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SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 10/4/2019 Buffalo Sabres 1155274 Column: Darryl Sutter provides ‘positive influence’ on 1155308 Following slow start to camp, Casey Mittelstadt flashes Ducks’ coaching staff 'exciting' potential in Sabres' win 1155275 Ducks defeat Coyotes, give coach Dallas Eakins a victory 1155309 Ralph Krueger waited 6 1/2 years for this moment and in his debut Sabres gave him his reward 1155276 Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm encouraged by 1155310 The Wraparound: Sabres 3, Penguins 1 praise from countryman 1155311 Sabres coach Ralph Krueger 'going one game at a time' 1155277 Anaheim Ducks 2019 home opener: Orange Carpet on starting goalie arrivals 1155312 Penguins' Sidney Crosby ready to 'turn the page' against 1155278 Welcome to ‘ Breakaway,’ The Athletic’s Kings and Sabres Ducks (and everything SoCal hockey) podcast 1155313 Fan guide to Sabres games at KeyBank Center 1155279 Why you should expect the Kings and Ducks to play faster 1155314 Sabres game day: Jeff Skinner starts second season with this season … for real 'internal' pressure to produce 1155280 ‘We’ve got the ball rolling in the right direction’ — A 1155315 Analyzing the Sabres' first roster under new coach Ralph season-opening Q&A with Ducks coach Dallas Eakins Krueger 1155281 The Athletic L.A. NHL predictions: Will the Ducks and 1155316 News' staff predictions for Sabres season and NHL Kings make the playoffs? 1155317 Jimmy Vesey once spurned the Sabres. Now he hopes to produce for them Arizona Coyotes 1155318 ‘It was just fun to play’: A new system delivers a new 1155282 Arizona Coyotes drop first game of season in road loss to opening-night result for the Sabres Anaheim Ducks 1155319 ‘Big expectations’: Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju 1155283 Stepan scores but Coyotes fall in season opener to ready to do what’s asked of him Anaheim Ducks 1155320 Do Sabres players use themselves in the EA Sports ‘NHL’ 1155284 In 2019-20, Coyotes must seize chance to return to the video games? Depends who’s playing playoffs 1155285 6 thoughts on the Coyotes as the 2019-20 season begins 1155286 Behind the Save: Why Darcy Kuemper is one of Arizona’s 1155321 Deja vu in Flames loss to Avalanche brightest pieces this year 1155322 Kadri was ‘very close’ to accepting off-season trade to Flames Bruins 1155323 Flames sign GM Brad Treliving to contract extension 1155287 Bruins strike early, hold on late to take season opener 1155324 Awfully familiar night for the Flames — another loss to the against the Stars Avs, another loss in a season opener 1155288 Dallas defenseman Roman Polak removed on stretcher 1155325 22 things you (maybe) didn’t know about the Flames after crashing into boards opening-night roster 1155289 Bruins’ Charlie Coyle was a force against the Stars 1155326 ‘Don’t tell me the score’: How the Flames’ sports fanatics 1155290 David Krejci sidelined for Bruins’ opener at Dallas follow their own favourite teams during the season 1155291 Five things to watch in tonight’s Bruins opener 1155292 Bruins name Todd Angilly official national anthem singer Carolina Hurricanes 1155293 Can the Bruins get back to the Cup finals, and other 1155327 Mrazek may prefer to avoid shootouts, but he doesn’t lose questions answered by Globe hockey writers them 1155294 Bruins notebook: Third opener a comfort zone for DeBrusk 1155328 Canes open new season with shootout win over 1155295 Bruins strike quickly, hold off Stars to win opener 1155329 Can Mrazek-Reimer be as good as Mrazek-McElhinney 1155296 Karson Kuhlman experiences first Bruins opener looking for the Canes? to establish himself for good 1155330 Carolina Hurricanes are ready to see how good they are in 1155297 Bruins pregame notes: Season starts in Texas a new season 1155298 Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy heads into Year 3 still growing 1155299 NHL Season Preview: Time to plan a Vegas parade Chicago Blackhawks 1155300 Highlights of the Bruins' 2-1 win over Stars 1155331 Dominik Kubalik dreamed of reaching the NHL. Little did 1155301 WATCH: Brett Ritchie nets first Bruins minutes into he know his dream would come true in his native Czech team debut 1155332 Alex DeBrincat signs a 3-year, $19.2M contract extension 1155302 David Krejci not playing opening night for with the Blackhawks: ‘It shows they have confidence i 1155303 Bruins drop first hype video of the regular season before 1155333 What are the Blackhawks’ chances this season? A game vs. breakdown and predictions for the increasingly tough 1155304 The Final hangover is real, and not so Central D spectacular for the Bruins 1155334 Blackhawks sign Alex DeBrincat to three-year contract 1155305 Shinzawa: Takeaways from a season-opening 2-1 Bruins extension win in Dallas 1155335 Philadelphia begins season against Chicago 1155306 McDonald: Six red flags the Bruins need to watch for this 1155336 Quenneville's time in Chicago: 'Nothing but great' season 1155337 Blackhawks, DeBrincat agree to 3-year contract extension 1155307 The redemption of David Backes: How the veteran right 1155338 DeBrincat agrees to three-year, $19.2 million deal with wing made his way back to Bruins roster Chicago Blackhawks 1155339 Patrick Kane the first player on the Blackhawks All- Decade Team 1155340 Why Alex DeBrincat's contract with Blackhawks is a win-win for both sides 1155341 Blackhawks sign Alex DeBrincat to three-year extension 1155342 Blackhawks' Alex DeBrincat gets 3-year, $19.2M deal 1155343 5 takeaways from Alex DeBrincat’s Blackhawks contract extension 1155344 What NHL scouts are saying about the 2019-20 Blackhawks Colorado Avalanche Edmonton Oilers 1155345 Avalanche keeps rolling against Flames, wins season 1155381 Building a better hotdog: Rogers Place reveals new food opener on home ice and beverage lineup 1155346 “It stinks”: Avalanche fans irked as Altitude Sports TV 1155382 Edmonton Oilers celebrate 3-2 home opener victory over dispute continues for season opener Canucks 1155347 Avalanche morning-skate report: Conor Timmins to make 1155383 Oilers in 60: Big win for the boys, tough loss for sleep NHL debut after long illness 1155384 Oil Spills: Questions surround retooled Edmonton Oilers 1155348 Avalanche Insider: Everything you need to know about the 1155385 Zack Kassian keeps proving he can play with Edmonton 2019-20 Colorado Avalanche Oilers big guns 1155349 Are the Avalanche legit Stanley Cup contenders? Here’s 1155386 Adam Larsson injury leaves huge hole on Edmonton what the national media has to say. Oilers blue line 1155350 How soon is now for the Colorado Avalanche? 1155387 Oilers put Adam Larsson on LTIR, send Ethan Bear to 1155351 Rantanen proves his worth in opening-night victory Bakersfield and recall Evan Bouchard 1155352 Win it for TV: The Avalanche and Nuggets must win in 1155388 'He’s a mule out there': Draisaitl unstoppable in Oilers win order to find their way into our living rooms over Canucks 1155353 Avs Game 1 Grades: Finnishing off the Flames 1155389 JONES: McDavid scores winning goal in Edmonton Oilers 1155354 Rantanen shows no rust in leading Avalanche over season opener Flames 1155390 Looking at how the Oilers can manage on defence without 1155355 Morning skate notebook: Avs ready for Calgary’s best Adam Larsson punch 1155391 No need to temper expectations after Connor McDavid’s season debut for Oilers 1155356 Blue Jackets season preview | Prospects expected to step up at forward 1155392 Sergei Bobrovsky era in goal for Panthers gets off to a bit 1155357 Columbus Blue Jackets begin balancing act between of an uneven start in loss Joonas Korpisalo, Elvis Merzlikins 1155393 The Panthers had chances against the Lightning, but 1155358 October heat complicates Nationwide Arena ice care for Quenneville era opens with a loss Columbus Blue Jackets games 1155394 Panthers-Lightning opener ‘feels like a playoff game.’ 1155359 ESPN's John Buccigross likes chip on Columbus Blue What the Panthers need to do to win. Jackets' shoulders 1155395 Bobrovsky’s Panthers debut spoiled as Lightning get five 1155360 Lukan: 10 metrics to watch in evaluating the Blue Jackets goal-scorers 1155396 State of the Franchise: Florida Panthers are out of Dallas Stars excuses, ready to become contenders 1155361 Injuries plague season opener as Stars lose multiple players for extended time in 2-1 defeat to Bruins 1155362 The Stars' expectations are real, but their best chance at 1155397 Welcome to ‘Point Breakaway,’ The Athletic’s Kings and success doesn't sit with their offseason acquisitio Ducks (and everything SoCal hockey) podcast 1155363 Ex-Stars forward Brett Ritchie returns to Dallas with 1155398 Why you should expect the Kings and Ducks to play faster Bruins: 'I think I needed a fresh start and it wasn't a this season … for real 1155364 Bruins announcer calls Stars defenseman Roman Polak’s 1155399 The Athletic L.A. NHL predictions: Will the Ducks and dangerous collision into boards ‘bad hockey karma’ Kings make the playoffs? 1155365 Stars 20/20: Injuries pile up as Stars drop odd opener to 1155400 LA KINGS PARTNER WITH SANDY HOOK PROMISE Bruins TO DELIVER VIOLENCE REDUCTION PROGRAMS 1155366 Stars locker room survey: The overwhelming favorite 1155401 REIGN NOTEBOOK 10/3 – ROSTER MOVES, DOTY, poised for big year, plus most impressive player LINES, 9 DEFENSEMEN, NEW NUMBERS, STOTHERS 1155367 How a British figure skater is helping Jamie Benn and the Stars find an edge Minnesota Wild 1155402 Wild-Nashville game recap 1155403 Wild's lines could be shaken up after season-opening loss 1155368 Detroit Red Wings: Breaking down the 2019-20 roster to Predators 1155369 Detroit Red Wings' Dylan Larkin back at practice, 1155404 Ellis, Forsberg help rally Predators past Wild 5-2 confident he'll play Saturday 1155405 Nashville's quick-strike third period sends Wild to loss on 1155370 Farmington Hills' Alex DeBrincat signs 3-year, $19.2M opening night deal with Blackhawks 1155406 Ryan Hartman back in Nashville, but this time with the 1155371 Ex-NHL referee: Steve Yzerman was 'disrespectful' Wild 1155372 Yzerman rules: Wings GM applies lessons from 14-year 1155407 Season-opener vs. Predators first of many road tests for Cup drought Wild in October 1155373 Champion captains: Every Stanley Cup winning 1155408 Wild melt down in third period, fall 5-2 to Predators in since 1917 season opener 1155374 Red Wings’ Anthony Mantha has ‘super high’ ceiling, 1155409 Wild winger Kevin Fiala on his return to Nashville: No hopes to cash in with big season friends on game day 1155375 Dylan Larkin ‘absolutely’ will play in Red Wings’ opener 1155410 Wild stumble in opener, and it might already be time for a 1155376 Hockey players have big butts, and the Wings' Dylan new top line Larkin cannot lie 1155411 Minnesota Mats: Funny and focused, Zuccarello begins 1155377 Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin ready to go; Andreas Athanasiou his new life with Wild questionable 1155378 Michael Rasmussen acknowledges the work ahead with Griffins 1155379 Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin ‘a definite possibility’ for Saturday’s opener 1155380 Red Wings seeking much better results with largely same cast 1155412 Dougie Hamilton pots lone shootout goal as Hurricanes 1155439 Kaapo Kakko Debuts and Other Newcomers Shine in top Canadiens 4-3 Rangers Win 1155413 In the Habs' Room: 'There’s a lot of good things to take 1155440 Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba deliver in Rangers’ wild from tonight': Julien opening-night win over Winnipeg Jets 1155414 Canadiens settle for one point in Carolina, falling 4-3 in a 1155441 Henrik Lundqvist reaches all sorts of milestones in shootout Rangers opener 1155415 Canadiens' Cale Fleury faces big brother in his first NHL 1155442 Kaapo Kakko already drawing rave reviews from Rangers game 1155443 Revamped Rangers put on an opening-night show 1155416 Stu Cowan: Canadiens helped make Hurricanes' 1155444 What really will decide how often the Rangers use Henrik Sebastian Aho very rich Lundqvist 1155417 Canadiens Game Day: First taste of NHL road trip sweet 1155445 NHL preview: Rangers hoping for quicker rebuild after for Nick Suzuki busy offseason 1155418 Ryan Poehling aims to make his stay with Laval Rocket a 1155446 Brett Howden scores late to lift Rangers over Jets in brief one high-scoring season opener 1155419 When the surreal becomes real: How Nick Suzuki’s and 1155447 Jericho's Adam Fox lives out dream in his first game with Cale Fleury’s parents experienced their NHL debuts Rangers 1155420 Video review: Jonathan Drouin starts the 2019-20 season 1155448 Rangers’ new offensive skill — hello, Artemi Panarin — by turning over a new leaf covers up the rough spots in an opening victory 1155421 The pessimist’s (and optimist’s) guide to the 2019-20 1155449 Minnesota Mats: Funny and focused, Zuccarello begins Canadiens his new life with Wild 1155450 Jacob Trouba is more focused on his Rangers debut than Nashville Predators facing former Winnipeg teammates to start the season 1155422 Keith Urban announces 7th All for the Hall benefit concert 1155451 ‘It was a long summer, but it’s time to play hockey’: 1155423 Nick Bonino scores with his facemask, but Predators' first Rangers players describe the feelings that come with ope goal waved off 1155424 Keith Urban performs during Predators opener at Senators Bridgestone Arena 1155452 WARRENSPIECE: B is for Brannstrom, Batherson and 1155425 Predators center Matt Duchene scores while sitting down Boedker during warmups; picks up 3 assists 1155453 Rules are rules, but Bobby Ryan is irked at NHL's offside 1155426 Another banner night for Predators at Bridgestone Arena determination 1155427 Keith Urban hints that he will make an appearance at the 1155454 After opening night loss, Smith preaches short-term pain, Predators season opener. Will he sing? long-term gain message 1155428 Plastic surgery, 15 stitches not enough to keep Predators 1155455 How the Senators earned those little moments of success forward Rocco Grimaldi down crucial to a rebuild vs. the Leafs 1155429 The five most intriguing players on the 2019-20 Nashville Predators 1155456 Joel Farabee vows to be ‘mentally tough’ after being disappointed by Flyers’ demotion 1155430 Is Devils’ Cory Schneider ready to return to form? Why 1155457 A shaved head, a spot on the roster, and surprise visitors Andy Greene thinks so for Flyers rookie Carsen Twarynski 1155431 How Devils lined up in final practice before start of regular 1155458 Flyers’ Carter Hart ready for his first NHL season opener season Friday vs. Chicago Blackhawks 1155432 9 bold predictions for Devils’ 2019-20 season: 3 30-goal 1155459 Flyers roster analysis: Power play and kill look scorers? Are playoffs in the cards? upgraded | Sam Carchidi 1155433 In light of NJ Devils sending down Ty Smith, should 1155460 If Flyers finally take a step forward, it will be because of CHL-NHL agreement be changed? Carter Hart and Alain Vigneault 1155461 Flyers will still use ‘God Bless America’ for important games, but it will sound different 1155434 Thomas Hickey eager to get started at Bridgeport 1155462 Carsen Twarynski’s Flyers debut will be complete family 1155435 After playoff disappointment, Islanders itching to start new affair campaign 1155463 Flyers’ Travis Sanheim wants to pick up right where he left 1155436 Josh Ho-Sang asks the Islanders for a trade after not off making roster 1155464 Fish: Powerhouse NHL teams have something to prove 1155437 What to make of Josh Ho-Sang’s trade request and the 1155465 Flyers Preview: With new coach, same veteran core, Islanders honoring it Flyers hoping to start fast 1155438 10 observations from Islanders camp: Contract talk, 1155466 McCaffery: From a fresh distance, Flyers' chances look Lou-isms and more bright 1155467 Justin Braun embracing Philly (fans and media), new challenge with Flyers 1155468 Fearless Forecast for the Flyers' 2019-20 season 1155469 P.K. Subban and Gritty go head to head after defenseman shares funny image on social media 1155470 2019-20 Flyers season brings a new alternate captain as Kevin Hayes joins Sean Couturier, Jakub Voracek 1155471 Making sense of the Flyers’ roster decisions and landscape going forward 1155472 Behind the scenes with the Flyers’ stacked coaching staff Maple Leafs 1155473 Empty Thoughts: Sabres 3, Penguins 1 1155508 Tyson Barrie content to fly under the radar for now with 1155474 Kevin Gorman: Sleepwalking Penguins need to hear Maple Leafs Evgeni Malkin’s wakeup call 1155509 Toronto-Ottawa is the Battle of ? It’s more like a 1155475 Penguins lose lackluster season opener at home to sad skirmish Sabres 1155510 Leafs’ Tyson Barrie has a breathtaking debut 1155476 Penguins change goal song, and as expected, the Internet 1155511 NHL game day: at Columbus Blue is not amused Jackets 1155477 Penguins by Period: Evgeni Malkin scores on power play 1155512 The Maple Leafs are going to get their back-to-backs up, but Sabres, Sheary answer at least in the early going 1155478 Penguins turn to Jake Guentzel, Patric Hornqvist in power 1155513 Game Day: Maple Leafs at Blue Jackets play 1155514 Soup's on for new Leafs winger Mikheyev 1155479 Kevin Gorman: Penguins try to move away from sweep, 1155515 LEAFS NOTES: Tavares kept his 'C' a secret from closer to next Stanley Cup teammates 1155480 Penguins have paired Jack Johnson, Justin Schultz again 1155516 Caught in spin cycle, but Spezza to make Leafs debut in 1155481 Penguins’ Alex Galchenyuk is a ‘game-time decision’ vs. Columbus Sabres 1155517 Spezza, Petan, Holl in for Leafs against Blue Jackets 1155482 Old mistakes cost Penguins season opener against 1155518 TRAIKOS: Brannstrom taking skate to face a source of Sabres pride for Sens 1155483 After offseason filled with trade speculation, Jack Johnson 1155519 WARMINGTON: Leafs secret operation kept Tavares in ready for Game 1 the dark on captaincy 1155484 Evgeni Malkin frustrated with Penguins' performance on 1155520 Bourne: From Tavares creating space to Matthews opening night calming the puck, how little plays lead to big moments 1155486 Marshall: John Marino’s roster spot is well deserved 1155487 Five things we learned watching the Penguins in training Canucks camp 1155544 Eriksson hits the Rockies with Canucks hoping he loses hands of stone 1155545 The Armies: 8 Alternate Captains, Quinn Hughes’ tribute 1155488 Sharks’ Erik Karlsson shares happy news about addition to ‘the shift’ and the dawn of a new era to family 1155489 Sharks look forward to home opener energy after feeling Vegas Golden Knights effects of Vegas’ crowd, quick start 1155521 Bettor wins more than $50K off $103K in wagers on 1155490 Sharks offer no Karlsson update, but two forwards return Golden Knights to practice 1155522 Golden Knights turn to Shea Theodore to fill void on 1155491 Further proof that Sharks vs. Golden Knights is the NHL’s defense best rivalry 1155523 Paul Stastny looks for consistency with Golden Knights 1155492 Why Erik Karlsson's mysterious absence from Sharks 1155524 Golden Knights rookie to get chance after Nate Schmidt’s signals red alert injury 1155493 Ex-Shark Justin Braun embracing Flyers' youth after 1155525 Golden Knights picked to finish second in Pacific Division offseason trade 1155526 Golden Knights down but not out if Nate Schmidt’s injury is serious St Louis Blues 1155527 The Golden Knights have the best home-ice advantage in 1155494 For Blues chairman Tom Stillman, it's a celebration of a the NHL title that's still hard to believe 1155528 How Golden Knights rookie Cody Glass turned his nerves 1155495 Blues hoist the banner but can't stop Capitals from into a dream NHL debut crashing the party 1155529 Golden Knights No Longer Using 15 Seconds of Fame 1155496 BenFred: Blues' banner night completes St. Louis hockey Video Clips for Fans at Arena in Season 3; VGK Roll Out exorcism 3-Ga 1155497 Blues fall to Capitals 3-2 in overtime in opener 1155498 Blues raise championship banner at Enterprise Washington Capitals 1155499 Ritchie beats former team on 1st shift, Bruins top Stars 2-1 1155530 Martin Fehervary modeled his game after Michal 1155500 A top-secret assignment: Making the Blues’ Stanley Cup Kempny’s. Now they’re teammates. banner 1155531 Capital One Arena to open first in-arena sportsbook in U.S. 1155532 Partnership between Monumental Sports and William Hill 1155501 Lightning look ready to ‘bury our dead’ brings sports gaming to Capital One Arena 1155502 Lightning start regular season with win over Florida 1155533 Todd Reirden still fired up at 'Canes coach for 1155503 After home opener, Lightning hit the road 'unprofessional' exchange with Tom Wilson 1155504 Diana C. Nearhos’ takeaways from the Lightning season opener 1155505 When it comes to Lightning foes, these ‘killers’ top the list 1155506 Smitty’s Seven: What we learned from Lightning’s season-opening win 1155507 ‘Time to move forward’: How the Lightning can exorcise the demons of their first-round playoff sweep Websites 1155546 The Athletic / LeBrun: As 2020 RFA list dwindles, how did this summer’s drama change the market? 1155547 The Athletic / ‘I do everything’: In Kladno, Jaromir Jagr, the player, can’t let down Jaromir Jagr, the owner 1155548 The Athletic / Pronman’s NHL prospect impressions: Who is already raising their stock? 1155549 Sportsnet.ca / Flames burned by early penalties as notorious slow starts continue 1155550 Sportsnet.ca / Cale Fleury's play one of many positives for Canadiens in shootout loss 1155551 Sportsnet.ca / Avalanche's Nazem Kadri says he was 'bummed out' by Maple Leafs trade 1155552 Sportsnet.ca / Tavares embracing tradition that surrounds Maple Leafs captaincy 1155553 Sportsnet.ca / Jake Muzzin helping bring young Maple Leafs together in room and beyond 1155554 Sportsnet.ca / Meet Maple Leafs gem Ilya Mikheyev: Scores goals, loves soup 1155555 Sportsnet.ca / 5 early-season grudge matches we can't wait to watch 1155556 Sportsnet.ca / Islanders' Ho-Sang asks for trade, misses first AHL practice 1155557 Sportsnet.ca / Sharks' Erik Karlsson, wife Melinda welcome baby girl 1155558 Sportsnet.ca / Larsson injury looms over Oilers' already cautious early season optimism 1155559 TSN.CA / Seravalli: Winnipeg Jets’ opening loss highlights Hellebuyck’s slim margin for error 1155560 TSN.CA / Mark Masters: New Leaf Barrie adept at avoiding traffic on and off the ice 1155561 TSN.CA / Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock to shuffle lineup on Friday against Columbus Blue Jackets 1155562 TSN.CA / Surprising rookie Ville Heinola gives Winnipeg Jets’ blueline a boost 1155563 TSN.CA / Hockey will thrive in the south this season 1155564 USA TODAY / Stars' Blake Comeau, Roman Polak leave ice against Bruins after fluke injuries Winnipeg Jets 1155534 Curtain rises on NHL play for Heinola 1155535 Dahlstrom glad to play for Winnipeg 1155536 Jets drop season-opener to Rangers 6-4 1155537 Season debut like Christmas Eve for Jets' newcomers 1155538 Game Day: Jets at Devils 1155539 Jets drop high-scoring season opener to Rangers as Hellebuyck struggles 1155540 Heinola set to make NHL debut as Jets meet Rangers in season opener 1155541 The ‘A’ game: Josh Morrissey grows into a leadership role with the Jets 1155542 Everything I don’t know about the 2019-20 Winnipeg Jets 1155543 Jacob Trouba is more focused on his Rangers debut than facing former Winnipeg teammates to start the season

SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1155274 Anaheim Ducks in here, so I’m really excited,” Fowler said. “I think we have all the pieces in place but now we have to go out and execute it.”

Ah, that. Column: Darryl Sutter provides ‘positive influence’ on Ducks’ coaching staff Consensus among those who follow the NHL is that the Ducks won’t make the playoffs, and there are many sound reasons to agree. In the Pacific Division, Calgary, San Jose and Vegas appear to be a good By HELENE ELLIOTT SPORTS COLUMNIST distance ahead of everyone else for the top three spots and automatic playoff berths. OCT. 3, 2019 7 AM The Central Division is stronger than the Pacific, even with Chicago rebuilding. It’s possible that Central teams will earn the two West wild- card playoff berths, squeezing out the Ducks, Kings and the emerging Dallas Eakins said he was excited yet calm the day before the Ducks’ Arizona Coyotes. season opener because he was comfortable with his team and the relationships he had forged with players during his first training camp as The Ducks say they don’t care about predictions that they’ll miss the their coach. For helping smooth his way he credited Darryl Sutter, whose playoffs. mission while coaching the Kings was to make the Ducks’ collective life miserable. “A lot of these writers and people on TV, they’re forced to do it. At the end of the day, they really don’t know. Everyone picked Tampa to win the As Sutter used to say, “Pardon?” Stanley Cup last year,” Fowler said, referring to the top-ranked Lightning’s surprising first-round playoff exit. “The league’s just too good. Yup, as Sutter also used to say. And we feel like we’re right there with any of the other teams. Sutter guided the Kings to Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014 “I know people don’t expect a lot out of us but don’t tell anybody that in but was fired in 2017 after he wore out players physically and here. That’s not how we feel. We can use it as a little bit of a chip on our emotionally. When Eakins was hired by the Ducks he asked that Sutter shoulder and try and prove some people wrong.” be given a role on his staff. Sutter agreed to become a coaching consultant. Forward Troy Terry, who will be counted on for a lot more than the four goals he scored in 32 games last season, also discounted outsiders’ “He’s had a very positive influence on me,” Eakins said. doubts. Sutter still operates his family’s ranch in Alberta, Canada, and wasn’t at “When you look at the NHL, it’s the most level professional sports league the Ducks’ training camp every day. He wasn’t in Irvine on Wednesday in the world, I think. I don’t think there’s a team in the league that doesn’t for their last practice before they face Arizona on Thursday at Honda have a chance to make the playoffs this year,” Terry said. “People can Center, but he’s expected to be in and out on a regular basis this season. think what they want, but we’re excited about the team we have and If some of his smarts and other coaching attributes rub off on Eakins, it we’re going to be a hard team to play against.” will create an interesting subplot to a season in which the Ducks figure to The Kings were a hard team to play against when Sutter coached them. battle the Kings and other teams in the lower tier of the Western Imagine what could happen if he brings some of that to the Ducks. Conference for a playoff spot. Pardon? Yup. “Having Darryl in here has certainly been awesome. He has a unique perspective on the game. A ton of experience. And that’s helped us as well,” Eakins said of all the coaches. “I don’t like to run the staff like, ‘I’m LA Times: LOADED: 10.04.2019 in charge here.’ We’re all coaches. We’re all trying to coach together. So it’s been a real group dynamic and I think that’s important. It’s kind of like a team within a team.”

Eakins said Sutter has been able to convey what he learned in different situations over the years. Eakins didn’t want to be specific but came up with a small but important instance in which Sutter’s knowledge had helped.

“We start doing our travel plan and we have the luxury of having a coach that’s been in the same division, just up the road, with the exact same travel and it’s, ‘Hey, Darryl, what did you guys do here? What did you guys do on this one?’ ” Eakins said. “Just starting with that, but I’m sure you can imagine all the experiences he’s had as a coach, handling players, systems stuff. It’s certainly great to have another voice in the room.”

As long as Sutter’s voice doesn’t have the strident, hectoring tone that turned Kings players against him late in his tenure, this could be fascinating.

The Ducks can use all the good coaching advice they can get. Coming off a terrible season in which they ranked last in goals scored, they’ve belatedly accepted the need for speed and youth and a voice behind the bench that isn’t Randy Carlyle’s.

Eakins increased the tempo and is giving key roles to kids who have scored at other levels.

“You’ll see a lot more flow from our forwards. I think we’re going to play a faster game. Just a lot of support with the puck,” defenseman Josh Manson said. “It’s going to be, I think, a more fun Anaheim Ducks club to watch.”

Veteran defenseman Cam Fowler praised the atmosphere Eakins created.

“We seem to have a great sense of what a team is all about. And we’ve done a lot of team-building stuff, getting to know some of the new faces 1155275 Anaheim Ducks Phil Kessel, making his Coyotes debut, assisted for his first point with Arizona.

The Ducks regained the lead in the closing seconds of the second, when Ducks defeat Coyotes, give coach Dallas Eakins a victory in his debut Fowler weaved his way through traffic and beat Kuemper with a laser over the goalie’s left shoulder and just under the crossbar to make it 2-1. Kuemper had zero chance to save Fowler’s well-placed shot. By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | [email protected] | Orange County Register Moments earlier, Fowler had been struck in the face by a deflected shot PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 10:00 pm | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 from the perimeter and reacted angrily by slamming his stick against the at 10:37 PM glass. Fowler was cut by a Stepan shot during an exhibition game last month and missed two months last season after he was struck by a puck.

“I wanted to take some anger out on the puck,” Fowler would say of his ANAHEIM — A raucous, chanting, orange-and-black clad sellout crowd tiebreaking goal. “Luckily, there was no damage there. I’ve never been hit welcomed the Ducks back to Honda Center for their season-opening in the face by the puck in my life and now it’s three times in the last game Thursday. The fans and the Ducks were eager for a fresh start and calendar year. It just kind of grazed me. It’s no big deal.” something new and different after a clunker of a 2018-19 prompted so much offseason change.

Prompted? Orange County Register: LOADED: 10.04.2019 Demanded.

The Ducks then rode a wave of energy to a hard-earned 2-1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes in front of 17,174 in Dallas Eakins’ debut as their coach. They received the customary standout goaltending they’ve come to expect from John Gibson and also something unexpected.

Their fourth line played like their top line for most of the game, with center Derek Grant scoring a first-period goal that gave them a 1-0 lead and right wing Carter Rowney assisting on defenseman Cam Fowler’s score that gave them a 2-1 advantage in the second.

After it was over, after the Ducks weathered a late surge from the Coyotes and Gibson turned away the last of the 33 shots he faced, the players presented Eakins with the puck in his first contest behind an NHL bench since the Edmonton Oilers fired him in 2014-15.

“I think it really shows how thoughtful, not only our captain (Ryan Getzlaf) is, but our leadership group is,” said Eakins, who served as coach of the Ducks’ AHL team, the San Diego Gulls, for four seasons before he was hired June 17. “I never expected that, and to be handed that after the game was truly an honor.”

In many ways, the Ducks’ season-opening victory was validation after a successful training camp that featured a 4-1-1 record in exhibition games, only a handful of minor injuries and some difficult roster decisions in the days leading up to Eakins’ first game.

“I think it’s massive, just because the one thing we want to build off is the positivity we’ve had here through training camp,” Eakins said. “I think if you come out of the other side of this, on the bad side, it could easily creep into (their heads), like, ‘Oh, no it’s happening again.’

“We certainly don’t want that.”

In fact, the Ducks showed flashes of their old selves in the first period, and not in a good way, either. After a credible start and a few determined forays into the Coyotes’ zone in the opening minutes, they seemed to lose their way all at once and all together.

The Ducks couldn’t control the puck, couldn’t get through the center of the ice without turning it over and having to retreat and start all over again. The Coyotes hemmed them in for extended stretches and forced Gibson to make a number of exceptional saves.

Then a funny thing happened.

The Coyotes’ pressure came back to bite them. Hampus Lindholm tapped a loose puck to Grant and then Grant and Devin Shore were skating at top speed toward Darcy Kuemper’s net. Grant made a cross- ice pass to Shore, who had a step on the defense. Kuemper saved Shore’s shot.

But then Grant swept home the rebound and Honda Center erupted in celebration. The Ducks had an improbable 1-0 lead without having earned such an advantage. By the end of the period, they had been outplayed, out-chanced and out-shot, but not outscored.

The reserve happened in the second period, when the Ducks applied sustained pressure and the Coyotes counterattacked and produced the tying goal. Derek Stepan’s one-timed shot fluttered end-over-end past Gibson to make it 1-1 at 9:03 of the middle period. 1155276 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm encouraged by praise from countryman

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | [email protected] | Orange County Register

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 7:14 pm | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 at 7:14 PM

ANAHEIM — When former NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson settled into his seat in the Honda Center press box in his new role as a scout for Seattle’s expansion team, he was fixated on the play of Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm, a fellow Swede.

Samuelsson, who played 1,080 games in the NHL and won Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and ’92, was new to his job as a scout. But he could tell there was something special about Lindholm’s play during a Sept. 25 exhibition game against the Kings.

“He clearly was the best player on the ice in that game,” Samuelsson told the Swedish newspaper, Expressen. “His engagement, energy and focus was above everybody else. I see Hampus as a franchise player for the Ducks for many years to come. He’s that good.”

Lindholm smiled broadly when relayed Samuelsson’s comments on the eve of the Ducks’ season-opening game against the Arizona Coyotes at Honda Center. Lindholm was set to begin his seventh season in the NHL and to play in his 448th career game, all with the Ducks, on Thursday.

“Of course, that’s a huge compliment,” he said. “Anyone would love to hear that and have people think that about them. I think I had a good summer. I’m excited about this year. I think I’m taking steps. I’m still only 25 and I have a lot of hockey to improve on. I definitely feel like I’ve been taking some steps in the right direction for the season, so I’m really excited.”

Like many, if not all of his teammates, Lindholm looked to the opening of the 2019-20 season as a chance for a fresh start. Above all, he was excited to be reunited with defense partner Josh Manson for all of training camp after they played with separate partners for most of last season.

“It’s like when you go to work and you have a pal there who you’ve been working with all day,” Lindholm said of playing with Manson. “You know each other, right? You know each other’s habits. You know where each other is on the ice. I think it’s very comfortable like that.”

Manson also was happy to be back with Lindholm.

“You could put Hampus with anybody and he would just roll and it’s the same with me,” Manson said. “But I think when we are together we do have a little bit of a connection and how we understand each other and support each other on the ice.”

ROSTER MOVES

The Ducks assigned left wing Max Comtois and center Isac Lundestrom to the San Diego Gulls of the AHL in order to make room for right wing Ondrej Kase and center Sam Steel, who were sidelined during the preseason and were designated as injured/non-roster players.

The Gulls’ season opener is Friday in Bakersfield.

NEW(-ISH) ANTHEM SINGER

Tim Kepler has replaced longtime Honda Center national anthem singer Dawn Wright, who missed most of last season because of a vocal chord issue. Kepler filled in occasionally last season, but he was given the full- time gig during the offseason, according to the Ducks.

Wright has recovered fully from her ailment, but she decided to stop singing the anthem.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155277 Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks 2019 home opener: Orange Carpet arrivals

By KEVIN SULLIVAN | [email protected] | Orange County Register

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 7:01 pm | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 at 7:02 PM

ANAHEIM — After the grueling weeks of training camp and six preseason games, the Ducks dropped the puck on their 2019-20 regular season on Thursday night against the Arizona Coyotes at Honda Center.

Keeping with tradition, the game was preceded by the annual Orange Carpet festivities as Ducks players and other members of the organization arrived in style to greet fans on their way into the arena.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155278 Anaheim Ducks

Welcome to ‘Point Breakaway,’ The Athletic’s Kings and Ducks (and everything SoCal hockey) podcast

By Josh Cooper

Oct 3, 2019

It’s not very often you get to podcast with an award winner.

Shane O’Brien, the co-host of our new “Point Breakaway” podcast, won a very important accolade in 2011 when he received the Nashville PHWA Media Recognition Award. This was given to the Nashville Predators player who simply was best with the media.

I actually informed him of the award, which was voted on by members of the Nashville chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. I used to cover the Preds, and 2010-11 was my first season on the beat.

Since I met Shane, during his one season with the Predators, I had a feeling he would eventually move into media, and I’m thrilled that he’s going to be doing it with me here at The Athletic for this podcast.

(Listen here for our first episode!)

Catch new episodes every Monday and Thursday on The Athletic.

Shane played 537 games and had stops in Anaheim, Tampa, Colorado, Nashville, Vancouver, Calgary and Florida. He was really a no-B.S. guy who had a fun-loving personality. When I covered him in Nashville, he made sure to tell the media what needed to be said, but he also was a good person to chat with if you needed to joke around with someone.

Whenever something crazy would happen around the NHL, or to him, he would make the comment, “What a league.”

So anyway, that brings us to this podcast we’re starting.

What can you expect? A little bit of everything about Southern hockey and anything else that comes to our minds. You’ll get our analysis on the Ducks and Kings, the local hockey scene and what it’s like for Shane being a guy from Port Hope, Ontario, living in Newport Beach, or myself being someone from New York City trying to figure out the life of a new-ish dad in Los Angeles.

We’ll definitely talk about pop culture, since it’s such a big deal here being so close to the film industry, but we want to blend that with our knowledge of hockey. I’ve covered the NHL for a number of years, and Shane lived and breathed hockey his entire life until his recent retirement. We’ll make sure to take advantage of all we know and all we’ve learned.

As for the name of the podcast? We figured it made sense to pay homage to “Point Break” arguably (actually extremely arguably) one of the greatest movies about Southern California in the history of film.

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155279 Anaheim Ducks took zero strides and zero stickhandles with the puck and instead advanced the puck north to the eventual recipient (Lewis), who had stretched the neutral zone by pushing the pace.

Why you should expect the Kings and Ducks to play faster this season … Though he wasn’t rewarded on this play with an assist, Clifford started it for real by buying into how McLellan wants his team to play. Instead of making a more comfortable play (as a left-handed forward) and bumping the puck behind the net to the weak-side defenseman, Clifford showed a little By Jordan Samuels-Thomas deception and moved the puck away from the Kings’ goal and up ice to start the transition to offense. Oct 3, 2019 The Stanley Cup-winning version of the Kings would have been more

than content to have Clifford hand the puck off to the weak-side Are the Southern California NHL teams paying faster? It appears so. defenseman, who would have slowed the play down and waited for However, it’s important to note that the season is in its infancy, with the teammates to come back into the zone, then break the puck out as a Anaheim Ducks getting their year underway tonight and the Los Angeles five-man unit. A phrase often used when I was playing for the Kings’ Kings not starting until Saturday. Strategic systems, situational reads and affiliate in Ontario was “Low and Slow.” overall comfort in a somewhat familiar, yet new setting are still being Meaning the center coming low (preferably through the crease) to be a ingrained and cultivated during the early parts of the NHL regular season. constant outlet in the middle of the ice for defensemen under pressure, while the wingers also worked hard to be low support outlets along the Playing fast doesn’t just happen overnight. There will be an adjustment walls. period for both teams to shake old habits in favor of new ones, especially considering there wasn’t a huge roster turnover for the Ducks or Kings Playing as a connected group of five is hardly a bad thing, considering it during the offseason with a lot of familiar faces still in place. Though it creates multiple short-length passing options and puts players well- may not always resulted in production, both organizations appeared to be positioned defensively in case of a defensive breakdown or turnover. For trending in the right direction in-terms of “Playing Fast(er)” during this me, it was the easiest system I’ve played in as a pro because I always preseason. knew where my options were defensively. However, there is only so much speed that can be generated playing this way, even for skilled The phrase “playing fast” can be a bit subjective based on the person or players like Adrian Kempe, Anze Kopitar or even Ilya Kovalchuk. More even the organization defining it. It’s more than just raw player speed but offensive opportunities will be created with the Kings’ newly desired pace rather the cohesive speed of the group on the ice in situations such as of play, through faster transition. defensive-zone exits/transitions, neutral-zone transitions, puck pursuit and more. The excitement that comes with a scheme designed for more speed, more offense and more goals looks to have the youth-infused Ducks There’s a lot that goes into playing fast but here are a few of the main chomping at the bit to play a downhill style. There has been a noticeable things I look for when judging if a team plays fast or not. change in puck pursuit, up-ice pressure, and – most importantly – transition compared to last season. Talking with a couple of former The puck moves faster than any player, so the less time the puck is on a teammates, they love the position they find themselves in to perform, and player’s stick in transition the better. Passes don’t always have to be hopefully produce, under the new system laid out by the Ducks’ coaching tape-to-tape but can be put in areas where a teammate can skate into staff. Some expressed a feeling of ease while playing at the pace Eakins the puck with speed. There shouldn’t be much waiting for the puck. wants, which should be better suited for the group’s overall skill set. ‘Playing North’ Hearing how comfortable guys are in this system makes sense Is the puck moving up ice (north) in transition? You want the puck moving considering how much the game has changed over the last five seasons, away from your goal as quick as possible. “Quick Ups” to the forwards and given the type of players that are being drafted and eventually instead of “D-to-D” passes. That means advancing the puck instead of entering the league. Last season I touched on how much the league and slowing it down or taking it back. the entry skill sets have evolved since I turned pro in 2014-15 in my piece about how some of the best players tie their skates. This is done both offensively and defensively. Offensively, you want to push the pace not only to spread out the defensemen, but to force them Again, I see the concept of “playing north” highlighting the skillsets of the to make a quick decision. Defensively, a relentless puck pursuit from Ducks’ youngsters. Max Jones’ combination of size and speed (which both forwards and defensemen in attempt to to cause a quick turnover makes defenders uncomfortable), Troy Terry’s creativity in transition and and transition quickly can be hard to deal with. Isac Lundestrom’s transition IQ are all enhanced in Eakins’ system. Even a veteran like Ryan Getzlaf has looked quick and more creative in While the Ducks and Kings appeared to be playing faster from what I saw transition, while Rickard Rakell is poised to have more shooting in the preseason, based on the above criteria, it would be difficult to opportunities this season in transition. definitively or accurately say that one team played faster than the other. I will say that the Ducks looked more natural in doing so. This is likely On the Kings’ side, Amadio has looked excellent in the new framework. based on coach Dallas Eakins’ previous experience and continuity within The quicker pace has allowed him to showcase his offensive skill which the Ducks organization while coaching the AHL San Diego Gulls, and has resulted in both an increase in scoring chances and production. He with former Gulls players making up over one-third of Anaheim’s has looked confident in this new system and a lot like the prospect who opening-night roster. The young group on the Ducks already has some scored 50 goals in the OHL in the 2015-16 season. familiarity with Eakins’ principles and expectations in regards to pace. The desire to play with more pace is likely why rookie Blake Lizotte is This doesn’t mean the Kings haven’t been quick studies in playing faster getting an opportunity to start his first full professional season on the under new coach Todd McLellan. It can be hard to judge pace during the Kings’ roster. Playing faster should also allow Kopitar to bounce back preseason, especially during the early parts of training camp due to from a down year production-wise with increased playmaking chaotic gameplay, makeshift rosters and varying experience levels. Even opportunities in transition, and should allow Kempe to consistently utilize so, Kings fans should be encouraged by the team’s execution within the his skill set and produce at the level the Kings desire. framework of playing fast during their final preseason game Monday While all of the above sounds and feels good, I’ll end my early night against the Vegas Golden Knights. Both the Kings and the Golden impressions the same way I started. It was only preseason, and time will Knights dressed what could be their opening-night rosters, so the level of tell if both the Ducks and Kings can continue to play fast and build off the competition was comparable to what we will see throughout the season. foundation that was laid. Michael Amadio’s goal just under 10 minutes into the first period was textbook “playing fast.” With the puck starting below the goal line, Kyle Clifford chipped the puck up the wall to Matt Roy, who advanced it to The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 Trevor Lewis up the wall, and finally Lewis found Amadio for the backdoor goal.

This goal-scoring sequence took the Kings six seconds to execute, moving the puck nearly 200 feet from goal line to goal. Clifford and Roy 1155280 Anaheim Ducks get better. That’s all I’m worried about. I have zero … I do not care what anybody’s whispering, writing, saying. Anything about our team or me or whatever it is. We’re going to come in here and go about our business.

‘We’ve got the ball rolling in the right direction’ — A season-opening Q&A Fans have been able to see glimpses of the changes that have been with Ducks coach Dallas Eakins made on the ice. Just how different will this club be and in what way?

Well, I think you’ve seen it already. Our transition game has really upped By Eric Stephens its game. We’ve been able to really transport that puck very quickly on breakouts and in that neutral zone. It’s something that’s very important to Oct 3, 2019 us if we’re going to generate offense. We’ve been pleasantly surprised at where we’re at. There’s still lots of work to do with that, and a lot of that

just comes out of repetition, repetition, repetition. For me, that would be IRVINE, Calif. — The second chance Dallas Eakins pined for officially the biggest thing that stands out. arrives tonight. There is excitement. There is the anticipation of guiding Some of your more talented players – the ones you will be leaning on – an NHL team through what he calls the “marathon” of the 82-game have already talked about there being more freedom on the ice to have schedule. There is the eagerness to go after regular-season points that the opportunity and willingness to make plays. Have you already sensed are now available and the comfort of a support system, built on that or gotten feedback that they’re relishing this freedom that’s relationships with his general manager and the organization’s executive seemingly out there? group over the last four years. I believe players want to make plays. And what’s interesting is, As he prepared to lead the Anaheim Ducks into the season and start his sometimes they almost become afraid to make a play because they second turn as an NHL head coach, the 52-year-old Eakins felt “eerily might turn the puck over. Rather than trust themselves and trust their skill calm.” He believes he has prepped his team for Thursday’s season set, they default to, ‘I don’t want to make a mistake. I’m just going to opener against Arizona at Honda Center. He is hopeful that a “group dump the puck in, chip the puck in and give the other team the puck dynamic” approach between his coaching staff and the front office will back.’ That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. We’ve challenged instill confidence and embolden a team with many new faces to work each other right from Day 1 here. Make a play, make a play, make a together as a whole. Everyone is starting out on the same page. play. I think the more you get comfortable making plays, the more plays “Our goal here was to get the group tight and together and pulling one that you will make. Are we going to make a mistake sometimes and way,” Eakins recently said, having put his first Ducks training camp maybe turn a puck over? Yeah, that’s going to happen. But then that’s behind him. “I’m a big believer that if that’s not happening, I don’t care the next step of having the necessary systems in place and anticipation what your systems are or your combinations, it’s not going to go very well in place that we can recover from that immediately and be in a good for you. We are excited about that. We’ve got the ball rolling in the right position. direction. The key on that is to keep building on it.” Which leads into my next question. In what ways will your system and People will be watching how he fares behind the Ducks’ bench. Nearly strategy be able to allow you to stay disciplined defensively while pushing five years have passed since his 18-month stint coaching the Edmonton for more offense? Oilers, which included little success, and people have long memories. A The structure that we’ve implemented with our transition game is one that successful four-year run leading the AHL’s San Diego Gulls earned him if there is a hiccup or, God forbid, the other team do a good job the promotion to Anaheim, but his reputation as an NHL head coach will defensively, which happens all the time, I think we’re very quick to go, be fully repaired only if the Ducks start a new arc of playoff contention ‘Man, that guy turned over the puck.’ And you don’t look and go, ‘Man, and again make annual challenges for the Stanley Cup. that defensive player made a hell of a play here.’ But with the structure The Athletic sat down with Eakins inside a quiet locker room at the that we’ve implemented there is not only one just solely for offense. It is team’s practice facility to talk about the feel of being one of the NHL’s 31 also there to protect if the other team does do a good job at some point. head coaches and the upcoming season for the Ducks. Your forwards are all on board? Say if your defenseman drives the center You and your wife, Ingrid, are supportive of each other’s careers and lane right to the net. Will that given forward or all of them know to cycle have talked about how you’re a tandem and that it was a joint effort to get back and support defensively? you back to being an NHL head coach. On the eve of this new start, what To some degree. And they also know that defenseman is probably going has it been like in the Eakins household? What you hoped for is now to be exiting back up to his position very quickly too. The way you score here. in this game, it’s not necessarily three guys in on a rush. It’s often four. You know what, I wish that I could tell you that there’s a whole ton of We’ve been walking them through that process. excitement. But when you’ve got an 11-year-old daughter and an 8-year- Everyone knows what Ryan Getzlaf’s role with the Ducks is, as the old daughter, they don’t really care what you’re doing or who you coach captain. What will his role this season be on the ice? Will that change or or what you do. Our house has been focused mainly on them. That being be different in any way? said, they are excited. My wife’s excited to get to a game. She didn’t get to any of the preseason games but she had it obviously circled on her I don’t think so. He’s going to be a real key guy down the middle for us. calendar to be there for opening night. I guess the short answer is there’s When you look at our lineup with him in the lineup or if you look at our excitement. I’m excited to get going and I know Ingrid is too. But there’s a lineup without him in the lineup, those are two far different lineups. And, real sense of calm too. We’ve done this many times before. so, he’s a very important hockey player to us. Take away his leadership. As a player, we obviously know that he can create. We want that. He’s I know you guys don’t want to make this about you, but you’ve worked to always competitive on the ice. He’s about as competitive a player as get back to this spot. There has got to be something to this particular you’re going to get. It’s always talked about and we’ve really seen it here opening night. in the last few days of practice and even in a couple games before. We’re What happens is, some of it wears off because we’ve been given another trying to encourage him to shoot the puck more. ‘Cause he can rip it. He great opportunity and I’ve been doing the job now for two months or can just rip it. His role as a player is, not only is he our captain but we whatever it is. It is exciting. But being in this already and getting through need him to be one of our better players if we’re going to be successful. training camp, I guess it’s more of a business-like mentality right now. Can he still be an offensive force in this league? Last one about you and the impact of taking over the Ducks’ coaching job I believe so. For me, he might be one of the top five distributors of the here. How much are you aware of the fact the hockey world, so to speak, puck in the game. He can pass the puck. When you have a guy like that, will be interested in seeing how you will do in Anaheim after your initial you really want to utilize that to your advantage. I still think he’s got lots experience with Edmonton? of game left in him. I don’t know. I’m not really that much interested at all. If the hockey world Ryan Getzlaf, who had 48 points last season, can still thrive according to is that interested, then it must be some slow days for them on what I’m Dallas Eakins. (James Carey Lauder / USA Today) doing. I go back to it. It’s what we’re trying to build our program off of here. We’re going to come in here every day and do our absolute best to You had Jakob Silfverberg and Josh Manson as your alternate captains The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 in the final exhibition game. Are those two going to be your permanent alternates? Or have you come to a decision on who all will wear the ‘A’?

Yeah, we were actually just kicking it around in (the office) again. I think we’re going to sleep on it one more time and go through it. The reality is this: We have a captain and then there’s probably six or seven guys who I could sit here and make a case for every one of them, that they should be the assistant captain. And so, the decision process comes down to, are you going to rotate a massive number of guys or are you just going to pick two out of the group? And it’s a difficult decision. Because I’m not sure there is a right decision, just to pick two or to rotate whatever it is, six or seven names through there. We’re still looking through that.

Outside of this room, there are seemingly low expectations for the Ducks this season. In some ways, is that good for this group and where it’s at right now?

Uh, I wasn’t aware of the expectations outside the room. Nor do it – it would be like if there was high expectations. It has really nothing to do with what we do here. This isn’t a B.S. thing. …

(interjects) … There’s not many that are picking you to make the playoffs.

That’s fine. In the end, that has nothing to do with the game on the ice. Absolutely zero. I respect those people have a job to make those picks. But we’re just going to go about our business. Today at practice, we wanted to have a great practice. We wanted to try to get better today. We wanted to be our best. And when we come into this game (Thursday), we want to do our best individually, do our best as a team and just have that mindset. We’re not looking at winning three out of our first five games or seven of our first 10 or whatever it is. We believe that our only goal right now is to win Thursday night. That’s it.

That probably throws cold water on my big-picture question. Is this a playoff team? Is this a playoff roster?

I don’t know. And I go back to it. I don’t believe in setting those goals like that. It’s like my mother told me. She told me, ‘Dallas, if you look after the pennies, the dollars look after themselves.’ And I believe by coming in and being your best every day and just trying to win your next game, those standings look after themselves.

What ways do you see how Darryl Sutter can be a real good influence on you, on this franchise?

Take a pick. It’s from the way he interacts with our players. The way he interacts with our staff. His experience through practices. Reasoning with players. Bench management. Travel. You name it. That’s an incredible coach and an even better human being. There’s not one place that I can think of, in anything that I do from when I wake up in the morning until I go to bed at night – and that’s the same for our players in here when they wake up in the morning and go to bed at night, our staff – where Darryl Sutter can’t have a positive effect on us. It’s just incredibly awesome that we’ve got him on board.

What’s wrong with having someone who’s won two Stanley Cups around to bounce things off?

Since we made the hire, I’ve had these questions like that. ‘What are you guys doing?’ I’m like, ‘What do you mean?’ Why wouldn’t you want somebody like this around your team? I just don’t get how there’s any kind of perception other than an incredibly positive one.

You’ve talked about Roger Neilson on multiple occasions as a second father to you. Define that a little more or elaborate on that. In what ways? Because that’s seemingly someone who means more to you than a mentor.

From when I was probably 12 years old, when I first met Roger, I started working at his hockey schools in the summer. I spent my summers at his home in Peterborough. We traveled to play golf together. He was not only a mentor, he was a father figure to me and he was my best friend. There’s not many days that go by that I don’t think about that man.

If he were with us now going into this night for you, what would you say to him? What would he say to you?

His message would be very simple. Enjoy the game. He was all about defense, right? So, it was like make sure that other team gets no goals against. And the last thing he would say is, ‘Don’t screw it up.’

1155281 Anaheim Ducks 60 Under

60 Under

The Athletic L.A. NHL predictions: Will the Ducks and Kings make the 60 playoffs? Hart

winner Connor By Rich Hammond, Lisa Dillman, Josh Cooper, Eric Stephens McDavid Nathan Oct 3, 2019 McKinnon Nathan

McKinnon Connor The 2019-20 NHL regular season officially begins in Southern California on Thursday, when the Ducks and new head coach Dallas Eakins play McDavid host to the Arizona Coyotes at Honda Center. The Kings begin the Todd Messier McLellan era on Saturday in Edmonton. winner Blake Before the puck drops in Anaheim, the hockey experts of The Athletic Los Angeles wanted to enlighten you with their knowledge in the form of Wheeler Alex predictions. Give us your own picks in the comments section. Pietrangelo Connor Lisa Eric Josh Rich McDavid Mark Kings in Giordano playoffs? No No No No Will Kings Justin points 79 83 73 75 Williams Kopitar play? No Yes Yes No points 79 71 83 76 Stanley Doughty Cup ATOI 26:00 27:37 27:00 26:55 champ Tampa Quick Bay Tampa games 58 50 49 62 Bay Tampa Bjornfot: Bay Tampa L.A. or Bay Sweden? Stay Dodgers in win the L.A. Stay World in Series? L.A. Stay in The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 L.A. Stay in

L.A.

Ducks in playoffs? No Yes No No

Ducks points 85 94 90 86

Getzlaf points 60 68 71 52

Kase games 62 71 73 68

Rakell goals 28 32 40 31

Gibson O/U:

60 games Under

60 Under 1155282 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes drop first game of season in road loss to Anaheim Ducks

Richard Morin, Arizona Republic

Published 9:42 p.m. MT Oct. 3, 2019 | Updated 11:50 p.m. MT Oct. 3, 2019

The Coyotes dropped the first game of the season, 2-1, in a road loss to the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.

Derek Stepan potted the Coyotes' first goal of the season at 9:03 of the second period, assisted by Phil Kessel and Clayton Keller. It was Kessel's first point as a member of the Coyotes.

Derek Grant opened the scoring for Anaheim at 14:34 of the first period, tucking a rebound created by teammate Devin Shore, who beat Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski for a juicy scoring chance.

After Stepan's goal opened the second-period scoring, Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler danced around Coyotes forward Vinnie Hinostroza and scored the go-ahead goal at the end of the period.

The Coyotes and Ducks each had power-play opportunities in the third period but neither team could cash in.

Ducks John Gibson stopped 32 of 33 shots in the win, while his Coyotes counterpart Darcy Kuemper stopped 27 of 29.

Ducks forward Ondrej Kase and Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski each registered a game-high five shots on goal.

The Coyotes will lace up for their home opener on Saturday when they host the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins at Gila River Arena in Glendale.

The skinny

The score: Ducks 2, Coyotes 1.

The streak: L1.

The record: 0-1-0.

The 82-game pace: 0-82-0.

The player: Derek Grant.

The moment: Cam Fowler's goal at 19:28 of the second.

The number: 1 — Phil Kessel notched the first point of his Coyotes career in the first game of the 2019-20 season.

The quote: "I thought we were okay defensively, but obviously we've got to score goals. We had chances. We had some possession time but it was sloppy with too many giveaways. I didn't like three or four guys' games. I know it's the first time but we had a lot of possession but then we started getting cute. We've got to stop that." — Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155283 Arizona Coyotes

Stepan scores but Coyotes fall in season opener to Anaheim Ducks

Staff Report

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

OCTOBER 3, 2019 AT 9:56 PM

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Cam Fowler scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period, John Gibson made 32 saves and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Arizona Coyotes 2-1 on Thursday night in Dallas Eakins’ debut as coach.

Fowler skated around a pair of Arizona defenders and lofted a wrist shot that beat Darcy Kuemper on his glove side with 32 seconds remaining in the second. Derek Grant also scored for the Ducks, who have won three straight season openers.

Eakins was hired during the offseason after coaching the Ducks’ AHL affiliate in San Diego for four seasons. This is Eakins’ second stint in the NHL after two-plus seasons with Edmonton (2013-15).

Derek Stepan had Arizona’s goal while Kuemper stopped 27 shots.

Grant opened the scoring at 14:32 of the first when he knocked in the rebound after Devin Shore was stopped on a breakaway. Kuemper stopped Shore’s shot with his left skate but wasn’t in position to stop the Anaheim forward’s tip-in.

Arizona evened it at 1 when Stepan went top shelf to beat Gibson at 9:03 of the second period. Phil Kessel got his first point for the Coyotes when he fed Stepan to his left and he buried a one-timer on a wrist shot for his fifth opening night goal.

Kessel, who was acquired from Pittsburgh during the offseason, played in his 775th consecutive game, the second-longest active streak in the league.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155284 Arizona Coyotes

In 2019-20, Coyotes must seize chance to return to the playoffs

BY MATT LAYMAN

OCTOBER 3, 2019 AT 11:41 AM

UPDATED: OCTOBER 3, 2019 AT 10:18 PM

Here we are again: The start of a new NHL season where the Arizona Coyotes are 0-0-0 and high expectations are a valid currency. The Coyotes have a decent amount of it this year.

Soon, that currency will no longer be accepted. Arizona will be tasked with living up to its playoff hopes on the ice, starting with the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night at the Honda Center. It’s step one of 82 in which the Coyotes will try to match the offseason hubbub — however justified — and make their first playoff appearance since 2011-12.

The playoff expectations for the Coyotes make sense. They finished just four points shy of a playoff spot last year and then added Phil Kessel in the offseason. Kessel is one of four players in the NHL to score 20 or more goals in each of the last 11 seasons (joining Alex Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane). That’s good for a team that really needs help on offense and the power play.

Arizona also found itself a new owner in Alex Meruelo, who excitedly proclaimed, “I sure as [expletive] want to win” in his introductory press conference. The Coyotes are up against the salary cap for the first time in recent memory.

And with so many players missing significant amounts of time last year due to injury, there’s some artificial “additions” on the basis of health alone. The Coyotes are hoping all of this amounts to a long-awaited return to the big dance.

“We feel good. This has been a build-up of a number of years now to get to this point where we feel like we’ve got a strong team, a team that has high expectations,” general manager John Chayka told the media at the beginning of training camp. “Obviously last year was disappointing, coming short like we did. But it also provided a lot of motivation. That’s what I feel with our group.

“I feel like we’ve got a group that’s got something to prove and guys that have got some chips on their shoulders and looking to take that next step. So as much as it hurt to miss, we’ve got to learn from that, too, and I think this group has.”

The Coyotes making the playoffs is not a guarantee; there are at least eight other teams in the Western Conference who are plenty capable. But it should be the goal and the standard now after several years of roster construction by Chayka and character-molding by head coach Rick Tocchet.

I asked Tocchet at the start of camp what would have to happen for him to call this coming season a success. He avoided looking months ahead to playoffs and stuck to the very thing he preaches every day to his players.

“Everybody likes to talk about playoffs,” he said at the time. “Thirty-two teams talk about that. It’s Sept. 12. That’s the wish list of everybody. But unless you … do the right things, the end result doesn’t matter. So that’s why I keep saying we’re just going to commit to our process.”

If the Coyotes don’t make the playoffs this year, the silver lining is this: There isn’t an aging core or group of key free agents-to-be that will leave the front office scrambling to give it another try.

But 2019-20 is an opportunity for them; a year in which a Gila River Arena filled with waving white towels is within reach. It’s an opportunity that should be seized.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155285 Arizona Coyotes interesting quote about the forward on The Natural Hat Trick Podcast on Tuesday:

“He’s come a long way for me, from when we first acquired him,” Tocchet 6 thoughts on the Coyotes as the 2019-20 season begins said. “Hockey IQ … it was OK. I felt system-wise, he didn’t understand our system. But he’s probably been our most-improved player over the last year, when it comes to hockey IQ. I think he’s really increased his BY MATT LAYMAN knowledge of what we’re trying to do here.”

OCTOBER 3, 2019 AT 6:50 AM Tocchet said Hinostroza will get time on the penalty kill, power play and 4-on-4 or 3-on-3 situations this coming year. UPDATED: OCTOBER 3, 2019 AT 8:58 AM “He’ll definitely get his chances on different lines,” Tocchet said. “But

right now, I do really like him with Brad Richardson and Michael Grabner. The Arizona Coyotes are set to get their season underway, and the days They have a good chemistry together, and if you look at that line last leading up to the opener have had no shortage of activity. year, they all contribute down the stretch and had some big goals for us.”

The team claimed a goaltender off waivers, announced its opening night The 25-year-old set career-highs in both games played (72) and goals roster, made two call-ups on Wednesday and then made a big scored (16) last year, the latter of which ranked third on the team. And transaction, signing goaltender Darcy Kuemper to a two-year extension. his relative Corsi and Fenwick numbers were both top-3 on the team among returning forwards. The Kuemper extension is big because Kuemper just had a career year and Kuemper was going to become a free agent after this season. Two Hinostroza is set to become a restricted free agent after this season. If he years is fairly low-risk and maintains a reported $4.5 million cap hit on a continues taking steps forward, he could be the next player in line for player who was liable to further increase his asking price this season. Chayka to secure under a multi-year contract. Him walking as a free agent is no longer a concern. 4. Which team exits? That’s my thought on that. Here’s six more on the Coyotes at the dawn of Clearly, the big question surrounding the Coyotes going into the 2019-20 another year: season is whether they make the playoffs. I’ve maintained for a while that 1. Why Christian Fischer “didn’t make” the team they have a roster that generally speaking is playoff-caliber, but that their biggest barrier could be that there’s eight other teams in the Western Christian Fischer not being on the team was quite the surprise, but not Conference of whom you could say the same thing. only did it turn out to be a salary cap formality and he was going to be with the Coyotes after all, but GM John Chayka praised the way Fischer Of the teams that made the playoffs out of the West last year — Calgary, played in training camp. San Jose, Nashville, Winnipeg, St. Louis, Vegas, Dallas and Colorado — which one misses this year to open a spot for the Coyotes? In case you missed it, NHL teams had until 2 p.m. Arizona time on Tuesday to announce their opening night rosters, and the Coyotes’ roster Something always goes wrong for somebody. Some team always included only 21 players (of 23 allowed) and no Christian Fischer. That’s surprises for better or for worse, a goaltender gets hurt, etc. So maybe because the Coyotes needed to get under the salary cap, and Fischer it’s nothing to be too concerned about; they play all 82 games for a and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin were both waivers-exempt, meaning reason. But do Winnipeg’s losses on the blue line keep them out of the they could be sent to the AHL without first clearing waivers. postseason? Maybe they’re the team to watch.

On Wednesday, the Coyotes were expected to put Marian Hossa — a 5. A tough schedule to start retired player whose contract the Coyotes acquired from the Blackhawks The Coyotes open at Anaheim and then have to host Boston (107 points last summer — on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). Teams get salary last year), host Vegas (93 points last year) and then go to Colorado (90 cap relief equal to the amount of the contract of a player on LTIR, so the points last year) who are on the upswing and now have Nazem Kadri, Coyotes can get the necessary cap space to call Fischer back up — Cale Makar and Joonas Donskoi in the fold. which they did. Then, from Oct. 15 to Oct. 30, they have eight games in 16 days — four Lyubushkin, however, is going to stay in Tucson for now. In his place, the of those in the eastern time zone. The Coyotes could really use a fast team recalled Kyle Capobianco. start, but if they don’t have one, I don’t think it’s time to hit the panic 2. On Antti Raanta’s health button.

The Coyotes made a surprise move on Tuesday by claiming goaltender 6. The other important Phil Eric Comrie off waivers. They can’t assign him to the minor leagues Phil Kessel projects to be an important part of the Coyotes improving a unless he clears waivers first, so his name was on the opening night power play that finished 26th in the NHL last year. But so, too, does Phil roster. Housley, the new assistant coach the Coyotes added this offseason, That, combined with Antti Raanta getting assigned to Tucson on replacing Scott Allen. Wednesday for a conditioning stint, prompted some concern within the Housley gave a few interesting thoughts on the power play when he fanbase about Raanta’s health. talked to the media at the start of training camp. First, he said the The team’s explanation for getting Comrie was that he’s a goalie they’ve Coyotes power play can get more simplistic and establish more shots. been interested in previously and they had an open roster spot that they Second, he said he wants to see the players working in unison and can use on him. Raanta just needs more time to get into game shape, moving around more, and try to be unpredictable. something the team had said even before they sent him to Tucson on a He also pointed to Kessel drawing attention from opposing defenses conditioning loan. could help open up opportunities for other players, so look out for how “Obviously Antti hasn’t played a lot of games in the last 10, 11 months,” Kessel could help the power play even when he’s not the one scoring a Chayka said. “So as he’s getting up to speed and getting back to where goal. we know he can get to, this just gives us another option.”

Raanta skated with the Coyotes on Monday and Chayka said Raanta felt Arizona Sports LOADED: 10.04.2019 100%. I don’t think they would let him play with Tucson if Raanta wasn’t fully healthy. That said, if the 14-day conditioning period ends and Raanta still isn’t playing, that would be more troubling.

3. Vinnie Hinostroza’s big season ahead

As I was jotting down my bullet points for this article, I wrote “Vinnie Hinostroza,” because I think he has the chance to be a standout player for Arizona this year. And then head coach Rick Tocchet had an 1155286 Arizona Coyotes Then, of course, there’s the fact that he does sometimes play starting inside the pipes.

Kuemper has been vocal in the last few years about how crucial both Behind the Save: Why Darcy Kuemper is one of Arizona’s brightest Kings goaltending coach Bill Ranford was for him in the 2017-18 season pieces this year and Corey Schwab was this past year.

Ranford started his transition to play a more positionally sound game, By Cat Silverman helping him keep more of his play starts at the goal line and moving out into the blue paint (and, for the ever-adventurous Kuemper, sometimes Oct 3, 2019 beyond). Schwab, who has been a vocal advocate of taking good foundations and building upon them instead of overhauling styles

altogether, has furthered the work that Ranford started in Los Angeles; Darcy Kuemper lost the season opener for the Arizona Coyotes on he’s helped Kuemper stay on his knees a bit more and continue to Thursday night. integrate post play into his game, which helps Kuemper create a solid hinge when leaning on his posts to face shots in close rather than trying On paper, it was a frustrating way to start the season for a fanbase to come out and lose position by challenging shooters. ravenous to finally get things going again. It was head coach Rick Tocchet’s third opening night at the helm — all against the Anaheim When he stays inside the crease area, he’s got phenomenal poise that Ducks — and his third straight loss. The power play failed to record a makes it hard to beat him; it took getting completely bowled over by his single shot on its lone opportunity, and the famed penalty kill didn’t own teammate to truly beat him on the first goal of the night because manage to get things done, either. he’d been in such a good position for the first shot and potential recovery. Take a look: In reality, of course, it wasn’t exactly a panic-inducing performance from the majority of the players on the ice. The Coyotes posted 33 shots and Kuemper stayed just far enough off the post to center himself to the 70 shot attempts over 60 minutes, and the top line of Phil Kessel, Derek oncoming potential shot, reaching the toe of his left skate out to get a Stepan and Clayton Keller showed flashes of brilliance that led to a little bit of extra extension and nudge the puck away from the goal. He combined seven shots on goal and three points. kept his eyes and his torso facing his rebound, too; with only his lower body left to shift into position, he was primed and ready to potentially And then there was the other bright spot on the night, clear across the ice make a second save. from the Kessel line. If he’d come out too far on the oncoming rush, he would have left a wide- Darcy Kuemper turned away 27 of 29 shots in the team’s close 2-1 loss, open back door for Anaheim to net an easy goal. Instead, he put himself and it’s hard to argue that either goal allowed was his fault. The only two in a position to make the save from his knees, and without getting his times Anaheim was able to get the puck past him were when he got whole body moving out of position and opening up a hole on his blocker bowled over by his own teammate at 14:32 of the first period and when side. Had he not gotten knocked over, he could have easily pushed to Cam Fowler executed a bit of wizardry with just 0:32 to go in the second. the center of the crease to block the second shot and keep the game His .931 save percentage in all situations is seventh-best among scoreless in the first; it’s tough to play a game of “what-ifs,” but it does who have played through the first two nights; the only other create a feeling of optimism that should help the team snag a few extra goaltender to post over a .900 save percentage and lose was Matt points on rushes like that. Murray with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ultimately, the biggest problem for Kuemper in years past has been The Coyotes are a team that relies heavily on their goaltending to deliver consistency. When he’s played well, he’s never had a massive issue with the best-case scenario every night in order to win. Even with the addition tracking or using his size to his advantage — but that desire to come out of Phil Kessel, they remain a team with middling score power — as of the blue paint and slide into position has left him vulnerable in the past evidenced by their 27 games out of the team’s last 83 in which they’ve and hurt even the Coyotes when he’s lost his focus. only scored one goal — and count on their netminding to keep them in games until their snake-bitten offense can find the back of the net. He credited Schwab with helping him gain that consistency through an increase in focus last season, and again nodded to it just ahead of the That means that Kuemper will have to be his 2018-19 self once again season opener by suggesting he’s now familiar with the right mindset to this year and not his 2012-2017 self. He’ll have to be great, not just good, duplicate his good games night in and night out. That might be why he and he’ll have to be that way consistently. managed to play the Coyotes right into postseason contention despite making 22 straight starts last season, putting up one of the league’s best Luckily, if he’s able to play consistently at the level he did Thursday night, statistical performances down the back half of the season — and it could that shouldn’t be a tremendous issue. certainly be what gives him the chance to do it again this year. Kuemper, from a goaltending perspective, is an enigma.

He’s listed at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, making him one of the biggest The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 goaltenders across the league. But he plays like a goaltender half his size sometimes, over-sliding when he comes out from the goal line to challenge on plays that develop inside the offensive zone and setting his heels half a foot outside the blue paint on breakaways.

That hybrid depth strategy can be rattling to watch from Kuemper, since he neither commits to playing from the top of the crease in (like fellow Coyote Antti Raanta and a handful of other smaller goaltenders) nor commits to a deeper inside-out style that keeps him in the blue paint and safely between the pipes (like the Henrik Lundqvists of the world). Just take a look at this save from the third period against Anaheim:

Why it works for him, though, is because he’s got the reach to recover when he does over-commit outside the blue paint. It’s not often pretty; if Anaheim had been more aggressive on the forecheck, they might have been able to scoop up a rebound on that stop and leave Kuemper scrambling to throw his paddle in front of the open crease. But with his height, he’s got the reach to get back faster than a goaltender like Raanta might — so when he does leave himself open for a sloppy second attempt, there’s a chance he’ll get there in time. And the same goes when he plays up high; even if he lacks the mobility to pull back into the blue paint and settle closer to the crease on a breakaway, he’s got enough weight to his frame to truly capitalize on the old adage of “making himself bigger” in the crease. 1155287 Boston Bruins “Even though Tuukka was excellent, we were committed in front of him,” said Cassidy, whose team was walloped, 7-0, by the Capitals last year on opening night.

Bruins strike early, hold on late to take season opener against the Stars “I felt the best in the third, I don’t know if it’s because I had the most action,” said Rask, who will cede the net to Jaroslav Halak on Saturday. “We’ll see how the next game goes.” By Matt Porter Globe Staff The Stars, who had Bishop out of the net in the final 90 seconds, couldn’t Updated October 4, 2019, 1:59 a.m. get pucks toward Rask. They became the first victim of the Bruins’ 2019- 20 revenge tour. It rolls through the desert on Saturday.

Will it hit a wall? Will the two-month grind of last spring, its carryover DALLAS — Last year is officially last year, and these Bruins don’t appear effects, catch them in a matter of weeks, or months? to be wallowing in their Game 7 grief. “With this group and the work ethic, there’s no general concern of that,” Scoring twice on their first two shots of 2019-20, they held on for a 2-1 Carlo said. “I think we’re just excited to be here and play hockey again.” win over the Stars on Thursday night in the season opener for both clubs.

The defending Eastern Conference champions won without David Krejci, whose nagging lower-body injury proved too much a risk to test in Game Boston Globe LOADED: 10.04.2019 1. They also did it without dominant performances from their top line and power play. Other than 16 third-period stops from Tuukka Rask (28 saves), they leaned on the new faces from last spring, and two who joined their ranks July 1.

Brett Ritchie, one of several quiet moves general manager made in the free agent market, and Danton Heinen scored in the first six minutes.

Ritchie dented the scoreboard 69 seconds in, collecting a loose puck near the left dot and sending a heavy snap shot, short side, underneath the right pad of ex-teammate Ben Bishop. The chance was compliments of Charlie Coyle, who thwarted a Stars breakout attempt along the boards.

“New team, new opportunity,” said Ritchie, who spent six years in the Stars organization and entered the Bruins’ lineup after the morning skate. “That [shot], I was trying to get it through the D-man. You never know.”

Heinen made it 2-0 on the power play at 5:59 by roasting Bishop high, short side, with Coyle screening in front. The power-play goal came thanks to Par Lindholm, another July 1 signing. Promoted from fourth-line center to second-line Krejci replacement, he drew a pair of penalties.

Coach said the team believed Krejci would be ready, but “it didn’t heal as quickly as we’d like, so we’ll aim for Saturday [at Arizona]. We’ll see who ends up in and out then.” Cassidy didn’t have to make many switches Thursday, his charges skating hard and, if not shooting out the lights, playing a responsible, solid game on the road.

“It doesn’t even feel like we had much of a summer, we just came back in,” defenseman Brandon Carlo said. “There were a couple breakdowns here and there, but that’s to be expected.”

The Bruins were 1 for 4 on the power play, their first unit unable to get many looks against a capable Stars penalty-killing unit. Heinen, Coyle, and Ritchie (also creating traffic on Heinen’s goal) combined for the winner, and the defensemen — Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk — had the assists. For a second power-play group that doesn’t typically see much action, it was a strong showing.

Good signs elsewhere: Defenseman Connor Clifton and winger Karson Kuhlman, returning rookies who got a taste of the playoffs last spring, showed their wheels. Kuhlman got loose for a pair of break-ins. Clifton activated from the back end and almost set up Brad Marchand for a tap- in, the defenseman’s pass off-target.

Rask, typically slow to start the season, jumped out of the gate. Speedy young winger Roope Hintz beat him blocker high on a breakaway, taking advantage of a botched change by the Bruins’ defense. But Rask stopped Hintz early after the Finn beat McAvoy on another break-in. He was not done.

Protecting a 2-1 lead, Rask made four sharp stops on a penalty kill in the opening minutes of the third. He handled a Radek Faksa tip from the high slot, two follow-up tries, and a Miro Heiskanen wrister from long distance. Minutes later, Rask got lucky: Tyler Seguin rang the crossbar after a turnover in front.

But Rask left Hintz shaking his head midway through the third. The netminder went split-legged and snagged a laser of a wrister, labeled for the top corner, and kept it 2-1. He stuffed Jamie Oleksiak from 20 feet with seven minutes left. 1155288 Boston Bruins

Dallas defenseman Roman Polak removed on stretcher after crashing into boards

By Matt Porter Globe Staff

Updated October 4, 2019, 1:51 a.m.

DALLAS — Stars defenseman Roman Polak left the ice motionless and on a stretcher after going head-first into the boards in the second period of the season opener against the Bruins Thursday night.

After the game, Stars coach Jim Montgomery said Polak had full use of his extremities and was feeling better at the hospital.

Polak, in his 14th NHL season and second with the Stars, crashed into the boards at 7:04 after checking Bruins forward Chris Wagner. Polak lost his balance after trying to slow Wagner with a cross-check. His head and right shoulder took the brunt of the boards.

The American Airlines Center was nearly silent for about 10 minutes as Polak was loaded onto the stretcher. He did not appear to move, talk or open his eyes.

Polak’s former St. Louis Blues teammate, David Backes, was shown on NESN’s broadcast praying with several Bruins.

Boston Globe LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155289 Boston Bruins Polak has had at least a couple of concussions over the course of his career.

Comeau, racing to back check into the Dallas end on a delayed call Bruins’ Charlie Coyle was a force against the Stars against the Stars, was felled by a puck to mouth that had him leaking a large amount of blood on the ice. It was a Brad Marchand pass that nailed him, after it deflected off the stick shaft of Dallas defenseman By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff Andrej Sekera.

Updated October 4, 2019, 1:26 a.m. That was it for Comeau, done for the night on an innocent play.

■ In an era when speed is the dominant trait for all 31 teams, it can be a chore to discern from fast, faster and fastest. DALLAS — Charlie Coyle, impressive in training camp, followed through with a superb effort in the season opener, with his telltale gloveprints all Not true Thursday night. The two burners, at least in shorts bursts, were over both of the early strikes that led the Bruins to their 2-1 win over the Roope Hintz for the Stars and Karson Kuhlman for the Bruins. Stars. Hintz, who cracked the Stars’ lineup last season, used his speed to Obtained in the trade deadline deal in February that shipped top prospect power in and cut Boston’s lead to 2-1 at 7:55 of the second — only 51 Ryan Donato to the Wild, Coyle is one of 10 free agents on the Boston seconds after Polak exited. Hintz, a Finn, blew by Charlie McAvoy on a roster. The trickier signing for GM Don Sweeney no doubt will be Torey botched change by the Bruins, and zipped his shot under the crossbar Krug, the top scorer on the backline, but the 27-year-old Coyle will be from the inner edge of the left circle. both a critical and expensive signing. Midway through the third, Hintz nearly tied it, again bolting into the slot to On the season-opening strike by Brett Ritchie, Coyle disrupted a Dallas snap off a sizzling 30-foot roster. It took a lightning–fast flash of his glove breakout, clipping the puck away from Andrew Cogliano along the right for Tuukka Rask to snare it. wall in the Dallas end. The disruption was compounded when Ritchie bumped Radek Faksa, allowing Ritchie to take control of the puck and Kuhlman didn’t stamp his name on the scoresheet, but he flashed a snap in his wrister from the center of the left wing circle. Good shot, but couple of bursts that were eye-catching. With David Krejci out of the none of it would have happened without Coyle’s astute effort to negate lineup and the trios altered, Kuhlman worked most of the time at right the breakout along the wall. wing on a line with Jake DeBrusk and newcomer Par Lindholm. DeBrusk is also among Boston’s top burners. Cassidy will juggle ’em up when “Arguably our best, most noticeable player in camp,” said coach Bruce Krejci is back, but the veteran Czech pivot might be working with the two Cassidy. fastest wingers he’s had in his career.

The second goal, a Danton Heinen snipe, had the 6-foot-3-inch, 220- ■ Ex-BU Terriers McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk each picked up an assist pound Coyle playing the oak tree role at the top of Ben Bishop’s crease. on Heinen’s power-play goal. It’s the first time they’ve each had helpers Heinen, also in that left wing circle, snapped his wrister high to the short on the same goal since joining the Bruins. side, with even the towering Bishop unable to track the shot because of Coyle’s net-front presence. If Cassidy keeps to his plan (always subject to change), McAvoy and Grzelcyk will pair as the point men on the second-unit power play all “The screen, to me, made that goal,” noted Cassidy. “A good shot by season. They logged around 2:40 in ice time on the man-advantage, Danton, might have gone in anyway, don’t get me wrong, but Bishop is a while the No. 1 unit shooters, Torey Krug and David Pastrnak, averaged real good goalie. You have to take away his eyes. Charlie did a good job about 4:07. there. He was originally one of the guys that was going to be on the elbow, not net-front, but he had the presence of mind to get there — a fluid game, you have to adjust sometimes.” Boston Globe LOADED: 10.04.2019 “You have to stay there, that’s where the puck goes,” added Coyle. “You have to do your part . . . whether that means standing on your tippy-toes, or what.”

Bishop, who allowed two goals on the first two shots, snuffed out the 18 other shots the Bruins landed across the next 54 minutes.

■ Not that anyone needed a reminder that hockey’s a dangerous and sometimes cruel business, but it was underscored emphatically for the Stars.

They lost Blake Comeau to injury (puck to mouth) in the first and then, in a frightening scene, saw veteran backliner Roman Polak stretchered off in the second after he went down in a heap while in a footrace with Chris Wagner to track the puck in the Stars’ end.

The heavy, broad-shouldered Polak tipped awkwardly into the boards, crashing his neck and right shoulder into the wall. He landed belly down on the ice and did not move. It took the Dallas training and medical staff some 10 minutes to wrap him up with proper braces — to stabilize his neck and spine — before he was wheeled off the ice at 7:04 of the second period.

A tough, solemn scene. It appeared Polak never opened his eyes. He moved none of his four limbs, before or after he was placed on the stretcher. The Stars only reported that the 33-year-old Czech, who was David Backes’s teammate for many years in St. Louis, was taken to a local hospital for examination.

The sellout crowd sat in near silence for much of the 10 minutes, then applauded in respect as Polak was wheeled off. Eyes still closed, he did not respond. Bruins captain Zdeno Chara made a point of skating over to offer encouraging words to Polak as he was wheeled off.

“I didn’t really see him go down,” said Wagner. “I saw him, and it looked like he was going to give me a push, so I kind of went the other way and got out of it. Unfortunate . . . I didn’t see him [hit] the boards. Sad.” 1155290 Boston Bruins Acciari, now a Panther, was 14th (14.18). Backes was the next-most- frequent hitter among Bruins, ranking 57th (9.2) among those so qualified.

David Krejci sidelined for Bruins’ opener at Dallas Lindholm also provided early value for the Bruins, drawing two penalties.

Stars defenseman injured

By Matt Porter Globe Staff Stars defenseman Roman Polak left the ice motionless and on a October 3, 2019, 7:06 p.m. stretcher after going head-first into the boards in the second period of the season opener against the Bruins Thursday night.

After the game, Stars coach Jim Montgomery said Polak had full use of GLOBE STAFF DALLAS — David Krejci was a scratch to start the his extremities and was feeling better at the hospital. season. Polak, in his 14th NHL season and second with the Stars, crashed into It helped make a hero of Brett Ritchie. the boards at 7:04 after checking Bruins forward Chris Wagner. Polak lost his balance after trying to slow Wagner with a cross-check. His head Krejci, who skated all of 1 minute, 22 seconds in the preseason before and right shoulder took the brunt of the boards. exiting with an undisclosed lower-body injury, took early rushes at American Airlines Center Thursday. By the time the sun set on a 95- The American Airlines Center was nearly silent for about 10 minutes as degree day, Krejci’s workday was over. The veteran pivot could not go. Polak was loaded onto the stretcher. He did not appear to move, talk or open his eyes. The resulting lineup shuffle had Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy calling on Ritchie, a Dallas draft pick (44th overall, 2011) who spent his first six pro Polak’s former St. Louis Blues teammate, David Backes, was shown on seasons here. NESN’s broadcast praying with several Bruins.

The big winger couldn’t have started any better: he scored on the Bruins’ Not on trip first shot of 2019-20, surprising ex-teammate Ben Bishop with a heavy wrister, short side, under the right pad. John Moore and Kevan Miller, who hit injured reserve to start the season, were not with the team to start the four-game road trip. Joakim The Bruins’ other July 1 signing, Par Lindholm, skated in Krejci’s place Nordstrom, also on IR, traveled to Dallas . . . Tuukka Rask, who had a on the second line, between Jake DeBrusk and Karson Kuhlman. monster postseason, got the nod in net for the opener. Playoff Tuukka Cassidy planned to have Lindholm as the fourth-line center, but that was and October Tuukka traditionally have been two different goalies. Rask’s scrapped when it became clear Krejci wasn’t ready. opening-month numbers (24-23-4 record, .913 save percentage, 2.56 goals-against) are the worst of his career splits. Rask has started eight Before the game, Cassidy said Krejci was “a little tender right now.” If it openers in his career, and given up 16 goals over the last three, posting were Game 1 of the playoffs, Krejci conceded after the morning skate, he an .854 save percentage. He shall remain unbothered by that, especially would already have made up his mind. after last year. His start total (45) was the lowest in his seven years as a Krejci, whose renaissance at age 32 was a major reason last year’s club clear-cut No. 1. Both he and the club feel it boosted his playoff went so far, hadn’t missed an opener since 2014-15, when he was performance (.934, 2.02) . . . Jaroslav Halak will start in Arizona battling a hip injury. Saturday. He was 4-0-2, .947, 1.51 last October, blasting off the starting block . . . Connor Clifton made his NHL debut here last Nov. 16, the Krejci missed one game last season, resting with several others April 4 in Bruins in a wicked bind of injuries (no Charlie McAvoy, Zdeno Chara, Minnesota after the Bruins clinched second place in the Atlantic Division. Brandon Carlo, Miller, or Moore). After an encouraging playoff run, Clifton He finished with a 20-53—73 line, tying the career high he set as a 22- is now trying to prove he can hold down a third-pair job next to Matt year-old a decade before. Grzelcyk. He showed last time here he could handle the rough stuff, getting in a tussle with graybeard Jason Spezza (now with Toronto). “I feel like it was a good week. Obviously getting closer. Felt better again Clifton, chuckling at the memory, said he wasn’t looking for another fight today,” Krejci said after the morning skate. “It’s kind of hard to find the Thursday, “and I hope they’re not looking for me.” . . . Former President balance. First game you want to be out there with your teammates. You George W. Bush dropped the ceremonial first puck. The crowd thundered never want to miss a game. But at the same time, you’ve got to do what’s its approval. best for myself and best for my teammates. I don’t want to go out there and hurt our chances to win.”

Krejci didn’t regret playing Sept. 23 against the Flyers, when he tangled Boston Globe LOADED: 10.04.2019 with a pair of defenders in front of the net and was slow getting up.

“It was Game 4 of the preseason,” he said. “I wanted to get a couple games at least. I don’t regret anything. I wanted to play. Injuries happen.”

Ritchie, the biggest (6 feet 4 inches, 220 pounds, $1 million annual salary) free agent signing of a quiet July 1 for general manager Don Sweeney, was biding his time at the morning skate as 35-year-old David Backes took rushes with third-liners Danton Heinen and Charlie Coyle. Backes, who consulted with a skating coach over the summer to inject more juice into his game, was a healthy scratch the final three games of the Stanley Cup Final.

When the Stars drafted Ritchie in 2011, they took him 15 slots ahead of Tampa’s Nikita Kucherov, the reigning Hart Trophy winner and leading scorer, and four slots after the Bruins took Alexander Khokhlachev.

Ritchie, who scored a career-high 16 goals for Dallas in 2016-17 under Lindy Ruff, was less a part of Ken Hitchcock’s plans, and couldn’t get in synch with new coach Jim Montgomery. He produced a 4-2—6 line in 53 games, in his third NHL season as a full-timer, and saw several tours of duty in the press box. In all, he skated 241 games here, his production modest (33 goals, 54 points). Cassidy is his fourth coach in four seasons.

Though he does not kill penalties like Noel Acciari, he is a bigger body and an equally willing banger. Of players with more than 500 all- situations minutes played, Ritchie ranked 11th in the league in hits per 60 minutes (14.85). Chris Wagner, the leading Bruin, was 13th (14.5). 1155291 Boston Bruins

Five things to watch in tonight’s Bruins opener

By Matt Porter Globe Staff

October 3, 2019, 12:15 p.m.

DALLAS — Back on the horse, the Bruins were due to take their first morning skate of the 2019-20 season at AmericanAirlines Center at approximately 11:30 Eastern time Thursday. Here are five points of interest before they saddle up and ride out to face the Stars Thursday night:

■ Is David Krejci in? The veteran pivot, whose renaissance at age 32 was a major reason last year’s club went so far, skated all of 1:22 in the preseason. All have maintained his lower-body something-or-other will be fine for opening night, but until we see him hop the boards with Jake DeBrusk and Karson Kuhlman, it’s a bit of a mystery.

Same goes for , who spent the summer coaxing a wonky groin toward a 16th season. Joakim Nordstrom and defensemen Kevan Miller and John Moore are hors de combat.

■ Brett Ritchie, the biggest (6-4/220; $1 million annual salary) free agent signing of a quiet July 1 for general manager Don Sweeney, returns to Big D. The Stars picked the right winger 44th overall in the 2011 draft (15 slots ahead of Tampa’s Nikita Kucherov, and four slots after the Bruins took Alex Khokhlachev). He skated 241 games here, with modest production (33 goals, 54 points), and the Bruins would love a bang-for-buck output like his 16-goal season of 2016-17.

It’ll also be the Bruins debut for Par Lindholm, whom Bruce Cassidy seems to like already; the coach wondered whether he could be Riley Nash 2.0.

■ Connor Clifton made his NHL debut here last Nov. 16, the Bruins in a wicked bind of injuries (no Zdeno Chara, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Miller, or Moore). After an encouraging playoff run, Clifton is now trying to prove he can hold down a third-pair job next to Matt Grzelcyk.

He showed last time here he could handle the rough stuff, getting in a tussle with graybeard Jason Spezza (now with Toronto). Clifton, chuckling at the memory, said he wasn’t looking for another fight Thursday, “and I hope they’re not looking for me.”

Jakub Zboril, who also debuted that night, had a strong camp and was the last Bruin assigned to Providence.

■ Tuukka Rask, who had a monster postseason, got the nod in net for the opener. Playoff Tuukka and October Tuukka traditionally have been two different goalies. Rask’s opening-month numbers (24-23-4, .913, 2.56) are the worst of his career splits, but he shall remain unbothered by that, especially after last year.

His start total (45) was the lowest in his seven years as a clear-cut No. 1. Both he and the club feel it boosted his playoff performance (.934, 2.02).

Jaro Halak will start in Arizona Saturday. He was 4-0-2, .947, 1.51 last October, blasting off the starting block.

■ A focus early on: create more offense. The Bruins’ lockdown defense and lights-out power play in last season’s 107-point finish disguised a team that didn’t otherwise generate or bury a lot of chances. At five on five, they scored 156 goals (20th), managed 20 scoring chances per game (18th), and converted 12.6 percent of them (21st). They were well off the pace of Toronto (league-best 206 goals and 26.8 chances at five on five) and Washington (15.8 shooting percentage on those chances).

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Bruins name Todd Angilly official national anthem singer

By Zachary DuPont Boston.com Staff

October 3, 2019, 11:13 a.m.

After a run of more than 40 years from Rene Rancourt ended following his retirement in 2018, the Bruins announced Thursday they have named Todd Angilly their new official national anthem singer for the upcoming season.

Angilly, 44, is originally from Warwick, Rhode Island and now lives in Lynnfield. Angilly’s day job is as a probation officer, but he also spends time as a bartender at the SportsDeck in TD Garden during Bruins and Celtics seasons.

Angilly first performed the anthem for the Bruins in November of 2017, when he was asked to fill in last-minute for a previously scheduled anthem singer while working the bar at the SportsDeck.

Last year, the first year after Rancourt retired, Angilly performed 16 times during the regular season, and was also the anthem singer for all of the Bruins’ playoff games. Angilly is scheduled to perform about 80 percent of the Bruins’ home games this season, with the remaining games going to a rotation of other singers. The team says they had more than 600 applicants for the job this year, narrowing it down to 52 finalists.

Rancourt started his career with the Bruins in 1975 and was known for his tuxedos and signature fist-pump performed after the anthem. He retired following the Bruins’ 2017-18 season.

Angilly will get his first chance to perform as the Bruins’ regular anthem singer during their home opener against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Boston Globe LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155293 Boston Bruins suspect blue line. Tampa added sneaky-good depth pieces in Pat Maroon and Kevin Shattenkirk. Boston brought back the same group from last year, minus one of their best playoff forwards (Marcus Can the Bruins get back to the Cup finals, and other questions answered Johansson) and a valuable fourth-liner (Noel Acciari). Remains to be by Globe hockey writers seen if the replacements (Par Lindholm, Brett Ritchie) make up for those losses. And the core is a year older. In Toronto’s case, that’s a good thing. In Boston’s case, it may not be.

By Katie McInerney Globe Staff Dupont: I like Toronto, Boston, and Tampa. But Golden Knights win the Cup. October 2, 2019, 6:17 p.m. McInerney: Calling Vegas’s first-ever pro title. I like it.

Dupont: Celine Dion drops puck in Game 7. GLOBE STAFF What can we expect from the 2019-20 Bruins? Ahead of Thursday’s season opener, we held a round-table discussion with two of Porter: “Reilly Smith, come get the Conn Smythe Trophy.” our writers — Kevin Paul Dupont and Matt Porter — to give us some insight into the roster, the competition, and the future as the Bruins aim to McInerney: So, talking about players being a year older, is it time to start bounce back after a disappointing Stanley Cup Final defeat. Which worrying about the veterans? Bergeron, Krejci, Chara . . . how much do youngsters will step up? Which veterans are losing steam? Dupont and they have left in the tank? Porter dished out their thoughts. Editor Katie McInerney moderated. Dupont: Yes, start the worry meter. Bergeron had to ease his way McInerney: I spoiled my first question by reading your season through training camp because of his persistent groin issues the last 2-3 predictions, but let’s do it anyway: Will the Bruins end up back in the years. Krejci lasted under two minutes (TOI) in his one preseason game. Stanley Cup Final? Big Z will be 43 in March. I talked to him on Media Day about how much longer he wants to play. The usual answer: He isn’t sure, etc. Porter: Oh boy. I’m saying no. I don’t mean to knock them out of the NHL’s elite, because they will very much remain there for the next few But he did acknowledge the underlying truth: The game grows faster seasons, at least. But the other teams in their category are younger. every day. Inevitably, time will take Chara into a corner for a one-on-one Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and Zdeno Chara have a ton of miles, he won’t be able to win. reliable as they are. Two Stanley Cup Final runs in a row, for this group, Porter: Chara is a singular figure in this sport. Who knows? Maybe he’ll seems like a big ask. play until he’s 45. Or 50. Or 60. A more realistic bet: He finishes sub-20 Dupont: I think the Bruins get derailed this time by Tampa in the minutes a night this season, playing a top-pair role on the penalty kill, but conference final. The Bolts suffered a stunning Round 1 upset at hands leaves the year uncertain about returning for 2020-21. Bergeron and of the Blue Jackets last spring. Not this time. They are deeper across the Krejci are two centers with a lot of mileage, and those injury woes may lineup than the Bruins — as they showed last season — and I simply not go away all year. don’t see them being deterred this time around. McInerney: We should start an office pool. Who plays longer: Tom Brady McInerney: The Bruins didn’t have to play the Lightning or the Capitals in or Chara? the postseason. I’m not about to ask you if you think the Bruins got lucky Porter: No offense to Chara, but Brady. Calling it now: He’ll be Super last season, but did fortune play a role in how far they got? Did the Bowl MVP in 2033. competition get better in the offseason? Dupont: I think they go out together as co-owners of a TB12-Big Z over- Dupont: There is always some serendipity involved in making a Cup run. 55 retirement community. With contact shuffleboard. Staying healthy alone can be considered serendipitous. And no question, the Bruins benefited last spring by how the pins fell around them. Porter: Imagine the dinner menu.

But I have to place a light asterisk on that, too, because they ended up McInerney: Is this a plug for this story? facing Columbus in Round 2 after the Blue Jackets upended the Lightning. That was a tough matchup. Now, would have the Bolts have GLOBE STAFF Dupont: What I don’t see, at least not yet, is the next been tougher? No question. Let’s not forget, Tampa dumped the Bruins wave of kids who can fill their spots. Now, I realize Bergeron and Chara in Round 2 the previous year. are sure-shot Hall of Famers. So asking for the “next HOF up” ain’t all that realistic. However, for all the prospects the Bruins like to talk about, But it took a very good Columbus team to get by Tampa, and I think I’ve yet to ID the kids with depth of game and depth of character that will people now take for granted that the Bruins beat Team Tortorella to set provide the crucial carry-through for this franchise. up the ECF with Carolina. I also think they forget it took seven games to get by Toronto in Round 1. The layup was Carolina. Frankly, in hindsight, Porter: David Pastrnak, Jake DeBrusk, Charlie McAvoy, and Brandon I am amazed the “Jerks” made it to the Eastern Conference final, but Carlo are just as important as Chara, Bergeron, and Krejci. The Bruins they did . . . and that was Boston’s biggest break of the postseason. have drafted-’n’-developed admirably, but there’s a point where succession has to happen. Brad Marchand celebrates his goal during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bruins’ sweep of the Hurricanes was a Dupont: We one day will recognize Bergeron as a generational player. necessary break after taking the first two playoff series to seven and six We are not there now because he doesn’t have the big number of points games, respectively. that we normally would want to see go with that label. But in hindsight, we’ll think more of how he’s played, even though we already see his Brad Marchand celebrates his goal during Game 4 of the Eastern clear path to HOF. I don’t see anyone in the pipeline filling his “complete” Conference Finals. The Bruins’ sweep of the Hurricanes was a role. Frankly, 30 other teams would say the same. necessary break after taking the first two playoff series to seven and six games, respectively. / GLOBE STAFF Porter: The Bruins will have to get Porter: But part of this discussion is born out of the fact we don’t have out of the top-heaviest division in hockey. Tampa, Toronto, Boston are any other shiny toys to look at. We’re just picking apart the same the three best teams in the league, in my view. So that alone makes me (successful) roster. This is still a very good team. They should contend. hesitant to talk about an easy road . . . but yes, getting Carolina in the Dupont: Too many of us, self included, want to see 18- and 19-year-olds ECF was critical for a team that played 13 games in the previous two step in and provide legit impact. Just not realistic, albeit there are rare rounds. exceptions. I remember Joe Thornton’s rookie year (1997) in Boston. He Dupont: As for St. Louis, the Blues benefited, too, by big pins dropping was picked No. 1 and was billed as a -Eric Lindros hybrid. It around the them. The biggest was Vegas, getting jobbed by bad took the better part of three seasons for Jumbo really to get his legs — officiating in their matchup with San Jose. A bad call knocked the VGKs by which time he was also eligible (from an age standpoint) to be right out of the postseason, and helped clear the way for St Louis. Again, entering his senior year of college hockey. Now Joe is also a HOF sure- serendipitous . . . for both sides. shot.

Porter: Toronto looks like it improved, with Auston Matthews and Mitch McInerney: Which players are primed for a breakout year? Marner blossoming into superstars and Tyson Barrie a major boost to a Dupont: The most obvious here is Charlie McAvoy, freshly backed by a Boston Globe LOADED: 10.04.2019 deal that pays him just under $15 million for the next three seasons. He is the heir apparent to the No. 1 franchise defenseman role — the one Chara has been exiting for the last 3-4 seasons.

Porter: I think Charlie Coyle is going to have a big year. He was aces in the playoffs (16 points, 24 games as a third-liner) and should feast on his matchups. Plus, he’s playing for a new contract — and teammates consistently said he was the best player in training camp (albeit one where several veterans, like Bergeron, took it slow).

Dupont: He has the skill set and swagger and bravado to get there. It will be interesting to see if he can fill the role, and equally interesting to watch how Bruce Cassidy, drafted decades ago as a potential franchise D, teases it out of him.

To a lesser extent, I think DeBrusk and Danton Heinen now have enough games on their NHL résumés for us to expect them to show substantial growth in their games. I am waiting for both to play stronger games, physically stronger. If they don’t bring that necessary jam, and try to live off skill alone, I think they’ll be right around last year’s numbers.

Heinen and DeBrusk both have the feet and sticks to succeed. They need to show me they have the shoulders.

Porter: Let’s add Matt Grzelcyk to the list. I don’t think he’ll ever have goal-assist totals that wow you, but he’s a beautiful skater and fully capable of using his wheels for top-four duty. The Bruins are happy to have him crushing third-pair competition, and training as a QB for the No. 2 power-play unit.

The latter area is where McAvoy needs to grow, too, unless the Bruins plan to commit big money and term to Torey Krug, which they should. They’ll eventually need someone else to run point for PP1.

GLOBE STAFF McInerney: So Cassidy said Tuukka Rask will start in the season opener, Jaroslav Halak on Saturday, and then they’ll go from there. Do you think they’ll take the same approach as last season (barring injuries, of course)?

Dupont: I don’t see anything changing on the goalie workload. Management figures Rask is at his best when he is dialed in for about 55 of the 82 games. Which means the other one-third of the schedule goes to Halak. Rough breakdown: One game a week for the backup.

I asked Rask again on Media Day if the workload last season set him up well for the playoffs. The confirmation, he said, was that he didn’t get tired during the grueling load of the playoffs. So look for Cassidy to split the games on back-to-back nights and to space out the rest of the workload in a 2:1 ratio.

Porter: Boston, Dallas, Calgary, Carolina, and the Islanders were among successful platooning teams last year. Nashville is working toward a split. The league only had 10 goalies last year start 60-plus games. It was double that five years ago.

McInerney: OK, last one: What’s your favorite NHL city and why?

Dupont: Quebec City, no longer in the league. It was the NHL city with the most European feel. I still love going there for vacation. It remains a joy of mine simply to sit in the lobby of the Chateau Frontenac and people watch. And maybe — maybe — savor a glass of red wine. Maybe.

Otherwise, Vancouver remains No. 1 with me. Visited there on my first Bruins road trip (Don Cherry the coach) in the late ’70s. Tucked up there in the Pacific Northwest, the winters are mild with great mountain views. Easy city to walk. Lots of good eating spots. And now with a downtown rink — as opposed to Pacific Coliseum out in the ’burbs.

As much as I love it, each visit is tinged with sadness. I was there in October ’82, covering the night when Normand Leveille suffered his cerebral hemorrhage. Joy of a kid, only 19 years old, playing in only his second year (and 75th career game). He survived (thanks to the brain surgeons at Vancouver General), but his career was finished.

Porter: Vancouver for me. Where else can you sit by the water and watch the birds and boats with a mountain backdrop? Pure tranquility. Plus, we go there after Edmonton and Calgary, so it feels like taking a tropical vacation.

Related: How do the Bruins overcome last season’s heartbreak?

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Bruins notebook: Third opener a comfort zone for DeBrusk

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

October 3, 2019 at 11:50 PM

DALLAS — Jake DeBrusk‘s third opening night had a little more urgency to it, but perhaps a bit more comfort.

The first time around was DeBrusk’s initial coming-out party, scoring a goal in the home opener against the Predators amidst a roster that featured six rookies. Then last season began with a 7-0 loss in Washington.

On the road again, he knew what to expect this time as the Bruins opened the 2019-20 campaign Thursday night against the Stars.

“I think I’m more comfortable definitely,” he said. “Just more comfortable with the guys here and the systems, and things like that. It’s different when you’re trying to make a team here, you’re making sure your details are dialed in and that comes with different games and playing through it.”

DeBrusk has had somewhat of a luxury in being paired with David Krejci since almost the beginning, and for almost all of last season, even when there were questions about the third player to make up that trio. With Krejci on the mend, it’s left DeBrusk to have to think about trying to get acclimated with a different situation for almost the first time.

“It is different, I’ve been paired with him other than a few games here and there my rookie year, but nothing (playing without Krejci) consistent,” DeBrusk said. “The right side has always been unknown, sometimes even I’ve played the right side. So I’m used to playing with different guys on this team, just one of those things that is a little bit of a concern when your favorite guy is out, but it’s always next man up with this team and I’m always going to play my game.”

No matter who he ends up playing with and what that second line looks like, even when Krejci is fully healthy and has no injury concerns, a big season from DeBrusk could answer a lot of questions as far as where 5- on-5 scoring will come from aside from the top line.

It always helps to have more of a comfort zone, and even with changes around him, just being established in his third season has helped DeBrusk reach that point.

“Coming into this one, just looking to start the season with our best foot forward,” he said. “Just excited to play hockey again.”

Krejci was a game-time decision after skating with the team in his usual spot centering the second line during morning skate. Coach Bruce Cassidy said Krejci was feeling “tender” after practice. He didn’t join the team for pregame skate and ultimately missed the contest.

Krejci was injured 1:55 into his first preseason game, where he was dealt a lower body injury.

“It’s kind of hard to find a balance but obviously first game you want to be out there with your teammates,” Krejci said before the game. “You never want to miss a game, but at the same time, gotta make the decision that’s best for myself and my teammates.”

Krejci missed just one game last season, when the Bruins rested him on the final day of the season.

With their last game less than four months ago, the Bruins didn’t have many pregame jitters before their first regular-season contest.

“It’s tough to be nervous for the first game of the season when you just went to the Finals,” Brad Marchand said before the game. “I think the biggest thing is making sure we continue to prepare the way we always have and realize that we want to start on a really good note here and continue to build our game the way have throughout camp. But I think we’re all excited to get it going and see what this season brings.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155295 Boston Bruins The Bruins continue their opening four-game road trip out west against the Coyotes in Glendale on Saturday.

Bruins strike quickly, hold off Stars to win opener Boston Herald LOADED: 10.04.2019

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 11:14 pm | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 at 11:55 PM

DALLAS — Any concerns of a Stanley Cup hangover were erased quickly into the Bruins 2019-20 campaign.

Free agent signee Brett Ritchie put the Bruins ahead moments into their first contest in Dallas on Thursday night, and a quick strike on the power play from Danton Heinen shortly later on had the Bruins in command early.

Dallas (0-1-0) challenged from there, despite injuries leaving them shorthanded, but the Bruins (1-0-0) survived the onslaught to pull out a 2- 1 opening night win.

Without David Krejci, who was a game-time decision after skating in the morning with the team, the Bruins shuffled their lines and Ritchie was inserted into the lineup. His shot was the first shot of the season — and Heinen’s the second — but the Bruins didn’t score again for their last 18 shots.

“It felt good,” said Ritchie. “We got the two points. We got the job done and that’s all I care about. Tuuks (Rask) was great. It was a good road win and onto the next one.”

Ritchie played with Charlie Coyle for most of the night, and as a late entry made an impact.

“Krech wasn’t ready,” said Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. “We thought he would be, to be honest with you. He was hurt on a Monday exhibition game, original diagnosis had him ready for the opener, it didn’t heal as quickly as we’d like.”

The Stars ended up down three players, with defender Roman Polak getting stretchered off in the second period, while Blake Comeau departed with a lower-body injury, and Jason Dickinson with an upper- body injury.

Dallas picked up some late life while they were down players, though. It was early on, however, where the Bruins had them in a hole.

Ritchie, in his first NHL game not with the Stars sent a soft wrister past Ben Bishop on his first shot as a Bruin, putting the Bruins ahead 1-0 against his former club just 69 seconds into the season.

Par Lindholm drew a holding call later on in the period, leading the Bruins to their first power play where Heinen sent another short-side wrist shot past Bishop for a 2-0 lead just 5:59 through the game.

With just over 12 minutes left in the second, Polak crashed into the boards head-and-shoulder-first as Chris Wagner spun away from a check. Polak was down on the ice for some time and needed to be stretchered off.

Roope Hintz tallied the Stars first goal of the season a few moments after play resumed, breaking free of the Bruins defense to get around Charlie McAvoy on a bad Bruins line change and rifling a shot top-corner past Rask to make it a 2-1 game.

After the Bruins earned the first four power plays of the game, Dallas picked up a chance halfway through a Bruins man advantage late in the second, and then grabbed a power play just 45 seconds into the third. The Bruins struggled to clear the zone, but ultimately got that penalty kill to stay ahead.

Dallas landed just 13 shots in the first two periods combined before 16 total in the third. Tuukka Rask stopped them all to preserve the Bruins lead.

“We weren’t clean, we had too many turnups,” said Cassidy. “Part of that is stuff we’ve practiced and we have to find the right balance…. At the end of the day, there were a few rushes, the goal, I don’t think we were sharp at identifying whether we had a high forward or not…. Some of that is details. Guys haven’t played in a while.” 1155296 Boston Bruins

Karson Kuhlman experiences first Bruins opener looking to establish himself for good

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

October 3, 2019 at 7:46 PM

DALLAS — Nothing is terribly new for Karson Kuhlman heading into his second go-around in the NHL.

