehlers, Little and Perreault played more than Wheeler’s line. I’ve left Blake and Mark together because Blake, I mean, there’s two or three guys in the NHL that have more points than he does in the last Correct. couple of years — had 91, back-to-back. Mark just had his best season. They were the No. 1 line, in terms of 5-on-5 minutes, the top line. We went to the Conference Finals with those guys playing together. So Excellent results. as long as we feel it’s efficient, that’s — it’s a known.

Right. The positive unknown is kind of what I’m going into this year with.

He was part of an excellent top line. Nik Ehlers is going to be a stronger player. He breaks into the National Hockey League at a hundred and nothing. And every year he gets a little Right. stronger, a little more durable, a little bit more experienced. He knows how to play the game. His skill gets — he’ll actually get mentally faster The guy can play. But you’re asking a lot of him in that spot — because he’s — he can experience the game at a different pace. So What was our record? 11-3-and something— there’s a real positive unknown with our group. I’m basing that on the expectation all these young players will be better. It was excellent, yeah. I don’t even remember the number. Does that mean, and this is a key question, I mean Wheeler and Yeah it was good — and to be honest with you, it was beyond what I Scheifele have been a staple forever. Can you now use them separately? expected. Granted, we wouldn’t have been playing a high number of playoff teams in that stretch but I remember it quite well. Sure, I think you can. But only to the positive benefit — and then how long will you run that? I’m not going to convince everybody. Part of it is what you have but I can say you’ve got Paul Stastny and Kevin Hayes — different players — but We know what we have there. So if Patrik is playing there, who’s the left those are the three players that have kind of morphed into that hole. Of winger and who are you playing against that line — and Blake clearly those three players, one of them has scored 30 goals or more in his changes the way another line looks. Are you willing to give up the offense career. Of those three players, one of them has more than 60 points in between those two players? And there is a ceiling. We’re not expecting his last five years, and they’re both Bryan Little. (Note: Little hit 64 points Blake and Mark to have 150 points. But I mean, if you’re sitting third or in 82 games in 2013-14.) So this isn’t a “Good Guy” thing. This is who fourth in the NHL over the last two years, you’re good. truly is strong at both ends of the ice. But these players are all going to change each year. Especially those Now, finding the right mix for him, the right fit — and when you look at three or four — I’ll include Mark in that because he’s just coming in to his when Patty had his huge month of November, it’s with Bryan Little and prime. Those four young players are going to change every year. They Kyle Connor. I have a belief that that can work. In order for Patrik to get a little bit better. And then what they’re capable of doing, the minutes, generate the offense that I believe he will, he’s going to have to play from a head coach’s point of view — who you’re able to play them more. And in order to play more, he has to play on a line that gives us a against — changes. And then that allows you to move people around. chance to win. And these guys — all of these things that all of these At the end of the day, if I didn’t have Lowry against the other team’s best players want, I feel, are ahead of them. It’s coming. They hit a certain an awful lot, I had Scheif. threshold and then away they go. And young players will always come in and want more. Against Nashville, the Scheifele/Johansen matchup worked well. Every second game two years ago and then in our games that we played this There’s going to come a point and time with all these kids that they rip off year, right, so there’s something good there and then there are times an ungodly number. I’m really excited about that day. And on that day when the Lowry matchup makes an awful lot of sense. That left you with he’s going to say, “See, I could’ve been doing that for the last seven two really young players on the wings with Bryan Little. You can win a years.” That’s a function of the confidence these guys have to have to get hockey series against the very best team in the NHL with that model. to that level. At some point, (Laine and Connor) will grow to a point that they will — it’s Bryan, you know, in the first year we made the playoffs he was in the not even command more minutes — it’s that they’ll be capable of number one centre hole. He played big minutes and put up some points. generating more on more minutes. And then you hope you have an even There’s a good hockey player there. Mark has developed in the interim stronger team at that point. years, to be a more offensive player than Bryan. So that hole gets taken by him now. Coming up in Part 2 on Thursday:

At the same time, we’re still developing — Ehlers, Connor, Laine. Adam •What did Maurice really think about the St. Louis series? Lowry comes off the bench second an awful lot. That puts Bryan Little off the bench third. There’s not enough minutes in that hole — now they can •What will Winnipeg’s lines and defensive pairings look like? be devastating, right, and when they’re on a roll like you saw in •Why do analytics and pro scouts disagree so strongly on Neal Pionk? November, they get cooking. But there’s going to have to be more minutes for those guys. If that’s a line, you’ve got Kyle Connor and Patrik •Why will we see more man-to-man defence in Winnipeg’s zone this Laine playing together and they’ve got to get 18, 19 minutes. They’re just October? going to earn it. They’re just going to be good enough to do it. •And what does Maurice think of the idea that he’ll need to “skate the balls off of his centres” this season for the Jets to survive? The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151786 Vancouver Canucks absence. But two five-point performances and a hat trick proved he could handle whatever was thrown at him.

Pettersson and Boeser are more than potential-packed linemates, they’re Ben Kuzma: Stronger Pettersson looks, sounds like he won't suffer good friends. Boeser’s father is battling cancer and the bond between the sophomore slump teammates was quickly evident.

“I texted him right away and I’m praying for Duke and hopefully it turns Ben Kuzma out good,” said Petterson. “We all know how good Brock is and hopefully he doesn’t have any (injury) problems like he had at the start of last Published:September 4, 2019 season because we need him.”

Updated:September 4, 2019 5:21 PM PDT General manager Jim Benning said Wednesday he hopes to get Boeser signed to an extension before main camp opens Sept. 13 in Victoria and

is talking long- and short-term deals with agent Ben Hankinson. The Canucks' Calder Trophy winner buoyed by off-season strength “We want to figure out something that’s fair for the team and fair to the training vows to raise game to another level player,” said the GM. “We’re trying to find that common ground.” Elias Pettersson looked bigger and sounded more confident Wednesday. Pettersson tried to lighten the moment amid the seriousness of contract The Calder Trophy winner vowed to work on conditioning during the off- negotiations. season at his home in Sundsvall, Sweden. He was pushed hard by a “I hope he’s here tomorrow and if it gets close to Oct. 2 (season opener) strength coach and his brother, Emil, who played in the AHL last season and he’s not here, I’ll put some pressure on him,” chuckled Pettersson. and has joined Vaxjo Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League. Pettersson didn’t allow himself much downtime after competing for And while the slick Vancouver Canucks centre is reluctant to talk about Sweden at the world championship in Slovakia last May where he had 10 weight, it was obvious following his first informal skate at Rogers Arena points (3-7) in eight games. that he’s taller and thicker through the chest and shoulders. “After the world championship, I gave myself a 1½ week break to do “I saw a funny picture on Twitter and maybe it (conditioning) is not a big nothing, but I also took a two-week break before the world difference like Captain America, but I feel great. Quicker in tight turns and championship,” said Pettersson. overall just more leg power. Last season, I kind of felt tired and not 100 per cent toward every game and that’s the focus. “I feel it’s boring to do nothing at home and when I’m supposed to sleep I can’t because I’m still fresh. I like to rest, but not too much.” “This summer, I knew what I was preparing for to have more leg power and play a full 82-game season and hopefully the playoffs, too. I know Pettersson also practised with his former Timra club in Sweden to get what to expect now. ready to play under an even bigger NHL microscope next season.

Elias Pettersson is looking like Captain Canuck this year 💪🏻  Vancouver Province: LOADED: 09.05.2019 pic.twitter.com/oMkpXErngR— The Hockey Gods! (@HockeyGods) August 31, 2019

“I’m really motivated. I’m happy to be back. The last two weeks felt like a lifetime because I wanted to get back to Vancouver.”

Pettersson wanted to be stronger with the puck and stronger with his stride to escape the extra attention he received during the second half of his rookie campaign. He only scored one goal in his last 11 games and just two in his final 22 because time and space were at a premium. He became a target and now he’ll be a better moving and more elusive target.

“I always have confidence in myself and if I’m not, I’m working on it to feel comfortable on the ice in every aspect of the game,” said Pettersson. “And I always want to get better every day because I want to play my best every game.”

Following a remarkable rookie season in which the Swedish sensation led the club in scoring with 66 points (28-38) in 71 games, it’s not a stretch to suggest he won’t have the dreaded sophomore slump.

Not only is linemate Brock Boeser healthy as the restricted free-agent winger awaits a contract extension, the possibility of being flanked by the rugged Micheal Ferland isn’t lost on the 20-year-old Pettersson, who has been ranked the 50th best player by The NHL Network.

“Ferland is a good power forward and has a good shot and J.T. Miller is a good playmaker, so hopefully we develop chemistry from the start,” Pettersson said of the projected top-six mix.

And if push comes to shove and somebody wants to take liberties with Pettersson, the physical part of Ferland’s game will be on display. He fought six times last season and won every bout.

“That’s great because then you know he will bring his full game every game,” said Petterson.

The fire of desire that burns in Pettersson often got lost in assessments as he piled up the points last season. The Oct. 13 concussion from being slammed to the ice in Florida by Mike Matheson sidelined Pettersson for six games.

And his feistiness on the backcheck Jan. 3 in Montreal by being tangled up with Jesperi Kotkaniemi produced a knee sprain and a five-game 1151787 Vancouver Canucks There was often indecision in the offensive zone in purposely deferring to Pettersson or Boeser. But that’s not what irked Green. It was the extra dangle that led to O-zone turnovers and being lax on the backcheck and Ben Kuzma: Canucks dangle one more contract carrot in front of the ask of Goldobin was always concrete and consistent. Goldobin If that’s not enough incentive for Goldobin, he should take a look at the depth chart.

Ben Kuzma The top-six mix seems like a lock with Bo Horvat between and Miller. That puts Pettersson between Ferland and Boeser Published:September 4, 2019 and Brandon Sutter probably between Sven Baertschi and Jake Virtanen. Where does Goldobin fit in, especially when Antoine Roussel returns at Updated:September 4, 2019 3:10 PM PDT Christmas from April knee surgery?

Right now, he looks like an extra forward, if the Canucks carry 14, or Mercurial Russian winger Nikolay Goldobin gets one-year, US$900,000 Utica bound. It’s up to him to change that thought. contract extension OVERTIME — Benning also said Wednesday that prospect defenceman Call it a carrot. Olli Juolevi will now participate in camp sessions Saturday, Sunday and Monday to test his surgically repaired right knee. He was injured in a late The Vancouver Canucks aren’t giving up on Nikolay Goldobin, but they November game with the . “He’s going to be full speed only dangled a one-year, US$900,000 show-us contract extension in ahead and be a full-go,” said Benning. “Over the course of the camp, front of the mercurial Russian winger Wednesday. there will be some days where we’re going to have to pull him off the ice and depending on how it (session) goes. This is just normal rehab Not only was he a healthy scratch 19 times last season, he didn’t play in coming off a major surgery. If he feels good every day, he’ll be out there the final six games and finished seventh in team scoring with 27 points every day. If there are some days where he needs to take a step back, (7-20) in 63 games. It was fair to wonder if his NHL career was finished, our goal is get him ready for start of the season.” … Winger Petrus but the club is giving the 23-year-old another roster shot. Palmu, a 2017 sixth-round pick, will remain in Finland next season with But he might be an extra forward at the outset because of a glut of roster TPS Turku. He had one assist in 12 games with the Comets last season wingers that now includes newcomers J.T. Miller and Micheal Ferland. and could join them in the AHL post-season, according to Benning.

“We realize his offensive upside with the creativity and vision to make Vancouver Province: LOADED: 09.05.2019 plays and we’ve worked with him, but it’s about producing and he needs to score goals,” said Canucks general manager Jim Benning. “He put in the work and we’ll see where he is at camp. We have extra forwards and he has to make the team and he has to be good defensively.

“We’re looking at our top nine that can contribute at both ends of ice. We’ve been patient with him, but now he has to take ownership of it and earn his ice time.”

Goldobin has had chances to raise his game to another level, but he needs to regain the trust of coach Travis Green to make an impression on and off the ice.

Aside from obvious early chemistry last season with Elias Pettersson — a tease that has helped prolong his stay here — there was always the fear of what if the Canucks let him go, the light bulb stays lit and he lights it up somewhere else?

What if he’s just another player who doesn’t really fully develop until he’s 24 or 25? Or, what if he is what he is, a mystery wrapped up in a riddle?

The Canucks didn’t give Goldobin a ringing season-ending endorsement, but they also didn’t dump on him. Like other young roster players, they trotted out “it’s a big summer for Goldy” and read into that what you want.

Last season he played up and down the lineup, saw Josh Leivo become a regular with Pettersson and Brock Boeser and would have but one goal in his final 18 games.

The Canucks often talk of “hunger” when they try to get a read on Goldobin. How hungry is he? He wasn’t a financial drain with his expiring US$863,333 salary cap hit and had little contract leverage and no arbitration rights.

What does Green need to see this coming season?

“A little quicker getting places and a little stronger in his one-on-one battles — even when he has the puck,” Green said at end of the season.

“Being able to get away from someone when you have the puck in the corner. He’s got a lot of attributes that we need, He can make plays through the neutral zone and offensive zone and I want Goldy to play well. Not just for him, but for us.

“It’s confidence and we’ve been open and honest with him. It’s not scolding. It’s talking and wanting him to be better for himself and the team.”

Goldobin ranked ninth among Canuck forwards with 105 shots (1.6 per game) and was tied for last in shooting percentage amount those who logged at least 40 games (6.7 per cent) in 14:59 of average ice time. 1151788 Vancouver Canucks accounting for the additions of Hughes, Miller, Myers and Micheal Ferland.

It’s not as if the model doesn’t recognize that the team is significantly Solving the Canucks’ biggest lineup challenges and how it impacts their better, though — it sees them as the third most improved club in the playoff chances NHL. The reason why there isn’t a bigger jump is that the model doesn’t rate last year’s Canucks as a true talent 81-point team. It pegged them as an overachiever due to, for example, the play of Jacob Markstrom, By Harman Dayal who graded on the cusp of being a top-five goalie in the league when accounting for the quality of the shots he faced. Sep 4, 2019 With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the key obstacles the

Canucks will face on their playoff quest and why the model may Optimism for an upcoming hockey season is hardly a new phenomenon underrate their ability to overcome them. when the calendar flips to September but there’s a different buzz in the The third line centre and J.T Miller air for the Vancouver Canucks this year. The Canucks’ top two lines are rounding out quite nicely after their There’s excitement for the full-time arrival of Quinn Hughes, the further offseason additions, but where concerns arise is with their bottom six. No development from the team’s young core and the expected impact of team had a bottom six that got outscored by a greater margin last their marquee offseason additions. The Canucks have expressed their season. The trickle-down effect of adding Miller and Ferland will allow the belief that they’re ready to turn a corner in the rebuild. It’s a refreshing likes of Sven Baertschi, Josh Leivo and Virtanen to slot more comfortably time to be a fan as the city unites behind a universal hope of winning on a third line, but it’s hard to imagine much progress being made without games in the here and now. patching up the big question mark down the middle. But with all that hope and optimism comes heightened expectations, In today’s NHL, competitive teams need to be able to ice three scoring particularly given the chips that were pushed in to improve the roster. lines (or at the very least a third line that isn’t a major liability). For that to Vancouver drastically bolstered their supporting cast but it came at the come to fruition for the Canucks, someone will need to step up in the 3C cost of a future first-round pick to complete the J.T. Miller trade and a role. The incumbent will likely be Brandon Sutter. However, the 30-year- five-year deal for Tyler Myers which will likely hurt them in the last couple old was injured for most of the season and was a shell of himself when in years of the contract. Tack on the pressure stemming from having the lineup — producing next to nothing offensively while seeing his missed the postseason in four consecutive seasons and there’s no typically reliable defensive impact erode. question that playoffs are the expectation. I’d expect him to rebound with a cleaner bill of health (the projection does Canucks management certainly believes that it’s built a roster that’s too), but to what extent he’ll bounce back is the key question. The best suited to thrive with the direction of the modern game. case scenario would be that he returns to the form from his previous “The skill set of our young players, our ability to play fast, to move the three seasons in which he held his own amidst tough matchups and puck quickly and play a fast style of game (can be our edge over other subpar linemates. That would give Vancouver a perfectly viable centre to teams),” Jim Benning told The Athletic as the team opened informal lead a competent third line, which would be a massive boon to their skates at Rogers Arena. playoff odds.

