SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 12/26/2019 Arizona Coyotes Pittsburgh Penguins 1167867 The 5: Best surprise gifts from Arizona sports teams in 1167893 The most important Penguins of the 2010s: No. 5 through 2019 1 1167894 Mark Madden: No reason to complain about Penguins at Christmas break 1167868 Pets teach Bruins’ old dog, David Backes, new tricks 1167869 Patrice Bergeron featured on ‘best of the decade’ lists San Jose Sharks 1167895 The Bay Area Year in Sports Media: Greg Papa tops the Buffalo Sabres list again, but this time for completely different reaso 1167870 Dylan Cozens among four Sabres prospects at world junior championships St Louis Blues 1167896 Blues mount steady Cup defense amid NHL chaos Calgary Flames 1167897 Blues' Schenn, Schwartz pick up their pace in Tarasenko's 1167871 Taping sticks tells story of Flames players differences, absence similarities and quirks 1167898 Keeping the Blues' ice nice is a huge job Chicago Blackhawks Toronto Maple Leafs 1167872 Whom should the Blackhawks deal at the trade deadline? 1167899 Maple Leafs captain Tavares lines up behind coach with Where does Patrick Kane rank among the decade’s top plenty of confidence pla 1167900 DECADE OF LEAFS: Some highs, some lows, but no 1167873 Rest and home ice — two of the biggest advantages in playoff series victories in 10-year span hockey — have been Blackhawks’ worst enemies 1167874 Blackhawks 2019-20 midseason grades: Defensemen 1167875 The ones who got away: Ranking the Blackhawks’ best 1167905 Patrick Johnston: A long, fun road for Canucks therapist and worst decisions Jon Sanderson 1167906 Canucks at 50: Kirk McLean's road to Stanley Cup Final Colorado Avalanche paved with golden performances 1167876 WJC Preview: An avalanche of anticipation 1167907 Canucks at 50: How a short trade call from Lamoriello changed it all for McLean Detroit Red Wings 1167877 World Juniors looms big for Detroit Red Wings prospects Vegas Golden Knights and future picks 1167901 Golden Knights love Mark Stone’s ‘A-plus’ celebrations 1167878 'No stone unturned': Steve Yzerman's Tampa Bay blueprint gives Red Wings fans hope Washington Capitals 1167879 World junior hockey: Western Michigan's Mattias 1167902 Titles from Nationals, Capitals, Mystics cap D.C.'s decade Samuelsson named U.S. captain of highs (and lows) 1167880 Red Wings likely to select one of these top draft prospects 1167903 Ovechkins spend Christmas Eve at Mar-A-Lago with President Trump Florida Panthers 1167904 Ten thoughts on the Capitals at the holiday break: On 1167881 So this is Christmas: New Florida Panthers adjusting to life John Carlson’s record chase and the problems with penalt on the beach during the holidays Websites 1167908 TSN.CA / Boosted by NHL experience, captain Barrett 1167882 Kings prospects, Bjornfot and Kupari, should improve with Hayton brings underrated toughness to Team Canada world juniors experience 1167909 TSN.CA / Joel Hofer turning Americans into Team Canada fans at World Juniors Minnesota Wild 1167910 USA TODAY / Lindsey Vonn proposes to P.K. Subban: 1167883 Christmas wish list to cheer local clubs 'Men should get engagement rings too' SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 New York Islanders 1167884 Islanders come off holiday break with tough remainder of the season New York Rangers 1167885 Lias Andersson miss not a massive hit to Rangers’ prospect pool 1167886 Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren adjusting to grind of NHL schedule Ottawa Senators 1167887 Sens prospects Jacob Bernard-Docker and Shane Pinto switch sides in bid for world junior glory 1167888 From foes to friends: Senators' Thomas Chabot and Colin White reminisce about a world junior rivalry Philadelphia Flyers 1167889 After their holiday break, Flyers will try to keep winning streak alive on the road 1167890 Flyers’ captain Claude Giroux playing for his legacy 1167891 Kevin Hayes, Travis Sanheim help Flyers whip Rangers, 5-1, for 4th straight win 1167892 Win over Rangers makes it a 'joyeux noel' for Vigneault, Hayes 1167867 Arizona Coyotes Hall gave the Coyotes faithful a taste of his ability in his debut after assisting Oliver Ekman Larsson on the game-winning goal in Arizona’s 3- 2 win over the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 17.

The 5: Best surprise gifts from Arizona sports teams in 2019 The only downside is that the 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract, so Hall will only be a one-year rental unless the Coyotes can resign the winger. BY JAKE ANDERSON Kenyan Drake DECEMBER 25, 2019 AT 6:06 AM Another mid-season find is running back Kenyan Drake, whom the UPDATED: DECEMBER 25, 2019 AT 3:45 PM Arizona Cardinals acquired from the Miami Dolphins via trade in October.

For a backfield that has been plagued by both injury and lack of production, Drake has been the perfect antidote. The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. Much like Hall, Drake is basically a rental, as his contract expires at the It’s a time to celebrate, be with loved ones, and of course everybody’s end of the 2019 season. favorite: gifts! And what better type of gifts than surprises? And with a middle of the pack rushing offense that ranks 14th in the NFL Arizona sports fans must have been good in 2019, as almost every team at 119 yards per game, retaining Arizona’s leading back will be a top gave their fan base a reason to be excited about the near future, ones priority for general manager Steve Keim. they weren’t expecting. The GM has even said that he would “love” to have Drake return. Here is a look at the top five surprise gifts from Arizona sports teams to their respective faithful: Aron Baynes

First, let’s start with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ acquisition of starting It only took one game for Phoenix Suns fans to have their hope and left-handed pitcher Madison Bumgarner via free agency. optimism damaged in the 2019-20 season.

Bumgarner, 30, was a four-time All-Star and three-time World Series Following the Suns’ 124-95 win over the Sacramento Kings on opening champion with the San Francisco Giants, where he made his reputation night, center Deandre Ayton was suspended for 25 games violating the as one of the best postseason starters in the game after his 2014 NBA’s anti-drug policy after testing positive for a diuretic. October that saw him awarded both the NLCS and World Series MVPs. He also owns a World Series-record 0.25 ERA (one earned run in 36 But it was Australian center Aron Baynes that stepped up in Ayton’s innings pitched). absence and delivered a level of production that nobody could have predicted. The Madison Bumgarner era is officially over in San Francisco. In an 11-game span prior to missing time due to injury, Baynes averaged Bumgarner can also swing the lumber, as the right-handed hitter’s career 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 55.9% from the field and 19 home runs, 62 RBIs and 40 walks in 679 plate appearances has 43.1% from 3-point range. landed him two Silver Slugger Awards. Phoenix went 6-5 in those 11 games. With the signing of the former division rival, the D-backs look poised to challenge for the NL West with one of the better starting rotations in the league. Arizona Sports LOADED: 12.26.2019 And that makes for one heck of a gift.

What’s not to like about D-backs All-Star?

Not only is the Dominican versatile in the field, but he can also rake from both sides of the plate.

In 2019, Marte hit .329 (tied for 2nd in MLB) with 32 home runs, 92 RBIs and a .981 OPS (seventh in the league). Those metrics were good enough to see the 26-year-old finish fourth in NL MVP voting.

But what makes Marte such a gift is that his contract is an absolute bargain.

The All-Star is on a five-year, $24 million contract ($4.8 million per year average) that runs through 2022, per Spotrac.

That allows for tremendous flexibility in the free agent and trade markets, if the signing of Bumgarner didn’t make that evident already.

And it’s not just about the money that Ketel allows the D-backs to spend elsewhere.

The production Arizona is getting for that dollar amount at 26 years old is absurd in comparison to other players around the league with similar numbers.

Only five position players had a better WAR than Marte’s 6.9 this season: Cody Bellinger (9), Alex Bregman (8.4), Mike Trout (8.3), Marcus Semien (8.1) and Christian Yelich (6.9).

Taylor Hall

The Arizona Coyotes gave their fans a mid-season present by trading for former New Jersey Devils winger Taylor Hall just one day after Bumgarner agreed to call the Valley home.

Hall, 28, was the 2017-18 Hart Trophy winner after his 93 points put him as the league’s MVP. He was also named to ESPN’s top 100 players of the decade list. 1167868 Boston Bruins David and Kelly just recently wrapped up the organization’s year-end appeal and its fall grant cycle, designating funding directly for animal health care and adoption. The two of them process all the grant applications themselves, noted David, and also donate the time and Pets teach Bruins’ old dog, David Backes, new tricks whatever added funds are needed for administrative costs. Anyone who donates, he said, can do so with the peace of mind that every penny

goes directly to animal care. By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff The holiday season often leads to a boost in giving. December 25, 2019, 9:47 p.m. “I don’t know if it’s that people recognize it on their taxes,” he said, “or it’s just the spirit of Christmas, helping and giving, seeing animals in need and wanting to help them. We do all the back work. We make sure David Backes and his wife, Kelly, are front and center with everything [donations] go to credible organizations that do awesome work in their “Athletes for Animals” does, as are their pre-school age children, Stella communities.” and Dawson. The next regular-season game for Backes, 35, will be the 943rd of his David Backes and his wife, Kelly, are front and center with everything career, and he’s added 82 more playoff games. He has a touch of gray “Athletes for Animals” does, as are their pre-school age children, Stella these days around both ears, and is now an old dog playing on wisdom, and Dawson.Courtesy Athletes for Animals in a game full of barking puppies, their legs spring-loaded, energetic tails snapping like little bullwhips. Let’s see, there’s Maverick, a handsome rottweiler, and there’s Rosie, a mix of pit bull and Labrador retriever, and then the slightly more The Bruins return to work Friday night in Buffalo and it remains to be circumspect and way cooler — just ask them — pair of orange tabbies, seen if Backes is back on the job at right wing. For now, the old dog Sonny and Paulie. awaits his chance, in a game where wisdom has a way of paying off.

Toss in a couple of adults, a pair of preschoolers, and well, Christmas time for the Backes family can be, you know, two cute for words. Boston Globe LOADED: 12.26.2019 “It can make for a long car ride,” mused Bruins forward David Backes, understandably relieved that his band of eight spent the NHL holiday break here in the Hub and not hustling back home to Blaine, Minnesota. “We’re gonna do ‘Frozen Two’ and ‘Disney on Ice’ and then it’s pajamas for the rest of the time.”

And . . . maybe a bit of kibble and some belly rubs here and there.

Maverick, Rosie, Sonny and Paulie don’t have a say in how the remote clicker’s deployed, but they are fully adopted Backes family members, rescue pets emblematic of the “Athletes For Animals” charity organization that David and wife Kelly founded back when the NHL was on its latest protracted quiet period — also known as the 2012-’13 labor lockout.

Both from Blaine, outside Minneapolis, David and Kelly dreamed for years about starting their own organization to help animals. Frozen out of the arena, they got to work in the kennel game.

As a boy, David had a black rescue poodle, Jazz, while Kelly’s childhood backyard was full of ducks and bunnies, fitting for a kid with a veterinary technician as a mom and a backyard that bumped up to forest land.

“She had the full Dr. Doolittle at her house,” said Backes. “So all of this was more in her blood than mine, but once you are able to connect with the animals, you know, give them a voice because they don’t have one, it becomes impactful work . . . and you take more than you give, I think.”

Soon after getting their charity off the ground, Kelly noted the special bond that pets and people share. Just one example: how excited a dog typically gets when the two-legged residents in charge (or so they think) come walking through the door.

“The joy and happiness and life [pets] bring into your home . . . ” said Kelly, “. . . it’s just amazing.”

To date, Athletes For Animals has generated more than $600,000 in donations. According to David, that has translated to helping more than 6,000 animals, be it for health care or helping rescues find forever homes.

This past August, Athletes For Animals held its second annual wine tasting extravaganza, this one at Leopold’s Mississippi Gardens in Minneapolis. Other NHLers in attendance included Zach Parise and Jason Zucker from the Wild, Derek Stepan from the Coyotes, Tampa Bay’s Ryan McDonagh, and fellow Bruin Karson Kuhlman, the latter of of whom is nearing a return to game action after being sidelined the last two months with a fractured tibia.

David and Kelly both attended Mankato State in Minnesota, and it was there, long before the lockout, that they began to formulate their charity idea. As college students, it was impractical for either of them to own pets.

“That was 2004 or ’05, just walking animals at college,” he recalled. “Because getting an animal while you are renting a place as a student is, uh, not a very responsible decision.” 1167869 Boston Bruins

Patrice Bergeron featured on ‘best of the decade’ lists

By Peter Bailey-Wells Globe Staff

Updated December 25, 2019, 4:16 a.m.

Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron has picked up praise for his performance in the last decade, garnering high placement on multiple lists showcasing the best NHL players of the 2010s.

The Boston center landed fourth on a list from NBC Sports/Yahoo on Tuesday and seventh on a list from ESPN released earlier this week. He also placed highly in rankings from lower-profile outlets.

From 2010 through 2019, Bergeron has been a mainstay for the Bruins, who have made the playoffs eight times in that span, and the Canadian has featured prominently in Boston’s postseason success, totaling 52 points across his team’s three runs to the Stanley Cup Final.

He has been an alternate captain for the Bruins since 2006, making him the longest-tenured alternate captain in the league.

Bergeron is fifth in career plus-minus among active players, and his four Selke trophies are tied for the most ever. ESPN noted that he is the first NHL player since Wayne Gretzky in the 1980s to finish in the top 10 for an award every year for a decade (Gretzky achieved his feat with the Hart trophy).

Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara also landed in the top 10 of the NBC Sports/Yahoo ranking, finishing 10th. He appeared 24th in the ESPN ranking of the top 100 players of the decade, landing three spots above Brad Marchand. Also popping up in the ESPN top 100 were current Bruins David Pastrnak, Tuukka Rask, David Krejci, and Torey Krug, alongside six players who suited up for the Bruins at various points this decade: Tim Thomas, Blake Wheeler, Jerome Iginla, Rick Nash, and Jaromir Jagr.

Boston Globe LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167870 Buffalo Sabres happens," Sexton said. "Make sure you’re focused on absorbing everything you can out of that tournament."

Dylan Cozens among four Sabres prospects at world junior Buffalo News LOADED: 12.26.2019 championships

By Lance Lysowski

Published Wed, Dec 25, 2019

The next step in Dylan Cozens' development will take place at one of hockey's marquee international tournaments.

Cozens, an 18-year-old center drafted seventh overall in June, is among four Buffalo Sabres prospects set to participate in the IIHF World Junior Championship, which begins Thursday in Czech Republic and culminates with the gold medal game Jan. 5.

Cozens will be among Canada's top forwards, while the Sabres also will be represented by forward Matej Pekar (Czech Republic), goalie Erik Portillo (Sweden) and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (United States). Pekar and Czech Republic will open the tournament Thursday against Russia at 9 a.m. Eastern. Canada and the United States play at 1 p.m., with both games televised on NHL Network.

Sweden's first televised game is Dec. 31 against Slovakia at 9 a.m.

"It’s great. First of all, it’s rewarding to our amateur staff because those guys work very hard, they pound a lot of miles, a lot of lonesome nights and to see our players – it’s great for Dylan Cozens," Sabres assistant general manager Randy Sexton said. "That’s exciting, but hey, we’ve got Matej Pekar that’s a fourth-round pick, and we’ve got Erik Portillo, who’s a third-round pick.

"That’s really exciting because what I believe that tells our guys is, hey, the model we’ve asked you to scout to and the model we work to from a scouting, drafting and development perspective is working. There’s no greater positive reinforcement than players getting picked to play in world juniors."

Samuelsson, a second-round draft pick in 2018, was named captain of the United States team after winning a silver medal at the tournament last January. The 19-year-old is in his sophomore season at Western Michigan University and has one goal among four points in 12 games.

Cozens, meanwhile, is again one of the top players in the Western Hockey League. His 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) through 30 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes rank fourth in the league. Cozens had 34 goals among 84 points in 68 regular-season games in 2018-19 before he was drafted by the Sabres.

Portillo, picked in June, is one of three goalies on Sweden's roster and has proven to be a potential draft-day steal for the Sabres. He earned a spot in the tournament with a breakout performance at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Mich., and he has a 2.05 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 15 games with Dubuque of the United States Hockey League.

The 19-year-old went undrafted in his first year of eligibility in 2018 and will attend the University of Michigan following his season in Dubuque.

Pekar will be counted on to bring offense and grit to the host country's lineup. A fourth-round pick in 2018, Pekar is 19 and playing in his second world junior championships. He appeared in five tournament games last winter before suffering a broken collarbone with the Barrie Colts of the .

Pekar had an impressive showing at the Sabres' Prospects Challenge in September and has 16 goals among 29 points in 26 games with the Colts this season.

The United States and Canada are in Group B and will play their round- robin games at Ostravar Arena in Ostrava, along with Russia, Czech Republic and Germany. Finland, the 2019 tournament winner, will be in Group A with Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia and Kazakhstan. The group will play its round-robin games at Werk Arena in Trinec.

"For our kids, we’re delighted and our advice to them is all the same: Go embrace the experience, don’t waste one second of your time there, to learn and take it all in, be a great teammate and whatever happens, 1167871 Calgary Flames And so much to remember. Like, the colour combinations. Some have white tape on the top and the bottom.

Black on top and the bottom. Taping sticks tells story of Flames players differences, similarities and quirks White on the bottom and black on top.

White on top and black on the bottom.

Kristen Anderson, Postmedia Then, there’s the direction they tape the blade.

December 25, 2019 5:15 PM MST Heel to toe? Toe to heel? Inside to out? Outside in?

“Just basic, heel to toe,” said Mark Giordano, who uses black on the top and bottom. “I’m a guy who likes covering the toe though so I have to For some, it is an art. tape past the toe and then cut with the scissors around it. I like taping my The whole process is a regimented part of the day and daily routine at stick every intermission because I hate when there’s a rip or a cut the rink; it can be a product of who they admired, who they studied on through it during the game. TV, whose posters were draped all over their bedrooms. “I don’t use wax, I feel like the puck slides too much. I’m not too particular It could be a process ingrained in them since they started skating, since but I just like fresh tape every period.” their parents whipped a roll around their stick a couple of times, shoved it Derek Ryan is low-maintenance. into their hands and pushed them on the ice. “I start at the middle of the blade and go to the toe, a little bit of wax on The similarities, the differences, the simple or the intricate, each member there, that’s it,” he added. “But it always starts with what your Dad does. I of the Calgary Flames and their stick-taping habits tell a story. don’t really care about it. To me, it’s more of a chore. I wish it would just “I’m very, very boring,” said Matthew Tkachuk. “On the top of my stick, I be there permanently and not get scuffed up and I wouldn’t have to deal do five loops around the top. And then just a couple down. Then on the with it.” bottom, I go heel to toe and all the way to the toe and scissor it, and put Some tape it once, in the morning before a game or practice, and forget wax on it. about it. There are the players who will only fix the tape job if it’s “I’m probably one of the few that doesn’t spend too much time on it.” massively ruined or if there is a giant hole.

Sure. That’s what they all say. Then, there are the ones — like Giordano — who prefer it fresh.

The truth is, the Goldilocks effect applies to many when it comes to Before morning skate, after morning skate, before the game, after each taping sticks. And, at hockey’s highest level, it’s understandable players period, and after the game. prefer things done a certain way — there’s no time limit for something as “Because if I tape it after the third period, I don’t have to tape it for the important as their stick, their basic tool that makes them millions and next practice,” defenceman Rasmus Andersson chimes in. “Obviously, if millions of dollars each season. someone steps on it, I’ll need to switch and I’ll tape it in practice.” Many, like Tkachuk, are self-aware. Speedy and not too picky. Sometimes, it’s just out of habit. Others are meticulous. They know their way is a bit quirky, a little bit Or boredom. particular, but it’s just how they like it. “We’re in the dressing room for 18 minutes (between periods),” said “Everybody’s different, for sure,” the Flames’ longtime equipment forward Dillon Dube. “So, I’m just sitting there. It keeps mind off the game manager Mark DePasquale was saying in his “office” the other day, the and I’m not overthinking. It’s just a habit of always doing it and it’s nice to space adjacent to the players’ dressing room which is lined with have a clean job. It’s pretty simple — not complicated. It takes me 10 equipment, tools, and, yes, rolls and rolls of stick tape. seconds to do and if there are creases, it doesn’t really bother me. I go “Now, it can be anything. The way you grew up or what you watched. from the closest I can to the toe without using scissors to the heel. I don’t There are guys with skinny knobs. Thick knobs. White tape. Black tape. like taking time on it.” Used to be a lot of friction tape — sticky tape — but I haven’t seen that in Michael Stone is the same. years. You used to see shooters have bigger knobs and stick handlers have skinny knobs. But it’s changed over, and over.” “It’s just what I do — I’m not superstitious at all, it’s just what I’ve always done,” said the blueliner. “It doesn’t matter if it has a cut or it’s worn or Some things, however, haven’t changed and the basics remain the same stepped on or not, it’s just what I do: tape my stick between every — a stick and stick tape. period.” The works with equipment companies like (And black, only, “because that’s what my dad bought me and my brother Mission, CCM, Bauer and Sherwood and teams receive a stick budget (Mark).”) per year. As a rule, DePasquale budgets a stick per game, per player. Then, there are some who simply couldn’t be bothered. At any point, players will have three or four sticks ready to go during a game or practice, so the team’s equipment staff can easily toss them a Johnny Gaudreau is, likely, the fastest at taping his stick on the team. new, freshly taped one at a moment’s notice. Toe to heel. Beat up tape.

But on occasion, DePasquale, assistant equipment manager Corey Superstitious? Osmak or equipment manager assistant Ben Dumaine will have to step in and help. “No, no, that’s not me at all,” Gaudreau said with a chuckle. “I just tape it and go out and play. Sometimes I’ll tape it before games. Sometimes I’ll “If a guy breaks a stick, we’ll try to match (the tape job),” DePasquale not tape it before games. If I have enough time in my stall. I don’t really said. “We’re pretty good at it …” take much time with my sticks.”

Although he does remember taping Jarome Iginla’s stick once — in a There’s the other side of the spectrum. pinch — and, apparently, it was incorrectly. DePasquale wouldn’t name names, but said there are players that, if it’s “I did one too many wraps on the heel and the next day as a joke, he not done absolutely correct the first time, they will rip the entire tape job taped it all the way up the stick and goes, ‘Here’s your tape job,’” off and start again. DePasquale said with a laugh. “I’m like, ‘Sorry Jarome, next time you’ll have to do it yourself.’ Andersson could be one of those players.

“It’s comical, sometimes.” “It’s one of those things — I’ve never been too picky about it but it needs to be perfect for me,” the Flames defenceman admits. Michael Frolik, one of the most particular players on the team about his blade and I go over the toe. I don’t really tape the back half. I just do that equipment, could fall into that category too, although he admits he to make sure the puck is more sitting on the toe of my stick and on the spends “10 minutes, max,” on his stick. curve of my stick rather than the heel.”

He says his tape job is “pretty simple.” Four Flames players use a slide-on grip, similar to ones used on tennis rackets and a product made popular by Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick “I always use black tape,” explains the veteran winger. “I leave the heel Kane. of it open, and then I go from the open heel to the top. That’s it. I’ll take my time. It needs to be kind of perfect, for me. I don’t tape sticks during Hanifin is one of them and says they’re less harsh on their gloves. the games. I just tape it once — other guys, I think, I’m think maybe the only one that doesn’t tape them during the game after every period. Some use grip tape, like Oliver Kylington who wraps his “pretty far” down the length of his stick which, he figures, is shorter than most. “I just do it once before the game then I just leave it. I’ll do one and one pretty slow and make sure it’s right.” “To be honest with you, taping my stick and tying my stick is not the most fun thing to do,” he said. “I like sticks. But I don’t have too many And there are some players who have been around so long that they can superstitions about them.” recite exactly what they do, when they do it, why they do it, and all of the reasoning in between. Then there’s the old, “roll, twist, and spin” method to create an old school grip. “My first year (in the NHL), playing with Marc Savard, he was probably the most superstitious when it came to taping his stick,” pointed out Milan Austin Czarnik, oddly, has zero tape on the top of his stick at all (One Lucic, who played with Savard in Boston. “Every line had to be, like, player commented: “I’ve never seen that before.”). He also only goes perfect. And he liked the white to be the perfect distance apart from each around the blade six times total. Mark Jankowski uses red grip tape on other and he taped his toe. The way he did his knob … it had to be the top (and the entire thing takes him five minutes, total). perfect in order for him to use it. What about the grip knob on top? Netminder Cam Talbot wraps the top “If he didn’t like it one shift, he’d be done with the stick and move on with of his stick 75 times with the NHL-mandated white tape for . it.” Meanwhile David Rittich “doesn’t know how many times he wraps it.”

Lucic, a 31-year-old veteran of 927 NHL games, says his preference is Then there’s Andersson’s, built with “layers and layers” of tape, which “nothing crazy.” Heel-to-toe, but not all the way over the toe — a “toe even he admits had been getting out of control. tuck,” as DePasquale calls it. White tape. Regular knob. “My dad (Malmo Redhawks coach Peter Andersson) taped my stick “Nothing, really, to it,” Lucic says. when I was younger and the knob kept growing and growing,” Andersson said. “I had to bring it back down a bit … sometimes it gets too small or Then, there’s Andrew Mangiapane — the opposite of that. sometimes it gets too big and I have to add to it. You notice in the palm of your hand if it’s too big or too small. It has to be perfect for me. If it’s Mark Jankowski confirms this. too small, I can’t grip it hard enough. If it’s too big, I can’t grip it.

“Mangy is particular, he takes a long time,” Jankowski said. “It’s kind of “So, it has to be perfect.” funny.” There have been extremes, too, especially during slumps. Added Andersson, his former Barrie Colts teammates: “He needs to have 26 stripes on it. He sits there and counts, every time. Otherwise he can’t DePasquale has seen it all. score.” “You get a guy that hasn’t scored for a while, he could change it to white Scissors, of course, make things easier. tape. (Jeremy) Roenick wasn’t scoring in the early ’90s and drew eyes on his blade, thinking this will help him ‘see’ the net,” DePasquale said. “I’ve “When I was younger,” said Zac Rinaldo (who, for the record, was seen that a few times. (Jaromir) Jagr did it once too. There are recalled before our photographer was able to snap a photo of his stick). superstitions to colours — you’ll see a lot of red when things aren’t going “We would tape the toe first so we wouldn’t need scissors. But as I got well. older and I found out other guys were using scissors, it was so much easier.” There are crosses. Some write the initials of children and loved ones. Sayings or other words. DePasquale said that Monahan writes a few And, also, keeps things neat and tidy. things but no one knows what they mean — or dare to ask him; some “I like to clean it up, yeah,” said Tobias Rieder, who goes heel to toe with things are better left up to the player. white tape and fashions a “normal” medium-to-small knob on the top. “It Which brings up an interesting point — in the end, how much does it depends. There are players that tape it all the way to the toe and they really matter, anyway? kind of need scissors to clean it up and then there are players that stop before and don’t really need to.” Lucic points out Bruins star David Pastrnak and the video circulating about his tape job, which is only “three stripes at the bottom and three Rieder, by the way, is the only one on the Flames who still spray paints stripes at the top,” mostly because, growing up in the Czech Republic, his stock-issued white stick blades to black. stick tape was at a premium.

“But he spray-painted the floor in the hallway the other day, so now we’re The 23-year-old is currently leading the NHL with 28 goals in 38 games. doing it for him,” DePasquale said with a chuckle. “He’s a prime example of that,” Lucic said. “It doesn’t really matter what Then, there’s the wax which deserves an entire story of its own. you have on your stick. If you’re a good player, you’re a good player.”