He already participated in a deep playoff run, and he’s already scored a goal in the Stanley Cup Final.

What is new is playing on opening night.

Kuhlman started last season in AHL Providence after impressing enough at Minnesota Duluth to earn a contract as an undrafted free agent. From there, he rose through the ranks quickly to become a legitimate prospect, leapfrogging over some younger forwards to get a shot at the varsity roster.

He spent time with the top six forwards last year, and the team is comfortable enough with his abilities to give him the first crack at it to open the 2019-20 season.

“Obviously, (David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk) are some very skilled players,” Kuhlman said before the Bruins opened the season Thursday night against the Stars . “They’re going to put up a lot of points, so I think as long as I win my battles and kind of distribute the puck and be available for those guys it’s going to help. … I think last year’s playoff run really helped with (confidence), and I definitely feel more comfortable and confident coming into this year.”

With just 19 NHL games under his belt, not including postseason, the Bruins are putting a lot of trust into Kuhlman to develop in such an important role. They won’t expect him to become an elite scorer overnight; that’s never been his true skill, though he does have goal- scoring ability.

He does fit right along with the style that line plays.

“The biggest thing is his work ethic, and the way he forechecks,” DeBrusk said. “How he hounds the puck on the forecheck. I consider myself to be similar so we kind of read off each other in that sense. He’s a good player overall. He doesn’t get enough credit, he probably wasn’t as highly touted where he came from, that’s probably why, but he does things to make this team, and even last year.”

The speed of Kuhlman and DeBrusk match the way Krejci plays, and finding someone who can do just that has been elusive for the Bruins on Krejci’s right. More than likely, the Bruins will try multiple options there this season

That Kuhlman gets the first crackit says a lot.

“Especially with the way Krech plays, he likes to slow the game down, and two guys on the flank who can buzz through, especially with the way teams forecheck, if you chip a puck out you need someone to go get it and make a play,” DeBrusk said. “We work well together because we can play off each other’s speed.”

General manager Don Sweeney said on media day that the Bruins wanted a competitive environment in camp, and that position did have competition, though they didn’t do a ton externally. They did bring in Brett Ritchie as a free agent, and had Anders Bjork in camp, and Kuhlman won the role.

It was essentially his to lose at the start, but given the history the past few years of young players not exactly seizing roles out of camp, the Bruins have to be happy with how things have ended up..

“I think my game is pretty much drawn up,” Kuhlman said. “I think I’m going to be a good 200-foot player, get up and down the ice and obviously get to the net and use my feet.”

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Bruins pregame notes: Season starts in Texas

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

October 3, 2019 at 1:45 PM

DALLAS — Things looked a little different the last time the Bruins were in Dallas.

At 10-5-3, it wasn’t all bad for the Bruins, considering the injuries that had piled up. A 1-0 loss in overtime wasn’t a bad thing, in the midst of a long road trip that would result in Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara by the end of it.

The lineup featured Jeremy Lauzon and Connor Clifton making their debuts, and Jakub Zboril just a game into his career, so to allow just one tally with a depleted defense was impressive. It was also a glean into the future of the Bruins next man up menatlity that resulted in them making it to the Stanley Cup Final.

A little less than a year later, the Bruins open in Dallas as defending Eastern Conference champions, with the last time they had hit the ice for something that mattered their Game 7 loss to the Blues at the Garden.

“I don’t think we have any nerves,” said Brad Marchand. “It’s tough to be nervous about the first game of the season when you just went to the Finals. The biggest thing is making sure we continue to prepare the way we always have and realize that we want to start on a really good note here and build our game the way we did throughout camp.”

Most of the veterans didn’t play a ton in the preseason, after such a short offseason and the Bruins last playing a meaningful game less than three months ago.

Like Marchand said, it’s tough to have too many nerves when that game was for a title and this one is for two points at the start of October. But, it is the start of a new campaign, and the first step on the Bruins path back to that spot.

“We’re all excited,” said Marchand. “We’re excited to get going out of camp and see what this season brings.”

Game notes

David Krejci practiced with the full group and centered the second line of Jake DeBrusk and Karson Kuhlman, but Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said he was feeling tender after morning skate and will be a game-time decision.

If he plays, Brett Ritchie will sit and Par Lindholm slides in, because he plays center and can easily replace time if Krejci has issues in the middle of the game. Ritchie will slot into the lineup if Krejci is out.

Joakim Nordstrom is not with the time after struggling to get on the ice in the preseason with a foot injury. He is starting the season on injured reserve with Kevan Miller and John Moore.

About the Stars

The Stars fell in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs a year ago to the Blues.

In the regular season, Dallas had the fourth-lowest goal total in the league, but also allowed the second fewest goals against with just 200, and their 10 shutouts were the second most in the league, along with a 923 save percentage. Their penalty kill percentage ranked fifth in the NHL at 82.7 percent.

The Stars 8.3 shooting percentage was tied for the second lowest last season.

Dallas went 4-3 in the preseason, winning its last contest over Colorado in a shootout.

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Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy heads into Year 3 still growing

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

October 3, 2019 at 6:30 am

Charlie McAvoy won’t have to contemplate his future for a little while yet.

The 21-year-old defenseman will play as a Bruin for at least three more seasons after taking his restricted free agent status into training camp this year. For those next three years, his focus can be purely on hockey.

That’s exactly how he wants it.

“For me, I want to show up on the first day and be myself, but the guy who I was in the Final,” McAvoy said. “And throughout the playoffs, but that’s unrealistic (at the start of camp). So mentally you have to temper those expectations and at the same time push hard to get back.”

The young defenseman seems like he’s been a mainstay in Boston for a while, when in reality he’s just entering his third full season in the NHL. He already has played in three postseasons after bursting onto the scene in the Bruins’ series against Ottawa in 2017, making his NHL debut in the playoffs.

McAvoy has had a presence in Boston for longer than that, starring with Boston University for two seasons before going pro with the Bruins. He expressed a desire at the end of last season to stay in Boston, calling it “home,” and wanting to join the legacy of winning.

“It truly is something special,” McAvoy said at his news conference announcing his new contract. “I feel fortunate and blessed to be a part of it. I think that it’s something where we all want to be competitive and we all want to win, and how we were really close to getting that done last year.”

It does seem like McAvoy has been around forever, but he has just 117 career regular-season games under his belt. In that time, he’s established himself as a top-pairing NHL defenseman and has 60 points already. He also already has appeared in 42 postseason contests.

It’s still a small sample size of how good he can be, and how the Bruins are planning — and hoping — for him to be a cornerstone on the blue line for a long time to come.

“Experience is the biggest thing, and that’s tough to measure on a scale. It’s one of those intangible things when you get into game situations and you know where you’re at and lean on that,” McAvoy said. “Maybe rise up more, be more calm in certain situations. I can use that this year. … Just what it takes to get to where we were, you have to be ready to play every single night.”

Another intangible is the comfort level McAvoy has developed that can come only from that experience, whether in the postseason or just being around the NHL level even for a relatively short time. The Bruins’ deep run in the postseason last spring is like another level of experience.

“I’m more comfortable with the faces here, everybody and my teammates and having more experience coming into a full season,” he said. “You approach things differently. If it’s a game day, still every day I’m learning and growing with what works. But now you have that foundation you can go off of. You know what time to get there, what stretches you do, what you do in the morning to feel your best. Those things only come with time.”

Next time around, McAvoy likely is going to earn a contract worth more than the $4.9 million a year he got in this deal. That’s not a bad thing, if so; it just means he evolved into the type of player the Bruins want him to be.

So long as he stays on the ice, there’s no reason not to believe that first step starts this season.

“This is what I wanted, this is my dream and I get to live it every day,” McAvoy said. “I get to play the game I love as my job.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155299 Boston Bruins 5. Buffalo Sabres — The Sabres have some talent, enough to rip off a 10-game win streak in the first half of last season, but have been lacking in leadership. Jack Eichel, Rasmus Ristolainen and Rasmus Dahlin are NHL Season Preview: Time to plan a Vegas parade key pieces. Is their erudite new coach Ralph Kruger the man to pull it all together? We’ll see. They added Jimmy Vesey and Marcus Johansson up front and Colin Miller on the back end. They also dropped a mind- boggling eight-year, $72 million deal on Jeff Skinner. But Carter Hutton By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald showed last year that while he may be a very good backup, he’s not a October 3, 2019 at 6:00 am top shelf NHL starter.

6. Montreal Canadiens — The Habs had a much-needed reckoning that they were not as close as they thought they were when they hired Claude The official turning of the page occurs Wednesday in the National Julien. They made a push for the playoffs last year and might have Hockey League. For the Bruins, it cannot come fast enough. The bitter gotten there if they had Shea Weber for the whole season. But the Habs Game 7 end to the 2018-19 season spoiled what was a tremendous are still not there yet, and being in this division doesn’t help them. But year. But just because they were this close to a Stanley Cup doesn’t Carey Price should helped them to be competitive every night. mean they’ll get right back to where they were last year. The explosive Lightning are still the class of the league, and teams beneath them in the 7. Detroit Red Wings — Some of the Wings’ young forwards started to competitive Atlantic Division — the anti-AFC East, if you will — might blossom last year, players like Dylan Larkin, Andreas Athansiou, Tyler finally be gaining on them. Bertuzzi and Anthony Mantha. But their back end is so-so at best and 35- year-old Jimmy Howard, with a .909 save percentage and 3.07 GAA last The B’s open with a four-game road trip, which is good news and bad year, cannot adequately cover up for it. news. It’s always good to get a long roadie in at the start of the season for team-building purposes. But the games also happen to be against 8. — There is a lot of dysfunction in Canada’s capital, some of the up-and-coming teams in the Western Conference — Dallas, but there is also some really good young talent. Still Brady Tkachuk, Arizona, Vegas and Colorado. Colin White and Thomas Chabot are going to need help to get this franchise out of the basement. Having five picks in the first two rounds of Here’s a look at how the entire league breaks down as we ponder what a the 2020 draft should help. Stanley Cup parade on the Vegas Strip will look like. Metropolitan Division Atlantic Division 1. Washington Capitals — The Caps downgraded on defense when they 1. Tampa Bay Lightning — The Bolts still have the talent to run away swapped Matt Niskanen for Radko Gudas, though Gudas does replace from the field, but it wouldn’t be the worst thing for them if they don’t. some of the sandpaper lost when Brooks Orpik retired. But the Caps still Loaded up front (even with J.T. Miller a cap casualty), strong on the back have a potent lineup with Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie end and with newly acquired veteran Curtis McElhinney capable of giving and, yes, the hated Tom Wilson. Braden Holtby is also going into a Andrei Vasilevskiy solid backup, Tampa should take this strong division contract year and the Caps won’t be nursing a Cup hangover this time again. But what they do after that is the only thing that matters for this around. They will be formidable once again and should take the division. group. Vasilevskiy’s .858 save percentage in their embarrassing sweep at the hands of Columbus was just one shocking underachievement. A 2. New Jersey Devils — The ping-pong balls fell in Jersey’s favor and healthy they wound up with first overall pick Jack Hughes, who’ll be headed to a team that already has one-time Hart Trophy candidate Taylor Hall Victor Hedman would help. (heading into his walk year), Nico Hischier and Kyle Palmieri. Feeling lucky, GM Ray Shero then went big, picking up P.K. Subban from 2. Boston Bruins — Barring catastrophic injuries, the veteran core and Nashville in what was a salary dump by the Preds. He adds a little star maturing kids led will continue to make the B’s a tough out every single power to a thin blue line. Shero then bet that Wayne Simmonds has a night. Bruce Cassidy has also proven to be a coach who’ll find a way to bounce-back year in him. The biggest question will be whether the Devils get by when he doesn’t have all the pieces to the puzzle. Not having a can get sufficient goaltending from Cory Schneider and Mackenzie bona fide second line right wing did not hurt them last year, but it would Blackwood. be nice if they could find someone who could hold down the job. Tuukka 3. New York Islanders — It is hard to bet against an operation that’s Rask and Jaroslav Halak comprise one of the best tandems in the helmed by GM Lou Lamoriello and coach Barry Trotz. Everyone thought league. If Rask can avoid the type of slow start that has dogged him the the Islanders would crumble once John Tavares left, but leadership made past couple of years, he could be right back in the Vezina conversation. sure the Isles played with the appropriate chip on their shoulder. They 3. Toronto Maple Leafs — We thought maybe last year would be the not only made the playoffs, but the Isles bounced the Penguins in four Leafs’ time to leapfrog the Bruins after signing John Tavares. Nope. The straight. It’s mostly the same cast of characters from last year except for B’s held onto home ice advantage and then used it – at least in Game 7 feel-good story Robin Lehner, who signed with Chicago. Semyon – to oust the Leafs in the first round again. GM Kyle Dubas pulled off Varlamov will try to create the same strong tandem with Thomas Greiss what looks like a decent trade with Colorado, swapping perpetually that Lehner had. suspended Nazem Kadri for puck-moving D Tyson Barrie and possible 4. Pittsburgh Penguins — With his defensive disinterest getting tiresome, third line center Alex Kerfoot. William Nylander, another candidate to take the Pens moved on from Phil Kessel, trading him for Alex Galchenyuk Kadri’s spot, should be better with training camp under his belt. They and prospects. Galchenyuk appeared to get his career back on track last should also be better defensively with whipping boys Jake Gardiner and year in Arizona and he gives them a strong third line center behind Nikita Zaitsev subtracted but, though Cody Ceci could slide into that role. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. But Kessel, for all his warts, is an elite With Michael Hutchinson slated to be the backup, starter Frederik offensive talent. Free agent signee Brandon Tanev will bring energy but Andersen’s workload will be a big question again. Get ready for the third he may be forced to play up in the lineup, which is not ideal. Crosby and straight year of B’s-Leafs in April. We’ll see if Auston Matthews getting Malkin are too good for them not to make the playoffs, but the depth is caught with his pants down — literally — has any effect on his game. He not there for a long run. was trending to be the catalyst he was expected to be but he’s been taking a deserved pummeling in the press. 5. New York Rangers — GM Jeff Gorton has done an excellent job in his rebuild and the Blueshirts are ready to reverse course. The signing of 4. Florida Panthers — This could be the start of something very Artemi Panarin and acquisition of Jacob Trouba have given them a interesting in Sunrise. The hiring of three-time Cup winner Joel puncher’s chance. Second overall pick Kaapo Kakko will be an Quenneville has given the Panthers instant credibility. They bought high interesting one to watch. But they’re still thin up front and on the back on free agent Brett Connolly after his first 20-goal season but he should end and Henrik Lundqvist will be 38 by the end of the season. help. We all know the ferocity with which Noel Acciari plays every night. Defenseman Anton Stralman, limited to just 47 games in Tampa last year 6. Philadelphia Flyers — The Flyers remain the most unpredictable team will help if he stays healthy. But the biggest signing was $10 million in the conference They may have finally found their goalie of the future in goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. The Panthers missed young star Vincent Carter Hart, but it’s hard to hang your hopes on a 21-year-old netminder. Trocheck for 27 games last year, which could have made a difference. Ivan Provorov regressed last year after two promising seasons, but that’s not uncommon with young defensemen. It also didn’t stop the Flyers from showering a six-year, $40.5 million contract extension on him. But he 7. Minnesota Wild — This is not a bad team, just an average one. And needs a turnaround year. The Flyers remain pretty darn good up from with the competition they’ll be up against, the Wild will be hard-pressed to with Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny. get back in the post-season. It will be fun to watch see how new GM Bill Guerin, a local favorite, attempts to get them back in the hunt in his first 7. Columbus Blue Jackets — The Jackets will continue to play in coach crack in the big chair. John Tortorella’s image. They will compete and teams won’t like going into Nationwide Arena. But losing Panarin, Matt Duchene and Bobrovsky Pacific Division is a punch to the gut. The horses just aren’t there for a return to the playoffs. 1. Vegas Golden Knights — The Knights are not only talented, but they should still be ornery with the way their season ended, coming on an 8. Carolina Hurricanes — The luster will be off Storm Surge this year. incorrect call that changed the course of the entire playoffs and the rule Captain Justin Williams has stepped away from team, at least for the book. They paid a lot for Mark Stone but it should be worth it. He’s gifted time being, and he was the emotional leader of the group. Sebastian Aho offensively, a very responsible defender and a fierce competitor. They and Teuvo Teravainen are tremendously talented forwards, but they’re could use a little help on the blue line and Marc-Andre Fleury, 34, will still thin there. Goalie Curtis McElhinney was allowed to leave and now have to be a workhorse, but this team should go deep. it’s up to Petr Mrazec and Jams Reimer to hold down the fort. Their strength is still the back end with Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce and Dougie 2. Calgary Flames — The Flames will be right there with Vegas. They’re Hamilton and perhaps a change of scenery will help Jake Gardiner. But in fact deeper in skaters 1-18, but their goaltending remains suspect. last year was an aberration. They swapped out Mike Smith for Cam Talbot, whose play plummeted while in Edmonton. But the Flames are good, with a solid four-pack of Western Conference defensemen led by Norris Trophy winner Mark Giordano and potency up front with Johnny Gaurdreau, Sean Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk. Central Division We’ll see if Milan Lucic, on his fourth team at the age of 31, can get a 1. St. Louis Blues — Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko are studs, and career recharge from the changing sides in the Battle of Alberta. swapping out Joel Edmundsson for Justin Faulk makes this a deeper 3. San Jose Sharks — Pavelski is certainly a loss, but Logan Couture is group in the back end. You should expect some growth from Vince a good leader for this team. Maybe this is finally Joe Thornton’s swan Dunn’s game as well. It took a the Blues half a season last year to learn song. The Sharks’ top three D of Brent Burns, Erik Karlsson and Marc- how to play together because they added some new pieces, but they Edouard Vlasic are as good as any three in the league. But if they care to should have that problem this year. It is still to be determined if goalie make a run, the Sharks need to get better goaltending from Martin Jones Jordan Binnington is a real workhorse NHL No. 1 or last season was just than they got last year. He’s at least capable of that. one magical run. Though he ultimately came up with the performance that won the Blues the Cup, he was inconsistent in the playoffs. 4. Arizona Coyotes — From the Bruins to the Leafs to the Penguins, Phil Kessel has only known pressure situations. Now he’s out of the hockey 2. Dallas Stars — In one sense, the Stars actually went further than the spotlight in the desert. We’ll see if that’ a good thing or a bad thing. But Bruins, taking the Cup champs to double overtime of Game 7 before the ‘Yotes looked like a team on the rise last year, finishing one spot out bowing out, albeit in the second round. Joe Pavelski should add some of the wild card. Clayton Keller is one of the bright young stars in the character to a group that has at times been lacking it. It was a slow league, though he could use a bounce-back year. No. 1 defenseman process – and it took a tongue-lashing of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Ben Oliver Ekman-Larsson is in his prime. from upper management – but the Stars finally started playing a strong brand of two-way hockey. Forward Roope Hintz and defenseman Miro 5. — The Canucks have made some odd decisions Heiskanen are two of the more promising players on entry level deals in the last few years, but they do have some very good young players in the league. The Stars are also taking a low-risk gamble that Corey Perry Brock Boeser, Elias Petterson and, on the back end, Quintin Hughes. Bo still has something left. Horvat is coming into his own as a top line center. Tyler Myers has come over from Winnipeg to add some size to the blue line. Goalie Jacob 3. Nashville Predators — The Preds had to move Subban’s contract but Markstrom was so-so last year (.912 save percentage in 60 games). they they were dealing from an area of strength and it allowed them to We’ll see if for Boston College netminder Thatcher Demko can take time sign Matt Duchene. With Ryan Johansen, Duchene, Kyle Turris and Nick away from him. Bonino, they should have no problems in the middle of the ice. Roman Josi is a terrific two-way defensemen, Mattias Ekholm has really come 6. Edmonton Oilers — New coach Dave Tippett may have finished out of into his own and Ryan Ellis is a gamer. Pekka Rinne will be 37 in the playoffs his last five years in Arizona, but his teams have always November but Jusse Saros has shown flashes that he’ll be able to take competed hard. He should make the underachieving Oilers more so. And over at some point. there are, of course, at least some pieces with which to work, namely the most explosive talent in hockey, Connor McDavid. How much better 4. Winnipeg Jets — The Jets are one of the great unknowns this year. they’ll be remains to be seen, but the Oilers will be better. You have to figure if they knew Dustin Byfuglien was having qualms about continuing his career then they would not have dealt Trouba, but 7. Los Angeles Kings — The Kings have one of the league’s top two-way now they could be without both of them and look pretty pedestrian on the centermen in Anze Kopitar, a great defenseman in Drew Doughty and a back end. Tyler Myers is also gone. On top of that, Patrik Laine and good goalie in Jonathan Quick. And they don’t have much else. Kyle Connor both missed all of training camp before coming to terms on new deals. We’ll see if that contributes to slow starts for either of them. 8. Anaheim Ducks —The Ducks are not what they once were. Perry is in Laine is coming off another 30-goal season, but he did not play very well Dallas after a long decline and Ryan Getzlaf, 34, has been limited to 53 at times (minus-24) and the criticism he took seemed to sting. and 67 games the last two years.

5. Colorado Avalanche — The Avs have the grave misfortune of being in the league’s toughest division, but they are still on their upward Boston Herald LOADED: 10.04.2019 trajectory. With all due respect to Marchand, Bergeron and Pastrnak, the line of Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen is the most electrifying combo in the league. Cale Makar looks like the front runner for the Calder. The addition of Kadri will bolster the middle of the ice. It could come down to the final week of the season again, but the Avs get into the tourney once again.

6. Chicago Blackhawks — Calvin de Haan and Olli Maatta should help an aging back end. Duncan Keith had a decent season last year but Brent Seabrook is not close to the rock he once was. Jonathan Toews looked good in the preseason and is a candidate to have his rebound season while Patrick Kane is still supremely talented. Young star Alex DeBrincat will continue to get better and Robin Lehner should help the goaltending. But, again, this division is not forgiving. 1155300 Boston Bruins

Highlights of the Bruins' 2-1 win over Stars

By NBC Sports Boston Staff

October 03, 2019 7:59 PM

FINAL SCORE: Bruins 2, Stars 1

IN BRIEF: The Bruins rode a quick start in the first period to an opening night victory over the Dallas Stars. Brett Ritchie and Danton Heinen scored the goals while Tuukka Rask recorded 28 saves.

BOX SCORE

BRUINS RECORD: 1-0-0 (2 points)

HIGHLIGHTS:

BRETT RITCHIE NETS FIRST BRUINS GOAL IN SECOND MINUTE OF GAME

DANTON HEINEN NETS POWER-PLAY GOAL TO DOUBLE LEAD

ROOPE HINTZ SCORES ON STARS BREAKAWAY

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WATCH: Brett Ritchie nets first Bruins goal minutes into team debut

By Jacob Camenker

October 03, 2019 8:45 PM

It didn't take long for the Boston Bruins to get on the board in their season opener against the Dallas Stars.

Just over a minute into the game, the Bruins were able to net their first goal of the season against Ben Bishop. The scorer? Free-agent acquisition Brett Ritchie.

This was a sweet goal for Ritchie. He came to the Bruins after spending the first five years of his career with the Stars, but wasn't give much of a chance to be a scorer. He had only 6 points in 53 games last season.

Ritchie's revenge goal was just the start for the Bruins. On their first power play of the season, Danton Heinen netted a goal to give the Bruins an early 2-0 lead.

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David Krejci not playing opening night for Boston Bruins

By Jacob Camenker

October 03, 2019 8:07 PM

The Boston Bruins will be shorthanded to start their 2019-20 season. David Krejci won't be suited up for their opener against the Dallas Stars.

Krejci is dealing with a lower-body injury that he suffered during the preseason. And according to our own Joe Haggerty, Krejci wasn't on the ice for pregame warmups, so he won't play against the Stars.

Krejci played in 81 regular-season games for the Bruins last season and recorded 73 points (20 goals, 53 assists) while centering the team's second line. In the playoffs, Krejci totaled 16 points (4 goals, 12 assists) playing in all 24 of the team's games.

With Krejci out, Par Lindholm will center the second line playing between Jake DeBrusk and Karson Kuhlman. Here's a look at the warmup lines ahead of the game according to the Bruins official Twitter account.

Lindholm and Brett Ritchie will be making their Bruins debuts. Ritchie played for the Stars in each of the past five seasons, so tonight will be a homecoming of sorts for him.

And, of course, Tuukka Rask will be in goal for the reigning Eastern Conference Champions.

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Bruins drop first hype video of the regular season before game vs. Dallas Stars

By Jacob Camenker

October 03, 2019 7:03 PM

The Boston Bruins season gets underway on Thursday night. They're traveling to Dallas to take on the Stars as they look to bounce back after losing the 2019 Stanley Cup Final in seven games to the St. Louis Blues.

Before their game, the Bruins official Twitter account dropped the team's first hype video of the regular season. And it's sure to excite Bruins fans.

Take a look.

Those highlights from last year's series against the Stars certainly bring back pleasant memories. The Bruins were 1-0-1 (3 points) against the Stars last season en route to a 112-point season and a second-place finish in the Atlantic Division.

If David Pastrnak can find similar success against the Stars tonight, that would certainly be a good start for the Bruins. Puck drop is at 8:30 p.m. ET as the Bruins look to begin the season with a victory.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155304 Boston Bruins this season against the well-rested Lightning and Maple Leafs, who are ready to knock them off in the Atlantic Division.

“Every season is different. Every year is different. It’s a clean slate. But I The Stanley Cup Final hangover is real, and not so spectacular for the think you really need to focus on short-term goals. I said that early in Bruins training camp. We’ve all come down the mountain and we’re all at the same level to start the year. The challenge to start the year is to be motivated to go back up there,” said Bergeron. “You set yourself some By Joe Haggerty short term goals and just be excited to get in the battles with the guys as we go through the ups and downs of the season.” October 03, 2019 12:57 PM Still, the Bruins have bucked the odds before and hope to do it again this

season. They have the kind of depth that should allow them to provide The term “Stanley Cup hangover” has long been in vogue around the “load management” rest for Bergeron, Chara, Rask and Krejci and keep NHL. them as fresh as possible. The Bruins also have arguably the best goaltending duo in the NHL in Rask and Jaroslav Halak. That elite level The notion is that a team that plays that deeply into the previous season of puck-stopping should prevent the B's from dropping into an extended to win the Stanley Cup is pretty automatically placed at a disadvantage losing streak when they “hit the wall” as even the B’s brass are the following season based on the exertion extended into June at a expecting. playoff intensity. Everybody talks about the Stanley Cup winner suffering a hangover and the Washington Capitals were the poster boys for it last “It’s a tough thing to do. Some of it will be dependent on the roles of the season both literally and figuratively as they battled their flagging energy players and we tried to manage our training camp. We started with that levels throughout the season. and see where it goes from there because things change quickly. It’s about how we manage minutes of our players who have been through a But nobody really talks about the “Stanley Cup Final hangover” in the lot of these runs,” said Cassidy. “Secondly, we’ve communicated with the same terms. This is the situation that the Bruins find themselves in as players that have been through these, the Bergerons, the Charas that they get ready to drop the puck for the season opener tonight in Dallas. went through it in 2013 and came back the next year and had a great regular season. They didn’t win the Cup when it was all over in Game 7 against the St. Louis Blues, but they did play 24 playoff games into the middle of June “They didn’t achieve what they wanted in the playoffs; I don’t know if that with the same heavily abbreviated offseason as the Stanley Cup champs. had anything to do with going to the Cup the year before. Sometimes, it’s just hard to repeat. I think you’ve got to be careful how much you’re Most of those Stanley Final teams make it to the postseason that reading into that and rely on what the players are telling you and what following season, but what do they actually do in the playoffs? their bodies are telling [them].” Interestingly enough, the Bruins have taken recent past history of Stanley Cup Finalists into account when looking ahead to this season. What does it all mean?

“We actually did a study that [Stanley Cup Final] teams in the past four or Certainly, the “Stanley Cup Final hangover” is a very real thing facing the five years have actually done very well in the regular season…so it’s Bruins. They should be a playoff team, and they might even still finish certainly part of what we looked at," coach Bruce Cassidy said. "When it ahead of Tampa Bay and Toronto in what’s become an annual three- comes down to it on a little more of a day-to-day, you know your team is team slugfest at the top of the Atlantic Division. But B's fans would be going to hit a wall at some point in time based on the mileage from the wise to temper expectations when it comes to playoff time, and hold off previous season. We have to find those pockets of the schedule and on any redemption tour talk when it comes to the B’s righting the wrong maybe utilize the break effectively, which didn’t happen in the past and and winning the Cup this season. allow them to recharge. We’ve had some open dialogue about it, but history says the team generally gets off to a good start. The odds, father time and improved competition in the East are all working against them this time around, and it will prove to be much more “Mentally and physically, these guys are ready to go. It’s just a matter of difficult for them to return to the exact same Stanley Cup Final spot they getting into the grind and if you can stay healthy. Obviously, we proved were at just a few months ago. last year with 37 players in our lineup, you need that [depth]. To be successful, you have to have it, and you run into challenging parts of the schedule, you’re going to go through injuries. You have to have other Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 players come in and be able to step up, and that will be no different for us this year.”

But what did that Bruins study say when it comes to the playoffs. Welp, we helped them with the research there.

Washington and Vegas met in the 2018 Cup Final and both were first- round fodder this past postseason. The year before, Nashville and Pittsburgh met in the Final and they were both done in the second round the following postseason.

In fact, over the past five seasons, the two Cup finalists have a 50- percent chance of not making it out the first round the following season, and a 90-percent chance of not making it to the Stanley Cup Final with the back-to-back Cup seasons for the Penguins as the only obvious exception to the rule.

Pull it back to ten seasons and nearly half of the finalists didn’t make it out of the first round, and 15 of 20 were done by the end of the second round.

So, clearly the numbers don’t favor the Black and Gold going very deep into this postseason or returning to where they were last season, just 60 quality minutes away from hoisting the Cup. It becomes an even more difficult task when one considers the aging core of Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Brad Marchand and Tuukka Rask, all on the wrong side of 30 at the start of another season.

The chances of those key players remaining as healthy and productive as they were last season aren’t very good. Even the players themselves are curious to see what kind of extreme highs and lows may await them 1155305 Boston Bruins man. But when Heinen received a pass from Matt Grzelcyk, Coyle found himself down low. Instead of rotating up high, Coyle parked himself in front of Bishop. The goalie never saw Heinen’s release.

Shinzawa: Takeaways from a season-opening 2-1 Bruins win in Dallas “He had the presence of mind to get there,” Cassidy said. “It’s a fluid game sometimes. We needed someone to get there.”

By Fluto Shinzawa 3. In the first period, it was clear the defensemen were happy with the longer leash Cassidy is granting them this year. They were up the ice, Oct 3, 2019 supporting the rush in the neutral zone and pinching down the walls to sustain pressure in the offensive zone.

Perhaps the defense’s most critical priority is striking a balance between DALLAS — The numbers were excellent: 28 saves on 29 shots, 16-for- getting up the ice while being responsible enough to limit opposing 16 in the third period, just one unstoppable Roope Hintz goal against. rushes. It was some good, some bad. Tuukka Rask passed the eye test too. “We did a good job of getting up,” Cassidy said. “We weren’t clean. We The start of the regular season has not always been kind to the Bruins had too many turn-ups. Part of that is stuff we’ve practiced. We’ve got to ace. For whatever reason, Rask has a history of not seeing pucks as well find the right balance. I think our forwards need to attack more and turn in October and November as he does in May and June. In past years, the up later or deeper. At the end of the day, there was a few rushes. The goalie has looked small. Pucks have found openings. Rebounds have not goal, we weren’t sharp on identifying whether we had a high forward or been controlled. not. And who had puck possession. It was a risky puck possession. Some of that is details. Guys haven’t played in a while. They’re still Rask looked about 10 feet tall in Thursday’s 2-1 season-opening win getting up to speed.” over Dallas. A rough line change — Zdeno Chara going off, Grzelcyk coming on — “Tuukks played amazing as usual,” Brandon Carlo said. “We just needed allowed Hintz to get a step on Charlie McAvoy and roof his shot over to simplify a couple things in those second two periods. We came out Rask. really well, though. Played a fast-paced game. That first period is how we want to play.” 4. Krejci participated in the morning skate. But he was not ready to play because of the lower-body injury he suffered in the preseason on Sept. Rask did not see much rubber in the first. The Bruins only had a 6-4 shot 23. It is unknown whether he’ll be ready against Arizona. advantage after 20 minutes. But they dominated puck possession until the Stars settled into their game over the final 40 minutes. “The original diagnosis had him ready for the opener,” Cassidy said. “Just didn’t heal as quickly as we’d like. We’ll aim for Saturday and see who Rask was ready. In the third, he snatched a Hintz riser out of the air. He ends up in and out then.” made a similarly tough save on John Klingberg’s long-distance shot as Alexander Radulov tussled with Carlo in front. Rask was big, square, 5. The No. 1 power-play unit had a rough night. Of the three power-play active and sharp, all things that teams love to see while they’re figuring shots the Bruins put on Bishop in 6:48 of one-up time, only one came out the rest of their game. from the top group. It was DeBrusk, the fifth option on the loaded unit.

Jaroslav Halak will get Saturday’s start against Arizona. But based on his Patrice Bergeron, Torey Krug and Brad Marchand combined for zero first appearance, Rask’s track record of slow starts may be a thing of the power-play attempts. David Pastrnak had just one attempt. past. 6. It is very much a possibility in the black-and-blue NHL that a handful of “We’ll see how the next game goes,” Rask said. “Try to work on it every injuries could strike at once and leave a team short of players under the game, every day. Try to be your best and see how it goes.” cap. When I brought this up with Don Sweeney, the general manager walked away holding his ears. Now on to eight other observations on Thursday’s opener: “I don’t want to hear that,” Sweeney said. 1. After Thursday’s morning skate, Brett Ritchie, once projected to be a healthy scratch, received somewhat unexpected news. Because of David Such a scenario is why, on the official opening roster the Bruins filed with Krejci’s unavailability, the ex-Star would be in against his old team. the league on Tuesday, Karson Kuhlman and Connor Clifton were nowhere to be found. Urho Vaakanainen, assigned to Providence on Ritchie made the most of his opportunity. Sept. 26, was back up.

Sixty-nine seconds into the night, after some heavy forechecking by So what gives? Charlie Coyle, Ritchie snapped a shot through an Andrej Sekera screen and past Ben Bishop for his first goal as a Bruin. It was a hard, decisive, The paper transactions were part of the Bruins’ push to be as close to the accurate snapper that Bishop did not read off his former teammate’s $81.5 million ceiling as possible. This way, they can maximize the blade. amount of relief they can claim if they use the long-term injury exception on John Moore’s $2.75 million annual average value. By assigning “It’s our first game of the season, their home opener, it’s a big game Kuhlman and Clifton and bringing up Vaakanainen, the Bruins will be either way. It just happened to be against your old team,” Ritchie said. “It allowed to use more of Moore’s AAV to exceed the cap. felt like a playoff game, really. Just a little bit more exciting than your average (Thursday) night.” “Basically, on your initial capture when you’re opening, you want to be close if you feel like you’re eventually going to be in an LTI and you want In previous practices, Ritchie rode on the fourth line next to Chris Wagner to utilize it,” Sweeney explained. “You don’t want any space.” and Sean Kuraly. On Thursday, Ritchie received a promotion to the second line alongside Coyle and Jake DeBrusk. Coyle had been Moore, out following shoulder surgery, is the only player on long-term centering the third line between Danton Heinen and David Backes. injured reserve. Joakim Nordstrom and Kevan Miller are on regular injured reserve. “We wanted to keep some speed on his left side,” Bruce Cassidy said of using Coyle with DeBrusk. “He likes to hold the puck in the middle. If the aforementioned injuries happen while Moore is still on the shelf, the Ritchie was more of a big guy to go to the net.” Bruins could exceed the cap by all or part of the defenseman’s AAV to promote or acquire reinforcements. Ritchie had two shots on net and two hits in 12:55 of ice time. Overall, not a bad first effort for someone who was once going to be the No. 13 7. The Bruins will employ Bergeron, Krejci, Coyle and Backes as their forward. primary faceoff men on the power play. All are right shots, thereby optimized to take draws on their strong sides. As such, most of their 2. Coyle’s stiff forecheck set up Ritchie’s goal. Later in the first, the East power plays will start at the right circle under the new rule, which allows Weymouth widebody played a critical role in Heinen’s power-play goal. attacking teams to choose where the first faceoff will take place.

On the No. 2 unit, Coyle is usually stationed at either elbow, where he But the Bruins are still practicing set pieces that start at the left circle. can be in shooting position. Ritchie was supposed to be the net-front “If we run into a team with lefties, which happens to be tonight, and they’re getting the better of us, then we’ll go to the other side,” Cassidy explained before the game. “We practice on both sides of the dots typically every morning skate or day before the game. So the guys have certain plays from each side, how they can help, what we’re going to run from there. So I suspect you will see the odd time we do that if we’re having a tough time on our strong side.”

8. The Bruins did not report any significant injuries after Game 1. The same could not be said for the Stars.

Roman Polak had to be taken off via stretcher after slamming his head and right shoulder into the boards after checking Chris Wagner. Polak was taken to a local hospital, where he had full use of his extremities, said Dallas coach Jim Montgomery.

It didn’t end there. Not only did forward Blake Comeau take a deflected puck to the face, he suffered a lower-body injury on the same play and is out for weeks. Forward Jason Dickinson played only 6:14 because of a lower-body injury.

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155306 Boston Bruins failed to move past the second round of the playoffs. The Bruins are out to break that trend. Teams discourage describing it as a “hangover” if and when struggles begin. But, for any team that battled until mid-June, McDonald: Six red flags the Bruins need to watch for this season avoiding those mid-season downfalls will be a challenge. Make no mistake, the Bruins have prepared for this scenario in hopes it won’t last long. However, if they do begin to nosedive and can’t pull out of it, they could find themselves out of the playoff structure sooner than they would By Joe McDonald like. Oct 3, 2019 6. Depth not ready

If they encounter the “hangover,” the Bruins can counter by injecting a There’s plenty of optimism around the Bruins as they begin the season youthful spark. Sweeney and his staff have done a solid job the last few Thursday night against the Stars in Dallas. Anything and everything can seasons of identifying talent ready to make an impact in the NHL. Many happen over an 82-game schedule and Boston is prepared to handle of the current crop of youngsters will begin the season in Providence, but those ebbs and flows. no doubt will be called upon at some point during the season. Forwards Anders Bjork, Trent Frederic, Cameron Hughes, Jack Studnicka, Oscar Coach Bruce Cassidy’s club also understands it can all go south in an Steen, along with defensemen Jakub Zboril, Urho Vaakanainen and instant. As last season’s NHL runner-up begins its quest, here are some Jeremy Lauzon could be promoted to Boston if needed. In the past, the possible red flags the Bruins hope to avoid: Bruins have had success when dipping into the minor league talent pool, but if those players fail when given the opportunity, it won’t bode well for 1. The implosion of the top line Boston. Sure, it’s nearly inconceivable to fathom the line of Brad Marchand,

Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak losing its production and identity as one of the league’s top trios. There’s no indication that a downfall is even The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 possible, but injuries throughout the lineup are inevitable and it could directly affect Boston’s top point-getters. We know Bergeron is dealing with a lingering groin injury and the team is keeping a close eye on his continued rehab and strengthening program. If the league’s top two-way center misses time it won’t bode well for the Bruins. It will also impact special teams. Marchand kept his nose clean last season and avoided suspension and he needs to do more of the same this year. Pastrnak looked good at both ends of the ice during training camp and if he can continue to develop his 200-foot game it would be a bonus. He needs to avoid laziness in his game.

2. Goaltending tandem fails

Everyone expects a repeat performance from Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak this season. The pair proved to be a solid tandem during the regular season and were a big reason for the team’s deep playoff run. They shared an almost equal workload — Rask played 46 games (45 starts), while Halak played 40 games (37 starts) — and a similar plan will remain in place this season. Cassidy recently said Rask would start between 50-55 games, but if it’s any more than that, it could have a negative impact on a potential postseason run. There’s a reason the Bruins signed Max Lagace during the summer and have him playing in Providence just in case.

3. Which David Krejci will show up?

The veteran centerman was arguably the Bruins’ most consistent player last season. In fact, it was his best season since 2008-09. He has the ability to find another gear during the playoffs and he reached that level last spring. While he’s found solid chemistry with Jake DeBrusk, the status of Krejci’s right side remains, as ever, a work in progress. Karson Kuhlman, who proved his worth during the Cup final, will start the season on Krejci’s wing. However, the 24-year-old suffered an injury during his only preseason game and his status for the season opener will be a game-time decision. If Krejci misses any significant amount of time, it could throw the entire balance of the lineup out of whack. The 33-year- old Krejci claims he’s ready to go, but it’s well documented how his absence from the lineup resonates across the entire team. If for some reason, he’s not able to play, the plan will be to move Charlie Coyle into the second-line center’s role. While a move of that nature could still be effective, it could shatter the Bruins’ bottom-six production.

4. A contract distraction

General manager Don Sweeney recently said he’s begun talks with the representatives of veteran defenseman Torey Krug, who becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He’s in the last season of a four-year, $21 million deal and negotiations between the sides could become tricky as the season progresses. While Sweeney said the Bruins will keep quiet on any possible deal, Krug remains vocal that he wants a long-term contract. If these negotiations play out in public, it could become a distraction for the player and the team.

5. Playoff hangover

As we wrote the other day, losers of Game 7 in the Cup final typically don’t fare well the next season. All nine Game 7 losers since 1971 have 1155307 Boston Bruins seasons in Boston. He could not be traded without his approval. The Bruins could not place him on waivers to assign him to Providence. Backes could practically veto a change to a different stall in the dressing The redemption of David Backes: How the veteran right wing made his room. way back to Bruins roster As of July 1, Backes no longer had no-movement protection. The Bruins would be free to park him in Providence. He would be following the footsteps of Beleskey, the previous big-ticket free agent purchase By Fluto Shinzawa (signed for five years and $19 million on July 1, 2015) who flamed out in 2017-18 when his legs began to atrophy. Oct 3, 2019 But the loss of his no-movement clause and the sting of sitting for the

most meaningful games of his career prompted Backes to pursue Healthy scratches may be in his future. An assignment to Providence is reinvention. This summer, Backes hired skating coach Katie McDonough, not eliminated following the expiration of his no-movement clause. who helped him introduce more agility. In September, Backes shifted to a plant-based diet. He is leaner, quicker and better equipped to chase But for now, David Backes has made the Bruins roster. This was not pucks, disrupt plays and extend cycles. always guaranteed. “If he can consistently stay in the lineup,” Cassidy said of what he’d like “Not playing the last three games in the finals certainly doesn’t make you to see from Backes. “There’ll be times he will be rested, or we’re going to feel real secure that you’ve got a job,” said the alternate captain. “That tinker with the lineup. Back-to-backs, etc. But if he can stay healthy and being said, I think it provided me with some initiative and some extra fuel give us consistent production … what that is, I don’t know.” of being in the league for 13 years and saying, ‘It’s time to adapt further and try to change my game to acclimate to the way of the new NHL’s Neither Backes nor the Bruins are eager to project numbers for the right speed.’ ” wing. Even if he discovered more pep in the offseason, Backes’ game has declined to the degree where his effectiveness is measured more in Last year went horribly for Backes. He scored a career-low 20 points. He meaningful shifts than goals and assists. All the Bruins are asking for is was scratched nine times in the playoffs. The ex-Blues captain watched for Backes to keep pace with the puck. Points may follow. his former team win Game 7 as he wore a suit and tie. There may come a time when alternatives arise. Bjork was a better It may have been the below-the-belt boot Backes required. offensive performer during camp.

Following an offseason of rediscovery, the right wing found new life But the 23-year-old, whose first two seasons were interrupted by major during training camp. He beat out Brett Ritchie, his closest comparable in shoulder trauma, has been tasked with establishing his scoring touch in terms of skill set. Backes was a better short-term option than Anders Providence. Bjork has the wheels and shot to do so, even if he received Bjork, Peter Cehlarik, Zach Senyshyn and Oskar Steen. the news of his demotion saltily.

It leaves the former healthy scratch as the No. 3 right wing for Thursday’s “He felt he played as well as most forwards did here,” Cassidy said. “We season opener against Dallas, riding alongside Charlie Coyle and Danton walked him through the situation on our team. It’s not just about taking Heinen. the 12 best hockey players. It’s who fits where. He was good as well. I was glad he pushed back a little bit. Because he should. He played well “I put the work in,” Backes said. “You’re seeing some of the results. for us. We just feel the best thing for him — I talked about this before we Probably a circle of seeing more results, wanting to put more work in, even started camp — is that he should round out his game. Now that type of scenario. This is early. It’s a couple steps. But it’s steps in the he’s got some details in his game that maybe lacked when he got here, right direction. I like where we’re at at the moment.” now let’s get the offense going, feel good about scoring and consider Backes’ resurgence means this year’s club is little changed from last yourself a guy that can score in the league.” season’s version. Only two newcomers are expected to dress against If and when that happens, Backes’ job may be in danger. A Bjork-Coyle- Dallas: Ritchie and Par Lindholm, both because of injuries. This is the Heinen line, which saw shifts during the preseason, is an up-tempo unit lowest level of turnover since Don Sweeney became general manager in that could chew up third pairings. This would deposit Backes in the press 2015. box. Consider the additions at the start of past seasons: Backes is also at risk of attrition. Players wear down over 82 games. 2018-19: Jaroslav Halak, John Moore, Joakim Nordstrom, Urho Backes’ roughneck style makes him more susceptible to bruising. Vaakanainen, Chris Wagner. But for now, Backes is one of 20 opening-night returnees with fires lit 2017-18: Bjork, Jake DeBrusk, Paul Postma. following the heartache of a lifetime. The story of the 2019-20 Bruins will be about how they respond to being one win away from the Stanley Cup. 2016-17: Backes, Brandon Carlo, Austin Czarnik, Heinen, Anton Zdeno Chara wants to add to his legacy before saying goodbye. Tuukka Khudobin, Dominic Moore, Riley Nash, Rob O’Gara, Tim Schaller. Rask would like to be the ace, not the backup, on a championship team.

2015-16: Matt Beleskey, Jonas Gustavsson, Jimmy Hayes, Matt Irwin, Backes wants to clear his name of the shame associated with being out Joonas Kemppainen, Colin Miller, Tyler Randell, Zac Rinaldo. of uniform. That may be the most powerful motivator of all.

Had the Bruins been at full health out of camp, it’s possible they would have had zero roster movement between seasons. David Krejci would have displaced Lindholm, the temporary No. 2 center. Nordstrom would The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 have replaced Ritchie.

Some teams would have preferred greater churn over an offseason. Sweeney saw no need. Players pushed during camp — Bjork, Trent Frederic and Jakub Zboril were among the names Bruce Cassidy cited — but the incumbents retained their jobs.

“I think it helps,” Cassidy said of continuity. “I think it helps. It’s one of the reasons we limited some games for the preseason for these guys. We know they have some chemistry already. It doesn’t have to be built in for the (defense)-corps, the goalies and the forwards. That is an advantage.”

Continuity is one thing. Comfort is another. The latter may have settled in with Backes.

Not only did he have the security of a $6 million annual payday, Backes held all the cards, via his no-movement guarantee, for his first three 1155308 Buffalo Sabres Mittelstadt showed last season he has the skill to excel in the NHL. He possesses elite speed and his shot is among the best on the Sabres. Yet, he struggled forechecking and making an impact around the net. Following slow start to camp, Casey Mittelstadt flashes 'exciting' potential Mittelstadt showed improvement in the latter Thursday night, when he in Sabres' win fought to get his stick on a rebound in front of the net. He successfully knocked the puck over to Sheary, whose wrist shot gave the Sabres a 2- 1 lead with 5:57 remaining in the second period.

By Lance Lysowski "Everybody contributed," Krueger said. "When you looked at some of the minutes played, guys understood. They accepted those roles and they Published Thu, Oct 3, 2019|Updated Thu, Oct 3, 2019 jumped in and did the best with the minutes they had. Of course, getting that first goal, the combination of Mittsy and Conor helped us to really get our feet into this game and to feel and believe that we could win it." PITTSBURGH -- The matchup didn't intimidate Casey Mittelstadt. He didn't care that he was lined up against Sidney Crosby, a three-time The Sabres out-shot the Penguins, 41-29, and pulled away when Stanley Cup champion and future Hall of Famer, in the faceoff circle Rasmus Dahlin pushed the lead to 3-1 with 44 seconds remaining in the Thursday night in PPG Paints Arena. second period. Buffalo had to kill three penalties in the third period to hold on for the win. The Sabres effectively pressured the puck the entire All Mittelstadt cared about was winning the draw and gaining possession game and had one of their better regular-season defensive efforts in for the Buffalo Sabres in the offensive zone. When the 20-year-old center some time. was bested by his opponent, he retreated defensively and waited for the opportunity to try to keep the puck in the Pittsburgh Penguins' end. Sidney Crosby was held to one shot on goal in 21:01 and his best linemate, Jake Guentzel, did not have a shot in 20:15. The Sabres, Moments later, Mittelstadt emerged from a group of defenders with the meanwhile, received at least two shots on goal from all but three players puck, skated towards the Penguins' goal and passed to Conor Sheary, in the lineup. The emergence of supplementary scoring options, who scored his first of two goals in the Sabres' 3-1 win to open the Mittelstadt included, was notable following a season in which the Sabres franchise's 50th season. Mittelstadt also assisted on Sheary's second relied too much on Eichel and Skinner. goal -- his second multi-point night since Nov. 3, 2018 -- and finished with two shots on net. "Especially the first couple of games, you have to get used to the speed," Mittelstadt said of his slow start in camp. "I always notice I have to get my The Penguins' five power plays, as well as a difficult matchup hands back up to speed. I think there were quite a few chances for me defensively, caused Mittelstadt to play only 9:25 in his second season around the net. It was nice to see a couple go in, even if they weren’t for opener with the Sabres. However, he showed tangible signs of progress me." under new coach Ralph Krueger, and his ability to help generate offense in the bottom-six was an important development on a night when neither Jack Eichel nor Jeff Skinner recorded a point. Buffalo News LOADED: 10.04.2019 "Definitely last year was a learning process for him, and I think he took a lot from that," Sheary said of Mittelstadt. "Tonight what that turnover and that nice play to me, [that shows] he’s learned a lot about the game. He’s getting better defensively as well. It’s exciting to see."

Mittelstadt, who was drafted eighth overall in 2017, had a slow start to training camp, which should be expected from a young center learning another new system. Additionally, more is asked of centers defensively, and young players at the postion can take longer to reach their potential offensively.

Mittelstadt delivered an encouraging performance in the preseason finale in Pittsburgh on Sept. 28. He recorded a plus-1 rating and four shots on goal in 18:39. Following the morning skate Thursday, Mittelstadt appeared relaxed and excited. Confidence has never been an issue for him, even last season when he experienced growing pains as a rookie in the .

Mittelstadt had 12 goals among 25 points in 77 games and struggled at times with the physical demands of a chaotic, 82-game schedule. He added weight and muscle mass this past summer to better prepare himself to forecheck against the league's top players.

Following the faceoff loss to Crosby, Mittelstadt watched the puck carom around the right-wing boards, prevented two Penguins from exiting the zone by poking it back toward the circle and skated forward to corral the puck on the blade of his stick. Upon gaining possession, Mittelstadt drew a defenseman towards him and dished a pass over to Sheary, whose shot from below the faceoff dot went over goalie Matt Murray's blocker for a 1-0 lead at 5:23 into the first period.

"Whenever he’s out there against us, [I have to] make the plays," Mittelstadt said of Crosby. "Do what you do. That was a good bang-bang play and Shears had a nice finish. That’s a good way to start."

Mittelstadt, Sheary and Jimmy Vesey didn't see much of Crosby, though. Instead, Mittelstadt faced the Penguins' third forward group -- Jared McCann, Nick Bjugstad and Dominik Kahun -- the most at 5 on 5 and posted a remarkable 72.7 percent shot differential. However, Mittelstadt also showed he's still learning on the job.

Moments after Mittelstadt turned the puck over in the defensive zone, he was called for a holding penalty in the second period. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin scored a power-play goal to tie the score, 1-1, only 26 seconds later. Mittelstadt also lost seven of 11 faceoffs and was credited with one turnover. 1155309 Buffalo Sabres The shots on goal at one point were 13-3 in favor of the Sabres. Buffalo had 17 of the first 22 shot attempts in the game. The Sabres expected the Penguins to come out flying in the season opener, especially at Ralph Krueger waited 6 1/2 years for this moment and Sabres gave him home. The thought process was simply to hold the fort. It turned out the his reward Penguins were the one trying to man their gates.

Hutton made a big save early on Evgeni Malkin streaking down the slot but other than that, the Sabres were in control. Still, you can't emphasize By Mike Harrington enough how big that stop was.

Published Thu, Oct 3, 2019|Updated Thu, Oct 3, 2019 the game is said and done," Krueger said. "It could have been a different story but 'Huts' really is a leader for us in the room and also led the way

on the ice for us with that early save." PITTSBURGH — For Ralph Krueger, this was worth the wait. There was speed. The breakout passes worked. Henri Jokiharju sent one The old professor has said all the right things since the Buffalo Sabres to Zemgus Girgensons across three lines in the first period that was surprised the hockey world by calling his name in May to replace Phil simply sublime. Housley. Thursday night's season opener was Krueger's first real game Following slow start to camp, Casey Mittelstadt flashes 'exciting' potential behind an NHL bench in 6 1/2 years. in Sabres' win Krueger has been involved in major events like the Olympics and the The Sabres looked confident, like they believed Krueger when he said if 2016 World Cup. But after the Edmonton Oilers coldly turfed him via they played to their instincts and not like robots that good things would Skype in the spring of 2013, he had to wonder if he'd ever have this happen. And they completely frustrated the Penguins at times with their chance again. puck pressure, causing 17 turnovers while making just six of their own. Krueger has tried not to let his situation become part of the Buffalo excellent shape, which all these guys came into training camp in," Sabres' narrative this season, but the mystery around the head coach is Krueger said. "We need to keep our feet moving and skating all the time. a huge story. We've spent months talking about his background, but who It's a lot to ask, day in and day out. These guys are committed to do that. knew how the team was going to look when the pucks started flying for They took away the room and space Pittsburgh likes to play in." real? "Our D-men did a great job staying up on their guys and staying tight," "I'm keeping it pretty small with the picture, pretty simple," Krueger added winger Jeff Skinner. "It's hard to make plays when they're up in insisted in the morning, a few hours before his team's 3-1 stunner over your face and our guys did that and caused trouble for them. Then we the Pittsburgh Penguins in PPG Paints Arena. The World Cup "was an had high forwards tracking back hard. It's a combination of things and it opportunity for me to taste it and since then it's always been on my mind starts with forecheck pressure." if the right situation evolved. It's not a surprise to be here right now. I was never of the mindset that this was done and gone forever. but it's nice to All those things simultaneously working in concert is a sign of belief in be back here doing this." what the coach is preaching. The buy-in seems strong for Krueger right now, especially when you consider this is largely a group not known for Especially if his team performs like this. The Sabres were flat-out better believing in its coaches the last few years. from the opening faceoff and never let up in this one. They had an attack mentality, they passed well, they skated hard. There was purpose with "We have a full buy-in in the room. You could just feel it from Day One," every play. Krueger said. "All the meetings we had. All the practices we had. Everybody has been battling." The contributions were everywhere. Krueger has taken each step of the way in small increments. There was Fourteen players had at least two shots on goal and six had three or his hiring, the draft, watching development camp. Then he finally got to more. The Sabres blocked 19 shots and had a 32-31 advantage on see players on the ice in games at the Prospects Challenge. It started to faceoffs. get real at training camp and with exhibition games. The days were long The embattled Rasmus Ristolainen played 23 minutes, 53 seconds in at camp, with each practice group on the ice for 75 minutes a day at the this one. He had five shots on goal, five hits and two blocked shots. start. You're not trading that kind of player if that keeps up. Defense partner "It's funny, because of the intensity of the process, I've really been able to Jake McCabe played a team-high 25:11 and had four blocks. keep the picture small and working to the day," Krueger said. "We have a Carter Hutton was super sharp in goal. Conor Sheary scored twice on clear plan here that we've been pursuing and we continue to pursue. assists from Casey Mittlestadt. The scoring was capped by an utterly "Spending May, June, July, August, really preparing and solidifying the ridiculous goal from Rasmus Dahlin in the final minute of the second plan has helped a lot to be in the moment now and to keep the picture period that was a Norris Trophy-caliber play. small. We were very confident about the plan that we're implementing Get the ultimate assist. Check your inbox the day of and day after every here." Sabres game for expert analysis, developments from across the NHL Coaches all have buzzwords and the loquacious Krueger is no different. and inside info on the blue and gold. One of his favorites is "synergy" or "synergies." There's no question this team understood how much significance this Well, here's some for you: The Sabres had gone 18 games without a game had for this coach. When I asked Sheary if it meant a lot to get regulation win against the Penguins, since a 4-2 win here on April 23, Krueger a win after being out of the NHL for this long, the smile he broke 2013 -- four days before Krueger coached his last game in Edmonton. into before his answer meant more than his actual words. Buffalo had not opened a season here since its very first game, a 2-1 win "You could tell he was excited," said Sheary, who burned his old team at Civic Arena — the old, demolished "Igloo" across the street — on Oct. with two goals. "I saw him before camp and he was ready to get going. 10, 1970. He had all his plans. I think we were all happy to get him one, because he's a fun coach to play for." Win the opener in Pittsburgh in the first season, win it again in the 50th anniversary season. Nice connection for the past to the present. Krueger's club outshot the Penguins, 41-29, and made them look old and slow. Just as Pittsburgh looked during the disturbing first-round sweep it Krueger said the five months have flown by but that he feels at home. He endured at the hands of the New York Islanders in the spring. has talked a lot about relishing the chance to be part of this club's history. This was his first chance to add to it. It was a super start. The Penguins spent the morning babbling about urgency and motivation, about starting their season strong in front of the home fans after their "The guys never left the foot off the gas. We stayed on our toes right playoff dud. through to the finish line," he said. "I said I was going to have fun with this ride in the National Hockey League and these guys help that fun part It was empty talk. with games like tonight." The Wraparound: Sabres 3, Penguins 1

Buffalo News LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155310 Buffalo Sabres Dahlin joined an offensive rush with Sam Reinhart, skated past Penguins center Teddy Blueger and received a pass near the slot before lifting the puck over Murray's shoulder for a 3-1 lead with 44 seconds left in the The Wraparound: Sabres 3, Penguins 1 second period.

Lineup decisions: Forward Evan Rodrigues and defenseman John Gilmour were the Sabres' healthy scratches. By Lance Lysowski

Published Thu, Oct 3, 2019|Updated Thu, Oct 3, 2019 Buffalo News LOADED: 10.04.2019

PITTSBURGH — Conor Sheary authored one of the more iconic moments in the recent history of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sheary, a 27-year-old winger, scored the overtime goal in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final at PPG Paints Arena in 2016, and the Penguins went on to win their first of consecutive championships. Now, Sheary is a thorn in the side of his former fans and teammates.

Sheary scored two goals, including one on the power play in the second period, to help the Buffalo Sabres open their 50th season with a 3-1 win over the Penguins in PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night. He has scored four goals among six points in four games against his former team. More important, Sheary is making a strong first impression on Sabres coach Ralph Krueger and is showing that he could help address the team's need for supplementary scoring.

Sheary opened the scoring with a wrist shot from the right circle at 5:23 into regulation and broke a 1-1 tie at 14:03 into the second period with a shot from the slot. The latter power-play sequence began when Colin Miller fired a slap shot from the point, and Casey Mittelstadt managed to poke the loose puck over to Sheary, whose wrist shot beat goalie Matt Murray.

Sheary, who was acquired along with Matt Hunwick from Pittsburgh in June 2018, scored 14 goals among 34 points in 78 games during his first season with Buffalo and is only two years removed from scoring a career-high 23 goals with the Penguins.

However, Sheary admits he put too much pressure on himself to produce during the second half of last season. After all, he was acquired to contribute offensively behind Jack Eichel, Jeff Skinner and Sam Reinhart. Sheary had a strong preseason under Krueger and appeared to be a candidate to start the season on the top line.

Sheary suffered a lower body injury during camp and was held out of the preseason finale as a precaution. He returned to practice and his line — which also included Mittelstadt and Jimmy Vesey — was the Sabres' best for most of the game against the Penguins.

Opening salvo: Sheary's first goal would not have been possible without Mittelstadt. The 20-year-old center made an excellent pass to find Sheary, who skated through the right circle and scored on a shot over Murray's blocker.

Mittelstadt, who had a slow start to training camp, finished with two assists, his second multi-point game since Nov. 3, 2018.

Close call: Zemgus Girgensons must love playing against Pittsburgh. Five days after scoring here in the preseason finale, the winger gathered a loose puck in the neutral zone following a Penguins turnover and nearly scored a shorthanded goal in the first period. However, Murray managed to stop Girgensons backhanded breakaway shot. Kyle Okposo also had a failed breakaway attempt in the second period.

Penguins rally: The Sabres out-shot Pittsburgh, 14-3, though the first 11 minutes of regulation, but Murray only needed to stop two pucks for the rest of the period. The Penguins, meanwhile, had 10 shots on goal during that span. Sabres goalie Carter Hutton looked sharp through 20 minutes and managed to stop the only high-danger scoring chance he faced, Brandon Tanev's shot from below the left faceoff dot.

Tying goal: Evgeni Malkin tied the score, 1-1, at 5:50 into the second period with a slap shot from the left circle. Hutton was unable to see the shot because he was being screened by Patric Hornqvist.

Dahlin shines: Rasmus Dahlin had a difficult start to his second season opener in the National Hockey League. He struggled to break the puck out of his own end in the first period and appeared hesitant on the power play. The 19-year-old defenseman proceeded to remind everyone why he is regarded as one of the league's top young talents. 1155311 Buffalo Sabres However, Rodrigues was out of the lineup in favor of Kyle Okposo, who skated on the fourth line with Johan Larsson and Zemgus Girgensons.

"It’s always the mix in the end, and the competition here, as I’ve told you Sabres coach Ralph Krueger 'going one game at a time' on starting all through training camp, has increased," Krueger said of scratching goalie Rodrigues. "Our depth has increased. When you see that level of scratch, you can see that it’s not just words, it’s actions here. It’s a competitive situation. In the end, it was the mix that took him out of it." By Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington Marcus Johansson never expected to be named an alternate captain Published Thu, Oct 3, 2019|Updated Thu, Oct 3, 2019 upon joining the Sabres. The 28-year-old forward simply wanted to make a strong impression on a new coaching staff and expressed excitement

in the opportunity to take on a leadership role on a younger team. PITTSBURGH – Carter Hutton expected the eight hours from the Buffalo Johansson, though, impressed Krueger with his ability to lead by Sabres' morning skate Thursday to puck drop of the season opener to example and knowledge of the Sabres' new systems. feel like an eternity. "It’s obviously an honor," Johansson said of being named an alternate This wasn't the first season opener for Hutton. The 33-year-old started in captain. "It kind of tells you that you’re doing something right and a good goal for the Sabres against Boston in KeyBank Center last October. person, I guess. I mean, yeah, it’s cool. But mostly just honored to get However, a certain amount of nervousness comes with the first game of that opportunity. I’m really proud of that." the season. Hutton hasn't gone through his typical routine yet and the speed of the game increases from preseason. Neither Victor Olofsson nor Henri Jokiharju was able to practice with the Sabres on Wednesday. Both were assigned to Rochester for salary cap "There's a lot of built-up energy, you're really excited but you have to reasons. They were recalled Thursday morning and were in the lineup keep it under control and control what you can," Hutton said following the against the Penguins. morning skate. Olofsson, who began the season on the Sabres' top line, did not say The question now is will he be in goal for the Sabres' home opener much when asked about the unusual circumstances, but he beamed Saturday against New Jersey in KeyBank Center. Rather than naming a when asked about his first season opener in the National Hockey starting goalie, coach Ralph Krueger told the media that he and his staff League. Curtis Lazar, Jean-Sebastien Dea and Lawrence Pilut were will evaluate the position on a game-by-game basis. assigned to the Amerks on Thursday. "I think with everything right now we’re really keeping the picture small "It was fine," Olofsson said of Wednesday. "We just made sure we're and going one game at a time," Krueger said. "Let’s start with Carter ready for today, which we are. I feel great. I'm really excited to be here Hutton today and go on tomorrow. That’s really the way we’re thinking." and it's finally time for the season to start. This is what we've been Krueger and General Manager Jason Botterill have said repeatedly that working towards all summer." the Sabres will need both goalies to succeed, especially with the chaotic Penguins center Sidney Crosby captained Team Canada against schedule. Their season opener is the first of 12 games during a 23-day Krueger's Team Europe in the championship series of the World Cup of stretch in October. Additionally, teams around the National Hockey Hockey in 2016. Canada swept Europe in the three-game series with League are no longer using one goalie for the bulk of a season. victories of 3-1 and 2-1 in Toronto's Air Canada Center. Hutton played a career-high 50 games last season, while Linus Ullmark Crosby was familiar with the way Krueger wants his teams to play but was in net for 37 games. Comparatively, Ryan Miller played 76 of 82 acknowledged there is an element of surprise since the Penguins have games for the Sabres in 2007-08. spent training camp focusing on their own systems. Hutton is ultra-competitive. He went undrafted and waited parts of six "I think every team is trying to play fast and they're no different," Crosby NHL seasons to become a full-time starter. Hutton finally received that said. "They want to be disciplined defensively. Everybody's approach is opportunity last season after signing a three-year contract with the pretty similar. There's always a few adjustments you want to make with Sabres. However, Hutton has spoken several times of a team needing not seeing him for a while. Every team is so worried about themselves, two goalies. playing their game to create an identity, the focus is on your group but "He's a heckuva goalie and we have options," Hutton said of Ullmark. you have to watch for their subtle adjustments." "I'm a big believer you've got to have two guys to have success in this Brett Murray, a fourth-round draft pick of the Sabres in 2016, signed a league. The days of Martin Brodeur playing 70 have come and gone. one-year, American Hockey League contract with Rochester. Murray, a Certainly, I'm excited to get the first one but before we know it we're 21-year-old forward, scored 41 goals for Youngstown of the United going to be weeks in and the games will be coming at you every which States Hockey League last season. He chose to not attend Miami (Ohio) way. For me and Linus, it's a matter of supporting each other no matter and participated in the Sabres' Prospects Challenge last month. who is in net." Meanwhile, forward Kyle Olson, a forward whose performance at the Though Krueger would not discuss his long-term goalie plans, he did Prospects Challenge earned him an invitation to Sabres training camp, provide details about how the Sabres would come to their decision was released from his tryout with the Amerks. Olson is expected to return following each game. Goaltending coach Mike Bales, who guided the to the Western Hockey League's Tri-City Americans. Penguins' goalies to two Stanley Cups, will make his recommendation. The entire staff will debate the topic before ultimately coming to a consensus. Buffalo News LOADED: 10.04.2019 Both goalie should benefit from Krueger's defensive-zone structure, which will use more zone principles. Krueger wants his forwards and defensemen to take fewer risks offensively in order to prevent the high- danger scoring chances that plagued the Sabres last season.

"We're going to give something up at times to take something away and that will be big for us," Hutton said. "Personally, at times, I thought I tried to do too much at times and my game slipped. Now I'm back to doing my job and not trying to have the pressure feeling you have to steal the game every night. We want to have a certain predictability to our game."

Evan Rodrigues will have to prove himself to another coach in Buffalo. The 26-year-old forward was a surprising scratch for the season opener, joining defenseman John Gilmour in the press box at PPG Paints Arena.

Rodrigues earned a prominent role under former coach Phil Housley last season, scoring nine goals among 29 points in a career-high 74 games. 1155312 Buffalo Sabres

Penguins' Sidney Crosby ready to 'turn the page' against Sabres

By Mike Harrington

Published Thu, Oct 3, 2019|Updated Thu, Oct 3, 2019

PITTSBURGH – Penguins captain Sidney Crosby had plenty of anticipation and motivation for the start of the new season. He's just glad he's going to be on the ice for the opening faceoff Thursday night in PPG Paints Arena.

Crosby took a Marco Scandella slapshot off the foot during Saturday's preseason finale against the Buffalo Sabres here and there were some touch-and-go moments over the next 24 hours before he felt like he would be ready to play tonight.

"It was kind of a weird play. I tried to get out of the way and didn't," Crosby said after today's morning skate. "Given the way it felt after that game, I wasn't sure I'd be here. So I'm happy to be playing tonight."

The Penguins are trying to bounce back this season after the disappointment of last year's first-round playoff sweep at the hands of the New York Islanders. Crosby said it's been a long summer.

"Our urgency and desperation should be there. We're going to be motivated after the way we finished last year," said Crosby, who will center Patric Hornqvist and Jake Guentzel. "I think the guys who were here last year combined with the energy the new guys will bring, it's a good combination.

"Your anticipation level is heightened by the long offseason. You want to turn the page and Game 1 is the start of that, so you get excited for it with a new group."

How far away are the Penguins from their Cup years of 2016 and 2017?

"We're just as far as everybody else," Crosby said. "Every team has to go through that process throughout the year, face different challenges. Ultimately, it's how you compete in the playoffs. If you forge the right habits, you get yourself there and that's how you start. You're not thinking about the Stanley Cup Final but that's the goal for everyone. There's little things you have to do to get there."

Only a handful of NHL players will have much connection to new Sabres coach Ralph Krueger this season, whether they played for or against him when he was in Edmonton in 2013 or if they were part of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Crosby is one of them, as he captained Team Canada past Krueger's Team Europe in the championship series of the World Cup.

"I think every team is trying to play fast and they're no different," Crosby said. "They want to be disciplined defensively. Everybody's approach is pretty similar. There's always a few adjustments you want to make with not seeing him for a while. Every team is so worried about themselves, playing their game to create an identity, the focus is on your group but you have to watch for their subtle adjustments."

Buffalo News LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155313 Buffalo Sabres At tickets.com, by phone at 1-888-223-6000 or at the KeyBank Center box office. Group tickets can be purchased via 1-888-GOSABRES. The box office is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. On event days, the box Fan guide to Sabres games at KeyBank Center office is open 9 a.m. until the end of the event from Monday-Saturday, and 10 a.m. until the end of the event on Sundays.

Kids Pack By Staff Fans can purchase up to four kids tickets for $15 each with the purchase Published Thu, Oct 3, 2019|Updated Thu, Oct 3, 2019 of a regularly priced 300 Level II ticket.

Dates: Oct. 14, Dec. 21, Jan. 11, Feb. 1, Feb. 9, Feb. 23, March 21, March 22. Sabres Store: Remodeled store is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Mondays through Friday or 10 a.m., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and through the Family Pack end of the event on all home game days. Fans can purchase four 300 Level II tickets and four hot dogs, sodas and PARKING popcorns for $196. This season, families will have the option to add additional tickets and food for $49 per person with the purchase of a Available along Perry, Washington and Swan streets. Cost ranges from family pack. $10 to $20. Additional parking can be found on Baltimore, Mississippi and Columbia streets. Dates: Oct. 5, Oct. 9, Oct. 11, Oct. 14, Nov. 12, Nov. 14, Nov. 16, Nov. 27, Dec. 2, Dec. 10, Dec. 12, Dec. 31, Jan. 2, Jan. 4, Jan. 11, Jan. 14, Parking for suite and 200 Club season ticket holders is available in the Jan. 30, Feb. 1, Feb. 6, Feb. 9, Feb. 13, Feb. 23, March 5, March 9, KeyBank Center parking ramp (Illinois Street). Reserved season parking March 15, March 22, March 30, April 4. is also available for season ticket holders. Parking can be purchased from the Account Services Office. 50th Season Pack

BAG POLICY Fan can purchase tickets for the theme nights tied to the 50th anniversary (listed above) and Fan Appreciation Night. All bags are inspected. Small handbags, purses, drawstring bags and clutches are allowed, but anything larger will not be permitted. Fans will Dates: Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 2, Dec. 12, Jan. 4, Jan. 11, Feb. 13, March no longer be able to store larger bags with Account Services during the 13, March 21, April 4. game. Medical items and diaper bags are allowed. Pack BANNED ITEMS Fans can purchase tickets for six games against the Original Six NHL Animals, aerosol cans, alcoholic beverages, backpacks, chains, drones, teams. explosives and firearms, food or beverage from the outside, fuel, beach balls or frisbees, hazardous chemicals, drugs, laser pens, instruments or Dates: Oct. 9, vs. Montreal; Dec. 27, vs. Boston; Feb. 6, vs. Detroit; Feb. artificial noisemakers, selfie sticks, weapons. 16, vs. Toronto; March 21, vs. Chicago; March 22, vs. New York Rangers. DOORS OPEN Sunday Funday Pack Doors open two hours before game times and allow access to the 100 level concessions but not the seating areas. Fans are allowed into the Fans can purchase tickets for five 2020 games on Sundays, beginning at seating areas one hour before game time. $191.

GUEST SERVICES Dates: Feb. 9, vs. Anaheim; Feb. 16, vs. Toronto; Feb. 23, vs. Winnipeg; March 15, vs. Carolina; March 22, vs. the New York Rangers. Located on the 100 level between aisles 7 and 8 and on the 300 level between aisles 13 and 14. Guest Services opens one hour before the The Aud Pack game and is open until a half-hour after the game. Five games against teams whose colors are similar to colors of the seats THEME NIGHTS in the Aud. Includes “Aud Night” and a commemorative T-shirt.

Captains Night – Oct. 5 vs. the New Jersey Devils. Fourteen former Dates: Oct. 5, vs. New Jersey Devils; Dec. 12, vs. Nashville; Jan. 14, vs. captains from throughout franchise history will be honored in a pregame Vegas; Feb. 1, vs. Columbus; April 4, vs. Philadelphia. ceremony. Weekend Pack

70s Night – Nov. 2 vs. the New York Islanders: The inaugural team, the Fans can purchase tickets for eight Friday and Saturday games. French Connection and others will be honored against an opponent Buffalo met in the playoffs in 1976, 1977 and 1980. Dates: Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 27, Jan. 4, Feb. 1, March 13, March 21, April 4. Founders Night – Dec. 2 vs. New Jersey: The game will be a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the date the Sabres received Cats and Dogs Pack their franchise, Dec. 2, 1969. Eight games against teams with cats or dogs as their mascots. Portion of Aud Night – Dec. 12 vs. Nashville: A tribute to the franchise's second the proceeds to benefit Ullmark’s Barks. decade will focus on Memorial Auditorium, the team's home from 1970- 1996. Dates: Oct. 11, vs. Panthers; Oct. 28, vs. Coyotes; Nov. 16, vs. Senators; Nov. 27, vs. Flames; Dec. 12, vs. Predators; Dec. 21, vs. Kings; Jan. 2, 90s Night – Jan. 4 vs. Florida: Fans will be encouraged to dust off their vs. Oilers; Feb. 4, vs. Avalanche. red and black threads in honor of the "Goathead" era that featured the 1999 Stanley Cup finalists. Home opener

2000s Night – Feb. 13 vs. Columbus: The team promises the night For the home opener, the Sabres have announced a Party on the Plaza honoring the first decade of the new century will be scary good, as it that begins at 5 p.m. before the 7 p.m. game against New Jersey. The borrowed the iconic phrase Rick Jeanneret used after Jason Pominville's party features kid-friendly activities and a performance by the Strictly Hip. series-winning overtime goal in Ottawa in 2006. At the door, fans will receive a "Scratch and Score" card that can be redeemed at KeyBank branches while supplies last. A commemorative 2010s Night – March 13 vs. Boston: The team will pay tribute to some of home opener T-shirt will be on each seat. Fans are urged to be in their the stars of the current decade, like Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek, Jack seats by 6:45 p.m. for a pregame ceremony, including appearances by Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin. 14 former Sabres captains.

"Best of" Night – March 21 vs. Chicago: The greatest moments, players and personalities in franchise annals will be honored. Buffalo News LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155314 Buffalo Sabres from using his lines and special teams units during the final practice before the opener.

"Not at all because we really feel these last few days are just keep the Sabres game day: Jeff Skinner starts second season with 'internal' pace up and not trying to fill them full of some kind of new, exotic pressure to produce information for the game," Krueger said when asked if the roster moves created any challenges. "I think we have really, really gone through a teaching process here where today we just finalized a few points and the By Lance Lysowski roster, the way it stands tomorrow, they'll all be ready to play."

Published Thu, Oct 3, 2019|Updated Thu, Oct 3, 2019 Penguins' lineup: Sidney Crosby will be in the Penguins lineup tonight against the Sabres after he was injured blocking a shot in the preseason

finale Saturday. Additionally Alex Galchenyuk will be a game-time Hutton starting: Carter Hutton will start the Sabres' opener for a second decision for Pittsburgh. consecutive season. However, coach Ralph Krueger declined to give much information on the team's goalie plan for the first month of the season, saying he and his coaching staff are approaching the situation Buffalo News LOADED: 10.04.2019 "one game at a time."

"Sometimes the opener can be tough," Hutton said. "There's a lot of built- up energy, you're really excited but you have to keep it under control and control what you can. From my perspective, you have to be even keeled. I can't really go out, run around, throw a big body check to 'get into the game' so to speak. I can't control what comes at me. Stay even keel. It's a long day for guys. You're just waiting to get excited. There's lots to play for and it's nice to get playing for real again."

Lineup set: The Sabres did not make any significant changes to their lines for the season opener. Evan Rodrigues and John Gilmour will be healthy scratches. Here is how they lined up during the morning skate:

Krueger on the decision to scratch Evan Rodrigues: "It’s always the mix in the end, and the competition here, as I’ve told you all through training camp has increased, our depth has increased. When you see that level of scratch, you can see that it’s not just words, it’s actions here. It’s a competitive situation. In the end, it was the mix that took him out of it."

New linemate: Jeff Skinner is no longer one of the new guys. The 27- year-old winger signed an eight-year, $72 million contract with the Sabres in June, making him one of the franchise's cornerstones.

He scored a career-high 40 goals during his first season in Buffalo and sparked the team's 10-game winning streak last November. Skinner also formed instant chemistry with Jack Eichel, giving the Sabres one of the more effective first lines in the National Hockey League during the first half of last season.

However, Skinner likely won't be skating alongside Eichel at 5-on-5 when the Sabres open the season Thursday night against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Skinner is expected to play left wing on the second line, which will be centered by Marcus Johansson and will also feature Vladimir Sobotka.

Skinner only played with Johansson in one preseason game, though neither expects them to take long to form chemistry. Skinner cited Johansson's experience and skill as reasons why he's excited to start the season on that line. However, there's no question there will be significant pressure placed on Skinner this season.

That doesn't seem to bother the two-time All-Star. He explained Wednesday that he trains relentlessly each summer because of the pressure he puts on himself to produce.

"I think it’s more internal," Skinner explained. "You’re not going to score 40 without scoring one. For me, that’s all you focus on. … Obviously my job is to produce offensively and I know that. That’s part of my game. That’s why in the summer and training camp you work on your game.

Unusual start: Neither Victor Olofsson nor Henri Jokiharju was able to practice with the Sabres on Wednesday, yet both will play in the season opener against Pittsburgh. They were assigned to Rochester for salary cap reasons Tuesday.

In a corresponding move, Curtis Lazar, Jean-Sebastien Dea and Lawrence Pilut were recalled to Buffalo. Yet, none of the five players actually left their respective teams. The situation may seem unusual but it's common at this time of year when teams are trying to be creative with the salary cap.

The Sabres needed to add additional money to their cap in order to maximize long-term injured reserve. Lazar, Dea and Pilut were assigned to the Amerks early Thursday morning. The situation prevented Krueger 1155315 Buffalo Sabres The Sabres need to find a way to free up Mittelstadt to use his skill on offense.

Rodrigues will provide versatility and a consistent effort. He's capable of Analyzing the Sabres' first roster under new coach Ralph Krueger producing more than the nine goals he scored last season. Sheary was also disappointed in his 14-goal season but should benefit from feeling more comfortable in Buffalo. Okposo, meanwhile, is trying to rebound By Lance Lysowski from a season in which he scored 14 goals among 29 points in 78 games. Published Thu, Oct 3, 2019|Updated Thu, Oct 3, 2019 Defensemen (7): Rasmus Dahlin, Colin Miller, Rasmus Ristolainen, Jake

McCabe, Marco Scandella, Henri Jokiharju, John Gilmour. Jason Botterill didn't perform the roster surgery that some expected. The Botterill addressed the Sabres' deficiencies on the back end by acquiring Buffalo Sabres' General Manager retained his restricted free agents and three talented puck-moving defensemen over the past eight months: did not trade Rasmus Ristolainen. Miller, Jokiharju and Brandon Montour. There weren't any contract buyouts, either. Instead, Botterill Additionally, Miller, 26, has 30 games of playoff experience, 20 of which supplemented his core players with four important additions: Marcus occurred during Vegas' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2018. He is Johansson, Jimmy Vesey, Colin Miller and Henri Jokiharju. The Sabres expected to begin the season on a pairing with Dahlin, providing stability also improved their depth in the organization by adding John Gilmour and and guidance to help the 19-year-old adjust to a new system under Curtis Lazar. Krueger. Rather than parting ways with players who struggled under former coach Dahlin focused on improving his shot this offseason and recalled taking Phil Housley, Botterill is hoping new coach Ralph Krueger gets more roughly 100 per day once he began his on-ice work this summer. The production out of the Sabres. Calder Trophy finalist had nine goals among 44 points – the second-most "I thought we’ve built each game," Miller said at the conclusion of the points by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history – while playing all preseason. "It’s still preseason, so obviously other teams aren’t going as 82 games last season. It's realistic to think he'll produce more offensively hard as they will be in the regular season. Everyone is getting their feet given the improved shot and additional support around him. wet. It will be fun once we finally start." Ristolainen isn't leaving Buffalo, at least not for now. The 24-year-old Here is a closer look at the roster the Sabres will take to Pittsburgh for expressed frustration with all of the losing during his time with the Sabres the season opener Thursday night in PPG Paints Arena. and may have requested a trade. Yet, he remains on the roster and played well during the preseason, showing the blend of skill and Forwards (13): Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, Victor Olofsson, Jeff Skinner, toughness that make him effective. Marcus Johansson, Vladimir Sobotka, Jimmy Vesey, Casey Mittelstadt, Conor Sheary, Evan Rodrigues, Zemgus Girgensons, Johan Larsson, The Sabres are hoping McCabe and Scandella play better under Kyle Okposo. Krueger. The former wasn't ineffective last season. McCabe's problem has been health, as he's been limited to 112 regular-season games over Jason Pominville was the only notable loss this offseason, and the the past two years. He is an important part of the Sabres' penalty kill and Sabres added Johansson and Vesey, two players who could make a his presence is particularly important with Zach Bogosian out. McCabe significant impact. can block shots, kill penalties and sticks up for teammates.

Johansson had an impressive performance in the Stanley Cup playoffs Scandella underwent ankle surgery this offseason and had a strong last spring for the Boston Bruins, who lost in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup preseason. He'll benefit from Krueger's change in defensive-zone Final. He has two 20-goal seasons and already has brought leadership to structure. the Sabres' dressing room. Johansson, though, will play center for the Sabres, a position that he hasn't manned full-time in several years. Jokiharju, 20, was acquired this offseason from Chicago in exchange for Alexander Nylander. The Blackhawks had concerns about Jokiharju's Vesey could be in position for a breakout season. The 26-year-old winger defensive play, however, and the Sabres are intrigued by the offensive had 16 even-strength goals in each of the past two seasons for the New ability. Jokiharju will need to be competent in his own zone if he's to York Rangers, but he'll benefit from receiving consistent time with remain on the team once Montour returns from injury. talented linemates in Buffalo. Vesey will be a candidate for the first line if Krueger's initial groups don't produce at the start of the season. Gilmour was the story of training camp. The 26-year-old was signed to a one-way contract July 1 after scoring 20 goals among 54 points last Olofsson, who scored a career-high 30 goals for Rochester in 2018-19, is season for Hartford of the American Hockey League. Gilmour has elite expected to start the season on the top line. speed for a defenseman and isn't afraid to join the rush, but he made the Sabres because of his impressive play without the puck. He'll need to The Sabres also return their top-three scorers from last season: Eichel, continue to show that in games and practices if he is going to hold on to Skinner and Reinhart. Eichel, 22, should take another significant step his roster spot. after recording career highs in goals (28), assists (54) and points (82). Skinner, meanwhile, received an eight-year, $72 million contract after Goalies (2): Carter Hutton, Linus Ullmark. scoring a career-high 40 goals. One of the important questions entering the season is how will Skinner perform if he's not placed on a line with Mike Bales was arguably one of the Sabres' top offseason acquisitions. Eichel. The goaltender coach has two Stanley Cup rings from his time in Pittsburgh and guided the Carolina Hurricanes' tandem to the playoffs Reinhart was outstanding during the latter portion of training camp. He last spring. He will try to coax more consistency out of Hutton and was disruptive in the defensive zone and made outstanding plays with Ullmark, both of whom were solid at times last season. the puck. He appears to be in line for another big season, especially if he remains on a line with Eichel. However, each endured a difficult stretch and struggled to handle the number of high-danger scoring chances. Both will benefit from the Sobotka, Girgensons and Larsson are likely to be in the lineup Thursday Sabres' changes in defensive structure, which should lead to fewer in Pittsburgh. Each has made a strong impression on Krueger, but will opponents left alone in front of the net. need to produce more offensively this season. Killing penalties won't be enough. If the three aren't going to contribute goals, they'll need to The depth chart is uncertain entering the season, though. When asked forecheck consistently and be difficult to play against in the defensive about goaltending, Krueger and Botterill have stated they will need both zone. Lazar is among the forwards whom the Sabres would consider Ullmark and Hutton throughout the season, particularly in October when recalling if the team doesn't receive enough production from the bottom- the Sabres have 12 games in 23 days. six. Hutton played a career-high 50 games last season and is entering the Mittelstadt needs to take a big jump this season. The 20-year-old gained second year of a three-year contract. He was outstanding during the 10- muscle mass and is equipped with lessons learned from his first full year game winning streak last November. Ullmark, meanwhile, avoided salary in the NHL, but struggled to adjust to the new systems in training camp. arbitration by signing a one-year contract and could surpass the career- high 37 games he played last season. Injured reserve (4): Brandon Montour, Zach Bogosian, Matt Hunwick, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Montour is expected to miss three to four weeks after suffering a hand injury during a preseason loss in Columbus on Sept. 17. Bogosian had multiple setbacks this summer while recovering from hip surgery and is out indefinitely.

Hunwick is expected to miss the season because of a neck condition, and Luukkonen likely will play in Rochester once he is cleared to return to game action. The 20-year-old goalie underwent hip surgery in April.

Though Lawrence Pilut is not on injured reserve in the NHL, the 23-year- old defenseman is recovering from shoulder surgery and will miss the start of the season. He could be an option for the Sabres in the event of an injury.

Buffalo News LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155316 Buffalo Sabres

News' staff predictions for Sabres season and NHL

By Staff

Published Thu, Oct 3, 2019|Updated Thu, Oct 3, 2019

With the NHL season upon us, News sports writers Mike Harrington, Lance Lysowski and Rachel Lenzi provide their predictions for the Sabres and the league:

SABRES Harrington Lysowski Lenzi

Points total 78 84 88

Place in Atlantic Sixth Fifth Fourth

Place in East 14th 11th Ninth

Place in NHL 27th 20th 17th

Eichel G-A-Pts 37-54-91 35-60-95 31-56-87

Skinner G-A-Pts 34-31-65 35-33-68 37-29-66

Dahlin G-A-Pts 13-40-53 13-41-54 12-41-53

LEAGUE Harrington Lysowski Lenzi

Atlantic winner Lightning Lightning Bruins

Metro winner Capitals Penguins Penguins

Central winner Stars Stars Stars

Pacific winner Golden Knights Sharks Flames

East winner Maple Leafs Lightning Lightning

West winner Golden Knights Stars Golden Knights

Stanley Cup winner Golden Knights Stars Golden Knights

Hart Trophy Nathan McKinnon Patrick Kane Nikita Kucherov

Calder Trophy Jack Hughes Kaapo Kakko Cale Makar

Vezina Trophy Ben Bishop Andrei Vasilevskiy Connor Hellebuyck

Adams Award John Hynes Jim Montgomery Bill Peters

Buffalo News LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155317 Buffalo Sabres "The biggest thing I can say now is that anyone who knows me knows all those things people said are just not how I am," Vesey said. "I'm a quiet guy and it got crazy there. The thing was I wasn't the first guy to go UFA. Jimmy Vesey once spurned the Sabres. Now he hopes to produce for I won't be the last guy. I was just taking my option there. I had been with them them for four years and felt I wanted to pursue other things. It became a big deal on the outside."

Sure did. Especially when Vesey went for the bright lights of the big city By Mike Harrington and signed with the New York Rangers.

Published Thu, Oct 3, 2019|Updated Thu, Oct 3, 2019 "For somebody who went to Harvard and had a lot of connections and friends there, being in New York City gives you a chance to do a lot off

the ice," Eichel said. " 'Ves' looked at the opportunity hockey-wise like To look at what looms as the biggest season of Jimmy Vesey's career, anybody would: You get a chance to play in Madison Square Garden you have to first circle back three years to what was the biggest decision every night and represent the Rangers. Pretty cool, right?" of his hockey life. What do the Sabres get? The Buffalo Sabres' newest left winger was a 23-year-old with a Harvard The Rangers moved Vesey on July 1 for a third-round pick and the University degree who hadn't played a game in the NHL by the summer Sabres are getting durability with some scoring ability. They also should of 2016. And he suddenly and unexpectedly found himself as one of the be getting a hugely motivated player, with unrestricted free agency again key names and major power brokers in the sport. looming for Vesey next July. Vesey was a third-round draft pick of the Nashville Predators in 2012 At 5-on-5, Vesey has scored 43 of his 50 career goals while playing 240 from the South Shore (Mass.) Kings in Foxboro. He was a 48-goal scorer out of 246 games in New York the last three years. His goal totals were as an 18-year-old and blossomed into the Hobey Baker Award winner at 16, 17 and 17. His point totals were 27, 28 and 35. Harvard. "Lines shuffle and power plays can get mixed around so you have to find Each year, he would dutifully attend Predators summer development a way to score 5-on-5 and they were pretty clear that was a big reason camps and get feedback during the season from the Nashville staff. By they brought me in," Vesey said of the Sabres. "One of the things I've 2016, the Predators were offering Vesey an NHL contract with a top-9 taken pride on is being able to go to the front of the net. I like to get in the role in the playoffs and no thought of time in the AHL. tough areas. Everything is not going to be tic-tac-toe. I can go hard to the "We really have this need for a left wing with his size and ability and net but I like to skate and shoot pucks, too." scoring potential.” Nashville GM David Poile told reporters at the time. "Jimmy has been outstanding in his acceptance and hunger to find his “All I can tell you is we are very hopeful to sign him and I tell you firmly way in the team," said coach Ralph Krueger, who has Vesey slotted on that he’s not going to be going to Milwaukee, he’ll be coming here.” his third line for Thursday's opener in Pittsburgh. "He's a good teammate. Few players out of college get that kind of guarantee, but Vesey had ... Left side or right side, on the power play or off, he brings a good spirit other ideas. Once you're in college four years, you can wait until Aug. 15 to the room, he brings a hunger to the room to try to help the team. He's after your senior year and become an unrestricted free agent. It's not a been very teachable and coachable. He's really come in here and feels well-known verse in the CBA but some players have used it. Vesey told like he's at home." the disappointed Predators that was the route he was going to take. Vesey played the last two years in relative anonymity. His first season With Nashville out of the picture, the Sabres took a stab in the dark when was much more scrutinized. GM Tim Murray sent a third-round pick to the Preds to get Vesey's rights. The first game he played in Nashville was a circus. On Dec. 17, 2016, Murray thus had a month of a head start to convince Vesey to sign with Bridgestone Arena fans lining the glass during warmups and before he was a free agent – and already had Vesey's close friend, Jack Predators fans taunting him with signs, Vesey scored in a shootout to Eichel, on his roster. help the Rangers to a 2-1 win. The Sabres got one meeting with Vesey in Boston in July, 2016, but it One Preds fan's sign said simply, "Jimmy Vesey is a lying weasel." The went nowhere. Vesey's message to Buffalo was a simple thanks but no boos were nonstop during the game every time he touched the puck. thanks. It had been much the same when he came to Buffalo for the first time two The hockey world, and especially social media, turned on Vesey in that weeks earlier. Just about every time he touched the puck, the crowd period while waiting for his decision as NHL GMs and coaches piled East booed. to watch Vesey in the Foxboro Summer Pro League. Veteran players working out that summer grumbled about a kid with no games of "Nashville was actually fun in some ways. Guys on our team were experience deciding where he would get to play. The media labeled him chirping me about some of the signs," Vesey said. "I don't think too many as selfish. of them knew what was going on when we came here. Even during the game, we were on the ice and (Sabres winger) Marcus Foligno asked "Obviously he's a smart guy and I don't think he let all that noise and a lot me what all the booing was about." of that garbage that went on get the best of him," Eichel said Sunday in KeyBank Center. "He took some heat for going into free agency but at Eichel said he first met Vesey around 2012 when he was a 15-year-old in the end of the day it's his career and his life. Why would you limit yourself the Foxboro Summer League in Massachusetts coming off time with the to one team when you can potentially be in different markets?" Boston Jr. Bruins and Vesey was a 19-year-old heading to Harvard that fall. All that makes sense really. Blake Wheeler did it in 2008, heading to Boston after being drafted by Arizona. Kevin Hayes signed with the New They were foes during Eichel's one year at Boston University but friends York Rangers in 2014 after being drafted by Chicago. and summer workout buddies since. Eichel is as impressed by Vesey off the ice as on it, and who wouldn't be? There have been others, but Vesey is the one who got vilified for it. Maybe it's because he spurned a good team, which went to the Stanley Vesey was a government major at Harvard, focusing on political science Cup final in 2017. Maybe it's because he took his time in the summer, by taking classes on American and international government and leaving fans and media hanging and waiting for a decision. Being a international conflict. And get this: He's fluent in Mandarin. Hobey winner was a big factor as Vesey Watch became a thing. "I used to try to take classes about Asia," Vesey said. "For a little bit, I I vividly remember calling Vesey a "punk" on Twitter during that period. was contemplating doing secondary work in East Asian studies, but I He got much worse than that, sure. But the fact doesn't change that I was guess the stars never aligned on that." out of line. As you might expect, Vesey reveled in the experience of being a Harvard I apologized to him last week in person in the Sabres' dressing room and student and combining that with an NHL career. am doing so publicly with this column. Vesey laughed uncomfortably at first when I fessed up, but said he understood, too. "I took my time, graduated college, had a great end to my senior year and I think I deserved that after staying there for four years," he said. "That summer my decision was made and I had a great time in New York. It was an incredible experience, not only being able to play for the Rangers but I had a lot of friends from college that had moved there for work. Being able to see them and having the hockey side of it made it a great three years."

Eichel and Vesey were reunited by the trade three months ago, leading Vesey into his most important NHL season yet. He's yet to score 20 goals in an NHL season and that's a big objective. It would help the Sabres immensely now – and certainly up his market value for next summer.

"Obviously it's not the first time I've been in this situation," Vesey said. "Three years in New York I played pretty much up and down the lineup and that was good training. Another example of mental toughness like when I went through (in 2016). You're not going to have 82 good games, you're not going to be on the first line or the top power play all 82 games."

Vesey said he figured the Rangers' rebuild under coach David Quinn might be moving away from him, especially after the team drafted Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko with the No. 2 overall pick. When he heard he was going to be Buffalo, Vesey had no qualms about playing in a place he once snubbed.

"I guess it is ironic," Vesey said. "But looking back, maybe if I had come three years ago I wouldn't be here now. You don't know. I think it just depends on your perspective. In this era of salary cap, a lot of guys get moved around. I'm very excited to be here. I was excited as soon as I heard about the trade."

The Sabres are banking on some of the mental toughness Vesey showed three years ago translating to veteran leadership – and performance – on the ice this season.

"He's a normal guy who has done a lot of really cool things in his life," Eichel said. "He's got life experience, very well-rounded. I mean, a degree from Harvard. That says a lot. Everything he's been through with all of his time in Harvard, his free agency, his time in New York, it's made him who he is.

"Look at someone his age and all those things put together, it's pretty impressive. I don't think he'd change it for anything. You learn a lot from something like that. He's excited for his new opportunity, and I know we're excited to have him."

Buffalo News LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155318 Buffalo Sabres There were almost too many examples to list. Skill players Eichel and Sam Reinhart bumped Penguin puck carriers behind the Pittsburgh net. Fourth-liners Larsson, Girgensons and Kyle Okposo created turnovers ‘It was just fun to play’: A new system delivers a new opening-night result that turned into breakaways. Casey Mittelstadt kept the puck in twice on for the Sabres Sheary’s opening goal, staying in the face of Pittsburgh players.

On and on it went. The Penguins weren’t ready for it at the start as Buffalo built a 14-3 shot edge. The Pens couldn’t keep up at the end as By John Vogl the Sabres finished with a 41-29 advantage.

Oct 3, 2019 “We’ve been working on a very high-pressure system, so you need to be in excellent shape, which all these guys came to training camp in,”

Krueger said. “We need to keep our feet moving and skating all the time. PITTSBURGH – It’s become a familiar sight during the Sabres’ long, It’s a lot to ask game in and game out, but these guys are committed to dreary drought, an unfortunate trademark more than eight years in the do that. making. With plenty of time on the clock, disgruntled fans trudge up the “It really took away the room and space that Pittsburgh likes to play in, aisle to the exits, convinced the deficit is insurmountable. and we were able to do it right through the game.” It happened again during Thursday’s season opener. Buffalo made the The fact that it was Pittsburgh is significant. The Penguins were on a 15- fans so miserable that barren seats outnumbered the spectators. With 0-3 run against the Sabres dating to 2013. That means Housley, Bylsma more than five minutes to play, the sold-out arena was half empty. and Ted Nolan (during his second stint on the bench) went through their The flip to this script was Buffalo was the visitor, seat sweeper and entire coaching tenure without beating Pittsburgh in regulation. conqueror. Penguins fans got tired of booing and simply went home. Krueger and his game plan did it on the first try. “It was awesome,” Sabres left wing Zemgus Girgensons said after a 3-1 “Being aggressive, catching them off-guard, I thought everyone was victory. “Throughout pretty much the whole game, we kind of dominated. putting in their best work,” Girgensons said. “It was a good night overall It was just fun to play.” for every single player.” For the Sabres’ brass, it was fun to watch. Owner Terry Pegula, general The Sabres even silenced Sidney Crosby, who entered the night with 20 manager Jason Botterill and assistant GMs Randy Sexton and Steve goals and 61 points in 39 career games against Buffalo. The captain Greeley took in the outing from a booth atop the press box. As time picked up a secondary assist on the Penguins’ power-play goal, but he expired, a celebratory smack of the table — whap! — accompanied the had just one shot and two giveaways in more than 21 minutes of ice time. final buzzer. The jeering fans noticed Crosby and his teammates couldn’t do anything. Buffalo is 1-0 for the first time in seven seasons and thoroughly deserves to be. The game wasn’t over, but it was for more than half of Pittsburgh’s fans. (John Vogl / The Athletic) “The guys never let their foot off the gas,” coach Ralph Krueger said. “We stayed on our toes right through the finish line. I just can’t think of “If they get going, they’re going here,” Larsson said. “We took them out anybody that didn’t contribute.” pretty early and stayed on the game plan the whole game.”

That includes Krueger, who won in his Buffalo debut. For almost a While there were plenty of smiles and pats on the back, the Sabres month, the same mantras have been echoing through the Sabres realize it’s just one game. No needs to be reminded that they won 10 dressing room. The team is going to play aggressive. It’s going to be fast. games in a row last season and still wound up near the bottom of the Players will be right in opponents’ faces, taking away their space and NHL. forcing them into rushed mistakes. The style of play, everyone said, is going to be fun. “It’s a different feeling to get off the right way,” Girgensons said. “Everyone’s happy, but one game is one game. We’ve just got to focus It came to life on opening night. on the next one and do the same.”

“There’s a lot of excitement around our room,” said right wing Conor If they can keep bringing their game plan to life, they’ll make those NHL Sheary, whose goals gave Buffalo leads of 1-0 and 2-1. “We’ve got a coaches who pegged them as a surprise team look really smart. new system in here, and I think everyone enjoys playing in that. We’re playing aggressive and playing on our toes and creating a lot of “We haven’t achieved anything yet with this win,” Krueger said. “We’re turnovers. For us, it’s a lot of fun to play in and play together.” just at the beginning of a long, long, difficult challenge to go where we want to go. But I’m pleased that through training camp, the openness and There’s been a serious disconnect in Sabreland for a long time. Players the willingness for everybody to understand what we need to do to be a didn’t like the ego of Dan Bylsma. They didn’t enjoy the information competitive team has been there from Day 1. You can’t ask for more than overload and unsuccessful man-to-man defense under Phil Housley. But that as a coach. the embarrassment of losing and the liveliness of Krueger and his game plan have brought the team together at the start this year. “We have a full buy-in from the room.”

“The connection’s there between the coaching staff and the players,” Answering the knock captain Jack Eichel said. “We’ve definitely accepted what he’s been The knock on Mittelstadt during his rookie season was he lost too many saying and vice versa. It’s a pretty open line of communication, and I battles. Just 5:23 into the game, he proved times might be changing. think he’s gotten his message across pretty well. We’ve received it. I think we know what we need to do. “Definitely last year was a learning process for him, and I think he took a lot from that,” Sheary said. “With that turnover and nice play to me, I think “The relationship’s got to be one between the locker room and the he’s learning a lot about the game. He’s getting better defensively, as coaching staff. He’s done a really good job with that, and I think well, so it’s exciting to see.” everyone’s responded to that.” Mittelstadt finished with two assists and really enjoyed playing in the For two consecutive interview sessions, Eichel has hedged those Penguins’ end, which was made possible by his forechecking. comments by saying the Sabres haven’t faced any adversity yet. Indeed, it’s easy to be happy-go-lucky when the record is 0-0 or 1-0. But they’re “That probably was our best part of our game,” Mittelstadt said. “You 1-0 because the uplifting words were sprung into action. work on it a lot in training camp. With a new coach, you’re figuring it out a little bit, then you get going and everyone starts to feel the speed and feel “We believe in our system, believe in everyone, so it was nice to see the pace. Once you do that, it seems to go pretty smoothly. It was good.” that,” center Johan Larsson said. Slot machines “Boys just feel comfortable playing that way,” Girgensons said. “Guys are reading off each other and just playing the right way — and you can see it.” A key to the Sabres’ power play will be using two men in the slot. One player stands directly in front of the goalie while the second is a few feet back.

The play designed to take advantage of the two-man slot worked. First, Rasmus Dahlin fired from the point and Reinhart pushed the rebound back to Victor Olofsson, who just missed.

Then, Colin Miller took his point shot and Mittelstadt pushed the rebound back to Sheary, who didn’t miss.

“Our specialty teams really got us the win in the end,” Krueger said. “There’s a lot of new information going into their heads. As a coaching staff, you’re extremely pleased to see the group performing so close to the game that we’re working on. We still have a lot to work on and a lot of growing to do, but just an excellent kickoff to the season.”

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155319 Buffalo Sabres “Henri has a lot of confidence in his game, which is important,” Krueger said. “He’s working to improve in some of the specific areas that we like our D-men to be excellent at. Whether it’s the pressure already in the ‘Big expectations’: Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju ready to do neutral zone we’re trying to put on the puck or how quickly we like to do what’s asked of him the same in our own end, I think that hesitation is in a young player’s game and we’re working with him hard. We find him coachable and hungry but at the same time confident, which is important — you need to believe in yourself and your ability to be able to play here as a young By Joe Yerdon player and he definitely brings that with him.” Oct 3, 2019 That belief in Jokiharju is the kind of belief Krueger appears to have in all of his players. If a mistake is made, you’ll be back out there the next shift to prove yourself again. After all, hockey is a game filled with mistakes. PITTSBURGH — At 20 years old, defenseman Henri Jokiharju opened But for right now, the blue line job is Jokiharju’s and the coaches just this season with the Sabres after he did the same last year with the want him to be himself to make it work. Chicago Blackhawks as a 19-year-old. “(The coaches) just want to see me play my game, just play a team Going from a team where he was the young up and comer joining a game, be solid for the team, and less (individualistic),” Jokiharju said. group that’s won Stanley Cups to a team that boasts a horde of young talent looking to take their steps down that road provides a little bit of perspective. It also provides him a peer group closer to his age. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 “I feel really good about this team,” Jokiharju said. “Everyone wants to get better all the time and there (are) big battles for the spots and minutes. I’m feeling really good about this group.”

While it might go unnoticed how young he is as part of a blue line group that has 19-year-old Rasmus Dahlin, he’s still growing as an NHL player. What’s more for him is that he’s being counted on immediately to produce for Buffalo because of injuries on defense and the fact that area of the game needed a lot of improvement compared with seasons past.

“I had big expectations to make the team,” Jokiharju said. “It’s my second year and I only played half of it in the NHL last year, but I want to take some new steps and just getting better year after year. So I think I took that step and also for this year so I’m looking forward.”

Known mostly as a puck-mover and an offensive threat, Jokiharju has found his way into the Sabres lineup alongside the more defense-minded Marco Scandella. If this pairing was a buddy cop movie they’d be ideal counterparts.

“Sometimes the chemistry comes quick, sometimes it takes a little bit of time, but I feel like with us I feel like we read really well with each other,” Scandella said. “We’re talking out there but I feel like it’s pretty automatic. We’ve been having fun playing with each other. It helps when you like the guy off the ice too. He can make plays, he can skate, he’s got his head up at all times, he’s not shy to make plays out there. I feel like we work well together.”

Having a veteran like Scandella to work with, Jokiharju has someone who can allow him to play more of the style he’s intended to play. Playing on the third pairing means they can have their minutes better regulated and situations can be picked a little better. Even on the road against a Pittsburgh Penguins team featuring the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, success can be had.

Here are Jokiharju’s time on-ice against, shots for, shots against, and CorsiFor% versus the Penguins top forwards Thursday:

“If you look at Scandy with Henri together, it’s the experience that he brings with (him) and the calmness in his game away from the puck and it’ll allow Henri to bring some of his offense in on that pair,” coach Ralph Krueger said.

In the Sabres 3-1 win against Pittsburgh, their pairing had the second- most five-on-five minutes together behind Jake McCabe and Rasmus Ristolainen. Jokiharju posted a 65.5 CorsiFor percentage and Scandella was an even 70 percent. Yes, it’s a small sample size. Yes, it’s just one game. Yes, there’s a long road to go. But with a new coach and system and Jokiharju being the new guy, it’s a good start.

“I feel like we complement each other pretty well,” Scandella said. “I think even the last time in the preseason he fed me to give me an open look. He’s able to make those plays offensively where it’s a lot of fun playing with him. Even (Thursday), we played PK together — he’s blocking shots out there, reading (plays) — chemistry’s there.”

Yes, Jokiharju had some time killing penalties, too with 2:18 time on-ice short-handed. Krueger stressed all during training camp that a team effort will be needed to win games, but getting contributions like that from perhaps unexpected sources would make any coach pleased. 1155320 Buffalo Sabres “Oh yeah, we had a little success on there but we had a lot of games getting spanked so it was funny either way,” Reinhart said.

Sure, the successes are nice, but really, playing against experienced Do Sabres players use themselves in the EA Sports ‘NHL’ video games? gamers couldn’t have gone well. Depends who’s playing “Yeah, we used to get smoked,” Eichel said. “We’d win here or there but there’s some good video gamers. It’s tough to play 2-on-2. It makes the By Joe Yerdon game a little bit harder.”

