SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 5/31/2020 1185556 NHL playoff season comes with plenty of on-ice questions 1185577 Flyers sign defenseman Linus Hogberg to entry-level deal; 1185557 David Pastrnak a true gem for Bruins still trying to lure Wyatt Kalynuk 1185558 This Week in Bruins Playoff History: The best B's game 1185578 Flyers will take strong resume into round-robin tournament I've ever covered against Capitals, Bruins, Lightning 1185579 NHL training camps won’t start until July 1 at earliest; Flyers could get top seed in East 1185559 Sabres laud ‘natural-born leader’ Ralph Krueger despite 1185580 Victory over fear is what makes the return of sports another bad season essential | David Murphy 1185560 What are the best moments from Sabres’ Zoom 1185581 Flyers sign prospect Linus Hogberg to entry-level contract interviews? We present the Zoomies 1185582 2020 NHL : Without fans, will Playoff games lose authenticity? 1185561 foresees wide-open NHL hierarchy when Penguins coronavirus pause, much like 2013 lockout, ends 1185583 Penguins A to Z: Marcus Pettersson rewards 1185562 Coronavirus pandemic silences Gene Honda's versatile management’s faith voice 1185584 ‘Burgh’s Best to Wear It, No. 93: Petr Nedved’s heroics endure 1185585 ‘It was pretty heroic what he did’: Penguins president/CEO 1185563 How a comeback OT win over the Oilers was the David Morehouse saves KDKA cameraman amid violent p difference between the Stars being winners, losers of the 1185586 Penguins’ player grades: Teddy Blueger NHL pl 1185587 Sharks captain expresses support for Evander Kane, calls 1185564 Detroit Red Wings' final grades are in. Here's who passed for change and who flunked 1185588 On this date, 2016: Sharks lose their first game Oilers 1185589 After playoff miss, Sharks have 2015-16 season as a 1185565 Former Oilers Cam Talbot makes his greatest model save 1185590 Sharks' Logan Couture speaks up on racism, in support of 1185566 : Boys on the Bus ready to become Boys Evander Kane in the Bubble 1185591 Evander Kane and the Sharks speak out about racial 1185567 Lowetide: Oilers coach ’s track record in injustice developing young players St Louis Blues 1185592 With team rested and Tarasenko as '1967 Bob Gibson,' 1185568 Panthers GM Dale Tallon on playoffs: ‘We have a chance Blues appears strong for Cup run to do something special’ 1185593 Blues' Armstrong has a plan for small-group workouts and training camp 1185594 Finals First! Gunnarsson's OT delivers first title-series 1185569 Kings part ways with minor-league coach victory in Blues history 1185570 Kings part ways with Reign coach Mike Stothers 1185595 Blues alumni player poll: Best coach, uniform, prankster, 1185571 Kings opt to move on from Mike Stothers as Reign shift to and more developmental focus 1185572 KINGS WILL NOT RENEW CONTRACT OF REIGN MIKE STOTHERS 1185596 NHL draft lottery: Making sense of the confusing 1185597 TV freelancers working Rays, Lighting games to get $2,500 payments 1185573 Series preview: Penguins hold upper hand, but Canadiens have surprised before Maple Leafs 1185598 SIMMONS: Odd circumstances surround 's Hall of Fame election 1185574 LeBrun: The NHL’s ruling on conditional trades is the right call 1185599 Local artist draws inspiration from Golden Knights in cancer fight 1185575 NHL’s attempt to change popular rule may spark restart tension 1185576 NHL’s attempt to change popular rule may spark restart tension 1185600 How to watch Evgeny Kuznetsov's best games with the Capitals 1185601 Ever Wonder: Why the Capitals' jerseys have three stars on them 1185602 Remembering the play that defined Braden Holtby's legacy: The Save 1185603 Freezing the ice! Caps GM Brian MacLellan on preparing to open the doors Websites 1185606 The Athletic / LeBrun: The NHL’s ruling on conditional trades is the right call 1185607 .ca / Quick Shifts: Anger, pain, speculation swirls in Buffalo 1185608 TSN.CA / on 's approach, Kevin Fiala's surge and prepping for 1185609 TSN.CA / Nick Foligno outlines what must do to shut down 1185604 NHL's 'important step' toward a return was small compared to what lies ahead 1185605 TED’S TALK: NHL playoff plan sounds fun, but is it really necessary? … Downs gets off to great start, without World Leagues News 1185610 Paul Klee: Still believing the science? Then bring on the season 1185611 Why Major Sports Might Risk Comebacks During the Pandemic 1185612 Coronavirus wrap: Premier League tests all-clear as ‘sporting recovery’ begins 1185613 Coronavirus: UK permits sport behind closed doors from June 1, Premier League welcomes decision

SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1185556 Boston Bruins has asthma. Florida’s Brian Boyle had leukemia treatments two years ago. The CDC considers all of those COVID-19 risk factors.

▪ With 12 teams at each hub city, and only so much ice available, how NHL playoff season comes with plenty of on-ice questions will they space the games?

With multiple teams carving the ice each day, what will the playing By Matt Porter Globe Staff surface be like after a few rounds? Tough task for ice master Dan Craig and scheduling guru Steve Hatze Petros. Challenge accepted. Updated May 30, 2020, 1:03 p.m. Quick takes on playoff matchups in which we speculate mostly on how teams looked at the pause and who might return from injury.

Maybe it’s all the time I’ve spent looking at the same walls the last 11 EASTERN CONFERENCE weeks, but I find it hard to gripe about the NHL’s playoff plan. Round robin: Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington, and Philadelphia If the Bruins or Blues are bothered by the thought of slipping from No. 1 to No. 4 with a poor round-robin showing, they have the right. If the The Bruins took great care this season to manage workloads, ensuring Flyers and Capitals are incensed by the thought of the Penguins, No. 7 in players were rested for another long postseason. Let’s see if that matters the NHL standings, losing a play-in series and getting a at Alexis … Past numbers don’t favor them. They were 1-2-1 against the Lafreniere, well, no shame in that. After selling at the deadline, the Lightning, 1-1-1 against the Capitals, and 1-0-2 against the Flyers. Some Blackhawks or Canadiens could win the Stanley Cup? Sure. Let’s get great hockey between these teams this year … This round will be played wild. with regular-season OT rules, meaning the Bruins, 0-7 in shootouts, could be in for more pain. Better hope Ondrej Kase has the goods. He All this weirdness means we’re inching closer to normalcy, even if I still was 4 for 5 this year as a Duck; the Bruins were 4 for 30 as a team, have my doubts we see hockey until 2021. Just happy to have it back including Brad Marchand’s center-ice whiff in Philly on Jan. 13 … Tampa (potentially, if everyone stays smart about it). Bay was one of two teams (Carolina) who voted “no” on the 24-team proposal. According to forward Alex Killorn, the team reasoned it was What was laid out this past week is as comprehensive as we can expect, unfair for a high seed playing a semi-meaningful round-robin tourney to given the state of our pandemic-addled world. start its Stanley Cup chase by playing a non-playoff team that earned This league has never frozen with 85 percent of its season complete, new life in the play-in round. Know who might fit that bill? Columbus … Is amid a virus that has trampled some cities and affected the personal and this Braden Holtby’s last stand in Washington? killers should financial health of millions, and then tried to thaw again. I recognize that watch out for Alex Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk. Everyone should watch sports are an escape for many people, but entering the weekend, this out for Tom Wilson … Empty buildings, microphones everywhere. virus had killed more than 360,000 worldwide, more than 104,000 in the Shudder to think what Gritty’s got in mind. United States, more than 6,800 in Canada. The numbers are chilling, and Play-in series: Pittsburgh (5) vs. Montreal (12) inescapable. Don’t bet on the Habs, who were 10 points out of a playoff position when Without a vaccine in place, they’re going to try this. Let’s hope they are the pandemic hit. Several players, including Phillip Danault, said last cautious and transparent as they do so. month they’d rather focus on next season. Whether or not that attitude There was so much to unpack this past week. Everyone has questions. has changed, the last team in will have a tough road, particularly since Some of mine, beyond the whens and wheres that won’t be decided for veteran — 32nd among netminders in five-on-five save weeks: percentage, 44th in goals saved above average per Natural Stat Trick — hasn’t looked like a series-stealer. The formidable Penguins, meanwhile, ▪ Will they re-seed? get Jake Guentzel back from injury and drop Cup-chasing Patrick Marleau, 40, into their middle six. They should. Re-seeding by points percentage after the first round would give better teams a stick tap for their work in the regular season, without Play-in series: Carolina (6) vs. N.Y. Rangers (11) too great of a boost. It’s not like anyone will have a home-ice advantage at a neutral site with no fans. Fun series. Carolina took a big step last year, and added Sami Vatanen, Brady Skjei, and Vincent Trocheck at the deadline. Top-flight At the pause, the Bruins were 8 points ahead of the Lightning, 10 clear of defenseman Dougie Hamilton (a Norris candidate before breaking his leg the Capitals, and 11 points up on the Flyers. If they have a few bad in January) and netminder Petr Mrazek could return. The Rangers should games, after not playing hockey for however many months, they could have Chris Kreider, and do have MVP candidate Artemi Panarin. Who’s start the playoffs behind all of them. the goalie? One of their prospects, Igor Shesterkin or Alexandar Georgiev, or warhorse Henrik Lundqvist? ▪ What will the games look like? Play-in series: N.Y. Islanders (7) vs. Florida (10) Around this time last year, the NHL was excited about the progress of its TV presentation, and we’ve seen bits and pieces of its player-tracking A 2016 rematch. Do you remember that playoff series? Probably not (if a future. How much of it is ready for prime time? Will they crank up the Panthers fan tells you Trocheck was tripped, nod politely). Florida’s sports betting dial? forwards can go, but can’t stop opponents. If Sergei Bobrovsky doesn’t dominate, the Panthers are in trouble. The Islanders’ offense is sluggish, As for the in-house look, speaking on an NHL podcast this past week, but they can grind out wins. head of content Steve Mayer panned the idea of cardboard cutouts in the stands. He hinted game rinks could resemble outdoor Winter Classics, Play-in series: Toronto (8) vs. Columbus (9) which are dotted with visual candy. It’s the Maple Leafs’ firepower vs. a goalie to be named; Joonas “You’re going to see cameras in places we’ve never put them before,” Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins should be available. Though this could be Mayer said. “All these things we’ve wanted to do, we’re going to give Auston Matthews’s playoff moment, the juice could be with the Blue them a try.” Jackets. Three major pieces returning — Seth Jones, Cam Atkinson, and Oliver Bjorkstrand — could help them rough up a Leafs club that More interesting: I would love to hear unfiltered commentary from struggles to defend and stand up for itself. Better first-round rematch: players, on the ice and in the stands. Boston-Toronto or Tampa Bay-Columbus? ▪ Will anyone opt out entirely? WESTERN CONFERENCE This was an exciting week for the sport, and many players will be raring Round robin: St. Louis, Colorado, Vegas, and Dallas to go. Those with families have more to consider. There are numerous executives, staffers, and some coaches in the 65-and-over risk group, St. Louis might get Vladimir Tarasenko back, after going 37-17-7 without including Dallas interim coach . Some have underlying him. Solid, balanced, tested. The Blues carry the weight of expectation, health conditions. The Canadiens’ Max Domi, the Wild’s Luke Kunin, and but the defending champs should go deep … Colorado, which had a slew the Rangers’ Kaapo Kakko have Type 1 diabetes. Carolina’s Brett Pesce of short-term injuries at the pause, is healthier, though questions persist in goal. Plenty of team speed in Denver … Vegas loaded up at the “If I was in a position the NHL guys are in, I don’t know if I’d be ready for deadline, adding netminder Robin Lehner, and won 11 of its final 13. Max a July start date, late July, or August,” said Bourque. “It’s so hard. If I’m Pacioretty (32 goals) finally found his stride. Will the NHL move them off the ice for a week, and I get back on, I feel like I haven’t been on from T-Mobile? … Dallas was struggling at the pause, having lost six in a skates for two months. No one’s going to be comfortable.” row. The Stars can’t score. Choppy ice and 2-1 games are their path to a top seed. Jack Eichel is five seasons and 354 games into his NHL career. His Sabres haven’t made the playoffs since 2011, when he was a 14-year- Play-in series: (8) vs. Winnipeg (9) old playing for the Boston Junior Bruins.

The Flames had a quiet season after finishing third overall last year. Is "I'm fed up with the losing," he told reporters. "It's been a tough couple of this core the answer, or are there changes ahead? Winnipeg won’t have months. It's been a tough five years ... I want to win a Stanley Cup every its small building rocking, but will lean on its rugged forward group and time I start a season. I'd be lying if I said I'm not getting frustrated with presumptive Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck. where things are going."

Play-in series: Edmonton (5) vs. Chicago (12) It’s hard to see a reason, other than the pandemic, that Buffalo ownership (Kim and ) retained general manager Jason and vs. Connor McDavid and Leon Botterill. “I realize, maybe it’s not popular with the fans, but we have to do Draisaitl. Other than that, these rosters are lacking. the things that we feel are right,” she said. “We have a little bit more Play-in series: Vancouver (7) vs. Minnesota (10) information than maybe a fan does.” OK.

Elias Pettersson and Co. vs. a Wild team that was playing well under Eichel (36-42—78 in 68 games) didn’t get much help. He finished 28 Dean Evason. Minnesota might have closed the skill gap if it pried Kirill points ahead of Sam Reinhart, Buffalo’s No. 2 scorer. Marcus Johansson Kaprizov from the KHL. Canucks have a bunch of candidates who could (30 points) didn’t pan out, nor has Jimmy Vesey (20). Would-be second- earn a playoff rep, most importantly netminder Jacob Markstrom. line center Casey Mittelstadt is in the AHL. The biggest disappointment is, by far, Jeff Skinner. The ex-Hurricane’s contract runs seven more Play-in series: Nashville (6) vs. Arizona (11) years at the $9 million cap hit. Signing after a 40-goal debut in Buffalo, he delivered 14 goals in 59 games. He has a full no-move clause for the Time to see how many games UFA-to-be Taylor Hall can add to his entire deal. playoff résumé (currently: 5). A win would be the Coyotes’ first since 2012, but this series feels drier than the desert. Loose pucks

Woburn trainer Mike Boyle has a message to players returning to the ice, Rocket Richard co-winner David Pastrnak, who turned 24 on Memorial who will stress skating muscles after weeks of dormancy: Day, has 180 career goals. In league history, 21 players have more before their 24th birthday, three since 2005 (Steven Stamkos, 223; Alex “If you try to fast-track this, you’re going to fast-track injuries," he said. Ovechkin, 219; , 215) … Eichel, 23, is in the second year "There’s no way to make this happen fast.” of an eight-year, $80 million deal. Good news for him: According to TSN, Though the proposed schedule is fluid, NHLers won’t have months to get the seven non-playoff teams can begin making trades with each other, if in shape for the heat of playoff hockey. The average muscle strain, Boyle they so choose … Detroit GM Steve Yzerman plans to keep said, needs two to three weeks to heal. as coach. Surprising that Yzerman’s old linemate, , isn’t the answer. Wonder if Gallant, expansion coach extraordinaire, has eyes “It’s natural that your competitive instinct will kick in,” said Boyle, formerly on Seattle … The Red Wings plan to name a captain this offseason. If of the Bruins and Boston University, who trains Sabres captain Jack you’re buying a Dylan Larkin jersey, better order it with a "C" … Mike Eichel and other north-of-Boston pros. “This is completely Milbury joined Twitter (@realmikemilbury). Never thought we’d see the unprecedented. We’ve never shut down for two months. Take your time.” day. His debut tweet was a menacing selfie of him raising a loafer. For all the heat commentator and executive Milbury has taken, wonder how Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, in his 22nd season, estimated he hasn’t many younger fans know of his days as a player, when he tried to wrest been off skates for this long in his career. control of the newly formed NHLPA from later-disgraced Alan Eagleson “If you’re a runner and you haven’t been running for two months, I don’t … Bruins president , asked how social distancing is treating think you’re going to go for a first run and it’s going to be 20K,” he said. him: “Oh, I’ve been practicing that for years.” Sea Bass would be proud. “It’s going to be slowly getting into it. Prevention of possible strains or pulls or injuries is a key. We have to manage the workload we’re going to be doing the first few sessions, and slowly adding to those practices. Boston Globe LOADED: 05.31.2020 “I think even being away for two-plus months, at the same time we’ll come back quickly. We’ve done this so long for so many years. It’s second nature to us. I think it will take a few days or maybe weeks, but eventually, everything will be fine.”

Chris Bourque was playing in a German hockey league before play was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Uncertain times, too, for Boxford’s Chris Bourque.

The longtime AHL star, and son of Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, was doing well with Red Bull Munich, which led the DEL with 108 points at the time of the shutdown. Bourque had 47 points in 51 games. He is signed for one more year, but some DEL players aren’t sure what to make of their contracts.

The league is troubled financially, reports the German media, and teams want to cut player salaries. Unlike soccer’s Bundesliga, which has a major TV deal, the DEL cannot survive without fans in the stands.

“They’re trying to get it sorted out now,” Bourque said. “We can’t even talk about opening until the government says we can.”

He, wife Kim, and children Kingston (8) and Harlow (5) hustled back from Germany in March, arriving hours before President Trump issued a travel ban from Europe. Bourque doesn’t know when they will go back.

He plans to skate here once rinks open, and return before the kids start school in September.

He last touched the ice March 7. 1185557 Boston Bruins Some may see his goofy, happy-go-lucky personality and think that that’s asking a little too much. Hurting his hand in an off-ice incident and missing significant playing time last season suggested he had some David Pastrnak a true gem for Bruins maturing to do. But without a sniff of trouble this season, that incident seems more like a one-off accident than the start of any kind of troubling pattern.

By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald Pastrnak’s lovable persona, meanwhile, can sometimes overshadow a fierce competitiveness and drive. He developed that one-timer by often May 30, 2020 at 5:30 a.m. being the first one on the ice for practice, bucket of pucks in hand. After he had a predictable comeuppance in his first playoff as a 20-year-old, he vowed to be better. Since then, he’s been better than a -per- With the NHL officially calling the season and setting its sights firmly on a game playoff performer (15-24-39 totals in 36 games). 24-team tournament plan, David Pastrnak will not be able to hit 50 goals this season. In the overall scheme of things during this coronavirus All that Pastrnak can become is still to be determined. But based on his shutdown, that is, of course, a very, very minor disappointment. still young career, that journey should be riveting to watch.

But it is a disappointment nonetheless. Though it’s been scaled many times, the 50-goal plateau still holds a bit of magic, a significant checked Boston Herald LOADED: 05.31.2020 box on a superstar’s resume. And Pastrnak deserved to have that notch on his belt with the season he had in 2019-20, having potted 48 in 70 games before the shutdown.

But make no mistake — with or without the 50-goal imprimatur, Pastrnak has arrived as one of the brightest lights in the game today.

More than any player in the league this year, Pastrnak set the tone for his team. Of the 48 goals (which had him tied atop the league with Alex Ovechkin, the premier goal-scorer of his generation) that Pastrnak had scored, 15 of them were the first goals in the game. That was by far tops in the league, with four players coming in second with eight.

He was also there at winning time, as he was tied with Ovechkin for the league lead in game-winning goals with 10.

Pastrnak’s arsenal has grown more diverse in his short time in the league. The Czech-born right wing, who just turned 24 on Monday, could always beat defenders with the spectacular deke. Now as his body has matured he’s been able to score the grittier goals around the crease. But if Pastrnak has a signature scoring play, it is arguably one that he didn’t really possess when he first arrived in Boston. His one-time slapper from the left circle, where Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos have made their living, is something he’s had to develop as a pro, but that slapper has become a nightmare for opposing penalty kills. He led the league in man- advantage goals with 20.

While Pastrnak can deliver the spectacular on any given night, his consistency in 2019-20 is what sets this season apart from previous ones. He had been susceptible to some dry spells in earlier years, but the longest he went this season without a goal was five games in December, a period during which he supplied eight assists.

And that brings to mind another facet of his still-developing game — playmaking. The stoppage not only cost Pastrnak his 50-goal season, but his first 100-point season was also at his fingertips. He had 95 points at the time of the shutdown, and the century mark would have been another nice notch on his belt, but his flirtation with 100 points also proves he can be just as dangerous as a setup man as he is a goal-scorer.

That much was clear after he notched a couple of pretty helpers in a win over earlier this season.

“He is on another level right now,” said Brad Marchand after that game. “His ability to make plays … he’s just seeing things that other guys could never see. Fun to watch right now and he’s feeling it. He’s trying everything, and it’s working for him. Hopefully that continues.”

Said coach that night: “He’s underrated now with his playmaking ability. I think it’s really grown over the last (few years). When he first came up, he was absolutely a one-on-one guy that could score, win pucks in tight, get around people. I think he’s now showing he’s got a high-end distributing skill as well.”

If this is all Pastrnak is, then that’s fine. He is a star. In fact, his contract, which will pay $6.666 million annually for three more years, is one of the great bargains in the league. But considering his young age, it’s understandable to wonder if there could still be more growth to come.

Can he go from being this precocious comet of a talent to being a heart- and-soul player? Could he be a player that one day wears the ‘C’, a player the rest of his teammates follow? And, when someday he no longer has the good fortune to play on a line with Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, can he still thrive when he’s the main focus for the opposition? 1185558 Boston Bruins the game where it became clear that the first hockey team to crack was going to lose the game.

It took a perfectly designed and executed play from the Black and Gold to This Week in Bruins Playoff History: The best B's game I've ever covered put the finishing move on the Lightning, and that was only appropriate given the tenor of the game. Anybody who was at TD Garden on May 27, 2011, remembers the exact emotion in the aftermath as they left the By Joe Haggerty building saying to themselves, “Damn, that was a good hockey game."

May 30, 2020 1:15 PM

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.31.2020 After covering almost 20 years’ worth of NHL games with the Bruins and hundreds of Stanley Cup Playoff games, the Game 7 between the Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2011 Eastern Conference Final goes down as the best game I’ve ever covered.

The 1-0 win for the Black and Gold that vaulted them to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final was played this week nine years ago -- May 27, 2011 -- at TD Garden with everything on the line for a Bruins core group at the height of its powers.

It was a perfectly-executed game between the Bruins and Lightning fine- tuned by a pair of long postseason runs. There wasn’t a single penalty called in the entire game by the referring crew of Dan O’Halloran and Stephen Walkom and just a miniscule 57 whistle stoppages. Both teams were locked into playing mistake-free hockey and did just that for the first two and a half periods of the do-or-die game with everything on the line.

“I have nothing really intelligent to say right now,” said legendary NBC play-by-play man Doc Emrick on the telecast at the beginning of the third period, “other than to say, ‘It’s been terrific.’ ”

The Bruins had the better of the chances with Tampa Bay goaltender Dwayne Roloson forced to make 37 saves, while Tim Thomas had to stop just 24 shutouts in the eventual shutout performance.

The Bruins had the better of the chances whether it was a Milan Lucic breakaway in the first period, or the 22 shots on net peppered by the top two forward lines of Lucic-David Krejci- and Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Mark Recchi throughout the game.

But it was all about the entire Bruins team with top shutdown pair Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg both topping 26 minutes of ice time for the game and the B’s defense holding both Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos to just single shots on net.

Haggerty: Can Bruins' leadership, experience carry them to Cup?

It was the mild-mannered, powerful Seidenberg who drilled St. Louis with a big open ice hit in the first two minutes of the game and summarily made the announcement to the finesse Lightning bunch that that they were in for a tough night.

For the Bruins it was about cracking the 1-3-1 trap employed by Lightning head coach Guy Boucher, and that opening finally presented itself midway through the third period. It took the perfectly-executed play to break their system and win the game, and that’s exactly what the Bruins pulled off.

Andrew Ference carried the puck out of the defensive zone before hitting Krejci in a perfect spot in the neutral zone between two defenders. Krejci skated it quickly into the offensive zone and created a 2-on-1 with Horton moving without the puck to the net, and it was a perfect, slick dish from the playmaking center to Game 7 hero Horton that produced the game- winner.

Horton scored the Game 7 game-winner against the Montreal Canadiens in the first round as well, and those two goals cemented his massive status in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final run before a dirty Aaron Rome hit in the Stanley Cup Final took him out of that series.

The game was finished off by Seidenberg blocking his eighth shot of the game in a warrior performance from the German defenseman, and featured Stamkos playing with his nose all stitched up and repaired after taking a heavy, deflected Johnny Boychuk slap shot right to his face.

The game had toughness, playmaking and the ultimate compete level with none of the nonsense that can sometimes mar postseason affairs.

There certainly have been Bruins playoff games with more nastiness and times when it took an amazing, iconic play to win a clinching game in a series. But from beginning-to-end there has never been anything quite as tense and well-played as a 0-0 game through the first 50 plus minutes of 1185559 Buffalo Sabres The Sabres’ shots against per game (31.1) was the lowest since 2015-16 (30.6). Their 2.8 goals per game is the best mark they’ve had. At five-on- five, they allowed the fewest shot attempts against (2.953). The Sabres laud ‘natural-born leader’ Ralph Krueger despite another bad defensive progress was not missed by the players. season “He simplified things for us through the D-zone, neutral zone, offensive zone,” McCabe said. “He put it in very simple terms, and putting it in almost a broad structure, so it allows us to use creativity in the offensive By Joe Yerdon zone and be a little bit more structured in a neutral zone and in our D- zone. I felt a lot more comfortable in my own end, and I didn’t feel I was May 30, 2020 running around too much like we have in the past, and that was definitely a positive.”

There was a lot of blame to pass around for the Buffalo Sabres’ season. Despite those gains, there were still deficiencies. General manager Jason Botterill took a lot of that blame on Wednesday. The Sabres attempted 2,852 shots, their fewest since the tank season of Sabres players accepted a lot of the blame Wednesday and Thursday, 2014-15, which means it was about quality and not quantity. Special and although head coach Ralph Krueger did the same on Friday, the teams were a mess, in particular the penalty kill, which was second-worst players refused to make Krueger the fall guy. in the NHL behind only lowly Detroit. Had the Sabres’ penalty kill been Instead, Sabres players hailed Krueger as the man who helped fix a lot of middle of the road, they’d probably be talking about who they’d be facing what has ailed the team over many of the past seasons. Even more in the play-in round instead of looking forward to the challenges ahead. impressive is they lauded him without prompting. When you think back to “Specialty teams are an easy target. It’s an easy number to look at,” the way previous teams turned on and tuned out Phil Krueger said. “On the PK, I take responsibility as a head coach for that Housley, Krueger’s ability to unite the players under him is notable on its department not working well, and I look forward to the challenge of own. improving there. It’s always a combination of personnel, systems and “The person I’ve got to give the most credit to (for helping me be a better then execution that needs to be looked at. But we will look at every area leader) is our head coach, Ralph,” captain Jack Eichel said. “I think just that has room for improvement.” being around him every day, the way that he handles himself, being able A lot of last season brought back too many reminders of failed seasons to learn from him, being able to build a relationship and go to him for past, but the players’ belief in Krueger makes it feel like there’s been things and advice, I think it’s been so big for me. He’s one of the greatest progress. Now, the players hope fans can be won over eventually as natural-born leaders that I’ve ever been around on a day-to-day basis. well. The way that he looks at life — never mind hockey — it’s been a pleasure working with him, and I couldn’t be happier to have him as a “Every team is going to hit a skid — it’s bound to happen,” forward Kyle coach.” Okposo said. “And one of the keys to making the playoffs and playing well all season is to manage those skids. And we need to find a way to Krueger had 69 games with Buffalo this season in a coronavirus- do better at that. I think that with Ralph in charge this year coaching us shortened season, but the impression he made on the team from the that we were able to flip it around quicker this year as opposed to last start of training camp was clear. That the Sabres started off so hot in year. October perhaps speaks to his ability to motivate. Even though there were low moments, unhappy players who sought out new teams and “There are positives to be had and to look at, (but) in saying that, it’s hard losing streaks, the players who remain never wavered in support of disappointing. It’s disappointing where we ended up, and I understand their coach. the weight of the team that’s on the city, and I get it because I now live here full time. I talk to a lot of people, I’ve become friends with a lot of “Even from Zoom calls with them the last couple months, he’s just got different people, and I know people are pissed. I know people are mad that act to motivate, especially when times are tough,” forward Sam and they want to win, and we want to win too. Things don’t happen Reinhart said. “I would be shocked if anyone has said a bad word about overnight, especially when there’s a lot of history and there’s a lot of him just because there’s nothing bad to say about him. Just the respect things that need to go in the right direction, but we are going in the right he garners from each individual is something to behold, and he’s been a direction. And I think that that’s the message I have to fans. And leader in our dressing room. I’m really excited to see how he’s going to obviously, there’s going to be a lot of people that are going to say, ‘I don’t be able to keep us all together this summer and really motivate us deep want to hear that; I want to see results.’ And I understand that, too. And into the fall.” you’re entitled to your opinion, for sure, but that’s what I believe, and “I like a lot of the strides a lot of guys took this year, and our coaching that’s my message to them.” staff did a fantastic job with Ralph’s first year under his belt with us,” defenseman Jake McCabe said. “It was really a joy to work with him, and that leaves me optimistic moving forward, especially with Ralph leading The Athletic LOADED: 05.31.2020 the charge.”

To Krueger, the flattery is nice to hear, but it means something a little different to him.

“It’s been such a joy to work with these guys,” Krueger said. “And it’s just been easy because they are ready for this type of environment and their natural instincts are able to flow here. I like the people I’m working with on my staff, the coaches, and — above all — I truly love the Sabres and I love our fan base. And I know there’s pain out there and I know there’s anger, but I feel so many positives after one year (of) experience.

“The most important thing is: Who do I work with as a coach every day? And that’s the players, and I’m happy to hear they’re on board because the expectations are only going to go up for us as we grow, and when you get those kind of compliments, that’s a high bar to jump over and over again. And as a coach, I look forward to trying to do my best to do that again.”

The expectations feel high given the discord Krueger walked into based on past performances, and the outcome this season played out similarly. That makes it feel like no progress has been made at all, but the Sabres did progress in some areas. 1185560 Buffalo Sabres “Thanks for the clothing compliments. I thought I’d dress up. You guys don’t know what I have on my lower body, how nice these shorts are.”

Fashion First Award What are the best moments from Sabres’ Zoom interviews? We present the Zoomies Staying in the clothes department, a sweater received credit for delivering wins. Yes, the Sabres’ 50th-anniversary jersey helped propel them to a 20-11-4 record in KeyBank Center, earning the white and gold By John Vogl jersey a unique Fashion First Award.

May 30, 2020 “There was excitement of playing at home,” general manager Jason Botterill said, “just something as simple as the white jerseys and how good they looked.”

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the inaugural Zoomie “The 50th anniversary, I love those jerseys, love the logos,” Kyle Okposo Awards. We’re here to celebrate the most memorable moments of the said. “It’s a shame we couldn’t wear those anymore.” Sabres’ 10 Zoom interviews held to wrap up the season. If the sweaters truly helped bring wins, the Sabres should apply for an Have we got a show for you. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll wonder why 82-game jersey exemption for 2020-21. you didn’t become a fan of a different team. Brotherly Love Award Oh, we’re just kidding. Who needs an award show to make you wonder that? Sabres fans love to see Victor Olofsson’s shot. He loves the shot that his older brother, Jesper, is getting. Jesper has signed an American Hockey Now, on with the Zoomies. League contract with the Sabres’ affiliate in Rochester, and a good showing there could lead to an NHL deal. Victor Olofsson took home the Best Question Zoomie on the brothers’ behalf. It seemed like a media member would be a shoo-in for this category. But “That would be the ultimate dream to play in the NHL together,” Victor in a shocking twist, the Zoomie for Best Question goes to defenseman Olofsson said. “We haven’t had a chance to play together yet in our Rasmus Ristolainen. careers, so that’s something we’ve always dreamt of. You never know “Buffalo has a bright future, but we’ve been saying ‘the bright future’ for what’s going to happen. He’s playing really well.” seven years now when I’ve been here. And I’m not sure: When is it?” Money Is Power Award When is it, indeed, Rasmus. It’s entirely possible the NHL wants to resume as a treat to its fans. But Top Job Analyst Eichel takes home the Money Is Power Award for recognizing there is more to returning to play. When the topic of losing came up — and it came up often — the responses centered on getting better next season. Our Zoomie for Top “At the end of the day, this is a business, right? And it’s a business right Job Analyst goes to forward Jeff Skinner, who took a different approach. now that’s not really making any money because we’re not playing. So, in terms of the change from a 16-team playoff to a 24-team playoff, I think it “If you like losing, first of all, you probably won’t get to this level. And makes sense business-wise. It’s better for our TV and markets, so it second of all, you should probably choose another profession.” makes sense. We want as much hockey being shown as we can, and I think the more hockey, the better. Won’t Count His Chickens Award “Do I think that a lot of the teams that got in deserve the opportunity? No, It’s worth remembering that the NHL’s return-to-play plan is simply a but I think in a time like this, business-wise it’s probably a good decision.” tentative proposal. In fact, coach Ralph Krueger made note of it twice, earning him this year’s Won’t Count His Chickens Award. On Brand Award

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves for not being in a potential, hypothetical Slogans are important as a way to define products, companies and playoff. … The NHL has done an amazing job of keeping the hope alive teams. Krueger earns the On Brand Award for closing the season with that there’s going to be a season, but as I’ve already mentioned, the the same slogan he used to start it. playoffs happening are still hypothetical. “We need to stay connected. You know our motto from the start was “We wish that it happens, we hope it comes through. No matter what ‘Play Connected,’ and it means we need to play connected with however happens on that side, we know what our plan is now and that is to begin long this break is. the offseason.” “How do we do it? Just staying strong in our communication. We right Considering how well Krueger showed his prognosticating skills through the season communicated very strongly with the players, and regarding the coronavirus, teams shouldn’t start planning their Stanley we’re continuing to do that here in the summer. We’re doing group Cup parades just yet. meetings. We’re doing group chats with them. We’re doing one-on-one chats. We’re not trying to suffocate them, but we are staying in a high- Most Likely To See A Doctor quality way connected to the players.” Jack Eichel was the Sabres’ best player. That remained true during the Best Background final weeks of the season when he was clearly hurting, which he confirmed and that earned him the Zoomie for Most Likely To See A A lot of thought goes into where to conduct a Zoom call. This Zoomie Doctor — whenever doctors can see patients. was a two-horse race. Krueger and his rafters received their share of bets, but Okposo sits high in the saddle with the Zoomie for Best “I obviously dealt with some things last year, and unfortunately with the Background. way that the season was going, you didn’t really feel like you could take the time off in a situation that we were in and just trying to win every That’s a win for finding a place to show. But enough horsing around. game. We were trying to be as competitive as we can, and I feel like my Time to rein it in. job is to be on the ice. Biggest Window “In terms of the injury with the way that the quarantine’s been going and the inability to seek treatment or whatever it might be, there’s obviously Oddly enough, this award has nothing to do with the background. The still some lingering things that need to be taken care of. But we have a lot Zoomie for Biggest Window goes to Sam Reinhart, a restricted free agent of time at this point, so hopefully, it’ll get taken care of soon.” who is wide open when it comes to his next contract.

Best Dressed “I’m honestly not too worried about whether it’s one year or six years. Whatever. Who knows?” In a unanimous vote, Krueger takes home his second Zoomie for wearing this blazer: Tricks Of The Trade Award There’s little doubt changes to the Sabres’ roster are coming. Ristolainen claims another Zoomie by assuming the moves will include him.

“I want to win if it’s in Buffalo or somewhere else. I feel like when a team doesn’t get to the goal — that is playoffs — I think you need to make some changes. If changes will happen, I know I’m one of the first ones probably who’s going to get traded.”

While Ristolainen gets the Zoomie, he might not get the trade.

“What I love about Risto is he doesn’t hold back on anything,” Krueger said. “He tells you the truth all the time, so I’ve really enjoyed working with him this year. When I began coaching him and I was the leader of the room, he was somebody that wanted to be traded. Now he has embraced our path and he was all-in on our pathway this year.

“I want to coach Risto next season. I would enjoy coaching Risto next season. So, that’s probably all I need to say to you. That Risto always comes with a little bit of bite is what we love about him. I’m expecting to see him as a centerpiece and a core player in our group next year.”

Grandest Goodbye

Most of the Zoom calls ended with a quick farewell or a Sabres media relations member thanking everyone for coming. But Eichel closed his talk with a heartfelt message, and we’ll let him close the inaugural Zoomie Awards with the Grandest Goodbye.