“When we’re on our game, we’re exciting. We have to be harder, get to That’s the optimistic scenario, though. It’s also possible that age-related the net and bring more bite – but we have a foundation of players that decline is being accelerated by all of Sutter’s injuries and that he’ll can do that. rebound, but perhaps stick around replacement level. This would shift the focus to Gaudette’s development, who struggled equally in sheltered “When you’re building a team sometimes it’s about fit, you’re trying to find minutes last season. It would take a huge step for him to fill the role as guys that fit best with a certain group of players.” early as this coming season and while such strides forward are plausible, they’re unlikely to occur over one summer. Whether these improvements are enough to buoy them to the playoffs is another matter. Dom Luszczyszyn’s season projections for The Athletic In a scenario where Sutter and Gaudette fall short, it might be worth expect a step in the right direction for the Canucks, but at 85 points and a exploring the possibility of Miller as the 3C. It sounds silly to trade a first- 25 percent shot of making the playoffs, one that’s likely to fall short of the round pick for someone who plays on the third line but the cost of ultimate expectations. acquiring a player should be irrelevant. Competitive teams these days are spreading their scoring talent throughout their lineup. Such odds seem underwhelming, but before either spiralling into negativity regarding the Canucks’ outlook or summarily dismissing the To slot Miller into the 3C role would weaken the top six, but if the reward findings, it’s important to discuss the model’s pessimism about is resuscitating a third line that was arguably the worst in the league last Vancouver’s playoff chances and where it may be underrating the team. year, it’s worth it. I’ll explore the topic in greater depth soon, but it’d be As I stated in Dom’s season preview, I’m a bit more bullish on the team’s compelling to see the Canucks run their top nine like this: chances than the numbers might suggest. Ferland-Pettersson-Boeser Here’s what the Canucks’ lineup looks like with Dom’s model: Baertschi-Horvat-Pearson There are a couple tweaks to note personnel-wise. As we get closer to training camp, the odds of starting the season in the Leivo-Miller-Virtanen minors is becoming more likely as he doesn’t have to clear waivers like Between Sutter and Gaudette, it’s questionable whether the Canucks will the other bubble forwards. That subtraction would bump them up by 0.7 get the type of value they’d want out of a playoff-calibre third line centre. wins (or an extra point and a half to 86.5 projected in the standings). Turning to Miller to fill that void behind Pettersson and Horvat might just I also feel that the team is stronger on right wing compared to the 27th do the trick if the problem persists through the early stretch of the rank assessed by the model. Tanner Pearson was reportedly playing season. through injury last season and was quite productive in a small sample Alex Edler and the matchup pair with Bo Horvat. I could see him being worth more than 0.3 wins above replacement. The area of greatest roster turnover when it comes to the Canucks is on the back end. Gone are Derrick Pouliot, Ben Hutton and Erik Jake Virtanen also produced offensively at 5-on-5 at a pretty strong pace Gudbranson from last year’s opening night roster and in are Hughes, when playing away from Brandon Sutter and through his early career Myers and Jordie Benn. showed much stronger two-way value and the ability to drive a positive penalty differential with how many calls he’d draw — two factors that Between the new additions, and hopefully cleaner bills of health for Alex slipped significantly last season and could rebound. Edler and Chris Tanev, Benning feels good with the state of the blueline.

If we assume 86-87 points as the projected total from the model by “I like what we’ve done on defence. Benn and Myers are established demoting Gaudette, it may not sound like a huge improvement from the NHL defencemen,” said Benning. 81 the Canucks had last season. It certainly seems underwhelming when “Our record with Tanev and Edler in the lineup is good, our record with provide, it’d add roughly an extra point in the standings. It doesn’t sound them out — and two times they were both out for stretches last season like a lot, but these small margins add up. — our record isn’t good. Another defenceman who could outperform his projections depending on “By bringing in Tyler and Jordie we’re hoping it takes some pressure off deployment is Tanev. Last season’s campaign was riddled with injuries of Chris and Alex, then having Hughes for a full year and we know what again and he wasn’t nearly as effective when he was healthy, but there’s we’ll get out of a guy like Troy Stecher — he gives us his all every shift of an antidote coming in Hughes. While Tanev’s defensive acumen has every game. remained nearly as strong as ever, the issue is that as he’s started to lose a step it’s become harder for him to push play up the ice. “We’ve watched (Oscar) Fantenburg closely for a couple of years … I feel good about what we have on defence.” Viz from Micah McCurdy

Luszczyszyn’s model isn’t quite as optimistic. He projects a bump Tanev maintained a strong defensive profile last season, but as you can compared to last season, led by Hughes, but still has the Canucks’ see above the Canucks were a whopping 19 percent below league defence ranked 28th. average in driving offence with him on the ice. Hughes makes a lot of sense as a partner for Tanev because he can make up for the latter’s The biggest question on defence is whether the Canucks will be able to growing offensive deficiencies with his electric skating ability, dynamite find the right partner for Edler on a potential shutdown pair. Over the last transitional skills and overall ability to impact the game offensively as a few years the answer whenever healthy has been Tanev. They once rover. The two could complement each other well stylistically and formed a dominant partnership but as time has worn on the two have potentially slow Tanev’s age and injury-related decline. struggled when playing together. Since 2016-17, they’ve controlled just 44.3 percent of the shots, 41.1 percent of the scoring chances and 45.3 Understanding the nature of projections percent of the actual goals at 5-on-5. It bears mentioning that they’ve done this against tough competition, but the results have declined and it’s We can identify a couple areas where the Canucks might be underrated fair to question whether it’s good enough for a team with serious playoff that could improve the 86-87 point projection from Dom’s model. Stecher aspirations. and Tanev (especially the former) could quite conceivably outperform their projections. As a whole, I think the blueline is better than 28th in the One alternative is the newly signed Myers, but that potential pairing league. doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence if it’s deployed in a matchup role, either. Myers brings value as a No. 4/5 defenceman, but does so through I also think Vancouver’s right wing depth is a little stronger and his contributions with the puck on his stick — he’s a solid puck-mover particularly feel that Pearson and Virtanen could be underrated relative to and can add offence from the back end. Defensively, though, the Jets the model. bled shots and high danger chances against with Myers on the ice last Ultimately, though, how they solve the two obstacles outlined above will season. have the biggest impact on if they realize their playoff goal.

Myers’ playstyle and strengths don’t really lend themselves to a top Finding the right fit for Edler on the matchup pair: pairing, defensive matchup role. Stecher might be the best option given the struggles of the Edler/Tanev This leaves us with Troy Stecher, who I’d argue is not only the best fit pairing and the fact that Myers’ strengths don’t fit a shutdown role. alongside Edler but someone who’s been undervalued by Dom’s model. Stecher has arguably been the Canucks’ best puck-moving defenceman A viable 3C to improve a third line that was arguably one of the worst in over the last two years in terms of clean breakouts and offensive zone the league last year: entries. Should Sutter return to the form he’s shown in his first three seasons in Data via Corey Sznajder, viz from CJ Turtoro Vancouver, he’d fit that role and address a major question mark. It’s fair to expect some kind of bounce back from him, but whether he fully Over the last two years, Stecher ranks as one of the league’s better recovers and provides peak value again is far from a given. transitional blueliners in the sample tracked by Corey Sznajder. The key, however, is that his defensive game has also steadily improved to the If Sutter and Gaudette struggle out of the gate, Miller should be point where he has a decisively positive impact in his own zone when considered as an option. It might weaken the top six, but it’d be worth the accounting for deployment factors like teammates, competition, zone tradeoff if he proves capable of resuscitating the third line. starts and more. Another question, of course, is what the Canucks are going to get out of Viz courtesy Micah McCurdy Markstrom, a topic I explored earlier in the offseason.

Red: More shots than league average from that location From there, the margin is small enough that factors such as injuries and luck will almost certainly take over in determining the Canucks’ playoff Blue: Fewer shots than league average from that location fate.

The above chart shows Stecher and Hutton are similar in being below Viz from Garret Hohl average offensive drivers. The difference is that Stecher is responsible defensively and does a good job of preventing high quality chances The above chart represents educated estimates on how much different against while Hutton is 12 percent worse defensively than the average variables impact a team’s standings success based on available NHL defencemen. research. Given its random nature, fluidity and the fact that hockey’s a low-event game (there are usually only 4-8 goals in a game which means Stecher is both an effective puck-mover and solid own-zone defender but one lucky shot could change the outcome compared to a sport like Dom’s model isn’t as high on Stecher because it sees him as having basketball that sees well over 100 points scored) we’ve acknowledged negative value defensively. This looks like a case where Stecher’s most that luck is influential, but I don’t think many would have expected it to common defence partners from last year (Hutton, Pouliot and Michael impact a team’s success by this much. Del Zotto) are all proven to be porous defensively and that’s likely skewing the on-ice results. It’s clear when you look at any data that goes Factors teams have no control over represent about a third of their beyond Dom’s model that can account for teammate quality that Stecher performance in the standings and as such, chaos can always unfold. does indeed have a positive defensive impact — a critical factor if we’re Models recognize this and so when they run thousands of simulations, mentioning Stecher as an option for the matchup pair. there are always a wide variety of outcomes. In the Canucks’ case, 29 percent of Dom’s simulations saw them hit between 90-105 points. There Last year, in just over 150 minutes of 5-on-5 play, Stecher and Edler are also versions that see them notch fewer points than last year. broke even on the shot clock, controlled a respectable 47.7 percent of Hockey’s a volatile sport where unexpected things happen. The projected the expected goals and actually outscored the opposition 10-8. total in the 85-87 point range is Vancouver’s average outcome.

I don’t think Dom’s model properly captures Stecher’s defensive impact Looking at how teams have actually performed after being projected with and underestimates him. Dom’s projections had Stecher worth 0.6 wins similar playoff odds is an interesting exercise. In 2017-18, Philadelphia, coming into last season, which would slot him behind Hughes and Edler Arizona, Ottawa, Buffalo, Vegas and Colorado were the teams with a 15- as the third best defencemen on this year’s team. If one were to 35 percent chance at the playoffs; two of the six made it. Last season it substitute that total for the bottom pair value he’s currently projected to was Chicago, Colorado, Buffalo, Montreal, New Jersey and the Islanders in that range and yet again two of the six got in. We can deduce here that Dom’s model has been as good a model as any at predicting future results.

Because of the aforementioned points in this piece, I think the Canucks’ actual playoff odds are higher than the 25 percent from Dom’s model. It may still seem more likely that they miss the playoffs than make them this season, but they’re a legitimate possibility and it’s frankly been a long time since people in Vancouver have been able to say that with any degree of conviction.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151789 Websites “I remember being with the Rangers at one of the [Open] matches, it was a night match and looking up and just seeing some of the other Rangers in one of the boxes,” Moore recalled. “You know like a handful of guys The Athletic / NHL players’ respect for tennis on display at the U.S. Open that kind of come separately from different contacts.”

Tomas Plekanec, who currently plays in a European league after a lengthy career in the NHL, said he grew up playing tennis and still uses it By Daniel Kaplan as part of his training. Core training and reading a play are similar attributes that hockey players benefit from when playing tennis, he said. Sep 5, 2019 Seidenberg said trends in hockey only make tennis more useful.

“It’s definitely getting more agility dominant, which means that the guys Ash Barty, the world’s second-ranked women’s tennis player (she will are getting a little smaller, a little shorter, and faster and quicker,” he rise to No. 1 on Monday), batted balls back and forth on a hot U.S. Open explained. “In tennis it is amazing how fast and quickly they get to balls practice court last week, her hitting partner wearing a white baseball cap and how quick they move. So it is definitely something you want to be as and holding his own over the hour. He occasionally talked to doubles quick as possible, as agile as possible. So it’s the same kind of training.” specialist Henri Kontinen on the adjacent court. Retired player Martin Havlat didn’t get to warm up a player like Moore at Why is this notable out of the hundreds of other practice sessions since the Open this year, but he did hit with Wimbledon semi finalist Barbora the tournament begin Aug. 26? The man in blue shorts, white shirt and Strycova’s coach, Lukas Dlouhy. cap was Dominic Moore, a long time NHL player. “So I hit with him for 45 minutes before she had to practice so that was An advanced tennis player who recently lost in the semifinals of a amazing to be on the U.S. Open court,” Havlat said. “He offered. So I national tournament in his age group, Moore is perhaps the most jumped on it very quickly.” extreme example of an undercurrent at the Open annually: NHL players love the sport and the event. The USTA knew Moore because of his tennis skills displayed in tournaments, and helped him make the connection with Barty who “Hockey’s a very international sport, just like tennis, you know, a lot of needed someone to hit with that day. Barty did not reply to an email on Europeans,” Moore said. “There’s also an appreciation for the high skill. how Moore fared. Both sports are incredibly high skill sports. And I think there’s an appreciation there, of the hockey players, of what the tennis guys are Asked if she made any comment to him, Moore said no. “I was nervous doing and, you know, clearly guys like Roger [Federer]. because I have a healthy respect for these athletes preparing for their competition and I didn’t want to screw it up,” he said. “There’s very few athletes out there that, you know, they call it a sports crush, or something like that, where … another athlete would be inspired But he jokingly added he must have done well as she won her next or just want to be like someone else, and Roger’s kind of that guy.” match. Moore did not get asked to hit again with her, and she lost the following round. Dominic Moore on the court with Ash Barty. (The Athletic) Texted that she should have brought him back , he replied via text, Other athletes have received a lot of attention for attending the Open this “Seriously. If it ain’t broke.” year, including Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant and Colin Kaepernick. But they are more the outliers from their sports. Hockey players are out in The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 numbers, just more anonymously. Past and current NHL players who have attended so far include Artemi Panarin, Henrik Lundqvist, Tuukka Rask, David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, Leo Komarov, Jakub Zboril, Dennis Seidenberg, Martin Havlat, Pavel Buchnevich, Vladislav Namestnikov and Mika Zibanejad.

In fact, the NHL Network even sent a crew to U.S. Open media day on Aug. 23, the only league sports network to ever do that, the U.S. Tennis Association confirmed. The network interviewed Simona Halep, Coco Gauff, Daniil Medvedev and John Isner for its celebrity show and gifted the Wimbledon champ, Halep, a Las Vegas Golden Knights jersey.

“Yeah, the Europeans seem to really like the tennis a lot,” said Matt Nicholson, vice president of production, creative development at the NHL, on the general interest of the racket sport in hockey.

The timing also works for NHL players to attend the Open, with the event scheduled shorty before most training camps open. So many of the Europeans are back from overseas in time.

Seidenberg, who is unsigned after a long career including a playoff appearance with the New York Islanders last season, said he almost chose to play tennis over hockey. He expressed jealousy when he heard Moore would be a hitting partner.

“It’s very common that we talk about tennis in the locker rooms, especially with the Europeans,” he said while seated at the Open’s food court last week before attending a match for Dominik Koepfer, who grew up near Seidenberg in Germany. Seidenberg had come with his 7-year- old son, and friend Thomas Hipp, the tennis coach at Flagler University in Florida.

“Every team has guys that are pretty decent at tennis,” he said. “It’s funny how many times you bump into a fellow hockey player when you are around the grounds.”

Dennis Seidenberg at the food court at the U.S. Open. (The Athletic)

Moore has many memories of sitting in the stands of Arthur Ashe Stadium and spotting hockey players in the suites or elsewhere in the stadium. This summer he attended Wimbledon and bumped into P.K. Subban. 1151790 Websites Ian Gallagher’s hockey playing career never amounted to a whole lot – though he played a year of Junior-A, which is more than most people can say. But he played lacrosse at a very high level and his competitiveness The Athletic / Brendan Gallagher has spent a lifetime turning obstacles fueled his success. into opportunities It is no surprise that he passed on this quality to his son, but Ian says that has more to do with Brendan than it does with his parenting.

Arpon Basu “There are innate tendencies in individuals,” Ian said. “Obviously, there’s a genetic component, but I don’t think the environmental thing is as Sep 5, 2019 strong for him as that disposition to enjoy competition. That’s just in Brendan.