Oct 3, 2019 The chemistry on the ice for Eichel and Reinhart is very apparent, but what about when it involves controllers and opponents who train as much in the video game as they do in the real one. When asked who was better when they played, Reinhart smirked and said they were about There are some pretty sweet perks of making it to the NHL, but one of even, but also couldn’t hold back a truth we’ve known about their play for the coolest has to be having your likeness and attributes in a video game a couple years now. for fans across the world to play. That seems like a pretty awesome thing to have happen, especially if you grew up with video games in your life “I think we fed off each other well when we played on the same team,” anyway. Even for players that weren’t gamers growing up, being in the Reinhart said with a laugh. “I find that it’s more fun with that than playing game as themselves was … well, it was different things to different guys. one-on-one. A lot more can happen and it’s a lot tougher to read so that’s more enjoyable.” “It was cool, I started my career in the American League,” Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe said. “It’s not like I’m a young stud like Jack (Eichel) or Ras (Rasmus Dahlin) coming in the league where it’s like, ‘Oh I’m 18, I got to know what my rating is.’ So I’m not quite like that, no. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 Buddies will text you and play with the Sabres (in the EA Sports NHL hockey series) and it’s like ‘Oh you’re on the game!’ It’s like, oh yeah, that’s cool.”

Wait, what else did your buddies say when they texted you?

“Friends sent me pictures and it probably wasn’t a very good rating, so they’re like, ‘You suck!’ or whatever,” McCabe said. “It’s cool though.”

Fortnite became a bit of a controversial point in the past couple years when it was rumored that players were spending lots of their off-ice time playing the battle royale shooting/building phenomenon. But going from playing Fortnite to being replicated in a game can be a little bit mind- blowing.

“It’s just weird,” forward Casey Mittelstadt said. “It’s, I don’t know what the word is, I don’t think I’m amazed by it or it just hits me, but I just think it’s weird. Obviously we’d play in tournaments out of town or whatever we’d play knee hockey and play ‘NHL.’ It’s semi-weird but I think that’s the main word is it’s weird.”

For younger players, the realism of the games has made it so the onscreen players are almost virtual twins of themselves when they see it. The games have come a long way from the pixilated 16-bit graphics of the NHLPA ’93 and NHL ’94 days.

“I haven’t played really in a while, but if I were to play right now against my buddies and we were picking teams, I don’t want to go right to the Sabres because I play for the Sabres. But I don’t want to play for anyone else,” Mittelstadt said. “It’d be weird, I’d have to play with the US National Team or something.”

EA Sports, whose “NHL 20” was released in September, likes to say in its ads, “If it’s in the game, it’s in the game.” Yet the part about getting chirped by your friends when you make it to the NHL still hasn’t become part of the game. Even the guys who aren’t big time gamers have fun seeing themselves in the almost-flesh-like appearance on their TVs.

“My rookie year I think EA Sports sent a bunch of games for something I did during the rookie showcase,” Eichel said. “I’m not really much of a video gamer. I don’t mind playing a little Madden here or there, but that’s about it. I think when you’re growing up or you got buddies around I’ll throw it on for them, but I’m not really into it.”

Eichel may not be a self-professed gamer, but when he and Sam Reinhart were roommates for a couple years, the young phenoms spent a little time to away from the real ice on the virtual rink.

“When me and Reino lived together we used to play a little bit,” Eichel said. “We’d go online and play 2-on-2 — play as the Sabres — we’d just leave each other out there the whole game and try to score with ourselves.

“It’s just a pretty funny concept, thinking you have no idea who the person on the side is playing against you and they have no idea that you’re the actual guy in the game playing. We used to get a kick out of that. We used to do that a lot when we lived together.”

How well did that work out? 1155321 Calgary Flames The ice, thank goodness, was less slanted in the second and even tilted the opposite direction in the third.

On a man advantage, Monahan spied a wide-open Gaudreau for a no- Deja vu in Flames loss to Avalanche doubter. That bumped both to a goal and assist on the evening, marking the 100th multi-point performance of Gaudreau’s career.

Wes Gilbertson That’s an impressive accomplishment, but it was about the only reason to celebrate on this night. October 3, 2019 11:12 PM MDT Rittich had no chance on either of Colorado’s second-period strikes — a back-door bury by JT Compher and a power-play notch by Rantanen — and although Giordano’s blocker-side snipe trimmed the lead, that’s as DENVER — The Calgary Flames waited almost six months for a shot at close as the Flames would get. revenge against the team that had ousted them from the playoffs last spring. Avalanche netminder Philipp Grubauer made 14 saves in the third before Donskoi sealed the result with a late empty-netter. And then, they waited more than eight minutes to finally record a shot on goal. “I thought once they made it 4-2, we dominated the rest of the game,” said Flames alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk. “Gio had that big goal Not ideal. before the third and I thought in the third period, we took it to them pretty Thursday’s rematch against the Colorado Avalanche — the season- good. We have to keep it five-on-five, that’s when we’re at our best.” opener for both sides — turned out to be more like a replay. Added Monahan: “If we stay out of the box, we can get momentum and The Flames, despite scoring on that first fire and despite the best efforts get the game turned around, so I think that was a good sign. But it’s too of a busy goaltender, couldn’t dig themselves out in what turned out to be short at that time.” a 5-3 loss at Pepsi Center. ICE CHIPS Rising star Mikko Rantanen and free-agent addition Joonas Donskoi Lucic dropped his gloves after teammate Austin Czarnik was decked paced the Avalanche with a pair of pottings apiece, although the guests along the boards late in the second, although Avalanche rearguard Nikita left feeling like they’d beaten themselves after giving up six power-play Zadorov didn’t have much interest in a dance. “He takes a run at one of opportunities — including two in the first six minutes — and a couple of our guys and sometimes you have to win the game within the game and man-advantage markers. you have to show team toughness,” said Lucic, who was dinged with a “If we keep things five-on-five and play like we did in the third, we’ll win fighting major, instigator and a misconduct. “I also felt like our game got more games than not this year,” declared Flames newbie Milan Lucic, better after that moment. It’s just unfortunate we weren’t able to find the acquired in an off-season swap. back of the net.” … Down on the farm, the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat will open their season with a pair of puck-stoppers on the “I thought the third was our best, when it was five-on-five hockey,” agreed injured list. Jon Gillies, who is probably third on the Flames’ depth chart captain and birthday boy Mark Giordano. “Five-on-five, we’re a pretty but didn’t impress in exhibition this fall, is officially day-to-day with a good team, I think. You look at their lineup, and they’re pretty deep. They lower-body issue, while Tyler Parsons (lower body) is expected to miss a have maybe one of the best lines in hockey as their first line, but they are few weeks. pretty deep throughout. But I thought at five-on-five, after giving them a lot of momentum early, we settled down and played well towards the end.” Calgary Sun: LOADED: 10.04.2019 The Flames, as those gents pointed out, sharpened up as the night wore on.

If first-line centre Sean Monahan had capitalized on a third-period breakaway, perhaps it could have been an alternate ending.

Instead, the crew from Calgary continued a decade-long streak of losing the first game on their annual schedule. They are now 0-9-1 in their last 10 lid-lifters.

The Flames will try to even their record in Saturday’s home-opener against the Vancouver Canucks at the Saddledome (8 p.m., CBC/Sportsnet 960 The Fan).

Calgary’s marquee men — Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau on the power-play, Giordano at even strength — each tickled twine Thursday in the Mile High City, while netminder David Rittich did his darnedest in a 26-save effort.

One loss is not reason to panic — there are, remember, 81 regular- season games to go — but the Flames couldn’t erase those bad memories against the same opponents they had last spotted in the handshake line after a lopsided five-game series in April.

Twice shorthanded in the early stages, the out-of-towners didn’t even register a shot on goal until 8:33 had ticked off the clock in the opening stanza. By then, Donskoi had already staked the locals to a 1-0 lead on a power-play cash.

Then again, they made that one count. Monahan was trying to feed Elias Lindholm for a door-crasher special, but the attempted pass instead deflected off a defender for Calgary’s first marker of the 2019-20 campaign.

The Flames were less lucky later in the period. A play should have been whistled after Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog swatted a puck with a high stick in the neutral zone, but that sequence instead ended when Rantanen deposited a backhander to restore the lead. 1155322 Calgary Flames There’s plenty of reason to be pumped for the Flames, considered among the likely frontrunners in the Pacific Division, but Giordano is anxious to tap the brakes on any talk about what his crew could Kadri was ‘very close’ to accepting off-season trade to Flames accomplish in April, May and June.

“There’s excitement, there always is, but I feel like our group is more business-like, a little bit, at the start of this season,” Giordano said after Wes Gilbertson Thursday’s morning skate at Pepsi Center. “We understand there are going to be 82 hard, hard-fought games. Nobody is guaranteed a October 3, 2019 7:07 PM MDT (playoff) spot, I’ll tell you that much, in our league. Everybody will say who should get in and who shouldn’t, but every year there is a pretty big turnover when it comes to the playoffs. DENVER — Nazem Kadri was nearly wearing the Flaming C for Thursday’s season-opener at Pepsi Center. “So we’ll put in our work in the 82 games to get there and then we’ll worry about playoffs when we are there.” The 28-year-old centre squashed a summer swap to Calgary — one of the no-go destinations on his partial no-trade clause — but admitted prior to his regular-season debut with the Colorado Avalanche that he Calgary Sun: LOADED: 10.04.2019 seriously considered green-lighting the move.

“Yeah, I did, I came very close,” Kadri said before facing the Flames in the Mile High City. “I just didn’t really get the impression that I was being shopped around (by the Maple Leafs) and my initial feeling was to stay in Toronto, and that’s kind of why that whole situation panned out the way it did. It was nothing against Calgary. I obviously love that city and I love going there as a visiting team, but I just had aspirations of staying put.

“That’s the truth. It’s genuine. It was nothing against the organization. That all being said, I still almost came to the decision of actually going there, so it was tempting.”

For Flames fans, this turned out to be a double whammy.

Not only did Kadri, a pesky pivot who hails from London, Ont., and was keen to spend his entire career in his own backyard, nix the move to the Saddledome. (According to widespread reports, blue-liner TJ Brodie and centre Mark Jankowski would have been relocating to Scotiabank Arena, home of the Maple Leafs. Both remain on the Flames’ roster.)

As it turns out, he was instead acquired by the Avalanche, the same rising squad that stunned the crew from Calgary in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring. With Colorado not covered by his no-trade clause, Kadri couldn’t refuse that change-of-address.

“I was bummed out, I’d be lying to you if I told you I wasn’t,” Kadri said, reflecting on his immediate reaction to being shipped out of Toronto, where he totalled 161 goals and 357 points in 561 career appearances but perhaps sealed his own departure with a cheap-shot cross-check that resulted in a rest-of-series suspension during a first-round ouster last spring.

“But I quickly turned the page. Obviously, I have a lot of memories and a lot of things I’ll never forget over there, and they treated me well. But right now, my focus is playing for the Avalanche and doing everything I can to help this team win. And I really want to be here.”

On Wednesday night, Kadri watched on TV as his former teammates opened the season with a 5-3 victory over the rival Ottawa Senators.

The next night, No. 91 stepped on the ice at Pepsi Center . . . in burgundy.

For a couple of days in June, he had pondered how he might look like in red.

“It was a tough decision actually,” Kadri said after morning skate. “It was a lot to think about for me and my family. It’s not just me that’s going to be living there, so I have to take everyone else’s feelings into consideration.

“So . . . yeah, it was close. But at the end of the day, I think I made the right decision.”

Gee, thanks guys.

Flames captain Mark Giordano was celebrating a birthday Thursday — the workhorse is now 36 years young — and his buddies weren’t going to miss an opportunity to remind him of his status as the oldest gent on the roster.

“Benny was telling me I’m closer to 40 now than 30,” laughed Giordano, referring to 23-year-old teammate Sam Bennett. “But other than a few chirps here and there that I can absolutely take, it’s not a big deal. I feel good. I’m just as excited as I was when I was young.” 1155323 Calgary Flames Like I said, we haven’t accomplished our goals yet, but it’s a good team now that has an opportunity in front of it. So I look at that, and I look at the people we have been able to assemble, both on the ice and off the Flames sign GM Brad Treliving to contract extension ice. It’s a great place to work. It’s a great city to live in. My family loves it. It’s become home.”

Now accustomed to those fall flurries, Treliving would like nothing more Wes Gilbertson than to deliver a championship to his adopted home city.

October 3, 2019 4:42 PM MDT Hopefully, Mother Nature would play nice on parade day.

“You dream about it all the time,” Treliving said. “For me, it’s just about making that come true for a lot of people. For our players. For our staff. DENVER — Brad Treliving feels by now like a full-fledged Calgarian. For our fans, first and foremost. How can he tell? Well … when Mother Nature delivered a blizzard last “What drives you every day is to have that joy, to feel that sense of weekend, the Flames general manager — rewarded Thursday with a accomplishment but also because of the impact and the meaning it would multi-year contract extension — didn’t even blink. have for so many. Ultimately, that’s what drives us. We’re in an ultra- “How do I know? Because it snowed in September, and I just said, ‘Yup.’ competitive business — there are 30 teams and organizations, a cast of Like, it wasn’t that big of a deal,” said Treliving, who hails originally from thousands, that are thinking the same way. So it’s hard to do. But B.C.’s Okanagan Valley and was working in sun-scorched Arizona before anything that is hard to do, really hard to do, is that much more gratifying being hired by the Flames in April of 2014. “It doesn’t almost destroy you, if you’re able to get there. like it did in the first year we were here. I think that year … In early “But we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. Our focus is just the September, just before we get going, we always do a barbecue for our everyday thing. It sort of comes off as cliche, but you have to stick to staff — all the trainers, doctors, equipment guys, coaches — and their doing it right every day … And if you keep doing that long enough, families. We have all the kids and wives and husbands of all the staff. hopefully you get the results.” And my first year, we did it I think on the Sunday and then on that Tuesday, our golf tournament was snowed out and I was like, ‘You have got to be kidding me!’ That almost took my breath away. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 10.04.2019 “But you know you’re full-fledged now when you hear a couple days before that we could get a foot of snow and I’m thinking, ‘Well, yeah, of course we would.’

“This time, I looked at the snow and it’s just, ’What took you so long?’ ”

Hopefully, he doesn’t mind shovelling.

Because on Thursday, just hours before their opener against the Colorado Avalanche, the Flames announced Treliving has signed a multi- year extension, believed to be a three-year pact. His current deal was set to expire after this season.

“Over the past five years, Brad has done an excellent job putting a team together on and off the ice,” said Flames club president John Bean in Thursday’s announcement. “Continuity is important in this role. Brad has earned the trust and respect of our ownership group and our fans. We look forward to continuing our work together as we strive for our ultimate goal — another Stanley Cup championship for the city of Calgary.”

Treliving inherited several of the core pieces — including captain Mark Giordano and the dynamic duo of Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan — but deserves full marks for assembling a squad that racked up 50 wins and 107 points last winter and, after digesting the disappointment of a first-round playoff flop, is now considered a legitimate championship contender.

He drafted the likes of Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Rasmus Andersson and injured-but-up-and-coming Juuso Valimaki.

He signed a little-known netminder named David Rittich.

He traded for first-line third-wheel Elias Lindholm, for the second defence duo of Noah Hanifin and Travis Hamonic, and others.

And although he’d like a few mulligans in unrestricted free-agency, Treliving has done well to lock up Calgary’s marquee men at reasonable salary-cap rates.

Of course, the 50-year-old would rather skate a lap of the Saddledome ice in Oilers undies than take individual credit or boast about his own work.

“I’m very grateful and humbled by it,” Treliving said of Thursday’s contract extension. “It’s really nice, I’m really appreciative, but we have lots of work ahead of us and I’m excited to keep doing it. We’re not there yet. Until you reach that ultimate prize, you’re still a work in progress and you haven’t accomplished what you set out to do. So we don’t spend a whole lot of time patting ourselves on the back.

“Our team went through some transition but to be able to build it now and to be a team that I think has an opportunity to have success and hopefully for the next foreseeable future, that’s because of the work of a lot of people in our organization that are passionate about what we do. 1155324 Calgary Flames always going to be … that atmosphere that we had tonight. They got a lot of momentum.”

Meaning the primary takeaway from the setback is that once things Awfully familiar night for the Flames — another loss to the Avs, another settled into an even-strength tussle, once the game got deep into the loss in a season opener night, the Flames were able to take over.

“I thought once they made it 4-2” — late in the second period — “we By Scott Cruickshank dominated the rest of the game,” said Tkachuk. “Gio had the big goal before the third, then we took it to them pretty good. We’ve got to keep it Oct 3, 2019 five-on-five — that’s when we’re at our best. When we’re getting everyone involved and we’re rolling line after line, and just continuing to

wear on teams.” DENVER — Interrupted in the middle of a post-practice workout, Bill However, even outshooting the Avs 14-6 over the final 20 minutes didn’t Peters walks over and takes his place in front of a wall outside of the produce the equalizer for the Flames, although Monahan, with a clear visitors’ dressing room at the Pepsi Center. breakaway, came close to tying the affair. Red undershirt soaked, sweat cascading off his smiling face, the Calgary “When we stay out of the box, we can get momentum and get the game Flames coach greets the travelling press corps. turned around,” said Monahan. “So I think that was good.” Nudged, he then utters two or three boilerplate answers. (“Well, it’s Strong third period, sure. Late charge, fine. important to get the season off to a good start.”) But there is one word to describe the Flames’ entry into the 2019-20 Nothing much more, on this morning, is forthcoming. Peters knows it, the season: seamless. reporters know it, the crickets know it. If you remembered how the previous campaign concluded — with the After a long pause, he cackles. “Pretty status quo, eh?” Calgarians being escorted to the curb by the Avs — Thursday’s start was Understandable sentiment. Because by this stage of the process — a dead ringer. through 28 days of rookie camp and main camp, re-assignments and Icing right off the bat, penalty 10 seconds in, blah blah blah, and the dust releases, preseason contests and team-building sessions — most of the settling on a period in which the guests were completely overwhelmed — entry points into an interview or a story have been exhausted. and outshot 14-3. Not much more is changing. Not much more needs to be said. Not pretty. But awfully familiar. But ahead? Oh, there’s plenty to do, with a frightfully obvious starting Opening against the Avs had seemed like a splendid idea. For exorcising point. demons and all that. And, in the leadup, the Flames were mentioning all Their old friends, the Colorado Avalanche. the right things.

Those Avs, of course, kept alive the Flames’ streak of playoff misery last • Mikael Backlund: “I felt like yesterday we were here. Time flies by, for spring. (The Calgarians, if you’re keeping track, have ventured past the sure. We’re real disappointed with how the season ended last year and, first round only twice since laying claim to the 1989 Stanley Cup.) obviously, it was these guys who knocked us out. We’re hoping we can come in here and win the first game against our new big rival.” All of which neatly set the stage for redemption. • Tkachuk: “I still have that really, really fresh in my memory. I haven’t And maybe, just maybe, it would turn out differently — this time — forgotten that. I didn’t forget about that all summer. Not just that they against Nathan MacKinnon & Co. After all, there had been reason for were the team that put us out. It was just the way … our season ended celebration Thursday around the Flames. Mark Giordano turned 36 years — just in the blink of an eye. We want to try to get them back for making old (a development that had smart-alecky teammates pointing out that us have a long summer.” he’s closer to 40 than 30 now). And general manager Brad Treliving, entering his sixth season at the team’s helm, agreed to a multi-year One of the Flames’ staffers noted the other day that, thanks to the extension. schedule-maker’s twist, they were in a dandy position for a huge momentum builder right at the start. Asked about the potential effect of a The warm-and-fuzzy vibe did not last. loss, he blanched.

A dreadfully poky start and a pile of penalties derailed any hopes the But even from this disappointing evening, the Flames say they had Flames had of bettering the hosts. They fell 5-3, pushing their season- positives to cherish — the even-strength work; the performance of goalie opening record since 2002-03 to 1-15-1. David Rittich; the efficiency of their own power play; and, yes, the debut of Milan Lucic. After the game, though, they didn’t talk about failing once again to solve their foes. Nor did anyone mention all the Game 1 troubles. When Nikita Zadorov boomed tiny winger Austin Czarnik into the sideboards — an infraction that earned the Avs’ 6-foot-6 blueliner a Instead, in near-unison, players and coaches grumbled about the lack of boarding minor — Lucic arrived on the scene in a foul mood. Making his five-on-five play. How being tagged with three minors in the opening 13 point may have cost him 17 penalty minutes — instigator minor, fighting minutes was disruptive. How it was hard to find their rhythm. major, 10-minute misconduct — but no one was griping about seeing “Just too many penalties,” said Matthew Tkachuk, whose club was forced Zadorov swatted. to face the local power-players — a mighty collection — a half-dozen “He takes a run at one of our guys,” said Lucic. “Sometimes you have to times on the night. “It’s pretty simple. It was pretty hard to get into the win the game within the game. You’ve got to show team toughness.” groove of the game for everybody. Said Tkachuk: “We’re OK with the type of stuff that Looch did. Sticking up “Your penalty killers, they’re out there working their tails off, so they’re for a teammate … I didn’t think that was a very clean hit at all.” pretty tired. Guys that aren’t penalty-killing have a hard time getting into the game.

“That’s a power play that can hurt you — and it did.” The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 Then again, each squad did rustle up a couple of goals with the man advantage — Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau for the travellers, Joonas Donskoi and Mikko Rantanen for the home boys. (And Avs forward J.T. Compher struck eight seconds after the expiration of one of the Flames’ minors, so a sort-of power-play conversion.)

“You’d like to get one more kill than them, but it didn’t work out,” said Giordano. “The first 10 minutes in any team’s building on their opener is 1155325 Calgary Flames and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.

27 – Austin Czarnik | In his 2011 draft year, while playing for the Green 22 things you (maybe) didn’t know about the Flames opening-night roster Bay Gamblers of the USHL, NHL Central Scouting listed Czarnik at No. 115 on their final rankings of North American skaters. On that same list, Johnny Gaudreau was ranked No. 193. Calgary selected Gaudreau in By Darren Haynes the fourth round, 104th overall, while Czarnik went undrafted. Czarnik signed with Boston four years later as a free agent, after graduating from Oct 3, 2019 Miami University (Ohio).

28 – Elias Lindholm | Scored his first NHL goal at the age of 18 years It’s been 167 days since Calgary’s 2019-20 season went up in smoke, or and 312 days, which at the time made him the youngest Swedish-born down in Flames. player to score an NHL goal, surpassing the previous mark set by Gabriel Landeskog at 18 years and 323 days. However, that record was eclipsed Whatever the metaphor, you get the point. A great team, gone far too last season by Buffalo defenceman Rasmus Dahlin, whose first NHL goal soon, is how last year’s club was eulogized. First in the Pacific Division, came at 18 years and 183 days. first in the Western Conference, second overall. Flatlined just 10 days into the postseason. 67 – Michael Frolik | Sitting at 281 career games with the Flames, he’s 55 away from passing Frantisek Musil (335) and moving into second The chance at redemption begins tonight with the Flames returning to the place for most games played by a Czech in franchise history. The leader Pepsi Center in Denver to open the season. This may not have been is Robert Reichel (425). Rounding out the top five are Jiri Hudler (248) where the body was found, but don’t let the lack of a chalk outline fool and Jiri Hrdina (157). you, this was very much where the staggering final blow was delivered. After returning home from a series-opening split in Calgary, the 77 – Mark Jankowski | He was the last player to wear Flames jersey No. Avalanche won Game 3 and 4 to take a 3-1 stranglehold on the series. 12 with his own name bar. It happened when he was selected in the first The ligature marks would not go away with a 5-1 Colorado win back at round, 21st overall, at the 2012 NHL Draft in Pittsburgh. Of course, the the Saddledome to clinch the series for the Avs. jersey number made famous by Jarome Iginla was retired by Calgary last March. Ever since what went wrong has been cross-examined over and over in Calgary. Who was to blame, what was to blame and how does the 88 – Andrew Mangiapane | His eight even-strength goals post-All-Star organization prevent it from happening again? break last year was just one less than Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, the same as Steven Stamkos, Mark Scheifele, Sidney Analysis paralysis has set in, with anything and everything having been Crosby and Mark Stone, two more than Alex Ovechkin and Gaudreau dissected inside and out, the autopsy is complete and we must now turn and twice as many as Brayden Point. Factoring in ice time, his even- the page. strength G/60 (goals per 60 mins of ice time) over that span of 1.51 ranked 12th in the NHL. That means moving forward and what better place to start than finding out what we don’t know about this year’s team. Here are 22 things you 93 – Sam Bennett | Since ice time started being tracked by the NHL in (maybe) didn’t know about the Flames opening-night roster. 1997-98, only twice has a player averaged less than 14 minutes of ice time in the playoffs (minimum of five games), but still averaged at least Forwards (14) one point per game — Andrew Shaw with the Chicago Blackhawks in 10 – Derek Ryan | Won back-to-back season MVPs in Europe. In 2013- 2015-16 (4-2-6 in six games, 13:55 TOI) and Bennett in 2018-19 (1-4-5 in 14, he was the MVP of the Austrian league with Villacher SV posting 38- five games, 13:14 TOI). 46-84 in 54 games. The next year, in Sweden, he was again named MVP Defencemen (7) after going 15-45-60 in 55 games for Orebro HK. 4 – Rasmus Andersson | As a second-round pick by the Flames in 2015, 11 – Mikael Backlund | Is a Manchester United fan, who is an active he was drafted higher than both his older brother Calle (fourth round in poolie when it comes to English Premiership soccer. He organizes a 2012 by the Rangers) and his dad Peter (fourth round in 1983 by the league comprised of his friends back home in Sweden and via telephone, Rangers). they hold a draft in the summer. 5 – Mark Giordano | With the retirement this past summer of Chris Kunitz 13 – Johnny Gaudreau | The only Flames player to appear in all 82 and Dan Girardi, Giordano’s 833 career games now ranks second among games last season. Gaudreau’s iron man streak is only at 86 games active NHLers for most games by an undrafted player, trailing only New officially, but the two games he missed in late March 2018 were to return Jersey captain Andy Greene (870). home and be with his hospitalized father. Excluding those two games, he’s played in 217 consecutive regular-season games since last missing 7 – TJ Brodie | Is one of only five players not named Mario Lemieux to a game due to injury. wear No. 66 in an NHL game. With Adam Pardy wearing No. 7, Brodie wore No. 66 for the first three games in 2010-11, before being assigned 16 – Tobias Rieder | After being drafted in the fourth round of 2011 by to Abbotsford (AHL) for the remainder of the season. He assumed No. 7 Edmonton, he was acquired in exchange for Kale Kessy by Arizona the next season. Only the Islanders’ Josh Ho-Sang has worn it since. general manager Don Maloney in March 2013. Maloney is now the vice The others: Washington’s Milan Novy (1982-83), Vancouver’s Gino president of hockey operations for the Flames. Odjick (1990-91) and Philadelphia’s Yanick Dupre (1991-92). 17 – Milan Lucic | Of his 70 NHL fights, five have been against Calgary. 24 – Travis Hamonic | Continues to run his D-Partner initiative that he The only team he’s fought more times against is Toronto (6). His Flames began while playing for the New York Islanders. After every home game opponents: Anthony Peluso (Dec. 9, 2018), Tanner Glass (Mar. 31, — win or lose — Hamonic meets with a young person who has lost a 2018), Deryk Engelland (Jan. 21, 2017), Deryk Engelland (Oct. 12, parent, just like Hamonic lost his father, Gerald, when he was 10 years 2016), Brandon Bollig (Dec. 31, 2015). old. The post-game visit in the corridor outside the Flames dressing room 19 – Matthew Tkachuk | Became the first Flames player in over 25 years comes after his guests have enjoyed the game from tickets the to score 34 or more goals while age 21 or younger. The last was Robert defencemen provides. Here is a piece about the D-Partner experience Reichel, who at age 21, scored 40 goals in 1992-93. The others who through the eyes of one of his guest families. have done so, also in their age-21 seasons, were Joe Nieuwendyk in 26 – Michael Stone | In his first training camp with the Phoenix Coyotes 1987-88 (51 goals in 74 games) and Eric Vail in 1974-75 (39 goals in 72 after being drafted in the third round in 2008, Stone accompanied the games). team on a road trip to Western Canada where they were scheduled to 23 – Sean Monahan | In his draft year while playing for Ottawa (OHL), he play against Calgary on back-to-back nights. The first game was to be was suspended for 10 games for an illegal hit to the head of Plymouth’s played at MTS Centre in Winnipeg (the Jets had not returned to the city Colin MacDonald. In contrast, in six NHL seasons, he’s only taken more yet), the second one at the Saddledome. As the story goes, Phoenix’s than 10 minor penalties in a season once. Last year, he was only coach at the time, Wayne Gretzky, mistakenly thought Stone, who was penalized six times and was a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy playing junior hockey with the Hitmen, was from Calgary. So ‘The Great for the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship One’ in a not-so-great move, held Stone out of the line-up in the game in Winnipeg, which was his actual hometown, then inserted him for his first NHL game the next night in Calgary.

55 – Noah Hanifin | His 319 career NHL games are the most among active players age 22 or under. Next on the list is Connor McDavid (288), Jack Eichel (286), Ivan Provorov (246), Mitch Marner (242) and Sebastian Aho (242).

58 – Oliver Kylington | At the age of 16 years and 131 days, he scored a goal for Farjestad in his debut on Sept. 28, 2013, making him the youngest goal-scorer in league history.

Goaltenders (2)

33 – David Rittich | At 27 years and 45 days of age as of the season opener, Rittich’s 35 NHL wins are 15 more than Miikka Kiprusoff had at the same age. Kiprusoff finished with 319 career wins, which currently ranks him 29th all-time. Jonathan Quick (309) is the next active goalie behind Kiprusoff and the only one who can catch him this season. Others further down the list include Craig Anderson (278), Tuukka Rask (265), Braden Holtby (258) and Sergei Bobrovsky (255).

39 – Cam Talbot | One of only two NHL players to come from the University of Alabama-Huntsville. The other was undrafted forward Jared Ross, who failed to collect a point in 13 games with Philadelphia from 2008 through 2010.

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155326 Calgary Flames When it comes to the biggest diehard fan on the team, an informal survey reveals a divided dressing room. Some say it’s Hanifin and his Patriots, others point to Johnny Gaudreau and his affinity for the Eagles.

‘Don’t tell me the score’: How the Flames’ sports fanatics follow their own The Patriots and Eagles play each other this season, a showdown that favourite teams during the season will undoubtedly generate some trash talking. The circumstances are not ideal, though.

By Darren Haynes The game is on Sunday, Nov. 17, with kickoff at 2 p.m. MT while the Flames will be getting ready to play a road game in Vegas that starts at 5 Oct 3, 2019 p.m.

It sounds like that predicament will be tougher on Hanifin than Gaudreau, who said he is a bit more laid back when it comes to catching the Eagles The start of October: It’s one of the greatest times of the year for a sports games. fan. “I try to watch it. If I can’t watch it, I’ll be talking to my buddies, they’ll be The MLB postseason — and all of its compelling drama — has arrived. texting me, letting me know how the game’s going. One of my buddies is The NFL is in full swing, with the contenders starting to separate a sports talk guy in Philly so he’s judging every play and texting us all the themselves from the pretenders. Basketball is around the corner, and time. I pretty much get play-by-play with him in our group chat. If I go on after the Toronto Raptors’ championship run last spring, it’s fair to say the the ice, I’ll have like 200 texts after the game.” anticipation — in this country — for the return of basketball has never been higher. And, of course, hockey’s back. For both, their fandom comes from deeply rooted allegiances they grew up with. It raises the question: For Calgary Flames players with a passion for other teams and sports, now that their own work schedule just got a lot “I was around 4 years old when (Tom) Brady came in and they won the busier, how do they juggle their own fandom? Super Bowl, so my whole life, he’s been there and they’ve been good,” said Hanifin. The good news for the “football guys” in the dressing room is that while the NHL and NFL seasons go head-to-head, often the games do not. While he’s only been to a handful of games over the years, Hanifin Football games, of course, are predominantly on Sundays, while the doesn’t mind; he prefers watching it from home. Flames, who frequently play on Saturday nights, often get Sundays off. “One of my cousins or aunts and uncles, we’d go over and everybody But “often” does not mean “always,” and for a dyed-in-the-wool Boston would watch the game together on TV,” he said. “I like watching football kid like Noah Hanifin, one particular Sunday last season stands out. more on TV than in person. I feel I can watch the game better.”

“On Super Bowl Sunday, we had a 2 o’clock game in Carolina, then we The fandom goes just as far back for Gaudreau. flew right after the game, so we were on the plane when the Super Bowl was going on,” Hanifin recalled, still bristling about it seven months later. “Ever since I was a little kid, I always grew up Flyers, Eagles, Sixers, Phillies — all of them. I used to go to the games as much as I could with “That was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been to not be able to see my Dad and my brother, so it was a lot of fun.” a game, but we somehow found a way to magically get WiFi up on the plane (which is not normally the case) and we had the card tables up with Gaudreau is often sporting some sort of Philadelphia hat around the rink. the game going on the computers. Guys were leaning over, watching the The assortment of hats is just a small sliver of his Pennsylvania-themed game. I was front and centre.” wardrobe.

But if you’ve ever tried to watch television on a flight, you know what “I have a jersey here, four or five sweatshirts, a couple hats, and I’ve got happened next. Phillies jerseys. I’ll throw them on when we’re watching games,” said Gaudreau. “It kept jamming and going in and out,” said Hanifin. From when he and Matty, his little brother, were guests at Eagles camp a The first rule of watching football is don’t mess with a Patriots fan when few summers ago, he’s even got a “Gaudreau” Eagles jersey, but as New England is in the Super Bowl. hardcore sports fans can relate, he admitted he doesn’t wear that one much. “It was scary. There were a few times where they’re passing the ball, getting close to the red zone, and it would check out and I’d be freaking “It’s kinda weird,” he said, acknowledging the jersey foul that is having out.” one’s own name stitched onto the back of a jersey of a team you cheer for. No exaggeration. Legitimately freaking out, apparently. The names on the back of the jerseys he does wear are both “The quality that we had was awful, so he was getting pretty upset,” quarterbacks. There’s “Wentz” on one; he also picked up a “Foles” jersey confirmed Sam Bennett. “It was lagging non-stop, and he was yelling at it when he led the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2017. a bunch of times.” Asked to rank the Philadelphia sports franchises in order of priority, Sean Monahan recalled that afternoon well. The game was tied 3-3 Gaudreau paused to contemplate. headed to the fourth quarter before New England pulled away for a 13-3 victory. “Probably the Eagles with their success recently and how well they’ve been doing. It’s hard for them not to be at the top of the list,” he said. “Hanny loses it on everything,” he admitted with a chuckle. “Oh, the WiFi “When I was in high school, the Phillies were winning in ’08 when they went down plenty of times — I think 30 guys had it going! So once you had (Ryan) Howard and all those guys. They were probably up there at have that many guys, it doesn’t work too well.” that time, but I loved the Phillies and Eagles. Not a big 76ers fan, but you On those occasions where there is a conflict — say, a Sunday morning know, they’re Philadelphia, so still would go to the games sometimes.” practice — Hanifin has a system. Hanifin’s Boston allegiances do extend to the Red Sox, too, but not “Record. Twitter off. Phone in airplane mode. Go home, watch the nearly to the same degree. game,” he said. “Don’t tell me the score. Earplugs, I’m running out of the “I do watch the Red Sox, not really the Celtics that much, but not nearly rink to go home and watch it.” as much as the Pats.” Do his teammates respect the cone of silence? The generational thing is the same for Matthew Tkachuk, also a Pats fan, “Usually, unless it’s Johnny and he wants to be a … (stops himself). Well, who piped up when the topic was raised. to ruin it for me and tell me the score. But other than that, I usually sneak “I’m a Patriots guy. My Dad’s from Boston, so I grew up in a household out and get to watch the game.” where we just watched the Patriots every Sunday,” Tkachuk said.

But you better be good if you want Tkachuk’s support. “Did not like the St. Louis Rams because they were so bad when they But even in late summer, hockey can still get in the way. were in St. Louis, so I never liked them, but when they moved to L.A., they got good, so now I kinda like them a little bit.” “I was supposed to watch Man U–Man City with my Dad in 2016 in August, but then I got picked for the World Cup, so I had to cancel the Bennett, a self-confessed late adopter of the NFL, is now right into it, trip and the tickets. It turned out great. I was pumped to play World Cup, claiming the Green Bay Packers as his team. You get the sense some obviously. But it would have been cool, because Zlatan was playing Man money may have changed hands last Thursday with you-know-who when U at that time.” the Eagles beat the Packers by a touchdown. One advantage of European soccer is that, with the time change, those Bennett also noted that, like the rest of the country, he got huge into the games never clash with a game night and often are over before practice Raptors last spring. too. That said, Backlund’s not into it enough to set the alarm for the early games. “All summer, I wore a vintage Tracy McGrady jersey,” Bennett boasted. A Hall of Famer, McGrady was a first-round pick of the Raptors in 1997 “If it’s on TV, I’ll put it on and watch it. But I don’t get up at 6 a.m. to who played in the late ’90s in Toronto. watch a game. But if it’s a big game, I’ll make sure I can watch it. I like to watch Champions League as well because they’re usually 1 o’clock “I jumped on the bandwagon pretty hard this summer. It turned me into a here.” fan,” he said. “I was downtown, I went to a couple games. I was down by the parade. I loved the whole experience, it was a lot of fun.” That falls right in the pocket after morning skate or practice and before needing to head to the rink if it’s a game day. When it comes to the Raptors, it was a similar sentiment from all the Ontario-born players. Elias Lindholm also likes Manchester United, although he said he’s more a general fan of the game as someone who played soccer for many “We jumped on pretty hard. Great atmosphere in downtown Toronto, years. great vibe,” said Flames captain Mark Giordano, who saw Game 5 against Golden State live when the Warriors came back to win in the “I went this year to Man U-Chelsea, and the year before, I went to fourth quarter. “Growing up, I liked (Michael) Jordan and the Bulls era, Champions League semifinal, Real Madrid-Bayern Munich. I’ve been to but for sure, Raptors are my team in basketball now.”. see Barcelona. Probably next year I’ll go to Germany and see something,” Lindholm said. “I enjoy getting to see different players, Monahan also took in a couple playoff games in person. different teams, different stadiums. It’s fun to get out of Sweden a little “I’ve been watching the Raptors the last 8-10 years now. As they got bit.” better, it was more exciting for Canada and the city of Toronto, but I live Michael Frolik and some of his pals all went to see the Czech team’s pool right there so when I go home and they’re still playing, it’s pretty fun to go games in Euro 2012. watch games,” he said. “We took a little party bus — six or seven guys and we drive to Poland While on the topic of Toronto, the Blue Jays also have many followers, from Czech. It was a fun ride and we got there and watched the game including Giordano. then we went back. It was a really fun time,” said Frolik, who added that “Since the World Series days, I was 10 or 11 — Joe Carter and Robbie they were all outfitted in Czech jerseys. Alomar are like heroes to me,” Giordano said. “When we head out East, Frolik has been keeping an eye on his country’s team as it goes through we check out 10-12 Jays games every summer, for sure.” the qualifying stages right now for next summer’s European But the biggest baseball fan in that room? It has to be Michael Stone. Championship.

“Huge baseball fan. I’m looking forward to the matchups this season,” he “They’re doing not bad. Hopefully they will make it. It would be nice if said. “American League is going to be awesome. If it ends up Yankees- they make it and to go to watch them live.” Astros, that’s going to be a heck of a series. The Dodgers are good With the NHL back in action, there will naturally be conflicts. Do the again. I’m still going to be pulling for Atlanta because they’ve got a really players ever sneak a look at the scores? good young team.” Maybe after they come off the ice after warmup? Or between periods? Stone’s own allegiances are with the Braves; he’s cheered for them Do they ever glance up at the scores posted in the arena while sitting on going back to their glory years under manager Bobby Cox. the bench?

“Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, the big three — (Tom) Glavine, (John) “No, no, never,” pleaded Gaudreau, maintaining that he’s never really Smoltz, (Greg) Maddux. John Rocker coming in from the bullpen!” had to.

For Monahan, lacrosse is the sport that he follows closely when away “When I was at Boston College, we played Friday-Saturday games, so from the rink. we never had Sunday games. Here, too, we never really play Sunday “Toronto Rock, for me, was huge. I loved lacrosse. I almost played games, unless it’s on the road. I’ve missed a couple, but I can’t lacrosse instead of hockey,” said Monahan, who had a close friend on remember missing too many, unless we have practice on Sunday and the Rock last year. they play an 11 o’clock game here. Then I try to get off the ice as quick as I can.” While the NLL can be a difficult league to follow from afar, given the lack of television coverage, it’s pretty easy to catch the games when you’re The same question posed to Giordano elicited the same denial. connected like he is. “I’m usually a morning highlights type of guy — I see what happened the “I’ve got all the logins to watch the games,” he said. “These are some of next day, and then I jump on the bandwagon in the playoffs if I can,” said my best friends. When I can watch a game, I watch it, because I Giordano. definitely enjoy the game and watching them play.” With hockey back, that means so is football, baseball and soon, For the Flames’ European contingent, soccer is the primary off-ice basketball. But for the players, they insist all those other things are just distraction — English Premier League, UEFA Champions League and, fun diversions, not distractions. when it’s on, the European Championship, and of course, the World Cup. Of course, until they get home from the rink or to the desired cruising But balancing a love of soccer with professional responsibilities can be altitude, and out comes the logoed gear, the chirping, and often, the tricky. misery, too. Welcome to the ‘”fan” club, players — now you know how Mikael Backlund’s allegiances are with Manchester United in England, the other half lives. mostly because once starring on that team was Swedish great Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a longtime international force for Sweden internationally and his favourite player. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019

“Most Swedes are cheering on Man U. All the guys love Ibra,” Backlund said. 1155327 Carolina Hurricanes Hurricanes. Martin Gerber had a slightly better save percentage, .697, but had shootout ace Matt Cullen to thank in large part for a 7-2 record in 2005-06. Manny Legace and Anton Khudobin were better, in very limited samples; Scott Darling and Justin Peters much worse. Mrazek may prefer to avoid shootouts, but he doesn’t lose them This is still a limited sample for Mrazek as well, but impressive nevertheless. Especially Thursday, when the Hurricanes deserved both points and Mrazek made sure they got them. BY LUKE DECOCK

OCTOBER 03, 2019 11:08 PM News Observer LOADED: 10.04.2019

RALEIGH

All things considered, Petr Mrazek would just as soon avoid a shootout entirely, which makes him not unlike just about anyone who has seen too many of them over the past 14 years as the postgame skills competition has gone from interesting novelty to tedious sideshow.

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t take it seriously. The Carolina Hurricanes goalie was impeccable yet again in the extra extra period, and while there were aspects of his performance in the first 65 minutes he wasn’t thrilled with, on the whole he was good enough to get the Hurricanes to overtime on a night they played with more emotion than structure, and even better in the shootout.

“Well, you don’t want to go to the shootout, I think,” Mrazek said. “It’s great for fans but we want to finish earlier. But two points, a win, first game. I don’t know what else we could ask for.”

Mrazek’s saves on Paul Byron, Jonathan Drouin and Nick Suzuki ensured Dougie Hamilton’s shootout-opening goal held up as the winner as the Hurricanes opened the season with a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens, coming back from a goal down in the third period to capture both points after previously blowing a 2-0 lead. That’s a bit of a see-saw sentence, but it was a bit of a see-saw game.

On a night when the Hurricanes were kind of all over the place, although not in a terrible way -- “They all want to be a hero,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said of all the players -- Mrazek was there to clean up the mess.

Perhaps not surprisingly, given the turnover on the roster since last spring’s run through the playoffs, the Hurricanes were all broad strokes and no details, getting burned for goals on a failed clear and a bad line change, but not getting burned on other routine miscues because of Mrazek.

His biggest save came against Cale Fleury on a third-period breakaway, staying patient to steer Fleury’s shot wide with his right pad, and helped give the Hurricanes, who thoroughly dominated the third, the momentum they needed to tie the score. Which Erik Haula did only seconds after shooting the puck through the crease on a partly open net, getting the puck back off a Hamilton rebound and finishing the job against Carey Price.

Now it’s on to Washington, where Mrazek was so good against the Capitals in the playoffs, but after the uncertainty on both sides about whether the free agent would be back, and the way he played against the Bruins after returning from injury, this was an emphatic way to renew his tenure.

“(Mrazek) was our rock for sure,” newly appointed captain Jordan Staal. “It wasn’t our best. We had flurries of it. The third period, start of the third, was a great character check. I thought the group responded being down going into the third, coming out with that start. ... There were good things and things we have to work better on away from the puck, but Mrazek was on par.”

The Hurricanes also hit two posts and the crossbar, Ryan Dzingel accounting for two of the dings, one short of a sort of heavy-metal hat trick.

But that was all they could get in the third or overtime, leaving it to a shootout. When that happens with Mrazek in net at home, there’s going to be a Storm Surge. (And there was Thursday, a reprise of the inaugural celebration after last year’s opening win.) Mrazek is a perfect 9-for-9 in three shootout wins with the Hurricanes, a huge change for a franchise that has traditionally struggled in the fourth period.

Cam Ward, who received a lengthy standing ovation when he was announced as the pregame siren sounder, won his first shootout as a rookie but still had an 18-41 record and .633 save percentage with the 1155328 Carolina Hurricanes of the American Hockey League after playing seven games with the Canes.

“He’s got a lot of skill. We know that,” Brind’Amour said. “He’s got a lot of Canes open new season with shootout win over Montreal talent and we’ll definitely work with him but he hopefully will help on the power play because we need it.”

The Canadiens shifted the momentum after an interference call against BY CHIP ALEXANDER Pesce at 3:16 of the second. Tomas Tatar scored from the slot on the power play and Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s goal, off a rebound, tied it 2-2 as OCTOBER 03, 2019 10:01 PM the Habs scored twice in 64 seconds.

An odd-man rush then gave the Canadiens their first lead as Jordan RALEIGH Weal converted off a Byron pass. Price, who finished with 40 saves, was settling in. On the hottest October day on record in the Triangle, PNC Arena was a pretty cool place to be. The Canes had chances to add to the lead before the Habs’ surge. Sebastian Aho tested Price with a shorthanded backhander in the first. The Carolina Hurricanes were beginning a new season. The Montreal Ryan Dzingel, playing his first game for the Canes, had Price beaten Canadiens were in town. Even in sweltering heat, Canes fans came early later in the period but had his shot go off the crossbar. Thursday to tailgate, socialize, consume a few beverages and then fill the place for some fast-paced hockey. In the second, Jordan Staal, in his first game as the Canes captain, ripped a shot off the post. Haula forced Price into a tough, lunging save The Canes and Canadiens played 60 hard-fought minutes, then went to in the overtime, then a shootout in the first game of the season before the Hurricanes won 4-3. Mrazek made one of his best saves of the night early in the third, stuffing rookie defenseman Cale Fleury -- the younger brother of the Canes’ Defenseman Dougie Hamilton, leading off for the Canes, was the only Haydn Fleury -- on a breakaway. Call it a timely stop. Haula soon tied the player to score in the shootout, beating Habs goalie Carey Price with a score. nifty move. Brind’Amour shuffled the lines in the third, moving Teuvo Teravainen on “I wasn’t really sure what to do going against the best goalie in the to Aho’s line and moving Brock McGinn to Staal’s line. world,” said Hamilton, who also had two assists in the opener. “Just do whatever and I was happy to see it go in. My brain just shuts off and “We just got to our game. That was it,” Brind’Amour said of the third. “I that’s what happens.” don’t know if it was shaking up the lines or guys between periods coming to realize how we were playing wasn’t going to work.” Canes goalie Petr Mrazek denied Paul Byron, Jonathan Drouin and finally rookie forward Nick Suzuki in the shootout. The Canadiens were the hard-luck team in the East last season, squeezed out of a wild-card playoff spot in the final week as the Canes And, yes, there was a Storm Surge postgame celebration, as the players and Columbus Blue Jackets moved on to the postseason. Brind’Amour, skated down the ice and jumped into the glass, Hamilton leading the for one, said the Habs easily could have been a playoff team, saying the charge. Canes struggled against them in each game.

The Canes, the “bunch of jerks” who not only went to the playoffs but reached the Eastern Conference finals last season, were given big ovations by the sellout crowd during the pregame introductions. Rod News Observer LOADED: 10.04.2019 Brind’Amour, his first season as a head coach so memorable, may have received the longest, loudest roar as he began his second behind the bench.

It was a game of speed and quickness. It was a game with increasing intensity, especially after the Canes had a 2-0 lead in the second period and the Canadiens rebounded to take a 3-2 lead before the period ended.

Center Erik Haula, in his first game with the Canes, tied the score 3-3 at 6:55 of the third with a shot in tight at the post. Haula, acquired in the offseason from the Vegas Golden Knights, missed all but 15 games last season with a severe knee injury but scored a big goal as the Canes fought from behind.

“It feels good to get on the board right away and feels good to get a big win,” said Haula, who last scored Nov. 1, 2018 against St. Louis. “I feel as a group we played a lot better in the third and we played like the team we want to be.”

Said Brind’Amour: “I give them a lot of credit for digging in and figuring it out.”

Mrazek, who had 33 saves, stopped all 13 shots he faced in the first. But the Canadiens, buzzing in the offensive zone in the second, kept attacking and found the net as they controlled play in the second.

Lucas Wallmark had the Canes’ first goal of the season. At 17:19 of the first, the fourth-line center first tipped a Brett Pesce shot in front, then knocked in the rebound after Price got his right pad on the tip.

The Canes also scored on their first power play of the season. Martin Necas went to the front of the crease and got a piece of a Hamilton shot and it was 2-0, Canes, at 2:19 of the second.

Necas and Julien Gauthier, both former first-round draft picks, battled it out for a roster spot and Necas was the choice, in part, because of his power-play ability. The Czech winger also made the roster out of training camp last year but spent most of the season with the Charlotte Checkers 1155329 Carolina Hurricanes Basic hockey economics played into the Mrazek-Reimer roster combination. Reimer has a $3.4 million cap hit this season and in 2020- 21. Mrazek will make $3 million this season and $3.25 in 2020-21.

Can Mrazek-Reimer be as good as Mrazek-McElhinney for the Canes? The Canes sent Darling and his $4.75 million salary to the Checkers for a chunk of last season, Darling taking a personal leave of absence in February. But that was a rare situation and the Canes moved Darling to Florida in the Reimer deal. BY CHIP ALEXANDER Forsberg, after the trade from Chicago, filed for salary arbitration and OCTOBER 03, 2019 09:35 AM was awarded a one-year, one-way contract for $775,000 this season despite being in the AHL in 2018-19. Nedeljkovic, 23, has a two-way contract this season and is waivers exempt, two factors that worked RALEIGH against him staying up with the Canes despite his stellar 2018-19 season in Charlotte. Four goalies, two spots. Forsberg got more work than Reimer in the preseason, playing 117:25 in For most of training camp, that was the decision — dilemma? — facing three games to Reimer’s 83:47 in his three appearances. He faced 57 Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour and management types. shots to Reimer’s 29. Petr Mrazek helped the Canes get back into the playoffs last year. James “In preseason it comes down to you have to see the puck and start to get Reimer is an experienced veteran with 144 career wins. Anton Forsberg comfortable, and I think I did that,” Reimer said. “You make sure your had a good camp. Alex Nedeljkovic was the American Hockey League game is where it needs to be and make sure your compete level is goalie of the year. exactly where it needs to be.” “I like all four,” Brind’Amour said more than once during camp. “I like our For now, it’s Mrazek and Reimer. Mrazek will start the season opener goaltending situation.” Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. With a back-to-back Saturday But when the Canes turned in their opening-night roster to the league on and Sunday, Brind’Amour could go with Reimer in Sunday’s game Tuesday, Mrazek and Reimer were the two goalies. Nedeljkovic already against Tampa Bay and have Mrazek face the Caps, again, on Saturday. had been assigned to the Charlotte Checkers, the Canes’ AHL affiliate, HURRICANES GOALIES and Forsberg joined him, having already passed through NHL waivers. (Number, name, birthplace, age, height, weight) “That was the toughest decision,” Brind’Amour said. 34 Petr Mrazek Mrazek, 27, came to Carolina a year ago on a one-year contract, saying he liked it that way and wanted only a chance to prove himself. He first Ostrava, Czech Republic, 27, 6-1, 190 believed he’d be competing with Scott Darling for the No. 1 job but ended up splitting time with Curtis McElhinney after Darling was injured — never Showed he was capable of being a No. 1 goalie in the NHL in 2018-19 returning to the form he showed in preseason — and McElhinney and was in net when the Canes clinched a playoff berth and the double- claimed on waivers from Toronto. overtime Game 7 playoff win against Washington. Signed two-year contract with Canes. Cap hit: $3.125 million. Mrazek started 40 games, going 23-14-3 and closing with a 2.39 goals- against average and .914 save percentage. He was a fiery type in net, 47 James Reimer taking on players who wandered into his crease, and the polar opposite Morweena, Manitoba, Canada, 31, 6-2, 220 emotionally of the stolid McElhinney, who had a career-high 33 starts and won a career-high 20 games. Reimer spent parts of six seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to San Jose in 2015-16 and then signing as a free agent Together, they produced the kind of quality starts needed to get the with the Florida Panthers. Looking to jumpstart his career with the Canes. Canes into the Stanley Cup playoffs, then win series over the Cap hit: $3.4 million Washington Capitals and New York Islanders.

“You have to prove yourself every single day,” Mrazek said to the media during training camp. “I love a challenge. I came here last year to show News Observer LOADED: 10.04.2019 what I am able to do and I’m happy it worked out like that.”

McElhinney, made a better offer by the Tampa Bay Lightning, left in free agency. By the time Mrazek signed a two-year, $6.25 million deal with Carolina on July 1, the Canes had picked up Forsberg in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks and Reimer from the Florida Panthers. And Nedeljkovic and the Checkers had won the AHL’s Calder Cup, a franchise first.

Reimer, 31, appeared in 123 games the past three seasons with the Panthers, with 110 starts. His numbers were pedestrian last season — a 3.09 goals-against average and .900 save percentage — and led to questions about how many quality starts he can give the Canes this season.

Mrazek started a career-high 49 games for the Detroit Red Wings in 2015-16, when many believed he was a rising star in the league. That didn’t happen. Traded by the Red Wings to the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2017-18 season, Mrazek struggled and was not given a qualifying offer by the Flyers after the season, becoming a free agent.

With a chance to prove himself with the Canes, he did. Reimer believes he can do the same.

“We both came up through the system and had our licks and I’ve been banged around,” Reimer said in an N&O interview Tuesday. “I think our careers are similar in that sense. You’ve had ups and you’ve had downs and so I think you respect the guy even more when your journeys have been similar. He’s a good guy, works hard and I think it will be fun to work together.” 1155330 Carolina Hurricanes Brind’Amour’s first season as a head coach with 99 points, going 46-29- 7. What now?

“From a talent perspective we have enough talent to be a very Carolina Hurricanes are ready to see how good they are in a new season competitive team, and I’m confident in the character and the effort and the coaching,” Dundon said in an N&O interview. “What is difficult to quantify is there’s a lot of good teams and it’s very close. Sometimes it’s luck and sometimes injuries. But if things go according to the talent and BY CHIP ALEXANDER effort level, then I think we’ll be pretty successful.” OCTOBER 03, 2019 05:00 AM It was close last season. The Canadiens, in the end, were the team left outside looking in. The Canes, Habs and Columbus Blue Jackets took it to the wire to decide the two wild-card playoff spots in the East and the RALEIGH Canadiens were left without a seat at the table.

The Carolina Hurricanes are throwing a party Thursday. Big one. A lot of “It’s going to be a grind right from the start,” Brind’Amour said. “Montreal, tickets sold. for me, was one of those teams that should have been in the playoffs. They gave us probably the toughest games all year. When I look back on The Montreal Canadiens want no part of the party scene at PNC Arena. them, I didn’t feel great about our games after playing them. And they But the Habs will be in the middle of it all, the opening-night opponent as haven’t changed much and have gotten better, too.” the Canes begin their 2019-20 NHL season with an excitement level unmatched in a decade. Two of the storylines in Thursday’s game: Habs rookie defenseman Cale Fleury, the younger brother of the Canes’ Haydn Fleury, will be making As Canes forward Jordan Martinook put it, “It’s go time.” his NHL debut. So will Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki, whose younger The parking lots will be jammed, just as they were in April and May in the brother, Ryan, was the Canes’ first-round draft pick this year and is Stanley Cup playoffs. They’ll roll out Hamilton the Pig again. Storm Brew, playing for the Barrie Colts of the . the new Canes beer, should be consumed. Martinook said his dad, Mark, The Canes’ final preseason game Sunday against the Washington will be among the those tailgating and throwing a “Marty Party” of his own Capitals had a regular-season, even a playoff feel to it. It was intense, before the Canes take the ice for the business end of the night. heated words and hard hits were exchanged, entertaining a full house at ”I’m excited that the games count for real,” Canes coach Rod PNC Arena even though the Canes lost 4-3. Brind’Amour said at his Wednesday media availability. “Every detail But this is opening-night. “You can tell the excitement level is up in the matters and it has a consequence, right? So that’s exciting, to see what locker room and there’s a lot of life on the ice,” Aho said. we’re about.” Brind’Amour feels it, too. The Canes have a new captain. Justin Williams, the consummate captain last season, is in semi-retirement and center Jordan Staal now wears the “We want to get the season started right,” he said. “Now we’ve got to roll “C” and is ready to lead. the dice and see what we’ve got.”

“We’re excited to get going, try to get in the mix and win some games,” Staal said in a media interview Wednesday, “Every year is a new challenge, every year it’s difficult to win games. In an 82-game season News Observer LOADED: 10.04.2019 there’s going to be some ups and downs, and it’s how we react in those ups and downs that will help us get where we want to be.”

Since the franchise moved to North Carolina in 1997, only once have the Canes reached the playoffs in consecutive seasons -- 2000-01 and 2001- 02. They’ve won a Stanley Cup, been to another Stanley Cup final and reached the Eastern Conference finals four times but just once had back- to-back playoff teams.

Are they good enough to back this season? The playoffs are where they want to be.

“I think we’re in great shape,” Brind’Amour said. “We’ve got a lot of new faces. I think the key is getting all those guys onboard and up to speed with how we do things and ready to play their (butts) off.”

Most are aware that the Canadiens were the team that stirred up the NHL -- and Canes owner Tom Dundon -- on July 1 with their offer sheet to Carolina center Sebastian Aho. Dundon, a Dallas billionaire, quickly matched that offer sheet although coming away irritated with what he viewed as a waste of time by the Canadiens and their general manager, Marc Bergevin.

Dundon said he wasn’t angry at Aho, although Aho’s agent, Gerry Johannson, is a different matter. Aho, for his part, said Thursday’s game against Montreal represents only the chance to begin a new Canes season with a victory.

“It’s the home opener,” Aho said Wednesday.

Nothing extra, given the drama in July?

“The home opener.”

Dundon revels in the victories and suffers through the losses. He also made the Canes a “cap team” this year -- their opening-night payroll is $80 million and the NHL salary cap $81.5 million, according to CapFriendly.com, which tracks player salaries.

With a higher payroll often come higher expectations. The Canes, in their first playoff appearance since 2009, reached the Eastern Conference finals last season before being swept by the Boston Bruins. They finished 1155331 Chicago Blackhawks Kubalik has provided tips about where to eat and what to do when teammates have asked, but as a 23-year-old rookie he hasn’t quite adopted a take-charge mentality. It was just a few months ago at Hawks development camp that he was nervous to say hello to Jonathan Toews. Dominik Kubalik dreamed of reaching the NHL. Little did he know his dream would come true in his native Czech Republic. It’s not like he had never met an NHL player before. His brother, Tomas, was a fifth-round pick of the Blue Jackets in 2008 and played 12 games for them from 2010-12.

By JIMMY GREENFIELD “He helped me through my career probably the most,” Kubalik says. "He was always kind of like my mentor. He was an older brother, the younger CHICAGO TRIBUNE brother always wants to be like bigger brother. That’s what I did. He had OCT 03, 2019 | 1:43 PM a couple tough situations in his career, and I was always tried to help him and take something from that. Learn from it. For example, he got injured and came back really quick and got injured again.

PRAGUE “He’s a warrior. He’s had six or seven surgeries and he’s still coming back. Some people are asking me, ‘Why is he still playing?’ Because he The words coming out of Dominik Kubalik's agent's mouth didn't quite just loves it. He just loves hockey.” compute. The trip has not been all fun and games. Kubalik also has had to attend Yes, Kubalik understood the Kings had traded his rights to the to some important personal business. Earlier in the week, Kubalik had to Blackhawks. He was leading the Swiss League in scoring for Ambri- return to Pilsen to obtain travel documents for a special someone who Piotta, and it made sense there was interest. didn’t accompany him to Chicago for the start of training camp. Kubalik’s agent told him a call would soon be coming from Hawks His name is Rocky. He’s a Chihuahua. general manager Stan Bowman to welcome him to the organization. That wasn’t a shock, it’s fairly standard to hear from a team official when a “He’s the toughest Chihuahua in Pilsen,” Kubalik boasts. trade is made. The steady rain and chill in the Pilsen air sends Kubalik back to his hotel There was one more thing his agent needed to share. to prepare for practice later that afternoon. The long trip is growing to a close, the NHL debut in his native country growing nearer. "The first game is probably going to be in Prague," he said. “I know I probably will play, but still one day to go,” he says. Kubalik, a Czech Republic native who grew up an hour from Prague in the town of Pilsen, didn't believe him. He then adds through a knowing smile:

"I'm like right, yeah," he said. "You think I'm stupid?" “It’s going to be the best feeling on the ice.”

Stupid? No. The most fortunate rookie in NHL history? Perhaps.

Blackhawks forward Dominik Kubalik, a native of Pilsen, Czech Republic, Chicago Tribune LOADED: 10.04.2019 takes a walk across the Charles Bridge in Prague on Oct. 3, 2019, before Friday's game against the Flyers.

Eight months after that conversation, Kubalik is walking along the famous Charles Bridge in Prague still somewhat in disbelief that he’s just a few hours away from making his NHL debut with the Hawks. Kubalik’s work ethic, speed and deadly shot had secured him a roster spot weeks ago, but he isn’t prepared to talk about the inevitable.

“Right now I don’t think about the game tomorrow because it’s still one day (away),” he says. “I know I’m on the roster. I know I’m going to probably play. But the best feeling will be when I’m on the ice. My family will be there. All the friends. That will be the moment I’m looking for.”

Rain is falling in Prague, a common occurrence since the Hawks arrived, so Kubalik is starting to pick up his pace along the cobblestone streets. He takes a moment to notice a sign on a local pub advertising the city’s most popular beer for 44.90 koruna, which comes out to about two dollars.

“For a Czech guy that’s actually pretty expensive,” he says. “Because in my hometown there’s a beer for one buck. Prague is more expensive.”

Bowman has been a big supporter of Kubalik, even saying last April he expected him to be on the roster in the fall.

“I look back at his progression the last couple of years, especially last season, he was a dominant player,” Bowman said. "You’re not always sure how it’s going to transfer over to the NHL, but ever since he started camp, he’s looked very comfortable.

“He’s brought a couple of different elements to our team, certainly his speed and his shot are the two things you notice the most when you see him, but he’s been a pretty reliable player too.”

A superstitious one as well. Kubalik is so superstitious he’s not willing to share any of the things he does before games.

“I can’t say that,” Kubalik says. “It’s private and it would probably lose the magic thing about it. Probably won’t work after that.”

Blackhawks forward Dominik Kubalik signs an autograph for a fan in Prague on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019. 1155332 Chicago Blackhawks

Alex DeBrincat signs a 3-year, $19.2M contract extension with the Blackhawks: ‘It shows they have confidence in me’

By JIMMY GREENFIELD

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

OCT 03, 2019 | 1:26 PM

PRAGUE

The Blackhawks locked up Alex DeBrincat through the 2022-23 season, signing the high-scoring winger to a three-year, $19.2 million contract extension Thursday on the eve of the season opener in Prague.

DeBrincat’s deal has a very reasonable cap hit of $6.4 million and allows the Hawks to turn their attention to his best friend and linemate, Dylan Strome, who is set to become a restricted free agent next summer.

“It is nice to have it out of the way for now and certainly starting the season,” Hawks general manager Stan Bowman said. “We can all focus on getting off to a good start.”

DeBrincat, a second-round pick in 2016, opened eyes with a 28-goal rookie season. He far surpassed that total last season with an eye- popping 41 goals.

By agreeing to a bridge deal, the Hawks retain him for less money than if he had signed a long-term extension that takes him through becoming an unrestricted free agent. He will become a restricted free agent again after the final year of his extension.

"To get this done early, it shows they have confidence in me,” DeBrincat said. “I didn’t want to wait. I didn’t want to be waiting around like a lot of the RFAs this year so it’s good to have it done, focus on the season, be a good team and win some games.”

DeBrincat’s contract is in line with bridge deals signed last month by other young high-scoring forwards, including Brock Boeser, Matthew Tkachuk and Patrik Laine. Boeser and Tkachuk’s deals are for three years with cap hits of $5.875 million and $7 million, respectively. Laine signed a two-year deal with a $6.75 million cap hit.

“Each situation is a little different,” Bowman said. “In this case, it was beneficial for him and for us. Certainly the bridge deal allows the team some more flexibility over the next few years to have some cap management, and certainly the player is going to be rewarded as you go. He’s still well paid in the meantime and he’s still pretty young when he hits his next deal.”

Boeser, Tkachuk and Laine were just a few of more than a dozen RFAs who didn’t sign deals until well into September, including some who missed a large part of training camp.

Bowman said he doesn’t have a timeline to get Strome’s next deal done but plans to turn his focus to it shortly.

The Cat is BACK!

“That’s the next order of business,” Bowman said. “Whether we do it now or in a month or in six months, I can’t say at this point. But certainly that’s something we’ll take a look at.”

As for Strome, he’s overjoyed for his teammate — and ready to take advantage of DeBrincat’s growing bank account.

“It’s awesome,” Strome said. “He’s worth every cent of that. Forty goals as a 20-year-old in the league, it’s pretty impressive. Well-deserved and now he can start buying me some dinners.”

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155333 Chicago Blackhawks Outlook: The Stars added Pavelski and Perry to help fix a weak offense, their defense is one of the best in the league with John Klingberg and Miro Heiskanen, and the goalie tandem of Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin is excellent. All that and they likely will need a wild-card berth What are the Blackhawks’ chances this season? A breakdown and to get into the playoffs. predictions for the increasingly tough Central Division. 5. Chicago Blackhawks

2018-19: 36-34-12, 84 points; did not make the playoffs. By JIMMY GREENFIELD Key acquisitions: Defensemen Calvin de Haan and Olli Maata, CHICAGO TRIBUNE goaltender Robin Lehner, forwards Alex Nylander and Andrew Shaw.

OCT 03, 2019 | 11:10 AM Key losses: Forwards Artem Anisimov and Dominik Kahun, defenseman Henri Jokiharju.

Outlook: No team in the division is harder to predict this year than the PRAGUE Hawks. Will de Haan and Maatta turn a waning defense around? Can The NHL Central Division is stacked again with the Avalanche replacing Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome repeat the Jets as a powerhouse with its sights set on winning the Stanley Cup. career-best seasons? Is the goalie tandem of Corey Crawford and Lehner all that it’s being made out to be? Yes, the Hawks are deeper Optimism has been building for the Blackhawks during training camp. But than they were last season, but so many things have to go right for them the Avs, Predators and defending Cup champion Blues are all better on to reach the postseason. paper, and the Hawks will need one of those teams to falter to steal one of the Central’s three automatic playoff spots. 6. Winnipeg Jets

A look at the division, in predicted order of finish: 2018-19: 47-30-5, 99 points; lost in first round to Blues.

1. Colorado Avalanche Key acquisitions: Defenseman Neal Pionk.

2018-19: 38-30-14, 90 points; lost in second round to Sharks. Key losses: Defensemen Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Chiarot, Tyler Myers and Jacob Trouba and forward Kevin Hayes. Key acquisitions: Forwards Andre Burakovsky, Joonas Donskoi, Nazem Kadri. Outlook: A crushing loss to the Blues in the playoffs was followed by a disastrous offseason. Three of their top defensemen — Trouba, Myers Key losses: Defenseman Tyson Barrie and goaltender Semyon and Chiarot — departed through trades or free agency, then came the Varlamov. stunning news that Byfuglien wasn’t sure he wanted to keep playing. The former Hawk still hasn’t returned, leaving the Jets with a defensive unit Outlook: The Avalanche have spent the last two seasons as one of the so depleted that even a terrific offense led by Blake Wheeler, Mark NHL’s best surprises. This year they won’t sneak up on anyone. They are Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine likely won’t be enough to get stacked on offense with Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and them into the playoffs. Mikko Rantanen making up the league’s best line, and goalie Philipp Grubauer should excel as he finally gets a chance to be the starter. 7. Minnesota Wild Trading Barrie hurt, but rookie Cale Makar, who made his NHL debut in last year’s playoffs, is not far from being a true No. 1 defenseman. 2018-19: 37-36-9, 83 points; did not make playoffs.

2. Nashville Predators Key acquisitions: Forwards Ryan Hartman and Mats Zuccarello.

2018-19: 47-29-6, 100 points; lost in first round to Stars. Key losses: None.

Key acquisitions: Forward Matt Duchene. Outlook: The Wild aren’t a divisional patsy, but they were mediocre last season and they are trending downward. They didn’t lose anybody of Key losses: Defenseman P.K. Subban. note, but the additions of Zuccarello and Hartman are hardly inspiring. Ryan Suter and Zach Parise are still very good, but both will be 35 by Outlook: The Predators have been excellent while averaging 102.2 points midseason and their best days are behind them. Goaltending is fine with over the last five seasons, and the upcoming one should be no different. workhorse Devan Dubnyk, who led the league with 66 starts last season, Despite trading Subban, they should have the league’s best defense, led but like the rest of the team it’s nothing special. by Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm. Duchene should help an average offense and give the league’s worst power play last season a boost. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 10.04.2019 3. St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk during a preseason game against the Capitals in September.

2018-19: 45-28-9, 99 points; won Stanley Cup.

Key acquisitions: Defenseman Justin Faulk.

Key losses: Defenseman Joel Edmundson, forward Pat Maroon.

Outlook: Even if the Blues don’t win the Cup again, they should easily make it to the postseason. They return nearly everybody and late last month added Faulk to an already strong blue line without giving up a major asset. The big questions will be whether goalie Jordan Binnington can avoid a sophomore slump and if the team can avoid a Cup hangover after last season’s remarkable run.

4. Dallas Stars

2018-19: 43-32-7, 93 points; lost in second round to Blues.

Key acquisitions: Forwards Joe Pavelski, Corey Perry.

Key losses: Forwards Jason Spezza, Mats Zuccarello. 1155334 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks sign Alex DeBrincat to three-year contract extension

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Oct 3, 2019, 8:24am CDT

PRAGUE — The Blackhawks solved one of their biggest impending headaches a year ahead of time by signing Alex DeBrincat to a three- year contract extension Thursday.

The new deal carries a relatively manageable $6.4 million annual salary cap hit.

“From the start, I always wanted to get it done early,” DeBrincat said. “I’m not really worried about it. When they came to offer us a contract, it was a pretty easy decision for me to get it done now and just focus on the season.”

“We’ve been talking back and forth for a little bit,” general manager Stan Bowman said. “At the end, it came together pretty quickly.”

DeBrincat has one year left with a paltry $778,333 cap hit, the final year of his entry-level contract, and was set to be a restricted free agent next summer, when the extension will now kick in.

The 21-year-old winger ranked in the top 10 in the NHL last season with 41 goals, and tallied 76 points overall. Since surprising falling to the second round of the 2016 draft, he’s steadily and impressively raised his stock, and he was paid appropriately for his impending stardom Thursday.

Plus, considering how universally difficult re-signing this summer’s class of RFAs proved to be around the league — three of the four headliners (Mitch Marner, Mikko Rantanen, Brayden Point) held out into training camp before re-signing — Bowman was understandably eager to avoid a similar issue.

With this extension, the Hawks exchange lengthy term for a lower cap hit, which appears a wise exchange given the other expensive salaries they carry throughout the roster.

A longer-term DeBrincat contract, especially if signed after another excellent 2019-20 season, could have pushed into the $9 million to $10 million cap hit range.

“Certainly, the bridge deal allows the team some more flexibility over the next few years to have some cap management,” Bowman said. “And certainly, the player is going to be rewarded as you go. He’s certainly still well paid in the meantime, and he’s still pretty young when he hits his next deal as well.”

DeBrincat’s extension will expire simultaneously with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith’s existing contracts in 2023, an alignment intentional on Bowman’s part.

Dylan Strome, DeBrincat’s closest off-ice friend, remains on track to become an RFA in 2020, though the Hawks will logically hope to re-up him before then, too.

“That’s the next order of business,” Bowman said. “Whether we do it now or in a month or in six months, I can’t say at this point, but certainly that’s something we’ll take a look at.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155335 Chicago Blackhawks

Philadelphia begins season against Chicago

Staff Report

By Associated Press

Posted

10/4/2019 7:00 AM

BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Flyers take on the Chicago Blackhawks at home for the season opener.

Philadelphia went 37-37-8 overall and 19-18-4 at home in the 2018-19 season. Goalies for the Flyers allowed 3.2 goals on 32.3 shots per game last season.

Chicago went 36-34-12 overall and 17-20-4 on the road during the 2018- 19 season. The Blackhawks scored 267 total goals last season, 48 on power plays and six shorthanded.

The matchup Friday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams.

Flyers Injuries: None listed.

Blackhawks Injuries: None listed.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155336 Chicago Blackhawks talent, though, and they signed one of the best goalies in the league in Sergei Bobrovsky to a seven-year, $70 million contract in July.

Much like he did when he came to the up-and-coming Blackhawks, Quenneville's time in Chicago: 'Nothing but great' Quenneville believes he's come to the Panthers at the perfect time.

"I look back when I was in Chicago -- (that) team was sitting on 'GO,' " Quenneville said. John Dietz "This is a team that's looking like it's ready to go to the next step and the Follow @johndietzdh timing is great to be a part of that. (I) look forward to meeting that challenge." Updated Perhaps the biggest challenge -- emotionally, anyway -- will come when 10/3/2019 12:31 PM Quenneville sits on the visiting bench Jan. 21 when the Panthers visit the United Center. The crowd's reaction after Quenneville is announced figures to go down as one of the more memorable moments in franchise For 10 seasons, Joel Quenneville helped guide the Chicago Blackhawks history. to the most prestigious run in franchise history. Try to get him to bite on how he'll react and it should come as no surprise He will go down in history next to Phil Jackson, Mike Ditka, George Halas that the stoic veteran steers clear. and Joe Maddon as one of the most revered coaches in the city. Mostly. So it's no surprise Quenneville's firing last November sent seismic shock waves through the city. Many figured the man who brought three Stanley "I've got our opening game (Thursday) -- that's the game I'm thinking Cup titles to a franchise that had not seen one since 1961 deserved more about right now," Quenneville said. than 15 games to show what he could do with last year's roster. Still ... Quenneville went quietly into the sunset. He was content to let his body "I'm sure I'm going to be excited about being in Chicago with the way that of work speak for itself, but also wanted to stay out of the way as the it's been over the years there," Quenneville said. Hawks moved on without him. "It's a special place. We were fortunate." Five months later -- when Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon inked him to a five-year contract -- the 61-year-old Quenneville traded snow, slush Don't Hawks fans know it. and ice for sun, warmth and an entirely new scenery.

"It's a different environment down here in Florida -- I'm looking out the window with palm trees blowing," Quenneville said in a phone interview Daily Herald Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 this week as he prepared the up-and-coming Panthers for their season opener. "That's something I haven't seen.

"But it's that time of year where we're playing for keeps, and I can't wait to get started. I think it's going to be a great year and we'll have a lot of fun doing it."

Florida is the fourth team Quenneville's been hired to lead. The third one, of course, was the Hawks.

That marriage began four games into the 2008-09 season and under Quenneville's steady hand, the Hawks gave Chicago a thrill ride eclipsed only by the Bulls' dynasty of the 1990s.

Cracks in the foundation started appearing after Nashville swept Jonathan Toews and Co. out of the 2017 postseason. The 2017-18 campaign was a tumultuous roller coaster in which Quenneville saw Artemi Panarin traded to Columbus, Niklas Hjalmarsson shipped to Arizona and Corey Crawford go down with a concussion.

Some thought Quenneville might be let go, but President and CEO John McDonough told a small group of reporters that he believed in the veteran coach, as well as GM Stan Bowman.

The Hawks charged out of the gates last season by going 6-2-2, but a five-game losing streak followed.

And that's all it took.

Quenneville was fired with less than 20 percent of the schedule completed.

Was this fair? Didn't he deserve more rope?

"You know what, I didn't look at it or assess it like that," Quenneville said. "I know that it was one of those situations where in our business we know that when the time's up ... there's (also) the other side and how they view it. We didn't get in that discussion.

"The memories I had when I left Chicago were so great that I left on that note. … It was a positive experience in every aspect.

"The endings are never exactly how you want it. So we'll move forward knowing that the experience in Chicago was nothing but great."

He's moving forward with a Florida squad that has managed just two playoff appearances this century. The Panthers boast plenty of young 1155337 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks, DeBrincat agree to 3-year contract extension

Staff Report

Updated

10/3/2019 11:27 AM

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks and forward Alex DeBrincat have agreed to a three-year, $19.2 million contract extension through the 2022-23 season.

The 21-year-old DeBrincat tied for sixth in the NHL and second on the team to Patrick Kane last season with 41 goals and he also had 35 assists. The Michigan native became the second-youngest Blackhawks player to score 40 goals.

Chicago finished sixth in the Central at 36-34-12 and missed the playoffs for the second straight season after nine consecutive appearances. The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

They have their sights set on a return to the postseason, with a beefed up defense and coach Jeremy Colliton running his first training camp after taking over for Joel Quenneville in November.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155338 Chicago Blackhawks

DeBrincat agrees to three-year, $19.2 million deal with Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks left wing Alex DeBrincat signed a three-year $19.2 million contract extension, the team announced Thursday.

John Dietz

Follow @johndietzdh

Updated

10/3/2019 2:26 PM

General managers, players and agents around the league had a hard time coming to terms with their restricted free agents this past off-season.

Over a dozen of these high-profile RFAs -- including Winnipeg's Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, Toronto's Mitch Marner and Colorado's Mikko Rantanen -- held out and missed large portions of training camp.

It was entirely possible the Blackhawks were going to deal with this headache next season when it came to Alex DeBrincat.

But GM Stan Bowman avoided this mess in impressive fashion by inking DeBrincat to a three-year, $19.2 million contract Thursday. DeBrincat will still be a restricted free agent when his deal expires after the 2022-23 season, but he'll have arbitration rights at that point.

"From the beginning, it was apparent they wanted to get the deal done," Bowman told reporters in Prague as the Hawks prepare for their season opener against Philadelphia on Friday. "And I think it was a deal that works both for us ... and rewards him for his performance and it sets us up well for where we're headed."

DeBrincat scored 41 goals last season and 28 as a rookie. He has racked up 128 points in 164 games.

"It's nice to get it done," DeBrincat said. "It shows the confidence the team has in me. I didn't want to wait around like all the RFA's."

In a Sept. 21 interview, Bowman called the RFA holdout situation "a new phenomenon."

It was one that saw eight of those 16 restricted free agents sign long- term deals and eight agree to "bridge deals."

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Patrick Kane the first player on the Blackhawks All-Decade Team

By Slavko Bekovic

October 03, 2019 11:02 PM

Throughout the 2019-20 season, NBC Sports Chicago will be unveiling its Blackhawks All-Decade Team. The roster will feature the 14 forwards, 7 defensemen and two goaltenders that made the biggest impact on the franchise from the 2010 through 2019 seasons.

There simply cannot be an All-Decade team without Patrick Kane. And with the Blackhawks opening the regular season against the Philadelphia Flyers, what better way to roll out the roster than with Kane, who secured the Blackhawks first Stanley Cup in 49 years with his series-clinching goal against the Flyers in Game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.

Already among the organization’s all-time greats, Kane ranks third in Blackhawks franchise history in assists, fourth in points and game- winning goals, fifth in total goals and ninth in games played,

The list of accolades is long.

He has won three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, became the first American-born player to win the Trophy, won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s MVP and also taken home a Ted Lindsay Award to boot. Last season, Kane set a new career-high with 110 points and seems to somehow be getting better as he enters his 13th NHL season.

Early in his career, Kane was known for his stickhandling and his signature was the way he chewed on his mouthguard in the middle of the play. Now, Kane has become one of the biggest stars in the NHL and the role model for so many of the young players coming into the league every season.

As he enters the 2019-20 season, Kane looks to become the third Blackhawks player in franchise history with back-to-back 100-point seasons, and will also try to join Denis Savard and Jeremy Roenick as the only players in team history to register three such seasons.

The Blackhawks All-Decade team rightfully opens up with Patrick Kane as the right-winger on the team’s top line.

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Why Alex DeBrincat's contract with Blackhawks is a win-win for both sides

By Charlie Roumeliotis

October 03, 2019 1:45 PM

PRAGUE — The Blackhawks took care of their top priority in the summer of 2020 a year early after locking up pending restricted free agent Alex DeBrincat on a three-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $6.4 million.

And the deal couldn't be better for both sides.

DeBrincat said from the beginning that he wanted to get it done sooner than later and didn’t want to be part of the group that missed training camp because of a contract disagreement.

“I didn't want to be waiting around like a lot of the RFAs this year,” DeBrincat said. “So it's good to have it done, focus on the season, be a good team and win some games."

DeBrincat probably could’ve gotten a higher cap hit had he let the season play out and turn in another 40-goal campaign, but Year 3 of his contract will net him $9 million, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, meaning his qualifying offer will have to start there. It also gives DeBrincat a chance to max out on a longer-term contract with an even higher dollar amount once the NHL agrees to a new U.S. television rights deal, which should significantly increase the salary cap.

The interesting part about DeBrincat’s contract is that he will become a RFA at the same time Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are also due new contracts. But GM Stan Bowman is fully aware and isn't losing sleep over that just yet.

“I don’t know by design but we certainly knew that,” Bowman said. “We didn’t just find that out now. We’ll have more information, that’s four years down the road. We still have this year and three more. I think a lot of things will change between now and then. Certainly with the salary cap itself and with our team and our players and where they’re at.

"I just find that we don’t have to make those decisions as to what our team’s going to look like four years down the road. It’s interesting to think about or for you guys to write about, probably. But we don’t have enough information right now so we’ll figure that out when we get to it.”

For the Blackhawks, they have to be happy about DeBrincat’s AAV coming in under $7 million after seeing how the market for wingers played out this summer. It gives the organization financial wiggle room in the short term to continue building around the core group rather than subtracting pieces to make it work, further indicating that the time to win is now.

"I think each situation is a little different,” Bowman said. “In this case, it was beneficial for him and for us. Certainly, the bridge deal allows the team some more flexibility over the next few years. To have some cap management and certainly the player is going to be rewarded as you go. He’s certainly still well-paid in the meantime and he’s still pretty young when he hits his next deal as well.

"There’s a give and take there, but helping the team have some flexibility while also rewarding the player, when deals come together is when both sides feel it works for them. That’s how we got to this point."

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Blackhawks sign Alex DeBrincat to three-year extension

By Charlie Roumeliotis

October 03, 2019 8:00 AM

PRAGUE — The Blackhawks got out in front of a major housekeeping item on Thursday, announcing that they have agreed to terms with Alex DeBrincat on a three-year contract extension that carries an average annual value of $6.4 million. The deal runs through the 2022-23 campaign.

It's great news for the player and team after we saw a plethora of restricted free agents take their holdouts late into the summer and some into training camp. And it comes at a number that's fair for both parties with DeBrincat set to become an RFA next summer.

"Yeah it's nice," DeBrincat said on Thursday. "I think to get this done early, it shows they have confidence in me. I didn't want to wait. I didn't want to be waiting around like a lot of the RFAs this year so it's good to have it done, focus on the season, be a good team and win some games."

GM Stan Bowman is equally satisfied about getting the deal done early because it gives him a better idea of the financial outlook a year in advance.

"Great news for everyone," Bowman said. "Congrats to Alex, first off. He deserves it. What a great first two seasons he’s had. I think he’s just scratching the surface. To score 40 goals in his second year and I think he’s got a lot of great years ahead of him. ... From the beginning, it was apparent they wanted to get the deal done and I think it was a deal that works both for us and for him and rewards him for his performance and it sets us up well for where we’re headed."

Drafted in the second round (No. 39 overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft, DeBrincat followed up his 28-goal rookie season with 41 in his sophomore campaign in 2018-19. He will become the third-highest paid forward on the Blackhawks next season.

But most importantly for him, DeBrincat signing his new deal one day before 2019 Opening Night eliminates a potential in-season distraction even though he didn't believe it would be one.

"I think from the start I always wanted to get it done early," DeBrincat said. "I'm not really worried about it. When they came to offer us a contract it was a pretty easy decision for me to get it done now and just focus on the season."

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Blackhawks' Alex DeBrincat gets 3-year, $19.2M deal

Staff Report

9:32 AM ET

Alex DeBrincat has been known as a smaller player with a big game. Now he has a paycheck to match that game.

The Chicago Blackhawks announced Thursday that they have signed the 21-year-old to a three-year extension with an annual average value of $6.4 million. DeBrincat is in the final year of his entry-level contract with an AAV of $894,166.

DeBrincat is coming off a season in which he scored 41 goals and added 35 assists. He became the first Blackhawks player to score 40 or more goals at age 21 or younger since Jeremy Roenick in 1990-91.

The Cat is BACK!

During his rookie season in 2017-18, DeBrincat led the Blackhawks in goals with 28.

Despite gaudy offensive numbers in the minors -- during which he skated on the same line with Connor McDavid for a time -- DeBrincat slipped to the second round of the NHL draft because of his 5-foot-7 stature. That size hasn't stopped the Farmington, Michigan, native from becoming one of the top snipers in the NHL.

The Blackhawks open the 2019-20 season Friday in Prague, Czech Republic, against the Flyers.

ESPNChicago.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155343 Chicago Blackhawks DeBrincat and Teuvo Teravainen each finished last season with 76 points. Teravainen signed a five-year deal in January, worth $5.4 million. DeBrincat got a million more over two fewer years. Why? DeBrincat scored 41 goals last season. Teravainen had 21. In other words, not all 5 takeaways from Alex DeBrincat’s Blackhawks contract extension points are created equal.

Playmakers are great, but goal-scorers always come at a premium.

By Mark Lazerus “Well, you can make that argument,” Bowman said. “I think that’s a good point. It’s hard to score in today’s game. You look around the league, Oct 3, 2019 there’s a handful of 40-goal scorers every year. It’s not like 30 guys get 40 goals. It’s even harder to get 50, but certainly that 40 benchmark seems to be quite a high mark. Looking at Alex’s first couple of years, he PRAGUE — For the record, Alex DeBrincat’s three-year contract scored 69 goals in those two years — that’s a great start to your career. I extension is worth a little more than 449 million Czech korunas, which will think most players tend to keep getting better. He’s still young and I think buy him as many trdelniks and goulashes as his heart desires. In U.S. there’s more to his game, so the value of a goal scorer can’t be dollars, it’s still an impressive number — $19.2 million, or an annual cap overstated. It’s a hard league to score in. We’ve seen scoring have a little hit of $6.4 million. uptick the last couple years, slightly. But the number of guys that can score at that high level is still a handful of guys. When you have Not bad for a kid who was passed on by every other team in the league someone like Alex who can do it, it’s a premium.” at the 2016 draft, largely because he wasn’t large enough. Now he’ll be truly living large. Our Dom Luszczyszyn puts DeBrincat “on the cusp” of being elite, worth about three wins. Here are the five key takeaways from the DeBrincat deal. 4. The Summer of ’23 1. Bridge deals are back Let’s gaze into the crystal ball (or, again, CapFriendly) and look ahead to Bridge deals — shorter-term contracts that walk a player up to (or close the summer of 2023. Toews’ and Kane’s contracts come off the books. to) unrestricted free agency — used to be the way of the hockey world. So does Duncan Keith’s. And now, so does DeBrincat’s. Even the much- Sidney Crosby’s second contract was a five-year deal worth $8.7 million. lamented Brent Seabrook deal will have just one year left on it, and could Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane signed matching five-year, $6.3- be easily bought out. The Blackhawks will have maximum roster flexibility million bridge deals in December 2009 that led to them cashing in entering that offseason, setting up the intriguing (though admittedly starting in 2015-16. Nikita Kucherov signed a three-year bridge deal at unlikely) possibility of an NBA-like clearing of the decks. $4.76 million before taking the big eight-year deal at $9.5 million. Just for fun, here are some players who are slated to become But soon, “security” came into vogue. Nathan MacKinnon signed a unrestricted free agents in 2023: MacKinnon, David Pastrnak, Dylan seven-year deal worth $6.3 million after his entry-level contract. He’d get Larkin, Vladimir Tarasenko, Matt Dumba, Shayne Gostisbehere and north of $13 million on the open market right now, but he’s locked in at Alexander Wennberg. Perhaps none of them will be available; this is the that bargain-basement rate until 2022-23. Four days into his second NHL NHL, after all, where few star players ever make it to unrestricted free offseason, Connor McDavid signed an eight-year deal at $12.5 million a agency. But it’s fun to think about. year. Imagine what he’d get on the open market. Arizona even signed Clayton Keller to an eight-year deal at a $7.15-million cap hit after a 14- “I don’t know (if it was) by design, but we certainly knew that,” Bowman goal season. But Auston Matthews took a five-year deal in Toronto, said when asked about the key contracts lining up. “I think a lot of things hoping to cash in at a much higher rate down the road, when the cap is will change between now and then — certainly with the salary cap itself, inevitably higher. Patrik Laine just took a two-year bridge deal in and with our team and our players and where they’re at. We don’t have Winnipeg, as both sides mull the value of the long-term relationship. to make those decisions, as to what our team’s going to look like four years down the road. It’s interesting to think about, or for you guys to Enter DeBrincat, who could have commanded an eight-year deal in the write about it, probably. But we don’t have enough information right now $8-9 million range. Instead, he took three years at $6.4 million. That so we’ll figure that out when we get to it.” allows the Blackhawks the cap flexibility they covet, and it allows DeBrincat to back up the DeBrinks truck in four years, when the cap will 5. Strome and the new core be higher and he’ll be entering his prime earning years. Essentially, he’s betting on himself, that he’ll earn more money in the long run this way. This whole “core” thing worked out pretty well the first time, with seven It’s the way free agents do it in the NBA, and they sure seem to be doing Blackhawks becoming three-time Stanley Cup champions, and “The OK financially. Sweet Four” — to borrow a line from Scott Powers’ excellent Radek Smolenak story — of Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook are still trying to “Each situation is a little different,” Blackhawks general manager Stan infuse the team with that championship mentality. But at some point, the Bowman said on Thursday. “In this case, it was beneficial for him and for next generation will be taking over. DeBrincat is the star of the new group us. Certainly, the bridge deal allows the team some flexibility over the — the Kane, if you will. Who will join him? Well, Strome is due a new next few years, to have some cap management. And certainly, the player deal, too, though Bowman said “we have time” on that front. He figures to is going to be rewarded as you go. He’s certainly still well-paid in the be DeBrincat’s wingman (well, DeBrincat’s technically the wing) for years meantime, and he’s still (going to be) pretty young when he hits his next to come. Who else will be part of that new core? Ideally, Kirby Dach and deal.” Adam Boqvist, certainly. Maybe Dominik Kubalik? Alex Nylander? Connor Murphy? Aleksi Saarela? Dylan Sikura? 2. Stan’s on a roll It remains to be seen. But Bowman’s clearly trying to identify them. And Eleven months ago, the Blackhawks roster was an absolute mess and he started with DeBrincat. Joel Quenneville took the fall for it. But Bowman deserves a lot of credit for wriggling out of some bad deals and reshaping the roster with some “That’s been one of the hallmarks of our team the last 10 years,” he said. savvy moves. He turned Brandon Manning into Drake Caggiula (a move “We’ve had a group of guys that have stayed together and done the that is still baffling from Edmonton’s perspective). He turned Jan Rutta heavy lifting year after year. It’s a team sport and it takes a lot of different into Slater Koekkoek. He took a chance on Dylan Strome and turned a pieces to have success. You can’t have a core of 10 or 12 guys, it’s not bust into a burgeoning star. He landed the steady top-four defensemen possible. But the way Alex has broken into the league I think nobody he desperately needed (Calvin de Haan) for two minor-leaguers (Anton doubts him any more. … Alex is going to continue to expand his game Forsberg and Gustav Forsling). He signed Collin Delia and Brendan and become an even bigger part of our team. So knowing we have him Perlini — two high-upside players — to dirt-cheap contracts in restricted this year and three more, we certainly feel good about where that’s going free agency. And now he’s locked up one of the best pure goal scorers in to lead our team.” the league for the 83rd-highest cap hit in the league in 2020-21.

Credit where it’s due. The Blackhawks are significantly better — both on the ice and on CapFriendly — than they were a year ago. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019

3. Goals come at a premium 1155344 Chicago Blackhawks Scout 3: Gustafsson still can’t play defense. Calvin de Haan

Scout 1: I like him. I really like what he brings to their game. You just What NHL scouts are saying about the 2019-20 Blackhawks don’t have a lot of speed back there.

Scout 2: I think de Haan’s OK. I have no problem with him. I like de By Scott Powers Haan. I think he’s solid. He’ll definitely help the PK. But again, the PK isn’t just one guy. It’s a function of the system. It’s a function of the Oct 3, 2019 goaltender. It’s a function of the group itself. But I thought de Haan was a good trade.

Scout 3: I just think he’s a solid defenseman. I don’t think he’s great. Playoffs or bust? David Kampf will begin the season centering the third line. (Jean-Yves That’s never been more the case than entering this season. The Ahern / USA Today) Blackhawks have gone two consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance, their longest drought since Jonathan Toews and Patrick David Kampf Kane arrived on the scene more than a decade ago. Scout 1: I really like Kampf. I think there’s more offense there. Even if So, did the Blackhawks do enough to become a playoff team again? That there isn’t, I think you can do worse with a fourth-line center. He’s really is the question many have pondered since general manager Stan uncanny winning pucks. He does the small things, wins you the puck off Bowman completed his active offseason. There’s little doubt Bowman the wall, makes the right decisions. improved the Blackhawks, at least on paper. But are they playoff better? Scout 2: He’s a role player on the bottom end. He’s smart. It was among the questions recently asked to three NHL team scouts in this year’s Blackhawks survey. Just as last season, none of the scouts Patrick Kane are affiliated with the Blackhawks and they were all granted anonymity. Scout 1: He’s still a great player. So, about that question… Scout 2: He had a mammoth year last year. He carried that team on his Scout 1: You know what? It’s hard to say anyone is definitely a playoff back for the most of the season. Can he do it again? He’s that type of team. I think you can say the top six teams in the league are playoffs player, but it’s hard to be the go-to guy all the time. That’s hard. This teams. After that, I don’t know. Will they be in the hunt? Absolutely. league is hard.

I like their moves this offseason, but they seemed to bring in a lot of the Duncan Keith same defensemen. (Olli) Maatta doesn’t have the skates or speed. Scout 1: He’s still a good defenseman. He’s still got it. I’ve always liked (Connor) Murphy doesn’t have the skates or speed. (Brent) Seabrook Duncan Keith. It might be one of those things I won’t be able to tell if he’s doesn’t have the skates or speed. I like (Calvin) de Haan, but he’s not the dropping off because you just think highly of some guys. greatest skater either. I would have thought they would bring in a different sort of defenseman as well. I thought they’d bring in some speed Dominik Kubalik and a puck mover. Scout 3: I like him, but he looks a little skinny, too long. We’ll see. There’s Scout 2: I still think their backend is questionable. I don’t think they did an adjustment having not played in the NHL. But the way the Blackhawks enough on their backend. got him, he’s a freebie. He could work, he may not.

Scout 3: I would have loved to see an upgrade on the backend. Shit, it Robin Lehner probably wasn’t there. I really think they improved their roster, but there’s definitely concerns on the backend. Scout 1: I really liked the Lehner signing. I think he’s going to give Crawford some security. It’s still Crawford’s job to lose, though. The scouts were also asked about individual players, Jeremy Colliton and more. Scout 2: Last year he played behind an impressive defensive system. He won’t get that this year. Drake Caggiula Scout 3: I think it was one of the best signings of the offseason getting Scout 1: I really like Caggiula. He’s going to go and get pucks. He frees him at $5 million. They have one of the best goalie tandems in the things up. If he’s going to play on the top line, (Alex) Nylander has to be league. (Bowman) hedged himself on the injury possibility with Crawford. able to go get the pucks Caggiula frees. It can’t just be Toews all the time. Olli Maata was among the Blackhawks’ many additions this offseason. (David Banks / USA Today) Ryan Carpenter Olli Maatta Scout 1: I’ve never been a fan of Carpenter. The Hawks seem to be. He could be a depth player. Scout 2: I’m not a Maatta fan. He wasn’t in the playoffs. He didn’t play. Enough said. His feet aren’t very good. Scout 3: I’ve liked Carpenter. I think he can help them. Scout 3: I’ve been a fan of him since he came into the league. Lately, I’ve Corey Crawford been OK on him.

Scout 2: His health concern is a big issue. He’s got to stay healthy. Yeah, Connor Murphy he’s in the last year of his deal, but he won’t be back. Scout 1: Love the big body, excellent reach with the long stick. Most Alex DeBrincat nights he has good puck management and brings some physicality to the backend. I thought his game really improved after the coaching change Scout 2: If he does anything near what he did last year, look out. He’s last year. going to cost them big time. Scout 3: I just don’t think I have a lot to say about him. He’s a bottom- Scout 3: He could easily score 40 goals again. Can he score 50? I’d be pairing guy. surprised. It’s hard to score 40 or 50 goals consistently every season. There’s Alex Ovechkin, but he’s an anomaly. Alex Nylander

Erik Gustafsson Scout 1: I’m confused on Nylander. He makes plays that bring you out of your seat. His skill level is that good. But I just don’t see him engaged Scout 1: I wanted to trade for him at one point. I’m sold on him as far as enough. He doesn’t seem to want to battle for the puck, win the puck. he’s going to give you offense. You just have to know he’s going to give up some chances on the other end as well. There’s a lot of guys like of that. Scout 2: He’s a skilled player, but he’s not willing to pay a price inside the to someone with the Blackhawks about their trades and signings, and the dots or battling for loose pucks. He can get too puck focused and get person said they weren’t over the moon about the moves, but they liked lackadaisical in the defensive zone. having veteran guys who could manage the game and had NHL experience. Scout 3: I was a little weary of the Nylander-(Henri) Jokiharju move. I wasn’t a fan of Jokiharju, but I thought Nylander was a dog in the past. But thinking back on it, I might have been a dog playing in Buffalo too. The first couple of preseason games he’s looked unbelievable. It could The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 be a jolt for him playing in Chicago.

Brandon Saad

Scout 1: I struggle with Saad. He has all the skill and is a tremendous skater. He should be playing with Toews. He should be a star player. At some point, you have to prove that. I don’t think he does that all the time. At some point, it’s on the player to show that.

Brent Seabrook

Scout 3: I think Seabrook isn’t as bad as everyone says. He’s not great, but he’s not terrible. He’s not a $7 million guy. He might not have ever been a $7 million guy.

Andrew Shaw

Scout 1: I like Shaw. If he still wants it, he’s going to help them. As the season goes on and they find they’re in a playoff spot, he’s going to contribute.

Scout 2: I don’t like Shaw. You’ve brought the band back together before. You brought back Sharpie (Patrick Sharp), it didn’t work. You brought back Saad, it hasn’t worked. You brought back (Andrew) Ladd when you tried to go on that last Cup run, it didn’t work.

Scout 3: I like that trade. I think he had a career year. They have a lot of skill. They have Kane, (Dylan) Strome, etc. They need a bit more grit, getting to the net, create offense in better ways. He’s not a huge cap hit either.

Dylan Strome

Scout 1: What a find for Chicago. Nylander could be the same kind of find. The Blackhawks’ pro staff and player personnel have done a great job of identifying those players. With the right guys around him, you don’t notice Strome’s skating issues.

Scout 2: I think the jury is still out on him. I’m not denying he had a real good season. He did better than I anticipated. But now people know. Can you rekindle that again?

Zach Smith

Scout 2: I like Zach Smith, but his footspeed, that’s the biggest thing on him. He’s got heavy boots. You wanted to get faster, which you said you did, but then you got slower.

Scout 3: Smith fills that void Marcus Kruger left. He’s going to take some faceoffs off of Toews. I really think that adds to the team.

Jonathan Toews

Scout 2: I think he’s still highly respected and highly touted. He’s certainly serviceable. He certainly brings value. Does he bring it to that contract? I don’t think someone’s going to go out and get him today.

Jeremy Colliton

Scout 3: He’s done a good job. He’s smart, intelligent and respectable. Coaching in the NHL nowadays, you can put the players in only so many places in the game. It’s about managing personalities. That’s the biggest thing about being an NHL coach.

Miscellaneous

Scout 1: If you get good goaltending, you’re a playoff team. If you don’t, you usually aren’t. It’s usually that simple.

Scout 2: They think they’re going to run and gun and do that kind of stuff. Well, we’ll see. DeBrincat is going to score. Kane will score. Toews will get some things. But there are questions.

Scout 3: They’re still in the window to win. They’re in the back end of it. They need to give winning every chance they can without sacrificing the future. I don’t think they scarified the future this offseason.

Scout 3: Their defense is full of NHL guys. They’ve been around the league. They know how to play. They can manage a game. I was talking 1155345 Colorado Avalanche when every line is rolling over the bench and every line creates momentum. It’s going to be huge all year.”

The Avs will practice at noon Friday and continue a four-game Avalanche keeps rolling against Flames, wins season opener on home homestand Saturday night against the Minnesota Wild, which lost 5-2 ice Thursday at Nashville.

By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post Denver Post: LOADED: 10.04.2019

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 10:24 pm | UPDATED: October 4, 2019 at 12:27 am

In Game 1 of the 82-game regular season started Thursday, the Avalanche looked as if it could win them all. That won’t happen, of course, but the Avs began the season the way they and many others expected.

Considered one of the NHL’s top five teams, according to Las Vegas and others, Colorado looked sharp in all areas in defeating the Calgary Flames — the defending Western Conference regular-season champions — 5-3 before a sellout crowd of 18,016 at the Pepsi Center.

It was Colorado’s fifth-straight victory over Calgary dating back to last season. In the playoffs last spring, the No. 8-seeded Avs won the last four games of a first-round series to eliminate the Flames in five games.

Mikko Rantanen and newcomer Joonas Donskoi each had two goals for the Avs and J.T. Compher also scored. Goalie Philipp Grubauer was tremendous in the third period, stopping 14-of-14 shots to complete his 27-save performance.

“As the game went on, the second period, you got more into the game,” Grubauer said. “Although we played a couple preseason games it’s still a little nerve-wracking, with the (opening-night) ceremony and delay before the game. But it worked out. We played really good.”

Donskoi added an empty-net goal late in the third period to make Colorado 4-0 in openers under coach Jared Bednar.

“There’s a lot to like out of the game for me, and then there’s some things I wasn’t real happy with,” Bednar said. “Great start. Energized building. Guys were fired up and ready to go. We were on pucks on our forecheck and making plays, doing a real good job of getting in and out of our zone. … We knew the push was going to come (and) I didn’t think we handled it great in the second period. I don’t think our details were that good, especially on our half of the ice.”

Colorado led 4-3 entering the third period, scoring twice in each of the first two periods. The Avs held leads of 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 and 4-2 before the Flames struck 16 seconds after Colorado finally built a two-goal advantage.

On the first shift after Rantanen scored a power-play goal at 16:51 of the second period for a 4-2 lead, Flames defenseman Mark Giordano beat Grubauer with a near-side wrist shot from the left circle. So the Avs never built momentum on Rantanen’s second goal — a big one-timer from the

Are the Avalanche legit Stanley Cup contenders? Here’s what the national media has to say.

The Avs generally dominated the first period, outshooting the visitors 14- 3. But the Flames scored on their first shot, when Sean Monahan threw the puck on net. The shot caromed off Donskoi and behind Grubauer for the score.

Donskoi scored Colorado’s first goal when he slightly redirected Sam Girard‘s slap shot from the point. Girard was originally credited with the goal but slow-motion replay proved Donskoi touched the puck.

Rantanen scored his first goal at 16:08 of the second period for a 2-1 lead. Linemate Gabe Landeksog set it up, first tapping a Flames clearing puck out of mid-air in the neutral zone for a turnover and then feeding Rantanen after driving into the offensive zone. Rantanen used a back- hander to beat goalie David Rittich.

Compher got his goal 12:22 into the second period to break a 2-2 tie.

“I thought our first period was our best period tonight. We played really well,” Landeskog said. “Last 10 minutes of the third I thought we started going again. But we were working hard, rolling four lines, all night. But the first period, that’s the way we want to play. You could feel the depth, 1155346 Colorado Avalanche

“It stinks”: Avalanche fans irked as Altitude Sports TV dispute continues for season opener

By KYLE FREDRICKSON | [email protected] | The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 8:18 pm | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 at 8:21 PM

Sam Stanley planted his lawn chair in the grass outside the Pepsi Center Thursday an hour before the Avalanche season opener out of both excitement and necessity.

Because in a proud hockey city with championship history, and a 2019 team with legitimate title aspirations, a 17×10-foot projector screen posted outside the arena’s grand atrium was among the only certain places in Denver a hockey fan could watch the game.

Stanley, a 28-year-old Denver resident, called it “unfair” that subscribers to Comcast, DirecTV and Dish faced a continued Avalanche blackout Thursday night as the Altitude Sports TV dispute continues without resolution; a feeling shared among hundreds of frustrated folks who watched the game outside the Pepsi Center.

“It seems like a greed thing,” Stanley said. “We can’t even watch it on NHL TV because it’s blacked out for every home game. The only games we can watch are away.”

Chris Clark, 28, and Amber Sullivan, 26, also arrived extra early Thursday night with lawn chairs in hand to watch the Altitude Sports broadcast at the team’s outdoor viewing party.

“They blocked out the TV I pay for,” Clark said. “It stinks.”

Added Sullivan: “They need to come to a decision. This is a fan base that is loud and proud and our team deserves to be seen.”

Mark Katt, a 52-year-old Colorado native, watched the Altitude Sports pregame report before heading inside the Pepsi Center as an Avalanche season ticket holder since 2007. He splits the seats with close friends. Katt witnessed Colorado’s rise from the Western Conference basement dwellers to contenders firsthand and is now frustrated he might not get to see the finished product in full.

“I think it’s asinine,” Katt said. “Does Comcast really need that much more money from Altitude to make this happen for all the fans? I think (Stan) Kroenke needs to find somebody else to carry the games. Maybe a local station. … Figure it out and meet in the middle somewhere.”

The Avalanche’s average home game attendance rose from 15,586 to 17,132 over the past year — an increase of 1,546 — as the team expects continued team success to draw even bigger crowds this season, said Becca Villanueva, director of marketing communications for Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. And, no television distribution agreement would certainly boost attendance totals.

Villanueva added the KSE will “play it by ear” regarding future outdoor viewing parties for Avalanche and Nuggets games should Altitude Sports TV negotiations continue into the regular season. But that provides little solace to fans like Stanley who watched Game 1 under a beautiful Colorado night sky. He’d prefer to eventually get back to his couch.

“I think the Avalanche going to be great,” Stanley said. “Definitely a playoff team and maybe even the Stanley Cup Finals.”

Denver Post: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155347 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche morning-skate report: Conor Timmins to make NHL debut after long illness

By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 12:22 pm | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 at 6:19 PM

At the start of training camp, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar didn’t expect 21-year-old defenseman Conor Timmins to play in the NHL until Christmas, at least.

Given that Timmins hadn’t played a game for approximately 16 months because of concussion-like symptoms, the coach strongly felt he would play half the season with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League before becoming a potential call-up.

Bednar, along with general manager Joe Sakic and his staff, was wrong. Timmins made his NHL debut Thursday in Colorado’s season opener against the visiting Calgary Flames.

“I try to go into camp and evaluate guys based on what we see,” Bednar said after the Avs’ morning skate at the Pepsi Center. “Joe has his thoughts with his staff and then we get together and it was a unanimous decision (Timmins) had made our hockey team and that he was real good through exhibition. He’s a real intelligent player. He’s smart with the puck. His first pass is going to the open man. He has the ability to find the middle of the ice, which sets you up for controlled exits.

“We just really liked what we’ve seen from him and I think he’s getting better and better, so he beats out a couple guys on the back end.”

Timmins, who will play with Ryan Graves, 24, on the Avs’ third pairing, beat out veterans Calle Rosen and Kevin Connauton — both offseason additions who were reassigned to the Eagles. Graves, at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, is one of Colorado’s biggest players and seems to be a good fit with Timmins, who is 6-2 and 187 pounds.