“I can tell when Monny’s going by and can smell the vanilla (wax) (Some) smell like bubblegum,” added DePasquale. “Different uses. There’s ones that keep the snow off and, now, there’s ones that are stickier … Now, Calgary Sun: LOADED: 12.26.2019 whether that keeps the puck on the blade for a millisecond longer, that would be for the scientists and engineers to decide.

“But there’s definitely something to it.”

Sean Monahan’s tape job is unique because he only uses a small portion of his stick blade, closer to the middle.

Noah Hanifin is similar to Monahan, taping only a portion of the blade but towards the toe of his stick, which is a method he has adopted since breaking into the NHL in 2015-16.

“So, I use thin black tape with a little bit of wax,” Hanifin explained. “I try take my time to get the front half of my blade, I start midway through the 1167872 Chicago Blackhawks There are two issues with trading Lehner. First, the Hawks likely want to keep him beyond this season. Second, the Wild and perhaps the Sabres could be in the market, but there aren’t many contending teams that need a No. 1 goalie. Whom should the Blackhawks deal at the trade deadline? Where does Patrick Kane rank among the decade’s top players? 4 hot topics over the Beyond those three, the Hawks don’t have much to offer. Patrick Kane, NHL’s holiday break. Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith aren’t going anywhere because they have no-movement clauses and because the Hawks aren’t crazy enough to anger a fan base already simmering with rage.

By JIMMY GREENFIELD Brandon Saad has one year remaining on a contract with a reasonable $6 million salary-cap hit and would be an attractive piece, but he’s CHICAGO TRIBUNE dealing with an ankle injury. Not to mention he has been one of the DEC 25, 2019 | 3:12 PM Hawks’ best players this season and they likely want him around next season. They’ve given no indication they intend to embark on a full rebuild despite tons of evidence they’re already in one.

While visions of the Blackhawks’ 7-1 loss to the Devils just before the If they do go down the rebuilding route, trading Alex DeBrincat, Dylan holiday break are still dancing in your head, let’s look at a few recent Strome, Kirby Dach or Adam Boqvist in the right deal should be on the topics affecting the Hawks in our latest point/counterpoint. table. None of them should be untouchable.

Point: The Blackhawks still could make the playoffs. Point: NBC Sports’ Pro Hockey Talk ranking Patrick Kane the 15th-best player of the decade is about right. Counterpoint: Please stop saying that. Counterpoint: What the hell were they thinking? The similarities between last season and this season are clear enough for some to believe there’s hope the Hawks can make the playoffs. They Forget about the Stanley Cup argument. This is a list of the top individual went 23-14-6 after the holiday break last season and picked up 52 points players, and five of the top 15 — Erik Karlsson, Connor McDavid, Henrik for a .605 point percentage. Lundqvist, Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman — never won a Cup.

But two things to know: That didn’t cut it last season, and it likely wouldn’t Kane’s best seasons have come when the Hawks have been at their cut it this season. worst. This is about individual play, not team play.

The Western Conference’s final wild-card spot belongs to the Predators Let’s stipulate that the top five of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, with 42 points. The Stars have 44 points but a slightly lower point Karlsson, Patrice Bergeron and McDavid did, in fact, have had better percentage at .579. So let’s go with the Stars as the team to beat. decades than Kane. It’s clear to anyone who watches McDavid that he’s the best player on the planet and has been for several seasons. That’s To finish with a .579 point percentage, which would result in 95 points, enough to lift him into the top five despite playing only about half the the Hawks need 59 points in their last 44 games. That’s a .670 point decade. percentage over the remainder of the season. Only the Blues, Bruins, Capitals and Islanders have a point percentage that high. After that is where the discussion gets incredibly tedious trying to separate one player from another. The next three on the list — Evgeni Let’s put it more clearly: To reach 95 points, the Hawks would have to go Malkin, Lundqvist and Anze Kopitar — have not been demonstrably 27-12-5 the rest of the way. Anyone think that’s possible? better than Kane, who with 797 points is on track to finish the decade This team hasn’t been on the brink of breaking out all season, and it’s with the most points in the league. hard to argue that the Hawks are better now than when the season All four have been dominant in their way. This is the group in which Kane began. Calvin de Haan, Andrew Shaw, Drake Caggiula and Brent needed to be slotted. Seabrook are out indefinitely, and Brandon Saad will miss at least a few more games with a right ankle injury. The players NBC ranked after Kopitar and ahead of Kane — Stamkos, Zdeno Chara, Victor Hedman, Duncan Keith, Nicklas Backstrom and A team with no room for error has had bad luck and been worse than Jonathan Toews — are all fantastic players. None was better than Kane, expected. Coach Jeremy Colliton has repeatedly pleaded with his team who has been constantly brilliant over the last 10 years. Only the 2011- after losses to look in the mirror and start working harder. 12 season possibly could be described as close to disappointing. Never mind for now who’s to blame for that. When a team shows you Where NBC really messed up was saying Kane’s off-ice problems “will who it is, believe it. always detract from (being one of the decade’s best offensive players) Point: The Hawks should start making trades for the future immediately. and be a part of his story.”

Counterpoint: Agreed. But who? Of course they always will be a part of Kane’s story. But NBC raising them in an article about what happened on the ice had no place in the There are nearly two months and 24 games to go until the Feb. 24 trade story. deadline. For those who believe the Hawks’ season is over, that’s going to seem like waiting for another Christmas Day. Point: Brent Seabrook should return to the lineup when he’s healthy.

If that’s the case, you’re going to find coal in your stocking when the Counterpoint: Dennis Gilbert and Adam Boqvist should be playing every deadline passes. game even when Seabrook returns.

The Hawks have three players scheduled to be unrestricted free agents Seabrook participated in the morning skate Dec. 18 at the United Center next summer — Erik Gustafsson, Corey Crawford and Robin Lehner — before a game against the Avalanche. During pregame media availability, and there’s a problem with each of them being part of a trade-deadline Jeremy Colliton revealed that Seabrook would be a healthy scratch deal. against the Avs.

In hindsight the Hawks should have dealt Gustafsson after his 60-point No injury was mentioned. According to Colliton, it was purely a coaches performance last season, but they were shooting for the playoffs and decision. needed him for that to happen. Perhaps they could get back a first-round The Hawks announced about 4 p.m. the next day, a few hours before pick for him from a contender that wouldn’t mind giving up a pick in the playing the Jets, that Seabrook was “undergoing further medical late 20s, but even that seems like a stretch with Gustafsson having such evaluations” and did not travel to Winnipeg. Colliton later said Seabrook an inconsistent season. was dealing with some “nagging” injuries. Crawford isn’t going anywhere. He has a full no-movement clause and Seabrook hasn’t played or practiced since that morning skate. General isn’t having the kind of season that would lead a contender to believe manager Stan Bowman told the Daily Herald an announcement was he’s the answer. Crawford has a pedestrian .905 save percentage, and “coming soon” but gave no hint about what Seabrook’s medical issues it’s .877 over his last eight appearances. entail. Seabrook, 34, has four seasons left on a deal that carries a $6.875 million cap hit and has a full no-movement clause. Even if he is willing to waive the no-movement clause, it’s hard to imagine other teams taking on his contract without significant sweeteners.

If he is dealing with a serious health issue that requires going on long- term injured reserve, that would provide the Hawks cap relief during his stay there.

It’s too soon to know how this will play out. It’s possible Seabrook will take a few games to get right and return to the lineup. But even when he is able to play again, the Hawks have six defensemen ahead of him on the depth chart.

Rookies Gilbert and Boqvist need to be playing every game, whether Seabrook is healthy or not. That’s not only a smart move for the future, but they’re better options than Seabrook right now.

The worst-case scenario is Seabrook has played his last game with the Hawks. No matter how much the Hawks need to shed Seabrook’s contract, that would be an unfortunate way for one of the Hawks’ greatest players to end his career.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167873 Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 12.26.2019

Rest and home ice — two of the biggest advantages in hockey — have been Blackhawks’ worst enemies

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Dec 25, 2019, 6:55am CST

The Blackhawks draw the largest home crowds in the NHL but have the fourth-worst home results.

After a hideous 7-1 loss Monday to the Devils, the Hawks have lost five of their last six games at the United Center and are 8-9-3 at home this season. Only the Red Wings and Devils — the NHL’s two worst teams — have fewer home victories.

‘‘We’ve said it for a while now, especially when we’ve had some lackluster efforts in our building, that you’re going to have nights when pucks aren’t bouncing your way and you’re going to be fighting it a little bit and the legs aren’t there,’’ captain Jonathan Toews said after the loss Monday. ‘‘Whatever the excuse is, we have to find a way to play through that and simplify our game.’’

The Hawks are one of the few teams in the NHL with roughly equal home and road records. But their 7-8-3 road record ranks in the middle of the pack leaguewide, so it’s their play at home that most needs improvement.

Breaking down the first 20 home dates so far, coach Jeremy Colliton on Monday explained a pattern he had noticed: When playing fatigued hockey on the latter end of a back-to-back, which forces them to use the simplified, straightforward style they typically employ on the road, the Hawks are 4-0-0 on Madison Street. Take out those results, and they’re 4-9-3 with rest at home.

‘‘What we do on the road is we [play] a simple game,’’ Colliton said. ‘‘We understand we’re going to have to be simple and hard-working and competitive to survive, and that’s the case. We’ve gone into some rinks that are pretty tough to win in, against teams that are really good, and we’ve grinded it out.

‘‘The success we’ve had at home is on back-to-backs. You understand it’s going to be a grind, and you just grind it out. You’re willing to play 0-0 for a while. . . . [When] we have rest, it seems like we come in and think it’s just going to happen. That’s obviously far from the case.’’

The Hawks have succeeded in creating slower, lower-event hockey (fewer shots and scoring chances) in those four second-leg home victories, a necessity to accommodate their tired legs.

The Hawks and their opponents have combined to average 1.85 shots and 0.93 scoring chances per minute (at five-on-five) in those second-leg home games, compared with 1.95 shots and 0.96 scoring chances per minute in all other home games.

And the Hawks have controlled the puck more in those lower-event games than in higher-event games (more shots and scoring chances). They have generated 49.4 percent of the scoring chances in the former and 48.3 percent in the latter.

It seems home ice and rest, traditionally two of the most cherished advantages in hockey, have become the Hawks’ worst enemies.

That’s surely a disappointment for the capacity crowds that continue to pack the United Center on Hawks game nights — something the co- tenant Bulls recently have discovered isn’t a guarantee forever.

The Hawks still lead the NHL with an average of 21,380 fans per game, and that only has increased this month. In fact, the turnout Monday (21,559) was the third-largest of the season and arguably the most boisterous — at least at first. By the third period, with the Hawks dead and buried, that atmosphere was long gone.

That might become a trend unless their performances improve.

‘‘We’ve been poor at home overall, no matter who we’ve played,’’ Colliton said. ‘‘We’ve played some good teams, and we haven’t been good enough.’’ 1167874 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks 2019-20 midseason grades: Defensemen

By Charlie Roumeliotis

December 25, 2019 11:00 AM

The Blackhawks made it a priority over the summer to shore up their defensive issues and it was reflected in the moves GM Stan Bowman made, particularly on the blue line.

Calvin de Haan was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes to play a top- four role and two-time Stanley Cup champion Olli Maatta was brought in to be a defensive specialist and provide some experience on the back end. De Haan had become a key piece to the puzzle before reinjuring his right shoulder while Maatta has struggled to make an impact but is relied upon in defensive situations.

Inconsistency, like the entire team, has been an issue. And it hasn’t helped that many of their defensemen have missed time due to injuries.

The Blackhawks’ No. 1 defenseman Duncan Keith was out nine games because of a groin injury, Connor Murphy was sidelined for 12 because of multiple groin injuries, an illness kept Maatta out for four, de Haan has missed nine and counting and could be done for the season depending on the severity of his shoulder injury and Brent Seabrook could also be out long term with some nagging injuries.

Because of that, the Blackhawks were forced to speed up top defenseman prospect Adam Boqvist’s path to the NHL, where he’s seen his ice time increase during his second stint in Chicago. Even Dennis Gilbert has gotten a long look and has provided physicality on the back end, an element that’s been lacking on the Blackhawks.

On the offensive side of things, the Blackhawks weren’t getting many contributions from their defensemen. They received only three goals from their blue liners in the first 17 games and have since gotten 11 in the past 21 for a total of 14 goals through 38 games. But two of them have been empty netters. Overall, it’s not enough.

It's difficult to evaluate the defensemen as a unit for goals against situations because the forwards are just as responsible, but when it's all said and done, keeping the puck out of the net is what this defensemen group will be judged on. And the Blackhawks have given up 3.18 goals per game, which is tied for 24th.

Grade: C

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167875 Chicago Blackhawks Nashville Predators. Imagine what Kane and Panarin could have done with two more years together. At least the inevitable fall of the Blackhawks empire could have been forestalled by a couple of years.

The ones who got away: Ranking the Blackhawks’ best and worst 3. Phil Danault decisions The end: On Feb. 26, 2016, the Blackhawks traded Danault and a second-round pick to the Canadiens for Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann. By Mark Lazerus The hindsight: This is probably the most lopsided deal of the Bowman Dec 25, 2019 era in Chicago. The Blackhawks got virtually nothing out of Fleischmann and Weise, lost in the first round to St. Louis, and could only watch as

Danault blossomed into a No. 1 center in Montreal. Danault, a former The easy thing to do, the unfair thing to do, is to look at Anthony Duclair first-round pick, was billed as Marcus Kruger but with offensive ability, and his 21 goals in just 38 games and think, boy, the Blackhawks really and he’s proven to be exactly that. The solid defensive center had 53 blew that one. After all, Duclair is just 24, making $1.65 million this points in 81 games last season. Imagine having Jonathan Toews, Dylan season, will still be a restricted free agent after this season, and was Strome, Danault and Kirby Dach down the middle for years to come. signed by Columbus for just $650,000 following his 23-game stint with 4. Henri Jokiharju the Blackhawks during the second half of the 2017-18 season. The end: On July 9, 2019, the Blackhawks traded Jokiharju to Buffalo for And yeah, no doubt, Duclair would be a desperately needed boost to a Alex Nylander in a swap of former first-rounders. Blackhawks top six that is overly reliant on Patrick Kane. Imagine having a player as productive as Duclair on Jonathan Toews’ right wing all The hindsight: We may never know why Jeremy Colliton never took a season instead of the struggling Alex Nylander. liking to Jokiharju the way Joel Quenneville had, but even though Nylander is just 21 and has obvious high-end skills that he needs to tap But it’s not that simple. When the Blackhawks decided to let Duclair walk, into on a more consistent basis, it’s safe to say the Blackhawks need a they had their reasons. For one, Duclair had just two goals in 23 games top-four defenseman right now more than they need a top-nine winger. with the Blackhawks. He was a world-class skater, but his hands hadn’t Bowman was hoping for another Strome with this change-of-scenery yet caught up with his feet, and the consistency issues that led the deal. We’re still waiting. Rangers and Coyotes before them (and the Blue Jackets after them) to give up on Duclair were evident. Then there was the fact that he missed 5. Michal Kempny the last month of the season after a devastating hip check by Boston’s Brad Marchand. And while he signed with Columbus for just $650,000, a The end: On Feb. 19, 2018, the Blackhawks traded Kempny to qualifying offer from the Blackhawks would have cost $1.32 million. Washington for a third-round pick, which was then packaged on draft day so the Blackhawks could select Niklas Nordgren. So while the current, fully realized version of Duclair would look great in a Blackhawks uniform, it’s unfair to deem him The One That Got Away. But The hindsight: Kempny was to Quenneville what Jokiharju was to he’s one of many ex-Blackhawks that Stan Bowman might wish he still Colliton. The Czech import just never won over Quenneville, but he went had. In a hard-cap world, you’re not going to nail every move. Sometimes to Washington and immediately became a top-pairing defenseman on a you’ll make what turns out to be a flat-out bad trade, sometimes you’ll Stanley Cup run. Now he’s more of a solid second-pair defenseman, make a trade you don’t want to make but feel you have to. Sometimes who’s now signed for three seasons at just $2.5 million a year. you’ll let a player walk or deal him away too early, sometimes you’ll be 6. Dominik Kahun glad you moved on when you did. And then there are the washes — Niklas Hjalmarsson for Connor Murphy turned out to be a pretty fair deal, The end: On June 15, 2019, the Blackhawks traded Kahun and a fifth- as did Nick Schmaltz for Dylan Strome, and Ryan Hartman for a first- round pick to Pittsburgh for defenseman Olli Maatta. round pick. The hindsight: Maybe if Bowman knew he’d be able to land Calvin de With that in mind, and with the benefit of hindsight, here are 20 players Haan for a song later in the offseason, he wouldn’t have made this move. the Blackhawks either dealt away or gave up on over the last five years Maatta is perfectly serviceable, but Kahun was a nice find by the — the 10 best calls, and the 10 worst calls. Who were they wrong to Blackhawks’ outstanding European scouting department. The versatile abandon, and who were they right to not commit to long term? Let’s rip winger can play on any line, and after a slow start in Pittsburgh, has eight the Band-Aid off and start with the ones who got away. goals and nine assists in his last 24 games.

The bad calls 7. Vinnie Hinostroza

1. Teuvo Teravainen The end: On July 12, 2018, Hinostroza was packaged with Jordan Oesterle and a third-round pick so that the Coyotes would take on the The end: On June 15, 2016, the Blackhawks used Teravainen as a essentially retired Marian Hossa’s contract. The Blackhawks got Marcus sweetener to get Carolina to take the final year of Bryan Bickell’s Kruger, MacKenzie Entwistle, Jordan Maletta, Andrew Campbell and a contract. The Blackhawks got a second-rounder in 2016 (Artur Kayumov) fifth-round pick in the deal. and a third-rounder in 2017 (Andrei Altybarmakyan). The hindsight: As my colleague Scott Powers noted, the Blackhawks The hindsight: Bickell’s contract was onerous, but shedding one year of a could have just as easily shed Hossa’s contract by packaging their $4 million cap hit cost the Blackhawks an elite talent who was just second first-round pick in the 2018 draft (the one acquired in the Hartman tapping into his potential. In his first three-plus seasons in Carolina, deal) instead of Hinostroza. Nicolas Beaudin, taken with that pick, might Teravainen has missed just one game. He’s improved from 42 points to one day turn into a solid NHL defenseman. But Hinostroza was a known 64 points to a career-high 76 points last year, and has blossomed into an commodity, a reliable middle-six forward who was improving every year. elite playmaking wing. Oh, and he’s only 25. He had a career-high 16 goals and 23 assists in 72 games last season 2. Artemi Panarin with the Coyotes.

The end: On June 23, 2017, the Blackhawks shocked the hockey world 8. Anthony Duclair by trading Panarin (and Tyler Motte) to Columbus for former Blackhawks The end: Duclair was not tendered a qualifying offer after the 2017-18 standout Brandon Saad (and goalie Anton Forsberg). season. He signed with Columbus for one year at $650,000. The hindsight: The only reason this isn’t in the No. 1 slot is that it’s The hindsight: As previously noted, Duclair was hardly a sure thing when difficult to imagine the Blackhawks still having Panarin on the roster this the Blackhawks allowed him to walk. He scored 20 goals in his first full season, considering he signed a seven-year, $81.5 million contract with NHL season in 2015-16, but by the time he reached his true breakout this the Rangers this past summer. That looming payday was a big reason season in Ottawa, he had burned through four teams in five seasons. Bowman made the trade, citing the “cost certainty” of Saad’s contract. But the Panarin deal (and the Hjalmarsson deal the same day) was an 9. Trevor van Riemsdyk over-reaction to the stunning first-round sweep at the hands of the The end: On June 20, 2017, van Riemsdyk was selected by Vegas in the The hindsight: McNeill was one of the few first-round whiffs by Bowman expansion draft, and quickly flipped to Carolina. and chief scout Mark Kelley. The 18th pick in the 2011 draft played just one game for the Blackhawks and one game for the Stars. He’s now in The hindsight: With all the no-movement clauses on the Blackhawks Austria. Oduya didn’t work out — he just wasn’t the same player he was roster, somebody had to be left unprotected. So the Blackhawks didn’t during his first Blackhawks stint — but cutting bait on McNeil rather than have much of a choice here. But he’s yet another perfectly acceptable stubbornly clinging to a former first-rounder was the wise choice. defenseman who would probably be an upgrade on the blue line right now. 6. Richard Panik

10. Jordan Oesterle The end: On Jan. 10, 2018, the Blackhawks traded Panik and Laurent Dauphin to Arizona for Duclair and Adam Clendening. The end: Oesterle was part of the Hossa deal. The hindsight: Panik had just scored his first goal in nearly three months The hindsight: Remember when Oesterle was a top-pairing defenseman when this trade was made. The talented but maddening Panik posted 22 for the Blackhawks, Duncan Keith’s partner for a significant portion of the goals and 22 assists in 2016-17 and looked like he could become a top- 2017-18 season? He’s another perfectly adequate bottom-pairing line fixture alongside Toews. But he fell out of favor with his regular defenseman. Yes, the Blackhawks have a lot of those, but Oesterle disappearing acts, so the Blackhawks took a chance on Duclair instead. comes relatively cheap ($1.4 million). Panik has just three goals and one assist with Washington this season The good calls after signing a four-year, $11 million contract. That’s a commitment the Blackhawks were wise not to make. 1. Scott Darling 7. Brendan Perlini The end: On May 5, 2017, Darling signed a four-year, $16.6 million deal with the Hurricanes. The end: On Oct. 28, 2019, the Blackhawks traded Perlini to Detroit for defenseman Alec Regula. The hindsight: Darling had some of the best numbers in the league in his two seasons with the Blackhawks, and rescued Corey Crawford during The hindsight: Perlini was supposed to be the proven commodity, and the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup run. Nobody wanted to see the Strome the flyer, in the Nick Schmaltz trade. But Perlini — aside from a hometown hero with the inspiring backstory leave, but the Blackhawks spectacular “Free Solo”-inspired stretch in early March in which he chose to let him go rather than tie up around $10 million in goaltending scored eight goals in seven games — never put it all together in Chicago. (for what it’s worth, they have $11 million in goalies this season). Darling A lot of us thought he wasn’t getting a fair shake under Colliton; he was struggled mightily in Carolina, posting a .888 save percentage in 43 always either scratched or playing fourth-line minutes. But given a much games in 2017-18. Two years later, his contract was bought out and he’s larger, everyday role in Detroit, Perlini has no goals and two assists in 22 no longer in major professional hockey (though he did sign with a team in games. Maybe Colliton was on to something, after all. Austria last month). There’s certainly no glee in this one, but not 8. John Hayden committing long term proved to be the prudent choice. The end: On June 22, 2019, the Blackhawks traded Hayden to New 2. Brandon Manning Jersey for John Quenneville.

The end: On Dec. 30, 2018, Bowman — rather amazingly — convinced The hindsight: Hayden is another player that some (this writer included) Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli to take Manning and Robin Norell in exchange believed had all the tools to become a solid power forward in the NHL. for Drake Caggiula. Neither Quenneville nor Colliton gave him much of a leash, though. But The hindsight: Manning was one of Bowman’s worst signings, but this he’s having the same trouble cracking the lineup on a very bad Devils trade was one of his best moves. So partial credit here. Manning has team, too. He scored his first goal of the season Monday night against played just 21 games for the Oilers in the 12 months since the trade. He the Blackhawks, but beyond that has one assist in 13 games. John has two points. Quenneville, meanwhile, just earned a call-up with his red-hot play in Rockford (four goals and four assists in his last five games). 3. Jeremy Morin 9. Jan Rutta The end: On Dec. 14, 2014, Morin was traded to Columbus for defenseman Tim Erixon. He was then reacquired on June 30, 2015 in the The end: On Jan. 11, 2019, the Blackhawks traded Rutta to Tampa Bay deal that sent Brandon Saad to Columbus for Artem Anisimov and for Slater Koekkoek. others. Then, on Jan. 3, 2016, he was traded again, this time to Toronto, The hindsight: Koekkoek hasn’t been able to earn a regular spot in the for Richard Panik. lineup, but he’s cemented himself as a serviceable No. 7. Rutta’s one- The hindsight: There was a time not too long ago when Blackhawks fans year, $2.25 million contract was a gross overpay by the Blackhawks, and were up in arms over the fact that Morin (and Brandon Pirri) couldn’t Bowman did well to correct his mistake and get a cheaper ($865,000 last crack Quenneville’s lineup. The #freemorin hashtag was a real thing. But year, $925,000 this year) player with a better pedigree (the No. 10 pick in Morin was exactly what Quenneville thought he was — a good AHL 2012) in the process. player who wasn’t quite an NHL player. A quadruple-A player, in baseball 10. Artem Anisimov parlance. Morin has been on 13 teams in eight leagues in the past five years. The end: On July 16, 2019, the Blackhawks traded Anisimov to Ottawa for Zack Smith. 4. Gustav Forsling The hindsight: Anisimov was a man without a home in the Blackhawks The end: On June 24, 2019, the Blackhawks traded Forsling and Anton lineup after Panarin was traded and Strome and Toews took over as Forsberg to Carolina for Calvin de Haan and Aleksi Saarela. Kane’s primary centers. A good, reliable, productive player on the second The hindsight: Before there were Jokiharju and Adam Boqvist, there was line, Anisimov was a bit lost in the bottom six. And you can’t have a $4.45 Forsling. For Canucks fans, there was a time when he was the potential million player without a logical spot in the lineup. Smith hasn’t exactly lit One Who Got Away. He cracked the Blackhawks lineup at just 20 years the world on fire with the Blackhawks, but the move saved the team $1.3 old and figured to be a staple of the future. But his game plateaued and million in cap space this year and next. Anisimov, meanwhile, has just six he found himself a tweener like Morin, caught between the AHL and the goals and one assist in 20 games in Ottawa as he’s battled a groin injury. NHL. That Bowman was able to land de Haan for Forsling and Forsberg Of course, Smith is the fourth-highest paid Blackhawks forward, behind (both of whom have spent the season in the AHL) was quite a coup. only Kane, Toews and Saad. If Anisimov’s production ticks back up and Smith’s remains mostly non-existent (one goal, four assists in 29 games), Gustav Forsling had a bright future with the Blackhawks, until he didn’t. this decision could look a little worse next year. (Reinhold Matay / USA Today) But, hey, hindsight’s always 20/20. 5. Mark McNeill

The end: On Feb. 28, 2017, the Blackhawks sent McNeill and a conditional fourth-round pick to Dallas for Johnny Oduya. The Athletic LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167876 Colorado Avalanche together. He showed off his potential for breakout over the summer in the World Junior Summer Showcase as he put up prolific numbers in the exhibition.

WJC Preview: An avalanche of anticipation This year is especially important for Ranta on a personal level because he was the final cut from last year’s gold-medal winning squad.

Ranta’s role on the Finland squad is the murkiest among Colorado’s BY AJ HAEFELE prospects, making it difficult to gauge expectations for him. His talent suggests he could be an impact player but until his usage is sorted out I DECEMBER 25, 2019 won’t go as far to say to expect it.