“Too much can be placed on environment sometimes. This was an TSAWWASSEN, B.C. – Josh Nicholls looks like a man ready to vent a environment that allowed him to express that innate ability.” little. Here is a glimpse of that environment. Nicholls knows just about everything there is to know about Brendan Gallagher. The two started playing on the same line in peewee and Scott Bonner has known the Gallagher family since Brendan was a child. remained linemates through minor hockey. They lived a few houses apart Bonner is godfather to Brendan’s younger brother, Nolan. Bonner is the growing up in Tsawwassen, just outside Vancouver. They went to school one who gave Ian an opportunity to enter the world of elite hockey when together. They still work out together in the summer. he hired him as a scout for the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. He later brought Ian with him when he was named the first general manager of So Nicholls has stories, but they all revolve around one thing, the the . Bonner also drafted Brendan in the ninth round of defining characteristic that makes Gallagher who he is. the 2007 WHL bantam draft. “He’s the most competitive person I’ve ever met,” Nicholls said. “Whether “He was always intense,” said Bonner, who now works for Brendan’s it’s golfing, whether it’s mini-sticks when we were younger, whether it’s agent, Gerry Johannson. “So he was, say, 5ish and they had a soccer ping-pong …” net in their backyard. I’m there and I’m just hitting the ball lightly toward Nicholls remembers when a game of mini-sticks turned into a full-blown the kid and Ian comes out and says, ‘No, don’t treat him like that.’ Then meltdown. He told Gallagher he would never be invited over again, but he just starts bombing them at him, and the kid loved it. He was just a he invited him over the very next day. He remembers when Gallagher competitive guy. … It’s sort of that drive, you can’t teach that to a kid.” bought a condo on a golf course because he was so determined to beat Ian began coaching youth hockey right out of university in the late 1980s, everyone in their circle of friends in golf. but he stopped when he and Della had their first child, daughter Erin. And he remembers that one ping-pong match when he beat Gallagher. That’s when Bonner hired Ian to scout Northern Alberta for Tri-City. Brendan was born in 1992, and it wasn’t long before he would be tagging “There’s a bunch of people over watching it, so obviously he’s pissed that along with his dad. people witnessed him lose,” Nicholls said. “So I go to everyone, I’m done for the day. I’m going to live in this moment. … So he had just got a After Ian was hired by the Giants to be their strength and conditioning signed Hulk Hogan heavyweight championship belt. Like, a real one. coordinator – and “de-facto assistant GM” according to Bonner – the Signed. So we’re all playing with it before. Like, this is sick. So we’re all Gallagher family left Sherwood Park, Alberta, and moved to Tsawwassen standing around in the ping-pong room, there’s like 10 of us, and we’re in 2004. This is where Brendan went from tagging along on scouting trips riding high after I win. to seeing what actually went into becoming a great hockey player. He saw his dad put Giants players through hours of work in the gym as they “He goes, ‘I have a proposal. I’ll give you the belt if you beat me this next prepared to compete at the highest level. game. Right now.’ So everyone was like, you can’t play him again, but as soon as he said that, it was, ‘You need that belt.’ He wouldn’t have been “I think it helped a lot with belief and processes,” Ian said. “I think he able to sleep. I played him again and he started off 10-0 or something. really understood there’s a process associated with being a hockey He was in another world. You couldn’t talk to him. So everyone was kind player and that’s a lot of the things that are done away from what the of let down. I stormed back and I think the final score was something like public would know about.” 21-15 for him. But to start the game, he won’t even talk to you, he’s just It was the ultimate crash course on how to become a hockey player. riding the momentum of being in a zone.” “For me to get to where I am, I’ve had a lot of people help me out,” How old was Gallagher when this happened? Brendan said after a late June workout with his dad. “I don’t think I’ve had “It was two nights ago,” Nicholls said. “It’s never-ending.” a coach that hasn’t helped me along the way, and that includes my dad. This is what he excels at. We started doing it at maybe 13 or 14 years old Gallagher’s competitive nature has helped make him one of the best 5- and we’ve been doing the same program every single year. Little tweaks on-5 forwards in the NHL. That might appear like hyperbole, but facts are here and there, but it’s pretty much been the same structure to it through facts, as The Athletic’s Marc Dumont very clearly spelled out earlier this the years. I continue to see results and I continue to believe in it.” summer. Brendan and Ian Gallagher look over that day’s schedule prior to a “He gets in those zones where he’s just got to compete,” Nicholls said. workout in late June. (Arpon Basu / For The Athletic) “The grind of the year really takes a toll on him because that’s the mentality basically every day going into a game. So it’s both that you love Brendan’s “we” is a group of guys he has worked out with for years that to hate it about him, but it’s also what makes him great at what he does.” includes his good buddy Nicholls but also a pretty representative cross- section of the hockey world. There’s a player from the KHL (Nicholls, who But beyond his competitive nature, what makes Gallagher unusual is the played for Kunlun Red Star last season), an NHL first-round pick one thing he cannot change. (defenceman Ty Smith of the New Jersey Devils, who lives with Brendan in the offseason), a former NHL player trying to get back in the league His height. (Lance Bouma, Brendan’s teammate with the Giants who signed a pro It has defined Gallagher as a player his entire life. It has led most tryout with the L.A. Kings), some AHL guys, some European pro guys, everyone to say he beat the odds to become an NHL star. But the reality some junior guys. is that nearly every aspect of Gallagher’s life – including, and perhaps Out of the group of a dozen or so players, all of them excellent at hockey, especially, that one defining trait – has paved his path. Brendan is the only one living the dream of being an NHL star. In so many ways, Gallagher was born to do this. “You see how hard he works every day,” Nicholls said. “For us, it’s a That might sound ridiculous since his single greatest obstacle, his size, is motivator. You’re seeing him go to another level each day and some also something he has always had to live with. days you want to take it easy, but then you see that. He’s at the peak of what you want to be and he’s still putting in that work. So he’s a good He was the first son and second of four children to Ian and Della role model for all of us to see the things you need to do to get to that Gallagher, who proved to be a huge boost to his hockey-playing fortunes. level and compete at that level on a daily basis.” Gallagher’s good friend Josh Nicholls. (Arpon Basu/For The Athletic) Nicholls saw those lessons at work as soon as he began playing on a line with Gallagher in peewee. The workout itself is nothing groundbreaking. But it’s not easy. There is a power phase, which is where they were in late June, a strength phase “Kelowna was one of our big rivals, and I’ll never forget it because it’s just and an endurance phase. All of it is laid out in extreme detail. a funny visual,” Nicholls said. “So he does the same thing he always did, goes in there, runs over their goalie. It was a big playoff game or This day, a Monday morning in June, consists of some sprints, stretches, something, so he gets a penalty. He’s like 5 feet tall at this point, his box jumps and weight training. At one point, Brendan is getting ready to jersey’s down to his knees and we’ve got parents in the crowd just deadlift more than 500 pounds when he decides that’s not enough. He cursing at him. yells over to Smith, who has three, 15-pound weight vests on. “I always think of that and it’s just hilarious because he’s the smallest kid, “Hey Ty, gimme those weight jackets,” Brendan says. playing so hard and he’s just driving people nuts no matter what. It “Why?” Smith asks. always carries through and it’s the same thing now. You watch games now and he’s going to the net, falling over goalies and you just think to “Just give ’em to me.” yourself, it’s the same thing.”

Brendan Gallagher, with Ian checking his form, deadlifts more than 500 Gallagher wasn’t selected until the ninth round of the WHL bantam draft. pounds with 45 pounds worth of weight jackets on, for some reason. There was one team that wanted to take him earlier, but there was an (Arpon Basu / For The Athletic) obstacle.

He said after completing the lifts that the vests didn’t make much of a “It probably had something to do with my dad,” Gallagher surmised. difference. But that’s not the point. The vests were a way for him to push himself. That’s what Nicholls was referring to. Ian’s role as the strength and conditioning coach with the Vancouver Giants served as a double deterrent for WHL teams who might have “This is just kind of the typical week,” Brendan said. “It’s the same group considered drafting Brendan. On the one hand, all the teams aside from of guys that we’ve generally had since we were 13 or 14. We come back the Giants wanted to avoid drafting father and son as a tandem. and everyone has their own little goals. What I love about it is we’re all very competitive guys, so we push each other. Once you start running, “You see me? You see what I look like? People think I’m pretty, uhhh … you want to win the race. Once you start lifting, you want to lift more than combative,” Ian said. “I think there was some sort of fear that with you did before, but also more than the guy beside you.” Brendan, came Ian.”

Seeing this at such a young age, how it benefitted the players his dad But the GM of the Giants was Scott Bonner. He had known Brendan worked with, was obviously an advantage for Gallagher. But that one practically his entire life and knew he would be a perfect fit. But again, disadvantage, the one no amount of hard work in the gym would Ian stood in the way. overcome, plagued and fueled Gallagher. “I made them very aware of the fact that they should not feel obligated to “I had to really work to make teams,” Gallagher said. “Then, once you’re draft him,” Ian said. “In fact, the scout who insisted on drafting him was on the team, you eventually become one of the more relied-upon players. Scott’s father, Terry Bonner. The head scout pulled me aside after and But I kind of had to earn it every single year, and that was probably good said, ‘Ian, I just want to let you know that I did not want to draft your son. for me.” But Terry sort of insisted on it.’”

Take, for example, Gallagher’s first year of midget hockey. There was a Remember that whole thing about Ian being, uhhh … combative? That new coach that year, and in tryouts he had the players play three was definitely a factor here. scrimmages, after which there was a round of “carding” where players “At the time, Ian, because of his role with us, said, ‘Let him play who would be making the team would be identified. Gallagher scored 10 somewhere else.’ He didn’t want it to look like nepotism,” Bonner said. goals – not a typo – in the three scrimmages and wasn’t immediately “But it got to a point where it was, ‘Look, Ian, sorry.’ We had watched him carded. He eventually made the team, but it was only because the initial forever, our scouting staff wanted him. Ian’s an intense guy, but we don’t disappointment after those scrimmages did not bring Gallagher down. care, we’re taking (Brendan), we’ll deal with Ian.”

That’s not how he reacts to disappointment. He didn’t then. He doesn’t Bonner’s willingness to ignore Ian’s wishes and draft Gallagher proved to now. be a stroke of good fortune.

“It was just kind of a thing where instead of folding or going into a shell On a personal front, he was able to stay home and, for a kid who was an and making excuses, I was just trying to show him I can be a useful admitted picky eater, that helped. player and, in the end, I wound up earning his trust,” Gallagher said. “You have two options when you’re kind of faced with a little bit of adversity: From a hockey perspective, Gallagher met Giants head coach Don Hay, you can fold and try to make excuses for yourself, or you can try and a hockey lifer who ran a meritocracy, no matter where a player was work harder. drafted.

“At that point, I had some doubt of whether I would make the team or not, During the first half of Gallagher’s first junior season, Hay used him but you just keep playing and try to show him you can be a useful player sparingly. Gallagher remembers being a healthy scratch 15 times before and help him win games.” Christmas that year. But Hay had a message for all his players, and he found a receptive audience in Gallagher. Be a useful player and help him win games. Gallagher says those words a lot. It is his mission statement. “Don had been talking about practice habits all year, that if you didn’t compete on Thursday in practice you might not get to play Friday,” One way Gallagher learned how to be useful at a very early age was to Gallagher said. “It just kind of clicked with me as a 16-year-old that if I show a willingness to go to areas of the ice that some bigger players wanted to play, I had to be a great practice player, so I’ve got to learn were more reluctant to visit. Gallagher not only visited those areas, he these practice habits and these little details in the game. That’s set up permanent residence. something he really instilled in your DNA, how important it was to not “I grew up as an Edmonton Oiler fan and the person who had the most only compete in games, but to do it in practice the day before. success in that regard was Glenn Anderson,” Ian said. “He was “I wasn’t scratched again after Christmas for the rest of the year.” somebody that really understood what going to the far post was. It just so happens that the goalie is in between you and the far post. So if you Gallagher scored 126 goals over his next three seasons with the Giants teach that route and you practice that route, that becomes part of their and a won a bronze medal at the 2012 World Junior Championships for way of playing. So that particular type of play, I think that was taught. Canada. That’s using that mentality and understanding there’s a way you can be successful through that sort of net drive. A photo of Gallagher playing for the Canadian junior team on display at the Ladner Leisure Centre, his minor hockey home rink in Delta, B.C. “There’s always road maps for all players. For him, I watched Theoren (Arpon Basu / For The Athletic) Fleury in Calgary, I watched Glenn Anderson with the Oilers, and those two players played the game in a way that he himself could have success “Nobody in the history of the Giants to date has ever taken the beatings playing.” Brendan took,” Bonner said. “He took beating after beating after beating. … I don’t know if there’s many guys I’ve seen who had a harder road “If they would have had a good year, they might not have been looking at getting to where he’s got to.” making all these changes, so me and Chucky (Alex Galchenyuk) got a shot that year,” Gallagher said. “Obviously, you’ve got to take advantage The beatings he took and the 41 goals he scored for Vancouver in his of your opportunities, but I also know I’m pretty fortunate to get these NHL draft year did not seem to impress many scouts, who seemed chances.” blinded by Gallagher’s height. But there was one, Canadiens scout Vaughn Karpan, who believed Gallagher’s game could translate well to That chance didn’t come right away. the NHL. Galchenyuk was in the lineup on opening night but Gallagher was not, “I learned something about small players when Brian Gionta was in the wearing a suit behind the bench and waving at a Bell Centre crowd that draft,” said Karpan, now the Vegas Golden Knights’ director of player barely knew him. personnel. “They’re kind of the things you learn as a scout from mistakes you made along the way. I made the mistake of thinking Brian Gionta “I talk about being fortunate and being happy to be there, but I was also was too small. I see him at Boston College two years later and say, pissed off,” Gallagher said. “As a competitor, you want to play. I ‘Somebody made a mistake there.’ Well, it was me.” remember sitting there, watching the game and just thinking: ‘I don’t want to do this again.’ It’s not as fun watching.” Other NHL teams did not have the benefit of that wisdom. The Chicago Blackhawks kept regular tabs on Gallagher through phone calls to The next day at practice, Gallagher set about putting his thoughts from Bonner that year and there was a belief in some circles that the Toronto that night into action. Maple Leafs might have also had some interest. But the only scout who Remember that stuff about being a good practice player? bothered to speak to Gallagher for any significant amount of time was Karpan, and he waited until the very end of the season to do it. “I remember doing a 1-on-1 drill in front of the net the next day at the Bell Centre and I ended up going against Lars (Eller),” Gallagher said. “It was Karpan never spoke to Bonner about him, he never spoke to Hay either. just a battle. He’s a big, strong guy and he was in the lineup already, so I He only spoke to Gallagher and he did so at the Tsawwassen White took it more seriously than him. It was little puck battles, so I think I won Spot, a five-minute drive from Gallagher’s house, because Gallagher three in a row and scored every time. wanted a good burger that day. “I don’t know this for sure, but I started that practice on the healthy The Tsawwassen White Spot, where Vaughn Karpan took Gallagher out scratch line. The next day, I was in the lineup. We played Florida at for lunch in 2010. (Arpon Basu / For The Athletic) home, that’s when Chucky scored his first goal, I got my first point, we The Canadiens had only five picks in the 2010 draft and after moving up won the game. We were on a line with Prusty (Brandon Prust) and we to take Jarred Tinordi with the No. 22 pick in the first round, they didn’t were a pretty decent line. It’s little things like that where I don’t know what pick again until the fourth. would have happened if I didn’t get to play that game. We played well, got to stay in the lineup. You need to take advantage of every opportunity Karpan began making his case for Gallagher at the Canadiens’ draft you’re given.” table that day and amateur scouting director Trevor Timmins and general manager Pierre Gauthier supported him. But they were willing to gamble Brendan Gallagher has never been a healthy scratch since that opening Gallagher would be available in the fifth round, so they used their two night, Jan. 19, 2013. fourth-round picks on centre Mark MacMillan and defenceman Morgan Josh Gorges was 28 and had just been named an alternate captain when Ellis. Gallagher arrived in Montreal. Brian Gionta was the captain. Being “He looked you in the eye and he was firm in his convictions,” Karpan exposed to Gorges and Gionta was another opportunity that helped said of Gallagher. “He wasn’t telling me something that he thought I Gallagher along the path to NHL success. wanted to hear. He was honest. He was the same then as he is today. Gorges and his wife, Maggie, took Gallagher in to live with them near the He was just a mature, committed athlete who knew where he was going. Canadiens’ suburban practice facility, which was a great comfort to He just knew it. Gallagher, but perhaps more so to his mother, who was living clear “So you bet on those people.” across the country.