“We’re able to help each other out. I think our playing styles complement each other,” Graves said. “I’m kind of defense-first, a little two-way, and he’s offense-first and two-way, so we kind of jell together. We have a good D-corps and hopefully ‘Timmy’ and I can balance it out.”

Timmins spent time with Graves last season with the Eagles, when he was trying to practice when not feeling lousy.

“Obviously, the last year has been tough but this has been my goal since camp started,” Timmins said of making the team. “I didn’t really want to focus on last year. I wanted to focus on improving and getting better every day. I’m happy to be here and ready to go.”

Footnotes. The Avs’ healthy scratches Thursday were forwards Colin Wilson and Vladislav Kamenev and defenseman Mark Barberio. Wilson, who signed a one-year, $2.6 million extension with the Avs on July 1, is coming off offseason shoulder surgery and saw limited preseason action. … Avs goalie Philipp Grubauer made his first career opening-night start. Grubauer, 27, played his first five seasons with the Washington Capitals and was Semyon Varlamov’s backup to begin last season with the Avs. … Colorado entered Thursday 3-0 under Bednar in season openers.

Denver Post: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155348 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche Insider: Everything you need to know about the 2019-20 Colorado Avalanche

By JEFF BAILEY | [email protected] | The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 6:00 am | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 at 7:33 am

Colorado Avalanche hockey is back in the Mile High City.

There have been some offseason changes with the Avs as the team looks to get back to the Stanley Cup playoffs for a third consecutive season.

The Avs will open the 2019-20 season tonight against the Calgary Flames at Pepsi Center. If you missed any of our NHL stories leading up to opening night, we have you covered.

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) in the second period of a preseason hockey game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Denver.

Avalanche goaltending could be potential weakness or shared strength. “We have to keep ourselves accountable.”

The Central Division’s shortest tandem enters season ready to prove themselves worthy puck stoppers for Stanley Cup contenders. Read more…

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar directs traffic during development camp at the Family Sports Center June 26, 2019.

By The Numbers

$55.5 million

Mikko Rantanen signs six-year, $55.5 million contract ($9.25 million average)

Rantanen, 22, will have a $9.25 million annual salary cap hit and be paid $12 million this coming season and in 2020-21. Read more…

Parting Shot

Peter Forsberg

Mike Chambers, The Denver Post

Peter Forsberg speaks with reporters on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019.

Peter Forsberg: “The Avs, next 10 years, it looks great”

“I’m not watching the whole 82 (regular-season) games (but) right now it’s actually looking really good. I can’t say anything else,” Forsberg said of the Avs. “Fantastic first line. You’ve got some Ds who can move the puck and some physical guys back there too. It took a long time, maybe, to turn this train around but I think it’s looking really, really good.” Read more…

Denver Post: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155349 Colorado Avalanche Arapahoe Basin turned on its snow guns on the morning of Oct. 2 2019 at the High Noon intermediate run for its first official snowmaking day of the 2019-20 season.

Are the Avalanche legit Stanley Cup contenders? Here’s what the Arapahoe Basin, Keystone start making snow, with a rival not far behind. national media has to say. Which will open first?

Keystone wants back in the race to be first Colorado ski area to open. Read more… By JOE NGUYEN | [email protected] | The Denver Post

October 3, 2019 at 6:00 am Denver Post: LOADED: 10.04.2019

The Colorado Avalanche enters the 2019-20 season with high hopes and even higher expectations. After upsetting Calgary in the first round of the playoffs and pushing San Jose to Game 7 in the second round, the hype is big for the Avs to contend for the third Stanley Cup in franchise history. Oddsmaker Bovada has Colorado at 12-to-1 odds to win it all, fifth best behind Tampa Bay (7/1), Toronto (17/2), Vegas (10/1) and Boston (11/1).

So, should the hype be believed? Here’s a look at what the national (and international) media are saying:

TSN’s Frank Seravalli didn’t mince words in his bold predictions: The Colorado Avalanche will hoist the Stanley Cup for the third time in franchise history. One year after falling in Game 7 of Round 2, the Avs are more experienced, stronger down the middle (Nazem Kadri), ready to take flight on defense (Cale Makar), and have other young players (Tyson Jost) better positioned to succeed with more depth.”

ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski places Colorado in “The Next Wave” contender tier, saying: “The hype train has left the station thanks to a tremendous offseason for GM Joe Sakic, but we’re weary of crowning a conference king before we’re sure they’re going to be in the throne room. In other words, Colorado might have as much potential to win the Central as it does to be right back on the playoff bubble. But the Avs are very much a threat to win a Cup in the next three to four seasons.”

USA Today doesn’t have the Avs advancing far into the playoffs, and just two of the four writers surveyed have Colorado winning the Central Division. That said, there is one big individual accolade predicted: “Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon received two votes to win the Hart Trophy as MVP.”

CBS Sports’ Pete Blackburn also has MacKinnon winning the Hart Trophy: “With the Avalanche as real contenders in the West, I look for MacKinnon to find that extra gear, breaking the century mark for the first time in his career and be named league MVP.” He also adds that “Cale Makar is the league’s best rookie but doesn’t win the Calder.”

Deadspin’s Lauren Theisen has the Avs roughly ranked No. 14 on her list: “There may not be a lot underneath a shiny surface, but the highlights from the guys who top 20 minutes a night make Colorado a team worth getting invested in. If Philipp Grubauer can handle being the full-time starter at goalie and put up anything like his career save percentage of .921 as a part-timer, the Avalanche are in great shape.”

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio looks on during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Denver.

Vic Fangio’s leadership critical as Broncos face franchise infamy: First- year coach tells players to “stay with the culture we’re trying to build”

Emmanuel Sanders suggested Denver’s turnaround will go as far as Fangio’s guiding hand takes it. Read more…

Avalanche goaltending could be potential weakness or shared strength. “We have to keep ourselves accountable.”

The Central Division’s shortest tandem enters season ready to prove themselves worthy puck stoppers for Stanley Cup contenders. Read more…

By The Numbers

8 Colorado prep football games to watch in Week 6

A rundown of the top high school football games coming up in Week 6 across the state. Read more…

Parting Shot 1155350 Colorado Avalanche catapulted himself into being one of the best players in the league. Getting Mikko Rantanen under a new contract is huge. Hearing Jared Bednar talking about the team and how excited he is to get to it. They have Cale Makar coming in. There are so many bright spots.” How soon is now for the Colorado Avalanche? And feel free to count NBC Sports analyst Patrick Sharp among those who believe the Avalanche could be in for a successful year.

By Ryan S. Clark “I think any time you play meaningful games down the stretch and, even more so in the playoffs, it’s going to help your team going forward,” Sharp Oct 3, 2019 said. “Not only did they play meaningful hockey but very impressive hockey. Knocking off Calgary in the first round caught everybody’s attention. It wasn’t just that they won the series. It was the speed and skill Practically everyone has some sort of evidence to offer in the court of at which they played in overtime and in close games. … But I like public opinion when it comes to the Colorado Avalanche and what they everything about the Colorado Avalanche and I will be excited to watch could achieve this season. them play throughout the year.”

Network television executives, like the ones at NBC, think highly enough That said, all three analysts believe there are a few areas the Avalanche of the Avalanche to air 12 of their regular-season games between NBC will need to address this season. or NBCSN for the most national exposure the team has received in ages. Experts are suggesting superstar center Nathan MacKinnon is a serious Ferraro, DeBrusk and Sharp all listed goaltending as a concern, with Hart Trophy favorite. Same for rookie defenseman Cale Makar with the each analyst providing different explanations and insight into their and fourth-year coach Jared Bednar capturing reasoning. the Jack Adams Award. Let’s start with DeBrusk. He pointed out how Grubauer played well late in Even Las Vegas bookmakers have something to say. They have made the regular season but must now show for the first time in his NHL career Colorado a 3-to-1 favorite to win what is expected to be a punishing that he can become a consistently reliable No. 1 goaltender. Central Division all while giving them the second-highest odds at 6-to-1 “Is he ready for it? That is what is going to be found out,” DeBrusk said. to win the Western Conference. So it should come as no surprise that “There is no doubt he feels comfortable about the team in front of him. bookmakers view this team as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. The But for me, that is the only question about this team. They are going from Avs are carrying 14-to-1 odds, tied for fifth behind the Tampa Bay a goalie that’s never been a starter and he is turning him into a true Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights while sharing the starter. Can he handle that? If he can’t, who can step in and fill that void? position with the Boston Bruins. (Pavel) Francouz is there but again, that is an untested commodity and One thing is clear: The Avalanche are indeed an “it” team. But is “it” too the only question mark I have with this team is goaltending.” much, too fast? Sharp said he feels Grubauer solidified himself with what he achieved “I think obviously it has risen expectations and that’s something you want late in the regular season when he finished 9-2-2 with a 1.44 goals- as a team and as a player,” veteran center Nazem Kadri said. “Never against average and a .954 save percentage. Grubauer carried his really think it’s too soon. You can’t simulate postseason experience and consistent play into the postseason with a 7-5 record, a 2.30 GAA and a last year was a good taste for a lot of these guys and now they know .925 save percentage. what it takes. We’re going to be ready.” In fact, Grubauer’s seven wins in one postseason already give him the Kadri referencing last season’s Stanley Cup playoff appearance is the third-most playoff victories by a goaltender in club history. foundational point for many assessing the Avalanche. They seriously The primary concern for Sharp is how Francouz, an unknown at the NHL struggled throughout December, January and most of February before level, will perform within a Central Division in which nearly every team transforming into a team that could use assets like creativity, skill and has a trusted starter and backup. speed to win games. It showed when they upset the top-seeded Calgary Flames in the quarterfinal round and when the Avs pushed the San Jose “You look at some other teams in the Central Division and it seems like Sharks to seven games in the semifinal. they’re going with two strong goaltenders,” Sharp said. “In Dallas, you’ve got (Ben) Bishop and (Anton) Khudobin. The Nashville Predators for lot That’s what led the hockey world-at-large to fully recognize MacKinnon of years have had Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros. That helps during the as one of the game’s elite players while coming to a few more potential regular season to get strong efforts from your backups. I want to see how conclusions about the Avalanche. Captain and left winger Gabriel he handles the load in that backup position.” Landeskog showed he can be a 30-goal scorer while star right winger Mikko Rantanen appeared on the verge of possibly joining MacKinnon as Ferraro echoed a similar concern in regard to Francouz. a future superstar. “I’ve seen him in Europe quite frequently and I think he’s pretty good. But Veterans Matt Calvert, Ian Cole, Philipp Grubauer, Erik Johnson, Matt I think he’s pretty good in Europe,” Ferraro said. “I don’t know how he is Nieto and Colin Wilson complemented younger players such as J.T. in the NHL because I haven’t seen him yet and I don’t know how Compher, Samuel Girard, Tyson Jost and Nikita Zadorov. Makar, the Colorado would know until they’ve seen him in the NHL. Who would you team’s No. 1 prospect, used his 10-game playoff cameo to reveal he know? You can say, ‘We think’ but you don’t know.” could be capable of handling what comes with being a top-pairing option. They also discussed the acquisitions made by Avalanche general Landing players like Kadri, center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, right winger manager Joe Sakic throughout the offseason. Andre Burakovsky and right winger Joonas Donskoi over the summer enhances a roster that was a game away from reaching the Western DeBrusk said players like Bellemare, Donskoi and Kadri possess a work Conference final. ethic that allows them to be consistently effective, which was something the Avalanche missed at times last year. He said Kadri has developed “I did that playoff series for NBC against Calgary last year and I was so into a two-way shutdown center who can also produce while Bellemare impressed how fast they played, how hard they played and you could see and Donskoi have the kind of games that allow them to play with different where their shortcomings were,” TSN analyst Ray Ferraro said. “But it players. was pretty easy to be impressed with what’s there.” “Burakovsky is a guy for me that he was on a deep team in Washington Ferraro is not alone. and he got passed by a few guys,” DeBrusk said. “It is an opportunity for him to show what he can do. Big frame. Can skate. Can make plays. Sportsnet analyst Louie DeBrusk was also high on the Avalanche after He’s coming from an organization that’s won and he’s won, too. I think it what he saw in the playoffs. DeBrusk pointed out there was a chance the is a good fit. If it doesn’t pan out, it is not the end of the world. But if it semifinal series against the Sharks could have ended differently if does? It is a great pick up.” MacKinnon didn’t sustain an injury in Game 7. Ferraro went into great detail about why Kadri has the potential to be a “They have elite talent. They’ve done a great job restocking the cupboard strong fit within the Avalanche’s system. It goes back to what he saw with skill and talent,” DeBrusk said. “There is a lot of buzz about the Avalanche from my point of view. MacKinnon in the last two years has against the Flames and the style of play used by MacKinnon and others Knowing all this leaves one important question: If the Avalanche’s on the roster. window is open, what are the realistic expectations for them?

“MacKinnon is like a runaway bull and I mean this in the absolute best “It seems like now more likely in the NHL that somebody can win that you sense of the word, there is an arrogance with the way he plays,” Ferraro don’t think then in previous eras and like with the salary cap, it seems like said. “He’s like, ‘I’m going there and you can’t stop me.’ It’s an teams have gotten bunched together closely,” Ferraro said. “And you go, unbelievable trait that the best, best, best players have. … That ‘Yeah, if a lot goes right, then, sure.’ If Grubauer is a No. 1 guy. If Makar permeates through their team. There was a real boldness to their team is a top-pairing guy. If MacKinnon and Rantanen and Landeskog have when I watched them last year at the end of the year which is hard to the same types of years. If Kadri bolsters that second line. If they get believe they were the same team in the middle of the year. enough scoring from their secondary guys which was an issue at times last year. If all that comes together and they get a couple breaks in the “When I watched them, it’s ‘Look at that boldness’ and Kadri is that. playoffs, yeah, they could go deep. That’s what Kadri is. Even when Kadri wasn’t scoring in Toronto, he felt like he was one of the best players. There was a self-belief to that guy “You’re like ‘Holy crap! That’s a lot of things!’ But lots of teams have the that fits within that team. I think he will do really well. He’s an upgrade at same thing. When I look at them, I think the window is starting to open. their second-line center spot. He will help their power play. He will help They are blossoming in Colorado. It’s impossible not to look at them and their attitude on the ice. He’s a real pro. There’s not a question that he’s think, ‘Wow. That team is starting to put pieces in the right spot.'” a pro.” Sharp said if he would believe the Avalanche are making the playoffs Sharp said seeing how players like Bellemare, Burakovsky, Donskoi and with the idea of seeking to improve upon what they did in the playoffs by Kadri mesh with forwards like Compher, Jost and Wilson will play a advancing beyond the second round. significant role in the Avalanche receiving secondary scoring. DeBrusk added the Avalanche are in “a super tough division” that could And if they can sustain supplementary scoring in a way that takes see five teams qualify for the playoffs. pressure off the top line, it could result in the Avalanche being even more dangerous. “This is the time of year when there is a lot of talk about expectations and there is a difference between having expectations and having goals,” “You still need secondary scoring across the board,” Sharp said. DeBrusk said. “There are teams from each conference who expect to “Whether that’s Tyson Jost, Compher, Burakovsky coming over from make the playoffs and then there are a bunch of teams that their goal is Washington, Kadri can score 30 goals for you at the center ice position. to make the playoffs with the expectation of getting better. … I do believe You can go down the list. A checking line role with a guy like Joonas the expectation is to not just get better but it is to make the playoffs and Donskoi. I’m always looking for more out of him in San Jose and he go on a run.” shows you something offensively that you think, ‘Well, there might be some more production there.’ And there was one more person who was asked if the Avalanche’s window was open or if it was too early to have that discussion. “This is what’s going to set the team apart. We know about the star players we’ve already talked about. We can count on them every night to “Well, that’s our goal,” Sakic said. “First thing’s first. Get off to a good carry the load. It’s that secondary scoring and that depth in the lineup start. Make the playoffs. Try to get to the highest seed you possibly can. that takes teams over the top. Look at St. Louis, Washington, all the Like I said, it’s not going to be easy. We have to play well to win a lot of teams that have won recent Stanley Cups. There’s no weaknesses in hockey games. The most important thing is to try and get to the playoffs. their lineups.” At that point, stay healthy and play your best.

Makar will be one of those players expected to play a role in adding “But that’s down the line. We gotta work on just worrying about tomorrow secondary scoring. Bednar trusted Makar to serve in a top-pairing role and trying to get better as a team every day.” alongside Girard. He’s kept them together during preseason practices and could deploy them Thursday against the Flames. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 The 20-year-old is also taking over for Tyson Barrie in operating the first- team power-play unit featuring Kadri, Landeskog, MacKinnon and Rantanen.

“I think we do know in a sense, that he’s really good and he’s going to do well and there’s going to be times when he looks like a 20-year-old or 21- year-old kid,” Ferraro said. “How could he not be different than everybody else? People wouldn’t remember this but one of the greatest players of our generation was Nick Lidstrom and he wasn’t lights out from the very beginning. Nobody is. It’s hard, it’s a hard league.”

DeBrusk raised a similar point. He said offensive-minded defensemen like Makar or Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes are always going to create opportunities for themselves and for their teammates.

He said the next step is seeing how those kinds of players can handle themselves against physical, punishing forwards in the defensive zone.

“I watched him firsthand step into the fastest, most grueling games and he stood out,” DeBrusk said of Makar. “That tells me he has all the makings of being a star in the league. I think he’s ready for it. The skating ability and explosiveness is what separates him and he thinks on the fly which is essentially today’s game.

“I don’t have too many concerns about Cale Makar. … I think he has too many overriding attributes that will allow him to get better.”

Sharp said he remembers getting a phone call from his former teammate, Duncan Keith, the day Makar was drafted fourth by the Avalanche back in 2017.

“He watched him play in some junior tournament out west and said, ‘Wow. This Cale Makar kid is unbelievable. I think he can play in the NHL right now,” Sharp recalled. “That was two or three years ago. All of sudden, he steps into the NHL in a Stanley Cup playoff game. It wasn’t like he was just fitting in. He was making plays and dominating the play at times in those series that he played. I’m excited to see how he plays.” 1155351 Colorado Avalanche

Rantanen proves his worth in opening-night victory

By Aarif Deen

October 3, 2019

Mikko Rantanen didn’t sign his new contract until Saturday and his first practice with the team came a mere three days before opening night. But the NHL All-Star wasted little time proving his worth, scoring two goals, including the game-winner in a 5-3 Avalanche victory over the Calgary Flames.

Despite missing training camp, Rantanen was the first-star on Saturday and picked up right where he left off last season.

“There was doubt before Mikko got here,” Bednar said. “But as soon as I watched him practice I knew he was going to pick up where he left off.”

Rantanen, 22, became the highest-paid player on the team when he signed his new six-year, $55.5 million deal. His $9.25 million per season is nearly $3 million more than linemate Nathan MacKinnon.

“He came in for practice and everything looked easy for him,” said Bednar. “He’s got a lot of confidence, he’s happy with the new contract. And we’re happy to have him back.”

Rantanen gave the Avalanche a 2-1 lead late in the first period, scoring a beautiful backhand off a feed from captain Gabriel Landeskog to beat Flames goaltender David Rittich. But after Calgary answered back, the Finnish forward helped give the Avalanche a two-goal cushion late in the second period.

Rantanen took a cross-crease pass from MacKinnon and one-timed it into the back of the net on the man-advantage. The goal proved to be important, as Flames captain Mark Giordano answered back just 16 seconds later to pull Calgary back within a goal.

Rantanen led the Avalanche with 10 shot attempts, including five on goal. He played 6:05 on the power play and 18:30 in total.

Goaltender Philipp Grubauer preserved the lead for the Avs in the third, making 14 saves before an empty-netter from newcomer Joonas Donskoi sealed it. Donskoi also finished with two goals in his first game with the Avalanche, while winger Andre Burakovsky added an assist in his debut.

“I really liked (Donskoi’s) game,” Bednar said. “He came in and played his game. Every guy has an identity and tries to establish an identity on every line and I thought he stood out to me.”

NOTES & STATS:

Rookie Cale Makar led the Avalanche in ice-time, playing 22:23 in his first NHL regular-season game … The Avalanche hit the crossbar twice in the first period, one of which came from center Nazem Kadri on a wide-open power-play opportunity … The Avalanche outshot the Flames 14-3 in the first period and 32-30 overall … Colorado was 2-for-6 on the power play and 1-for-3 on the penalty kill … MacKinnon led the Avs with seven shots on goal.

milehighsports.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155352 Colorado Avalanche If there was, if one side held all the cards, we’d already have a deal in place.

The other harsh reality? In this market, there may not be enough of us Win it for TV: The Avalanche and Nuggets must win in order to find their that truly care, or care passionately enough. way into our living rooms Have you gone to dontblockmyaltitude.com? Have you clicked through to the “take action” page? You might have, but not enough of you have. Then again, there might be 10 fans who have, or 10 million fans who By Doug Ottewill have, but until the dollars and cents makes sense for everyone, nothing is going to change. A squeaky wheel only gets oiled if someone needs October 3, 2019 the wheel.

Can you imagine this happening to Packers fans in Wisconsin? Yankees Like no season in their respective histories, the Colorado Avalanche and fans in New York? Tide fans in Alabama? Denver Nuggets must win. Not in a million years. Now. That’s not a knock on us. It’s just the reality of Denver in 2019. If, as a Tonight is Opening Night for the Colorado Avalanche, a team that enters fan base, we were more like those markets, these deals would be locked the season on the heels of a remarkable, awe-inspiring playoff run. and loaded. Not carrying the Avalanche and Nuggets would either be Expectations are high. The roster is star studded. For the first time in a business suicide for the cable providers, or it would be a golden long time, there is realistic talk of raising Lord Stanley. opportunity for one of them. In a free market, a product that’s in demand always finds its way to the market – that’s ECON101. If Comcast could Got your tickets? make a g’zillion bucks by cutting a deal before Dish or DirecTV, don’t you think they would have by now? Those three companies might have a I sure hope so. Because if you don’t, good luck watching the game similar stance, but believe you me, if one could put the other two in a tonight. At current, there’s no local cable deal in place, no deal that bind, they’d do it in a heartbeat. allows the typical fan a method to watch the games. There are ways, but those ways require work. Either something has drastically changed about the relationship between local providers and teams, or it’s a simple question of supply and Are you willing to work for your Avs or Nuggets? demand. Or both. Some will. Most, realistically, won’t. It’s often said ‘round these parts that there’s a lot of greed involved in the Personally, I can’t wait to watch the 2019-20 Avalanche. Of all the local negotiations between Altitude and Dish Network, Comcast and DirecTV. teams, the 2018-19 Avalanche captured the imagination of the local fan And usually, depending on who you’re talking to, they’ve got an idea as base like few have recently. They were tough, gritty, inspirational, and to who is being greediest. Maybe they’re right. Maybe not. Maybe there just damn good. Missing a spot in the Western Conference Finals by one are real issues on both sides of the equations. Maybe, instead of two goal – by one eye-rolling penalty – wasn’t what most had envisioned parties trying to distribute an abundance of something, perhaps there’s exactly a year ago, but doggonit, they did it. Their run wet the proverbial not much to split up. whistle of Avs fans everywhere. I don’t know. Won’t pretend to. But just as easily as fans jump onto the bandwagon, they’ll jump right off, All I know is that we can’t watch tonight unless we’re there. too. Especially in Denver, Colo. – the land of options, traffic and transplants. And that sucks.

The best way to grow a great product? Consume it. The best way to create leverage in this particular instance? Win. Winning creates demand like nothing else can. The best way to see it wither and die? Don’t. Better win, boys. Or the noisy buzz from today will be a whisper by April. The best way to ensure consumption in the business of sports? And then nobody can watch. Win.

We’ve seen this before in Denver. If the Avalanche are winning – like milehighsports.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 they did when they first arrived, or like they did last spring – it’s a must- consume product. The Avalanche, even more so than the Nuggets, have the ability to provide hope. They’ve won it all before; they can win it again. Plus, in hockey, the Cup is seemingly up for grabs. In the NBA, there are exceptions, but the Finals are a practically predetermined.

But so long as either team is good, people will watch.

If they can.

If they can’t? They’ll go sometimes. But at $100-150 for a decent seat, it’s a decision only a small percentage of fans can make often. When they’re not at Pepsi Center, and they can’t watch on TV, and nobody reads the morning paper these days, how emotionally invested can they be?

And in the event that the Avs or Nuggets don’t win? Well, the interest level will drop significantly. You might watch a losing team – your team – on TV. But if your team has no shot at the playoffs, you’re likely not going to shell out good money to watch a bad team. Not often, anyway. That even applies to the Denver Broncos. If their season continues as it has thus far, sneak a peek at the stands at Empower Field at Mile High come December.

Here’s the harsh reality though as it pertains to the negotiations between the Nuggets and Avs and the major programming carriers in the area (Dish Network, Comcast and DirecTV): There’s no leverage – maybe on either side – to get the deal done. 1155353 Colorado Avalanche Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – C-: Brought in to help the penalty kill and in the face-off circle, he took a penalty early in the game and was out for both power play goals for the Flames. He only won 42% of his face-offs, but his career shows that’s an aberration. Avs Game 1 Grades: Finnishing off the Flames Samuel Girard – B: Although he wasn’t perfect and had some turnovers, I felt he was the best defenseman for the Avs. Great job getting his shot through on the first goal, and had a nice rush through the slot in the BY EVAN RAWAL second period. He was skating and that’s what you want from him. OCTOBER 3, 2019 Joonas Donskoi – B+: Donskoi said he can be better, as he had the worst CF on the team (27%), but how do you argue with two goals in your debut? He creates a lot of chances with his skill and has proven to Led by four goals from their Finnish-born players, the Colorado be solid defensively. He tends to overhandle the puck at times and got Avalanche started their season on the right foot by taking down the himself into trouble with that tonight. Calgary Flames at home by a score of 5-3. Matt Nieto – A-: If there was an unsung hero in this game, it was Nieto. A How did each player perform? Let’s find out… huge shot block late in the game, a great backcheck to eliminate a breakaway and picked up an assist on the empty netter. He took quite a Erik Johnson – C+: The veteran of the Avs blueline led the team in time few hits to make some plays. on ice with 23:14, a good sign after he saw his ice time drop dramatically in the playoffs. He made a great play on the Compher goal by entering Nazem Kadri – B: The ideal number two center, and showed it tonight. the zone and being extremely patient with the puck, but like most of the Hit the post early in the game, but is very much willing to let the puck rip defense, he was far from perfect and looked a little lost on the second whenever he gets it as he attempted nine shots tonight. Showed his Flames power play goal. willingness to get his nose dirty, and was great in the faceoff circle, winning 12 of the 21 he took. Cale Makar – C: Makar was VERY high event tonight, to the point where he was on the ice for 39 shot attempts in his 16 minutes of even Gabriel Landeskog – B: His hand-eye coordination play in the neutral strength ice time. That might remind you of the guy he’s essentially zone looked like a high stick to me, but if you ain’t cheating, you ain’t replacing in Tyson Barrie. There were definite ups and downs in his first trying, and he followed it up with a nice seam pass and let Mikko do the regular season game, including getting caught up ice on a breakaway but rest. He’s the grunt worker on that line, as he only attempted three shots it’s rare to find a rookie who can handle 22 minutes and make plays as overall. he can. He needs to be more aggressive shooting the puck, as he only attempted one shot tonight. Andre Burakovsky – B-: I’m pretty hard on Burakovsky but I thought he was fine tonight. Picking up an assist early has to get rid of some of the Matt Calvert – B-: A great pass on Compher’s goal in the second period, jitters, and he drew a penalty in the second period as well. and showed his trademark high energy in the third period keeping the puck pinned in the Flames end. Much like the rest of the penalty killing Mikko Rantanen – A: Who needs training camp? This guy is a freak. unit, there’s room for improvement. Drew three penalties, scored two goals and did some magical things with the puck when he wasn’t scoring. He lost his man on the Flames third Valeri Nichushkin – B+: The biggest surprise of the night, as he stepped goal but more than made up for it elsewhere. in and played quite well after a very average preseason. I’m not sure Rittich ever saw the first goal go past him because big Val was right in Philipp Grubauer – C: A weird game for a goaltender to play in, and he front of him blocking his view. said as much after the game. Faced only three shots in the first period, and one of them was put into the net by his own teammate. He looked Nikita Zadorov – C+: Big Z will probably always be an adventure, but he shaky in the second period, but came up huge in the third, including a was the only Avs defenseman to finish above 50% in CF (57%). Great breakaway save on Monahan. play on the blue line before the Compher goal to show composure in a tough spot. The penalties need to stop, particularly the stick stuff, but you The Avs continue this homestand as they take on the Minnesota Wild this have to live with the physical penalties because that’s how he has to Saturday. The game starts at 7 PM MST. play. The first-ever five-minute fighting major where a guy shows no interest in fighting. BSN DENVER LOADED: 10.04.2019 Tyson Jost – B-: I thought Jost was quietly solid tonight, leading the Avs in CF (65%) and putting the puck on net any time he could with four shots on goal. He did not see a single second of special teams ice.

Conor Timmins – C+: Really did not play a lot, which has to be tough, but hit a post early in the game after getting a long-range shot through and looked composed for the most part when he was on the ice. He did have some tough moments, including a turnover right in front of his own net, and roaming a little too far into the neutral zone late. He didn’t see the ice the last 10 minutes of the game after his foray into the neutral zone led to a 3 on 1. I liked a lot of what I saw, but like Bednar said after the game, he was up and down like most of the defense.

Ryan Graves – C: I thought Graves was a real roller coaster most of the night but came up big late in the game with some shot blocks. Had the lowest CF among the D at 38%. His work on the second Flames PP goal was not great, like everyone else on the ice. I’m not sure putting Graves, who is still trying to adjust to the NHL, with a rookie is a recipe for success, but the Avs don’t have a ton of options right now.

Nathan MacKinnon – B-: Very weird to say that a guy who attempted nine shots didn’t seem as explosive as you’d expect, but that’s how high expectations are for MacKinnon. He still looked very good and made a beautiful pass to Rantanen for his power play goal. You know that he’s got another gear to hit and that’s what’s so scary.

J.T. Compher – B-: Picked up a goal and made some nice plays coming back on the backcheck. If he’s going to be a center he has to be better in the face-off circle, as he only won four of his 12 face-offs. 1155354 Colorado Avalanche typically comes with experience, the one thing those two simply don’t have together.

I’m really not sure why the second Colorado goal wasn’t blown dead in Rantanen shows no rust in leading Avalanche over Flames the neutral zone for a high stick. Landeskog clearly hit it above his shoulder before corralling it. I was checking the rulebook for anything that might provide an answer but it looks like a call they just missed.

BY AJ HAEFELE Joonas Donskoi also got two goals tonight. Pretty successful Avalanche debut by a guy who tore up the preseason. OCTOBER 3, 2019 Secondary scoring was a big issue over the summer. Obviously it’s just

one game but 12 of Colorado’s 18 skaters registered points tonight. Preseason nothin’. That’ll win you plenty of games.

As Colorado got off to the kind of start it wanted with a 5-3 win over the The NHL might want to look at the high hit laid on Rantanen by Matthew Calgary Flames, it was the player who did not play for the Avalanche in Tkachuk in the first period. Looked a lot like an elbow to the head but the preseason that drove the bus. luckily Rantanen was fine.

Mikko Rantanen, who agreed to a six-year contract during Colorado’s Game 1 of the season…lots of penalties. Loooots. This is, of course, final preseason game last weekend, reminded everyone except a couple standard practice as more penalties are called early in the season but of nerd twins in Minnesota just why he was worth the wait. tonight there were an awful lot of calls that could be categorized as weak.

Two goals, one on the power play, and ten shot attempts (five on goal) Val Nichushkin keeps up the play he showed tonight, nobody is ever pretty accurately told the story of the 22-year-old Finn’s night. That shot going to trust my opinion on a free agent signing again. He was has propelled him to three 20-goal seasons in the first three years of his awesome. career and tonight showed zero rust. Conor Timmins got the solo rookie lap treatment, which has not been a “Extra time to work on it, I guess,” Rantanen said with a laugh. “Hopefully regular thing for the Avalanche in recent years. When he scores his first it continues this season.” point, I expect we’ll see the Avalanche custom of receiving a water bottle to the face. Regardless, cool moment for him. It certainly should continue this season as he and linemates Nathan MacKinnon and Gabe Landeskog picked up right where the left off after Timmins said postgame he had his mom, dad, aunts, uncles, and several laying waste to the NHL last year. Each had an assist on one of friends from back home in town to see his NHL debut. It’s not quite the Rantanen’s goal but MacKinnon’s was a focus postgame as he made an few hundred people who come out to see Girard when the Avs are in impressive cross-ice feed for Rantanen’s one-timer, which put Colorado Montreal but it wasn’t too shabby. ahead 4-2 and ended up as the game-winner. Colorado scored two PP goals in six preseason games. Opening night? “He looks even better than last year I think,” Rantanen said of his center. Two PP goals. “That’s huge for us. He loves to score goals and he finds those open It was hard not to feel frustrated by Philipp Grubauer’s performance when spots so its great to play with him.” Colorado’s shot suppression was so good early in the game but the first The win capped off a crazy week for Rantanen as he hurried across the two goals weren’t ones he could really do much about. The third goal planet to get to Colorado and get prepared to play games that matter. wasn’t great but he locked it down in the third period when he had to.

“Everything happened really quick,” Rantanen said. “I got a call last Saturday and now I’m here. It’s already been four or five days and played BSN DENVER LOADED: 10.04.2019 the first game, too. It happened quick. Felt surprisingly good today. Probably going to take a couple games to get fresh legs.”

His play tonight was good enough to make one wonder if the preseason was even necessary. Rantanen laughed at the idea but admitted he probably wouldn’t be able to do that again, saying “I don’t think it’s allowed. Getting fired if I do that. I don’t want that to happen. Maybe [in six years].”

Jokes aside, Rantanen also couldn’t help but notice the fan reaction when he was announced during the pregame introduction of this year’s opening-night roster.

“It feels unbelievable,” Rantanen admitted. “The crowd here is amazing. They support us whether we lose or when we win. That’s exactly what we need as a team.”

Every year there are players who arrive to their teams late due to contract issues. Slow starts are always the concern, especially for goal scorers. That clearly was not part of Rantanen’s plan.

“I can’t deny that everyone loves to score goals especially when the team wins,” he said. “It feels good but I don’t know if I feel too much pressure about it. I just have to keep going like this.”

He keeps going like this and last year’s 87-points might be in the rearview when they arrive at Game 82.

While the rest of the world looks for their big mood, Colorado has its ‘Big Moose’ and he’s already on a tear.

TAKEAWAYS

One of the best questions coming into this year was the PK unit. With Ian Cole out and TPatrik Nemeth gone, the guys relied on from last year were different tonight. The broken communication between Erik Johnson and Ryan Graves on the second Calgary goal is the kind of thing that 1155355 Colorado Avalanche Six players will be making their Avalanche debuts tonight – Kadri, Burakovsky, Donskoi, Bellemare, Nichushkin, Timmins.

Kadri noted the lack of ‘white noise’ since getting to Denver. When asked Morning skate notebook: Avs ready for Calgary’s best punch about Toronto, Kadri responded “I’m going to miss the city of Toronto, but that white noise…it’s something I thought was normal. It definitely isn’t.”

BY AJ HAEFELE BSN DENVER LOADED: 10.04.2019 OCTOBER 3, 2019

The Avalanche knows what’s coming. They remember how they felt playing Nashville the first time last year.

The sting of a playoff loss carries one through the summer. Instead of facing the team that eliminated them, Colorado is on the other side of the coin as they welcome in the Calgary Flames for their season-opening game.

“There’s gonna be some bad blood for sure,” Tyson Jost said. “Last year was such a great series between us in the playoffs. It’s just a heightened experience. It’s nice we’re starting off with them. It’s going to have that playoff kind of feel that we had last year.”

Instead of worrying about Calgary’s thirst for revenge, Colorado is embracing the challenge of having one of their two playoff opponents in their barn to start the season.

“I don’t think we could have picked a better opponent,” Jost said. “Calgary or San Jose. One of those two teams to start. We got one of them so it’s going to be fun.”

Jost opens up tonight in a new role as the left wing next to newcomers Nazem Kadri or Andre Burakovsky. He finished the playoffs playing as a center but the coaching staff wants to give Jost a shot in the top six.

“Kadri’s a really good player,” Jost said. “This summer, that’s been the rumor when talking with management, that I would play with Kadri. It’s exciting. He’s a really good player, a veteran guy. He’s very established in this league. I’m excited to play alongside him. He’s so skilled and so smart.”

The other aspect Kadri brings to Colorado’s lineup beyond just the skill a 30-goal scorer brings is the attitude he plays with.

“[Kadri] plays with an edge,” Jost said of his new center. “I really like that. I feel like I play better when I have a little bit of edge to my game, a little grit. It’s something we talked about this morning. ‘Let’s get a little gritty, a little edgy.’ I feel more involved in the game when that’s happening. I’m excited to play with [Kadri] for sure.”

Not to be forgotten is the other big acquisition this summer, Burakovsky, who is slated to open on the right side next to Jost and Kadri.

“Burakovsky’s a really good player”, Jost said. “He’s got a great shot and is very skilled. It’s a fun line to play on. It’s a great opportunity for me.”

It’s always easy to be optimistic on opening night but Colorado is basking in the glow of an offseason that has them as one of the NHL’s darlings coming into this season. Multiple people have picked them to make deep runs, including some Stanley Cup predictions.

If Colorado is going to fulfill those dreams, they will need major contributions from their newly-minted second line.

The road back to the postseason for the third straight year begins tonight.

Jared Bednar said keeping Conor Timmins was not a difficult choice and it was a unanimous decision between his staff and the front office. Timmins will make his NHL debut tonight.

Cale Makar is also making his regular season debut tonight. He played 10 postseason games last year but has yet to play a game that actually counts in the standings.

Colorado’s defense has three players with 36 combined NHL games played. Graves – 26 Makar – 10 Timmins – 0. For a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, that’s a rarity.

Bednar mentioned Colin Wilson still isn’t quite where he needs to be in order to get back into the lineup and that combined with Nichushkin’s good preseason (Bednar’s assessment) made it an easier choice to put the new guy into the lineup tonight. 1155356 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets season preview | Prospects expected to step up at forward

Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch @BrianHedger

Oct 3, 2019 at 7:59 AM

Any number of questions can light John Tortorella’s fuse, but one topic in particular this season is a surefire way.

Just fire off an inquiry to the Blue Jackets coach about the “guys who left” as free agents — headlined by stars Artemi Panarin (New York Rangers), Sergei Bobrovsky (Florida Panthers) and Matt Duchene (Nashville Predators).

“I tell you, you guys (reporters) are gonna (tick) me off if you start going down the road and start talking about the people that have left here,” he said last week, when asked a question about the success of his power play this season as juxtaposed with those who left town. “There will be very short press conferences here, quite honestly. Very short.”

Yet, it’s nearly impossible to assess the Jackets’ group of forwards without wondering how they will make up for the loss of Panarin’s scoring — back-to-back franchise records in points and assists — or how they will fare in transition without his elite puck-handling and passing.

What we do know is how the Jackets plan to keep the proverbial puck sliding forward this season, deploying a plan that involves a more physical, defensive-oriented game like they used to great success in a first-round playoff sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“I think that’s just the right way to play,” captain Nick Foligno said. “You look at the way we played against Tampa and that was a real good key to success for us, no matter who was in the lineup.”

Rookies will play a role, too.

The coaching staff is leaning on the assessments of general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and the rest of the scouting department, who believe there are enough NHL-caliber forward prospects to stay competitive.

Alexandre Texier and Emil Bemstrom lead that group, which also includes Sonny Milano, Eric Robinson, Kole Sherwood, Trey Fix- Wolansky and 26-year-old Jakob Lilja, a rookie free agent from Sweden who opened some eyes with an impressive preseason.

Texier might earn a top-six role after working with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Cam Atkinson most of camp. Bemstrom, who has a rocket of a one-timer, could be a key piece on the fourth line and power plays.

Optimism also abounds that Atkinson, who had a career-high 41 goals last season, can keep pumping in goals and that Dubois, Josh Anderson and Oliver Bjorkstrand can improve off impressive breakouts of their own. The Jackets also added a proven scorer in veteran Gustav Nyquist and have untapped 60-point potential still hiding within center Alexander Wennberg.

Foligno and Boone Jenner could also score 15-20 goals each and Riley Nash is capable of a rebound year on the fourth line.

“I’m not really worried about where goals are going to come from,” said Foligno, who scored 17 goals in 73 games last season. “I look around the room and there’s plenty of candidates to score goals. I just think it’s exciting that it’s going to be more by committee. We’re going to be built a little differently, but that’s going to bode well for offense and defense.”

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1155357 Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets begin balancing act between Joonas Korpisalo, Elvis Merzlikins

Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch @BrianHedger

Oct 4, 2019 at 5:30 AM

Korpi or Elvis?

Get used to that question, because it’s going to recur quite a bit in this new Blue Jackets season, which starts Friday night at Nationwide Arena against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The answer, this time, is Joonas Korpisalo, who will get the season-opening start in a net vacated this past offseason by Sergei Bobrovsky, now with the Florida Panthers.

As for who will start Saturday at the Pittsburgh Penguins, Korpisalo or Elvis Merzlikins? Stay tuned. The answer will likely be revealed the morning of the game.

“We knew it was going to happen that way,” coach John Tortorella said, “so we have acted accordingly.”

Actually, the Blue Jackets have acted uniquely.

Rather than scouring the trade market for an experienced NHL goalie or chasing after the biggest free agents, the Blue Jackets stood firm. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen went with the in-house options instead, granting Korpisalo a chance to go from backup to the top spot and Merzlikins a chance to compete with him.

It is not what most NHL teams would do, but Kekalainen isn’t from the same mold as most GMs. This is the same person who not only hung on to Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin — knowing his biggest trade chips planned to leave as free agents — but he bolstered his roster at the trade deadline, acquiring four more pending free agents, headlined by star center Matt Duchene.

All left as free agents or weren’t extended offers to return, which left many outside the organization second-guessing the deadline decision. At least two people, however, saw what happened this offseason in a different light.

“Just hearing that, that we didn’t sign any (goalies), it just feels good that they trust us, me and Elvis both,” Korpisalo said. “Obviously, when they give the trust to us, we have to show up and earn it, as well — to make sure they did the right thing.”

That’s what the Blue Jackets are banking on, starting with a coach who hasn’t gone into a season like this before.

“I’m not going to dodge it,” Tortorella said. “Usually … you basically have an established No. 1 guy. We don’t. It’s a situation where Korpi has played some really good games for us, has some experience in the league — but not a whole bunch — and (has) a young guy behind him.”

Tortorella said there is a comfort level with Korpisalo, despite his limited NHL experience, and he likes the progress shown by Merzlikins, a 25- year-old rookie making a tricky transition to a smaller ice surface and higher level of talent than he faced in Switzerland.

“It’s unique,” Tortorella said, “because there’s no one who’s really established, who’s been a No. 1 in the league, but that’s part of it and that’s part of the journey for us.”

It’s also a source of motivation, for the goalies and their teammates.

“I think they’re ready,” defenseman Zach Werenski said. “I’ve seen Korpi for three years here battle every day and not be the starter, so I think he’s ready for (Friday) night and he’s ready for his moment. Elvis has been battling and working hard too, so we have full trust in them and we’re excited to see what they can do.”

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October heat complicates Nationwide Arena ice care for Columbus Blue Jackets games

Henry Palattella The Columbus Dispatch @hellapalatella

Oct 4, 2019 at 5:30 AM

At 11 p.m. Wednesday, the Black Keys completed their nearly two-hour concert at Nationwide Arena. Minutes after the rock duo left the stage and the crowd headed for the exits, the arena crew was hard at work swapping out speakers and chairs for protective glass and bleachers.

Nearly six hours later, the transformation from concert venue to hockey rink was complete.

For ice technician Ian Huffman and the Nationwide staff, that transition period isn’t new — by the end of the year, the arena will have had 47 hockey games, 28 outside events, six arena football games and two days of NCAA Tournament basketball.

That said, Huffman had to deal with a new wrinkle this week — high heat and humidity.

Tuesday’s high temperature of 94 degrees was the highest October temperature on record in Columbus. That might be nice for those looking to enjoy one last week in shorts, but it brought about new challenges for Huffman.

“We’ve had some complications,” he said. “(The warm weather) makes the ice surface a little bit different.”

The biggest challenge Huffman was an increase in humidity, which weighs down the snow that forms on the ice during a game.

“While snow develops throughout the period, we shovel at the same time during TV timeouts,” Huffman said. “The snow gets a little bit heavier and holds a little bit more moisture, which affects the play of the puck a little bit more.”

In the colder, drier months, the snow is light and fluffy, something a puck can cut through with no problem. But the heavier snow can slow the puck or stop it.

In addition to the puck, Huffman has paid extra attention to how skaters are moving on the ice.

“You've got to keep an eye on (the ice) not getting too cold or too warm on the surface and making sure that the skaters are able to get a good glide,” he said.

While the first two weeks of fall have brought above-average temperatures to Columbus, a cooldown is coming. Arena doors open at 5:30 p.m. Friday, meaning the ice will be exposed to the outside elements for nearly 90 minutes. Fortunately for Huffman, the predicted high temperature is in the upper 60s.

“It’ll really help us with everything Friday once it cools off,” he said.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155359 Columbus Blue Jackets with the leaders. No team wants to find itself playing catch-up in a gridlocked division. And it will be gridlocked.

Banking points in October and November, then, is critical. For the ESPN's John Buccigross likes chip on Columbus Blue Jackets' shoulders Jackets, it all begins with a buzzsaw of a back-to-back, against the hyper-skilled Toronto Maple Leafs in Nationwide on Friday night and at Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

Michael Arace The Columbus Dispatch @MichaelArace1

Oct 4, 2019 at 5:30 AM Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 10.04.2019

John Buccigross, the ESPN "SportsCenter" anchor, is a hockey guy. He thinks the game well. His crystal ball is polished. On Thursday morning, he texted his picks for the order of finish in the Metropolitan Division:

Washington, New York Islanders, Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh, Carolina, New Jersey, New York Rangers, Philadelphia.

The most cerebral voice the NHL has at The Worldwide Leader likes the Blue Jackets to finish in third place in the Metro — ahead of the Sidney Crosbys, the sexy Hurricanes and Artemi Panarin, among others.

His is a lonely voice. The rest of North America has the Jackets finishing seventh or eighth in the Metro. What gives with Buccigross?

“They’ve got a nice continuity with the GM and the coach,” he said, referring to GM Jarmo Kekalainen, who has been in Columbus for seven- plus years, and John Tortorella, who has been here for nearly five. Kekalainen and Tortorella are among the eight longest-tenured at their respective jobs in the league.

“They have players who want to be there, guys like Cam Atkinson and Nick Foligno, and that wears off on other guys,” Buccigross said. “The intrigue is gone (with the departures of Sergei Bobrovsky and Panarin). I just kind of like the grown-ups in the room. Like, Seth Jones is a superstar with a great attitude. He has a Zen-like quality about him. There is no panic.

“I just see them as a neat outfit that is flying under the radar with something to prove. I like the energy. I like the chip on their shoulder.”

The conventional wisdom is the Jackets — who barely clawed their way into the playoffs before they swept the mighty Tampa Bay Lightning last spring — will take a dive after losing Bobrovsky, Panarin and Matt Duchene to free agency.

Fair enough. The Jackets have question marks.

The Metro is full of question marks.

Washington remains the team to beat.

Pittsburgh? The Penguins, who were swept out of the first round by the Islanders, are … well, what are they? A good defensive team? A good offensive team? Old, and with no cap space?

The Devils added talent. They also have a Panarin-type situation hanging over them: All-Star forward Taylor Hall is in the final year of his contract and has yet to sign an extension. Distraction? The Rangers added talent. They also have a goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist, who will turn 38 in March. Is Alexandar Georgiev the answer? Can he handle New York pressure?

Sexy Carolina is counting on a new goaltending combination, with Petr Mrazek paired with James Reimer, to work like the old combination. Big question mark?

In Philadelphia, the Flyers want to believe they finally have the coach (Alain Vigneault) and the goaltender (Carter Hart) to lend stability. Bank on it? In Philly?

The Islanders, like the Jackets, did little to strengthen themselves over the summer. More smooth sailing?

“You can pick the Metro 10 different ways and not find the right combination,” Buccigross said. “The whole division is a bubble. Any of the teams could get 84 points or 94 points, depending on injuries, individual performances, goaltending. Does (Alexander) Wennberg give you 60 points or 30? What do the rookies deliver? Does an important player get injured? A starting goalie?

“Time will tell how it’ll shake out. And it will tell early.”

Put another way: The Metro is going to be a grind. Those who fall behind early will have to goose the roster, to plug holes, so as not to lose touch 1155360 Columbus Blue Jackets Thanks to manual tracking done by The Athletic’s Corey Sznajder as well as additional study by Hockey Graphs’ Alex Novet, we know the Blue Jackets have been quite strong in controlled exits and above average in entering the offensive zone with control. Lukan: 10 metrics to watch in evaluating the Blue Jackets This information reaches the public only through manual tracking, so it won’t be instantly available game to game, but it’s something we’ll keep an eye on and share throughout the season, particularly in our monthly By Alison Lukan Guidepost stories. Oct 3, 2019 3. Forechecking

All the reasons successful transition is key for the Blue Jackets are the This year brings about change for the Blue Jackets. With new same reasons why it’s important to try to hinder opponents’ transitional goaltenders and fresh faces in Alexandre Texier, Emil Bemstrom and play. Again, thanks to Sznajder’s data, we can measure this skill. We Vladislav Gavrikov, coach John Tortorella has been open about saw how successful Columbus’ forecheck can be in the team’s playoff approaching the season with a few tweaks compared with last season’s series win over Tampa Bay, so it will be interesting to watch whether playing style. Columbus can improve on its transition prevention abilities that ranked eighth best in the NHL last season. “We want to get out of our own end zone as quickly as possible,” Tortorella said. “The biggest concentration that we’ve really pushed so 4. Odd-man rushes against far is our neutral zone play as far as being above the puck when we don’t “We have to try to be a team that is not going to give up a lot of odd-man have it in the offensive zone … really trying to shrink that neutral zone to rushes, if any,” Tortorella said. “You are always trying to limit those, but cause turnovers so we can get going offensively.” that’s the concentration that we spent a lot of time here the last four or So knowing the plan, how can we know whether the team is doing what it five days both with video and here in practice — being above the puck is asked to do? Or, whether the plan is working? The easiest measures and cutting down those odd-man rushes.” to look at, of course, are goals and wins, but we can also dig deeper to Odd-man rushes are also data points that come from manual tracking, so understand how the Blue Jackets are playing and if it aligns with the we’ll have regular updates on how the Blue Jackets are performing here, identity of the team. too. With that in mind, here are 10 metrics to watch this season that can help 5. Beating the odds us evaluate Columbus’ on-ice play. There aren’t many outside of the Greater Columbus metro area that are Goaltending bullish on the Blue Jackets this season. So a new measure that should 1. Shot quality against be interesting to keep an eye on this season is “standing points above replacement” (SPAR). Thanks to Evolving-Hockey.com, we will soon Tortorella has talked about making sure goaltenders Joonas Korpisalo have the ability to approximate how many standings points a team has and Elvis Merzlikins have support. We can watch for this using “expected above average (or replacement level). The simplest definition of this goals against” (xGA). XGA approximates shot quality based on variables concept is that Evolving Hockey creators Luke and Josh Younggren use like location, shot type, angle and distance. The goal is to get that their goals above replacement model and divide that by the league-wide number as low as possible. For the Blue Jackets, that means making standard for how many goals get you one standing point. Can the Blue good defense even better this season. Last year, in five-on-five play, Jackets quiet the naysayers? We’ll see! Columbus ranked 12th in the league in xGA per 60 minutes of play (2.00). Special teams

2. Goals saved above expectations 1. Efficiency on the power play

We talked about the play in front of the goaltenders, what about the We know the Blue Jackets power play has struggled, but we can single goaltenders themselves? Save percentage doesn’t tell us the whole out some key issues within that that are related to shot and goal pacing. story, nor does goals against. What is most informative is how a Last season, while playing with the man advantage, Columbus ranked goaltender performs compared with what was expected of them. To 31st in seconds per shot and 27th in minutes per goal. We’ll be watching answer this question, we use “goals saved above expectations” (GSAA). shot rate and goal scoring rates to see whether the Jackets can This number tells us how many goals against were prevented compared generate, and convert, more chances for themselves than they have with what average goaltending would stop. Last year, Korpisalo had a historically. GSAA of minus-.27 per 60 (interestingly, Sergei Bobrovsky was at minus- 2. Shot quality .04 per 60), so even progressing to meeting expectations (a GSAA of 0) would benefit the Blue Jackets goalers this season. Yep, we’re going to watch expected goals on the power play, too. Last year, Columbus’ expected goals per 60 (5.4) placed it 30th in the NHL. Even strength play So just as we want to study the pacing at which the team plays at five-on- 1. Shot quality for four, we also want to keep an eye on the quality of the chances they create. Yep, just like we want to look at how the Blue Jackets can keep shot quality low for opponents, we want shot quality to be as strong as 3. Power killing possible in terms of the attempts Columbus skaters take. This season will The Blue Jackets penalty kill is one of the team’s strongest weapons. It’s be all about scoring by committee, and more shots that are better can become about more than just limiting opponents; it more fits Hockey only help your chances when it comes to putting pucks in the net. So just Graphs’ Mike Pfeil’s definition of a power kill: “a proactive approach to like we can use xGA, we can use “expected goals for” (xGF). A baseline penalty killing that attempts to counterattack regularly and intelligently.” going into the season? Columbus ranked 11th in the league last year in So what should we watch for to evaluate whether this part of Columbus’ five-on-five xGF per 60 (2.36), and Cam Atkinson not only had the special teams can remain as highly effective as it’s been? We won’t look highest overall individual shot quality of any Blue Jackets skater (1.05 at shots against, rather we’ll look at shots for. Last season, the Blue xGF per 60), but also he was 18th best in the league. Jackets set a record in penalty kill shot share (24 percent) and ranked 2. Transition play second in the league in shot attempts per 60 (15.67). If Columbus can continue to generate such significant offense while playing a man down, Before you can even think about high-quality shots, you have to get into it not only bodes well for its chances, but it also means its opponents the position to take them, and that’s where transitional play comes in. don’t even have the puck on their sticks. Moving the puck out of the defensive zone, through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone with control is something that increases a team’s opportunity to score. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155361 Dallas Stars "We kind of found our game," Stars forward Joe Pavelski said. "At the end of the day, it was more compete than anything. We started winning a few more battles, we just started getting that puck past that extra layer kind of down in the zone, and we were able to forecheck a little bit, turn a Injuries plague season opener as Stars lose multiple players for few over. Once we got it down there, it allowed us to do a few things." extended time in 2-1 defeat to Bruins The three weeks of training camp could not have prepared the team for the events of Thursday night. The best-laid plans of a hockey season sailed away on Thursday night, but that does little to diminish the Stars' By Matthew DeFranks aspirations despite a sobering night ruined by injuries. 4:14 AM on Oct 4, 2019 "Those three guys are key players that we all know go to war for us," Montgomery said. "I love the heart we played with. I love the emotion we played with. And most nights, we would have been successful with the The hope, the optimism, the Stanley Cup dreams, the unblemished and way the game went and opportunities we had." unchecked and unbridled ambition that arrive with the dawn of a new hockey season allow teams like the Stars to think about banners and buildings like the American Airlines Center to swell with visions of Dallas Morning News LOADED: 10.04.2019 grandeur.

The first game of the season is a time where reality is suspended, a game lost is minimized and a game won means an undefeated record. The first meaningful hockey game in four months feels like a fantasy. Then the Bruins delivered a reality check and injuries sullied the night in a 2-1 Stars loss on Thursday night.

Boston (1-0-0) scored on its first shot of the season, an effort from former Stars forward Brett Ritchie that gave the Bruins the lead just 69 seconds into the season. Boston scored on its second shot of the season, on the power play from Danton Heinen in the left circle. The Stars' impenetrable goaltender Ben Bishop had allowed goals on the first two shots he'd faced.

"Yeah, it was a tough start for me," Bishop said. "Two that I'd like to have. I kind of lost Ritchie's in front of [Andrej Sekera] in front of me and he kind of surprised me real quick. It's just a bad goal. On the power play, pretty good screen, but still one I'd like to have."

Then the injuries came.

Forward Blake Comeau was hit in the face by a puck with 2:27 left in the first period, one that deflected off teammate Andrej Sekera's stick. Comeau fell to the ice with his legs under him and was bleeding from his face. He had to be helped off the ice and was ultimately diagnosed with a lower-body injury that will keep him out for multiple weeks, coach Jim Montgomery said.

""We know it's going to be multiple weeks, whether that's two or four, we don't know," Montgomery said.

Forward Jason Dickinson didn't play the final two periods because of an upper-body injury suffered while being cross-checked, and Montgomery said he'd be out for at least a week. The scariest came when Roman Polak got hurt with 12:56 left in the second period.

Going into the corner in his own zone, Polak went into the boards awkwardly fighting Chris Wagner for a loose puck. Polak's right shoulder hit the boards first, immediately followed by his head. He didn't move while he laid on the ice before he was taken off via stretcher and transported to the hospital.

After the game, Montgomery said Polak had use of all his extremities and could be the closest to returning of the trio injured Thursday night.

"I hear he's feeling pretty good at the hospital but we don't have results yet," Montgomery said. "We're hopeful that he may be a player again in a couple of days."

"There's a lot more things more important than hockey, so you just hope that they're doing all right," Bishop said.

"It's tough, obviously," Stars defenseman John Klingberg said. "The good thing is I don't know what happened, what kind of injury it is, but if it's the neck, it's a good thing he stayed still. I think obviously, we didn't want to think about it there after it happened. We've got to get back playing again. It's tough to see a teammate go down like that."

Roope Hintz's goal brought the Stars (0-1-0) within one goal and Dallas outshot the Bruins 25-14 in the final two periods to push late, but the effort wasn't enough. Tyler Seguin rang a crossbar. A Hintz shot was snared by Tuukka Rask's glove. Miro Heiskanen's heroics on a third- period power play didn't result in a goal. 1155362 Dallas Stars defenseman Roman Polak removed on a stretcher in the second period after going shoulder and head first into the boards behind Bishop.

The Stars will face the last two Cup champions, St. Louis and The Stars' expectations are real, but their best chance at success doesn't Washington, on this first road trip so plenty of early measuring sticks are sit with their offseason acquisitions alone there to be examined, even in October. While everyone’s optimistic for their season openers, the Stars have more valid reasons for such sentiment than they have had in years.

By Tim Cowlishaw The weight of living up to expectations comes next.

10:43 PM on Oct 3, 2019

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 10.04.2019 One night after a Stanley Cup celebration was held in St. Louis, the two teams that came closest to disposing of the Blues last spring dropped the puck on a new season at the American Airlines Center.

Yes, the Boston Bruins were the team vanquished in Game 7 of the Cup Final, but, hey, the Stars took St. Louis to double overtime in Game 7 of their scintillating second-round series before coming up short. The Bruins captured the consolation bracket game Thursday, scoring on their first two shots and hanging on for a 2-1 win before a sellout crowd that was ready to roar and really never granted the opportunity.

It’s a long season.

The Stars’ close call with the Blues last May is just one of the reasons for optimism to run rampant for Stars fans at the start of this season.

Here are two more very specific reasons -- Ben Bishop and Joe Pavelski.

Bishop finished his first playoff run in Dallas with roughly the same kind of remarkable numbers he produced in the net for Tampa Bay. His .933 save percentage was third best in the playoffs, and that came after his .934 total during the regular season ranked No. 1 among all regular goaltenders.

Bishop outplayed Nashville veteran Pekka Rinne in the first round and was the equal of Blues rookie Jordan Binnington in the second. If Dallas came up short on the final night, it wasn’t because of poor play between the pipes. Bishop stopped 52 of the Blues’ first 53 shots. Under siege for most of the extra periods, he just couldn’t save the 54th. When Stars fans look forward to this season and what might come at the end, their only goaltending concern would be Bishop’s health, not the adequacy of his glove.

Regular season reminder: Let’s not make too much of one game, OK? Yes, the Bruins scored on their first two shots Thursday night before Bishop settled into a groove and stopped the next 18. In fact, he will carry about a 52-minute scoreless streak into his next start, so who’s to say Bishop isn’t ready to make a run at the team record of Ed Belfour’s that he broke last year (something just under 4 hours, I will look it up when it gets close).

As for Pavelski, he received a hand as loud as All-Star Miro Heiskanen’s during player introductions, Stars fans greeting the longtime San Jose center and happy to have him as one of their own.

Pavelski is 35 but he’s coming off a 38-goal season. When the Stars signed the Sharks captain to a three-year contract (he makes $8 million this year), it served as a clear sign from GM Jim Nill that the club is all in for the 2019-20 season. Even with players as talented as Pavelski, you don’t add them in their late ‘30s with the idea that the team’s window for winning a championship will be open forever.

In fact, if you include Corey Perry, who should be back from injury in about 10 days, there will be nights that Coach Jim Montgomery’s lineup features 11 of 20 players age 30 or older. That group now includes Jamie Benn, and if it seemed like he and Tyler Seguin might stay in their ‘20s forever, well, that time officially passed for the captain this summer. Seguin somehow is 27 so, yes, he may never age but the rest of us will.

Pavelski brings with him not only 100 playoff points but the heartbreak that comes with 134 post-season games and no hoisting of the Cup. In his time at San Jose, the Sharks went as far as the Western Conference Finals three times and the Cup Final once against Pittsburgh without quite finishing the job.

Over the long haul, the leadership and experience of Pavelski and others should carry this team through the tough Western Conference grind. For one night, it was a brutal start, physically, with a bloody Blake Comeau helped off the ice after taking a puck to the face in the first period, forward Jason Dickinson also leaving the game with an injury and then 1155363 Dallas Stars final preseason game against Colorado with Benn and Seguin, but also has the ability to pay center instead of simply right wing.

The Stars' top-six group will likely be a rotation throughout the season Ex-Stars forward Brett Ritchie returns to Dallas with Bruins: 'I think I under Montgomery. needed a fresh start and it wasn't a surprise' "It's a little too early to say that we've found him on the right spot on the right line yet because it's early in the year," Montgomery said. "We'll go through some ups and downs and we'll figure out that chemistry as we By Matthew DeFranks move along."

6:15 PM on Oct 3, 2019

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 10.04.2019 Brett Ritchie saw it coming.

The former Stars forward was coming off a season in which he had four goals and two assists in 53 games, averaged a career-low 9:36 of ice time a game and was entering restricted free agency. Instead of retaining Ritchie with a qualifying offer worth at least $1.8 million, the Stars allowed Ritchie to enter unrestricted free agency.

Ritchie signed a one-year deal worth $1 million with Boston, and returned to the American Airlines Center on Thursday for the first game of the regular season.

"I kind of expected it," Ritchie said. "I think it was definitely good for me. I think I needed a fresh start and it wasn't a surprise. ... You see it all around the league. I don't know why but a lot of guys need fresh starts. A lot of guys benefit from that. No different from that."

Ritchie was a healthy scratch more than 20 times during the regular season last year, and only dressed for one playoff game (Game 7 against St. Louis). He averaged 39 seconds on the power play, about a third of the time he received under previous coach Ken Hitchcock.

"It was definitely a disappointment," Ritchie said. "I think I just didn't feel like I got much of an opportunity to grow in any sort of role, so sort of stuck in that rotation of guys going in the lineup, getting out of the lineup. That makes for a long year."

Ritchie was in the Bruins' lineup Thursday night as their third-line right wing alongside center Charlie Coyle and left wing Danton Heinen.

Ritchie was originally a second-round pick in 2011, and was part of an offseason exodus of bottom-six talent on the Stars' roster that also included Jason Spezza (Toronto), Valeri Nichushkin (Colorado) and Tyler Pitlick (Philadelphia).

It was his first time as a free agent, and Ritchie ended up with the Eastern Conference champions who finished a win away from the Stanley Cup.

"You have different options and it's hard to say what's going to work and what's not," Ritchie said. "One thing I said -- there was different teams on the table, I'm not going to name off all the teams -- but I wanted to go to a good team. It's just more fun when you're winning. No one likes losing. I think any guy that's been on a team that loses, at the very best, it'd be an average year. It's not a culture to be in. I felt like these guys had success last year and I could learn a lot from them and help with their group."

Standing in the visitors dressing room, Ritchie was in a foreign place in a familiar building. He had no need to ever be in the other dressing room until now.

"Seems like a different rink from this side, even when you put your sticks on the other bench," Ritchie said.

Picking up? For the first time since 2016-17, the Stars return the same coach behind the bench that finished the season prior. Of the 20 players in the opening night lineup, 17 played a playoff game for Dallas last season, with the additions being Joe Pavelski, Andrej Sekera and Denis Gurianov.

So how does that continuity affect the way the Stars play?

"It should allow us to get off to a good start to the year," Montgomery said. "We've got a tough schedule, we start with the two Stanley Cup finalists back-to-back here. But that continuity, how we want to play, especially without the puck, should be there. So we should be hard to play against when we don't have it."

Pavelski's place: To start the season with his new team, Joe Pavelski will be on the top line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Pavelski played the 1155364 Dallas Stars

Bruins announcer calls Stars defenseman Roman Polak’s dangerous collision into boards ‘bad hockey karma’

By Sports Day Staff

10:57 PM on Oct 3, 2019

The Stars were tested early in their season opener against Boston.

Dallas and coach Jim Montgomery lost three players to injury in the game's first 30 minutes, most scarily defenseman Roman Polak on an awkward crash into the boards in the second period.

With 12:56 left in the second period, Polak hit the boards first with his right shoulder, immediately followed by his head. He was taken off the ice on a stretcher and did not move while he laid face-down on the ice.

What local Stars fans didn't get to see was the response to the play from the commentators on NESN's Bruins broadcast.

"That looked self-induced, didn't it?," NESN's Bruins color analyst said immediately after the collision.

"Has a little bit of bad hockey karma," NESN's Bruins play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards responded.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155365 Dallas Stars Comeau was struggling to put pressure on his leg as he was helped off the ice and was later announced he would not return because of a lower- body injury. After the game, it was revealed Comeau would miss multiple weeks. Stars 20/20: Injuries pile up as Stars drop odd opener to Bruins “He got hit in the face and he fell awkwardly and strained his lower body,” Montgomery said. “We know it’s going to be multiple weeks, whether that’s two or four, I don’t know.” By Sean Shapiro Jason Dickinson missed the final two periods with an upper-body injury Oct 3, 2019 and is expected to miss at least a week, but that timeline could be adjusted after X-rays.

DALLAS — That was a weird way to start the season. “He got cross-checked, I don’t know exactly when,” Montgomery said. “But that’s what caused the injury.” The Vezina finalist from last season let up the first two shots he faced. There were three injuries, two of them scary-looking, and Dallas finished 5. With the injuries, you can expect roster moves before the Stars the game with a rather sparse bench. upcoming three-game road trip and Dallas will have to put Martin Hanzal or Stephen Johns on long-term injured reserve to be cap compliant for The big early goal? It came from a player Dallas cast away in the the moves. summer. And some of the questions from last season? Well, they still linger after a slow start and an offensive effort that only yielded one goal Based on the final cuts from the NHL roster, and no AHL games played celebration for the home crowd. so far, the likely call-ups would likely be Joel Hanley on defense and a forward or two from the trio of Jason Robertson, Rhett Gardner and Nick In the end, it was a 2-1 win for the Boston Bruins. Caamano.

1. It may be a new season, but the sins of the past came back to bite the Based on role and need — Comeau and Dickinson are key penalty killers Stars in the first period. — it’s likely that Gardner and Caamano would be the ones driving up I-35 to join the Stars before their flight departs for St. Louis on Friday. Brett Ritchie, the restricted free agent the Stars elected not to qualify, scored on the Bruins’ first shot of the season and his first shift with 6. There was an incredibly emotional swing after Polak’s injury as the Boston 69 seconds into the game. building went from silent to raucous as Roope Hintz got loose for the Stars’ first goal of the season 54 seconds after the injury stoppage. Then it got worse. Hintz is primed for a big year. He knows it. His teammates know it. The Alexander Radulov provided an early reminder that while he may be the rest of the league will know soon. Stars’ most exciting player, he is also the least disciplined and was called for holding in the offensive zone. 7. One of the Stars’ calling cards last season was slow starts and then recovering from it in the second and third periods. That’s what happened And with Radulov in the box, Danton Heinen picked a corner, on the Thursday as Dallas looked sluggish in the opening 20 minutes and then Bruins second shot of the game, to give Boston a 2-0 lead less than six took control of the flow of the game in the second and third periods. minutes into the season. Dallas did a better job sustaining zone time and getting shots through 2. It was all the Bruins needed, and Stars goalie Ben Bishop took fault for and nearly tied the game in the third period on a quick wrister by Hintz the goals against after the game. that was gloved down by Rask. “It was a tough start for me. Two that I’d like to have. I kind of lost it there, 8. Speaking of Rask, I picked the Three Stars of the Game on Thursday, Ritchie’s behind Reji (Andrej Sekera) in front of me and it just kind of and after the announcement, there was some discourse with my surprised me real quick but it’s just a bad goal,” Bishop said. “Then the selections. power play, a pretty good screen but still one I’d like to have.” In hindsight, I probably should have included Rask in the trio, I’ll admit After allowing the first two goals, Bishop stopped the next 18 shots he that. faced, but on a night where Tuuka Rask handled everything in front of him, the first-period mistakes were too much. My logic at the time of selection, which we have to make with seven minutes remaining in the game, was that Boston did what it needed to 3. Hopefully, Roman Polak is OK. win the game early on the goals by Ritchie and Heinen, and in a low- I’m not going to embed the video or GIF — if you want to see it, it’s event game that type of start was the most valuable thing. Hintz was my probably on Twitter — but it was tough to watch as Polak went head-first third star because I felt he was the biggest threat on either team into the corner and crumbled to the ice. throughout the game.

Polak didn’t move, his arms were limp to his side, and the medical staff That was the thought process. Feel free to skewer me in the comments. I needed to use a stretcher to get him off the ice before he was taken to can take it. the hospital. Bishop, who was near Polak while he lay on the ice, said he 9. Speaking of players who stood out, Karson Kuhlman can fly. was able to talk to the defenseman and he was responsive. Being an Eastern Conference team we don’t get to see the Bruins that It was a scary moment, and the arena went silent. often and I didn’t know much about Kuhlman. He created a couple of nice After the game, there was positive news on Polak from Stars coach Jim chances in the game and there was one play where he made it look like Montgomery. Sekera was stuck in cement.

“The good news is Roman has full use of his extremities and we feel he’s 10. The Stars lines and defensive pairings were consistent in practice pretty good at the hospital,” Montgomery said. “But we don’t have results this week dating back to Monday, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise yet. We’re hopeful he may be a player in a couple of days.” when they rolled out this lineup to start for opening night.

If he can play in a couple of days it would be quite remarkable after how Jamie Benn – Tyler Seguin – Joe Pavelski it looked on the ice. Jason Dickinson – Roope Hintz – Alexander Radulov 4. When Polak went down the Stars were already missing a pair of Andrea Cogliano – Radek Faksa – Blake Comeau forwards and were forced to play more than half the game with 15 skaters. Mattias Janmark – Justin Dowling – Denis Gurianov

Blake Comeau was badly bloodied with 2:27 remaining in the first period Esa Lindell – John Klingberg when a puck took a deflection off Andrej Sekera’s stick and hit him in the face. Comeau had to be helped off the ice and the arena staff had to put Miro Heiskanen – Andrej Sekera in extra work to clean the spillage. Jamie Oleksiak – Roman Polak Things changed quite a bit with the injuries and there were rolling “It feels like a different rink from this side,” Ritchie said. “Even when you combinations throughout the remainder of the game. put your sticks on the other bench.”

Boston countered with this look after David Krejci was a game-time Ritchie, who signed a one-year deal with Boston, said he never felt like decision and scratched with a nagging injury. he had a chance to really find a role with the Stars last season.

Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak “I kind of expected it (not getting qualified by Dallas),” Ritchie said. “It was good for me, I needed a fresh start.” Jake DeBrusk – Par Lindholm – Karson Kuhlman “It was definitely a disappointment,” Ritchie added. “I didn’t think I got Danton Heinen – Charlie Coyle – Brett Ritchie much of an opportunity to grow in any sort of role. So I got kind of stuck Chris Wagner – Sean Kuraly – David Backes in that rotation of guys that’s going in the lineup out of the lineup. So that makes for a long year. That’s probably why the change (was needed).” Zdeno Chara – Charlie McAvoy 16. Many times the AHL captaincy can be the kiss of death for a player’s Torey Krug – Brandon Carlo NHL future.

Matt Grzelcyk – Connor Clifton It’s an honor, you’re being trusted to lead prospects, but it’s also an indication they don’t plan on you moving up to the NHL anytime soon or 11. Former President George W. Bush dropped the ceremonial faceoff ever again. before the game. The first six full-time captains in franchise history combined to play 12 Getting Bush to a game had been a priority for the Stars over the past NHL games with Dallas after they received the AHL “C,” 11 of them by couple years, and with the glamour of opening night, they were able to Dowling last season after he was named Texas’ captain in November. get the former president onto the ice wearing a No. 43 jersey for his order in the United States presidency. By making the NHL opening-night roster, Dowling avoided the fate of Curtis McKenzie, Travis Morin, Maxime Fortunus, Brad Lukowich, and Bush actually finished the night with just as many goals and penalties as Landon Wilson — he made it and the “C” didn’t have to stand for “staying the last Stars player to wear No. 43 in this building. in Cedar Park.” 12. The NHL has taken its product to Faksa’s native country this year Dowling’s career is a story of perseverance, very few players make their and the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks are playing a pair first NHL opening-night roster after celebrating their 29th birthday as of games in Prague this weekend. Dowling did on Tuesday. I mentioned the idea of Dallas getting that assignment in the future to “That’s kind of the Dowling way, taking the road less traveled,” Dowling Faksa after the morning skate. said. “It’s just the ups and downs in life. It seems like anytime things are “That would be great, maybe we should go next year,” Faksa said. “That going really well something is there to make it a little harder. My family would be awesome to play at home.” has always found ways to get around it or get through it and battle through, come closer as a family to figure those things out.” Like many Czechs, Faksa grew up worshiping at the altar of Jaromir Jagr, who at 47 is still playing back in his home country for the team he Hockey’s minor-league model isn’t like baseball. While the ECHL gets owns in Kladno. likened to Double-A baseball, it’s a level very few players ever graduate from to the NHL. Even fewer do it when they’ve had to work their way Faksa still tracks the Czech league and watches live games when from an ECHL contract to an AHL contract as Dowling did earlier in his possible. career.

“It’s hard because they often happen when we practice,” Faksa said. “But “So I think my career on a whole it’s been ramping up and up and up,” I try to catch all the highlights. (Jagr) scored a nice goal the other day.” Dowling said. “But it’s been little stops along the way where there’s been a wall I’ve had to jump over or climb over and I’ve just found a way to do Speaking of Jagr. While many will remember the Tyler Seguin trade as it.” the biggest deal between Dallas and Boston, don’t forget the 2013 trade where Dallas sent a 40-year-old Jagr to the Bruins for an eventual first- Stars general manager Jim Nill looks at Dowling’s path as an example of round pick. accepted adaptability. Dowling could have been a “four-A” player and been stuck in the AHL, but he made changes to his game during the That first-round pick was Dickinson. 2017-18 season with the and started doing the things Dallas 13. In first-round picks that didn’t pan out for Dallas: Julius Honka is still would need from a fourth-line center. back in Finland as the final unsigned restricted free agent and is waiting Dowling started blocking shots, he started killing penalties, he became for a trade out of the organization. more aggressive on the forecheck. Skill was still important, but his skill There are reports that Dallas is looking for a second-round pick, third- alone wasn’t enough to earn an NHL job, he needed to be better focused round pick, or a prospect for Honka. That aligns with the price of a third- on the details to earn a coach’s trust. round pick I heard during the offseason, and it with how close the Stars “Dowling was a trusted player in the playoffs and down the stretch as a are to the salary cap, it makes sense that they aren’t looking for another fourth-line center that plays second power play,” Montgomery said. “What roster play in return. I’ve seen from him now? I’ve actually seen a little nervousness because If I were in Dallas’ position a draft pick would be my main target. While this is his first time starting in the NHL. He’s no different than Gurianov there are some intriguing names out there (Josh Ho-Sang was floated really, he doesn’t have a lot of experience.” out there on Twitter Thursday), I think the level of prospect Dallas can Montgomery isn’t one for poetics, when he looks at Dowling he ignores realistically land for Honka isn’t as valuable as even a fourth-round draft the backstory and just sees a “good hockey player that helps us and pick. makes us better.” I think it’s best if we look at Honka this way. He’s like one of those 17. Elsewhere in the organization, the Texas Stars open their AHL college free agents that everyone tries to sign each spring, you’d love to season Friday against the Tucson Roadrunners in Cedar Park. add them to your organizational depth as a lottery ticket, but you really don’t want to give up something of value in that pursuit. Based on practice the past couple days, Texas likely would have rolled out this lineup, but that was before Dallas was rocked by injuries on 14. Seguin wasn’t mobbed by the Boston media contingent Thursday. I Thursday. guess after seven years we can bury that narrative. Riley Tufte — Rhett Gardner — Nick Caamano 15. While he scored, Ritchie wasn’t even supposed to play on Thursday. If Krejci had been available the former Star would have been scratched in Adam Mascherin — Joel L’Esperance — Michael Mersch his return to Dallas. Jason Robertson — Tanner Kero — Joel Kiviranta And after spending five seasons with the Stars, Ritchie felt a bit odd being in the visitor’s locker room at American Airlines Center. Brad McClure — Josh Melnick — Tye Felhaber Dillon Heatherington — Reece Scarlett

Gavin Bayreuther — Joel Hanley

Ben Gleason — Emil Djuse

Landon Bow

Jake Oettinger

An educated guess would say Bow gets the opening-night start in Texas because of seniority and play in NHL preseason, but Oettinger will likely get the start on Saturday in Game 2 against Manitoba.

Defensive prospect Joe Cecconi could be in the mix to play on opening night for Texas. Originally it was believed he would miss a couple of weeks because of his offseason shoulder surgery, but he’s been practicing this week in Texas without a red non-contact jersey.

18. Former Stars assistant coach Stu Barnes was in the building scouting for Seattle on Thursday.

Barnes’ contract expired after last season and the Stars elected not to bring him back when John Stevens was available. It was a tough break for Barnes, who likely would have been back in Dallas if Stevens weren’t available on the coaching market, but he ended up on the ground floor with the NHL’s 32nd franchise.

It’ll be interesting to see if Barnes sticks with the scouting role or if he ends up transitioning to coaching again when Seattle enters the league with an actual roster.

19. Pavelski will be adding a new suit to his wardrobe after visiting with Domenico Vacca after practice Wednesday.

Vacca is the go-to tailor for NHL players and his shop in Montreal serves more than 400 clients across the league. At this time of year Vacca is traveling from team to team, he was in Nashville on Tuesday, meeting with players bringing along a suitcase of swatches and getting measurements for orders.

You can read more about Vacca in this story that my colleague Jeremy Rutherford wrote last season.

20. Here is how the Stars did when it came to Montgomery’s process.

Average five-on-five shift length of 40 seconds or less: Failed. The Stars’ average five-on-five shift was 44.8 seconds. This was also a tough game for this category because of the injuries disrupting typical shifts.

Zero undisciplined penalties: Failed. Radulov had two offensive zone penalties.

Three or fewer odd-man rushes: Passed. The Stars did a good job in this realm, particularly after the first period.

Win net-front battle: Failed. This was a tough one to judge, but the Stars didn’t do enough around the net to create the final chances they needed.

Win special teams: Failed.

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155366 Dallas Stars Andrew Cogliano: Roope and Dicky (Dickinson). I think those two guys are guys who are going to take the next step. You always have in organizations (guys) where, that second or third year, that’s when they usually take off, and I think those two guys are going to be good players Stars locker room survey: The overwhelming favorite poised for big year, for this organization for a long time and for our team to be good. plus most impressive player Jamie Benn: Hopefully our group as a whole here. We have the pieces. Now it’s up to us to put in the work and gel right out of the gates here.

By Saad Yousuf Joe Pavelski: I think Dicky. I mean, obviously, Roope, but Dicky is on his way to having a good, solid year. Oct 3, 2019 Tyler Seguin: Probably Hintz. Roope has looked good all camp, and he

looked good obviously there in the playoffs, took a big step. So you put This is a talented Stars roster, from forwards to defensemen and, that all together, and I think he’s going to have a great year for us. obviously, goaltenders. A lot of the talent is players we’ve already seen, Roope Hintz: Miro. He already went to the All-Star game last year, and which gives way to certain expectations. But players change over the he’s so young. Now, he’s a year older, and he has some experience, so course of an offseason. Sometimes as guys get older, they may lose a he’s going to be really good this year. step; young players, meanwhile, continue to develop, and some look better than ever. Miro Heiskanen: Roope. He had a great playoffs last year, and he gets better and better all the time and had a great summer. I think he’s going The trick is identifying it before the regular season begins. That isn’t done to do good. through preseason games: Those have no impact on the standings, and teams aren’t always putting their best lineups on the ice, which can make Ben Bishop: I think Roope is going to have a huge year. You can see him it difficult to draw conclusions. Instead, it’s the players who tend to have grow as a player. I think last year, he scratched the surface, and this year the best idea of how their teammates look after countless hours spent is going to be a breakthrough for him. together throughout training camp. Anton Khudobin: Miro. He’s still young, he still will continue to grow and With that in mind, I surveyed the Stars locker room to see who the continue to work on his game and played really well last year. He will players believe is poised for a big year among them, as well as who play even better this year. opened eyes in camp – whether those players ultimately began the season on the NHL roster. Due to the lopsided results, I feel obligated to Jason Robertson (AHL): I think Roope’s looking pretty good. He’s looking add the disclaimer that each player was asked completely independently really fast. I know he has a lot of skill and had a good year last year. I and did not know what answer their teammates had given. They just know everybody here is looking for him to have a breakout year, and I’m happened to arrive at a strong – and intriguing – consensus. sure he will.

*Some players cast more than one vote Rhett Gardner (AHL): I’d say probably (Joe) Pavelski. Just the little things he does in front of the net. He always finds ways to get pucks to the net. Poised for a big year Most impressive camp Player Votes Player Votes Roope Hintz 11 Thomas Harley 5 Miro Heiskanen 2 Landon Bow/Goalies 4 Joe Pavelski 1 Jason Dickinson 3 Nicholas Caamano 1 Ty Dellandrea 2 Jason Dickinson 2 Nicholas Caamano 2 Radek Faksa: I think Roope (Hintz). He had a big end of the season in the playoffs, so big expectations for him. I think he’s a great player; he Alexander Radulov 1 showed us that. His skills are very high, so I’m really excited to see Jamie Benn 1 Roope this year. Roope Hintz 1 Jason Dickinson: Roope. I think Roope is looking good. It doesn’t look like he’s skipped a beat, looks like he’s still playing the way he finished Joel L’Esperance 1 last year. Radek Faksa: It’s hard to say because the game is very different than the Esa Lindell: Roope. Not just because he’s a Fin, but I think he’s got more regular season. For sure, a few guys looked pretty good to me, but I speed and strength. I think he’s going to get the chance to play top-six won’t tell who. minutes, so if he gets off to a good start, it’s going to just boost his confidence, and that’s going to help him be even better. Jason Dickinson: I think our goalies have been really impressive. (Landon) Bow and (Jake) Oettinger, (Colton) Point as well. The minutes Justin Dowling: I think Caamano is primed to take the next step in being they played were awesome. a professional hockey player. You could tell last year, around Christmas time, he took another step and then again at the end of the year when I Esa Lindell: I’ve liked (Nicholas) Caamano. He’s been working hard, and left, there were a lot less guys in Austin. He kind of took over and took his he’s been good the few (preseason) games I’ve seen from him. He game to the next level. You can see it this year, too. comes to mind first.

Blake Comeau: I’d have to say probably Roope. The growth in his game Justin Dowling: (Nicholas) Caamano has impressed me since he came over the season last year was really cool to see. I’m sure he’s going to last year, played with me in Texas. He always impresses me with how pick up where he left off. You can see it in preseason – he’s such a big, hard he works. He’s a big body, and he possesses pucks really well, and strong powerful guy that can control the play, so definitely I think he’s you can just tell, he cares and takes pride in his game. going to be a breakout guy. Blake Comeau: I thought the two preseason games that I played with Taylor Fedun: I think we have a very hungry group of forwards that want (Jason) Dickinson, I thought he looked good. to prove that maybe we can find the net a little more than we did last Taylor Fedun: The young kid on D, Thomas Harley. I thought he had a year. I think, and hope, collectively that that’s a big part of our team this really strong camp. Coming in as an 18-year-old, it’s usually pretty year. I would say Roope has been exceptional. He was trending in that intimidating, but he made a really strong case that he’s going to be a very direction all of last year. So far, knock on wood, it looks like he’s going to good defenseman in this league. pick up where he left off and keep getting better. Andrew Cogliano: I think (Ty) Dellandrea’s going to be a really good player. I think he seems like he’s got an NHL kind of pedigree in terms of how he thinks the game and how he moves out there. Harley’s a good player, first-rounder for a reason. Roope keeps impressing me every time I watch him. I think he’s evolving into one of the top players in the league, for sure. Those three guys have really impressed me, but Dickinson’s been really good, had a strong camp and you can tell he’s taking the next step to be an impact player.

Jamie Benn: You kind of know what to expect from the players you’ve been around so probably Harley. He was good – a great skater and puck-moving defenseman. He plays with confidence. I’m sure we’re going to see him around here really soon.

Joe Pavelski: I think Dicky’s had a really good camp. Just being an outsider, seems like he’s put some work in during the summer and prepared and had a good camp.

Tyler Seguin: Our defenseman, Harley. He’s our first-rounder. He’s got great vision and is going to be a good player. I think (Ty) Dellandrea looked like he’s grown and probably one more year back in juniors and he’ll be ready to go, too. I liked (Joel) L’Esperance. He looked good.

Roope Hintz: Goalies have been really good.

Miro Heiskanen: Probably Harley. He was really good with the puck and really good offensive player.

Ben Bishop: I think probably (Landon) Bow. He had an unbelievable training camp, and I had just seen him work this summer when he was here and his commitment to everything and to see him have the success that he had in the preseason was pretty impressive.

Anton Khudobin: Miro. The young goalies have been pretty good.

Jason Robertson (AHL): Rads is somebody I look up to. I think his work ethic, hunting pucks and going after the defense is something I want to try to do and kind of replicate.

Rhett Gardner (AHL): Jamie Benn, just kind of the way he acts off of the ice, takes care of his body and then what he does on the ice. Obviously, he’s a very skilled, elite player, but he plays really hard and goes to hard areas, and there’s a lot you can learn from him.

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155367 Dallas Stars “He kind of talked me off the ledge a little bit … He was like, ‘I don’t think you should do that surgery,'” Chilcott added. “I remember Bill’s words to me were, ‘You want to play with kids someday. Hopefully, you have kids and you can actually play with them.'” How a British figure skater is helping Jamie Benn and the Stars find an edge Those words held weight to Chilcott. He didn’t have the surgery. Instead, he worked on a longer-term recovery plan and retired from the rigors of competition to help heal his back. That’s when he found a deep love for the profession that brought him to Texas in the first place. By Sean Shapiro Chilcott’s parents, Pauline and Tim, are figure-skating coaches. They Oct 3, 2019 moved to McKinney when Luke was 15; there were more skating rinks in a city like Dallas than their native England. While Pauline and Tim still coach figure skaters, Luke found his niche teaching youth hockey FRISCO, Texas — If you look closely, you’ll notice something different players. about Jamie Benn when the Dallas Stars open their 2019-20 season against the Boston Bruins. “I had grown up playing hockey, too, so it was kind of seamless going to hockey skates,” Chilcott said. “So that business kind of grew and grew His skating stride is slightly smoother, his first step is sharper and there’s with youth hockey kids. But I wanted to work with grown hockey players. I a better sense of purpose in how Benn moves around the ice. wanted to work with grown men and try to explain skating technique to them and get their feedback. Like someone who played hockey their It’s a minuscule change, one you won’t notice unless you are looking for whole life, can I find a way to help that skater?” it. But details make a big difference in the NHL. Through a mutual friend, Chilcott was able to connect with the ECHL’s “I’m trying to get you to create a blade-length of an opening,” Luke Allen Americans and became a volunteer skating coach in 2016. His Chilcott said. “I need you to tight-turn quicker (in the corner) than that guy volunteering turned into a more permanent arrangement thanks to Allen can (get his) stick in the passing lane. And if that gets to the high guy (in coach Steve Martinson. After three seasons, the San Jose Sharks, the offensive zone)? There is your scoring chance. If you can do that Allen’s former parent club, took notice and reached out about having him more often, you create more (chances), and that’s where skating work with their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, and select NHL techniques apply directly” players before last season. When it comes to skating, Benn has mostly gotten by on pure athleticism. “They (the Sharks) brought me out for their development camp, and that He’s far from the prettiest skater, but his status quo worked well enough was kind of like a five-day interview,” Chilcott said. “It went well enough, to bag an NHL scoring title in 2015. He signed one of the NHL’s richest and I’ve been working with them since.” contracts soon afterward. That put Chilcott on the pro radar, and the Stars realized they had an As he enters the second half of his career, however, the 30-year-old has asset in their own backyard. Chilcott met with Stars Player Development had to start working smarter with hockey’s foundation. It’s a conversation Coordinators JJ McQueen and Rich Peverley. They liked what the Britt he had with Stars coach Jim Montgomery at the end of last season, who had to say and passed on his info to the Stars captain. said he wants Benn to turn back into “the most dominant left winger in the game.” “I got on the ice with Jamie for Session One, and luckily that went well,” Chilcott said. “So he kept me around for the whole summer.” “Being able to change his offseason workouts so he has the power and strength to do it for 82 games,” Montgomery said. “Then the other part Chilcott would lead sessions three times a week during the offseason for was getting back to the scoring areas where he’s dominant, which he Benn and his brother Jordie, who plays for the Vancouver Canucks. It analyzed on his own and told me that that’s from the post to the dots to was far from exciting to watch; Chilcott would typically lead a drill down dot in the offensive zone. So, he’s worked on his game that way, and the ice, while the Benns would follow, working on edges. But Chilcott that’s a credit to him being a real good pro.” believes those small steps could amount to significant progress.

For the strength and power on skates, Montgomery turned to Chilcott, “In the skating world, it’s very difficult to fix habits,” Chilcott said. “So old whom Benn connected with as a personal skating coach back in June. habits you’ve had your entire life, you’re probably not going to overhaul It’s the first time in Benn’s career that he has worked with a specific that in a summer. Basic forward skating is very, very difficult to change. skating coach in the offseason. But with Jamie, there are a few things I thought, if he had one or two focuses, we could achieve better results and not asking for a complete “It was kind of different and I quite enjoyed it,” Benn said. “I feel like I’m overhaul, which would have been unrealistic.” skating a little bit better this year, it’s only been (preseason games) so we’ll see.” It started with edge-work exercises, which Chilcott said are like going through a plyometric warmup before working out in the gym. Their partnership is a symbiotic one. Working with Benn is a big step in Chilcott’s coaching career, as his time with the Stars captain is only going “Edge work and edge-work exercises acclimate you to the ice every day,” to raise his profile in the business. It’s the big payoff after he made the Chilcott said. “So when you get into your skates, you should run through difficult decision to sacrifice his own Olympic dream. some edge work real quickly. The most abbreviated example would be warmups before a game. I have some players reach out to me and ask, Chilcott was near the height of his figure skating career in 2012 when he ‘Hey, give me three things I can do in my skates during warmup to make injured his lower back. me better to go.'” “I had a bulging disc, which was kind of on both sides,” Chilcott said. “It Chilcott said those simple exercises can help Benn become a better was basically, did I want to fuse my back to go to the (2014) Olympics? I skater. By using the proper technique, Benn can get more out of the had some good physical therapists and doctors that said, ‘It’s your athleticism and strength that turned him into a top-tier NHL player in the opportunity, and you can fuse your back for that. It’s a once in a lifetime first place. thing (the Olympics). But the surgery is going to come with all sorts of consequences later on life.” “When you’ve just played and worked on strength and conditioning and speed work, then there’s some little changes here and there, where you It wasn’t an easy choice for a 22-year-old close to reaching a dream, can take all of that work you do in the gym and you can get more of it out especially when he could potentially go to the Olympics as a single there on the ice,” Chilcott said. skater as well as possibly taking part in the team competition. Chilcott compares his process to working on a golfer’s swing. The best “They had brought up that, even if I didn’t qualify for the Olympics as a drives aren’t purely a matter of strength — they also require the right single skater, the team event was going on, and with the surgery I could technique. be part of that,” Chilcott said. “So I thought, ‘That’s a huge thing, I need to do the surgery.'” Agility was also a big point of emphasis with Benn.

That’s when he had an important conversation with his training partner, “For somebody like him, who can naturally protect the puck so well Bill Littlefield. because of his size and strength and athleticism, giving him some agility work to also move laterally and change directions much quicker – it’s all right there to make it even harder to get the puck,” Chilcott said.

Benn would joke with Chilcott that the agility drills were a “little-guy move.”

“Yeah, but if you borrow a little bit of the little guy move and use it as a big guy?” Chilcott would say. “You become twice as dangerous.”

It made sense.

“I think we had a game plan from Day 1, he’s a pretty easy-going guy,” Benn said. “He knows how to communicate with all different types of people and personalities. He’s also a heck of a skater and a good teacher.”

The key to being a good teacher is openness to ideas and feedback, which is where Chilcott really thrived while working with multiple pros in the offseason. He and Benn have a give-and-take about certain drills, while Chilcott said he learned quite a bit about from the half-dozen NHL players he trained in June and July at the Stars’ practice facility in Frisco.

“This is why I wanted to work with pros – accomplished players – in the first place,” Chilcott said. “To have that conversation, to learn about skating with them and then help them with what I’ve learned, it’s been great.”

Chilcott is part of a long line of figure skaters who have become skating coaches for hockey players.

Jason Dickinson works with Barbara Underhill in Toronto during the offseason, a partnership which dates back to when Dickinson was a 15- year-old in Guelph. For many players, the summer skating sessions help reset the base and can introduce added elements to a player’s game.

Dickinson noticed results in the preseason. One of the new tools in the bag came out when he scored on a shorthanded breakaway against the St. Louis Blues.

“On that breakaway, that little turning my foot and sliding instead of stopping, we’ve been working on that a lot,” Dickinson said. “Using different aspects around the ice, that’s something we really worked on this summer and trying to kind of add that into different areas of the ice, like there.”

Joe Pavelski worked with Chilcott a couple of times in San Jose and then joined Benn’s skating sessions in August when he and his family moved to Dallas.

“If you want to work on it, you can get a little better. Now, that being said, I don’t think there is a skating coach out there that can turn me into a Miro (Heiskanen),” Pavelski said. “I’d pay a lot of money if I could find them. But there is something to it with the skating coaches and finding those little edges before the season.”

Heiskanen, for what it’s worth, doesn’t use a skating coach. Neither do Roope Hintz or Mattias Janmark — two of the Stars’ smoothest skaters. Edge work and skating fundamentals were integrated at a young age in Sweden and Finland. Practices would often start with 10 to 15 minutes of skating and edge work that became part of a player’s foundation.

But skating coaches can help bridge the gap for those who aren’t naturally gifted on their edges or didn’t grow up in Europe.

“Kind of can’t believe we didn’t have him out here before,” Benn said of Chilcott. “Just being down the street, pretty much, and the experience he has working with San Jose, maybe we should have found him four or five years ago.”

Working with Benn is only making up for lost time for Chilcott, who at 30 is still early in his coaching career. He will also do additional consultations for the Stars this season. Last week, he skated with injured defenseman Stephen Johns after practice, and there are plans to have him work with other players at various times throughout the season.

“That’s a huge confidence boost when the captain of the Dallas Stars says he wants you to help him with skating,” Chilcott said. “Jamie’s really the first part of what really my goal was. I always wanted to get to the point where someone in Canada might say, ‘I need help with my skating, can I fly down to Dallas for a week?’ This has opened opportunities, especially if he likes the results.”

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155368 Detroit Red Wings Age: 24. Salary cap hit: $900,000.

Buzz: Trying to establish if he can be a good fit. Detroit Red Wings: Breaking down the 2019-20 roster D Danny DeKeyser

2018-19: 5 goals, 15 assists in 52 games. Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Published 6:42 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019 | Updated 10:19 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019 Age: 29.

Salary cap hit: $5 million.

Meet every player on the 2019-20 Detroit Red Wings. Buzz: Should benefit from a lighter workload.

*Age as of Dec. 31, 2019 F Christoffer Ehn

F Justin Abdelkader 2018-19: 3 goals, 6 assists in 60 games.

2018-19: 6 goals, 14 assists in 71 games. Age: 23.

Age: 32. Salary cap hit: $759,167.

Salary cap hit: $4.25 million. Buzz: Efficient grinder capable of nurturing more offense.

Buzz: Can he figure out how to add value to the lineup if he’s not F Adam Erne producing points? 2018-19: 7 goals, 13 assists in 65 games with Tampa Bay. F Andreas Athanasiou Age: 24. 2018-19: 30 goals, 24 assists in 76 games. Salary cap hit: $1.05 million. Age: 25. Buzz: Thick-bodied grinder who’ll bring physical presence. Salary cap hit: $3 million. D Jonathan Ericsson Buzz: Can he reach 30 goals again? 2018-19: 3 goals, 2 assists in 52 games. D Madison Bowey Age: 35. 2018-19: 1 goal, 3 assists in 17 games (after trade to Wings). Salary cap hit: $4.25 million. Age: 24. Buzz: Health in question as he enters his last season. Salary cap hit: $1 million. F Valtteri Filppula Buzz: Good third-pairing defender with potential for improvement. 2018-19: 17 goals, 14 assists in 72 games (with Islanders). G Jonathan Bernier Age: 35. 2018-19: 9-18-5 with a .904 save percentage and 3.16 goals-against average. Salary cap hit: $3 million.

Age: 31. Buzz: Great passer, maybe a miracle happens and he shoots more, too.

Salary cap hit: $3 million. F Luke Glendening

Buzz: Expected to carry a more equal workload. 2018-19: 10 goals, 13 assists in 78 games.

F Tyler Bertuzzi Age: 30.

2018-19: 21 goals, 26 assists in 73 games. Salary cap hit: $1.8 million.

Age: 24. Buzz: Excellent skater with relentless work ethic and decent offense.

Salary cap hit: $1.4 million. D Mike Green

Buzz: Fun to watch get under an opponent’s skin. 2018-19: 5 goals, 21 assists in 43 games.

D Dennis Cholowski Age: 34.

2018-19: 7 goals, nine assists in 52 games. Salary cap hit: $5.375 million.

Age: 21. Buzz: Can his health hold up?

Salary cap hit: $894,166. F Darren Helm

Buzz: In a better spot than last year, has chance to make himself a 2018-19: 7 goals, 10 assists in 61 games. regular. Age: 32.

D Trevor Daley Salary cap hit: $3.85 million.

2018-19: 2 goals, 6 assists in 44 games. Buzz: Good defensively, big part of the penalty kill.

Age: 36. F Taro Hirose

Salary cap hit: $3.167 million. 2018-19: 1 goal, 6 assists in 10 games.

Buzz: A mobile puckmover and good partner for young defensemen. Age: 23.

F Jacob de la Rose Salary cap hit: $925,000. 2018-19: 3 goals, 6 assists in 60 games. Buzz: As opponents get to know him, can he continue to show off hockey smarts?

More: Red Wings didn't think Taro Hirose looked like a player. He proved them wrong

G Jimmy Howard

2018-19: 23-22-5 with a .909 save percentage and 3.07 goals-against average.

Age: 35.

Salary cap hit: $4 million.

Buzz: Durability should benefit if Bernier lightens workload.

D Filip Hronek

2018-19: 5 goals, 18 assists in 46 games.

Age: 22.

Salary cap hit: $714,166.

Buzz: Brims with confidence, could be headed for a breakout year.

F Dylan Larkin

2018-19: 32 goals, 41 assists in 76 games.

Age: 23.

Salary cap hit: $6.1 million.

Buzz: Wings have no chance without their best player.

F Anthony Mantha

2018-19: 25 goals, 23 assists in 67 games.

Age: 25.

Salary cap hit: $3.3 million.

Buzz: Wings can’t afford to lose this guy, either.

D Patrik Nemeth

2018-19: 1 goal, nine assists in 74 games (with Avalanche).

Age: 27.

Salary cap hit: $3 million.

Buzz: Shot-blocking stay-at-home defender who plays with bite.

F Frans Nielsen

2018-19: 10 goals, 25 assists in 72 games.

Age: 35.

Salary cap hit: $5.25 million.

Buzz: Sound defensively, but will he have wingers who can finish his passes?

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155369 Detroit Red Wings "I hope we can be top 10. I don't think it takes that much to get into that top 10," he said. "The other part of it is the number of power play goals is important, not just the percentage. To do that you have to draw more penalties. For us to increase scoring, we have to get ourselves into the Detroit Red Wings' Dylan Larkin back at practice, confident he'll play top 10 on the power play and ultimately to decrease scoring (by Saturday opponents), we have to get ourselves into the top half of the league in that penalty kill."

Waiting for the puck to fall Dana Gauruder, Special to Detroit Free Press Published 2:14 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019 The Wings' preseason schedule ended on Saturday, giving them a week to prepare for the opener, even though the NHL season began

Wednesday. Dylan Larkin wore an orange jersey on Thursday during practice. The The break is unusual but needed as they jammed nine games into 12 Detroit Red Wings are relieved he'll be wearing white and red jerseys this days and had minimal practice time during that stretch. weekend. "This gives us four practices before we play for real," Blashill said. Larkin departed Tuesday's practice after crashing into the boards while trying to avoid teammate Darren Helm. It turned out to be just a scare as Detroit Free Press LOADED: 10.04.2019 testing on the upper-body injury showed no damage.

The Wings' top player wasn't sure that would be the case immediately after it happened.

"It didn't feel good," said Larkin, who also battled a foot injury earlier in camp. "I went awkwardly into the boards. But I feel great now and that's the main thing."

More on Wings: Larkin leading the rush, but reality might slow it down

He skated regularly during Thursday's practice while wearing the orange "non-contact" jersey. The Wings will practice once more at Little Caesars Arena before heading to Nashville for Saturday's season opener (8 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). They'll face Dallas in the home opener on Sunday.

"The orange jersey is just precautionary," Larkin said. "Tomorrow I don't know what color jersey I'll be wearing but I'll be in the game for sure Saturday. There's nothing to hold me back."

Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, right, celebrates his

Athanasiou questionable for opener

Athanasiou missed practice on Thursday with an undisclosed injury. He'll be a game-time decision on Saturday, according to Blashill. His chances of playing at Nashville will increase if he can take the ice on Friday.

"We're hoping he practices tomorrow," Blashill said. "If he practices tomorrow, it puts him in a position of playing on Saturday."

Blashill sets top 10 goal for PP

Special teams must improve for the Wings to challenge for a playoff spot. They were 19th on the power play (18.1% success rate) and 28th on the penalty kill (77.1%) last season.

This season's top power play unit appears to be Larkin, Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi joined by Andreas Athanasiou and Dennis Cholowski. Taro Hirose and Filip Hronek are also in the mix.

[ Cholowski will be in the Wings' opening lineup. Here's why ]

"We did improve towards the end of the year when we had one set unit," Larkin said. "We're missing a skilled guy this year in Thomas Vanek but when Vanny had a couple of injuries late in the season and Bert stepped into his position in front of the net he scored a few goals and set up a couple of plays.

"Dennis is pretty solid up top and knows when to shoot it and when to lay it to Mo and he uses his big shot. We're really meshing. We've got the right piece in the right spots and we're confident."

Larkin and Mantha led the power-play unit with seven goals apiece last season. Bertuzzi contributed three goals and three assists once he joined that unit.

The addition of Patrik Nemeth, one of the NHL's premier shotblockers, should aid the penalty kill unit.

"He seems to love to do it and he's great at it," said Luke Glendening, one of the Wings' main penalty killers. "That will help a ton on the defensive side. We have to be willing to block shots. The sacrifices have got to be at an all-time high."

Coach Jeff Blashill believes an increase in power play opportunities is just as essential as the scoring percentage. 1155370 Detroit Red Wings

Farmington Hills' Alex DeBrincat signs 3-year, $19.2M deal with Blackhawks

Associated Press Published 8:59 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019

Chicago — The Chicago Blackhawks and forward Alex DeBrincat have agreed to a three-year, $19.2 million contract extension through the 2022-23 season.

The 21-year-old DeBrincat tied for sixth in the NHL and second on the team to Patrick Kane last season with 41 goals and he also had 35 assists. The Farmington Hills native became the second-youngest Blackhawks player to score 40 goals.

Chicago finished sixth in the Central at 36-34-12 and missed the playoffs for the second straight season after nine consecutive appearances. The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

They have their sights set on a return to the postseason, with a beefed up defense and coach Jeremy Colliton running his first training camp after taking over for Joel Quenneville in November.

Detroit News LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155371 Detroit Red Wings

Ex-NHL referee: Steve Yzerman was 'disrespectful'

Mark Falkner, The Detroit News Published 7:26 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019 | Updated 7:42 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019

Former referee Paul Stewart paints a rather unflattering picture of Steve Yzerman's on-ice behavior during Yzerman's 22-year NHL career.

In Stewart's new book "You Wanna Go," Stewart said Yzerman was his least favorite player to deal with because the Red Wings' captain showed little respect for his officials.

"I made it my business to step up and defend the linesmen whom he treated the most poorly, in my opinion," Stewart wrote in the book. "In Minnesota, he berated a linesman to the point where I felt awful for this guy.

"It finally reached the point where I asked to meet with Detroit head coach Scotty Bowman. Bowman told me Yzerman had been difficult to get under control. I asked Scotty to strike a compromise.

"Bowman had other players like Doug Brown, Viacheslav Fetisov, Igor Larionov and Chris Chelios, who didn't berate officials and could discuss penalties and calls with me without going over the top in a disrespectful manner."

Ex-teammates of Yzerman disagree with Stewart's point of view.

"He's (Stewart) trying to sell a book, right?" said Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan, a former Red Wing and the only player in NHL history with 600 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes.

"Steve had that fire in the belly, that relentless, unyielding will to win, but you would be mistaken and it would be inaccurate to say he was disrespectful. He wasn't that kind of guy. He held everyone accountable on the ice, even the officials."

Shanahan did say Yzerman and some officials weren't on great speaking terms.

Shanahan remembers Yzerman's reaction when an official offered to buy them a round of drinks at a restaurant the day after ejecting Yzerman in the third period of a game in Nashville in 2003.

"Steve told the guy to (expletive) off ... and he (Yzerman) walked out of the restaurant," Shanahan said.

Yzerman spent his fair share of time in the penalty box during his 1,514 career games, averaging 42 minutes in penalties per season.

Red Wings color analyst Mickey Redmond says Yzerman was no pushover on the ice, especially early in his career when teams tried to intimidate the young captain.

"He learned how to use his stick to protect himself and earn his territory," Redmond said. "They tried to run him like any young star but he had the fortitude to say, 'I don't think so.' That set the bar for him to become a really good hockey player."

Bob Errey, a junior teammate of Yzerman's with the OHL Peterborough Petes and the Red Wings, also disagrees with Stewart's assessment of Yzerman's behavior.

"Stewie was a good guy, but it wasn't always about the game," Errey said. "A lot of times, it was about Stewie. Steve would ride officials if he felt they weren't doing their job, but not to the point of disrespect. I wouldn't classify it that way. No, not all."

Detroit News LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155372 Detroit Red Wings "Jacques was the leader and comfortable being in the spotlight," MacAdam said. "Steve didn't have to be the center of attention and could quietly lead by example.

Yzerman rules: Wings GM applies lessons from 14-year Cup drought "The team always came first for Steve Yzerman. Always."