“I just wanted to thank all you guys for the interactions throughout the year. I appreciate all your respect and just the relationships that we’ve formed and everything throughout the entire season. I wish you and all your families nothing but all the utmost health.

“Obviously, with what’s going on in the world right now, Western New York, people all over, anyone who’s listening, hope you’re doing well. Hope you’re healthy. Hope your loved ones are healthy. Together, we’ll get through this.”

The Athletic LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185561 Chicago Blackhawks “The Blackhawks’ veteran players, they’ve seen pretty much everything,” Sharp said. “Nothing’s going to surprise Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Corey Crawford.”

Patrick Sharp foresees wide-open NHL hierarchy when coronavirus pause, much like 2013 lockout, ends Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 05.31.2020

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

May 30, 2020, 8:00am CDT

NHL players — the majority of them, at least — are excited for the eventual return of hockey.

The same goes for Patrick Sharp, even three years past the end of his playing career.

The three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Blackhawks, now a studio analyst with NBC Sports, said this week he’s thrilled by the league’s 24- team playoff format and timeline.

“No one’s happier than my wife that I’m getting out of the house to go back to TV,” Sharp joked. “Because I’ve rearranged all the furniture in the house. I’m working on the kitchen now, moving some food around and cleaning out some cupboards.”

“At NBC, I know we’ll be a part of it, we’ll be covering the games. How we’re going to do that, we’ll figure it out as we go.”

In the studio, the adjustment back to live hockey won’t be that difficult. The in-game commentary is the realm that could see massive changes.

But as a player, Sharp experienced during the 2012-13 NHL lockout — which shortened the regular season to 48 games, starting in mid-January — how much work it takes to stay in game shape through an abnormally long layoff.

Unlike some players that year, Sharp didn’t play overseas in autumn due to the recent birth of his oldest daughter, meaning he went nine months between competitive games.

“It’s a tough one,” he said. “You train as best you can to stay in shape physically. You try to stay in touch with the game as best you can.”

The Hawks who did stay in Chicago frequently gathered at Johnny’s IceHouse West to work out and practice together, despite the lack of coach supervision. Some minor-leaguers from Rockford joined them, Sharp said.

And the team’s dedication to hockey even with the league officially locked out greatly benefitted them when the lockout ended.

“When we all got together in January, it was clear that we were prepared and ready to play,” Sharp said. “We started that season 24 games without a [regulation] loss. That’s probably something that doesn’t happen in a normal season, but it goes to show that...getting yourself ready to go when the puck drops is important. We did that.”

The 2013 lockout substantially shifted the league landscape. The Hawks, first-round losers the year before, had their absurd run; the Penguins ripped off their own 15-game winning streak.

Of the eight teams that advanced to the second round in 2012, only two (the Kings and Rangers) did so again in 2013. The Hawks went on to win the Cup.

Sharp said he expects the same phenomenon to happen again this summer, as teams’ fitness, readiness and attitudes may have changed from pre-pandemic to post-pandemic.

Unlike the lockout, moreover, many players haven’t been able to even follow their own typical individual training routines.

“Nobody really knows what’s coming, because we can look at what’s been played these past 70 games that ended in March, but it’s a whole different ballgame now,” he said. “Nobody really knows what they’re going to have until they get back together as a group and get on the ice and sort this thing out.”

And that wide-open hierarchy could benefit the Hawks as much as anyone. 1185562 Chicago Blackhawks mode and you're just focusing on what's supposed to be happening in the game."

With nothing happening in all of the games and events he usually works, Coronavirus pandemic silences Gene Honda's versatile voice Honda has obviously taken a financial hit.

"So far, so good, but the longer this stretches out the more I'm going to Scot Gregor change my answer," Honda said with another laugh.

Follow @scotgregor Applying for unemployment compensation is an obvious option, but Honda has been holding off. Updated "As of right now, I'm OK," he said. "I haven't done that and I've been 5/30/2020 6:46 PM chastised by a friend for not signing up, 'You're eligible. You need to go do it.' But as I said, right now, I'm OK. There are other people who need it

a lot worse than I do." If the is able to get back on the ice and resume the season by going straight to the playoffs, Gene Honda will be good to go. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 05.31.2020 Like many, many others, the legendary public-address announcer has been holed up since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Haven't shaved since March 12," Honda said with his customary laugh. "I've got some bald spots in there and it reminds me of someone's lawn with a dog in the neighborhood. I guess it's thank you (NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman, now I have a playoff ."

Honda has been the Blackhawks' P.A. announcer for 20 years and he's waiting to hear if the NHL will really be able to execute Bettman's vision and pick up play with a 24-team postseason.

The Hawks are just one of the teams, and sports, the versatile voice is keeping close tabs on.

Honda has been the White Sox's P.A. announcer since 1985, DePaul men's basketball announcer since 1998 and the Illinois P.A. voice the past six years.

There's much more on the Chicago native's resume.

Honda would have been behind the microphone for his 10th Final Four this year, but March Madness was canceled.

He was able to work the Maui Invitational for the 11th straight year in November, and Honda is a regular at the Big Ten men's basketball tournament, which was cut short this year.

Honda is also the co-emcee at the Big Ten men's football media gathering, but the annual event typically held in Chicago was canceled.

The Chicago Marathon, another event Honda works, is still on for October but that is subject to change.

Waiting around for one sport to begin is typical for most, but Honda is tied in on multiple fronts.

"I miss it a little bit," he said. "But for the most part, what I really miss is the people I work with, the people I get to see on a regular basis. The games are one thing, but those people are a big part of the reason I go to work."

One day a week in particular has helped Honda ease the sports withdrawal.

"Every Thursday night, the White Sox scoreboard crew has held a zoom happy hour," he said. "We talk about ways to keep yourself sane, and that's a great way to do it. We all sit there in front of our computers or phones and make a cocktail and talk to each other the same way we do when we're working games.

"Do I miss the games? Kind of. From an economic standpoint, absolutely. But those Thursday night happy hours give me a chance to get back to why I miss the games the most, and that's those people."

If the White Sox and Blackhawks do return this season, games are most likely going to be played with no fans in the seats at Guaranteed Rate Field and the United Center.

How odd would that be?

"The honest answer would be this ... it would be weird before the game starts," Honda said. "Once the game starts, your mentality -- my mentality, at least -- changes and you're focused on the field, the court, the ice. The first pitch, the puck drop, the tip-off, whatever, get me to that point and we'll be fine. Then, your concentration goes back to game 1185563 Dallas Stars But it didn’t. The Stars won, and that extra point was the difference in securing Dallas a playoff spot instead of having to play in a qualifying- round series.

How a comeback OT win over the Oilers was the difference between the Stars being winners, losers of the NHL playoff format Dallas Morning News LOADED: 05.31.2020

By Matthew DeFranks

3:16 PM on May 30, 2020

Final standings offer the mind endless opportunities for hypothetical scenarios.

What if the Stars don’t get a particular save from Ben Bishop or Anton Khudobin? What if a shot at a game-winning goal is missed by Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn or Denis Gurianov? Would that one play, or one point, have a marked difference on the Stars’ season? In short, the answer is yes.

In the Western Conference standings, the Stars finished just barely ahead of Edmonton based on points percentage. The Stars had 82 points in 69 games (a possible 138 points) for a points percentage of .594. The Oilers had 83 points in 71 games (a possible 142 points) for a points percentage .585.

It’s a margin so narrow that one fewer point by Dallas and one more point by Edmonton would have shifted the Oilers (.592) past the Stars (.587), handing Edmonton a berth in the round of 16 instead of having to face the Blackhawks in a best-of-five qualifying round. Such a scenario would have turned the Stars into losers of the playoff format instead of winners and would have made a run for the Stanley Cup require an additional three victories.

Now, we can look at the Stars’ comeback 5-4 overtime win over the Oilers on Nov. 16 as a difference-maker. If Benn doesn’t put a backhand past Mikko Koskinen in overtime, and the Oilers win, the Stars would be playing the Blackhawks in the qualifying round instead of sitting pretty in the round-robin stage.

Of course, a 69-game season cannot be boiled down into one singular game or moment. There are many chances across the grind of a season to allow for a point gained or a point lost. With that in mind, however, the manner in which the Stars won in November makes for a natural milestone for the season.

After Jason Dickinson scored the first goal of the game midway through the first period, the Oilers scored four of the next five goals to take a 4-2 lead entering the third period. Connor McDavid picked up three assists. Jim Montgomery (he was the Stars coach at the time) yanked Bishop just 3:34 into the second period after Jujar Khaira gave Edmonton a 2-1 lead.

The Stars would need five goals to beat the Oilers that afternoon. At the time, Dallas had played 20 games and scored five goals just once. On the season, the Stars allowed at least four goals in 17 games and went 1-13-3. So an offensive outburst from the offensively challenged Stars was unlikely.

But a hard forecheck by Radek Faksa and led to a Blake Comeau goal 5:21 into the period. With 1:49 left in the third period, Miro Heiskanen went from end to end and left a drop pass to Tyler Seguin, who throttled it past Koskinen.

“I actually said before the game, it’d be nice for us to win a game 6-4 or 5-4,” Montgomery said in November. “That’s what matriculated. But we feel the way we’ve played, especially in the last 10 games, we haven’t scored earlier like we have the last three games, but we felt we were getting those chances. Just a matter of time with the players we have that we’ll even start to score more.”

Then Benn ended his career-long 16-game goal drought with a beauty 1:14 into overtime.

“Ah, can’t believe it went in,” Benn said with a smirk after the game.

That game could have very easily slipped from the Stars: a pulled goalie, a two-goal deficit, the world’s best player on the other side with Leon Draisaitl, his Art Ross running mate. Plus, it was less than a week after Montgomery’s public criticism of Seguin and Benn after a loss in Winnipeg. 1185564 Detroit Red Wings Evaluation: Hard worker who provides organizational depth. Nothing flashy, but he’s reliable and generally makes smart decisions with the puck. Grade: C

Detroit Red Wings' final grades are in. Here's who passed and who D Madison Bowey flunked Age: 25.

Stats: 3 goals, 14 assists in 53 games. Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Status: Restricted free agent, likely to be re-signed. Published 4:37 p.m. ET May 30, 2020 | Updated 4:46 p.m. ET May 30, 2020 Evaluation: Struggled to make good decisions with the puck, but has offensive skill on a team low in productive defensemen. Yzerman was willing to lose Bowey on waivers, but there’s little risk in bringing him Steve Yzerman spent his first year as general manager of the Detroit back for another year. Grade: C-minus Red Wings observing and assessing. D Dennis Cholowski

As a team, there wasn’t much to like. It was dismal — a league-worst 17- Age: 22. 49-5 (even 30th-place Ottawa had managed to win 25 games when the season was shut down March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic). Stats: 2 goals, 6 assists in 36 games. The Wings had the worst offense (2.00 goals per game), defense (3.73 goals-allowed per game) and penalty kill (74.3%), and the 29th-ranked Status: Signed through 2020-21 at a $894,166 cap hit. power play (14.9%). Evaluation: The skill is there, the skating is there, but Cholowski didn’t Yzerman watched them practice, watched them play. He was in the make the most of an opportunity to gain a foothold during Mike Green’s locker room after home games, and often after practices. absences. Grade: D

“You learn a lot about the players, you get to know them personally, you D Trevor Daley get to know them better,” he said. “We’re assessing them. Are they a part Age: 36. of the plan moving forward, are they not. Stats: 7 goals, 7 assists in 43 games. “I didn’t know what our record was going to be going in — whether it was going to be what it was, or better or worse. We felt it was going to be a Status: Unrestricted, won’t be back. stretch to be a playoff team, and we weren’t a playoff team. I’ve learned a Evaluation: Struggled to stay healthy, made little impact when in the lot about our organization.” lineup. Grade: D The Wings were ravaged by injuries, to the point 34 skaters and four F Christoffer Ehn appeared in games. Players listed below had to log at least 10 games to receive a grade — hence the absence of defenseman Age: 24. Danny DeKeyser, who lasted eight games before a season-ending back injury. Stats: 2 goals, 2 assists in 54 games.

Players with potential to fit into the rebuild in some capacity were Status: Signed through 2020-21 at a $759,167 cap hit. included, even if they didn’t finish the season in Detroit. Evaluation: Serviceable grinder, reliable in his own zone but still reluctant F Justin Abdelkader to do little more with the puck than skate it out of his own zone. Grade: C- minus Age: 33. D Jonathan Ericsson Stats: 3 assists in 49 games. Age: 36. Status: Signed through 2022-23 at $4.25 million salary-cap hit. Stats: 0 points in 18 games. Evaluation: Didn’t produce, didn’t play with physicality. Likely to face waivers next season if there isn’t any uptick in his play. Grade: F Status: Unrestricted, won’t be back.

G Jonathan Bernier Evaluation: Was waived and assigned to the minors, but brought back to offset injuries. Grade: D Age: 31. F Adam Erne Stats: 15-22-3 with a .907 save percentage and 2.95 goals-against average. Age: 25.

Status: Signed through 2020-21 at a $3 million hit. Stats: 2 goals, 3 assists in 56 games.

Evaluation: He struggled the first two months (.890 save percentage, Status: Restricted, will be re-signed. 3.34 GAA) but was strong from mid-December on, posting a .919 save Evaluation: Plays with physicality, but was expected to do more percentage and 2.65 GAA in 26 games. Grade: B offensively. Grade: C-minus F Tyler Bertuzzi F Robby Fabbri Age: 25. Age: 24. Stats: 21 goals, 27 assists in 71 games. Stats: 14 goals, 17 assists in 52 games. Status: Restricted free agent, will be re-signed. Status: Restricted, will be re-signed. Evaluation: Plays a smart and gritty game. Thrived in the early months Evaluation: Acquired Nov. 6, he maximized coming to a new team. with 14 goals and 16 assists up until Christmas, but slowed in the second Added much-needed scoring, but deficiencies showed in the defensive half. Grade: B-minus zone, to the tune of a minus-29 rating. Grade: B-minus D Alex Biega F Valtteri Filppula Age: 32. Age: 36. Stats: 3 assists in 49 games. Stats: 6 goals, 15 assists in 70 games. Status: Signed through 2020-21 at a $875,000 cap hit. Status: Signed through 2020-21 at a $3 million cap hit. Stats: 16 goals, 22 assists in 43 games.

Evaluation: Didn’t help out offensively as much as hoped for, despite Status: Restricted, will be re-signed. playing in the top six and on the power play, and wasn’t as sound defensively as expected (team-worst minus-42 rating). Grade: D Evaluation: Missed six weeks recovering from a punctured lung suffered going after Toronto’s Jake Muzzin. It’s the second straight season F Luke Glendening Mantha has missed at least a month recovering from injury while defending a teammate. The Wings need someone else to do that, Age: 31. because Mantha is too important to lose. He led the team with a .88 Stats: 6 goals, 3 assists in 60 games. points-per-game average. Grade: B

Status: Signed through 2020-21 at a $1.8 million cap hit. D Patrik Nemeth

Evaluation: Had a down year after posting 23 points last season, and his Age: 28. minus-29 rating was a career worst. Grade: D Stats: 1 goal, 8 assists in 64 games.

F Darren Helm Status: Signed through 2020-21 at a $3 million cap hit.

Age: 33. Evaluation: Played physical, and did what he could in the defensive zone. Stats: 9 goals, 7 assists in 68 games. Grade: C

Status: Signed through 2020-21 at a $3.85 million cap hit. F Frans Nielsen

Evaluation: Credit Helm’s defensive savvy for a minus-6 rating on a team Age: 36. that had a minus-122 goal differential. He also finished fifth in goals. Stats: 4 goals, 5 assists in 60 games. Grade: B Status: Signed through 2021-22 at a $5.25 million cap hit. F Evaluation: Had a dismal year, not scoring his first goal until Dec. 28. Is Age: 23. still a smooth skater, and maybe he rebounds enough to flip him for a Stats: 2 goals, 5 assists in 26 games. draft pick. Grade: F

Status: Restricted, likely to be re-signed. F Brendan Perlini

Evaluation: He’s a smart player but was overmatched physically. A long Age: 24. offseason in the gym should earn him another look. Grade: D Stats: 1 goal, 3 assists in 40 games.

G Jimmy Howard Status: Restricted, unlikely to be back.

Age: 36. Evaluation: Failed to make the most of a new start, despite seeing time in Stats: 2-23-2 with a .882 save percentage and 4.20 goals-against the top six and on the power play. Grade: F average. F Givani Smith

Status: Unrestricted, won’t be back. Age: 22.

Evaluation: What a disappointing denouement for a guy who spent 11 Stats: 2 goals, 1 assist in 21 games. seasons with the Wings, earning two All-Star nods. His last victory dated to Oct. 29, and he was pulled his last two starts. Grade: F Status: Signed through 2020-21 at a $714,166 cap hit.

D Filip Hronek Evaluation: His enthusiasm is infectious, and he’s learning to balance being physical without being undisciplined. Grade: C-plus Age: 22. F Filip Zadina Stats: 9 goals, 22 assists in 65 games. Age: 20. Status: Signed through 2020-21 at a $714,166 cap hit. Stats: 8 goals, 7 assists in 29 games. Evaluation: Did a good job considering how he was burdened after the loss of DeKeyser. Played in all situations and against the opponent’s top Status: Signed through 2020-21 at a $894,167 cap hit. line. Grade: B Evaluation: Gained confidence as he gained experience, and was F Dylan Larkin starting to look dangerous with the puck when his season came to a halt because of injury at the end of January. Grade: B-minus Age: 24. Coach Jeff Blashill and his staff Stats: 19 goals, 34 assists in 71 games. The Wings were a one-line, one-goaltender team that suffered so many Status: Signed through 2022-23 at a $6.1 million cap hit. injuries, 14 players were used on the back end alone. Yzerman charged Evaluation: Struggled up until Christmas, but had a team-leading .94 Jeff Blashill and his coaching staff with focusing on developing the young points-per-game average the final 33 games. Led the team with 223 players key to the rebuild. shots. Grade: B Larkin, Mantha, Bertuzzi and Hronek endured rough patches but showed D Gustav Lindstrom growth. Blashill scratched underperforming veterans when he could, but injuries limited his ability to do so. He had no choice but to keep playing Age: 21. Howard (when Bernier needed a break) because neither Calvin Pickard nor Eric Comrie was a viable option. Stats: 1 assist in 16 games. Throughout the losing streaks, players bought into Blashill’s program. Status: Signed through 2020-21 at a $775,833 cap hit. Yzerman noted on multiple occasions he didn't think it fair to blame the Evaluation: It was a small sample size, but he played a smart game and record on Blashill. Grade: C looked like he can be a third-pairing guy. Grade: C-plus

F Anthony Mantha Detroit Free Press LOADED: 05.31.2020 Age: 25. 1185565 Edmonton Oilers A university with a student population of 9,736, the school is located two hours south of Nashville and an hour and a half west of Chattanooga.

Talbot had no idea when he was playing Tier Two that he was even Former Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot makes his greatest save being scouted.

“I didn’t think anybody was watching me,” he said.

Terry Jones Not that he was their first choice.

May 30, 2020 4:11 PM MDT “They actually had a goalie de-commit,” he says.

But it was a full-ride scholarship, an opportunity he couldn’t pass up and It was Cam Talbot’s greatest save ever. an adventure to boot.

At a time when the sports world — indeed the entire world — could use a “I know it sounds so cliche but to me it was just a dream come true,” feel-good story, the former Edmonton Oiler and current Talbot once put it. goaltender provided it this weekend with the news that he’d saved the “A kid from a small town, going to an unknown college, never drafted, University of Alabama in Huntsville’s NCAA Division I hockey program. never really looked at, passed over in everything … to get that Axed by the institution a few days earlier as a cost-cutting measure, opportunity was amazing.” Talbot led the charge to raise more than $520,000 by the end of the As he puts it now: “It meant everything to me. I wouldn’t have had the deadline day Friday to save it. career I’ve had to this point without it.”

The goalie credits the unlikely college hockey program for launching him So, yes, it is a wonderful story and a great save. to a pro career after he spent the 2007-2010 seasons at the university on a scholarship. But you can’t help but wonder who the players and alumni of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns feel about it. Talbot led the charge of a GoFundMe program that raised $521,887 from 2,200 donors and was topped off by separate gifts of $125,000 each by That program was recently shut down for financial reasons, and nobody former players Taso Sofikitis and Sheldon Wolitski. stepped forward to save it.

Talbot, who played brilliantly in leading the Oilers to Game 7 of the Pacific Division final in the three years ago, has appeared in 314 NHL games with the Oilers, Flames, New York Rangers Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 05.31.2020 and Philadelphia Flyers.

“Don’t get me wrong. There’s still a lot of work to be done. But this is the first hurdle and we couldn’t be more ecstatic from the support we’ve gotten,” he said.

Talbot said he has been asked to serve on the board that is being created and would include UAH alumni, major donors and business leaders.

“I never thought I’d ever join a board or even be asked to join one, so it kind of caught me off guard, to be honest with you,” he said. “IA don’t know what I bring to the table, but I hope if I do join I’ll bring some value to it.”

Talbot led the charge by mostly conscripting fellow NHL players, including the likes of Patrick Kane and Dylan Strome, who both made significant donations, to join him on social media. Former NHL GM Brian Burke, now of Sportsnet, who also played college hockey at Providence, donated $1,000 and also reached out.

“Hockey is a small community, so it’s great that so many people were able to offer something to the cause,” said Talbot.

A few years back, I took a road trip to Georgia and Alabama to do a few columns on Edmonton’s two-time gold medal winning Olympic goaltender Shannon Szabados, who was playing for the of the Southern Professional Hockey League. Not only did the UAH have a NCAA Div. 1 hockey team, but Huntsville, I discovered, also had a team in the SPHL. And the college team had been around for 41 years.

It’ll always be special for Talbot. Coming out of Caledonia, Ont., failing to get picked in the OHL bantam draft and having limited options coming out of Tier 2.

“The U of Alabama in Huntsville was everything to my career,” he says today.

Like Sherwood Park Crusader players Jarred White, Jacob Franczak and Will Zapernick, who accepted scholarships to the college that holds the claim to fame of being one of only 10 schools to produce both an NHL and NBA player, it offered opportunity.

Talbot has told his story at every stop in his career, and it has made a good read for every sportswriter who sat down with him to hear the tale of the late-blooming Canadian puck-stopper who went to join the Chargers and the program they started in 1988 as the only NCAA- sanctioned team south of the Mason-Dixon line and declaring itself ‘The Hockey Capital of the South.’ 1185566 Edmonton Oilers So what happens when the Oilers have to play Dallas after learning that two Stars players tested positive for COVID-19? What’s the comfort level going to be like if they get to that point in this process?

Edmonton Oilers: Boys on the Bus ready to become Boys in the Bubble Nurse says this is one of the major issues the players will have to reach and strong consensus on before they agree to move forward with any Return to Play strategy. Robert Tychkowski “That’s a tough question, ‘What are you comfortable with?’” said Nurse. “I May 30, 2020 7:14 PM MDT think every single person is at a different comfort level. This is an area we’ve never had to deal with.

“As a collective, as a whole, as players, we’ll have to come together and If all goes according to plan, and a mountain of details can be worked say, ‘If one guy tests positive but everyone else on the team tests out, a team that used to be known as The Boys On The Bus will become negative, I think we’re going to be comfortable with playing.’” The Boys In The Bubble.

Quarantined in a Hub City in an attempt to play out the 2020 post- season, the Edmonton Oilers will be part of an ambitious Return to Play Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 05.31.2020 strategy unlike anything the NHL has ever seen before, or likely will again.

It’s going to be strange and eerie on almost every front, but if it means crowning a Stanley Cup champion and staving off some massive financial losses, they’re willing to see it through.

“I think everyone’s excited that it’s the first step toward what we hope is playing hockey again,” said Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse. “Obviously there are a lot of hurdles we still need to overcome to get it going, but it’s exciting that we’re even having this discussion right now. I think as a hockey player, we just want to get back to playing.”

The bubble boys understand there won’t be any playoff atmosphere in empty arenas waiting for their return. There will be no towel waving madhouses. No buildings that shake so loud they can feel it. It will be quiet. Too quiet.

“Yeah, it’s not going be the same,” said Oilers captain Connor McDavid. “There’s no doubt about that. It sucks, frankly, but we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do to get back playing hockey. And I’m sure those fans will be cheering loud in their living rooms or wherever they’re watching from. I think it’ll suck, but we’ve got to what we’ve got to do.”

There will be virtual support, as there always is on social media platforms, but players won’t be able to hear it when they score, or when they need that third period boost of adrenaline. It will be up to the athletes themselves to manufacture their own in-house energy and momentum.

Nurse believes that’s always been part of the job, and says it will be a point of even greater emphasis now.

“That’s a test that everyone who is in this situation is going to have to go through, having to create your own excitement,” he said, adding their reason for being there should be motivation enough.

“There shouldn’t be a whole lot that you need to get you going, because you are still playing for a Stanley Cup. Yes, there are no fans there, and you might be in a hub city, but there is an opportunity to win a Stanley Cup. That should be all the fire you need.”

These are strange days, indeed, but the team that best finds a way to adapt and persevere has the best chance to win it all. As much as the Stanley Cup playoffs are a test of strength and endurances, half the battle this time around will be standing up to the psychological aspects of long-term isolation and empty seats.

“There are a lot of challenges, a lot of things that are not ideal that come along with this situation,” said Nurse. “But, that’s the world. The world is in this position right now. It’s another test. You can look at it as another challenge that makes going through this whole process as hard as it’s going to be.”

Being part of the NHL bubble will also mean regular testing — several times a week, if not daily — to prevent one or two positive cases from fanning out and toppling a $1 billion endeavour that is already precarious at best.

“No matter what the format, the testing’s going to be huge,” said Nurse. “Having it every day kind of limits, begins to limit, the potential of getting the virus. If that’s what it takes, if that’s what the professionals who are in this field and tackle these challenges every day believe is the best option, then that’s the way you have to go.” 1185567 Edmonton Oilers Looking at Tippett’s track record with developing players reminds me of the Craig MacTavish era in Edmonton. First-round selections often had a bigger adjustment under MacTavish because he expected everyone to Lowetide: Oilers coach Dave Tippett’s track record in developing young be responsible without the puck. First-rounders such as Michel Riesen players and Rob Schremp were found wanting, and players chosen in later rounds (Shawn Horcoff, Fernando Pisani, Jarret Stoll) learned to play without the puck coming up through the system and found MacTavish’s style to their liking. By Allan Mitchell Tippett gathered many of his top defencemen in the first round, then May 30, 2020 found scoring wingers in later portions of the draft. Here are the top contributors outside the first round who entered the NHL under Tippett in Dallas and played more than 500 games: According to NHL.com, Dave Tippett has coached 40 significant rookies in a 15-year career in the NHL. A quick glance at the list reveals a Trevor Daley, 1,058 penchant for developing defencemen and scoring wingers, plus a large Loui Eriksson, 970 number of two-way forwards who have delivered substantial careers. Jussi Jokinen, 951 A coach is only as good as the players on his bench, but Tippett seems to have had a lot of success over the years in developing young talent. James Neal, 821 We saw it this season as Ethan Bear, Kailer Yamamoto and Caleb Jones all flourished under Tippett’s guidance. Credit to the players in all cases, Mike Smith, 610 but it’s also true the coach put each man in a position to succeed. Nicklas Grossmann, 592

Is that typical for teams coached by Tippett? Does he have success with Antti Miettinen, 539 first-round selections, deeper picks or both? Let’s have a look. That’s exceptional for any team over six seasons, with the Stars basically First-round picks getting a five-plus-season solution from somewhere in the later rounds. Tippett coached the Dallas Stars from 2002-09, meaning he would have What’s more, the skill wingers (Neal, Eriksson, Jokinen) emerged as had an opportunity to assess and help develop players drafted from substantial goal scorers over many seasons. It lends credence to the 2000-06. Here are the first-round picks, sorted by NHL games: idea that Tippett, while being structured and defensively aware as a coach, finds a way for his horses to run free in the offensive zone. Matt Niskanen, 949 (2005 draft) Tippett’s time in Arizona is more recent, so I’ll list all players with 200- Steve Ott, 848 (2000) plus games who arrived in the NHL after being drafted by Arizona:

Mark Fistric, 325 (2004) Michael Stone, 472

Jason Bacashihua, 38 (2001) Jordan Martinook, 374

Ivan Vishnevskiy, 5 (2006) Christian Dvorak, 246

Martin Vagner, 0 (2002) Christian Fischer, 213

Vagner didn’t sign with Dallas and reentered the draft in 2004 but did not The trend holds, with another useful defenceman and some nice develop into an NHL player. All of the selections were made late in the offensive players, including a quality two-way forward, sprinkled into the first round (Ott, at No. 25, was the earliest selection), and two were mix for the Coyotes. Tippett coached for eight seasons in Arizona, so the productive players for more than a decade. Fistric was a tough rapid development clip was slowed. Roster churn was constant in those defenceman who fought injuries during his career and had a tough time years; the Coyotes might have wasted talent on the way. as the league quickly got faster during the 2010s. Edmonton’s youth Tippett coached the from 2009-17 and enjoyed great success via a team drafting about 20 spots higher than the Stars in the Edmonton fans can be forgiven for being somewhat shocked by the first round each summer. If ever there was an argument for drafting rapid-fire arrivals of Bear, Jones and Yamamoto this season. The last higher for a summer or two, the differences in the quality of the lists are time three prospects who were chosen outside the top 10 arrived in the ample argument: same season for the Oilers was in 2010-11, when , Jordan Eberle and Jeff Petry all emerged in one season. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, 723 (2009) In each case, Tippett placed the player in a position that represented a Connor Murphy, 444 (2011) good match for their skills and a good chance to flourish without getting buried. Max Domi, 375 (2013) When Bear showed an ability to face tough competition, Tippett ran with Brendan Perlini, 239 (2014) his splendid rookie in vital game situations. Jakob Chychrun, 234 (2016) What does it mean? Brandon Gormley, 58 (2010) Much of Tippett’s track record in developing talent has to do with drafting. Henrik Samuelsson, 3 (2012) In Dallas’ case, with the team making its first-round picks so late, elite offensive stalwarts were unavailable. That said, the plethora of quality The questions we need to ask: How many were helped by the coach, and defencemen who have found their way to NHL success on Tippett’s how much impact did Tippett have on the first-round selections? We can watch is impressive, along with his unusual ability to find scoring identify two from the group: forwards outside the first round. A steady stream of two-way forwards has also helped teams coached by Tippett. • Ott, who became a perennial prospect in Dallas. It took some time for Ott to figure out how to score goals in the NHL, but Tippett stayed with Who might flourish under Tippett? him. The defencemen, but I’ll mention Evan Bouchard, Dmitri Samorukov and • Chychrun, who came right to the NHL and developed into a quality Philip Broberg as likely contributors in the future. player quickly. Credit to the player and some for the coach, who recognized Chychrun’s talent right away, bringing him to the NHL as a Scoring wingers chosen outside the first round who might benefit from teenager. having Tippett as their coach include Tyler Benson, Raphael Lavoie and Kirill Maksimov. Picks after the first round One checking forwards whom Tippett can help develop is Ryan McLeod, with speedy Matej Blumel a long-term possibility.

The bottom line: Tippett increases the talent pool of the teams he coaches by finding ways to include qualified youth in areas of need. As time goes on and he learns more about the kids on the farm and those coming through the system, it can only benefit a franchise that has lacked depth and balance for most of the previous 15 seasons.

Tippett is the ideal coach for a team that will need a constant pipeline of effective players who are not yet established in the NHL. He’s proven effective with unproven youngsters his entire career. The increase in useful talent in the system should help the Oilers in every season Tippett coaches in Edmonton.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185568 Florida Panthers us that way and I’m sure the players will feel that. We’ll use this as a stepping stone to prolong this and do it further and do it in front of our fans eventually.”

Panthers GM Dale Tallon on playoffs: ‘We have a chance to do something special’ Sun Sentinel LOADED: 05.31.2020

By MAX MARCOVITCH

SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL

MAY 28, 2020 | 12:08 PM

When the NHL abruptly suspended its season in mid-March amid a groundswell of concern over the coronavirus outbreak, the Florida Panthers had a shot. It was an improbable one, sitting three points back of third place in the Atlantic Division and three points behind the Flyers and Islanders for a wild card spot. For a team hitting a late stride — nabbing 5 points in its final three games — a playoff berth was there for the taking, nonetheless.

But when commissioner Gary Bettman announced the NHL’s plan for return Tuesday, he offered the Panthers a new kind of life, terminating the regular season and setting up a 24-team postseason tournament that includes Florida as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference.

"Guys are excited, because now you see it. It’s right in front of you,” Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Dale Tallon said Thursday morning. "There was doubt before. We had 13 games left in the regular season. We probably had to win eight or nine of those to get into the regular playoff scenario. But now we know what the deal is. Now you’ve got the chance to win three games and move on and have a chance to do something special.”

That sort of optimism has been scarce around South Florida in its hockey history. This playoff appearance, to the extent it qualifies as such, will be just the sixth in franchise history and the first since 2016. The Panthers haven’t won a playoff series since 1996, the year they lost in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Still, the Panthers are gearing up for a five-game qualifying-round series against the New York Islanders with high hopes.

"All the guys that I’ve spoken with, they can’t wait to get back on the ice, can’t wait to get back together,” Tallon said. "And they’re excited about this opportunity, so that’s all you can ask for. ... I think there are a lot of positive things we’ve learned from this situation. And I think they’re eager and willing to pay the price to go deep.”

There are still hurdles to clear before they can get to that point. The league has yet to identify the “hub cities” that will host each conference, with that announcement expected in the coming weeks. They have been cautious to peg a specific date — Bettman only musing that they "anticipate playing over the summer and into the early fall.” Though the league announced it will be allowing expanded rosters for the playoffs, it has yet to announce exactly how many players that will feature.

Tallon estimates that "around half” of the team has returned to South Florida in anticipation of resuming individual voluntary workouts at the team’s facilities, the second phase of the league’s four-phase rollout. He has had specific discussions with some of the team’s top prospects about being part of the expanded playoff roster, including center Henrik Borgstrom and winger Owen Tippett.

Tallon also speaks daily with coach . With a league-wide return plan now in place, those conversations have evolved into getting the franchise ready for all that the coming months will entail.

Still, he acknowledges, the postseason appearance is bittersweet for the franchise in its attempt to build enthusiasm within the community. Wherever it plays — the closest option is Dallas, over 1,000 miles away — fans will almost certainly not be part of the in-arena equation.

For the Panthers, who ranked 28th in the league in attendance last season, a massive part of the postseason appeal would have been rejuvenating local interest. That now goes by the wayside.

"We can’t force people into the building, and that’s sad, because our fans have been very patient for a long time. And to miss out on an opportunity like this is tough on all of them,” Tallon said. "… They’re going to have to watch our games on social media, whatever’s available and get behind 1185569 Los Angeles Kings

Kings part ways with minor-league coach Mike Stothers

By JACK HARRIS STAFF WRITER

MAY 30, 202011:13 AM UPDATED 12:01 PM

The Kings will not renew the contract of Mike Stothers, the longtime coach of the club’s minor league affiliate in Ontario, the team announced in a statement Saturday.

Stothers was in his sixth season coaching the Reign when the season was suspended in March and later canceled because of the coronavirus crisis. His contract was set to expire June 15.

Stothers coached the AHL club since it was located in Manchester, N.H. He led the team to a title as AHL champions during his first season in 2014-15.

“We appreciate everything Mike has contributed to the organization,” Kings general manager said in the team’s statement. “He has played an important role in helping develop our players and we want to thank him for his years of service and guiding us to a Calder Cup Championship in 2015.”

The rest of the Reign’s coaching staff will remain, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation, who also said there is no timeline on finding a replacement to fill the head coaching vacancy. The team has yet to begin that process.

Stothers is the second-longest tenured member of the franchise to not be retained this summer. Assistant general manager Michael Futa, who had been with the Kings since 2007, also left the team this month after his contract was not renewed.

The Kings’ final roster this season included nine players who spent full seasons under Stothers in their minor league career, many of whom cited the coach’s straightforward style as a key factor in their development.

“He’s probably one of my favorite coaches I’ve ever had,” forward Matt Luff, who played for both the Reign and Kings this season, said earlier this year. “He‘s hard on you, but at the end of the day he really cares about his players. That’s what rubs off.”