The 2010 draft was in Los Angeles. Gallagher was in Tsawwassen, “When Brendan first made the NHL, Josh and Maggie took him in … they watching on television. totally mentored him,” Della said. “Once a week, Brendan had to cook for them, so he would be Facetiming me for recipes. He wanted to show big. “Brendan was sitting right here,” his mother, Della, said, pointing to the He made lasagna and meatballs and Maggie said it turned out well. So head of the dining room table. he really loved his experience there.”

Della Gallagher in her dining room, where her son watched the 2010 Yeah, about that lasagna. draft. (Arpon Basu / For The Athletic) It did not turn out well. “They went to commercial, and they didn’t show when Brendan was drafted,” Della said. “So Brendan was having soup and a grilled cheese The rule of Gallagher cooking dinner once a week lasted all of two and his phone rang, and it was Gerry Johannson, who was at the draft, weeks. and he said, ‘Brendan, you just got taken by Montreal.’ And he was like, “We still make fun of him for that,” Maggie said. “Every time we make ‘What?’” lasagna, we take a picture and send it to him.”

That’s right. Gallagher was selected with the 147th pick. During a So maybe Josh and Maggie Gorges didn’t help Gallagher learn how to commercial break. All he’s done since is score the fifth-most goals of cook, but they taught him something far more important. anyone taken in that draft. He was a 20-year-old playing for the Montreal Canadiens with a city full Gallagher’s arrival in professional hockey coincided with the 2012 of people dying to be his friend. Few knew the potential pitfalls of that lockout, the first of several fortuitous opportunities that led to him better than Josh Gorges. becoming an NHL star. He was a standout player for Hamilton in the AHL in a year where the level of competition was heightened due to the influx “I don’t think he gives himself enough credit. He didn’t really need us,” of locked-out NHL talent forced to play in the minors. Maggie said. “I think it was convenient and it was nice for a young guy not to have to make meals for himself and not to be alone in the Montreal The Canadiens were coming off a disastrous season, one that cost market and maybe get steered the wrong way. We really kept him from Pierre Gauthier his job as general manager and Randy Cunneyworth his that part of it because we were always at home, or if we went out as interim head coach. somewhere and we came home early, he would come with us. So we In came Marc Bergevin and Michel Therrien, two men seeking to change kind of helped steer him that way. the team culture to one based on character, hard work and relentless “But he’s a smart kid, very mature and he’s very serious about hockey.” effort. Over those early years, Gallagher sat next to Gionta in the dressing In other words, one based on Brendan Gallagher. room. This, of course, was no accident. Gionta had a surprised look on his face when he learned he was the one But Della’s presence in Montreal also allowed her to see another side of who changed Vaughn Karpan’s mind on smaller players. But then that her son. look of surprise was replaced by a satisfied smile. Three days after his surgery, the two went to the Shriners Hospital to visit “It’s exciting for me,” Gionta said. “It was a much different game back patients, something Gallagher does regularly, though not usually with his then. But to just change people’s mindsets – you look around the league mother. Della got to see her son interact with a young girl, Annabelle, and you’ve got three or four undersized guys on each team now, who was very shy and reserved. Brendan offered to sign her cast on the whereas before you could only have one and that was it. You wanted a condition that she sign his, and a new fan was born. bigger, stronger, faster team. So it’s nice to see all these guys coming in the league, (Cam) Atkinson, (Johnny) Gaudreau, Gally, guys like that “Those are the things that make me most proud,” Della said, “it’s how he who have success just because they know how to play the game. interacts with people.” They’re not worried about the size anymore.” VIEW THIS POST ON INSTAGRAM

Gionta was a role model and sounding board for Gallagher. He was also someone he could pattern himself after, a consummate pro and a smaller player who made his living in the difficult areas of the ice. I WANT EVERYBODY TO MEET ANNABELLE. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO MEET HER YESTERDAY AT THE SHRINERS HOSPITAL “My first two years, obviously I’ve talked a lot about how important Gorgie AND SHE MADE ME A DEAL. SHE LET ME SIGN HER CAST IF SHE was to me – and he definitely was – but Gio was almost equally as COULD SIGN MINE, AND JUST LIKE THAT WE BECAME BEST important,” Gallagher said. “He was a champion. He was the captain of FRIENDS. SO IF ANYBODY HAS A PROBLEM WITH ME YOU CAN our team. He was so good about taking me aside and giving me little TAKE IT UP WITH MY NEW BEST FRIEND ANNABELLE! pointers, but at the same time being someone I could just watch and learn from.” A POST SHARED BY BRENDAN GALLAGHER (@BGALLY.11) ON NOV 27, 2015 AT 10:50AM PST Today, Gionta lives in Buffalo where he coaches youth hockey and his son Adam, another undersized player. The visit, as great as it was for the kids, was equally therapeutic to Gallagher. “My oldest, he’s 14, and he still has a Gallagher sticker on his bedroom door,” Gionta said. “Since we moved to Buffalo, he’s had that sticker on “I think it changed maybe my attitude about working to get back,” he said. his bedroom door. “The hardest thing sometimes, for us, is you’re away from the team, your mood is probably low and you’re not all that motivated to work and do the “Like, that’s the guy I want my kids to grow up watching.” things you need to do to get back.

For all the various episodes of good fortune Gallagher has had in his “But when you see these kids have that positive attitude, there’s really no hockey life, there were two outlandishly unfortunate things that very reason for you to not have that positive attitude.” nearly derailed it all. If there is one thing that has led Gallagher to where he is today, it is a How many players have had the same hand broken not only by two positive attitude. He used it to combat the preconceptions people had separate slap shots, but two slap shots from two of the hardest shooters about players his size, to persevere when people tried to write him off, to in the league? put in the necessary offseason work to prepare himself physically for his Gallagher is in a class of his own. But there was also some luck shining style of game and to continuously improve on his primary weaknesses as down on him. a player, his skating and his shot, to the point where they can no longer be called weaknesses. His mom, a physiotherapist, was visiting Montreal the night her son took a slap shot off his left hand in the first period against the He has become far more than the useful player who helps his team win Islanders on Nov. 22, 2015. He left the ice in severe pain. When the games that he always strived to be. He has become one of the best second period began, he was not on the ice. players in the world, a role model to kids who are constantly being needlessly limited and a lesson to the hockey world that a player’s size “I get a phone call, and it’s Brendan from the dressing room,” Della said. means little when that same player would put a signed Hulk Hogan “I said, ‘Your hand.’ He says, ‘It’s broken, can you come down?’ So championship belt on the line just to avenge a loss in ping-pong. someone came and got me and I went right into the room and Dr. (Paul) Martineau was there. Brendan was sitting there with his hand like this The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 and he looked like he was going to cry. They already took an X-ray and they showed me that it was smashed.”

Not too many mothers could look at an X-ray of her son’s shattered hand and think this was good news. But Della immediately knew the worst had been avoided because the fractures were largely limited to between Gallagher’s two knuckles and avoided the tips of his fingers, which would have complicated things.

“How lucky was that? As a physiotherapist, with hand fractures, it always extends to the (top of the) finger,” she said. “But the joints were involved, the fracture went into the joints and that’s serious. That means surgery.”

Della accompanied Brendan to the hospital that night to get a CT scan before surgery first thing the next morning.

“By then it’s 11 o’clock, it’s pretty dead there where the CT scanner is, and he lost it,” Della said. “He just realized that he couldn’t play anymore.”

The benefits of Della being present were only beginning. She was able to use her expertise in the early days. She got him off opioid painkillers as soon as possible, less than a week after the surgery. And eventually, when Gallagher returned home for Christmas, she managed the final push of his rehab, the one that allowed him to play in the 2016 Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium against the Boston Bruins less than six weeks after his surgery.

“It was right down to the wire,” she said. “That was really fun, really rewarding.” 1151791 Websites day. But in terms of job security, Dubas feels like he should be safe for another year at least. He’s still new, having only formally held the title for one season. By all accounts, he has the full support of Brendan The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Five coaches and five GMs who Shanahan, who chose him for the job at the expense of Lou Lamoriello absolutely won’t get fired this year, maybe and Mark Hunter. And he’s done a reasonably good job so far, landing John Tavares, making some aggressive trades and getting Auston Matthews locked up on a long-term deal.

By Sean McIndoe Could it all go bad in Toronto? Absolutely. The drawn-out Mitch Marner saga still hangs over everything and another first-round exit would have Sep 5, 2019 fans calling for heads, especially if it came against the Bruins. But even if that happened, the betting here is that it would be Babcock who walked the plank first. The moment that happens, the GM becomes the next guy The NHL season is almost here, which means it won’t be long before we in line. But unless things completely fall apart, the worst-case scenario start hearing about all the hot seats around the league. Is Mike Babcock this time next year is that Dubas has a new coach and a ton of new in trouble in Toronto? Does John Chayka need to make the playoffs in pressure, but still has his job. Arizona? Would Minnesota’s Bill Guerin prefer his own guy to Bruce Boudreau? Can Jason Botterill afford another miserable season in Jeff Gorton Buffalo? I like what Gorton’s done in New York, and I’m guessing his bosses do But while the hot seat conversation is standard issue in pro sports, it too. He made his biggest move as GM this summer by luring Artemi always feels a bit awkward. We’re talking about people’s livelihoods here. Panarin, and his team is clearly moving past their rebuild mode and into We have to cover this stuff, but it’s not a pleasant topic. a win-now mentality. But while that will translate to higher expectations of a playoff spot sometime soon, you don’t get the sense that it absolutely So let’s turn it around and stay positive: Who’s on the cold seat? In other has to be this year. As long as the Rangers improve, and they almost words, which NHL coaches and GMs are all but assured of still being on have to, they’ll be looking to stay the course. At some point Gorton sold the job one full year from now? ownership on a roadmap; there’s little reason to think they’d change course now. It’s a tougher question than you might think. Everyone in the NHL is hired to be fired eventually, and just about everyone’s job security is one bad Ray Shero losing streak from coming into question. I wanted to come up with 10 names, and honestly, that might be too many. But we’ll do it anyway, I don’t feel great about this pick. The Devils seem likely to miss the because half the fun of doing this sort of list is so that when one (or playoffs again this year, which would be the fourth time in Shero’s five more) of these guys inevitably gets fired in a few months, you can all seasons. Plenty of GMs with that sort of track record have been wished come back here to point and laugh at me. It’s OK, I’m used to it by now. well in their future endeavors. But he’s coming off a fantastic offseason and has assembled a very good young core (with some help from the Before we start, there’s one important ground rule: No picking any recent lottery ping pong balls). The Devils are clearly heading in the right hires who’ve been on the job for less than one full year. That’s too easy. direction. With apologies to Paul Fenton, even the worst coaches and GM usually get at least a year or two on the job in the NHL, so picking a brand-new If the season was an absolute debacle – a scenario which could include hire is cheating. You won’t be seeing slam dunk names like Joel Taylor Hall bolting as a free agent – then Shero might be on shaky Quenneville or Steve Yzerman on the list, which increase the degree of ground. But that seems like a long shot, and unlike most of the other difficulty. names on this list he still has a Stanley Cup ring he can flash to try to buy some extra patience. We’ll try to come up with five coaches and five GMs. And we’ll start in the front office, where the job tends to be a little bit more secure. But hey, what about …

General managers Remember, we said we’re looking for guys who’ll still be on the job in a year, which isn’t the same as picking guys who won’t be fired. It’s hard to Doug Armstrong imagine David Poile getting a pink slip, but he’s old enough that at some point retirement – or at least a “promotion” to make room for a successor We might as well lead off with the one name on the list that feels like a – could come into play. That’s the same reason I’m not including Lou genuine sure thing. Armstrong is the reigning Cup winner, and getting Lamoriello on the list, even after he worked a miracle for the Islanders, or fired after a championship is just about impossible. (Sorry, Al MacNeil.) Jim Rutherford in Pittsburgh. And even if the Blues got off to an absolutely terrible start, well, they did that last year too and things worked out OK. Jim Benning’s recent extension should mean that he’s safe for at least a year, but a disastrous Canucks’ season could change that. Julien Armstrong is a well-respected GM with plenty of experience and doesn’t BriseBois can’t make the list because he just narrowly misses our one- seem like he’d want to leave on his own anytime soon, so barring some year cutoff. And Don Sweeney was a close sixth, where my only concern sort of scandal or falling out with ownership, he’s just about as safe as is that at five years on the job with a contending team he’s right in that anyone could possibly be. Which isn’t completely safe, because this is sweet spot of having been around long enough that the pressure is on to still the NHL. But it’s pretty safe. deliver a title, but not so long that he’s got the security of being a lifer. But Doug Wilson you could swap him in for Gorton, Dubas or Shero without much of a complaint from me. We’re two names in, and this one already feels at least a little risky. But only a little. I think Wilson is the very best GM in the league today, and And then there’s maybe the most obvious candidate you might be the Sharks should be a very good team. It’s hard to imagine them having thinking of: George McPhee. He pulled off the unheard of feat of turning a bad year unless they run into major injury problems, which GMs usually an expansion team into an immediate Cup contender, building a 100- escape the blame for. With 16 years on the job and counting, this is point powerhouse completely from scratch. There’s a very good case to Wilson’ team, and it’s a very good one. be made that he’s done the best job of anyone in the league over the last two seasons. But there’s one problem: Technically, he’s not the GM in That doesn’t mean it couldn’t all blow up in his face. We thought it Vegas anymore. That’s Kelly McCrimmon now, at least in title, even as already had a few years ago, when the Sharks were missing the playoffs McPhee is still running the show. So if you’re thinking that any current and the franchise player was telling Wilson to shut his mouth. The GM NHL GM is a sure thing to still hold the job a year from now, remember survived that, so he should be able to weather any unexpected hurdles how much of a lock McPhee would have felt like this time last year. this year throws at him. If the aging Sharks hit a wall and miss the playoffs, could ownership decide that it’s time for a new direction and a Coaches fresh set of eyes? Nothing’s impossible, but it would take a total disaster. Gerard Gallant Kyle Dubas While we couldn’t use his boss in the GM category, we can certainly In one sense, Dubas is already on the hot seat because every GM in a include Gallant in the coaching section. His stint with the Panthers didn’t market like Toronto is on the hot seat the moment he clocks in on his first exactly end well, but he’s been fantastic in Las Vegas. In two years he’s won the Jack Adams, gone to a Cup final and made the playoffs twice. who didn’t hire him, so he doesn’t make the cut. Peter Laviolette and What more could you ask for? OK, sure, maybe a little better penalty Paul Maurice are both still looking for Cups with their current team killing on five-minute majors. But other than that, he’s a lock. heading into their sixth full seasons, so you can hear at least a bit of a clock ticking in both Nashville and Winnipeg. Jim Montgomery is only a And while we’re pumping the tires of recent Jack Adams coaches, we year into the job in Dallas but management there doesn’t always seem might as well go with last year’s runaway winner … entirely stable so I’m not comfortable listing him. And reigning Cup Barry Trotz champ Craig Berube is a lock, but misses our one-year cutoff.

All Trotz did in Year 1 with the Islanders was take a team that just about As for Rod Brind’Amour, yeah, he should probably be on this list. He’s everyone had pegged as a laughingstock and turn them into a 100-point just one year into his head coaching career in Carolina, got his team Cup contender. That earned him his second Jack Adams in four years back into the postseason and pulled off two playoff upsets. He’s also a and cemented his reputation as one of the very best coaches in the beloved franchise figure from his playing days, which never hurts. But the league. He’s dead certain to stick around, as long as he doesn’t have any thing is … well, Tom Dundon is just weird, right? This is a guy who didn’t sneaky contract options and/or the Islanders don’t completely implode. think his own GM needed a contract. Are we really completely sure that he wouldn’t fire his coach for losing five in a row or missing the playoffs That implosion isn’t completely out of the question, if only because Trotz or having his sideburns too long? I’m not, so Brind’Amour misses the cut. saw half of his Jennings-winning goaltending combination leave in free agency. If the Mitch Korn magic wears off, it’s not hard to imagine the So there’s my list. Given my track record with predictions, apologies in Islanders having to fight for a playoff spot, and maybe even missing all advance to these 10 guys for probably dooming them. together. That adds just a little bit of uncertainty to Trotz’s story, because If you want to yell at me in the comments about leaving somebody from he works for a GM with a habit of making stunning late-season coaching your favorite team off the list, go ahead. But do me one favor: Post your changes. That keeps Trotz’s security from the 100 percent certainty level. own 10 names too, so we can see how it holds up. Then we all meet Let’s nudge it all the way down to 99.9 percent. back here one year from now, pick through the ashes and laugh at how Bill Peters crazy this league can be.