Early setbacks

Mark Falkner, The Detroit News Yzerman's first 11 years as captain in Detroit were marked by high- scoring exploits during the regular season (1,122 points) — surpassed only by Edmonton's Wayne Gretzky (1,368 points) and Pittsburgh's Mario Lemieux (1,253 points) — but also by first-round playoff disappointments Detroit Red Wings assistant general manager Doug MacLean went to and underwhelming performances in Game 7s. bed "scared to death," knowing that captain Steve Yzerman was about to be traded the next day. In three Game 7s against the St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks from 1991-94, Yzerman was a combined minus-6, a It was the 1990-91 season, the underachieving Red Wings were stat that reflects a player's positive or negative contributions on the ice struggling after missing the playoffs the year before and MacLean was when a goal is scored. told by GM Bryan Murray that Yzerman, the face of the franchise and the team's best hope of returning Detroit to the glory years of the Gordie Brendan Shanahan, Toronto Maple Leafs president and former Red Howe-led dynasty clubs in the 1950s, was headed to the New York Wings teammate Islanders for high-scoring center Pat Lafontaine (Waterford) and another player. The discipline he learned, his daily approach to work, his humbleness through adversity, his steely resolve. Nobody I've met has more resolve "When I woke up the next day, the deal was off," MacLean said. "Dare I than Steve Yzerman. say, I'm glad that trade didn't happen. It could've changed the course of Red Wings history." The Game 7 loss in the first round against Toronto in 1993 was one of the most disappointing defeats in franchise history. During the regular The rest, of course, is history. season, the Wings had the No. 1-ranked power play and scored more goals than any other team (369 goals). Yzerman led the Red Wings to three Stanley Cups in six years, including the team's first championship in 42 years in 1997. "We were rocking and rolling that year, and it looked like no one could beat us," said former Red Wings forward Paul Ysebaert, who led the However, that attempted trade, as well as the more-publicized rumored league in 1993 with a plus-44 rating. "Best team I've ever played on. deal for Senators center Alexei Yashin in 1995, highlighted Yzerman's Hands down." often uncertain future in Detroit during the first 14 years of his Hall of Fame career. Forced into a seventh and deciding game at Joe Louis Arena with only one penalty called and no power-play time, the Wings failed to hold a According to more than a dozen ex-teammates, front-office personnel third-period lead and lost 4-3 in overtime on a goal by Maple Leafs and media members contacted by The Detroit News, the hard lessons forward Nikolai Borschevsky. Yzerman endured on and off the ice during the Stanley Cup drought from 1983-97 helped prepare the Red Wings' first-year general manager for "We were outcoached, plain and simple," Ysebaert said. "They double- the long and painful rebuild, which continues Saturday when Detroit shifted (Doug) Gilmour in the third period while we rolled four lines with opens the season in Nash. Steve watching from the bench. If I'm Steve Yzerman, I want to go head- to-head with Doug Gilmour. He never got that chance." "He's the right man for the job," Toronto Maple Leafs president, former teammate and three-time Stanley Cup champion Brendan Shanahan "He'll never say this publicly," said Ray Sheppard, another high-scoring said. forward who had 32 goals with the Red Wings in 1993. "But it had to bother him a little bit that Gretzky and Lemieux had their Stanley Cups "Nobody ever thinks when they're playing, 'These tough lessons will help during that stretch and we didn't win anything. me when I become a general manager,' but they did. The discipline he learned, his daily approach to work, his humbleness through adversity, "I really believe those years shaped the way he sees things now in his steely resolve. Nobody I've met has more resolve than Steve management. He knew we needed different parts to be successful, but Yzerman." he wasn't an egotistical captain who felt he had all the answers. Things had to change, piece by piece." -- SHARE: Share this article on Facebook Valuable lessons 'The team came first' Yzerman's lessons about building a championship team were often Yzerman's resolve was tested unlike any other captain's in the NHL. difficult. No player in the 102-year history of the league went through more "There were summers I didn't even want to go outside," Yzerman said successive years as captain before winning the Stanley Cup as Yzerman after winning his first Stanley Cup in 1997. "I didn't want to be did during those 11 years from 1986-97. recognized. I put on my hat, my sunglasses, I walked around in a shell. He was named the youngest captain in Red Wings' history at age 21 on You're embarrassed." Oct. 7, 1986, three years after he joined the franchise as the fourth In 1996, Yzerman said he ran into two Wings fans during the offseason overall pick in the NHL draft. at a casino. He remained in that role until the day he retired on July 3, 2006, the The fans got up and left the craps table when they saw Yzerman. "Let's longest-serving captain in NHL history (19 seasons or 7,209 days) and go someplace else," Yzerman said, recounting the story. "This table has the longest-serving captain of any team in North American major league bad luck." sports history. Things weren't much better on the ice for a team formerly known as the Alexander Ovechkin was captain for eight years before winning the Cup "Dead Wings." two years ago in Washington. No team has ever won a Stanley Cup with three 30-goal centers, but the The previous records were held by Calgary co-captain Lanny McDonald Wings tried to buck the trend in the 1991-92 seasons with Yzerman (45 (six) and Montreal's Butch Bouchard (five), Toronto's George Armstrong goals), Jimmy Carson (34 goals) and Sergei Fedorov (32 goals). (five) and Boston's Zdeno Chara (five). Most championship-caliber teams prefer to go with a more-balanced mix Former Red Wings assistant coach Don MacAdam said Yzerman was of offense and defense to be better prepared for the rigors of playoff the best player on the team in 1986 and was a natural choice to be the hockey. first captain for new head coach Jacques Demers. "We knew the odds of trying to win with three 30-goal centers," MacLean said. "We were concerned, but we thought we were building the team the right way. Steve never told us how to build the team, but he wasn't shy Four other teams (Ottawa, Vancouver, N.Y. Rangers, and Vegas) didn't about telling us who wasn't very good." name a captain either for the NHL's opening night on Wednesday.

Yzerman declined to be interviewed for the story, but he did talk about "I'm extremely excited to see his (Yzerman's) vision and where he's building a winning team in the book "Red Wing Nation," published in going to take this team," said defenseman Mike Green, who was in 2015. Washington for five of Ovechkin's eight years as captain before Ovechkin finally won the Cup. "I've learned a lot about the game, about leadership, about the things that need to be done to make a team sport successful," he said. "You learn "They (Ovechkin and Yzerman) both overcame the hard obstacles and a that by experiencing some of the defeats that we had along the way. lot of adversity along the way to finally being rewarded. I'm sure it was worth all the pain and suffering in the past." "If I could write a script about my Red Wings career, could I have written a better one? Sure, I suppose. I probably wouldn't have written it for me It's those lessons that hockey historian Stan Fischler says makes to wait 14 years before I won the Stanley Cup!" Yzerman's return to Detroit one of the most compelling stories of the season. Yzerman's transformation "He's paid his dues," said Fischler, who has written nearly 100 hockey Yzerman's path to that first Stanley Cup-clinching game against the books and has watched the NHL since his first game at Madison Square Philadelphia Flyers at Joe Louis Arena on June 7, 1997, is well- Garden in 1939. documented. "This is the kind of story that screen writers love. His pain and progress After a first-round playoff loss against San Jose in Scotty Bowman's first are inseparable. We can talk until the cows come home, but he's going to year as head coach in 1994, Bowman took a more active role in the do it his way, the right way, making hard decisions and there's nothing general manager's role and helped form the Russian Five with Igor wrong with that. We'll wait for the results." Larionov, Viacheslav Fetisov, Vyacheslav Kozlov, Vladimir Konstantinov and Fedorov. 'Like a silent assassin'

Combined with a stronger supporting cast, better goaltending and Yzerman made a number of difficult decisions during his successful nine- Yzerman's evolving two-way, 200-foot game, the Red Wings won back- year run as general manager/senior adviser of the Tampa Bay Lightning to-back Stanley Cups in 1997 and 1998 and again in Bowman's final year from 2010-19. in 2002. No decisions were bigger than replacing popular captains Vincent "He transformed his game into blocking shots, taking faceoffs, tough Lecavalier and Hall of Famer Martin St. Louis with sharpshooter Steve things to do when you're an offensive player," Bowman said. "My Stamkos, who has gone six years without winning a Cup despite last message to him and the team was, all the goals and points guys get are year's 62-win regular season, which tied the 1996 Red Wings for most meaningless in the playoffs. wins in a season.

"As captain for nearly 20 years, he had a big impact on the team. When "Steve (Yzerman) is so humble he'll tell you he was lucky, but he was like that game started at 7:10 or 7:40, he was in a zone for a good two-and-a- a silent assassin in Tampa Bay, and I mean that respectfully," said NHL half hours. When you have that kind of work ethic, it rubs off on Network analyst Brian Lawton, who was taken first overall in the same everyone." draft as Yzerman in 1983.

Coach Mike Babcock didn't arrive in Detroit until Yzerman's final year in "He has that ability to tackle tough problems. He lived it, he learned it, 2006, but Babcock won two Olympic medals under Yzerman's tutelage he's accountable. If something doesn't work, he'll admit it and fix it. He and went on to win more games than any other coach in Red Wings doesn't care about job security. All he cares about is, 'How can we win history (458). the Stanley Cup?'"

"The best players that have been great for many years are great because Yzerman, 54, has quietly gone about his business with his low-key, no- they never want to give in," Babcock said. "Stevie pulled his groin three nonsense approach since being named the Red Wings' general manager times my first year partly because of the lockout and the age of the on April 19. player. It was hard but he was a pro. He did it right every day. He dug in, he did what the team needed. When he recently made 12 off-ice changes, including not renewing the contracts of chief amateur scouts Tyler Wright and Jeff Finley, the Red "Don't forget he became the dominant two-way center under Scotty. Not Wings made the announcements on the team website with no press the dominant player. The dominant two-way player that, in the end, led release or fanfare. them to winning. Until he decided to play without the puck, you weren't going to win." "We're building," Yzerman said at last month's prospects tournament in Traverse City. "What I'm trying to do is put the most skilled, the most Red Wings color analyst Mickey Redmond said those hard-earned competitive, the most driven, the most intelligent hockey players on the lessons about building a strong, deep and talented team should serve ice. Yzerman well in his new role as the 12th general manager in the team's 93-year history. "We're trying to amass as many of those kinds of players as we can regardless of their age or where they come from. Ultimately, to be a good "The moral of the story is Steve wasn't going to win until everyone team." understood that Darren McCarty, Kris Draper, Joey Kocur and Kirk Maltby were just as important as the superstars and the Russian Five," In hindsight, after years of trade rumors and unfulfilled expectations, Red Redmond said. "As soon as that happened, bingo, back-to-back Wings senior vice-president Jimmy Devellano says the old adage is true: championships." Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make.

'He's paid his dues' "I was never certain why some of the (proposed) trades were cancelled," Devellano said. "I do know that it wasn't Steve Yzerman's fault that we Heading into Saturday's season opener in Nashville, Yzerman's first-year didn't win a Cup for those 14 years. The truth of the matter is, you team isn't expected to make the playoffs for a fourth straight season and could've made King Kong the captain of the team in the '80s and we are a long way from winning the franchise's 12th Stanley Cup. weren't going to win the Stanley Cup.

Vegas odds are at 200-to-1 to win hockey's holy grail, and only one team "Steve knows that you need a few superstars. He's a smart, smart guy in more than a century of NHL history has won the Stanley Cup without a who learned by paying attention, by observing, by asking questions, by captain. caring. That's what he developed over 30 years, and that's why he'll do a good job here." (The Bruins won Cups in 1970 and 1972 with three assistant captains). Detroit News LOADED: 10.04.2019 Yzerman and coach Jeff Blashill elected to go with four assistant captains this year, delaying the probable selection of Dylan Larkin during the rebuild and joining a trend toward multiple assistant captains. 1155373 Detroit Red Wings 1981 (Islanders) 1980 Denis Potvin (Islanders)

1979 Yvan Cournoyer (Canadiens) Champion captains: Every Stanley Cup winning captain since 1917 1978 Yvan Cournoyer (Canadiens)

1977 Yvan Cournoyer (Canadiens) The Detroit News Published 7:26 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019 1976 Yvan Cournoyer (Canadiens)

1975 Bobby Clarke (Flyers) Stanley Cup champions from 1917 to 2019 1974 Bobby Clarke (Flyers) St. Louis' Alex Pietrangelo, second from right, celebrates his goal with teammates Jay Bouwmeester, left rear, Alexander Steen, left, and Jaden 1973 Henri Richard (Canadiens) Schwartz, right, during the first period. 1972 Vacant (Bruins) ** 2019 Alex Pietrangelo (Blues) 1971 Jean Beliveau (Canadiens) 2018 Alexander Ovechkin (Capitals) 1970 Vacant (Bruins) * 2017 Sidney Crosby (Penguins) * Alternates Johnny Bucyk, Phil Esposito, Ed Westfall 2016 Sidney Crosby (Penguins) ** Alternates Johnny Bucyk, Phil Esposito, Ed Westfall, Ted Green 2015 Jonathan Toews (Blackhawks) ----- 2014 Dustin Brown (Kings) 1969 Jean Beliveau (Canadiens) 2013 Jonathan Toews (Blackhawks) 1968 Jean Beliveau (Canadiens) 2012 Dustin Brown (Kings) 1967 George Armstrong (Maple Leafs) 2011 Zdeno Chara (Bruins) 1966 Jean Beliveau (Canadiens) 2010 Jonathan Toews (Blackhawks) 1965 Jean Beliveau (Canadiens) 2009 Sidney Crosby (Penguins) 1964 George Armstrong (Maple Leafs) 2008 Nicklas Lidstrom (Red Wings) 1963 George Armstrong (Maple Leafs) 2007 Scott Niedermayer (Ducks) 1962 George Armstrong (Maple Leafs) 2006 Rod Brind'Amour (Hurricanes) 1961 Ed Litzenberger (Black Hawks) 2005 NHL Lockout 1960 Maurice Richard (Canadiens) 2004 Dave Andreychuk (Lightning) ----- 2003 Scott Stevens (Devils) 1959 Maurice Richard (Canadiens) 2002 Steve Yzerman (Red Wings) 1958 Maurice Richard (Canadiens) 2001 Joe Sakic (Avalanche) 1957 Maurice Richard (Canadiens) 2000 Scott Stevens (Devils) 1956 Butch Bouchard (Canadiens) 1999 Derian Hatcher (Stars) 1955 Ted Lindsay (Red Wings) 1998 Steve Yzerman (Red Wings) 1954 Ted Lindsay (Red Wings) 1997 Steve Yzerman (Red Wings) 1953 Butch Bouchard (Canadiens) 1996 Joe Sakic (Avalanche) 1952 Sid Abel (Red Wings) 1995 Scott Stevens (Devils) 1951 Ted Kennedy (Maple Leafs) 1994 Mark Messier (Rangers) 1950 Sid Abel (Red Wings) 1993 Guy Carboneau (Canadiens) ------1992 Mario Lemieux (Penguins) 1949 Ted Kennedy (Maple Leafs) 1991 Mario Lemieux (Penguins) 1948 Syl Apps (Maple Leafs) 1990 Mark Messier (Oilers) 1947 Syl Apps (Maple Leafs) 1989 Lanny McDonald, Jim Peplinski (Flames) 1946 Toe Blake (Canadiens) 1988 Wayne Gretzky (Oilers) 1945 Bob Davidson (Maple Leafs) 1987 Wayne Gretzky (Oilers) 1944 Toe Blake (Canadiens) 1986 Bob Gainey (Canadiens) 1943 Sid Abel (Red Wings) 1985 Wayne Gretzky (Oilers) 1942 Hap Day (Maple Leafs) 1984 Wayne Gretzky (Oilers) 1941 Dit Clapper (Bruins) 1983 Denis Potvin (Islanders) 1940 Art Coulter (Rangers) 1982 Denis Potvin (Islanders) ------1939 Cooney Weiland (Bruins)

1938 Johnny Gottselig (Black Hawks)

1937 Doug Young (Red Wings)

1936 Doug Young (Red Wings)

1935 Hooley Smith (Maroons)

1934 Chuck Gardiner (Black Hawks)

1933 Bill Cook (N.Y. Rangers)

1932 Hap Day (Maple Leafs)

1931 Sylvio Mantha (Canadiens)

1930 Sylvio Mantha (Canadiens)

------

1929 Lionel Hitchman (Bruins)

1928 Bill Cook (Rangers)

1927 Buck Boucher (Senators)

1926 Dunc Munro ()

1925 Clem Loughlin ()

1924 (Canadiens)

1923 Eddie Gerard (Senators)

1922 (Toronto St. Patricks)

1921 Eddie Gerard (Senators)

1920 Eddie Gerard (Senators)

------

1919 (Canadiens)

1918 ()

1917 Bobby Rowe ()

Source: Detroit News research

Detroit News LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155374 Detroit Red Wings “He could score a lot of goals in this league. He’s a big power forward who is hard to handle. He can skate. He’s big. He has all the skills.”

Anthony Mantha Red Wings’ Anthony Mantha has ‘super high’ ceiling, hopes to cash in Belief in himself, said Blashill, is also pushing Mantha to the next stage in with big season his career.

“He’s understanding that he knows he can be a real high-end scorer,” Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News Published 4:39 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019 Blashill said.

Larkin has watched Mantha up close in the preseason and noticed his big linemate moving and dominating as if it were much later in the hockey Detroit – Anthony Mantha bet on himself two years ago and the gamble season. That gives Larkin plenty of excitement heading into Saturday’s might pay off handsomely this summer. season opener.

Then a restricted free agent, Mantha signed a two-year contract worth “He looks great,” Larkin said. “He’s shooting it harder than I’ve ever seen $6.6 million, preferring to do a short-term deal rather than sign anything him shoot it. He looks like he’s dangerous whenever he’s shooting it and long-term and take him off the unrestricted free agent market for many he’s fun to play with. His confidence is high right now and that’s good for years. our team.”

Mantha and his representatives wanted the shorter deal, believing he Mantha thinks he is ready to help lead this Wings team to a finish better had more within him – more goals, more assists, more impact. Mantha than most analysts expect. believed he was simply becoming a better player. Mantha had one of his best offseasons in terms of training, following an Anthony Mantha outstanding performance for Canada in the world championships in May.

That decision now appears to be favoring the 25-year-old Mantha. He’s He’s at an age and experience level where he understands what it takes coming off a 25-goal season (in just 67 games) and is part of a potent to be a productive force in the NHL. offensive line with Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi. Now, with an opportunity to set himself up financially for life, Mantha is This summer, players slightly younger than Mantha – and not that far excited about what these next six months can bring. ahead of him statistically – were signing contracts in the range of $6 to $10 million per year, raising the bar on deals for young stars in the NHL. “I really hope so, I think I’m ready,” said Mantha of the upcoming season. “The skating has been good, shooting has been good in the preseason. Mantha took notice of the deals. Hopefully everything clicks, and as a team we click also.

“That’s just part of the sport right now,” said Mantha after practice this “The more wins we get the more fun we have in the room, and the more week. “There’s big numbers out there. But to have big numbers, you fun, the better you play.” need to have big numbers.” Detroit News LOADED: 10.04.2019 Mantha seems poised to deliver the type of offensive numbers needed to have a big payday.

Coach Jeff Blashill and Mantha’s teammates have raved about Mantha’s preseason, the way he has shot the puck and his skating.

“His ceiling is super high,” Blashill said.

At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mantha appears to be settling in as one of the premier power forwards in the NHL.

In a league where speed is becoming so valuable and necessary, Mantha has the speed, size and muscle to be a unique NHL figure.

“I just want to go out and have one of my best years, and that’s really the mentality I’m going into this season,” Mantha said. “Just having the same line, that helps with your confidence. You know what to expect from your linemates because you’ve played with them already and the chemistry was there.

“I just want to get better and better this year and take that next step.”

Mantha was coming off a 24-goal season when he signed the two-year contract in the summer of 2018 – he led the Wings in goal scoring that season – but he wasn’t satisfied. The bouts of inconsistency that had dogged him throughout his early pro career in the minor leagues, in Grand Rapids, were still prevalent.

Blashill called out Mantha several times early in his NHL career for Mantha’s unwillingness to skate hard, or for inconsistent play. The learning curve was proving to be difficult and broad.

But Mantha was sincere about getting better and the Wings continued to believe in him.

“I knew I had better in myself and I knew I was going to be able to have a better season than I did the year prior to my (contract),” Mantha said. “This year will prove us right or wrong.”

Blashill looks at Mantha’s career statistics and the gradual progression in Mantha’s offensive numbers, including juniors and minors, and believes the same can happen in the NHL.

“He progressively got more productive,” Blashill said. “(We’re) hoping the same rings true in the NHL. Certainly last year would have been his most productive had he stayed healthy. 1155375 Detroit Red Wings Blashill wouldn’t say Dennis Cholowski has clinched a spot on the third defensive pairing with Trevor Daley, but it sounds like Cholowski has the lead over Madison Bowey.

Dylan Larkin ‘absolutely’ will play in Red Wings’ opener “We’ll make that decision Saturday,” Blashill said. “We film all our practices and analyze who makes the best reads in different situations, 5-on-5 or penalty kill.

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News Published 11:13 a.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019 | “Bowey played decent (in the preseason); I don’t know that he played Updated 2:32 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019 unreal. He didn’t play poorly, he played fine. One thing that guys have to do is play great and don’t let the coaches make a decision. When you

play great, you take the decision out of the coach’s hands and you’re Detroit – Dylan Larkin’s injury wasn’t that serious after all. demanding you’re in the lineup.

Larkin was on the ice Thursday when the Red Wings returned to “I wouldn’t say Dennis played unbelievable, but he played real well and practice, although he was wearing an orange non-contact jersey. real consistent, so he started to take the decision out of my hands.”

Larkin took part in every drill, didn’t appear hindered in any way, and Detroit News LOADED: 10.04.2019 afterward declared himself fit to play Saturday’s regular-season opener in Nashville.

“Absolutely,” said Larkin, about whether he’d be playing in Nashville. “Something happened toward the end of practice (Tuesday), a collision, and I had to come off and have tests and they were all negative.

“I feel great today. The orange jersey was just precautionary. I don’t know what color jersey I’ll be wearing (Friday) but I feel great, nothing holding me back.”

Larkin wouldn’t get into what kind of injury it was that affected him.

“Upper body,” Larkin said. “It didn’t feel good, it wasn’t great. But I feel great now and that’s the main thing.”

Larkin went down hard along the boards in Tuesday’s practice, went straight to the locker room, and didn’t return. The team did not practice Wednesday.

Coach Jeff Blashill was pleased to see Larkin on the ice and is confident Larkin will be in the lineup.

“I saw Dylan yesterday down here (at the arena) and he felt like he was ready to go (for Thursday’s practice) and certainly that followed through.

“He was in a non-contact jersey to be precautionary and not take any extra hits that he didn’t need – and he obviously was able to get through that. It sounds like he told you guys he felt good, so I anticipate him playing on Saturday.”

Having to wait until Saturday to start the regular season is both a luxury and curse for the Wings.

They’ve had a rare opportunity to have four full practices before the season opener but sitting and watching other teams start the season is also aggravating.

“It’s going to be great,” said Larkin of finally getting the season started. “It’s a long wait. Watching the games last night, we’re ready to go. We have one more day to really tune in and get ready and we’ll be ready to go against Nashville.”

Athanasiou update

While the news on Larkin was positive, the Wings are still waiting to get a clear answer on Andreas Athanasiou’s availability.

The forward has practiced sparingly after slamming into the boards in one of the Wings’ final exhibition games.

Blashill hopes Athanasiou can practice Friday. But if he isn’t able to skate, then Athanasiou’s availability for Saturday in Nashville, or Sunday’s home-opener against Dallas, becomes doubtful.

“I anticipate I’ll know more (Friday); we’re hoping he practices,” Blashill said. “If he practices, it puts him in a position to play Saturday.”

Blashill would not be specific about Athanasiou’s condition, only saying it’s a “nagging” injury.

“Is it something that’ll linger? I don’t know that,” Blashill said. “It’s pain management a little bit. He went into the boards in the preseason game and it’s kind of bothered him ever since. Hopefully he gets to where he gets good and it doesn’t nag him anymore.”

Lineup battle 1155376 Detroit Red Wings And it found a happy customer in Larkin — whose Red Wings open the season Saturday at Nashville, then play at home Sunday against Dallas.

Before Sunday's game, Larkin, 23, will presumably show off the pants as Hockey players have big butts, and the Wings' Dylan Larkin cannot lie the Red Wings walk the ceremonial red carpet outside Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit News LOADED: 10.04.2019 Tony Paul, The Detroit News Published 2:58 a.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019 | Updated 2:43 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019

Detroit — Dylan Larkin made a whole lot of new fans this week.

Or, more accurately, Dylan Larkin's butt did.

Larkin, the Detroit Red Wings' star forward, went viral on social media this week with a minute-long spot for Ann Arbor-based Liberty & State Clothing Co., bragging how the company's form-fitting pants work for his thick rear end.

"My name is Dylan Larkin and I have a hockey butt," Larkin says, opening the spot.

He goes on to say of hockey players, "We have relatively small waists, and big quads, and big thighs, and a big butt.

"I can't really find an off-the-rack pant to fit me.

"Every time I bend down, I feel like I'm going to bust through the seams."

Judging by the Internet's bananas reaction to the advertisement — mostly from the girls and gays of all ages and locales — that'd be just fine, too.

Here's a selection of some of the better reactions to the Larkin spot.

I have somehow managed to make a whole schedule for my day tomorrow only to be derailed by the VICTIM OF HOCKEY BUTT ad because here I thought "oh hey that's Dylan Larkin" and then suddenly HOCKEY BUTT?

— Meaghan  (@wordsgremlin) October 3, 2019 gonna spend intermission thinking about dylan larkin thinking about how he’s gonna bust through the seams of his pants

— mullet enthusiast (@zitaosnose) October 3, 2019

The 2019-2020 nhl season kicked off with Dylan Larkin’s ass getting lots of mainstream attention

— dump the puck or big time rush (@the_good_trader) October 3, 2019 who let dylan larkin make a commercial all about how dummy thicc his booty ass is like they deserve an award and i wanna thank them personally

— its hockey season baby! (@dirtpoorvagrant) October 3, 2019

Sorry professor I cannot answer any of these questions I haven’t thought of anything except the Dylan Larkin Butt Video in 12 hours have you seen it

— s.b.m. (@sboo_th) October 3, 2019

REQUIRED: drafting Dylan Larkin bc his ass is the most important thing on #HockeyTwitter today

— Average Time on Ice (@avgtimeonice) October 2, 2019

What in the world is happening and who created this specifically for me? https://t.co/pn2t79Y7nt

— Daniel Trainor (@dantrainor1) October 2, 2019

Larkin's commercial pitches State & Liberty's line of stretch dress pants. The Ann Arbor company is known more for its dress shirts, and has outfitted many of Detroit's professional Detroit since it was founded in 2015.

State & Liberty's headquarters are in Ann Arbor, but also has locations in New York, Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and Toronto, with a new store scheduled to open in Miami.

It sells its business model as: "Dress clothes made for athletes." 1155377 Detroit Red Wings “I don’t think it takes that much to get into that top 10,” Blashill said. “The other part of it, too, is the number of power-play goals is important, not just the percentage, and to do that, you have to draw more penalties. I think for us to increase scoring, we have to get ourselves in the top 10 on Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin ready to go; Andreas Athanasiou questionable the power play. I think for us ultimately to decrease scoring (against), we have to get ourselves in that top half of the league on the penalty kill

(they ranked 28th last season). By Ansar Khan “Specialty teams can really vary from one year to the next. I think we’ve got a group of young players that are coming into their own on the power play so hopefully it keeps getting better and better.” DETROIT – Dylan Larkin stood out in practice Thursday, wearing an orange jersey, and the Detroit Red Wings liked what they saw. Michigan Live LOADED: 10.04.2019

Larkin took part in all five-on-five and power-play drills with linemates Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi and pronounced himself ready to play in Saturday’s season opener at Nashville (8 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

Larkin crashed awkwardly into the boards during Tuesday’s practice, leaving the ice on his own, but passed a battery of tests for what he described as an upper-body injury.

“I feel great today,” Larkin said. “I think the orange jersey is just a precautionary thing. I don’t know what color jersey I’ll be wearing (Friday), but I’ll be in the game for sure Saturday. There’s nothing to hold me back.”

Said coach Jeff Blashill: “We had him in a non-contact jersey to be precautious and not have him take any extra hits that he didn’t necessarily need. But obviously he was able to get through that and it sounds like he told (media) he feels good, so I anticipate him to play on Saturday.”

Athanasiou’s status in question

Andreas Athanasiou missed his second practice in a row Thursday dealing with an injury suffered in a preseason game when he crashed into the boards.

“If he practices tomorrow, then it puts him in position to play on Saturday,” Blashill said. “If he didn’t practice tomorrow, it’d be super-hard to play on Saturday, so I’m hoping he practices tomorrow, and he’ll probably be a game-time decision.”

Blashill described it as a nagging injury.

“It’s pain management a little bit,” he said.

Final D spot to be determined

Blashill said they’re still determining whether Trevor Daley or Madison Bowey will play with Dennis Cholowski on the third defense pairing, at least for the opener. Bowey practiced there much of the time on Thursday.

“We film all the practices, we watch them see who makes the best reads in different situations, whether it’s five-on-five or penalty kill, and we’ll make that determination on Saturday who plays,” Blashill said.

Jonathan Ericsson (soft tissue injury) skated on his own the past two days but hasn’t practiced with the team in a while and doesn’t appear clear to returning.

Hirose on power play entries

Taro Hirose practiced with the No. 1 power-play unit, in Athanasiou’s spot, along with Larkin, Mantha, Bertuzzi and Dennis Cholowski. Blashill said it remains to be seen if Hirose will move to the second for Saturday’s game if Athanasiou returns.

“The one thing good with Taro is he makes both units kind of dangerous,” Blashill said.

Entries have long been an issue for the Red Wings on the power play. It’s an area where Hirose can help.

“Most of the breakouts we have involve trying to get the puck in Taro’s hands,” Blashill said. “He’s really shifty and really good at getting the puck in. We got a few guys that are like that, that do a good job of getting it in. A huge part of your entries on the power play is having guys that can kind of weave their way through the opponent and he can do that.”

The Red Wings ranked 19th on the power play last season. 1155378 Detroit Red Wings

Michael Rasmussen acknowledges the work ahead with Griffins

By Peter J. Wallner

GRAND RAPIDS - Michael Rasmussen believed he played well in camp with the Detroit Red Wings, but he didn’t arrive in Grand Rapids pouting that he didn’t stay.

The touted second-year player will start the season fine-tuning himself as a center in Grand Rapids, a place where he couldn't play as a rookie because he had junior eligibility.

That's not the case this season, and the Red Wings opted to send the 6- foot-6, 221-pound Rasmussen to the AHL to work on his net-front presence and build confidence at his natural position. Last year in Detroit, he played mostly wing before the Red Wings decided this camp that his future will be in the middle.

The 20-year-old, the ninth overall pick in 2017, is on board.

"Playing center, there's a lot of responsibility," he said earlier this week before pointing to his areas to improve. "So, just my down-low play in my own end and, obviously, taking big face offs and then just having the puck more, playing more and having more confidence."

He will likely anchor one of the top two lines with the Griffins for their season opener Saturday in Chicago. At practice Thursday he was paired with veterans Chris Terry and Turner Elson.

See 5 Detroit Red Wings first-round picks practice with the Grand Rapids Griffins

Now the challenge is for Griffins to develop all that first-round talent

Five former first-round picks of the Detroit Red Wings join the AHL team.

“That’s what we’re thinking,” coach Ben Simon said of the unit for the opener. "Elson is a guy who hunts pucks real well and Terry’s a great shooter on net and Ras gets some net front and maybe gets some rebounds or can take some eyes away.

“They’ve looked good in practice so we’ll see what happens.”

Rasmussen had a difficult first season with the Red Wings with eight goals and 18 points in 62 games. In five preseason games, he had two goals, four points and was a plus-1.

"I had a good preseason. I played really well," he said. "I came in and did the things they asked me to work on and get better at. So, now it's just carry it on."

Early in camp, Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said of Rasmussen:

“If you looked at Ras’ long-term outlook, he’s a (6-6) center -- those guys can be really, really hard to play against because they’re so good defensively. S o if he’s a guy who can really shut down other teams’ best players, that’s a real positive.”

In Grand Rapids, he will get a lot more opportunities and ice time.

“Going from wing to center is difficult and he’s a good enough skater to play center,” Simon said. “There’s just little idiosyncrasies to the position that he’ll learn, and will take a little time, but he’ll be fine. I thought he looked good at times in preseason in Detroit.”

Michigan Live LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155379 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin ‘a definite possibility’ for Saturday’s opener

By Ansar Khan

The Detroit Red Wings received good news regarding Dylan Larkin’s injury suffered in practice Tuesday.

Coach Jeff Blashill, speaking on 97.1 The Ticket Thursday morning, said Larkin is a “definite possibility” for Saturday’s regular season opener at Nashville (8 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

“He felt pretty good (Wednesday, an off day); we’ll see where he’s at today,” Blashill said.

Larkin, wearing an orange non-contact jersey, participated fully in all drills today at practice. He skated on his regular line, with Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi, and also on the top power-play unit.

Blashill indicated if Larkin doesn’t play Saturday, he might be ready for Sunday’s home opener vs. Dallas (7 p.m., FSD). In any event, he won’t be out long term, if at all.

Larkin was shaken up and left practice Tuesday after crashing into the boards. He left the ice on his own accord and was scheduled to undergo tests.

Michigan Live LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155380 Detroit Red Wings “It could be through your structure, it could be through holding onto the puck longer, being more in the O-zone. With that comes more offense. When you’re not defending or you’re in position to counterattack, that’s where the offense comes from.” Red Wings seeking much better results with largely same cast Said Howard: “We have to be a hard five-man unit to play against in the defensive zone. That’s just not giving up freebies and not giving teams chance after chance after chance like we have in the past.” By Ansar Khan They also need much better special teams, after finishing 19th on the

power play and 28th on the penalty kill. DETROIT – The Tampa Bay Lightning reached the Eastern Conference A huge improvement with largely the same cast is a lot to ask for, which finals in Steve Yzerman’s first season as general manager, after missing is why many have predicted the Red Wings to be no better than a season the playoffs the previous three years. ago. Don’t expect anything close to that kind of turnaround in Yzerman’s first “This is year two of three where we’re pegged to be a bottom-five team in season as Detroit Red Wings GM. the NHL,” Larkin said. “To me that stings a little bit. Last year was a Unlike the Lightning, who had a former league MVP in Martin St. Louis tough start (1-7-2). We can’t start like that this year. Hopefully we can and young superstars Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman, the Red turn a lot of heads and shock people.” Wings lack elite talent and depth. Michigan Live LOADED: 10.04.2019 They appear destined to miss the postseason for the fourth year in a row, having made few changes to the roster that finished 28th overall, 24 points out of the final playoff spot.

But Yzerman, the long-time Red Wings captain and franchise cornerstone who is back after nine years in Tampa Bay, realized when he was hired in April that he was in the middle of a rebuild that will take time to produce results.

“It’s a great challenge,” Yzerman said during training camp. “There’s a lot of work to be done. When I came in in ’83, we kind of went through it (rebuild) and to eventually win a Stanley Cup (in 1997) was very gratifying and I’m hoping we can again do that at some point in the future.

“It just takes time. I can’t tell you, in three years we’re going to be this, in five years we’re going to be this. All I can tell you is this is the way we’re going to do it. If we stick with it and we get a little bit of luck on the way hopefully it’ll happen before 14 years.”

Realistically, the Red Wings aren’t likely to show much progress until next season, after they’ve shed some veteran contracts and their top prospects have had another year to develop, and after Yzerman has had an opportunity to possibly sign an impact free agent or make a significant trade.

But there is always hope for an incremental improvement after seasons of 73 and 74 points.

The team’s strength is a core group of young forwards led by Dylan Larkin (32 goals, 71 points), Anthony Mantha (25 goals, 48 points), Andreas Athanasiou (30 goals, 54 points) and Tyler Bertuzzi (21 goals, 47 points), all of whom are coming off their most productive season. Young Taro Hirose has shown promise.

There is a considerable drop in skill after that. Secondary scoring is an issue and the team seems to have more checkers and defensive forwards than players who can put the puck in the net.

That’s not even their main issue. They lack a star quality player on defense. The injury-plagued unit as a whole wasn’t strong in its own zone and contributed little offensively.

Better health from veterans Danny DeKeyser and Mike Green, coupled with the addition of big shot-blocker Patrik Nemeth and growth from youngsters Filip Hronek and Dennis Cholowski will help.

Veteran goaltenders Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Bernier might share a more balanced workload.

How can the Red Wings reach the playoffs? Be significantly better defensively, according to Jeff Blashill, entering his fifth season as head coach. The Red Wings had a minus-48 goals differential. The worst goals differential for an Eastern Conference playoff club was plus-22 (Carolina).

“Ultimately, we have to improve our goal differentiation,” Blashill said. “A big crux of that has to be done defensively. We need 70 more goals to equal what Carolina had. We’re not going to score 70 more goals magically. So, we have to make sure we diminish the number of those through better defense. 1155381 Edmonton Oilers

Building a better hotdog: Rogers Place reveals new food and beverage lineup

JEFF LABINE Updated: October 3, 2019

With the hockey season well underway, Rogers Place is looking to quench thirsts and fill stomachs with a new lineup of food and drinks.

The menu has been overhauled thanks to the efforts of senior executive chef Antonio Tardi and his team. Panko-crusted pickles, which serve a table of four usually, are now available for $21, as well as an Angus beef patty burger with sriracha mayonnaise and fries for $25 and a perogi quesadilla with pulled pork chipotle mayo and caramelized onion at $7 for a child-size, and $12 for adults.

Tardi said it was a big team effort to create the menu and required a lot of information gathering to see what people would like.

“We haven’t changed everything,” he said. “We were just looking for room for improvement and then we tackled that aspect and took it to the next level.”

The menu also includes some veggie options including a $12 Beyond the Meat burger and organic baby kale and Ceasar salad, both costing $18.

Officials with Rogers Place say there has been no increase on core favourites like hot dogs, burgers, pizza, popcorn or beer.

There is a new hotdog available for people to try called the Hebrew national hotdog, which costs $6. Tardi said before a game, they will go out a day earlier to get fresh buns locally. Tardi also used some of his Italian heritage to infuse balsamic vinegar into the dog as well. Instead of ketchup, Tardi suggests having it with tomatoes with garlic and olive oil.

The prices at Rogers Place received a lot of heat online following the Oilers close game against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. Many found the cost for popcorn and beer to be too high.

Tom Anselmi, president of business operations and COO of Oilers Entertainment Group, said the prices are consistent with other major arenas in North America but mentioned the cost for season ticket holders dropped by 15 per cent. He said the arena also offers $5 beer events.

“This is a premium product here and it is expensive to deliver,” he said. “You pay a premium in the sports entertainment venue business like you do in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto or wherever else. It is part of the turf. That’s why it is important the quality is great, the service is great, it’s fresh, and it’s fast.”

He said the whole arena entertainment business has evolved over the years to cater to a wider demographic and although there’s competition on the ice, off the ice everyone is working together to create best practices.

As for drinks, Rogers Place will continue to serve Pepsi and Molson products but new additions include Granville Island beer.

Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155382 Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers celebrate 3-2 home opener victory over Canucks

IAN KUCERAK Updated: October 3, 2019

The Edmonton Oilers outbattled the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-2 win on their National Hockey League home opener at Rogers Place Wednesday. The team leveraged good play from goaltender Mike Smith and goals from forward Connor McDavid, Zack Kassian and Leon Draisaitl to hold off a Canucks team intent on playing spoiler.

Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155383 Edmonton Oilers The W tonight was nice but the important thing is that we found out who the @MapleLeafs captain is— Ken Holland (@FakeOilersGM) October 3, 2019

Oilers in 60: Big win for the boys, tough loss for sleep We didn’t get scored on in the last minute?! pic.twitter.com/gTiXAAs6NT— McJenny (@ginny_jenny) October 3, 2019

It’s the little things lol pic.twitter.com/pWXXbFKMGZ— Jac  TREVOR ROBB Updated: October 3, 2019 (@Jackie_Bee16) October 3, 2019

82-0 #LetsGoOilers— VisuallyBetter (@Isuckatpicking) October 3, 2019

It was a bit of a rough start to the day this morning, I must say. “Leon Draisaitl is overpaid!!”

These 8 p.m. start times might just be the death of me, but there was no *now one of the most underpaid players in league* way I was going to miss a single second of action as the Edmonton Oilers kick-started their 2019/20 season with a 3-2 win over the “Leon is nothing without McDavid! He can’t drive his own line!!” Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place Wednesday. *drives his own line*— 헔헱헮헺 (@OilersAdam) October 3, 2019 Yes, Leon Draisaitl was an absolute beast. And yes, Zack Kassian was too. As always, Connor McDavid did Connor McDavid things. But it was Joakim Nygard is a man of the people. #Oilers the play of Oilers netminder Mike Smith — arguably one of the biggest pic.twitter.com/GOJIJcWXVp— FatDad69 (@fat_dad69) October 3, 2019 question marks heading into this season — that truly impressed as he Vintage Mike Smith pic.twitter.com/0OnpTCaOJw— 헔헱헮헺 went on to stop 31 shots on the night, including a couple dandys, to help (@OilersAdam) October 3, 2019 lift the Oilers victory. Turns out Mike Smith was the puck moving defenceman we were looking It wasn’t just the key saves in clutch times, but his puck playing ability for.— Mark (@marker1199) October 3, 2019 that really stood out. It’s been his modus operandi his entire career, so there’s no real surprise there, but Smith’s ability to move the puck and Oilers Hockey 2019-20 pic.twitter.com/5YoJxQWYYO— Dimitri Filipovic bail out his defence adds yet another element to the Oilers transition (@DimFilipovic) October 3, 2019 game. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 10.04.2019 As a fan watching him play for opposing teams, it was always frustrating to behold. Puck goes behind the net. Smith grabs it. Makes an unreal pass. And away they go. Now that the table has turned, you can really appreciate the skill involved.

One fan on Twitter put it perfectly when he said: “Turns out Mike Smith was the puck moving defenceman we were looking for”

 

In other news…

The Edmonton Oilers announced Thursday defenceman Adam Larsson has been placed on long term injured reserve. As a result, the club has assigned defenceman Ethan Bear to their AHL affiliate the Bakersfield Condors, and have recalled defenceman Evan Bouchard.

The #Oilers have assigned defenceman Ethan Bear to the @Condors & recalled defenceman Evan Bouchard. The team has also placed defenceman Adam Larsson on Long Term Injured Reserve.— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 3, 2019

Next up

The Oilers host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday at Rogers Place. Puck drop is at 8 p.m.

Hot takes

Don’t forget to give us your Hot Takes this season by using the hashtag #Oilersin60 on Twitter!

#Oilers fans this morning:#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/NeWHppAvww— McFenix (@McFeenixx) October 3, 2019

I woke up this morning and at first thought the @EdmontonOilers win was just a dream! Heck no it wasn’t!!! #LetsGoOilers— Tanja  (@TanjaBaker1) October 3, 2019

So it begins. #Oilers #nhl #LetsGoOilers @EdmontonOilers @pintedmonton pic.twitter.com/GMDL415TDu— VisuallyBetter (@Isuckatpicking) October 3, 2019

3hrs sleep last night, the shit I do for love…..#Oilers #LetsGoOilers— Zimmer (@Oilerule) October 3, 2019

We’re ready! I wish the game was on at 7 haha. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/8swcP58nb9— Christina Rose 李 (@Christyrose760) October 3, 2019

As predicted my husband fell asleep before anything fun happened #LetsGoOilers— Desiree Vreim (@Dezilea) October 3, 2019 1155384 Edmonton Oilers

Oil Spills: Questions surround retooled Edmonton Oilers

CRAIG ELLINGSON Updated: October 3, 2019

A relatively large collection of newcomers are joining Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the rest of the returning Edmonton Oilers veterans to see if they can make a better attempt at making the NHL playoffs than last season.

Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155385 Edmonton Oilers first league game (here), eight days … Klefbom isn’t sure if he’ll be playing with Ethan Bear or Joel Persson Saturday when LA comes to town. “I’m a mentor any way,” he joked. “I’m ready to adapt my game to whomever.” … Canucks winger Tanner Pearson, who scored on a tip of Zack Kassian keeps proving he can play with Edmonton Oilers big guns a Tyler Myers shot, had seven third-period shots in the win … The Oilers had trouble with Vancouver’s wear-you-down game in their end as the

game wore on Wednesday. They bent but didn’t break. “We gave the Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal puck away too much in the neutral zone. And too many times we tried to make a dinky play behind our net. But Vancouver’s got a heavy team. They also have a solid four centres (Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, Brandon Sutter, Jay Beagle),” said Tippett. Every time Zack Kassian makes an impact with the puck on his stick people are surprised, but he was a first-round draft pick. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 10.04.2019 “He’s the epitome of today’s power forward, a big guy who can engage in the physical part of the game but Zack also has the skill to play with top players,” said Edmonton coach Dave Tippett. “It’s a unique talent, the physical part and the skill.”

Kassian deftly set up Leon Draisaitl for the game’s first goal Wednesday against Vancouver, then easily handled a bullet pass from Draisaitl in the third, and casually blew one past Jacob Markstrom’s glove to tie it 2-2.

“His hands are really good. That goal he scored. That was a great shot,” Tippett said. “He’s a versatile player. I would still put him in the class of a role player but there’s different roles he can jump into because he’s skilled enough.”

A FRIENDLY SOUND

Mike Smith’s eyesight is perfect and so is his hearing. His ears caught the ping of Alex Edler’s screened shot that rang off the crossbar and out of play with one second left Wednesday.

Can Smith tell from the sound if the puck is safely out or finds it’s way into the net?

“I wasn’t too sure on that one to be honest because I didn’t see the shot coming through,” said Smith. “But usually you can tell from the other team’s reaction pretty quickly if the puck is in.”

BIG MINUTES FOR DRAISAITL

Oilers defenceman Oscar Klefbom, used to playing big minutes on defence, marvelled at Leon Draisaitl playing exactly 27 minutes against Vancouver. That’s a ton for a forward.

“I know if I play 27, I’m pretty gassed,” said Klefbom. “It says a lot about Leon’s efficiency out there. He’s really smart.”

Will Draisaitl ever get the full props playing on the same team as Connor McDavid?

“I think people are starting to figure it out, especially when he carries his own line. He’s able to make the two guys playing with him better,” said Klefbom.

Draisaitl got more PK time against Vancouver than he might have because Riley Sheahan is out on concussion protocol.

“We needed him for face-offs, exactly,” said Tippett.

PUCK-MOVING GOALIE AN ASSET

Klefbom loves having goalie Mike Smith’s puck-handling out there.

“It’s like having a third defenceman. He can find you on the tape and we want to encourage him to do that. And it’s tough to get a good forecheck on a goalie like Mike,” said Klefbom, well aware Smith cuts down on the wear and tear D-man have to take on dump-ins.

Smith’s puck skills came from being on the same Dallas team as Marty Turco as a kid.

GOOD NIGHT FOR BENNING

Overlooked in game one: defenceman Matt Benning was plus-3 and assisted on two goals including McDavid’s winner when he stepped up to make a very good defensive play against Vancouver.

“He’s a good guy down in that third pair.He’s steady. He’s a bit of a tweener (offence vs defence), He’s got a good shot from the offensive blue line and competes down low. He’s a young man still growing his game,” said Tippett.

This ’n that: The LA Kings who’ll be here Saturday with ex-Oilers coach Todd McLellan, have the longest gap between their last exhibition tilt and 1155386 Edmonton Oilers “We don’t have a definitive answer yet on how the defence will look. We’ll try a couple of options at practice Friday. Persson is questionable. He’s cleared for contact,” said Tippett.

Adam Larsson injury leaves huge hole on Edmonton Oilers blue line Bouchard is likely waiting by the phone on the farm. Is he on his way here, yet.

“I don’t think so,” said Tippett. “It could be a safety valve for us. Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal “We have to find out where Persson’s at. If he’s ready to go Saturday or Tuesday (Long Island), maybe we can get through this.”

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Adam Larsson’s pain threshold is such So the pairs now? that he soldiered on through two periods on a busted right fibula. Option for Nurse? “His last shift was two or three minutes left and he couldn’t go anymore,” said Edmonton Oilers coach Dave Tippett. How about Russell?

Larsson was put on long-term injury Thursday and will be out six-to-eight “Probably the best bet,” said Tippett. weeks according to the Oilers. Considering how the wheels fell off last season when Klefbom broke his The Oilers have 13 more games in October and if he’s out until mid- finger and another veteran Russell battled injuries, this is not good, November, that 21 games in all. If Larsson is on the sidelines until the obviously, with Larsson down. He struggled last season but when at the end of November that’s 27 games total or a third of the season. top of his game, he’s a very solid, aggressive D.

It’s, obviously, a big hole with Larsson, who is the Oilers best defensive “Injuries are not an excuse for not winning. As a coach you try to defenceman and a right shot, where Oilers are not deep. manoeuvre your way around it. We started the season with (centre Riley) Sheahan out,” said Tippett, who will have to manoeuvre his way around In what could just be a salary cap move, they sent Oscar Klefbom’s this. partner Ethan Bear, who had a good opening game Wednesday to Bakersfield with a recall of Evan Bouchard to save some cap room. But, Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 10.04.2019 that’s probably just a paper transaction, for now.

They will see if Swedish rookie Joel Persson (shoulder), who is on injured reserve, is ready to play Saturday against Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Place. If so, he’ll go back on the roster, Bear will stay here and Bouchard won’t come up. They will see how Persson is with contact at practice Friday and go from there.

In the short term, Darnell Nurse needs a partner. It could be Kris Russell or Matt Benning, who has played with Nurse before.

Larsson was hit by Quinn Hughes’ shot with about a minute left in the first period on an extended cycle by the Canucks where the Oilers couldn’t change. Larsson gutted out the rest of the shift, and played the second and most of the third.

But, the Hughes shot hit him in the wrong place.

There’s no surgery required but one of the talking points going into the season was the Oilers having a set shutdown pair to go against the other team’s top guns.

Now Larsson is gone.

“Disappointing, frustrating that it happens in the first game of the year. It was on a play where we spent 30 seconds in our zone and if they had scored we would have challenged it for offside earlier,” said Tippett.

The Oilers felt Loui Eriksson was offside before this but the linesman was blocked out by Colby Cave and didn’t whistle it at the time. If so, Larsson wouldn’t have taken any shot on his leg from Hughes.

“This is very tough for Adam who is looking for a bounce back year and was coming off a good camp and in great spirits,” said Tippett.

Goalie Mike Smith played with Travis Hamonic in his days in Calgary and Larsson is in the same mold as a shot-blocker, no-nonsense type defender.

“Anytime you have a player in front of you willing to do anything to keep the puck out of the net, you love those players as a goaltender,” said Smith. “You love those players as a goalie.”

Klefbom can empathize with Larsson, his longtime partner until they decided to shake things up with the pairings this season. He broke his pinkie finger blocking a shot against Colorado last December.

“Blocking a shot is part of the game, broken bones, fractures, but this is tough timing. This happens in the first game. We’ll miss him for quite a few weeks. He’s a very important player for us, he’s a tough guy, never complains,” said Klefbom.

It’s no secret that the Oilers have a shallow pool of experienced right- shot, right-side defencemen. 1155387 Edmonton Oilers

Oilers put Adam Larsson on LTIR, send Ethan Bear to Bakersfield and recall Evan Bouchard

Postmedia News

One game down, one Top 4 defenceman lost to injury.

That defender is Adam Larsson, whom the Edmonton Oilers added to the long-term injury reserve list on Thursday, the day after the NHL team beat the Vancouver Canucks in their season-opening game at Rogers Place.

As a result, the Oilers recalled defenceman Evan Bouchard, considered the team’s top prospect, from the Bakersfield Condors, their minor- league affiliate in the AHL. They also assigned defenceman Ethan Bear to Bakersfield.

Larsson stopped Quinn Hughes shot on foot late in first period so maybe that is why he is LTI now

— Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) October 3, 2019

Tippett says Larsson’s broken foot won’t need surgery but leaves large hole on shutdown pair with Nurse. Who plays with Nurse? Maybe Russell who moves from left side

— Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) October 3, 2019

I've been told the Bear/Bouchard move is a paper move. Likely Bear will be recalled before Saturday's game. This explains it perfectly. https://t.co/23cdXlJaGD

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) October 3, 2019

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155388 Edmonton Oilers Hockey beat writers Jim Matheson and Rob Tychkowski join host Craig Ellingson to talk about the start of the 2019-20 NHL season for the Oilers.

‘HE’S GOT LOTS OF JUICE’ 'He’s a mule out there': Draisaitl unstoppable in Oilers win over Canucks “You can play him in every situation,” said Oiler coach Dave Tippett, who said he would ride his horses hard and put them away wet as the game dictated, feeling no need to cut back Draisaitl’s workload because they Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal don’t play until Saturday, here against Los Angeles Kings.

“He’s a young player, he’s got lots of juice.”

Twenty-seven minutes for a defenceman is a ton in a 60-minute game. Still, 27 minutes for a forward! How will Tippett monitor that going But for a forward to do that is staggering. forward, or will he?

And so it was that Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl played a “We put the pedal to the metal to try and win the first game and that’s whopping 27 minutes with a goal on six shots and two assists, one a what we did,” he said. bullet that Zack Kassian corralled and whistled past Jacob Markstrom to tie it, to help lift the Oilers over the Vancouver Canucks in a 3-2 opening On the winner, McDavid sliced through Tanev and Hughes like ginsu night win at Rogers Place. knife on rare steak.

As for Connor McDavid, after a slow first period when he only played “Bouncing puck, he attacks and it’s like, boom, he’s just there.,” said 5:38, he wound up with almost 22 total and serpentined through the Tippett. Vancouver defence pair of teenager Quinn Hughes and Chris Tanev for “He makes something out of nothing…I wish I could be more like that,” the winner with 5 1/2 minutes left Wednesday night. said Draisaitl, shrugging off his feed to McDavid, after Matt Benning got So, yes, while the Oilers were only average defensively, turning the puck the puck up the ice for his second assist. over far too much in the neutral zone, forcing Mike Smith into 31 stops, Draisaitl laughed off his contribution to the McDavid winner. the usual Oiler suspects came through once again, with great help from Kassian. He also set up Draisaitl’s first goal, with some very nice hands “What did I do? I laid it in there for him and he did the rest,” he said. to give Draisaitl an open-net. McDavid only had seven shifts in the first period, playing one second Draisaitl started the game on left-wing with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and fewer than Colby Cave. McDavid was with Joakim Nygard and James Neal, but McDavid played with role players too and the stars kept winding up together as they “I was saving him,” kidded Tippett. “Nah, I wanted to get everybody usually do when the Oilers are behind—in this case with Kassian most playing in the first period and we only had the one power play. Leon had often. one penalty-kill in the first along with the power play. I played Leon more too (PK, face-offs) because we didn’t have (Riley) Sheahan.” “I think you’ll see a lot of maybe playing apart early on and kind of as the game goes on, you’ll see us together. You’ll have to ask him. I’m not the KASSIAN WAS ALSO EXCELLENT coach. I play where I’m told,” said McDavid. “The guys that come to mind kind of in the same category as Zack would If Draisiatl’s play spoke volumes and McDavid did what McDavid does at be Tom Wilson, Josh Anderson, Micheal Ferland to some extent as well. the right time, maybe new goalie Mike Smith, beaten by the Oiler captain Those guys clear up so much space for their linemates, they clear out a for a hat-trick here Oct 4, 2017, when he was with Calgary, has the best lot of space for themselves and they can do it themselves. So they’re handle on the dynamic duo. He’s coming from the cold. definitely a valuable asset,” said McDavid.

“Leon is a dominant player with the puck…he’s a mule out there, a mule Draisaitl is a big Kassian fan, not just because he’s well protected if with soft, soft hands,” said Smith. “Connor does his thing and Leon brings anybody gets in his face. it in a different way.” “He really does it all. He protects the puck, he can cycle it, do things off “Leon was a horse as he usually is,” said McDavid, tossing off another the rush, he’s got hockey sense,” said Draisaitl. four-legged analogy. ON THE BENCH — Canucks’ first goal by Alex Edler was partially Smith has seen McDavid from both sides now, of course. because McDavid had to put his helmet back on after it was knocked off, a new rule in the NHL where you can’t play without a lid in the aftermath “A couple of years ago you saw McDavid’s magic against you,” a reporter of it being dislodged. McDavid couldn’t get back into the play on the long asked Smith. shot…Oilers had two too-many-men penalties with Adam Larsson and Oscar Klefbom coming off but changing their mind. “Defencemen? “Did I? I forgot about that,” laughed Smith, who was tremendous, holding They’re supposed to be the smart ones,” laughed Tippett…Tanner McDavid to only three. Pearson, who had the Canucks’ goal on a tip, had 11 of Vancouver’s 33 “I’ve played with very good players over the years and one of the reasons shots in only 15 1/2 minutes…Swiss rookie Gaetan Haas only played I signed here was to play arguably one of the best players in the four shifts, 2:11 in all, with Tippett saying he wanted to play him more but world…you don’t get a chance to do that very often,” said Smith. “Connor got into moving people around, plus penalties and he ended up sitting. can change the game in a blink of an eye and playing on his side now is Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 10.04.2019 a lot more comforting.”

But Draisaitl was out almost every second shift in this one.

Draisaitl played 8:05 in the first, 8:25 in the second, and 10:30 in the third. He played 21:47 even-strength, 2:57 on the power play, 2:16 on the penalty kill. He took 24 of his team’s 49 face-offs, too.

Did we say he was also in on every goal, too?

OIL SPILLS PODCAST: NOW WE’LL SEE IF OILERS’ GAMBLES AT FORWARD WILL PAY OFF

A new season, a whole lot of new faces at forward to play alongside Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins et al.

And as usual, when new players are added to the Edmonton Oilers’ mix, it remains to be seen if the moves and gambles made by the general manager and the coaching staff will result in more sparks. 1155389 Edmonton Oilers And he also went against all indications in training camp and split McDavid and Draisaitl.

It was the first season lid-lifter in a decade the Oilers opened without a JONES: McDavid scores winning goal in Edmonton Oilers season teenager on their roster. opener The Oilers, historically, are now an impressive 19-7-4 in season openers at home. But seldom did they need a win to launch a season quite like this one. Terry Jones Other years during the Decade of Darkness it didn’t take this long to find the mouthwash to take the taste of the previous season(s) away.

It was actually Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice, prior to their game in Despite all the change involved, it took the actual dropping of the puck at New York Thursday, who produced the quote. centre ice of Rogers Place until just over an hour before game time against the Vancouver Canucks, to give Oilers hockey another reboot at “I’m looking forward to it. At least we’ve got something to talk about in the the start of another season. non-hypothetical.” The Oilers, having missed the playoffs 12 of the last 13 seasons and the Nowhere was that more true than in Oil Country. Or more welcomed the Canucks who have been on the outside for the last four, started the way it worked out. season both at 40-to-1 to win the Stanley Cup on the fresh set of odds In Edmonton, Connor McDavid used different words. produced by BetOnline.ag the morning of the game. Only the Sabres and Blue Jackets at 50-to-1, Ducks and Kings at 66-to-1, Red Wings at 100- “Everyone has been waiting for this day to come and finally it has. Now to-1 and Senators at 150-1 started the season as longer shots. we get to play for real.” The over-under for Edmonton was established at 85½ points in the Despite an underwhelming performance centering James Neal and standings, up from the 79 they managed last year. Joakim Nygard despite playing only one game of the pre-season with Neal and none with Nygard, McDavid won the hockey game with just Well, at least they got the first two points. over five minutes to play with a brilliant solo effort. Getting off to a good start out of the gate is imperative in a lot of different Leon Drasaitl scored the opening goal of the game and fed Zack Kassian directions, not the least of which is from a self-perception and self-belief for the goal that tied it 2-2. point of view. But there’s also the practical side.

With the goal, McDavid broke and Oilers team-record in only his fifth After being forced to open the season with a Global Series game in season — most career goals in opening games of a season, six. Sweden last year and losing 5-2 to the New Jersey Devils, the Oilers McDavid went into the game tied with Wayne Gretzky Shawn Horcoff and have been blessed with a schedule built to get off to a good start this Ryan Smyth with five. year. Their first seven games are against teams that missed the playoff last year including the Los Angeles Kings who are here Saturday. Conversation changer? Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 10.04.2019 Instead of debate about McDavid and Draisaitl being separated and his lack of production on opening night come off his injury, now the fans can discuss the things that may be on the table for him this year.

McDavid begins his quest to become only the ninth player in NHL history to win the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer. If he wins it again he’ll join Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux, Phil Esposito, Jaromir Jagr and Stan Mikita with four or more.

McDavid is also positioned to become the 26th player in NHL history to with four 100-point seasons.

OIL SPILLS PODCAST: NOW WE’LL SEE IF OILERS’ GAMBLES AT FORWARD WILL PAY OFF

A new season, a whole lot of new faces at forward to play alongside Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins et al.

And as usual, when new players are added to the Edmonton Oilers’ mix, it remains to be seen if the moves and gambles made by the general manager and the coaching staff will result in more sparks.

Hockey beat writers Jim Matheson and Rob Tychkowski join host Craig Ellingson to talk about the start of the 2019-20 NHL season for the Oilers.

And try these for conversation changers.

There were three statistics that surfaced going into the game Wednesday that now could become rallying calls.

One is that the last time the Oilers had a losing record in the pre-season, as they did with three wins and four losses this year, was in 2005-06 – the year Edmonton went to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final.

The other was the record of Tippett in his first year coaching. In his first NHL head coach job win Dallas, the Stars came off a 90-point year and ended up with 111. In his second job with Arizona, he took the Coyotes from a 79-point season to 107 points. The Oilers had 79-points last year.

It was Tippett who decided to start Mike Smith in goal primarily, he said, because he had him as a goalie before. He might have added “and I trusted him.”

Smith stopped 31 of 33 shots. The Oilers only managed 22. And Edmonton was 4-0 on the penalty kill. 1155390 Edmonton Oilers Tippett called Persson “questionable” for Saturday’s game. The rookie has been cleared for contact after a shoulder injury in Tuesday’s preseason contest. However, he wants to see how Persson manages in Friday’s practice before announcing him fit to play. Looking at how the Oilers can manage on defence without Adam Larsson As mentioned, Tippett said he doesn’t expect Bouchard to dress Saturday. The Oilers sent him down to the AHL for a reason and, as GM Ken Holland said on the eve of the season, they want him to stay there at By Daniel Nugent-Bowman Oct 3, 2019 least until Christmas to improve.

“Really, we have to find out where Persson’s at,” Tippett said. “If Persson Of all the players the Oilers couldn’t afford to be without for an extended looks like he can go Saturday or even (Tuesday), then we can make it period, Adam Larsson wouldn’t be among those at the very top. through.”

But he wouldn’t be far behind, especially given the lack of proven NHL If they have to play another game or two without the young Swede, the blueliners the Oilers have on their right side. simplest solution is to have Russell play with his partner from last season, Darnell Nurse. So, to find out Thursday that Larsson will be out six to eight weeks with a broken right fibula was a tough pill to swallow for the Oilers, the sheen Nurse and Larsson were pegged as the shut-down pair. Nurse needs a from the season-opening victory quickly disappearing. new partner to help him face the opposition’s best lines.

Coach Dave Tippett used the words “frustrating” and “disappointing” “The door’s open. We’ve gotta get it closed somehow, right?” Tippett multiple times over a couple-minute span when discussing Larsson’s — said. and the Oilers’ — plight. Putting Russell with Nurse allows Klefbom to stay with Bear. Brandon Larsson was hurt at the end of the first period when he blocked a shot Manning and Matt Benning, who were paired together at times in the from Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes. Larsson remained in the preseason, could round out the group. game until late in the third but couldn’t take the ice to defend a one-goal Short-term option 2 lead in the final minute. He still ended up playing 22:19, third-most among Oilers blueliners. Open the safety value. Bouchard’s in under this scenario, where — again — Persson isn’t healthy enough to play. “He’s one of those tough guys you want on your team,” defenceman Oscar Klefbom said. Considering the improvements Bouchard needs to work on defensively, asking him to be in the top four is unfair and unwise. Putting him with the To add insult to the injury, the whistle should have been blown much veteran Russell on the third pair at five-on-five provides some cover. earlier. Tippett noted Vancouver’s zone entry was offside and the video appears to show Canucks winger Loui Eriksson was in ahead of the play With Klefbom and Bear still together, that means Benning is bumped up more than 30 seconds before Larsson got hurt. The Oilers struggled to to the second pair to play with Nurse. Considering Benning had his clear the puck before the Hughes blast. struggles in the preseason while playing predominantly on the bottom pair, this would be a big leap of faith from the coaching and management “I know how it is missing games, especially in important times,” said staffs. Klefbom, who missed 21 contests after a shot attempt broke his finger last season. Long-term option 1

“I have a lot of confidence in the D-corps overall. We’re gonna figure it Persson is now healthy and ready to contribute. So, where to slot him? out. But we’re gonna miss him for sure. He’s a very important player for us.” Although he’s 25, he’s never played an NHL game. Easing him into the lineup, especially after an injury, on the third pair with Russell is one Just how the Oilers will withstand Larsson’s absence isn’t completely option. clear yet. However, the top four from the previous short-term scenario remains the From a roster management perspective, they’ve placed the veteran on same. Asking that much of Benning for more than small doses is long-term injury reserve to clear up cap space. worrisome.

In a related move, the Oilers recalled Evan Bouchard from AHL Long-term option 2 Bakersfield and sent down Ethan Bear. That helps the Oilers get closer to the cap, allowing them to increase their LTIR pool and potentially Persson was paired with Klefbom from the moment training camp started reinvest most of Larsson’s $4,166,666 salary while he’s out of the lineup until he sustained his shoulder injury. Why not let them pick up where — if they so desire. they left off?

Per PuckPedia, the Bouchard-Bear swap gives the Oilers almost an extra With Bear off Klefbom’s pair, the Oilers’ other rookie blueliner could be $200,000 to use. slotted with Nurse. It would be a tall task for the 22-year-old to face the league’s best forwards though. Benning might have to step in at times if a From a roster perspective, that player swap can essentially be chalked more veteran righthander was needed. up to a paper transaction. Bear is expected to be back on the Oilers roster before their next game, Saturday against Los Angeles. Bouchard This way, however, Benning could stay with Russell. That was a duo isn’t expected to play for the Oilers, with Tippett calling him a “safety Tippett liked in the season opener. valve.” Long-term option 3 Still, there will have to be some shuffling to the defensive pairs. Here’s where things could get chaotic. Let’s start with the simple stuff. “We don’t have a definitive answer yet,” Tippett said. “We’re gonna look Klefbom stays with one of the two rookie righties — either Bear or at a couple different options.” Persson. We’ll say Bear for now just because they played together Tippett hinted lefty Kris Russell could move back to the right side. Rookie Wednesday. The other player would move down to the third pairing. Joel Persson is nearing a return, too. Having Russell play with Nurse on the second pair will be a sure sign “Injuries aren’t an excuse for not winning,” Tippett said. “Somebody else Tippett and associate coach Jim Playfair don’t think any of the righties has to take that spot and get the job done.” can cut it in a shut-down role.

Neither is as reliable nor as proven as Larsson, though. But the Oilers Tippett came into camp wanting to put Russell back on his normal left will have to carry on, likely using one of these looks barring a trade. flank and is a proponent of blueliners playing their natural sides. They might have to revert to old habits because of necessity. Short-term option 1 And now the third pairing gets messy. Persson — or Bear — is there, leaving veterans Benning and Manning looking to grab the last spot. There are issues with that. Benning is right- handed. Manning is a lefty but isn’t exactly regular-minutes material.

The Oilers could waive and then demote Manning and recall 23-year-old left-sider William Lagesson, the last defenceman cut earlier this week. There could then be some kind of rotation for game action in the bottom pair.

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155391 Edmonton Oilers Tippett held true to his pregame word that he’d give McDavid and Draisaitl time together and apart to diversify the attack and create matchup issues for the opposition.

No need to temper expectations after Connor McDavid’s season debut The top two lines became more and more jumbled as the game wore on. for Oilers The coach put his two superstars together for shifts after TV timeouts. In the last minute of the second period, he bumped Chiasson up between them.

By Daniel Nugent-Bowman Oct 3, 2019 By the third, McDavid and Draisaitl were skating with their old linemate Kassian — the guy they finished last season with and started training

camp alongside. Alex Chiasson wasn’t fretting in the slightest about how Connor McDavid “I think you’ll see a lot of playing apart early on and, as the game goes would fare in his first meaningful action since partially tearing the PCL in on, you’ll see us together,” McDavid said of his ice time with Draisaitl. his left leg six months ago. “That’s all feel for the game,” Tippett said. “We’re gonna try to make sure Temper expectations? Are you kidding? we’ve got people in we know can get the job done. It’s not protecting “He’ll be OK,” the right winger said, smiling, before the game. “I’m not anybody. It’s just making sure we’re gonna be competitive.” worried.” McDavid looked more comfortable as the game progressed. McDavid sure made Chiasson look prophetic. And the way he did it The late goal upped his total to nine points in five career season-opening certainly was stylish. games. That’s with him going pointless in his NHL debut, too. The Oilers captain picked up the puck in the neutral zone, split Canucks Two years ago, McDavid opened the season with a hat trick against defencemen Chris Tanev and Quinn Hughes and roofed a shot over Calgary. The opposing goaltender? Well, he’s now an ally rather than a Jacob Markstrom’s blocker. It was McDavid’s only point of the night, but it foe after signing with the Oilers on July 1. couldn’t have come at a better time. “I forgot about that,” Smith said, jokingly. The goal, with 5:23 to go in the third, broke a tie and pushed the Oilers to a 3-2 win. “To play with arguably one of the best players in the world is something you don’t get to do every season. To play with a guy like that, who can “He makes a lot happen out of nothing,” coach Dave Tippett said. “That’s change the game in the blink of an eye … playing on his side now is a lot exactly what he did there.” more comforting.” “It’s pretty incredible,” Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl said. “I wish I was like Chiasson is of that mind, too. that sometimes.” There was so much uncertainty when McDavid went crashing into the Highlight-reel goal aside, however, Draisaitl had no reason to be envious post in the 2018-19 regular season finale and then limped off the ice. of McDavid in the season opener. There were serious questions for much of the early portion of training McDavid was far from his superstar self for large swathes of the game. camp about whether he’d return in time for the opener. Those questions He was bobbling or missing passes. He didn’t generate a ton offensively were only put to rest when he made his preseason debut last Tuesday. — at least, until he broke through in a big way. Draisaitl was the best Oiler on Wednesday. Kassian was right next Draisaitl, by comparison, looked every bit the 50-goal, 100-point scorer behind him. The veteran winger tallied a goal and an assist and the that he was last season. Oilers out-attempted the Canucks 13-9 at five-on-five in the 16:23 he was The German forward had a goal and two assists while mostly playing on the ice. with Zack Kassian and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Draisaitl played a game- Oscar Klefbom was solid on defence and Smith excellent in his Oilers high 27 minutes and boasted a 54.55 Corsi For percentage, one of only debut, stopping 31 of 33 shots. four Oilers on the positive side of the possession ledger. But it’s McDavid who is the “catalyst” on and off the ice, Chiasson said. It “He’s a dominant player with the puck,” goaltender Mike Smith said. may not have been McDavid’s best game, but he made a difference in “He’s a mule out there; a mule with soft, soft hands.” crunch time. “You’re in a tight game. He’s got lots of juice, so we kept (putting) him out That’s a good first step in the right direction. there,” Tippett said. “Just his presence — it gives guys a lot of confidence,” Chiasson said. Tippett rode his stars all night. “It’s good to see he’s healthy and he’s confident in his body. I’m sure the Draisaitl played 2:16 on the penalty kill because Tippett values faceoff rest will take care of itself.” abilities — even if he was 11-for-24 in the dot on Wednesday. Tippett Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick. indicated Draisaitl’s ice time while shorthanded is bound to decrease once depth centre Riley Sheahan returns to the lineup. Sheahan is in The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 concussion protocol.

McDavid and Nugent-Hopkins both played a shade under 22 minutes. Especially in the case of Draisaitl, that much ice time much should be the exception and not the norm.

“We’ll monitor it,” Tippett said. “We don’t play for two days. We wanted to put the pedal to the metal to try and win the first game. And that’s what we did.”

What the game did offer is a glimpse into how Tippett will deploy his top forwards.

McDavid started the game with Joakim Nygard and James Neal. Draisaitl was with Kassian and Nugent-Hopkins.

McDavid and Draisaitl took turned substituting in on the third line with Chiasson and Markus Granlund in place of Gaëtan Haas. Haas, the 27- year-old from Switzerland, played just four shifts in his NHL debut. 1155392 Florida Panthers

Sergei Bobrovsky era in goal for Panthers gets off to a bit of an uneven start in loss

BY ERIK ERLENDSSON SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD OCTOBER 03, 2019 10:40 PM

TAMPA-With future Hall of Fame goaltender Roberto Luongo watching from the press box above the ice inside Amalie Arena, the Sergei Bobrovsky era for the Florida Panthers began on Thursday in a 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Five days after Luongo retired this summer, the Panthers quickly turned the Florida goaltending duties over to two-time Vezina Trophy winner Bobrovsky with a seven-year contract worth $70 million.

With the record signing, Panthers management hope his presence in net will serve as a stabilizing force for a team looking to rise from the depths of the league standings and back into prominence. Florida last season finished 28th overall in goals against, averaging 3.3 goals allowed per game.

In his Florida debut, Bobrovsky finished with 25 saves while facing the same team that he helped eliminate from the playoffs last season while a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“It felt good; it’s good to start the season,’’ Bobrovsky said. “Obviously, we wanted to have the ‘W’ tonight, but it is what it is. It’s a long season. I don’ think we have to think too much, we just need to put this game behind us and get ready for our home opener.’’

Bobrovsky was beaten through traffic on a one-timer from reigning MVP Nikita Kucherov, another long range shot that deflected and two rebound chances in close.

“He’s a world-class goalie, you have to score tips and rebounds to beat him,’’ Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. The save he made on [Ondrej] Palat in the second period ...’’

That save for the 30-year-old goaltender came in the second period, just after Florida failed to convert on a 2-on-0 chance.

As Tampa Bay put some pressure on the Panthers in the zone, Anthony Cirelli found an open Palat across the slot for a one-timer chance. But Bobrovsky was able to get a strong push with his right skate across the crease and snare the puck and deny the Lightning from taking the lead.

“You have take his eyes away and stay in front to make sure he doesn’t see a lot of pucks,’’ said Palat, who scored the eventual winner just as power play expired at 9:34 of the third period, 45 seconds after Florida tied the score on a Vincent Trocheck short-handed goal. “He’s a great goalie, and he’s going to make some great saves, so you have to take his eyes away.”rovsky

But that save wasn’t enough for the Panthers to build momentum and give Bobrovsky a more positive result in his debut with the Panthers.

“They had some chances, but the guys played well,’’ Bobrovsky said. “It’s up to the coaches to make those changes defensively. They see the game from my standpoint. I have to reset, refocus and give the guys a chance to win.’’

That chance comes at home on Saturday, against the same team he faced to open the season.

Miami Herald LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155393 Florida Panthers The Panthers had their share of opportunities that came just short. Notable among them: Dryden Hunt’s first-period shot that clanged off the post and Evgenii Dadonov’s missed one-on-one after a breakaway after getting a clean feed from Trocheck. The Panthers had chances against the Lightning, but Quenneville era opens with a loss The Panthers went 0 for 4 on the power play, had eight giveaways and lost and the faceoff battle 36-23.

Miami Herald LOADED: 10.04.2019 BY JORDAN MCPHERSON

TAMPA-The Florida Panthers had their chances early in Thursday’s season opener — 11 more than the Tampa Bay Lightning through two periods.

Their attacks on Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy came in droves — two, three, sometimes four at a time.

“He usually makes the first save,” Panthers winger Jonathan Huberdeau said in a mid-game interview with Fox Sports Florida, “so we have to put traffic in front of him.”

But even with the barrage, the Panthers had trouble getting the puck past Vasilevskiy and a strong Tampa Bay blue line.

And so the Joel Quenneville era of Panthers hockey starts with a 5-2 loss to the Lightning at Amelie Arena. It marks the third consecutive season that the Panthers dropped their season opener.

“I liked the first 40 minutes,” Quenneville said. “The last 20 was a little bit too loose for us. They got some timely goals late in the power play, but I thought for the most part we were in pretty good shape and then we didn’t have the puck much in the third.”

Florida (0-1-0) had a 37-30 shot-on-goal advantage over Tampa Bay (1- 0-0) in the loss — including a 28-17 mark after two periods — and had another dozen shots blocked.

Even at that, the Panthers never led on Thursday.

They tied the game twice — first on a Mike Hoffman quick tap in front of the net in the second period to make it 1-1 and again in the third period when Vincent Trocheck slapped it into the net in a man-down situation to make it 2-2 with 11:11 left in regulation.

But Ondrej Palat gave the Lightning the lead for good 45 seconds after Trocheck’s game-tying shot with a power-play goal and started a three- goal flurry for Tampa Bay in the final 10-and-a-half minutes.

“We had a lot of chances. We should have scored a lot more,” center Aleksander Barkov said. “I feel like playing a game like that and giving away a win like that is not the way we want to play.”

Vasilevskiy, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner given to NHL’s best goaltender, kept the Panthers at bay other than that.

The Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky couldn’t say the same.

He made a few spectacular saves — including a diving stop to rob Palat of a goal in the second period.

“It was one of those games where he did what he could do,” Quenneville said.

But it was the four shots he couldn’t save that made the difference.

Nikita Kucherov opened scoring with 13:21 left in the first period on a delayed penalty, taking a feed from Mikhail Sergachev and firing a shot past a crowded net and just above Bobrovsky’s right shoulder. The goal came on a delayed penalty after the Lightning spent close to two minutes in the Panthers’ defensive zone and Florida couldn’t clear the puck.

Kevin Shattenkirk made it 2-1 in the second period as a Tampa Bay power play came to an end.

Palat gave Tampa Bay the lead in the third and Patrick Maroon gave the Lightning insurance when he tapped in a rebound from a Tyler Johnson miss past Bobrovsky with just over six minutes left. An Eric Cernak open- net goal with 45 seconds left closed scoring.

“I felt good,” Bobrovsky said. “Obviously, we wanted to have a W tonight, but it is what it is. It’s a long season. We don’t have to think too much. Just have to put this game behind us.” 1155394 Florida Panthers

Panthers-Lightning opener ‘feels like a playoff game.’ What the Panthers need to do to win.

BY JORDAN MCPHERSON OCTOBER 03, 2019 02:10 PM

TAMPA-Anton Stralman is familiar with Amalie Arena. For five seasons, he called the downtown Tampa arena his home as a member of the perennial playoff-contending Tampa Bay Lightning.

Stralman, a 33-year-old defenseman entering his 12th NHL season, is be back at Amalie for Thursday’s season opener. This time, though, he’s here as a member of the visiting Florida Panthers, who are once again trying to break through and become contenders to win their first Stanley Cup.

Stralman came close to making it with the Lightning, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015 and the conference finals in both 2016 and 2018.

So, from the eyes of a former Lightning player, what will it take to beat Tampa Bay?

“They like playing with speed and hurt you when you make mistakes,” Stralman said. “That’s going to be the key, how we manage our puck because if we’re slow and turnovers impact the game, it’s going to be a long night.”

The Panthers, who have struggled to win games early in the season for the better part of the past decade, are hoping to avoid that fate this year — their first under three-time Stanley Cup winning coach Joel Quenneville.

And they already sense the importance of a strong start.

“The first game of the season feels like a playoff game,” said Aleksander Barkov, entering his second season as the Panthers’ captain.

And if the Panthers’ and Lightning’s seasons play out the way they hope, this very well might be a precursor of what’s to come when the postseason arrives.

The Lightning is coming off a 62-win season that ended in a stunning first-round playoff exit.

The Panthers, with probably their most stacked roster in recent memory led by Barkov up top and goalie Sergei Bobrovski in the net, have their eyes set on reaching the postseason for just the third time this decade and winning a playoff series for the first time since making it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996.

“Everybody’s ready,” Barkov said. “It’s everybody’s first game. Everybody’s excited. It’s going to be fast-paced game with a lot of skill. The hardest working team is going to win.”

The teams became familiar with each other as of late, playing three games to close out their preseason schedules. The Panthers took two of three — a 6-3 win at the BB&T Center on Sept. 24 and a 1-0 shootout victory on Saturday in Tampa with a 4-2 home loss mixed in on Sept. 26.

But now, the games count.

“We’re all looking forward to getting started here,” Quenneville said. “As camp progressed, we got a lot more familiar with our team and we’re getting a lot more familiar with Tampa as well. It’s an opportunity to start fresh and have a great game right off the bat.”

OPENING NIGHT DEBUT

Five Panthers are on the opening night roster for the first time in their NHL career: Forwards Jayce Hawryluk, Henrik Borgstrom, and Dryden Hunt; defenseman Josh Brown; and goalie Sam Montembeault.

Hawryluk, however, will have to wait to make his season debut. He and defenseman Mark Pysyk are scratches for the Panthers’ Opening Night lineup.

Miami Herald LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155395 Florida Panthers

Bobrovsky’s Panthers debut spoiled as Lightning get five goal-scorers

By FRED GOODALL

TAMPA-This time, the Tampa Bay Lightning found a way to solve Sergei Bobrovsky.

Reigning NHL MVP Nikita Kucherov had a goal and an assist, while Ondrej Palat snapped a third-period tie with a power-play goal that helped last season’s Presidents’ Trophy winners begin with a 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Thursday night.

Kevin Shattenkirk and Pat Maroon also scored in their Tampa Bay debuts, and the Lightning overcame some sloppy play to ruin Bobrovsky’s first game for the Panthers, who are counting on the two- time Vezina Trophy winner to help transform them into a playoff team.

Two of Tampa Bay’s goals were on the power play, while the other two non-empty-net tallies came seconds after the expiration of a man advantage.

“Listen, it was Game 1 and there was a lot of the game I liked,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “Did we get bit a little bit by the turnover bug? ... We did.

“As a whole, can we be better a team? There's no question. But it’s Game 1. I look at the big picture. We came here to get two points.”

Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 35 shots for Tampa Bay, which extended its winning streak in season openers to a league-best six.

“We're creating a lot of chances. We should have scored a lot more,” Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov said. “We want to win games. This is not good feeling.”

The Lightning tied the NHL record with 62 wins last season, yet failed to win a single game in the playoffs, where they were swept in the first round by Bobrovsky and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Bobrovsky, who led the NHL with nine shutouts last season, was 4-0 with a .932 save percentage during that series.

Besides hiring three-time Stanley Cup-winning coach Joel Quenneville, the 31-year-old goalie was Florida’s biggest offseason acquisition, signing a $70 million, seven-year contract in free agency.

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"I feel good. I felt comfortable there. I had the good energy, I had the good attitude,” Bobrovsky said. “Obviously we'd love to have the 'W' ... but it is what it is. It's a long season. We move on."

Mike Hoffman scored in the second period for the Panthers, who got a short-handed goal from Vincent Trocheck to briefly make it 2-all at 8:49 of the third. Palat countered on the same power play, putting Tampa Bay ahead for good.

Mikhail Sergachev had assists on each of Tampa Bay’s first three goals. Alex Killorn also assisted on Shattenkirk’s goal midway through the second period before picking up another on Palat’s go-ahead score.

Cooper said there was nothing different about Tampa Bay’s approach to attacking Bobrovsky in his Panthers debut.

“Bobrovsky is a world class goalie. You have to have good goals to beat him,” the Lightning coach said. “Tips, rebounds and pucks that are laying there you've to put in, and we did tonight.”

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155396 Florida Panthers Movers and shakers At this time last year, there was similar talk about the Panthers taking

that step forward. After all, the team missed the postseason by one State of the Franchise: Florida Panthers are out of excuses, ready to measly point in 2018, and the Panthers had high hopes for their become contenders immediate future.

Then the season started.

By George Richards Oct 3, 2019 Florida held a 1-0 lead on Tampa Bay in the opener when Roberto Luongo (who retired in June after 19 NHL seasons) injured his right knee in the second period. The Panthers lost in a shootout, then went on to win just two of their first 11 games. SUNRISE, Fla. — “No more excuses.” As the season wore on, the Panthers showed some signs of life but not Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov made headlines in August when enough to do any real damage in the standings. he said that to NHL.com mainly because those three words sum up the past three seasons in South Florida. A season that began with such promise ended with a thud. Florida finished 12 points behind Columbus for the final spot in the East. Since losing to the Islanders in the opening round of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Panthers have endured long summers. The moves to rectify things came quickly.

There have been plenty of excuses for why Florida has not returned to The decision to fire coach Bob Boughner after two seasons was made a the postseason. few days before the final game of the season after an agreement of sorts was reached with Quenneville — who was happy to be reunited with his Blame upheaval in the front office, injuries, slow starts, coaching, old friend Dale Tallon and take charge of a talented group of players. goaltending, whatever. Boughner was told on the Sunday morning following the season-ending When the 2018-19 season officially opens for Florida on Thursday night loss to the Devils, and Quenneville was introduced as the new coach on in Tampa, the Panthers know that rationalizing things that went wrong in Monday. the past are not going to fly anymore. With the team gathered in the back of the conference room for his The Panthers have thrown big money at their problems, landing a introductory press conference, Quenneville addressed his new players Stanley Cup-winning coach and a game-changing goaltender with the and let them know right away what was expected. biggest contracts the team has ever handed out. Quenneville comes into this season as the active leader among NHL They added a defensive-minded defenseman and signed two forwards to coaches with 890 victories — second all-time to Hall of Famer Scotty address depth concerns. Bowman at 1,244. Florida won the offseason. “I want to thank all the players for being here. It’s Monday, first practice Now it is time to win when it counts. day going into the playoffs. I want every one of you guys to remember where you’re at right now and remember the feeling that you have today,” “We have a great lineup, everyone has bought into this and we cannot Quenneville said. wait to get this going,” Vincent Trocheck said. “Next year, we want to be coming off the ice with our skates and (be) “I think, every year we kind of say the same thing. Now, it’s just a matter preparing for our first-round opponent. of us stopping the talking and start acting, proving that we are a team to beat. Enough talking. Let’s do it.” “And you’re going to know that when you’re on that ride, it’s the ride of a lifetime and the memories are going to be everlasting. Look forward to Not your ‘same old Panthers’ that.”

The phrase “changing the culture” gets overused in sports, but in the OUR NEW #BENCHBOSS IS READY TO HUSTLE. case of the Panthers, it is something that has been ongoing. » HTTPS://T.CO/E6HFPCCJSY PIC.TWITTER.COM/OU3ORLUSKI Hiring Joel Quenneville as coach ratchets that up a notch. — FLORIDA PANTHERS (@FLAPANTHERS) APRIL 12, 2019 The Panthers have traditionally been a team on the outside looking in, making the playoffs in just five of their 25 seasons and not making it out The decision to find a new starting goaltender was made months before of the first round since a magical run to the Stanley Cup final in 1996. with Columbus’ Sergei Bobrovsky the early and obvious target. Making a run at his teammate, countryman and best friend Artemi Panarin was That was 23 years ago — and Quenneville remembers the time vividly. also in the team’s ambitious plans.

South Florida was in love with its new hockey team then, and as the Florida did not land Panarin but made significant upgrades to the roster years have gone by and the losses have piled up, the Panthers lost their with the money it would have spent on the talented winger. place at the market’s sports table. Brett Connolly was signed from Washington to a four-year deal; he will With arguably the strongest and most talented roster the franchise has open Thursday at Tampa Bay on the second line. Noel Acciari was lifted ever iced, the Panthers are ready to jump back into the local spotlight. from Boston, and he centers the fourth. Veteran defenseman Anton The timing, honestly, could not be better. Stralman was also added after five seasons with the Lightning to help address some of the team’s defensive problems. Making the playoffs would be a good start to the comeback, and Quenneville knows that goal is where things have to start. If the Panthers had a checklist of things they needed to fix this offseason — and they did — they appear to have accomplished everything they “I think having higher expectations across the board is something that is wanted. part of the business,” said Quenneville, who was an assistant coach on the Avalanche when they swept Florida for the Cup in 1996. He won the “I am very excited to finally be here,” said Connolly, who won the Cup Cup three more times as coach of the Chicago Blackhawks. with the Capitals in 2018. “This team, it was very close. … I feel an optimism around this team. There is genuine enthusiasm. There is “Meeting those challenges is going to be an everyday type of thing. We obviously more pressure (this season), but I think guys are excited for want to value each and every shift and build off of that. We think getting that and are ready for that.’’ off to a (good) start is going to be very important to what is going to happen later. We have one goal this year and that is we want to be a It did not come cheaply. playoff team.” Of the four major offseason signings (not including Quenneville), the Missing two months due to injury, Vincent Trocheck had 10 goals and 34 Panthers added almost $21 million to this season’s payroll. points last season, well down from the previous season’s total of 75 points. (Robert Mayer / USA Today) Quenneville signed a complicated five-year deal which should pay him in We have no excuses now. We have everything that we need and know the neighborhood of $6 million per season — making him the second- what we need to do. We are ready for this.” highest-paid bench boss in the league. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 It is hard not to notice those types of moves.

The Panthers are ready to be taken seriously.

“It was not just signing Q, but going out and getting Bobrovsky and adding guys like Stralman and Connolly, guys who have had a lot of success in this league,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said.

“They spent the money to get them. And they went out and got, arguably, one of the greatest coaches to ever coach the game. It showed this team here wants to win and is going to do everything in their power to do so.

“In years past, Florida probably wasn’t picked to be a playoff team. Now everyone is saying they are. And that is strictly from the credibility of the coach and players they brought in.”

When the season opens Thursday, the Panthers will be just $766,000 under the NHL salary cap ceiling of $81.5 million (with about $77.8 million being paid in salaries after dead and retained money are removed).

This is the first time since the cap was instituted in 2005 that the Panthers are a legitimate cap team.

“It feels good as a player. Coming into a season like this is what you want to see,” said Mike Hoffman, who came to Florida for a handful of draft picks in June of 2018 and had a career season with 36 goals and 70 points.

“You see all the moves, all the acquisitions that the owner and our general manager made, and it gives you the confidence that their one and only goal here is to win. They have given us the best opportunity and recipe to do just that. You want that as a player. Everyone seems confident in the group we have now, and it is up to us to go on the ice and do it instead of talk about it.

“They did a great job of getting what was needed. We filled holes which needed to be filled. Again, now it’s up to us to take that next step as a group, as a team, to be one of the top teams in this league.”

Panthers winger Mike Hoffman, right, had a career season last year with 36 goals and 70 points. (Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today)

Adding to the core

Before all of the offseason moves were made, the Panthers already had a pretty talented team.

Led by Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Trocheck, Evgenii Dadonov, Hoffman, Frank Vatrano, Aaron Ekblad, Keith Yandle and Mike Matheson, the Panthers were a dangerous bunch.

Yet something had been missing the past couple of years as some of their prime seasons have been wasted outside of the playoffs.

Owner Vinnie Viola vowed those days of waste were over and that the Panthers would be fixed. He backed up his strong words with his checkbook.

With Quenneville in charge, the Panthers are ready to put their collective past behind them and live up to expectations.

Barkov, who set a franchise record with 96 points last season, is one of the biggest drivers of the organization. A legitimate superstar on the ice, Barkov is finally getting the recognition he deserves for his play and is ready to take things even further.

Every day, Barkov wears a silicon band on his right wrist with a word of inspiration molded into it.

A few days before the season was to kick off, the black band he had chosen read “Limitless.” Barkov thinks this Panthers team is about to hit new heights.

“I was expecting this camp to be different, to see an improvement, and it has been even better than I thought it would be,” Barkov said. “We are in good shape, we have been practicing hard and are having fun doing it. We are ready to go. …

“Our goal is making the playoffs, and we are not thinking about anything else. We are looking at each game, one at a time, win it and move on. 1155397 Los Angeles Kings

Welcome to ‘Point Breakaway,’ The Athletic’s Kings and Ducks (and everything SoCal hockey) podcast

By Josh Cooper Oct 3, 2019

It’s not very often you get to podcast with an award winner.

Shane O’Brien, the co-host of our new “Point Breakaway” podcast, won a very important accolade in 2011 when he received the Nashville PHWA Media Recognition Award. This was given to the Nashville Predators player who simply was best with the media.

I actually informed him of the award, which was voted on by members of the Nashville chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. I used to cover the Preds, and 2010-11 was my first season on the beat.

Since I met Shane, during his one season with the Predators, I had a feeling he would eventually move into media, and I’m thrilled that he’s going to be doing it with me here at The Athletic for this podcast.

(Listen here for our first episode!)

Catch new episodes every Monday and Thursday on The Athletic.

Shane played 537 games and had stops in Anaheim, Tampa, Colorado, Nashville, Vancouver, Calgary and Florida. He was really a no-B.S. guy who had a fun-loving personality. When I covered him in Nashville, he made sure to tell the media what needed to be said, but he also was a good person to chat with if you needed to joke around with someone.

Whenever something crazy would happen around the NHL, or to him, he would make the comment, “What a league.”

So anyway, that brings us to this podcast we’re starting.

What can you expect? A little bit of everything about Southern California hockey and anything else that comes to our minds. You’ll get our analysis on the Ducks and Kings, the local hockey scene and what it’s like for Shane being a guy from Port Hope, Ontario, living in Newport Beach, or myself being someone from New York City trying to figure out the life of a new-ish dad in Los Angeles.

We’ll definitely talk about pop culture, since it’s such a big deal here being so close to the film industry, but we want to blend that with our knowledge of hockey. I’ve covered the NHL for a number of years, and Shane lived and breathed hockey his entire life until his recent retirement. We’ll make sure to take advantage of all we know and all we’ve learned.

As for the name of the podcast? We figured it made sense to pay homage to “Point Break” arguably (actually extremely arguably) one of the greatest movies about Southern California in the history of film.

So listen, enjoy and make sure to hit us up on Twitter @shaneobrien55 or @joshuacooper if you have any questions.

(Original “Point Breakaway” graphic created by The Athletic)

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155398 Los Angeles Kings AMADIO SCORES! 1-0 LA#LAKINGS PIC.TWITTER.COM/O1KAFWUQYE

— ERIC (@KINGSGIFS) SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 Why you should expect the Kings and Ducks to play faster this season … This goal-scoring sequence took the Kings six seconds to execute, for real moving the puck nearly 200 feet from goal line to goal. Clifford and Roy took zero strides and zero stickhandles with the puck and instead advanced the puck north to the eventual recipient (Lewis), who had By Jordan Samuels-Thomas Oct 3, 2019 stretched the neutral zone by pushing the pace.

Though he wasn’t rewarded on this play with an assist, Clifford started it by buying into how McLellan wants his team to play. Instead of making a Are the Southern California NHL teams paying faster? It appears so. more comfortable play (as a left-handed forward) and bumping the puck However, it’s important to note that the season is in its infancy, with the behind the net to the weak-side defenseman, Clifford showed a little Anaheim Ducks getting their year underway tonight and the Los Angeles deception and moved the puck away from the Kings’ goal and up ice to Kings not starting until Saturday. Strategic systems, situational reads and start the transition to offense. overall comfort in a somewhat familiar, yet new setting are still being ingrained and cultivated during the early parts of the NHL regular season. The Stanley Cup-winning version of the Kings would have been more than content to have Clifford hand the puck off to the weak-side Playing fast doesn’t just happen overnight. There will be an adjustment defenseman, who would have slowed the play down and waited for period for both teams to shake old habits in favor of new ones, especially teammates to come back into the zone, then break the puck out as a considering there wasn’t a huge roster turnover for the Ducks or Kings five-man unit. A phrase often used when I was playing for the Kings’ during the offseason with a lot of familiar faces still in place. Though it American Hockey League affiliate in Ontario was “Low and Slow.” may not always resulted in production, both organizations appeared to be Meaning the center coming low (preferably through the crease) to be a trending in the right direction in-terms of “Playing Fast(er)” during this constant outlet in the middle of the ice for defensemen under pressure, preseason. while the wingers also worked hard to be low support outlets along the The phrase “playing fast” can be a bit subjective based on the person or walls. even the organization defining it. It’s more than just raw player speed but Playing as a connected group of five is hardly a bad thing, considering it rather the cohesive speed of the group on the ice in situations such as creates multiple short-length passing options and puts players well- defensive-zone exits/transitions, neutral-zone transitions, puck pursuit positioned defensively in case of a defensive breakdown or turnover. For and more. me, it was the easiest system I’ve played in as a pro because I always There’s a lot that goes into playing fast but here are a few of the main knew where my options were defensively. However, there is only so things I look for when judging if a team plays fast or not. much speed that can be generated playing this way, even for skilled players like Adrian Kempe, Anze Kopitar or even Ilya Kovalchuk. More The amount of time the puck is on a player’s stick offensive opportunities will be created with the Kings’ newly desired pace of play, through faster transition. The puck moves faster than any player, so the less time the puck is on a player’s stick in transition the better. Passes don’t always have to be The excitement that comes with a scheme designed for more speed, tape-to-tape but can be put in areas where a teammate can skate into more offense and more goals looks to have the youth-infused Ducks the puck with speed. There shouldn’t be much waiting for the puck. chomping at the bit to play a downhill style. There has been a noticeable change in puck pursuit, up-ice pressure, and – most importantly – ‘Playing North’ transition compared to last season. Talking with a couple of former Is the puck moving up ice (north) in transition? You want the puck moving teammates, they love the position they find themselves in to perform, and away from your goal as quick as possible. “Quick Ups” to the forwards hopefully produce, under the new system laid out by the Ducks’ coaching instead of “D-to-D” passes. That means advancing the puck instead of staff. Some expressed a feeling of ease while playing at the pace Eakins slowing it down or taking it back. wants, which should be better suited for the group’s overall skill set.

Pushing the pace Hearing how comfortable guys are in this system makes sense considering how much the game has changed over the last five seasons, This is done both offensively and defensively. Offensively, you want to and given the type of players that are being drafted and eventually push the pace not only to spread out the defensemen, but to force them entering the league. Last season I touched on how much the league and to make a quick decision. Defensively, a relentless puck pursuit from the entry skill sets have evolved since I turned pro in 2014-15 in my piece both forwards and defensemen in attempt to to cause a quick turnover about how some of the best players tie their skates. and transition quickly can be hard to deal with. Again, I see the concept of “playing north” highlighting the skillsets of the While the Ducks and Kings appeared to be playing faster from what I saw Ducks’ youngsters. Max Jones’ combination of size and speed (which in the preseason, based on the above criteria, it would be difficult to makes defenders uncomfortable), Troy Terry’s creativity in transition and definitively or accurately say that one team played faster than the other. I Isac Lundestrom’s transition IQ are all enhanced in Eakins’ system. Even will say that the Ducks looked more natural in doing so. This is likely a veteran like Ryan Getzlaf has looked quick and more creative in based on coach Dallas Eakins’ previous experience and continuity within transition, while Rickard Rakell is poised to have more shooting the Ducks organization while coaching the AHL San Diego Gulls, and opportunities this season in transition. with former Gulls players making up over one-third of Anaheim’s opening-night roster. The young group on the Ducks already has some On the Kings’ side, Amadio has looked excellent in the new framework. familiarity with Eakins’ principles and expectations in regards to pace. The quicker pace has allowed him to showcase his offensive skill which has resulted in both an increase in scoring chances and production. He This doesn’t mean the Kings haven’t been quick studies in playing faster has looked confident in this new system and a lot like the prospect who under new coach Todd McLellan. It can be hard to judge pace during the scored 50 goals in the OHL in the 2015-16 season. preseason, especially during the early parts of training camp due to chaotic gameplay, makeshift rosters and varying experience levels. Even The desire to play with more pace is likely why rookie Blake Lizotte is so, Kings fans should be encouraged by the team’s execution within the getting an opportunity to start his first full professional season on the framework of playing fast during their final preseason game Monday Kings’ roster. Playing faster should also allow Kopitar to bounce back night against the Vegas Golden Knights. Both the Kings and the Golden from a down year production-wise with increased playmaking Knights dressed what could be their opening-night rosters, so the level of opportunities in transition, and should allow Kempe to consistently utilize competition was comparable to what we will see throughout the season. his skill set and produce at the level the Kings desire.

Michael Amadio’s goal just under 10 minutes into the first period was While all of the above sounds and feels good, I’ll end my early textbook “playing fast.” With the puck starting below the goal line, Kyle impressions the same way I started. It was only preseason, and time will Clifford chipped the puck up the wall to Matt Roy, who advanced it to tell if both the Ducks and Kings can continue to play fast and build off the Trevor Lewis up the wall, and finally Lewis found Amadio for the foundation that was laid. backdoor goal. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155399 Los Angeles Kings 60 Under 60 Under

60 The Athletic L.A. NHL predictions: Will the Ducks and Kings make the playoffs? Hart

winner Connor

By Rich Hammond, Lisa Dillman, Josh Cooper, Eric Stephens Oct 3, McDavid Nathan 2019 22 McKinnon Nathan

McKinnon Connor The 2019-20 NHL regular season officially begins in Southern California on Thursday, when the Ducks and new head coach Dallas Eakins play McDavid host to the Arizona Coyotes at Honda Center. The Kings begin the Todd Messier McLellan era on Saturday in Edmonton. winner Blake Before the puck drops in Anaheim, the hockey experts of The Athletic Los Angeles wanted to enlighten you with their knowledge in the form of Wheeler Alex predictions. Give us your own picks in the comments section. Pietrangelo Connor Lisa Eric Josh Rich McDavid Mark Kings in Giordano playoffs? No No No No Will Kings Justin points 79 83 73 75 Williams Kopitar play? No Yes Yes No points 79 71 83 76 Stanley Doughty Cup ATOI 26:00 27:37 27:00 26:55 champ Tampa Quick Bay Tampa games 58 50 49 62 Bay Tampa Bjornfot: Bay Tampa L.A. or Bay Sweden? Stay Dodgers in win the L.A. Stay World in Series? Yes No Yes No L.A. Stay The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 in

L.A. Stay in

L.A.

Ducks in playoffs? No Yes No No

Ducks points 85 94 90 86

Getzlaf points 60 68 71 52

Kase games 62 71 73 68

Rakell goals 28 32 40 31

Gibson O/U:

60 games Under

60 Under 1155400 Los Angeles Kings silence’ and we’ll go on with our lives, upset about a win or a loss, just to be able to do something that gives and creates hope, that was the most important thing.”

LA KINGS PARTNER WITH SANDY HOOK PROMISE TO DELIVER Video: KCAL // KNBC // Spectrum VIOLENCE REDUCTION PROGRAMS Links: Kings partner with Sandy Hook Promise in violence prevention campaign (LA Times) // LA Kings and Sandy Hook Promise announce area-wide violence prevention program at Hermosa Valley School (The JON ROSENOCTOBER 3, 2019 Beach Reporter) // NHL Kings, Sandy Hook Promise Partner To Help Local Schools (Sports Business Journal)

Nicole Hockley, on how LA Kings fans can help the cause and spread the COMMUNITYKINGS OPERATIONS word: The LA Kings joined a school assembly at Hermosa Valley School on I think anyone who supports the LA Kings can really endorse the September 24 as part of a new partnership between the team and Sandy partnership that they’ve started with us today and the work that they’re Hook Promise, a non-profit organization that recently introduced its Start doing in LA schools. Help bring this message of knowing the signs and with Hello campaign to foster community inclusion and steer students preventing violence before it occurs to other schools and districts across away from social isolation. the country. Everything we do is at no cost to schools, so we do rely on A collection of eighth graders attended last Tuesday’s assembly. For donors to help us bring this out, and just really get engaged. Have much of the assembly, they did as eighth graders would. They were conversations with your kids. Understand and teach them the idea of having fun, they enjoyed the interactive presentation, and when “Fortnite” ‘starting with hello’ and saying something if they see something that’s was solicited as an obvious answer to “how do you spend your free uncomfortable. time?,” the class giggled and lightly jeered. Of course he said Fortnite. Hockley, on efforts to foster understanding and avoid withdrawal while But when Nicole Hockley approached the podium, attention was seized. online: Sandy Hook Promise and Start with Hello were co-founded by Hockley, There’s a lot that can be done online for sure in terms of having this the mother of Dylan Hockley, who was among the 20 students and six conversation and spreading and sharing the message, but you do have educators killed in the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary to take your actions off line as well, and really, that’s in whatever way School. The genesis of her advocacy is painfully difficult to process, and resonates for you – whether it’s about supporting voter registration, alarmingly regular. While the LA Kings aren’t a living, breathing entity, whether it’s about bringing these programs to these schools. Participating such as the Hockley family, the organization was profoundly affected by in trainings. Having a conversation over the dinner table with your kid at the Route 91 Harvest festival shooting, which claim the life of a young the end of the day. Asking them ‘what are they seeing on social media,’ employee in the fan services department named Chrissy Duarte two and ‘do they understand when friends may be reaching out and need years ago. When a mass shooting took the lives of 12 victims in help?’ It’s really just about people talking to each other and listening to Thousand Oaks one year later, the team was moved to introduce its each other. ENOUGH. initiative that ventures to reduce the impact of gun violence. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 10.04.2019 It is in line with the values espoused by Sandy Hook Promise and its Start with Hello venture, endeavors that seek to proactively steer young people away from social withdrawal and establish healthy interactive habits before the need to address them.

“This is about creating behavioral change so that this is just the way that we are,” Hockley said. “So, teaching kids at a younger age how to start with ‘hello,’ and how to say something, then they’ll just grow up doing it. It’s kind of like how we grew up with designated drivers. There’s no law called ‘designated driver,’ but it’s now something that we just do as a matter of course every day. That’s the same thing we’re doing here, is [supporting] generational change.”

Hockley often refers to a memory of Dylan, who was autistic, excitedly flapping his arms up and down to communicate. Asked why he was doing so one time, he excitedly responded, “because I am a beautiful butterfly.” It spurred Hockley to think about the butterfly effect, a principle in chaos theory in which a very minute early variable – such as the frequency in which a butterfly an ocean away flutters its wings in flight – can massively disrupt or set in motion future outcomes and events. Perhaps had someone, at some stage, reached out to the Sandy Hook shooter or made him feel valued at some point earlier in his life, he wouldn’t have committed such tragic acts.

“You’re all just butterflies,” Hockling told the students in her presentation, imparting onto them the responsibility that kindness and support are the most powerful tools to combat isolation and gain better understandings of the individual’s mental health state.

LA Kings President Luc Robitaille was among a significant Kings contingent at Hermosa Valley that also included COO Kelly Cheeseman and Jennifer Pope and Amanda Apel, who administer the Kings Care Foundation and volunteer on behalf of it. Together, they presented a check for $360,000 to Sandy Hook Promise to support their Know the Signs program, which trains L.A.-area students and adults “how to identify, intervene, and get help for at-risk individuals” before they commit acts of violence. It also provides an anonymous reporting system.

“It’s the message – win overeveryone with kindness,” Robitaille said of aligning with Sandy Hook Promise. “Nicole really found something special that could really make a difference with Start with Hello. We’ll never know if it makes a difference in one kid’s mind. We would never know, and to me, that’s important. To just say, ‘lets have a moment of 1155401 Los Angeles Kings conundrum for Stothers, who had the following to say about his glut of options on the backend.

“One day at a time. That’s all you can do. We know we’re going to get REIGN NOTEBOOK 10/3 – ROSTER MOVES, DOTY, LINES, 9 nicked up, banged up, injured. We know that, probably, the Kings can’t DEFENSEMEN, NEW NUMBERS, STOTHERS stay healthy all season long, so guys will be up and down. It’s, right now, a number and that’s all it is. I’m sure it will resolve itself in time, but right now there’s nine guys. I agree with you that all nine can play, so that’s a tough decision that we have to make as a coaching staff and it’s also ZACH DOOLEYOCTOBER 3, 2019 even tougher to have to tell three very capable guys that they’re not going to play on a particular night. That’s one of the toughest jobs that we have as coaches, nobody likes telling somebody they’re not going to Happy day before Opening Night, Insiders! play, but that’s part of it.”