I would say the uncertainty involved here naturally tempers expectations. While the NHL goes to sleep for the Christmas break, halfway around the Danila Zhuravlyov, D, Russia (146th overall, 2018) world a group of the world’s most talented under-20 men’s hockey players are gathered to fight for international bragging rights. The biggest mystery among Colorado’s WJC prospects this year is Danila Zhuravlyov. As a teenager, he has carved out a consistent role for The World Junior Championships are set to begin this week in the Czech Kazan Ak-Bars of the KHL. Given teenagers regularly struggle to win Republic and the Avs are set to send four players to the competition. jobs in the KHL, it’s an impressive accomplishment for a defenseman While there are certainly teams out there with more players competing, whose first season after being drafted felt like more of a lost year. Colorado’s guys are making it count as three of them are expected to playing starring roles. That’s turned around this year and the KHL’s Rookie of the Month in September is expected to play a top-pairing role for the Russians this Bowen Byram, D, Canada (4th overall, 2019) year. This one’s easy. Byram was a lock for this team the second Colorado He was part of Russia’s bronze-medal winning WJC team last year and sent him back to the WHL’s Vancouver Giants after an uneven that experience surely helped him secure another spot on this year’s preseason that showed he just wasn’t quite ready to make the leap to the roster. NHL. Zhuravlyov’s contract runs through the end of next year but if both Byram Byram should get an opportunity as an all-situation player for the and Timmins graduate to the NHL next year, the Avalanche might want Canadians and will be, fairly or not, judged against the exceptional to aggressively pursue getting ‘Little Z’ signed to his ELC sooner than performances of Cale Makar and Conor Timmins at this same event two later. years ago.

Byram is a stud in his own right and while his offensive numbers have taken the expected dip after his record-breaking performance last year, BSN DENVER LOADED: 12.26.2019 he is still a play-driving tour de force with the puck on his stick.

Where Byram has benefited a great deal from another year in the WHL is the focus on his defensive details and this the tournament where he is expected to show the growth asked of him when he was sent back by the Avalanche.

Because of Byram’s draft slot, there’s the highest chance of him ‘disappointing’ should he not dominate as expected.

Justus Annunen, G, Finland (64th overall, 2018)

If not for Byram, Annunen would be the player carrying the most hype of Colorado’s prospects. Given the dominant year he’s had for Karpat in the Liiga, Annunen just might have the championship belt for hype anyway.

Goaltenders are the ultimate voodoo so getting excited about them feels like setting up for inevitable disappointment. Annunen’s breakout this year is the perfect antidote for doubt, however, because he’s just been that special.

It should be noted he’s playing behind the best pro team in Finland so he’s certainly not hard-carrying a team that shouldn’t be finding success but he’s also not holding them back.

Behind the defending gold medalists, Annunen is expected to be the backbone of another competitive Finnish team. How he performs at this competition will likely go a long way towards determining just how aggressive Colorado wants to get with offering him an entry-level contract.

Annunen’s performance against his peer group will be illuminating for the hockey world and if he continues the type of play he’s exhibited in Finland so far, he has the chance to be the breakout prospect across the league.

Sampo Ranta, F, Finland (78th overall, 2018)

The “other Finn” this year is Sampo Ranta (or Rambo Santa, if you’d prefer). Currently a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, Ranta has begun to live up the promise he exhibited in the USHL two years ago.

Ranta has already surpassed his freshman-year goal total (six) in half the games played with a seven-goal year to this point and he is just five points behind the production he put up last season.

His combination of size, speed, and skill has always made him an intriguing prospect and this season he has started to put all of them 1167877 Detroit Red Wings available in the 2020 draft, and given the Wings’ lack of elite goaltending prospects, could intrigue Yzerman.

World Juniors looms big for Detroit Red Wings prospects and future picks Detroit Free Press LOADED: 12.26.2019

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

Published 9:24 a.m. ET Dec. 25, 2019 | Updated 2:54 p.m. ET Dec. 25, 2019

Filip Zadina looks back fondly on the 2018 World Junior Championship, where his commanding performance helped propel him into the limelight.

The annual International Federation marquee tournament for national under-20 teams is hosted this year by the Czech Republic. The U.S. and Canada highlight the opening day of games on Dec. 26, and competition culminates with the gold-medal game Jan. 5.

Numerous Detroit Red Wings front-office personnel will be at the events in Ostrava and Trinec to scout players eligible for the 2020 draft — the Wings currently hold the best odds in the draft lottery that will determine the first 14 picks — and to watch the Red Wings prospects at the tournament: Canada’s Joe Veleno and Jared McIsaac, Germany’s Moritz Seider, and Sweden’s Jonatan Berggren.

Moritz Seider is one of four Detroit Red Wings prospects at the 2020 World Junior Championship, which runs Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in the Czech Republic.

Seider and Veleno were assigned by the Grand Rapids Griffins to their respective national teams, making for the second straight season a Griffins player has left midseason for the tournament. In December 2018, Zadina joined the Czech team for his second straight stint at the World Juniors. He excelled at the 2018 tournament in Buffalo, tallying seven goals and one assist in 7 games.

“It’s two years ago but still kind of thinking about it,” Zadina said last weekend. “I wish I could go back to Buffalo and be with the same guys because it was awesome."

Zadina notched only one point, an assist, in the 2019 tournament, but the opportunity was beneficial for a young player struggling in his first year of pro hockey.

“It was pretty tough because it’s way different hockey,” Zadina said. “You play against juniors there and I was used to playing against men. It was still good — I liked it a lot. It’s always fun to wear the national logo on your chest. It was great.”

Veleno, 19, is likewise having a rough go in his first year of pro hockey, recording 12 points and a minus-22 rating in 29 games with the Griffins. He was drafted 30th overall in 2018 on the strength of being a high-end skater who is good at creating off the rush, and a stint playing against fellow teenagers may provide a shot of confidence.

McIsaac, 19, was the Wings’ selection at No. 36 overall in 2018. He should play a significant role on Canada’s defense corps, but there are questions about his conditioning because off-season shoulder surgery limited McIsaac to three games with his junior team, Halifax, before the World Juniors.

Berggren, 19, was selected at 33rd overall in 2018. He has high-end playmaking ability and controls the puck with great agility. He has 11 points in 22 games with Skelleftea in Sweden’s top league.

Seider, 18, was Steve Yzerman’s first draft pick as general manager of the Wings. Seider , 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, is second among Griffins defensemen with 12 points in 28 games. He figures to be Germany’s top defenseman because he was a standout last season with Mannheim in the country’s top hockey league and because he’s a mobile defender with excellent puck sense.

The Wings are in a rebuild, and all four prospects at the 2020 tournament potentially figure to play prominent roles. But the tournament also offers a chance to see some of the high-end players available in the 2020 draft. Canadian forward Alexis Lafreniere is projected to go first overall. He has 70 points in 32 games with Rimouski in the Quebec junior league. Canadian center Quinton Byfield could challenge for first overall because he’s already 6-foot-4, 214 pounds and has tallied 57 points in 30 games with Sudbury in the OHL. Russia’s Yaroslav Askarov projects as the top 1167878 Detroit Red Wings “Considering his illustrious background and who he is and what he means to this game, I was just as impressed by his humility, curiosity, and eagerness to learn when I first met him at a governor’s meeting,” said BriseBois, a former Montreal lawyer who worked for nine years with 'No stone unturned': Steve Yzerman's Tampa Bay blueprint gives Red the Canadiens under general managers Andre Savard and Bob Gainey. Wings fans hope “He won’t leave any stone unturned. He’ll investigate to see if his original position was correct and then act accordingly. He might feel he’s fairly conservative in some areas but I consider him progressive, open-minded, Mark Falkner, The Detroit News and very competitive.” Published 10:19 p.m. ET Dec. 25, 2019 | Updated 10:51 p.m. ET Dec. BriseBois said Yzerman’s competitiveness and experience as a player 25, 2019 and executive in Detroit helped build Tampa Bay into a “strong, sustainable, winning program.”

Steve Yzerman wasn’t much for stealing the spotlight during his 22-year “One of the things that Steve and I agreed on when we were getting to playing career in Detroit. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the first- know each other and sharing thoughts on how we should run a hockey year general manager is scheduled to pass on attending Sunday’s first team was stability,” BriseBois said. “You look at our organization when game in Tampa since he left the powerhouse Lightning for the rebuilding Steve was here. We had one coaching change and there wasn’t much Red Wings. turnover in the amateur and pro scouting departments.

In typical Yzerman fashion, he plans on working behind the scenes at the “We hired good people who worked hard and understood what we were under-20 World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic, trying to trying to do. There was no change for the sake of change. lay the foundation for the kind of successful playoff runs Red Wings fans “Our owner supported us with the proper resources to be successful. Of were accustomed to before this year’s dramatic drop into last place in the course, there’s luck involved in every sport with the draft but we had a standings. clear vision of the type of team we wanted to become.” Sunday’s game will give fans in Hockeytown a glimpse of what an The one coaching change occurred in 2013 when Guy Boucher was Yzerman-built team and organization might look like and how his reliance replaced by Jon Cooper, the longest tenured coach in the NHL now, but on the NHL draft to accumulate top-notch players like Hart Trophy winner at the time a former Michigan lawyer who led their AHL affiliate in Norfolk Nikita Kucherov and Vezina Trophy winner Alexei Vasilevskiy — as well to a Calder Cup title. as undervalued players like Brayden Point and Ondrej Palat — offers hope for one of Detroit’s four floundering franchises. Cooper was hired over former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, whom Yzerman added to the coaching staff with Canada’s gold-medal team in 2010. “Steve has a clear vision of the type of team he wants,” said Julien BriseBois, who worked with Yzerman for eight years as assistant GM, “We did our due diligence but never really considered any other coach,” then last year as general manager when Yzerman stepped down to take BriseBois said. “Jon was the best guy for the job. He got our minor a senior advisor role. league team to play the style of game we wanted to play. He won at every level and is a great leader with a lot of charisma. He grew up with “He wants a skilled, fast team with guys who can play with pace, who the players that were going to be part of our team.” have a foundation of skill, skating and hockey sense. It doesn’t matter if you’re big or small, Russian, American, Swede. As long as you could Some of the foundational moves in Tampa Bay are similar to Yzerman’s play fast-paced, skilled hockey, you would be on our list and if you were decisions in the first eight months on the job in Detroit. the next guy on our list, we would pick you.” On the scouting side, Yzerman’s first hire was former Lightning assistant Few teams drafted as well from top to bottom than the Lightning from general manager Pat Verbeek and they quickly replaced director of 2010-19. amateur scouting Tyler Wright with emerging talent evaluator and former Grind Line center Kris Draper in one of the most important changes in his Led by head scout Al Murray, who was one of Yzerman’s first hires after revamped front office. working together at Hockey Canada, Tampa Bay recorded more wins and goals than any other team since 2013 with forwards bypassed by ‘You need good contracts’ other teams like Kucherov (second round), Point (third round), Anthony Cirelli (third round), Alex Killorn (third round), Cedric Paquette (fourth Behind the bench, Yzerman has supported Blashill for continuing to round), Palat (seventh round) and free agents Tyler Johnson and Yanni develop young players like Tyler Bertuzzi, Anthony Mantha and Filip Gourde. Hronek and, in his first public comments about Blashill in April, he praised Blashill for the “excellent job” he did in Grand Rapids in 2013 by They also upgraded the defense by trading top draft picks like Jonathan beating his Syracuse team in the AHL final. Drouin (first round) for Mikhail Sergachev; Vladislav Namestnikov (first round) for Ryan McDonagh; and Radko Gudas (third round) for Braydon BriseBois said one of the biggest challenges they had in Tampa Bay was Coburn. And they solidified the goaltending position in the first round by handling the salary cap. selecting Vasilevskiy, who led Russia to a silver medal at the 2012 world “You can’t end up in a situation where players are underperforming to the championships with a 4-1 record and .953 save percentage. cap space they’re using,” BriseBois said. “You need good contracts in a “They just picked apart the amateur draft from rounds three to seven,” St. cap world. We had the advantage of keeping money in our pocket Louis Blues TV analyst Darren Pang said. “They believed as long as a because of a better taxation situation in Florida and a lower cost of living. smaller player like Brayden Point could play and was competitive and “Steve Stamkos and Victor Hedman set the tone with their contracts by didn’t play on the perimeter, they took him. They did a great job of saying, ‘This is how it is done here.’ By having players buy in, it makes it managing the draft.” more likely they can play on a team that ends up in a winning situation, ‘Very competitive’ year in and year out.”

Yzerman’s results in Tampa Bay speak for themselves. The Red Wings have a number of restricted free agents who are in for raises this year, including Mantha ($3.3 million in 2019), Andreas Since being hired by billionaire owner Jeff Vinik in 2010, the Lightning Athanasiou ($3 million) and Bertuzzi ($1.4 million). Dylan Larkin is the made the playoffs in six of nine seasons, were the only team to advance highest paid player on the team at $6.1 million. to the conference finals in three of four seasons, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2015, and they tied the league record for most wins No matter who Yzerman signs or for how long, NBC analyst Ed Olczyk in a season (62) held by the 1995-96 Red Wings. said Yzerman has “built up so much equity in Detroit” that fans will likely be patient as he tries to repeat his success in Tampa. In Detroit, Yzerman won four Stanley Cups in 26 years, three as the captain (1997, 1998, 2002) and the fourth in 2008 during his four-year “In any rebuild, you have to sell hope not only in the dressing room but to apprenticeship as vice president and alternate governor. your fan base,” Olczyk said. “The players in the dressing room aren’t worried about 2-3 years down the road. They want to win right now. It’s a tough balance. How long will this rebuild take? Steve is going to have to figure that out.”

As for BriseBois, he wishes he could’ve figured out a way to have his name on the Stanley Cup with Yzerman. As the clock was ticking down in Game 4 of the first round of the playoffs last year and the Lightning were about to be swept in Columbus, BriseBois said he and Yzerman knew their time together was just about over.

“I knew he was leaving (to Detroit),” BriseBois said of Vinik’s decision to allow the Red Wings to talk to Yzerman in March. “It hurt bad enough to have that much success in the regular season and lose in that fashion and not put our best foot forward. It would’ve meant a lot to me to see him win the Cup again.

“I don’t know if people outside this industry know how that Cup drives us. Every decision gets us closer to that goal.”

Top 5 draft picks under Yzerman

(Tampa Bay selections from 2010-2019)

1. Center Nikita Kucherov

►Second-round pick in 2011 with 499 points in 480 games.

►Detroit had three second-round picks before Kucherov was taken 58th overall: Tomas Jurco (35th), Xavier Ouellet (48th), Ryan Sproul (55th).

2. Center Brayden Point

►Third-round pick in 2014 with 224 points in 260 games.

►Detroit took Portland's 10-goal scorer Dominic Turgeon (63rd) in the Western Hockey League instead of Moose Jaw's 36-goal scorer Point (79th).

3. Left winger Ondrej Palat

►Seventh-round pick in 2011 with 306 points in 461 games.

►Detroit's seventh-round pick (205th) was defenseman Alexey Marchenko, who had 21 career points in 121 career games instead of Palat (208th).

4. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy

►First-round pick in 2012 with 138-68-17 record and 2.59 GAA in 233 games.

►Detroit acquired defenseman Kyle Quincey from Tampa Bay in exchange for the 19th pick in the first round used to take the future Vezina Trophy winner.

5. Winger Anthony Cirelli

►Third-round pick in 2015 with 72 points in 133 games.

Detroit's only player from the 2015 draft to play in the NHL is forward Evgeny Svechnikov with four points in 20 career games.

Yzerman with Lightning

Steve Yzerman's nine years in Tampa Bay (2010-2019):

2018-19: 62-16-4, 128 points (First-round loss)

2017-18: 54-23-5, 113 points (Conference final loss)

2016-17: 42-30-10, 94 points (Missed the playoffs)

2015-16: 46-31-5, 97 points (Conference final loss)

2014-15: 50-24-8, 108 points (Cup final loss)

2013-14: 46-27-9, 101 points (First-round loss)

2012-13: 18-26-4, 40 points (Missed the playoffs)

2011-12: 38-36-8, 84 points (Missed the playoffs)

2010-11: 46-25-11, 103 points (Conference final loss)

►Yzerman was general manager from 2010-18 and senior advisor to GM Julien BriseBois in 2018-19.

Detroit News LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167879 Detroit Red Wings Five players from Michigan will compete for Team USA at the Under-18 Women's World Championship in Bratislava, Slovakia from Dec. 26-Jan. 2.

World junior hockey: Western Michigan's Mattias Samuelsson named The players are goalies Callie Shanahan (Commerce/HoneyBaked) and U.S. captain Amanda Thiele (Milford/Belle Tire) and forwards Emma Gentry (Alpena/HoneyBaked, Kirsten Simms (Plymouth/Selects Academy) and Clara Van Wieren (Okemos/Shattuck St. Mary's).

Staff Report “We have assembled a deep and experienced group of players from across the country," said head coach Maura Crowell (Mansfield, The Detroit News Mass./University of Minnesota Duluth. "We feel confident in this group as Published 9:29 p.m. ET Dec. 25, 2019 | Updated 9:35 p.m. ET Dec. 25, we strive to bring gold back to the United States.” 2019 Under-18 Men's World Junior Championship

April 16-26, 2020 Western Michigan defenseman Mattias Samuelsson has been named (Plymouth and Ann Arbor) captain of the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2020 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Ostrava, Czech ►April 16: U.S. vs. Russia in Plymouth Republic. ►April 17: U.S. vs. Germany in Plymouth One of five returnees from last year’s silver-medal winning U.S. team, Samuelsson has one goal, three assists and is plus four in 12 games ►April 19: U.S. vs. Czech Republic in Plymouth with the Broncos this year. ►April 21: U.S. vs. Finland in Plymouth Samuelsson, drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the second of the 2018 ►April 23: Quarterfinals, TBA draft, is an alternate captain at Western Michigan and served as captain for Team USA at the 2018 Under-18 Men’s World Championship where ►April 25: Semifinals in Plymouth they won a silver medal. A native of Voorhees, N.J., Samuelsson is the first New Jersey native to be named captain of a U.S. junior team. ►April 26: Bronze medal game in Plymouth

Two of Samuelsson’s former teammates with the National Team ►April 26: Gold medal game in Plymouth Development Program in Plymouth were named alternative captains of this year’s team: defenseman K’Andre Miller (Minnetonka, Minn./University of Wisconsin) and winger Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Detroit News LOADED: 12.26.2019 Mass./Bridgeport Sound Tigers).

“We have a lot of good leaders on this team,” head coach Scott Sandelin said. “We’ve got five returners who are going to be a big part of this team. Going back to the summer, being around them in their second year, the maturity and leadership they showed is what we were looking for.”

Team USA will begin play today against Canada in Ostrava (1 p.m., NHL Network).

Under-20 Men's World Junior Championship

Dec. 26-Jan. 5, 2020

(Ostrava and Trinec in the Czech Republic)

►Dec. 26: U.S. vs Canada in Ostrava

►Dec. 27: U.S. vs. Germany in Ostrava

►Dec. 29: U.S. vs. Russia in Ostrava

►Dec. 30: U.S. vs. Czech Republic in Ostrava

►Jan. 2: Quarterfinals, TBA

►Jan. 4: Semifinals in Ostrava

►Jan. 5: Bronze medal game in Ostrava

►Jan. 5: Gold medal game in Ostrava

Under-18 Women's World Junior Championship

Dec. 26-Jan. 2, 2020

(Bratislava in Slovakia)

►Dec. 26: U.S. vs. Finland

►Dec. 27: U.S. vs. Russia

►Dec. 29: U.S. vs. Canada

►Dec. 30: Quarterfinals

►Jan. 1: Semifinals

►Jan. 2: Bronze medal game

►Jan. 2: Gold medal game 1167880 Detroit Red Wings Red Line Report says: "Spends most of the game fighting extremely hard in contested areas, only emerging when he's won the puck and is looking to score. Tremendous core strength to fight past checks. Wants the puck and uses tremendous vision and hockey IQ to either set up a teammate Red Wings likely to select one of these top draft prospects or get himself in good position to snap off a shot. When his team doesn't have the puck, he hounds it relentlessly and uses great anticipation to

get it back. Throws entire body into his shot producing maximum torque. By Ansar Khan | [email protected] Powerful quads and low center of gravity allow him to leverage larger players off balance. Has a quick change-of-pace that he uses to leave defenders flat-footed often. Fires rocket passes coming out of dynamic dekes. Pure shooter sees entire offensive zone as a shooting gallery." Alexis Lafreniere is the favorite to be selected first overall in the 2020 NHL entry draft. (YouTube) Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgardens (Sweden)

Five of the Detroit Red Wings’ past six first-round picks are playing for Height/Weight/Shot: 5-11/192/Right the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. It takes time to develop, even for most top-10 selections. 2019-20 stats: 21 games, 5 goals, 3 assists, 8 points.

Could the Red Wings’ next top pick make that rare jump from the draft to Holtz is considered to be one of the best shooters in the draft and has the NHL? excellent hands in tight. He was promoted to Djurgardens senior team this season after scoring 37 goals in 40 games for the Under-20 club Draft analysts say the 2020 crop of prospects doesn’t feature a since the start of 2018-19. generational talent like Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews, but a couple of players at the top might make an immediate impact in the pros. EliteProspects.com says: "An offensively very skilled player. Holtz is a true goal scorer with an impressive wrist shot and slapper. Has the ability The Red Wings could have the best shot at landing one of them. to know exactly where to be on the ice to make things happen. Also, a smart player with good on-ice-vision and fine technical skills. Not a poor The Red Wings are last in the league, six points below the next-worst playmaker either, as he sees openings well and sets up his teammates, team. If that’s where they finish, they will have an 18.5 percent chance of although he prefers to finish the play himself. Capable skater, although winning the draft lottery and the right to select first overall for the first time his acceleration could be better." since 1986 (Joe Murphy). They would have a 49.4 percent chance of landing a top-three pick and would select no lower than fourth, which still Yaroslav Askarov, G, SKA-St. Petersburg (Russia) would be their highest selection since 1990 (Keith Primeau at No. 3). Height/Weight: 6-3/176 Steve Yzerman surprised the hockey world by selecting defenseman Moritz Seider with the sixth overall pick in his first draft as Red Wings 2019-20 stats: 16 games, 2.38 goals-against average, .922 save general manager. Will he do likewise next summer? percentage.

Here is a look at six of the top prospects who’ll be selected June 26 A marvelous athlete with a quick glove, Askarov is considered the top during the first round of the draft in Montreal: goaltending prospect the draft has produced in many years. The Red Wings like him and need a franchise goalie, but they probably wouldn’t Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL) select him first or second. Third, maybe.

Height/Weight/Shot: 6-2/192/Left TSN's Craig Button says: "He deserves every consideration at No. 1. He's the best goalie I've seen entering the draft since Carey Price 2019-20 stats: 23 goals, 47 assists, 70 points. (selected fifth overall in 2005 by Montreal)." Most analysts believe this tremendous playmaker will be selected first Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda (Sweden) overall. He was the QMJHL’s most valuable player last season and leads the league in scoring this season. Height/Weight/Shot: 5-11/170/Right

Red Line Report says: "How impressive is this kid? Has been the best 2019-20 stats: 16 games, 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points. player in the Q since he turned 16 two years ago, and frankly it's a waste of development time for him to be back here again. A truly brilliant player Raymond possesses a combination of speed, hands and hockey sense. whose hockey sense is off the charts. Instinctively makes the exact right He’s a hard forechecker and plays a strong two-way game. play in every situation. Deadly finisher who scores in every conceivable McKeen's Hockey says: "After tearing up Sweden's U20 league last year fashion and, if possible, is an even better creator for his linemates. Sees as a 16-year-old, Raymond shone under the international spotlight, the whole ice and knows where all teammates and opponents are helping lead Sweden to a gold medal at the U18 tournament. Now positioned. Super soft hands and makes fabulous, jaw dropping passes playing men's hockey for Frolunda, he is still able to drive the play that are so imaginative they even surprise his linemates at times. Hockey forward with his great hands and vision. The numbers aren't all there yet, savant is pure genius in motion." but he is a combo goal-scorer/playmaker just waiting to break out." Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury (OHL)

Height/Weight/Shot: 6-4/215/Left Michigan Live LOADED: 12.26.2019 2019-20 stats: 30 games, 22 goals, 35 assists, 57 points.

The 2018-19 CHL rookie of the year has tremendous size, skates well and combines finesse with physicality. He’s hard to handle down low.

McKeen's Hockey says: "The much heralded Byfield, two years ago the top pick in the OHL Priority Selection, is going to contend for the same honors at the NHL level next June. He is a dominating power forward with ideal size and skating ability, thinks the game at an advanced level, and has high end hands."

Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw (OHL)

Height/Weight/Shot: 5-10/177/Left

2019-20 stats: 32 games, 18 goals, 34 assists, 52 points.

He’s not as big as the other top prospects, but he’s no less competitive, with tremendous hockey sense. 1167881 Florida Panthers Now, players who landed here are selling the idea of a tropical Christmas to their family.

Although the Panthers have a three-day break following Monday’s loss in So this is Christmas: New Florida Panthers adjusting to life on the beach Tampa, many are sticking around to take advantage of those warm during the holidays breezes.

Toninato, who is bringing in family from Minnesota, had his first offshore fishing trip planned. Brett Connolly, from Western Canada, has a mess of By George Richards family and friends coming down to join him by the pool.

Dec 25, 2019 “Spending the holidays in Florida is definitely something that I think is going to take a little getting used to,” said Connolly, who lives in Fort

Lauderdale. “We have tried to put up as much stuff around the house as SUNRISE, Fla. — His work done for the day, Sergei Bobrovsky was on possible, decorate as much as we can and play the Christmas music. But his way out of the Panthers’ training facility before stopping for a quick it’s a different feel. Very weird, but kind of nice. chat in the media room. “The weather is better, but it just feels strange. I like it. Life is what you As has become his new custom, Bobrovsky came in looking extremely make of it, and there are ways to decorate your house and get the house laid back in a thin T-shirt, linen shorts and leather sandals. festive. But the weather? I dig it.”

When asked what it was like spending his first holiday season in South Last year, Joel Quenneville had his first non-working Christmas in years Florida, Bobrovsky smiled widely. as he was out of work after being fired by the Blackhawks. The Quenneville family took in the holidays in the chill of Colorado, but this “It feels like I am on vacation,” Bobrovsky said. year, they are all gathering in Boca Raton.

The Florida Panthers went on a spending spree this offseason, making Like many of his players, Quenneville said he is not about to complain Christmas come early for a number of coaches and players who signed about wearing shorts in the middle of winter. on with the team. “It is different going to look for a Christmas tree in this kind of an Of the recent additions, only Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman have much environment,” Quenneville said. “But, you know, you hear some experience spending the holidays in the tropics. Christmas music here and there either at home or walking through the mall, and you feel it. Then you drive around the neighborhood and see Both previously played for the Tampa Bay Lightning and, as a result, everything lit up — yeah, you feel it. don’t get the same kick out of seeing a giant palm tree festively lit up as perhaps they once did. “It’s pretty cool. It’s all new and I’m enjoying it.”

For some of the other newcomers, this holiday season has taken some Goalie Chris Driedger and Toninato would not care if they were spending getting used to. Christmas in Denver or Dania — playing in the NHL is the biggest thing to them right now. Not only did players like Bobrovsky, Noel Acciari and Dominic Toninato play for teams up north, but they are all originally from northern climes. Both started the season playing for Florida’s minor league team in They aren’t used to temperatures being above freezing this time of year Springfield, Mass., but now seem to be settling in and creating roles for — much less hitting 80. themselves on the big-league roster.

Shorts and sandals seem to be the required off-day dress for most of the “I am still living in a hotel, but I am still excited. I can’t believe it’s newer Panthers. December, let alone Christmastime,” Toninato said.