Peters is five years into his NHL coaching career and has made the The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 playoffs once. Luckily for him, timing is everything and that one appearance came last year. His debut season with the Flames saw them make a surprise jump from also-rans all the way to the top of the Pacific Division. That’s the sort of year that buys you some patience.

There are at least few warning lights on the Flames’ dashboard heading into this season, including an uncertain goaltending situation. But Peters managed to survive four playoff misses in Carolina and still leave on his own terms, so even a freefall down the standings this year shouldn’t be fatal to his status in Calgary.

Bruce Cassidy

A lot of us were underwhelmed when the Bruins made the midseason switch from Claude Julien to Cassidy back in 2017. But he’s done a great job ever since, and got the Bruins to within a Game 7 of a Cup. The red flag here is that he’s only got one year left on his contract, so in theory he could head somewhere else a free agent next summer. The Bruins say they’re going to work on an extension, and everyone expects that deal to get done. But it hasn’t yet, and until that happens this long-term marriage isn’t quite ironclad.

But it is close enough to make our list, because man, is it ever tough to find five coaches you feel really good about in today’s NHL. I mean that. I’m running out of names. I’m OK with the four that we’ve got so far, but I’m seriously thinking of just cutting it off here and hoping that nobody on the internet reads closely enough to keep track.

Todd Reirden, I guess?

It came down to him or David Quinn in New York. Quinn is Gorton’s guy, but he’s also an inexperienced NHL coach with heightened expectations in a division that could be tough, and if the Rangers fall out of the playoff race right out of the gate it won’t play well in a big media market. Also, he has a new Russian star on the roster, and hockey tradition means I have to refer to those guys as enigmatic coach killers.

I still think Quinn is reasonably safe. But since we already picked a Ranger in the GM section, I’ll spread the risk around and go with Reirden instead. He had the unenviable task of replacing Trotz after a Cup win, and while he couldn’t lead the Caps to a repeat, he did guide them to basically the same record. That should buy him some time, especially since he was Brian MacLellan’s first traditional coaching hire, meaning the GM would have to eat some crow if he made a change too quickly.

Is it possible that the Caps could have another solid season followed by a disappointing first-round exit and decide to make a change back to a Trotz-like veteran in an attempt to win another Cup while the Alexander Ovechkin window is still open? Actually, when you spell it out like that, it seems kind of reasonable. Plus Ovechkin is also an enigmatic coach killer. You know what, let’s just wrap this up before I change my mind.

But hey, what about…

Jon Cooper is the longest-serving coach in the league and one of the best, but he’s under pressure to make noise in the playoffs and has a GM 1151792 Websites top-nine forward for the Hurricanes. I don’t expect him to make it, but I’m curious if he can make those other candidates sweat.

Chicago: Kirby Dach, C and Alexander Nylander, RW The Athletic / Most intriguing NHL prospect to watch at camp for every team, 2019-20 edition Dach and Nylander have both generated a lot of discussions this summer. Dach for being the third-overall pick and, while immensely talented, he is a bit divisive among scouts. Many Chicago fans were up in By Corey Pronman arms over the trade of Nylander for Henri Jokiharju. There are a lot of expectations on Nylander to show he’s a legit NHL player and someone Sep 4, 2019 who could help the team soon. For Dach, there is a path for him to make the team, but even if he gets sent to junior, just looking the part of a third-

overall pick would make Chicago fans very happy. With NHL rookie camps set to open this weekend, I’m going to discuss Colorado: Conor Timmins, D the most interesting prospects heading into the camp process. Timmins missed an entire season due to a concussion. Prior to the This isn’t a list of each team’s best prospect, or who is most likely to concussion he was a promising junior player. I wouldn’t have called him a make the team and produce in the NHL; rather this is simply identifying a high-end prospect at the time, but he looked like a player on the NHL prospect in each system who I think is the most interesting heading into track due to his great hockey sense and two-way play. He looks healthy NHL camp. right now, but there is a question mark of whether he can pick up where Anaheim: Maxime Comtois, LW he left off and what happens if he takes a high hit. You hope the best for his career and safety. Comtois made the Ducks out of camp last season and pretty much scored wherever he went. Seven points in 10 NHL games. Ten points in Columbus: Emil Bemstrom, RW 16 AHL games. Six points in five World Junior games. Sixty-three points Columbus has taken it on the chin in public discourse due to its all-in in 41 QMJHL games with a heavy tilt toward goals. He’s a player on the push last season, leaving it without draft picks and minus two core upswing. Comtois may not be a flashy player, but scouts love his sense, players a season later. With that said, the Blue Jackets made some shot and compete level. The question is whether he can show up at smart mid-round picks to keep their system out of the gutter. Bemstrom is camp and run away with a top-nine forward job in the NHL. One could one example of that, as he was fantastic in the SHL last season. If he argue that’s even a reasonable expectation. can show up at NHL camp, make the team and show he can be a top- Arizona: Victor Soderstrom, D nine-quality player, he can give Columbus a much deeper forward group.

The Coyotes made noise at the 2019 draft by trading up to get Dallas: Ty Dellandrea, C Soderstrom at 11th overall. He was a tough player to evaluate last Dellandrea is a very talented player. Tools-wise he seems to have season because he barely played in international games and spent most everything you want for a future NHL player and it’s why he was a top 15 of the year as a 17-year-old in the SHL. The Coyotes clearly believe in pick. With that said, he has yet to produce at any meaningful level in the him a lot, and it will be interesting to see how close to the league he OHL. Defenders of him will be very quick to point out the team around looks already. Some scouts believe in the player a lot and think he could him. It’s a fair point, he didn’t have a supporting staff in Flint. So in an get a long look at camp; whereas others don’t see high-end upside and NHL camp this is his time to shine, to show he’s a true top prospect and think he’s years away. someone who is at least close to the NHL level. Boston: Jakub Zboril, D and Zach Senyshyn, RW Detroit: Moritz Seider, D I’m sure Bruins fans are tired of hearing about the first round of the 2015 The Wings made noise early at the draft by selecting Seider sixth overall. draft, especially given how great Jake DeBrusk and Brandon Carlo They weren’t alone in the NHL world in thinking he was that good, but it became out of that draft. However, top-15 picks Zboril and Senyshyn still was a minority opinion. It’s expected Seider won’t make the team and will have a lot of scouts watching their progression. They are entering their spend a year in the AHL or Germany, but he still is clearly the most third pro seasons in the Bruins organization. With both 22 years old, if interesting player going to camp. As someone who didn’t get much ice they are going to be NHLers, this is their time to show it. I don’t think it’s time last season, a lot of scouts and fans want to see what exactly Seider realistic to expect them to make the Bruins, but at least show they are can bring at an NHL camp. His skating is clearly at NHL level, but his close and progressing because to date the progression has not been puck-game will be closely monitored. anything to write home about. Edmonton: Tyler Benson, LW Buffalo: Rasmus Asplund, C Benson had an awesome rookie pro season, as a top player at the AHL The 21-year-old Asplund will be entering his fourth season since being level. The Oilers don’t have depth on the wing, especially after the drafted 33rd overall by the Sabres. He’s been good but not amazing at departure of Jesse Puljujarvi. There is a path for Benson to make the the SHL and AHL levels. There doesn’t seem to be a clearing for him to team and be an important player for them. The biggest test will be his break camp as a center, but with Dylan Cozens also on the way, I think skating. He has the skill and hockey sense for the NHL, but he will need it’s an important camp for Asplund to show he can play against NHLers to show he can play at the speed of the top level during camp. and he’s a part of the Sabres’ future. Florida: Brady Keeper, D Calgary: Dillon Dube, C Florida is expected to have competition from young forwards soon, but its Dube made the Flames last season, and he spent a lot of time in the pipeline is bare at defense. That is what makes college free agent NHL before being sent down to the AHL, where he was excellent. Dube Keeper interesting. He looked good in his NHL game late last season was technically a graduate when I did the Flames’ prospect ranking, but and is talented enough to make a push for the roster. Even if he doesn’t realistically he’s a player who is coming into camp with something to make the team, if he can push for a spot, it could provide Florida with prove to try and win an NHL job. Scouts would not describe Dube as a some much needed depth on defense should injury or performance high-end skill or flashy type, but he’s an excellent skater, he has a well- issues arise. rounded game and he scores wherever he goes. Los Angeles: Arthur Kaliyev, RW Carolina: Morgan Geekie, C Kaliyev, a 50-goal, 100-point man in the OHL was a divisive prospect all The Hurricanes have several forwards vying for NHL time. Martin Necas last season entering the draft, and he ended up being an early second- is an elite prospect right on the doorstep, Janne Kuokkanen has been round pick by the Kings. There were teams that were big believers excellent in the AHL and earned NHL games, and Julien Gauthier is a because of his elite brain and shot, but many more who had no time for first-round pick who had a solid second pro season. Geekie though is the him due to his play off the puck and average quickness. He’s likely not an one I’m most curious to see how he fares. He was awesome in the AHL NHL candidate this season, but this camp, like the previous world juniors playoffs and had a great rookie pro season. He has the size and skill for camp where he was great, is an opportunity for Kaliyev to silence critics, the NHL, but the big thing to watch is whether he can skate at that level. It’ll be the factor between him being just a great AHL player and a future or potentially provide more evidence for them that he can’t play at an Pittsburgh: Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D NHL pace. Pierre-Olivier Joseph was an important part of the Phil Kessel trade, but Minnesota: Nico Sturm, C at the same time, is a player who some scouts have soured on since his draft year. He stagnated a bit toward the end of his QMJHL career, but The Wild’s top prospects are all still some time away from making a dent after turning pro and with a new organization this is a chance for him to at camp, but Sturm is the top guy in the next group of talent in their farm show he’s still on the NHL radar. I don’t expect him to make the system. Sturm was a top collegiate free agent and looked fine in two NHL Penguins, but they are not that deep on defense organizationally and if games he played last year. The question for the 24-year-old is if he can he can at least look like a call-up option it would help the team a lot. step into camp and steal someone’s job on the fourth line. He’s got ability but he’s not a dynamic player. St. Louis: Jordan Kyrou, RW

Montreal: Josh Brook, D It’s not easy to make the reigning Cup champions’ roster as a prospect, especially when that roster has not seen much significant change since A look at the Habs’ depth at defense doesn’t instill confidence. For that that championship run. Kyrou is going to be in the mix though. He’s a reason, Brook is the most interesting prospect for the Habs going into dynamic player who was excellent in the AHL as a 20-year-old. And while camp even if forwards Nick Suzuki and Ryan Poehling are better players. he won’t have a job handed to him, he is a player all eyes will be on to Even as a right-handed shot, there’s a real opportunity here for Brook, see if he can wrestle a spot away from a winger on the Blues. The who looked excellent last season in the WHL. I would personally lean to Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford reported that Kyrou will be healthy for camp giving him some AHL time, but if he looks good enough, he may force the after having knee surgery. Habs’ hand. San Jose: Ryan Merkley, D Nashville: Eeli Tolvanen, RW Merkley had a good but not amazing season, with elite offense and The highly skilled Tolvanen came into last camp with a lot of subpar defense. With rumors circling in OHL circles since the end of last expectations. He didn’t overly impress, was sent down, and was up and season of Peterborough looking to trade Merkley, the off-ice arguments down in the AHL. He’s only 20 years old, but this upcoming camp is an about the player that have followed him for years were revived – which important time for him to show he’s made strides over the summer in he brought upon himself. Merkley had a very good camp last fall and terms of his speed and game off the puck. Even if he doesn’t make the looked solid in the AHL in the spring. You could make an argument team, having a great camp and making it a tough decision would be a Merkley needs to get out of the OHL and have the Sharks work with him positive development for him. full-time, but he will need to give them a reason in camp for them to hold New Jersey: Jesper Boqvist, LW onto him and not send him back to junior.

Boqvist is a prospect who inspires a bit of debate in scouting circles. Tampa Bay: Carter Verhaeghe, LW Some scouts really believe in him, and others don’t see a great player Verhaeghe is one of the more interesting prospects in hockey. Not long there. He’s had a good career to date in Sweden and is a very quick and ago you could have called him a likely career AHLer. But he had a skilled player even if at times inconsistent. The Devils have a good, but monster 2018-19, leading the AHL in goals and points. Now, the 24-year- thin system depth-wise, and need a player like Boqvist to have a good old heads in Tampa’s camp as a legit contender for a roster spot despite camp, look like a real player and make their lineup longer to make their how many solid forward prospects they have on the way. rebuild work. Toronto: Rasmus Sandin, D New York Islanders: Oliver Wahlstrom, RW With how well Sandin played last season in the AHL even as an 18-year- Wahlstrom had a tough season in Boston College but was very promising old, with Travis Dermott’s injury and the options on Toronto’s third pair once he turned pro and played in the AHL. A lot has been said about not being the best, there is an opportunity for Sandin to break camp with Wahlstrom in the past 12 months, among fans and media and behind the the Leafs. Even if he doesn’t make the team, if he looks close, he could scenes in the scouting community, so this is a great chance for him to give the Leafs a real option if injury or performance issues arise to play well against NHL opponents and ease the concerns of some of the deepen their defensive unit. Islanders faithful. Vancouver: Kole Lind, RW New York Rangers: Igor Shesterkin, G Lind had a tough first pro season, struggling to earn AHL ice time two Expectations are that top prospects Kaapo Kakko, Vitaly Kravtsov and years after being the 33rd-overall pick in the 2017 draft. He’s a very Adam Fox will make the Rangers, but Shesterkin is the most interesting talented player who checks a lot of the boxes you look for in a future NHL to me given the Rangers’ goalie situation. Henrik Lundqvist is in the player, but the pro level proved to be a challenge for him. I don’t expect twilight of his career and signed at big money for the next two years, and him to make the Canucks, but I am looking to see any improvements he Alexandar Georgiev has been a pleasant surprise the past two years. It’s may have made over the summer physically and if he can have more of a tough situation when you add in Shesterkin, who is 23 years old and an impact versus men. one of the best goalie prospects in the NHL. He may need time to adjust to North America, but if he looks excellent, it could create a very difficult Vegas: Nicolas Hague, D choice for the Rangers front office. Hague had a great camp last season with Vegas and followed it up with a Ottawa: Logan Brown, C promising first pro season. There’s a lot of competition for one defense spot in Vegas’ camp, with Jimmy Schuldt and Zach Whitecloud also Brown has been up and down the past few years, with his second half of battling to make the team. Hague is the clear best player of the three, his rookie pro season being more on the upward trajectory. He’s a player even if the youngest. There aren’t many defensemen with Hague’s who inspires a lot of debate among scouts. Some love him. They see the combination of size and skill, and the Vegas blue line isn’t that deep, so if size, skill and IQ, and think he’s a no doubt top-six center. Others think he plays well he could force his way into an important role with the team. he’s too slow, and doesn’t compete hard enough. The Senators need help, a lot of help, and I think Brown has the most upside of any player in Washington: Alexander Alexeyev, D that farm system. A camp from Brown where he shows continued improvement and forces his way onto the big team would be a sign of Alexeyev is a highly talented defenseman with size and a former first- good news for a fanbase that is longing for good news. round pick of the Capitals. He’s entering camp with the mindset of winning a roster spot and the Capitals’ defense unit right now has space. Philadelphia: German Rubtsov, C With the so-so play of first-round pick Lucas Johansen in the AHL and Alexeyev having more puck-moving skill than Jonas Siegenthaler, if Rubtsov’s stock was trending down before the start of last season where Alexeyev has a good camp it’s not unheard of that he could make his he looked excellent as a rookie in the AHL before an injury ended his way onto the roster or at the very least make himself the first call-up season. There’s an opening down the Flyers lineup, and for a guy like option. Rubtsov who is such a well-rounded forward – the fit there seems ideal. If he shows up at camp and looks like the player he was in 14 AHL games, Winnipeg: Logan Stanley, D he could find his way onto the roster even with top-end talents like Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost competing with him. I don’t expect Stanley to make the Jets out of camp, but for a pick that has been debated significantly since the Jets traded up to get him in 2016, Stanley’s first pro season was promising. He was a top rookie defenseman in the AHL. It will be interesting to see how the tall, physical defenseman carries that over to this NHL camp and if he can at least make it a hard decision to cut him.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151793 Websites Williams rips the ball across the court. Han pauses it. Then comes a 90- second breakdown between Han and Belfry focusing on why she hit the ball where she did. Svitolina returns it. Pause. Another analysis. This is The Athletic / Inside the Summit: How Auston Matthews, Hilary Knight repeated over and over again. The rally comes to an end when Svitolina and hockey’s elite get better barely gets to a backhand, lofting a return to the middle of the court that Williams was waiting for in perfect position.