Lots to catch up on as we approach the beginning of the 2019-20 Ontario New Numbers! Reign season tomorrow evening at Toyota Arena. Paul LaDue will slide back into his Ontario Reign number 6, which Roster Moves – pushes defenseman Sean Durzi into number 37. Take a look at the full number list for the 2019-20 Reign in this nifty video. Staying – Lance Bouma and Jacob Doty have signed PTO’s with the Reign, and will open the season with the team. Bouma is back in North Practice Quotes America, after his 2018-19 season was cut short by an injury suffered in Switzerland, while Doty earned a PTO with Ontario after he spent the Mike Stothers, on the week of practices heading into Opening Night bulk of last season in the ECHL with the Allen Americans. I thought it’s been a great week of practice. It’s been a busy week, Ontario Reign Head Coach Mike Stothers praised the imposing element because…typically the way things work out, Sundays are a lot of times that Doty brings to the Ontario lineup as a big reason he earned a PTO, the recovery day but we actually practiced, we played Monday night, while others did not. which was a pretty hard-fought and entertaining exhibition game, and then we practiced Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. That’s a lot of “He’s got a good right hand,” Stothers said of Doty. “I mean, he handled practice, it’s kind of nice to sprinkle in a game to keep the guys sharp. himself very well against who could arguably be the toughest guy in the They kind of get, believe it or not, a bit stale if you practice too long in American Hockey League in Gazdic. And it wasn’t a fluke. You can tell between games, but it’s the start of the season, everybody’s excited to that he’s done it before, he knows exactly what he’s doing to help the be back, everybody’s looking to get going. It’s been a long way off for our team and protect his teammates and be a good role model for his entire organization and everybody’s come in with the right attitude that teammates. I had the luxury of seeing him play when he was in Medicine we’re not looking back, we’re looking forward. Hat, when I was in Moose Jaw, and he knows what he’s doing. He’s honed his craft and through that, he gives us an element that we might On facing San Jose on Friday not have had when you lose a guy like Dermy, because everybody talks It’s going to be a good test for us against San Jose. We know, from about him. When you’re playing the visiting team, that’s all their coaches seeing them at the rookie tournament, that they can skate. They’re highly are talking about, they’re all like ‘is MacDermid playing tonight, is he in skilled, they have a lot of Europeans on their team, they have the skill to the lineup.’ So you know their coaches are thinking about him, which make plays, followed up by Bakersfield, who had a terrific year last year. means their players are thinking about him. Now, not everybody might It’ll be a good test for us. not know Dots, I’m sure the word’s gotten around, but as the season goes on, they’ll become familiar with him. He just gives you a little bit of On if he feels like he’s been able to get everything he’s wanted to into confidence for these young skill guys. You take three of our centermen practices, despite the shorter on-ice period down the middle – JAD, Kupari and Prokhorkin – they’re skilled guys. It gives them the confidence that they have a little more room on the ice, I don’t know if it’s a shorter time span. You can have an ice slot of an maybe not be as closely checked as otherwise, and we’ve got Boko too, hour and a half and you can drag it out to use the whole hour and a half but it’s not just one guy. We always tried to stress that with Dermy, he and say “oh wow, that was a long practice”, but you can still get the same doesn’t have to do all the dirty work. If we stick together as a five-man amount of drills accomplished in an hour or an hour and 15 [minutes]. To unit on the ice, we can be just as strong and hard to play against. But it’s be honest with you, usually at the start of the year your practices go a nice to have Dots here.” little bit longer, because you’re trying to instill the systems and get everybody on the same page with how things roll, even just the drills Heading to the ECHL are AHL contracted skaters Mason Bergh and Max themselves. As the season goes on, they’re used to doing them, you Gottlieb, as well as NHL contracted goaltender Cole Kehler. All three attach a name to them and say we’re going into [Insert Drill Name Here] have reported to the Fort Wayne Komets. Additionally, four players, and they know exactly what they’re doing. Just because you have the Olivier Galipeau, Shawn St. Amant, Matt Boudens and Joseph Garreffa, longer slot, doesn’t mean you have efficient practices. If you’ve got an were released from their training camp try outs. hour for practice, that’s how long a game is, three, twenty-minute periods, right? So you jam it in and keep them going. As a coaching staff, Lines – I don’t think we’ve come off the ice yet and looked at it and thought we’ve Here’s how the Reign lined up this morning in their final skate before left something on the table that we didn’t get into, or need to get in the hosting San Jose tomorrow evening. next day, so that’s good. We’re trying to have the guys take shorter breaks, we’re trying to spend less time at the whiteboard, so it’s been Kempe – Kupari – Luff good. I think it’s been awesome.

Sutter – Anderson-Dolan – Rempal On if the shorter practices up the intensity

Eyssimont – Prokhorkin – Frk Yeah, it keeps whatever pace you have and you don’t lose it. I think the players know that they themselves want to get everything in, so they Sodergran – Bouma – Imama seem to be a little bit more attentive. I guess the biggest challenge is, Morrison – Doty we’ve started practice at 9, sometimes a little bit before, which is probably an hour or two hours earlier than what you’re accustomed to, so Defensemen: Anderson, Brickley, Clague, Durzi, LaDue, Phillips, that’s been a little bit of an adjustment. I think the guys have actually Reddekopp, Stanton, Strand welcomed that as well. They get in, they get their work done and they’ve Petersen / Villalta got the rest of the day to enjoy what California has to offer, the weather, they can do things outside. I think it’s a real positive for everybody. One day at a time…… LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 10.04.2019 If you’re wondering whether that seems like a lot of defensemen, you are not alone. That’s nine blueliners, all of whom can stake a claim for being worthy of one of the six defensive spots in the lineup. Quite the 1155402 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Nashville game recap

OCTOBER 3, 2019 — 11:39PM

STAR TRIBUNE’S THREE STARS

1. Mikael Granlund, Predators: The former Wild forward tied it at 2 in the third period.

2. Filip Forsberg, Predators: The winger scored and added an assist.

3. Pekka Rinne, Predators: The Nashville goalie made 22 saves, including two clutch stops on Jason Zucker in the third period.

BY THE NUMBERS

4 Consecutive goals by Nashville in the third.

17 Saves by Devan Dubnyk before the Preds’ first goal.

SARAH MCLELLAN

Star Tribune LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155403 Minnesota Wild home opener, and this is always a tough building to play in anyway. Sometimes the way the game goes, you're just going to have to work it out and battle and as a group, we were doing that very, very well and that's just the way it goes sometimes on the road.” Wild's lines could be shaken up after season-opening loss to Predators

Star Tribune LOADED: 10.04.2019 By Sarah McLellan

OCTOBER 3, 2019 — 11:36PM

NASHVILLE – Wild coach Bruce Boudreau promised he’d keep the team’s forward lines intact for at least the first 10 minutes of the season opener.

Although all four units survived the first game, the team could roll out a new look for Game No.2 Saturday in Colorado against the Avalanche after a 5-2 setback Thursday to the Predators at Bridgestone Arena.

And the Wild’s top line may be at the heart of the shuffle.

“On the road I think we might have to juggle things up, for sure,” Boudreau said. “We’ll see. We’ll review the tape a little more closely. What you think right now sometimes and what you see out there might not be what it is. If I was going to say it right now, I’d have to say that we’re going [against] another really fast-skating team. We might have to change a couple things around.”

Center Eric Staal’s grouping with wingers Zach Parise and Mats Zuccarello finished a combined minus-9, the worst showing in the game.

The players were caught on the ice for the Predators’ first goal that opened the scoring and Nashville’s second goal only 27 seconds into the third that siphoned the momentum the Wild built by scoring twice late in the second to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission. They were also tagged for the tally that made it 4-2.

“Our line lets in three goals. We can’t let that happen,” Zuccarello said. “We’ve got to tighten up defensively. We’ve got to be better.”

How the Wild adjusts will be interesting, especially because no line seemed to have a steady rhythm – not when the team was bogged down by turnovers in the neutral zone, giveaways that prevented it from swooping into the offensive zone with speed and getting pressure at the net.

Actually, both of the Wild’s goals were instigated by the defense.

Brad Hunt’s point shot caught a piece of winger Jason Zucker’s jersey on the power play, and Matt Dumba’s blistering shot counted as the other.

“We can’t rely on the defensemen to score goals for us,” Boudreau said. “We’ve got to create more. We’ve got players that can create more. We’ve just got to go do it.”

Dumba’s goal was his first since returning from a torn pectoral muscle, an injury last December that sidelined him for the final 50 games of the season.

“It was nice,” he said. “I haven't done that in a while. But not really thinking about that. This third period kind of puts a damper on everything. It is what it is. We will go to Colorado and get it back.”

Another silver lining for the Wild was the play of goalie Devan Dubnyk, who rattled off 17 straight saves before the Predators finally converted early in the second.

His best of the night – and arguably an early candidate for save of the year – was his windmill grab on a shot from former teammate Mikael Granlund.

“That's how goalies played when I was growing up,” Dubnyk said. “I've got a little bit of that deep down there. You've got to break it out once in a while.”

While Dubnyk was holding off the Predators, the Wild’s offense looked particularly timid – managing just six shots through the first period and going lengthy stretches without attempts reaching the net.

And yet the team was still only 20 minutes away from a victory, a missed opportunity that’ll accompany the group to Denver.

“Obviously, we want to be going out there and creating and whatnot,” Dubnyk said. “But I think it was just going to be [the] situation. It's their 1155404 Minnesota Wild "When we started doing what we were supposed to do, we started creating opportunities," Minnesota coach Bruce Boudreau said. "We were just giving the puck away too much in the neutral zone to that team. That's what they thrive on." Ellis, Forsberg help rally Predators past Wild 5-2 Dumba pounced on a rebound and blasted it by Rinne at 16:47.

Rinne finished with 22 saves. By JIM DIAMOND Associated Press Shortly after Watson put Nashville up 3-2 early in the third, Rinne made a OCTOBER 3, 2019 — 10:50PM pair of stellar saves on Zucker 30 seconds apart. The Finn denied Zucker on a breakaway at 4:45 and then gloved a backhand from in close 30

seconds later. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Matt Duchene was feeling a bit nervous before his Arvidsson scored his first of the season at 7:32 of the third. The Swede debut with Nashville. A misstep in the pregame warmup helped the set a Nashville franchise record with 34 goals last season. Predators' new free agent feel more at ease. Forsberg added an empty-net goal late in the third to account for the final As the warmup came to an end, Duchene was the last Predators player margin. on the ice. He caught an edge and fell in the right faceoff circle. From his backside, he fired a puck into the net, much to the delight of the sellout crowd, who cheered the new center. Star Tribune LOADED: 10.04.2019 "That was my best 1972 Phil Esposito impression," Duchene said. "It gave the fans a good laugh. Honestly, it took a little bit of butterflies out of me. I got a good laugh and you've got to laugh at yourself sometimes."

Duchene finished with three assists, Ryan Ellis and Filip Forsberg each had a goal and an assist and Nashville rallied with four goals in the final period and beat the Minnesota Wild 5-2 on Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.

Mikael Granlund, Austin Watson and Viktor Arvidsson also scored for the defending Central Division champion Predators.

Duchene signed a seven-year, $56 million deal with Nashville as a free agent this offseason.

"I think for him, if you ask him, this is his home," Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said. "Nashville is his home. He wants to be here. He wants this to be a place where he thrives. He's bringing that to work right now, and it really shows."

Jason Zucker and Matt Dumba scored for Minnesota.

"We played a solid game," Minnesota forward Mats Zuccarello said. "We created a bunch of chances. We could have scored two, three more goals, but that's hockey for you. A few mistakes ended up in the back of the net and that's the game."

Zuccarello signed a five-year, $30 million contract on July 1 with the Wild.

Nashville trailed 2-1 entering the final period before Granlund and Watson scored at 27 seconds and 1:56, respectively, to put the Predators ahead for good. Granlund tipped home a slap shot by Roman Josi and Watson tipped in a shot by Ellis.

Ellis scored the game's first goal at 3:37 of the second period.

As Ellis skated down from the right point, Forsberg sent a pass his way. The puck deflected off of Ellis' skate and trickled by Minnesota goaltender Devan Dubnyk.

"I thought for the most part we outplayed them in the first two periods," Ellis said. "They got a push. Give them credit, they worked hard too, but overall, I liked our game more."

Dubnyk finished with 27 saves.

Earlier in the second, Dubnyk robbed former Wild teammate Granlund with an impressive glove save. Moving right to left, Dubnyk made a sweeping glove stop on Granlund's one-timer from the right faceoff dot.

Nashville had an apparent power-play goal waived off after a video review determined Granlund made contact with the puck with a high stick.

Minnesota took the lead with two goals in a 43-second span in the second.

Zucker struck first at 16:04 on the power play.

Former Predator Brad Hunt's slap shot from the right point was deflected by Nashville's Nick Bonino and then glanced off of Zucker's jersey and past Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne high to the stick side. 1155405 Minnesota Wild “I was excited. I was having fun out there. It felt like midseason. I had a real good feeling going into the third period, so that just makes it sting a little bit more.”

Nashville's quick-strike third period sends Wild to loss on opening night

Star Tribune LOADED: 10.04.2019

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune

OCTOBER 4, 2019 — 12:13AM

NASHVILLE – They weren’t of the wholesale variety, but the Wild did make changes before reconvening for a new season.

There was the last-minute reset at general manager, a move that stoked optimism since the addition of Bill Guerin seems to have upgraded the culture and camaraderie in a matter of weeks.

New faces in Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman were injected in the lineup. And captain Mikko Koivu and defenseman Matt Dumba returned healthy from major injuries, status updates that count as significant considering the gaping holes their absences left in the roster last season.

But a fresh start with a different look didn’t fumigate a pesky problem, and that’s the team’s scoring woes.

Aside from a 43-second burst, the Wild skated feebly and the team was sentenced as such — opening the season with a 5-2 loss to the Predators on Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena after Nashville pulled away with

“Just a brutal third by us,” Dumba said. “No excuses. We were off the gas from the moment the puck was dropped. That’s on us. We have to hold ourselves accountable and get ready for that third period. Hopefully that’s the lesson learned tonight, and we don’t do it again.”

Despite getting hamstrung by neutral-zone turnovers, the Wild was only 20 minutes away from starting the season victorious after a late push in the second period.

A Brad Hunt point shot skimmed Wild winger Jason Zucker’s jersey before sailing by Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne at 16:04 to tie the score at 1-1, stopping a scoreless skid that extended back to last season at 160:53. The Wild finished 1-for-3 with the man advantage, while Nashville went 0-for-2.

Only 43 seconds after Zucker’s goal, the Wild moved ahead when Dumba — in his first regular-season appearance since suffering a torn pectoral muscle in December, a layoff of 50 games — walked into a loose puck that flew top-shelf over Rinne.

But that momentum didn’t carry over to the third period, not when blown coverages left the Wild vulnerable in its own end.

Center Eric Staal didn’t front a Roman Josi shot that was tipped by former Wild forward Mikael Granlund 27 seconds into the period. Only 1:29 later, Austin Watson was able to deflect a puck in while falling with his back to the net.

And at 7:32, Viktor Arvidsson skated untouched with the Staal line caught near the blue line to wire in a one-timer from the slot. Filip Forsberg buried an empty-netter with 1:26 to go.

“There’s no excuse,” Staal said. “We’re better players than that. I’ve got to play better. I just didn’t play good. I was brutal.”

Staal and linemate Zach Parise played under 14 minutes, well below their career averages. The other winger on that line, Mats Zuccarello, clocked in at 16:07. Each finished minus-3.

“I wouldn’t put us out there either,” Staal said.

The Wild’s poor finish upstaged a strong start by goalie Devan Dubnyk, who totaled 27 saves. Rinne made 22.

Dubnyk made 14 stops in the first period and had a highlight-reel grab early in the second against Granlund when he gloved down a shot windmill style.

He ended up making 17 consecutive saves before the Predators finally solved him — a Forsberg pass that caromed off defenseman Ryan Ellis’ skate and rolled into the net 3:37 into the second.

“I guess that’s why it’s so disappointing to have that finish,” Dubnyk said. 1155406 Minnesota Wild Star Tribune LOADED: 10.04.2019

Ryan Hartman back in Nashville, but this time with the Wild

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune

OCTOBER 4, 2019 — 12:14AM

NASHVILLE – Ryan Hartman was on the ice at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday for the Predators’ home opener, just like he was a year ago.

But instead of repping Nashville again, he made his debut with the Wild to start the next chapter in his career after a hectic year in which Hartman switched teams three times.

“It’s part of being a professional athlete,” Hartman said. “Those type of things happen. You look to try to find a home full-time. You go somewhere and hope that’s it. Hopefully I’ve found a home here in Minnesota.”

After beginning last season with the Predators, the right winger was moved to the Flyers before the trade deadline and closed out 2018-19 with Philadelphia.

In late June, the Flyers traded Hartman to the Stars but Hartman never got the chance to suit up for Dallas because the team decided not to extend a qualifying offer to retain his rights, making Hartman a free agent. While this was going down, Hartman was along the Manitoba- Ontario border for a fishing trip.

On July 1, he signed a two-year, $3.8 million contract with the Wild.

Winger Ryan Hartman was back in Nashville, where he started last season, for Thursday’s NHL opener for both teams. He signed with the Wild in July.

“We really like his game,” coach Bruce Boudreau said. “From the physical portion to the ability to make plays, we found out that he can kill penalties — good things that he’s done so far that we’ve really liked. We haven’t seen anything we haven’t liked.”

Hartman started Thursday’s game on the fourth line with winger Marcus Foligno and center Joel Eriksson Ek after making what’s looked like a seamless transition into the lineup and dressing room. Through four exhibition games, the 25-year-old tallied a goal and two assists.

“Everyone’s got a fresh start no matter how the preseason went,” he said. “I’ve been pretty fired up for this one, a time you look forward to all summer. So I think everyone’s ready to go.”

First-year Wild General Manager Bill Guerin was in Nashville for the team’s opener, but a trip to Russia is on his calendar for the end of November/early December to chat with prized prospect Kirill Kaprizov.

In his third season with CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League, Kaprizov has 16 points (nine goals) through 13 games.

“I have talked to his agent a number of times, and we have a good relationship,” Guerin said. “We’ll go over there together. I think it’s really important that he is comfortable and he knows who I am. I want to make a commitment to go over there. It’s really important.”

Nick Seeler got the nod over rookie Carson Soucy for the Wild’s season opener, filling out the third defensive pairing with Brad Hunt.

“Quite frankly it’s the guy who’s been here longer,” Boudreau said. “I just thought Seel’s been the incumbent here, and Soucy’s done a great job to be here. But I always believe in giving the guys the chance that have been here the longest.”

Boudreau did chat with Seeler, who presented in training camp as the same rugged, physical defender he was last season during his first full- length campaign in the NHL, about staying calm and not getting too wound up.

“It’s play excited but with composure,” Boudreau said.

As for Greg Pateryn, who is recovering from bilateral core muscle repair surgery, the Wild shifted him to injured reserve and is now carrying 22 players on its active roster. 1155407 Minnesota Wild

Season-opener vs. Predators first of many road tests for Wild in October

By Sarah McLellan

OCTOBER 3, 2019 — 1:16PM

NASHVILLE – The Wild starts the 2019-20 season in a role that will become quite familiar to it over the next handful of weeks: the visitor.

And that test is likely to be magnified Thursday against the Predators at Bridgestone Arena amid the excitement and enthusiasm of it being the season-opener.

“The biggest challenge is getting through the first period the way the crowd is going to be into it, and everybody is going to be into it emotionally,” coach Bruce Boudreau said. “Get through the first period, get settled in, start playing the way you can [and] it’ll be a good game.”

After a 2-1-3 record in the preseason, the Wild feels ready for the next step.

Newcomers Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman have solidified spots in the lineup. Captain Mikko Koivu and defenseman Matt Dumba have returned from season-ending injuries. And youngsters like Jordan Greenway, Joel Eriksson Ek and Luke Kunin seem primed for more opportunity.

But balancing the eagerness for a new season with the composure needed to execute will be key, especially in a pro-Predators environment – which could set the tone for this road-heavy stretch of games; 13 of the Wild’s first 18 games are away from home.

“Anytime during the season this is a tough place to play,” goalie Devan Dubnyk said. “Fans are great here. They are extremely loud. It's like any tough building on the road. The key is to try to weather it for the first 10, 15 minutes. That doesn't mean that we're going out there and not playing and not pushing. Just being really simple and structured and not trying to give them too much momentum. We have a lot of guys in here that have played a lot of tough games in tough buildings, so we know how to handle it.”

Key numbers:

9-7-2: The Wild’s record in season openers.

1-6-1: Showing for the Wild when it starts the season on the road.

2-2: How the Wild has fared when opening the season against a Central Division opponent in four of the last five seasons.

10: Goals for winger Zach Parise in season-opening games, which is second among active NHLers.

0-2-2: Record for the Wild vs. the Predators last season.

About the Predators:

Despite losing in the first round last season to the Dallas Stars, the Predators are returning for 2019-20 amid the expectation they’ll be a legit contender. Nashville is the reigning Central Division champion, and it boosted its outlook to defend that title by signing center Matt Duchene to a seven-year, $56 million contract. Winger Viktor Arvidsson is back after setting the franchise record for goals in a season with 34, and goalie Pekka Rinne went 30-19-4. Gone is defenseman P.K. Subban, who was traded to the New Jersey Devils.

Star Tribune LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155408 Minnesota Wild “This third period kind of puts a damper on everything,” Dumba said, shifting the focus ahead to the game against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. “It is what it is. We have go to Colorado and get it back.”

Wild melt down in third period, fall 5-2 to Predators in season opener

Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.04.2019

By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 9:43 pm | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 at 11:01 PM

Devan Dubnyk stood on his head for 40 minutes of play Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena, making save after save to keep the Wild in the game. He simply ran out of gas in the final 20 minutes of play.

Without much help in front of him, Dubnyk got lit up with a three-goal flurry in the third period that turned a one-goal lead into a two-goal deficit in the blink of an eye.

“That’s what was so disappointing,” Dubnyk said. “I was having fun out there (and) I had a real good feeling going into the third period, so that just makes it sting a little bit more.”

Never mind that Jason Zucker had scored to snap a scoreless streak that dated to last season and spanned 160 minutes, 53 seconds. Or that Matt Dumba sniped a blistering wrist shot into the back of the net to prove that, yes, he’s back to 100 percent.

When it mattered most, Dubnyk’s teammates left him hung out to dry, and the Wild limped to a 5-2 loss in the season opener.

“Just a brutal third period by us,” Dumba said. “No excuses.”

You had to feel for Dubnyk considering how well he played for most of the game. He single-handedly kept the Wild within striking distance early on and made what might go down as the save of the year midway through the game.

With the Predators applying constant pressure, winger Mikael Granlund corralled a pass on a two-on-one breakout and uncorked what looked like a surefire goal from the right circle.

Instead, Dubnyk slid post to post across his crease, stacked his pads and made a miraculous glove save.

“That’s how goalies played when I was growing up,” Dubnyk said. “I’ve got a little bit of that deep down there. You’ve got to break it out once in a while.”

Unfortunately for Dubnyk, the Predators eventually got some puck luck when defenseman Ryan Ellis had the puck glance off his skate and into the back of the net.

After that, with the Wild struggling to get anything going offensively, they got a little luck themselves when Zucker got in the way of a shot from Brad Hunt and deflected the puck into the net to tie the game. Less than a minute later, Dumba sniped home a goal, and just like that the Wild had the lead.

That wouldn’t last, though, as Granlund scored less than 30 seconds into the third period and winger Austin Watson added a goal from his back a couple of minutes later.

With a chance to tie the score later in the frame, Jason Zucker was denied by goaltender Pekka Rinne, and winger Viktor Arvidsson pounded home a cake rebound a few minutes later to put the game away for good.

“There were definite mistakes on each one of those goals,” Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said. “We should have enough experience to know what to do in that situation.”

Just not good enough.

“We were off the gas from the moment the puck was dropped,” Dumba said. “That’s on us. We have to hold ourselves accountable and get ready for that third period. Hopefully that’s the lesson learned tonight, and we don’t do it again.”

For Dumba, his goal was a milestone moment, especially considering the brutal rehab he’s had to go through over the past year or so. Not that he was thinking much about it in the immediate aftermath. 1155409 Minnesota Wild “Quite frankly, it’s the guy who’s been here longer,” Boudreau said when asked about his decision. “I just thought Seels has been the incumbent here, and Soucy’s done a great job to be here. But I always believe in giving the guys the chance that have been here the longest.” Wild winger Kevin Fiala on his return to Nashville: No friends on game day

Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.04.2019

By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 4:55 pm | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 at 4:56 PM

Wild winger Kevin Fiala still texts Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg quite frequently. They were like brothers during Fiala’s tenure in the Music City and remain close even as Fiala makes his home in the Twin Cities.

“They are still my friends,” Fiala said of the Predators players before Thursday’s season opener at Bridgestone Arena. “I saw a few guys yesterday. But today is game day. No friends.”

While a big part of Fiala would love nothing more than to stick it to his former team — like he did last season when he netted a pair of goals in his return to his former rink — he claimed he’s more focused on starting this season off on the right foot.

“It’s the first game, and I’m just excited to get started,” Fiala said. “Not too much worried about the other team. Just worried about us.”

A near 50-point player two seasons ago for Nashville, Fiala has all the tools to be the “gamebreaker” former general manager Paul Fenton thought he could be when he traded for him. the 23-year-old from Switzerland is going to get every opportunity to do so this season playing in the top-six of the lineup, and it’s up to him to realize his potential.

“I feel great,” Fiala said when asked if he’s up to the challenge. “It’s been a long summer. Just ready to get started.”

That long summer was lengthened by the fact that Fiala didn’t signed until last month. He finally committed a two-year, $6 million contract right before the start of training camp and missed about a week after complications with his work visa.

“Every day he practices and plays with us he gets better,” Boudreau said. “Is he up to 100 percent timing and everything else? I don’t think anybody is, because usually the first 10 games of the season is usually helter-skelter. It’s not as polished as the rest of the year goes. I think it’s a day-to-day-getting-better-for-him thing.”

That said, Fiala felt a marked improvement in himself playing in the final two preseason games.

“I mean, first game, and the second game it was completely different,” Fiala said. “I think the practices as well I felt better and better. And right now I feel on my game.”

While he doesn’t expect to get too emotional during Thursday’s game, Fiala admitted that he will always have a place in his heart for his former team.

“It’s still my first team,” he said. “But I feel great on this team right now. I feel home. This time it wasn’t a problem at all to come to this city. It actually feels like a road city.”

Victor Rask was unsurprisingly the last forward off the ice after Thursday’s morning skate. He currently is the odd-man out, buried on the depth chart behind centers like Eric Staal, Mikko Koivu, Luke Kunin, and Joel Eriksson Ek, and his shaky play in the preseason certainly didn’t help his cause.

It could be tough sledding for Rask this season as he tries to work his way into the lineup. That said, Boudreau doesn’t want Rask to be content with sitting in the press box every night.

“There’s going to be a lot of competition, and we want the best players to play,” Boudreau said. “If we have guys pushing the guys that aren’t playing, it’s going to make them be accountable to play well most every night.”

Despite an up-and-down preseason, Nick Seeler got the nod to play over Carson Soucy for Thursday’s season opener. Both players figure to play a role on the blue line this season. 1155410 Minnesota Wild The first one in the second period was just unlucky. Staal took a faceoff, his stick got caught up in Matt Duchene’s leg, Filip Forsberg threw a pass toward the right circle and it ricocheted through Dubnyk off defenseman Ryan Ellis’ skate. It looked like such a distinct kicking motion, Ellis didn’t Wild stumble in opener, and it might already be time for a new top line even bother to celebrate. But the league quickly ruled it was a good goal; players are allowed to try to kick a puck to their stick.

But in the third period, with the Wild holding a 2-1 lead, the Wild went for By Michael Russo the kill to open the period, the puck left the Predators’ end and Nashville Oct 3, 2019 went on the attack. Jared Spurgeon made a great play to retreat and seemingly settle things down, but Staal went chasing the puck carrier along the Wild zone’s wall rather than fronting defenseman Roman Josi’s one-timer. NASHVILLE — The Wild are one game into this season, but knowing Bruce Boudreau, the likelihood of the Wild’s top line that premiered Old Wild chum Mikael Granlund, who had a goal overturned in the first Thursday night against the Nashville Predators remaining intact against a period and was stone-cold robbed by Dubnyk in the second period by a high-flying, very fast Colorado Avalanche team Saturday night in Denver windmill glove save, tipped the shot for the tying goal. is roughly 0.000000000000000000000000001 percent. It was a nice moment in a strong game for Granlund, who joined Actually, we may be missing a few zeroes. These odds could be too high. Carolina’s Nino Niederreiter and Erik Haula and Boston’s Charlie Coyle as former Wild players to win their openers. Zach Parise, Eric Staal and Mats Zuccarello may not play together again. Then, just 1:29 later, the Wild got running around their own zone. The Sure, one game may seem like a small sample size, but the all-30- Ryan Donato-Luke Kunin-Jordan Greenway line and defensemen Ryan something line generated no scoring chances, one total shot and was on Suter and Dumba were skating circles aimlessly, bumping into each the ice for three goals-against despite paltry ice time by their standards other and it was obvious they would need Dubnyk to cover up for them. as the Wild coughed up a one-goal third-period lead en route to a 5-2 season-opening loss against the rival Preds. He didn’t. After Austin Watson fell to the ice during a battle with Suter, Watson tipped Ellis’ shot while on his side in front of Dubnyk. “All three of them struggled, I thought,” Boudreau said in one of the bigger understatements of his Wild coaching tenure. Weird goal, but the go-ahead, eventual winning goal nonetheless.

There was no chemistry, no cohesion and very little speed as the line Zucker had two Grade A chances to tie the score at 3-3 soon after. chased the puck all night long and was untrustworthy in their own zone. Former Predator Kevin Fiala, one of the Wild bright spots on this night, “Our line lets in three goals. We can’t let that happen,” Zuccarello said of hit Zucker with a perfect, spinning home-run pass, but Pekka Rinne his forgettable Wild debut. “We’ve got to tighten up defensively. We’ve denied Zucker on the breakaway. Moments later, Rinne gloved down got to be better. … We win and lose as a team, but me, Zach and Staalzy Zucker’s point-blank backhanded stab. are not happy about letting in three goals. That’s not good enough for us. We’ll be pissed tonight and come back (Friday) and practice and try to Not long after that, it was 4-2 Nashville and that basically would be all get better.” she wrote for the Wild on this evening before Forsberg’s empty-netter iced things. Whether they get another chance as a line, however, during Friday’s practice in Denver is probably slim to none. On that killer fourth goal, Craig Smith’s shot from the circle bounced off Dubnyk like he was wearing a trampoline and right to the worst place on Boudreau only played Parise 11 minutes, 51 seconds, at even-strength. the ice. Terrific shooter, Victor Arvidsson, was standing wide-open in the Staal only logged 11:35. Neither one of them, both usually high-volume slot and buried a whistler. shooters, even had a shot attempt. Why was he so alone? That’s pretty glaring for the two scorers. To put their 5-on-5 ice times in perspective, they were on par with fourth-liners Marcus Foligno (11:16) Staal, maybe because he was having a tough night, maybe because he and Ryan Hartman (11:30). was just trying to push for the tying goal rather than being patient, had already sprung out of the zone looking for a breakout pass. One “Well, I wouldn’t put us out there either,” Staal said bluntly. “I feel bad for dilemma: The Wild never gained puck possession. Zuccy.” “I was out of the zone and it was my guy that scored,” Staal said, After weathering an early storm because of the strong goaltending of honestly. “I was trying to get (the goal) back and that can bite ya.” Devan Dubnyk in the first two periods, the Wild rallied from a 1-0 deficit with goals by Jason Zucker and Matt Dumba 43 seconds apart late in the Staal said he was guilty of cheating for offense and anticipating that the second. Sharp-shooter Brad Hunt’s power-play blast from the point Wild would grab the puck. glanced off Zucker’s arm, then Dumba, playing for the first time since last “I’ve been guilty of that before,” he said. “You’ve got to try to stay Dec. 15, stepped into a puck and snapped home a beauty the next shift. composed and that fourth goal I thought the puck was going to get out of “It was nice (to score). I haven’t done that in awhile,” Dumba said. “I the zone, so I was already out there and turn around and Arvidsson’s the don’t know. Not really thinking about that. This third period kind of puts a one right down the pike.” damper on everything.” What’s interesting about the rough night by Parise, Staal and Zuccarello The Wild put themselves in a perfect position to steal one in a tough is that all summer long, Boudreau talked about wanting to play the three building on the road. forwards together as a line in training camp.

Instead, they melted down immediately in the third period and ultimately But in the days leading up to camp, Boudreau worried the line may be fell to 1-7-1 all-time when they start a season on the road. too slow.

“Just a brutal third by us. No excuses,” Dumba said. “We were off the gas He decided to give Donato, who mostly played wing as a pro with the from the moment the puck was dropped. That’s on us. We have to hold Boston and Minnesota organizations, a try between Parise and ourselves accountable and get ready for that third period. Hopefully that’s Zuccarello the first two weeks of camp so he could keep Kunin at right the lesson learned tonight and we don’t do it again.” wing and thus only use left-shot Zuccarello and Fiala on the right side rather than three left-shot right wingers (Greenway being the third). The Wild’s 2-1 lead turned into a 3-2 deficit by the 1:56 mark. But Donato never looked comfortable and didn’t play well, so Boudreau “Definite mistakes on each one of those goals that we either went over or switched it up with less than a week left in camp and put Kunin at center. we should have enough experience to know what to do in that situation,” Boudreau said. But Kunin, too, did not seem to mesh with Parise and Zuccarello, so when the Wild showed up for practice Tuesday — two days before the Staal took the blame for all three goals in the game that his line gave up. start of the season, Mikko Koivu was between Zucker and Fiala and the Parise-Staal-Zuccarello line was slapped together for the first time all camp.

Fast forward two days, and the line was plodding and a liability.

Asked if the late assembly could be the reason for the lack of chemistry between the three, Staal shook his head, said, “no,” and refused to pin the trio’s newness together as an explanation for their poor performance.

“I mean, there’s no excuse,” Staal said. “We’re better players than that. I’ve got to play better. I just didn’t play good. I was brutal. It is what it is.”

Overall, the Wild also didn’t generate enough from their forward group.

Boudreau was satisfied with the play of the defensemen but said Nashville’s forwards plainly played better than the Wild’s.

That’s a big concern. The Wild scored the fewest goals in the NHL after Dumba’s injury last season and were shut out 11 times as a team last year. They were blanked, in fact, for the final 124:49 of last season, so when Zucker scored late in the second period Thursday, it ended a stretch of 160:53 without a Wild goal.

The Predators were in the Wild’s face all over the ice, especially at the Predators blue line, where the Wild turned the puck over six times entering the zone on the power play.

“We weren’t good in the neutral zone,” Staal said. “I just don’t think we got it in well enough. When we did, we created looks and chances, but we just didn’t get through the neutral zone good enough. We talked about it. We just didn’t execute properly.”

The Wild better figure this out because seven of their first 14 games are against Central Division foes, and eight of their first 13 games come on the road.

They put themselves in a great position to win Thursday.

Dubnyk was outstanding in the first two periods, keeping the Wild in a game they easily could have gotten blown out of.

“It’s so disappointing to have that finish,” said Dubnyk, who made 27 saves, including several robberies, and is one game from becoming the second goalie to play 300 games in a Wild uniform (Niklas Backstrom). “I was excited. I was having fun out there. It felt like midseason. I had a real good feeling going into the third period, so that just makes it sting a little bit more. Nothing we can do now except clean up a couple things and get ready for Colorado.”

A loss Saturday in Denver would mean the Wild would have to sit and stew for five long days before they next play Thursday in Winnipeg.

That’s why Boudreau may feel he can’t afford to keep the Parise-Staal- Zuccarello line intact.

The question if he does drive a wedge through them: How does he mix things up?

After all, it’s not like Donato or Kunin looked good with Parise and Zuccarello either. Maybe it’s time to try Zucker and Zuccarello together for the first time. Maybe it’s time to try Parise and Fiala together.

But who would be the centers?

“On the road, I think we might have to juggle things up for sure,” Boudreau said. “We’ll see. We’ll review the tape a little more closely. What you think right now sometimes and what you see (on the tape) might not be what it is. If I was going to say it right now, I’d have to say that we’re going into another really fast-skating team. We might have to change a couple things around.”

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155411 Minnesota Wild July 1, said. “At the rink, I’m all about working hard and having fun and winning. Away from the ice, you know, I’m easy. I just need a couch and a TV, and I’m fine. But outside of my house, I could be a little distracted and … forget things.” Minnesota Mats: Funny and focused, Zuccarello begins his new life with Wild Hey, it’s hard to blame Zuccarello for being a little overwhelmed during his first year in the NHL.

Never imagining he had a chance to play in the world’s most talented Michael Russo hockey league, the undrafted, 5-foot-7 pass-first playmaker went to Vancouver in the winter of 2010 and was discovered while wearing the Oct 3, 2019 red, white and blue Norwegian sweater in the Olympics. With his full name, ZUCCARELLO AASEN, on the nameplate, the crafty yet undersized winger opened the eyes of Rangers head honcho Glen Henrik Lundqvist had just sung Mats Zuccarello’s praises for 15 minutes. Sather and scouts Gordie Clark and Anders Hedberg by flashing some of the special skill he has since become so known for. He talked about how Zuccarello’s everything you want in a teammate, saying the way he works, the way he competes, the way he trains, the The three men kept an eye on Zuccarello when he returned to his way he keeps things loose in the room during tough times, “the way he professional team, MODO, in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. He ended up can make big plays at the right time and be the difference in games leading the Swedish Elite League with 64 points, was selected as the sends the right signals to young guys about how you need to play the league’s MVP and the Rangers came calling with a free-agent contract in game.” May.

He talked about how Zuccarello’s everything you want in a human being, Next thing Zuccarello knew, he was moving across the Atlantic from a saying his heart, his humility, his sense of humor, his genuine desire to small country where hockey’s not exactly a household thing and with a give back, especially to his native Norway, “is the perfect influence any population 3 1/2 million less than his new dwelling, New York City. team would want inside a locker room.” “I went to Sweden when I was 20, spent two years with MODO, had a “I obviously wish to have him still here in New York, but I definitely think great time, and they were unbelievable to me,” Zuccarello said. “It was the fans in Minnesota will appreciate the type of player he is and his the first time I really got interest for something bigger or something bigger personality,” Lundqvist, during a recent phone interview with The Athletic, got any interest in me. I mean, I’m not kidding, I didn’t have a goal to play said of his longtime former New York Rangers teammate and the Wild’s over here. My dream was to play in Sweden, and to me, I made it. I made newest big free-agent pickup. it!

But after saying all these nice things, the future Hall of Fame goaltender “The NHL was too far away to even think about. You know, I wasn’t the couldn’t stomach hanging up the phone without giving Zuccarello at least tallest guy or the biggest guy. The only thing I knew about the NHL was a little crap. 30 minutes of highlights a week that I got to watch in Sweden and my 2001 Avalanche video. You always dream, but there was no chance that Maybe it was years of having to tolerate Zuccarello’s “in-your-face stuff in I had a goal or a belief that I was going to be here.” practice that got really annoying.” Or, maybe it was just the fact that Zuccarello is one of his closest friends and he misses needling him on an That ’01 Avalanche Stanley Cup-winning VHS highlight tape, something everyday basis, but what says friendship more than a little ribbing he found at a store as a kid and begged his mother, Anita, to buy for him, between pals? is something he guesses he has watched a couple thousand times. He can describe every play during the Avs’ Cup run and knows every word “When it comes to hockey, Mats is very focused and he knows what’s uttered in an interview on that tape by an Avs player or coach by heart. up,” Lundqvist said, clearly setting up the punchline. “But outside of hockey, let’s just say, sometimes it’s not as much structure with Mats and He can verbatim repeat every single thing the announcers said, too. he’s a little bit … all over the place. You might want to ask him about one of his first trips out West when he did the old scramble to get on the He loved Hall of Famers Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg. He was such an plane and, you’re not going to believe this, he managed to forget Avs fanatic, even now at age 32, Zuccarello was so awestruck last month everything. I’m not kidding. He left everything — I mean, every single by Iowa Wild assistant coach Alex Tanguay during training camp, he thing — in San Jose.” didn’t want to go up to Tanguay and tell him how big a fan he was of him out of respect. So following instructions, in the first of a half-dozen interviews with Zuccarello during training camp, we opened with, “So, what’s this story They briefly met, but that was it. about you forgetting your entire life in San Jose?” “You know, he’s new. I’m new. I don’t want to bother him,” Zuccarello Zuccarello’s eyes opened wide, he gave an incredulous smirk and said of Tanguay, who scored two goals, including the game-winner, in rubbed his forehead: “Who told you that?” Game 7 of that 2001 Stanley Cup Final.

“We can’t reveal our sources.” “Peter Forsberg was my hero, and I got to play with him in MODO when I signed there, so that was pretty cool,” Zuccarello said. “But that’s all I “That was a long, long time ago,” Zuccarello said, laughing at the 2011 wanted — to play in Sweden and nothing more. But then Glen Sather incident. “I tried to forget about this. It was one of my first road trips. We called me, and that’s when things kind of got real.” played the Sharks, I got myself on the plane and I look for my phone, I look for my wallet, I look for my bag, and I don’t have anything. Nothing. Zuccarello was basically signed as a fourth-liner and shootout specialist. Everything was still in my hotel room. I didn’t say a word all the way from His first two seasons in the NHL, he played 52 games for the Rangers California to New York. When we landed, I kind of quietly went to the and 73 games in the AHL for the Connecticut Whale in Hartford. manager and told him, ‘I need your help. I left everything I own in San “Torts was there,” Zuccarello said of the hard-nosed John Tortorella, “and Jose.’ I was young, small and wasn’t experienced at that level. I was probably a “He looked at me like, ‘What the … ?! We had to make a bunch of calls to little bit nervous. Actually, I was a lot nervous. I’m watching guys like get my stuff back.” Marian Gaborik fly by people and score these incredible goals, and I didn’t feel I belonged. I also didn’t want to stick out or do anything. I “Wallet, passport, everything. He even left his suits!” Lundqvist said. “And wasn’t like, ‘Here I am,’ like an ego-first kind of guy. So, it took me some at that point, too, he didn’t have that many suits because he was like a time to get used to it and I wanted to go home. It was a fast game, and I 23-year-old rookie.” was all nervous in the beginning. But I stayed.”

Focused, committed and uber-talented on the ice. But in 2012, the NHL lockout came and Zuccarello was unsigned anyway. Completely scatterbrained off the ice is how Lundqvist described his buddy. He signed to play with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL and when the NHL lockout ended, Zuccarello remained in Russia and didn’t plan to “Yeah. That’s pretty much me,” Zuccarello, who will make his Wild debut ever return to the NHL. Thursday night in Nashville after signing a five-year, $30 million contract His coach was Paul Maurice, the longtime NHL coach who currently “In Norway, there might be one rink in the summer that actually has ice, coaches the Winnipeg Jets. so I don’t start skating in the offseason ‘til Aug. 1 and it always takes me until about now in training camp to start feeling good,” Zuccarello said. “I remember walking into the room and thinking, ‘What are you doing here?’” Maurice said. “I mean, there’s a lockout, but this guy’s an NHL Skjei says don’t let Zuccarello fool you. player, and that became more true as the year went on and the NHL started back up again.” “He’s so humble,” Skjei said, “but I would say he’s one of the top-five guys that I’ve seen on the ice from a hockey sense and skill-wise Zuccarello and Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist were close in New York. standpoint. For how small he is, he never really gets hit. It’s really “I definitely think the fans in Minnesota will appreciate the type of player impressive. He makes plays that are impossible to make for most guys. he is and his personality,” Lundqvist says. (Brad Penner / USA Today) He’s just that good.”

One of the behind-the-curtain things that fans rarely get to see is how And, he’s quick, Maurice said. “Study and watch his game, he sprints at pumped up NHL players get when they line up and take the ice for absolutely the right time. How he moves, he’s an incredibly efficient warmups or the game. They fire each other up with all sorts of weird thinker of the game. He moves in full sprints and bursts with that long sayings and sounds and inside jokes and smacks on the pads and rear- stick. He just kind of is like a quick-strike guy. But he’s had to be very, ends. very smart to survive the National League game at his size, right? So he’s maximized his talents completely in a game.” Apparently, that’s not really a tradition in Russia. Maurice said all this, by the way, three hours before Zuccarello used that “It might have been our first home game,” Maurice said, laughing. “I’m unusually long, 60-or-so-inch stick to force overtime with a one-timer with standing out in the hallway and the players are going out to the ice and 90 seconds left in regulation during an exhibition game against the Jets Mats comes out into the hallway and he’s trying to high-five guys on the five days ago. way out to the ice. He’s not the biggest guy, but nobody there knew what the heck he was doing. He’s the only excited guy that the game’s going So, in late March 2012, the Rangers came calling again because they to start. And I thought, ‘OK, I’m in a different culture here now.’ These needed an infusion of offense for the playoffs. Zuccarello decided to guys here are bringing out their lunch pails and Mats is going out to a leave Russia and re-signed with the Rangers during the tail end of the party, you know? lockout-shortened season and the rest is history.

“That’s my biggest memory of coaching him. His personality, his love of Seven years later, the only Norwegian currently on an NHL roster and the game, the enjoyment of playing and the enjoyment of the people in only the eighth to play an NHL game in history has played 511 NHL the locker room. And it was the same thing when I coached him (with games and has recorded more goals (114), assists (241) and points Team Europe) in the World Cup. We had a lot of great European stars in (355) than any Norwegian ever. there, but by the end of the tournament, he’s the center of the room. Everybody wants to hang out with him. He’s telling all the jokes. He’s got “Wild fans are going to love this guy,” Lundqvist said. this great joy of life.” There’s just a special bond between Lundqvist and Zuccarello.

Apparently, that is just him. That was obvious last season when Lundqvist broke down on camera Recently, when asked what Zuccarello’s personality was like, Wild when asked about Zuccarello after he was traded to the Dallas Stars. linemate Zach Parise just started laughing … for about 10 seconds. Coincidentally, his final game in a Rangers sweater came Feb. 21 during a loss to the Wild. “He’s hilarious,” Parise said, still roaring. “He was pretty quiet the first couple days when guys were feeling him out and getting to know him a Not only are they close friends, but Lundqvist and Zuccarello do many little bit. But he’s pretty sarcastic and funny. I heard from other guys that charitable endeavors together, highlighted by an outdoor game they played with him in New York, everyone was saying, ‘You’ll love this guy. hosted in front of 20,000 fans at a soccer stadium in August 2018 in You’ll love this guy.’ He’s got a great sense of humor.” Zuccarello’s hometown of Oslo, Norway.

“He’s just a guy that he’s kind of the life of the party,” Rangers “It was close to an All-Star Game,” said Lundqvist. defenseman Brady Skjei, the Lakeville native and former Gopher, said. Lundqvist and Zuccarello brought in more than two dozen players, from “The guy can just hang out with anyone and fit in with any crowd.” Peter Forsberg and Daniel Alfredsson, to players like Zdeno Chara, Ryan Playing for Maurice in the KHL reinvigorated Zuccarello. He said McDonagh, Victor Hedman, Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Nino truthfully, he wasn’t playing good hockey, but he had so much fun Niederreiter, Kevin Fiala, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, John Klingberg and training and practicing and rediscovering his love of the sport. It also William Karlsson. helped that he got to play with Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin Lundqvist’s team won 10-7. Zuccarello scored four times, though, and during the NHL lockout portion of the KHL season. the proceeds benefitted each of their foundations, plus Right To Play, an He was so mesmerized by Malkin, Zuccarello would often miss his turn in international humanitarian organization that attempts to teach children in practice drills because he was just watching the Russian center. need with educational games.

“He was so skilled,” Zuccarello said. “Even though he’s one year older Zuccarello became an ambassador for the organization during his early than me, I played against him in the Under-18s in Belarus and followed days in New York. him ever since. I followed his every footstep of whatever he does and “It was a big project with sponsors and everything, and we got the rink highlights and watching games. So it was cool for me to be on the same shipped in from Germany,” Lundqvist said. “We were so happy with the team as him. I tried to just learn and look at what he did and I mean way things turned out, with the number of players who showed up and obviously I’m not even close to being able to do that, but it was fun to how many fans came. The weather was good, the ice was good, so it see. was a great day.

“I like to pick up stuff and sometimes study other players because you “Mats is the most popular athlete in Norway by far, so he does a good job can always improve and get better every day.” giving back and remembering where he came from.”

One thing you’ll learn during Zuccarello’s time with the Wild is he’s a very That was obvious the first day of Wild training camp when he hosted self-deprecating athlete. It almost seems he’s never, ever satisfied with teenagers from his old high school — NTG, in Lillehammer — at TRIA his own play. Rink.

After a three-point night in a preseason game last month, he called his “It was fun to bring them here,” Zuccarello said. “It’s an honor to be able play, “terrible.” He says the only reason he used to talk smack so much to play in this league so long. I’m trying to do my best to be a good and celebrate every one of the goals he scored on Lundqvist in practice ambassador for hockey back home and get the sport a little bit more is “because I don’t score that many in games.” He is constantly picking popular. A lot of people follow me. So for me to be an ambassador for and prodding and saying he’s not playing well enough. He said the Norway, it’s an honor.” reason Parise didn’t score in the preseason is because “I need to help him a lot more than I am.” But one of his biggest passions is Right To Play. The organization is global, but Zuccarello tries to help children in Africa. He has been to Tanzania twice, the last time coming last year, “and you get to play with “Whoever plays with him is going to benefit a lot.” (Brad Rempel / USA the kids and see what the money that you raised goes to. It goes to Today) schools and education and stuff like that and you just visit all the schools that are run on the Right To Play program. It means a ton.” Zuccarello hopes his personality will shine.

After nine seasons on Broadway, after a couple months in Dallas, “I try to keep things loose,” he said. “The game is so serious. Everyone, Zuccarello has arrived in the State of Hockey ready to get going. It was a you’re under constant pressure from everyone. You want to do well for tough season for him last year knowing he would eventually be on his fans, your teammates. So I think sometimes in practice, you’ve got to way out of the only NHL city he had ever known. keep it loose. You can’t forget why we’re here and that’s because we love playing hockey. Come game time, I’m always focused and want to “It was real sad,” he said. “And you’re mad at everyone and you felt I was play my best. But at the same time, this is supposed to be fun. That’s going to be loyal to New York and play there forever and then you get the what it’s about.” feeling that they don’t want you anymore. And you’re just super sad and angry. Then after a while, you realize this is a good thing. You don’t want His goal is to help the Wild get into the playoffs. to play for someone who doesn’t want you, first of all. And then second of After trading Mikael Granlund to Thursday’s opponent, the Predators, last all, it’s always good to get a change. But hockey players are season, the Wild were in the need of a player like Zuccarello who has the professionals, but we’re human beings, too, and we have feelings and innate ability to put pucks on a tee for his teammates. Last week in a emotions, and I was angry a lot of last year until I realized it was kind of game in Dallas, Zuccarello figured that the easiest route to get a puck to out of my control, that they were going to trade me and just try to have Jason Zucker was a bank pass off the end wall. Zucker hit the post for fun while it lasted.” what would have been one heck of a dazzling goal.

Zuccarello scored in his Stars debut, then broke his arm in the same “He wants to set you up for a good opportunity, so you’ve got to be ready game. He returned for the playoffs and scored 11 points in 13 games. all over the ice,” Parise said. “In the scrimmages and the practices, there In his short time in Dallas, Zuccarello still made an impression. He tallied were some times I’d almost be getting lazy assuming he was going to 11 points in 13 playoff games as the Stars pushed the eventual- shoot and next thing I know it’s in my wheelhouse. So I’ve kind of learned champion Blues to seven games in the second round. (Jerome Miron / to always be ready with him because he fakes me out sometimes with a USA Today) great pass. I’ll get more and more used to that and be aware.

Signed as a free agent by former Wild GM Paul Fenton, the way Fenton “Playing with Granny, he kind of knew that I’d be going to the net at all described Zuccarello after the signing went viral. times and he was so good and feathering those passes. You see a lot of that in Zuccarello too. Whoever plays with him is going to benefit a lot.” Fenton said, “It’s kind of a strange thing, but I told him that he’s like a lizard, the way a lizard takes his tongue and sticks it as far as it does and Still, this won’t be easy. retrieves what it was trying to do. When you look at Mats, he’s not the After being in New York his entire NHL career, Zuccarello now comes tallest in stature, but he uses an incredibly long stick and he reaches into long-term to a different market, a different city, a different conference and piles and comes out with things. He’s so natural, fluid, smooth. He comes to a very different team. out with things and he’s able to make plays.” Lundqvist, though, says he has nothing to worry about. People made fun of the analogy, but Zuccarello understood what he meant. “I think it was a big, big thing to get traded from New York, but after a pretty emotional, tough time after being traded to Dallas, he put the “It’s just the way it came out, it was funny,” Zuccarello said. “But in a way Rangers behind him and knew it was time to move on with his hockey it got me closer to the boys. The whole team calls me, ‘Lizard,’ now, so career and his life,” Lundqvist said. “I think he’s well prepared for this it’s fun and almost got me more into the group right away.” new chapter in his career. Like I said, Wild fans will love him. He’s St. Paul, his new long-term home, is a bit different and less frenetic than motivated, and he wants to win.” Manhattan. Less people, a tad more laid back. That’s a good combination for the slippery, crafty lizard.

“Yeah, to a kid from Norway, New York City was a little overwhelming at first,” Zuccarello said. “It took some time to get used to, for sure.” The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 Everything in Zuccarello’s life is new, and he’s still trying to find his way, discover favorite new restaurants, learn the best routes back to his Edina house.

“The GPS takes me a new way every time I go home, so it’s hard to really figure out,” Zuccarello said of the construction-laden roads of the Twin Cities. “Just plug it in, and it takes me a new road every time. It’s hard. But as long as I have my phone, it’s good. Hopefully by the end of the year, I’ll have a road I like to go.”

And after a love affair with New Yorkers, Zuccarello, easily one of the most popular Rangers players in the post-1994 Cup years, hopes to earn the fanfare from Wild diehards.

“Now this is my home and I’m excited to make this a part of my life,” Zuccarello said. “Sometimes you never know what’s going to happen in your life. But sometimes a new challenge, something new in your life is a positive thing, and I think this is one of those things that will be positive.”

The instant he signed with Minnesota, Zuccarello got calls and texts from Minnesotans and former Rangers teammates like McDonagh, Skjei and Derek Stepan.

“I actually FaceTimed him to say he was going to be back with all of his long-lost cousins,” said Skjei, who used to go head-to-head with Zuccarello during some cutthroat card games on the Rangers’ plane. “There are so many Norwegians in Minnesota. I told him he’s going to love it there and that obviously Minnesota’s going to love him. He’s in good hands.”

“I’ve kind of learned to always be ready with him because he fakes me out sometimes with a great pass,” Zach Parise says of Zuccarello. 1155412 Montreal Canadiens Montreal D Cale Fleury had family in town for his NHL debut — older brother Haydn is a defenceman with the Hurricanes. ... Cam Ward, the Conn Smythe Trophy-winning goalie on Carolina’s 2006 Stanley Cup champion team, sounded the siren that announces the Hurricanes’ Dougie Hamilton pots lone shootout goal as Hurricanes top Canadiens 4- entrance to the ice. Ward signed a one-day contract during the off- 3 season to retire as a member of the team.

Staff Report Globe And Mail LOADED: 10.04.2019 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PUBLISHED OCTOBER 3, 2019

UPDATED 7 HOURS AGO

The Carolina Hurricanes rode a second-half surge all the way to the Eastern Conference final last season. They started their follow-up season with a strong finish to their first game.

Dougie Hamilton scored in the shootout, Petr Mrazek stopped three shots in the tiebreaker and the Hurricanes beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on Thursday night in the teams’ opener after Erik Haula tied it with 13:05 left in regulation in his debut with the club.

“As a group, we played a lot better in the third, and we looked like the team we want to be in the third period,” Haula said. “You could feel it on the bench and see it on the ice.”

Martin Necas scored with the man advantage for a team that struggled in those situations during the post-season, Lucas Wallmark also scored, Hamilton had two assists and Mrazek made 33 saves.

They are hoping for a carryover of the late-season surge in 2018-19 that propelled them to their first playoff appearance since 2009. Carolina upset Washington and the New York Islanders before being swept by Boston.

Jordan Weal, Tomas Tatar and Jesperi Kotkaniemi each scored during a three-goal second period that erased an early 2-0 deficit, with the goals by Tatar and Kotkaniemi coming 1:04 apart. Carey Price stopped 40 shots for Montreal, which has earned at least one point in six straight openers, going 4-0-2 in that stretch.

“I was impressed, honestly, with the pace of this game from both teams,” Canadiens coach Claude Julien said. “It was a fast-paced game, it was hard-fought. ... No doubt, both teams were trying to make a point here. And at the end of the day, you like the effort of your team and (are) disappointed that a point slipped away, but it’s a hard-earned point on the road against a pretty good hockey club.”

Hamilton opened the shootout by deking Price before beating him with a wrist shot. Mrazek followed with three consecutive saves, stuffing rookie Nick Suzuki to end it.

The power play was a season-long struggle a year ago for Carolina, which managed just five goals with the man advantage during its entire 15-game post-season run and was 0 for its last 13 chances against the Boston Bruins.

“We’ve been practicing a lot,” Hamilton said. “We’ve got to keep practicing and see if we can do better than last year.”

Necas scored on the Hurricanes’ first chance of the new season with the man advantage, and Haula’s goal came 8 seconds after the expiration of the Canadiens’ minor for having too many men on the ice.

Haula, one of four players making their debuts with the Hurricanes after being picked up in a trade with Vegas, tied it when he stuffed in the rebound of Hamilton’s shot.

That goal came after the Canadiens’ second-period flurry was capped by Weal’s goal on an odd-man rush that made it 3-2.

Tatar started the surge by beating Mrazek with a wrist shot from between the circles on the power play at 4:18 of the second, and Kotkaniemi tied it at 2 at 5:22 off a rebound.

“I liked our effort. I liked our pace,” Julien said. “We’re down 2-0, we come back and tie it up. There’s a lot of good things to take from tonight.”

NOTES 1155413 Montreal Canadiens That’s one down and 81 more to go with Canadiens fans hoping they can finally see some real playoff action after that.

In the Habs' Room: 'There’s a lot of good things to take from tonight': Montreal Gazette LOADED: 10.04.2019 Julien

STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE

Updated: October 3, 2019

RALEIGH, N.C. — It was only the first game of the regular season, but this one had the pace and excitement of a playoff game.

Canadiens fans watching back home on TV must have enjoyed it — since they haven’t seen a real playoff game the last two seasons — but the result wasn’t what they wanted as the Carolina Hurricanes won 4-3 in a shootout Thursday night at the PNC Arena.

Tomas Tatar, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jordan Weal scored for the Canadiens in regulation time, while Lucas Wallmark, Martin Necas (power play) and Erik Haula scored for Hurricanes. Dougie Hamilton scored the only goal in the shootout to give the Hurricanes the victory.

“I’m glad you guys saw it that way, too,” Canadiens coach Claude Julien said after the game when it was mentioned it had the feel of a playoff game. “I was impressed, honestly, with the pace of this game from both teams. It was a fast-paced game, it was hard-fought. There was battles along the walls and there was a lot of battles in front of the nets. So, no doubt I think both teams are trying to make a point here tonight. At the end of the day, you like the effort of your team and you’re disappointed that a point slipped away. But it’s a hard-earned point on the road against a pretty good hockey club.

“I thought it was a hard-fought game, really, for the first game of the season,” Julien added. “I thought the pace was extraordinary with both teams. They also play a fast game. They attack aggressively, they pinch a lot and, for the most part, there was times where we had some Ds who had a hard time tonight with making some good first passes. But at the end of the day, I think the game we played tonight was a good game. I liked our effort, I liked our pace. We’re down 2-0, we come back and tie it up. There’s a lot of good things to take from tonight.”

Nick Suzuki, playing in his first NHL game, was picked by Julien to shoot third in the shootout after Paul Byron and Jonathan Drouin failed to score.

A vote of confidence for the 20-year-old?

“He’s good at it, so why not?” Julien said. “We always seem surprised that a young player comes in and does those things. I think he’s proven that he’s very good at it. Just because he didn’t score tonight doesn’t mean he’s not a smart player. We’ve seen him score some nice shootout goals in the past, not just with us but with his other teams.”

Defenceman Cale Fleury, also making his NHL debut as a 20-year-old, had some nervous moments early, but did not look out of place at all and finished the game minus-1 with 14:52 of ice time and four hits. Only Ben Chiarot, playing his first game with the Canadiens, had more hits with eight.

“He made a couple of good rub-outs along the boards,” goalie Carey Price said about Fleury. “He’s not huge, but he’s not small and he plays physical. So I’m looking forward to keeping working with him, anyway.”

Said Fleury about his hits: “It’s kind of just how I play. It’s not really something I’m going to go out and look for, but if it’s there I’ll do it.

“One of the TV timeouts, Carey came up to me and said: ‘Welcome to the show,’” Fleury added with a smile. “That’s a pretty cool thing for me in my first game.”

Fleury also had a breakaway in the game, but was stopped by goalie Petr Mrazek.

“That was probably the last thing I was expecting was a breakaway today, but I thought I made a good move,” Fleury said. “I just couldn’t get it over his pad.”

It wasn’t a terrible way to start the season for the Canadiens. 1155414 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens settle for one point in Carolina, falling 4-3 in a shootout

STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE

Updated: October 3, 2019

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Canadiens had to settle for a single point in their season opener Thursday night in Carolina, losing 4-3 to the Hurricanes in a shootout in front of a sellout crowd of 18,680 at PNC Arena.

Carolina’s Dougie Hamilton scored the only goal on Carey Price in the shootout as Paul Byron, Jonathan Drouin and Nick Suzuki were all stopped by Carolina goalie Petr Mrazek.

Tomas Tatar (power play), Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jordan Weal scored for the Canadiens in regulation time. Lucas Wallmark, Martin Necas (power play) and Erik Haula scored for Hurricanes, who outshot the Canadiens 43-36.

Both teams went 1-for-3 on the power play.

Suzuki and defenceman Cale Fleury, both age 20, made their NHL debuts for the Canadiens. Along with the 19-year-old Kotkaniemi, it marked the first season opener since 1982 — with Gilbert Delorme, 19, , 19, and Ric Nattress, 20 — in which the Canadiens had three players 20 or younger in the lineup.

This also marked the sixth straight year the Canadiens have started the season on the road and they now have a 4-0-2 record in those games.

Wallmark scored the only goal of the first period at the 17:19 mark after winning a faceoff from Nate Thompson to start the play. Wallmark then went to the net, deflected a point shot and beat defenceman Brett Kulak to the rebound to put the puck high into the net behind Price.

Midway through the first period, Fleury made an excellent defensive play, getting back in time to prevent Necas from going in alone on a breakaway after the Canadiens lost the puck in the offensive zone. A few minutes later, Ryan Dzingel had a breakaway on Price and hit the crossbar before Wallmark opened the scoring.

Necas put the Hurricanes up 2-0 at 2:19 of the second period when he deflected in a point shot after the Canadiens had been penalized for a delay-of-game faceoff violation. The Canadiens were on the power play when Tatar put them on the board at 4:18 and then Kotkaniemi scored at 5:22 to tie the game 2-2.

Tatar scored on a shot from the slot, while Kotkaniemi’s goal came after Jonathan Drouin carried the puck all alone from behind the Canadiens’ net into the offensive zone, then won a race to a loose puck before passing to Artturi Lehkonen, who fired the puck on net. Kotkaniemi picked up the rebound and then showed great patience and puck- handling before firing the puck past Mrazek.

Weal put the Canadiens ahead 3-2 at 16:36 of the second period when he completed a nice tic-tac-toe passing play by the fourth line in the Hurricanes zone with Nate Thompson feeding the puck to Paul Byron who then provided Weal with a beautiful setup.

Haula tied it up 3-3 at 6:55 of the third period, only eight seconds after the Canadiens had killed off a penalty for too many men on the ice.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155415 Montreal Canadiens “No,” Haydn said. “We’ll save that for Game 2.” The next game between the Canadiens and Hurricanes will on New

Year’s Eve in Carolina. Canadiens' Cale Fleury faces big brother in his first NHL game

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 10.04.2019 STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE

Updated: October 3, 2019

RALEIGH, N.C. — Having a big brother has its advantages for a young hockey player.

Canadiens defenceman Cale Fleury grew up in Calgary trying to beat his older brother, Haydn, in everything they competed at.

“I don’t like to lose, so I never took it easy on him by any means,” Haydn, a defenceman with the Carolina Hurricanes, said after his team’s morning skate Thursday at the PNC Arena. “I didn’t like to lose, he didn’t like to lose, but he lost a lot more than I did.

“I think any time you have that little brother who’s trying to keep up, it really shows,” added the 23-year-old Haydn, who is three years older than Cale. “He’s a very competitive kid and doesn’t like to lose. Losing a lot as a little kid I think helped him.”

Cale made his NHL debut with the Canadiens Thursday night, logged 14:52 of ice time and did not look out of place on the ice. As a special bonus, he got to compete against his big brother again. The brothers got together at Haydn’s home Wednesday night along with their parents, Cale’s girlfriend and a few other family members and friends who were also in attendance for Thursday night’s game.

“My aunt was crying at dinner last night,” Haydn said about the emotional family gathering. “It will be a very special night for my parents. They’ve worked really hard to get us where we are. It will be a very special night for my family.”

Said Cale after the Canadiens’ morning skate: “It was a really good night. It’s kind of cool to have everybody around before the first game. I don’t think they could ask for a better first game. Any time you get to play against your brother is something special, but especially in the NHL I think it’s really cool.”

Both Fleury boys give much of the credit for their success to their parents, John and Sandy.

“I think it was knowing when to push and knowing when to be supportive,” Haydn said when asked what made them good hockey parents. “My dad, especially. The amount of backyard rinks he built for me and Cale and all the stuff he did behind the scenes being our coach growing up and all that stuff. It helped a lot. They both put in a lot of work and it will be a very special night for them.”

“Just how much they sacrificed for us,” Cale said about his parents. “They always just put us first and our hockey first no matter what it took. There was a lot of kilometres on each vehicle we had, that’s for sure.”

The Hurricanes selected Haydn in the first round (seventh overall) at the 2014 NHL Draft and the Canadiens picked Cale in the third round (87th overall) in 2017. The last time the brothers played against each other was during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 WHL seasons when Haydn was with the Red Deer Rebels and Cale played for the Kootenay Ice.

Haydn admitted it was a bit of a surprise Cale made the Canadiens this season, but added: “When I started watching the (preseason) games he looked really good. He looked comfortable, he looked confident and he really earned the spot. I think he put a lot of work in this summer and he really prepared himself to push for a spot. I think that’s the biggest part. They didn’t make the playoffs last year in Laval and he went home and worked hard and worked on his game. He put the work in to build the confidence coming into camp and challenge for a spot.”

Asked if he had any advice for his little brother before Thursday night’s game, Haydn smiled and said: “No. Shea Weber can give him some advice … he’s played enough games. He doesn’t need my advice. I’ll just go out there and say good game to him no matter what happens afterwards.”

Was there a friendly bet on the game between the two brothers? 1155416 Montreal Canadiens “I don’t want to say we laughed that off,” Brind’Amour added. “But I got one text when it originally happened from one of my players and they were like: ‘Is this for real?’”

Stu Cowan: Canadiens helped make Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho very rich Brind’Amour said he told the player “don’t worry about it” and added “that’s about the extent of it from our end.”

“That stuff was business and that’s between the agents and GMs and STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE how they wield all that to work out,” Brind’Amour said. “At the end of the day, at least whatever that was, we knew he was going to be signed. So I Updated: October 3, 2019 didn’t have to worry about (that), like a lot of these RFAs that coaches were probably freaking out wondering if these guys were going to play. That decision was made early for us.” RALEIGH, N.C. — It was already 28C outside the PNC Arena when the Carolina Hurricanes hit the ice for their 10:30 a.m. morning skate Bergevin also gave unrestricted free-agent defenceman Jake Gardiner a Thursday. three-year contract offer this summer reported to have been worth US$15.7 million, but the former Toronto Maple instead signed a four- By the time the players headed home after lunch at the rink, it was 36C. year, US$16.2-million deal with the Hurricanes. Aho and Gardiner were Not exactly hockey weather for the season opener against the Canadiens both in the lineup against the Canadiens Thursday night. Thursday night. Last season, the Hurricanes finished three points ahead of the “It’s a lot for a Finn and it’s pretty humid here,” the Hurricanes’ Sebastian Canadiens, earning the first wild-card playoff spot, and advanced to the Aho said after the skate when asked about the weather. “But, I mean, I Eastern Conference final before getting swept by the Boston Bruins. can’t complain.” They welcomed the “Bunch of Jerks” title they earned after Don Cherry criticized them for their elaborate on-ice celebrations after wins. Aho has 42 million reasons not to complain about the weather over the next five seasons in Carolina and he can thank the Canadiens for that. “That’s not what I think we are, but if you guys want to call us that it’s On July 1, the 22-year-old Finnish centre accepted a five-year offer sheet OK,” Aho said with a smile. from Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin worth $42.27 million that the Hurricanes had to match to keep him in Carolina. While the contract has “We have a great team,” he added. “Really good to be here. Great guys, an annual salary-cap hit of $8.454 million, Aho will actually earn $12 great organization. We took a step forward last year. We have a great million this season, including an $11.3 million signing bonus. Over the coaching staff, ownership, GM, everything. So it’s been really good to be next four seasons, Aho will get signing bonuses of $9.87 million, $6.95 here and, obviously, it’s a nice place to live.” million, $5.25 million and $5.25 million. If you don’t mind the heat. Merci, Marc.

Bergevin had hoped the signing bonuses would be too much for the Montreal Gazette LOADED: 10.04.2019 Hurricanes and billionaire owner Tom Dundon to handle, but he was wrong.

“That thing happened pretty fast,” Aho said about the offer sheet. “Actually, I went to bed right away when I made the decision because it was nighttime back home. Next day, I woke up and realized Carolina matched. So that was quick. It was not up to me that situation, so I tried not to think about it too much.”

Aho’s agent, Gerry Johannson, played the Canadiens perfectly and made his client a very rich young man. Johannson also made sure the deal got done early and Aho didn’t have to wait all summer for a new contract like so many other restricted free agents.

Aho said he never personally spoke with Bergevin, leaving negotiations up to his agent, and that the offer sheet hasn’t created any problems with his Hurricanes teammates.

“Everyone understood pretty well,” Aho said. “I texted a few guys and obviously called Turbo (fellow Finn Teuvo Teravainen) and a couple of other guys. We were all good. They all just said congrats to me and it was good.”

As for playing the Canadiens in the season opener, Aho said: “I knew I’d have to answer all these questions, but other than that it’s home opener and it’s an exciting time.”

The Hurricanes selected Aho in the second round (35th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft, nine picks after the Canadiens took defenceman Noah Juulsen in the first round. Aho has quickly developed into one of the best centremen in the NHL, leading the Hurricanes in scoring last season with 30-53-83 totals and a plus-25 while playing all 82 games. Aho’s 83 goals during his first three NHL seasons put him third among players drafted in 2015, trailing only the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (128) and the Buffalo Sabres’ Jack Eichel (101). Aho’s 197 points in 242 games are the third-most by a Finnish player in his first three NHL seasons, trailing only Jari Kurri (265) and Teemu Selanne (234).

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said the offer sheet became a much bigger deal in Montreal than Carolina.

“I didn’t lose one minute of sleep over it,” he said. “I knew what was going to happen … we weren’t going to lose the player. I’m not the one who had to write the cheque. That’s a better question for him (owner Dundon). 1155417 Montreal Canadiens The Canadiens’ 23-man opening-night roster includes six players the team drafted, three signed as free agents, 13 acquired in trades and one picked up on waivers.

Canadiens Game Day: First taste of NHL road trip sweet for Nick Suzuki Drafted players: Cale Fleury, Brendan Gallagher, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Artturi Lehkonen, Victor Mete, Carey Price.

Free agents: Ben Chiarot, Nick Cousins, Keith Kinkaid. STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Trades: Joel Armia, Phillip Danault, Max Domi, Jonathan Drouin, Updated: October 3, 2019 Christian Folin, Brett Kulak, Jeff Petry, Mike Reilly, Nick Suzuki, Tomas Tatar, Nate Thompson, Jordan Weal, Shea Weber.

Power play a key RALEIGH, N.C. — Nick Suzuki enjoyed his first real taste of what it’s like to be an NHL player. Fixing the power play will be a key for the Canadiens this season after they ranked 30th in that department last season. “They have big seats on the plane. It’s really cool,” Suzuki said after the morning skate Thursday at PNC Arena about the Canadiens’ charter What makes Julien optimistic that it will be better? flight that took them from Montreal to Carolina Wednesday afternoon. “I think our guys this year are a lot more comfortable to start with,” the Suzuki will make his NHL debut — as will defenceman Cale Fleury — coach said after the morning skate. “You look at last year, the (Tomas) when the Canadiens face the Carolina Hurricanes in their season opener Tatars, the (Jesperi) Kotkaniemis, the (Max) Domis — a lot of new guys Thursday night (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). came on our team and we didn’t get off to a good start. You know that when you’re scrambling a little bit at the beginning it’s hard to catch up. “There’s a lot of food everywhere,” Suzuki said about his first real NHL But I thought in the last month of the season that you could see it coming road trip. “You’re never hungry. It’s just a great atmosphere to be around. around. So what we tried to do is make some adjustments this year with Coming to work here is unbelievable. I just want to stick around here as personnel and different things that we thought could help our power play long as possible. and we put some groups together. So far in pre-season, the finish hasn’t “It’s definitely a dream come true,” he added. “Just flying here, getting all been the best or at its best, but the chances are there. The entries are this treatment — how NHL players get treated is amazing. Just being in better, the loose puck recovery’s are better, the O-zone time is better. So this arena for the first time is really cool and hopefully I have a good right now, I would say if anything if we can find ways to get some game tonight.” confidence and finish on those opportunities our power play should be much better than it was last year.” Suzuki and Fleury will be roomates on the road, while Victor Mete and Jesperi Kotkaniemi will spend their second season together as roomates. Phillip Danault said at the Canadiens’ golf tournament last month that he wanted to earn a spot on the power play this season. “I think one more year and then I get my own room,” Mete said. “We’ll see.” That’s exactly what he did at training camp, earning a spot on the first PP unit along with Shea Weber, Brendan Gallagher, Jordan Weal and The Hurricanes won two of three games against the Canadiens and have Jonathan Drouin. won seven of the last nine games between the two teams. “First of all, Phil is a skilled player,” Julien said. “He’s great on faceoffs, Claude Julien was asked after the morning skate what message he had he’s great at recovering pucks, protecting the puck, he’s strong on it. for Suzuki and Fleury before making their NHL debuts. That, to me, is just an evolution of a player every year getting better and better. You like to add things to players without subtracting. So I don’t “I’ve always been pretty consistent with that,” Julien said. “I like telling the want him to become a less effective player in the role he played before or player to go out there and have some fun. He’s excited, it’s a great whatever he did. I just want him to add that to his game and now he has opportunity, it’s something that they’ve dreamed of their whole life to play a chance to kill penalties, but he also has a chance to play on the power in the NHL and they get their first opportunity. At the same time, it’s to let play. So we still need him to be as good as he was last year on the PK them know that they’re here because they earned it, they’re here and hopefully he can help us in the PP situation.” because they did some good things and you want them to continue to do those things. But you have to enjoy that experience. Go out there, give it Danault had a career-high 53 points last season (12 goals, 41 assists), your best shot and that’s all we can ask. was plus-17 and won 55.5 per cent of his faceoffs. He played only 39:05 on the power play all season, picking up four assists. “Along the way you tell them that they’re going to make mistakes,” the coach added. “But that’s what we’re here for. We’re here to correct you, “We had a meeting before the pre-season games and they just told me I we’re here to help you out. But go out there and play on your toes, don’t would be there,” Danault said about getting a spot on the power play. “My play on your heels.” faceoffs helped me big-time to be there, so it’s a big advantage for me.

The lines “It’s good to be there,” he added. “I want to keep working on it, get better. It’s going to be the first game so I want to show what I got. But also I Carey Price will start in goal for the Canadiens against the Hurricanes, want to focus on my five-on-five game still and PK is important.” while forward Nick Cousins and defencemen Mike Reilly and Christian Folin will be healthy scratches. Last season, Danault finished seventh in voting for the Selke Trophy — which was won by the St. Louis Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly — as the top Here’s how the forward lines and defence pairings looked at the morning defensive forward in the NHL. skate: “It’s a great honour,” Danault said about his two-way play finally getting Tatar – Danault – Gallagher recognized around the league. “Obviously, I want to get better. I think I Lehkonen – Domi – Suzuki got a lot of work to do still and I can get better every day, too. I feel like I’m getting better every year also. So it’s a good honour … it’s good for Drouin – Kotkaniemi – Armia my confidence.”

Byron – Thompson – Weal Drouin hoping for a good start

Cousins Jonathan Drouin went pointless in his first three games last season, but Mete – Weber then got hot with points in six of the next seven, posting 3-5-8 totals during that span. Chiarot – Petry While Drouin matched his career high with 53 points last season (18 Kulak – Fleury goals, 35 assists), he was held pointless in 16 of the last 18 games — posting 1-2-3 totals during that span — as the Canadiens missed the Reilly – Folin playoffs by two points. How the Habs were built “That’s what I planned all summer is to have a good start to the season,” Drouin said after the morning skate. “I did it last year and the year before. Right now, it’s just being consistent for 82 games.”

When asked about his line, which has him at left wing with Jesperi Kotkaniemi at centre and Joel Armia at right wing, Drouin said: “It’s a lot of skill. Big bodies as well. Army looks faster and quicker this year and KK is definitely stronger on the puck. Hopefully we can create a lot of chances tonight and have a good game.”

Short – but very hot – walk from hotel to PNC Arena where #Habs open season tonight vs Hurricanes. It was already 28C at 10 am. #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/0JhKvKTZhy— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) October 3, 2019

Brind’Amour hoping to sleep better

As a rookie NHL head coach last season, Rod Brind’Amour led Carolina to a 46-29-7 record and the Hurricanes advanced to the Eastern Conference final before getting swept by the Boston Bruins.

Brind’Amour played 20 seasons in the NHL and was captain of the Hurricanes when they won the Stanley Cup in 2006.

When asked after the Hurricanes’ morning skate what he learned from last season, Brind’Amour said: “Hopefully learned from the good and the bad of last year and take away from both.

“I don’t have to sweat the small stuff too much and try to go home and sleep at night, maybe, and not worry about it and come back the next day and control what you can control,” he added. “When you played, you lost sleep because you worried about your mistakes. Now, you worry about everybody’s mistakes. So that’s where you’re talking about where you don’t sleep. You’re just thinking it’s your responsibility and everyone makes mistakes and I got to let that go. Players got to play. I’ll hopefully learn that.”

Brind’Amour announced on Sept. 29 that Jordan Staal will be the Hurricanes captain this season.

Carolina’s opening-night lineup has five players who joined the Hurricanes during the off-season: forwards Erik Haula, Ryan Dzingel, defencemen Jake Gardner and Joel Edmundson, along with goalie James Reimer.

Former Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward, who helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2006, signed a one-day contract with the club on Aug. 28 to retire as a member of the club and will sound the siren at PNC Arena before the start of the game.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155418 Montreal Canadiens “It’s for him to play the right way, to play at an NHL pace. To have NHL habits and to make sure — if he gets the call one day — he’s ready to play and help (Canadiens head coach) Claude Julien.”

Ryan Poehling aims to make his stay with Laval Rocket a brief one Poehling said he believes he can be an effective player, along with a potential game-breaker, with the Rocket — although he wouldn’t promise his AHL debut would result in a hat-trick. He said being the last player released will serve as motivation. HERB ZURKOWSKY, MONTREAL GAZETTE “Whatever I do, I think I’ll be successful,” said Poehling, who certainly Updated: October 3, 2019 doesn’t lack confidence.

Meanwhile, the Rocket announced defenceman Xavier Ouellet, who The argument could be made that Ryan Poehling — and not the smaller played 19 games with Montreal last season, will resume being the team Nick Suzuki — would still be with the Canadiens, preparing for captain. Alternate captains are Dale Weise, Karl Alzner and Alex Belzile. Thursday’s regular-season opener at Carolina, if not for the concussion he sustained during an exhibition game. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 10.04.2019 “We can speculate all we want,” Poehling said Wednesday, a day after being demoted to the Laval Rocket and following his first practice with the American Hockey League affiliate. “The fact of the matter is I’m here. I don’t like if, ands or buts. The only thing I can say is everything happens for a reason.

“At the end of the day, you’re still playing hockey. Make the most of it.”

Poehling became the Canadiens’ final cut on Tuesday, when the team had to declare its 23-man NHL roster. He was jettisoned ahead of fellow forward Suzuki and defenceman Cale Fleury — like Poehling, a pair of 20-year-old rookies.

After suffering the concussion during the Canadiens’ second exhibition, Poehling, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound centre, was forced to miss the next four games before dressing last Saturday in the team’s final tuneup, against Ottawa.

Poehling could join Jesperi Kotkaniemi as the big centres the Canadiens seemingly have lacked for years. And, after scoring three goals in his NHL debut last April against Toronto — and notching a fourth in the shootout — he may well have remained in Montreal except for his injury.

Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin hinted as much Tuesday, when he said Poehling’s time in Laval might not last long.

“I was definitely frustrated at the start. You feel like you do all the right things, but the result just doesn’t go your way,” said Poehling, selected 25th overall by the Canadiens in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. “That’s life in general. You moan about it or deal with the hand you’re dealt. That’s my outlook.

“I’m excited for this opportunity. Would I like to play in Montreal now? Of course. I’m not going to cry about it or be upset.”

However, as the media scrum surrounding the native of Lakeville, Minn., increased and he was asked more questions, he did admit to being upset over his demotion. On the other hand, Poehling certainly appeared more upbeat than Charles Hudon, who was sent to Laval a day earlier, along with goaltender Charlie Lindgren.

Of course, Poehling’s prospects certainly appear more promising than those of Hudon, who played sparingly last season with Montreal.

“I wasn’t happy getting sent down,” Poehling said. “I felt like I did all the right things and did what they asked. I felt like I did them well. I was a bit shocked. You can’t be discouraged in this league. You’re going to be knocked down a few times. It’s not just straight rainbows. There’s going to be a roller coaster of events throughout this season and throughout your career. You just have to stick with it.”

Rocket head coach Joël Bouchard said he realizes the rookie must play and gain experience. But, Bouchard added, it won’t necessarily be at the expense of other players because there’s team unity to consider. Laval launches its regular season Friday night at Place Bell against Cleveland.

“He’s coming here, like a lot of players, to work on their game,” Bouchard said. “He’s here to play, so we’re going to play him, obviously. The reality is we have other players. We need to play together, the right way. I’m not going to play Ryan Poehling 42 minutes. Why would I do that?”

Bouchard said Poehling, as a rookie, must work on his overall game while getting used to the pace of pro hockey. In that regard, Bouchard noted, Poehling is no different than many of the other prospects. But he won’t be expected to dominate the AHL, Bouchard stressed. 1155419 Montreal Canadiens got back to knock a puck off a Carolina stick just as he was about to shoot on Price from the low slot. On the next, Suzuki got in front of Erik Haula just as he was about to take a pass in the low slot and knocked the puck toward the wall. Suzuki then proceeded to retrieve that puck and When the surreal becomes real: How Nick Suzuki’s and Cale Fleury’s make sure it got out of the defensive zone. parents experienced their NHL debuts Moments later, Fleury found himself on a clean breakaway with a chance to pad the lead. He didn’t score, but that’s not what’s important. Considering the situation, a breakaway for a defenceman in his NHL By Arpon Basu debut with an opportunity to score the insurance goal on the road, what’s Oct 3, 2019 important is that Fleury didn’t freeze. He made a great move, including a shoulder shimmy just before going into his deke, and Petr Mrazek simply made a better save.

RALEIGH — The word surreal gets overused in sports. It is a word that is “That was probably the last thing I was expecting, to have a breakaway,” meant to describe something that is unbelievable, dream-like, irrational Fleury said. “But I thought I made a good move, I just couldn’t get it up off even. the ice.”

Oftentimes when you hear that word, what’s being described doesn’t Fleury spent the night looking like someone playing his 100th NHL game, quite fit that definition. But sometimes, on a few rare occasions, it fits not his first. He had spoken throughout training camp about how much he perfectly. struggled with the pace of preseason play a year ago, and how much better he was in adapting to that this time around. Preseason pace Like when you’ve flown in from London, Ontario, to watch your son play comes nowhere close to describing what was being played in the regular- his first NHL game in the same rink where your second son will one day season opener Thursday. be playing his NHL games. Or, better yet, when you fly in from Carlyle, Saskatchewan to watch both your sons play an NHL game, with the “I was impressed, honestly, with the pace of this game from both teams,” younger of the two making his NHL debut. Claude Julien said. “It was a fast game.”

This is a circumstance that allows for using the word surreal and not That’s what makes this answer from Fleury so telling, and frankly having it feel hyperbolic. For Rob and Amanda Suzuki and John and encouraging when it comes to his staying power in the NHL. Sandy Fleury, Thursday night in Carolina was indeed surreal. It is the one word that both sets of parents used to describe how they were “Maybe a little bit more physical than it was in preseason,” Fleury said. feeling sitting in PNC Arena mere minutes before the Canadiens opened “But I didn’t notice the speed too much.” the season against the Carolina Hurricanes. That’s hardly the first time Fleury has said something unexpected since We often don’t pay attention to a hockey player until he is close to being training camp began. He is not a typical rookie in that sense because he a finished product, until there is a realistic chance for him to play in the gives thought to his answers when he’s asked a question, much like he NHL. Parents, of course, have a front-row seat to every step taken to gives thought to his decisions on the ice. Just past the midway point of even reach the point where the rest of us start paying attention. The the third period, with the Hurricanes buzzing around the Canadiens zone hours of work in empty rinks at early hours of the morning. The work in looking for the go-ahead goal, Fleury got the puck near the high slot in backyard or neighbourhood rinks that wasn’t work at the time, but which the defensive zone, made a nifty move at his own blue line to get around contributed to this moment happening on this day in this place. a forechecker and make sure the puck left the zone. He didn’t bat at the puck mindlessly to relieve the pressure, he didn’t crumble under the As Nick Suzuki and Cale Fleury were warming up on one side of the ice pressure of the moment. He made a smart, skilled, effective play to get a and Haydn Fleury was warming up on the other, the parents watched line change for the Canadiens when they desperately needed one. from the stands, marveling at what was taking place, anticipation bubbling for the culmination of nearly a lifetime of work. That level-headedness comes through his answers when he speaks as well. “It honestly is surreal because it’s such a small amount of kids who get this chance to play in the NHL,” Sandy Fleury said as her two sons were “He’s a really humble boy and he’s very thoughtful,” Sandy Fleury said. warming up on opposite sides of the ice. “So we feel really lucky that “He really thinks about what he’s going to say before he says it.” we’re going to have two that are going to get the chance.” The moment when surreal becomes real can hit you like a punch in the Sandy Fleury moments before watching her youngest son Cale face off face. against her eldest son Haydn. (Arpon Basu / The Athletic) It’s difficult to say when that moment came for the Suzukis, it might have The look on her face made it clear how appropriate that word was, how been earlier than this. But if it hadn’t yet, this cemented it. surreal it felt for her, this moment she was always hoping for in her With the Canadiens trailing by a goal in the shootout, their final shooter dreams now manifesting itself in real life. How it was difficult to believe. was announced in PNC Arena. It was a look shared by both Rob and Amanda Suzuki sitting in the lower It was Nick Suzuki. bowl Thursday night moments before that difficult thing to believe happened. Prior to the game, both Rob and Amanda Suzuki used the word excited, on top of the word surreal. This was, after all, an exciting moment, no “It’s just surreal,” Amanda Suzuki said. “That’s all I’ve said all week. I matter how surreal it might have felt. can’t believe it. But he’s worked so hard to get here.” “I’m really excited for him,” Amanda Suzuki said before the game. “It’s There was a moment early in the third period, a span of a little more than everything that he’s wanted. He’s worked since he’s 4 years old to get to a minute, that showed exactly why the Suzukis and the Fleurys were this spot.” experiencing this surreal moment. She didn’t know at the time just what kind of spot Suzuki would find It came early in the third period with the Canadiens clinging to a one-goal himself in a couple of hours later, with a chance to extend the game in lead, but with the Hurricanes roaring back and applying massive his NHL debut. That excitement quickly changed to something else. pressure. “A little stressful,” Amanda Suzuki said following the game. Then she let Suzuki had been given a spot on the wing with Max Domi. Artturi out a big breath. Lehkonen was opposite him, which helps with mitigating Domi’s status as a less-than-reliable defensive centre. But Suzuki’s role is no less “Exciting, thrilling a bit, and then to see him take that last shootout was important. stressful,” she continued. “But I’m glad we came.”

He’s played centre. He knows what do without the puck. “It was like, put the skewer in us,” Rob Suzuki added of how he felt as his son’s name was announced in the shootout, “we’re done.” Less than two minutes into the third period, Suzuki got back to make two great defensive plays right in the middle of the ice, directly in front of Amanda and Rob Suzuki experienced a roller coaster of emotions Carey Price, the area Domi would normally be patrolling. On one, Suzuki watching their son Nick make his NHL debut. (Arpon Basu / The Athletic) Suzuki didn’t score to extend the game, but like Fleury on that breakaway, he didn’t freeze in the moment. He executed his move, it just didn’t go in. But the fact he was even there, in that situation, not long after he had to take a defensive zone draw with 25.3 seconds left in overtime against Sebastian Aho and won it, said so much about how much trust Suzuki had already earned from Julien.

“Yeah he’s always had that, even in junior,” Rob Suzuki said. “It’s good. Hopefully he can live up to it.”

This was the start of a whirlwind for the Suzukis, who were flying back home to London via Baltimore and Detroit early Friday morning before driving to Sarnia to watch their other son, Hurricanes first-round draft pick Ryan, play for Barrie in the OHL. Friday is also Amanda Suzuki’s 50th birthday and the 22nd anniversary of her marriage to Rob. Then they will be driving to Toronto on Saturday for the Canadiens game against the Maple Leafs — only after Rob Suzuki plays his own men’s league season-opener that morning — and will be travelling to Montreal for the home opener Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings.

“Lots to celebrate,” Amanda said.

Following the game, as Julien spoke to the media in the wind tunnel outside the visitor’s dressing room at PNC Arena, Suzuki and Fleury showed up looking a bit lost. They were still wet from their showers, wearing their new suits for the biggest game of their lives, looking for something.

They were looking for their parents.

Seeing as this was their first time in the place, they didn’t know where to go. A security guard eventually pointed them in the right direction with about 20 minutes before the Canadiens’ bus was leaving for the airport.

They walked off together, two rookies embarking on what they hope will be long NHL careers, looking for the people who helped make it happen.

The people who helped make this surreal moment a reality.

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155420 Montreal Canadiens The Canadiens failed to secure two points Thursday night, but they did manage to score a power-play goal at a key time, which created momentum instead of sapping all their energy.

Video review: Jonathan Drouin starts the 2019-20 season by turning over You’re gonna need a faster boat a new leaf It’s too early in the season to panic, but the Victor Mete-Shea Weber pairing got off to a very rough start.

By Marc Dumont Rough is probably an understatement. They were eaten alive by the Hurricanes, spending the vast majority of the game hemmed in their own Oct 3, 2019 zone and struggling to create any semblance of a controlled zone exit. According to Natural Stat Trick, while they were on the ice, the

Canadiens controlled a little over 30 percent of the shots, and more Those in charge of creating the NHL schedule have a rather unforgiving worryingly, the Hurricanes had eight of their 16 high-danger chances. task. Balancing an endless flow of variables while trying to formulate a Corsi Kings balanced schedule for all 31 teams is an impossible challenge that inevitably leads to a bevy of complaints from fans, coaches and players. The Hurricanes won the stats battle by controlling 54.5 percent of the shots, though that number shouldn’t worry the Canadiens’ coaching staff. But once in a while, they get it exactly right, and that was the case for the Canadiens’ opening game of the season, which only served to fuel the The scoring chance split, however, should. Carolina had the lion’s share growing rivalry with the Carolina Hurricanes. of the quality chances, to the tune of 64 percent. A lack of gap control at the blue line led to a stream of extended defensive zone shifts, which, in There’s the Sebastian Aho saga, the Fleurys, the Suzukis and, most turn, led to a flood of high-danger chances for the speedy Hurricanes importantly, both teams could end up fighting for the same playoff spot. forwards. It’s way too early to talk about the playoffs, but seeing as the Canadiens barely missed them last season, we have all the evidence necessary to Final word say that every point matters, regardless the time of year. With the season off to an exciting start, the Canadiens probably won’t be With a healthy pace to start the game, the Canadiens and Hurricanes disappointed that they’re leaving Raleigh with just one point. They did a exchanged leads, with the Canadiens ultimately losing 4-3 in the pretty good job matching the Hurricanes’ up-tempo style, though they shootout. were clearly overmatched in the speed department.

Here’s who stood out and struggled for the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge. All four forward lines generated chances, Carey Price was solid, Drouin was fantastic, and the fourth line even chipped in a goal. Johnny B. Good But the Canadiens will need to focus on protecting their blue line and The scrutiny of Jonathan Drouin’s preseason performance was a little too defensive positioning if they’re going to cut down on the number of intense, especially since we’re talking about a player who has more than scoring chances they handed out to the Hurricanes, which needs to be 300 games under his belt and finished third in Canadiens scoring last cut in half and then maybe cut in half again to hit a reasonable number. season. That’s not to say he should be immune to criticism, but the goal for veterans in the preseason is to find their rhythm and stay healthy. And most of that focus will need to come from the first pairing. Expectations should be adjusted accordingly.

Drouin was far from the only one to mail it in when the results did not matter, but he got off to a great start to the season by playing one of his The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 best games of the past calendar year.

He was responsible defensively, created a lot of space for his teammates and showed the kind of offensive creativity that was noticeably absent in his game to close out the 2018-19 campaign.

The most impressive aspect of his game was how he transitioned smart defensive positioning into scoring chances, which led to a tying goal by Jesperi Kotkaniemi, another player who failed to impress in the preseason.

It was the first road goal of Kotkaniemi’s career, which simultaneously silenced Hurricanes fans as well as the “no road goals in XX games” chyrons that were updated dozens of times in 2018-19.

Their line with Joel Armia was a clever move by Claude Julien. By giving Drouin a somewhat sheltered role on the third line, he’s giving him more opportunities to use his offensive prowess as well as fewer defensive responsibilities.

Old-timer rookie

It’s been said before and it’ll be said again, but Cale Fleury’s poise and confidence rival those of a 10-year veteran. He wasn’t the best defenceman against the Hurricanes, but he wasn’t far off, either. He was caught out of position a few times and struggled to close out passing lanes, but overall, he had a solid game.

When pressured, Fleury reacted to sticky situations quite well, thanks to some good stickwork and an ability to anticipate the play.

Speaking of anticipating the play, Fleury showed good awareness in the third period by taking advantage of a delayed penalty to create a prime scoring chance.

More power in the play 1155421 Montreal Canadiens Boston Bruins and the 2017-18 Florida Panthers, got worse and missed the playoffs the following season.

Brace for impact. The pessimist’s (and optimist’s) guide to the 2019-20 Canadiens The top line loses its mojo

Much has been made of the fact 10 Canadiens had career-best seasons By Sean Gordon a year ago, the regression candidates are well-known (Max Domi, come on down with your 13.8 percent shooting percentage). Oct 3, 2019 The nightmare version of this is basically everyone in the top-nine falls back down to earth alongside Domi, and the contributions from emerging players like Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nick Suzuki are nowhere near Seen through the eyes of an NHL player, the eve of the first game might enough to overcome it. just be the most relaxing, fun 24 hours of the season. Circumstances might not need to get that dire to sink the Canadiens. Generally, you’re healthy, or at least healthy-adjacent. If you’re a bubble player the stress of training camp is behind you at last; all teams start on What if we’ve already seen the best of Phillip Danault? What if Tomas an even footing, zeroes across the board. Optimism abounds. Tatar suddenly forgets how to be a magician in the neutral zone? What if Brendan Gallagher’s hell-for-leather playing style finally catches up to “Everyone’s excited, you look around the league and everyone’s got the him? What if some lesser version of the preceding happens to all three? same goals, the same expectations,” Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher said before the club decamped to Carolina for their curtain- Last season the Canadiens showed they could at least survive without raiser on Thursday. “I don’t think there’s a team out there that doesn’t the contribution of their leader and defensive pillar, Shea Weber. Can believe they can’t challenge for a spot.” they survive without their top line being one of the league’s top lines?

He’s absolutely right in that everyone tells themselves that, and they do For a short period, maybe. But they’re not Tampa. Or Toronto. Or actually believe it. Florida. Or Boston, or any of the other likely playoff teams in the Conference o’ Death. Most are deluding themselves. Remember, Montreal did almost everything right last year and by all I, on the other hand, have had the benefit of reading ‘The Antidote,’ a rights should have made the playoffs. But they didn’t. Small navigation tome in which journalist Oliver Burkeman savages Big Positive Thinking errors can cause major course diversions. while extoling the virtues of negativism (that’s right, subverting the self- help industrial complex by writing a . . . self-help book. Time is a flat The Canadiens’ organizational depth is exemplary, better than it’s been circle, etc.). in years; there are multiple high-end prospects in the pipeline. Unfortunately that does them no good this year. Burkeman dwells at length on the Stoics of Greek and Roman antiquity, and also delves into the modern brain science that supports their basic Speaking of the pipeline, what happens if…. contention: the true path to happiness lies in contemplating the worst- case scenario, in anticipating failure and how it will look, feel and taste. Rookies end up playing like rookies and the braintrust freaks out

Pessimists are rarely surprised when it all falls apart. Suzuki sure looked like an NHL player in the preseason, but what will he look like when the live-fire exercises start? Cale Fleury has the makings In that spirit, here are three large and small ways in which things could of a solid defenceman, but what does it say about the quality of the blue go horribly wrong for the 2019-20 Montreal Canadiens (beyond the line that a 20-year-old second-year pro has surged past two veteran NHL obvious doomsday scenario of a season-ending injury to Carey Price): defencemen in Mike Reilly (who Montreal deemed good enough to sign to a two-year extension) and Christian Folin? The game plan stops working and the coaches run out of answers There will be dips in the road for both Suzuki and Fleury, and for Ryan So much has been written about the importance of special teams to Poehling when he inevitably becomes a full-time NHLer at some point Montreal’s immediate future there’s no point tilling that ground again. (almost certainly this fall). Tactical tweaks have been dreamed up, drawing boards have been returned to, there is a new sense of confidence in the power play, which There is a fundamental dichotomy in the NHL, which is why everyone at least looked better in preseason. constantly says it isn’t a development league. Coaches want to win, right now, tonight. Front offices want that too, but they’re also obligated to plan Claude Julien has shown in the past he can turn a power play around. for the future. His 2012-13 Bruins converted on only 14.8 percent of their opportunities (the 252nd-best power play of the last decade per NHL.com and only a The good news is the Canadiens have talented rookies they’re going to couple of hairs better than the 2018-19 Canadiens). The following be able to plug into their lineup. The bad news is they’re counting on season that number jumped to 21.7 per cent with roughly the same them to be Actually Good and could react badly if they’re not. personnel. What happens if Montreal has a sluggish start to the season, Suzuki, Expect the power play to be better. But what if it doesn’t matter? What Poehling and Fleury hit a few speed bumps and the club decides to happens if the dam springs a leak elsewhere? bench its rookies in favour of replacement-ish level players like Folin and Nick Cousins or Charles Hudon? As Julien put it on Wednesday, “if our power play is better but our 5-on-5 doesn’t keep up the work it’s done, it’s not going to help our hockey club.” Nothing good.

The Canadiens were an elite 5-on-5 team last season in terms of shot The stakes are higher with Suzuki and, likely, Poehling than they are for share and expected goals. This year’s plan of attack is functionally Fleury, who will be asked to play a less-demanding role that is more identical to last year’s. Its success depends on players exceeding or at easily filled. least matching their level from a year ago. One of the things that’s held the Canadiens back in the Bergevin era is “Part of our game is to play fast, quick counters, quick reloads, closing putting mediocre veterans on the ice rather than living with the mistakes the play quickly and trying to more or less suffocate the other team by not kids inevitably make. giving them much space,” he said. “I still think we have the elements here to be able to do that.” The margins between making the playoffs (the only acceptable outcome for large swaths of the Montreal fanbase) and missing out are thin. And The worst case: Julien’s colleagues in the coaching fraternity adjust and we haven’t even talked about what happens if Jeff Petry gets hurt, or if prove him wrong, and the tactical fixes he and his assistants put into the dressing room chemistry was permanently altered for the worst with place end up looking like the attempts to fix the power play a year ago. the subtraction of Andrew Shaw and Jordie Benn.

Only two other teams have missed the postseason with 96 points in the But that’s enough gloom. salary-cap era, like the Canadiens did last year. Both clubs, the 2014-15 In the interests of intellectual honesty we should also at least consider Essentially, it’s an approximation of the difference in quality between a the ways in which the Canadiens could exceed expectations this year. team’s starting goalie and the guys likely to play for the other side. Montreal has the second-highest delta in the league; we can thus infer If Antti Niemi had held on to win a couple more games last season, or if the Canadiens have a goalie-friendly schedule. Now, this is more of an the Canadiens had managed to score in three of their eight overtime impressionistic assessment than an empirical one (a lot hinges on how a losses (say the ones against New Jersey, Buffalo and Ottawa), or if goalie is perceived, not just how good he actually is.) they’d succeeded in holding onto two of the seven third-period leads they blew, the narrative would be different. But when you combine that with the data showing just how good Price actually is, it stands to reason the Canadiens will go into most nights This is a good team! confident their guy can win the goalie battle.

Forthwith, three reasons they could make liars of the models that predict Mid-career NHL players don’t tend to lose their ability overnight. Will 10 they will fall short of the postseason again: guys improve on the personal bests they posted last year? Statistical They got to 96 points without any game-breaking stars science says no. But some will. Oh, and about half the team still hasn’t hit its prime yet. In some cases they’re barely entering it. Sometimes a hockey team is greater than the sum of its parts in the hands of the right leaders and coaches. This is essentially the same There’s a tendency to forget amid all the hubbub over his late-season team as last year, whose key thirtysomething veterans (Price, Weber, slowdown that Kotkaniemi actually put together a pretty terrific rookie Petry) are coming off five full months of offseason training and year. He became the second-youngest Canadien to score a goal (behind recuperation. In fact, it’s bolstered by new players who are either only Mario Tremblay), and the first to hit 30 points in his age 18 season seamless stylistic fits for the way Montreal plays (Suzuki, Fleury) or who since Petr Svoboda in 1984-85. represent an upgrade on the guy who previously filled their role (Ben He’s bigger and stronger this season, and has 79 games of seasoning Chiarot). under his belt. Plus, he has a lifetime track record of getting better every And Julien’s system is very good. More importantly its success from a year and surpassing expectations at every level he plays. year ago at even-strength, the most important game situation, should be Victor Mete’s shown he can handle tough minutes in the NHL and has replicable. been working on his shot, it says here his shooting percentage can’t When I put it to Julien that other teams might be better prepared to possibly be zero again over 82 games. The Athletic’s Arpon Basu counter what it is the Canadiens are trying to do at even strength, he reckons he’s good for five goals this year, same as Benn a year ago. I’m brushed the concern aside. inclined to take the over, but only slightly.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be a bigger challenge, I think last year in the It’s entirely possible and even likely that Suzuki will be an upgrade second half most teams knew what we were all about, but it didn’t stop offensively from Andrew Shaw; the Canadiens will miss Shaw’s grit and you from continuing to play that way,” he said. “Every team has infectious enthusiasm, to be sure, but let no one be under the strengths, I don’t think there’s many secrets in this game anymore, it’s misapprehension Suzuki isn’t a better player in every regard. just about being able to adjust to it, being able to, again, counter it, and Poehling will start the year in Laval, but is physically ready to withstand that’s the biggest task. I don’t know that we’re going to be any different the rigours of the NHL and plays well enough defensively to quickly earn this year as far as saying ‘well now they know what to expect from you Julien’s trust. guys’. Like I said, the second half of the season they all knew what kind of team we were and we still managed to win some games.” Fleury, Josh Brook and, if healthy, Noah Juulsen, provide younger, more mobile options on defence than the succession of veteran re-treads the Remember how everyone laughed at the idea the Hurricanes’ underlying Canadiens have run out on the back end during Bergevin’s tenure. numbers suggested they were a way better team than their point total suggested? If Julien has any reservations about starting the season with four players 21 and under (Mete, Kotkaniemi, Suzuki and Fleury) and several more The emphasis this season is once again on speed and relentlessness. waiting in the wings, he’s not prepared to admit them publicly. Play quick, is the mantra. The Canadiens have the players to play quick; in fact they have more of them to start this season than they did in “The age, to me, doesn’t matter as much anymore,” he said. “You’ve October of 2018, and unlike a year ago they should actually be able to seen some young players have so much success, the guys we have here win faceoffs. seem, when I say comfortable they seem comfortable and confident in being able to do their stuff. So that’s what we’re counting on. We feel “When we talk about playing fast we’re talking about offensively, but also they’re ready to take on that challenge and that’s why they’re still here.” defensively – when we’re playing quick we’re closing down plays and taking away space,” Julien said. “You want to be hard to play against and So there. there are different ways of doing it; you can be a physical team, or it can be by having a team that plays fast, closes down plays quickly and If you’re a glass half-full person à la Gallagher, sit back and enjoy. If you transitions to offence quickly. We’re a team that skates well, we may not walk through life with your own little storm system overhead, by all be the biggest team in the league, but we do have speed and guys who means count all the ways in which the vengeful hockey gods are about to compete.” screw over your team.

The estimable Micah Blake McCurdy of HockeyViz.com does a chart Either way, the wait is over. Hockey season is upon us at last. each year when the NHL schedule comes out to measure which teams What’s the worst that could happen? will have a rest advantage over their opponent.

Basically, if a team played the night before, it’s deemed tired. Fatigue affects different teams differently, of course, but the statistical research The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 suggests a ‘tired’ home team has slightly lower average odds of winning (about the same as if they were on road).

The Canadiens will play eight games this season as the ‘tired’ team, tied for third-lowest. More crucially, they will play 14 games against ‘tired’ opponents; that’s the second-highest number in the league.

Overall, they should have the third best rest advantage in the NHL.

It will likely amount to a tiny difference. Related: tiny differences can matter a great deal, as the 2018-19 season demonstrated.

There’s also another data point to consider.

My colleague Craig Custance has done a neat exercise based on the goalie tiers he compiles each year by interviewing various hockey industry luminaries. 1155422 Nashville Predators

Keith Urban announces 7th All for the Hall benefit concert

Cindy Watts, Nashville Tennessean

Published 7:45 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2019

Keith Urban performs during the first day of the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival at The Park at Harlinsdale Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 in Franklin, Tenn.

Keith Urban announced the return of his popular All for the Hall benefit concert Thursday night between periods of the Nashville Predators’ home opener against the Minnesota Wild.

The concert, which benefits the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, is set for Feb. 10, 2020, at Bridgestone Arena.

The all-star line-up includes Urban, Ingrid Andress, Brothers Osborne, Luke Combs, Lauren Daigle, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Tenille Townes and Tanya Tucker. Each singer will perform one of their hits as well as a song recorded by an artist who influences them.

This is Urban’s seventh All For The Hall benefit concert, which has raised $3.4 million in support of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s education programs. The line-up is expected to grow.

“Ken Burns’ documentary has shown us that we are all very much influenced by our heroes,” Urban said in a statement. “So this year’s All for the Hall benefit is our chance to acknowledge those that have been an influence on us and helped shape the artists that we are today. Somehow these shows always seem to take on a life of their own. They’re incredibly fun to do, and you never quite really know what’s gonna happen. So we’ll roll with it and turn Bridgestone (Arena) into one huge club.”

Tennessean LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155423 Nashville Predators

Nick Bonino scores with his facemask, but Predators' first goal waved off

Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean

Published 7:46 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2019 | Updated 7:55 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2019

First, the first goal of the season wasn't. Then it was. Then it wasn't again.

Mikael Granlund swung what looked to be high stick, batting the puck toward the Wild net. The puck bounced off Nick Bonino's facemask and past Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk not even halfway through the first period.

The Predators began celebrating the power-play goal but it was waved off. Officials changed their minds, ruling the goal good. The scoreboard read 1-0 in favor of the Predators only for a moment, though, before the goal was waved off again and the numbers went back to zeroes.

Bonino's face score would have been the second time in eight days a Predator scored with his helmet. Defenseman Mattias Ekholm scored off off his facemask Wednesday during a preseason game against the Hurricanes.