LA Times: LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185570 Los Angeles Kings

Kings part ways with coach Mike Stothers

By ANDREW KNOLL

PUBLISHED: May 30, 2020 at 2:53 p.m. | UPDATED: May 30, 2020 at 2:54 p.m.

In the same week that the Kings learned their season had officially ended, they made their first move of the offseason. They announced on Saturday morning they would not retain their top minor league affiliate’s head coach

Mike Stothers had been a head coach with the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliates for the past six seasons. He guided the Ontario Reign to point percentages above .500 for four of the past five seasons, including a trip to the conference finals in 2015-16. He won a Calder Cup, the AHL’s championship, with the Kings’ previous affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, in 2014-15.

“We appreciate everything Mike has contributed to the organization,” said Kings vice president and general manager Rob Blake. “He has played an important role in helping develop our players and we want to thank him for his years of service and guiding us to a Calder Cup Championship in 2015.”

Stothers has spent nearly four decades in professional hockey. The Toronto native and former defenseman was a first-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1980. He played 30 NHL games in a career that was spent largely in the AHL, and began coaching in 1991. He coached at the junior and minor league levels primarily, but was also an assistant coach with the Flyers and .

The Reign had a solid start to their 2019-20 season before stumbling a bit as call-ups, injuries and inconsistent special teams hindered them. They went 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, but were unable to make a final playoff push since the AHL suspended play and ultimately canceled the remainder of its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Kings, who have not won a playoff series since 2014 and finished last and second-to-last in the Western Conference the past two seasons, are emphasizing player development. That means they will lean heavily on the Reign for the foreseeable future.

Top prospects like center , winger Arthur Kaliyev and forward Samuel Fagemo should join the Kings’ organization in the near future and might play in Ontario initially.

Center Gabriel Vilardi and defensemen Tobias Bjornfot and Mikey Anderson made strides last season under Stothers. They each played a handful of promising games with the parent club. Goalie Cal Petersen had a superb campaign in Ontario and competed for starts with Jonathan Quick for the Kings late in the season.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185571 Los Angeles Kings The Reign were four points out of a playoff spot when the AHL stopped and Stothers has since been part of their online staff meetings. In an interview with The Athletic a little more than a week ago, Stothers, who Kings opt to move on from Mike Stothers as Reign shift to developmental was at home in Owen Sound, Ontario, was talking about player focus evaluations and the sudden end of the season and how it hurt the development of several players. Stothers didn’t sound like he was anticipating a change in his job status.

By Lisa Dillman “We were in a playoff push and that’s a valuable thing for these young guys to go through, and the preparation,” he said then. “Those are May 30, 2020 important games to play. A lot of those young guys were playing a lot of minutes and that’s time they’re not going to get back.

The Kings have opted not to renew the contract of Ontario Reign coach “I really feel like there is a void there for those guys and their Mike Stothers, who guided their AHL affiliate, then in Manchester, to a development. It’s just such an improper ending. It doesn’t seem right. Calder Cup championship in 2015. Let’s just say we had fallen a little bit short of the playoffs — it’s still a learning thing where each and every game is important. Every point is It was the second time in less than three weeks the Kings have cut ties important. Every decision you make on the ice could maybe cost you — with a longtime member of the organization. On May 11, they announced whether it’s a penalty and you lose a game. they would not be renewing the contract of assistant general manager Michael Futa, who had been with them for 13 years. “They’re not going to get that time back. It’s much the same as Kupari. He goes to the world juniors and gets hurt and it’s a season-ending “We appreciate everything Mike (Stothers) has contributed to the injury. That second half of the season was a crucial part of his organization,” Kings general manager Rob Blake said in a statement on development. I certainly think that was a setback for those players and Saturday morning. “He played an important role in helping develop our it’s time we’re not going to get back for them.” players and we want to thank him for his years of service and guiding us to a Calder Cup championship in 2015.” Stothers, 58, was a fascinating blend of old-school values of a hockey lifer and delightful candor, qualities local reporters will certainly miss. Among the future NHL players on the championship team that season were Adrian Kempe, Jordan Weal, Nic Dowd, Colin Miller, Nick Shore, He and his wife, Judi, made the long drive to home to Owen Sound from Derek Forbort and goaltender JF Berube. Southern California in late April.

“I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I was fully expecting to be back to “It was so bizarre to be on the road with very little traffic. I had never seen fulfill the option year of my contract,” Stothers said on Saturday anything like that,” Stothers said last week. “We went through the lower afternoon. “It was a club option, so it was their decision. I wasn’t really (U.S.) states because of the weather and you go through a big city like expecting that. St. Louis and there’s nothing. Oklahoma City, nothing. There was no traffic. It was crazy.” “As a coach, with the instability of the position, nothing really catches me off guard anymore. I’ve been around a long time.”

Blake let him know of the decision on Friday night. The Athletic LOADED: 05.31.2020

“He thanked me for the job I did with the organization and said I did a great job and developed the players like I was supposed to,” Stothers said. “They were going in a different direction. I took what he said about me and what I’ve done for the organization, I took that with pride. The decision was made.”

Stothers reflected on his tenure with the organization.

“I’ve had opportunities to go elsewhere but I chose not to because I enjoyed doing what I was doing,” he said. “That was my intent (to stay). But unfortunately, that’s not going to be the case and I’m going to have to go somewhere else. I can walk away with my head pretty high. I guess it takes something like this to hear from people, that I was somewhat of an impact on their life. It kind of makes you feel good.

“It’s a sad day to be moving on. But I’m going to look at the positives because they so far outweigh any of the negatives. I’m a lucky guy. I had six years. It’s tremendous. There’s people that would give a month for this experience.”

It appears likely the Kings will go outside the organization to search for a successor to Stothers, who had been with the team for six seasons and whose contract expires on June 15. With hockey on pause during the pandemic, there’s no rush to start a search. The Kings and the six other teams not making the cut for league’s return-to-play plan may not have meaningful games until November or December, or possibly even January.

Reign assistant coaches and Jaroslav Modry and goalie development coach Matt Millar are all still under contract, the team said.

Internally, Stothers was believed to be the right coach for Ontario this past season. Going forward, the Reign will take on a much different and younger look as the organization works through its rebuild. One source said to think of it “as a development program at the AHL level.” It was also noted the development process will require engagement with “the new type of player.”

The four players who signed entry-level contracts this spring are Alex Turcotte (19), Tyler Madden (20), Cole Hults (22) and goaltender Jacob Ingham (19). Tobias Bjornfot, who just played his first professional season in North America, is also 19, as is Rasmus Kupari. 1185572 Los Angeles Kings

KINGS WILL NOT RENEW CONTRACT OF REIGN HEAD COACH MIKE STOTHERS

ZACH DOOLEY

MAY 30, 2020

The LA Kings announced this morning that they will not renew the contract of Ontario Reign Head Coach Mike Stothers. The statement from the team this morning is below –

LOS ANGELES – The LA Kings will not renew the contract of Ontario Reign Head Coach Mike Stothers, which is set to expire on June 15. Stothers has led the AHL affiliate for the last six seasons, including five with the Ontario Reign (2015-16 to 2019-20) and one with the Manchester Monarchs (2014-15).

“We appreciate everything Mike has contributed to the organization” said Rob Blake, Vice President and General Manager of the LA Kings. “He has played an important role in helping develop our players and we want to thank him for his years of service and guiding us to a Calder Cup Championship in 2015.”

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185573 Montreal Canadiens While the Ben Chiarot-Shea Weber defensive pairing struggled to control the forecheck, the Brett Kulak-Jeff Petry pairing struggled to control the blue line, illustrating that the issues were not limited to the slower Series preview: Penguins hold upper hand, but Canadiens have players. Even with their speediest defencemen on the ice, the Canadiens surprised before struggled with their defensive positioning.

That’s not to say the Canadiens have no chance. We all know by now the Canadiens lack shooting talent and will have to score by outshooting By Marc Dumont their opponents significantly. Yes, they need to do a better job capitalizing on their scoring chances, but they won’t magically improve May 30, 2020 their shooting talent overnight. They can make up for the lack of elite shooters with consistent pressure on puck carriers generated through an aggressive forecheck. Playoff hockey! Get your playoff hockey, here! In a short series, you need to rely on any advantage possible, and for the OK, it’s not exactly playoff hockey, but a five-game play-in series versus Canadiens, that’s the third line. The most productive player in their the Penguins is just about as close as the Canadiens could have hoped matchups was none other than Artturi Lehkonen, which shouldn’t come to get this season. Forget the eight-game losing streak(s), forget the Red as a surprise, seeing as the Penguins hold the talent edge in three of the Wings and forget the endless streak of losses in one-goal games. This is four lines (not the third line). It stands to reason their performance will an opportunity for the Canadiens to start anew, and though many are play a significant role in the outcome of the series, as they tend to be rooting for a quick exit so the team can secure a better draft pick, you given easier zone starts than the rest of the team as well as a lower simply can’t tell professional athletes to temper their drive to compete. quality of competition.

We’re not quite sure when the games will take place, but for now, we can The goalie matchup presents a fascinating narrative from Pittsburgh’s take a look back at how both teams performed, as well as the three times point of view. Will the Penguins start two-time Stanley Cup winner Matt they faced each other this season. Murray? Or will they hand the reins to Tristan Jarry, who by all accounts had a better season than Murray? Although better is a misnomer in this Statistically speaking, the Canadiens held an edge in shots (CF%), high- case. Jarry flat out dominated Murray in the key statistical categories. danger shots (HDCF%) and expected goals (xGF%), which bodes well Though Price measured up nicely to Murray, he lagged significantly for their matchup with the Penguins. But it will come as no surprise to behind Jarry. Canadiens fans that despite holding a significant edge in those categories, the Penguins controlled more goals (GF%) due to their better Mike Sullivan’s choice of goaltender will go a long way in deciding who shooting percentage (SH%). Those discrepancies are at the base of this has the statistical edge in this department, though it’s worth noting that matchup. The Canadiens rank among the best teams in the league at Price and Murray shared an identical high-danger save percentage this creating shots and scoring chances, but they simply do not have the season (.828 percent). shooting talent to match their overall dominance in shot control, whereas Pittsburgh’s league rank remains constant across the board. Though the goaltending matchup remains the most important aspect of the series, the Canadiens will need to find offence from more than one As for special teams, the Penguins held the edge on the power play (19.9 source if they’re to compete with the high-flying Penguins. The first line percent vs. 17.1 percent) and the penalty kill (82.1 percent vs. 78.7 will need a little more luck than it saw during the regular season, but percent). They also generated more shots than the Canadiens on the beyond that group, the Canadiens have to rely on unproven playoff man advantage and allowed fewer when shorthanded. We tend to performers while they deal with a lineup that’s bursting with Stanley Cup- overlook the value of special teams during the regular season, but in a winning experience. short series such as the one proposed by the NHL, it can make all the difference. The Domi factor

Overall, the Canadiens had a slightly better five-on-five save percentage Compared to the previous year, Max Domi had a rather underwhelming than the Penguins, though it should be noted that while the Canadiens season, although if we compare his scoring totals to the rest of his relied almost solely on Carey Price, the Penguins split their starts career, it’s actually 2018-19 that stands out as the statistical anomaly. between Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry. The latter produced much better Beyond his actual production, Domi remains a crucial part of the numbers than the former. Canadiens’ offence, thanks to his ability to drive the play through the Canadiens record: 1-1-1 neutral zone with speed, which inevitably backs up defending players and creates a lot of space for his linemates in the offensive zone. We’re not dealing with particularly big sample sizes, but when we narrow it down to the three times they faced each other this season, things get He has yet to participate in the NHL playoffs, with his last taste of playoff slightly worse for the Canadiens. They did manage to control the high- action coming back in 2014-15 with the ’s London danger shots, but they failed to control the overall shots and expected Knights. Seeing as his contract is expiring this summer, a strong goals, a rarity for the Canadiens this season. performance by Domi will go a long way in shedding his reputation as an inconsistent player. One of the biggest issues facing the Canadiens in their matchups versus Pittsburgh was the lack of offence from their first line. Even though they Which Drouin will show up? controlled the shots in the games in question, neither Tomas Tatar, Speaking of inconsistent, the Canadiens saw both versions of Jonathan Brendan Gallagher nor Phillip Danault hit the scoresheet. That’s Drouin this season. There was the player who broke the game wide open obviously an area of concern, though you could look at it as the outlier. with his speed and skill, and there was the player who struggled in the Generally speaking, a line is bound to score when it controls over 60 defensive zone and gave a sleepy performance when it mattered most. percent of the shots and chances, as that line tends to do. A healthy Drouin will go a long way in making an impact in this series, but The Penguins, however, received plenty of offence from their top players. there’s no telling which version of the oft-maligned winger will show up Sidney Crosby had two assists in the one game he played, and Evgeni until halfway through his first shift, at which point it’s quite evident. Malkin had two assists in the first two games. There’s something to be said about the Canadiens controlling the overall high-danger shots, but It’s all about hitting the ground running for Drouin. A slow start will beget when push came to shove, the Penguins did a much better job of a slow series. keeping the Canadiens’ best players to the outside of high-danger areas. The Penguins had no problem generating quality scoring chances in the The medical room offensive zone thanks to their ability to force turnovers and capitalize on Contrary to popular belief, the Penguins suffered many more injuries than mistakes. the Canadiens this season, particularly to their most important players. That’s what happens when you have some of the best players in the Jake Guentzel and Kristopher Letang will be available for the Penguins, world in your lineup: You tend to score on high-quality opportunities. If though they’ll be without Dominik Simon due to season-ending shoulder the Canadiens stand any chance in this series, they’ll need to do a much surgery. better job mitigating the unforced errors in their own zone. As for Montreal, there’s an outside chance Jesperi Kotkaniemi could be healthy enough to play by the time the NHL resumes, but it’s an unlikely scenario given the severity of his injury. Victor Mete’s fractured foot should be ready by then, as should Drouin’s ankle. And most importantly, the Canadiens will have Price and Weber well rested and ready, something that has rarely happened since Weber joined the team.

Rockin’ rookie

Nick Suzuki hit the proverbial “rookie wall” this season, but not before putting the league on notice. His skill, as well as his defensive prowess, quickly earned the trust of his coach, resulting in a promotion to the second line, where he consistently provided creativity in the offensive zone.

The Canadiens might not have many game breakers at the moment, but Suzuki is well on his way to becoming one. Can he rekindle some of the magic he found in his impressive playoff run with the back in 2018-19, when he scored 16 goals and 26 assists in 24 games? Obviously the NHL is a different animal than the OHL, but playoff performers tend to perform at every level, which makes Suzuki one of the most interesting players to watch in the series.

Final word

Given the evidence we’re working with here, all signs point to this being a very difficult series to win for Montreal, though that’s to be expected when a team with the third-fewest regulation wins faces a team like the Penguins, deservedly or not.

But the same was said about the Columbus Blue Jackets ahead of their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning last season. The same was said of the Canadiens’ matchup with the Penguins and Washington Capitals in 2010. And the same has been said for endless underdogs who have gone on to do magical things in the playoffs.

It won’t be easy, and it’ll take a complete team effort, however, the Canadiens do have the tools to make this a very interesting series.

As is tradition in Montreal, it all starts and ends with Price, but in between, he’ll need a little help from his friends.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185574 New Jersey Devils clairvoyant condition from GMs and Brad Treliving). So, the regular season is over. Now what? A source said this weekend that the league has not yet provided clarity on that.

LeBrun: The NHL’s ruling on conditional trades is the right call I mean, there’s time. The NHL draft won’t be until fall, at the earliest. If I had to guess, I’d say the Flames will get the third-round pick from the Oilers; common sense would dictate you prorate what Neal and Lucic By Pierre LeBrun did, and that the condition would have been met over a full season.

May 30, 2020 Here’s another interesting one: The Devils traded pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman Sami Vatanen to the Hurricanes on deadline day

for Fredrik Claesson, Janne Kuokkanen and a conditional 2020 fourth- We finally have an answer on the mystery of the Vancouver Canucks’ round pick. conditional first-round pick. The conditions on the pick: New Jersey receives a fourth-round selection They still own it — for now. if Vatanen plays in five regular-season games. There’s also a playoff component to it. The NHL sent out a memo to clubs over the past week, and part of it dealt with the conditional trades for the 2020 NHL Draft. Well, the injured Vatanen never played a regular-season game for the Hurricanes before the season was put on pause March 12. So, At the heart of it: deals affected by teams making or not making the presumably, the Canes don’t have to trade away a draft pick to the Devils playoffs and what being in the 24-team tournament means in that regard. in this deal. The No. 1 contention was the five regular-season games played — unless New Jersey can make the argument that should Take the Canucks, whose first-round pick was dealt to Tampa Bay last Vatanen play in a certain number of the Canes’ playoff games this June for J.T. Miller. That pick was then moved again by the Cup-hungry summer, they should get a pick. I can see both teams making different Lightning before the Feb. 24 trade deadline for Blake Coleman from the arguments here and the league having to step in and make a call. Devils. And another trade of note that’s clear now as far as the conditions: The So the question the Devils and Canucks had this past week after Kings have a conditional 2021 third-round pick from the Maple Leafs from commissioner Gary Bettman announced the 2019-20 regular season the Jack Campbell-Kyle Clifford deal (plus, Los Angeles got Trevor over was what that meant for this conditional first-round pick. Moore). The pick becomes a second-round pick if the Leafs re-sign Did Vancouver’s presence in the tournament mean the Devils already Clifford or make the playoffs (which means winning their play-in round had the pick? Or do the Canucks have to win their play-in round against versus Columbus) and Campbell wins six regular-season games. He won the Wild and qualify for the 16-team playoffs for that 2020 pick to officially three. So the second criterion is now toast. The Kings can upgrade to a transfer to New Jersey? second-round pick only if Clifford re-signs with the Leafs.

They got their answer from the league a few days later, in the memo:

“More specifically, for Trade condition purposes, a Club will not be The Athletic LOADED: 05.31.2020 deemed to have qualified for the Playoffs unless or until they have progressed into the Round of 16, and ‘Playoff Games/Rounds’ will only include the games/rounds played in the Round of 16 or later. We believe this interpretation will best reflect the intentions of the parties at the time of the Trade,” the league stipulated.

So, there you go. That first-round pick is still in flux until that Canucks- Wild play-in series is completed. If Vancouver loses, New Jersey instead gets the Canucks’ unprotected 2021 first-round pick.

There are a few other deals also affected by the league ruling.

Take the Jason Zucker deal between Pittsburgh and Minnesota. The condition on that first-round pick swapping hands from the Penguins to the Wild is if Pittsburgh were to miss the playoffs this season, which seemed rather ridiculous to think about when the deal was completed on Feb. 10, the Penguins would have the option to keep the first-round pick for 2020 and send their unprotected 2021 first-round pick instead.

Well, if the fifth-seeded Penguins were to be upset by the 12th-seeded Canadiens in the play-in round this summer, Pittsburgh would be in that very position of deciding whether to hand the Wild this year’s pick or next year’s pick. And given that losing to Montreal would mean being in the draft lottery, you would assume Pittsburgh would probably keep this year’s pick, which would stink for Minnesota. Wild GM Bill Guerin will be cheering for his old NHL team in that play-in series versus the Habs.

In any case, the league’s interpretation of this underlines what we’ve been reporting for a while now: The NHL doesn’t view the qualifying round as constituting playoff hockey, and the actual playoffs consist of just 16 teams. In my opinion, when it comes to conditional trades affected by this ruling, it’s the right call from the league. Nobody made an NHL trade contemplating anything other than 16 teams in the playoffs. So for the spirit and integrity of those trades, this is the right ruling.

In the meantime, the official end of the regular season should allow for some housekeeping on other trades, although the league still hasn’t ruled on much of this.

For example, there’s the James Neal-Milan Lucic trade between rivals Edmonton and Calgary. The Flames were to get a third-round pick from the Oilers in this year’s draft if Neal scored 21 goals and Lucic scored 10 or fewer goals than Neal this season. Well, Neal was at 19 goals and Lucic was at eight when the season got paused (talk about a 1185575 New York Islanders The league and the union have a mountain of critical issues to sort through in order to make summer hockey a reality. This contract matter may not rise to quite that level, but it surely is going to be contested. And NHL’s attempt to change popular rule may spark restart tension if indeed this becomes a flashpoint of contention, this does not mean the union is no longer being “collaborative” or the players are being “selfish.”

We’re told that the PA’s Return to Play Committee, that has been By Larry Brooks essential in working with the league on the 24-team return, will likely be dissolved once the parties nail down the final details of the tournament. May 30, 2020 | 5:43PM Bracketing vs. reseeding, and determining whether the first two rounds of

the 16-team playoffs will be best-of-five or best-of-seven are the We’re not suggesting that an MLB-type public squabble is going to break outstanding items on the docket. They are expected to be resolved this out during the NHL’s negotiations with the NHLPA as the parties attempt week. to craft a safe, sane and equitable way to put hockey’s 24-team There has been no talk, at least as of now, of introducing new playing tournament on the ice this summer, but no one should expect the players rules for the tournament. And there has been no suggestion that the to simply roll over and accept Sixth Avenue’s wishes as dictates. league will propose, as a safety measure, making full face shields This is going to apply to the big stuff, as in: A) How to design protocols mandatory. That’s one the PA would be expected to oppose. that protect the players’ health and safety as much as possible through The NHL’s desire to name a Canadian locale as one of its two hub cities training camp then through the tournament; B) How to craft regulations has nothing to do with nationalism or TV ratings but instead everything to that allow players to have some reasonable sort of independence while do with the currency issue and potential significant savings on expenses. bivouacked in a hub city for up to 10 weeks for those who make it to the Today, $100 U.S. equates to $139 in Canadian money. finals; and, C) How to manage what will be a 2019-20 escrow burden of an additional 14 percent if the tournament is indeed played to completion. So, the statistical book on the regular season has closed and with that, Jimmy Howard has achieved the dubious distinction of becoming just the But it is going to apply to some of the small print stuff, as well, and may I sixth goaltender in NHL history to play in as many as 25 games while say right at the top that disagreement between the two sides does not winning two or fewer. automatically equate to the NHLPA being obstructionist, greedy or selfish in the midst of a pandemic that has shattered the continent’s ecosystem. Howard, who went an astonishing 2-23-2 in 27 games for the Red Wings, thus joins a list that includes Wilf Cude of the 1930-31 expansion Always remember. It takes two sides to fight over money. It takes two Philadelphia Quakers (2-23-3); Michel Belhumeur of the 1974-75 sides to fight over regulations that are included in the CBA. Being expansion Capitals (0-24-3); Michel Dion of the 1983-84 tanking “collaborative” is welcome if the effort is mutual. Being “collaborative” is Penguins (2-19-4); Daniel Berthiaume of the 1992-93 expansion the means to an end, not an endgame unto itself. Senators (2-17-1); and, Jeff Hackett of the 1992-93 expansion Sharks (2- So we can tell you the union stridently opposes the NHL’s stance that 30-1). teams should not be permitted to sign players from their respective Finally, just have to say that it’s a good day when Wilf Cude makes Slap reserve lists to 2019-20 contracts so they can participate in the Shots. tournament. It is the union’s position, and a quite reasonable one, that the matter should revert to the status quo if the sides do not agree to changing the CBA regulation that is in force. New York Post LOADED: 05.31.2020 Deputy commissioner Bill Daly misrepresented the matter in a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, citing the trade deadline that had come and gone on Feb. 24 and calling potential additions “ringers, for lack of a better term.”

Except the trade deadline comes and goes every season before teams add players whose college or European league seasons have ended. Except no one was calling Cale Makar, “a ringer” when he joined the Avalanche for the playoffs last season after taking UMass to the Frozen Four final, and nobody hung that appellation around Chris Kreider’s neck when he joined the Blueshirts in 2012 after leading BC to the NCAA title.

The Wild would like the opportunity to sign and play winger Kirill Kaprizov, the fifth-rounder from 2015 whose CSKA Moscow team’s season has ended. The Islanders would like the opportunity to sign goaltender Ilya Sorokin, also of CSKA Moscow. The Rangers would like to have the ability to sign Cornell winger Morgan Barron and give him a shot at cracking the lineup. There are others, though hardly a horde.

Had COVID-19 not interrupted the season and the Rangers had made the playoffs, even if Barron’s top-ranked Red had won the NCAA title at the Frozen Four, scheduled to conclude on April 11, the junior would have been available to the Blueshirts beginning with the second week of the tournament.

So why change the rule now that, in fact, the league cannot change unilaterally? The PA will have to agree to the change that, if it goes into effect, would deny players the opportunity to burn the first year of their respective entry level contracts. The PA, we’re told, has no desire to agree to this change and intends to dig in. The union feels as strongly on this as does the league, which never mentioned the burn-year consideration while detailing its stance.

So this will become a matter of collective bargaining, linked to changing contract dates, linked to discussing whether signing bonuses due on July 1 will remain due on July 1, linked to smoothing 2019-20 escrow payments over multiple years rather than next season, as the CBA prescribes. 1185576 New York Rangers The league and the union have a mountain of critical issues to sort through in order to make summer hockey a reality. This contract matter may not rise to quite that level, but it surely is going to be contested. And NHL’s attempt to change popular rule may spark restart tension if indeed this becomes a flashpoint of contention, this does not mean the union is no longer being “collaborative” or the players are being “selfish.”

We’re told that the PA’s Return to Play Committee, that has been By Larry Brooks essential in working with the league on the 24-team return, will likely be dissolved once the parties nail down the final details of the tournament. May 30, 2020 | 5:43PM Bracketing vs. reseeding, and determining whether the first two rounds of

the 16-team playoffs will be best-of-five or best-of-seven are the We’re not suggesting that an MLB-type public squabble is going to break outstanding items on the docket. They are expected to be resolved this out during the NHL’s negotiations with the NHLPA as the parties attempt week. to craft a safe, sane and equitable way to put hockey’s 24-team There has been no talk, at least as of now, of introducing new playing tournament on the ice this summer, but no one should expect the players rules for the tournament. And there has been no suggestion that the to simply roll over and accept Sixth Avenue’s wishes as dictates. league will propose, as a safety measure, making full face shields This is going to apply to the big stuff, as in: A) How to design protocols mandatory. That’s one the PA would be expected to oppose. that protect the players’ health and safety as much as possible through The NHL’s desire to name a Canadian locale as one of its two hub cities training camp then through the tournament; B) How to craft regulations has nothing to do with nationalism or TV ratings but instead everything to that allow players to have some reasonable sort of independence while do with the currency issue and potential significant savings on expenses. bivouacked in a hub city for up to 10 weeks for those who make it to the Today, $100 U.S. equates to $139 in Canadian money. finals; and, C) How to manage what will be a 2019-20 escrow burden of an additional 14 percent if the tournament is indeed played to completion. So, the statistical book on the regular season has closed and with that, Jimmy Howard has achieved the dubious distinction of becoming just the But it is going to apply to some of the small print stuff, as well, and may I sixth goaltender in NHL history to play in as many as 25 games while say right at the top that disagreement between the two sides does not winning two or fewer. automatically equate to the NHLPA being obstructionist, greedy or selfish in the midst of a pandemic that has shattered the continent’s ecosystem. Howard, who went an astonishing 2-23-2 in 27 games for the Red Wings, thus joins a list that includes Wilf Cude of the 1930-31 expansion Always remember. It takes two sides to fight over money. It takes two Philadelphia Quakers (2-23-3); Michel Belhumeur of the 1974-75 sides to fight over regulations that are included in the CBA. Being expansion Capitals (0-24-3); Michel Dion of the 1983-84 tanking “collaborative” is welcome if the effort is mutual. Being “collaborative” is Penguins (2-19-4); Daniel Berthiaume of the 1992-93 expansion the means to an end, not an endgame unto itself. Senators (2-17-1); and, Jeff Hackett of the 1992-93 expansion Sharks (2- So we can tell you the union stridently opposes the NHL’s stance that 30-1). teams should not be permitted to sign players from their respective Finally, just have to say that it’s a good day when Wilf Cude makes Slap reserve lists to 2019-20 contracts so they can participate in the Shots. tournament. It is the union’s position, and a quite reasonable one, that the matter should revert to the status quo if the sides do not agree to changing the CBA regulation that is in force. New York Post LOADED: 05.31.2020 Deputy commissioner Bill Daly misrepresented the matter in a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, citing the trade deadline that had come and gone on Feb. 24 and calling potential additions “ringers, for lack of a better term.”

Except the trade deadline comes and goes every season before teams add players whose college or European league seasons have ended. Except no one was calling Cale Makar, “a ringer” when he joined the Avalanche for the playoffs last season after taking UMass to the Frozen Four final, and nobody hung that appellation around Chris Kreider’s neck when he joined the Blueshirts in 2012 after leading BC to the NCAA title.

The Wild would like the opportunity to sign and play winger Kirill Kaprizov, the fifth-rounder from 2015 whose CSKA Moscow team’s season has ended. The Islanders would like the opportunity to sign goaltender Ilya Sorokin, also of CSKA Moscow. The Rangers would like to have the ability to sign Cornell winger Morgan Barron and give him a shot at cracking the lineup. There are others, though hardly a horde.

Had COVID-19 not interrupted the season and the Rangers had made the playoffs, even if Barron’s top-ranked Red had won the NCAA title at the Frozen Four, scheduled to conclude on April 11, the junior would have been available to the Blueshirts beginning with the second week of the tournament.

So why change the rule now that, in fact, the league cannot change unilaterally? The PA will have to agree to the change that, if it goes into effect, would deny players the opportunity to burn the first year of their respective entry level contracts. The PA, we’re told, has no desire to agree to this change and intends to dig in. The union feels as strongly on this as does the league, which never mentioned the burn-year consideration while detailing its stance.

So this will become a matter of collective bargaining, linked to changing contract dates, linked to discussing whether signing bonuses due on July 1 will remain due on July 1, linked to smoothing 2019-20 escrow payments over multiple years rather than next season, as the CBA prescribes. 1185577 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers sign defenseman Linus Hogberg to entry-level deal; still trying to lure Wyatt Kalynuk

Sam Carchidi,

Flyers sign defenseman Linus Hogberg to entry-level deal; still trying to lure Wyatt Kalynuk

Two days before they would have lost his rights, the Flyers signed puck- moving defenseman Linus Hogberg to an entry-level contract on Saturday.

The two-year contract has an annual cap hit of $925,000, according to CapFriendly.com. The deal starts in 2020-21.

“He still has to put on some weight and get stronger,” assistant general manager Brent Flahr said about the 6-foot-1, 176-pound Hogberg. “But he’s pretty mobile and sound defensively. The best part of his game is probably his transition and getting the puck up ice out of the defensive zone.”

Hogberg, 21, who is from Stockholm, Sweden, was selected by the Flyers in the fifth round (139th overall) of the 2016 draft. He has spent parts of five seasons playing in the , the country’s top division.

He is expected to play for the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms next season.

After making his SHL debut in 2015-16, Hobgerg had nine goals and 34 points in 181 games, and he helped Vaxjo win the 2018 national championship. This season, he had 14 points and a minus-14 rating in 50 games for Vaxjo.

When the Flyers selected Hogberg in 2016, then-general manager called him the team’s “sleeper” of the draft.

Hogberg, who represented Sweden in the 2018 World Junior Championships, became the eighth member of the Flyers’ 2016 draft class to sign with the organization. The others: German Rubtsov (first round); Pascal Laberge (second round); Carter Hart (second round); Wade Allison (second round); Carsen Twarynski (third round); Connor Bunnaman (fourth round); and Tanner Laczynski (sixth round).

Flahr said the Flyers are still negotiating with offensive-minded defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk, their seventh-round selection from the 2017 draft. The promising Kalynuk, 23, has decided to forego his senior season at Wisconsin, so he can become a free agent later this summer.

The 6-1, 180-pound Kalynuk was an all-Big Ten selection this past season after collecting 28 points, including seven goals, in 36 games.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185578 Philadelphia Flyers Tampa Bay (43-21-6) Record vs. Lightning this season: 0-2.

Scores vs. Lightning this season: 1-0 loss; 5-3 loss in Tampa. Flyers will take strong resume into round-robin tournament against Capitals, Bruins, Lightning Game highlights: Hart made 27 saves, but Tampa won the team’s first meeting as Andrei Vasilevskiy (23 saves) collected the shutout and a

second-period goal by former Flyers farmhand Pat Maroon was the Sam Carchidi, difference. It was Game 45 for the Flyers, and first time they were blanked this season. In the rematch, Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and Victor Hedman each had two points for Tampa, which iced the win with an empty-net goal. Flyers will take strong resume into round-robin tournament against Capitals, Bruins, Lightning Lightning’s top players in series: Kucherov, Stamkos, Maroon, and Hedman each had two points for the Lightning, who got strong The dates and location haven’t been set, but the Flyers know their performances from Vasilevskiy (2-0, 1.50 GAA, .946 save percentage) opponents will be Boston, Tampa Bay, and Washington when the NHL against the Flyers. season resumes and they play in a three-game, round-robin tournament. Flyers’ top players in series: Provorov (minus-4) and Giroux each had Each were the Eastern Conference’s top four teams in the regular two points in the series. season, and this tournament, expected to be held in early August, will be for seeding purposes only. The games will be played with the overtime Miscellany: The Flyers did not have a “plus” player in the series. … and shootout rules used in the regular season. Tampa won both games despite going a combined 0 for 9 on the power play; the Flyers were 2 for 8. ... Hedman was plus-3 and averaged 28:38 Based on the tournament’s results – and not the regular season – the of ice time per game. teams will be seeded Nos. 1 through 4 and will top an eight-team Eastern Conference field. Washington (41-20-8)

Never mind that the Flyers (89 points) finished 11 points behind Boston Record vs. Capitals this season: (3-0-1). (100) in the regular season. If they win the round-robin, they would be the top seed – and potentially have an easier matchup in the first playoff Scores vs. Capitals this season: 2-1 shootout loss; 3-2 win; 7-2 win in round. (With games being played at neutral sites, however, no one will Washington; 5-2 win in Washington. have a home-ice advantage.) Capitals defenseman Radko Gudas (left) and his former teammate, If two teams are tied in points after the round-robin tourney is completed, Flyers captain Claude Giroux, battle for positioning during a Nov. 13 the winner will be declared by their points percentage during the regular game. season. Capitals defenseman Radko Gudas (left) and his former teammate, Boston had the best points percentage at .714, followed by the Lightning Flyers captain Claude Giroux, battle for positioning during a Nov. 13 (.657), Capitals (.652) and Flyers (.645). game.

The Flyers, however, had the best record (5-3-1) among these four Game highlights: Evgeny Kuznetsov gave the Caps their only win with a teams in head-to-head, regular-season matchups against each other. In shootout goal. … Hart made 25 saves and Kevin Hayes deposited the those matchups, the Flyers had a .611 points percentage, followed by decisive goal, shorthanded, in the Flyers’ 3-2 victory. … In the 7-2 Flyers’ Washington (.600), Tampa (.563), and Boston (.500). win, Giroux (three points) ended a 13-game goal-less drought and Couturier also had three points, helping hand the Caps their worst loss of Here is how the Flyers (41-21-7) fared against the three teams: the season. … Hayes and Provorov each had a goal and an assist in the 5-2 victory. Boston (44-14-12) Capitals’ top players in the series: Most of the Caps’ big guns struggled Record vs. Bruins this season: 2-1. in the series (see below), but T.J. Oshie managed a goal and an assist Scores vs. Bruins this season: 3-2 win (SO) in Boston; 6-5 win (SO); 2-0 and netted the team’s lone power-play goal. loss. Flyers’ top players in the series: Giroux had five points, and Konecny Game highlights: In the 3-2 win, Phil Myers became the first Flyers (three goals), Couturier, and Jake Voracek each had four points. Hart defenseman since Mark Howe in 1987 to score goals in three straight had a 1.45 GAA and .953 save percentage in two games against games. … The Flyers overcame a 5-2 deficit in their 6-5 shootout victory, Washington. and Travis Konecny netted the winner. … Tuukka Rask, playing on his Miscellany: Alex Ovechkin, who finished tied with Pastrnak for the NHL 33rd birthday, made 36 saves and outdueled Carter Hart in Boston’s 2-0 lead with 48 goals, had no points, a minus-4 rating, and just 10 shots in win on March 10, the last game either team played. The loss ended the the four games. … The Flyers’ penalty kill was 16 for 17 in the series. … Flyers’ nine-game winning streak Ovechkin, John Carlson (minus-5), Tom Wilson (minus-5), and Nicklas Flyers rookie defenseman Phil Myers gets tangled with Boston's Jake Backstrom (minus-5) were a combined minus-19. … Matt Niskanen, a DeBrusk in a Jan. 13 game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won in former Cap, was plus-4 in the series. a shootout, 6-5. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 05.31.2020 Flyers rookie defenseman Phil Myers gets tangled with Boston's Jake DeBrusk in a Jan. 13 game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won in a shootout, 6-5.