“… then you report to that middle T and you have your shot,” Han Craig Custance concludes.

Sep 4, 2019 83 “I like it,” Belfry said.

It goes to commercial and they get back to work. That’s how Belfry’s mind works — even when he’s taking a break from hockey, he’s still ESTERO, Fla. — Auston Matthews stood at the front of the room and trying to figure out how elite athletes operate. Maybe there’s something immediately jumped into his explanation. He was in a conference room at there to learn, to steal, to pass on to the players with whom he’s working. a Hyatt resort that, it’s safe to say, never hosted a group quite like this. There’s no off switch. There can’t be, he believes. He leaned one arm on the podium, freeing up his other arm to point at the screen to his immediate left showing a goal he scored. Belfry didn’t play hockey at a high level. He’s worked his way up to having a stable of yearlong clients, this annual camp of NHL standouts In front of him was an incredible collection of women’s hockey players. and his spot on the Maple Leafs coaching roster as a player development American stars like Hilary Knight, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Brianna consultant by constantly learning and innovating. Decker were mixed in with counterparts from rival Canada like Laura Fortino, Natalie Spooner and Brianne Jenner. A combination of elite “I feel like when you don’t have an accomplished playing career at any hockey players from two hockey superpowers setting aside country for high level, you have to assume that there is just a ton you don’t know. So one shared goal: to get incrementally better at their craft. Just like NHL there is an endless search for meaning that you’re going to try and check stars did in that room a few days earlier. and recheck,” Belfry said. “The league evolves, people are getting better. I took that on myself. I’m responsible for providing new ideas or teaching First, Matthews lets the clip run in its entirety. It’s a one-timer he scored them something new, then I have to take that on as a challenge for against the Panthers after a lengthy possession in the offensive zone. myself. I have to get better. I have to find faster, more efficient, more There’s a lot to talk about. So he plays it back, walking everyone through effective ways.” what he sees. There’s cycling. A bit of chaos and, ultimately, Matthews finding open ice. And when he does, he has to clearly communicate that to the players with whom he’s working. During this camp, everything is recorded. The “I think guys moving around like that, you don’t really know who to conversations. The meetings. There are coaches on skates with iPads, check,” Matthews says of the issue facing the Panthers defenders. constantly recording every drill, every sequence and then tagging the “Nobody knows who to guard, who to take. It opens up space and I just players so that they can be cut into clips after the session. There was kind of try to find an area where I can get the puck back.” even a drone above the ice until it came a little too close to the action for He finishes and it’s quiet. everyone’s comfort.

Knight breaks the silence with an observation. Then there’s a question When the clips are sorted by player, the coaches look for nuances to and the conversation slowly gets going. There’s a point made about the highlight and tweak. Then Belfry does a personalized voice-over for each angle of his skates. There’s a question about who Matthews looks at player after every session, with detailed suggestions on areas they can when trying to find an opening. improve.

When it gets quiet again with an extended pause, Matthews smiles. It’s now later on Wednesday afternoon when Belfry sits down on his patio, an iPad on the table and a plan to help Blackhawks sniper Alex “This is how we started off, too. Don’t worry,” he says, to laughs. DeBrincat improve his vision. He shuts off the outdoor fan for clearer audio. The clips of DeBrincat are playing and he records his observations It wouldn’t stay quiet for long. Like the group of some of the NHL’s best over them: players who experienced this same exercise a few days earlier, this conversation would heat up quickly. To understand how all these great I want to go through this one habit that you have as it relates to your hockey players quietly ended up all in one place, in a rigorous late- hands and puck protection. This first one, you’re going to see your hand, August week of on-ice training mixed with high-end film study, it helps to see how it tucks there? With this top hand right here, it goes underneath. understand the mind of the guy who made it all happen. What that’s going to do is throw your weight back on your heels and you’re going to have a hard time getting out of this to make your next Auston Matthews leads a film session with a room full of the world’s best play. women’s hockey players. (Craig Custance/The Athletic) He moves on to a clip of DeBrincat doing a similar play more effectively, Darryl Belfry is standing in his Naples living room next to a giant highlighting the positives. He goes over very small details about the television showing the U.S. Open. Venus Williams is taking on Elina placement of DeBrincat’s elbows and how one small tweak might give Svitolina. It’s Wednesday afternoon in one of the busiest, most stressful, him more flexibility to make the next play. exhilarating and rewarding weeks of Belfry’s calendar year. More than 20 of the NHL’s best players, like Matthews, Patrick Kane and Mathew Then it moves to a clip of DeBrincat working against Sabres forward Kyle Barzal, have been training with him all week in a group that also includes Okposo. standouts like Roman Josi, Charlie McAvoy, Frederik Andersen among many others. Some train with Belfry or fellow skills coach Adam Nicholas I love this cutback. One of the reasons I love this cutback is you turn all year, others came via personal invitation. Another 20-plus Okposo’s feet in before you turn back. So that’s really effective. Allows accomplished women’s Olympians have either just arrived or are en you to really open that play up. route to take part in the first Olympian summit. His house is full of activity. “It’s great to have,” DeBrincat says the next afternoon after watching his Three coaches helping him out — Tristan Musser, Adam McHugh and clips. “It’s just great to see the video to what he’s talking about. He’s Dan Dukart — are at the kitchen table breaking down video from the drawing on it too right there. It’s easy to understand … anything different morning session with NHL players. Belfry’s golden retriever Solo is I can take and put in my game is obviously a positive.” stalking lizards on the other side of the sliding door. Belfry’s son is As useful as that might be, it’s not the most impactful part of this week. playfully chasing Nicholas in the hallway. That comes from the collaboration between the players. Belfry pauses in the midst of it to watch Williams play tennis. Jack Han, Patrick Kane, the namesake behind The 88 Summit, has taken the lead the video coach of the Toronto Marlies, is on the couch manning the in sharing his insight with fellow players. (Syl Corbett / Special to The remote control. Han is a tennis player, so Belfry starts grilling him about Athletic) strategy. Han grabs the remote, rewinds to the beginning of the most recent rally and they immediately break it down. Vegas forward Alex Tuch admits later that he was surprised to see his name up on the screen in the front of the hotel conference room. That meant a clip featuring a play he made during the season was going to be then tried to see if he could influence his stick one way or the other in the shown at the 88 Summit, the gathering of NHL standouts breaking down way he uses his feet. film of each other’s game one evening at Belfry’s camp. “Sometimes, I’ll decelerate just a little bit to get a hesitation one way and During the season, Nicholas, a skills coach who trains with Tuch, sent then I go the other way,” Barzal explained to Dumba. Belfry six or seven clips of Tuch repeating a move often enough for it to clearly be intentional. Do it once, it’s a fluke. Six times? This was Later, Dumba shared his own knowledge with Noah Hanifin on how to someone who had mastered a unique skill. Nicholas noticed Tuch using get more velocity on one-timers, a conversation Nicholas witnessed. Not his size and reach to extend plays by taking one hand off his stick, only did he see the conversation, he saw immediate results. These mini shielding a defender with the other and making one-handed passes to sessions between players happened repeatedly. teammates. It was the perfect skill to share with a roomful of players “Dumba was teaching Hanifin how to rotate his stick on one-Ts. Dumba hungry to add to their toolbox. has an absolute rocket,” Nicholas said in relaying the advice. “He has The best example of Tuch’s move came during a November game that snap at the end. That little snap at the end, when he rotates his hips against the Bruins. The highlight shines on the screen, showing Tuch and his hands release through that hip rotation? That’s what gives him driving down the left side of the ice, defended well by Bruins defenseman that extra added kick. He’s showing Hanifin how to do that.” John Moore. Just when you think he’s going to keep going behind the Later in practice, Hanifin put a one-timer through the net. net, he reaches out with one hand and wraps around a pass to Cody Eakin, who was streaking into the slot. Eakin buries a goal past Jaroslav “Right through the net,” Nicholas said. “Ridiculous.” Halak. It all certainly raises the question: Why do these elite NHL players give The room is quiet as Tuch explains his thought process. away their secrets?

“My stick allows me to stretch out and whip the puck around a little more “It’s actually funny you mention that,” answers Kane. Kane has been than other guys,” Tuch begins, standing at a podium in the front of the working with Belfry for years. Last year, Kane was the first player Belfry room. “By taking off my inside hand, I try to almost shield the pokecheck pitched the idea of the film portion of the camp where players break each to create space between the puck and the gap and the defender as much other’s plays down. It’s even named after him, with The 88 Summit logo as possible here and almost tie him up, which allows my stick to come filling the screen on those sessions. across and put it into the slot area.” He smiles at the question. Then come the questions and comments from NHL players sitting around “We were laughing — me, DeBrincat and (Dylan) Strome — after it the dark room. because Roman Josi was asking me a lot of questions, more than Moore plays that pretty well but you put the puck in a position where he anybody else,” Kane says, laughing. “You give up information because can’t get it. everyone is genuine.”

It’s funny to watch the other defenders backcheck because they pretty “It I were Patty, I wouldn’t give away too many things,” Tuch jokes but much think the play is dead when you’re pretty much on the goal line with then adds some insight. “Even Roman Josi grilling Patrick Kane — he’s one hand, they think the play is dead. You tossing the puck right back to also giving input to see what he’s trying to exploit so Patrick can go back the guy down the slot is a surprising play to the defense. and say, ‘If he’s trying to exploit this, I have this option.’ It’s a give-and- take kind of thing. We’re making each other better hockey players as a Yeah, I don’t know how you defend that. You can’t really defend that. whole.”

Tuch responds. Belfry addresses the group of women’s hockey standouts before an on- “I try to keep (Moore) behind me like I’m going to be cutting to the middle ice session. (Craig Custance / The Athletic) a little bit. I just try to lower my shoulder. I’ve found that extending the It’s 1:15 p.m. on Thursday and the best women hockey players in the stick and being able to protect the puck allows me to reach around. I’m world are getting ready to take the ice at the camp for the first time. still pushing him behind me, so he’s not going to have the same reach I They’re sitting in their dressing room stalls, in full uniform, as Belfry walks do.” in to address the group. Any other week of the year, these are heated If he backed off you, would you have taken it to the net? rivals working separately to try and beat each other in the inevitable showdown that always materializes between the United States and “Yeah, probably driven the shoulder down, extended my inside leg and Canada. In this moment, they’re eager to get a look at the training their tried to keep two hands on the stick so I could shoot the puck.” NHL counterparts have been getting all week.

(Torey) Krug is getting ready for the release to the back of the net. He’s “This is about the most comfortable I would like you the rest of the day,” thinking you’re going to go around and he’s going to jump it. That’s a Belfry says to the players in the room. “My objective is to make you feel smart play. terrible and really awkward for as much of the time you’re here as I can. Otherwise, if you’re just feeling good, that means you’re in old habits. It’s At this point it’s rapid-fire. The players are legitimately curious about the all the same and it’s what you normally do. Then we’re not getting play. Tuch answers it all. This goes on for several more minutes. Just this anywhere.” one clip sparking observations from all over the room. Goal scorers are wondering if you can shoot it. The defensemen are trying to figure out He explains that he’s going to focus on many of the progressive tactics how to defend it. There’s no coach telling these players what to do, just a he works on with the NHL players, even if it may run counter to what their group of elite athletes brainstorming around a unique play. coaches prefer during international play. He hopes adding new pieces of movement and skill to their games is something they’ll ultimately be able Then, the next morning, these same players are on the ice at Hertz to incorporate within their normal structure. Arena (home of the ECHL’s Florida Everblades) and as you might expect, there’s a group of them out there trying to incorporate one- Then he gets at his motivation. handed Tuch passes into their game. “You’ve taken on some big challenges. You’ve battled Hockey Canada. “Guys were apparently pretty impressed,” Tuch said after the camp You’ve battled USA Hockey. You’re battling anybody and everybody, it wrapped up. “It’s exciting for me being a first-time player in here, still a seems. It just seems to me like you could use a week where you’re not young guy trying to make my footprint in the league. Guys like Kane and battling anybody, you’re collaborating together to try to make yourself Auston Matthews, a couple other guys who were just passing by and better,” Belfry says. “This is all about you. It genuinely is.” complimenting it, trying to break it down. Roman Josi says he doesn’t know how to defend it. I’m like, ‘Maybe I should start doing this more.’” With that, the women take the ice and it’s the same experience as the men’s session, right down to the iPads recording every moment to later The on-ice sessions provided opportunity for more organic collaboration. be broken down into individual film sessions. There was Barzal and Matt Dumba chatting on the ice and talking about entries. Dumba wanted to know how Barzal determined which side of the That night, like the men, they gather in the Hyatt conference room to body to attack against defensemen while entering the offensive zone. break down clips of each others’ games together. These are primarily Barzal explained that he looked to see which hand the defender was and Olympic clips from PyeongChang in 2018, stakes much higher than the regular season NHL clips the men examined. These aren’t regular- season games from October where the players have more freedom to take risks and showcase individual skill. This is USA versus Canada, where one mistake can mean four years of pain.

It leads to a different discussion than that with the men’s group. For the NHL players, there was a lot of one-on-one focus. As the video clips play for the women, there’s much more talk about how to better utilize the players around them more in a team setting. The clips are extended possessions for each team in the offensive zone and it’s an hourlong glimpse into the minds of elite hockey players.

In the dark room, voices pop up from all over. There are questions. Observations. Players sharing all they know with each other. At one point, Coyne Schofield fires a shot from near the goal line and it’s immediately met with a question from the back of the room.

“Kendall, what prompts you to take that bad angle shot there? Is it the way the goaltender goes down in the post or do you see two U.S. players headed to the net?”

“I was thinking I probably should have not shot there.”

The entire room laughs.

“I probably should have pulled back,” she says. “Driving with speed, it was a good entry. I could have created more space and separation for the other two guys by pulling up … and let the D come up in the play. Not a great shot selection.”

“I’m just curious with the way the goaltender is playing, what we call a RVH, you see her going down like that, does that prompt you to shoot, just seeing her down like that?”

“I think you’re giving me too much credit.”

“I think too if you would have curled back, I think all red was really backchecking super hard, you would have a lot space. Even walk it yourself or go far-side D if they were jumping in.”

It’s amazing to witness. Historic, really. It’d be like the ’72 Russians and Canadians getting together in a room and explaining the way they play. But the most poignant moment comes from Coyne Schofield after 60- plus minutes of video, 60-plus minutes analyzing different opportunities for these women to show more creativity and skill in their game.

Coyne, who captured the imagination of hockey fans across the world with her blazing speed during the NHL All-Star skills competition in San Jose, explains why we’re not always seeing that creativity on the ice in these big moments.

“The difference between a man making that play and us … he makes a turnover, he’s still making money. He still has a job. He’s still on the team,” she tells the room. “Our spot is not guaranteed — neither is his — but we’re constantly cycling through things. Sometimes the creativity gets taken away. We’re always under the pressure of making the next roster. It’s finding that balance, combine creativity with confidence. We’re fighting those two things.”

The session ends shortly after that. A sobering reminder of the difference between the men and women. That there’s still so much more to see from the women, if they are just given the opportunity. You see it the next day on the ice, where they’re working on all these concepts, trying to get better. Maybe those concepts will never make it to an Olympic game. Maybe they will. Either way, they’re clearly eager to learn it all.

“It’s awesome. Whenever you can get the top athletes in the world together and you can learn from one another, it’s a great environment to be in. Belfry has provided an amazing opportunity,” Knight says after one of the on-ice sessions. “It was overwhelming trying to be a sponge and soak everything up as much as possible. These opportunities are rare and you have to make the most of them.”

Perhaps Dumba summed it up best. After the final men’s on-ice session, they all lingered on the ice like the last day of summer camp. Players seemed genuinely reluctant to leave. When Dumba finally skates to an exit, he’s smiling.