They are not complaining. “I don’t mind the sun, but I definitely will miss the snow on Christmas. I’m a big Christmas guy. I love Christmas and am always getting the “It has been really nice. I mean, yeah, you miss the snow, but at the decorations going up pretty early. But, being in the hotel, that kind of kills same time, you don’t miss the snow,” said Acciari, a native of Rhode that Christmas vibe.” Island who played for the Bruins before signing with the Panthers. Both have numerous family members and friends coming south for “Being a New England guy, this time of year, it is just freezing out so you Christmas. Being an NHL player in Florida at Christmas is pretty nice, but get the snow and the pond hockey, all those good things. But you can’t just being an NHL player is special in itself. beat the sun and the warm weather. Sure this is going to be a little different, but it is going to be nice sitting outside on Christmas Eve and For Driedger, it also makes Christmas travel easier. Last year, he flew Christmas Day. Real nice.” south to spend the holidays at his grandmother’s house in Fort Myers. Now, it’s a short drive away. For Bobrovsky, who spent many a frigid winter in Russia before coming over the United States, South Florida simply does not put him in the “Honestly, this couldn’t have worked out any better,” Driedger said. holiday spirit. “Christmas in Florida is definitely different, but there’s something about it being in the 70s and going out in flip flops. Then you see Christmas trees “It honestly doesn’t feel like Christmas to me,” said Bobrovsky, who everywhere and it’s a bit of a double-take. planned to spend Christmas with his wife in New York City along with Artemi Panarin and his fiancée. “We didn’t even set up a Christmas tree. “It’s hard to complain about it. At the same time, it’s pretty nice. Different, We aren’t used to that. There’s no snow, and with this weather, it just but it’s a welcome adjustment. When you see the sun all the time, it is doesn’t feel right. It really doesn’t feel like Christmas and New Year is just good for your overall state of mind.” here.

“In Columbus, we went outside and cut down a tree, and there was snow all around and the cold hit you, the music was playing everywhere. Here, The Athletic LOADED: 12.26.2019 things are completely opposite. It doesn’t feel like Christmas time at all.”

Said Acciari: “Hey, if you really want a real tree, there are stands all over town. Not every Christmas is snowy, but they definitely aren’t 80 degrees.”

The spectacular winter weather is one of the draws the Panthers have in luring free agents.

A number of players, Bobrovsky included, have traveled to South Florida during the holiday or All-Star breaks, and the Panthers are keenly aware of it. 1167882 Los Angeles Kings Bjornfot, sparked by an impressive NHL training camp, was in the lineup for the Kings’ regular-season opener at Edmonton. He appeared in three games with the Kings before getting sent down to Ontario later in October. With Ontario, Bjornfot has nine points (two goals, seven assists) Kings prospects, Bjornfot and Kupari, should improve with world juniors in 23 games and is plus five. experience He arrived in Southern California late in the summer and never expected to be spending the full hockey season in warm weather.

By Lisa Dillman “From the first, it was kind of weird,” Bjornfot said. “I just brought one luggage here. I was positive. I wanted to be here so it was good for me. Dec 24, 2019 My English is getting better. It’s more fun to get to know the language.”

There are a handful of Swedish players among the Kings and Reign to You have to appreciate the geographical awareness and nod to help ease Bjornfot’s language assimilation. Not so for Kupari, who was a traditional hockey rivalries from the savvy schedule makers on Day 1 at first-round pick (No. 20) in 2018. the World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic. “It will be nice (at worlds). Here, I haven’t talked Finnish at all — just to The Boxing Day lineup (Dec. 26) features the following games: my girlfriend — but not with the team,” Kupari said in an interview before leaving the Reign. “Back to old days. It helps when you’ve got to speak Russia vs. Czech Republic English every day. When I came here, it was sometimes struggling with English but it’s getting better all the time.” Finland vs. Sweden Kupari’s previous experience at the event will be an asset but this time United States vs. Canada he will be considered a core piece, rather than a supplementary player. Switzerland vs. Kazakhstan. In Finland’s final tuneup game, against Canada, he centered the top line.

OK, the premise may not work for Switzerland against Kazakhstan but “I’m one of the guys (the) coaches expect, and I expect, to lead the team. three for four still manages to make the narrative fit. Kings prospects Akil Help the team to win,” he said. Thomas and Aidan Dudas are on Team Canada’s roster facing off Bjornfot has been paired in pre-tournament games with against Team USA and Kings draftees Alex Turcotte and Arthur Kaliyev. prospect Philip Broberg, who was drafted (No. 8) in the first round in But the Finland-Sweden game, in fact, is even more of an intramural June, 14 places ahead of Bjornfot, who went 22nd. contest for Kings fans to appreciate. Swedish defenseman Tobias The decision to send Bjornfot to Ontario helped greatly expand his Bjornfot and Finnish forward Rasmus Kupari have been teammates for horizons. most of the season with the Kings’ affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Another Swedish team member and Kings prospect, “It’s different, a smaller rink. It’s a tough game, a tough league, AHL,” he forward Samuel Fagemo, has been playing this season for Frolunda in said. “I get to play more on the power play than with the Kings. And I get the SHL. Defenseman Kim Nousiainen, another player in the Kings’ a lot minutes and it’s good for me. system — a fourth-round pick in 2019, is on Finland. “I played on left and right sides. It’s good to be comfortable on both sides. With teenagers like Kupari (19) and Bjornfot (18), one of the biggest It’s a challenge for me.” challenges they’ve been facing professionally with Ontario is playing against bigger, more mature men. That sometimes makes it more difficult What does Bjornfot think of Kupari’s development? to get a proper read on their development, almost an apples-to-oranges “His game is getting better and better and he’s more comfortable,” comparison. Bjornfot said. What the world juniors allows is for them to be evaluated against their Kupari, who has eight points in 27 games in Ontario, was just as contemporaries, a much more telling indication of how far they’ve come complimentary about Bjornfot. along the developmental path. “He’s really a good player and his strengths are his offensive game and “I think it’s going to be really good for both of them. They’re going to be in he’s very good with the puck, plays both sides and is really good at their peer group, and I think they’ve kind of separated themselves from making that first pass in the D zone and of course can handle the puck those (players),” Ontario Reign coach Mike Stothers said. “I’m and dangle sometimes,” Kupari said. “It’s fun to watch him play.” anticipating and I’m hoping that they’re going to be the most noticeable guys on their team just because of this pro experience that they have. Teammates will become opponents as Bjornfot will be trying to contain Kupari on Thursday in Trinec, Czech Republic. “Now the other way of looking at it is that there could be some that might take it the other way and if they don’t totally dominate, they’re going to “It’s great that the Kings are sending them,” Stothers said. “It’s great that think of it as not being successful. I don’t think that’s the case either. I they’re going to be able to represent their countries. It’s a once in a think it could be challenging to now step back a bit. So it’ll be interesting lifetime thing. I mean, it’s only going to make them better people and and it might take them a little bit of time to adjust.” better hockey players.”

Said Bjornfot: “Of course there is pressure but it is so much fun to play against players your own age and from different countries.” The Athletic LOADED: 12.26.2019 Furthermore, it gives the European players a chance to spend a couple of weeks around their countrymen, speaking their language and reconnecting with some of their teammates with whom they’ve likely played with and against since they were children.

Nelson Emerson and Glen Murray, from the Kings’ management group, will be on hand at the tournament, in addition to members of the organization’s amateur scouting staff.

“We put a lot of value on that tournament,” Kings general manager Rob Blake said. “They’ve been away — those two — from home for a while. Now they can go back and be with their teammates. Get a little bit of a sense of home. It’s a good break in the season.

“It’s important for them to play. We always had a provision, right from Day 1 when they came over here that hopefully they would be in a spot where they’d be playing in the world juniors on their respective teams.” 1167883 Minnesota Wild And while the staff’s 4.18 ERA ranked fifth in the American League last year, in three games against the Yankees the Twins had a 7.56 ERA over three games.

Christmas wish list to cheer local clubs Just as important, the fact is that this club has a lot of money to spend and real momentum — it will get more fans than ever into Target Field if the Twins can bring on a star pitcher this offseason.

DECEMBER 25, 2019 — 11:57PM For the Timberwolves, the biggest wish has to be for any kind of victory.

SID HARTMAN The team got off to such a promising start, going 10-8, but the Wolves have completely bottomed out, losing 11 consecutive games — including SID HARTMAN @SIDHARTMAN several in embarrassing fashion to bad teams such as New Orleans, Oklahoma City and most recently Golden State.

Santa Claus wasn’t too kind to the Vikings this Christmas, as they looked And while some will make an excuse of Karl-Anthony Towns being completely out of sync in a 23-10 loss to the Packers at home on injured, the first seven of those losses came with Towns playing. “Monday Night Football.” It might be that the team can make a deal to trade away Jeff Teague’s The offense simply wasn’t the same without Dalvin Cook in the backfield expiring contract. But the point guard has been one of their best players as they managed only 139 total yards, the fewest yards by a Vikings recently, averaging 18.0 points over his past nine games, and it’s hard to team since December 2015, when they gained 125 yards in a 38-7 loss see who would replace his scoring. to the Seahawks. It was only the eighth time in franchise history that the The Wild could use the gift of clarity regarding goalie Alex Stalock. club had totaled fewer than 140 yards in a single game. For the Wild, which has climbed above .500 at 18-15-5 by losing only There was no comparing what the Vikings had been accomplishing on four games outright in the past 20, the biggest wish has to be to find a offense this season to what happened Monday night other than to say scoring threat who can help the club be more dominant on offense, as that without Cook, their play-action game wasn’t the same and they were well as finally settling on who the No. 1 goalie is. completely ineffective. While the Wild has played better, its top point scorer is Eric Staal, with 31 It was especially difficult because the Packers weren’t exactly great points in 38 games. That figure is tied for 44th overall in the NHL. themselves, committing three turnovers and having Aaron Rodgers throw for only 216 yards. On top of that, the team needs to find out who is really its best goaltender going forward. While Devan Dubnyk has been the No. 1 goalie, Alex So it’s easy to see what the Vikings could use for Christmas — a healthy Stalock has posted a better goals-against average (3.02 compared to Cook and Alexander Mattison to make sure their offense is on track for 3.19) and a better save percentage (.901 to .897). their wild-card playoff game in less than two weeks. Gophers gratitude “I was definitely disappointed with how the offense played,” coach Mike Zimmer said Tuesday. “They played really good almost every game all Of all the local clubs, the Gophers football team had already given the year. We get three turnovers to start the first half or end the first half and state the best gift, with a 10-2 record and a historic season. we come away with 10 points and two of the three turnovers were on their end of the field. We had way too many three-and-outs. Yeah, that But the Gophers could still use a present or two, starting with a victory part was very disappointing. over Auburn at the Outback Bowl on Wednesday — a game in which they are double-digit underdogs in Tampa, Fla. The Timberwolves might enjoy unwrapping what they could get for trading Jeff Teague (top right) and his expiring contract. Losing to one of the best teams in the SEC wouldn’t hurt in a major way, but a victory would be on par with the huge victory over Penn State at “Defensively, I thought for the most part we did a good job as far as TCF Bank Stadium and would give them even more momentum heading eliminating the big plays. Played decent in coverage and at times we still into 2020. had some mistakes. I thought we did a decent job on third downs, and then in the red zone, we were OK. It kind of got away with us there at the One other gift they could use would be to have Antoine Winfield Jr. return end.” to school for his junior season. But that might take more of a Christmas miracle, seeing as how the defensive back is looking like a certain NFL The Vikings had already clinched a playoff spot Saturday when the Rams draft pick were he to leave school. lost, and the odds that they were going to win the NFC North were slim, as that required the Packers not only lose to the Vikings but at Detroit as For Gophers men's basketball, Minnehaha Academy's Jalen Suggs well. would be a gift that keeps on giving.

And it will be a completely different season finale this year with the Bears And the Gophers men’s basketball team could get a great gift in landing coming to U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 17 for the second year in a row. a big in-state recruit for 2020 — either Kerwin Walton of Hopkins or Jalen Last season, Chicago defeated the Vikings to knock them out of the Suggs of Minnehaha Academy. playoffs; this time, there is nothing on the line save for the teams’ final Coach Richard Pitino has already landed two great recruits for 2020 in record. Jamal Mashburn Jr., a four-star player out of New Hampshire, and Still you have to imagine the Vikings offense will be looking for a bounce- Martice Mitchell of Illinois. back game to at least get its footing before going into a road playoff But for some fans and critics, the Gophers coach still needs to prove he game, seemingly most likely at New Orleans. can sign the big in-state players. With all of the pro sports clubs in this town still trying to find a way to win a championship or make a deep playoff run, it felt like a good time to break down what each of them could use as a Christmas gift heading into Star Tribune LOADED: 12.26.2019 the 2020 season.

For the Vikings, it’s the health of their roster as they enter the playoffs. For the Twins, it’s a way to improve their starting pitching after missing on several free agents.

Last year the Twins posted the greatest offensive season in franchise history and hit the most home runs in the history of baseball. With the bulk of their offense returning, including the fact that Byron Buxton should be back healthy, there’s no doubt this team will score a lot of runs.

But the pitching staff needs help. Staff ace Jose Berrios really struggled at the end of the year, posting a 5.83 ERA over his final 10 starts. 1167884 New York Islanders

Islanders come off holiday break with tough remainder of the season

By Andrew Gross [email protected] @AGrossNewsday

Updated December 25, 2019 8:16 PM

The Islanders will resume their season in good position to earn a second straight playoff berth but with a challenging second half to navigate in order to qualify.

Christmas brought Day 2 of the NHL’s three-day holiday break and the Islanders will open a three-game road trip on Friday night against the Blackhawks, possibly facing their former goalie and still fan favorite Robin Lehner.

The second-place Islanders (23-9-3) lost to the Blue Jackets, 3-2, on Monday night at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum. They will also face the Wild, who have a league-best 28 points since Nov. 14, and the first-place Capitals, who lead the Metropolitan Division by eight points, on the trip.

In all, 25 of the Islanders’ final 47 games are on the road and that includes two season-long four-game trips, one to Nashville, Vegas, Arizona and Colorado from Feb. 13-19 and then to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Pittsburgh March 10-15.

There are 17 divisional games left, including eight of 14 through the Islanders’ All-Star break/bye week at the end of January.

The Islanders have yet to face the rival Rangers, but the teams play three times between Jan. 13-21.

Yet the Islanders, who went into the holiday break with three straight home losses and on a mini 1-2-1 skid, are more concerned about regaining their consistency than the path they must take.

“It’s enough talking about it,” captain Anders Lee said. “It’s just going out there and doing it. But we’ve got to go out and execute.”

The Islanders are getting consistent production from their top two lines and from their defensemen. But one glaring issue has been the composition and production from the bottom two lines. Having right wing Cal Clutterbuck (left wrist) out indefinitely complicates it further.

Andrew Ladd, Tom Kuhnhackl, Michael Dal Colle, Ross Johnston, Matt Martin and Leo Komarov are all in the mix for ice time as bottom-six wings.

But coach Barry Trotz has also struggled to settle on a third-line center with Derick Brassard often performing better as a top-six right wing. Trotz has tried using Josh Bailey, typically a top-six wing, in the middle on the third line. He’s also moved Komarov, more comfortable on the wing and as a forechecker, to center. With Clutterbuck out, Trotz tried elevating fourth-line center Casey Cizikas but he didn’t look comfortable as the third-line center, either.

The NHL trade deadline is Feb. 24 and that may be the second half’s most important date as president and general manager Lou Lamoriello tries to solidify his roster.

“We’ll have to get that right through our lineup,” Trotz said of the secondary scoring. “Last year, that was a big strength for us with a different line stepping up every night.”

The Islanders also need to win more games in regulation. Regulation wins (RW), rather than regulation and overtime wins (ROW), are now the first playoff tiebreaker and the Islanders have just 14. The Flyers (15), Penguins (15) and Hurricanes (16), all within three points of the Islanders in the division, all have more.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167885 New York Rangers There is almost no sure thing when it comes to prospects, which is not a sentiment that has to be reinforced to the Rangers when reviewing their draft history. But this rebuild is being fueled by quantity, filtered through the sieve of time, with the results — they hope — being quality. As Lias Andersson miss not a massive hit to Rangers’ prospect pool Graves thrives elsewhere and Andersson awaits his departure, that concept hasn’t changed. And the Rangers are still pretty happy with their

set of prospects, as would almost every other team in the league. By Brett Cyrgalis

December 25, 2019 | 4:05PM New York Post LOADED: 12.26.2019

The Rangers’ prospect pool is regarded as one of — if not the — best in the NHL.

That is a necessary grain of salt to go with the fact that No. 7-overall pick from 2018, Lias Andersson, was suspended just before the Christmas roster freeze for leaving AHL Hartford in the wake of his trade request. How Andersson thinks any of this is going to expedite his departure is hard to fathom, as he surely was being shopped soon after his most recent failure to impress at the NHL level and subsequent demotion to the Wolf Pack.

For the more astute observer, coming along with the Andersson fiasco is the news that former Rangers defenseman Ryan Graves was leading the league in plus/minus. The 24-year-old Graves (no relation to Adam) was basically given away to the Avalanche in a Feb. 2018 trade that brought back their disappointing second-rounder Chris Bigras, currently on the blue line for AHL Lehigh Valley in the Flyers system after the Rangers never tendered him a qualifying offer. Of course, plus-minus is an antiquated and not-very-insightful stat, but Graves being on for 26 more goals-for than goals-against is impressive.

That fact is that Graves never made a big impression on the Rangers after they took him in the fourth round (No. 110 overall) in 2013. The lefty-shot out of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, was in three training camps and never made it to a final cut. It was a crowded competition on the left side, with the likes of Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal, Keith Yandle, Brady Skjei, and Brendan Smith all established NHL players. In 207 games with Hartford, Graves had 21 goals, 43 points, and a minus-26 rating (albeit for bad Wolf Pack teams).

Measuring 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, with pretty good skating ability but limited instincts at either end of the ice, Graves seemed like the quintessential mid-season call-up as a stop-gap for an NHL injury, but he never made it to the big show with the Rangers. He was given his chance with Colorado, where he played 26 games this past season — a healthy scratch for all of their 12 playoff games, losing in the second round — before avoiding salary arbitration and signing a one-year, $735,000 deal this summer.

After all that, Graves seems to have figured out what it takes to stick in the NHL. It certainly helps that the Avalanche are a deep team, scoring the second-most goals per game while allowing the 10th-fewest, making them one of the best in the West. They have a Calder Trophy front- runner in Cale Makar, a right-shot defenseman who has made their defense as a whole look really good, even with Tyson Barrie having been traded to the Maple Leafs. And Graves has contributed, adding six goals and 15 points in his first 36 games.

“He’s getting better and better at moving the puck out of our zone, and he’s finding spots to jump in and be part of our offense,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar recently told the Denver Post. “Whether that’s just blasting pucks from the blue line or jumping up as the third or fourth guy on the rush … he’s been contributing all over the place. He’s a much-improved player from when we got him last year and hopefully he can continue to grow. He’s a big part of our team.”

There was a time when Andersson was considered a big part of the Rangers, but that time has seemingly passed. If he’s curious how it works out with sulking after a demotion and leaving the team, Andersson only needs to look to downstate Connecticut where Josh Ho-Sang has returned to AHL Bridgeport as the Islanders try to trade their mercurial winger. Who would have thought those two would be in the same market of low-leverage trade pieces?

Not the Rangers, who were so enamored with Andersson’s leadership and work ethic that they took him higher than most had projected. He was supposed to be the big return on the draft-day deal that sent Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta to Arizona, but the Rangers’ first round of 2018 was seemingly saved with Filip Chytil at No. 21. 1167886 New York Rangers

Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren adjusting to grind of NHL schedule

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinSNewsday

Updated December 25, 2019 6:46 PM

Adam Fox had an easier trip home than just about all of his teammates for the NHL’s three-day Christmas break. His defense partner, fellow 21- year-old rookie Ryan Lindgren, had to fly to Minneapolis, but Fox just had to drive out to Jericho, to spend Hanukkah with his family.

But for Fox and Lindgren, the break was a welcome respite from a schedule of games that has been heavy of late. The Rangers finished the pre-Christmas portion of the schedule with three games in four nights, a week after they’d played four in seven in a weeklong trip to the West Coast. Overall, the Blueshirts played 11 games over the last 22 days before the break, and 13 in 26.

“Yeah, I mean, it can be a grind,’’ Lindgren admitted of the NHL schedule.

“In terms of adjustment, it's obviously getting a little more comfortable game in and game out, but, physically, it starts to add up,’’ said Fox, who already has played more games this season (36) than he did all of last season with Harvard (33). “You're starting to get to that time where you’ve got to really try and focus and maintain on how you're feeling, and make sure you get enough sleep and all that stuff.’’

Both players say they’re holding up well, and both credited the Rangers’ training staff for doing things to make sure they stay hydrated and eat properly, and even giving them sleep aids on long flights to make sure they get enough rest. Both are experiencing the NHL schedule for the first time, with Fox having entered the league this season after playing college hockey for Harvard last year, while Lindgren is in his first full season, after getting a taste of the NHL with five games last season. He played in the AHL last season with Hartford.

“The AHL, I feel like, it's kind of more like a college schedule,’’ Lindgren said. “You're more playing on the weekends. They might throw a Wednesday game in there every now and then. Playing up here, you're playing . . . pretty much every other day.

“I feel like I'm doing well and I feel good, which is good,’’ he said. “But it's definitely different. “

The two long-time friends, who have been close since they played together with the U.S. National Team Development Program, have played together almost exclusively since Lindgren was called up from Hartford on Oct. 28, and while they have naturally both had their ups and downs, both have had strong seasons to this point.

Fox, whom the Rangers acquired from Carolina in a trade last April, has five goals and 12 assists and carries a plus-3 rating. His 17 points are seventh among rookies and third among rookie defensemen, behind Colorado’s Cale Makar, the favorite to win the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year, and Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes.

Lindgren, who was acquired from Boston in the Rick Nash deal at the February 2018 trade deadline, is more of a stay-at-home, defensive defenseman. But he has a goal and seven assists and is a plus-5 in 26 games.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.26.2019

1167887 Ottawa Senators

Sens prospects Jacob Bernard-Docker and Shane Pinto switch sides in bid for world junior glory

Ken Warren

December 25, 2019 3:43 PM EST

It's Jacob Bernard-Docker for Canada, Shane Pinto for the United States, plus Lassi Thomsen for Finland.

Since the beginning of the 2019-20 season, Ottawa Senators prospects Jacob Bernard-Docker and Shane Pinto have played vital roles in leading the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks to top spot in the NCAA rankings.

For the next couple of weeks, though, they will be on opposite sides in pursuit of world junior glory.

Bernard-Docker, who has scored three goals and 11 assists in 17 games for North Dakota, is a vital cog on the Canadian defence. He was selected by the Senators 26th overall in the 2018 National Hockey League draft.

Pinto, who has scored eight goals and six assists in his 17 games of NCAA action, is expected to serve in a checking role for the United States. The Senators chose him 32nd overall in the 2019 draft.

The other Senators prospect in the 2020 world junior tournament in the Czech Republic is Lassi Thomson, the Finnish defenceman who was drafted 13 selections ahead of Pinto in June. Earlier this week, Thomson was named Finland’s captain for the championship.

Senators general manager Pierre Dorion and assistant general manager Peter MacTavish are expected to leave for the Czech Republic on Boxing Day.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167888 Ottawa Senators everything,” Paul said. “So, to end up playing in that was unbelievable. That last game (5-4 win over Russia) was so close … a real good game.”

Paul had started the tournament as a depth winger, but finished on the From foes to friends: Senators' Thomas Chabot and Colin White top line with current Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid and former reminisce about a world junior rivalry Senator Curtis Lazar, who now plays for the Buffalo Sabres. Paul scored in the gold-medal game.

Goloubef and Ennis were teammates when Canada captured gold in Ken Warren Ottawa in 2009.

December 25, 2019 3:42 PM EST “We got here into Ottawa, and it was the craziest building I’ve ever played in,” Goloubef said. “It was unbelievable. (Ennis) would tell you the

same thing. I had a blast. There’s just so much emotion in every game, In the 2017 world junior tournament, White’s United States squad no matter what the score is or who you’re playing. Everybody is so defeated Chabot’s Maple Leaf team 5-4 in a shootout in a thrilling gold- jacked up, and you always have that vicious Canadian fourth line that medal final. runs around and sets the tone with the big hits.”

Thomas Chabot and Colin White share the same birthday and the Canada won the gold by defeating Sweden in the final, but the 6-5 Ottawa Senators dressing room, and they have both been cemented to semifinal win over Russia, in a shootout, was one of the most thrilling long-term contracts. world junior games ever played. Jordan Eberle had tied the game with five seconds remaining in regulation, and he scored the shootout winner, Naturally, they’ve become as close as any 22-year-old teammates could too. be. “It was so cool,” Goloubef said. “This building was shaking.” However, with Canada and the United States renewing a heated world junior hockey championship rivalry in the Czech Republic on Boxing Day, it’s worth revisiting what their relationship was like only three short years Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.26.2019 ago.

In the 2017 world junior tournament, White’s United States squad defeated Chabot’s Maple Leaf team 5-4 in a shootout in a thrilling gold- medal final.

“Some of the memories for me … well, winning gold, of course, but also getting to play Chabby,” White said. “Now, he’s probably my best friend. But, looking back at it, we hated each other.”

White and Chabot also played against each other in the 2016 tournament.

In their second go-around, both were instrumental in the teams’ success. Chabot, who scored four goals and six assists in seven games, was named the tournament’s most valuable player. White was among the leading scorers for the U.S., potting seven goals and one assist in seven games.

With pride of country on the line, there was no love lost.

“On his first goal, he slew-footed me behind the net, but then on (our) fourth goal, I cross-checked him behind the net,” White said. “We were getting our jabs in with each other.”

The dislike was mutual. How much did Chabot hate White?

“Oh, a lot,” Chabot said. “You love to see your friends winning, but, whenever you’re in against them, you want to be the guy to have the chance to win a gold medal.

“Looking back, I’m happy for him, but it still stings a lot.”

There’s not much more Chabot could have done. While he has made headlines recently for his lofty ice time for the Senators, it’s also worth remembering his performance in the 2017 gold-medal game. After the full 20-minute overtime was done, he had played 43 minutes 53 seconds.

“I did play a lot, but people forget that it was a full 20-minute overtime,” Chabot said. “At that point, in the gold-medal game, I was pretty tired after the entire tournament with the pressure of performing. I just kept going out there and doing my best. When overtime finished, I think we were all kind of exhausted.”

“When I look back at just the entire experience, to play in front of those crowds (in Montreal) was something pretty amazing. It was a tough way to lose, in a shootout, but it was such a great opportunity to represent the country.”

Senators left-winger Nick Paul, right-wingers Anthony Duclair and Tyler Ennis and defenceman Cody Goloubef have Canadian gold-medal memories from the world juniors.

Paul and Duclair won the championship in 2015.

“When I was younger, I would watch the New Year’s (Eve) game at a friend’s house and we would have a party with the nacho dip and 1167889 Philadelphia Flyers At home, they are averaging 3.79 goals per game and allowing 1.95. On the road, they are averaging just 2.50 goals per game and allowing 3.56.

Their power play clicks much better at home (24.2 percent) than on the After their holiday break, Flyers will try to keep winning streak alive on road (13.7 percent). the road Numbers Dept.