Bruins’ top players in series: Brad Marchand, David Krejci (two goals) and Charlie Coyle each had three points for the Bruins, and defenseman Charlie McAvoy was plus-4. Rask was flawless in his lone game against Philadelphia.

Flyers’ top players in series: Sean Couturier had five points (goal, four assists) and won 55.5% of his faceoffs; Travis Sanheim had two goals; and Konecny had three points.

Miscellany: Claude Giroux had no points and was minus-4, but won 63% of his faceoffs in the three-game series. … Ivan Provorov had a team- high 12 shots. … Boston’s high-scoring David Pastrnak had 13 shots but just one goal. 1185579 Philadelphia Flyers “We hope this is a step back toward normalcy,” Bettman said of the NHL’s planned return.

The commissioner said after play-in games are finished, it has not been NHL training camps won’t start until July 1 at earliest; Flyers could get decided if the teams will be reseeded, which is the players’ choice. top seed in East The conference finals and Stanley Cup Final will be best-of-seven series. The length of the first two playoff rounds, Bettman said, has not been decided yet; they will be either best-of-five or best-of-seven series. Sam Carchidi, It should take a little over a month to play the play-in round and the first two playoff rounds, Bettman said.

NHL training camps won’t start until July 1 at earliest; Flyers could get As for Phase 2 of what the NHL calls a four-part return-to-play plan, only top seed in East six players will be allowed to be on the ice at the same time and they will not be permitted to have contact. The Flyers’ training facility is the Skate Nearly 11 weeks after the NHL suspended its season because of the Zone in Voorhees. coronavirus outbreak, commissioner Gary Bettman gave a fuzzy outline on the league’s return-to-play plan Tuesday. No coaches will be allowed on the ice, but they can observe the players, the NHL said. Bettman did not give precise dates on when voluntary small-group workouts could begin, or when training camps would start, or when the Players would be tested for the coronavirus two days before they return season would resume. to small-group sessions, and they will be tested twice each week. In addition, their temperatures will be checked daily. Teams will assume the The league did reveal that the top four teams in each conference that costs of testing until games are held, which is when the NHL will be play in a round-robin tournament before the playoffs will each be responsible for the bills. Bettman said the NHL may do between 25,000 competing for the No. 1 seed. and 30,000 tests. In other words, the Flyers, fourth-seeded in the Eastern Conference, Phase 3 is training camp, which is expected to last three weeks, and could become the No. 1 seed if they win the mini-tourney -- despite Phase 4 is the resumption of the season. collecting 11 fewer regular-season points than Boston. On Friday, the NHL Players’ Association’s executive committee The round-robin is for seeding purposes only, and the top four East overwhelmingly approved a 24-team format for when the league returns. teams are Boston (100 points), Tampa Bay (92), Washington (90), and The vote was 29-2, and the Flyers voted in favor of the plan. the Flyers (89). The Flyers (41-28-7) had won nine of their last 10 games and were the If the Flyers remained at No. 4 and the NHL used a seeding format, they league’s hottest team when the season was halted. They had advanced would face the Pittsburgh-Montreal play-in winner in the first round of the into second place in the , one point behind the playoffs. Capitals (41-28-8). Small-group workouts will begin in early June, and a 24-team tournament Teams had from 11 to 14 games remaining when the season was will be used when the season restarts. After a play-in round, 16 teams stopped. will compete for the Stanley Cup. Bettman said the regular season has been completed, so final stats and “We anticipate playing over the summer and into the fall,” Bettman said, awards will be based on what has already transpired. adding “things are evolving rapidly.” As for next season, Bettman said the NHL plans to play a full 82-game Said Bettman: “Fans are telling us in overwhelming numbers they want to schedule. Next season could start as late as January, he said. complete the season.” Here are the best-of-five play-in matchups: The NHL plans to make as much as $500 million in TV revenue if the playoffs are completed, according to reports. EAST

Bettman reiterated that the season wouldn’t continue until medical Pittsburgh (5) vs. Montreal (12); Carolina (6) vs. Rangers (11); Islanders experts said it was safe. (7) vs. Florida (10); Toronto (8) vs. Columbus (9).

Bettman said that “anybody who gives you a date [to resume the season] Top seeds before round-robin tourney: Boston, Tampa, Washington, is guessing,” but added that late July or early August were possible. Flyers.

In another matter, Bettman said the NHL draft, originally scheduled to be WEST held June 26-27 in Montreal, will take place after the playoffs. The draft lottery will be held June 26 and it will determine the order of the top three Edmonton (5) vs. Chicago (12); Nashville (6) vs. Arizona (11); Vancouver picks. Fifteen teams can win one of those picks: the seven that are not (7) vs. Minnesota (10); Calgary (8) vs. Winnipeg (9). playing in the tournament, and the eight teams eliminated in play-in Top seeds before round-robin tourney: St. Louis, Colorado, Vegas, rounds. Dallas. As had already been made public, Bettman said 24 teams -- 12 from Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 05.31.2020 each conference, based on points percentage -- will compete in the NHL’s tournament, and each conference will be assigned a still-to-be- named hub city. Each club can bring 50 personnel members to the games.

The plan, Bettman said, will produce a “worthy Stanley Cup champion."

Philadelphia is not being considered as a hub city. The cities under consideration include Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Edmonton, Las Vegas (the West favorite), Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Vancouver.

The NHL is considering not allowing teams to play in their own hub city, thereby removing any perceived advantage, according to Bill Daly, the league’s deputy commissioner.

Bettman said a formal training camp can begin no earlier than July 1, and probably later. That means the 24-team tourney can’t start until late July or early August. 1185580 Philadelphia Flyers I do not know for sure that such an appraisal would assign a net benefit to the return of sports. I don’t think that is something that anybody can know for sure. But I do suspect that a comprehensive analysis of all of the data points available to us would overwhelmingly suggest that the Victory over fear is what makes the return of sports essential | David reward far outweighs the risk. Admittedly, the suspicion is contingent on Murphy a rather important premise. It requires a certain level of individual responsibility when interacting with the world at large on the part of the

3,000 or so players and coaches and staff who will spend the rest of the David Murphy summer inhabiting each league’s carefully curated island. But once you grant me that premise, the data seems clear.

The data says that roughly 80 percent of COVID deaths have occurred in News about the coronavirus is changing quickly. The latest information those 65+. It says that a far greater percentage of those participating in can be found at inquirer.com/coronavirus these sports will be well below those years. The data says that, besides age, physical health is the two greatest predictors of COVID A friend of mine said something to me this weekend that spoke to a truth hospitalization, and that the majority of those who will be involved in that I have increasingly come to believe. We were sitting on her deck. these games rank in the extreme upper percentile in that category. It Her two daycare aged sons were toddling through the yard. Her husband says that, apart from common sense hygiene and social distancing, a was sitting next to me, another college friend on the other side. Her comprehensive test and trace program is perhaps the most significant father was next to her. The sun was high and bright, the air clear and still. safeguard against outbreak, and it says that both the NBA and MLB will There were rabbits running through a yard around a pool newly opened. have such a program that far exceeds the capabilities of even the most It had been months since we’d all been together. We had spent the competent of nations. The data says that each televised game will draw intervening days like most of the rest of the country, each 24 hours an an additional audience that numbers in the hundreds of thousands or exercise in reconciling advice and contextualizing rhetoric to separate the even millions times greater than whatever summer rerun would be on in hysteria from the caution and the skepticism from the denial, each of us its place. And, as we are increasingly seeing at the nation’s beaches, the grappling with the stakes that said that one wrong move could make you data says that if those hundreds of thousands or millions aren’t watching a killer. Gradually, the worry gave way to the realization that no such sports, they will engage in activities that guarantee far more exposure. candle can burn on forever. There is much less quantifiable data available to measure the benefit of CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE sports’ return, at least beyond the finances. But that does not make such benefits any less real, and it returns me to the thing that my friend And so we gathered, and we grilled, and we ate, and we drank, and while recently said. In the midst of a conversation about the trajectory of the we minded our distance we mostly forgot that this Memorial Day was previous few months, she pinpointed a moment when the fear and different. At least, I think that we did. The most insipid thing about our anxiety and stress became real. current moment is the way it leaves you feeling like a primary suspect. Was everybody comfortable? Did I get too close to the kids? Her dad is “I wasn’t really scared," she said, “until they canceled sports.” in his 60′s, and fresh off of back surgery - were there moments when I If it is true that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, I cannot think was not adequately mindful of that? Does he care? Do they care? What if of a better institution to lead us out from its clutches. somebody gets sick? Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 05.31.2020 There are costs to this thing. I don’t know much for sure, but I do know there are costs. Connection is a part of our natural state. Of the natural state of all living beings. Ecosystems are fragile things. The smallest disruption can cause the gravest imbalance. With any luck, the current moment will be a testament to our power of adaptation, a case study in the resilience that led to this civilization. I don’t know, and nobody does, and anybody who offers any sort of definitive judgment should be regarded with the greatest suspicion. I know that. And I know there are costs.

Another thing I know, at least I think that I do, is that the costs have not garnered adequate consideration in the sphere of public opinion. I suspect that is mostly due to human nature. We are a risk averse species, a truth that has long been established by copious amounts of research in the fields of behavioral economics and decision-making science. Give $5 to one human being and take $5 from another and the sense of loss from the latter will be greater than the former’s sense of gain. Combine this with our bias toward novelty and you get a big, bolded death count looming in perpetuity on the right hand side of your screen. Immediacy, finality, the inherent discomfort with the transience of being, all play a role in our tunnel-visioned focus on the most visceral of suffering.

That’s understandable. And it might be OK. None of this is meant to suggest that the concrete actions we have taken have been conducted in error. But from the perspectives of both psychology and economy, we have chosen to make considerable sacrifices that will not be fully understood until well into the future. If our collective goal is to identify the optimal path forward, to navigate this uncertain future in a manner that maximizes the amount of human flourishing possible given our unenviable constraints, then then immediate moment demands that we analyze each decision with an clear and accurate appraisal of both benefits and costs.

The gates to Citizens Bank Park have been closed well into what should've have been the Phillies' and 's 2020 season.

The gates to Citizens Bank Park have been closed well into what should've have been the Phillies' and Major League Baseball's 2020 season. 1185581 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers sign prospect Linus Hogberg to entry-level contract

Jordan Hall

May 30, 2020 2:55 PM

One down, a few more to go?

The Flyers on Saturday signed prospect Linus Hogberg to an entry-level contract. The rights to Hogberg would have expired Monday if the Flyers didn't ink the 2016 fifth-round pick.

During 2019-20, Hogberg, a 21-year-old Swedish defenseman, had 14 points (five goals, nine assists) through 50 games with the Vaxjo Lakers playing against men in the SHL. The 6-foot-1, 176-pounder is regarded as a strong skater and intelligent passer.

Hogberg will start the 2020-21 season with AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. The Phantoms are gaining on the blue line with prospects Egor Zamula and Wyatte Wylie turning pro, as well.

Linus Högberg (21 years old, LHD) has signed an ELC. His rights were set to expire on Monday.

Högberg's offensive totals and ice time has gradually increased every year in the SHL, and aside from this past season has consistently put up stellar possession metrics. #Flyers pic.twitter.com/aQXG2C2M0c

— Flyers Prospects (@futureofphilly) May 30, 2020

(Joe Siville/Philadelphia Flyers)

Lehigh Valley could be gaining more with Wyatt Kalynuk and David Bernhardt, who remain unsigned. Bernhardt, another Swedish defenseman, needs to be signed by Monday or his rights will expire. It's uncertain if the Flyers will ink the 2016 seventh-round pick.

It appears Kalynuk has decided to forgo his senior season at Wisconsin as he plans to turn pro in 2020-21.

Tony Granato tells @ToddMilewski that Flyers prospect Wyatt Kalynuk is planning to turn pro.

In March, the Wisconsin coach told us more about his 23-year-old "elite offensive defenseman." https://t.co/4WWPU3CrZ8

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) May 27, 2020

Kalynuk is an offensive-minded defenseman who has developed a ton with the Badgers. His rights were set to expire next summer. Now that he is leaving Wisconsin, it would be surprising if he's not signed soon by the Flyers.

"Philly has had lots of people here and been very instrumental in his growth as a player," Wisconsin head coach Tony Granato said. "I think when they drafted him, they recognized out of the gate that this guy could be a big part of their organization moving forward. They’ve been hands on, they’ve been here a lot, they’ve done it respectfully in a way that they’ve helped him a ton in preparing to get ready for the next step.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185582 Philadelphia Flyers

2020 NHL playoffs: Without fans, will Stanley Cup Playoff games lose authenticity?

Brooke Destra

May 30, 2020 8:30 AM

Hockey has been on the mind all week and even the simple discussion of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs has excited fans for the return of their favorite sport — even if things are going to look different this time around.

While the majority of new rules and procedures were laid out Tuesday thanks to commissioner Gary Bettman, there is still a lot of unknown territory. This format has never been done before, but having a plan in place is the first step to turning concepts into something tangible.

One of the biggest changes won’t be the additional eight teams, the hub city locations or the fact the NHL has the potential to run into the late summer months, but rather the element — or lack thereof — of fan attendance.

The safety of fans and players is without a doubt the biggest priority and as we adapt to the “new norm” for the foreseeable future, this is just one of the many things that will have to be endured.

On the surface, it stinks. Surprisingly enough, you’re allowed to feel this way while also being excited for the hopeful return of the league and games. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are some of the most thrilling weeks in all of sports and a large portion of that is due to the atmosphere created by the fans rallying behind their favorite teams.

So without them in attendance, will games lose their authenticity and lower the overall level of interest?

Absolutely not.

Fans have been craving the moment they would have live sports to look forward to and even if that means they can’t physically be in the stands, it doesn’t take away the level of devotion they have.

Of course it will be different — there’s no denying that, but someone rightfully needs to be awarded the Stanley Cup for 2019-20. There are a handful of options to help fill the void, such as playing fan reaction videos on the arena vision screens during thrilling moments of a game. Hearing the “crowd” through the screen would certainly add a level of normalcy, though it wouldn’t fully replicate the atmosphere.

There are new moments that fans could look forward to in regard to this as well — the sights and sounds that are often coated within cheers or boos. A crisp stop on skates, receiving a puck, solid check along the boards, chirps from one team to another and the celebrations following a goal.

Also, if things are too quiet, there is a chance to get a look into life on the bench with the players. Hearing teammates interact with one another is always enjoyable when they are mic’d up for games, so imagine having that for a full 60 minutes? It’d be new for everyone, but what a fun concept it would be.

This is a prime opportunity to view things glass half full, rather than finding negative aspects to this plan. There are still many moving parts before playoffs become a reality once again, but if things are truly done in a safe manner — I say make the most of the situation at hand and drop that puck.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185583 team’s second defensive pairing once again. The pairing of the two young blue-liners has been a surprising development this season.

Long-term, Rutherford has been nothing short of giddy over the Marino- Penguins A to Z: Marcus Pettersson rewards management’s faith Pettersson duo and has suggested it could become the team’s top pairing over the course of a decade.

Pettersson has all the tools to be a modern defensive defenseman. He SETH RORABAUGH has size, but he’s not slow. He uses his stick to hassle skilled forwards but not to hook or hold them. And while he won’t go on end-to-end Saturday, May 30, 2020 1:05 p.m. rushes, he’s competent with the puck.

Above all else, he has management’s trust. He’s more than earned it. While the NHL is on hold because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Tribune Review LOADED: 05.31.2020 the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 54 individuals under NHL contract with the organization, from mid- level prospect Niclas Almari to high-profile trade acquisition Jason Zucker.

Marcus Pettersson

Position: Defenseman

Shoots: Left

Age: 24

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 177 pounds

2019-20 NHL statistics: 69 games, 22 points (two goals, 20 assists)

Contract: One-year contract with a salary cap hit of $874,125.

(Note: On Jan. 28, Pettersson signed a five-year contract with a salary of $4,025,175 that begins in the 2020-21 season)

Acquired: Trade, Dec. 3, 2018

This season: In September, Marcus Pettersson had a decision to make.

He could threaten a holdout as a restricted free agent — the way others such as Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine or Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner did — in the name of gaining a lucrative contract. Or he could sign the one-year tender he received and trust a satisfactory long-term deal eventually would be extended.

That faith in management was rewarded in January when he agreed to a contract extension that could keep him in a Penguins jersey for the next half-decade.

Of course, that conviction was reciprocal as Pettersson validated the hopes the team’s scouts had when they convinced general manager Jim Rutherford to acquire the lanky defenseman from the in exchange for intriguing but disappointing forward prospect Daniel Sprong.

Since that point, Pettersson has done nothing but develop and take on more important assignments with the Penguins.

Initially used in a third pairing with Jack Johnson or Erik Gudbranson, Pettersson graduated to the second duo this season.

One of two players to appear in all 69 of the Penguins’ games in 2019- 20, Pettersson opened as a partner with veteran puckmover Justin Schultz, but Schultz’s injuries throughout the season forced a marriage between Pettersson and rookie John Marino. Even when Schultz was healthy enough to play, that union remained intact by mid-March as the NHL halted play.

Pettersson’s defensive acumen — with a long reach, sound gap control and a good stick capable of disrupting puck handlers — will remain his calling card. But he also has begun to tap a subtle offensive element to his game.

Marcus Pettersson

And while no one will confuse him with Deryk Engelland or Francois Leroux, Pettersson has in some ways served as a de facto “enforcer” for a team adverse to using a lineup spot on a player with greater pugilistic prowess.

Marcus Pettersson

The future: Assuming the NHL can commence with its plan to stage the postseason this summer, Pettersson and Marino figure to configure the 1185584 Pittsburgh Penguins

‘Burgh’s Best to Wear It, No. 93: Petr Nedved’s overtime heroics endure

SETH RORABAUGH

Saturday, May 30, 2020 12:58 p.m.

The Tribune-Review sports staff is conducting a daily countdown of the best players in Pittsburgh pro and college sports history to wear each jersey number.

No. 93: Petr Nedved

Let’s be honest.

If it wasn’t for one goal, Petr Nedved isn’t this beloved.

He’d just be another talented player who rolled through town, put up some big numbers for a few seasons and left in pursuit of another contract with another team.

He’d be Peter Lee or Stu Barnes. Appreciated but hardly lionized.

But that goal.

Oh boy, what a goal.

On April 24, 1996, the Pittsburgh Penguins entered Game 4 of an Eastern Conference quarterfinal series on the road against their bitter rivals, the Washington Capitals, down 2-1.

On April 25, 1996, Nedved won the game.

In what remains the fifth-longest game in NHL history, Nedved took a pass from Penguins defenseman Sergei Zubov, waited for Capitals defenseman Mark Tinordi to slide out of position and lifted a wrister through a phalanx of exhausted legs and arms past the left shoulder of goaltender Olaf Kolzig to give his team a hard-fought victory at 19 minutes, 15 seconds of the fourth overtime period, well past everyone’s bedtime (2:22 a.m. to be precise).

Acquired in a 1995 trade, Nedved’s career with the Penguins was brief but productive. In two seasons as a supporting character to and Jaromir Jagr in the mid-1990s, he put up 170 points in only 154 games. A contract dispute led him to hold out the 1997-98 season before being traded in the fall of 1998.

Two Steelers defensive linemen had far longer careers donning No. 93 in Pittsburgh:

• Joel Steed was the anchor at nose tackle for the Steelers’ strong “Blitzburgh” defenses in the 1990s. While the likes of Greg Lloyd, Chad Brown, Rod Woodson and Carnell Lake swooped in from everywhere to hound opposing , Steed’s sturdy presence tied up offensive linemen, allowing teammates to rack up sack totals. A Pro Bowler in 1997, Steed was Casey Hampton before it was cool.

• Keith Willis joined the Steelers in 1982 as an undrafted free agent defensive end out of Northeastern. He left in 1991 as one of the most prolific pass-rushers in franchise history with 59 sacks, including what was then a team record 14 in 1983. An overachiever, Willis was far more productive on the Steelers’ defensive line than teammates such as Keith Gary or Darryl Sims, each unappetizing former first-round picks.

Tribune Review LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185585 Pittsburgh Penguins As far as he sees it, Mr. Morehouse could’ve easily looked the other way and waited for someone else to handle it … and Mr. Smith, as a result, may no longer be alive.

‘It was pretty heroic what he did’: Penguins president/CEO David “Knowing David as a Beechview guy, he’s a Pittsburgher,” Mr. Richert Morehouse saves KDKA cameraman amid violent protests said. “It was a very volatile situation. You have a police car on fire. You’ve got all this stuff going on. He had the guts to come out and save him from a potentially very tragic ending.”

Jason Mackey Post Gazette LOADED: 05.31.2020

While NHL hockey won’t return for a few months, Penguins president/CEO David Morehouse made a pretty incredible save Saturday as protests outside of PPG Paints Arena turned violent.

After witnessing a group of protesters beating up KDKA-TV cameraman Ian Smith — throwing him to the ground, stomping him in the head and smashing his camera to pieces — Morehouse emerged from the Highmark Gate along Centre Ave., near the statue of team co-owner Mario Lemieux.

Mr. Morehouse located Smith and dragged him inside to safety before he was transported to Mercy Hospital, with Mr. Smith tweeting a picture of himself giving a bloody thumbs up from the back of the ambulance.

I’m was attacked by protestors downtown by the arena. They stomped and kicked me. I’m bruised and bloody but alive. My camera was destroyed. Another group of protesters pulled me out and saved my life. Thank you! @KDKA pic.twitter.com/clyANKodth

— Ian Smith (@ismithKDKA) May 30, 2020

That tweet set off a chain reaction in the KDKA community, the nexus of those conversations becoming Larry Richert, a longtime anchor and reporter on the station and currently a morning show host on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA-AM.

“[Smith] posted that picture, and I called him,” Mr. Richert explained by phone late Saturday night. “He answered. He actually was on a stretcher at UPMC Mercy Hospital, waiting to get a CT scan. He said he was beat up and emotionally shaken by people saying they were going to kill him in the middle of a mob scene.

“I said, ‘Who saved you?’ He didn’t know. He said, ‘I wish I could find them. I want to thank them for saving my life because I felt my life was in danger. Like, real danger. I could have been killed.’”

Later, after some additional reporting, Mr. Richert figured out that it was indeed Mr. Morehouse, a process that required a second conversation with another veteran KDKA employee, Paul Martino.

Mr. Martino was with Mr. Smith, reporting on the demonstrations against police brutality after the death of George Floyd, though the aggressors appeared to have more interest in beating up Mr. Smith and destroying evidence.

Mr. Martino confirmed to Mr. Richert that it was Mr. Morehouse making the save, and the Penguins later did as much to the Pittsburgh Post- Gazette.

Mr. Morehouse declined comment through a team spokesman. Neither Mr. Martino nor Mr. Smith were permitted to comment, per company policy.

While sitting at home and watching the violence unfold, Mr. Richert later fired off a text to Mr. Morehouse, thanking the Beechview native and former boilermaker for saving Mr. Smith.

“I said half-jokingly, I know it was the Beechview in you that did the right thing,” Mr. Richert said. “His text back to me was, ‘I did what anybody I grew up with in Beechview would’ve done in the same situation.’ Which is what you expect to hear from David.”

Mr. Martino posted about the incident on Facebook, saying he was having “severe chest pains” while Mr. Smith had a “bad head injury.” While Mr. Smith was released a couple hours after he arrived at Mercy, Mr. Martino was still there as of 9 p.m. Saturday night.

Mr. Morehouse has already bristled at the attention, Mr. Richert said, a predictable response for anyone who knows the Penguins CEO/president. Mr. Richert also doesn’t care. 1185586 Pittsburgh Penguins 2006-07-current 194

17.6% Penguins’ player grades: Teddy Blueger As a rookie, Blueger did not appear to be trusted too much by Sullivan.

Among forwards in 2018-19, Blueger ranked second on the Penguins in Rob Rossi goals/60 (1.10) and fifth in hits/60 (11.45), but he averaged only 11:03 of ice time while dressing in 28 of 33 possible games after his recall from May 30, 2020 AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Penguins stuck around the 2019 postseason for only four games, but Blueger played only once.

He was not the first player who had won over members of the media While the NHL inches closer to returning from its pause, The Athletic while failing to win the confidence of coaches. He might also be the Pittsburgh will evaluate Penguins who played in at least 10 games for the player who did the most to win favor from his first-to-second season, club during the 2019-20 season. The series continues with Teddy however. Blueger. The Penguins are no strangers when it comes to dealing with injuries. Nick Bonino isn’t walking through the door of whatever arena the Even by their standard for bad luck, the 2019-20 season seemed to find Penguins return to play the Canadiens to qualify for the Stanley Cup them trying to win games while also navigating the Bermuda Triangle. playoffs. The Man-Games Lost website calculated the Penguins to be first in Well, that’s not entirely true. average ice time lost and second in cumulative minutes lost due to It’s possible the Penguins and Predators could be placed in the same players’ injuries. The Penguins also played without players who hub city, which would put Bonino in the position of quarantining around combined to count at least $18 million against the salary cap for all but a many of the teammates with whom he celebrated championships in 2016 handful of first-game games. They finished only four games with Crosby, and 2017. His ghost has been haunting the Penguins since Bonino Malkin and Jake Guentzel — their three top offensive players — in the signed with the Predators as a free agent three years ago. lineup.

Heck, over the first 100 words of this story, Bonino has been referenced The opportunities for a player to step up were plentiful, and Blueger five times — and the player being graded is Teddy Blueger. averaged almost five more minutes of ice time. The considerable increase in workload did not overwhelm a player of such limited NHL That is more a sign of the difficulty the Penguins have had finding an experience. adequate third-line center since Bonino’s departure. It’s to the point where coach Mike Sullivan no longer numbers lines, even though Sidney Teddy Blueger: then and now Crosby and are the clear Nos. 1 and 2 centers. 2018-19 Look, Sullivan might be onto something. If they don’t have a third line, the 6.38 Penguins can’t have a third-line center problem. 0.66 They really didn’t have that problem in 2019-20, either. Blueger’s emergence in his second NHL season had a lot to do with that 11.45 encouraging development. 2.86 Oh, and for what it’s worth, Blueger also was responsible for one of the Penguins’ prettier goals from the season. 2019-20

A plugger’s hands his are not. Or at least they weren’t on that goal in 5.09 what became the Penguins’ defining victory of the regular season. 1.22 Nobody would suggest Blueger has a future as an elite sniper. Nor do the 5.43 Penguins need their third-line center — sorry, the center who follows Crosby and Malkin on Sullivan’s depth chart — to pot as many goals as 1.56 would fit in a bushel. As a rookie, Blueger could afford to skate every shift with reckless They have Crosby and Malkin to carry the heaviest scoring loads. What abandon because he was not going to have many. This past season, he Crosby and Malkin need from the other centers is to impact games in had actual responsibilities as the anchor of a line Sullivan deployed when ways that aren’t always found in television highlights or on score sheets. the Penguins needed to change and/or maintain momentum, and also in the majority of crucial defensive situations. Blueger mostly made those types of plays during the season. That he was on pace to score 11 goals probably mattered less than him being the Basically, Blueger had come a long way in a short period of time. only forward to dress in every game. As the center between wingers Zach-Aston Reese and Brandon Tanev, A center’s ability to play regularly should not be easy to overlook in a city Blueger was less of a hitter but sounder defensively than he had been as where the three greatest players at that position combined to miss a lot of a rookie. His nearly half-point drop off in total points/60 at 5-on-5 was regular-season games during their careers. likely a result of a shooting percentage regression (minus-5.9) than a slighter fall off in shots/60 (minus-0.86). MIA MVPs in Pittsburgh As always, a stick tap to the Natural Stat Trick website for its various Mario Lemieux databases of metrics. 1984-97, 2000-05 Was he the second coming of Jordan Staal? Hardly. 381 Then again, if Staal’s stellar six seasons with the Penguins is the 29.4% standard against which the club’s other centers are going to be judged — well, then there is never going to be a comparable option after Crosby Sidney Crosby and Malkin.

2005-06-current Staal and Bonino are justly remembered as difference-making third-line centers who helped the Penguins win the Cup in 2009, 2016 and 2017. 199 Blueger’s progression in a second NHL season didn’t bring him to their 16.8% class, but it was enough for most observers to stop looking at the third- line center role as a black hole for the Penguins. Evgeni Malkin In fact, it wouldn’t seem far fetched for Sullivan to at some point start referring to Blueger’s line as the actual third line. Could happen as soon as when the Penguins receive clearance to resume full-club practices.

Even if that becomes a bridge too far for Sullivan, actions will speak louder than words. And if the Penguins are in possession of a lead late during a qualifying-round game against the Canadiens, Sullivan’s likely decision to send Blueger’s line over the boards will say a lot about Blueger’s standing with his coach.

When the Penguins play again, they technically won’t be in the playoffs. But when trying to play their way into the Cup tournament, they’ll have Blueger in the lineup. That development alone would be enough to earn him high marks for 2019-20. Blueger filling a needed role for these Penguins qualifies as a big gain for him and a potential stepping stone for his future with the organization.

His grade is a B, which is pretty good for a (don’t-call-him) a No. 3 center.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185587 San Jose Sharks Kane mentioned how when the Sharks played in Colorado against the Avalanche in the second round of the 2019 playoffs, a fan yelled slurs toward him. Kane said he told an official and “nothing was done.”

Sharks captain expresses support for Evander Kane, calls for change “I understand it. I’ve been on the receiving end of it,” Kane said, “and I know a lot of players that look like me and (Douglas) have been.” Logan Couture writes in message, “I think most of us have turned a blind eye when it comes to racism. It cannot continue” Kane also said Friday his Sharks teammates have been supportive for what he stands for, adding, though, that, “I think hockey, unfortunately, has a different culture than some of the other sports in terms of speaking out and using your voice and speaking your mind.” CURTIS PASHELKA Couture concluded his message by saying, “Thanks for Akim and May 30, 2020 at 4:34 p.m. Evander speaking so loudly about the issue. We all need to learn, we need to love each other regardless of skin color.”

Sharks captain Logan Couture expressed his support for teammate San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 05.31.2020 Evander Kane on Saturday, saying the sport of hockey and society at large needs to do much more to combat racism.

“First of all, I applaud Evander for speaking the truth,” Couture wrote in a message posted to his Twitter account. “Racism exists in society, it also exists in hockey, That’s a fact.

“Growing up in this game is a privilege. At times I think most of us have turned a blind eye when it comes to racism. It cannot continue.”

Appearing on ESPN on Friday, Kane expressed his horror at the way George Floyd was killed earlier this week in Minneapolis, dying after he was pinned to the ground by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who had his knee on Floyd’s neck.

Kane called on more high profile white athletes to speak out about the incident and about racism in society, saying in part that they need to have, “the same amount of outrage that I have inside, and using that to voice their opinion, to voice their frustration. Because that’s the only way it’s going to change.”

Couture, 31, grew up in southern Ontario in Canada and just finished his 11th season with the Sharks and his first as captain.

Kane was acquired by the Sharks in 2018 and is one of a handful of minorities that have played for the team in the last decade, including Jamal Mayers, Scott Gomez and Joel Ward.

“I’ve had the opportunity to to play with some incredible teammates. Black, white, all colors,” Couture write. “Getting to listen to them about things they have gone though in hockey/life is eye opening. As a society and as hockey players we are only scraping the surface in fixing what desperately needs fixing.”

My thoughts. Sorry if this offends anyone. All love pic.twitter.com/9BbktIrxqd

— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) May 30, 2020

In an riveting article he posted on The Players’ Tribune on May 19, former NHL player Akim Aliu detailed the taunting and abuse he endured as a junior hockey player in Windsor, Ontario in 2005.

In the article, titled, “Hockey Is Not for Everyone,” Aliu wrote about how when he was 16, he refused to “strip naked and get in a bathroom in the back of the team bus with three other rookies” as part of a hazing ritual.

As retribution, Aliu wrote that a Windsor teammate, Steve Downie, who was two years older, “tapped me on the shoulder during a practice. I turned, and he shoved his fiberglass stick through my mouth. I lost seven teeth in half a second. Blood gushing down my chest into my pants.”

Aliu also detailed his 2009 incident in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs, coached by Bill Peters. Aliu wrote that Peters used the n-word, “over and over in front of me and my teammates just because he didn’t like my choice of music.”

Days after Aliu’s article was published, Kane appeared in a video produced by TSN to discuss how racism can permeate hockey culture.

Kane appeared with Myles Douglas, an African-American who grew up in North Carolina before he moved to Toronto, where he now a forward with the North York Rangers AAA U18 team. Douglas said this past season, he was the target of racist remark in about half of the games he played.

“Not surprised,” Kane said after hearing Douglas’ story. “It’s something that people don’t want to admit happens today, they want to turn a blind eye, they want to pull the curtain to cover it up.” 1185588 San Jose Sharks “I don’t know,” DeBoer said. “You know, guys are dialed in, they want to play well. Everyone’s heart is in the right place. It’s something. Is it us traveling? Emotional letdown after the last game? Other than the travel, they (the Penguins) are dealing with the same things. They were better On this date, 2016: Sharks lose their first Stanley Cup Finals game than us. We’ve got to fix that.”

The Penguins were too quick for San Jose, which lost 3-2 in Pittsburgh in Sharks centerman Logan Couture, always the biggest truth-teller in the Game 1 of the Finals Sharks room, was far more blunt.

“We obviously weren’t prepared to go,” Couture said. “I don’t need to say that. You saw it yourself. It was ugly.” MARK PURDY Fortunately, between the first and second period, the Shark players May 30, 2020 at 4:10 p.m. managed to calm themselves (probably with DeBoer’s verbal guidance) and the second period was entirely different. The Sharks managed the puck better, drew a power play that led to a goal by Tomas Hertl, and (This story was originally published on May 30, 2016) then tied the score at 2-2 on a beautiful wraparound by Patrick Marleau.

PITTSBURGH — The anticipation was gripping. The lights were bright. The third swayed more back and forth — but the Sharks missed their The noise was loud. Yellow laundry was being twirled in the air by 18,596 best chances and the Penguins seized the one that mattered. yellow laundry twirlers. And the entire hockey world was looking over the Defenseman Brent Burns had his stick knocked out of his hand by a Sharks’ shoulders to see if the teal was for real. Pittsburgh shot and eventually the puck made its way to the Penguins’ Nick Bonino in a soft spot behind the Sharks’ Paul Martin. With 2:33 left So maybe it’s no surprise that when they showed up for their first Stanley in the game, Pittsburgh took the 3-2 lead and rode it home. Cup Final game ever here, the Sharks played . . . like it was their first Stanley Cup Final game ever. “We’ll respond,” Thornton promised.

Very shaky at the start. Much better as the game progressed. And then To do so, the Sharks have some problems to fix. The line centered by not quite sharp enough at the end, the victim of a possible bad-luck rookie Chris Tierney struggled all night to defend or control most of the breakdown — and ultimately a 3-2 loser. Pittsburgh lines it faced, especially the one centered by Evgeni Malkin. Sidney Crosby, the Penguins’ top center, was the presence you’d expect Thus, the Sharks begin their quest for the Cup down one game in the him to be. best-of-seven, with the next faceoff coming up Wednesday. What else? Bonino, the winning goal scorer, was a 2007 Sharks draft “We had some spurts here and there,” said Sharks’ coach Pete DeBoer. choice that was traded away in 2009 and may be at least be slightly “But they played their game for longer stretches than we did tonight. motivated to show his former team what it missed. Bonino still has the That’s what happens. You don’t deserve to win when you don’t outplay jersey given him by the Sharks on draft day hanging in his closet, as a the other team.” reminder. The focus now will be on whether the Sharks can respond the way they The Penguins are a handful. But if the Sharks can do what they did did in the Western Conference finals, when they lost Game 1 to the St. against Nashville and St. Louis — gain more puck control (as happened Louis Blues in a similar fashion — on the road, poor start but better finish in the second period) and wear down Pittsburgh’s defenseman over a despite the defeat — and then wound up winning four of the next five long series, the result may be the same as it was in the first few playoff games to take the series. Is a repeat possible? rounds. “There’s nothing that I saw tonight that I’m going out of here thinking we If so, then Monday’s first period — which is essentially what cost the can’t come out and compete and play much better on our end,” DeBoer Sharks’ the game — will be a blip on the radar. It would be a shame if said. “They’re a good team. It’s the two best teams in the league . . . I this Stanley Cup hinged on one team standing around and watching think part of it is us fixing our execution. We’ve been pretty good about during the first period of the first game. Can’t see that being the case. If that throughout the playoff trail of getting that stuff fixed.” the Sharks are the better team, they still have plenty of time to prove it. True. But the Penguins are not the same team as the St. Louis Blues in The best time to start would be Wednesday night. one important respect: Pittsburgh has wheels galore. Their forwards are here and gone before you can say “here and gone.” San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 05.31.2020 This caused big problems for the Sharks in Monday’s first period. For a while, you wondered if the beloved Los Tiburones were going to be left in Penguin dust. During those opening minutes, you’d have thought the Sharks were the slowest and most careless team in four time zones. The Penguins shot out of their dressing room like a shook-up can of Iron City beer that someone popped open and sprayed all over Consul Energy Center.