Tennessean LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155424 Nashville Predators

Keith Urban performs during Predators opener at Bridgestone Arena

Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean

Published 7:18 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2019 | Updated 8:41 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2019

Keith Urban twice hinted on Twitter that he'd be at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday for the Predators' season opener against the Minnesota Wild.

Urban tweeted a picture of a microphone at Bridgestone, with the caption, "TONIGHT!" a few hours before puck drop. On Wednesday he tweeted a picture of Bridgestone Arena with the caption, "TOMORROW."

Urban did not perform the anthem, which was sung by Tamica Harris.

But Urban did perform on the band stage during the first intermission. Included in his set was Eddie Rabbit's "Driving My Life Away."

After Urban was done with the music, he was being interviewed by NBC when he was asked what the Predators needed to do. No sooner did he say score did Ryan Ellis give the Predators a 1-0 lead in the second period.

Urban attended Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2017 at Bridgestone with his wife, actress Nicole Kidman. He sang the anthem before Game 3 of the Western Conference finals the same year.

Tennessean LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155425 Nashville Predators

Predators center Matt Duchene scores while sitting down during warmups; picks up 3 assists

Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean

Published 6:55 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2019 | Updated 11:32 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2019

Matt Duchene fell for Nashville years ago.

On Thursday, the newest Predator fell in Nashville before his debut with the team.

The center was the last one on the ice during pregame warmups when he spilled near the left circle, much to the delight of the fans inside Bridgestone Arena before Thursday's opener against the Wild.

Duchene didn't sweat it, though, and swatted the puck into the net while sitting on his backside. He then raised his arms. The crowd roared and Duchene skated off the ice.

Duchene's evening improved after the game began, though. He had three assists in what turned out to be a 5-2 victory.

“That was pretty funny,” Duchene said. “Was there a concert last night? That was my best 1972 Phil Esposito impression. Give the fans a good laugh. Honestly itoo ka little butterflied out of me. You have to laugh at yourself sometimes.”

Before the game, Duchene dressed in a black suit with a black shirt and black tie, an ode to Johnny Cash.

Tennessean LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155426 Nashville Predators

Another banner night for Predators at Bridgestone Arena

Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean

Published 7:11 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2019 | Updated 7:18 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2019

The banners caused a lot of banter last season.

The Predators raised three of them then, one for the President's Cup, Central Division champs and "regular-season" Western Conference champions.

The pregame ceremony was met with some mocking, but the Predators responded by mocking themselves.

The Predators raised one banner before Thursday's opener against the Minnesota Wild, commemorating their second straight Central Division championship. But it was raised out of sight of the fans, and instead unveiled it during a brief pregame ceremony.

Coach Peter Laviolette said it was "nice it's being hung," but he didn't let it occupy his mind otherwise.

“I didn’t have any special messages about the banner being hung,” Laviolette said. “That was last year’s. It’s nice it’s being hung. This is a new group and a new team and were going to work every day to see if we cant get to the end of the game.

“I hadn’t thought about it much. Its not part of my repertoire tonight.”

Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, too, said the gesture is nice but hinted that it's time to start focusing more on the present and future and stop talking bout yesteryear.

"It’s a new team," he said. "I'd like to treat it that way. Start with a clean (slate) and build this season together with this group of guys and not think about last season. I feel like since the Stanley Cup Final year we’ve always gone back to the previous year. … I don’t think it has anything to do with this season."

Tennessean LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155427 Nashville Predators

Keith Urban hints that he will make an appearance at the Predators season opener. Will he sing?

Nick Gray, Nashville Tennessean

Published 4:08 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2019 | Updated 6:23 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2019

The Predators open the 2019-20 regular season at home on Thursday, and Keith Urban might be a part of the festivities.

The country music star tweeted a picture of a microphone from the in- house band stage in Bridgestone Arena, hinting that he could make an appearance during Thursday's season opener between the Predators and Minnesota Wild. The open-ended tweet stated simply, "TONIGHT!"

Urban sang the national anthem before Game 3 of the 2017 Western Conference Finals between the Predators and Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone.

Although it is possible that Urban could be the first national anthem singer of the 2019-20 season, his tweet from the in-house band stage suggests that he could play during an intermission between periods on Thursday or be the honorary towel waver.

Stay tuned.

Tennessean LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155428 Nashville Predators He played in a career-best 53 games during the regular season and added to his personal accolades with five goals and eight assists, mainly as a fourth-liner averaging 10 minutes per game.

Plastic surgery, 15 stitches not enough to keep Predators forward Rocco "This year I'm trying to prove I can play more minutes, be more reliable," Grimaldi down Grimaldi said. "Continue to be an NHL guy.

"Last year was kind of the beginning, getting my engine started. This year is about staying at that top speed, continuing to take care of that engine, Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean that interior and that exterior."

Published 10:00 a.m. CT Oct. 3, 2019 And about absorbing the cuts.

It was nothing a little glue, 15 stitches and some plastic surgery couldn't Tennessean LOADED: 10.04.2019 fix.

Not even sewing his mouth shut — OK, that's a bit of an exaggeration — was going to keep Rocco Grimaldi from this moment.

"Fifteen," he said of the stitches on his upper lip, "that’s a record for me. That sucked.

"The numbing hurt worse than the puck in the mouth."

Grimaldi's story has been five years in the making, the one about him making an NHL team out of training camp.

STICKING TO IT: Rocco Grimaldi's first playoff goal extra special because he named stick after his grandpa

STICKING TO IT AGAIN: Preds center Rocco Grimaldi names his hockey sticks, treats them with care

So after the Predators forward took a puck to the mouth during practice Tuesday, two days before the season opener against the Wild, he had the wound glued, returned to practice, visited a doctor who realigned his lip then scheduled his trip to a dentist for Wednesday.

"Then I had to go get some teeth," Grimaldi said. "I have to get them fixed (Wednesday), which sucks.

Grimaldi said he is able to eat; just has to break food into small pieces and chew with his back teeth. He can talk, too.

But he can't smile. Has a hard time brushing what was left of his teeth.

"It felt like a second," Grimaldi said, snapping his fingers, "from the shot hitting my face to me being on the ground.

Keeping Grimaldi, the NHL's shortest player at 5-foot-6, down, as the Predators learned last season, won't be easy.

Grimaldi packed his belongings and begrudingly headed to the Predators' AHL team in Milwaukee, the final cut of training camp.

A cut that felt familiar to Grimaldi. A cut that ran deep. A cut he's grown used to since he was chosen in the second round of the 2011 draft by the Panthers.

He thought about the possibility again this year, even though he signed a one-year, one-way, $1 million contract this summer after going through the arbitration process

"Just because of five years of disappointment for me, each year being sent down, whether that was the last cut, the middle cut or one of the first cuts, each year getting that call that coach wants to see you, the GM wants to see you … I’ve never had the satisfaction of making a team on opening night."

Now he has. And that doesn't change anything as far as Grimaldi is concerned. The flashbacks of training camps past are fresh. He said he was "scared every day, wondering, 'Am I going to make the team?'" during camp this year.

He mentioned other players on one-way contracts, such as Miikka Salomaki and Frederick Gaudreau, being sent to Milwaukee, as examples of why he refuses to be content.

Grimaldi earned his keep last season, especially during the postseason, when he led the Predators with three goals during their six-game loss to the Stars in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

"He gives everything every shift," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said last season. "He never stops working. Every day he’s showing he’s working to make a good impressions." 1155429 Nashville Predators distraction for Josi, but it could become one for everybody else if contract talks drag on too long.

Craig Smith The five most intriguing players on the 2019-20 Nashville Predators Only David Legwand (956), Shea Weber (763), Martin Erat (723) and Pekka Rinne (623) have played more games for the Predators than Craig Smith (592), who turned 30 last month and is entering the final year of a By Adam Vingan contract that has paid him an average of $4.25 million per season.

Oct 3, 2019 Smith is a reliable scorer, reaching 20 goals in five of the past six seasons, but he’s at an age when most players begin to decline. To his

credit, Smith has remained among the league’s most effective shooters, The regular season is finally here. averaging 0.91 expected goals per 60 minutes over the past three seasons, ninth-most over that span. Smith will also start the season on On Thursday, the Predators will play a meaningful game for the first time the Predators’ top line with Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson, an in more than five months as they attempt once again to win the Stanley opportunity for him to play a bigger role in the offense. Cup. There is sure to be plenty of intrigue along the way, so as the season starts, here are five players who could grab headlines: The Predators, though, are a cap team now, and with that comes tough decisions. It’s hard to imagine Smith playing elsewhere, and an in- Kyle Turris season contract extension is a possibility. But it is worth wondering if this could be the end for him in Nashville. Kyle Turris switched positions during training camp, but it appears the experiment is over for now. On Thursday, Turris is expected to center Rocco Grimaldi and Calle Jarnkrok on the third line. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 Without rehashing the details of Turris’ 2018-19 season from hell, which were covered extensively last season and over the summer, he begins the season at a crossroads. Turris, to his credit, returned to Nashville upbeat and ready to accept whatever role the Predators gave him. As the third-line center, with Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene commanding the attention of opposing top lines and shutdown pairs, Turris theoretically should draw easier matchups at five-on-five. But what if he struggles with less-skilled linemates?

Frankly, the Predators don’t have much choice but to make it work with Turris, whose onerous contract lasts another five years. His play will be under scrutiny all season.

Mikael Granlund

For a number of reasons, Mikael Granlund never got going after being traded to the Predators at the deadline last season. He learned of the trade as his then-fiancée (now wife) was in labor with their first child, then struggled as part of the Predators’ unsettled second line.

When Granlund had 69- and 67-point seasons for the Minnesota Wild in 2016-17 and 2017-18, he thrived as a playmaker, ranking 18th in the NHL with 0.96 primary assists per 60 minutes at five-on-five. On a line with Duchene and Filip Forsberg, both of whom are strong shooters with multiple 30-goal seasons to their names, and after a full preseason to get comfortable, Granlund is in a position to rebound.

Also, it is a contract year for Granlund, who is making $6.5 million in salary this season. He should not lack motivation.

Matt Duchene

The Predators’ signing of Duchene on July 1 felt like a long-awaited homecoming, even though he had never lived here. Their marriage was meant to be, or at least it felt that way. It is already evident that Duchene is thrilled to be in Nashville, and after two hectic seasons split among three teams, some stability could do him good.

The seven-year, $56 million contract Duchene received from the Predators wasn’t as lucrative as expected, but that doesn’t lessen expectations. It might be difficult for Duchene to repeat his 70-point performance from last season, which was aided by an inflated shooting percentage, but as long as he helps steer the Predators back in the right direction after a disappointing season, he’ll become an instant fan favorite.

Roman Josi

When the summer began, it was thought that Roman Josi would have agreed to a contract extension before the start of the season. Instead, his representatives and the Predators are continuing to negotiate what is expected to be a megadeal. (Colleague Pierre LeBrun said on TSN last week that he suspects the Predators “are willing to go to $8.5 million a year with Roman Josi on a long-term deal, but I think the Josi camp would like to see a number that starts with a 9.”)

Josi isn’t the only high-profile pending unrestricted free agent without a new contract, and neither side is concerned about it getting done. But it will continue to hang over him until he re-signs. It hasn’t been a 1155430 New Jersey Devils

Is Devils’ Cory Schneider ready to return to form? Why Andy Greene thinks so

Posted Oct 03, 2019

By Chris Ryan

Andy Greene has witnessed every stage of Cory Schneider’s tenure with the Devils.

The defenseman was a mainstay on the blue line when Schneider arrived in New Jersey in a trade from the Vancouver Canucks in 2013, and he watched Schneider take over for Martin Brodeur in the years that followed.

In Schneider’s first three seasons with the Devils, he played as one of the league’s elite goalies, giving the team a chance to win each time he took the net.

Greene was also there when Schneider started battling hip issues and other injuries during the 2016-17 season, which led to major hip surgery in the spring of 2018. The goalie struggled mightily in the first half of 2018-19 before finding his footing again in the final two months of the season.

Introducing Devils Insider: Sign up for exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers

Now with a fully healthy offseason behind Schneider and a strong preseason under his belt, Greene believes the Devils will be getting a goalie on top of his game in the regular season.

“100 percent. No question marks. I think he looks just as confident in there,” Greene told NJ Advance Media. “He looks quiet, he looks square, looks like he did a few years ago. Mentally, he looks as sharp as he can be. A much clearer mind and it’s a wonderful thing.”

Schneider went 3-0-0 in four preseason starts, where he allowed six total goals and posted a .951 save percentage. He will start in goal on Friday when the Devils open their season against the Winnipeg Jets at Prudential Center in Newark, and it’s possible he also plays on Saturday on the road against the Buffalo Sabres.

After an offseason full of changes for the team, the goaltending tandem of Schneider and Mackenzie Blackwood remained in tact over the summer, with the Devils committed to riding the two to start the season. Between Schneider’s resurgence and Blackwood’s strong start to his NHL career last season, Greene has plenty of faith in either playing in net.

“They’ve been fantastic,” Greene said. “I think they’ve been quiet, that’s the best way to put it. Quiet in a good way. They look square, they look sharp and it’s been great. They’ve played really, really well. We’re playing much better in front of them, too. So I think it’s all a combination, and I think they’re going to be awesome.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155431 New Jersey Devils

How Devils lined up in final practice before start of regular season

Updated Oct 03, 2019; Posted Oct 03, 2019

By Chris Ryan

UPDATE: Cory Schneider will start in goal for Friday’s season opener against the Winnipeg Jets. Devils coach John Hynes did not confirm any other parts of the lineup, saying those decisions will be finalized Friday morning.

The Devils returned to the ice on Thursday at Prudential Center in Newark for their final practice of the preseason ahead of Friday’s season opener against the Winnipeg Jets.

They maintained the lines and defensive pairings they used while practicing in Annapolis, Maryland, earlier in the week, so it’s very possible this is the group the team uses during the opener at The Rock.

Here’s how they lined up:

FORWARDS

Taylor Hall - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri

Nikita Gusev - Jack Hughes - Jesper Bratt

Blake Coleman - Travis Zajac - Wayne Simmonds

Miles Wood - Pavel Zacha - John Hayden

Jesper Boqvist, Kevin Rooney

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DEFENESEMEN

Andy Greene - P.K. Subban

Will Butcher - Sami Vatanen

Mirco Mueller - Damon Severson

Connor Carrick

GOALIES

Cory Schneider, Mackenzie Blackwood

While Schneider will start Friday, Hynes did not name a starter for Saturday. He had indicated during the preseason that Schneider and Blackwood would split the two games, but he left the door open for Schneider to play both.

And while Boqvist made the team out of camp, he appears out for the opener against the Jets. When he rotated into 5-on-5 drills, he took the spot of Hischier or Hall on the top line. If he is out, it likely won’t be for long. The Devils didn’t keep him on the roster to have him sit in the press box every night.

Star Ledger LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155432 New Jersey Devils Jesper Boqvist plays entire season in the NHL Jesper Boqvist appears primed to make the team out of training camp

following an impressive preseason. The 2017 second-round pick has 9 bold predictions for Devils’ 2019-20 season: 3 30-goal scorers? Are shown his offensive skill while also handling the physical aspects of the playoffs in the cards? game well.

If Boqvist isn’t ready to stick in the NHL, the Devils could send him back to Sweden for the 2019-20 season, and it’s possible that happens if Updated Oct 03, 2019; Posted Oct 03, 2019 Boqvist fades early in the regular season and can’t hold on to a full-time job. But we’ll say that Boqvist shows more than enough to keep a job By Chris Ryan with the Devils to play his full rookie season in New Jersey.

Michael McLeod finds an NHL role this season The Devils’ 2019-20 season kicks off on Friday when they play their first Michael McLeod made it to one of the final stages of training camp game against the Winnipeg Jets at Prudential Center in Newark. before being cut and sent back to the AHL to start his second pro With the most anticipated Devils season in recent memory about to season. But in his fourth season within the organization, McLeod looked begin, NJ Advance Media has nine bold predictions for what’s in store for his best in September, and he appears closer than ever to being ready the team during the campaign. for the NHL level. He might need an injury to open the door, but we’ll say this season is the one where he carves out a permanent NHL role at Away we go ... some point.

Three Devils score 30 or more goals The Devils finish top-10 in power play and penalty kill

Since Kyle Palmieri and Adam Henrique both scored 30 goals in 2015- Here are some of players who saw 28 or more minutes on the Devils’ 16, the Devils have had just one 30-goal scorer — Taylor Hall when he power play last season: Miles Wood, Pavel Zacha, Blake Coleman, Drew potted 39 goals during his 2017-18 MVP campaign. Stafford, Kenny Agostino and Stefan Noesen. This isn’t meant as an insult to them, but due to the mounting injuries over the season, the That will change in a big way in 2019-20. Three Devils will hit that mark. Devils needed to dig deep to find players to fill those roles, and the Devils Introducing Devils Insider: Sign up for exclusive news, behind-the-scenes finished 21st in the NHL in power-play percentage. observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers This season, the Devils have Hall, Hischier, Palmieri and Jesper Bratt We’ll say Hall again gets there in a healthy season, and Palmieri, who healthy. Butcher, Damon Severson and Travis Zajac are back. They also has flirted with the number every season, reaches the mark for a second added Subban, Nikita Gusev, Hughes and Wayne Simmonds. The top time. As for the third player, we’ll go out on a limb and say Nico Hischier. power-play unit is going to be loaded, and the second unit is also going He hit 20 goals as a rookie and scored 17 last season (technically at a to have plenty of skilled offensive players. They have the personnel to similar rate since he missed 13 games). With a healthy Hall and loaded return to being a top-10 unit, which they were in 2017-18. forward group around him, Hischier scores his 30th in the final game of And despite all their problems last season, the Devils’ penalty kill was the season. excellent, finishing fourth in the NHL. They’ve got Andy Greene, Vatanen, Hischier earns an All-Star nod Zajac, Coleman, Zacha and Kevin Rooney all back. The team has the assets to finish in the top 10 in both special teams categories. Hall has been the Devils’ All-Star pick in each of his three seasons in New Jersey (though Brian Boyle and Palmieri replaced him due to Ray Shero is a buyer at the trade deadline injuries each of the past two years). Hall will again get a nod to play in When the Devils made their playoff push in 2018, GM Ray Shero didn’t the game in January, but this time, he won’t be alone. hesitate to upgrade the team at the trade deadline. If they’re in position Hischier will make his biggest leap yet in his third NHL season, and for another run, look for him to buy again. playing alongside Hall, he’ll earn a spot in the All-Star Game in January. The Devils don’t have second-round picks in 2020 or 2021, and they He also might be a few years away from serious consideration, but look don’t have their 2020 third-round pick either, so he might have to get a for Hischier to get some votes for the Selke Trophy as the league’s top little creative if he does try to swing a deal. It’s unlikely he parts with a two-way forward at the end of the season. first-round pick in any trade, but he could flip a prospect or two to help Will Butcher becomes a top-pairing defenseman the team in the short term.

P.K. Subban is the one lock to play in the Devils’ top defensive pairing The Devils make the playoffs this season. His partner will likely change based on play and injuries, and The last, and biggest, prediction of all: The Devils make it back to the to start the season, it’s a safe bet to see Sami Vatanen playing on postseason. During Shero’s first four seasons in New Jersey, he steadily Subban’s left. worked toward acquiring assets and restocking a depleted farm system. But based on his play in training camp, Will Butcher could be preparing This summer, he pounced, making the most significant upgrades to the for a big leap. He slotted next to Subban in the Devils’ final preseason roster yet. game, and Butcher’s play in the defensive zone throughout camp looked Even though they made the postseason in 2017-18, this is by far the best impressive. If Butcher shows he can sustain that into the season, he position the Devils have been in since they reached the Stanley Cup could be tasked with his biggest defensive role yet. Final in 2012. They’re in an incredibly tough division and will have to Jack Hughes breaks 70 points and wins the Calder Trophy show that all the additions actually translate to success on ice. But they’ve got the pieces to be playing meaningful hockey in April and The 2019-20 NHL rookie class is strong. Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko possibly beyond. of the Rangers will be making their debuts from the 2019 draft class, while Hughes’ brother, Quinn of the Vancouver Canucks, will headline a group of 2018 draftees including Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Star Ledger LOADED: 10.04.2019 Barrett Hayton of the Arizona Coyotes and Filip Zadina of the Detroit Red Wings.

There’s a winning case to be made for both Hughes brothers, Kakko and Makar, and it could be a tight race all season.

But at the end of the day, Jack Hughes was the most highly touted out of any of those prospects for a reason. Hughes is going to have plenty of talent around him to have an impact rookie season, and he’ll become the first Devil to win the Rookie of the Year award since Scott Gomez in 2000. 1155433 New Jersey Devils This doesn’t mean the team will use this lineup in Friday’s home opener against the Winnipeg Jets, but it does appear to be a preview of what the early season lineup will look like.

In light of NJ Devils sending down Ty Smith, should CHL-NHL agreement Jack Hughes spent much of the preseason skating with veteran Wayne be changed? Simmonds on his right side but has also taken shifts in the middle of the two Jespers, Bratt and Boqvist. Bratt could be his linemate to open the season and if he is, Hughes is ready to capitalize on his speed and make some flashy transition plays. Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer “He was the one guy in camp I was really surprised about because I Published 3:17 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019 | Updated 3:33 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019 really didn't know much of him as a player but he's lights out,” Hughes said. “The way he skates, I haven't seen many guys skate like that, I’ve got to be honest.” NEWARK — Defenseman Ty Smith is back in Spokane captaining his junior team in the Western Hockey League as the New Jersey Devils are Hermit crabs preparing for their first game of the season. The Devils’ “hermit crab” goalies will likely start the season by splitting The club's top prospect showed flashes of that dominant, offensive- back-to-back contests against Winnipeg and Buffalo. Cory Schneider will minded puck-moving defenseman they drafted with the 11th pick in 2018, get the net when the team opens up at the Rock on Friday night and but his training camp performance was inconsistent and management felt Mackenzie Blackwood may get into his first game as soon as Saturday it best to give him more time to develop. when the Devils head to Buffalo to face the Sabres.

DEVILS: Breaking down the opening night roster as Jesper Boqvist is in, Ty Smith is out Bergen Record LOADED: 10.04.2019 They would like to see him develop in the American Hockey League, the NHL’s primary developmental league. But because the CHL-NHL agreement prohibits players drafted out of the CHL to play in the AHL before the age of 20, Smith was forced to go back to his junior team to his developing.

It’s not ideal.

“That’s the problem with the CHL rule,” coach John Hynes said Thursday after the team practiced at Prudential Center. “Maybe it’s a situation where the guy can play in the AHL for a while to be able to develop, but that’s not what it is. So we have to make the best decision for the team and the best decision for the player. Right now that is Spokane.”

Smith is nearly ready for the NHL and returning him to his junior team means he won’t see New Jersey until his season with the Chiefs is over in the spring, if it all. The Devils can’t call him up when reinforcements are needed and move him back and forth between Binghamton, where their AHL affiliate is located, as they can with other top prospects like Michael McLeod or Nathan Bastian.

So maybe it’s time to change the rule.

“I do think there are certain circumstances where the rule has to be looked at,” Hynes said. “Maybe some sort of either change or adaptation to it.”

The rule is in place to protect the business interests of the junior teams, but it can be detrimental to some players who are in that in-between stage of their development, too good for junior but not quite ready for the NHL. That in-between stage is why the AHL exists.

The CHL has an Exceptional Player Status rule, which grants them draft eligibility a year early. If there is a rule for an early in, why not an early out?

“Ideally, would we like to have him in Binghamton with our coaches playing in the American Hockey League? I think in some situations it does benefit the player,” Hynes said.

The Devils disputed the notion that Smith has nothing left to prove with another year in junior. Winning is good for any young player and Smith is playing on a good team with a chance to contend for a Memorial Cup. He’ll play for Team Canada in the World Junior Championships again and he’ll get a chance to round out into the two-way defenseman the team sees him starting to become.

“What makes Ty Smith Ty Smith is he’s got great offensive instincts, he’s a great puck-mover and he helps generate offense,” Hynes said. “We’d like to see that game get better and stronger because that’s what separates him from other players. We’d like to see him work on his strength, his explosiveness and his speed. Not his up-the-ice speed, but his quickness. And then the last part is defensively, awareness and understanding how to play defense at his size.”

Mar 5, 2019; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) plays the puck against Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) during the second period at Prudential Center. 1155434 New York Islanders

Thomas Hickey eager to get started at Bridgeport

By Brian Heyman

Special to Newsday

October 3, 2019 8:22 PM

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The logo on the front of Thomas Hickey’s new Bridgeport Sound Tigers’ practice jersey depicted the head of an angry tiger. So is Hickey an angry Tiger?

Here was the 30-year-old defenseman skating Thursday at Wonderland of Ice in his first practice with the Sound Tigers since being waived by the Islanders Monday and then clearing and being assigned here Tuesday along with Tanner Fritz and Josh Ho-Sang.

Hickey was back in the minors for the first time since 2013, before the Islanders claimed him from the Kings’ organization and kept him for the next six and a half seasons. He was prepping to play in the Sound Tigers’ opener at Springfield Saturday night.

Wonderland is the NHL, not the AHL. But like Fritz and unlike Ho-Sang, who wasn’t here after requesting a trade be explored, Hickey is handling the demotion well.

“Am I angry to be here? The answer is no,” Hickey said. “I’m disappointed things didn’t work out with the Islanders to this point, but I’m a professional hockey player and get to do my job. You make 20-some- odd good new friends. I’m excited to get going with the Tigers. …

“I love the organization and never had any ill will. Even after now, the goal is to get back up there and help that team out.”

Hickey is in the second year of a four-year, $10 million deal.

“He is, to me, one of the best guys around as far as quality person, leader, understands the team concept,” Bridgeport coach Brent Thompson said. “He came down with a great attitude.”

The emergence of 2018 first-rounder Noah Dobson squeezed Hickey off the roster. But he first lost his place as a regular last season. He fell on the back of his head in a game at Colorado and missed 29 games with a concussion. Devon Toews was called up, and he stuck. Hickey wonders if he would be in this position if he hadn’t gotten hurt.

“I’ve thought about that lots,” Hickey said. “I slipped and bumped my head and life hasn’t quite been the same. I’m thankful that I’m healthy, but I don’t think that things would’ve taken the turn that they did.”

Fritz played with Bridgeport the past four seasons, but the 28-year-old forward also played 42 games with the Islanders over the past two.

“Obviously, it’s a little disappointing that I didn’t make the team up there,” Fritz said. “… But this is my fifth year in this organization with Bridgeport, so I’m very familiar with it and glad to be back here with the coaching staff and the guys that I’ve played with the last few years.”

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155435 New York Islanders

After playoff disappointment, Islanders itching to start new campaign

By Andrew Gross [email protected] @AGrossNewsday

Updated October 4, 2019 2:40 AM

It often takes a while to get over playoff disappointment. The Islanders are coming off a successful season in many regards, but the frustration of being swept by the Hurricanes in the second round of the playoffs lingered a long time.

“For me, until now,” defenseman Adam Pelech said after Thursday’s practice in East Meadow. “You end on such a sour note. During the season, you get another shot in a night or two, but we had to wait four, five months. That’s part of the reason we’re all looking forward to Friday night.”

The Islanders will open the 2019-20 campaign — one they believe holds plenty of promise — against the Capitals on Friday night at NYCB Live’s .

Casey Cizikas will be available, both he and coach Barry Trotz said, after the sparkplug center hobbled off the ice with an ankle issue late in Saturday night’s 4-2 win over the Rangers in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the preseason finale. Cizikas said he immediately knew the injury was not as serious as it looked.

The Islanders will play their first three games and 12 of their first 17 at home as they try to reach the playoffs for the second straight season.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know that,” Cizikas said. “We focus on three- game segments. You try to get two out of three games, and if you continue doing that, at the end of the season, you put yourself in a good position.”

That was the Islanders’ formula last season as they went 48-27-7 in their first season under Trotz and finished one point behind the Capitals in the Metropolitan Division.

The Capitals, who opened the season with a 3-2 overtime win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Blues on Wednesday night in St. Louis, again will be without suspended top-line center Evgeny Kuznetsov and injured defenseman Michal Kempny.

Pelech’s defense partner, Ryan Pulock, believes the Islanders can be as good as last season, if not better.

“For sure I think we can be better,” he said. “I think it’s going to be really similar to last year in the sense of we’re going to have a lot of people to prove wrong. You look and already there’s not many expectations for us around the league. But we know in this locker room we have high expectations to do what we did last year and surpass that.”

Pulock also carried the sting of the playoff loss through the offseason.

“It’s one of those things you think about all summer,” he said. “There might be moments where you’re like, ‘Fudge, what could have been.’ It’s a new season Friday and it’s time to try and get back there.”

Notes & quotes: Defenseman Noah Dobson, the 12th overall pick in 2018, practiced, but Trotz said he still is not 100 percent after leaving Tuesday’s practice with a tweak . . . Dobson was assigned No. 8 after wearing No. 45 through training camp . . . Trotz declined to reveal his starting goalie, but the expectation is it will be Semyon Varlamov, signed to a four-year, $20 million deal after eight seasons with the Avalanche . . . Rookie goalie Ilya Samsonov will start for the Capitals.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155436 New York Islanders But if that was the case, there have been no takers thus far. Lamoriello said he did not anticipate Ho-Sang’s trade request.

“Nothing surprises me anymore,” he said. “I didn’t think of it, but I Josh Ho-Sang asks the Islanders for a trade after not making roster understand it.”

By Andrew Gross Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 10.04.2019 [email protected] @AGrossNewsday

Updated October 4, 2019 2:37 AM

No team claimed Josh Ho-Sang when the Islanders placed the former first-round pick on waivers earlier this week, the only cost being his one- year deal that pays $874,125 in the NHL and $70,000 in the AHL.

Now Ho-Sang has requested a trade, president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said Thursday.

After Ho-Sang cleared waivers, the Islanders reassigned him to their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport on Tuesday. The Sound Tigers had Wednesday off, and Ho-Sang, 23, the 28th overall pick in 2014, did not join them for Thursday’s practice.

“Josh did not intentionally not report,” Lamoriello said. “What has transpired is his rep has simplistically and in a very respectful way because of what has transpired over the last few years, would we entertain if another team would possibly be interested in Josh.

“I took a step back and said I would do that,” Lamoriello added. “The rep said Josh would do whatever was asked of him. I asked him not to report until I explored that request. It’s going to take a few days.”

The Sound Tigers will open their regular season on Saturday at Springfield. Lamoriello said that until the situation is resolved, he does not want Ho-Sang around the team to cause a potential distraction.

Lamoriello said Ho-Sang will play in the Islanders’ organization or in another NHL organization this season and that he has not considered allowing Ho-Sang to play in Europe.

“Once he goes to Bridgeport, he’s there,” Lamoriello said. “He will be playing hockey somewhere, whether it’s Bridgeport, where he is a recallable player.”

Ho-Sang had one assist in three NHL preseason games and also showed a newfound respect for the requisite defensive responsibilities, a part of his game absent in past seasons.

He has elite playmaking and skating ability but has managed only seven goals and 17 assists in 53 career NHL games, including a goal and an assist in 10 games last season. Instead, he’s spent the bulk of the past three seasons with Bridgeport.

“Obviously, a very skilled, good player and a misunderstood, smart young guy,” said defenseman Thomas Hickey, who practiced with Bridgeport for the first time on Thursday after clearing waivers on Tuesday. “Whether it’s here or somewhere else, I wish him the best. Hopefully it’s here. It would be good to have him back.”

Ho-Sang often made news more for his off-ice actions in past seasons — oversleeping on the first day of his first training camp and immediately being sent back to his junior hockey team by then-GM Garth Snow — but coach Barry Trotz said this year was Ho-Sang’s “best camp.”

“He was consistent,” Trotz said after the decision was made to waive Ho- Sang. “His attention to detail was much better.”

Lamoriello said on Thursday that Ho-Sang has done nothing wrong by requesting a trade.

“Even though you know you’re being fair and honest with a player, sometimes they don’t see it that way,” he said. “So we take a step back and see what’s out there. Then you can look somebody in the eye and say, ‘It is what it is.’ ”

Any trade return for Ho-Sang is likely to be minimal — a fifth- or sixth- round pick or another minor-league player.

It’s likely that Lamoriello already has tried to move Ho-Sang, whether at last season’s trade deadline or before the Islanders placed him on waivers. Lamoriello would not address that. 1155437 New York Islanders The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019

What to make of Josh Ho-Sang’s trade request and the Islanders honoring it

By Arthur Staple

Oct 3, 2019

Josh Ho-Sang has requested a trade from the Islanders, who told the 23- year-old winger not to report to Bridgeport while Lou Lamoriello tries to see if there’s a deal to be made.

It’s the latest twist in the ever-growing Ho-Sang saga, now five years on from him being selected 28th overall by the Isles in 2014. It feels like a long time ago that Ho-Sang, then 19, overslept and missed his first and only day of the 2015-16 training camp; since then we’ve seen 53 NHL games over three seasons, some flashes of genuine talent and more than a few words of discontent.

Those frustrations were mostly aimed at the previous regime. Ho-Sang got a fresh start when Lamoriello and Barry Trotz came in last year, but he had to start at the bottom. He took a personal day on the second day of camp last September and was quickly sent down; armed with a one- year qualifying offer this time around, Ho-Sang was quiet and played solidly this camp, only to be one of the last forwards cut on Monday.

He cleared waivers on Tuesday but was not on the ice with the Sound Tigers the last two days, as fellow waiver clearances Thomas Hickey and Tanner Fritz were. Lamoriello told reporters on Thursday of the trade request via Ian Pulver, Ho-Sang’s agent.

“This is not a punishment,” Lamoriello said, regarding Ho-Sang not heading to the AHL yet. “I told the representative that I would explore that request. It’s going to take a few days. If there isn’t a transaction that’s in the best interest of the organization, Josh will report to Bridgeport.”

Now, why would a team acquire a player in a trade that it could have had for the cost of a waiver pickup? Glad you asked.

Monday’s waiver wire was pretty full, as teams tried to get to a cap- compliant roster of 23 or fewer. You can’t just claim a player off waivers and immediately send him down to the AHL; you’d need waivers again, leaving your team without a rostered player as the season begins. So there could have been some interest in Ho-Sang, but a given team might not have had room, or time to make room on the roster.

Now, with Ho-Sang having cleared waivers, a team that acquires him in a trade can send him directly to the AHL and worry about what to do with him later on. This likely isn’t going to bring back any sort of serious asset for the Islanders; it’s far more about accommodating an unhappy player, one who might not help you at the AHL level or down the road if you need a recall.

“You explore all these avenues, but you’re right — he was available to every team,” Lamoriello said. “It was a request from the representative after all that’s transpired over the last three years. I honored it because it doesn’t disrupt what we’re doing in Bridgeport, where they’re getting ready to start their season on Saturday.

“Once Josh does report to Bridgeport, he’s there. I don’t want our team there to get off track.”

Given the request, it’s hard to see Ho-Sang staying in the Isles organization and being content about it. He has 110 points in 156 AHL games the last three years, but he clearly feels he’s still not getting a fair shot to win a job with the Islanders.

Lamoriello, by honoring the request, seems to feel the same way, though he’s an old hand at this.

“Nothing surprises me anymore,” he said. “I didn’t think of it, but I understand it. Even if you know you’re being fair and honest with somebody, they may not feel the same way. So we will honor this request and then if it doesn’t work out, you can look somebody right in the eye and say, ‘It is what it is.'”

1155438 New York Islanders The premise is based on a whole variety of people blessed with some sort of God-given talent who elevate their ability by a commitment to doing what’s right, not just some of the time, but all the time. At least that was the takeaway Lamoriello hoped the book imparted on his 22-year-old 10 observations from Islanders camp: Contract talk, Lou-isms and more player.

4. One player who seemed to really pick up right where he left off is Devon Toews. The 25-year-old defenseman had a terrific camp last year By Katie Strang but was sent to the minors for more seasoning. Given that he was Oct 3, 2019 coming off a year in which he was sidelined with a shoulder injury, the Isles wanted to make sure he was 100 percent ready to go. He was up with the big club last season, played a significant role in the playoffs, and hasn’t shown any sign of letting up so far the past couple of weeks. I As the only one of the three Metro New York-area teams that made a asked veteran forward Josh Bailey what he expects from Toews this playoff appearance last spring, the Islanders did not go through the same year: “The way he skates, he’s a guy that you play against and it’s just sort of upheaval and roster turnover as the Rangers and Devils. This irritating. He’s always a stride away from you, always in your face. He 2019-20 Islanders roster looks awfully similar to that of last season, plays hard.” Toews obviously brings a power play dynamic, as well. One which means we have a good idea of what to expect from the usual NHL scout feels he’s an underrated player, a No. 5-type defenseman suspects. who may become your No. 4. A middle pairing guy who can play in all But now, with a full year under the stewardship of GM Lou Lamoriello and situations and play significant minutes. head coach Barry Trotz, the Isles are trying to build on last year’s 5. As Arthur Staple pointed out in his 10 bold predictions piece, Oliver success and go deeper in the postseason. Wahlstrom appears to be this year’s Toews: a player who had a superb The Athletic’s Katie Strang spent part of training camp with the team; camp, gave the Islanders a ton to think about, but couldn’t quite crack the here’s what she noticed: roster — at least not yet. Lamoriello said he’s “close” after sending him to the AHL, and it’s easy to imagine a scenario in which he gets a call-up 1. There was a significant moment for the New York Islanders relatively soon. Last week, Trotz said the team has seen a ton of growth organization last week, and one that felt a bit surreal insomuch as it has from the young winger, particularly in the pace of his game: “Early in been such a long time coming: the groundbreaking at Belmont Park, camp and even watching him in college he did a lot of watching … now which the team will call home beginning in the 2021-22 season. I started he realizes he’s got to be part of that, that workload, so that he can be my hockey career out as an Isles beat writer for Newsday and, for as productive in this league. I think his pace has picked up and he’s coming. much time as I spent toiling at morning skates and catching very early He’s still learning, and still getting better, but I think the future for him is flights to Calgary, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and the like, I also spent a lot of pretty bright.” This is a pretty common issue for young, skilled players, time at municipal meetings, talking to local politicians, gauging opinions who are used to being able to dominate at lower levels with so much skill, of Long Island residents about the possibility of a new arena to replace allowing them to coast a bit at times. It was the one facet of Kaapo the outdated Nassau Coliseum. For a long time, it was a protracted effort Kakko’s game I heard scouts cite as a needed area of improvement at by former owner Charles Wang, who died in October 2018, to put The the Traverse City prospect tournament. And at the risk of earning the ire Lighthouse Project into action. There was a brief dalliance with the Mets of the fan base with the mere mention of his name, it was also a pretty about building a place in Queens, too. When Barclays came to fruition, it common refrain during John Tavares’ rookie year. I still remember there felt like just another chapter in the saga of the long-suffering Isles fans being a few people the night of his NHL debut who felt he struggled to and their search for a home. It was never a place outfitted for hockey, the turn a wheel. Things turned out OK for him. sight lines left a lot to be desired and the commute was a pain for people coming from Long Island. Personally, as someone who has witnessed 6. Having covered Derick Brassard when he was with the Rangers, I like the zeal and passion of Islanders fans firsthand, it was really satisfying to this signing for the Islanders. When he’s healthy, and in the right see this happen for them last week. They’ve waited long enough. situation, he’s a dynamic player and a real asset to the power play. The Isles picked him up at a very reasonable price tag and surely Brassard is 2. With that said, I feel a need to defend the Nassau Coliseum, an going to be a motivated player following a 2018-19 season in which he irrefutably antiquated old dump, but truly one of the most beloved barns was dogged by injuries and toggled among three teams (Pittsburgh, in all of hockey. Maybe I’m romanticizing all the hours I spent there as a Florida, Colorado). Seems like successful teams always make one low- young twenty-something beat writer, or my favorite security guards Betsy risk move with high upside each offseason that turns out making them and Dean, or the singularly terrific chicken noodle soup served on day look smart. This is my bet for the Isles. games in the press box, but I’m thrilled that the Islanders are still going to be playing some games there for the near future. Say what you want 7. Noah Dobson carved himself out a spot on the opening night roster, about the place, but there are few arenas in which the acoustics and the every bit deserved after a fantastic showing this preseason. He forced sight lines are better. When the Coliseum is packed to the brim for the the Islanders’ hands with his play and stepped up with everything the playoffs, the entire place just rocks. I miss it. team threw at him, killing penalties, defending against opponents’ top line, playing back-to-back nights. One scout remarked about his poise 3. Now that I got some of that sentimentality out of my system, let’s talk and patience — a player with a quiet demeanor but who is strong and Mathew Barzal, who I think is primed to take another significant step this can cover a lot of ice. I asked Lamoriello about Dobson last week and he season. He obviously had a sensational rookie campaign, for which he indicated that Dobson was in the driver’s seat as far as his own fate: nabbed the Calder Trophy after finishing wth 85 points. His production “He’ll make the decision for us,” Lamoriello said. That, by the way, is my dipped last season to 62, but I think what we’re going to see this season, favorite Lou-ism: We don’t tell players when they are ready, they tell us. as an extension and a carryover from last year, is a player transitioning to Dobson did just that. playing in all three zones. We know he has the skill. Now, he seems more committed than ever to becoming that complete player that the 8. A noteworthy comment from Trotz when asked about Josh Ho-Sang, Islanders need and expect. He’s headed into the final year of his entry- who was this week placed on waivers (he cleared on Tuesday, so will level contract and when you look at his numbers compared with some of report to Bridgeport to start the season). Trotz said he needed more his contemporaries, it’s not a stretch to think he may shoot for a deal “predictability” from Ho-Sang’s game, and this was something needed similar to that of Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen and Toronto’s Mitch Marner. not just for the coaching staff, but for his own teammates as well. Suffice Barzal also exudes the confidence to stand firm on what he’s worth, a it to say that it will be interesting to see how Ho-Sang handles the trait that is likely a big part of why he’s been so successful on the ice. At assignment and what his future with the organization portends; the NHL fall player tour, he said: “I don’t like the thought of just because Lamoriello’s comments after the decision probably didn’t inspire a ton of a player’s young he doesn’t deserve to be paid as much as someone confidence in the latter. who’s 28 or 29. Talent is talent, at the end of the day.” But he also has an 9. The Islanders’ goals-against average during the 2017-18 season was enormous amount of respect and affinity for Lamoriello, so it will be a worse than any season in the previous ten years. Last season, it was the fascinating case study to see how the negotiation plays out next summer. best it’s been during that same span. Credit is certainly due to the more On a lighter note, I asked him his favorite “Lou-ism” and he said that defensively-sound and structured system implemented by Trotz, but Lamoriello is always prodding him to read more, which I found there’s no debate that the Isles got excellent goaltending last season fascinating. The last book recommendation Lamoriello gave him? Tim from Vezina Trophy-finalist Robin Lehner. It is odd to me still, knowing Ferriss’ Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World. this, that the Islanders did not bring him back and, instead, inked Semyon Varlamov to a four-year, $20 million deal. The Isles expressed interest in trading for Varlamov the year prior, sure, but why not keep Lehner? Lamoriello told me the Isles had “every intention” of bringing Lehner back, but declined to go into specifics about what transpired, only calling it “an unfortunate thing.” Lehner, in a recent ESPN article, said he felt he’d have been brought back if it weren’t for guaranteed contracts (I’m sure the NHLPA was less than thrilled with the suggestion of anything but). I sense there is a more complicated story here, one in which the two sides have different views of how everything transpired, and we may not get more than the broad strokes of the thing until there’s some distance from the situation.

10. I heard an interesting anecdote about Lamoriello recently. Many people find him to be among the more intimidating figures in the league, and this story showed perhaps a softer side of the long-tenured GM, who came to the NHL by way of a long career working in the college ranks for Providence. When he first broke into the league, he struck up a relationship with Montreal’s Serge Savard. Savard had drafted a few players from Providence, they had done a few deals together and the two had sat together at some of Lamoriello’s first Board of Governor’s meetings. Apparently, Savard was so forthcoming in offering Lamoriello help with navigating the intricacies of doing business in the NHL that Lamoriello has tried to pay that kindness forward with other first-time GMs in the league. He laughed when I asked him to ruminate on this, joking that I was going to damage his reputation (one that is marked by an almost religious devotion to competitive advantage): “I try and put myself in their shoes,” Lamoriello said, noting that it wasn’t just Savard, but also Bob Pulford, Phil Esposito and Harry Sinden that helped acclimate him to NHL life. “Those people were not only extremely kind to me, but helpful. They accepted me. It wasn’t like this new kid on the block — ‘What is he doing here?’ — So I feel indebted to them. I knew how important it was to me, so why wouldn’t you do whatever you can?” Lamoriello asked. “That’s the personal and people side of who we are.”

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155439 New York Rangers Joining Kakko in the rookie brigade are the 21-year-old defensemen Adam Fox and Libor Hajek.

And the Swedish forward Lias Andersson, the seventh overall pick in Kaapo Kakko Debuts and Other Newcomers Shine in Rangers Win 2017, also figures to play a more prominent role after a strong September. He split the last season between the Rangers and the American Hockey League and won a roster spot through renewed focus.

By Allan Kreda “Lias got better and better as camp went on,’’ Quinn said. “He’s a little older, in better shape. It’s the evolution of a player. He’s only 20, he Oct. 3, 2019 would be a college freshman in most programs.”

The Rangers have been a steady work in progress since General The Rangers knew the answers to their most pressing roster questions Manager Jeff Gorton released a letter to the fan base in February 2018 months ahead of their season opener against the Winnipeg Jets on promising a major rebuild. Thursday night. After two straight seasons of missing the playoffs and the departure of Henrik Lundqvist would most likely get goaltending help from his many veterans via trades, the Rangers are the only N.H.L. team with understudy, Alexandar Georgiev; the defensemen Brady Skjei and Jacob eight players 23 or younger and the only one with five players 21 or Trouba, a summer acquisition, would provide a new look on the blue line; younger. Still, they are not quite as young as they could be. and the prized free agent Artemi Panarin promised to be the type of high- “I feel pretty good about our team right now,’’ Gorton said. “And our end scoring threat the Rangers have been lacking. camp, I thought it was hard. Some competitive battles for spots. I think it On Thursday, Panarin heard the Madison Square Garden crowd roar bodes well going forward.” when he scored his first goal, and Trouba had three points, including a Some of the Rangers’ highly regarded young players will start the season goal, as the Rangers downed the Jets, 6-4. Lundqvist made 43 saves for with the team’s A.H.L. affiliate in Hartford. his 450th win, which is sixth on the N.H.L. career list. Forward Filip Chytil, 20, a first-round pick in 2017 who played 75 games As a rebuild continued under the second-year coach David Quinn, the for the Rangers last season, and Vitali Kravtsov, 19, the ninth overall pick Rangers did not know who among their raft of young prospects would be in the 2018 draft, were sent down so they could play more minutes in key part of the team after training camp. situations. One facet of the young squad’s makeup has been almost indisputable The promising Russian goaltender Igor Shesterkin, 23, also was since June: the Finnish sensation Kaapo Kakko, whom the Rangers took assigned to Hartford, where he will work at adjusting to nuances of the with the No. 2 draft pick. game in the smaller rinks of North America after three seasons starting Kakko, 18, was named to the opening night lineup this week. And with for SKA St. Petersburg, the Kontinental Hockey League powerhouse. that bit of official business out of the way, he switched from No. 45, which Marc Staal, who at 32 remains a key veteran on defense, said it did not he wore during camp, to No. 24, his number for TPS, the Finnish league seem that long ago that he was a 20-year-old rookie for the 2007-8 team in Turku, his hometown. Rangers, learning from elder statesmen like Jaromir Jagr and Brendan “I wore 24 last season. I like it. I think it looks better than 45,’’ he said Shanahan. matter-of-factly after practice on Monday. “It’s new and exciting and you feed off that energy, for sure,’’ Staal said, He certainly performed well wearing that number last season, winning the referring to the youth sprinkled around the team’s dressing room. “We rookie scoring title in the top Finnish league with 22 goals and 16 assists have a ton of skill, a ton of talent. Now it’s about translating that into how in 45 games. to win hockey games.”

On Thursday, Kakko received loud cheers when he was introduced in a Lundqvist, 37 and starting his 15th season in goal, said he did not feel pre-game ceremony, then had a quiet night — three shots on goal in 15 any need to preach to new teammates, some half his age. minutes 31 seconds of ice time, no points — while playing on a line with “It’s not so much giving them advice; they know how to approach the Chris Kreider and Ryan Strome. game,’’ Lundqvist said. “It’s a big change in your life at 18, 19, as things “I was a little bit nervous before the game,” Kakko said. “It was a normal happen quickly and suddenly you’re here playing at Madison Square game like I played last season. I played many big games.” Garden. It’s making sure they feel comfortable, then you learn as you go. It’s fun to see the talent. You’re excited for them.” Kakko is expected to see significant time on the power play as the season progresses, possibly with Panarin and the first-line center, Mika Zibanejad, who had a goal and three assists in the opener. New York Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 The 6-foot-3 Kakko appears unfazed by the attention, social media or otherwise, that has come from Rangers followers since he was selected after the Devils took Jack Hughes with the top overall pick.

“It was my goal to make the team,’’ he said. “That’s it.”

A throng of Finnish journalists surrounded Kakko after the opener, a scene that is likely to be a staple at Rangers’ home games this season. Thursday’s game — against another Finn, Patrik Laine of the Jets — was broadcast back home.

“There’s huge interest on him in Finland right now,” said Antti Makinen, a play-by-play commentator for Viasat, the N.H.L. television rights holder in Finland. “We are hoping that it will rise to the same level as Patty Laine.”

Quinn can hardly contain his enthusiasm about Kakko.

“My expectations were really high when we met him, and I’m not surprised he is the player he is,’’ Quinn said. “And away from the rink, how he carries himself and how coachable he is — there’s a lot to love about him.”

After Kakko’s debut, Quinn said: “He looked pretty stoic. I don’t think he gets nervous.” 1155440 New York Rangers “It was a little crazy, back and forth,” Lundqvist said. “Lots of emotions, great atmosphere in the building. It was a lot of fun. ... We battled. Special teams came up big, power play, PK, and the new guys looked pretty good.” Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba deliver in Rangers’ wild opening-night win over Winnipeg Jets Staal, scoreless in the final 42 games last season, got the Rangers on the scoreboard first as he went around the back of the net and stuffed the puck past Hellebuyck on the right side with 8:25 left in the first.

By VIN A. CHERWOO Scheifele tied it for Winnipeg with 2:37 remaining in the period as he got a pass from Ehlers from behind the net and fired it in off Lundqvist’s ASSOCIATED PRESS shoulder. OCT 04, 2019 | 12:22 AM

New York Daily News LOADED: 10.04.2019 NEW YORK — Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba came through in their New York debuts, and Mika Zibanejad had a big game to help the Rangers get the new season off on a winning note.

Brett Howden broke a tie with 4:09 remaining, and the Rangers rallied with three straight goals in the third period to beat the Winnipeg Jets 6-4 in a wild opener on Thursday night.

“Every player wants a successful start to the season, so we’re all really happy we won today,” Panarin said through a translator. “We were able to do it in the third period, a great team effort. We were really resilient to come back.”

Zibanejad had a goal and three assists, Trouba had a goal and two assists, and Panarin had a goal and an assist for New York. Marc Staal also scored for the Rangers, and Henrik Lundqvist _ making his 14th consecutive opening-day start _ stopped 43 shots for his 450th career win.

“The first win of the season, that’ s what it means to me right now,” Lundqvist said of reaching the milestone. “It feels really good. ... There’s no better way to start against a really good team and get a win.”

On the go-ahead goal, Jesper Fast fired a shot from the left point that was blocked by former Ranger Neal Pionk. The puck went Howden, who scored to give New York its fourth lead of the game.

The Jets went on their fifth power play with 1:37 left, and were skating with a 6-on-4 advantage when Brendan Smith scored into the empty net with 17 seconds remaining to seal the Rangers’ win.

“It certainly wasn’t a Picasso out there, that’s for sure, but we found a way to win,” Rangers coach David Quinn said. “At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.”

Blake Wheeler had two goals, Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor also scored and Nikolaj Ehlers had three assists for the Jets. Connor Hellebuyck finished with 26 saves.

“I feel like I played better than five goals against,” Hellebuyck said. “It just seemed the puck was in the wrong spot for me tonight. If I look back on the tape, I probably won’t do a whole lot different, but I got to do

Connor gave the Jets their first lead of the game, 4-3, with a power-play goal at 2:41 of the third as he tipped Josh Morissey’s shot through Lundqvist’s legs. Patrik Laine also had an assist on the goal.

Zibanejad, who had 30 goals last season, got a pass from Trouba, broke in on Hellebuyck and beat the goalie to tie it at 5:04.

With the Rangers on a power play carrying over from the end of the first period, Panarin _ signed to a seven-year, $81.5-million free-agent deal on July 1 _ got his first goal for New York just 27 seconds into the second. Zibanejad’s shot from the right point was stopped by Scheifele, but the puck ended up in front and Panarin fired it in to put the Rangers up 2-1.

The Jets tied it just 30 seconds later as Wheeler scored off a cross-ice pass from Ehlers.

Trouba, acquired from Winnipeg in the offseason trade that involved Pionk, gave New York a 3-2 lead off a pass from Kreider at 6:03, but Wheeler tied it again just nine seconds later as he cut through defense and beat Lundqvist.

Lundqvist made two great saves on Scheifele and Laine on consecutive chances midway through the middle period, and had several nice stops on a Winnipeg power play late in the period. 1155441 New York Rangers

Henrik Lundqvist reaches all sorts of milestones in Rangers opener

By Brett Cyrgalis

October 4, 2019 | 4:30am

The 37-year-old netminder started his 14th straight regular-season opener for the Rangers during their 6-4 win over the Jets on Thursday night at the Garden. The only other goalie in league history who has at least 14 straight starts in the opener for one franchise is Martin Brodeur with 18 straight for the Devils.

It was win No. 450 for Lundqvist, just four wins shy of tying Curtis Joseph for fifth on the league’s all-time wins list. Now in his 15th season, Lundqvist also passed Mike Richter for the most seasons with at least one appearance by a Rangers goalie.

Just to top it off, his 43 saves tied the most for a Rangers goalie in a season opener since Gump Worsley in 1955.

“I will reflect when it’s time to do so,” Lundqvist said. “But right now, it’s nice to get the first one of the season. The way we battled, the way I battled — build momentum.”

Lundqvist looked refreshed during training camp following two straight disappointing seasons when the club sold off assets at the trade deadline and missed the playoffs. He faltered late in the season each of the past two years, so the plan is to play him a little less — and he got quite a workload in his first game of the season.

“Intense game, a lot of chances right in front,” Lundqvist said. “So it’s a good first test. I’m happy the way I had to battle, and the team had to battle, and that we’re off to a good start.”

Defenseman Adam Fox made his NHL debut and the Long Island native and childhood Rangers fan had some wobbly times during his 12:24 of ice time.

“I thought he got better and better as the game went on,” coach David Quinn said. “Listen, a kid from New York, season-ticket holder his whole life, I can’t even imagine what was going through his mind when this game started.”

Quinn said that the team is “very comfortable with where we’re at with our leadership,” so the Rangers entered a second season without a captain. The four alternate captains were Mika Zibanejad, Marc Staal, Chris Kreider, and Jesper Fast.

Staal tied Vic Hadfield for seventh place on the franchise all-time games- played list with 841. He also entered his 10th season as an alternate captain, with the only other two Rangers to wear either an ‘A’ or a ‘C’ for 10-plus years being (13 seasons) and Mark Messier (10 seasons).

Brendan Smith played the dual role as a fourth-line winger and penalty- killing defenseman, and was rewarded with an empty-netter with 16 seconds remaining. His place in the lineup made Greg McKegg and Micheal Haley the healthy scratches.

New York Post LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155442 New York Rangers the moment the Rangers landed that second pick in the draft lottery conducted on April 9.

“That was such a good feeling,” said the Finn, covered by multiple media Kaapo Kakko already drawing rave reviews from Rangers outlets from his home country. “It was so nice. I was so excited before the game. I was a little bit nervous.”

He could have fooled Zibanejad and he could have fooled the 18,000- By Larry Brooks plus.

October 4, 2019 | 1:15am “He looks pretty stoic,” Quinn said. “He doesn’t show a lot of emotion. I don’t think he gets nervous, to be honest.

“With Kaapo, even if he’s not great on certain nights, he’s not going to be There was Mika Zibanejad, captain without the letter, marveling at the bad. That makes him a pro. I don’t think he’s going to have bad nights. I cool and composure of Kaapo Kakko, the 18-year-old Finn who’d just think ‘OK’ is going to be his ‘bad.’ And if that’s the case, he’s going to finished his first NHL game. have a hell of a career.” “It looks to me like he doesn’t get nervous,” No. 93 told The Post after the It was a good start to it, that’s for sure. A good start to the season for the Blueshirts’ 6-4 opening night victory over the Jets at the Garden. “I don’t Rangers, too. know, his age, his first game, he just seemed so calm and composed. He always seems that way.

“The way he carries himself, his self-esteem is high in an appropriate New York Post LOADED: 10.04.2019 way. I’m just looking forward to watching him and playing with him as his career goes forward.”

Kakko, the second-overall selection in the June entry draft after New Jersey tabbed Jack Hughes, never looked out of place even if he, as every one of his teammates, was at one time or another in a hot mess of a game in which the Rangers yielded glorious chances aplenty through the first 50 minutes before buckling down.

He got 15:51 of ice time that included 2:19 on the power play, sending three shots on net while taking four attempts. After dipping his toe in the water for much of the first period, he began to show more of his stuff in the second, controlling shifts with the puck on his stick, shooting when he had an open lane while taking the puck to the net when the opportunity presented.

“That’s my game. I like to do that,” Kakko said. “Hopefully I can score next time.”

Listen, there are pockmarks all over this one. The Blueshirts yielded what seemed like a couple of dozen glorious scoring chances to Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler, who combined for three goals, 13 shots on Henrik Lundqvist among 17 attempts. The Rangers had trouble with speed, Brady Skjei had trouble, period, and there were mistakes aplenty.

Oh, after one game, we can point this out: Lias Andersson, centering the fourth line, played a sum of 8:33, least on the club, got two shifts worth 1:29 in the third period and did not get off the bench for the final 13:11. David Quinn last week said he didn’t necessarily think it would be beneficial to put any of his young centers in that type of fourth-line situation, and the coach was probably right. Yet here we are already.

But look. Kakko, the Ice Man, was making his NHL debut and so was Adam Fox. Jacob Trouba and Artemi Panarin both made their Ranger debuts. So nerves obviously had an impact on the structure of the game. But even within chaos, the Rangers found a way to get the two points.

That is because the Blueshirts, who coughed up tying goals within 30 seconds and 10 seconds, respectively, after taking 2-1 and 3-2 leads before falling behind 4-3 early in the third period, persevered. Zibanejad took a lovely headman feed from Trouba, burst through, and beat Connor Hellebuyck on a backhand at 5:04 to tie it before Brett Howden went to the net and banged home a loose puck for a 5-4 lead at 15:51. Brendan Smith put it away with an empty-netter while the Rangers were short- handed.

Five-on-six was a problem last season. Four-on-six? No problem at all for the 2019-20 Rangers.

“There were some nerves and we were a little sloppy,” Zibanejad said. “Last year we lost this kind of game. Hopefully this starts a trend for this season.”

The Rangers surrendered 47 shots, continuing a trend from last season that must be reversed. But they did have some firepower out there that allowed the team to overcome its transgressions. For this night, the result was dispositive.

And there is reason to be positive about Kakko, who received a loud ovation from the crowd that had been thirsting to get a look at him since 1155443 New York Rangers New York Post LOADED: 10.04.2019

Revamped Rangers put on an opening-night show

By Brett Cyrgalis

October 3, 2019 | 9:54pm | Updated

All the time of waiting and wanting, of projecting and predicting. The two- plus years of rebuilding. The summer of monumental change.

It all finally ended in a flurry, as the revamped Rangers took the ice for their regular-season opener Thursday night and managed a dramatic 6-4 win over the Jets at the Garden.

There was a power-play goal and an assist for the $81.5 million man, Artemi Panarin. There was a goal and two assists from the man who is likely going to see more ice than any Ranger this season, new defenseman Jacob Trouba. There was a steady performance sprinkled with flashes of brilliance from 18-year-old Kaapo Kakko, the No. 2-overall pick who showed a cold-blooded nature that belies his age. There was a spectacular showing from Mika Zibanejad, notching a goal and two assists to start a season when he might as well be the de facto captain.

And finally, it was another young charge, 21-year-old center Brett Howden, burying a loose puck in front to take a 5-4 lead with 4:09 to play, capped by an empty-netter from Brendan Smith that made the Garden feel like it was the spring rather than the fall.

“Obviously it’s a special night,” Howden said. “With everything that went on this summer, it’s a night we’ve been counting down until. So there is a lot of buzz going on. It’s nice to get through that game, get a win, and now we can just get rolling.”

It surely was entertaining, as the pace was just as frantic as the defensive-zone coverages. The Rangers often looked disconnected — if not distracted — very quickly blowing two separate leads (and three overall). There were staked to a 2-1 edge by Panarin’s goal early in the second period, but it lasted just 30 seconds before Blake Wheeler tied it. Then Trouba’s goal to make it 3-2 at 6:03 became a lead that lasted just nine seconds when Wheeler added his second.

Kyle Connor then scored on a deft tip for a power-play goal at 2:41 of the third to give Winnipeg a 4-3 lead, only to be wiped out by Trouba making a great outlet pass to Zibanejad, who buried his breakaway with a nice backhand that bounced in off goalie Connor Hellebuyck, tying it 4-4 with just under 15 minutes to play.

“That certainly wasn’t a Picasso out there, for sure,” said coach David Quinn. “But we found a way to win. At the end of the day, that’s all the matters.”

For now, that’s true. The Rangers are going to go through quite a few growing pains this season, with such a young roster and so many new faces set to play such important roles. More often than not, they’re probably not going to win games played like this.

But for the first night of the regular season, they managed to do just that.

“I think right now, we’re trying to figure out a little bit where we are as a group and what we can accomplish,” said goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who had some highlights and lowlights while facing a heavy workload of 47 shots. “We have a bunch of new players coming in. A lot of people watching them right now, and we’re off to a great start. It could bring a lot of confidence to the group.”

There was a palpable excitement in the building early, and after Lundqvist helped the Rangers get through some first-period nerves, defenseman Marc Staal was the surprising player to score the first goal of the season on a wraparound at 11:35. But blown coverage allowed Mark Scheifele to tie it at 17:23, the start of what would be a back-and- forth affair.

But if and when the Rangers look back on this night, it won’t be about how they got there. The lasting memory will be that they got a win.

“It’ll be something I remember,” Trouba said. “Right now, I’m not thinking about it as much. But one day I might look back on it, and it’ll be pretty cool.” 1155444 New York Rangers season, and that is because Lundqvist was on top of his game, carrying the team.

This year, the coach will have to restrain himself. The Rangers added What really will decide how often the Rangers use Henrik Lundqvist some nice pieces in Jacob Trouba, Libor Hajek and Adam Fox on the blue line, but that’s not the same as importing Larry Robinson, Serge Savard and Guy Lapointe out of the 1970s and onto the Blueshirt roster. It is not the volume of games that wore down Lundqvist the last two By Larry Brooks seasons but rather the volume of glorious scoring chances he faced. October 3, 2019 | 3:39pm | Updated If the Rangers are different, surely so will be Lundqvist. Indeed, it is different already.

He has been getting ready for NHL opening nights for 15 years, the last “Hank’s in great shape and has a little bit different mindset from last 14 of them as his team’s starting goaltender. So Henrik Lundqvist year,” Quinn said. “It was a hard year for him. He’s excited. He understands how to go about his training camp business and how to understands what we’re going to be doing moving forward. He’s excited evaluate his preparation. for himself and for our team.”

He said, “I feel really good,” when I asked him before the Rangers’ He also feels “really good.” Thursday night opener against the Jets at the Garden, and then I asked You knew that already. him whether he would ever say he didn’t feel good if that indeed was his self-evaluation.

Lundqvist laughed. New York Post LOADED: 10.04.2019 “I would probably say that ‘I have work to do,’” the King said.

Of course there was the immediate need to know whether he feels he “has work to do.”

Again, he laughed.

“No, I feel really good,” said the goaltender. “I’m happy with where I am physically, technically and mentally. My timing is good. I’m moving well.

“I think the training I did over the summer and the work at training camp with Benny [goaltending coach Benoit Allaire] has put me in good position to start the season. I’m looking forward to getting going, and that’s for myself and the team.”

Only one other goaltender in NHL history has started more consecutive openers for the same team than Lundqvist’s 14. That would be Martin Brodeur, who started 18 straight for the Devils from 1994-95 through 2012-13. The last time Lundqvist took a back(up) seat on opening night came in his rookie 2005-06 season when Kevin Weekes got the assignment from Tom Renney in a shocking 6-3 victory in Philadelphia.

Lundqvist started 50 games that season, the fewest of his career other than the 2012-13 lockout season, when the schedule was cut to 48 games and Lundqvist started 43, and 2014-15, when the King missed seven weeks after getting hit by a shot in the throat and wound up with 46 starts.

There seems to be a fixation on the number of starts the 37-year-old will get this season as if there is a secret formula hidden in David Quinn’s back pocket that contains a predetermined quantity. For even as there will be a concerted effort not to overextend the Swede so that he does not have the same kind of second-half slumps he encountered the last two seasons, Lundqvist’s play will be the determinative factor in the equation.

The opening schedule is a vexing one: The Rangers have three games over the first 17 days of the season. After the opener, the Blueshirts are in Ottawa on Saturday and then don’t play again until the following Saturday, Oct. 12, at home against the Oilers. Then another four days off before a back-to-back at the Garden against the Devils and in DC the following night, Oct. 18.

So keeping the King fresh very early isn’t going to be all that tricky. The question, really, is whether backup Alex Georgiev will get one of the first three games.

“It’s a quirky schedule, for sure,” said Quinn, who in effect will be conducting a mini-camp next week. “I’ve got to make sure [the players] are not sick of me by the third game and I’m not sick of them. Usually you wait until February for that to happen.

“But we’re going to go game-by-game [regarding the goaltending]. I’ve got an idea in my head, but there’s a lot that goes into that.”

Again, fixating on Lundqvist’s final number of starts is silly. Last season he started 52 games, but that included six of the first seven, 13 of the first 16 and 25 of the first 32. Quinn kept going back to him the same way that Alain Vigneault kept going back to him at the start of the previous 1155445 New York Rangers in one-on-one battles. Ryan Lindgren outplayed Libor Hajek through camp, but it was the latter who got the spot. Marc Staal, miscast as a first-pair shutdown guy last year, will open with DeAngelo while Hajek and Fox comprise the third pair. NHL preview: Rangers hoping for quicker rebuild after busy offseason Goaltending

Henrik Lundqvist, who has been the face of the franchise longer than any By Larry Brooks player in Rangers history that dates back to 1926, is coming off an excellent camp and seems primed for a fast start. The team will need a October 3, 2019 | 7:31am fast start from the King — the kind he provided last year — but also a fast finish. To that end, Alex Georgiev will play more often early in the year. Each will have to earn his starts in what must be a merit system. If Igor Construction tends not to be a glamorous business, but you couldn’t tell Shesterkin’s work in Hartford demands a recall, the organization will deal that by all of the hoopla generated by the glitzy moves the Rangers made with the implications at that time. this offseason by — repeat after me — adding Artemi Panarin via free agency, Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox via trades and selecting Kaapo Coaching Kakko second-overall in the draft. David Quinn caught everyone’s attention last year in revitalizing the So there is more talent. That is undeniable. And there is excitement on team’s work ethic and commitment to details. Having established that top of intrigue, even if some of both might have been temporarily baseline, which was no small trick, the second-year coach’s command mitigated by management’s astute recognition that young blue chippers and implementation of X’s and O’s and his ability to adapt will be under Filip Chytil and Vitali Kravtsov would both be better served by starting the inspection this time around. year in Hartford. Most important offensive player That decision is reflective of the rebuild process through which the Artemi Panarin brings a rare level of talent to the mix, but if the Rangers foundation is laid one brick at a time. Except, of course, we’re talking are going to compete in a meaningful way, Chris Kreider has the about hockey players, not bricks. And hockey players tend to develop on responsibility of propelling the second line. their own timetable. The organization’s responsibility is to put players into positions where they have the most chance of achieving sustainable Most important defensive player success. Let’s put it this way. The Rangers are sunk if the Brady Skjei-Jacob And this is what the Rangers have done through preseason, without Trouba first pair equates to a sunk cost, but if Tony DeAngelo can worry about perception from the outside. The team has bulked up and maintain his poise, the team could have a special talent coming out of the has added top-end pieces in the right places, but there are still significant back end. questions relating to their depth chart down the middle and their capacity without the puck and in the defensive zone. Most important rookie

There will be good times this year, but also bad. The Rangers won’t have The Finnish guy they took second-overall. Name’s Kakko. one without the other. Key coaching decision Offense The second-line center spot will be a focus, but more generally, how No offense (well) to Ryan Strome, but it doesn’t necessarily bode all that much responsibility will the coach be comfortably able to give the kids … well for a place-holder to command the second-line slot in the middle and that’s before presumed recalls of Filip Chytil and Vitali Kravtsov, if between Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko. The Rangers are going to not Ryan Lindgren and maybe the injured Yegor Rykov. require Kreider to be a consistent presence. The first-line Artemi Panarin- Prediction Mika Zibanejad combo should be dynamic and deadly, with Pavel Buchnevich reaping the rewards of getting the first shot at playing right The Rangers will compete. There should be stretches in which they look wing on the top unit. If No. 89 wavers, the team won’t hesitate to promote like a conceivable playoff challenger. But the team is scary thin down the Kakko. middle and questionable on the blue line. The Blueshirts will be an intriguing watch, but may well take a step back in the season point total The third and fourth units seem to be a mix of fairly interchangeable blue- while primed to take at least two steps forward in 2020-21. collar parts, but the Rangers will be making a mistake if Brendan Lemieux is chopped down to fourth-line minutes. And it’s going to be a fight for ice time for the fourth-line center, which isn’t exactly optimal for either Lias Andersson or Brett Howden. New York Post LOADED: 10.04.2019

The organization for years has had this odd obsession with having a fourth-line puncher on the roster. Hence, Micheal Haley, but why, when Brendan (Motor City Smitty) Smith brings that kind of presence and mentality to the fray? The Rangers have cited Islanders shenanigans in Saturday’s final preseason game as at least a partial explanation for the decision to sign/keep Haley … except that Haley was in the lineup in Bridgeport with Lemieux and with Smith and he proved no deterrent.

The first power-play unit that will open with Zibanejad-Panarin-Kreider- Kakko-Jacob Trouba should be a weapon, but the team and players themselves are going to have to work out the defined roles for Zibanejad and Panarin, both of whom are lethal letting it fly from their off wing at the left circle. And Trouba’s spot is not sacrosanct if second power-play unit point-men Tony DeAngelo and Adam Fox push up.

Defense

There is more one-through-six talent here, but at the same time so much uncertainty that it could still be a dog’s breakfast on the blue line. Trouba brings a first-pair mentality with him from Winnipeg, but No. 8 will confront as many challenges as opportunities as an $8 million signee in the spotlight. And Brady Skjei, coming off a pair of disappointing seasons following his NHL All-Rookie 2016-17, will need to pick up his game in order to keep his spot on Trouba’s left. DeAngelo and Fox are prime, mobile, puck-movers, but both will have challenges in their own end and 1155446 New York Rangers Said Zibanejad, “I wanted him to pass it back to me.’’

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 10.04.2019 Brett Howden scores late to lift Rangers over Jets in high-scoring season opener

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinASteph

Updated October 4, 2019 2:18 AM

With all the hype surrounding the big-name additions to the Rangers’ roster over the summer, a third-line grinder got the Blueshirts’ biggest goal in their season opener on Thursday night.

Newcomers Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba scored in their Rangers debuts, with Trouba doing it against his former team. But it was third-line center Brett Howden who scored the winning goal, as he drove the net and converted the rebound of Jesper Fast’s shot to break a tie with 4:09 remaining in regulation.

Brendan Smith, who played as a forward on the fourth line and as a defenseman on the penalty kill, then iced the game with an empty-net goal with 16.1 seconds remaining as the Rangers earned a 6-4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at Madison Square Garden.

It had to be a meaningful goal for Howden, who is from the Winnipeg suburb of Oakbank, Manitoba, about 15 minutes away from Winnipeg.

“It’s certainly nice to get your first goal out of the way in your first game when you play for a new team,’’ coach David Quinn said. “So it’ll take a little bit of a load off them. But listen, it certainly wasn’t a Picasso out there. But we found a way to win, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.’’

Henrik Lundqvist, beginning his 15th season with the team and making his 14th consecutive opening night start, recorded 43 saves to earn career victory No. 450, though he wasn’t all that excited about the milestone.

“I don’t know. First win of the season, that’s what it means to me right now,’’ a smiling Lundqvist said when asked about No. 450. “And it feels really good.’’

The Rangers, who had led three times in the game, fell behind 4-3 on a power-play goal by Kyle Connor at 2:41 of the third period.

Mika Zibanejad tied it at 4 with a breakaway backhander at 5:04. Trouba picked up an assist.

Panarin, who drew some of the loudest cheers during the pregame introductions, scored his first goal as a Ranger on a power play to give the Blueshirts a 2-1 lead 27 seconds into the second period. But before the Garden crowd had stopped cheering, Winnipeg tied it on the first of two goals by Blake Wheeler, who finished a two-on-one pass from Nikolaj Ehlers 30 seconds after Panarin’s goal.

Trouba — who was traded by the Jets to the Rangers in June for Neal Pionk and a return of their own first-round pick (dealt to the Rangers in the Kevin Hayes trade in February) — blasted a shot from the point, through a screen, off the crossbar and past Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead at 6:03, five seconds after a Rangers power play had expired.

“I don’t usually get too emotional over goals, but I was pretty excited after that one,’’ Trouba said. “It was nice to see it go in. The place was buzzing, it was rocking. It was a nice first game.’’

Wheeler again dumped water all over the Rangers’ celebration, scoring on the next shift to tie it at 3-3 at 6:12, beating Lundqvist with a wrist shot.

Marc Staal was the unlikely scorer of the Rangers’ first goal of the season, getting in deep on the left wing and taking a return pass from Zibanejad (goal, two assists, plus-4) and going behind the net before scoring on a wraparound at 11:35 of the first period.

Zibanejad grinned when he was asked if he expected Staal to try a wraparound shot. 1155447 New York Rangers

Jericho's Adam Fox lives out dream in his first game with Rangers

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinASteph

Updated October 4, 2019 2:20 AM

Rookie defenseman Adam Fox, a lifelong Rangers fan from Jericho, had acknowledged that yes, it would be an unbelievable feeling to play his first NHL game in the Blueshirts’ uniform Thursday night.

“Yeah, it’s just a dream come true,’’ Fox had said Wednesday. “I’m trying not to overthink anything. I kind of have to treat it like it’s just another hockey game. Obviously, it’s not, but once the game gets going, I feel like I’ll get into it pretty quickly.’’

Things almost got off to a nightmare start for Fox and his defense partner, fellow 21-year-old rookie Libor Hajek. On the pair’s first shift, Hajek failed to handle Fox’s cross-ice pass and the puck bounced into the slot, with Jets forward Mason Appleton charging after it. Both Fox and Hajek scrambled to the middle to cut off Appleton and the three players crashed into goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, knocking the net off its supports.

Coach David Quinn said Fox did look nervous at the start of the game. “But I thought he got better and better as the game went on, and listen, a kid from New York, a season ticket-holder his whole life, I can’t even imagine what was going through his mind when this game started,’’ Quinn said. “It’s an exciting night, probably more so for the Fox family, more than any player on our team, but I thought he settled in as the night went on.’’

Fox’s dad, Bruce — who stayed away from his son’s first preseason game at the Garden — was in the stands along with his mom, Tammy, and a total of about 20 family and friends, according to Fox. He played 14 shifts for a total of 12:24, was not on the ice for any goals and was credited with one blocked shot.

Why no captain?

Quinn was asked why the Rangers chose not to name a captain for the second straight season. “We just feel we’re in the best position right now to go with the four assistants [Mika Zibanejad, Marc Staal, Chris Kreider and Jesper Fast],’’ Quinn said. “We’re very comfortable with where we’re at with our leadership.’’ . . . Forwards Greg McKegg and Micheal Haley were the two scratches as Quinn opted to dress swingman Brendan Smith at right wing on a fourth line with Lias Andersson and Brendan Lemieux. Smith, a defenseman by trade, played defense on the penalty kill . . . Andersson wiped out when he skated onto the ice during player introductions before the game.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155448 New York Rangers 1) Stealing from reader Joseph P., I’m calling it Bread and Butter. Because the Breadman, Panarin, might be something special paired with Mika Zibanejad, who leaped out of the gate with a superb game, just as he had so many times in becoming a legit No. 1 center last season. Rangers’ new offensive skill — hello, Artemi Panarin — covers up the Zibanejad did everything everywhere, including, I believe, blocking a late rough spots in an opening victory shot that had him limping later. He had a huge tying goal in the third and a couple of assists, was plus-4 (I know, useless stat) being on the ice for

five of the six Rangers goals and none against; had seven shots on goal, By Rick Carpiniello three takeaways, two blocks. He even looks faster, and I’ve noticed in practice that having Panarin on his flank seems to push him to be even Oct 3, 2019 better, even more competitive.

2) Daily Bread: Panarin had a goal and an assist, and man, he’s a real player with not only elite skating and shot and puck skills but also a great NEW YORK — Having legit offensive skill is like having a tub of L’Oréal stick and anticipation to break up plays and to get pucks back. A lot of Paris. It can cover up a lot of blemishes. the top offensive guys don’t do those other things. “The game was The Rangers have some of that now. Maybe not enough to cover all the intense and a little bit all over the place,” he said through an interpreter. blemishes all the time, but more than lipstick on a pig. “It was the first game and this is normal, so it’s only going to be better from here.” And, yeah, I know that’s a pretty tortured metaphor, but the Rangers played a pretty tortured game Thursday against Winnipeg. For openers, I asked him whether he was nervous, and he smiled and in English said, with all their new skilled additions, a 6-4 victory hardly went the way it “Not too much, but not relaxed, too.” was drawn up. “It’s so important for the superstars to be good people,” Quinn said Actually, some of it couldn’t have been imagined — such as Marc Staal about Panarin. “If people love him now, they’re going to love him a lot scoring the season’s first goal, and Brett Howden scoring the winner late more when they get to know him. This isn’t a guy with just elite talent. in the third. This is a guy who cares about winning, who cares about his teammates, he’s a great teammate, he’s got a great work ethic, and he loves to be The skill? Yeah, it was on display with Artemi Panarin scoring his first coached. When you add all that up, he’s a joy to be around, I’ll tell you goal as a Ranger and Jacob Trouba becoming the first defenseman to that. He’s a joy to watch.” ever score three points (a goal, two assists) in his Rangers debut, and some really good stuff from Kaapo Kakko (and, to be fair, what looked 3) Kakko-Meter: For an 18-year-old making his NHL debut, pretty like a bundle of nerves for Adam Fox, among a few other youngsters). impressive. Kaapo Kakko didn’t get on the scoresheet, but man, he was pretty good against a heavy NHL team. I was going to sum it up, but “It certainly wasn’t a Picasso out there,” Rangers coach David Quinn Quinn did it better: said, looking a bit exhausted. “He looks pretty stoic,” Quinn said. “He doesn’t show a lot of emotion. I “I don’t know if it was nerves or whatnot, we weren’t ready for that pace. don’t think he gets nervous, to be honest with you, in the short time I’ve A couple of times we’d have it and they were able to pick our pocket. We been around him. were slow to second pucks. I want to chalk it up to nerves in a lot of ways because we had a lot of guys starting their Rangers debuts. You could “The one thing I think about him, and again, I’ve only been around him for sense it.” a little less than a month, but I don’t think he’s going to have many bad nights. He might not have a great night, but he’s not going to have a bad Which is fair. The Rangers were also playing a pretty fair team — one night. Right away, that makes you a pro. It’s one of the things we talk that suffered some losses, including Trouba, on the back end, but one about — it’s not so much how good’s your good. It’s how bad’s your bad. that is legit up front. And one of the things about him is I don’t think he’s going to have many “Making the good first pass and getting the puck out of the zone right bad nights, if any. A game might end and you might think, ‘Ah, Kaapo away, that’s something that will solve a lot of your problems — getting was OK.’ And that will be his bad night. And if that’s the case, he’s going pinned in your D-zone,” Trouba said. “Obviously, we got stuck down to have a hell of a career.” there too much tonight, so that’s something we’ll clean up.” 4) Before I forget, the MSG crowd was as good as it’s been in a while. Lessons are going to be a nightly thing with this team. It’s not a team built Really loud during intros, and into it during the game, like the old days. to shut down opponents. And its goalies will have to be, at times, Speaking of intros, Lias Andersson provided the highlight, wiping out spectacular. Henrik Lundqvist, at times, was that. At times, he wasn’t. But when he tripped over a camera cord. The fans, as usual, gave special he stopped 43 of 47 shots and did enough to win the game, especially in applause to longtime equipment man Cass Marques, medical trainer Jim the end. Ramsay and goalie guru Benoit Allaire. They love those guys.

You look at his face after this one, his 450th career victory, and well, it’s “I thought the atmosphere was awesome,” said Lundqvist. “I don’t think it different from last year, when he closed with six frustrating losses in a was this loud here last year. Maybe (the fans) can feel something as well. row, went 1-8-2 in his last 11 and 2-11-3 in his last 16. Yikes. This is a We feel extra energy going into camp, and I think we’re excited to see future Hall of Famer, a jersey-to-the-rafters goalie. Just a couple of days some of the new guys on the team and what we can do here. But we’re ago, asked about his tough second half last year, he simply asked back, going to need them all year, to have that kind of support. It’s a lot of fun “Was it the same team in the second half?” to play when you feel that.”

No, it wasn’t. Now he has a chance to not be perfect and maybe get 5) Fox and Libor Hajek had a moment early on, when Fox’s cross-ice some W’s. pass was too hard and in Hajek’s skates, and caromed hard off the end boards directly to the slot. The two defenders scrambled and wound up “That game could have gone either way,” he said. “There were chances going like bowling pins, with Nikolaj Ehlers into Lundqvist and all together at the end there in the third. But in the end, we came through and it starts into the net. with believing you can do it and putting that pressure on the group. 6) So, who had Staal in the first-goal-of-the-season pool? Looking like “Having a player like Trouba and Panarin, and there’s a lot of guys here Stephane Matteau, only at the other end of the rink, Staal was in deep now to take another step who’ve been here for a while. It’s an important with Zibanejad, took a return pass from Zibanejad and with a step on win.” Anthony Bitetto, Staal sped (sped?) around the net for a wraparound between the pads of Connor Hellebuyck (looking like Martin Brodeur), off So the Rangers go to Ottawa for Game 2 on Saturday, then hit the most the goalie’s right leg and into the net. 1-0. This after the Rangers had a absurd of schedules, with one game in 12 days. Better, under those relatively slow start and had to kill two Ryan Strome penalties. circumstances, to get a win early, to get all the debuts out of the way, and a lot of the firsts, with a first win. 7) My Great-Aunt Tillie Could Have Scored (sponsored again by reader Anthony D., but we’re still awaiting the check from last year): Late in the Thoughts first, Brady Skjei went to a knee to block a pass that never came, giving Ehlers a chance to step behind the net uncontested and center to Mark Scheifele, who was unchecked by Andersson.

8) To continue the Matteau, Matteau, Matteau storyline, Trouba iced the puck on the power play with 7.7 seconds left in the first. That after he snapped his stick on a point shot attempt. So the power play carried into the second, and it didn’t take long. Zibanejad’s shot clanged off Hellebuyck’s mask. He had no idea where it was. Pavel Buchnevich hit Kyle Connor, knocking the stick out of his hands, and allowing the puck to slide to Panarin, who ripped it home for his first. 2-1 at :27.

9) The elation lasted just 30 seconds. A two-on-two with Ehlers bearing down on Tony DeAngelo, and a pass across to Blake Wheeler, in behind Staal for a tap past Lundqvist. 2-2. The outlet, by the way, came from Ville Heinola, the 18-year-old whom Winnipeg selected with the first- round pick the Rangers traded back to the Jets for Trouba. More trouble nearly followed when Staal turned it over to Patrik Laine, who found Scheifele all alone in front. Lundqvist bailed out his teammates that time.

10) As a Jets penalty — for too many men, a penalty at which the Rangers excelled early last season — expired, Panarin kept a puck alive at the left point, and Trouba got it back from Chris Kreider and blasted one past Hellebuyck. 3-2. Again, it lasted seconds. Nine seconds this time. Wheeler, against Trouba and Skjei, beat Lundqvist with a wrister. Very good shot. Not a good goal. 3-3.

“It definitely bothered me that they responded so quickly two times in a row,” Lundqvist said. “The third one, I was just ahead of the play. It looked like he was going to pass it, and I was kind of organizing my feet, or getting ready for a pass, and he shot it and I was just too slow. After that, I felt, ‘OK, we’ll start over a little bit.’ … Intense game. A lot of chances right in front, so a good first test. I’m happy with the way I had to battle and the team had to battle, and we’re off to a good start.”

11) Classic Rangers at the end of the second, in which they were badly outplayed at even strength. Hellebucyk lost his stick, and the Rangers had the puck in the offensive zone for 20 to 30 seconds and didn’t get a shot, including Buchnevich, with the puck in the slot, choosing to pass it to the flank to nobody. They also had to kill a completely unnecessary penalty Brendan Lemieux took for throwing a punch right in front of both refs after a whistle.

12) Skjei flipped one over the glass for a penalty early in the third, and Kyle Connor tipped Josh Morrissey’s wrister past Lundqvist. 4-3. This time, the Rangers answered, with Zibanejad, off a steal by Hajek and a pass from Trouba, breaking in past Morrissey to put a backhander off Hellebucyk and in. 4-4.

13) With just over four minutes left, Howden won a faceoff with help from Jesper Fast. Skjei got it back to Fast for a shot, and Howden crashed the net to score on the rebound. 5-4.

“It’s the way we’re going to have to score goals, the way we’re going to have to play,” Quinn said. “We didn’t do enough of it tonight. It’s good to see us get a goal in that fashion from somebody other than our top line. … We didn’t do that a lot tonight, but we did it at the right time.”

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155449 New York Rangers July 1, said. “At the rink, I’m all about working hard and having fun and winning. Away from the ice, you know, I’m easy. I just need a couch and a TV, and I’m fine. But outside of my house, I could be a little distracted and … forget things.” Minnesota Mats: Funny and focused, Zuccarello begins his new life with Wild Hey, it’s hard to blame Zuccarello for being a little overwhelmed during his first year in the NHL.

Never imagining he had a chance to play in the world’s most talented Michael Russo hockey league, the undrafted, 5-foot-7 pass-first playmaker went to Vancouver in the winter of 2010 and was discovered while wearing the Oct 3, 2019 red, white and blue Norwegian sweater in the Olympics. With his full name, ZUCCARELLO AASEN, on the nameplate, the crafty yet undersized winger opened the eyes of Rangers head honcho Glen Henrik Lundqvist had just sung Mats Zuccarello’s praises for 15 minutes. Sather and scouts Gordie Clark and Anders Hedberg by flashing some of the special skill he has since become so known for. He talked about how Zuccarello’s everything you want in a teammate, saying the way he works, the way he competes, the way he trains, the The three men kept an eye on Zuccarello when he returned to his way he keeps things loose in the room during tough times, “the way he professional team, MODO, in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. He ended up can make big plays at the right time and be the difference in games leading the Swedish Elite League with 64 points, was selected as the sends the right signals to young guys about how you need to play the league’s MVP and the Rangers came calling with a free-agent contract in game.” May.

He talked about how Zuccarello’s everything you want in a human being, Next thing Zuccarello knew, he was moving across the Atlantic from a saying his heart, his humility, his sense of humor, his genuine desire to small country where hockey’s not exactly a household thing and with a give back, especially to his native Norway, “is the perfect influence any population 3 1/2 million less than his new dwelling, New York City. team would want inside a locker room.” “I went to Sweden when I was 20, spent two years with MODO, had a “I obviously wish to have him still here in New York, but I definitely think great time, and they were unbelievable to me,” Zuccarello said. “It was the fans in Minnesota will appreciate the type of player he is and his the first time I really got interest for something bigger or something bigger personality,” Lundqvist, during a recent phone interview with The Athletic, got any interest in me. I mean, I’m not kidding, I didn’t have a goal to play said of his longtime former New York Rangers teammate and the Wild’s over here. My dream was to play in Sweden, and to me, I made it. I made newest big free-agent pickup. it!

But after saying all these nice things, the future Hall of Fame goaltender “The NHL was too far away to even think about. You know, I wasn’t the couldn’t stomach hanging up the phone without giving Zuccarello at least tallest guy or the biggest guy. The only thing I knew about the NHL was a little crap. 30 minutes of highlights a week that I got to watch in Sweden and my 2001 Avalanche video. You always dream, but there was no chance that Maybe it was years of having to tolerate Zuccarello’s “in-your-face stuff in I had a goal or a belief that I was going to be here.” practice that got really annoying.” Or, maybe it was just the fact that Zuccarello is one of his closest friends and he misses needling him on an Mats Zuccarello everyday basis, but what says friendship more than a little ribbing between pals? That ’01 Avalanche Stanley Cup-winning VHS highlight tape, something he found at a store as a kid and begged his mother, Anita, to buy for him, “When it comes to hockey, Mats is very focused and he knows what’s is something he guesses he has watched a couple thousand times. He up,” Lundqvist said, clearly setting up the punchline. “But outside of can describe every play during the Avs’ Cup run and knows every word hockey, let’s just say, sometimes it’s not as much structure with Mats and uttered in an interview on that tape by an Avs player or coach by heart. he’s a little bit … all over the place. You might want to ask him about one of his first trips out West when he did the old scramble to get on the He can verbatim repeat every single thing the announcers said, too. plane and, you’re not going to believe this, he managed to forget He loved Hall of Famers Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg. He was such an everything. I’m not kidding. He left everything — I mean, every single Avs fanatic, even now at age 32, Zuccarello was so awestruck last month thing — in San Jose.” by Iowa Wild assistant coach Alex Tanguay during training camp, he So following instructions, in the first of a half-dozen interviews with didn’t want to go up to Tanguay and tell him how big a fan he was of him Zuccarello during training camp, we opened with, “So, what’s this story out of respect. about you forgetting your entire life in San Jose?” They briefly met, but that was it. Zuccarello’s eyes opened wide, he gave an incredulous smirk and “You know, he’s new. I’m new. I don’t want to bother him,” Zuccarello rubbed his forehead: “Who told you that?” said of Tanguay, who scored two goals, including the game-winner, in “We can’t reveal our sources.” Game 7 of that 2001 Stanley Cup Final.

“That was a long, long time ago,” Zuccarello said, laughing at the 2011 “Peter Forsberg was my hero, and I got to play with him in MODO when I incident. “I tried to forget about this. It was one of my first road trips. We signed there, so that was pretty cool,” Zuccarello said. “But that’s all I played the Sharks, I got myself on the plane and I look for my phone, I wanted — to play in Sweden and nothing more. But then Glen Sather look for my wallet, I look for my bag, and I don’t have anything. Nothing. called me, and that’s when things kind of got real.” Everything was still in my hotel room. I didn’t say a word all the way from Zuccarello was basically signed as a fourth-liner and shootout specialist. California to New York. When we landed, I kind of quietly went to the His first two seasons in the NHL, he played 52 games for the Rangers manager and told him, ‘I need your help. I left everything I own in San and 73 games in the AHL for the Connecticut Whale in Hartford. Jose.’ “Torts was there,” Zuccarello said of the hard-nosed John Tortorella, “and “He looked at me like, ‘What the … ?! We had to make a bunch of calls to I was young, small and wasn’t experienced at that level. I was probably a get my stuff back.” little bit nervous. Actually, I was a lot nervous. I’m watching guys like “Wallet, passport, everything. He even left his suits!” Lundqvist said. “And Marian Gaborik fly by people and score these incredible goals, and I at that point, too, he didn’t have that many suits because he was like a didn’t feel I belonged. I also didn’t want to stick out or do anything. I 23-year-old rookie.” wasn’t like, ‘Here I am,’ like an ego-first kind of guy. So, it took me some time to get used to it and I wanted to go home. It was a fast game, and I Focused, committed and uber-talented on the ice. was all nervous in the beginning. But I stayed.”

Completely scatterbrained off the ice is how Lundqvist described his But in 2012, the NHL lockout came and Zuccarello was unsigned buddy. anyway. “Yeah. That’s pretty much me,” Zuccarello, who will make his Wild debut Thursday night in Nashville after signing a five-year, $30 million contract He signed to play with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL and when the is “because I don’t score that many in games.” He is constantly picking NHL lockout ended, Zuccarello remained in Russia and didn’t plan to and prodding and saying he’s not playing well enough. He said the ever return to the NHL. reason Parise didn’t score in the preseason is because “I need to help him a lot more than I am.” His coach was Paul Maurice, the longtime NHL coach who currently coaches the Winnipeg Jets. “In Norway, there might be one rink in the summer that actually has ice, so I don’t start skating in the offseason ‘til Aug. 1 and it always takes me “I remember walking into the room and thinking, ‘What are you doing until about now in training camp to start feeling good,” Zuccarello said. here?’” Maurice said. “I mean, there’s a lockout, but this guy’s an NHL player, and that became more true as the year went on and the NHL Skjei says don’t let Zuccarello fool you. started back up again.” “He’s so humble,” Skjei said, “but I would say he’s one of the top-five Mats Zuccarello guys that I’ve seen on the ice from a hockey sense and skill-wise standpoint. For how small he is, he never really gets hit. It’s really Zuccarello and Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist were close in New York. impressive. He makes plays that are impossible to make for most guys. “I definitely think the fans in Minnesota will appreciate the type of player He’s just that good.” he is and his personality,” Lundqvist says. (Brad Penner / USA Today) And, he’s quick, Maurice said. “Study and watch his game, he sprints at One of the behind-the-curtain things that fans rarely get to see is how absolutely the right time. How he moves, he’s an incredibly efficient pumped up NHL players get when they line up and take the ice for thinker of the game. He moves in full sprints and bursts with that long warmups or the game. They fire each other up with all sorts of weird stick. He just kind of is like a quick-strike guy. But he’s had to be very, sayings and sounds and inside jokes and smacks on the pads and rear- very smart to survive the National League game at his size, right? So ends. he’s maximized his talents completely in a game.”

Apparently, that’s not really a tradition in Russia. Maurice said all this, by the way, three hours before Zuccarello used that “It might have been our first home game,” Maurice said, laughing. “I’m unusually long, 60-or-so-inch stick to force overtime with a one-timer with standing out in the hallway and the players are going out to the ice and 90 seconds left in regulation during an exhibition game against the Jets Mats comes out into the hallway and he’s trying to high-five guys on the five days ago. way out to the ice. He’s not the biggest guy, but nobody there knew what So, in late March 2012, the Rangers came calling again because they the heck he was doing. He’s the only excited guy that the game’s going needed an infusion of offense for the playoffs. Zuccarello decided to to start. And I thought, ‘OK, I’m in a different culture here now.’ These leave Russia and re-signed with the Rangers during the tail end of the guys here are bringing out their lunch pails and Mats is going out to a lockout-shortened season and the rest is history. party, you know? Seven years later, the only Norwegian currently on an NHL roster and “That’s my biggest memory of coaching him. His personality, his love of only the eighth to play an NHL game in history has played 511 NHL the game, the enjoyment of playing and the enjoyment of the people in games and has recorded more goals (114), assists (241) and points the locker room. And it was the same thing when I coached him (with (355) than any Norwegian ever. Team Europe) in the World Cup. We had a lot of great European stars in there, but by the end of the tournament, he’s the center of the room. “Wild fans are going to love this guy,” Lundqvist said. Everybody wants to hang out with him. He’s telling all the jokes. He’s got this great joy of life.” There’s just a special bond between Lundqvist and Zuccarello.

Apparently, that is just him. That was obvious last season when Lundqvist broke down on camera when asked about Zuccarello after he was traded to the Dallas Stars. Recently, when asked what Zuccarello’s personality was like, Wild Coincidentally, his final game in a Rangers sweater came Feb. 21 during linemate Zach Parise just started laughing … for about 10 seconds. a loss to the Wild.

“He’s hilarious,” Parise said, still roaring. “He was pretty quiet the first Not only are they close friends, but Lundqvist and Zuccarello do many couple days when guys were feeling him out and getting to know him a charitable endeavors together, highlighted by an outdoor game they little bit. But he’s pretty sarcastic and funny. I heard from other guys that hosted in front of 20,000 fans at a soccer stadium in August 2018 in played with him in New York, everyone was saying, ‘You’ll love this guy. Zuccarello’s hometown of Oslo, Norway. You’ll love this guy.’ He’s got a great sense of humor.” “It was close to an All-Star Game,” said Lundqvist. “He’s just a guy that he’s kind of the life of the party,” Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei, the Lakeville native and former Gopher, said. Lundqvist and Zuccarello brought in more than two dozen players, from “The guy can just hang out with anyone and fit in with any crowd.” Peter Forsberg and Daniel Alfredsson, to players like Zdeno Chara, Ryan McDonagh, Victor Hedman, Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Nino Playing for Maurice in the KHL reinvigorated Zuccarello. He said Niederreiter, Kevin Fiala, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, John Klingberg and truthfully, he wasn’t playing good hockey, but he had so much fun William Karlsson. training and practicing and rediscovering his love of the sport. It also helped that he got to play with Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin Lundqvist’s team won 10-7. Zuccarello scored four times, though, and during the NHL lockout portion of the KHL season. the proceeds benefitted each of their foundations, plus Right To Play, an international humanitarian organization that attempts to teach children in He was so mesmerized by Malkin, Zuccarello would often miss his turn in need with educational games. practice drills because he was just watching the Russian center. Zuccarello became an ambassador for the organization during his early “He was so skilled,” Zuccarello said. “Even though he’s one year older days in New York. than me, I played against him in the Under-18s in Belarus and followed him ever since. I followed his every footstep of whatever he does and “It was a big project with sponsors and everything, and we got the rink highlights and watching games. So it was cool for me to be on the same shipped in from Germany,” Lundqvist said. “We were so happy with the team as him. I tried to just learn and look at what he did and I mean way things turned out, with the number of players who showed up and obviously I’m not even close to being able to do that, but it was fun to how many fans came. The weather was good, the ice was good, so it see. was a great day.

“I like to pick up stuff and sometimes study other players because you “Mats is the most popular athlete in Norway by far, so he does a good job can always improve and get better every day.” giving back and remembering where he came from.”

One thing you’ll learn during Zuccarello’s time with the Wild is he’s a very That was obvious the first day of Wild training camp when he hosted self-deprecating athlete. It almost seems he’s never, ever satisfied with teenagers from his old high school — NTG, in Lillehammer — at TRIA his own play. Rink.

After a three-point night in a preseason game last month, he called his “It was fun to bring them here,” Zuccarello said. “It’s an honor to be able play, “terrible.” He says the only reason he used to talk smack so much to play in this league so long. I’m trying to do my best to be a good and celebrate every one of the goals he scored on Lundqvist in practice ambassador for hockey back home and get the sport a little bit more popular. A lot of people follow me. So for me to be an ambassador for “There are so many Norwegians in Minnesota. I told him he’s going to Norway, it’s an honor.” love it there and that obviously Minnesota’s going to love him. He’s in good hands.” But one of his biggest passions is Right To Play. The organization is global, but Zuccarello tries to help children in Africa. He has been to Mats Zuccarello Tanzania twice, the last time coming last year, “and you get to play with the kids and see what the money that you raised goes to. It goes to “I’ve kind of learned to always be ready with him because he fakes me schools and education and stuff like that and you just visit all the schools out sometimes with a great pass,” Zach Parise says of Zuccarello. that are run on the Right To Play program. It means a ton.” “Whoever plays with him is going to benefit a lot.” (Brad Rempel / USA Today) After nine seasons on Broadway, after a couple months in Dallas, Zuccarello has arrived in the State of Hockey ready to get going. It was a Zuccarello hopes his personality will shine. tough season for him last year knowing he would eventually be on his “I try to keep things loose,” he said. “The game is so serious. Everyone, way out of the only NHL city he had ever known. you’re under constant pressure from everyone. You want to do well for “It was real sad,” he said. “And you’re mad at everyone and you felt I was fans, your teammates. So I think sometimes in practice, you’ve got to going to be loyal to New York and play there forever and then you get the keep it loose. You can’t forget why we’re here and that’s because we feeling that they don’t want you anymore. And you’re just super sad and love playing hockey. Come game time, I’m always focused and want to angry. Then after a while, you realize this is a good thing. You don’t want play my best. But at the same time, this is supposed to be fun. That’s to play for someone who doesn’t want you, first of all. And then second of what it’s about.” all, it’s always good to get a change. But hockey players are His goal is to help the Wild get into the playoffs. professionals, but we’re human beings, too, and we have feelings and emotions, and I was angry a lot of last year until I realized it was kind of After trading Mikael Granlund to Thursday’s opponent, the Predators, last out of my control, that they were going to trade me and just try to have season, the Wild were in the need of a player like Zuccarello who has the fun while it lasted.” innate ability to put pucks on a tee for his teammates. Last week in a game in Dallas, Zuccarello figured that the easiest route to get a puck to Zuccarello scored in his Stars debut, then broke his arm in the same Jason Zucker was a bank pass off the end wall. Zucker hit the post for game. He returned for the playoffs and scored 11 points in 13 games. what would have been one heck of a dazzling goal.

Mats Zuccarello “He wants to set you up for a good opportunity, so you’ve got to be ready In his short time in Dallas, Zuccarello still made an impression. He tallied all over the ice,” Parise said. “In the scrimmages and the practices, there 11 points in 13 playoff games as the Stars pushed the eventual- were some times I’d almost be getting lazy assuming he was going to champion Blues to seven games in the second round. (Jerome Miron / shoot and next thing I know it’s in my wheelhouse. So I’ve kind of learned USA Today) to always be ready with him because he fakes me out sometimes with a great pass. I’ll get more and more used to that and be aware. Signed as a free agent by former Wild GM Paul Fenton, the way Fenton described Zuccarello after the signing went viral. “Playing with Granny, he kind of knew that I’d be going to the net at all times and he was so good and feathering those passes. You see a lot of Fenton said, “It’s kind of a strange thing, but I told him that he’s like a that in Zuccarello too. Whoever plays with him is going to benefit a lot.” lizard, the way a lizard takes his tongue and sticks it as far as it does and retrieves what it was trying to do. When you look at Mats, he’s not the Still, this won’t be easy. tallest in stature, but he uses an incredibly long stick and he reaches into After being in New York his entire NHL career, Zuccarello now comes piles and comes out with things. He’s so natural, fluid, smooth. He comes long-term to a different market, a different city, a different conference and out with things and he’s able to make plays.” to a very different team.

People made fun of the analogy, but Zuccarello understood what he Lundqvist, though, says he has nothing to worry about. meant. “I think it was a big, big thing to get traded from New York, but after a “It’s just the way it came out, it was funny,” Zuccarello said. “But in a way pretty emotional, tough time after being traded to Dallas, he put the it got me closer to the boys. The whole team calls me, ‘Lizard,’ now, so Rangers behind him and knew it was time to move on with his hockey it’s fun and almost got me more into the group right away.” career and his life,” Lundqvist said. “I think he’s well prepared for this St. Paul, his new long-term home, is a bit different and less frenetic than new chapter in his career. Like I said, Wild fans will love him. He’s Manhattan. Less people, a tad more laid back. motivated, and he wants to win.”

“Yeah, to a kid from Norway, New York City was a little overwhelming at That’s a good combination for the slippery, crafty lizard. first,” Zuccarello said. “It took some time to get used to, for sure.”

Everything in Zuccarello’s life is new, and he’s still trying to find his way, The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 discover favorite new restaurants, learn the best routes back to his Edina house.

“The GPS takes me a new way every time I go home, so it’s hard to really figure out,” Zuccarello said of the construction-laden roads of the Twin Cities. “Just plug it in, and it takes me a new road every time. It’s hard. But as long as I have my phone, it’s good. Hopefully by the end of the year, I’ll have a road I like to go.”

And after a love affair with New Yorkers, Zuccarello, easily one of the most popular Rangers players in the post-1994 Cup years, hopes to earn the fanfare from Wild diehards.

“Now this is my home and I’m excited to make this a part of my life,” Zuccarello said. “Sometimes you never know what’s going to happen in your life. But sometimes a new challenge, something new in your life is a positive thing, and I think this is one of those things that will be positive.”

The instant he signed with Minnesota, Zuccarello got calls and texts from Minnesotans and former Rangers teammates like McDonagh, Skjei and Derek Stepan.

“I actually FaceTimed him to say he was going to be back with all of his long-lost cousins,” said Skjei, who used to go head-to-head with Zuccarello during some cutthroat card games on the Rangers’ plane. 1155450 New York Rangers it would take to sign Trouba, who was a restricted free agent. He is going to have to earn that kind of dough, but it’s a safe bet he will.

McDonagh, as good as he was – and he was plenty good, logging tons of Jacob Trouba is more focused on his Rangers debut than facing former ice time in all situations – was injury-prone. He wasn’t really a legit Winnipeg teammates to start the season power-play point man either. And he never topped the numbers Trouba put up last season, when the Jets upped his responsibilities and he played all 82 games, with career highs of 42 assists and 50 points.

By Rick Carpiniello “I have more I want to achieve, more than I can achieve, another level of my game I think I can get to,” Trouba said. Oct 3, 2019 He also made it clear when the Rangers got him that it wasn’t all about

him. Trouba’s fiancee Kelly Tyson is pursuing a medical career, having Jacob Trouba has taken the New York City subways – he said it’s like studied in Australia and now living and working in Florida while hoping to going someplace new every time he gets off the train. He’s had NYC get a residency in one of New York’s many hospitals. pizza, but only from two places so far. His dog is adapting to being a big- “Her career is just as important as my career,” Trouba said the day after city pup, though Trouba finds he has to wipe his paws every time they the trade. come home. “It’s not something that’s really talked about, I guess, (by) most athletes. He’s a New Yorker. Sort of. But there are other goals in life that I have. I want to be a husband and a Trouba begins his Rangers career against the team that traded him — father and all of that stuff. Her career’s important and she’s worked the Winnipeg Jets — Thursday night. extremely hard to get where she is and I want to see the best for her as much as she wants to see the best for me. We want to find a way that we And to him, that he’s playing his former team is just a sidebar. can both be successful in our careers, living together and achieving other goals in life outside of our careers. There’s other places that she could do Trouba knows that this is more about the new chapter in his career, as a it. New York is obviously a great place for her, a great place for a lot of key cog on a team looking to take steps forward after tearing down and things. So it was definitely important for me, for both of us, I guess.” rebuilding from the ground up. He added this week: “Now it’s up to her to get a residency here. The Just as the Rangers know how crucial a piece they added when GM Jeff pressure’s on her. It’s been good. She’s here this week. She’s down in Gorton obtained the 25-year-old right-handed defenseman in a trade a Florida most of the year and hopefully next year she’ll be doing half and few days before the entry draft last June. half, doing her rotation stuff for school and then after that hopefully she “(It’s) more the first game of the year, New York,” Trouba said of the has a residency here doing what she wants to do and we’ll be in the significance of the season opener. “Yeah, it’s the Jets. I don’t know how same city and have a life together.” much of an added element that is. It’s a little more fun, I guess, to throw Though New York was a perfect landing spot in that regard, Trouba didn’t in there. But it’s more the first game in a Rangers jersey that you want to have a voice in where he’d be dealt. remember.” “They didn’t really let us talk to any teams, so I didn’t have much control,” The Rangers? They want to remember a whole lot of games with Trouba Trouba said. “I mean, I talked to my agent and we had a couple of teams in their number eight jersey, playing the right side and being the first-pair in mind that I would prefer to go to, but I never expressed to Winnipeg a defenseman that they lacked since trading Ryan McDonagh in their first team I wanted to go to. I honestly don’t know what happened behind the deadline sell-off two seasons ago. scenes that much. But, yeah, I was happy to end up here.” They want Trouba to also be that power-play quarterback they’ve craved He had held out for a contract in 2016, signing in November. He played for all these years – a spot they’ve tried to fill with Wade Redden, Dan big minutes in ’17-18 (not on the power play) with partner Josh Boyle, Keith Yandle and Kevin Shattenkirk, to name a few. Trouba’s got Morrissey, and talked about unfinished business in Winnipeg before the skill and the smarts and mostly the big cannon to be that guy – going to salary arbitration in 2018. His one-year award, worth $5.5 although he could eventually, if not soon, be challenged for that duty by million, made him a likely trade piece. As he played out that contract, righty rookie Adam Fox, 21, another big trade acquisition this past Trouba leaped forward as a player, now playing the power play, too. offseason. The Rangers, meanwhile, had no first-pair defensemen. Trouba eats big even-strength minutes, plays a physical style around his own net and will kill penalties — the Rangers are so sorely lacking a Opportunity knocked for all involved. defenseman to play the right side on the PK that Brendan Smith, as he did late last season, will dress as a forward at times (or a lot) and kill Now he’s in New York, playing on a first pair with long-time friend Brady penalties as a defenseman. Skjei, and easing into his role as a crucial player.