“Great camp right there,” he says, stepping off the ice, ready to head home.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.05.2019 1151794 Websites But coach Travis Green told Sportsnet in August that the Canucks’ improvement still hinges on the continued development of Vancouver’s young stars.

Sportsnet.ca / Pettersson feeling quicker, stronger after summer of “Petey becoming a better player is a big part of us taking the next step,” conditioning Green said. “I can be very open and honest with him, but I know he’s driven to win. There are other young players I’ve seen in junior and the AHL that were very good players but weren’t driven to win. I know he’s Iain MacIntyre | @imacSportsnet going to do everything he can to be a better hockey player and push us to be a better hockey team. I believe Quinn Hughes has that in him. And I September 4, 2019, 7:53 PM believe Brock took a lot of steps last year, too.”

Calder candidate Hughes, a potential game-changer on defence, will be VANCOUVER – Super soldier serum transformed skinny, sickly Steve on the ice this weekend for the Canucks’ rookie camp in Vancouver. But Rogers into muscular super hero Captain America. Unfortunately, the Brock Boeser, who scored 59 goals in 140 games during his first two- Marvel Comics’ serum is currently unavailable outside of top-secret plus NHL seasons, is home in Minnesota, unsigned as a restricted free military labs, so Elias Pettersson had to get bigger the old-fashioned way: agent. conditioning and diet. How boring. Pettersson’s friend and linemate has also been dealing with another The results, however, are somewhat similar. horrendous medical challenge for his father, Duke, who has Parkinson’s Disease and suffered massive heart failure on July 29. Brock’s dad In his first interview since returning to Vancouver ahead of next stopped breathing for 15 minutes and spent most of August in the weekend’s NHL training camp for the Canucks in Victoria, Pettersson, intensive care unit of his Minnesota hospital. 20, looked slightly bigger and more muscular than last season, when the six-foot-two Swede won the Calder Trophy while generously listed at 176 “It’s been a long month,” Boeser, 22, recently told The Athletic’s Michael pounds. Russo. “I went to the hospital every day for the first, what, three weeks. But he’s showing us some good signs lately, which if you know Duke, is Another stark difference from this time last year was Pettersson’s ability very much like him. He’s getting his color back. He’s looking around, Wednesday to make light of his weight. moving around. Maybe he recovers from this and is stronger. That’s very much like him.” He had seen the Twitter post comparing his transformation to Captain America’s. Benning said Wednesday he’s optimistic he’ll get Boeser re-signed before training camp opens next Friday. Like so many restricted free Yes, he told reporters at Rogers Arena, he is bigger. agents who are core players on their teams, Boeser has been at a “Maybe it’s not a big difference like Captain America,” he added. standoff with the Canucks, unwilling to sign long-term for what the team is offering. “I talked to my strength coach at home (about) what I want to get better at – and stronger, of course. He put up a schedule for me. . . and I feel Pettersson said he texted Brock and has been praying for Duke Boeser. great. Quicker, like in tight turns. And, of course, more leg power, more “Of course, I hope he’s here tomorrow,” Petterson said of his teammate. conditioning. At the end of last season, I felt kind of tired, and not 100 per “I hope he’s here as quick as possible.” cent energy towards every game. That would be the main focus this summer. Has he been lobbying Brock to sign a new deal and get back to Vancouver? “This summer, I knew what I was preparing for. So I’ve been working a lot on my conditioning to get more leg power, and to hopefully play a full “Not yet,” Pettersson said. “But if it’s getting close to Oct. 2 (and the 82-game season and, hopefully, playoffs. I know what I’m expecting Canucks’ season-opener in Edmonton) and he’s not here, I’ll put some now.” pressure on him.”

So does the rest of the NHL, which is why Pettersson’s strength and Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 09.05.2019 conditioning, still evolving at his age, are critical elements.

The centre’s skills and hockey intelligence were proven beyond question at the start of last season, when Pettersson began his NHL career by scoring 10 goals – and 16 points – in his first 10 games.

But amid that historic start, Pettersson was rag-dolled to the ice by Florida defenceman Mike Matheson, whose two-game suspension was only one-third the length of the Canuck’s absence due to a concussion.

Pettersson later missed five games with a leg injury after he was pulled over by Montreal rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

In the Canucks’ final 19 games, when opponents were keying on Pettersson, he managed only two goals and eight assists and admitted he didn’t have the same energy he felt at the start of the marathon season.

Pettersson still won the Calder Trophy by a landslide, beating the runner- up, St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington, 151-18 in first-place votes cast by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. But the weak finish to Pettersson’s formidable first season in the NHL fired him up to be better.

“I’m really motivated,” he said Wednesday. “The last two weeks felt like a lifetime because I really wanted to come back to Vancouver.

“I’ve been working out this summer a lot just to get better, get stronger and be as prepared as possible. I want to get better every day and become a better player every day.”

General manager Jim Benning’s summer acquisitions of potential 20-goal wingers Micheal Ferland and J.T. Miller, as well as the free-agent signings of defencemen Tyler Myers and Jordie Benn, make the Canucks better. 1151795 Websites “The mental part is a huge part of hockey,” Liljegren said. “Confidence has a lot to do with whether you make the team or not. I think I have pretty good confidence coming into camp now.”

Sportsnet.ca / Leafs' Liljegren, Sandin determined to crack opening-night His game broke through in such a way that Keefe has begun using film of roster Liljegren’s positioning and decision-making as examples for prospects on the right way to play.

Luke Fox | @lukefoxjukebox “Play good defence and then you have space to be creative too” is the main lesson Liljegren has absorbed in North America. “Last year I September 4, 2019, 1:45 PM improved my defensive game a lot, and I think that made me more comfortable on the ice.”

The two Swedes knew each other casually in Europe, being only a draft TORONTO — Like all good defencemen, Rasmus Sandin and Timothy year apart and spending time with Rogle. But it’s here in Toronto where Liljegren begin licking their chops when they spot an opening on ice. they’ve formed a bond on the ice and off, sparking chemistry as duo — And a rather large one has presented itself this September in Leafland. albeit one that could be broken up (temporarily) if only one of them Who wants to seize it? makes the NHL later this month.

While the 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs’ top two defence pairings are “It’s a good thing we have each other to compete with. We’re driving essentially set, general manager Kyle Dubas says the Nos. 5, 6 and 7 each other,” Sandin said. slots are jump ball. Go grab it. “We want the best for each other. It’s very fun to have him beside me Travis Dermott’s shoulder injury will conservatively keep him out of the competing for a spot, and I think we’ll both be very happy for each other’s lineup through October, so there are cherished minutes on the bottom success.” pairing just waiting to be filled. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 09.05.2019 A crowded knot of cap-friendly 20-somethings whose NHL experience ranges from modest to nonexistent — none will earn more than $900,000 this season — will battle for those spots in camp.

Trade acquisition Ben Harpur’s notable size, familiarity killing penalties alongside Cody Ceci and willingness to do the dirty work should give him a leg-up in earning one of those stalls in the real dressing room, but Jordan Schmaltz, Martin Marincin and Justin Holl will be in the mix.

Much more intriguing are the kids, fellow first-round picks and Swedish talents–turned–Marlies standouts Liljegren, 20, and Sandin, 19.

“With Dermott out the start of the year, there’s a spot to be filled. It’s good for young guys like us to come into camp with that knowledge,” said Liljegren, 2017’s 17th-overall selection.

NHL-Maple-Leafs-prospect-Sandin-skates

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman prospect Rasmus Sandin. (Graham Hughes/CP)

Following a scrimmage in which they were partnered up against a moustachioed Auston Matthews and Co., both Liljegren and Sandin stated clearly Wednesday that making Toronto’s opening-night roster is their focus.

“That’s for sure my goal. I want to do my best all the time and show what I can do,” said Sandin. “I feel a lot stronger. I feel faster. I feel better overall. It’s been a good summer.

“I feel confident about myself, and we’ll see where that leads.”

Thus far, it’s led Sandin to a head-turning AHL rookie campaign in which he put up 28 points in 44 regular-season games, despite battling injury, then another 10 assists in 13 playoff contests during which coach Sheldon Keefe cranked up his ice time.

Keefe lauds Sandin for his maturity and poise, his ability to control the tempo during his shifts.

“I can bring the game down to a pace I’m comfortable with. I’m also a guy who can adjust my game to how that game is being played — that’s one of my strengths as well,” said Sandin, taking note of Miro Heiskanen’s instant impact as a teenage D-man in Dallas. “Hopefully I can be one of those guys, too.”

A role player in the Marlies’ run to the Calder Cup in 2018, Liljegren believes a longer summer and increased workout schedule has better prepared him to make the cut this fall. (Being a righty doesn’t hurt his cause either.) And he’s encouraged by finishing 2018-19 much stronger than he began.

Ironically, Liljegren points to his high ankle sprain as the reason. The injury allowed him time away from the grind to hit the gym, study film and reset mentally. 1151796 Websites the conservative side,” said Holland, who expects to see McDavid on the ice for the first day of Oilers training camp next week.

“Opening night is the goal for everybody,” said Holland. Sportsnet.ca / McDavid has not had any setbacks in recovery; return date still unclear “But the bigger priority is that we’re doing what is right for Connor in the long-term.”

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 09.05.2019 Mark Spector | @sportsnetspec

September 4, 2019, 11:39 AM

EDMONTON — Connor McDavid has not had any setbacks in his recovery from a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and no one is saying that his return to the Edmonton Oilers will be in November or December.

That’s the good news.

Any major knee injury is a six-month rehabilitation project, however, and the Edmonton Oilers captain ran into that goalpost in Calgary on April 6. With the Oilers’ season opener set for Oct. 2 versus the Vancouver Canucks — inside six months from the date of the injury — there are no promises that McDavid will be taking the opening faceoff.

“He tore his PCL,” agent Jeff Jackson told Sportsnet.ca on Tuesday.

“For a guy like him, who relies so much on his skating his edgework, cutting back … You don’t want to have anything go wrong when you’re rehabbing. So it’s been very meticulous, very carefully orchestrated, the progression. But he’s doing really well.

“On Sept. 3, you can’t say whether he’s ready or not to start the season. He has another month before the season starts, and he’s in very good shape. No one is saying (he will be delayed) until November or December. He’s done extremely well so far, and everyone is happy with his progression.”

A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts Elliotte Friedman and . New episodes every Thursday.

Barring any setbacks — “There haven’t been any setbacks,” Jackson confirmed — the rehab schedule is a six-month project. And at the five- month mark, all sides are happy with the condition of McDavid’s knee.

“Dr. (Dhiren) Naidu and (head athletic trainer) T.D. Forss went into Toronto, went to the Gary Roberts facility and spent some time with Connor. They saw Connor, examined him and were very pleased with his progress,” said Oilers general manager Ken Holland.

“Between the Oilers training staff and medical team, working together with the team Jeff Jackson has put together for Connor, certainly there are some top-notch people.

“Any decisions that are made on the timeline with Connor, it’s not going to be one person making them.”

McDavid arrives in Edmonton on Friday. He did not skate at the BioSteel camp, setting off some alarms, which is to be expected when the face of the National Hockey League opts out of an annual training session this close to the start of camp.

Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen go deep on pucks with a mix of facts and fun, leaning on a varied group of hockey voices to give their take on the country’s most beloved game.

In a world where teams are not forthcoming about injuries and their respective timelines, it is fair for fans and media to be skeptical. But all sides reiterated this week that McDavid is on schedule, and it is quite possible he will be in the Oilers lineup on Oct. 2.

“He hasn’t had any setbacks,” Jackson promised. “He’s put a lot of time and effort into his summer, spending significant hours every day making sure he’s doing everything in his power to be ready. So far, it seems to have worked. But, if they played in two days, he wouldn’t be playing.

“He’s worked hard,” Jackson repeated. “And no setbacks.”

You can imagine that tracking McDavid’s progress isn’t something that falls through the cracks inside the Oilers’ offices. He is Edmonton’s meal ticket, a fact that everyone is well aware of.

“I’ve been updated once a week, sometimes twice, with videos. And I’ve (gone to Toronto) to see Connor three times. Decisions will be made on 1151797 Websites – if more subtle – story was that the league anticipated more growth than was actually realized.

Add that to the players believing the 50-50 share isn’t appropriately TSN.CA / Escrow the symptom of a larger issue defined – as one example, expansion fees, like the $1.2-billion created from adding franchises in Vegas and Seattle, are excluded from HRR – and you have an environment where constituents feel like they are Travis Yost getting the short end of the stick.

Hope springs eternal, but there is enough smoke around the players’ association to make us wonder if the shelf life on the current CBA is set On Sept. 1, the National Hockey League declined its option to re-open to expire. If that’s the case, we’ll be headed into yet another combustible the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). For many, it was an era of labour talks. encouraging sign that the league and players’ association are working towards securing labour peace – a labour peace that has been elusive in TSN.CA LOADED: 09.05.2019 the hockey world for the last three decades.

Unfortunately, that is just the first checkpoint. The NHLPA has a similar option to exercise by Sept. 15, and if you read between the lines, it sure sounds like the union is considering withdrawing from the current agreement.

We’ve been hearing for some time now that the players are extremely frustrated with the impacts of escrow. Escrow is simply the amount of extra pay withheld from each paycheque to help ensure that hockey- related revenue (HRR) is split 50-50 between the players and owners. Escrow serves a critical function in the current system, since it takes quite some time – recall this summer, free agency again opened before the upcoming season’s salary cap had been set – to fully account for HRR.

The loudest signal to date may have come from Chicago Blackhawks centre Jonathan Toews. Like many players before him and the NHLPA as an entity, Toews voiced his frustration with how penalizing the escrow process has become.

“I'm no financial expert,” Toews told John Dietz of the Daily Herald at the end of last season. “All I see is that I've signed a contract and to me, it's not exactly being honoured. So I don't care what business you're in – to me, that's kind of ridiculous.”

As Dietz notes, players used to receive their escrow back. Now, due to a rising salary cap that has led to heftier contracts and revenues that have failed to keep up with those larger agreements, players lose in excess of 10 per cent of their annual salaries.

It’s understandable that players talk about escrow being the dirtiest word in hockey. If we look at the effects of escrow on the players, you can quickly observe a ballooning of salary loss starting after the 2012-13 season:

A $10-million player like Toews is routinely losing about $1.5-million of his contract. That’s not insignificant, especially for a player who was in the league under a prior agreement where escrow wasn’t nearly as penalizing.

The players have tried to combat escrow penalties by changing their strategy when it comes to the escalator clause – a trigger that allows players to increase the salary cap in a given year by up to 5 per cent. The players dropped the escalator to 1.5 per cent in 2017 and 2018, and in anticipation for 2019, escalated by a mere 0.5 per cent.

Both the escrow process and the escalator clause are issues entangled with forecasting league growth. Since no entity can predict revenue growth with certainty, the league and players rely on estimates and adjust later.

So while escrow is the mechanism that takes the money out of the pockets of the players, it’s really poor league revenue growth (and, by association, the definition of hockey-related revenue) relative to the growth of salaries that has created this mess. It’s a vicious cycle: the league over-forecasts revenue projections and then the players and league try to manage to that guidance, eventually dealing with the repercussions of the over-forecast by withholding salary. That's why the fight against escrow is a red herring – it's merely the symptom of a larger issue.

Consider this past season. For most of 2018-19, guidance on the 2019- 20 salary cap was estimated at, or north of, $83-million. In June, reports started surfacing that guidance was missed, and that the adjusted forecast for the 2019-20 cap would sit at $81.5-million. Most of our attention was the impact that would have on the cap-strapped teams that would need to calibrate their off-season plans accordingly. But the larger 1151798 Websites We know what the players want. They’ve been shouting it from the rooftops.

First and foremost is a more palatable escrow percentage, because TSN.CA / NHLPA weighing risks of poking the bear escrow is the dirtiest word in NHL dressing rooms.

“A. Escrow and B. Escrow,” Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews told Frank Seravalli reporters in June when asked about his top two CBA priorities.