And the Sharks?

“We stood around and watched,” DeBoer said.

Pittsburgh outshot the Sharks, 15-4, while they were doing that first- period spectating. The Penguins kept crossing the blue line with speed and unloading. But the Sharks scrambled enough defensively to stave off a goal and the scoreboard stayed at 0-0 until shortly after a Pittsburgh power play nine minutes into the game. This allowed the Penguins to gain momentum and not long after, they scored twice in a little more than a minute to take a 2-0 lead.

“We knew they were going to start fast,” said the Sharks’ Joe Thornton said. “And they did. I think that early power play got them going and they were just jumping.”

During a mid-game television interview, DeBoer hinted that the Sharks had been nervous out of the gate, which created the first-period issues. DeBoer backed away from that a bit in his postgame news conference when someone asked if the Sharks had been struck by the Stanley Cup jitters. 1185589 San Jose Sharks detailed, actually, in the different scenarios. He was able to make little in- game changes. If he needed to snap, he could. He was great.”

The Sharks also have a handful of free agents to make decisions on, After playoff miss, Sharks have 2015-16 season as a model most notably longtime leader Joe Thornton. Thornton had seven goals and 24 assists in 70 games as a 40-year-old and has expressed interest in returning for his 23rd NHL season.

Josh Dubow “Knowing Joe, he’s going to want to come back,” Couture said. “He’s still got game. I think he still will help any team that’ll take him. If he’s healthy 5:18 pm PDT, Saturday, May 30, 2020 and he’s ready to go, I don’t see why not.”

San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 05.31.2020 Recommended Video:

With the NHL’s announcement last week that the 2019-20 regular season is over — when and if the league resumes, it will go straight to an expanded playoffs — the Sharks knew their season was over officially.

They will have plenty of time to stew over the franchise’s worst season in 17 years. San Jose is one of seven teams left out of the NHL’s scheduling plans until next season starts in late fall or early winter.

One year after making it to the Western Conference Finals, the Sharks finished with the worst record in the conference and missed the playoffs for just the second time since general manager Doug Wilson took over in 2003.

“We’re not used to losing or having a losing season here, so it wasn’t fun,” captain Logan Couture said Thursday. “As a group, we know that every single person needs to be better next year. I think with this long break it adds time for guys to get prepared. Motivation should be at an all-time high for everyone. When you have a year like this, you want to come back and prove to people that it was just a fluke.”

This is rare territory for the Sharks, who have been one of the most consistent franchises in the league. The last time they missed the playoffs was in 2014-15, then they bounced back the following season to earn the team’s first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals before losing to Pittsburgh in six games.

Couture believes a team that has a talented defensive group led by Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, as well as forwards like himself, Tomas Hertl, Evander Kane and Timo Meier, has the ingredients in place to repeat that turnaround.

“I believe that summer a lot of people wrote us off, said the window’s closed, this team’s done, stick a fork in them,” Couture said. “I think that lit a fire in a lot of us. It’s going to be the same thing this year. There’s going to be people who are writing those same articles, there’s going to be fans saying the same things. The only way that that can change is we go out and make a change and show them that we’re still a good team. We still have the pieces in my mind to compete.”

Those pieces just didn’t click this past season as the Sharks got off to a rough start following last spring’s long playoff run. The team rebounded in November before falling apart again, leading to the firing of coach Peter DeBoer in December.

After a difficult beginning under interim coach , the Sharks showed signs of coming into form in January before a series of injuries derailed the season.

“When one thing came crashing down, it all just fell apart,” Karlsson said. “Once you get in a big hole like that, no matter how good you are or how much experience you have, it’s hard in the short period of time to give yourself a spin in the way that it’s going which is not in the right direction. That kind of feels like what happened to us. We tried so many things to repair it. But at the same time I don’t think that there’s anything we could have done differently that would have changed the short-term results.”

Now the task for the Sharks is to play with better structure and cohesion from the start next season to avoid those holes.

One of the bigger questions the team will face before returning in the fall will be the status of Boughner. Wilson has praised Boughner’s performance even though the team was just 14-20-3 during his tenure.

But Wilson has not committed to bringing him back next season even though Boughner has earned the respect of many key players.

“He did a great job with where he was at and where we were at,” Burns said. “He had the knowledge, he was detailed. He was extremely 1185590 San Jose Sharks

Sharks' Logan Couture speaks up on racism, in support of Evander Kane

Marcus White

May 30, 2020 1:41 PM

Sharks captain Logan Couture thanked Evander Kane and former NHL player Akim Aliu for speaking out against racism in hockey, tweeting a note Saturday that said the sport and society "are only scraping the surface in what desperately needs fixing."

My thoughts. Sorry if this offends anyone. All love pic.twitter.com/9BbktIrxqd

— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) May 30, 2020

"Racism exists in society, it also exists in hockey," Couture wrote. "That's a fact. Growing up in this game is a privilege. [At times,] I think most of us have been at fault for turning a blind eye when it comes to racism. It cannot continue."

Kane later tweeted his appreciation of Couture's message.

love it @Logancouture https://t.co/8Y1rS7J2Bx

— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) May 30, 2020

Kane, who is black, has become increasingly vocal speaking out against racism within -- and beyond -- the sport in the past year. In September, Kane told TSN 1040 in Vancouver that hockey lagged behind other in diversity and addressing racism after fan told him to "stick to basketball" in an Instagram comment. Kane called a story in "The Players Tribune" earlier this month authored by Aliu, whose revelation that Bill Peters directed racial slurs towards him in the AHL led to the Calgary Flames firing their now-former coach late last year, a must-read for everyone involved in hockey.

George Floyd's death in Minneapolis police custody Monday outraged Kane, tweeting that video of the incident made his "[f---ing] blood boil." Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man, could be heard on video saying "I can't breathe" as former officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee into Floyd's neck while three other officers at the scene looked on. Chauvin and the three officers were fired Tuesday, and Chauvin was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

Kane said Friday in an interview on ESPN's "First Take" that white athletes couldn't leave speaking up against systematic racism to their black peers. While Kane felt supported by his teammates, he told "Writers Bloc" on CJCL in Toronto later that day that hockey's team-first culture often encourages silence on a wide range of issues in the sport and outside of it.

“Is it going to change? I hope," Kane said (H/T Sportsnet's Sonny Sachdeva). "I’m going to try to be a part of the solution and process in creating that change. But … when it comes to social injustices and racism in hockey, it requires change at the top. Because, you know, that’s the only way true change is going to take place. At the top. Because it’s going to have a trickle-down effect.

“And until things change at the top ... until they make the necessary change to condemn these sort of acts and mindsets … and really weed out that type of thought process, we’re going to be stuck in the same position we are today, and that’s unfortunate.”

Sharks owner Hasso Plattner, who doesn't often publicly comment, said in a rare statement Friday that the Sharks applauded Kane's "rational and thoughtful response to the terrible tragedy" of Floyd's death. Defenseman Mario Ferraro retweeted the statement, and Couture's note is the first tweeted by one of Kane's San Jose teammates in support.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185591 San Jose Sharks only back then but still in today’s game. I’ve said this for a long time, maybe now you’ll listen.”

On Saturday, in response to Couture’s public support, Aliu thanked the Evander Kane and the Sharks speak out about racial injustice Sharks forward for speaking out.

Since joining the Sharks via a trade with Buffalo late in 2017-18 season, the 28-year-old Kane has become increasingly visible in the local Bay Kevin Kurz Area community, often taking part in events with the Sharks Foundation, visiting several elementary schools and community ice rinks. May 30, 2020 The Athletic LOADED: 05.31.2020

Sharks winger Evander Kane on Friday urged prominent white athletes like Tom Brady and Sidney Crosby to join the chorus of black athletes pushing for an end to systemic racism.

The latest example of that, of course, is white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin killing a black man, George Floyd, by leaning on Floyd’s neck with his knee for almost nine minutes before Floyd died. Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The incident has sparked has nationwide protests, some of which have turned violent, on Friday night and into Saturday. That includes demonstrations in San Jose and elsewhere in the Bay Area.

The death of Floyd made Kane’s “blood f***ing boil,” he said on Twitter. He appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday morning with a message for fellow professional athletes, including those in the NHL.

“We need so many more athletes that don’t look like me speaking out about this, having the same amount of outrage that I have inside, and using that to voice their opinions and voice their frustration because that’s the only way it’s going to change,” Kane said.

WAS ON WITH @FIRSTTAKE THIS MORNING HTTPS://T.CO/G58ZMND5KI

— EVANDER KANE (@EVANDERKANE_9) MAY 29, 2020

“We’ve been outraged for hundreds of years and nothing has changed. It’s time for guys like (Brady and Crosby) and those types of figures to speak up about what is right, and clearly in this case, what is unbelievably wrong. That’s the only way we’re going to actually create that unified anger to create the necessary change, especially when you talk about systematic racism.”

Later on Friday, Sharks owner Hasso Plattner, who is rarely heard from, issued a statement in support of Kane.

“There is no room for racism in society,” Plattner said. “We applaud Evander for his rational and thoughtful response to the recent terrible tragedy. Events like this occur way too often. We all must find a way to do better.”

STATEMENT FROM #SJSHARKS OWNER HASSO PLATTNER. PIC.TWITTER.COM/ULQZ4ZBWGM

— SAN JOSE SHARKS (@SANJOSESHARKS) MAY 29, 2020

Kane received more backing on Saturday from Sharks captain Logan Couture.

“First of all, I applaud Evander for speaking the truth,” Couture said on Twitter. “Racism exists in society, it also exists in hockey. That’s a fact. Growing up in this game is a privilege. At times I think most of us have been at fault for turning a blind eye when it comes to racism. It cannot continue.”

MY THOUGHTS. SORRY IF THIS OFFENDS ANYONE. ALL LOVE PIC.TWITTER.COM/9BBKTIRXQD

— LOGAN COUTURE (@LOGANCOUTURE) MAY 30, 2020

Kane has spoken out against racism in hockey before. Via his Instagram page, he accused a fan in Colorado of telling him to “stick to basketball” when he was in the penalty box during Game 4 of the second round of last season’s Stanley Cup playoffs. Kane said it is the sort of thing that “happens all the time” but is “never publicly talked about and just ignored.”

When Akim Aliu posted a lengthy essay on The Player’s Tribune about his heartbreaking experiences dealing with racism in his career on May 19, Kane retweeted the link and said, “I hope that every single hockey player, fan, media member, GM, owner, parent and young player read this. When it comes to racism, it exists in many forms with our game, not 1185592 St Louis Blues the same boot as his hockey skates. So if you’ve seen some guy blading around St. Louis who kind of looked like Colton Parayko, it was probably Colton Parayko.

With team rested and Tarasenko as '1967 Bob Gibson,' Blues appears On rollerblades or his bike or back at his home, the 27-year-old strong for Cup run defenseman spent some of the time reflecting.

“When it gets shut down just that quick,” he said, “you realize how much you miss it and how much you enjoy the atmosphere of what it is. . . . I Benjamin Hochman just miss waking up getting ready to go to the rink in the morning, seeing the guys. And then playing the games, and playing in front of the fans

here in St. Louis has been incredible. They’re really good fans, they’re OK, right away, what else is he going to say? passionate, and they’re always there for us. So it gives you a new perspective just when it stops that quickly. But I think for us, we know That the Blues won’t look like the same team when the players return to we’re fortunate to just be in a good city with good fans. And so we can’t the ice? take that for granted, for sure.

Colton Parayko wouldn’t say that, even if he believed it. “I’m going to cherish (winning the Cup) for the rest of my life. I’m excited that we possibly have that opportunity again. We still are on track to have But listening to him on the phone, one can believe in his belief. Parayko a good rest of the year. So yeah, going into playoffs, it’s going to be sure believes in the Blues. Or, as his good friend Laila Anderson would exciting. We’re going have a good team again, and we’re definitely going say, Parayko does “believe in the boys.” make another push and try to make another run for the Stanley Cup. It’s “I think it’s going to take a little time to get things going again,” the going to be fun to try to get that going again.” defenseman Parayko said, “but everybody will be ready to go, and by the St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.31.2020 time we have our training camp, everybody will be in sync. Definitely no concern about us being as good as we were. I think we have a good group of guys, good leadership, just guys that are passionate and willing to do what it takes to win. So I think that on that front, we’re in good shape, and I just think we’re going to be excited, more than anything, to just be with each other and start building up our team again.

“And making another run for it.”

Hockey is (likely) back. The National Hockey League announced plans for a 24-team tournament later this summer. The winner wins a big cup for beer. And the Blues are the No. 1 team in the Western Conference. It is fair to think that across the league, some teams or players won’t look the same when they return to the ice. It’s hard to recreate momentum or reignite certain internal fires. Some teams were just clicking for whatever reason back in March. It’s June on Monday and it won’t be until July when games get going. So much will have changed. But — the Blues have the unique perspective of being the rested defending champs. In more years than not this century, the defending champ hasn’t repeated, and a possible reason is just the fatigue from playing until mid-June . . . and the intense celebrating in the month afterward. But nobody has played in a game since mid-March, so the fatigue factor won’t be a factor for certain teams.

And the Blues should come into this with a strong, singular mindset. For as much is made about the Blues being a strong team, you can make the case that they’re also mentally strong. Or, you want to believe it, anyways. Some of these other teams, which didn’t think it had a true chance of winning the Stanley Cup, might not have the same drive back on the ice. The Blues do. They know their talent, they know their abilities and they know they have the personnel and coaches to compete for the Cup. Unity will be currency in this one-of-a-kind Cup run for whichever team pulls it off. The Blues are the Blues because of unity.

And, of course, the previously injured Vladimir Tarasenko will join the team. He’s good.

It’s a reminder of the story of 1967 — Bob Gibson suffered a broken leg on July 15 but returned in September for five starts . . . and the three glorious ones in October.

Or in Peyton Manning’s final season, the Denver was injured from Weeks 11-16, but came back for the final game . . . and then led the team to the Super Bowl championship.

And Parayko himself is another reason why the Blues should excel. The team’s defensemen smother. They Blues are loaded on the blue line, and while Alex Pietrangelo is the biggest name, Parayko’s play has garnered him praise from hockeyheads, particularly in the past two seasons.

As for returning during these coronavirus times, “the No. 1 thing for everybody is safety,” Parayko said. “It’s not just for the players, but for the people around us.”

He seemed reassured by doctors who have spoken to players that the league isn’t rushing into something here.

He also shared he hasn’t skated since the Blues’ most-recent game, back at Anaheim on March 11. He has laced up rollerblades, which have 1185593 St Louis Blues When play stopped in March, the Blues had 22 skaters on their active roster. A now-healthy Tarasenko makes 23. So that leaves room for five additional skaters, all expected to be players who finished out the now- canceled American Hockey League season in San Antonio. Blues' Armstrong has a plan for small-group workouts and training camp What about defenseman Scott Perunovich, the Hobey Baker Award winner from the University of Minnesota Duluth?

Jim Thomas “All indications are that he won’t be allowed to play, but that’s still something they’re negotiating,” Armstrong said.

The NHL’s stance is that college players who have signed pro contracts On a beautiful Friday in St. Louis, the 12th anniversary of Doug since the suspension of play should not be allowed to play over the Armstrong’s hiring by the Blues, his mood could be best described as remainder of the season. But as Armstrong mentioned, that still has to be chipper. That’s not a word usually associated with the team’s intense negotiated with the NHL Players Association. general manager. In goal, Armstrong said the Blues plan to have four goalies on their “Everything feels brighter and better,” Armstrong told the Post-Dispatch. postseason roster, with Ville Husso and probably Adam Wilcox — who “Everything’s looser when you go around the city, from shops opening was Husso’s backup in San Antonio — joining Jordan Binnington and up, to seeing people at restaurants, to driving on the street and seeing Jake Allen. cars. It feels like springtime, when everything is starting to blossom and you feel good about everything.” “Because if you lose one, I don’t think it’s fair to think the fourth goalie’s gonna come in (off the street) and be effective being off since February,” It looks like hockey is about to blossom as well. Armstrong said. “ ‘By the way, it’s October, why don’t you come in and be And for the first time since the NHL suspended operations on March 12 ready to play?’ ” due to the coronavirus pandemic, Armstrong feels hockey will return. Yes, the playoffs could stretch into October, but that’s a story for another That the 2019-20 season will be completed. day. “Yeah, I do,” Armstrong said. “I know the system in place, the NHL and One other wrinkle: The expectation is that Phase 3 will consist of two the union have worked together to make sure that if we get the green preseason games, Armstrong said. light (to resume), we’re gonna be prepared to go.” Be it exhibition play or even round-robin play once the postseason format Of course, none of this happens without that “green light” from medical begins, Armstrong wants to get as many players on the roster into games and government officials. But the NHL has made plans, and seems to be as possible. fleshing out details on almost a daily basis. “It hasn’t been given to be ‘fact-certain’ but potentially two exhibitions, First things first. Phase 2, the start of small-group workouts, is expected then you play these three round-robin games,” Armstrong said. “So then to begin around mid-June. At the start of the NHL’s coronavirus pause, you have five (games). If you have a roster of 28 skaters, you should be the vast majority of Blues players stayed put in St. Louis. But as the able to get everybody into some games so they’re ready to go. suspension of play continued, several Blues headed back to their home city and in many cases, back to their home country. “I’ve got to sit with Craig (Berube) and go over that,” Armstrong said.

“I think there’s over 10 players still here, that’s the latest,” Armstrong St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.31.2020 said. “But personally, I’m not worried about that. If they have a good situation where they’re training and they’re comfortable, they’re gonna be ready, they should just stay where they’re at.

“Rushing back here, I think everybody saw the hoops you have to jump through in the local markets (in terms of shelter-in-place); those are probably quite a bit less where they currently are. I recommend the guys just stay where they’re at till we get very close to a start of Phase 3.”

Except for forwards Oskar Sundqvist and Jacob de la Rose, who are in Sweden, the rest of the squad is somewhere in North America if not in St. Louis. And that includes Russian-born Vladimir Tarasenko and Ivan Barbashev, according to Armstrong.

“Phase 2, it’s voluntary,” Armstrong said. “To me we’re in August, early September of a normal season. We see them here in August (for informal skates), players all skating, all pushing each other. And then when they get here for camp, they’re ready to go.”

He feels the same thing will apply when training camp starts. That’s Phase 3 of the NHL’s return-to-play plan, and it’s scheduled to begin around mid-July. The expectation is that any out-of-town or out-of- country Blues will migrate back to St. Louis around late June or early July.

Armstrong expressed confidence that the players will return in shape.

“They’re pros. You trust the professionalism,” he said. “And our team has never given us any reason not to trust it, certainly the last couple years but quite honestly since I’ve been here.

“But you also understand Phase 3, which is the training camp stage, isn’t till July 10 at the earliest. Phase 2 could open up any time soon. So you’re probably talking three weeks at minimum of Phase 2, three weeks of training camp. After six weeks, they’re gonna be more than ready to play.”

Nothing has been completely nailed down in terms of roster size, but Armstrong said the expectation is that each team will be allowed to have 28 skaters plus an unlimited number of goaltenders once the games resume. 1185594 St Louis Blues But David Backes, the former Blues captain and current Bruin, wasn’t shy about offering his opinion.

“I don’t think that’s a hit we want in our game,” Backes said. “It’s from Finals First! Gunnarsson's OT goal delivers first title-series victory in behind, elevated, into his head, into the glass. If that’s a two-minute Blues history penalty, I think there’s going to be a shortage of defensemen in this series by the end of it.

“That’s in somebody else’s hands. That’s something I think if I’m making Jim Thomas that hit, I’m probably watching from the bleachers for a few (games), but we’ll see what happens with their player.” May 30, 2019 It was one of five penalties called against the Blues on Wednesday. They

have been in the box 10 times so far in this series to five for the Bruins. Here is our original reporting of the Blues Stanley Cup Final run in 2019. But the Blues overcame that. They overcame the early Boston goals by Game 2 was May 29 in Boston. Charlie Coyle and Joakim Nordstrom, and they came out breathing fire in the overtime session, controlling the puck for much of sudden death. BOSTON • Some call him Boom-Boom, because he doesn’t exactly have the hardest shot around. “We still had energy,” Edmundson said. “Our team did a good job of wearing them down throughout the 60 minutes (of regulation). We knew “Tonight it was hard, so I’m happy about that,” said teammate and fellow we had more energy than them going into the overtime, so we just laid it Swede Oskar Sundqvist. all on the line and we stuck to our game plan.”

Defenseman Carl Gunnarsson had more than enough “boom” to silence So the bounce-back Blues struck again Wednesday. Their Stanley Cup TD Garden and give the Blues their first victory in a Stanley Cup Final in Final demise, roundly predicted as near certainty in some corners, was franchise history. put on hold. The Blues have taken away home ice advantage from the Bruins. His goal with 3 minutes 51 seconds gone in overtime gave the Blues a 3- 2 victory over the Boston Bruins and sent the best-of-seven series back When informed Tuesday that Game 1 losers end up losing the Cup Final to St. Louis tied 1-1. Game 3 is Saturday at Enterprise Center. series 77 percent of the time, Tarasenko told reporters: “This is on your side to tell some cool stats and everything else. But that’s not in our “He’s been around for a long time,” Joel Edmundson said. “I think that heads.” was the biggest goal of his career and it couldn’t have come at a better time.” Well, here’s another cool stat to put in your head. Or not.

Mere minutes after the dramatic game-winner, the story behind the story Teams winning Game 2 have gone on to win the Cup 74.7 percent of the leaked out. time since 1939 (when the best-of-seven format was introduced.)

“Craig (Berube) said that he met him at the (urinal) after the third period,” So as Blues fans step back from the ledge once again, the Blues head Sundqvist said. “And Gunny said all I need is one more chance. So it home with momentum. worked out.” “It’s a great sports fanbase and a great sports city,” said Binnington, who That it did. With just 1:57 left in regulation, Gunnarsson’s shot hit the stopped 21 of 23 shots. “They deserve it. We’re happy to play for them corner of the net where the post and the crossbar meet. It came oh-so- and we’re having fun doing it, playing together. We’re happy to go home close to going in. and perform in front of them with them on our side.”

He made amends in overtime, shooting a one-timer from just inside the St. Louis was 0-13 in Cup Final games until Wednesday. They also were blueline through traffic and past Boston goalie Tuukka Rask. It was 0-9 all-time against the Bruins in the playoffs, dating back to that four- Gunnarsson's first goal in 56 career playoff games. game Boston sweep in the 1970 Stanley Cup and had been outscored 52-17 in those games. And in this memorable Blues playoff run, it ranks right up there with Jaden Schwartz’s “lucky pinball” (as Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck “It’s great. We’re not done yet, but it’s obviously pretty cool,” Edmundson called it) with 15 seconds left to win Game 5 against the Jets. Or Pat said. “We just excited to go back to St. Louis with a 1-1 split.” Maroon’s double-overtime Game 7 winner against Dallas. And Robert Bortuzzo’s game-winning backhand in Game 3 against San Jose. They won Wednesday without rookie Robert Thomas, scratched from the lineup with what’s believed to be a wrist injury. Coach said Gunnarsson, by the way, confirmed the “restroom” conversation with after the morning skate that Thomas’ absence was not related to the Berube. monster hit he absorbed from Torey Krug in Game 1.

“I can’t deny that,” Gunnarsson said. “That’s where it happened. That St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.31.2020 makes it even more fun I guess. It’s a good story.

“I was close in the third with the post and I had a little talk in the locker room between periods there — before the OT — and I just told him I needed one more,” Gunnarsson said.

The Blues bounced back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to tie the game at 2-2 on goals by first Bortuzzo and then Vladimir Tarasenko. That all happened in the first period, and that was all the scoring until Gunnarsson’s game-winner — which came as Boston was about to be called for tripping Alexander Steen on his way to the net.

Ryan O’Reilly, who came on the ice after goalie Jordan Binnington left on the delayed penalty, got the primary assist.

The Blues controlled most of the third period, wearing down the Bruins with a season-high 50 hits. Boston also got worn down on the back end, playing two periods-plus with only five defensemen after Matt Grzelcyk was injured after absorbing a check from Sundqvist along the boards with 2:03 left in the first.

According to Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, Grzelcyk was sent to the hospital for tests and evaluation. Sundqvist was penalized for cross- checking on the play and declined to comment on the hit after the game. 1185595 St Louis Blues Federko: Best shot? Probably Joey Mullen. I had five years of Joey and then I had for 1 1/2 years. You had two of the greatest goal scorers in the NHL. Joey, it was his balance and his quick release; Brett had the knack of shooting in stride. They’re probably the two most natural Blues alumni player poll: Best coach, uniform, prankster, enforcer and goal scorers. more Brown: Brett Hull. What made him the best, in my opinion, was just the way he could adjust his body position to one-time the puck. No matter where it was, he could one-time it. He used to give me shit in practice. Jeremy Rutherford He’d go, “Brownie, fuck off,” and I’d go, “What?” I thought I was doing a May 30, 2020 great job, passing him pucks right in the wheelhouse. He goes, “They’re not always going to be in the wheelhouse. I’ve got to practice when they’re not perfect.” So he was giving me shit for giving him perfect passes. Editor’s note: This story has been updated with ’s answers to our interview questions, which were obtained after the original article Mayers: The obvious answer would be Al MacInnis, but I’m going to go a was published. little bit off the board and say Scott Young. His wrister was insane, how heavy and hard it was. I’ve never seen anyone take a wrist shot as hard When it comes to fans connecting with players, there’s no substitution for as him. the Blues’ Stanley Cup roster, and that was evident with the overwhelmingly positive reaction from readers when we put together the Low: Well, the best slap shot, Al MacInnis. Scott Young had a really player poll in January. deceiving shot and scored 40 goals my first season with the Blues. I’m probably going to have to say MacInnis, but a close second is Scottie But we know how much St. Louisans love their Blues alumni as well, so Young. we decided to do something similar. We called seven former players — Bernie Federko, Jeff Brown, Jamal Mayers, Reed Low, Cam Janssen, Janssen: T.J. Oshie. He was dirty. He was able to toe-drag, get the puck Keith Tkachuk and Chris Pronger — and asked 14 questions that were, real close to him and be able to get it upstairs. That guy was gifted in so according to them, pretty tough. They had a lot of fun with it, however, many ways. And if you tried to hit him when he was toe-dragging you, sharing several entertaining stories and memories in the process. have fun with that because he’s going to bury his shoulder right in your chest. Who was your favorite Blues coach and why? Tkachuk: Al MacInnis. It was just amazing how hard it was, but he Federko: Barclay Plager. Barc was my mentor and like a dad that I didn’t actually knew where it was going. have here in St. Louis. He was a special guy who always took care of me. Pronger: Yeah, I think you know that one … but I guess it depends. The best slap shot: Al (MacInnis). But the best wrist shot: Brett (Hull). From Brown: because he pushed me. Just when I thought I was an accuracy standpoint, Brett, but Al had the slap shot. It all depends on playing well, he would make me believe that I had more to give, and how you tailor the question. basically made me an All-Star in 1992. Al MacInnis had arguably the best shot on the Blues’ roster for many Mayers: I’ve got to go with Joel Quenneville because he gave me my first years, according to teammates. (Elsa Hasch / Allsport) opportunity. I certainly liked playing for as well. It’s between those two, but I’d give the nod to Joel. What is the best uniform in Blues history?

Low: Quenneville. He was good, other than he never let me play in the Federko: I would say 1976-77 with the smaller Blue Note, the blue and playoffs. Other than that, we’re best buddies. the gold, and I actually like the white one. Those two are the best.

Janssen: Let’s see, Andy Murray or Davis Payne? I liked (assistant Brown: I thought the ones we wore were the best, the early ’90s. coach) Ray Bennett. He was nice, and if you needed to go talk to him, he Certainly not the ones they changed to (in the mid-90s) with all the red. always had an answer for you. He was never too up or too down. He was Those were horrible. great. Mayers: I think the era would be the ’70s, that baby blue one. That’s my Tkachuk: Joel Quenneville. He was a players’ coach. His bench favorite. management was unbelievable. Low: My draft year was the first couple years they had the red stripe, and Pronger: Joel Quenneville. He was the anti-Mike (Keenan). Mike was I hated it. But I love how they’ve tweaked the colors a little bit and more a motivator. Joel was more X’s and O’s and a little bit more brought that era back. I really think it looks awesome and that would be engaged in the developing side. my favorite.

Which Blues teammate was always in the best shape? Janssen: I’ll tell you right now, it’s the one that hasn’t even come out yet: It’s the white Winter Classic. Whenever they come out, they’re going to Federko: I think Brian Sutter was always in great shape. When he went be my favorite. home, I don’t think he did much drinking and partying, so he was always in good shape. And Rob Ramage, he was a stud. Tkachuk: One time, I forget what year it was, but we wore it a couple of times in the early 2000s … baby blue. Those were my favorite ones. Brown: That’s easy, Rod Brind’Amour. He lived with me, and I remember Brian Sutter would kick him out of the weight room at the rink. I’d go for Pronger: You know, when I was there, we went to the retro baby blue, beers at the Trainwreck (Saloon) with the guys and when I got home, and I didn’t mind that. I think it looked especially cool with the baby-blue Roddy was downstairs doing chin-ups from the rafters in my basement. logo.

Mayers: Geoff Courtnall was always in amazing shape, and I’d also have What does the Blue Note logo mean to you? to include Ryan Johnson. Those are the two that stick out to me as amazing athletes. Federko: Everything. It means loyalty, respect, hard work, blue-collar, and that’s what the Blue Note will always stand for. Low: Al MacInnis was 36 years old and he was in the most unbelievable shape. The guy was just an absolute specimen. Brown: You know what? Just character and hard work. That’s the one thing about Brian (Sutter). He instilled that in all of us, to take care of Janssen: Keith Tkachuk, ha ha. It’s Paul Kariya. people, be good to the fans. We all did stuff in the community and that was the Blues. That was stuff we did to let the fans know that we Tkachuk: Roman Polak. He was just a powerful guy in everything he did. appreciated them because they were truly what got us fired up. Pronger: I think Al (MacInnis) used to win the award all the time for being Mayers: It means coming of age. I spent my entire 20s here, and when in the best shape. Geoff Courtnall was a gazelle, could skate forever, and you’re part of a team for 12 years, coming of age would be the biggest if it was bike-related, he was just ridiculous. thing I could give you. Which Blue had the best shot and why was it so good? Low: Oh man, it’s a privilege. It’s just a privilege to play for this spotlight on me — and know that my mom and dad were at home organization and be a part of this community. If I had to put it into one watching on TV. That was probably the coolest moment. word, I’d say, “(It’s a) privilege.” Janssen: All my buddies would sit behind the bench, and they would yell Janssen: Happiness. at Andy Murray for not playing me, and then Andy would see them afterward by me. Andy would put two and two together and then I Tkachuk: It’s special. It’s a great jersey and it represents the people. wouldn’t play the next game.

Pronger: To me, personally, I think it means a fresh start, overcoming Tkachuk: I remember we played a game at Scottrade Center and (Stu) challenges, pushing through and everything the team has meant to me in Grimson, he was so pissed he kicked the boards and put a hole through my career. Then, obviously the fan engagement and the passion for the the boards. We had to go back into the locker room and got delayed. team and the city. Pronger: I don’t know if there’s one particular moment that signifies what Who was the biggest Blues prankster, and what was the best prank you the building was about. But as we got the team back on track, we’d get remember? that rink rocking and they’d be behind us. A lot of fans don’t understand Federko: In the short time that we had him, it was Guy Lapointe. You’d the energy that they can create by being involved in the game. It’s such a go to a party somewhere and it would be warm outside and Guy would vital part of our game that sometimes it gets overlooked. That excitement turn up the heat in someone’s house. Another one, Larry Giroux, we put and excitement in the building always transcends into the players. a lawnmower on top of Larry Patey’s house one night. They went to bed Who was the best Blues captain you played for and what made him a and we started it and put it on top of the roof. good leader?

Brown: Garth Butcher and . The one prank that neither of Federko: Well Brian (Sutter) was always our best captain; there’s no them will admit to even to this day … I had these beautiful patent-leather question about it. He led by example, he stood up for everybody, he was shoes. They were my favorite shoes and I probably kept them too long. hard-nosed and he was great. Pound for pound, I would still say he’s the They used to tell me, “Brownie, it’s time for a new pair!” So we were in toughest guy in that era — he fought everybody. Montreal at the Forum, and I stayed on the ice a little long after the morning skate. Anyway, I came off the ice and showered and went into Brown: I think Ricky Meagher was my first captain. He was honest, hard- the room to get dressed and they had nailed both of my shoes into the working and led by example. locker with two huge nails right through the middle of them. So I had to walk in my socks down to buy a new pair of dress shoes. Mayers: I’ll say (Pronger). He taught me that you don’t necessarily have to be a group of people that are all friends, but you have a job to win. Mayers: It’s got to be Marc Bergevin. I will not forget my rookie season when him and Geoff Courtnall completely unpacked my bag on a Low: Al MacInnis. He showed up for practice ready to play, he knew how Western trip and put like 15 or 20 pounds of weights in my bag. I couldn’t to treat guys … just everything about him made him my favorite figure out for the whole week why my bag was so heavy until I got home. teammate. He’s just that guy, and still to this day, he’s someone that I look up to as a mentor. Low: We had a lot of guys that did pranks, but I remember Sergei Varlamov missed practice one day. Like, he didn’t even show up; he just Janssen: Eric Brewer was the captain, but I’m going to say the leader of missed it. There were people trying to track him down, and come to find that team was (Keith Tkachuk). He knew who we were as a team and he out, he slept in. So the next morning, I really don’t know who did it, but led by example. You look at the guy and say, “Oh my God, he’s still there was a blowup mattress, a comforter, a pillow and then his helmet playing?” and all of a sudden he’d go out there and put a couple in the on the pillow. It was absolutely awesome. net. You better be working hard if this guy is doing it. And he kept it lively — he was hilarious in the locker room. Janssen: I’m going to say Dan Hinote. He was always up to something. I always had my head on a swivel when he was sitting next to me in the Tkachuk: I had a lot of them: Al MacInnis, Dallas Drake and Chris locker room. It was just little things. Each and every time, it was like, “You Pronger. All three of them brought different dimensions. son of a bitch!” And it was hard to get him back because he was always a Pronger: Having an opportunity to play with and learn step ahead of you. and understand what his life is like from the moment he wakes up to the Tkachuk: Wow, it’s between Billy Guerin and Marc Bergevin. Somebody moment he goes to bed — people looking at him, staring at him, did the Bee Gees picture and put Bergevin’s face on it. It was all over St. following him, looking at every last thing he does — you can learn an Louis and they put a number on it. I don’t know who they were calling, awful lot from that. but it was hilarious. Who is the most underrated Blues player you played with?

Pronger: (Marc Bergevin) and Geoff Courtnall because those two idiots Federko: There were two guys, and Rob Ramage. Lutey had a used to get each other all the time. A lot of the time they were doing it to couple of great years and then went to Hartford, and never got enough themselves — taking each other’s (hotel) keys and hiding in the rooms credit. And Rammer, he was our go-to guy, and I don’t think he got and scaring each other or shoe-polishing the phone. I’m sure one of them enough credit, either. will write a book at some point. Brown: Nelson Emerson. Great hockey brain. Incredible speed. Could What is your favorite story about the rink you played in — The Arena or play in today’s game. now Enterprise Center? Mayers: Dallas Drake. He did it all. With the top-six guys, he had the Federko: How nice the old Arena was when I first started. They had one offense to play there, and then defined himself as more of a role player. I painter there, and he painted all year long. He would start and by the think he’s underrated, how hard he hit and how hard he was to play time he finished the entire arena, it was time to start at the beginning against. again. Low: I would say probably . He played with Al MacInnis, Brown: I remember Mr. (Mike) Shanahan inviting my mom and dad up to and this is a little bit on Al, but Sal was a stalwart back on the defense. the president’s box. They were sitting up there having dinner and I was He was somebody that I felt was just a great all-around teammate. I don’t sitting on the bench looking up and seeing them. Having lost them the know if that’s underrated or not, but I look at him as he was a top-four past couple of years, that’s certainly something I’ll never forget. defenseman on a top team, and that’s something.