The Flyers’ penalty kill (83 percent success rate) is tied for seventh in the by Sam Carchidi 31-team NHL, while their power play is 15th with a 19.5 percent success rate. … The Flyers continue to lead the league in faceoff percentage (54.3 percent) and they are averaging the second-fewest shots allowed per game (29). … The Flyers are seventh in the NHL with a .635 points At home, the Flyers have been one of the NHL’s most successful teams, percentage. putting together a 13-2-4 record.

On the road? Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.26.2019 Different story.

The Flyers are just 8-9-1 on the road, including a winless three-game trip recently when they were outscored, 14-5, by Colorado, Minnesota, and Winnipeg.

After a three-day holiday break, they return to practice Friday morning in Voorhees before starting their longest trip of the season Saturday, a six- game, 12-day journey that begins in San Jose and has stops in Anaheim, Los Angeles, Vegas, Arizona, and Carolina.

“We’ve played a lot of hockey, so it’s nice to recharge the batteries and take some downtime,” goalie Carter Hart said after making 34 saves Monday, helping spark a 5-1 home win over the New York Rangers before an energized sellout crowd. “Make the most of this recovery time and make sure you’re sharper and ready to go out of the break.”

The Flyers are surging, winning four straight and climbing into third place in the Metropolitan Division. The streak followed an injury-plagued 0-3 road trip, during which time the Flyers learned coming-of-age left winger Oskar Lindblom has a rare bone cancer.

“We put those three losses behind us,” defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere said.

“Our last road trip, we kind of had some injuries going around,” rookie winger Joel Farabee said. “Hopefully we can get some guys back healthy.”

Scott Laughton, who has been missed the last five games because of a groin injury, is expected to return Saturday in San Jose. Michael Raffl (broken finger, sidelined last nine games) is expected to return in Anaheim on Sunday, the first day he is eligible to come off the long-term injured reserve list.

When those two forwards return, Andy Andreoff and Misha Vorobyev could be sent back to the Phantoms. Laughton might move back to center on a line with Raffl and Tyler Pitlick.

Thus far, the Flyers have a combined 4-1 record this season against the six teams they will face on the road journey, outscoring them, 20-10. Four of those five games, however, have been at home.

“Being on the road that long is tough,” Farabee said. “You’ve got to be ready every night, so it should be a good test for us.”

“We haven’t been the strongest team on the road, but it’s not like we haven’t been in (most of) the games,” Gostisbehere said.

Gostisbehere has played much better since a three-game benching in late November. Since returning to the lineup, he has four goals and is plus-6 in his last 12 games.

“For sure,” he said when asked if he felt the benching had been a motivator. He said he was once again making plays and “having fun” on the ice and “realizing I’m a good player. When I make plays out there is when I’m at my best. (I’m) getting pucks to guys and getting in scoring position and getting chances.”

Getting improved road play from Hart is needed. Hart has been spectacular at home, compiling an 11-1-2 record with a 1.49 goals- against average and .947 save percentage. On the road, he is just 2-6-1 with a 3.59 GAA and .859 save percentage.

Hart, 21, who has climbed to fifth in the NHL with a 2.27- GAA, is not alone with a huge discrepancy in home-road success. The entire Flyers team has played much better at the Wells Fargo Center. 1167890 Philadelphia Flyers especially when he sees a team like the St. Louis Blues go from last place in January to a Stanley Cup parade in June.

Perhaps that’s why he was so blunt with Vigneault. Flyers’ captain Claude Giroux playing for his legacy “He’s coached a lot of great teams and we have a lot of trust in him,” Giroux said. “He’s very organized. When the game starts, we know what we have to do.” by Ed Barkowitz Once a week, Giroux will make a highlight-reel play, whether it’s a pass from his knees or a stick-handling move that undresses a defender. But he also does the little things that never get on ESPN. He’s a dedicated Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk was in a locker room in Ottawa last back-checker and is second in the NHL in winning faceoffs. He’s been in weekend trying to explain what makes Claude Giroux tick as a leader. the top five in that stat in five of the last six seasons. “It’s hard to pinpoint one specific thing, but you can tell there are certain “I can’t imagine it’s easy [being captain]. First and foremost, you want to people that when you’re down by a goal or whatever it might be, he have your game in a good place. But then there are certain things like wants the puck on his stick and he wants to be the guy to make the play," having a good feel on the pulse of the team and having the interaction JVR said. "That’s the way that he leads. He wants to go out there and with coaches and management. There are lots of different balls you have show it in those big moments.” to juggle as the captain. And then you have younger guys coming in and Before dismissing this as simple platitudes spoken by one teammate their eyes are all on you to be the example for what it takes to be a about another, let’s add some context from a few months ago. productive player. But he handles that well.”

The Flyers hired Alain Vigneault in April, a week or so after another lost “I try not to practice it too much. You don’t want to overthink it. You want season. They pulled the plug on the Dave Hakstol experiment four to let your instincts take over,” he said. “But you’re going to have games months earlier. The Flyers played better under interim Scott Gordon, but where you lose a faceoff, but it hits the [linesman’s] skate and goes to general manager Chuck Fletcher couldn’t resist the chance to bring in a your side. Or vice-versa. You have nights where faceoffs aren’t going to proven NHL coach with a knack for quick turnarounds. go well. One thing is to not overthink it. But you want to start every play with the puck, for sure.” Life also was changing for Giroux, who has been a Flyers captain longer than anyone in the last 30 years. Each spring that passes without a Giroux wins nearly 61 percent of his faceoffs, which is a fantastic rate postseason appearance is another lost opportunity. Giroux, who will be given that only 12 players are above 55 percent. When the Flyers are 32 in January, was on the verge of becoming a father for the first time. shorthanded, Giroux comes away with the puck 67 percent of the time. He’s no longer that feisty little kid who used to live at Danny Briere’s Need a little bit of bulldog in you to win 61 percent of your faceoffs. But it house and horse around with his children. also takes help from teammates, which brings us to what’s going on this Time is slipping away and Giroux, who has two seasons left after this one season. on his current contract, is more determined than ever. The addition of Kevin Hayes and Matt Niskanen, the steady improvement “When I met him the first time, it was here in Ottawa this past summer, of Travis Konecy and Carter Hart and the energy brought by the rookies he talked to me about his legacy,” Vigneault said. “He didn’t like his has Giroux hopeful for the second half. This is the best record (21-11-5) legacy with the Flyers. He wants to make sure he leaves a legacy where the Flyers have had at Christmas since Giroux became captain, yet it’s the team had won.” still only good for only third place in the loaded Metropolitan Division.

Most games played/Flyers captains No. They are 13-2-4 at the Wells Fargo Center, the league’s second-best home record after Boston. 1. Bobby Clarke, 1973-79; 1983-84 610 “In the past couple of years, it’s always been we need to get hot [after 2. Claude Giroux, 2013- 572 Christmas] to get in," Giroux said. “Obviously, we’re in a better position than the last few years. For us, it’s to just keep going. Every game is 3. Dave Poulin, 1984-90 392 huge for us and we’re having fun doing it.” 4. Eric Lindros, 1995-00 360 The 21 wins the Flyers have are the most they've had at Christmas in the 5. Ed Van Impe, 1968-73 311 eight seasons Claude Giroux has been the team's captain.

6. Mike Richards, 2008-10 242 The 21 wins the Flyers have are the most they've had at Christmas in the eight seasons Claude Giroux has been the team's captain. 7. Keith Primeau, 2001-06 213 Teammates say that Giroux picks his spots to raise his concerns. The Flyers are in a rut where they haven’t won a playoff series in seven years, the longest streak in franchise history. Been there three times in “He leads by example,” said Jake Voracek, who has played more than Giroux’s captaincy, only to lose quickly to the Rangers (2014), Capitals 600 games with Giroux. " I think if things do not go well, he’s the first to (2016) and Penguins (2018). Missed them the other four. admit it. He’s real hard on himself and that sets an example for the other guys to never be too satisfied with yourself. That 2014 Rangers team was Vigneault’s first in New York. He took them all the way to the Cup Finals before losing to Los Angeles. Vigneault also “He doesn’t have much patience. He’s always trying to find a solution as hears the theme song to “60 Minutes” churning up each spring. He is one soon as possible. If things go wrong, he’s pissed at himself. He’s visibly of only two head coaches in the top 14 in postseason wins never to lift pissed and upset with himself that he could be better. That’s what makes hockey’s holy chalice. Pat Quinn is the other. him a great hockey player. He’s never satisfied.”

“[Giroux] and I hit it off right away by him telling me that he wants to win Last season, the Flyers were 29th out of 31 in goals against per team. and that he will do whatever it takes to win," Vigneault said. “Right off the They used eight goalies and some of their talented young defensemen hop, he was very open -- maybe because my track record is missing the regressed. This season, they are 9th in team defense. But neither the 21 Stanley Cup.” wins nor the improvement on the blueline are the headline from the first half of the season. Mike Richards was the captain when the Flyers went to the Finals in 2010. Giroux, had 21 points in 23 postseason games. He was 22 years Injuries are part of the game. Cancer is not. Or at least it’s not supposed old. Surely there would be other deep postseason runs. Instead, tick, tick, to be. tick. Giroux’s voice cracks when he talks about Oskar Lindblom, his 23-year- Giroux is in the top-5 in Flyers history in games played, points and old teammate who’s season ended when he was diagnosed with Ewing’s assists. He’s been an All-Star six times and the team’s MVP five times. sarcoma. In the first home game following Lindblom’s diagnosis, Giroux The reason the Flyers haven’t had any playoff success in his tenure isn’t said the team’s victory and "every win for the rest of the season is going his fault. But that doesn’t make those long summers any less grinding, to be for him.” When you are the captain of the team, personal reflection in difficult times often takes a back seat to the needs of the locker room. The Flyers have had six players make their NHL debuts this season (tied with Columbus for most in the NHL). There are youngsters on this team who had trouble digesting the news of what was happening to their teammate.

“They were obviously devastated when we heard about Oskar,” Vigneault said. “G was one of the first guys to bring everybody together. He was right there with Oskar that first night when we found out about it. I’ve got noting but respect for Claude Giroux. He’s a good leader. He’s what Philly should want and -- in my mind -- what it needs.”

10 questions with Claude Giroux

What’s Christmas going to be like?

Well, it’s going to be good to have a little time off and let the body recover. And then go right back at it after Christmas.

How about at home?

It’s going to be a big Christmas for our son (Gavin). I don’t know if he’s going to remember it, but we are. Taking pictures and videos, it’s going to be fun for sure.

Is Gavin named after anyone?

No. We just decided we liked the name.

More than any sport, an NHL locker room has players from all around the world with all different backgrounds. Does that make it difficult to jell?

It doesn’t matter where you’re from, guys all get on the same page. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, sometimes your best friend could be Swedish or your best friend could be American. It’s just how things are.

Who’s your best friend?

I don’t know. I don’t know. It would be hard to pick just one. I’m close with a few guys.

It’s natural to think that you’d be closest with Jake Voracek and Sean Couturier since you’ve been teammates with them the longest. Is that the case?

When you play a lot of years with the same person, I think you have a relationship that you just build on. Jake and Coots, obviously, they’ve been here a long time.

What’s the hardest part of being an NHL captain?

I don’t know. To be honest, whether you’re the captain, the assistant captain or you don’t have a letter, if you’re a leader, you’re just going to lead. The best thing you can do as a leader is be yourself.

Who do you go to during trying times?

In the past, I’ve had a lot of conversations with (Paul Holmgren). We talked a lot. You always have the coaches and you have your teammates. Your teammates are always there for you – Coots, Jake, guys who have been here a long time. You talk to them a lot.

Who were your mentors?

I lived with Danny. He was able to help me with a lot of things. Sometimes it’s not really a conversation, it’s just looking at what they’re doing and how [they’re handling] stuff.

What are you looking forward to the most during Christmas week?

When you go home and you have a baby son in the room, it changes a lot of things. The perspective of it. It’s been a lot of fun this year. I’m very excited for (the future).

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167891 Philadelphia Flyers Ivan Provorov, who was battling the flu, lost the puck in the Flyers’ offensive end and it led to a two-on-one for the Rangers. Hart stopped Brady Skjei, but Skjei gathered his own rebound and fed Jesper Fast, who beat Hart with a one-timer from the slot to give the Rangers a 1-0 Kevin Hayes, Travis Sanheim help Flyers whip Rangers, 5-1, for 4th lead with 13:16 left in the second period. straight win It was the Rangers’ eighth shorthanded goal, tops in the NHL.

In a scoreless first period, the Flyers killed a two-man advantage that by Sam Carchidi lasted 1:04. During that power play, Sean Couturier saved a goal by blocking Buchnevich’s point-blank chance with Hart out of position and

the Rangers right winger staring at an open net. The Flyers will go into their holiday break feeling good about themselves. Vigneault faced the Rangers for the first time since they fired him after They won their fourth straight game Monday, getting two goals from the 2017-18 season. Kevin Hayes and Travis Sanheim and strong goaltending from Carter Earlier in the day, he called coaching in New York a “special time in my Hart as they defeated the New York Rangers, 5-1, at the roaring Wells life, and this is going to be a special game.” Fells Fargo Center. Hayes, Sanheim, and Hart made it extra special. With 12 minutes, 29 seconds left in regulation, Hayes scored on a left- circle blast in his first game against his former team, snapping a 1-all tie. The goal was scored after Hart made a big save on Artemi Panarin down the other end. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.26.2019

Sanheim, who had the second two-goal game of his career, secured the win by scoring with 4:11 to go. The defenseman took a feed from Sean Couturier, who had been stopped by Henrik Lindqvist but hustled after his own rebound.

Hayes added his second of the night with 2:45 remaining, and Nic Aube- Kubel scored the first goal of his NHL career with 58 seconds to go, giving the Flyers four third-period goals -- and three in the final 4:11.

“We had a lot of shots; the problem was just getting bodies in front,” said rookie Joel Farabee, who set up Hayes’ go-ahead goal. “Once we did that, the goals started to come.”

Hayes, who had his first two-goal performance as a Flyer, said there was a “little bit” of extra motivation to play against his former team, “but we’re [almost] 40 games in. This is the team I concentrate on.”

While Hayes downplayed facing the Blueshirts, his teammates and his coach sensed the game meant a lot to him.

“We all knew he was going to be pretty fired up and ready to go,” Sanheim said.

Coach Alain Vigneault said Hayes “has been wound up about this game for a while.”

Hart finished with 34 saves as the Flyers raised their home record to 13- 2-4. Hart made several key stops when the game was close in the third period, including a glove save on Pavel Buchnevich’s drive from the high slot with 15:58 left. He also got a break when Mika Zibanejad fired a shot off the post with 7:30 to go.

Hart, 21, outdueled Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist, 37, a likely future Hall of Famer who suffered his fifth straight loss to the Flyers, a team he has faced 60 times in his stellar career. He is 35-18-5 against them with two no-decisions.

The Flyers go into the holiday break with a 21-11-5 record, the 15th time in franchise history they have reached the 21-win mark before Christmas and the first time since 2011-12. They moved past Pittsburgh and Carolina and into third place in the Metro.

The Flyers were outplayed in the second period, but left the ice in a 1-1 tie thanks to Sanheim’s goal with 1.7 seconds left in the session.

“Sanny’s goal was huge and gave us a lot of momentum heading into the third,” Farabee said.

“Lundqvist was playing pretty good and making some big stops, and it was nice to break through,” Sanheim said. “I knew there wasn’t much time left, but I didn’t know there was only one second left. I guess it’s a good thing I shot it.”

With Travis Konecny distracting Lundqvist in front, Sanheim scored on a wrist shot from the high slot for his first goal in 16 games, putting the puck through the goalie’s legs..

“He was patient with it and got off a good shot,” Konecny said.

The Flyers’ power play struggled and even allowed the game’s first goal. 1167892 Philadelphia Flyers that of the feeling he and his team got by seeing their cancer-stricken teammate Oskar Lindblom visit their room last Tuesday before a game against Anaheim that began the streak.

Win over Rangers makes it a 'joyeux noel' for Vigneault, Hayes “I’d like to say it was as simple as seeing Oskar that morning and that smiling face and him telling us,’You guys have got to win tonight.’ I don’t think it’s as simple as that,” Vigneault said. “But there was a lot of emotion with me being with the team and seeing that. So, I’m not exactly By Rob Parent [email protected] @ReluctantSE on sure but I know seeing him and us being able to win that game and us Twitter Dec 24, 2019 getting back on track was obviously a big moment.”

PHILADELPHIA — Considering the way the Flyers put on a show over Delaware County Times LOADED: 12.26.2019 the last 20 minutes and two seconds of their 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers Monday night, and considering the way he still is close to a few friends who were down the hall in the visitors locker room, Kevin Hayes was probably playing it cool.

Was it an extra thrill to not only beat his old team, but scoring two goals off terrific moves in the process?

“Ah, yeah, a little bit,” Hayes said after helping the Flyers to their fourth straight victory. “But we’re 40 games in. This is the team I concentrate on. Obviously, it’s nice to get a win. And I’m sure AV’s happy.”

Alain Vigneault, the Flyers head coach who just more than a year and a half ago was unceremoniously dumped after five years of leading the Rangers, certainly had to be happy with the way this game had turned out.

Or at least two periods of it.

The Flyers had chased the Rangers after they scored a shorthanded goal off a botched play started by an Ivan Provorov turnover. They were losing that chase badly late in the second period when Travis Sanheim suddenly scored for the first time in 16 games with a little more than a second (1.7 ticks) left in the second period against active legend Henrik Lundqvist.

That it would open the floodgates for four more Flyers goals in the third period would be more than just gravy for the Flyers, and especially their pair of top-flight Rangers alums on the ice and behind the bench.

“It means a little bit more,” Hayes finally said, “but nothing too serious. Yeah, it was a fun game.”

Hayes would lead the third-period scoring parade, the Flyers’ $50 million free agent prize now up to 11 goals in a season in which he’s meant so much more than just scoring.

Sanheim would also get two on the night, and Phantoms grad Nicolas Aube-Kubel scored his first NHL goal (off a Sanheim assist) during a Flyers power play in happy trash time.

“Good thing we had the lead by three goals there, because I don’t think I would have gone on the ice,” said Aube-Kubel, making note of his rare presence on a power play. “I’m thankful for AV to let me go on the power play and for (Sanheim) to pass me that puck.”

Vigneault, who earlier in the day had admitted this first regulation Rangers reunion was “a special game for me,” later expressed gratitude to his players and wished everyone in his post-game press conference a joyeux noel.

He always does accentuate the positive.

He also positively pinned Hayes down as the most motivated player on the ice on this pre-holiday night.

“I’m sure it meant more to him than to me,” Vigneault said. “He’s been wound up for this game for a while. I don’t know if he told you that, maybe he told you it was just another game, but I know it meant a lot to him. He’s a very emotional young man and he scored two big goals for us tonight.

“This morning at our meeting I looked at him in front of everybody and said, ‘This is a big game for me, this must be a big game for you,’ and he smiled,” Vigneault said. “Without a doubt the first time you play against a team where you’ve got some good memories and you’ve been there quite a bit of time, it’s an emotional and challenging game.”

Ahead of an annually rough and this year, extra-long road trip out west and back that will extend to six games, this victory enabled the streaking Flyers to move back into third in the Metropolitan Division. Vigneault indicated the four straight wins might also have been born of emotion, 1167893 Pittsburgh Penguins throughout that postseason, he finished second in voting for the Conn Smythe Award.

Injuries and other factors sapped some momentum from the HBK Line, The most important Penguins of the 2010s: No. 5 through 1 but the “K” portion of that trio still found ways to produce, particularly on the power play, an area where Kessel became one of the most potent players in franchise history.

SETH RORABAUGH 3. Kris Letang, D

Wednesday, December 25, 2019 5:05 p.m. Letang’s decade was hardly perfect. When “stroke” shows up on your injury report, things are far from perfect.

But despite various health woes such as the stroke he suffered in 2014 By any measure, the 2010s were a successful decade for the Pittsburgh or the debilitating herniated disc in his neck that shut down his 2016-17 Penguins — maybe the most successful in franchise history. Forget the campaign, Letang persevered to secure his place as the greatest two Stanley Cup titles. Having zero bankruptcies qualifies as a triumph in defenseman in franchise history. the “good decade” column for this organization. After allowing defenseman Sergei Gonchar to walk as an unrestricted But who were the most important players on the ice over the past 10 free agent in 2010, Penguins management entrusted Letang to become years? the team’s top defenseman at the start of the 2010-11 season. Health There are several likely choices for this designation given the amount of woes occasionally derailed those plans, but he emerged as a five-time individual accolades members of the Penguins accumulated over the All-Star. past decade. 2. Evgeni Malkin, C The tabulation of this list was done through a vigorously unscientific On any other team, he’s No. 1. But he’s more than comfortable being No. approach of sitting on a couch in pajamas and writing names on a yellow 2 to Crosby. legal pad. That union has allowed Malkin to be one of the most dominant players in The one criteria stressed above all else was longevity. A player who was NHL history, regardless of what any sort of arbitrary list to commemorate with the club at least half of the decade probably is higher on the list than the NHL’s centennial might say. Yet his greatest individual success came others. during his signature 2011-12 season, when he won the Hart Memorial Following are Nos. 5 through 1. (Here are Nos. 10 through 6.) Trophy, the Ted Lindsay Award and the Art Ross Trophy while Crosby worked through a slow recovery from concussion woes. 5. Marc-Andre Fleury, G More often than not, when Crosby was sidelined by injuries, Malkin This isn’t intended to be another entry in the obnoxious Fleury vs. Murray elevated his game. debate. It is simply is a validation of what Fleury meant to this franchise over a longer period of time. An elbow injury hobbled Malkin and relegated him to a third-line role during the 2016 Stanley Cup run, but he roared back in ’17 and led the Fleury’s 2010s had some prodigious highs and some putrid lows. After playoffs in scoring with 28 points while helping his team win the title once winning the Stanley Cup in 2009, he failed to recapture that success again. throughout the early stages of this decade, struggling in playoff losses to the Montreal Canadiens in 2010 and the Philadelphia Flyers in ’12. His At 32, Malkin suggests he could still be a star for another five or six play slipped so badly in 2013, he was pulled out of a first-round series years. with the New York Islanders. 1. Sidney Crosby, C After the hiring of goaltending coach Mike Bales in the 2013 offseason, Crosby means so much to this franchise in ways that go beyond what is Fleury rebounded by posting two of his best individual regular seasons, visible on the ice. Whether it’s through the revenue he generates with including setting the franchise record for shutouts with 10 in 2014-15. ticket sales or how he makes seemingly every call-up from Wilkes- Fleury was one of the Penguins’ steadiest performers through the rocky Barre/Scranton feel at home in the locker stall near his, Crosby impacts first months of 2015-16, but injuries allowed Murray to supplant him as his team in a way few other players in NHL history have. the starter en route to the Stanley Cup. Arguably, his impact never was felt more than in absentia at the start of Fleury and Murray platooned throughout 2016-17, and Fleury was the this decade. Concussion woes suffered in 2010-11 as well as the NHL’s starter through the first two-plus rounds of the playoffs before coach Mike lockout in 2012 put his career on hold for the better part of three Sullivan returned the job to Murray. seasons. Fully healthy, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy, the Ted Lindsay Award and the Art Ross Trophy in 2013-14. After winning the Stanley Cup once again, the Penguins opted to part ways with Fleury in an amicable divorce that saw him join the expansion His signature performance might have been in the 2015-16 season when Vegas Golden Knights. he earned the Conn Smythe Trophy and eliminated any doubt he was the game’s most complete player. He won the playoff MVP award again in 4. Phil Kessel, RW 2016-17 to further validate that notion.

Kessel joined the Penguins after things went sour with his previous team, After recording another 100-point season in 2018-19, Crosby, 32, and the the Toronto Maple Leafs. He left the Penguins much the same way. Penguins enter the 2020s with ample opportunity for another highly Things went sour, and he was sent to the Arizona Coyotes. successful decade.

In between, he had one of the best four-year stretches of any player in franchise history. Tribune Review LOADED: 12.26.2019 Initially brought in to be yet another “winger for Sid,” Kessel never really found much chemistry with captain Sidney Crosby, and that experiment was abandoned a month into the 2014-15 season. He found a little bit more success with center Evgeni Malkin, and the two clicked fairly well until an elbow injury forced an unlikely union that pushed the Penguins and T-shirt vendors on Smallman Street to raging success.

Teamed with Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin, Kessel and the vaunted HBK Line gave the Penguins arguably the fastest line in the NHL. Even after Malkin returned to the lineup, the HBK Line remained intact and provided the team balance throughout the lineup. Kessel’s play was so productive 1167894 Pittsburgh Penguins But Jarry would have to struggle mightily for an extended period, and Murray would have to recapture whatever it is he lost. (The consensus is he’s making himself small by sitting too deep in the blue paint.)

Mark Madden: No reason to complain about Penguins at Christmas Murray did himself no favors when he allowed four goals on 14 shots at break Vancouver. He didn’t stink, but Murray came nowhere close to matching Jarry’s recent efforts. Jarry has stolen games, most recently Dec. 17 at Calgary when his 16-save first period paved the way for a 4-1 victory. Murray hasn’t had a game like that this season. MARK MADDEN Murray might be frustrated. But he’s the only one. Jarry playing great isn’t Wednesday, December 25, 2019 9:48 a.m. a problem for anyone but Murray.

Right now, there’s no need for Murray’s talent to be coaxed back to its The Penguins started their Christmas break last Saturday. Unfortunately, former level of performance. Has management lost faith in Murray? That they also played that night at Vancouver. What a dastardly performance might tie into what Murray wants on his next contract, due at season’s in a 4-1 loss. end. As previously noted in this space, management might feel Murray is asking for too much. But, as we await the Penguins’ re-emergence Friday at Nashville, fans of the team have little complaint. Despite being beset by a hailstorm of But don’t count Murray out. Talent always wins. But Jarry has talent, too. injuries, including one that has sidelined their best player since Nov. 9, the Penguins are 21-11-4, five points clear in the wild-card chase and just three points out of second place in the Metro Division. Tribune Review LOADED: 12.26.2019 The Penguins aren’t home free. But Sidney Crosby’s return seems imminent. My educated guess is Jan. 2 or Jan. 5. Both games are at home. That gives him time to test his injury against the speed of practice. No sense in rushing things.

When Crosby returns, who skates on his line?

Crosby’s usual sidekick, winger Jake Guentzel, hasn’t broken stride in Crosby’s absence. Guentzel has 37 points in 36 games, and, if we didn’t already know Guentzel was great in his own right and not just a Crosby tag-along, that’s been reaffirmed.

Guentzel has been on Malkin’s left wing in Crosby’s absence. But Guentzel has to go back with Crosby. Bryan Rust (13 goals in 22 games) can stay on Malkin’s right and continue his incredible mid-career transition into Mike Bossy.

Coach Mike Sullivan believes in duos, not trios, so that fits his thinking. Whoever slots in with either of those combinations should prosper (and feel fortunate).

But it can’t be Dominik Simon (two goals in 36 games). The analytics- driven notion of him playing top six should be wadded up and tossed in a waste can. (Here’s betting it’s not.)

One more disclaimer: Keep Jared McCann at center. He’s better there than at wing. If that makes Nick Bjugstad a scratch when he returns from injury, so be it. (Teddy Blueger’s speed and penalty killing make him the fourth-line center in perpetuity.)

When Justin Schultz returns, who gets more minutes: Schultz or John Marino?

Marino will replace Schultz in the top four at season’s end when Schultz walks via free agency. That’s a lock. But perhaps it happens now.

That’s no knock on Schultz, who has been effective during his Pittsburgh tenure. But he’s sitting out his second significant stretch injured this season. He played only 29 games last season. Schultz is losing an important ability: availability.