Players have had an average of 12.5 per cent of the pay deducted and not refunded annually since this CBA took effect in 2013. In other words, CHICAGO — To poke or not poke the bear: that is the question staring players have received 87.5 per cent of the salary printed on their down the NHL Players’ Association as they convene here for a meeting contracts. on Wednesday evening. Toews doubled down in an interview with the Arlington (Ill.) Daily Herald In this case, that bear is commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHL’s this week, saying: “All I see is that I've signed a contract and to me it's Board of Governors. not exactly being honoured. So I don't care what business you're in – to me that's kind of ridiculous.” The NHLPA has until Sept. 15 to notify the league that the union intends to exercise its option to opt out of the current Collective Bargaining The problem is escrow isn’t going anywhere. It is a function of the cap, Agreement (CBA) after this season. money set aside to ensure a perfect 50-50 split of revenues between players and owners. The NHL, of course, declined to exercise their same option on Sept. 1, putting the ball in the players’ court. There is a myriad of ways to lessen the blow and bring it to a more manageable percentage, like two or three per cent. “It is our hope that a continued, sustained period of labour peace will enable us to further grow the game and benefit all constituent groups: Since every dollar spent by NHL GMs over the NHL’s league-wide salary NHL Players, Clubs, our business partners and, most important, our cap midpoint this season ($71.5 million) is one dollar the NHLPA must fans,” Bettman said in a statement on Friday. set aside in revenue, a luxury tax could be enacted to have each team chip in their same amount spent to remove escrow entirely – that would The NHL and NHLPA have been conducting CBA negotiations off and on balance it out and ensure a 50-50 split. But that seems rather unlikely. for the last number of months. Both sides have reported that discussions have been overwhelmingly positive, with some saying that the dialogue The NHL and NHLPA could artificially base the cap off of, say, 43 or 44 and communication has been more constructive and productive than it per cent of the league’s projected revenue, and if the league revenue hits has been in a decade or more. projections, the players would then receive a cheque at the end of the year for six or seven per cent. Call that a “bonus.” That would also “It doesn't mean there haven't been disagreements and significant reduce the need for a large escrow deduction. disagreements but it's so far at least free from rancour,” NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said after Wednesday’s meeting. “That's a Secondary items on the players’ wish list include an agreed upon big improvement." international hockey calendar, with guaranteed NHL participation in the Olympics, as well as health care and retirement considerations, and In fact, there is even some optimism that a new CBA can be hammered potentially reform on the impact restricted free agent players are having out in the next 10 days before the NHLPA’s deadline to opt out. on the salary cap with their second NHL contract. If the NHLPA declines, the current CBA will remain in effect for three Whether any one of those items is enough to derail the puck dropping more seasons, through 2021-22. next September is an answer we might have in the next few days. The key to remember is that if the NHLPA does indeed opt out this TSN.CA LOADED: 09.05.2019 month, nothing would preclude both sides from continuing negotiations over the next months in an effort to agree on a new CBA before it expires on Sept. 15, 2020.

That is why many believe Fehr will play the opt-out card, using the leverage he has to tackle the items on the union’s agenda.

Fehr addressed the media following Wednesday night's Executive Board meeting in the Windy City, where players are gathering this week ahead of the annual NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour.

He said no decisions have been made and were not scheduled to be made on Wednesday. The two sides are scheduled to meet again on Friday in New York City.

However, the NHLPA knows opting out at a time when Bettman and the NHL have already laid down their arms may come at a cost.

If the ask is too great and talks drag out, Bettman might begin to dig in and pursue items on the owners’ wish list. Those items could include anything from contract term limits, to a greater piece of the revenue pie, to non-guaranteed contracts – the last of which would likely be the hill the NHLPA dies on.

For now, any threats to go down that road have been mere whispers.

“In any CBA, the parties can always identify issues they are unhappy with and would like to see changed. This is certainly true from the League’s standpoint,” Bettman said Friday. “However, our analysis makes clear that the benefits of continuing to operate under the terms of the current CBA – while working with the Players’ Association to address our respective concerns – far outweigh the disruptive consequences of terminating it following the upcoming season.”

There is a certain element of MAD Theory (Mutually Assured Destruction) in play here with the threat of a fourth potential work stoppage on the table. 1151799 Websites would need to calibrate their off-season plans accordingly. But the larger – if more subtle – story was that the league anticipated more growth than was actually realized.

TSN.CA / Escrow the symptom of a larger issue Add that to the players believing the 50-50 share isn’t appropriately defined – as one example, expansion fees, like the $1.2-billion created from adding franchises in Vegas and Seattle, are excluded from HRR – Travis Yost and you have an environment where constituents feel like they are getting the short end of the stick. 5-6 minutes Hope springs eternal, but there is enough smoke around the players’

association to make us wonder if the shelf life on the current CBA is set On Sept. 1, the National Hockey League declined its option to re-open to expire. If that’s the case, we’ll be headed into yet another combustible the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). For many, it was an era of labour talks. encouraging sign that the league and players’ association are working TSN.CA LOADED: 09.05.2019 towards securing labour peace – a labour peace that has been elusive in the hockey world for the last three decades.

Unfortunately, that is just the first checkpoint. The NHLPA has a similar option to exercise by Sept. 15, and if you read between the lines, it sure sounds like the union is considering withdrawing from the current agreement.

We’ve been hearing for some time now that the players are extremely frustrated with the impacts of escrow. Escrow is simply the amount of extra pay withheld from each paycheque to help ensure that hockey- related revenue (HRR) is split 50-50 between the players and owners. Escrow serves a critical function in the current system, since it takes quite some time – recall this summer, free agency again opened before the upcoming season’s salary cap had been set – to fully account for HRR.

The loudest signal to date may have come from Chicago Blackhawks centre Jonathan Toews. Like many players before him and the NHLPA as an entity, Toews voiced his frustration with how penalizing the escrow process has become.

“I'm no financial expert,” Toews told John Dietz of the Daily Herald at the end of last season. “All I see is that I've signed a contract and to me, it's not exactly being honoured. So I don't care what business you're in – to me, that's kind of ridiculous.”

As Dietz notes, players used to receive their escrow back. Now, due to a rising salary cap that has led to heftier contracts and revenues that have failed to keep up with those larger agreements, players lose in excess of 10 per cent of their annual salaries.

It’s understandable that players talk about escrow being the dirtiest word in hockey. If we look at the effects of escrow on the players, you can quickly observe a ballooning of salary loss starting after the 2012-13 season:

A $10-million player like Toews is routinely losing about $1.5-million of his contract. That’s not insignificant, especially for a player who was in the league under a prior agreement where escrow wasn’t nearly as penalizing.

The players have tried to combat escrow penalties by changing their strategy when it comes to the escalator clause – a trigger that allows players to increase the salary cap in a given year by up to 5 per cent. The players dropped the escalator to 1.5 per cent in 2017 and 2018, and in anticipation for 2019, escalated by a mere 0.5 per cent.

Both the escrow process and the escalator clause are issues entangled with forecasting league growth. Since no entity can predict revenue growth with certainty, the league and players rely on estimates and adjust later.

So while escrow is the mechanism that takes the money out of the pockets of the players, it’s really poor league revenue growth (and, by association, the definition of hockey-related revenue) relative to the growth of salaries that has created this mess. It’s a vicious cycle: the league over-forecasts revenue projections and then the players and league try to manage to that guidance, eventually dealing with the repercussions of the over-forecast by withholding salary. That's why the fight against escrow is a red herring – it's merely the symptom of a larger issue.

Consider this past season. For most of 2018-19, guidance on the 2019- 20 salary cap was estimated at, or north of, $83-million. In June, reports started surfacing that guidance was missed, and that the adjusted forecast for the 2019-20 cap would sit at $81.5-million. Most of our attention was the impact that would have on the cap-strapped teams that 1151800 Websites Like any good relationship, the one between goaltender and blueliners hinges on good communication.

“You have to get to know each other, how they like to do things, and they TSN.CA / Andersen ready to shoulder the load again for Leafs have to get used to me,” Andersen said. “You have to get to know some new personalities and for me that’s an exciting thing too.”

Kristen Shilton Barrie is familiar to Andersen from attending off-season skills camps together in the past. While Andersen says Toronto is “lucky to have 5-6 minutes [Barrie]” and the other new additions, it's too soon to say just how much better they'll make this year's version of the Leafs, especially before the

whole team has even assembled. TORONTO – No goaltender in the NHL has started more games for their “It’s a tough question,” Andersen said of where the Leafs stand now. team than Frederik Andersen has over the three seasons since he was “[But] we’ll find out sooner rather than later." traded to the Maple Leafs. TSN.CA LOADED: 09.05.2019 That heavy workload inspired a change in philosophy as Andersen spent the summer preparing for his fourth campaign as the No. 1 netminder in Toronto: train smarter, not necessarily harder.

“[I] tried to be on the ice a little bit earlier and not as much, so I could keep that good feeling [going],” Andersen said from the Leafs’ summer skate at on Wednesday. “[You’re not] going on a lot, just once a week to start so you don’t feel like you’re starting all over when you’re putting the gear on for the first time. [Then] keep getting better, keep getting healthy. That’s been the main thing.”

Health is the highest priority for Andersen ahead of this new season, although it’s arguably his least favourite topic to discuss. Back when Toronto’s postseason run ended with a first-round playoff loss in April, Andersen was battling through the lingering effects of a groin injury suffered in late December that never seemed to fully heal as he slogged through starting 30 of the Leafs’ final 38 regular-season games.

The 29-year-old netminder is soft-spoken at the best of times, but especially cagey when it comes to how his body is feeling.

“[It’s] better,” Andersen said succinctly, when asked how much his health has improved since the spring.

Pressed on whether he’d call it “significantly better,” Andersen replied curtly, “Yes; thanks.”

Andersen has missed time each of the last three years with various injuries, ranging from concussions to knee ailments. At the same time, he’s been tasked with carrying a heavier load than any other goalie in the NHL, suiting up in 192 of Toronto’s last 246 games.

Head coach Mike Babcock has stubbornly maintained his reluctance to scale back Andersen's workload, assigning starts to a backup only on one half of the team’s back-to-back games.

Most recently, it was Garret Sparks supporting Andersen, but he was traded to Vegas in July. Come training camp, it will be Michael Hutchinson and Michal Neuvirth, who is attending camp on a professional tryout, vying for the second spot.

Whoever wins the job this year could be more involved than previous backups. In Leafs' general manager Kyle Dubas' sit-down interview with TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie on Tuesday, Dubas hinted that the days of Andersen shouldering 60 or more starts in the regular season, as he has each year since 2016, could well be over.

“[Andersen] knows playing every game in October isn’t going to earn him anything at the end of the season,” Dubas said. “We’re going to…really look at the amount of energy he’s expending throughout the year and make sure he’s set for the end of the season and playoff run.”

Laughing at the idea of “load management, or whatever you call it,” Andersen stayed coy about how many starts he’d optimally like to make, but conceded it’s easier to play often earlier in the year as opposed to when more games are crammed into the schedule following the team’s late-January bye week.

“It’s [just] nice to be healthy,” Andersen said. “And once you feel like you can move at 100 per cent, you’re going to feel more fluid.”

Andersen would also like to apply some fluidity to how he communicates with Toronto’s evolving defence corps. Gone are Ron Hainsey, Nikita Zaitsev and Jake Gardiner from the top-six rotation, projected to be replaced in part by the newly acquired Cody Ceci and Tyson Barrie, as well as other potential new faces in the mix once camp gets underway next week. 1151801 Websites

YAHOO SPORTS / Canucks' Elias Pettersson willing to pressure Brock Boeser to sign

Arun Srinivasan

Yahoo Sports Canada

September 5, 2019

Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson is patiently waiting for Brock Boeser to reach a new deal but as the season inches closer, his tone could soon change.

Pettersson, who took the league by storm in 2018-19 en route to Calder Trophy honours, is taking a day-by-day approach with his teammate.

“Not yet,” Pettersson said to Sportnet’s Iain MacIntyre when asked if he’s putting pressure on Boeser. “But if it’s getting close to Oct. 2 (the Canucks’ season-opener in Edmonton) and he’s not here, I’ll put some pressure on him.”

Boeser remains a restricted free agent and is part of a star-studded class led by Brayden Point, Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen who have yet to reach new deals before the campaign gets underway.

“Of course, I hope he’s here tomorrow,” Pettersson said of his teammate. “I hope he’s here as quick as possible.”

Boeser recently revealed that his father was in the intensive care unit due to heart failure for most of August. Pettersson made clear that he’s sympathetic too, noting that he texted his teammate and is praying for the elder Boeser to get well soon.

Pettersson and Boeser are the core components of a Canucks team that has the pieces in place to end its rebuild shortly. With October soon approaching, Pettersson might have to hope he’s equally adept at negotiating off the ice, as he is at playmaking on it.

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YAHOO SPORTS / Flames invite Devante Smith-Pelly, Zac Rinaldo to camp on PTO

Arun Srinivasan

Yahoo Sports Canada

September 4, 2019

The Calgary Flames have invited a select group of veteran wingers to compete for a roster spot on a professional tryout (PTO), the club announced Wednesday.

Devante Smith-Pelly, Tobias Rieder, Zac Rinaldo and Alexandre Grenier will all compete for a shot at cracking the Flames’ roster this fall.

The following players will be attending #Flames camp on a PTO:

Devante Smith-Pelly (RW) - Tobias Rieder (RW/LW) - Zac Rinaldo (LW) - Alexandre Grenier (RW) pic.twitter.com/VlMQ4mzLWq

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) September 4, 2019

Smith-Pelly is likely best known for his stint with the Washington Capitals, helping the team win the Stanley Cup in 2018-19. The 27-year-old posted four goals and four assists in 54 games in 2018-19.

Rieder spent the 2018-19 campaign with the Edmonton Oilers, posting zero goals and 11 assists in 67 games. His best season took place in 2015-16, notching 14 goals and 23 assists with the Arizona Coyotes.

Rinaldo, best known for his enforcer capabilities, scored one goal and two assists in 23 games with the Nashville Predators.

Grenier hasn’t played in the NHL since 2016-17, where he played in three games with the Vancouver Canucks, and did not register a point. In nine career NHL games, Grenier has yet to find the scoresheet.

Best of luck to all four veterans, although Smith-Pelly and Rieder seem most likely to crack the roster among the quartet.

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YAHOO SPORTS / Report: Pierre McGuire removed from NBC's top NHL broadcast crew

Kyle Cantlon

Yahoo Sports Canada

September 4, 2019

Longtime between-the-benches analyst Pierre McGuire is reportedly being demoted by NBC Sports ahead of the upcoming NHL season.

The Athletic’s Rick Carpiniello — citing sources of the “impeccable” variety — dropped the news on Wednesday.

Per impeccable source, Pierre McGuire has been removed from NBC Sports' No. 1 hockey team, to be replaced by .

— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) September 4, 2019

McGuire will still be working for the network, but it won’t be on NBC’s top, national games anymore. Former NHL goaltender and current analyst Brian Boucher will replace McGuire as the rinkside reporter and analyst alongside Doc Emrick and on NBC's main broadcasts going forward.

The 58-year-old McGuire joined NBC when it acquired the NHL's U.S. broadcast rights in 2006, and has been working full-time for the network since 2011 while contributing regularly to TSN in Canada.

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YAHOO SPORTS / Clayton Keller signs maximum-term contract with Coyotes

Justin Cuthbert

Yahoo Sports Canada

September 4, 2019

Not all contract negotiations have to be of the knock-down, drag-out variety.

Twelve months before truly reaching a pressure point, the Arizona Coyotes have locked up dynamic winger Clayton Keller to an eight-year contract extension. Craig Morgan of The Athletic reports that the now- third-year winger will earn $7.15 million annually through the maximum- term contract scheduled to expire in 2028.

League source: AAV on Clayton Keller's 8-year deal will be $7.15M. https://t.co/xdoMU50AEm

— Craig Morgan (@craigsmorgan) September 4, 2019

While seemingly an equitable agreement, in assessing the risk included on the deal, if nothing it points to a gamble on the side of the organization. Keller took a bit of a step back after shining as a rookie, posting 14 goals and 47 points after a 65-point Calder Trophy-nominated debut.

He hasn’t been a dominant play driver at even-strength either, and he really wasn’t a significant threat with his power-play ice in his second season.

Still, the immense talent that made him the seventh overall selection in the 2016 Draft remains, and he should be better insulated on a Coyotes team that continues to add talent at the forward position after the addition of Phil Kessel.

Keller is scheduled to be the highest-earning forward and second highest-paid skater on the Coyotes when his contract extension kicks in at the end of the upcoming season.

In addition, his $7.15 million salary should serve as something of a reference point in negotiations that still must be completed this summer, in that the large majority of the talented restricted free agents still waiting on a contract can confidently argue that they deserve more on a long- term agreement.

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