Mayers: The people you see behind the scenes that have been there for Janssen: Alexander Pietrangelo. He’s still underrated right now. He so many years, running the arena and maintaining the ice. They may controls the whole game. He controlled the whole playoffs last year. He have a few more gray hairs, but it’s nice to see those same people still was a tall drink of water the first time he walked in the locker room and around. Danny Hinote and myself were staring at him. It was Andy Dufresne Low: I would have to say my rookie season, our first four games were on when he walked into Shawshank (Prison). We were like, “Ha ha, look at the road, and I was a healthy scratch in all four of those games, and we this kid.” Then he’s got the puck the whole time and I’m like, “What, am I were like 0-1-3. So I got put into the lineup as soon as we got home for going to try to hit you now?” He controls the whole game. our first game against the . I got to skate out for the first Tkachuk: Pavol Demitra. I never realized how skilled he was until I got time in the NHL — the home opener with all the lights out and the here. Pronger: I don’t think Pavol (Demitra) got the notoriety that he probably Mayers: When we swept Dallas (in 2001) and went to the conference would’ve garnered had he been in a true hockey market. I think getting final against Colorado, I’ll never forget that distinctive feeling when you 80 to 90 points for the better part of five years, it’s pretty remarkable, and win the second round, like we have a distinct chance to win the Stanley when you look around the league at what people say about him, they Cup. Even though we lost that series against Colorado, it was a lot of fun. don’t really know much. Low: I have to go with my first goal against Patrick Roy, and it was also Who was the best Blues enforcer when you played and what do you on my dad’s birthday. So that was a pretty special night for dad when I remember about his toughness? scored my first goal against the greatest goalie that’s maybe ever played, between him and Marty Brodeur. Patty was pretty dang good, and for me Federko: When I came in, Bobby Gassoff was a legend. I played only 30 to score on him, deke him and backhand shelf him the way I did was games with Bobby (before he died), but what I saw was absolutely unbelievable. amazing. It was like parting the Red Sea when he got out there; no one wanted to come near him. The whole league was afraid of him. Janssen: My first one against the Phoenix Coyotes. Drew a penalty, I had a breakaway, and the puck bounced over my stick as usual. That would Brown: Tony Twist, Kelly Chase, Darin Kimble … those were probably happen to me, but I had some good hits. My family was there. I the three big ones that I played with. Basil McRae, too. Twist was the remember starring at my high school friends that I grew up. They’re heavyweight of all heavyweights, but Chaser and Kimby would fight sitting right on the glass and I’m like, “How are you guys doing? I’m just anybody. I couldn’t imagine having to go into a game knowing you’re doing my thing.” fighting (Bob Probert). What a crazy game it used to be! Tkachuk: My last game. I announced my retirement right before that. It Mayers: The scariest was obviously Tony Twist. (Reed Low) was was an incredible sendoff. My wife and kids came on the ice and my impressive and (Kelly Chase) too. I would say it’s a toss-up. I just parents were there. Incredible! wouldn’t want that job, that’s all I know. Pronger: Well, probably Game 7 against Detroit in 1996. But that was Low: He was an absolute destroyer, this guy. I would never want to fight memorable in the sense that we lost, so I’m going to say Game 7 against him. His name is Reed Low (laughs). Bernie Federko once said he had Phoenix (in 1999) because we won and just everything that surrounded immense strength. So yeah, I would go with him. that series.

Janssen: I always loved playing with myself. I’m kidding. There were a lot What was your highest-paid season with the Blues? of good ones before me, and they were huge shoes to fill. When (Tony Twist) would dummy somebody so bad, then take his sweater off in the Federko: It was $350,000 in 1986. I think I was making $335,000, but I penalty box with “Tony the Tiger” tattooed on his arm … When you’re a also got plane tickets to Hawaii. young kid and you see how the crowd reacts to that guy, you wanted to be an enforcer. Brown: From 1992-94, I made $700,000, $800,000, $900,000 … so $900,000. Tkachuk: I never played here with (Tony Twist). Probably D.J. King. He was one of the toughest guys in the league. I was on the ice when he Mayers: I signed for $1.3 million my last contract with the Blues in 2007. fought Derek Boogard at center ice in Minnesota. Got me tired! Low: Mine was $700,000. I was supposed to make $750,000 the year of Pronger: Tony Twist, just from the fear factor and knockout power and the lockout and then $750,000 the year after the lockout. But I lost that the fear of God that he put into the toughest of guys just with his ability to money and we rolled our deal back 24 percent because of the lockout, so put guys to sleep. it was only $560,000 that last year. So $700,000 was the most I ever played for. Great time for a rollback and for them to change the rules on Besides the team camaraderie, what is the thing you miss the most about obstruction and hate tough guys, too. your time with the Blues? Janssen: It was $650,000, but I thought I was making $10 schmill Federko: It was the lifestyle we had. We went for practice every morning, (million). I was acting like I was making $10 schmill. and then we went for a beer after. On the road, we worked our ass off during the game, and then went to the bar after. If you had to pick a Tkachuk: It might have been $10 or $11 (million), I can’t remember. Nuts lifestyle, I think we got the best one of all time. We traveled all over the … it was crazy! country, we laughed, we joked, we did all kinds of crazy things and we Pronger: If Walt says, “I don’t know,” he’s lying. He knows. Mine was got paid for it. $9.5 (million).

Brown: For me, it was the timing of the early ’90s and how good a team What do you like the most about St. Louis? we had and we were so close to being a really, really good team. We were so close and we were all kind of entering our prime, and what I miss Federko: It’s a great place to raise a family. It’s got great morals. We the most is that we didn’t get it done at that time. But I certainly miss the always said we wanted to raise our kids in a place where they had fans more than anything. Unfortunately, I played in a lot of places and the values, and the values here are so good. It’s blue-collar and everybody fans here were second to none. works their ass off.

Mayers: Honestly, I miss competing, like real competing and not Brown: The people, it’s that simple. I wouldn’t have stayed here if I didn’t apologizing for being ultra-competitive. You have to let that go or find like the people. This is home. This is where we’ve put down roots. And I another outlet for it, and that’s hard. love that it’s become a hockey hotbed.

Low: Every second Friday. Payday. Mayers: It’s a big small town. I grew up in a big city in Toronto, so giving my kids a chance to simplify things, I like that about this city. Janssen: Skating to the penalty box after a fight, yelling at the fans, getting jacked up. Low: I love the way that the fans endear themselves to the players. I mentioned this earlier, but I’m 13 years removed and people still come up Tkachuk: Bringing my kids down to the rink and letting them practice with and say “hi” to me and that’s unbelievable. I was a tough guy and played us. 250 games here, but the fans and the city of St. Louis, it’s the best place Pronger: Just being on the ice and entertaining the fans; I think that’s ever. something that we all miss. It’s something when you have 20,000 fans Janssen: Walking next door to my parents’ house and stealing their beer. screaming, whether they hate you or love you. It’s very hard to replicate that in everyday life. Tkachuk: The Midwest feel, the people are great, and it’s a great place to raise a family. Love it! What is the most memorable Blues game you ever played in? Pronger: I just think from the people and the city and the school systems Federko: Oh, it’s the Monday Night Miracle. That game will always be and everything like that, it’s easy living. If you look at all of that, it’s a there forever, with Doug Wickenheiser scoring the winner in overtime. small-town feel in a medium-sized city. But it’s also the most disappointing because then we lost Game 7. The Athletic LOADED: 05.31.2020 Brown: Probably when we swept Chicago (in 1993) and (Ed) Belfour went crazy. 1185596 Tampa Bay Lightning — CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) May 26, 2020 Are the Lightning in the running?

Sorry to dash your hopes, but no. The Lightning are one of eight teams NHL draft lottery: Making sense of the confusing we know have made the playoffs. Those teams are eliminated from the lottery. The latter half of the draft order will be determined by playoff results. Diana Nearhos When is the draft?

The NHL floated the idea of holding the draft before the playoffs very There might be two lotteries this year. Then again, there might not be. seriously (again, there’s a lot of hype for sports content right now), but it The system isn’t cut and dried. got pretty universal negative reactions to that idea.

When the NHL announced its draft lottery format for this year, there was RELATED: What we know, and don't know, about the NHL's return to a resounding, unanimous response. play plan

Huh? General managers reset their rosters based on how things go in the playoffs, and with a draft before the playoffs, they wouldn’t have had that The league took the opportunity to shake things up for this coronavirus- chance to evaluate. Teams also wouldn’t have been able to trade players affected season, and the results, announced Tuesday, are not easy to with playoff value — with the season still on and the trade deadline past, follow. traded players wouldn’t have been eligible for the playoffs — and having Reporter of Canada’s TSN network, one of the ultimate games still to play would have put a damper on the draft-day trade hockey insiders, tweeted, “Good luck to all of us trying to explain/write excitement. how the draft lottery is going to work. Oh boy. (zany face emoji).” No date has been set. Dallas Morning News reporter Matthew DeFranks kept it simple with four Things are weird this year because they have to be. Like the rest of us, screenshots from commissioner Gary Bettman’s announcement and the general managers want what shreds of normalcy they can hold on to. caption, “The NHL Draft Lottery is confusing.” What will the draft look like? Let’s see if we can break this down for the June 26 lottery. TBD. Bettman said that if the draft took place now, it would be virtual, but Given that the Lightning have been in the lottery only once in the past he’s not pinning anything down until he has to. Perhaps by September or seven years (and ended up with a not-too-exciting 14th pick), here’s a October — likely when the offseason would fall if play resumes — an in- quick refresher on how things usually work: The 15 of the 31 teams not in person version would be possible. the playoffs are in three separate draws for the top three picks, with odds descending based on their place in the final standings. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 05.31.2020 Why does that need to change?

We don’t know who will be in the playoffs yet under the league’s return- to-play plan. If the season does resume this summer, 24 teams will keep playing, 12 from each conference. The bottom eight in each conference, based on points percentage, will play a qualification round for the playoffs. Those winners will join the top four teams in each conference in a 16-team playoff. And the NHL doesn’t want to wait until, say, August to hold the lottery. (Just a theory, but the lottery might get a lot more attention if it’s held while people are still starved for sports.)

What has changed?

On June 26, six of the teams out of the return-to-play format — Detroit, Ottawa (it has two lottery slots, its slot and eliminated San Jose’s), Los Angeles, Anaheim, New Jersey and Buffalo — and eight placeholders (for the teams that will lose in the qualification round) will enter three draws for the top three picks. The odds for each slot are assigned just as they would be in a normal year.

If bottom-finishing teams are selected for the three top picks, that’s it, we’re done, no confusion. If at least one of the placeholders is selected, things get interesting.

A screenshot from the NHL's broadcast shows the odds for the first of two draft lotteries this year. [NHL]

Then there would be a second phase of the lottery, held after the qualification round and before the playoffs’ first round, to include all eight eliminated teams (or the teams that acquired their first-round pick in a trade). That would mean that even if an eliminated team finished the abbreviated regular season No. 5 in its conference, it could be eligible for a lottery pick. (Lots of teams have lots of opinions on that, but we’ll stick to the facts here.)

All the eliminated teams would have the same odds in the second phase. In the first Phase 2 drawing, the winner would get the pick granted to a placeholder in Phase 1. If that pick was the top pick, all eight teams-to- be-named-later would have identical 3.06 percent odds of getting it.

If more than one placeholder team got a lottery spot in Phase 1, Phase 2 would continue with draws until those spots were covered.

This is a summary of the changes to the 1st overall lottery odds for the 7 non-Qualifying teams and the 8 teams eliminated in the Qualifying round pic.twitter.com/FslQqeeYlK 1185597 Tampa Bay Lightning

TV freelancers working Rays, Lighting games to get $2,500 payments

MARC TOPKIN

Sinclair Broadcast Group had good news for the announcers and production crew who work on Fox Sports Sun telecasts.

Freelancers who work on TV broadcasts of Lightning and Rays games got news Friday that they will receive $2,500 payments to offset lost revenue from the pandemic-caused sports shutdown.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns Fox Sports Sun and Fox Sports Florida, among other regional sports networks, authorized the payments.

“Televising games and ancillary programming for six teams statewide, year-round equates to a substantial number of freelancers for FOX Sports Florida and FOX Sports Sun, so hopefully this payment helps make a difference for our freelance community during these difficult times,” media relations director Eric Esteban said.

With the teams idled since March, there has been no income for the camera and replay operators, game producers and on-air talent that work as freelancers, paid on a per-game basis with no health insurance or other benefits. Some, including locals, complained publicly, especially given that the major networks and several regional sports networks did provide some financial help. “If you really want to know what I think," one told the Tampa Bay Times then, “I’d get fired just like every single one of us on the crew."

Sinclair, which bought the Fox regional networks last year for $9.6 billion, in April did offer freelancers, though only some, a $2,500 loan, which was interest-free, but had an aggressive repayment schedule of $250 for each of the first 10 games worked when play resumes. Some freelancers said they didn’t find the offer worth pursuing given the terms of the deal.

Freelancers got word of the payment in a Friday morning email from Fox Sports Florida/Sun general manager Steve Tello, who noted “that this crisis has had a significant financial impact to many of you." Tello also wrote, “We sincerely hope this payment will make a difference as you manage through these difficult days. We value all that you do, and look forward to the days ahead when production resumes.”

Production of a typical Rays or Lightning home game involves roughly 30-35 people working at assorted pay scales, with a low end of about $350 per game and an average of around $500.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185598 Toronto Maple Leafs having if you want to put politics, virus and weather aside for a day … I counted this up: I’ve spent more than 3,000 days and nights on the road in the newspaper business. And I have no idea when I’ll next be on an airplane, check in to a hotel or overpay for a crummy airport sandwich … SIMMONS: Odd circumstances surround Steve Nash's Hall of Fame There has to be a part of Auston Matthews that wonders: What would election have happened in those final 12 regular season games? Could he have scored enough to win the Rocket Richard Trophy. Of course, he could

have. He lost by one goal to David Pastrnak and perennial winner Alex Steve Simmons Ovechkin.

May 30, 2020 8:15 PM EDT SCENE AND HEARD

It was pretty clear at training camp in St. John’s that Nick Robertson wasn’t just another draft pick for the Leafs. He was easy to notice. The One of the greatest athletes in Canadian history — and you can argue surprise to me then, and now looking back, is that didn’t maybe the greatest — was elected to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame the put him in an exhibition game or two to see how he’d look playing with other day, two years after he first became eligible. the big boys. I asked him about it at the time. He gave me one of those ‘are you stupid’ stares … It will be at least eight months, maybe more, It barely made a headline that Steve Nash, two-time MVP in the NBA, is before we see Drew Doughty play hockey again. If we can’t see him, part of the Hall of Fame class of 2020 that includes Willie O’Ree, maybe it would make sense for a national network to hire him for this Sheldon Kennedy and Diane Jones-Konihowski. apparent hockey comeback so we can at least hear him … Before he Just as it barely made a headline that Nash was passed over the first two passed on Gretzky in the 1977 OHL draft, Sherry Bassin was coach of years he was eligible for election. one of the worst teams in league history, the 1976 . They won five games. “We were so bad,” said Bassin, “we played intra- That may say more about the relative obscurity of the Canadian Hall and squad games and lost.” … ’s introduction to the Stanley little about the career brilliance of Nash, who would be on a very short Cup playoffs: A matchup with John Tortorella. That’s one tough and special list with Wayne Gretzky, and , indoctrination … Documentaries I’d like to see made in Canada: 1) The and , Lennox Lewis, confusing and complicated story of the Hiltons, Canada’s family of and as the best ever in this country. boxing; 2) The go-go Oilers. A Michael Jordan-like documentary in fewer The absence of Nash in each of the previous two years didn’t raise a parts on the great Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s; 3) , the ripple of noise or argument because, frankly, nobody seemed to notice coach everybody knows but nobody really knows … If it was the Raptors he was passed over. Can you imagine the not strategy to vanish once the NBA season was halted, then they have electing Sidney Crosby on his first time eligible? Or baseball passing on handled it masterfully. They’ve done the impossible and made a Derek Jeter? champion disappear.

The rather odd reason Nash was elected now — and not in other years AND ANOTHER THING — apparently was that he’s available to appear at their next event, which And to think, all Colin Kaepernick did was take a knee … In university, I is scheduled for 2021. And he wasn’t available the past two years. Nash wrote a political science paper making the case for the merger of Canada is the right addition to the Hall, just at the wrong time. Should have and the United States, taking out the borders, having one currency and happened two years ago. one set of laws. Looking back, I drank and smoked way too much in THIS AND THAT university … This is Day 78 of the COVID isolation hostage situation. I haven’t read enough. I don’t sleep enough. I’ve watched too much TV. I Every year, the question surrounds Frederik Andersen. How many drink too much pop and not enough water. And stupidly, I’m upset that games should he play to be properly rested for the playoffs? Well, guess Nairobi was shot dead on Money Heist and, in the climate of our world, what? He’ll be properly rested now. Assuming NHL playoffs resume in that’s just ridiculous. And I’ve made the important scientific discovery that August, Andersen will have had more than four months off between as you get older, hair grows in places you don’t want it to grow and it starts of significance. Plenty of rest, I’d say … This is a quality contract: stops growing in places you want it to keep growing. All that in between The Blue Jackets have Seth Jones, an elite defenceman, under contract trying to write sports when there isn’t any being played … The world has for two more years at $5.4 million a year, just a touch more than the made me sad and confused in recent weeks: In recent days, I have no Leafs pay Morgan Rielly. Both players become free agents at the end of words of consolation for what has become of North America. In 2020, the 2022 season. If he were a free agent now, Jones would be paid $8 aren’t we supposed to be better than this? … As always, impressive: million or more a year … I don’t care where the NHL games will be The words of Dwane Casey, Tony Dungy, Brian Flores, black men in played. I don’t care which cities are hub cities. This gets way too much America, significant men of professional sports, speaking out at a time conversation. I want to see games. I’m fine with playoff hockey on August when significant men need to be heard … Happy birthday to Joe Namath nights and maybe afternoons, no matter what the format is, no matter (77), Erik Karlsson (30), (58), Jake (The Snake) Roberts what city they play in … It should have been easy for the NBA. Top eight (65), Jordy Nelson (35), Jim Craig (63), Clint Eastwood (90) and Kenny should make the playoffs in each conference and no one else. Except the Lofton (53) … And hey, whatever became of Grant Marshall? NBA wants Zion Williamson and Damian Lillard playing. At least for a while. They should start up with 1 vs. 8, which is usually not much of a DOC WAS NOT EASY TO GET CLOSE TO, OR FULLY KNOW battle to begin with. But they’ll extend, mostly to get Williamson some It wasn’t easy to build a relationship with Roy Halladay. He wasn’t games … The highest paid forward on the Blue Jackets, Cam Atkinson, welcoming. He wasn’t necessarily friendly or trusting. He was tightly makes less money than . wound and in fact, at times, he intimidated the younger pitchers on his HEAR AND THERE own team when he was with the Blue Jays.

Has anybody ever bought a ticket to watch Scott Boras play baseball? I watched the E60 documentary on Halladay on Friday night and have Didn’t think so … Baseball not choosing to play for health reasons can be read portions of the book, Doc, recently written by Todd Zolecki, and all I excused. Baseball not playing because of economics — at this time of felt afterwards was sadness and understanding. historic unemployment in North America — is stunningly stupid … Just We may think we know the athletes we write about and every once in a when you’re ready to write off or forget about David Price, he comes out while we do. But for the most part, it’s mostly superficial. We don’t really and surprises you, with $1,000 payments to each of the minor-leaguers know who they are, we don’t know what’s inside of them, we don’t know in the Los Angeles Dodgers system. Price may not be the richest man in how they get through their days and what their lives are like. baseball. He may have the largest heart and sense at a time when it matters most … The passing of got me thinking: Who is the We know how they perform on the field. We know their statistics. And we greatest Argo player I’ve ever seen? I never saw or can bring you that story with all kinds of interpretations. or Royal Copeland. Luster, who was part , part linebacker, In the Halladay documentary, with so much honesty and pain from his and a hitter like no one before or after, was sensational as an Argo. widow, Brandy, it was easy to understand the brilliance of the pitcher, the was great. was great but for too short a challenges he had with daily life and the complications of the time. Same with Jim Stillwagon. Same with . Maybe it is circumstances that took over his life and eventually led to his death. It Luster, who passed away at the age of 82. It’s a conversation worth was difficult to watch and impossible to miss. I wish they had interviewed Pat Hentgen and Chris Carpenter. I wanted to hear from them.

EICHEL’S FRUSTRATION WITH THE SABRES IS WELL-FOUNDED

Jack Eichel was one of the 10 best players in the National Hockey League this season, so its entirely understandable that he’s frustrated with the Buffalo Sabres and that now he’s speaking out.

He deserves better than what the Sabres have provided for him over the years. Five seasons in Buffalo, zero playoff games played. Coaching changes. General manager changes. Winger changes. Buffalo still on the outside looking in.

The past two seasons, Eichel has scored 160 points in 145 games played. That by itself is rather remarkable. That’s slightly ahead of Auston Matthews and . Those are big boy numbers.

But what has really impressed from the outside, watching him the past two seasons, was how he has expanded his game and taken over games. And still the Sabres have been close to the bottom of the NHL season after season.

Eichel saying he is sick of losing should be alarming for Sabres ownership, Kim and Terry Pegula, who seem to be experts in losing and dysfunction. He is Buffalo’s Nathan MacKinnon, its Sidney Crosby, its Connor McDavid, the player you grow with and build around. You have to wonder now: How many more losing seasons before Eichel demands a move out of Buffalo?

MLB OWNERS AND PLAYERS DRIVING WEDGE DEEPER BETWEEN THEMSELVES, FANS

Under the department of tone deaf, dumb and blind we give you Major League Baseball.

Not finding a way to get on the field next month.

Trying to figure out how to split billions of dollars.

At this point in history, nothing seems less important than how much money Hyun-Jin Ryu will be paid to pitch half a season for the Blue Jays.

Before any of this talk of money heist began, baseball was already at a crossroads of sorts. It has been fighting for a long time to maintain an audience below the age of 40. It has been fighting to get a national audience, rather than operate as a market-by-market sport. It has been fighting to sell its biggest stars, most of whom you couldn’t pick out of anything resembling a police lineup. It has been fighting to determine how to deal with cheating teams and shifting and umpiring and too many strikeouts and too many home runs and the death of infield fielding.

So here we are, and it’s June tomorrow. And there is no agreement on dollars. And there is no agreement on structure of how much ownership will pay for a season or more without fans in the stands. There is enough money for everybody: They just can’t seem to figure out how to best divide it.

As as they fight, we turn away in indifference. They further alienate the non-obsessed fan. This is a battle between players and owners and it’s easy to want both sides to lose here.

“Baseball,” as the great Bill Plaschke wrote in the Los Angeles Times, “is engaged in a bench-clearing brawl with itself.”

And it’s losing.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185599 Vegas Golden Knights When the NHL season went on hiatus, Graff noticed the disappointment among his friends and the technicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, which is a sponsor of the Knights. He sought to “keep the spirit of hockey alive” with his artwork. Local artist draws inspiration from Golden Knights in cancer fight Graff starts with a pencil sketch to identify the unique facial features of his subject, then creates each portrait with dots using permanent marker.

David Schoen “It’s kind of like you’re working micro,” he said. “To do an eye, it might take 15 to 20 minutes because you’re just doing ‘dot, dot, dot’ and your May 30, 2020 - 4:15 PM face is about six inches away from the paper.”

Graff and his wife, Peggy Arakaki-Graff, listen to Knights games on the Drawing has been an important outlet for John Graff during the most radio, and this project gave him an opportunity to study each player in a difficult periods of his life, whether it was his father’s passing in the late new way. 1980s or the deaths of an uncle and niece in recent years. Right wing is Graff’s favorite due to his rugged playing It’s been especially meaningful during his own ongoing battle against style, but Graff said he enjoyed learning about lesser-known players such stage 4 prostate cancer. as defenseman Brayden McNabb and forward Tomas Nosek.

With encouragement from his doctor, Graff has used art as a central part He also was captivated by goalie Robin Lehner’s mental health advocacy of his treatment and wellness program since being diagnosed in May and defenseman Shea Theodore, who was treated for testicular cancer 2017. last summer.

“I’m not a classically trained artist,” Graff said. “It’s just something I’ve “We are constantly inspired by the courage CCCN patients continually done on my own as a hobby.” demonstrate each day in their respective battles,” Knights president Kerry Bubolz said. “We hope our team can be a source of positivity and His previous subjects were family members. But when the NHL season pride for these patients on their journeys and help in any way we can.” paused March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the avid hockey fan focused the tips of his pencils and markers on the Golden Knights. The road ahead

Using a pointillism style, Graff created a series of drawings that depicted Graff has several more Knights-themed drawings in mind to occupy his some of the Knights’ most prominent features, such as Marc-Andre time during the pandemic and beyond. Fleury’s smile and William Carrier’s square jaw. He plans to do a series capturing Mark Stone’s facial expressions and More importantly, the 64-year-old Henderson resident found inspiration another one of his favorite ex-Knights such as Ryan Carpenter and with each carefully placed dot during his fight against cancer. James Neal.

“I enjoyed researching each player’s biography and found that doing The relocation of the Knights’ American Hockey League affiliate to portraits of each of these teammates gave me strength in their strength, Henderson also provides additional subjects for Graff. as they have our entire Vegas community,” Graff said. “You can just tell “(Nate Schmidt) turned out a little bit weird,” he said. “I’ll probably do him these guys are super strong. And even though some of them have joyous again, make him look not so crazy.” personalities, you know they can just bring it and board somebody.” Prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer among men after ‘Keep the spirit of hockey alive’ skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, and Graff’s form Graff and his father listened to Blackhawks games on the radio in the can be treated but not cured. basement, and he played hockey in Chicago’s park district league while Graff, who celebrated his birthday May 14, has an appointment with growing up. Vogelzang in June that will determine his prognosis for the next six But his dream was to be a scientific illustrator, and he was enthralled by months. The disease metastasized in his hips and spine. the famous Georges Seurat painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island “So far, we’ve got it under control,” Vogelzang said. of La Grand Jatte” displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago. Graff has three children, including a daughter who recently finished her “Every day on my lunch hour I would go stand in front of that painting,” sophomore year at UNR. He said his goal upon receiving his cancer Graff said. diagnosis was to see her graduate. Graff moved to Hawaii in 1989 and purchased a house in Green Valley “The future seems bright,” Graff said. “I have to look to my diagnosis Ranch in 1995. He relocated to Henderson in 2004 and spent close to 14 because the cancer I have is super aggressive and I’m shocked they years working at art galleries on the Strip. were able to knock it back the way they did. Graff was doing a show with ex-Journey drummer Steve Smith three “It’s looking likely that my first goal will happen. Baby steps, but that’s years ago at the Gallery of Music & Art located inside the Forum Shops what I’ve got to do. Just continue to do what the doctor says, do what my at Caesars when he received his diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer. wife tells me and try to keep my health as long as I can.” “Basically, I got 32 months to live,” Graff said. “That was (36) months LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 05.31.2020 ago.”

Graff sought treatment from Dr. Nicholas Vogelzang, a renowned oncologist with Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada who encouraged him to draw as a way to cope with his illness.

In the summer of 2018 following his niece’s death, Graff began to draw portraits of her and other family members to aid in the mourning process.

Soon after, he started to make portraits of the nurses and lab technicians who drew his blood or injected him with the Radium 223 that made his body radioactive.

“I think this is extremely therapeutic from his perspective,” Vogelzang said. “John’s a very creative, emotional fellow who’s got a deep understanding of art in our society and culture. The nurses, the front-line chemotherapy folks, they learn quickly about each individual’s unique skills and coping and psychology. John’s ability to inspire them, it’s a mutual benefit.” 1185600 Washington Capitals

How to watch Evgeny Kuznetsov's best games with the Capitals

NBC Sports Staff

May 30, 2020 11:05 AM

Over the past six seasons, forward Evgeny Kuznetsov has been one of the biggest reasons for the Capitals' success.

Kuzy has been extremely durable for the Capitals, playing in at least 76 games over the past six seasons, excluding the 2019-20 shortened season due to the coronavirus pandemic. The winger has been one of Washington's best attacking players during that span, splitting time between both Washington's first and second lines.

No. 92 has also found a knack for playing his best hockey on the sport's biggest stages. Kuznetsov netted arguably the most important goal in Capitals history, scoring the game-winning goal in Game 6 of the 2018 Eastern Conference semi-finals in overtime to eliminate the Pittsburgh Penguins, "exorcising the demons" for a franchise that previously could not get past the second round. We all know how that story ends, with the Capitals hoisting the Stanley Cup just over a month later.

On Sunday, NBC Sports Washington is airing four of Kuznetsov's best regular-season performances. At 9 a.m., tune in to watch the Caps 6-5 overtime thriller over the Tampa Bay Maple Leafs from January 3, 2017. In that contest, Kuzy totaled four points, netting one goal and notching three assists, including one that set up Alex Ovechkin's game-winning goal.

Following that, we travel back to October of 2018, when Kuznetsov turned in another four-point performance in a 5-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in a rematch of the 2018 Stanley Cup. Kuzy started the scoring in the first period with a power-play goal and would tally three assists later on in the match as the Caps cruised to a dominating win.

At 2 p.m., the Caps 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings from February 11, 2019, will re-air. In this matchup, Kuznetsov finished with four points once again, this time finding the back of the net twice to go along with a pair of assists. To close out the day, tune in to see Kuznetsov net two goals in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Arizona Coyotes at 4:30 p.m.

A trip down memory lane that highlights Kuznetsov's greatest games is the perfect way to spend a Sunday.

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Ever Wonder: Why the Capitals' jerseys have three stars on them

Ethan Cadeaux

May 30, 2020 9:45 AM

The current Washington Capitals jersey design — the red home sweaters with the white away ones — has been the defining look for the team throughout much of the Alex Ovechkin era.

During the summer of the 2007 season, the Caps rebranded. The franchise changed its colors from black and blue back to the organization's original design scheme of red, white, and blue. The jerseys that followed were similar to Washington's old-school look, having plenty of similarities with the uniform they wore from 1974-1994.

However, when the Caps unveiled their new look in 2007, there was one big difference from their old uniforms. The new-look had three stars on the front, compared to the six stars that had been across the top of the old sweaters.

Capitals assistant general manager Don Fishman spoke with NBC Sports Washington and explained why the franchise chose to go with just three stars, and it's because each star has a specific meaning.

"The three stars on our current Capitals jersey represent the three jurisdictions: Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.," Fishman said.

While cutting the number of stars from six to three on the front of the sweater was a big change, Fishman explained that the new uniform was designed to be a modernized version of the franchise's original look.

"It was sort of meant to update and modernize the original Caps jersey, beautiful, old-school, 1970's work hard," Fishman said. "That jersey had six stars and was even on the jerseys in the 90s with the blue and black jersey. So we wanted to keep that concept of the stars, but we didn't want to keep that exact same look. So instead, we redid three stars right on the wordmark. The three stars seemed perfect."

The uniform change also marked the beginning of an incredible postseason run the Capitals have gone on since.

In 2007, the team's first year with the new look, the franchise made the playoffs for the first time in the Ovechkin era. Since then, they've made the postseason 11 of the past 12 seasons and won their first Stanley Cup in 2018.

For Fishman and many Caps fans, the red and white uniforms will always remind them of Washington's first championship and the franchise's biggest star.

"I think it's neat how this redesign will always be linked to Ovechkin and the Capitals' first Stanley Cup," Fishman said.

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Remembering the play that defined Braden Holtby's legacy: The Save

J.J. Regan

May 30, 2020 8:00 AM

Braden Holtby is in the final year of his contract. This may well be his final season with the Capitals, but regardless of what the future may hold for him, there is one play that will forever encapsulate his legacy with the franchise, "The Save."

Two years ago on May 30, 2018, Holtby pulled off the greatest save in the history of the franchise and perhaps one of the most important saves in the history of the game. That's not an exaggeration, it did preserve a one-goal lead in a Stanley Cup Final game, after all.

Down to the Vegas Golden Knights in the series 1-0, Washington clung to a 3-2 lead late in the third period of Game 2. Vegas dumped the puck and it took a weird bounce off the wall. Instead of wrapping around the wall as usual, it bounced back out and through the crease. A surprised Holtby sank back in his crease just to avoid the puck deflecting off of him into the net. Cody Eakin was the first player to the puck and he fed Alex Tuch for what looked like a wide-open shot...but Holtby reached out his stick in desperation and stopped the puck with the paddle.

The shock in Doc Emrick's voice was palpable as he shouted, "It didn't go!" The Vegas fans in the arena were in shock. Alex Ovechkin was in shock as he buried his head in his hands. No one could believe that Holtby had stopped the puck from going in.

Interestingly enough, what made the save possible was the initial bounce through the crease that forced him back to the goal line. The normally aggressive Holtby was deep in his crease when Eakin got the puck, not allowing him to come out to challenge. That allowed him to reach back for the impossible save on Tuch.

"The Save" ultimately proved to be the turning point of the series. It preserved the Game 2 win for Washington and the Caps did not lose again. Had Vegas tied the game and go on to win, they would have taken a 2-0 series lead into Washington.

This will probably be Holtby's last season in Washington, but that will never take away from this moment.

Since the 2012-13 season, no goalie has played in more games or has more wins than Holtby. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2016, the William M. Jennings Trophy in 2017 and has the record for most wins in a season (48) tied with Martin Brodeur. He is the best goalie in franchise history, but for all his accomplishments, he will be remembered in Washington for one moment, one save that happened two years ago and would that eventually earned his name etched on the Stanley Cup.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185603 Washington Capitals disadvantage.” Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington and Philadelphia are the top seeds in the East.