Meantime, Marino is a revelation. He never puts a skate wrong. He’s got a loaded skill set and a calm, measured approach that belies his status as a first-year pro.

Maybe Sullivan splits the difference. Perhaps Kris Letang and Brian Dumoulin (upon his return) comprise the top pair, and duties below are divided relatively equally.

Goaltending has become the simplest thing to talk about. There is zero debate.

Tristan Jarry leads the NHL in everything: goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts. How could Sullivan even consider giving Matt Murray anything besides one game when the Penguins play on back-to- back nights?

Things can change fast, as they did during the transition from Murray to Jarry. 1167895 San Jose Sharks analyst to Barnett’s old spot as Bob Fitzgerald’s partner on NBC Sports Bay Area.

After the change, Barnett originally was scheduled to call all 82 games The Bay Area Year in Sports Media: Greg Papa tops the list again, but with Roye on the radio. Then Tolbert became available, which led to this time for completely different reasons Barnett getting nudged off of home games altogether.

Barnett still travels with the team and calls road games with Roye. But the broadcasting moves added to a sense that an era of Warriors By Steve Berman basketball was lost and would never be the same, with the team moving to San Francisco coupled with the departures of Kevin Durant, Andre Dec 25, 2019 Iguodala and Shaun Livingston.

2. Papa replaces Ted Robinson as voice of the 49ers In a year when the 49ers rose back to prominence after several down The top media story of 2018 was Raiders owner Mark Davis’ decision to seasons, it only makes sense that they had a hand in most of the biggest replace Papa with Brent Musburger on the Raiders radio broadcast, a local media stories of 2019. move that signaled three things: 1) The question of whether Papa would For the rest of the Bay Area teams, other than the Warriors, things follow the Raiders to Las Vegas was answered with an emphatic “no”; 2) remained mostly the same on TV and radio. But even though the vast Raiders fans were given a drastic downgrade when tuning into their majority of football fans watch games on the national TV networks, the team’s games on the radio; 3) Robinson’s role with the 49ers was placed 49ers radio booth made news throughout the year for reasons both in immediate jeopardy. popular and controversial. As we jump into our top-five media stories of Despite Papa’s denials, the team telegraphed that he would eventually this past year, we’ll start with the latter: become the 49ers’ play-by-play broadcaster as soon as he replaced 5. 49ers issue a one-game suspension to color analyst Tim Ryan Dave Feldman as the host for NBC Sports Bay Area’s 49ers pregame and postgame shows in 2018. There was no way Papa would be The Ravens edged the 49ers on a last-second field goal on Dec. 1, a available for long; he’s simply too good at calling NFL games not to hold game in which quarterback Lamar Jackson rushed for at least 100 yards a full-time role for longer than a season. And Davis’ decision to drop for the fourth time during his likely MVP campaign. After that thriller, Papa put the wheels in motion before the Raiders even left the region. many looked forward to a potential rematch in the Super Bowl, including 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, who mentioned the possibility both after the The 49ers landed Papa in January, and that move would eventually lead game and during his conference call with beat writers the next day. to the biggest media story of the year several months later. And no, we’re not referring to Papa’s new touchdown call — from which he got a lot of But on that very same Monday in a segment on KNBR’s “Murph & Mac” mileage during the summer and throughout the preseason before morning show, Ryan made comments about Jackson’s “dark skin color” unveiling it in Week 1. matching the Ravens’ dark uniforms and the wet football. Ryan explained how that caused trouble for 49ers defenders. It took two more days for 1. KNBR signs Papa, parts ways with Gary Radnich and Bob Fitzgerald the story to go national, since that’s when the San Francisco Chronicle Barnett and Robinson weren’t the only established voices who were asked the 49ers about Ryan’s comments and the team responded by nudged aside in 2019. The 49ers didn’t just covet Papa’s play-by-play announcing that Ryan would miss the next game in New Orleans. ability, they also wanted him embedded with the team’s flagship station. Like so many news stories in 2019, the Ryan flap had people entrenched So KNBR almost completely reshaped its daytime lineup, luring Papa on both sides. Some football fans were offended, while others thought away from 95.7 and reuniting him with Lund on weekdays from 10 a.m. to Ryan made a strategic point that was blown out of proportion. While 2 p.m. Ravens’ running back Mark Ingram took offense and many wondered This story unfurled in two parts. First I was alerted that Papa was leaving whether Jackson’s decision to wear white sleeves and a white glove on 95.7 for KNBR. The rumor was that Radnich and Fitzgerald were on the his non-throwing hand in his next game was a statement of sorts outs, but confirming that part of the equation took a little more time. (Jackson removed the sleeves and glove after halftime), two prominent Within about 24 hours, we found out that Larry Krueger (Radnich’s 49ers, Richard Sherman and Dee Ford, offered words of support for former partner) and Rod Brooks (one half of “Fitz and Brooks”) were Ryan. teaming up with Tolbert on afternoon drive from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. “All I will say is that the comments were offensive because they offended 95.7’s schedule shifted to mirror KNBR’s, going from three shows people,” Ryan’s 49ers broadcast partner Greg Papa said the day after spanning the hours from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. to two four-hour shows. The the story broke, on his KNBR midday show with John Lund. “And they Game’s midday program now includes Bonta Hill (Papa’s former co-host) offended a great many people. In what we do for a living, word choice is with Matt Steinmetz and Daryle “The Guru” Johnson, while another three- critically important, and his word choice was not on point. He’s man show — this time featuring Damon Bruce, Ray Ratto and Matt acknowledged that and he’s going to pay a stiff penalty for it.” Kolsky — airs opposite Tolbert, Krueger and Brooks during the afternoon 4. Tom Tolbert signs a contract extension with KNBR drive.

It was common knowledge within the industry that 95.7 The Game Fitzgerald said goodbye via a statement released by KNBR and can still wanted to lure Tolbert away from KNBR, and the demand for his services be heard doing Warriors games on NBC Sports Bay Area, along with gave the region’s top sports talk personality even more leverage in brief hits on 95.7 on days the Warriors play. Radnich did an emotional contract negotiations with his current employer. That resulted in Tolbert farewell show about a week after the news came out. Whether his signing a four-year extension with KNBR that allowed him to call Warriors retirement — he left KRON in 2018 — will stick is unknown at this point. games again after three seasons away from the team. Honorable Mentions: Kevin Durant calls out The Athletic’s Ethan Strauss After the Warriors left KNBR in 2016, the station wasn’t willing to let in a postgame press conference for his column about Durant’s expected Tolbert hop across the radio dial to call games. But KNBR’s stance departure; the Warriors sign a multiyear extension with 95.7 The Game; softened in 2019, in large part because Tolbert demanded the extra the Raiders’ turn on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” provides more in the way of flexibility. I’m not sure Tolbert ever truly considered moving to The Game feel-good Antonio Brown content than any new or useful information on after over two decades at KNBR, but in the end he got exactly what he the team; ratings drop for Giants and Warriors games on NBCSBA wanted: to stay with the only station he’s known since his playing days compared to previous seasons; the A’s launch “A’s Cast”; the Sharks add ended while getting the opportunity to call Warriors home games again Kendall Coyne Schofield to their broadcast team as a part-time color with Tim Roye. analyst.

3. Warriors replace Jim Barnett with Kelenna Azubuike

Everyone knew a version of this move was coming when the Warriors The Athletic LOADED: 12.26.2019 tried to transition Barnett into an “ambassador’s role” in 2014; it was just a matter of when. Five years later, during a summer when everything seemed to change for the Warriors, Azubuike was promoted from studio 1167896 St Louis Blues They went 5-5-1 during an 11-game stretch of games in Tampa. Along the way they suffered a 4-3 loss to the Blues at home.

“We need to win some games at home,” Cooper told reporters Saturday. Blues mount steady Cup defense amid NHL chaos “We used to be, we were lights out. I haven’t minded the way we’ve played on the road, but we need to win at home.”

Amid all this tumult, some long-suffering franchises finally made progress Jeff Gordon during this season's first half. Fans just getting back from a three-month cave exploration would scratch their heads looking at the standings.

Back East, the Buffalo Sabres finally moved past their disastrous trade of The NHL looks perfectly normal at its holiday break — if you only glance Ryan O'Reilly to the Blues to become respectable under first-year coach at the top of the standings. Ralph Krueger. They are bidding for their first winning season since The defending Stanley Cup champion Blues still sit atop the Western 2011-12. Conference. The reigning Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins Krueger's hiring seemed puzzling at the time, since he spent nearly all of lead the Atlantic Division. The 2018 champion Washington Capitals are his coaching career in Germany and Switzerland before crossing over to first overall. soccer as chairman of Southhampton FC. If the Sabres can make the But a deeper look into the overall picture reveals considerable chaos and playoffs, Krueger could win the Jack Adams Award and Jack Eichel could makes the Blues' first-half success all the more impressive. collected the Hart Trophy.

Look at the tumult all around them. Look at the reminders that consistent Who could have predicted that back in the fall? success can't be taken for granted, even from Cup contenders. The Arizona Coyotes broke out this season, then acquired Hall from New The San Jose Sharks never recovered from losing to the Blues in the Jersey before the break. If they can overcome the loss of hot goaltender Western Final. They let captain Joe Pavelski walk over the summer and Darcy Kuemper to a significant injury, they could become the new they fell apart this season. They gave coach Peter DeBoer the short Golden Knights. haircut. The Edmonton Oilers are finally becoming relevant again, thanks to Dave They earned just one victory in their last 10 games before the break. Tippett's great coaching, and the Vancouver Canucks have executed a They looked awful while falling to the Blues 5-2 Saturday and they didn't quick turnaround in the Post-Sedin Era. look much better during their 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights The Western Conference playoff race remains competitive, albeit Monday. different. And somehow the Blues keep winning all the same. "We're a veteran team. I'd understand if we were dressing 10-12 rookies, but you can count the number of rookies on this team on one hand," Sharks captain Logan Couture told reporters Monday. "It is our veterans, St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.26.2019 not our young guys, who are making mistakes."

If general manager Doug Wilson survives this collapse, he will have to hit the reset button and start over. Or maybe the next GM will get that task.

The Dallas Stars lost three of their last four games under interim coach Rick Bowness, who stepped in when the real coach, Jim Montgomery, got booted for off-ice indiscretions of some kind.

"We're off our game, clearly, we are," Bowness told reporters after a 5-1 loss to Calgary Saturday. "This is obviously not the way we wanted to go into the break, but it is. We will come back on the 27th in a better frame of mind and get back on track."

After winning the Pacific Division last season, the Flames struggled out of the gate this season and then fired coach Bill Peters when bad coaching behavior from his past came to light.

The once-proud Chicago Blackhawks suspended assistant coach Marc Crawford after bad coaching behavior in his past came to light. Crawford is back now, but the Blackhawks are not.

They lost six of their last nine games heading into the break — including a 7-1 tumble against the terrible New Jersey Devils. All hope for the 2019-20 Blackhawks has been lost.

"Just an embarrassment," Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews told reporters after the game. "I don't know if that's an emotion but that's what we're all feeling and what we should be feeling at this moment."

Back in October the Devils looked like a potential breakout team after drafting Jack Hughes first overall and acquiring defenseman P.K. Subban. But that team collapsed, leading to the ouster of coach John Hynes and the sell-off of winger Taylor Hall as he headed toward free agency.

The Toronto Maple Leafs also entered the season looking to finally make a serious bid to win the Cup. They sputtered instead, which led to coach Mike Babcock's dismissal and revelations about bad coaching behavior in his past.

After surviving his team's postseason no-show last spring, Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper has failed to motivate his supremely talented team this season. If the playoffs started today, the Lightning would not even be in the bracket. 1167897 St Louis Blues shorter playoffs, and the addition of overtime and shootouts in the modern era give teams more chances to win than when games could end in ties). If the Blues were to win those final three, they would match second-best ever, behind only the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks, who won Blues' Schenn, Schwartz pick up their pace in Tarasenko's absence 80.

The Blues can now take a breather, three days with no practice before facing Winnipeg on Friday. They know their game has not been perfect Tom Timmermann this season, that weak starts have been overcome by strong finishes and that top-flight goaltending has smoothed what could have been some bumpy times. In the first period of the Blues' 4-1 win over the Kings on Monday in Los Angeles, forwards Brayden Schenn scored twice and Jaden Schwartz “It's crazy what a little bit of winning and confidence will do for a hockey scored once. They were key moments on the way to the Blues winning team,” Schenn said. “We're feeling it as a group right now. We've had their sixth game in a row, but those goals were significant in another way: some success early and will just roll with it.” It gave Schenn 17 goals for the season and Schwartz 11 after just 38 Schenn chuckled when someone asked him Monday night about the games, three shy of the halfway point. Blues repeating as Stanley Cup champions. Last season, Schenn had 17 goals and Schwartz had 11 the entire “We're not going to get too far ahead of ourselves, by any means,” he season. So on the day before Christmas, before the calendar has gone said. “There's a lot of good teams in this league. It's very hard to repeat to 2020, each has matched last season's goal total. Whatever comes in as we've seen. But we feel like what we went through last year, we don't the remaining 44 games will be the measure of how much those totals try to get too high or too low, just because it can eat away at you. I think improve. At the rate they're scoring, both would double their scoring that everything we've been through last year is kind of helping us this output from a season ago. year.” They are not the only Blues who have amped up their offense from a The Blues sent defenseman Niko Mikkola back to San Antonio after year ago. Alex Pietrangelo has nine goals; last season, he finished with Monday's game, just beating the deadline before he would have to be on 13. David Perron had 23 last season and now is at 15. Oskar Sundqvist the roster through Friday. had 14 last season and now is at nine. While the NHL's Christmas roster freeze went into place last week, And among the newer faces, the numbers are up: Mackenzie there's an exception for players called up after Dec. 11; Mikkola was MacEachern has doubled his goal total from three to six; Sammy Blais called up on the 13th, which meant he could be sent down as long as it already had gone from two to five before getting hurt. was before midnight on Monday. The only significant reversals in terms of goal scoring are Ryan O'Reilly, The Blues will save some money against the salary cap and Mikkola, who had 28 last season and is at seven now (though he is ahead of last who will have not played for two weeks by the time games resume, can season's pace on assists) and Alexander Steen, who had 10 last season get some action when the Rampage play next on Friday, or rejoin the and still is seeking his first. Then there is Vladimir Tarasenko's 33 goals, Blues if they feel they need a defensemen. which very well could drop to three this season.

When a player such as Tarasenko is hurt, coaches talk of not replacing him with just one player, but with replacing him with the team. While that St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.26.2019 might come off as a cliché, here's the reality for the Blues: everyone is helping.

“We talked about losing a guy like Vladi and other guys,” Berube said Monday. “We've had injuries, but everybody has been stepping up and we need contributions from everybody and we really are getting them from everybody and that's key. It's important. We need everybody to play 200 feet of hockey, produce offensively when you get an opportunity and play good defense.”

That's the kind of thing that's happening, Schenn said.

“We're getting contributions from everyone,” he said. “I think that's important. You need that throughout 82 games. We play four lines and six (defensemen) and count on both goalies and that's the way we win hockey games and we're doing that right now.”

With Schenn, it's as though he's unclear on the concept of a contract year.

Players who are approaching unrestricted free agency, such as Schenn was at the start of training camp, want big seasons in an effort to earn a lucrative contract. But Schenn already signed his big extension — an eight-year, $52 million deal that goes into effect next season — just before the season began. He's scoring even though he's already got the big money. He's on pace to surpass his career high in goals (28 in 2017- 18).

“Just trying to find open ice, open space,” he said. “I'm getting some puck luck, which has been huge. Every player needs that and I'm just trying to shoot the puck at the right time and thankfully they're going in.”

“It's his normal game,” Berube said. “He hasn't really changed his game. He's a good two-way player for us. He can score goals and that line with 'Schwartzie' and different linemates — (Jordan) Kyrou has been there for a little bit — those guys have good chemistry together and they work well together. He's doing a good job producing for us.”

The win on Monday was the Blues' 70th in calendar year 2019, including the playoffs, with three more games remaining. The Blues are just the 10th team in NHL history with that many wins in a year. (But the original six teams lost out on eight wins a year compared to now because of 1167898 St Louis Blues Olympias are pretty low mileage. If the Blues are out of town and the building is being used for something else, they might sit idle for a week. When Centene Community Ice Center needed help recently, the Blues sent them one of their machines. They put it on a truck, so you didn’t Keeping the Blues' ice nice is a huge job miss out on seeing it drive from downtown to Maryland Heights. When it came back, it had a lot more hours on it because the four rinks there are

in much more constant use. Tom Timmermann Over the course of a game day, the Olympia will make 10 to 12 trips on to the ice, with the higher number coming if the rink had been used for a non-hockey event the day before, because, well, those things can make It’s 7:15 in the morning on Monday, Dec. 16, and Jim Schmuke is drilling a mess. holes in the ice at Enterprise Center. For concerts, wood panels cover the floor and if people spill a drink, that Schmuke, the head ice technician there, is not going fishing. His job at will find its way through the cracks between the boards and leave a grid this moment is to check how deep the ice is at various points. pattern of frozen gunk. On days such as that, the crew will be out with squirt bottles to loosen the frozen chunks of beer and soda and who He starts at the top of one crease, poking his drill into the ice until he hits knows what else that have been encased in the ice. the cement beneath it, and then moves to various spots around the rink. Each time, he marks the ice level on the bit, measures it on the ruler As soon as Blais and trainer Ray Barile are off, the Olympia is back, attached to his clipboard, and enters it on a sheet of paper that will be doing a cut (where the top layer of ice comes off ) and a flood (where sent to the NHL. In most cases, the ice is 1¼ inches thick, though on this new water goes down). day, in front of the penalty boxes, it’s only about an inch thick. But that’s up from the seven-eighths of an inch it had been a few days before. “We try not to lay a lot of water in the morning unless we absolutely have to,” Schmuke said, “because it tends to make a little more snow the more That’s the first step in a day in the life of the Enterprise ice, and Schmuke water you lay out there. So we try not to until its needed to resurface.” and his crew will spend the next 15 hours getting and keeping the Blues’ playing surface ready to go. What are used is a collection of tools both That resurfacing will do until the Blues are done with their morning skate, highly specialized and improvised. which starts at 10:30 a.m. When the last Blue is off the ice, around 11:15, Schmuke is out again to get it ready for the Avalanche, who will hit the There is the Olympia ice resurfacing machine and an edger that scrapes ice at 11:30. They’re off in 45 minutes, but there’s no rush this time. The the ice along the boards that the Olympia can’t reach. There there is the cleaning crew needs to wash the glass, so the rink is their’s for a while. turkey baster used to take water out of the holes where the pegs for the net go, and the bubble gum remover used to provide a quick freeze for At 1:30, Dave Staloch is out with the edger, walking slowly around the on-ice repairs. perimeter of the rink to remove built up ice, and five minutes later Schmuke has the Olympia out again. (When not working on the ice, crew “We want to do the best job we can and feel we do the best job we can,” members such as Staloch work on other maintenance projects in the said Schmuke, who has been with the Blues for 40 years. building. But the ice is the most fun. “It’s the greatest job in the world,” crew member Gil Spinks said.) Schmuke is friends with Busch Stadium groundskeeper Bill Findley, two guys who know that the surfaces they tend to will be the canvas on which This is one of the big drives of the day, with both a cut and a flood, filling some of the city’s biggest sports moments will play out. the front compartment of the Olympia with enough snow for what would seem to be a lifetime’s worth of snow cones. But considering where that “We joke that we’d each like each other’s job,” Schmuke said. snow has been, there are better options. Both have to fight the elements. Schmuke’s perfect day is humidity below When he’s done, Schmuke pulls the Olympia in front of a large basin for 40 percent and temperatures in the low 60s. gathering the snow, pushes a button and the top of the Olympia flips up “One game in the playoffs, I think it got up to 70,” Schmuke said. “There’s then tilts forward and dumps out a huge pile of snow. only so much you can do if you’re playing in June. But that’s what Billy Schmuke goes back out around 3 p.m. to put down another layer of and I talk about. Weather contributes to both of our problems really. We water to keep the ice from, seriously, getting too cold. That’s because the don’t have a 10-day homestand when it’s 90 degrees outside. Those water the Olympia puts down is hot — more than 100 degrees — and if guys do an amazing job there.” the ice gets too cold it gets hard and brittle and is more likely to chip and Weather isn’t a problem on this day, as a winter storm rolls through, crack. though ultimately, Dave Grimes, who drives the second Olympia during To a lot of people, Schmuke has the coolest ride in town. The Olympia is games is late getting to the rink because traffic has stopped on Interstate built on the frame of a Chevy Blazer and Schmuke said it handles like a 55 because of an accident. While many people were staying off the roads car. (It has studded tires for traction.) During some intermissions, fans that day, Grimes was on his way to a job in which he drives on ice. get to ride along. At 7:26 a.m, Schmuke fires up one of Enterprise Center’s two Olympia “I have a lot of people get on and say ‘This is the greatest thing I’ve ever ice resurfacing machines for the first time that day, to ready the ice for done,’” Schmuke said as he wheeled the machine across the ice. “I was Sammy Blais and an early morning rehab skate. The Blues long have like, well? It’s a lot different when you get on there, when people get on used Olympias to resurface the ice, choosing them over Zambonis, the and there’s crowds out there, sure, it’s pretty cool. To us, it’s nothing out other company that makes ice resurfacers. of the ordinary.” To Schmuke, there’s no major difference between the two. The Blues just Ice technology has changed since Schmuke first started at The Arena in get a better deal on the Olympias than they do on Zambonis, so that’s 1979. Much of the process is automated now. At any moment, Schmuke what they use. The Blues lease the machines, so they get a new one can pull out his phone and see what the temperature is on the bottom of about every three years. The current ones are two years old. the ice and at the top of the ice, thanks to infrared sensors that shoot Before going out, Schmuke fills the machine’s 220-gallon tank of water — down from the ceiling. Computer programs adjust the temperature it’s St. Louis city water run through a purifier — plus a second smaller accordingly. tank used for filling in deeper gouges. The Olympia, which runs on When Schmuke started, The Arena used off-duty St. Louis firemen to propane, moves at about 10 mph across the ice, though it’s a guess by handle the changeover between events. Schmuke’s dad was a fireman Schmuke because the machines they don’t have speedometers. who did that and helped his son get a part-time job, which he eventually They also don’t have brakes. To slow them or stop them, the driver takes turned into a full-time job. He’s been driving since 1988 and has been the his foot off the gas pedal or uses a knob to adjust the number of rpms for head ice technician for five years. the engine. They do, however, have a horn. The ice crew also is responsible for everything else surrounding putting They also don’t have an odometer. Usage is measured by hours rather on a hockey game, from lacing the nets onto the goals at the start of the than miles (it would take about 26 trips from one end of the ice to the season to hanging the safety nets above the glass that stop flying pucks other to equal a mile), and by standards of other places, the Enterprise to fixing the glass and boards. They change the ads on the boards and paint the lines and lay the ads (which are on large pieces of mesh) at the start of the season. On a cart just off the ice sit the most common sizes of glass along the boards should an in-game repair be needed. And in a small area nearby sit at least one replacement for every size of glass in the rink.

Also during the day, Schmuke will check the temperature in two freezers, one in the visiting penalty box where pucks are stored during games and one in the Blues’ equipment room where they’re stored the rest of the time. (Yes, there’s a small freezer filled with nothing but hockey pucks.)

After pregame warmups, Schmuke and Dave Grimes do the final resurfacing, then watch the game from just off the ice in the Olympia tunnel, along with the Blue Crew, the skaters who go on the ice to remove snow during timeouts. Also on hand is the emergency medical crew.

Just over a minute into the game, Colorado’s Samuel Girard takes a puck to the mouth and goes down to the ice bleeding. It’s so early in the period that the Blue Crew members haven’t finished putting on their skates, and they scramble to get someone out there with a shovel to scrape the blood off the ice. If the incident had happened near the tunnel, someone in shoes could have gone out. But because it’s at the other end, Schmuke prefers to have someone on skates go out.

When the bloody snow comes back, it’s dumped in the large drain just off the ice. A Colorado television analyst in the tunnel wonders if there are any teeth in the snow. A security guard takes a flashlight and looks but doesn’t see anything.

One of the good things about an ice surface it’s that it’s easy to repair. Schmuke keeps a small bucket filled with slush produced from the Olympia and a hockey puck to use for repairs. If a player leaves a gouge in the ice, Schmuke or an official can just dump some of the slush in the hole, use the puck to smooth it and it’s good as new. This is where the gum remover can be used to flash freeze the ice and seal the repair.

During the TV timeouts, the Blue Crew has two minutes to scrape the accumulated snow off the ice, moving like a conga line, with each skater moving the snow closer to the boards and it then is shoveled to the tunnel gate. That’s where Schmuke and Grimes wield squeegees to get the last of it off the ice. Then in a nice bit of choreography, when the last crew member gets off the ice, Grimes swings the door shut and Schmuke locks it in place.

When the first period is over, the crew jumps into action. Even while the on-ice entertainment is going on, the edging already has begun and two crew members, Dave Lewis and Mike Mitchell, move the nets out of the way and tend to the holes for the pegs. They squirt in hot water to break up any ice buildups and suck it out with the baster. Then Schmuke and Grimes hit the ice with the Olympias.

Whenever the Olympias leave the surface, they leave a chunk of ice and a pool of water, so crew members again bring out the squeegees.

That process is repeated after the second period. Then late in the third, there’s a different task for the crew. The Blues’ David Perron completes a hat trick and hundreds of hats are thrown out on the surface. Grimes waves his hat, the signal to the crew to get out there. Soon everyone is on the ice, shoveling and scooping the hats into one of the garbage cans that also are used to remove snow during timeouts.

Soon after the game is over the ice is empty again. Usually Mitchell will stay to make a couple more runs with the Olympia, but a component on the scoreboard has malfunctioned and the unit has to be lowered to ice level for repairs.

It’s close to 10 p.m. when Schmuke is leaving, ready to head home. It’s been a long day, but all has gone well. That’s his ice. His baby. He’s very protective of it.

“I’m going to take it personal,” he said of criticisms of his ice surface. “Winning the Stanley Cup, it’s a little bit more knowing how much work goes into taking care of the ice. It makes it all that much better. That was a very good feeling. That was fantastic.”

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167899 Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs captain Tavares lines up behind coach with plenty of confidence

Terry Koshan

December 25, 2019 6:45 PM EST

John Tavares loves playing with Mitch Marner on his wing, but if Sheldon Keefe sees fit to keep Marner with Auston Matthews, the Maple Leafs captain is cool with that.

“He’s trying to do what’s best for the team and get us to play the best we can,” Tavares said of his coach. “We all have a lot of trust in him.”

Marner and Matthews, along with Zach Hyman, have been on the ice for six even-strength Leafs goals since Keefe united them against Detroit this past Saturday.

The play of that trio was crucial as the Leafs sloughed off a bad second period and rallied to beat the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday.

For Tavares, it’s not about what each line can accomplish, but what the 18 players employed each night are able to attain.

“We’re still not even halfway through (the season) yet,” Tavares said.

“We’ve had periods where we’ve seen good results, played with the lead well, and then there’s times where we haven’t.

“It’s finding that consistency and that has been starting to come as of late. Momentum and the belief is building and the trust in each other and the game is getting stronger.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167900 Toronto Maple Leafs THE SHANAPLAN One night a few years ago in the otherwise empty Bay St. barn, Brendan

Shanahan watched a pick-up game of Leaf employees, changing his seat DECADE OF LEAFS: Some highs, some lows, but no playoff series every few minutes around the upper bowl to study the play from various victories in 10-year span angles.