“I don’t think there’s a perfect solution here on the playoff,” he said. “I Freezing the ice! Caps GM Brian MacLellan on preparing to open the think the league has done a reasonably good job of trying to include all of doors the issues they can, and make it as competitive and compelling as possible. And I think it’s very interesting the way it could play out. It could be great to watch on TV. It could be a slight disadvantage. You’re going to play a couple exhibition games, then you play a round robin Tarik El-Bashir tournament. But I still think those games are going to be competitive May 30, 2020 against good teams. I mean you’re playing Tampa, you’re playing Boston, you’re playing Philly – all real good teams. I don’t know that it’s going to be that big a deal for the next round. So I think it’s a fairly level playing field; it’s not perfect.” Two and a half months after closing its doors due to the pandemic, the ice is being reinstalled at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, the practice home 2. The league told GMs this week to plan for expanded rosters of 28 and headquarters of the Washington Capitals. skaters and an unlimited number of goalies if and when hockey returns this summer. Although MacLellan didn’t get too specific, he confirmed It’s not clear when exactly Alex Ovechkin and his teammates can begin that 2019 first-rounder Connor McMichael is under consideration and that skating there again, but it could be soon, and general manager Brian a handful of were told to stay ready just in case. MacLellan wants to make sure the rink is ready for them. “When Hershey broke up and went home, we identified some guys that “Waiting on direction from the league, but trying to be prepared for would be a possibility for black aces,” MacLellan said. “We gave them the whatever day they open it up for us,” MacLellan said on a video information that in case this comes down the road, if we are playing in conference call with reporters Friday. July, August, September, you’re a possibility to be in our group. Hopefully VIEW THIS POST ON INSTAGRAM they’ve approached the offseason like, ‘I might have to be going back here sooner than later.’ We identified probably a little bit larger group DAY 3! FLOODING THE ICE AND PUTTING DOWN THE MESH than we’re going to use. … We’re in discussions now on how we want to LOGOS! THANKS FOR FOLLOWING ALONG! use those extra players. We’re talking to coaches about depth guys. We’re talking about bringing in McMichael a little bit. So we have some A POST SHARED BY MEDSTAR CAPITALS ICEPLEX decisions to make, but we still have some time to make those decisions (@MEDSTARCAPITALSICEPLEX) ON MAY 29, 2020 AT 2:53PM PDT and we’ll make them when it’s appropriate.” Once the Caps receive the go-ahead from local officials and the NHL, In case you missed it, here is a look as the farmhands and prospects they’ll transition to Phase 2 of the league’s return to play protocol, which who could receive a call-up. allows for voluntary workouts beginning in early June. Only six players will be permitted in the facility at once and on-ice sessions will be for 3. As for McMichael, MacLellan said joining the Caps for the playoffs players only. would be an “invaluable” opportunity for the 19-year-old, who is losing summer development camp and the September rookie tournament due Who’ll show up? That’s a good question. to the reconfigured schedule. Of the 22 players on the Caps’ roster, 12 players are thought to have “I think it would be a great learning experience for Connor,” MacLellan remained in the United States during the pause, including six who stayed said. “He seems to be a guy that can pick up things from good players, in the D.C. area. Nine others returned to Europe and one went back to from watching them, being around them. The feedback from him last Canada. Those who opted to leave the United States may already be on training camp was, he was engaged, he learned a lot from Nick the ice and, for that reason, will choose to remain there for the time (Backstrom). He learned a lot from our veteran players. I think it takes a being. Those who left D.C., but remained in North America can request big leap for his development, just to be in that environment, to see how to use the facilities of the NHL team closest to their home base if they so guys work, to see how guys practice, off-ice workouts, nutrition stuff, see chose. our main guys doing it on a daily basis in a competitive environment. I “We’re making our facility available,” MacLellan said. “European players, think it would be invaluable for him.” if they have some workout area that they want to go, they can go to that. 4. Some people think this year’s Stanley Cup winner – if there is one – Players living in other cities are allowed to go to (NHL) rinks in their should have an asterisk next to their name in the record books. cities. It’s not a decision from team management. We’re trying to make MacLellan is not one of them. ours available – health-wise, get the ice in, have some protocols in place (using) the direction from the league and from the medical experts on “Once we get into it and it gets competitive, I don’t think players are going how we can make our facility available. We just want to prepare for guys to sit there and say, ‘This is not the same,'” MacLellan said. “It’s going to if they chose to come in, they can come in. And that’s happening (with) be different, it’s going to be unique. The format’s unique, but I still think all the cities where guys live.” players are competitive. You get in that environment, you’re going to want to win. Organizations want to win. I don’t know that it lessens it Each player will approach the coming days and weeks differently, but because we’ve had a break. We’ve had a situation that’s come into they’re all operating under the assumption that training camp could open society, come into sports. It’ll be different, but I think the satisfaction of as early as July 10 and the likelihood that they’ll need to observe a 14- winning a championship, playing with your team, playing with your day quarantine before getting on the ice in Arlington. teammates, getting through hurdles that you have to go through in the “Guys will have to quarantine coming back for two weeks and then they playoffs, I think that’s all going to be very satisfying. Whoever wins it, it’s will be able to practice,” MacLellan said. “So they will have to time it going to be just as satisfying (for them) as it was before.” themselves on how it works for them to be best prepared for training 5. Although an untold number of critical details still must be ironed out camp.” before the first game can be played, MacLellan said he’s “cautiously MacLellan made his comments during a 25-minute interview session that optimistic” that the season does in fact resume. touched on a wide range of topics, including his thoughts on the 24-team “I would describe most people around as being ‘cautiously optimistic,'” format that was announced this week, potential black aces, the possibility MacLellan said. “I think we all would love to play and get in a competitive of including top prospect Connor McMichael on the expanded roster and environment. I think the thing we miss most about the quarantine period more. is not playing games. I mean certain things go around in the business Here are some of highlights: still, but it is not as fun as playing games and competing every night. I think it is still a big challenge, a tremendous challenge to pull this off. We 1. Asked if he thinks the top four seeds in each conference will be at a are basically in Phase 2, we aren’t even in Phase 2 yet and you know, disadvantage because they’ll be participating in a round robin tournament stuff comes up every day. There are questions. ‘What about this, what while their first-round opponent will be engaged in a win or go home play- about this?’ Answers aren’t always completely there so it is frustrating in series, MacLellan acknowledged that his team might be at a “slight that way, so I think we move forward cautiously. We would love to play games, but if it doesn’t make sense, it might not even happen so we can all continue to be frustrated. So we try to balance the excitement of playing games versus the reality of, ‘How are we as a sport moving forward with the virus? How is society handling it? How fast is it going to happen?’ I think sometimes we become a little impatient and want to play games, but you know, we just got to let it unfold and treat each issue as it comes up.”

The Athletic LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185604 Winnipeg Jets training camps beginning at some point in July — assuming the feds play ball with the league.

One wonders why the league is even bothering with Canada to begin NHL's 'important step' toward a return was small compared to what lies with when it comes to hub cities, and why the federal government, and ahead provincial governments underneath, would even consider making exemptions to anyone other than essential workers.

Both Ottawa and the provinces have expressed their concern over the re- Scott Billeck importation of the virus. The U.S. is the epicenter of COVID-19 at the moment. May 30, 2020 6:38 PM CDT Why risk it?

At the moment, it’s just another issue in a long line of them the NHL has Nick Foligno outlined it best last week when he signaled the possibility of to sort out. a fight at some point between players and the National Hockey League. The rest of that line includes such topics as player safety, including For context, the Columbus Blue Jackets captain was speaking along with testing (and if players would be on the hook for any of those associated his general manager Jarmo Kekalainen about the league’s return-to-play costs), quarantine protocols if someone were to get sick, sanitation format for the 2019-20 season. procedures, and basic human rights. “If somebody’s going to tell me I can’t see my family, there’s going to be There are also very real implications of what mass testing NHLers could a fight at some point,” Foligno said during the 30-minute recording from mean for local jurisdictions. the club’s public relations department. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said earlier this week that any hub city While last week was an important step toward returning to the ice for the picked to host several teams will have to have that testing capacity NHL/NHLPA-approved 24-team playoff format, it was still only a small available where it doesn’t have a local impact. one when it comes to actually getting there. But the way this virus has evolved, it’s nearly impossible to predict what Foligno’s concern is one of many both the league and its players will could happen in any hub city, no matter how good their epidemiology is undoubtedly have to sort out in the not-so-distant future. We’re around heading into it. six weeks away from the window opening where teams could be summoned back for training camps, and two months out from the season You can create a bubble, you can put the players in that bubble and then potentially restarting again. you simply cross your fingers. The reality is even fierce mitigation can’t fully alleviate the risks in this scenario, and one case could easily What happens between now and then will decide whether we get there or become a cluster, if not a full-blown outbreak. not. Players will surely want to know how that is going to be handled if it Foligno isn’t the only player with a young family at home. In Winnipeg, comes to pass. Likewise, they’re going to want to know what expanded several players have children they’d have to leave and that could be up insurance coverage and medical benefits are there if they do become to 10 weeks from the beginning of the qualifying round to the last day of infected. the Stanley Cup Final, were the Jets to make it that far. The NHL itself was very explicit with respect to one reality of COVID-19 Two teams will make it that far, and asking players to sacrifice that in their phased return to sport protocol released last week. amount of time away from their families will likely be met with fierce opposition from some. “A range of clinical scenarios exist, from very mild to fatal outcome,” the plan said in the first paragraph of the protocol itself. It’s also important to remember here that the players need to sign off on whatever plans are made before any pucks hit the ice. Foligno, who’s become quite vocal on any potential return to play, spoke to TSN on Saturday about any return being potentially voluntary among The plan is going to have to work for the players first and a lot of stars players. are going to have to align for it to do so. “I think it has to because that’s just human rights,” he told TSN’s Mark The league, and its owners, are going to have to realize that their players Masters, who asked how players might react if some of their teammates are, indeed, humans. opted out. “If you don’t feel safe to return, I think there needs to be some For Canadian teams, just getting their players back on the ice above the sort of way for those guys not to be vilified. No one’s going to look at you 49th parallel is already an ongoing issue. (unfavorably) for not wanting to go back, and I don’t think they should be.” Both federal and provincial rules prohibit cross-border travel without a 14- day self-isolation period. Aside from essential worker exemptions, Again, some context here is needed. discretionary travel is not allowed. Foligno’s daughter Milana has dealt with a congenital heart defect since What that means, for the moment at least, is that players returning from she was born and his son Hudson had a serious case of pneumonia just abroad to their Canadian cities must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. over a year ago that required him to be in intensive care at a Columbus hospital after one lung completely failed. Earlier this week, Jets forward Andrew Copp sufficiently summarized what is likely the consensus opinion among most players who aren’t Underlying conditions already exist in the NHL, from diabetes to asthma. residing in their team cities at the moment. Underlying conditions are also one of the risk factors in a case of COVID- 19 ending up as a severe outcome. “They’re going to deal with that with European guys, with U.S. guys, so I don’t think it’s fair to ask the Canadian teams to have their players come NHLers are generally fit human beings, and healthy ones at that. But sit in their apartments for two weeks and the American teams just get to some deal with underlying conditions and some of their family members Phase 2 and skate all day,” Copp said, speaking to the media in do as well. Winnipeg on a Zoom chat. The main concern here comes down to obligation. Copp was referencing Phase 2 of the return-to-play format, which allows Should a player be forced to return to work for a non-essential service for voluntary workouts at team facilities with plenty of restrictions in place. amid a global pandemic? Those could begin as early as this coming week. Any player returning “I’ve taken time away and been with my family for things that are bigger today to Canada would miss the first two weeks of that due to The than hockey, (and) this is obviously bigger than hockey, so I would Quarantine Act. And the federal border rules are in place until June 21. respect anyone that doesn’t feel comfortable (enough) to come back,” The NHL has said it’s been in dialogue with all levels of government in Foligno told TSN. “I also respect the guys that do want to come back. If Canada, and it seems likely exemptions would be in place prior to they feel safe enough and are good with the answers (health officials and the league) are giving, I look at both sides, and I think that’s the right thing to do. But I’m sure there will be something built in to at least respect some guys who don’t feel quite as comfortable, and we’ll support those people all the way.”

Again, we must remind ourselves that players are humans with plenty at stake away from the game, should they or their family members become infected.

The good news, at least out of Phase 2, is that the players felt they were heard.

“I think (our voice has to be heard) because we have to agree to anything in terms of return to play,” Copp said. “Whether it’s issues with families or travel or hotels or testing or any of that sort of thing, there’s still lots to discuss and lots to work on. So, we’ve had a good relationship with respect to this, to the virus, and I think that’s going to have to continue in order for us to play. I think that’s the plan for both sides is finding a way for this to work.”

Last week’s agreement and the subsequent announcement was the proverbial tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot that needs to be smoothed out moving forward, far more impactful issues with real-life consequences if something goes awry.

Last week’s Phase 2 plan was done through diplomatic means (although that, too, became heated at times according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.)

The next two could be waged on a battlefield where the heat could burn down any chance of returning to complete this season.

WHAT DO DOCTORS THINK?

Medical direction in any return-to-play plans should be paramount, and the NHL has ensured that will be the case going forward.

But as we’ve seen during this pandemic, medical advice can swing wildly from physician to physician.

Dr. Andrew Morris, an infectious disease specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, spoke with TSN’s Rick Westhead last week and implored pro athletes to insist that leagues, in writing, commit to covering the costs of “medical care, including rehabilitation, hospitalization, prescriptions and counselling (patients on ventilators can suffer later from post-traumatic stress disorder, he says) for any players who contract COVID-19 during the course of their employment.”

“Young athletes do not think about this stuff because think they are invincible, but every so often we see young, healthy people get very bad diseases, and this is no different,” Morris told TSN. “It would be unusual for a healthy young athlete to get really sick with COVID and wind up in the ICU, but, hey, somebody wins the lottery, right?

Added Morris: “They should want their health care and income insured, seeing that they are taking an additional risk, especially if residing in the U.S.”

Speaking to the Winnipeg Sun last week, Manitoba’s chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said that “we need to learn to live with this virus.”

“It’s a balance,” he said.

Roussin said extra caution is going to be needed on things like screening for symptoms, appropriate testing and hand hygiene, but warned that you will never see zero risk.

“What are people consenting to within that bubble should there be a case that develops?” he said.

It’s something the players must know before signing off on anything.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 05.31.2020 1185605 Winnipeg Jets But it’s going to be costly and it will do little to generate revenue in a gate-driven league.

It would allow the CFL to keep part of its commitment to broadcaster TED’S TALK: NHL playoff plan sounds fun, but is it really necessary? … TSN, and that’s important, but it just sounds like a lot to pull off. Downs gets off to great start, without fans … Many challenges to pulling Former Bombers CEO Lyle Bauer said a month ago that the CFL will off shortened CFL season … Virtual tailgate growing … Bombers keep fade into oblivion if there is no season and others, like B.C. Lions owner signing players, but how many will they actually bring to camp? , have echoed those thoughts.

However, Sportsnet’s Arash Madani reported Thursday that at least two Ted Wyman of the league’s private owners are against playing a shortened season, suggesting cancellation might be better for the future of the league. May 30, 2020 9:25 AM CDT Meanwhile, the three publicly owned teams — Winnipeg, and Edmonton — are obviously pushing for there to be some sort of season as they don’t have rich owners who can cut a cheque to survive. Other than fulfilling TV contracts, it’s hard to understand why the NHL is so insistent on having a summer playoff tournament during a pandemic, Both sides have good points and no one knows which is the better plan. rather than just saying the season is over and trying to start up again with a new season in early October. Some believe these are all just stalling tactics so the cash-strapped league doesn’t have to announce a cancellation and give refunds to The 24-team tournament will run until the end of September and push season-ticket holders. back the start of the 2020-21 season by at least a couple of months and possibly into January, 2021. I hope that’s not the case.

That means players from the seven NHL teams that will not participate in I hope there’s a season, with Winnipeg and Regina serving as the hub the summer tournament, will go as many as nine months without playing cities. any games. Players on teams that are knocked out in the play-in round of I just hope it’s not a pipe dream. the tournament could play as few as three games in nine months. BIGHILL FIRST IN FACILITY They’d also have to go through travel to the cities where their teams are based and to a hub city, several weeks of training camp, regular COVID- While the CFL is allowing teams to open their facilities for training and 19 testing and a few weeks to a few months holed up in a hotel. rehabilitation, where it’s permitted by local health authorities, it’s not really much to get excited about. For many, they’ll do all that just to play a best-of-five series in which they could be eliminated in three games. Only two players at any one time are allowed in the facility and only one can work with a trainer at a time. Before this week, the CFL was already It just seems like a lot, and while the tournament should be a fun made- allowing teams in Ontario to have one player and one trainer in facilities. for-TV experience, with no fans in the stands, and should be a nice boost for pandemic-weary hockey fans, you have to wonder if it will all be worth It’s a step in the right direction, I guess, but not exactly an indication that it. a season is around the corner.

If I were a player, I would certainly wonder if it doesn’t make more sense At very best this could impact eight Winnipeg Blue Bombers players — to focus on the long-term goal of getting all players back to work and a the ones who live in Winnipeg. They can use the facilities, if they choose, league back to some semblance of normal. just like in any off-season.

A 24-team NHL tournament in the summer, featuring 75% of the players Some do, some don’t and this doesn’t change much, ultimately. in the league, as about as far from normal as you can get. Star linebacker Adam Bighill, who lives in Winnipeg and works as a STRONG OUT OF GATE wealth management consultant, was the first and only player to use the facilities at IG Field on Friday. Assiniboia Downs became the first thoroughbred horse racing track in Canada to open on Monday and races were held Tuesday and VIRTUAL TAILGATE Wednesday as well, with no fans in attendance. Winnipegger Daryl Budnick’s idea for a national tailgate party to Downs CEO Darren Dunn reports that it went smoothly, all things celebrate what would have been the start of the CFL season continues to considered. pick up steam.

The goal was to make money from a global television signal and He has groups lined up across the country for the June 13 virtual event worldwide online betting, and things went well in that aspect. More than and has plans to raise money for food banks. $4.4 million was wagered over the three nights of live racing. The event has now partnered with Winnipeg Harvest and Food Banks “Very strong wagering from global partners,” Dunn said. “So bizarre to Canada and has seemingly become bigger than just a football event. have nobody out there, but we are off and running. We are not out of the Budnick has even called for it to be declared National Food Banks Day. woods yet, but it truly begins the healing process to have live racing going.” Anyone who would like to participate should check out Budnicksblitzpromotions.com or email Daryl at There was more good news for the Downs this week as it will be allowed [email protected]. to open its Club West Lounge to patrons, at 50% capacity, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily, except on race days when it will close at 5 p.m. LOTS OF PLAYERS, NOWHERE TO PLAY

That means there will be no public spectators at races on Monday, The Blue Bombers continue to sign players for a 2020 training camp that Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for the foreseeable future, although may or may not happen. the Downs is now permitted to allow horse owners, and a guest, into the They added international receiver Montay Crockett from Georgia Terrace Dining Room during racing. Southern and American defensive back Doran Grant from Ohio State.

The VLT lounge at the Downs remains closed That brings the Bombers roster to 90 players, not counting their seven CFL SEASON OR NO SEASON? 2020 draft picks.

I’m not at all convinced a CFL hub city model, with no fans, will work. It’s hard to imagine that, if the CFL does pull off a shortened season, starting in September, and opens training camps in August, that teams Obviously the league is to be commended for exploring the idea, which will be inviting close to 100 players. That idea just doesn’t make sense, would allow for an eight-game season and a “win and host” . It given the costs of travel, the needs for Covid-19 tests for players and would also allow the players to get paid, for at least half a season, which social distancing rules. is better than nothing. If training camps happen, I would expect CFL teams to bring in a smaller group of players, mostly veterans, in hopes of hitting the ground running in September with a 45-man team.

Pro athletes coming into Canada should have to go into quarantine, just like everybody else

I don’t see any good reason why Canada should bend its rules regarding Covid-19 for pro sports leagues.

Canada currently requires anyone entering the country to go through a 14-day quarantine and that shouldn’t change.

Our country has handled the pandemic reasonably well so far. A closed U.S.-Canada border, stay-at-home protocols, social distancing messages and quarantine orders have all been big contributors to that success.

If the Canadian government decides to make an exception for NHL players, by waiving the 14-day quarantine, so that Edmonton or Vancouver or Toronto can become a hub city for the 24-team summer tournament, it could cause more harm than good.

It would have to do the same for NBA, MLB, MLS and CFL players, allowing hundreds of athletes — some from countries that still have high Covid-19 infections rates — to cross the border without going into quarantine.

I’m not sure why would want that.

When the government decides it’s safe for all people to cross borders without going into quarantine, that’s when professional athletes should be allowed to do it too.

— Wyman

Taking CFL south of the border is surely not the answer

Of all the potential plans we’ve heard for the CFL, including outright cancellation, this one is perhaps the strangest.

Dan Ralph of the Canadian Press reported this week that CFL commissioner has asked an American developmental football league for a formal proposal regarding a partnership between the two leagues.

The Spring League’s CEO, Brian Woods, approached Ambrosie with an idea for CFL teams to practice with and play against teams in his organization in September.

His idea is to have all nine CFL teams and five teams in The Spring League play games in the U.S., in a made-for-TV format.

That the CFL is even looking for a formal proposal tells you how desperate things must be getting for Ambrosie and the board of governors.

The CP story goes on to say that games between teams in The Spring League and CFL teams would use a hybrid of CFL and NFL rules, while games involving just CFL teams would use CFL rules and games involving just The Spring League teams would use American rules.

So let’s get this straight … the idea is to take the league south of the border, add American teams (remember how well that worked the last time), change the rules, potentially play on different-sized fields, and generally take all the Canadian out of the CFL.

To what end?

Sorry, but there must be better solutions than that.

— Wyman

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 05.31.2020 1185606 Websites goals and Lucic was at eight when the season got paused (talk about a clairvoyant condition from GMs Ken Holland and Brad Treliving). So, the regular season is over. Now what? A source said this weekend that the league has not yet provided clarity on that. The Athletic / LeBrun: The NHL’s ruling on conditional trades is the right call I mean, there’s time. The NHL draft won’t be until fall, at the earliest. If I had to guess, I’d say the Flames will get the third-round pick from the Oilers; common sense would dictate you prorate what Neal and Lucic did, and that the condition would have been met over a full season. Pierre LeBrun Here’s another interesting one: The Devils traded pending unrestricted May 30, 2020 free-agent defenseman Sami Vatanen to the Hurricanes on deadline day for Fredrik Claesson, Janne Kuokkanen and a conditional 2020 fourth- round pick. We finally have an answer on the mystery of the Vancouver Canucks’ conditional first-round pick. The conditions on the pick: New Jersey receives a fourth-round selection if Vatanen plays in five regular-season games. There’s also a playoff They still own it — for now. component to it.

The NHL sent out a memo to clubs over the past week, and part of it Well, the injured Vatanen never played a regular-season game for the dealt with the conditional trades for the 2020 NHL Draft. Hurricanes before the season was put on pause March 12. So, presumably, the Canes don’t have to trade away a draft pick to the Devils At the heart of it: deals affected by teams making or not making the in this deal. The No. 1 contention was the five regular-season games playoffs and what being in the 24-team tournament means in that regard. played — unless New Jersey can make the argument that should Take the Canucks, whose first-round pick was dealt to Tampa Bay last Vatanen play in a certain number of the Canes’ playoff games this June for J.T. Miller. That pick was then moved again by the Cup-hungry summer, they should get a pick. I can see both teams making different Lightning before the Feb. 24 trade deadline for Blake Coleman from the arguments here and the league having to step in and make a call. Devils. And another trade of note that’s clear now as far as the conditions: The So the question the Devils and Canucks had this past week after Kings have a conditional 2021 third-round pick from the Maple Leafs from commissioner Gary Bettman announced the 2019-20 regular season the Jack Campbell-Kyle Clifford deal (plus, Los Angeles got Trevor over was what that meant for this conditional first-round pick. Moore). The pick becomes a second-round pick if the Leafs re-sign Clifford or make the playoffs (which means winning their play-in round Did Vancouver’s presence in the tournament mean the Devils already versus Columbus) and Campbell wins six regular-season games. He won had the pick? Or do the Canucks have to win their play-in round against three. So the second criterion is now toast. The Kings can upgrade to a the Wild and qualify for the 16-team playoffs for that 2020 pick to officially second-round pick only if Clifford re-signs with the Leafs. transfer to New Jersey? The Athletic LOADED: 05.31.2020 They got their answer from the league a few days later, in the memo:

“More specifically, for Trade condition purposes, a Club will not be deemed to have qualified for the Playoffs unless or until they have progressed into the Round of 16, and ‘Playoff Games/Rounds’ will only include the games/rounds played in the Round of 16 or later. We believe this interpretation will best reflect the intentions of the parties at the time of the Trade,” the league stipulated.

So, there you go. That first-round pick is still in flux until that Canucks- Wild play-in series is completed. If Vancouver loses, New Jersey instead gets the Canucks’ unprotected 2021 first-round pick.

There are a few other deals also affected by the league ruling.

Take the Jason Zucker deal between Pittsburgh and Minnesota. The condition on that first-round pick swapping hands from the Penguins to the Wild is if Pittsburgh were to miss the playoffs this season, which seemed rather ridiculous to think about when the deal was completed on Feb. 10, the Penguins would have the option to keep the first-round pick for 2020 and send their unprotected 2021 first-round pick instead.

Well, if the fifth-seeded Penguins were to be upset by the 12th-seeded Canadiens in the play-in round this summer, Pittsburgh would be in that very position of deciding whether to hand the Wild this year’s pick or next year’s pick. And given that losing to Montreal would mean being in the draft lottery, you would assume Pittsburgh would probably keep this year’s pick, which would stink for Minnesota. Wild GM Bill Guerin will be cheering for his old NHL team in that play-in series versus the Habs.

In any case, the league’s interpretation of this underlines what we’ve been reporting for a while now: The NHL doesn’t view the qualifying round as constituting playoff hockey, and the actual playoffs consist of just 16 teams. In my opinion, when it comes to conditional trades affected by this ruling, it’s the right call from the league. Nobody made an NHL trade contemplating anything other than 16 teams in the playoffs. So for the spirit and integrity of those trades, this is the right ruling.

In the meantime, the official end of the regular season should allow for some housekeeping on other trades, although the league still hasn’t ruled on much of this.

For example, there’s the James Neal-Milan Lucic trade between Alberta rivals Edmonton and Calgary. The Flames were to get a third-round pick from the Oilers in this year’s draft if Neal scored 21 goals and Lucic scored 10 or fewer goals than Neal this season. Well, Neal was at 19 1185607 Websites Holding court Friday, coach Krueger did his best to inject optimism about the future, which is easier to do when you’ve only been in the mud for a year.

Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: Anger, pain, trade speculation swirls in Ryan O’Reilly is an optimistic cat, but a culture of coming up short Buffalo eventually got to him. He found happiness elsewhere.

“Nothing ever replaces winning in sports,” said Krueger, tackling Eichel’s honesty head-on. Luke Fox “I like the anger. I have no problem with people outing frustration on the May 30, 2020, 8:28 AM past. But then let’s move that conversation forward, real quick, and let’s figure out what we’re going to do about it.”

3. Just because the seven eliminated teams are free to make trades with A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious each other, I’d be stunned to see any transaction of significance. and less so, and rolling four lines deep. New, improved lottery odds! You now have a 12.5 per cent chance of finishing this week’s column without Why pitch to just 20 per cent of your trade market? getting bored to tears. Add the fact that most deals involve movement of draft picks, and we 1. In recent springs, the end of the NHL’s regular season has triggered a don’t even know the draft order let alone the draft date, and I wouldn’t be hockey version of Black Monday. Hot seats, hotter quotes. refreshing your Twitter feed searching for that Rasmus Ristolainen blockbuster just yet. This year? More of a Grey Wednesday. Regarding Ristolainen, the 25-year-old defenceman with two more With only seven (instead of 15) clubs officially shuttering their campaigns seasons at a $5.4-million cap hit, Botterill identified him as “a core player” this week, don’t expect much carnage. Detroit, Ottawa, Anaheim and Los and Krueger described him as “a centrepiece.” Angeles have embraced patient rebuilds. And Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman said the coach on the perceived hottest seat, Jeff Blashill, is “The National Hockey League is a world of moving pieces. I want to safe. coach Risto next season,” Krueger said.

New Jersey, San Jose and especially Buffalo tread into more intriguing Ristolainen said he wants to win “if it’s in Buffalo or somewhere else” and territory. They’ll have plenty of time to sit and think about what they did realizes losing necessitates change. wrong. “If changes will happen, I know I’m one of the first ones probably who is San Jose’s Doug Wilson watched his group fall from the Western going to get traded. It’s part of the business and I’m ready, whatever Conference final to outside the top 24. He’s vowing this season is an happens. I have really enjoyed my time in Buffalo. It’s home for me,” said aberration and predicting a huge bounce back from Erik Karlsson as he Ristolainen, who has begun wondering what a winning culture even looks tries to jump right back in the hunt next winter. For now, he’s leaving like. interim coach Bob Boughner to twist in the wind. “I haven’t really seen it before or in Buffalo. I think this year we built our Karlsson, on Boughner's performance: "Bob did a good job. He didn't culture a little bit better than previous years,” he went on. enter a good situation." “We are young. I don’t know if a lot of guys have been in winning teams "He handled himself as well as any head coach I've had in this or winning organizations. Personally, I haven’t. Unfortunately, the team I league." played for when I was back in Finland it was in the same position, coach got fired every year, players got traded, GM got fired, so I don’t really — Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) May 28, 2020 know what is it. I haven’t seen it. I wish.” There’s obviously no rush, but the Devils need to start sorting out It’s not imperative Botterill move Ristolainen to remodel the roster, and business from the top down. Do they remove the interim tag from GM losing the O’Reilly trade so severely will make him think hard here. Tom Fitzgerald? (Judging by his excellent trade deadline work, I’d vote yes.) They’re already interviewing head coaches. Do they hire one now, The Sabres have committed less than half of the expected $81.5 million or wait to see if more candidates hit the market as more teams get salary cap to their 2020-21 payroll, and there’s room to wiggle without, eliminated? say, buying out Kyle Okposo or giving up on Jeff Skinner after a down season. Sabres coach Ralph Krueger may be one of the only people helping Jack Eichel from not losing his mind in Buffalo, and owner already Committing to the right RFAs will be just as critical as trades, and there is announced that Jason Botterill will return for a fourth season as GM. a sense the highest profile one, Sam Reinhart, will present a challenging negotiation. The forward (and close pal of Eichel’s) now has arbitration “We can’t complain. It’s a waste of energy. We can’t feel sorry for rights. ourselves,” Krueger said Friday, balancing the fury with hope. “Buffalo has a bright future,” Ristolainen said, “but we’ve been saying the “What I feel right now in my heart is that this group, when they get to play ‘bright future’ for seven years now when I’ve been here. And I’m not sure again together, is going to be extremely hungry to work toward that next when is it?” level. I really have that impression after 11 weeks of interaction with them. Buffalo Sabres become the 5th team in NHL history to go 9 consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance “I know there’s pain out there, and I know there’s anger, but I feel so many positives after one year experience.” — Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 26, 2020

2. Jack Eichel may well be the most valuable player to his team. (Hey, 4. I totally respect the Lightning and Hurricanes for voting against the Mark Scheifele made that case.) But the Sabres’ failure to earn a spot return-to-play format. Don’t agree? Speak your piece. among hockey’s top-24 teams in Eichel’s fifth season harms his Hart chances. But there were two different tones struck by those franchises after the format was approved. No matter how Herculean his efforts, Eichel’s task has been Sisyphean. The boulder rolls back down the hill. Listen below. This is feeling like rock Player rep Alex Killorn and the Lightning released this fun, creative video, bottom, or darn close. rooster-tailing toward Phase 2, while throwing lighthearted shade at rivals Boston and Toronto: In this arena, what is the value of the excellence if it ultimately leads to more losing? The most notable reaction from Carolina’s camp sprung from coach Rod Brind’Amour. Buffalo’s NHL-worst playoff drought (nine years) is more than twice as long as the second-worst slump (Detroit, four years). Eichel’s vent on “I think the bigger issue felt like, what was the 68 games we played for? Thursday echoed that of an entire worn-down fan base. What did we grind for?” Brind’Amour said on ESPN on Ice. “The bulk of the season was completed, and they just threw that out.” The Hurricanes won one more game than their best-of-five opponent, the had half or maybe more of our team on one of the calls. It’s also based New York Rangers. The Rangers and Hurricanes played four times in the on how your team stresses it,” regular season. Carolina lost all four. More information leads to better decision-making and high voter turnout. Boston president Cam Neely, too, voiced frustration at the minimal advantage his club has gained from a Presidents’ Trophy–winning effort. With Foligno, David Savard and Seth Jones leading engagement in the No home ice. No guarantee of top seeding. Blue Jackets’ room, Foligno asserts, “There’s nothing we miss,” when it comes to union issues. Wiser is captain Zdeno Chara’s Zen-like approach. “If you want things done a certain way and you have a strong enough “You can’t really blame anyone or feel that it’s unfair,” Chara said. opinion, you gotta make sure you voice it. That’s the only way it’s gonna get heard,” Foligno said. “We have to be grateful for the opportunity we’re getting. When you kind of look at (it) in a real-life perspective, what people’s families and “I laugh. Someone told me: It’s the same thing as an election. If you’re businesses have gone through… and they will never get the same not willing to go out and vote, you lose the right to have an opinion. opportunities, so we have to be grateful for the opportunity.” That’s kinda the flow here. If you have a real concern – big or small – I urge any player in the league to get involved. The door’s open.” And then there was this rhetorical question to the bracket haters, from Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno: “If you’re that worried about all the 7. Funny how life can work. situations, are you that confident in your group?” When coaches Peter DeBoer and got fired midseason, it Coach Quinn: “I think we all have to be very careful when we talk was as if they were absorbing all blame for the Sharks and Devils being about fair. When I think about fair right now, I think about the 100,000 not so great at hockey. people who have lost their lives, and their loved ones who have been affected by it.” pic.twitter.com/Q9WDaV4cs8 Now, their old clubs are in the middle of what could be a — what? — 10- month off-season, and DeBoer and Hynes are busy gearing up for a shot — New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 29, 2020 at the Cup.

5. Columbus is a strong candidate to be a hub city. And while the NHL is DeBoer, who reached the Cup final with both the Sharks and Devils, considering flying home teams away from their host city to negate any made a pretty bold statement on his Golden Knights, who earned advantage, that seems a bit of a stretch with no fans in the crowd. themselves a bye into the Sweet 16. (Would eastern teams really play in the Pacific time zone and vice versa?) “It’s the most talented team I’ve had in my coaching career,” DeBoer said on The Chirp with Daren Millard podcast. “It seems like a great Foligno made clear he’ll chase a Cup wherever he is sent. combination of talent and character and leadership.”

“It’s gonna be hard for me, I don’t doubt it for one second. But hopefully “I’m a big believer that everything that happens in hockey happens for a we can make sure it’s worth something and come back with a Stanley reason,” DeBoer said. “One door closing, the way my career has gone, Cup, then my wife will forgive me for leaving her with three kids all this another door opens with a better opportunity. For me, as tough as it was time,” Foligno said. to leave San Jose 33 games after going to the (2019 Western Conference final), the Vegas situation is an opportunity of a lifetime.” “It’s not easy. I don’t think anyone’s happy about the situation. You know, a big part of the NHL world is the family, focus on family. We always talk pretty exciting to be in the top 77.4% of the league and qualify for this about that. I mean, that’s one of the mandates on our team: Family first, year's playoffs!!!! then hockey. So, it’s a hard thing to wrap your head around.” cc: @SanJoseSharks & @LAKings Foligno gave a thoughtful answer to a hypothetical scenario where the Blue Jackets are competing in Columbus, but quarantined in a hotel with — y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 26, 2020 his wife and children living just down the street. As for Hynes, it seems like poetry that his Predators will be facing off in “You can’t really police somebody that hard when it comes to families. I the qualification round against Taylor Hall’s Coyotes. So, while New mean, that’s a priority that trumps all, I think, in a lot of cases. So, you Jersey’s interim GM looks to hire a not-so-interim coach, the two most know, if somebody’s going to tell me I can’t see my family, there’s going significant castaways of the 2019-20 Devils live on to battle each other. to be a fight at some point — in that kind of setting,” he explained. "The organization has been fantastic to me. They are allowing me to “I’ve gone away to world championships and haven’t seen my family for a be the GM of this team, whether there's an interim tag or not." – month. That’s by choice. So, I think there’s got to be some better #NJDevils Tom Fitzgerald on whether or not the club has discussed with understanding or protocol for that, especially if we are in that city. I think him removing the tag. Sounds like just business as usual for now. guys will respect it. I don’t think guys are going to be ignorant. If that’s — Chris Wescott (@TheChrisWescott) May 26, 2020 what’s needed to play, there is sacrifices everyone has to make. You know, I’ll be leaving my family here in Sudbury (Ont.) until it’s safe to 8. A low-key advantage of starting an expansion franchise is the ability to have them return (to the U.S.), so there’d be a sacrifice on my part. create this type of brand synergy with your farm club.

“But I could see if you’re in the same city, your family’s there, it’d be very Given a blank canvas, the Golden Knights came up with a pretty great hard not to want to see them, and I respect that because I’d probably be name and logo for their newly unveiled AHL club, the Henderson Silver in the same boat. But I would assume there would be a visitation thing or Knights. something that they can be screened and tested as well, and that would The warhorse supporting the knight, the silver being one step below gold, have to come into play for the host cities that have families there. I mean, the horse’s golden eyes focused on the prize of elevating to the next that’s just human. That’s just, to me, bigger than the game.” level… there’s a lot going on here. 6. Foligno, 32, is actively involved in the Players’ Association and the I’ve always been a massive fan of subtly disguised letters in team logos, nuanced debates surrounding the potential return to hockey. a contributing factor to my purchase of old-school Milwaukee Brewers Lingering beyond that is new CBA and the long process of the league’s and Montreal Expos caps. economic recovery. (Anyone else notice that zero hockey players Vegas and Henderson have done some nifty work with the V and H. appeared on Forbes’ list of the 100 highest-paid athletes of 2019?) Man, this franchise does marketing right. Foligno sent a strong call-out for his peers to get more involved in the Did this logo happen overnight??? HARD NEIGH business and future of the game they love. pic.twitter.com/NwkxMdeM2V “That’s where our players have to do a better job. It’s easy to voice your — SilverKnights (@HSKnights) May 29, 2020 concerns after things, but let’s get involved a little bit more here, especially as this starts to get to crunch time. I urge all the players. Our 9. The NHL’s return-to-play plans hog all the headlines, understandably. team has been outstanding on getting on all the (NHLPA) calls; I think we But more important in my household (and perhaps yours) is our return to play. My son has been asking about when he can lace up his skates again, and I’ve been wondering the same about my summer shinny.