He wasn’t looking for a defenceman among the accountants and ad men, but checking out how his proposed full-bloom Leaf logo looked from a Lance Hornby fan’s perspective. Determined to make the Leafs ‘Canada’s team’ again and not the butt of jokes, few details escape the Etobicoke native. December 25, 2019 6:09 PM EST Soon after taking over in 2014, the heavy lifting began, out with the last

of the Brian Burke cabal, in with a front office of village elder Lou Measuring the Maple Leafs by 10-year increments, it’s easy to recall the Lamoriello, wunderkind Kyle Dubas, battle-hardened Mark Hunter, successful Cup-filled ’60s, the Sittler/Salming ’70s, the backward Ballard capologist Brandon Pridham and to run the ship on open water, an ’80s, a Holy Trinity of Gilmour, Burns and Fletcher in the ’90s, then the obsessed Captain Ahab in Babcock and a heavy investment to lure John turn of the century Pat Quinn/ACC era. Tavares.

As the 2010s wrap, however, we puzzle about a decade that defied Some elements suceeded, others didn’t quite work out. When push came description. It was forgettable in many ways based on many dark springs to shove, Shanahan gave full control to Dubas and let go most of the and while now ending on a promising note, still saw four general rest, but the program was already solid enough he could hire new staff managers and five coaches go by. And after making the Cup semifinal at from within. least once in the ’70s, ’90s and ’2000s, the Leafs never even won a Shanahan also green-lighted expansion of the team’s sports science series, missed outright in six seasons and aren’t a cinch to qualify in department, let Dubas lead the shift to analytics research. In a popular 2020 either. move, Shanahan brought Dave Keon back in the Leaf family and ended Ten people and events that marked the decade: the opaque honoured number system by outright retiring a total of 19 digits. The Marlies also won a Calder Cup on his watch and Toronto We start with the 2013 playoffs, because how different the world on Bay became a destination for free agents here and in Europe, not a pressure St. might look today had the Leafs held that late 4-1 lead against cooker to be avoided. Boston on May 13 in Game 7 of the opening round. So how about an NHL playoff series win, Shanny? A couple of players Perhaps the empowered Buds would’ve gone on to beat the New York have talked to him about how losing three first-round series has worn Rangers in the next series and gone beyond. Maybe Dave Nonis on them. survived as general manager, Randy Carlyle as coach, Phil Kessel endured in his own unique orbit, no one at MLSE picked up the phone to “That’s salt in the wound, an open wound,” Shanahan has said. “But if it call Brenadan Shanahan and Mike Babcock went to coach Buffalo. makes us stronger (it will serve a purpose). Winning the Cup is like trying to open a safe. You know what the sound is, you know what it feels like, Instead, the Causeway St. Collapse set the Bruins up for success, but until you do it … ” especially where playing the Leafs are concerned and within two years, a Toronto teardown took place, the dust of which still is still settling. Last May, the 50-year-old Shanahan signed a six-year extension. If he lasts his entire term, he’ll have been at the executive helm of the club Toronto has gone through a total of 17 masked men since 2009-10, but longer than any man since the late Harold Ballard. not until acquiring Frederik Andersen did it have a keeper among goalkeepers. As other teams celebrated their young stars, the star-crossed Kadri had an inordinate amount of scrutiny. While the 2006 trading of Tuukka Rask to Boston haunts the Leafs to this day, Andersen finally brought stability to the point of concern this year It went back before the 2009 draft when the fateful Boyd Devereaux hat about burnout. By the time you read this he’ll likely have passed John trick against Ottawa on the meaningless last night of the schedule Ross Roach for seventh-most games by a franchise goaltender (223) dropped the Leafs from fifth to seventh in the order, denying GM Burke and should eclipse Mike Palmateer in wins later this season. the chance to pick Brayden Schenn and unite him with brother Luke and leading to many other ‘what-if’ scenarios with other picks. The Dane was preceded by a mix of Europeans, NHL veterans and eager kids, but ill health, poor defensive support and any number of other Kadri’s selection was naturally booed at rival Montreal’s Bell Centre, calamities prevented someone from firmly gripping the job. The closest hardly the first time the chirpy centre would stir up a crowd. With no other the Leafs came to a steady No. 1 before Andersen was the homegrown meaningful Leafs picks in the years before him or until Morgan Rielly James Reimer. arrived, Kadri was critiqued with the , the Marlies and the Leafs, all the while not afraid to speak his mind. In 2014, the lottery ball gods denied the Leafs their shot at Connor McDavid. Many came to appreciate such bravado and grit, which was clearly missed with the Leafs early this season. But not Kadri’s ill-timed attempts As the PHWA pool reporter that night at CBC studios, I rode the elevator to make a point with reckless behaviour and a long rap sheet of down post-draft with all the non-playoff team reps other than Edmonton, suspensions. It was interesting to see a more mature Kadri develop off one of whom joked that a more unlucky group of hockey men had never the ice as his wild streak ebbed. No Leaf maintained his belief about been in a confined space. better times being just around the corner than Kadri, followed by other long-serving, long suffering Leafs Jake Gardiner and Tyler Bozak. Same building, different story the next year where no one in T.O. complained about a 69-point season that secured the best odds to land Rick Vaive used to lament his three 50-goal seasons were overlooked in Auston Matthews. After watching teams build around Crosby, Stamkos, the tumult of the ’80s and almost forgotten by the end of the ’90s. Kane, Tavares, MacKinnon and McDavid, the Leafs’ futility finally paid off. How will history remember Kessel, who led the Leafs in scoring a remarkable six times in the 2010s? Only once was his time extended into Matthews has been under the spotlight this season for off-ice behaviour, post-season action, where he had six points in 2013, bettered only by not being a 200-foot player and unhappyness under Mike Babcock Marner in the four single series’ the Leafs have been in. before the latter’s dismissal. Bottom line, no Leaf since the 1930s reached 100 goals faster than he and if any Leaf will reach 50 goals If left alone just to play, or surrounded by a stronger cast, Kessel might again or threaten Mats Sundin’s team record of 420, it’ll be Matthews in have thrived in the support role he had with Boston and later in the course of his Leaf tenure, perhaps one day as captain. Pittsburgh with two Cups. But being the face of the franchise with its impatient fan base was not condusive to his personality. Few mourned Results of earlier struggles help the Leafs draft Morgan Rielly, William his departure, which landed the Leafs Kasperi Kapanen and the draft Nylander and Mitch Marner, more than enough to launch a proper pick used to acquire Andersen. rebuild. The challenge in the early part of the 2020s will be adding a piece or two in the cap-conscious NHL. Ron Wilson said his last contract with the team was partially a reward for “combat pay” and maybe he had a point.

The Toronto posting isn’t for the thin-skinned, as Wilson, Carlyle, Peter Horacek and Babcock found out during the decade and now Sheldon Keefe has begun experiencing. Caryle and Babcock had won Cups, but joined the list of 20 post-Punch Imlach who were unable to climb the mountain here.

Major humble pie had to be digested by Shanahan last month when he recognized that the $50-million man Babcock was becoming incompatible with a team of millennial stars. Perhaps turning to Keefe, who is not a former NHL coach or assistant, will work as well as hiring the cerebral Roger Neilson 40 years ago.

From anonymous pension fund bean counters who couldn’t win a Cup, MLSE ownership began transitioning in 2011 under a pair of broadcast giants who also got rich in the absence of a title parade.

But at least Bell and Rogers have a more vested interest in seeing the Leafs do well. Their joint $1.32-billion purchase (chairman of the board Larry Tanenbaum maintains a 25% share) has seen a more proactive hockey team grow as flagship of a sports empire that has won NBA, MLS, CFL and AHL championships.

The hockey TV/radio pie is split between the rivals and a board truce is holding, but fans simply want the oft-promised consistent winning team, not really caring which channel they watch it on.

Going back to the ’80s Toronto’s farm teams could offer little relief to the parent club because the best prospects were either rushed into The Show or too many resources had been lost in the trade of draft picks.

But the decade saw the Marlies program truly settle into its fan-friendly home on the CNE grounds with regular deliveries up the Gardiner Expressway. Coaches Dallas Eakins, Gord Dineen and Steve Spott influenced future Leafs and by the time Dubas put Keefe in charge, the Marlies were considered by many the NHL’s 32nd team. They’ve enjoyed a long string of playoff success, a big budget and shared resources, all paying off in the 2018 Calder Cup and the 2019 ECHL Kelly Cup with St. John’s.

Dave Keon’s return, in time for the franchise’s 2017 centennial, and his nomination by a committee atop a list of 100 team greats, healed some old wounds within the alumni and in the community.

While the passing of Johnny Bower and Red Kelly were mourned, both were alive to see their numbers properly retired among 19 players so honoured and their statues on Legends Row, a long overdue team monument to the public trust that is the Leafs, begun in 2014. After much debate, the team bench concept by sculptor Erik Blome stickhandled around the issue of how the various eras of the club could be properly recognized.

There’s space for one more player to be determined later — intended to be hoisting a Cup.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167901 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights love Mark Stone’s ‘A-plus’ celebrations

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal

December 25, 2019 - 3:13 PM

Updated December 25, 2019 - 3:21 PM

A Golden Knights goal often turns Mark Stone into the hockey equivalent of the Tasmanian Devil.

There’s no telling how his fist and stick with fly through the air. No teammate is safe from the burly right wing’s bear-hugs. And the Knights can’t get enough of his antics.

Seeing their alternate captain and highest-paid player go nuts is one of the team’s favorite sights. Despite being seemingly reserved off the ice, Stone may have the Knights’ best celebrations.

“You see a lot of guys who score a lot of goals, because they’re so used to it sometimes they score and give a high-five,” right wing Ryan Reaves said. “They’re very nonchalant about it, but (Stone) is always fired up.

“I (expletive) love it.”

Stone’s celebrations take many forms but he has a few constants. There’s his go-to, the windmill punch through the air. It’s what he chose to do when the Knights’ production crew filmed celebrations in training camp for goal announcements at T-Mobile Arena. He brings his right first back before launching it past his ear and over his helmet.

There’s also the short double-fist pump. He also sometimes just raises one first in the air. Each move typically involves Stone screaming at the top of his lungs.

“It looks like it’s a lot of fun, huh?” said left wing Max Pacioretty, Stone’s linemate. “It’s definitely as much fun as it looks. He gets so fired up it gets me fired up, gets the boys fired up. He’s a tremendous competitor.”

Stone has been able to show off his moves after each of his 13 goals this season, third-most on the Knights. He had an eight-game goal drought from Nov. 29 to Dec. 13 but snapped it Dec. 15 against the Vancouver Canucks. He brought out the windmill punch for that one.

“It had been a while for me,” Stone said. “I mean, wins make everything so much better. If a team’s winning when you’re chipping in, it’s great. If your team’s winning and you’re chipping in in other areas, it’s awesome too.”

Stone’s reactions after he scores are just half of his celebration game. He doesn’t just get excited for his own goals. He goes crazy when his teammates score.

If one of his linemates score, Stone is often the first one in the corner celebrating with them.

”A-plus,” said Chandler Stephenson, Stone’s center. “To see guys get that excited and just have so much passion for the game is special. He loves scoring. Even when other guys score, it’s almost the same reaction. That just kind of says the kind of guy that he is.”

The emotional surges Stone provides is exactly what the Knights were looking for after acquiring him at last season’s trade deadline. They were drawn to the person as well as the player.

There’s no doubt he’s made his stamp on the team. The Knights were 32-26-5 last season when they traded for Stone. They’re 31-20-8 since.

“He’s one of those guys that leads by example,” Reaves said. “He just works his bag off. That what’s you want out of a top player and a leader on your team. He brings all those elements. His fiery attitude on the ice is infectious on the bench too.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167902 Washington Capitals finally accomplished winning their first World Series in the year everyone had ruled them out.

Best moments of the decade Titles from Nationals, Capitals, Mystics cap D.C.'s decade of highs (and 1. “The Save” by Braden Holtby in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final lows) 2. Howie Kendrick’s grand slam to lift the Nationals in 2019 NLDS

3. John Wall’s game-winning 3-pointer in Game 6 of the 2017 Eastern By Adam Zielonka and Matthew Paras - The Washington Times Conference semifinals Wednesday, December 25, 2019 There are certainly plenty of moments from the Capitals’ run to the Stanley Cup that will stand out in fans’ memories, from finally vanquishing the Penguins in the second round on Evgeny Kuznetsov’s The last decade of sports in the nation’s capital was filled with both overtime goal to Lars Eller’s series-clinching goal in Game 5 of the finals. triumph and disappointment. With the exception of the last two years, But only one has a sweet, simple nickname like “The Save.” there was more disappointment than triumph. After the expansion Vegas Golden Knights took Game 1 of the finals, the Three of the District teams brought home championships for the first Capitals still had never won a Stanley Cup Final game in franchise team in the history of their franchises. These momentous feats stand out history, and Vegas was looking like a team of destiny. The Capitals led 3- as the best the decade had to offer. Yet, where there were highs, there 2 in Game 2 when Alex Tuch fired on an open left side of the net with two were also lows. minutes to go. Braden Holtby could only dive to his right and slam his stick down on the incoming puck, saving the shot under the paddle. Had Best players of the decade Vegas scored, the game could have gone to overtime, the Golden 1. Alex Ovechkin, Capitals forward Knights could have taken a 2-0 series lead and the whole complexion of the series would have changed. 2. Max Scherzer, Nationals pitcher With the stakes that high, “The Save” beats out some of the most thrilling 3. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals pitcher moments in local baseball and basketball — Howie Kendrick’s go-ahead grand slam that ultimately pushed the formerly-snakebitten Nationals to Every Washington team has been fortunate enough to spend all or part their first NLDS victory, and John Wall’s clutch shot with 3.5 seconds left of this decade with at least one of their respective league’s superstars, to force an Eastern Conference semifinals Game 7 between the Wizards from Bryce Harper to Robert Griffin III, and John Wall to Elena Delle and Celtics. Donne. But the crown for best athlete goes to the Great Eight, Alex Ovechkin. Worst moments of the decade

The reason is a simple combination of the elite play he sustained 1. Redskins QB Robert Griffin III tears his ACL and LCL in wild card throughout the decade — spent entirely with the Capitals — and the fact that he captained the Capitals’ Stanley Cup-winning team, the first 2. Nationals blow Game 5 of 2012 NLDS with Drew Storen meltdown Washington team to break through and win a title this decade. 3. Redskins’ “Monday Night Massacre” loss to Eagles in 2010 No other player has all of that going for him or her. Ovechkin has scored When discussing the worst moments of the decade for D.C. sports, this 681 career goals, 12th on the all-time list and just 213 from tying Wayne list could have been entirely about the Redskins. Under team president Gretzky’s record. He’s led the NHL in goals in six of the last seven Bruce Allen, the Redskins have gone 62-95-1 and made the playoffs only seasons. And the Capitals only missed the playoffs once this decade with twice since 2010. Ironically, the team’s most painful moment happened in Ovechkin as their centerpiece. the postseason — Robert Griffin III’s torn ACL. Choosing the rest of the top three was difficult, but it’s hard not to honor Facing the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 NFC Wild Card game, an both Scherzer — who came to Washington in 2015 and won two Cy already hobbled Griffin looked gimpy all game before his right knee Young awards in a Nationals uniform — and Strasburg, the 2019 World buckled in the fourth quarter of the Redskins’ 24-14 loss. Griffin went Series MVP who spent the entire decade in Washington and, with his down without contact and test results confirmed fans’ worst fears. The new contract, wants to spend his entire career here. — Adam Zielonka injury was particularly painful because not only was Griffin never the Best teams of the decade same, but the 2012 Redskins appeared to be the start of a promising turnaround with a dynamic quarterback and an innovative offense 1. 2019 Nationals, MLB designed by coach Mike Shanahan.

2. 2017-18 Capitals, NHL Other low moments this decade — Drew Storen’s meltdown in Game 5 of the 2012 NLDS, Michael Vick destroying the Redskins on “Monday Night 3. 2019 Mystics, WNBA Football” in 2010 — don’t capture the same type of hopelessness that The story of the 2019 Nationals can’t be told without mentioning May 24. involved Griffin’s injury. With Griffin’s injury, there will always be a That’s the date, Washington was just 19-31 and looked like a change at haunting “what if” — and that’s why it continues to plague Redskins fans manager was necessary. You know what happened next: The Nationals to this day. finished 93-69 and put together a postseason run that cleared every hurdle they had been unable to do previously. Washington Times LOADED: 12.26.2019 As a team, the Nationals’ chemistry helped them stay the course. Aníbal Sánchez and the addition of Gerardo Parra kept things loose. From a talent perspective, the Nationals had a star-studded rotation topped by Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. They also produced offensively with a stacked lineup including the punch of Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto. So much about Washington’s postseason was memorable — from Howie Kendrick’s grand slam in the NLDS to the Nationals’ rally in Game 7 of the World Series over the Houston Astros. Perhaps what’s most remarkable about the Nationals, what separates them from the 2017-18 Capitals and 2019 Mystics in ranking as the D.C. team of the decade, is the fact they were so successful after losing Bryce Harper in free agency.

As great as they were, would the Capitals or the Mystics still have been able to win if one of their best players had left? After years of magazine predictions which ranked them as postseason favorites, the Nationals 1167903 Washington Capitals

Ovechkins spend Christmas Eve at Mar-A-Lago with President Trump

By NBC Sports Washington Staff

December 25, 2019 2:15 PM

Alex Ovechkin traveled south for the holidays this season and spent Christmas Eve with one of his neighbors from Washington D.C., President Donald Trump.

Ovechkin and his wife Nastasiya spent Christmas Eve dinner at Mar-A- Lago in Palm Beach where Ovechkin presented President Trump with one of his jerseys.

The Capitals' next game is this Friday at Capital One Arena when the team hosts the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167904 Washington Capitals Eller acknowledged the issue but said he isn’t freaking out about it. “We got to find a way to stay out of the box, get the stick infractions

down,” Eller said. “That’s one area we can improve, and we have 100 Ten thoughts on the Capitals at the holiday break: On John Carlson’s percent control over that. Other than that, I really like our team. It was a record chase and the problems with penalties bad game (in Boston). Overall, we had a good first half, so I’m not too worried.”

2. Still killing it By Tarik El-Bashir If the penalty kill unit was its Achilles’ heel a year ago, it’s arguably Dec 25, 2019 Washington’s backbone now. And it’s needed to be, given how often the Caps find themselves short-handed.

Even after surrendering two power-play goals in Boston, the Carl BOSTON — With the NHL’s holiday break upon us, it’s a great time to Hagelin-led unit ranks second at 84.9 percent. For comparison’s sake, take stock of what’s working for the NHL-leading Washington Capitals the unit was 24th at 77 percent through 38 games last season. (hint: quite a lot) and the areas that could use some attention as the second half of the regular season beckons. Siegenthaler, Hagelin and Gudas are the top three skaters in short- handed ice time. What do they have in common? None of them were on From the bottom six to the power play, here are 10 thoughts on the Caps’ the team at the start of last season. first 38 games: Penalty-kill minutes are hard minutes. On occasion, the job also requires 1. About all the penalties putting one’s body between a 90-plus-mph slap shot and the net. But it’s A week ago, it was an annoyance. Now it’s a problem. their job, and they have embraced it.

The Caps take far too many penalties. If they don’t get the situation 3. Filling the net under control, it could become difficult to dial out of their game come the The Caps entered the break with the league’s second-most-prolific playoffs, when special teams play an outsized role in determining offense, averaging 3.53 goals per game. outcomes. Washington was the first team to have six players reach double digits in They’ve been assessed 151 minor penalties — eight more than second- goals — Alex Ovechkin, Jakub Vrana, T.J. Oshie, John Carlson, place Vegas and 55 more than Winnipeg, the most disciplined team. Kuznetsov and Wilson — and is still one of only two with as many. The penalty problem was underscored by the Caps’ last two games The Caps are also tied for the most goals scored in the third period (52) entering the break. They were assessed seven minors in a 3-1 win over and at six-on-five (five). Tampa Bay and eight in a 7-3 loss to the Bruins, including five in a disastrous first period that saw the Bruins strike four times, including “For us, we’ve played a lot more of an aggressive style of hockey this twice on the power play. year,” Reirden said of the team’s third-period prowess. “Last year, for a number of different reasons, we weren’t able to play this style. We have Coach Todd Reirden has shown a willingness to cut the ice time of different personnel this year. We didn’t play as long (last spring), which repeat offenders. After the Boston blowout, it sounds like he’s prepared was disappointing, but it has allowed us to play more aggressively all to crack down even more. over the ice. If you do that for long enough throughout the game, you can “You can continue to adjust ice time,” Reirden said. “You can try some wear some teams down.” different (line) combinations. You can continue to teach technique in In addition, the Caps’ plus-26 goal differential ranks third. terms of moving your feet.” 4. Intermittent power To be clear, Reirden wants the Capitals to play a physical, in-your-face brand of hockey. He wants his players to hound pucks relentlessly. He The power-play unit is connecting at 20.9 percent and is ranked 12th, also understands that style sometimes leads to penalties and, as such, though it had been comfortably inside the top 10 before its recent cold can live with the odd penalty of effort. It’s the lazy obstruction fouls — spell. It went 0-for-5 in Boston and has the lowest percentage this month hooking, interference, tripping and holding — that have him fuming. of any team, scoring on just 2 of 28 opportunities.

“It’s funny how those are always the ones that seem to end up in the Oshie acknowledged there’s room for “more goals to be had,” but he isn’t back of your net,” he lamented. overly concerned about the recent slump, pointing to the fact the entries have been good and zone time has been plentiful and they’ve been Tom Wilson (18), Evgeny Kuznetsov (14) and Jonas Siegenthaler (12) generating shots. are the top three on the Capitals in minor penalties, while Radko Gudas and Lars Eller (11 each) are tied for fourth. Wilson, Kuznetsov, Gudas “There’s definitely room for improvement,” he said. “Over the last little and Eller are also important penalty killers, so when they’re in the box, here, we’ve actually been doing a really good job. We’re just not putting it’s a double whammy. the puck in the back of the net. You always want to score goals, but there have been a lot of power plays lately where we’ve gained momentum, Wilson also said the Caps are guilty of taking too many stick penalties which, at the very least, is what you want to do. We’ve had some really but he also suspects their position atop the standings and their penalty- good looks, and we’ve faced some teams that have done a really good prone start to the season has them under the microscope. job against us. I know when I was in St. Louis and we’d come into D.C. “When you’re at the top of the league, there’s less room for error,” Wilson and you look at Ovi and (Nicklas) Backstrom on the power play, you get said. “Everyone knows you’re in first, and everyone is coming for you. up for it a little bit more to try and stop those guys. I’m sure it’s no That might add into it a little bit. We’re not getting any breaks, that’s for different now.” sure. But at the end of the day, we need to take less penalties. Whether The coaching staff also has seemed intent on making the unit less they are penalties or they aren’t penalties — that’s not my job to decide predictable. Carlson appears to have been moving around more, whether — but you can’t be in the box. Sooner or later, that’s going to bite you in he’s switching with Ovechkin or sliding down to the back post. Ditto for the ass.” Ovechkin. Wilson added: “The penalties you don’t want to see are the stick Like Oshie, Reirden feels the unit is doing more good than bad. It’s just penalties. If they’re chargings or boardings and hard-nosed penalties, it’s not scoring. a little bit different. When it’s interference and hooking and tripping, that means you’re not really skating. We want to limit those. But, like I said, “We’ve been getting some entries and we’re where we want to be sometimes when it rains, it pours when you start taking them. The refs percentage-wise on that, except maybe not quite as good the last few come into the game knowing we’re at the top of the league, best team in games,” he said in Boston. “I’d say from the first month of the season on, the league. It’s just a perfect storm sometimes, and we got to do a better it’s gotten better. We’re getting opportunities and we’ve missed the net a job of taking it out of their hands and making sure we’re more few times on some partial open nets. So we’re getting some good looks, disciplined.” but we need to finish a little bit better. It seems to go in waves a little bit.” 5. Fourth-line feistiness One of the most intriguing storylines of the second half is going to be whether Carlson can keep up his historic pace and, of course, win the One pleasant surprise from the first half has been the retooled fourth line, Norris Trophy, which has so far eluded him. which features Brendan Leipsic, Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway. With a team-leading 48 points, the Caps’ No. 1 blueliner is on track for The trio brings intensity. It brings physicality. And, most important, that 104 points over an 82-game season. Is he going to be able to close the line brings it every night. deal, post a triple-digit point total and join the likes of Bobby Orr, Paul “I can think of maybe a game or period that I haven’t liked from them all Coffey, Denis Potvin, Al MacInnis and Brian Leetch? year when they’re together,” Reirden said. “They have been so Carlson also has some longstanding franchise records in his sights: most consistent that every time they go over the boards they give us a spark. points by a defenseman (81) and assists by a defenseman (61). They give us some energy. They give our bench a little bit of a bump.” 9. Is Backstrom back? Asked why he likes the line so much, Reirden pointed to a goal scored by Backstrom in the first period of the Caps’ win 5-2 over the Lightning on Since returning from an upper-body injury that sidelined him for eight Dec. 14. The fourth line hemmed defensemen Victor Hedman and Jan games, Backstrom has looked more like his usual, impactful self. Rutta in the Tampa Bay end for a minute with a relentless forecheck. Eventually, Rutta coughed up the puck and Backstrom converted an In fact, since returning, No. 19 has racked up four goals and five assists easy goal. in seven contests.

“The importance of a fourth line is to be able to affect the other team’s The uptick in performance hasn’t gone unnoticed. best players,” Reirden said. “They forced the defensemen on the “I think he was playing fine before the injury, it just seems that there may Lightning to stay on the ice for 1:12 playing in the D zone after we have been some time he playing and when he wasn’t perfect,” Reirden forechecked them. We changed and got Alex Ovechkin and Nick said. “I think it was a good choice to get himself right and then come Backstrom to come on the ice versus a defenseman that had been on the back, and now he’s playing the way he’s capable of. He was still was ice for a 1:12. Alex stripped him from behind, and Nick got a freebie at averaging a point per game and doing his normal stuff, but it just wasn’t the front of the net. That’s the effect a fourth line can have. For me, it was at the execution level that we are accustomed to. I’m glad to see him a set-up shift.” healthy and back doing what he can do because he’s a special player Is it the best fourth line in the league? It’s certainly in the conversation. and a special leader for us in our room.”

6. Third and long 10. Leadership 101

Unlike the fourth line, the third line is still searching for some Ask Reirden what he’s most proud of as the season nears its midpoint cohesiveness. and it’s not Carlson’s assault on the record books, the Caps’ perch atop the standings or anything of the sort. It’s the collection of locker room Center Lars Eller is having a good season, but his wingers — Hagelin leaders who have stepped up and filled the void left by Brooks Orpik, and Richard Panik — are struggling offensively. who retired in the offseason, and Matt Niskanen, who was dealt.

Eller has eight goals and 12 assists, putting him on pace for a career- “Our leadership is outstanding in our locker room,” Reirden said. “As high 43 points. Eller is also winning a team-high 54.3 percent of his coaches, we feel we do a strong job of preparing our players. But faceoffs. Hagelin, meanwhile, is the only full-time forward still without a ultimately, it’s them challenging one another in the room. You have a goal, and Panik has just four points (three goals, one assist). It hasn’t game you don’t like, it’s how do you respond from it? I think we’ve done a helped that Hagelin and Panik have missed significant time with injuries. really good job of that in the first half, of not letting too many losses string together, or even poor efforts. The coaches point out things we don’t like, Reirden said he recently asked Eller to take a more vocal role in terms of and then it’s the players holding each other accountable in the room. leadership in the hopes of getting things jump-started. That’s been a buzzword for us.”

“He understands what exactly is expected,” Reirden said. “I think he’s Indeed, the Caps are the only team that hasn’t suffered consecutive played well this year. He also went through a slow start when he first regulation defeats. came to us. Just going through some of those trials and learning what we demand from our players and what we feel are difference-makers, the details that we have, the preparation we put into a game. There’s not many teams that do it and there’s a reason our record is what it is year The Athletic LOADED: 12.26.2019 after year. Once players get accustomed to that, and it becomes part of the routine, then the game comes easier.”

There are 44 games remaining, but one has to wonder how long Reirden will remain patient.

7. The rookie’s making moves

The biggest question facing the Caps entering the season was whether rookie Ilya Samsonov is good enough and/or ready to eventually be the No. 1 goalie. There’s still a lot of hockey to be played, but the early returns look positive.

At 6-foot-3, Samsonov cuts an imposing figure in net. He’s athletic. He’s hyper-competitive. Sure, he’s got some technique issues to clean up, but his numbers suggest the Caps could have something special on their hands.

The 22-year-old Russian is 9-2-1 in 11 starts; the only rookie with more wins is New Jersey’s Mackenzie Blackwood, who has 11 wins in 24 starts. Among rookie goalies who’ve played at least five games, Samsonov boasts the best save percentage at .914 and goals-against average at 2.39. He’s also tied for 12th with a .636 quality-start percentage.

Samsonov certainly has played well enough to earn more time on the back half of the schedule. Will he get it?

8. #johnny4norris 1167905 Vancouver Canucks Sanderson and his staff are supported at every game by a whole swath of faces most fans never seen. There’s an ER doctor on site for every game, for instance. The team’s other physicians and chiropractors and physiotherapists are there too. Patrick Johnston: A long, fun road for Canucks therapist Jon Sanderson There’s monthly preparation drills, involving the whole medical team, too.

“We do scenarios … we run through everything from cardiac events, to PATRICK JOHNSTON broken bones. Everything.”

December 25, 2019 11:42 AM PST A regular outside criticism of the Canucks has been over how transparent they are with their fans and the media when it comes to reporting injuries.

From Sanderson’s side, he said they’re much more open than they used Vancouver Canucks' head athletic therapist Jon Sanderson worked his to be. 1,500th NHL game last week. “I think it used to be … there was less willingness on the team’s part to The people, as ever, have made the work worth it, says Jon Sanderson, say anything,” he said. “I think that’s changed. As far as I think now it’s a the director of medical services and head athletic therapist of the little more open.” Vancouver Canucks. But no, they’re not the NFL, he said. Sanderson worked his 1,500th NHL game last week. As the man himself “Hockey, maybe lags behind a little bit,” he admitted. “I remember a said, that’s a testament to how fast time flies. couple of years ago, Jimmy Graham tore his quad tendon when he was “I’ve been very, very fortunate,” he said. “I grew up here. I’ve been with the Seahawks. I want to say it was the second quarter. And by around, cheering for the team since I was a kid. I haven’t had to move. halftime, they had announced what the injury was and that he was out. I’ve been able to do what I wanted to do professionally and do it in my We’re not there. But I think we’re a little bit more forthcoming about what hometown.” the injury is, how severe it is.”

As a kid, he played all kinds of sports. How athletes dealt with injuries Alex Edler, drafted in 2004, made his debut in the 2005-06 season and always drew his eye. And his interest in medical sciences took him to has known Sanderson since his first day with the Canucks. Sheridan College in Ontario for his undergraduate studies. “There’s not a lot of things that he hasn’t seen,” Edler said. “Always a Later, he attended the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and great guy and has a lot of experience. He knows what will help to deal worked for the B.C. Lions before joining the Canucks in 2000. with all kinds of injuries.”

A registered massage therapist, Sanderson first started with the Canucks Antoine Roussel spent much of his recovery from knee surgery this off- in the 2000-01 season. He took over as the lead athletic therapist ahead season away from Vancouver, but said Sanderson was vital in helping of the 2015-16 season, when the team reorganized its training staff, with him work his way back. Rick Celebrini hired to lead the team’s training and medical operation, “He’s very dedicated to the team. He makes sure the players are taken replacing Mike Burnstein. care of for any aspect, their family, their doctors,” he said. “He makes our Celebrini left for the Golden State Warriors in 2018, but the collaborative job easier. He coordinated all my surgery appointments, my travel, my treatment approach he put in place remains. follow up.”

A new challenge can present itself nearly every day and that’s a big part Players have a more sophisticated understanding of their own health, of why he enjoys his job. The biggest part, he said, are the players Sanderson said. That comes with the reality of how much money is at themselves. stake now for these young athletes and also helps explain how the focus on player welfare is now a 12-month-a-year job. “They’re the best 700 players in the world. And we get to help them try to be the best they can be,” he said. “It’s like, people say all the time, just “They’re more invested in their own care,” he said. “Every guy has sort of when you think something else can happen, something happens. There’s a team that they rely on whether it’s in the summer, they have a workout always a new challenge. And I think that keeps everybody sharp and guy, they have a nutritionist, they have a therapist, they have all that motivated.” stuff. You see that across all sports now … they all have a certain team of people.” How the team’s medical staff treats players is no longer just about basic care, as it was when he started. Now it’s a 24/7, 365 day a year And that’s fine by him. It’s reality. challenge. “It takes more and more care to keep them in a game that’s faster than “You’re always looking for ways to get better. Each individual player it’s ever been. The relationships are a little bit different in that they’re needs more attention in various ways than they ever have before. So the more of a partnership now than ever, the players are more invested in challenge for us is how do we meet their expectations, provide the best their care. They’re more interested, they want to know more about why care we can provide, and help them to do what they need to do out there we want to do what we want to do. It’s good that way. It’s better.” in a game that’s as fast than ever,” he said.

“Every part of the medical side is bigger and more advanced,” he added. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.26.2019 There’s more technology and data than ever available to Sanderson and his colleagues. The learning never stops.

He’s seen his fair share of injuries in that time, but the time Sami Salo tore a gluteus muscle taking a slap shot was one that stood out.

“That, we’d never seen,” he said, laughing at the memory. “That’s how much force he could generate.”

And before you shout, what about the time Salo had a rupture in a very sensitive area, Sanderson nodded and grinned about that one too.

The moment a player goes down injured on the ice, Sanderson and his team spring into action.

“The first thing you want to know is that it’s nothing catastrophic, that there’s not a cardiac event or something life threatening,” he said. “And from there, it’s initial appropriate care and then getting them packaged and off the ice, as safely and as quickly as we can.” 1167906 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks at 50: Kirk McLean's road to Stanley Cup Final paved with golden performances

BEN KUZMA

December 25, 2019 10:00 AM PST

Some sights, sounds and career notoriety never fade away.

Kirk McLean can easily recall that rousing standing ovation for making 45 saves in a 3-0 blanking of the venerable Canadiens in the old Montreal Forum during the 1991-92 season. He can still see Wayne Gretzky beating him for his 802nd career goal to break Gordie Howe’s long- standing record the same season.

And he can still picture Nathan Lafayette ringing a shot off the post in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in Madison Square Garden, a bitter 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers on June 14, 1994.

With five minutes remaining in the gut-wrenching, see-saw finale — Trevor Linden had scored twice, including a shorthanded effort, and the Vancouver Canucks were pressing for the tying effort — Lafayette put a shot past goalie Mike Richter and off the iron.

For the Canucks, who kept beating higher seeds to get to the final and had rallied back from a 3-1 series deficit, it was one of those agonizing what-could-have been moments. Especially for Lafayette.

“I feel for him,” recalled McLean. “He did all he could go to get his stick on the puck and direct it at the net. It wasn’t the greatest pass and he was kind of under pressure. He hits the outside of the post.

“If it hits the inside, maybe it goes in. I just applaud him for getting good enough wood on it to get it close to the net.”

The biggest applause that spring belonged to McLean and to get that close to winning it all is a constant reminder of how long the slog is to hockey’s Holy Grail.

He had to make a remarkable save off Robert Reichel in the first overtime of Game 7 of the opening round to get by the favoured Calgary Flames. Pavel Bure ended the suspense in the second overtime, but that Reichel save is etched in franchise glory.

“In that same game, on almost the same play, he scored on me between the legs by coming down the same side,” recalled McLean. “Jyrki (Lumme) played it perfectly and actually forced the pass across and allowed me to anticipate what was gong to happen.

“The timing of the two-pad slide — which was a move we were taught growing up — was kind of a desperation move and you had to get across in a hurry. I didn’t give Reichel any chance to get the puck up in the air because he was in pretty tight. If anything, he had to put it under me.”

McLean posted back-to-back shutouts against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Western Conference final before the Cup final and that Game 7 drama.

“Maybe the extra (off) day helped them (Rangers) because the teams were super battered and they were a little bit older and that may have helped them,” said McLean. “But then with it (losing), your confidence goes from the highest level to the big disappointment because of what it takes to get there.

“I was looking around the locker-room afterwards and looking directly at Murray Craven. Here was a guy with his third kick at the (Stanley Cup Final) can. I felt for him more than anything because it probably wasn’t going to happen for him near end of his career.”

It didn’t.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167907 Vancouver Canucks happen to me. Richard was near the end and a young guy was trying to take his job. It was a strange relationship that first year, but we became major friends over the years.

Canucks at 50: How a short trade call from Lamoriello changed it all for “It was totally understandable at the time. He probably thought he’d finish McLean his career here for what he did for city in 1982. And I might have been a tad overweight with some baby fat and I got a talking to at the end of the season. I came back in really good shape.”

BEN KUZMA In 1988-89, McLean established himself with a 20-17-3 record, 3.08 goals-against average and .891 saves percentage. He blanked the Devils December 25, 2019 10:00 AM PST 4-0 in N.J., earned a Vezina Trophy nomination in the rapid-fire Smythe Division dominated by eventual Cup champion Calgary Flames. The following season, he would appear in the All-Star Game, lead the league A brief phone call launched Kirk McLean into a long and legendary in games played (63) and minutes (3,738). trajectory as superlative stopper for the Vancouver Canucks. By the 1991-92 season, McLean was really starting to make his mark. Lou Lamoriello was named president of the New Jersey Devils in April of 1987, appointing himself general manager prior to the start of the He made 45 saves in the famed Montreal Forum in a 3-0 blanking of the following season. It was a bold move because he had never played, vaunted Canadiens. He got a standing ovation for the effort and it was a coached or managed at the NHL level and it was a window into his world springboard to five shutouts that season to tie for the NHL lead. He as a brash administrator with a dour demeanour. earned another Vezina nomination and the improving Canucks won the Smythe title for the first time since 1975. But that Montreal reception And on his to-do list was to cut a glut of goaltenders. With Alain Chevrier, really resonated with McLean. Craig Billington, Chris Terreri and raw prospect McLean in the system, something had to give. Then McLean’s phone rang. He was heading to “That’s No. 1 for sure because of what happened — getting that standing the west coast along with Greg Adams and a second round 1988 draft ovation — and it kind of sent tingles down my spine,” he admitted. “Being pick in exchange for Patrik Sundstrom plus second and fourth-round a Canadiens hater growing up in T.O., it turned out to be a very classy selections. situation because the people are obviously knowledgeable. And Greg Adams scored all three goals.” At the time, the transaction seemed more about swapping 20-goal scorers than providing McLean with a platform to prove his future worth. The rise in play and confidence led McLean to the 1992, 1993, 1994 and He suffered a knee injury in February of the previous season and had 1995 postseason. In 1992, the Canucks lost the division final to the another knee ailment during offseason training and both knees required Edmonton Oilers in six games and suffered the same fate to the Los arthroscopic surgery. Angeles Kings in the following year. Then came the remarkable run to Game 7 of the Cup Final in 1994. However, he would go from the minors to the majors, backstop the Canucks for 11 seasons and to within a victory of the 1994 Stanley Cup championship and also be honoured in the franchise Ring of Honour. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.26.2019 Trevor Linden & Kirk McLean congratulating each other after winning Game 6 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers.

And it all started with that call.

“I had no idea about it,” McLean recalled of the fateful trade. “We had a plethora of goalies and you can never have enough to use them as commodities — and that’s what happened. It was a weird one, because I had not even met Lou yet when he took over and my first meeting was getting a phone call from him to tell me about the trade.

“And to this day, I still haven’t sat down and talked to him. We pass each other in the media boxes but never really chatted.”

Imagine what that conversation would be like today?

“It was a new start,” added McLean, a Willowdale, Ont. native who was an OHL standout. “I didn’t really know much about Vancouver. The farthest west I had been was the Mac’s Midget Tournament in Calgary and that 1982 Canucks run was about my dad listening to Leaf games at 10 p.m. (Eastern) with Foster Hewitt. That was it for Vancouver.

“And I didn’t know Greg was involved because we just had the fax machines back then. Lou said: ‘We made a trade and I can’t tell you who it is because it hasn’t been approved by the league.’ I didn’t know until I was on the plane and already in my seat and then Greg came walking down he aisle.

“We just kept chuckling. We were introduced to New Jersey at the same time — me in the draft (1984) and he as a walk-on out of Northern Arizona University (44 goals) — and he had success right away.”

Adam Graves of the New York Rangers scores against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kirk McLean in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Madison Square Gardens.

McLean quickly found his way in the Canucks goalie carousel that also housed Frank Caprice, Richard Brodeur and . The club won just 25 games in the 1987-88 season, but there was hope on the horizon. Tony Tanti, 23, had 40 goals, Adams, 25, had 36 and Petri Skriko, 25, managed 30 goals.

“I got 41 games the first year, which I thought was pretty good and then Pat (GM Quinn) made moves with Caprice sent down and trading Richard to Hartford and with Weeks coming in, it was the best thing to 1167908 Websites Does the lack of experience matter? "It's a big setting, very intimidating, I guess you could say, but I'm just

here to stop pucks," Daws said. "I don't think it really matters too much TSN.CA / Boosted by NHL experience, captain Barrett Hayton brings aside from the bigger ice. No matter what jersey you're wearing you're underrated toughness to Team Canada still doing the same thing."

Daws has done that thing very well this season posting a .939 save percentage in the OHL and carrying that into Canada's camp where he Mark Masters has a .942 save percentage in his four appearances.

As for intimidating settings, Daws has some experience with that thanks to the Barrie Colts, who visited Guelph on Dec. 6 and seemed During his three seasons with Sault Ste. Marie in the OHL, Barrett determined to get under his skin. Hayton never lost to London winning all nine games he played against Dale Hunter and the Knights. That perfect record was a point of "I wasn't expecting it," Daws said. "They just came into the game and discussion during Team Canada's summer camp at the World Junior they were hitting me. I got hammered behind the net when I was playing Showcase. the puck, they were yelling at me and trying to get in my head. I was told before the game even started that the first shot was going to go in. It "He was on me a bit about that," Hayton said with a smile. "He actually didn’t really work out too well for them." brought it up. I don't have that in me to throw that out there. He just brought it up and it was a funny, little joke." Daws stopped all 39 shots he faced and was the first star in a 4-0 Storm win. Hayton scored four goals and added three assists in two games against London last season. "It didn't really faze me," he said. "You know, obviously, a little bit more motivation so it probably helped me." "I said, 'Take it easy on us,'" Hunter recalled with a laugh. "It's a good thing he didn't come back." Emotions will likely run hot on Boxing Day as Canada and the United States renew their rivalry and that's fine by Daws. Instead, Hayton made the Arizona Coyotes. Canada has five returning players at the World Juniors, but only Hayton has NHL experience on his "It's something I've watched my whole life," the Burlington, Ont. native resume. said. "It's one of those things, you always have it out for the States and it would be cool to be a part of one of those games." "It makes a big difference," said Hunter. "He's one of those kids who absorbs so he's watching everything and he's here and he's working his Daws on performance against Finland: 'I felt really good, really confident' tail off and he's ready to go. On and off the ice he's a character kid and everybody looks up to him." Goalie Nico Daws was perfect in his last tune-up game before the tournament begins on December 26th, stopping every shot he faced in In a team meeting before Wednesday's practice, Hunter officially named the 30 minutes he played. The decision on who starts in net for Canada Hayton captain of Team Canada with Flint centre Ty Dellandrea, Grand has not been finalized yet, but Daws likes his mindset right now, feeling Rapids centre Joe Veleno and Spokane defenceman Ty Smith serving as really good and confident. alternates. Unlike last year when Canada throttled Denmark 14-0 in a breezy "Just incredibly honoured," said Hayton, who wore the 'C' with the opener, this year's first tournament encounter is full of intrigue. The Greyhounds last season. "This is the tournament you grew up watching United States has won a medal in four straight World Juniors and, like and you idolized the guys who played here so to be able to lead this Canada, has five returning players. team and lead the group we have is a special feeling. Having that responsibility is something I love and have a lot of pride in." "Playing each other I think grabs both teams' attention right away," said Team USA coach Scott Sandelin. The 19-year-old from Peterborough, Ont. possesses the blend of skill and grittiness that Hunter hopes will become the identity of this year's "There's no putting your foot in the water," said USA centre Shane Pinto. Team Canada. "You got to go full in and it's going to be a tough one."

"He's hard to play against," noted Dellandrea. "He has that skill and poise The battle will happen on the ice and between the ears. Discipline is key with the puck, but what is underrated is how hard he works and how and trash talk is expected. aggressive he is too. So, a lot of people think of him as a skill guy, "The boys are really hyped up," said Veleno. "Going to be a lot of always playing with the puck, but he's tough and aggressive and I think chirping and some physicality going on. It's going to be a real good game that’s underrated about him." to watch and real fun game to be a part of. We like playing in those types The NHL experience also carries a lot of weight inside the dressing room. of games, it’s kind of the Canadian way a little bit so we're excited."

"His presence," said Dellandrea when asked what stands out, "the way How does Veleno rate his chirping skills? he carries himself, everybody listens to him." "Not very good," he said with a laugh. "I just like being a part of it, hearing Hayton scored a goal and recorded three assists in 14 games with the the other guys chirp cracks me up a little bit, but I'm not really that type of Coyotes before being loaned to Hockey Canada for the World Juniors. person. I don't really talk too much on the ice." Those months spent in the NHL accelerated his development. So, who will lead Canada's verbal barrage? "It's the best league in the world," Hayton said as his eyes lit up. "It's an "I got to say (Aidan) Dudas is the best one," Veleno said. "You can speak incredible league. The biggest thing for me was just the guys I was to him and he'll probably tell you the same thing. He's just a tenacious surrounded with. There's so many tremendous leaders, it's a great group little guy, who likes to stir the pot." there, there's a lot of older guy and some young guys and they've all been incredible for me in learning how to carry yourself, learning how to Ferraro shares which line has impressed him the most so far take care of yourself, learning how to play on the ice, it’s really everything. It's a whole package of learning." After getting a glimpse at what this team has to offer, Ray Ferraro believes that the most impressive line so far is the line that stayed Hayton looks to use NHL experience to elevate his game at World together for both their pre-competition games. Liam Foudy, Ty Juniors Dellandrea, and Aidan Dudas are an aggressive and 'in your face' line that seems to have earned the trust of head coach Dale Hunter. Barrett Hayton was quite excited when he received the news that the Arizona Coyotes would release him so he could represent Canada at the When the United States finalized their roster on Monday night, Canadian World Juniors and spend another year with the Maple Leaf on his chest. defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker sent a congratulatory text to Pinto, a fellow Ottawa Senators prospect and his teammate at the University of Hunter didn't name a starting goalie on Wednesday, but whoever gets North Dakota. But there will be no more communication between the pair the call – Guelph's Nico Daws or Portland's Joel Hofer – will be playing until after Thursday's game. for Canada at an international tournament for the first time. "We aren't really going to talk right now," Pinto said.

Bernard-Docker and Pinto did speak about the World Juniors back at school, but they didn't get too deep into it, because neither guy felt they had a spot secure. Fast forward to Christmas and Bernard-Docker is skating on Canada's shutdown pair with Kevin Bahl while Pinto is skating with Nick Robertson and Oliver Wahlstrom, a top-six unit on Team USA.

"He's just so poised with the puck," Pinto said of Bernard-Docker. "He's very mature in his game. He's very good defensively."

"He's a two-way guy," noted Bernard-Docker of Pinto, "big, has a great shot and has great vision as well."

The mutual admiration will be put on hold as of 1 pm ET on Boxing Day.

"I know his tactics up at the point," said Pinto, "but I don't know if he knows mine so hopefully he kind of gets surprised by that. We'll see."

"I know everything he's going to do," Bernard-Docker said with a chuckle. "He thinks he has stuff up his sleeves, but I'm pretty sure I know his moves."

Pinto isn't about the slow up on the forecheck just because he's playing against a teammate.

"I'm going to hit him," Pinto vowed. "USA versus Canada, it's going to be intense so, yeah, I'm going to hit him."

Last year, Jacob Bernard-Docker was the last defenceman cut at Canada's selection camp. That moment, still fresh in his mind, motivated the Senators prospect, who started this season strong at the University of North Dakota. Bernard-Docker will be a scratch tonight as Canada's hopefuls take on the U Sports all-stars, which is a good sign for his World Junior chances.

TSN.CA LOADED: 12.26.2019 1167909 Websites There are some games where he just takes it to Clarke. But he isn’t a father. I know that sometimes I have to let a few in for Clarke to win and feel good. Joel is still working on that.”

TSN.CA / Joel Hofer turning Americans into Team Canada fans at World Walsh said Hofer has just been “part of the family” for the last four Juniors months. When they go to dinner parties, Hofer tags along. Hofer is an avid golfer, so they took a trip to the nearby TopGolf one night with Clarke – even though Walsh isn’t much of a golfer.

Frank Seravalli When Walsh is home and the schedule allows, the two will go out for lunch in Portland. Hofer loves the big-city feel after parts of two seasons

in Swift Current, the smallest WHL outpost. — Ian Walsh is one of the few, the proud – one of just five Americans “He doesn’t say a whole lot, but we have the hockey bond,” Walsh currently working as a full-time referee in the National Hockey League. said. “We watch a lot of hockey, talk about hockey. He will show me clips But Walsh will find himself in an unfamiliar position on Boxing Day of his games; I will show him clips of mine. I ask him for his opinion about when Team USA clashes with Team Canada to open up the 2020 World different calls. We talk about goalie interference penalties.” Junior Championship (12 p.m. ET on TSN 1/4/5). Hofer said spending time with Walsh has opened up his eyes to what “Tough to admit it, but I think this is the first time in my life I’m ever it’s like to be a referee in the NHL. going to be rooting for Canada,” Walsh said, laughing. “You definitely have a different perspective on it now,” Hofer said. “I That’s because Walsh and his family have developed a bond with love it. I always ask him questions: ‘Who is the nicest guy? Who is a pain Team Canada goaltender Joel Hofer, who billets with them in Portland in the ass?’ I like asking him questions.” during his season with the WHL’s Winterhawks. Walsh said he has discovered that his job as referee and Hofer’s job in Team Canada coach Dale Hunter did not name his starter for the net are similar. tournament opener on Wednesday, leaving it up in the air between Hofer “I think everyone looks at goalies. They could not be a factor all game, and Guelph’s Nico Daws. but one goal and that’s all anyone wants to talk about. There is a similar “There’s going to be a lot of nerves for me. I’m sure for him, too,” Hofer singular pressure there,” Walsh said. “Just as he probably wishes he said, smiling. “He pays attention to all of our games. I hope he’s on our could have a shot back, it’s the same with referees and a blown call.” side. It’s a really nice family. I’m really lucky to be there.” Walsh will be feeling that same pressure watching his favourite But it’s not luck that got Hofer, 19, to the Czech Republic as part of Team tournament all the way back in Portland – or whatever NHL city he is in. Canada’s triumvirate in goal. The Winnipeg native was not really on The Philadelphia native has put his allegiance aside, at least for two Team Canada’s radar last season when he finished 23rd in the WHL in weeks, and Santa might have even brought Clarke some Team Canada save percentage, working through a mid-year trade between Swift swag. Current and Portland. “I never thought I’d see the day,” Walsh said, laughing. “I told Joel to go His start to this season raised plenty of eyebrows, though. Hofer was over there and get a medal. I just didn’t say which colour.” twice named the WHL’s goaltender of the week, followed by goaltender of the month in November. He leads the Western League in wins (20) and goals against-average (1.81) and is second in save percentage TSN.CA LOADED: 12.26.2019 (.937).

Then Hofer closed out the CHL Canada-Russia series in net for the WHL squad, planting the seed that pulling on a Team Canada sweater might be a real possibility. The St. Louis Blues’ fourth-round pick (107th overall) in 2018 had not represented Canada at any level prior to last week’s pre-tournament tune-up against the Swiss in Brno.

Hofer led Team Canada out of the tunnel to start the exhibition, where he posted a shutout in his half of the game, needing only to stop four shots.

Walsh said he didn’t talk about the World Juniors with Hofer, but could tell it was on his list of goals for the season.

“He is such a mature kid. He is very focused,” Walsh said. “He knows what he wants and then works to go out and do it. He is quiet, but he is confident. He has a calm presence. I think his mentality and mental strength could really be a big asset for him in a tournament like this one.”

When he signed up to billet last summer, Walsh had no idea he would be taking in a player about to skate onto the world stage. He and his wife, Margo, talked it over and thought it would be a good idea to have another role model around for their 7-year-old son Clarke while Walsh is criss- crossing the continent to call games.

Walsh has learned two things about Hofer since he arrived in late August.

Even at home, Hofer is competitive – and he is respectful.

“It’s been great. He is a wonderful kid,” Walsh said. “He is not the type of kid to just eat dinner and run. He helps clean up, he sets the table. Then when dinner is over, we have an ongoing game of soccer every night.”

Walsh said the game of footy, which takes place just off the family kitchen, is Clarke’s equivalent of mini sticks in the house.

“It’s been awesome to see the bond between Clarke and him,” Walsh said. “The one thing though is that Joel is competitive and he likes to win. 1167910 Websites

USA TODAY / Lindsey Vonn proposes to P.K. Subban: 'Men should get engagement rings too'

Jace Evans

USA TODAY

Lindsey Vonn proposed to P.K. Subban on Christmas Day, the former skiing star announced on social media on Wednesday.

The couple had previously announced their engagement in August, but Vonn's "non traditional" move saw the New Jersey Devils defenseman receive an engagement ring, as well. Subban had proposed earlier this year with an emerald ring, per Vogue, because green is Vonn’s favorite color and it’s his birthstone.

"Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!!" Vonn wrote on Twitter. "On our 2 year anniversary, in a 'non traditional' move, I asked PK to marry me and he said, Yes ! Women aren’t the only ones who should get engagement rings! #MerryChristmas #equality"

Vonn expanded on her reasons for proposing on Instagram, writing "We talk about equality but actions speak louder than words. Men should get engagement rings too and this is what PK deserves. Can’t wait to marry you babe."

The 35-year-old Vonn retired earlier this year from competitive skiing. She won three Olympic medals, including a gold in the downhill at the 2010 Games, and won four Wold Cup titles and has 82 World Cup race wins, the women's record.

Subban, 30, is in his first season with the Devils following stops with the Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens, with whom he won the 2013 Norris Trophy given to the NHL's best defenseman.

The couple began dating in 2017. Vonn was previously married to former skier Thomas Vonn, and kept his last name after they separated.

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