While games are still a no-no, interestingly (and perhaps predictably) the independent rink we normally play at is already booked solid every day with small-group or individual training sessions, presumably being conducted at a social distance. We can’t imagine that ice coming cheap.

The Greater Toronto Hockey League formed an 18-person committee to drum up ways to cut costs for kids in the upcoming 2020-21 season and surveyed parents with some yes-or-no questions surrounding the return of minor hockey in the city.

In some cases, the questions themselves are as interesting results:

10. Us writer types typically cast our NHL Awards votes after the regular season but before the puck drops on the playoffs. I was curious if voting might now be delayed until after the play-in qualification round and if individual performances in that brief lead-up to the playoffs could sway some tight races.

Not so.

The PHWA plans to vote before the 24-team tournament begins.

At the time ballots are collected, MVP candidate Artemi Panarin will have brought his team just as deep as Leon Draisaitl brought his. Calder candidate Cale Makar will have helped the Avalanche to higher stage than Quinn Hughes (top rookie scorer) did the Canucks. John Carlson is guaranteed a playoff spot; Roman Josi isn’t.

Curious to see if team standing has any impact on the voters’ decisions.

11. I remember laughing my spleen out the first time I saw this Conan O’Brien bit where the talk-show host practises with the Maple Leafs, but I’d completely forgot about the sketch until Team Coco resurfaced it on social media this week.

Thinking a smile wouldn’t hurt this week.

12. Line of the week.

During a media Zoom conference this week, a reporter asked Bruins president Cam Neely how the social distancing has been treating him.

Neely’s snap deadpan: “Oh, I’ve been practising that for years.”

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185608 Websites "I hope so. It makes for entertaining hockey and fun hockey to play. At the beginning of the season there's more mistakes, guys are still in summer hockey mode. I hope for entertainment value and for everyone tuning in that you see mistakes, things opening up, a lot of offence, TSN.CA / Zach Parise on Dean Evason's approach, Kevin Fiala's surge because that's a fun way to play." and prepping for Vancouver Canucks So, I'm guessing you don't think it will be an advantage for either team?

"It'd be the same for both teams. At the end of the day, you want to play Mark Masters to your strengths and try to exploit the other guys' weaknesses. I think we have been known as being a pretty good, sound defensive team so that's

something we'll have to pay a lot of attention to especially against those The last time the Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild played back in guys with how well they play on the offensive side and the creativity they February, Zach Parise shared the ice with Quinn Hughes for eight have up front. We can't afford to leave our defencemen out to dry. We minutes of five-on-five play. The Wild winger came away impressed. have to make sure that we play with our structure in the defensive zone."

"He's not the biggest guy, but he can skate and wheel the net and you Minnesota has nine players over 30, including yourself. How do you think really have to angle him well," Parise observed. "The biggest thing I the long layoff will impact older guys? noticed about him was his ability to walk the blue line in the offensive "I don't see age making much of a difference. I mean, everyone's kind of zone, which was great. They do a lot of switches up top with their experimenting, because no one really knows when this is going to defencemen, which you don't see a lot of. The way he can pull the puck happen. It just depends on what you've been doing and how prepared across the line, there's not a lot of guys in the league who can do it as you are when you come back regardless of how old you are. Maybe for well as he can and it makes it really tough as a winger to defend him and us older guys the break came at a good time [smile] and got us some try and follow him all over the ice." rest." Keeping tabs on the rookie defenceman will be a big key for Minnesota if — TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) May 28, 2020 the National Hockey League season resumes. The Wild are slated to face the Canucks in a best-of-five play-in series. Minnesota took two of What do you recall about the challenges of playing high-stakes hockey three from Vancouver this season and have won five of seven meetings right out of the summer at the 2016 World Cup? dating back to last year. "It was tough. Our first exhibition game, right away coming out of pick-up "They have a really good group up front, good offensive guys and a really hockey, was playing Canada and you hop right into that rivalry. The pace good goaltender," Parise noted. "Their goalie [Jacob Markstrom] made right away, you’re on the bench sucking wind for a little bit, it was tough. some really big saves against us so I think that will be a challenge. Their It took a game or two to get back adjusted to that pace of play. With the D are mobile and like to jump in the rush and attack with four players. We regular season you have those exhibition games where it's not the pace had some really good games against them and it should be a good of Canada-U.S. so you can ease into it a little bit, but you won’t have that match-up." luxury now. It's going to be dropping the puck and basically playing playoff hockey right away." Parise, who led the Wild with 25 goals this season, spoke to TSN via Zoom this week from his home in Minnesota. Parise shared insight on Minneapolis/Saint Paul and Vancouver are both in the mix to be a the changes made by interim coach Dean Evason and explained how conference hub when the NHL returns. What type of advantage would it Kevin Fiala took his game to the next level. The 35-year-old also offered be to play at home? his perspective on the unrest in his hometown following the death of George Floyd. "There's just so many unknowns. Would we be able to stay in our homes or use our dressing room? They're trying to make this thing as even as The following is an edited transcript of the interview. possible. When you throw out the element of fans ... I'm not sure how much of an advantage you'll have." The Wild won eight of 11 before the pause, what changed under interim coach Dean Evason? From @rayanddregs: @rayferrarotsn & @DarrenDreger discuss what life might be like for players in hub cities, why that could make or "Before the change we had started to play pretty safe and were almost break a return to the ice and Jack Eichel’s growing frustrations in Buffalo guilty of playing too low-risk. When Dean came in, he wanted to put that - https://t.co/dCNCBtf6w4#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/BEUwDvoDaX confidence in our ability back into us. We talked a lot about playing faster and playing more with the puck, making more plays with the puck. If the — TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) May 29, 2020 play is there, make the play and if you turn it over then back-check and come back. It was a little more freedom to try and make stuff happen on We expect Phase Two to start some time next week with players getting the offensive side of the puck and getting our defencemen more involved together in small groups. What are you looking to accomplish during this off the rush ... we spent a lot more time in the offensive zone and we part of the return-to-play process? were defending way less and it seemed to be a better formula for us." "Well, as best you can, you want to get back into skating shape. All — TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 30, 2020 players will tell you that it's so tough to replicate that when you're not skating. We can bike, run, do everything you want, but until you're Fiala produced 14 goals and 26 points in the final 18 games of the skating and getting into that little physical contact, it's tough to get into regular season, what stood out about the way he was playing down the hockey shape. You have to incorporate a little physicality into the practice stretch? as best we can and get the hands back and get that conditioning to a level where we can play in that playoff atmosphere." "He was playing dynamic. I think having that experience of playing for Dean in Milwaukee [of the American Hockey League] helped. You could Obviously, we have a long way to go before games resume. What tell Dean had a lot of faith in him and gave him a lot more opportunity and questions do you want answered from a health and safety standpoint he took it and ran with it and it was fun to see. When we traded for him moving forward? last year, you could tell he was a little uncomfortable with a new team and new setting and this year, especially after the coaching change, he "There's so many, it's hard to think of one. There's a lot of questions really took off and started to play with a lot of swagger and making plays about family. What if someone at home is sick? Can we leave the hub all over the ice and scoring some highlight-reel goals. The ability he has city? And then when we come back are we quarantined? There's things was starting to show. He was getting opportunities and taking like that that everyone needs some answers on. As far as being around advantage." the locker room and on the bench, it's almost like you don't know how to act anymore. Everything we're accustomed to doing every single day, The perception is you guys are more defensive-minded and the the you have to think twice about now. I think there's a lot of stuff that the Canucks are more offensive-minded. Traditionally, early-season games [Players' Association] and League are going to hammer out and try to tend to be looser and higher scoring. Do you expect things to be that way figure out and try and get this thing going when we can." if the play-in round gets going this summer? — TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 30, 2020 What is your perspective on what's happening in Minnesota right now?

(Note: This interview was conducted on Friday afternoon.)

"It's scary. It's a scary time right now. Some horrific videos. That video that came out with George Floyd, I mean, you don't really know how to put that into words. And now seeing what's happened to Minneapolis and Saint Paul with the rioting and the looting and the fires, I mean, it's scary times. You hope they'll get it under control as soon as possible. The police are doing everything they can and the best they can and we support the job that they're doing and getting everything under control. I know the National Guard is here now. We hope that people, if they want to protest, protest peacefully and hopefully we can put an end to the riots."

If some Wild players want to get involved with the discourse that will follow this situation, how would that be received in the dressing room?

"Well, we're all entitled to our opinions and mine might differ from yours, but that doesn't mean we can't talk to each other. You know, we can all have a conversation and talk about it and it's okay if we don't agree, it doesn't make you a bad guy, doesn't make me a bad guy. At the end of the day, we all want everyone to be safe and we all want everyone to feel safe and we don't want people to be losing their businesses, losing their buildings, losing their housing and that's what's happening right now and we just hope that can all come to an end."

TSN.CA LOADED: 05.31.2020 1185609 Websites Will it be harder to play a physical style without fans in the building to feed off of?

"It's a great question, because you definitely love the oohs and ahhs TSN.CA / Nick Foligno outlines what Columbus Blue Jackets must do to when you see a big hit. It's the same as a great play to score a goal, but shut down Toronto Maple Leafs the goal is the end result so you feel good about it no matter what whereas a hit can sometimes change the tide of a game just by the crowd's reaction. But that's who we are, it’s on our DNA, we're a physical, hard-working, relentless team and that can't change. We're pros and Mark Masters when we step on the ice and you got five great players barrelling down on you the competitiveness will come out of us, I think, no matter what. With everything we’ve gone through this year I think we understand who Nick Foligno believes coaching will be key when the National Hockey we are as a team and what's going to give us success." League resumes with a best-of-five qualifying round. Tortorella is considered a master motivator. In what ways does he "It's huge," the Columbus Blue Jackets captain said. "In a shortened motivate you guys? series I think the coach that knows his team best and knows how to get the quickest performance out of his team, you know, is going to have an "There's so many. [Coaches] sometimes try to play mind games a little bit advantage. The team that gets their minds to their identity is going to too much, but with Torts it's never mind games ... His motivation comes have an advantage. I'm sure Torts is dialled into that. He already has from how well he reads the room and I respect that about him. He knows been. He's a big part of why we've had the success we've had." when to push the gas and when to pull off a little. He trusts us and that trust has been built now for a few years ... You can go back to the video Torts would be head coach John Tortorella, who guided the Jackets to a before the series in Tampa and that speech he gave and that's exactly shocking first-round sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning last spring while how all of us were feeling. He was dead on, because nobody was trumpeting an us-against-the-world message. expecting anything out of us and we all felt slighted so he was right in there with us and saying, 'We don't take a backwards step to these guys, Tortorella, a Stanley Cup winner with Tampa Bay in 2004, has done we go right at them,' and that's a big reason why we had the success in another excellent job this season. Despite losing Artemi Panarin and that series." Sergei Bobrovsky among others in free agency and then dealing with the most man games lost due to injury in the regular season, Columbus was — Ridin Pine Show (@RidinPineShow) April 11, 2019 still in the thick of the playoff race when the league hit pause back in March. Merzlikins and Korpisalo played well this season, but neither has NHL playoff experience. What have you learned about those guys that makes "He's been dialled in and direct all year," said Foligno. "We could have you think they can handle the heat? easily strayed with the injuries we faced and the question marks going into the season, but he did a great job and we followed suit. Now, that "They're just gamers, man ... experience is important, don't get me belief is in the locker room. When you have a coach like that who can wrong, but they're just gamers. They thrive being put in those situations. coach off emotion, but also practicality, that's a huge benefit for us." Korpi loved the fact that he finally got a chance to prove he can be a No. 1 and had an all-star year. He was an All-Star candidate. And then Elvis The stingy Jackets, who allowed the third fewest goals per game, are gets thrown into the fire, Korpi goes down, and we're treading water and slated to battle the highly-skilled Toronto Maple Leafs, who scored the things could've gone a different way, but he played outstanding to keep third most goals per game, if the 2019-20 season is able to resume. The us in the fight and got his career on track after a shaky start. So both of clubs finished with the exact same number of points (81) in the same them, when they're thrown into this type of environment, this is where number of games (70) so this series will likely be tight and Columbus they thrive. They're so young, they don't know any different ... Korpi has hopes Tortorella will give them an edge. The Leafs will be led into the paid his dues and is a guy who's worked hard to get where he is and I'm series by Sheldon Keefe, who is in his first season as a bench boss in sure he'd like a taste of it first, but with either one of those guys going in, the NHL. we have full confidence in them."

But there are other reasons why Foligno believes his upstart club can #JumpHugs #CBJ pic.twitter.com/TqVjdYyN1K repeat last year's playoff success against an offensive juggernaut. The left winger, whose father Mike once played for the Leafs, spoke with TSN — Alison (@AlisonL) February 2, 2020 this week from his home in Sudbury, Ont. Foligno made the case that, You guys haven't played the Leafs since October when you faced off when healthy, Columbus has one of the best blue-lines in the business. twice. Auston Matthews scored in both games and finished one off the He also explained why a lack of NHL playoff experience won't be an league lead in goals. What challenge does he present? issue for goalies Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo. "He's a player that's going to find his looks, but you're hopefully going to The following is an edited transcript of the interview. give him the B option, the C option and not the A. That's what we'll have What has been the reaction from family and friends to the possibility of a to focus on and not just with Matthews, but with [John] Tavares, [Mitch] Leafs-Jackets series? Marner, the list kind of goes on with that team and the weapons they have. We have a lot of respect for those guys. We respected the Tampa "I'm split down the middle. I think I'm going to be disowned by some Bay Lightning, but we knew what was going to give us success against family once that series comes around. They are die-hard Leafs fans, them and we'll try to do the same thing against this team ... I think we especially in the Sudbury area, so it's pretty funny." have one of the best defensive cores in the league so that gives us a lot of confidence." “I'm going to be disowned by some family...”#CBJ forward Nick Foligno on the possibility of playing the Leafs if/when the #NHL returns, If the season resumes, Columbus will get plenty of players back from what Toronto offers as an opponent and how John Tortorella will keep his injury, including Seth Jones. I imagine he'll be back with Zach Werenski. team dialed in: https://t.co/01L4zwoyOw#TSNHockey When those two are together and clicking, what stands out? pic.twitter.com/FdLvcrySiF "Just the way they command the ice. Jones can eat up as many minutes — TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) May 30, 2020 as you want to give him. Zach's proven that he's not only an offensive threat. I mean, 20 goals this year in a shortened season, but his Early-season games tend to be looser and higher scoring, which would defensive game has come to life. He had to focus on that when we lost seem to favour the Leafs. Will it be tough to establish a structured, tight Seth. I think he's buoyed a lot by the solid play of David Savard. And system after a long layoff? [Vladislav] Gavrikov stepped in and did a great job. Those two have been "Yeah, I think so. If you look at the start of the year it's kind of Wild West a great shutdown pair and that's allowed those other guys to elevate their in the sense that everyone's still trying to figure out their systems and game even more and take more chances, because Savy and Gavy are their play and you have some crazy scores. So, it is a little harder to dial going to eat those minutes for us. Our third pair has been a revolving that part in, but that's where our mental toughness has to come in ... door, but all those guys are fit to play. They all stepped in and did a great Everyone feels that with the way things went this year we want to see job. Ryan Murray, I don't even know if you can call him a third-pair guy, this job through." he's an outstanding defenceman. If we can get him back and healthy, I mean, it's incredible the amount of talent and experience we can have on the back end. Seth and Z tend to get all the credit and rightfully so, "She's kind of nervous about how it will be taken and it's a big step for they're outstanding players, but those other guys allow them to really be her. We're not really very public people. My wife, I probably shouldn’t who they are and it's a reason why our D corps is so dangerous." release this, but I'll say it anyway, she has a book coming out that she wrote in honour of our daughter, a children's book that will be coming out From @markhmasters: During a wide-ranging conversation, #CBJ in a little bit, and there's a lot of things coming. The trials and tribulations blueliner Seth Jones theorized about why head coach John Tortorella that we've gone through as a family, we hope to inspire people through hasn't reached out much during the pause and also reflected on his them. We're not saying we have all the answers, we're just trying to use personal quest to win a Norris Trophy.https://t.co/ImS2xTm2zr this platform to try and help people. We noticed, going through it, how #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/zoJZypX5QC many people are stricken with certain things and just because you're not — TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) April 18, 2020 in the spotlight doesn't mean you don't go through some hardships and we want people to know it's okay. If there's something we can say or do The Leafs have Matthews and Tavares down the middle, what to inspire them whether it's through health and wellness, the mental progression have you seen from 21-year-old Pierre-Luc Dubois that state, we just feel it's our job in some sense to try and give back ... We've makes you think he's ready for the challenge of facing those guys? learned so much from going through some of the things we've gone through with our daughter, the amount of people we need to thank [is "He welcomes that challenge. Luc is at his best when he sees somebody huge] and you just realize so much is out of your hands sometimes ... across the way that he has to be better than. He likes that. He almost we've just been humbled by that whole process and learned so much and gets mad. He's like a racehorse that you're holding back sometimes. He would love to pass that on to anyone who's willing to listen." wants those minutes and I appreciate that about him. It's just him learning how to use his body still and understanding how he can I’m proud to share a new platform my wife created for our family on dominate games. You know, just because your age is a certain number Instagram where you can follow along as we share what it means for us doesn't mean you can't take over games with your skill-set and I think to live a healthy and purposeful life while engaging in philanthropy. he's learning that about himself. He's just gotten better and better and Exciting things to come! Please follow & share! now he's learning the leadership side a little bit too. Being in that No. 1 https://t.co/QULGaUAMg1 position as a centre you're relied upon a lot in a lot of different ways and I think that was something this year he wasn't quite ready for. He learned — Nick Foligno (@NickFoligno) May 28, 2020 on the go ... realizing that as he goes, we go. That's why No. 1 centres TSN.CA LOADED: 05.31.2020 are so important, they're not allowed to have a lot of nights off … you're looked at to lead a lot of nights and he's understood that and wants that challenge now. And these kinds of environments are the best for Luc. He's so, so competitive, one of the most competitive guys on our team. I think this will bring out the best in him."

You have three kids. Your daughter was born with a heart defect. From a health and safety standpoint, what is the biggest question or questions you need answered before feeling comfortable returning to game action?

"Is it safe to return? Are we pushing the envelope too much? Are we not respecting what's going on in the world? And that's quickly kiboshed in a sense, because of all the work that's being done by the union, by the league. I really do respect that they've done their due diligence in looking into it and asking experts and making sure that that the No. 1 priority since Day 1 is safety ... The next part is testing and stuff like that. As long as we're not taking away from anyone that needs it right now, the front- line workers or anyone who needs it, then I think we owe it to ourselves to try and get back and bring some normalcy into the world if it’s safe to play. If somebody's saying, 'Guys, you're good to go, ,' then I think everyone will jump at it, jump at the opportunity to win the Stanley Cup ... and then it's, okay, how's it going to work? Are we going to be able to see our families? We all know there's going to be sacrifices in this format and we're all okay with that, I think, to some degree, but it's just got to make sense on a lot of fronts ... we'll continue to wait and see how it goes."

Whatever happens, it seems like there will be some element of risk in returning. If some guys don't feel comfortable playing, how will that be received? Will something be built into the return-to-play rules?

"It has to, because that's just human rights. If you don't feel safe returning then I think there needs to be some sort of way for those guys not to be vilified and no one's going to look [down] on you for not wanting to go back. If you don't feel safe, because of the conditions or just a belief, then you have every right as a human not to return to play until you feel comfortable ... I would respect anyone who doesn't feel comfortable coming back. And I also respect the guys who do want to come back if they feel safe enough and are good with the answers they're given. I look at both sides. I'm sure there will be something built-in to at least respect some guys who don't feel quite as comfortable and we'll support those people all the way."

#CBJ captain Nick Foligno explains to @markhmasters why players who aren’t comfortable with the risks of playing this summer shouldn’t be vilified and what inspired his family to use social media to help others: https://t.co/SAnMFyLcli#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/di4WLZ8kHf

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) May 30, 2020

Your wife just created @TheHeartsPlaybook account on Instagram, a platform to see how your family works and navigates obstacles. What was the inspiration for the project? 1185610 World Leagues News was vilified in mainstream media. And those were the success stories, Florida earning the NBA’s trust and Douglas County issued a variance to reopen early.

Paul Klee: Still believing the science? Then bring on the college football For athletes and their families, “We’re going to be comfortable with their season decision, whatever it is. But we also want them to know if they choose to send their son or daughter back so they can have voluntary workouts through the end of June, we want to make sure they understand what that’s going to mean,” George said. By Paul Klee [email protected] At CU, that means symptom checks, athletes in small groups of "cohorts" May 30, 2020 Updated 7 hrs ago spread between three weight rooms, equipment sanitized hourly. As one college coach told me, it stands to reason athletes are safer on a campus that invests millions of dollars in their health than elsewhere. DENVER — James Stefanou. He's the kicker at CU-Boulder. Brice Honaker. He's the kicker at Air Force. Joe Deline, Jonathan Terry, a “Our medical team in the (Pac-12) conference is as good as there is in couple of freshmen — one will be the man up at CSU. the country,” George said.

Good group. Solid group. The return of sports isn’t about the games themselves. It's not about winning the league or Top 25 polls. It's about another step toward the Big kickoff coming for this group. return of jobs, the return of classrooms, the return to living life. Bring on the kickers. Anyone else who can’t wait to see Colorado’s kickers do their thing in the fall? Never typed that before. But when Air Force debuts against Duquesne and CSU hosts CU, the kickers are the ones who will send us into a college football season unlike any other. They'll be the men of the Colorado Springs Gazette: LOADED: 05.31.2020 hour. With one swing of their heavy legs, they’ll boot this silly media- driven notion we shouldn't have a college football season right out of Falcon, Folsom and Canvas stadiums.

Because this college football season is coming. Sorry, the doom and gloom and nonsensical science-ignoring that’s being pushed almost everywhere else has no room in this space. We're about the facts, and the CDC releases the facts right here for the world to see: if you’re 34 years or younger, the probability of dying from anything is .08 percent. Meantime, the probability of dying from COVID-19 is .0004 percent. That’s right — three zeros and a four. The athletes' odds of dying from this stupid coronavirus exist, but they are miniscule. Then there are the coaches. Air Force’s Troy Calhoun, CU’s Karl Dorrell and CSU's Steve Addazio are excellent men, and no one around here wants the coaches getting sick. So here’s the science on that front: if you’re 35-64 — this is the CDC talking again — the probability of dying from COVID-19 (.01) is still a fraction of the normal annual risk (.49).

Nobody's arguing if the coronavirus is a serious matter. Of course it's a serious matter. But if the science was valued two months ago it must be valued equally now — and come September.

Hey, it's not me saying these promising things. What do I know about epidemiology, anyway? It’s the CDC saying these promising things. It’s the science we’re supposed to listen to saying these promising things. Maybe that’s why CU athletic director Rick George is saying these things: "I'm more optimistic today than I was last time we talked about having sports in the fall."

Is this a good time to mention that on Tuesday only seven people in the state of Colorado were hospitalized due to the coronavirus, according to Denver's 9News? Makes you wonder why Denver mayor Michael Hancock still has public tennis courts wrapped in police tape and putting greens closed. But that's a column for another day.

Back to college football. It's coming. Will there be fans in the stands to celebrate when Stefanou, Honaker and the other kickers boot us into another glorious season? Too early to tell, and there's two months to go. But two months ago the thought of soccer in hard-hit Italy and England was merely optimism. Guess what? Serie A and the Premier League will restart on June 20 and June 17, respectively — long before the NBA and NHL are planning their return, even though our virus numbers per capita were better than Italy's and England's. Yeah, I don't get it either.

Texas governor Greg Abbott said his state will allow outdoor stadiums at 25-percent capacity — this summer. If the science continues at its current rate, we’ll not only have football games — we’ll have fans there to root on the college kickers who kick off the 2020 season.

“There’s going to be a reduction in revenue regardless of whether we play 12 games with fans, with a portion of fans or with no fans. And we’re looking at all those scenarios,” said George, who’s been a true leader during a bizarre and novel process of returning sports.

Oh, one more thing: none of these athletic departments wants to be the one that draws the wrong headlines in its return to sports. You saw nationally how a place like Florida — and locally like Douglas County — 1185611 World Leagues News “We all love playing football,” Tretter said Friday from Cleveland. “We also love our teammates and our families.”

Regardless of the dire financial consequences the leagues were facing, Why Major Sports Might Risk Comebacks During the Pandemic none would have been able to pursue plans to reopen without the promise of fast, widespread testing.

For two months, league officials could not talk seriously about acquiring By Matthew Futterman the necessary tests without giving the impression that their needs were more important than the general public’s. May 31, 2020, 3:00 a.m. ET During the last two weeks, as testing became more widely available,

even in the cities the virus has hit the hardest, such as New York, that Once more, the pronouncements arrived in a torrent, though this time concern has diminished. One top sports industry executive, who speaks they were about rebirth rather than cancellation. regularly with the leaders of all the major sports, said the N.B.A. had already secured enough tests to screen all of the players as often as they The N.B.A. was planning to start up again in late July. The N.H.L. want. An N.B.A. official, who asked not to be identified because the announced a playoff tournament would take place through the summer. league’s comeback process is still evolving, confirmed that the testing Major League Baseball was continuing negotiations with its players for a hurdle had been largely cleared. shortened season. The N.F.L. was moving toward opening training facilities. Soccer leagues for both men and women in North America Baird said she had finally felt comfortable moving forward when medical were working toward finalizing plans for summer tournaments. Top-tier experts signed off on an N.W.S.L. plan to test players before they arrive soccer leagues in England, Italy and Spain announced they would for the tournament in Utah, again when they show up, and then at least resume play in June. weekly during the monthlong competition.

After months filled with pessimism, hesitation, quiet planning and Brian McCarthy, a spokesman for the N.F.L., said the league was still uncertainty about whether major sports would happen again in 2020, working on its testing process and securing the necessary kits. nearly every sport was preparing to come back, provided that work As the major leagues waited for the right moment, they watched agreements with players could be negotiated and that public health NASCAR hold races, golf stage two charity events, European soccer authorities raised no objections. return and tennis pull off a backyard round-robin. Player representatives, league officials, lawyers and business My state is reopening. Is it safe to go out? consultants who work closely with them say the sudden shift resulted from a mix of dramatic changes few could foresee a month ago. States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to There has been an increase in the availability of testing, which has open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to allowed some of the leagues, like many other businesses, to secure all states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local the kits they believe they need. There were also far more mundane authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good developments. Lisa Baird, commissioner of the National Women’s idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. Soccer League, said a final linchpin for her league’s plan was gaining approval from its insurance company. What’s the risk of catching coronavirus from a surface?

“Science has advanced,” Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the Mavericks, wrote Wednesday in an email. “We know more than what we germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A did before, and just speaking personally, my expectation is that science number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have will continue to progress forward with therapies, testing and vaccines. I’m shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can actually more optimistic about a vaccine coming early than what others spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day expect.” care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect Not everyone is as bullish as Cuban about the prospects for a vaccine, yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close with most experts saying one won’t be widely available until at least early human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not next year. And while the coronavirus curve has flattened and testing has touching your face and wearing masks. increased both nationally and in the hardest-hit areas, it remains below a level that some epidemiologists say is needed to help mitigate future What are the symptoms of coronavirus? outbreaks. Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty But with reopening plans underway in all 50 states and with elected breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with officials and the public anxious for business activity to resume, league those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy officials had a growing sense that there would be minimal opposition if sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle they moved ahead with plans. pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after Also, people who work closely with the leagues and team owners said, exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many the financial consequences of not returning, potentially billions of dollars as 14 days. in losses across the leagues, made trying to come back vital. How can I protect myself while flying? “The economics of missing an entire season are just really, really bad,” said Irwin Raij, co-chairman of the sports law practice at O’Melveny & If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect Myers, who is in constant contact with numerous team officials and yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your owners. face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a Finally, while certain players have expressed concerns about their safety, window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with especially those with compromised immune systems, most are like any potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your other furloughed worker who wants to return to work and get paid, even if seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard that means doing so without the usual comforts of the job. surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the “We are all going to have to be a little less judgmental,” said Alison remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard Riske, a tennis player who participated in a four-player event last and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. weekend on a private court in the backyard of an estate in Florida, (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and without her usual support team. “We have to roll with the punches.” spreading of germs rather than killing them.)

J.C. Tretter, the Cleveland Browns center who is president of the N.F.L. How many people have lost their jobs due to coronavirus in the U.S.? Players Association, said the desire to get back was strong, so long as it More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — could happen safely. have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being Rams, as well as the N.B.A. and N.H.L. teams in Denver, earlier this furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal month borrowed an additional $500 million from the N.F.L.’s stadium Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly fund, in part to finance the continuing construction of a football stadium in concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers Inglewood, Calif., that is scheduled to open this year. living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said. According to people familiar with its plans, the N.F.L. is weighing a series of scenarios in which it plays with no fans, or with stadiums at varying Is ‘Covid toe’ a symptom of the disease? levels of spectator capacity.

There is an uptick in people reporting symptoms of chilblains, which are McCarthy, the N.F.L. spokesman, said league was “preparing to play the painful red or purple lesions that typically appear in the winter on fingers 2020 N.F.L. season as scheduled and with increased protocols and or toes. The lesions are emerging as yet another symptom of infection safety measures for all players, personnel and attendees.” He said health with the new coronavirus. Chilblains are caused by inflammation in small was the league’s “primary focus.” blood vessels in reaction to cold or damp conditions, but they are usually common in the coldest winter months. Federal health officials do not Playing without fans would hardly be a panacea. include toe lesions in the list of coronavirus symptoms, but some Gate revenues, concessions and other money that fans spend at games dermatologists are pushing for a change, saying so-called Covid toe account for roughly 25 percent of the N.F.L.’s $15 billion in revenue. should be sufficient grounds for testing. Baseball collects about one-third of its $11 billion from the gate. But Can I go to the park? getting the games on television will generate at least some cash flow — and plenty of attention before fans decide to invest their passion and their Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and disposable income elsewhere. people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully “You can offset some losses, but this is about going beyond 2020,” Raij sunshine, is a good idea. said. “They need to keep the fans engaged.”

How do I take my temperature?

Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it New York Times LOADED: 05.31.2020 sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.

Should I wear a mask?

The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.

What should I do if I feel sick?

If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.

How do I get tested?

If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.

How can I help?

Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.

With the United States largely reopening in recent days, the governors of California and New York, the largest states to impose extensive stay-at- home orders, said they would consider sports events without fans, giving hope to league officials.

Even without the expense of having to stage games and pay players, teams need some revenue to cover fixed costs.

Some owners have borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars to acquire their teams or to build stadiums.

The Mets, for instance, pay roughly $50 million annually toward construction debt on Citi Field. Stan Kroenke, who owns the Los Angeles 1185612 World Leagues News With players on both sides of the Atlantic back in training, the CWI board has signed off on the next stage of planning for the trip.

“The decision comes only after CWI medical and cricket-related Coronavirus wrap: Premier League tests all-clear as ‘sporting recovery’ representatives and advisers have been involved in detailed discussions begins with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and its own medical and public health advisers,” said a statement.

CWI chief executive Johnny Grave told the BBC’s Today Programme Rory Dollard, PA there was “some nervousness” among the playing group but that discussions were constructive.

“I think ultimately that our players, we’ve been very open and honest with The Premier League announced its first all-clear round of Covid-19 them and sharing plans from the day we got them from the ECB,” he testing on Saturday, underlining the optimism of the Government’s earlier said. message that elite sport was back on track. “I think that’s helped players understand what this Tour might look like, A total of 1,130 players and club personnel were tested on Thursday and and from all the players that I’ve spoken to, there’s an eagerness to go to Friday, with no positive results. The previous three rounds of testing had England and get some live cricket back on.” yielded 12 positive tests out of 2,752. The games are due to take place in so-called ‘bio-secure’ environments This bout of testing was the largest yet, with each club’s maximum at the Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford, where players would stay allocation upped from 50 to 60, and also the first to take place since the in on-site hotels. The West Indies had also factored in the prospect of a unanimous vote to begin contact training. 14-day quarantine and are expecting to be able to spend that time at, or There was a reminder of virus’ continued presence by the EFL’s a near, a cricket facility where they could use the time on acclimatisation subsequent results, which brought 10 positive cases from 1,058 in the and training. Championship and seven more from just 135 taken by those in League

Two. LOADED: 05.31.2020 But for now, the absence of any live cases in the top-flight will be seen as a positive for the scheduled restart date of June 17.

Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, appeared at the daily Downing Street briefing to announce that competitive sport was being approved for a behind-closed-doors return from next week.

Dowden said each individual sport would make its own judgement on when to get going safely, but offered published guidance applicable to all disciplines and produced in consultation with Public Health England.

Coronavirus – Sat May 30, 2020

Oliver Dowden told the public “the British sporting recovery has begun” (Pippa Fowles/10 Downing Street)

“Two months after sport stopped and after weeks of round the clock discussion with medical experts and professional sports bodies, I’m delighted to announce today the Government has published guidance which allows competitive sport to resume behind closed doors from Monday at the earliest,” said Dowden.

“Football, tennis, horse racing, Formula 1, cricket, golf, rugby, snooker and others are all set to return to our screens shortly.”

Dowden later added: “The British sporting recovery has begun.”

Horse racing will lead the way with a 10-race card at Newcastle the first such meeting since March 17.

British Horseracing Authority chief executive Nick Rust outlined his hopes that the change in circumstance would be a boon for the nation’s morale.

“I’m sure the return of racing will be welcomed by all those who’ve missed the excitement of live sport and the majestic sight of racehorses running at full gallop,” he said.

“We hope it will lift the nation’s spirits in difficult times and look forward to seeing our owners and racing fans back at racecourses as soon as that’s possible.”

At present those two groups will be kept away from venues that are subject to strict protocols, but the news is still an overwhelming positive.

“This is an important stage towards a complete return for our industry and will help protect livelihoods and businesses,” said Rust.

“There is still a tough battle ahead before we can get fully back in business, but this is a resilient and world-leading industry and we are ready for the task.”

The England cricket team also had good news, with Cricket West Indies granting approval in principle for the delayed three-match Test series to take place in July. 1185613 World Leagues News

Coronavirus: UK permits sport behind closed doors from June 1, Premier League welcomes decision

Staff Report

The United Kingdom government has permitted the return of competitive sport behind closed doors from Monday, with Premier League chief executive Richard Masters welcoming the decision.

Strict guidelines set out by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on Saturday must be adhered to, but professional sports will again be able to take place from June 1.

The Premier League has been suspended since March due to the coronavirus pandemic but is provisionally scheduled to restart on June 17.

Government minister Oliver Dowden said: "The wait is over. Live British sport will shortly be back on in safe and carefully controlled environments.

"This guidance provides the safe framework for sports to resume competitions behind closed doors.

"It is now up to individual sports to confirm they can meet these protocols and decide when it's right for them to restart.

"This is a significant moment for British sport. By working with clinicians every step of the way, we are creating the safest possible environments for everyone involved."

Premier League clubs were this week granted permission to return to contact training, and preparations are likely to continue gearing up towards a restart after a three-month hiatus.

All of the remaining 92 fixtures are due to be broadcast nationally, though police have requested at least six – including the game in which Liverpool can clinch the title – be played at neutral venues.

There have been three rounds of coronavirus testing at top-flight clubs in the past fortnight, with 12 of the 2,752 tests returning positive results.

Premier League chief Masters was encouraged by the decision.

He said: "The Premier League welcomes the government's announcement today [Saturday]. All major sports, including the Premier League, have been working together with the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to produce this stage three protocol.

"We could not have reached this point without the full support of the government, especially DCMS, Public Health England and the chief medical officer's team.

"We have provisionally planned to restart the Premier League on June 17, but there is still much work to be done to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

"This includes consulting with our clubs, players and managers - along with all our other stakeholders - as the health and welfare of our participants and supporters is our priority.

"If all goes well, we will be thrilled to resume the 2019-20 season in just over two weeks' time."

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