Newcomer Artemi Panarin is more of an established superstar and It seems second-year head coach David Quinn wants to pile on as much newcomer Kaapo Kakko, at 18, has unlimited upside. But the addition of as Trouba can handle. Trouba was as necessary and arguably as important, as any move “The thing that has surprised me, and I knew he was a smart player, is Gorton made over the summer. The age, Gorton said, was “a big part of how smart he is,” Quinn said. “He’s got great vision, he passes the puck it. well. He’s going to help us get out of our end easier. He’s a physical “He’s in the prime of his career, so the opportunity for a player like that to presence as well. He’s a smart hockey player.” become available doesn’t happen all the time. We jumped on it. Quinn has a way, too, of looking at the presence away from the rink, “We coveted him for a while.” where the Rangers have so many young eyes and ears needing to learn and be led. There was a roundabout way for Gorton to get Trouba, a 6-3, 202- pounder and native of Rochester, Mich. “He does have a presence off ice,” Quinn said. “I think when you join a new team there’s kind of a feeling-out process to it, and he’s certainly The Rangers had dealt Kevin Hayes, a pending unrestricted free agent, become more comfortable, it seems, in the last few weeks. You can just to the playoff-bound Jets for a first-round pick and pesky winger Brendan see it. I think as we continue to move forward he’s going to make more of Lemieux at the February deadline. Before the draft, Gorton traded the an impact off the ice.” Jets’ first-rounder back to Winnipeg with Neal Pionk for Trouba. So in essence it was Hayes and Pionk for Trouba and Lemieux. Also known as Like Skjei and Mika Zibanejad and others, Trouba is a young player and, a heist. And Hayes bolted Winnipeg for a seven-year, $50 million at the same time, a veteran among the green kids who fill the roster. contract with Philadelphia. “It’s a good group,” Trouba said. “It’s young and it almost reminds me of What wasn’t a heist for the Rangers, but was a known part of the Winnipeg when I first got there. We had a pretty young group of guys that equation, was the seven-year contract worth an $8 million annual cap hit kind of came up the first few years together. “It’s been a hard training camp. There’s been some good battles for positions. Learning a new system, a new team, new style, it’s been kind of different. I’m used to one thing my whole career, one type of training camp. This one’s a little different, a little more up in speed.”

That his journey begins against Winnipeg is just amusing. But not weird.

“Not really,” Trouba said. “The one that will be weird is Andrew Copp, just because I’ve always played with him. I’ve never actually played against him. We played together since we were 12 years old or something, we’ve been on the same team. So that one will be fun, to finally play against one of my best friends.”

Will Trouba hit Copp?

“Yeah, he’ll hit me too,” he said. “The same goes for all of them.

“It’s not as weird as some people think it is because we had so many hard battles in practices, so it’s not weird for me to battle against these guys. So in that sense it’s almost normal – to go in the corner with them. It’s not weird that I’ve played with them forever and not really battled against them because I have.”

Trouba’s just never done it in a Rangers uniform. He’s never really done anything in a Rangers uniform.

Until now.

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155451 New York Rangers training camp was, and how competitive it was. I certainly don’t think, maybe not even one (reporter) thought it was going to look exactly like this. So it’s always a surprise for you guys. But I thought the guys that are here really earned it. I’m just really excited for that. It’s been ‘It was a long summer, but it’s time to play hockey’: Rangers players competitive and everyone’s really excited about it and we can feel the describe the feelings that come with opening night vibe in here. It’s been a long time without hockey, so it’s going to be fun.”

Kaapo Kakko: “ … it was a long summer, but it’s time to play hockey.”

By Rick Carpiniello Libor Hajek: “… because I made the team. It’s a dream come true. So I’m so happy.” Oct 3, 2019 Coach David Quinn: “… we’ve circled this day since the schedule came

out and have been working towards it and we’re just waiting to drop the New, skilled and young. puck.”

That’s the look the Rangers are sporting as they open their 2019-20 season Thursday at the Garden versus Winnipeg. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 Making their Rangers debuts will be top-six forwards Artemi Panarin and Kaapo Kakko, top-pair defenseman Jacob Trouba and rookie defenseman Adam Fox.

The Rangers’ season-opening roster has an average age of 26.2 years (which includes 37-year-old goalie Henrik Lundqvist), with eight players age 23 or under.

Despite sending Filip Chytil (20) and Vitali Kravtsov (19) to Hartford to start the season, the roster has five players 21 or under in defensemen Fox (21) and Libor Hajek (21) and forwards Kakko (18), Brett Howden (21) and Lias Andersson (20). It is the fifth time in team history they’ve had five 21-or-unders on the team on opening night (also 1942, 1953, 1976 and 1977).

With the infusion of new skill and youth, expectations have arisen for the still rebuilding Rangers.

So we asked some of them to finish the sentence:

“I am pumped for the start of this season because …

Brady Skjei: “… because we have many new players, a lot of excitement in the room and we think we can be a really good team in this league.”

Chris Kreider: “… because I love hockey. What else are you going to do?”

Brendan Lemieux: “… it’s a new season, you know? I’m excited. It’s a new year, a new opportunity, a new city – a full season in New York, my first full year. It should be fun.”

Jesper Fast: “… it’s a young, exciting team, with new skilled players coming in, so I think everyone has a little bounce to their step here. So, yeah, we’re very excited for the season to start.”

Ryan Strome: “… I just think that we have a chance to make the playoffs. I think we have a chance to surprise people. And that’s all you can really ask for, I think. There’s enough older guys here that have played — Quickie (Fast), Kreids, Mika — that have played in the playoffs. I’ve played in the playoffs and that’s what it’s all about. You want to get there and if you look at some of the guys we picked up, there’s no reason why we can’t do that. That’s the exciting part.”

Alexandar Georgiev: “… because you miss hockey in the summer.”

Lias Andersson: “… we have a great team and I’ve been waiting a long time.”

Henrik Lundqvist: “… you want to get out there and get going and prepare to start winning games. It’s been a great camp. In the room here, there’s good energy. Guys are well prepared, been training well. You just look forward to being back. … we do have a lot of skill and it’s a young team, so you definitely see the potential. I like the mix. We have a bunch of players who’ve been around for a while and have a lot of experience as well. I think that mix is going to help us throughout the team. It’s a very committed group. We look ready. So that’s a good sign.”

Brett Howden: “… because it’s been a long summer and we’re all really excited to get going with this new hard-working, highly-skilled team.”

Adam Fox: “… because my dream is to play in the NHL and getting the first year to be able to do it is exciting for me.”

Mika Zibanejad: “ … a lot of reasons. Just the potential of this team. I’m pumped by seeing that the guys have been getting the things that we did last year and the spots that we’ve kind of filled with the guys, and how 1155452 Ottawa Senators a gamble for the Senators, but anything more than a middle-to-late-round draft pick would be too much.

BACK-TO-BACK FOR ANDERSON? Craig Anderson says if he had a WARRENSPIECE: B is for Brannstrom, Batherson and Boedker made another save or two in the second period Wednesday, he might have been able to stifle the wave of blue and white that came at the Senators. Smith, however, found no fault with his play. “Certainly his hands weren’t on anything. That’s on us.” Ken Warren After Saturday, the Senators are idle until an Oct. 10 date against the

Stanley Cup-champion St. Louis Blues. The schedule could be a factor in At first glance, it’s tough to determine which is uglier: the combined eight whether Anderson stars the home opener Saturday. “I will talk with stitches on Erik Brannstrom’s nose and left cheek or the purplish-blackish (goaltending coach) Pierre Groulx,” said Smith. “With this much time off, shiner immediately below his left eye. we might stick with Andy.” … Scott Sabourin is new to Senators fans, but not so new to Senators players. The Orléans native has been a regular at The way the Ottawa Senators’ 20-year-old rookie defenceman sees it, the informal late-summer workouts for some time. “He has been skating though, he’s fortunate he can laugh off looking like he’s wearing an early with us for the past five years, obviously with different (uniform) colours Halloween costume. on,” said Pageau, who set up Sabourin for his first NHL goal Wednesday. “It’s finally good to see him in the Senators colours and to see him have “It was close to the eye, so I think I got lucky there,” Brannstrom said of an impact right away. Right off the bat, at the beginning of (training) the final-second collision Wednesday night in Toronto that ended up with camp, I was really happy for him.” Auston Matthews’ skate glancing off his face. “I was back on the ice (Thursday), so no worries. I can see and everything.” BROWN NOISE: Earlier this week, we heard from Senators GM Pierre Dorion that Logan Brown was bitter at being re-assigned to Belleville of VALUE OF THE VISOR: As Matthews attempted to complete a hat trick the AHL in the final round of training camp cuts. Brown’s agent, Andy by scoring into an empty net at the tail end of the Maple Leafs’ 5-3 win, Scott, has added some spice to the story. Speaking on TSN 1200’s Brannstrom and Thomas Chabot fought him off in the crease. As Offside show Thursday night with Eric Macramalla, Scott said, “We have Matthews fell to the ice, his skate rose up and made contact. never seen an early first round selection met with such resistance by the Brannstrom didn’t know what the damage was as he skated immediately club that drafted them.” That’s debatable, but Brown, the Senators’ 11th to the bench. overall selection in the 2016 NHL entry draft, did have a good, if not spectacular, training camp. The Senators offered no immediate comment “I saw all the blood after. I didn’t know if it was a nosebleed or a cut or on what Scott said, but it’s not a positive step in the Senators’ what. I have the big visor, so I think (the skate) clicked that a little bit.” relationship with Brown as the AHL season gets underway this weekend.

SIGH OF RELIEF: Senators coach D.J. Smith recognizes that the scene Ottawa Sun LOADED: 10.04.2019 could have played out far worse.

“That’s a very dangerous play that could ruin a career,” he said. “Unfortunately for him, he’s not going to look good for now, but he’s going to be all right.”

Smith praised Brannstrom for pushing so hard to prevent a goal that would have done little more than enhance Matthews’ stats.

“I’ve seen him be competitive right through training camp and that’s why he’s here. If we didn’t think he could handle it, he wouldn’t be here. I thought he was great (against the Maple Leafs). I thought he was good again at practice. He had stitches in his face, but came out there and never said a word about missing practice.”

FROM ONE ROOKIE TO ANOTHER: While Brannstrom looked comfortable enough on a pairing with Ron Hainsey, it was an opening night to forget for Drake Batherson.

The stitches Batherson was wearing came in the form of an ugly plus/minus of minus four — clearly not what he wanted to display after struggling in the final weeks of training camp.

“It’s probably not the start I wanted,” he said after spending an additional 20 minutes on the ice after formal practice ended. “But that’s the good thing about this sport. You play so many games, you just forget about it and focus on the next one.”

Whether Batherson is in the next one — Saturday’s home opener against the New York Rangers — is a big question. With veteran Mikkel Boedker coming back in, Smith’s decision on a healthy scratch comes down to a choice between Batherson and Filip Chlapik, who played on the fourth line Wednesday.

In Batherson’s defence, Smith says his veteran linemates, Artem Anisimov (minus three) and Tyler Ennis (minus three) also had rough nights in trying to shut down Toronto’s best forwards.

“The whole line had a tough matchup and certainly had some bad bounces, and the puck ended up in the net for them,” he said. “We’re young and we’re going to tinker around with some things. It’s not Drake. The whole line has to be better.”

STAT O’ THE DAY: In 12 career games at the Canadian Tire Centre, Batherson has three goals, six assists and a plus/minus of plus nine. In nine road games, he has zero goals, zero assists and is a minus nine. …Talented but tainted 23-year-old Josh Ho-Sang (seven goals, 17 assists in 53 games with the New York Islanders) has asked for a trade. This comes only a few days after he cleared waivers. Maybe he’s a worth 1155453 Ottawa Senators

Rules are rules, but Bobby Ryan is irked at NHL's offside determination

Ken Warren

For all the faceoff rule changes that have arrived for the 2019-20 season, Bobby Ryan loudly suggests the NHL should do something about the “ridiculous” offside rule that served as a turning point on opening night.

The Senators appeared to have taken a 3-2 second period lead when Ryan set up Ron Hainsey for the go-ahead goal.

Not so fast. The Maple Leafs called for a video review, claiming the play should have been ruled offside seconds earlier because Ryan’s back foot was in the air (but still behind the blue line) as the puck entered the Maple Leafs zone.

By the language of the NHL’s laws, the Maple Leafs were correct and they won the challenge. On the ensuing shift, the Maple Leafs scored to take a 3-2 lead.

“I don’t think any one of us on the ice even remotely thought it was (offside),” Ryan said Thursday.

“The puck entered before my back foot is in the air, which I think is one of the most ridiculous rules that I’ve been part of. When it has no bearing on the play, it’s tough. That being said, rules are rules, so I guess I’ve just got to keep my foot on the ice a little longer.”

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155454 Ottawa Senators Pageau says the Senators should have made life a lot easier for their goaltender.

“We let their best player start skating with the puck,” he said. “We opened After opening night loss, Smith preaches short-term pain, long-term gain up the middle of the ice and in the second (period). We weren’t physical message enough and that’s when they took over.”

Not surprisingly, Thursday’s practice featured some intense battle drills in the most dangerous scoring areas. Ken Warren Goal number one in mastering the new Smith regime is to find out how to keep the red light from shining so often in their own end.

Rest assured, this won’t be the last time you hear Ottawa Senators “There’s always an adjustment period, said Pageau. “You don’t want to coach D.J. Smith talk about growing pains. be on the ice thinking about where you should go. That’s sometimes the fraction of a second that you lose and you need. We’re getting there.” After Wednesday’s shaky regular season opening 5-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs – Toronto was playing in a different league in the second Beware the detours and the potholes along the way. period – Smith was talking all about learning valuable lessons on what figures to be the long, bumpy trip down Development Road. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 10.04.2019

“When you’re out there and you’re playing against two of the top three of four lines in the league every second shift and you’re a young guy and you’re hemmed in your own zone, it’s tough,” Smith said following Thursday’s practice, which featured several new line combinations in preparation for Saturday’s home opener against the New York Rangers. “That’s part of the game, part of the learning curve.”

Accordingly, the line-up juggling is about protecting the more inexperienced members of the forward lines.

Well, that and spreading out the speed as much as possible after Auston Matthews and his teammates took advantage of the Senators’ defensive breakdowns.

For now, Bobby Ryan has replaced Connor Brown on a line with Brady Tkachuk and Colin White. Brown has moved to a trio with Anthony Duclair and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Chris Tierney is centering a unit with Tyler Ennis and Scott Sabourin on his wings.

Artem Anisimov is in the middle of a de facto fourth line. Mikkel Boedker was on one wing, with Filip Chlapik and Drake Batherson alternating on the other.

Boedker was a healthy scratch in the season opener, but will return Saturday. Either Chlapik or Batherson, who was on the ice for four goals against versus the Maple Leafs, will sit out as a healthy scratch against the Rangers.

“We didn’t have enough speed up and down the lineup, so I tried to split it up a little bit,” said Smith.

“I’ve also got to make sure I’m giving guys roles. Especially with a young team, I don’t want to be pulling guys off the ice when we’re on the road. At home, we get the (last change) match-up. I want to try and put a responsible group together.”

Despite being shorthanded for much of the first period against the Maple Leafs, the Senators headed into the first intermission ahead 1-0.

But that’s when the Maple Leafs exploited the new-look Senators, who are clearly still adjusting to Smith’s structural approach. It is different from that employed by former coach Guy Boucher and some players are caught in between.

“We’re a work in progress,” said goaltender Craig Anderson, who stopped 37 of 42 shots. “We went over some video (Thursday). We’ve all got to look at ourselves and be a little better.”

Anderson says it isn’t so much about being outworked as it is about fine- tuning the decision-making and defensive responsibilities at pivotal spots on the ice.

“When you look at the video and break it down, it’s (we) could have been a little smarter here, or a little smarter there. “The guys who have been here have kind of been stuck in a style of play that’s not what we’re playing now. When it’s fresh and new, it’s tough to sustain that, so you revert back to old habits.”

Old opening night enemies are also tough to stop. Matthews, who scored four goals in his NHL debut against the Senators in 2016-17, took over Wednesday’s game by scoring twice.

“It’s frustrating for me, because I do have that competitive fire,” said Anderson. “He’s the one guy you want to keep off the scoresheet and he’s the guy who finds a way to get on it.” 1155455 Ottawa Senators But the Senators don’t need to look far to see what a successful rebuild looks like.

It was less than five years ago that Mike Babcock was hired as the head How the Senators earned those little moments of success crucial to a coach of the Maple Leafs and promised there would be pain over the rebuild vs. the Leafs course of the “five-year Shanaplan.”

The organization preached patience. Traded veterans like Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. They kept top prospects like William Nylander, Zach By Hailey Salvian Oct 3, 2019 Hyman and Connor Brown (now on the Senators) to develop in the AHL, rather than be thrown to the wolves in the NHL and even sent Mitch

Marner back to the London Knights when he could have played in the In the dying seconds of a game two goals out of reach, Erik Brannstrom pros. refused to let Auston Matthews score an empty netter that would give the They were a bottom dweller in the National Hockey League, and yes, Leafs star a hat trick. In return, he got a skate to the face (a result from there was a lot of pain. But they won the first-overall pick and drafted Matthews taking an awkward fall), some stitches and a ton of respect Matthews. They signed Andersen and filled out their roster with depth from his teammates. draft picks like Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen. They developed “We were all barking on the bench for sure,” alternate captain Mark players within their three-tiered development system, and now here they Borowiecki said shortly after the game. “To see him going hard, playing are, a year ahead of the five-year plan, with hopes of Stanley Cup glory. to the end, that’s what you want to see in a kid like that. “They had some dark days,” Borowiecki said. “It’s just the cyclical nature “He’s got all the skill in the world, all the natural talent in the world and of pro sports, especially the way the league is structured now. You know above all that he’s also a good person and he has that work ethic and you have to draft and develop, and we are trying to do that here and we competes and that’s what turns you into a stud in this league.” are trying to lay that foundation of work ethic and compete here and that’s going to serve these young guys well. It was a wild 5-3 season-opening loss to the rival Maple Leafs packed with goals, debuts and a handful of NHL firsts on both sides of the “We (have to) do right by these guys and make sure that we are all matchup. And it marked the start of the Senators rebuild in earnest. buying into that, young and old. It’s only going to lead to a better future for us and hopefully success like Toronto.” It’s going to be a long season, with more losses than wins, but it’s going to be the little moments and victories that make this season a success. Already top players like Thomas Chabot and Colin White are buying into what management is selling, signing long-term contract extensions in the Moments like Brady Tkachuk crashing the net and scoring in the first 25 last few months. seconds of the game, and surprising a superior Maple Leafs team with a high tempo, physical first period. Or having the penalty kill go three for And unlike last season, there are no major controversies for the team four on the night against one of the best units in the league. And thus far, leaving instead a positive environment where the players can moments like a rookie blueliner like Brannstrom working hard right to the focus on the task at hand. buzzer. Just like there was in Toronto, and certainly like there has been in Because in a rebuilding year, the measure of success won’t always be Edmonton and Buffalo, there is going to be some pain in Ottawa. And about the wins or losses, but instead about effort. And despite the there are going to be losses. Many, many losses. But through all that will outcome Wednesday night, head coach D.J. Smith seemed happy with be hard work, because that’s a factor that can be controlled and it is also his team’s effort, for the most part. paramount during this phase of the Senators’ development plan, Borowiecki said. “We came out hitting and working in the first period and we got rewarded,” he said. “In the second period, I didn’t think we were great. “Teams that are going through rebuilds, there has to be that solid But in saying that, (the Leafs) were really good too. You got to give them foundation, that solid base,” he said. “And that’s in our work ethic, our credit. compete, perseverance every day. Good habits in practice turn into good habits in-game and that’s what we are really trying to preach here. “I thought the guys worked hard — and (they) fought right to the buzzer.” “And hopefully people stick with us here because it’s going to lead to On a night where a lot of attention was given to the five former Leafs — some success.” Smith, Ron Hainsey, Tyler Ennis, Connor Brown and Nikita Zaitsev — returning to Toronto, a lot was going on for the franchise. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019

Twelve new players not with the club last fall made the opening night roster, which translated to the team playing with four different forward lines and three new defensive pairings. If things looked sloppy, or chemistry seemed scarce, it’s not too big of a surprise.

As a first look, though, there was a lot for fans to be happy about, especially considering the opposition Leafs are a team with a lot of skill and lofty expectations coming into this season. This is going to be a Senators team that hustles, chases down pucks and tries to outwork their opponents on a nightly basis, that much was evident Wednesday night.

They will surprise people this year. Even Leafs coach Mike Babcock thinks so.

“They’re organized, they’re playing fast,” he said after the morning skate on Wednesday. “They’re going to be one of these teams that no one’s counting on that’s going to be way better than you think.”

But naturally, there is still a lot to improve on.

First and foremost, limiting shots on goal. Through three periods, Craig Anderson faced 42 shots, including 17 in the second period to the Senators three on the Leafs’ Frederik Andersen. In that second frame, the Senators took their foot off the gas, stopped being physical and let the Leafs dominate at both ends of the ice.

In many ways, especially during the second period, it was clear this game was between a Cup contender and a team in the midst of a rebuild. 1155456 Philadelphia Flyers

Joel Farabee vows to be ‘mentally tough’ after being disappointed by Flyers’ demotion

by Sam Carchidi,

PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Even though he played primarily a new position – right wing as opposed to the left side – Joel Farabee was one of the Flyers’ best offensive players in the preseason.

Oh, you wouldn’t know it by the stats, but he was in the middle of more scoring chances than any Flyers player, with the possible exception of Kevin Hayes.

He didn’t score, but he played solid defense, forechecked like crazy, hit the post at least five times, and was robbed by goalies like Henrik Lundqvist.

He played so well that, after the Flyers’ exhibition game against the Rangers on Sept. 26, new coach Alain Vigneault said if Farabee wasn’t in the lineup for the regular-season opener Friday “it’ll be a surprise.”

But the Flyers trimmed Farabee from the roster because GM Chuck Fletcher wants him to get some AHL seasoning and because they couldn’t fit him under the cap unless they made a corresponding move.

Having Farabee develop in the AHL isn’t a bad move. There’s always a chance the former Boston University star will play well with the Phantoms and be recalled in, say, two months.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155457 Philadelphia Flyers

A shaved head, a spot on the roster, and surprise visitors for Flyers rookie Carsen Twarynski

by Sam Carchidi,

PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Growing up in Calgary, Carsen Twarynski never dreamed he would make his NHL debut in Prague.

But that’s what will happen Friday at the O2 Arena.

“Making the roster means a lot, but it’s also just another door opened,” Twarynski said after Thursday’s practice. “The work is nowhere near done yet. You can get sent down at any time. I did the work to make this roster, and I have to keep on working to stay here.”

After an outstanding preseason, the hard-nosed 21-year-old right winger will play on the Flyers’ third line as they open the season against Chicago.

His parents, Rob and Kim, will be there. They surprised him by meeting him Thursday in Prague after about 15 hours of air travel from Calgary.

“It just shows the love and support they have for me,” the 6-foot-2, 205- pound Twarynski said. “I know my brother wanted to make it, too, but he’s in training for military purposes, so he couldn’t be here.”

His mom, Kim, smiled while talking about her son’s accomplishment.

“It is a big deal,” she said. “You know, it's just like anything in life, there's always one opportunity to have a first time. We're there for the first of everything else, so this is something we just have to be here for.''

On his way to the NHL, Twarynski never got a call from Canada’s national teams, but he kept pushing.

“He does have the willpower and drive,” Kim Twarynski said. “I mean, I know going into camp this year, he was like 'I'm going to make this team.' He outright said it. In terms of the past, he's just always been that underdog. There's always a guy that everybody talks about and he's never been that guy. Which is fine with us because sometimes it's better not to have all that attention.

“I don't think he's out to prove anybody wrong,” she added. “Just out there to prove it to himself that he can do it. And we know he can do it. He did it himself.''

Twarynski said it won’t take long to build chemistry with linemates and Scott Laughton.

“This is the National Hockey League and everyone knows where they’re supposed to be and everyone knows what they’re doing,” he said.

Drafted in the third round in 2016,Twarynski nearly made the team out of camp last year. During this year’s preseason, he scored a pair of goals and displayed a relentless style.

Off the ice, he decided to have two of his teammates buzz off all his hair – he wouldn’t say which barbers did the honors – before the Flyers played an exhibition game in Switzerland.

“It was during a team bonding (session),” he said. “I thought, ‘What better story than to do it with the boys?’ It was kind of an impulse thing.”

Breakaways

Connor Bunnaman, another rookie, will center the fourth line. ... Claude Giroux is again the captain, with Jake Voracek, Sean Couturier and Kevin Hayes serving as alternates. … Joel Farabee was emotional as he talked about not making the team, but vowed to work hard with the Phantoms to get back. GM Chuck Fletcher said playing in the AHL has great benefits that will pay off down the road. … Based on practice, the Flyers’ first power-play unit will be composed of van Riemsdyk, Giroux, Voracek, Hayes, and Shayne Gostisbehere. The second unit will have Oskar Lindblom, Couturier, Travis Konecny, Matt Niskanen, and Ivan Provorov.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155458 Philadelphia Flyers Connor Bunnaman centering Michael Raffl and Tyler Pitlick, who was cleared to play Thursday after missing most of the preseason following wrist surgery.

Flyers’ Carter Hart ready for his first NHL season opener Friday vs. The defense: Ivan Provorov and Justin Braun; Travis Sanhiem and Chicago Blackhawks Matt Niskanen; Robert Hagg and Shayne Gostisbehere.

Goalie: Hart. by Sam Carchidi, “I feel the lines we put together and the duos we put together will be good for [Friday],” Vigneault said. “… We’re going to be ready. Our guys are looking forward to this first game.”

PRAGUE, Czech Republic — When the Flyers meet the Chicago Voracek, who grew up near Prague and will have 70 friends and relatives Blackhawks on Friday, Carter Hart, the unflappable goalie who is the at the game, said he felt comfortable playing with new partner Hayes at team’s most vital player, will start an NHL opener for the first time in what Thursday’s practice. is expected to be a long and successful career. “He’s a really smart player, and I’ve played with 'G' for so many years “It’s just another NHL regular-season game,” the 21-year-old goaltender and I know what he wants to do and where he wants to go,” Voracek said after the Flyers practiced at O2 Arena. “It doesn’t matter if it’s here in said. “For me, it doesn’t matter. I know when I’m at the top of my game, I Prague or back in Philly or Chicago. There’s all this hype around it being can make things happen with whoever is on my line.” the NHL Global Series, but we have to prepare the same way we always do ” Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.04.2019

Hart said he was much more jittery entering his NHL debut last season, a 3-2 win over Detroit on Dec. 18.

“I’m nervous before every game, but that’s just because I care so much,” he said. “But once the puck drops, then it’s time to play. I was 10 times as nervous for my first NHL game last year than I am for [Friday]. I didn’t sleep at all the night before the game last year.”

In the preseason, Hart stopped 56 of 57 shots (.982 save percentage. 0.44 GAA) in three games against NHL competition. He then allowed four goals on 12 shots and was pulled early in the second period of a 4-3 exhibition loss to the Swiss National League team.

“It was kind of a weird game for all of us,” Hart said about the defeat in Switzerland. “We were just getting overseas and getting used to the time change. We hadn’t played on a big sheet of ice in a long time. I mean, the game we’ve been practicing the last month hasn’t been on Olympic- sized ice.”

Hart said the loss to the Swiss is “not going to determine how the season is going to go or anything like that. I feel good where my game is at. I feel like I had a good preseason. We’re all looking forward to getting started; it’s been a long couple weeks.”

“It’s time to play real games for real points,” said Alain Vigneault, who will be coaching his first game with the Flyers.

Vigneault said he has been told Hart has rebounded quickly after a sub- par performance and he expects the same Friday.

“He had a real good practice today,” Vigneault said, “and I’ve heard Carter is the type of young man who bounces back from so-so performances, so I expect him to do what you need your goaltender to do: Give your team a chance to win.”

Hart said the Flyers built confidence in the second half of last season. He helped engineer an 18-4-2 run that got the Flyers back in the playoff hunt.

“If we play like that for a whole season, we’re going to be back in the playoffs,” Hart said. “We added a couple pieces this year to strengthen our group, and we have a really good core group of guys, and have new guys coming up.”

Kevin Hayes left, and Jakub Voracek, right, will play with Claude Giroux on the Flyers' first line.

Kevin Hayes left, and Jakub Voracek, right, will play with Claude Giroux on the Flyers' first line.

Vigneault will unveil different lines and pairings — he said it’s a work in progress — from what he used for most of the preseason. The opening- night lineup:

Kevin Hayes centering Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek.

Sean Couturier centering Oskar Lindblom and Travis Konecny.

Scott Laughton centering James van Riemsdyk and Carsen Twarynski. 1155459 Philadelphia Flyers dangerous shorthanded scoring threat since Mike Richards was with the team.

» READ MORE: Flyers fans will still hear 'God Bless America', but it will Flyers roster analysis: Power play and penalty kill look upgraded | Sam sound different Carchidi The power play needs better entries from Gostisbehere and more shooting and less passing. When they had an extra attacker, the Flyers were too preoccupied with setting up the perfect play last season. by Sam Carchidi, Based on the preseason, Konecny will get more time on the power play as new coach Alain Vigneault tinkers with the unit. He also experimented with putting Giroux on the right side some of the time. For years, he set Flyers roster analysis: Power play and penalty kill look upgraded | Sam up on the left. Hayes was on the top unit late in the preseason and he Carchidi should help. Here is a look at the 2019-20 Flyers, searching for their first Stanley Cup Defense since Gerald Ford was in the White House, as they get ready to start the 2019-20 season Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks in Prague. The Flyers allowed an average of 3.41 goals last season (29th in the NHL), so Fletcher made it an offseason priority to upgrade the defense. There were many changes this offseason, with Chuck Fletcher going through his first full year as the team’s general manager. Did they Out: Radko Gudas and Andrew MacDonald. improve? You be the judge: In: Niskanen and Braun. Projected lines It remains to be seen how much improvement those moves will create Line 1: LW Claude Giroux-C Kevin Hayes-RW Jake Voracek. because Gudas won the Barry Ashbee Trophy last season as the Flyers’ best defenseman and he also provided the team with physicality. Line 2: LW Oskar Lindblom-C Sean Couturier-RW Travis Konecny. The Flyers hope Niskanen and Braun, veterans who shoot righthanded, Line 3: LW James van Riemsdyk-C Scott Laughton-Carsen Twarynski. will stabilize things and provide leadership. They also hope they can help Inquirer Sports Daily Newsletter Provorov and Gostisbehere rebound from disappointing seasons.

Sports news in your inbox daily Getting Provorov and Gostisbehere to bounce back and getting continued development from Sanheim and Phil Myers (if/when he is Line 4: LW Michael Raffl-C Connor Bunnaman-RW Tyler Pitlick. recalled from the Phantoms) would go a long way toward securing a playoff berth. Samuel Morin (6-foot-7, 230 pounds), now healthy after an Projected defensive pairings injury-plagued season with Lehigh Valley, is another defenseman who Unit 1: Ivan Provorov and Justin Braun. has lots of promise.

Unit 2: Travis Sanheim and Matt Niskanen. The Flyers also need their forwards to do a better job at the defensive end, especially Voracek, van Riemsdyk, and Konecny. Unit 3: Robert Hagg and Shayne Gostisbehere. Lots of #Flyers and #Blackhawks items are popular in Prague. The Goalies stands will feature their jerseys Friday, with ⁦@jachobe⁩ having the G1: Carter Hart. most popular one. pic.twitter.com/vyGe1VWvWn

G2: Brian Elliott. — Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) October 3, 2019

Five-on-five Goalies

The Flyers will be younger, even with 21-year-old Nolan Patrick out of the The Flyers’ brass called it a goaltenders duel for the No. 1 spot in the lineup because of migraines. preseason, but anyone who watched last year’s games figured that was just a charade. With Patrick sidelined, Laughton is now the third-line center, and it opened a spot for Bunnaman, one of two rookies starting the season as Hart was the Flyers’ best goalie last season and he was the regulars, along with Twarynski. Fletcher said there could be a “fluid overwhelming No. 1 in camp this year. situation” between the Flyers and the AHL’s Phantoms in the first six Hart was superb in three preseason games against NHL competition, weeks of the season, meaning players could be shuffled back and forth. compiling a 0.44 goals-against average and .982 save percentage (56 The Flyers had many warts last season but still managed to finish a saves on 57 shots). Elliott had good and bad moments in the preseason respectable 11th in even-strength scoring. The addition of Hayes, who (3.16, .873), but he is a proven veteran and, provided he remains was superb in the preseason, could improve that number. Couturier (24), healthy, should be a solid backup. Konecny (20), and Giroux (19) led the Flyers in even-strength goals last Hart is only 21, but this is his team now. He is becoming the face of the season. Flyers and will be their most important player in 2019-20.

The Flyers have a solid first two lines, and if Patrick returns and pushes Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.04.2019 Laughton down to the fourth-line center, all four units will be extremely balanced.

From here, the Flyers would be stronger with Joel Farabee in the lineup. But the 19-year-old winger is headed to the Phantoms because Fletcher wants to give him some AHL seasoning -- and because he couldn’t fit under the cap.

Power play and penalty kill

The special teams need to make dramatic improvement if the Flyers are going to make the playoffs. The power play was 22nd in the 31-team league as it clicked at 17.1 percent last season. The penalty kill, though improved in the season’s second half, finished just 26th (78.5 percent success rate).

The Flyers hope three newcomers – Hayes, Niskanen, and Braun – will help the penalty kill make strides. Hayes also gives the Flyers their most 1155460 Philadelphia Flyers “When you’re in the playoffs and you go for a round, two rounds, three rounds, four rounds, that’s intense hockey,” Vigneault said. “That’s a longer season. This group has been off for a while, and in my mind, it just needs a little bit more preparation, and there’s nothing better than If Flyers finally take a step forward, it will be because of Carter Hart and situations where games are on the line.” Alain Vigneault Flyers coach Alain Vigneault watched his team play the Boston Bruins in a preseason game on Sept. 19. The next day, he made a few changes. by Mike Sielski Flyers coach Alain Vigneault watched his team play the Boston Bruins in a preseason game on Sept. 19. The next day, he made a few changes.

That last bit was coach-speak. The outcomes of preseason games aren’t If Flyers finally take a step forward, it will be because of Carter Hart and “on the line” in any meaningful sense. No, Vigneault was flexing his Alain Vigneault | Mike Sielski muscles, using his track record as an NHL head coach to wake the It didn’t take long, on a recent Friday at the Skate Zone in Voorhees after players up to a new reality. the Flyers had finished practicing, to pick up on the two big differences Gone is Dave Hakstol, who after coaching at the collegiate level believed between the team they were last season and the team they hope to be he needed time to earn the trust and respect of professional athletes and this season. was, at times, too deferential to them. Back at Lehigh Valley is Scott One of those differences sat at his locker and, as he peeled his Gordon, who had just two-plus years of experience as a head coach in goaltending pads off his legs, mentioned that he felt stronger and quicker the league before replacing Hakstol last season. for having gained six pounds over the previous few months. Here was Vigneault — 15 years, 11 playoff berths, two appearances in “It was kind of weird,” Carter Hart said. “Maybe it’s because I’m starting the Stanley Cup Final, with a built-in credibility that his predecessors to fill out. I don’t know. But I was really hungry a lot this summer.” lacked — establishing a different tone and demanding some early accountability. Anyone who has spent any time around the Flyers over, say, the last three decades recognizes how rare it is that they would enter a season “They don’t have a choice,” he said. “It’s just the way it is.” with a relatively settled goaltending situation. Usually, there’s significant It was an interesting and welcome early message to send, but there’s no uncertainty around the position: the question of Brian Elliott’s age and telling yet how much change Vigneault’s presence and methods will workload, the health of Michal Neuvirth’s groin, the state of Steve effect in the long run. Through four head coaches in seven years, the Mason’s or Ilya Bryzgalov’s mind. Flyers have been stuck in the middle of the NHL — never very good, The 2018-19 campaign might have been the apex of that uncertainty. never downright awful, just … there. The Flyers used eight goaltenders, rifling through them sometimes out of Vigneault might help them break out of that rut. He might. But he likely necessity, sometimes as if the goalies were relief pitchers in a Gabe won’t be the primary reason. Hart will. The coach matters a little. The Kapler-managed bullpen. goalie matters more. This fan is actually five years older than Carter Hart. #Flyers Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.04.2019 https://t.co/nrarBTyhXV

— Mike Sielski (@MikeSielski) February 9, 2019

Even as a rookie, though, Hart was the best of that bunch, by far, meeting every expectation for a 20-year-old kid who had been touted as a potential superstar. He did nothing over the 31 games he played to suggest he can’t or won’t be that good or better in the future, and there is a school of thought that the Flyers will be better merely for his presence, for the calm and confidence that can come over teams that know they have goaltenders who, when things go bad, can bail them out.

“Sometimes it can change things in a negative way, too,” forward Scott Laughton said, “where you’re kind of leaning on them too much.”

Funny enough, that’s exactly what happened to the Flyers last season once Hart joined them. He was terrific, and their record improved because he was. But by most statistical measures, the overall quality of their play declined.

He covered up for many of their mistakes, more than any of their other goalies did, and while Hart’s performance gave the Flyers a glimmer of hope that they might make a late charge into the playoffs, relying on a goaltender to be a superhero every night isn’t a sustainable strategy for becoming and remaining a Stanley Cup contender.

Which brings us to the second big difference from last season to this one. For several minutes in the locker room that Friday, the atmosphere among the players was relaxed, as one would expect for a team that still had two weeks of training camp and preseason to complete.

With the Flyers playing their regular-season opener in his home country, the Czech Republic, Jake Voracek offered restaurant and beer recommendations to any writers who would be making the trip. Shayne Gostisbehere, wearing a baseball cap backward, padded around the room. One by one, the players left to get on with the day. Same ol’, same ol’.

Alain Vigneault, the team’s new head coach, soon made it clear, after all the players were gone, that everything was not staying the same. The Flyers had lost a preseason game the previous night and played terribly. So Vigneault had decided that, instead of having the team’s veterans play just three preseason games, he would have them play four or five in the name of getting them ready for the start of the regular season. 1155461 Philadelphia Flyers Considering the Flyers started 4-7 to set the tone for their disappointing 2018-19 season, it’s important to get off to a better start.

“Obviously we didn’t do ourselves any favors early in the season, and it Flyers will still use ‘God Bless America’ for important games, but it will means you’re chasing the year from that point on,” van Riemsdyk said. sound different “We have to put down some good foundations of blocks to start the season and then continue to build from there.”

The Flyers started last season with a 5-2 win in Las Vegas before losing by Sam Carchidi, to Colorado and San Jose by a combined score of 13-4.

In their history, the Flyers are 24-19-8 in openers.

PRAGUE, Czech Republic — won’t be a part of her famous Snider mural dedication song, via video, for important Flyers games at the Wells Fargo Center this season. Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation will dedicate a new mural, Snider Hockey: Inspiring Our Youth. But her trademark song, God Bless America, will not vanish. The event, which is open to the public, will be held Saturday at noon at “Lauren Hart will sing God Bless America again prior to a big game,” 10th Street and Snyder Avenue. said Valerie Camillo, who is the Flyers’ president of business operations, “and that is something we are all looking forward to.” The mural features the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation and celebrates the life and legacy of its founder, the late Ed Snider, the In April, the Flyers said lyrics in some of Smith’s songs from the 1930s Flyers’ cofounder. were “incompatible” with the club’s values and evoked “painful and unacceptable themes.” They said the late singer’s rendition of the song, The design, created by local artist Jared Bader, highlights how Snider which had been a good-luck charm since the 1970s, would not be used. Hockey builds lives and unites communities through its on-ice and off-ice They also removed her statue and put it in hiding. initiatives.

The Flyers had been occasionally using a duet, with Hart and Smith (on Bader will be at the dedication, along with Sarena Snider, one of Ed video) singing God Bless America. Snider’s daughters; Virlen Reyes, a Snider Hockey alumnus; Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia; Mark Squilla, a The Flyers were bombarded by fan reaction to the decisions on the Smith Philadelphia city councilman; and Kathryn Ott Lovell, commissioner of issue. Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.

“While many supported our actions, a number of longtime Flyers fans Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.04.2019 were disappointed and have been vocal, which is difficult for us because we come to work every day focused on how to deliver a great experience and excite all of our fans about the upcoming season,” Camillo said.

Camillo said it was impossible to tell how the fans’ backlash affected ticket sales. “Since we introduced so many new ticket programs this year, it is difficult to pinpoint what kind of impact” it had on sales, she said.

“That said, inclusion stands at the center of everything we do, so we are not revisiting our decisions,” she added.

As for season tickets, the Flyers used to use full or partial plans (11 games). This year, they offer many more options, including a 22-game plan, a monthly subscription pass, a student program, and a social- viewing section. Other options are also in the works, she said.

Because of all the new options, it was impossible to compare the amount of season tickets sold this year to last year, a Flyers spokesman said. He added the organization was “pleased” with sales.

Fans’ demands and preferences are evolving, Camillo said, and they want “an experience that is superior to their at-home viewing option and fits within their schedules and budget. She said it was “incumbent for us to evolve with our fans.”

Through a $265 million-plus renovation project at the Wells Fargo Center, Camillo said, “new experiences” will be available for fans, who can watch games from the new locations, such at the Center City Club, the sports lounge, and the Assembly Room.

The Flyers have a little over 1,000 seats left for their Oct. 9 home opener against the New Jersey Devils and ex-Flyer Wayne Simmonds.

Forgetting their loss

The Flyers are putting their surprising preseason defeat to the Swiss National League team behind them.

“You have the long trip over here and a different ice sheet and different things that aren’t in your favor,” left winger James van Riemsdyk said about Monday’s 4-3 loss in Switzerland. “You just have to find a way to battle and go from there. Obviously, we got better as the game went on and got more adjusted on what you need to do on the bigger sheet. Now the season starts Friday and we’ll be ready to go from there.”

They face the Chicago Blackhawks in Prague Friday before opening at home against New Jersey on Oct. 9. That’s followed by a three-game trip to Western Canada against Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. 1155462 Philadelphia Flyers “I played pretty well in that game,″ Bunnaman said. “That’s when I really thought I could stick around for the whole year.″

Farabee shaken about missing the cut Carsen Twarynski’s Flyers debut will be complete family affair Rookie Joel Farabee failed to make the final roster cut and when asked about it on Thursday, got a bit emotional.

By Wayne Fish “It’s pretty disappointing,″ said Farabee. “I thought I had a good camp. At the end of the day, they want me to develop, so I’m excited to go the Lehigh and play for coach (Scott) Gordon, and I think we’re going to have a really good team down there. PRAGUE, Czech Republic — Kim Twarynski didn’t care if the Flyers’ season opener was on Mars, she wasn’t about to miss her son Carsen’s “You just have to stay mentally tough. I took it pretty hard, but I’m not too NHL debut with the Philadelphia Flyers. worried.”

As it turned out, the flight from Calgary to Prague felt just about as long No long-term injury list for Patrick yet as a voyage to another planet. General manager Chuck Fletcher said he hasn’t thought about putting But no doubt Kim, and Carsen’s dad, Rob, will have this precious third-year center Nolan Patrick (migraine headache disorder) on long- memory for years to come and all the flying will be worth the effort. They term injury yet. Patrick would have to sit out 10 games and a minimum of wanted to make this a surprise visit and they certainly achieved that. 24 days in order to quality. That rule was put in to prevent teams from “stashing″ players in order to gain salary cap relief. For the record, the Twarynskis began their voyage with a four-hour flight to Toronto. Then, after a three-hour layover, there was another flight Burlington County Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 which took the better part of 10 hours.

They finally made it and it was great surprise for rookie Carsen, perhaps the longest shot of the training camp to make the opening night roster.

Twarynski, a 2016 third-round (82nd overall) draft pick, said he’s always had to overcome the odds to play hockey at its highest levels and the Flyers are no exception.

His mom goes along with that assessment.

“He does have the willpower and the drive,″ Kim said. “I mean I know going into camp this year, he was like ‘I’m going to make this team.’ He outright said it.

“In terms of the past, he’s just always been that underdog. There’s always a guy that everybody talks about and he’s never been that guy. Which is fine with us because sometimes it’s better not to have all that attention. I don’t think he’s out there to prove anybody wrong. Just out there to prove it to himself that he can do it. And we know he can do it. He did it himself.″

The Twarynskis were willing to fly anywhere under the circumstances.

“It is a big deal,″ Kim said. “You know, it’s just like anything in life — there’s always one opportunity to have a first time. So you know, we’re there for the first of everything else. So this is something that we just have to be here for.″

Carsen appreciates the gesture his parents are making.

“It’s awesome,″ he said. “I had a feeling they were trying to get down here but I wasn’t sure they were going to because of the distance.

“It was nice to see them this morning and I’m glad to have their support here. It was a long travel day for them. Even if I knew they were coming, it would have exciting regardless.″

As for the underdog role, Twarynski isn’t concerned about getting into the media spotlight.

“I don’t care about attention,″ he said. “I love hockey. This has been a goal of mine ever since I was young. To be on the opening night roster is just another door opening.

“The work is nowhere done yet. You can get sent down at any time. I did the work to make the roster, now I have to do more work to stay on it.″

Bunnaman ready to go

Across the room, fellow rookie Connor Bunnaman was also gratified to know he will be seeing his first NHL action against the Blackhawks.

“It means everything,″ he said. “Obviously I thought (my first NHL game) was going to be a different experience. But it’s a cool experience. I couldn’t be more happy.

“Coming in here (today) there was a little bit of nerves. But I guess tomorrow is going to be a lot more.″

Bunnaman said the turning point for him came in the preseason game at Boston on Sept. 23. 1155463 Philadelphia Flyers good foundation blocks in place to start our season and continue to build from there.″

Burlington County Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 Flyers’ Travis Sanheim wants to pick up right where he left off

By Wayne Fish / www.flyingfishhockey.com

PRAGUE, Czech Republic — Momentum from one season to the next can be a tricky thing for a hockey player, particularly one as young as Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim.

The 23-year-old native of Elkhorn, Manitoba, was arguably the best backliner on the ice for Philadelphia over the second half of last season.

In fact, he nearly caught perennial defense scoring champ Shayne Gostisbehere. The two were tied with goals (nine) and Ghost narrowly won the competition with 28 assists to Sanheim’s 26.

But there’s no doubt Sanheim’s time will come, perhaps as early as this season.

He could be paired with fourth-year Russian defenseman Ivan Provorov or Matt Niskanen. Either way, Sanheim figures to be a stalwart as the Flyers try to drastically reduce that minus-37 team negative goal differential from last season.

“Obviously I was given a bigger piece of the pie down the stretch,″ he said. “I took advantage of it when I was given it. I thought I did a good job with it.

“I played to my strengths, defended well. I got a chance to jump up and move the puck and skate. That benefited me a lot and I worked on it a lot this past summer. Hopefully I can get off to a good start.″

Scott Gordon, who finished up last season as Flyers interim head coach, might deserve some of the credit for instilling confidence in Sanheim.

“He played me in key situations,″ Sanheim said. “That sets me up well for this season. I got confidence from that. I’m looking forward to getting started.″

Even going back to his days with the Phantoms a couple years ago, Sanheim has built his game on confidence.

When he’s sure of himself, the 6-foot-3 player can move the puck up the ice quicker and that pushes some opposing defensemen back.

“It seems that every level I play at, the WHL (Western Hockey League) or the American Hockey League, it takes me a while to find that confidence in my offensive play,″ Sanheim said. “And know that I can play at that level. Do things with the puck and create that offense.″

It’s already been said time and again that coach Alain Vigneault is revamping the Flyers to play a more up-tempo style. That’s right up Sanheim’s ally.

“That’s my game,″ Sanheim agreed. “You want to defend hard but I want to do it quick and I want to get on the offensive side.

“The quicker we can play defense, get the puck out, it’s going to play to my strengths.″

Vigneault could have Sanheim and Provorov as a pair for Friday night’s opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at O2 Arena.

“That’s a pair I want to see,″ Vigneault said. “Sanheim has a bigger body than Niskanen. I want to see how those two interact.

“I’ve heard good things about their time together (last year).″

Van Riemsdyk ready to roll

James van Riemsdyk missed the first month of the season last year with a broken foot and still finished with 27 goals, just nine off this career high.

A full season of good health should get him back in the 35-goal range again.

JVR wants to see the Flyers get off to a fast start for a change.

“Obviously we didn’t do ourselves any favors early in the season,″ he noted. “That means you are chasing the year. So you want to put some 1155464 Philadelphia Flyers

Fish: Powerhouse NHL teams have something to prove

By Wayne Fish

PRAGUE, Czech Republic — Vegas bookmakers have projected the Flyers to accrue about 90 points this season and that could be construed as bad news for Philly, since the average cutoff line for the playoffs is about 96.

But fear not, Flyers followers, the over-under isn’t always the end-all.

According to many so-called experts, including The Hockey News, the Flyers could finish as high as second place in the Metropolitan Division, which would make them an automatic playoff qualifier.

An infusion of new talent — namely, defensemen Justin Braun and Matt Niskanen, plus rookie forwards Carsen Twarynski and Connor Bunnaman — could raise the Flyers’ fortunes considerably.

Meanwhile, powerhouse teams such as Tampa Bay, Boston, Vegas and Calgary all have something to prove after falling short last season.

Here’s how we see the 2019-20 season shaping up:

1. Tampa Bay: Disappointing finish with first-round ouster last year but should repeat as top team in regular season action. Another big year for Nikita Kucherov.

2. Boston: The Bruins came within a game of the Stanley Cup. There’s some unfinished business to attend to, led by superpest Todd Marchant.

3. Toronto: Look for the Leafs to regroup after falling way short last year. John Tavares could be the pivotal figure.

4. Washington: Still has the main components from the 2017-18 championship team led by Alex Ovechkin.

5. Florida: The Panthers won’t be sneaking up on people this season but they are one of the deepest teams in the NHL.

6. FLYERS: A full season out of Carter Hart, two defensemen who have been to the Stanley Cup Final and a coach with instant credibility make a difference.

7. New York Islanders: In Lou Lamoriello we trust.

8. Carolina: A lot of people are picking Rod Brind’Amour’s crew to take a step back. We aren’t.

1. Vegas: Could have been in the Stanley Cup Final two straight years if not for a few bad breaks. Ageless goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury continues to impress.

2. Nashville: Never sell Peter Laviolette short.

3. Calgary: It would be nice to see Johnny Hockey (aka Johnny Gaudet) make to the Cup Final.

4. Dallas: Showed just how rugged this outfit can be in the playoffs last year.

5. San Jose: The Sharks are always contenders but seem to wind up pretenders.

6. Winnipeg: One of these days this team is going to get over the hump.

7. Colorado: Nathan MacKinnon inspires a rowdy bunch.

8. St. Louis: Post-Stanley Cup hangover.

Stanley Cup picks

Semifinals – Tampa Bay over Boston; Vegas over Dallas.

Championship: Vegas over Tampa Bay.

Burlington County Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155465 Philadelphia Flyers Forwards Giroux is starting his eighth season as captain. His abdominal issues are

in the past, and at 31 he's coming off back-to-back productive seasons of Flyers Preview: With new coach, same veteran core, Flyers hoping to 102 and 85 points. His resurgence came via a move to left wing while start fast Couturier moved to the top line and blossomed into one of the best two- way centers in the game. Konecny, a new contract in hand, is an effective complement at right wing.

By Rob Parent Free-agent prize Kevin Hayes is scheduled to anchor the second line, probably with van Riemsdyk and Voracek.

But perhaps the preseason capper of a 4-3 loss to Swiss team Lausanne From the time he was promoted into orange-and-black, Carter Hart has HC this week ticked Vigneault off. He reportedly switched the top two been a standout in net for the Flyers. Seen flashing his stuff in one of his lines up at practice Wednesday, moving Hayes and Voracek up with first games last Dec. 20, Hart is arguably the club's most important Giroux. player. Hopefully he got that out of his system after one practice. If Couturier and The Flyers will hit the ice in Prague Friday afternoon with some of the Konecny are indeed up top for the opener, look for Hayes centering same old faces long unsuccessful at generating playoff magic. They'll do either JVR or Oskar Lindblom on the left, with Voracek on the right wing so against a team that started the 2010s by making the Flyers a Stanley of the second line, while Scott Laughton centers the third line in place of Cup Finals foil and has most of the faces from a multi-Cup-winning teams Nolan Patrick, who is on a long recovery from migraine headaches. back for another run. Surprising Phantoms grads Carsen Twarynski (either wing) and center It's easy to say the Chicago Blackhawks aren't the same club, Connor Bunnaman will likely fill in the lower lines. Michael Raffl will help, considering longtime boss Joel Quenneville was unceremoniously fired and newcoming grinder Tyler Pitlick will join them as soon as his wrist last year after the Hawks got off to a slow start. He would watch his injury is healed. proud Blackhawks miss the playoffs for a second straight year, then sign a contract to coach in the much more pleasant atmosphere of South That depth allowed top organizational prospects Morgan Frost and Joel Florida ... and for money, too. Farabee to prep more in Lehigh Valley, patiently sharpening their skills while waiting for their cell phones to ring. Peering across the ice in Prague, perhaps the Blackhawks' veterans can gain some satisfaction by looking at the likes of Claude Giroux and Defense James van Riemsdyk, the only survivors from those 2010 Flyers that fell one 90-degree Patrick Kane shot in overtime of Game 6 short of a Cup. Ivan Provorov is in the top 20 of salaried defenders after signing a six- year, $40.5 million deal. Now all he has to do is play like a top-10 Of course, it's frozen water under the bridge. But together with Jake defender. Voracek and Sean Couturier, who arrived shortly after that last Cup finals appearance, those Philly veterans have hit a crossroads. Shayne Gostisbehere survived a summer of trade rumors, and needs to prove himself again. Adding veterans Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun With three longtime NHL head coaches in new boss Alain Vigneault and should help the younger defenders, a group that include Travis Sanheim assistants Michel Therrien and Mike Yeo incorporating new systems bent and team hitter Robert Hagg. on changing the look of the club, young players like Ivan Provorov, Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim and Shayne Gostisbehere are expected to Goalies blossom. With future star Carter Hart in net, there is plenty of optimism Hart started off hot when called up from the AHL last December. He for a team that has missed four of the last seven playoff tournaments. would wind up as one of eight goalies used during the season but the Sure, there's been poor goaltending, sub-par coaching and failures of a only one leaving a lasting impression. He went 16-13-1 with a 2.83 goals- veteran core group over the years, and a conflicting management against average and .917 saves percentage. direction hasn't helped, either. But with Chuck Fletcher in a largely He also put in three IIHF World Championship games with Team dictatorial role surrounded by four very old-schoolish Flyer "senior Canada, going 3-0 with a 0.70 GAA and .964 SP. Canada lost in the WC advisors" in Bob Clarke, Paul Holmgren, Bill Barber and Dean Lombardi, final to Finland, with the Penguins' Matt Murray starting in net. directional issues from above should be smoothed. Presuming the NBC- paid overseers let their management people run the show, that is. All that valuable experience bodes well for Hart, who in his first three preseason appearances this season looked flawless. It didn't turn out that As for that on-ice show, which was almost a no-show (1-6-1) in eight way this week, riddled in the Switzerland game with the Flyers playing preseason games. the first two periods in a fog. "I certainly believe we’re going to need to get to a much higher level if Brian Elliott, the de facto starter of the past two years, won a popularity we’re going to compete once the regular season starts," Fletcher said. contest with Cam Talbot and other free agents for the backup job. The "Right now, the expectations are same. Last year was unacceptable. design would be to get Elliott some 35 games. We’re changing the structures. We’re changing the systems. We’re trying to work on details and habits of the players. It’s going to take time. It’s a "I don't think we're too worried about how we start, we're just worried process." about coming in for our first game and coming out hard," Hart said. "We're doing everything we can to prepare to give ourselves the best Oh, no. Another one of those at Wells Fargo Center? chance to succeed, to win. ... I'm excited to get things going for real." From the time Giroux elevated to the team's best player and the arrival of At least in the Blackhawks, the Flyers have a similar team to start with, Voracek and Couturier helped change the face of the Flyers' young core, aging veterans mixed with younger players. Of course, those Hawks vets this club has started seasons badly. Season after season since the labor- have three Cup rings to admire. delayed 2013 season, the Flyers have played their first dozen or so games to sub-.500 standards. For the likes of Giroux, Voracek, Couturier and van Riemsdyk, however, it's never too late to search for their first. So starting 2019-20 in the Czech Republic, then flying back for one home game Oct. 9, then immediately jetting to Western Canada for a three- Delaware County Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 game swing ... doesn't that make it a little tougher to start on a winning note?

"Well, we knock it out right away, right?" Voracek countered. "Right at the start. We've done those trips. Every trip is tough, but Western Canada, obviously we know that's tough. But everybody has to go through it."

Ahead of the opener, a position-by-position look at who the Flyers will go through it with this season: 1155466 Philadelphia Flyers top of the organizational chart, offering protection. Dave Scott, a former TV executive, was in charge, and, in character, wanted better programming.

McCaffery: From a fresh distance, Flyers' chances look bright Hired to study and improve the Flyers' personnel, not necessarily to scuttle it, Fletcher has kept just enough of the recent core to allow it to spike under the Vigneault system. And he spiced that with some new talents, including $50 million free-agent purchase Kevin Hayes. Since By Jack McCaffery Hayes had scored more than 20 goals once in his five-year career, his addition did not inspire a welcome-to-town pep rally. But the idea was to trust Fletcher's eye for talent. He liked Hayes. So why not? The Flyers are ready to start a new season without any bullies behind the bench or in the GM's chair. New head coach Alain Vigneault, left, and Friday, it all begins. Captain Claude Giroux is still only 31 and perhaps almost new general manager Chuck Fletcher, right, are tasked with the yet to peak. The line he may share with Hayes will be a virtual snapshot mission to return the franchise to prominence in the Philadelphia sports of the Flyers' commitment to both the old and the new. Familiar Sean market. Couturier and Scott Laughton will center lines. James van Riemsdyk, last season's pricey free-agent acquisition, can have a big season with some PHILADELPHIA — No less than 4,100 miles from the statue of Ed decent health. Some of the young defensive core Hextall had been Snider, the Flyers will open their 52nd NHL season Friday afternoon, grooming, including Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Robert Hagg, Sam normal NHL time. In so many ways, that means their plan is working. Morin and Shayne Gostisbehere are all ready to compete at the NHL level. A Carter Hart and Brian Elliott goaltending rotation can be a nice Distance is what they will seek as they try, once again, for that elusive blend of youth and experience. Stanley Cup III. They will strive for it on the ice, with a new coach and philosophy of speed-based cycling. They will seek it everywhere else, “I think any time you've got a new staff coming in it’s a process,” too, with an effort to move away from what for so long had almost Vigneault said, after a recent preseason game. “It’s a process. We've got worked. a lot of work to do. We know it and we’re going to do it. I am very confident that this group wants to play the right way and I’ll be able to get For the first time in 25 years, they will open a season under a general them to play the right way.” manager who never played Shift 1 in an orange sweater with a winged P. From Bob Clarke's second tenure in 1994, through eight years of Paul When the Flyers open at home Wednesday against the Devils, their Holmgren, through another four with Ron Hextall choosing the personnel, building will have been fully transformed. All the seats will be black. And the Flyers' roster had been designed by a franchise legend. But when at center ice, there will be a larger logo, one that is dissected by the red they oppose the Chicago Blackhawks in a for-keeps game Friday line, like a knife in the heart. It was a look Snider never wanted. The afternoon in Prague, the lineup will have been approved by an outsider. distance was necessary. The distance grows.

Chuck Fletcher, who became the general manager last December, is in Delaware County Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 charge. A 52-year-old hockey lifer, he wound his way through the Florida, Anaheim, Pittsburgh and Minnesota operations to the desk that, save for four years when it was used by Russ Farwell, had been the work station of an ex-Flyer since 1984. Involved in an executive position with two Penguins Stanley Cup teams and around the Ducks just before their 2007 championship, that made him qualified in a new way to the Flyers organization.

Fletcher didn't help the Flyers reach the postseason last year, but he did show in the offseason that he had his own views on talent selection, which, given the old views, was worth a stab.

High among Fletcher's early chores was to decide on a coach. When he'd arrived, he'd found Dave Hakstol behind the bench. A former college coach with an inability to win major-league support in the dressing room, Hakstol had been hired because, among other reasons, he'd coached Hextall’s son at the University of North Dakota. That decision helped cost Hextall a job. Fletcher had better idea: Hire an accomplished NHL head coach.

That would be Alain Vigneault, who'd coached 1,216 games with the Canadiens, Canucks and Rangers, seven times finishing in first place in a regular season. Though never a Stanley Cup winner, he twice guided a team into the final playoff round. Vigneault is what the Flyers had not had on a full-commitment basis since Peter Laviolette was fired three games into the 2014 season. In that time, they'd had entry-level Craig Berube and Hakstol, and 51 games with former Islanders coach Scott Gordon on an interim basis. In Vigneault, they have a proven value.

Even at the executive level, there was change. In July, Holmgren stepped down as president, Fletcher grabbing that title, too. At 63, Holmgren claimed he was ready to step aside and that he would still be around in some advisory capacity. But the walk-together-forever generation was doing an about-face.

“It's a family to me,” Holmgren said at the time. “It always has been. That's why I stayed. I loved the Flyers.”

Clarke remains involved in some executive capacity. Holmgren has a title. Billy Barber, too. Joe Watson is in the sales office. Bob Kelly will roam the stands and do in-house big-screen announcements. But so much else has gone, including the Kate Smith statue, whisked away by the gusts of a scandal involving long-ago videos.

Change may be healthy. Hakstol was overmatched. Hextall was trapped in some weird trust-the-process patience that matched the basketball franchise in the building. Snider, who died in 2016, was no longer at the 1155467 Philadelphia Flyers

Justin Braun embracing Philly (fans and media), new challenge with Flyers

By Jordan Hall October 03, 2019 7:15 PM

Following a preseason game, Justin Braun said, “I’ve never seen so much media.”

For the first time in his career, Braun is no longer in San Jose, where he played from 2010-19, appeared in 84 playoff games and made a run to the Stanley Cup Final.

The 32-year-old defenseman is excited about being in Philadelphia and believes his experience can help a Flyers team that hasn’t won a postseason series since 2012.

The Flyers have youth across their blue line. Shayne Gostisbehere is 26, Robert Hagg and Samuel Morin are 24, Travis Sanheim is 23 and Ivan Provorov is 22. Philippe Myers, who isn’t far away from joining the group, is 22.

“Coming here and the playoff experience in San Jose, it translates to the regular season pretty good,” Braun said last month in a sit-down interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia's Derek Souders. “You’re in those high-pressure spots, not to panic, you’ve got to just make the next play, you can’t be flipping pucks for icings all the time. You’ve just got to take a deep breath, you’re going to be up 1-0 late in games and you’ve got to shut the door.”

Braun and another accomplished defenseman Matt Niskanen have a chance to improve the Flyers’ goal prevention. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Braun brings physicality and an active stick.

"I'm not the guy that's going to go out and have a big open-ice hit,” Braun said in training camp. “Mine is more contained. I like to get physical with guys but that's more to knock them off the puck, get them straight- legged.

“I'm not the [Niklas] Kronwall and blow anyone up coming up the boards like that. I'll play guys hard, but I wasn't gifted with that timing, too, to absolutely smoke guys center ice. Have that gap, end plays on the wall, if they chip the puck, finish that hit. Because if you let them off the hook, they're just going to have easy nights.”

For more from Braun on Philly, his style of play and the Flyers’ youth, watch the "Break the Ice" video above.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155468 Philadelphia Flyers I see the Flyers finishing with an 82.0 penalty kill percentage or above. Maybe even finish this season the same as the 2012-13 season as top

five in the league? That’d be cool. Fearless Forecast for the Flyers' 2019-20 season Hall

The century man … again By Brooke Destra, Katie Emmer, Jordan Hall October 03, 2019 5:30 PM Claude Giroux followed up his career-resurgent 102-point season with a respectable 85 points in 2018-19.

Ready for Flyers hockey? The Flyers asked him to play different positions and switch roles on the power play, while the 31-year-old also saw the highest ice time of his Let’s get you ready with our 2019-20 Flyers Fearless Forecast, featuring career (1,759:27) and his most shorthanded minutes (142:14) since the a random assortment of bold predictions from NBC Sports Philadelphia's 2011-12 season. He did so playing for two separate head coaches as the Brooke Destra, Katie Emmer and Jordan Hall. organization underwent sudden changes.

Destra The captain was pretty good despite some dire circumstances.

Couturier for Selke? Couturier for Selke! Giroux has discovered a way to get better with age. The Flyers have improved depth and stability this season, while Giroux has shown no Sean Couturier was a Selke finalist back in 2017-18 but fell short in the signs of slowing down. voting last season and ... it's still uncertain as to why. Couturier put up near-identical numbers the past two seasons and, if anything, his two- He’s going to crack 100 points for the second time in his career. way game has only continued to improve. Concerns about JVR Maybe it was because of his slow start in October. This time last year, he was coming off an injury, but now? Couturier is going into this season Concerns about James van Riemsdyk? It has nothing to do with his hungry. readiness. The 30-year-old is the epitome of a pro and fuels on preparation. I expect him to reach career-best numbers with at least 80 points and he will also be a Selke finalist. He'll finally get the national recognition he However, my concerns surround his role. Toward the end of the deserves — or at least I'm hoping, since he was not even ranked as a preseason, van Riemsdyk was playing on the third line and second-unit top-20 center in the league this past offseason. (I had him at 15, though.) power play. Those spots are not where he is best suited. There’s no reason why van Riemsdyk shouldn’t be in the team’s top six and on the Is it too soon to start a #CootsForSelke hashtag? first-unit man advantage, where he can do damage.

Anyways, #CootsForSelke. Last season, from Jan. 10 to March 21, van Riemsdyk scored 20 goals in 31 games. No NHL player had more goals during that span. In that A new milestone for T.K. stretch, his role was prominent and the Flyers went 21-8-2. Travis Konecny has a new, bright and shiny contract but with that comes Should we be wary of a slow start from van Riemsdyk? If his position in a lot more responsibility. The winger may even be the most important the lineup and on the power play is up and down and consistently factor for a successful Flyers season. changing, the concerns are real. Though he missed the first few days of training camp, once he arrived, it Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 was like he didn't miss a beat. Pretty impressive work from the 22-year- old. And things are going to only improve.

I'd be shocked if he doesn't hit the 30-goal mark this season. If there was ever a time to do it, it'd be 2019-20. And to be frank, he would have hit that milestone last season if it weren't for the ongoing battle of him vs. the post.

Emmer

Clear eyes, full Hart, 50-plus games

Yes, the Flyers played eight goaltenders last season, setting the NHL record, but I do not believe that will be the case this season.

I know they say to not put all your eggs in one basket, but I’m betting everything on Carter Hart.

It is the Carter Hart era in Philadelphia. If he stays healthy and is as successful as he was in his 31 games last season, I see him between the pipes for 50-plus games this year.

PK will finish top half in the league

The Flyers allowed the third-most goals in the league last season at 280.

Besides that and the whole goaltending situation, the penalty kill has struggled, as well.

Last season, the PK finished bottom six in the league. The season before that? Bottom three.

Since 2014-15, the Flyers’ penalty kill percentage is 78.4. Only one NHL team sports a worst mark during that stretch: the Oilers at 78.0.

General manager Chuck Fletcher knew this needed to be improved and focused on that in the offseason, bringing in Kevin Hayes and Matt Niskanen.

With the new personnel, I see the penalty kill drastically improving this season. 1155469 Philadelphia Flyers

P.K. Subban and Gritty go head to head after defenseman shares funny image on social media

By Brooke Destra October 03, 2019 2:35 PM

One of the newest members of the Devils (no, not Wayne Simmonds) took to social media to ask the world one of the most hard-hitting questions of our time — who did it better?

P.K. Subban recently posted near-identical Images of him on a zip line and the one and only, Gritty.

Who did it better?🤷🏿‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/XY943lfaSP

— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) October 2, 2019

Many started to state their cases of who truly prevailed, even Gnash — the Predators’ mascot.

None of the above. pic.twitter.com/S17W9Ojw0r

— Gnash (@Gnash00) October 3, 2019

And even while the mascot is living it up during his business trip to Prague, Gritty found the time to reply (he always does). ur obsessed with me.

— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) October 3, 2019

It didn't seem like the mascot was too impressed.

Kudos to the defenseman — but Gritty will always prevail.

Subban and the Devils will head to Philadelphia to meet the Flyers for their home opener on Oct. 9, when Gritty will more than likely show up to impress. One can only imagine what shenanigans he's preparing.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155470 Philadelphia Flyers

2019-20 Flyers season brings a new alternate captain as Kevin Hayes joins Sean Couturier, Jakub Voracek

By Jordan Hall October 03, 2019 11:30 AM

Claude Giroux is still the captain.

Let's just get that out there now. Please don't start with the "strip him of the C!" ridiculousness.

Giroux, the longest-tenured athlete in Philadelphia going back to 2008, has been the Flyers' captain since January 2013. He's the face of the franchise and leads by example. Teammates, from the vets to the kids, truly look up to his actions.

Now time for the newsier items: Sean Couturier, Jakub Voracek and Kevin Hayes will be the Flyers' alternate captains.

A bunch of beauties. #NHLGlobalSeries pic.twitter.com/a1CDM6H21I

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 3, 2019

The hometown hero gets front and center for the team pic. #NHLGlobalSeries pic.twitter.com/L8ObkNxj4c

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 3, 2019

The 26-year-old Couturier wore the "A" for home games last season. He was drafted by the club in 2011 and is entering his ninth season with the Flyers, which is hard to believe. He has transformed into the team's do-it- all player.

Voracek became an alternate captain last season after the Wayne Simmonds trade in February. He has played for the Flyers since 2011, is as honest as they get and has always been seen as one of the clear leaders alongside Giroux.

The new addition is Hayes, who was acquired this summer and signed to a seven-year, $50 million contract. The 27-year-old is ready for the next step in his career and will be helpful to his teammates as they get used to head coach Alain Vigneault's system.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155471 Philadelphia Flyers Lindblom, Twarynski, Bunnaman, Farabee or Myers. Hart and Lindblom were roster locks, so two of the final four had to go. The Flyers chose to send down Farabee and Myers. And there’s your opening-night roster.

Making sense of the Flyers’ roster decisions and landscape going Question No. 2: Why didn’t the Flyers put anyone on long-term injured forward reserve?

The above section operates under the assumption that all 25 players on the roster prior to Tuesday’s final cutdown would count against the cap. By Charlie O'Connor Oct 3, 2019 But there is a way around that.

In theory, the Flyers could have become cap compliant without sending down players such as Farabee and Myers, through the use of long-term Let the speculation and armchair GMing on CapFriendly come to a injured reserve (LTIR). merciful end: The Philadelphia Flyers have their roster and lineup set for Friday’s season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks. Unlike normal IR, which clears a roster spot but keeps the team on the hook for an injured player’s cap obligations, LTIR clears a roster spot and Tuesday’s news that the Flyers had removed Philippe Myers and Joel allows a team to tap into LTIR relief. That essentially means the team is Farabee from the finalized, start-of-season roster surprised many, but allowed to exceed the cap ceiling by a certain amount for as long as the without clarification from the front office, it remained possible that one or player(s) on LTIR is injured. both could return to active status before puck drop Friday as a result of injured-reserve maneuvering. On Thursday, general manager Chuck From the Flyers’ perspective, Pitlick was never a realistic option for this Fletcher made it clear to the traveling media in Prague that would not be designation. He was expected back as soon as Game 2, and an injury the case. needs to be serious (rather than, in Pitlick’s case, missed conditioning) to get league approval for LTIR. Instead, Tyler Pitlick would be cleared for action, giving the Flyers a 12- forward, six-defenseman starting lineup with two rookies, Carsen Patrick and Welinski were different stories. The timeline for Patrick’s Twarynski and Connor Bunnaman — the surprise winners of training return from his migraine disorder remains nebulous, and Welinski is still camp’s roster battle. Robert Hägg would start the season in the lineup. “week to week” with his lower-body injury. Without knowing the details of Samuel Morin would be on the roster but a healthy scratch. Nolan Patrick their projected timelines, one would think the Flyers could have at least and Andy Welinski would begin the season on injured reserve. Add in the made a case to put one or both on LTIR prior to submitting their final players who were locks to make the team, and there’s your opening night roster or between Tuesday and Friday’s game. Then, a player such as 2019-20 Flyers. Farabee or Myers could have been brought back using LTIR relief.

The decisions of the last few days raise questions. Let’s answer six of the But Fletcher confirmed Thursday that neither player would be returning. most pressing (and complicated) ones. So why didn’t the Flyers choose the LTIR route?

Question No. 1: Why a 21-man active roster? The first reason is logistical. A player can be placed on LTIR only if he is expected to miss 10 games or 24 days (the longer of the two). So viewed The NHL allows teams to keep 23 active players on their rosters through another lens: If placed on LTIR to start the season, Patrick throughout the season. But the roster the Flyers submitted to the league and/or Welinski wouldn’t be eligible to be activated under Oct. 28. That’s Tuesday had only 20 players actually activated — a number that should a big chunk of time. grow to 21 with the expected activation of Pitlick from IR before Friday’s game. Why wouldn’t the Flyers take full advantage of the league’s roster With Welinski, it’s not a big deal — he wasn’t supposed to make the team limits? anyway. If he had to stay on LTIR a couple of extra days after being theoretically available to play, it wouldn’t have been a major issue, since It’s as simple as this: They needed to start the season under the salary he’ll be sent down to the minors shortly after he’s healthy regardless. cap ceiling of $81.5 million, and they didn’t have enough cap space to Patrick’s situation, however, is different. accommodate any more active players. (James Guillory / USA Today) Technically, the Flyers do have 23 players on their final roster. But two of them — Patrick and Welinski — are on injured reserve. Players on Patrick’s return date is a complete unknown, a byproduct of the normal injured reserve don’t count as active players — logically, they’re understandable uncertainty surrounding head issues. But based on injured — but they do still count against the salary cap ceiling. And Fletcher’s comments last Thursday at Madison Square Garden, there therein lies the Flyers’ issue. seems to be at least a bit of organizational hope Patrick won’t miss much more time. After the Flyers return from Europe, the plan is to circle up Right now, they have 23 players — plus the buyout penalties from with Patrick (who didn’t go on the trip) and see if the new regimen Andrew MacDonald and David Schlemko, in addition to the salary cap following his recent diagnosis is working. If it is, then they’ll work on retention from the trade that sent Radko Gudas to Washington — who getting the 21-year-old in game shape — remember, he did miss all of add up to $81,216,189 in cap commitment, per CapFriendly. That puts active training camp. them just $283,811 under the cap ceiling. Is it optimistic to think he’ll be ready to go before Oct. 28? Probably. The That’s not enough space to accommodate a 22nd healthy player. The regimen would have to work and he’d have to suffer no setbacks. But by player with the lowest cap hit in the organization today is Reece Willcox not placing him on LTIR, the team leaves open the possibility for a quick (who obviously is not ready for the NHL), and his cap hit is $675,000. So return to action, and considering his importance to the team, it’s not hard even though placing Patrick and Welinski on IR opens up two roster to argue that even a small chance of Patrick not missing the first month spots, the Flyers don’t have the cap space to fill them. of the year is worth keeping him off LTIR. It also helps to explain why Myers and Farabee had to be removed prior But there’s another, deeper reason why the Flyers (and all teams) are to the roster submission deadline Tuesday, despite there technically incentivized to avoid LTIR: Tapping into it doesn’t mean good things for a being spaces available. team’s future cap situation. On Monday, the Flyers had 25 realistic candidates to begin the season Most people understandably think of the salary cap ceiling as a set, flat with the NHL club, and the group as a whole added up to $82,820,078 in number — this year, it’s $81.5 million. But really, it should be viewed in cap commitments — about $1.3 million over the ceiling. Injured players terms of daily cap space. cannot be sent down until they are cleared for action, so Patrick, Pitlick and Welinski were out as demotion options. And when the Monday Let’s imagine in an oversimplified world, a sport’s “cap ceiling” is $1,000 waiver deadline came and went with no Flyers players on waivers, it and the league year is 100 days. That means that every day, the team is became clear that none of the players who needed to pass through allowed to spend $10 combined on all of their daily salaries ($10 x 100 waivers before a demotion would be the final cuts. days = $1000).

That left only six possible options for demotion to clear $1.3 million worth But on Day 1, what if they only spend $9.50? That means they’ve of space (the player maximum, of course, could have been solved “banked” $0.50 worth of unused cap space that could be used later in the through the use of IR) before Tuesday’s deadline: Carter Hart, Oskar season. In other words, one day in the future, they could technically go For the record, I personally would have put Farabee on the team at 3W “over” the cap and spend $10.50. over Twarynski. Farabee is the better prospect, the better player at the moment and had the better process at camp, even if the results weren’t That’s not a big deal for one day. But imagine how much money a team there. But Twarynski WAS the more productive player, and that can’t be saves after consistently banking cap space for a month, three months, denied, even if I view point-scoring in four to five meaningless hockey even five months. This is how teams at the deadline make trades that games more the result of randomness than anything else, especially have them seemingly over the cap ceiling; they can do it because they’ve given the number of chances Farabee helped to create. banked enough cap space from October through February to add another expensive player and still remain compliant with league rules. Still, I understand how keeping Farabee over Twarynski might not have sent the message the new brain trust wanted — it could have played like The problem with LTIR is that if a team uses it to exceed the cap ceiling, Farabee received special treatment due to his draft pedigree and not the the club doesn’t bank any cap space for as long as it’s in use. objective results of his camp. That’s a case that can legitimately be That makes everything more difficult — call-ups, injury replacements made, even if I don’t personally support it. and, of course, in-season trades. Even if a team thinks it will only use Question No. 4: Why didn’t Philippe Myers make the team? LTIR for a couple of weeks, if another player gets hurt in the interim and also requires LTIR, it’s not hard to envision a situation in which a team There’s a good case to be made that Farabee’s demotion wasn’t cap- never really exits the situation. So generally speaking, if a team can driven. It probably had something to do with Myers’ demotion, though. avoid using LTIR to exceed the ceiling, it’s best to try very hard to do so. The Flyers very clearly entered camp with the hope, even the Yes, the Flyers could have probably used LTIR. But once they learned expectation, of Myers making the big club. Fletcher’s comments after the Pitlick would likely be ready to play Game 1, it no longer became a Gudas-for-Matt Niskanen swap made it sound like Myers’ name was requirement to tap into it to deploy a 12F/6D/2G lineup structure in being written into the third-pair RHD spot, and then Myers began camp Friday’s game. Granted that opportunity, it makes sense they chose to playing almost exclusively with locks for the opening-night roster. Add in build their roster in such a way that allowed them to avoid LTIR entirely. that Myers played in 21 Flyers games at the end of last season and didn’t look terribly out of place, and it seemed a fait accompli that Myers would Question No. 3: Why didn’t Joel Farabee make the team? be in the starting lineup for Game 1.

In the wake of Farabee’s demotion, it’s been thrown around that he didn’t So what happened? make the team only because of the precarious cap situation. Essentially, he’s gone because the Flyers didn’t want to put Patrick or Welinski on Entering camp, the Flyers likely figured there was a good chance they LTIR. were going to keep eight defensemen on their final opening-night roster. Vigneault’s comment earlier this week hints at as much, as he stated his But when you really dive deep into the decision, it doesn’t seem like preference for 8D lineups for practice purposes. Myers was written into that’s the case. the lineup in pencil, and both Samuel Morin and Robert Hägg — whom There were two key quotes regarding Farabee last Thursday from the organization view as NHL-caliber defensemen — were no longer Philadelphia’s key decision-makers: head coach Alain Vigneault and GM waiver-exempt, so demoting them meant at least a slight risk of losing Fletcher. The one from Vigneault understandably got the most play; he one for nothing. said that it would be “a surprise” if Farabee weren’t in the lineup for Unfortunately, Myers had his second consecutive uneven training camp. Game 1. That seemed to make the 19-year-old all but a lock for a spot. It’s not accurate to call it “bad,” but it certainly wasn’t consistently good But there was another, less-publicized quote from Fletcher that proved either, as Myers counterbalanced flashes of high-end defensive upside even more important for Farabee’s chances. with glaring errors. It all culminated in last Monday’s game in Boston, “Right now, he’s on our third line, and if that continues to be the case, I’ll when two Myers mistakes quickly resulted in goals against. This wasn’t a continue to push for him to be here,” Fletcher said. “If that changes, then case of youngster truly putting his best foot (or skate) forward. obviously the situation changes.” (Eric Hartline / USA Today)

Well, midway through the second period against Lausanne HC, Farabee Then, there was the Welinski situation to complicate things further. was dropped out of the top-nine group of forwards. In retrospect, that Injured players can’t be demoted, and the Flyers couldn’t even use the likely sounded the death knell for his chances. season-opening IR designation that they used for Pascal Laberge in After all, the Flyers could have easily kept Farabee and still stayed out of 2018-19 (which removed his cap hit entirely from the club’s books) LTIR. They just had to send down Twarynski instead — the same Carsen because Welinski was on a one-way contract and played in NHL games Twarynski who skated in the third-line RW position during the last two last season. Due to the Flyers’ unwillingness to tap into LTIR relief, practice days. In other words, it seems like Farabee lost his spot to Welinski essentially became the “eighth defenseman” on the roster, if Twarynski. only in terms of cap management.

But what about the fourth line? As Fletcher hinted on Thursday, fourth- Now, if Myers had blown the doors off during camp, as expected, and line duties were never really an option for Farabee. He was either going made it clear that he had to be in the NHL lineup, my guess is that the to make the team in a scoring role — on one of the top three lines — or Flyers would have found a way to keep him. But that didn’t happen. he was going to start his pro career in the AHL, getting heavy minutes in Instead, by the end of preseason, Hägg was playing in the presumptive all situations. That was always the organizational view of what was best top-six on defense. Myers, on the other hand, found himself on a pairing for his development. with Morin, who’s ticketed for healthy scratch territory.

(Sarah Stier / USA Today) Absent the Welinski situation, Myers might have started the season as an NHL healthy scratch. After all, he’s spent nearly two full years in the AHL; Now, it’s fair to say that the situation did come off a little weird. Farabee at this point, acclimating himself to higher competition (even in practice) had a monster game in New York just last Thursday, and his NHL coach seems more important than running over AHL competition. But now the came about as close as possible to calling him a lock. Then, 1.5 Flyers have to accommodate an additional $750,000 worth of cap mediocre periods of an unusual exhibition game later, and suddenly he’s commitment in the form of Welinski, at least until he can be cleared, not good enough. It’s at least possible that once it became clear to the waived and demoted. Flyers that Pitlick could play in Game 1, which would allow them to dress 12 healthy forwards and stay out of LTIR and let Farabee start in the So who were the Flyers going to send down? Not Hägg, who apparently minors — I do believe that was always their preference — they were won the No. 6 defenseman battle in camp and will start in Game 1. Morin looking for a reason to send him down. was an option, but there was the risk of losing him on waivers. That left Myers, who is still waiver-exempt and wasn’t playing in Game 1 anyway. That said, it’s absolutely true that Farabee failed to score any points in He became the logical choice. preseason. His camp was very reminiscent of Lindblom’s 2017 camp showing, when the Swede played well but struggled to finish chances. Now, I would not be surprised if Myers returns once the Welinski situation Like Lindblom, Farabee lasted until the end of camp but ultimately didn’t is resolved. Vigneault said he prefers having eight defensemen in the make the cut. NHL, and Myers is the obvious player to fit that bill in the absence of cap issues. I assume he’ll be back soon. Question No. 5: Will this lineup/roster hold past Game 1? Essentially, the race to fill the “gritty, physical forward” quota might still be going on. It’s just now extended into the regular season, with Twarynski Probably not! and/or Bunnaman needing to perform well to continue to hold off Stewart.

Fletcher has made it clear throughout camp that the roster and lineup for Never say following the Flyers isn’t interesting. Game 1 is just that — the roster and lineup for Game 1. He hasn’t been shy about the fact that the bottom of the roster will be in something of a The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 state of flux, at least early in the season.

“I anticipate an awful lot of roster changes the first six weeks of the year,” Fletcher said on Sept. 24, a stance he reiterated later in the conversation. “I think we fully understand there’s going to be probably a steady flow of players moving between Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley, particularly in the early part of the season.”

It’s fair to assume Myers will be back in the near future. Once Patrick is cleared to play, Bunnaman (who is playing center in Patrick’s absence) will probably go down the minors, unless he’s so impressive the team chooses to keep him around and move him to wing. Twarynski might not even be long for the lineup; if he struggles early, it’s not crazy to think he could quickly return to the AHL and one of the last cuts (even Farabee) could come up to replace him.

“I can’t keep stressing that we are going to put a roster together to play against Chicago,” Fletcher said in September. “We certainly reserve the right to immediately make changes for the New Jersey game or the Vancouver game. There’s not going to be any ‘final roster’ or ‘final cuts.’ There’s going to be a flow of players between Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley for the early part of the season, in my opinion, depending who we’re playing, the health of our team, whether we need right-shots or left- shots, wingers or centermen.”

In other words, for guys like Bunnaman and Twarynski, this isn’t a “you made the team, so go get an apartment” type of situation. It’s “you’re here today, but you might not be tomorrow.” The roster moves are far from over.

Question No. 6: What about Chris Stewart?

And then there’s Chris Stewart. Yep, he’s still hanging around.

Stewart has not been signed to a contract, so with Game 1 just hours away, he is not officially a Flyer. But he’s still with the club in Europe, skating and practicing as if he were on the team. He’s just doing it via PTO (professional tryout) status.

Obviously, the Flyers don’t have the cap space to sign him to a contract now, even if they wanted to do so. If they don’t have the money to fit Willcox, they certainly can’t fit whatever it would cost to get Stewart, a player with actual NHL experience, signed to a one-year deal.

But players on PTOs can stick with a team past the preseason, so long as the team does not release them from said PTO. Dennis Seidenberg did as much last season after not earning a contract on his training camp PTO last season. It’s not a move without precedent.

(Courtesy of Kate Frese)

For now, it makes some sense to keep Stewart around if he’s willing to stay. Once Farabee — who is still with the team in Europe — reports to the Phantoms next week, the team will have only 12 healthy forwards for practice. Stewart provides an extra body the coaching staff might want, but can’t have, for cap reasons. He just can’t play in games because he’s not under contract.

That doesn’t mean the Flyers won’t sign him eventually. Seidenberg earned a contract, though he never got into a game (it was just as rosters expanded past the 23-man maximum, after the trade deadline). If the Flyers have designs on adding Stewart to the roster, when could they do it?

In theory, they could get him signed to a deal after Welinski is cleared to play and removed from the roster (if he is the first of the IR players to be activated). But if the Flyers want to have eight defensemen on the roster, the more logical decision at that point would be to recall Myers.

Re-evaluating the Stewart situation after Patrick returns feels more likely. With Patrick back in the lineup, presumably Bunnaman or Twarynski would be pushed to the bench, and both are waiver-exempt. So if the Flyers want Stewart on the roster as the 13th forward, they could easily just send the odd-man-out rookie to the minors, and use the resulting cap space to get Stewart under contract. 1155472 Philadelphia Flyers get another job in hockey just because I was willing to scout or what have you. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do to get back in.”

Fletcher returned to the managerial post in a most unusual circumstance, Behind the scenes with the Flyers’ stacked coaching staff taking over for Flyers great Ron Hextall last November when ownership became impatient with the plan Hextall put in place to develop a winning team.

Scott Burnside Oct 3, 2019 “Last season literally being thrown into the middle of a season, the first thing I did I met with every player,” Fletcher said. “I set up a 30-minute

meeting with every player. We had a western road swing and I was VOORHEES, N.J. –Alain Vigneault walked out of Madison Square asking them, tell me about your parents, tell me about your family. Where Garden for the last time as the Rangers head coach in early April 2018. do you spend your summers? What do you like to do? All these things that you take for granted when you’ve been a manager for a while. From that time until this past April when Philadelphia GM Chuck Fletcher You’re trying to establish a relationship with the players, just getting to met Vigneault in Florida and offered him the Flyers’ head coaching job, know them as people. Trying to understand who they are and where they there were many things Vigneault did not do. come from. And then you also have to go about getting to know them as players. It was a lot to take in.” He did not, for instance, spend last season taping hockey games and making notes. It wasn’t particularly pretty.

He did not build a book of stats and observations to show to a The Flyers were a mess in goal and a mess defensively. They had prospective NHL employer. players, many of them young, playing out of position, trying to do too much. He did not break down video as he had on an almost daily basis during the previous 12 NHL seasons as the head coach in Vancouver and New “We gave up 281 goals last year. That’s almost hard to do,” Fletcher York. said.

He never fretted over whether he’d get another shot at an elusive Stanley So Fletcher began looking for a coaching staff that could deliver structure Cup ring. and accountability.

So what did he do? Fletcher reached out to Vigneault as soon as the 2018-19 regular season ended, and the two met in Florida at Turnberry Golf Course. He bought a condo in Florida. “At the time I wasn’t just going to go anywhere and I made that real clear He golfed. when I talked to Chuck,” Vigneault said. “I wanted to go somewhere He took up tennis again. where I felt in the near future I had a chance to win. In my repertoire I’m missing a Stanley Cup. I wanted to go to a place where I had a chance to He hung out with his daughters, ages 25 and 29. win.”

He had friends and family visit. Fletcher held up his end of the bargain.

He went on a golf trip to Arizona with eight buddies. Kevin Hayes, who played for Vigneault in New York, was signed to a Vigneault, 58, smiles from behind his desk at the Flyers’ Voorhees, New whopper seven-year deal to provide a physical presence down the Jersey, practice facility at the memory of the trip, at the memory of the middle as a second-line center. Veteran right-hand shot defensemen entire season away from the game really. Matt Niskanen, who won a Cup with Washington in 2018, and Justin Braun, who’d played in 60 playoff games for San Jose, were acquired by “Bienvenue” is written inside the large Philadelphia Flyers logo affixed to trade to balance the young, talented but mistake-prone left side of the the wall above a doorway in Vigneault’s office – a nod to Vigneault’s blue line. francophone roots. Now it was up to Vigneault to make it work. On his desk and scattered around his office are pictures of his two daughters, friends and family. There are a couple of hockey pictures. But Every team seeks to turn their matter to gold. Few achieve it. what catches your eye is the plastic Stanley Cup sitting on the desk, the But there are signs that you are on the right path. Like the coaching kind of trinket you might find in a team store. The plastic replica, maybe staff’s first meeting in these very offices back in August. five inches high, is positioned so that whoever happens to plop down in front of Vigneault can’t miss it. Maybe it’s positioned so by chance, but From the time he took on his first NHL head coaching gig in Montreal in there is so little about Vigneault that is about chance that it seems 1997, Vigneault has always gathered the NHL staff and the staff of the unlikely. AHL affiliate for a summer meeting.

The talisman traveled with Vigneault from Vancouver to New York to However, the dynamic at this August meeting was markedly different. storage to his desk with the Flyers. In attendance was Scott Gordon, head coach of the Flyers’ AHL affiliate “It’s the reason I’m back coaching,” he said. in Lehigh Valley. Gordon was promoted to interim Flyers head coach when Dave Hakstol was fired in December. Gordon also interviewed for The man directly responsible for returning Vigneault to the ranks of NHL the job that now belongs to Vigneault before agreeing to return to head coaches is Fletcher, who is sitting in an office upstairs. Gordon’s previous post with the Phantoms.

Next spring will mark 45 years since the Flyers won the second of back- What could have been a moment of awkwardness that set the process to-back Stanley Cups in 1975. In the dressing room at the practice facility back instead became a collaborative one that helped to lay the are framed reminders of those moments of glory, the covers of national foundation for a dynamic, well-run training camp. magazines reminding current players of the team’s rich history but also reminding them of the vast amount of time that has passed since those “Watching those two interact in the coaches’ meetings was incredibly parades. impressive,” Fletcher said. “AV (Vigneault) came into the meetings with a completely open mind, involved all of his staff. Scott Gordon probably Vigneault and Fletcher arrived carrying their own baggage of had as much input as anybody in those meetings as to how we were disappointment and dismissal. Fletcher was fired by the Minnesota Wild going to play. Our forecheck. Our neutral zone. Our defensive zone. two weeks and two days after Vigneault was dismissed by the Rangers. Everything that they discussed and debated and collectively decided on “There’s a lot of disappointment. Not only that you lost your job but that how we were going to play this year.” somebody felt you weren’t able to get the job done or didn’t get the job Back when Vigneault held that first meeting in 1997, the assistant of the done,” Fletcher told The Athletic. “It takes time to internalize that. I had Habs’ AHL affiliate was Michel Therrien. no idea whether I’d ever get another management job again. I figured I’d Therrien eventually became a head coach, and standing alongside him for seven seasons at the AHL and NHL level was Mike Yeo, who went on to become the head coach in Minnesota and St. Louis. Now those two A year ago, Yeo entered the season with a revamped Blues roster, but a men are on Vigneault’s staff. slow start and inconsistent goaltending led to a coaching change just 19 games into the season. In mid-June, the Blues were celebrating the When you talk to people about Vigneault, one word comes up over and team’s first Stanley Cup win after Game 7 in Boston. over: presence. Part of what that means in the context of this unique dynamic in Philadelphia is that Vigneault wasn’t just confident enough in “I would say it was really, really difficult individually, personally to sit there his own skin to have two strong personalities in Therrien and Yeo join and kind of watch. To say what if,” Yeo said with a great sigh. him on the bench, but that he relished the idea. But after some honest self-assessment, Yeo, 46, has come to grips with “At the end of the day, nobody understands more of what a head coach what happened in St. Louis and is determined that it will serve as a goes through than a head coach,” Vigneault said. learning experience – and not just a sharp kick in the professional shins.

When Vigneault arrived in Vancouver, Rick Bowness had been a head “As difficult as it was, I know that this is going to be a really, really good coach elsewhere and the two became best friends. In New York, Scott thing for me down the road,” Yeo said. “I think the amount of time Arniel was part of Vigneault’s staff after being a head coach. And when especially, really allowed me the opportunity to reflect and look at the Vigneault added Lindy Ruff to his staff, Ruff had actually coached more areas that I need to get better at, to focus on those things. This was one games than Vigneault. where it was a real gut punch but it was a real reality check and a real opportunity to grow.” “For me, I always felt you’ve got to surround yourself with the best possible people,” Vigneault said. “I think one of the reasons I’ve been That growth has already happened under Vigneault. able to survive so long in this league is because I’ve had great assistants. You’re only as good as the people that surround you. And I’ve “You get to go to school every day,” said Yeo, who was fishing on Lake had great people. This one’s going to work out.” Erie when Fletcher called about the job. “You see his experience. How he manages a bench. His demeanor in certain situations. How he But the layers of this staff go beyond the fact that Yeo and Therrien are manages his emotions. How he manages the team’s emotions. How he former head coaches; it’s deep connections, both personal and plans things on a day to day basis.” professional, that set this staff apart from any other in the league. The new head coach’s office in Voorhees is the nerve center to what When Vigneault was fired from his first NHL head coaching gig in unfolded at one of the most anticipated training camps in years. Montreal early in the 2000-01 season, he was replaced by Therrien. To this day Therrien wrestles with the conflicting emotions of realizing his A few steps away is the Flyers’ main video room, a theater-like space dream by taking the place of his close friend. with comfy chairs each bearing the Flyers logo. The main dressing room is right there. Through the area that houses the facility’s ice resurfacing Fast forward almost two decades, past heated on-ice battles between machines is another well-equipped dressing room that leads to a Therrien’s Canadiens and Vigneault’s Rangers, and among the people massive gym, part of a $15 million renovation that was four years in the that Vigneault found living nearby his condo in Florida was none other making. than Therrien. Depending on whether the team played the night before, the coaching The two hockey lifers would go out occasionally in Florida, and early in staff arrives between 7 and 8 a.m. the new year Vigneault asked Therrien if he’d be interested in returning to the bench as an assistant. With coffee, tea or water in hand, they gather around the video monitor for about an hour. Next to that is a big white board with the roster laid Maybe it would give the hard as nails Therrien the opportunity to play the out, a fluid daily snapshot of the team. good cop for once in his career, Vigneault suggested. The coaches use the video to go over the penalty kill, the power play, Therrien is not one to mince words. scoring chances and, depending on the schedule, a pre-scout of the next game. He wouldn’t take that kind of job for just anyone. But for Vigneault, he would. Then they discuss what the focus is for the coming day.

Even Fletcher, who worked with Therrien in Pittsburgh and Minnesota, What drills do they need to use for each group? Who will lead those wondered if it would work. drills? Which coaches are meeting with each player one-on-one, and what clips will the coaches be showing them? “I just frankly said I’ve never seen Michel as an assistant coach. All my interactions with Michel as a coach have been as a head coach,” “Right now we’re doing more video work than we will during the regular Fletcher said. season,” Vigneault explained shortly before the team departed for Europe where they played an exhibition game in Switzerland before So Fletcher called and the two had a very candid conversation about how opening the season on Oct. 4 against Chicago in Prague. the dynamic would work. Alain Vigneault talks to reporters during training camp. (Zack Hill/Flyers) “I asked him lots of questions. How are you going to handle this? How are you going to handle this? And Michel was great, and so I said to AV, Yeo is tasked with helping repair one of the worst penalty kills in the NHL ‘look I’m on board,’” the GM said. last season (26th overall, although the team did show a meaningful improvement under Gordon’s tenure). Yeo also handles the team Vigneault didn’t know Yeo very well but both Therrien and Fletcher, who defense. had both hired and fired Yeo in Minnesota, were great supporters. He’s a morning guy and will start pulling clips for the defense and the “Mike will block shots for Chuck,” Therrien said with a laugh. penalty kill, and then if he sees something that he thinks Vigneault and Just as Vigneault and Fletcher have been denied the ultimate goal, so, the other coaches can use, he’ll pull those too. too, have Therrien and Yeo. Sometimes there’ll be 100 clips that he’s pulled and cataloged that could The two are the last two coaches to be fired midseason by teams that be used in coaches’ meetings or in individual sessions with players. went on to win a Stanley Cup. Those are scars that don’t heal easily, if at Yeo prefers to use the video room for those one-on-one sessions, all. although he’ll carry a tablet with him and, if the opportunity presents itself Therrien was dumped by Pittsburgh in February 2009, and four months in a hallway or dressing room or wherever, he’ll haul it out and go over a later Dan Bylsma was celebrating with the rest of the Penguins on Joe play or two with an individual player. Louis Arena ice after a dramatic Game 7 win. Therrien, along with Ian Lapierre, looks after the power play and the Does Therrien think about it? forward group.

“For sure. Every day. Every day,” the 55-year-old Therrien said. “We live Every day during training camp one of those assistants tried to spend for that. That’s our dream and this is the reason that we come into the time one-on-one with two to four players. Vigneault also made a point of office every day.” spending time one-on-one with players. The way Vigneault figures it, every second day or so each player had some one-on-one contact with Yeo’s Stanley Cup pain is more visceral. one of the coaches. Much of the finer points of teaching are handled off the ice. When the players are on the ice, there was a controlled urgency to the pace and the process. There’s very little whiteboard instruction disrupting the flow of practices.

“I’ve been impressed with him for sure. The coaching staff too. Just some of the details,” veteran winger James van Riemsdyk said. “On the bench, some of the little things he noticed about the game and different small plays that he would chat or say something about.

“You want that feedback as a player. I think it helps, that dialogue helps you get on the same page as everyone a little bit quicker, so that was nice to see him have that. He seems to be very cerebral and taking things in and sees little details of the game.”

This is a team that was careless with the puck last season, so much of what Vigneault is trying to introduce is a commitment to playing with pace but playing with control. In the place of daily wind sprints, Vigneault tried to employ an urgency to the drills that also provided a conditioning element.

One series of drills that focus on regrouping in the neutral zone and attacking the offensive zone was done over and over with few mistakes, catching the eye of former NHLer Colby Cohen, who is now a broadcast analyst.

“I definitely have been very impressed with the pace of it. It’s really been noticeably different than last year,” Cohen said. “The philosophy of moving the puck fast and actually playing fast has been impressive.”

Players he’s spoken to have called this one of the hardest camps they’ve experienced.

“And not in a bad way,” Cohen said. “I feel like the guys appreciate the way it’s been hard. It’s been hockey hard.”

It’s one thing to have a job, it’s another to have a calling and maybe what Fletcher et al have collected here is a group that has a calling as opposed to a group that has taken jobs.

If that’s the case, maybe this is about seeing an opportunity and seizing it.

With the Phillies, Eagles and 76ers all riding the swell of success and/or an influx of high profile talent, the Flyers are loath to fall further behind in one of the most dynamic sports markets in North America.

“The good organizations have people who can communicate really good with each other and everybody’s happy to come to work and wants to be around the team and within two weeks of (Fletcher) being here everything had changed,” Hall of Famer and Flyers senior advisor Bob Clarke said. “He just brought, I don’t know what you call it, we were struggling as an organization and as a team. And it was kind of dreary around here for a while. But he’s brought it back now. You wouldn’t find anybody in the organization now that’s not happy to be here not happy working for the brand. Just happy to be a Flyer again.”

Those who know this team feel as though this is the start of something different, if not special.

Vigneault gets up from behind his desk, checking his watch. He’s headed to another meeting, another step toward what lies ahead.

“I tried real hard to bring a cup to Vancouver,” Vigneault said. “I tried real hard to bring a Cup to New York. I’m going to try real hard, and hopefully the third time is a charm.

“I know we all have a time limit. And we do. Coaches, that’s the way it is. So I’m all in. I’ve always been all in but it seems in this one here, I’m even more vested. I know. At my stage of my coaching career, at my age. I’m vested. I’m in.”

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155473 Pittsburgh Penguins • Johnson, who switched from No. 73 to 3, became the 23rd player to wear No. 3 for the Penguins. His predecessors include:

Al MacNeil, John Arbour, Bob Woytowich, Tim Horton, Jack Lynch, Ron Empty Thoughts: Sabres 3, Penguins 1 Stackhouse, Bennett Wolf, Norm Schmidt, Doug Bodger, Jim Kyte, Jim Paek, Grant Jennings, Sergei Zubov, Stefan Bergkvist, Dan Trebil, Marc Bergevin, Jamie Pushor, Steve Poapst, Mark Eaton, Alex Goligoski, Douglas Murray, Olli Maatta. SETH RORABAUGH | Friday, October 4, 2019 12:44 a.m. • Tanev became the seven player in franchise history to wear No. 13. His

predecessors include: Observations from the Penguins’ season-opening 3-1 loss to the Sabres. Jim Hamilton, Charlie Simmer, Goligoski, Bill Guerin, Nick Spaling, Nick The Penguins were supposed to be faster, hungrier and more attentive Bonino. than the squad which meekly lost to the Islanders in a four-game sweep • Galchenyuk became the 27th player to wear No. 18 for the Penguins. during the first round of the 2019 postseason. His predecessors include: Instead, on the opening night of the 2019-20 season, it almost looked as George Konik, Wally Boyer, Lowell MacDonald, Ross Lonsberry, Kevin if they were playing Game 5 of that series. McClelland, Tom Roulston, Craig Simpson, Jimmy Mann, Mark Recchi, The Penguins bumbled and staggered through an error-filled season Richard Zemlak, Jeff Daniels, Ken Priestlay, Francois Leroux, Garry opener versus a hustling, eager Sabres squad. They were charged with a Valk, Patrick Lebeau, Ryan Savoia,Josef Beranek, Shean Donovan, ghastly 17 giveaways on the official scoresheet and were it not for a Steve Webb, Eric Boguniecki, Dominic Moore, Adam Hall, Marian Hossa, sturdy 38-save effort by goaltender Matt Murray, it could have been a far Chris Conner, James Neal, Frank Corrado. uglier affair. • Kahun is the 26th player in franchise history to wear No. 24. His Over the past decade-plus, on the occasions the Penguins have offered predecessors include: flat, lifeless efforts or are in the midst of an ugly skid of games, forward Gary Swain, Rod Zaine, Tim Horton, Eddie Shack, Jean Guy Lagace, Evgeni Malkin has often held court with reporters and laid out the brutal Larry Bignell (playoffs only), Mario Faubert, Don Awrey, Bob Paradise, truth. But usually, that happens with Game 36 of a ho-hum snooze-fest Pat Hughes, Marc Chorney, Pat Graham, Rob Garner, Ted Bulley, Kevin on a Tuesday in December against the Devils in Newark. Not on Game 1 McCarthy, Roger Belanger, Dwight Mathiasen, Troy Loney, Doug Brown, with all the trappings and festivities of a season opener. Ian Moran, Lyle Odelein, Kris Beech, Matt Cooke, Bobby Farnham, Regardless, he laid it down for his teammates to pick it up. Cameron Gaunce.

“Exhibition games are done,” Malkin said. “It’s real games right now. We • Malkin scored the Penguins’ first goal in a season for the second time in understand every team is dangerous. It doesn’t matter if it’s Buffalo, his career. His previous came in a 3-2 victory against the Rangers – the Washington. We need to learn, how we played tonight and play better for last home opener at the Civic Arena – on Oct. 2, 2009. sure. Like 100 percent better.” • Malkin became the eighth player to score mutliple first goals to a Statistically speaking season for the Penguins. He joins:

• The Sabres led in shots, 41-29. Mark Recchi – 3

• Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz led the game with six shots. Wally Boyer – 2

• Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and forward Jeff Skinner each led the Mike Bullard – 2 Sabres with five shots. Patric Hornqvist – 2 • Penguins defenseman Kris Letang led the game with 27:45 of ice time Rick Kehoe – 2 on 28 shifts. Tyler Kennedy – 2 • Defenseman Jake McCabe led the Sabres with 25:11 of ice time on 28 shifts. Mario Lemieux – 2

• The Sabres had a 32-31 edge in faceoffs (51 percent). Evgeni Malkin – 2

• Sabres forward Johan Larsson was 10 for 17 (59 percent). • Murray (43 losses) moved past Al Smith (42) for 14th place on the franchise’s career goaltending loss list. • Penguins forward Teddy Blueger was 7 for 13 (54 percent). RANDOMLY SPEAKING • McCabe led the game with four blocked shots. • Former Penguins forward Conor Sheary scored two goals, including the • Defensemen Brian Dumoulin, Jack Johnson, forward Brandon Tanev game-winner at 14:03 of the second period. He sure likes playing his ex and Blueger each led the Penguins with three blocked shots. team. In four career games against the Penguins, he now has six points HISTORICALLY SPEAKING (four goals, two assists).

• The Pengins lost in regulation to the Sabres for the first time since a 4-2 VISUALLY SPEAKING home loss, April 23, 2013. They had been 15-0-3 during that span. • Game summary. • Forward Jarome Iginla and Chris Kunitz scored for the Penguins that • Event summary. night. • Highlights (so to speak): • Sidney Crosby (1,217 points) surpassed forward Jeremy Roenick (1,216) for 42nd place on the NHL’s career scoring list. Follow the Penguins all season long.

• Forwards Alex Galchenyuk, Dominik Kahun and Tanev each made their Seth Rorabaugh Penguins debuts. Tribune Review LOADED: 10.04.2019 • Galchenyuk logged 15:22 of ice time on 24 shifts and had one shot on two attempts.

• Kahun logged 10:49 of ice time on 15 shifts. He did not record a shot attempt.

• Tanev logged 13:31 of ice time on 21 shifts and had thre shots on three attempts. 1155474 Pittsburgh Penguins “We need to play faster. We need to play hungry, every puck. It’s not good for us how we played. We need change.”

What the sleepwalking Penguins need is to wake up. Kevin Gorman: Sleepwalking Penguins need to hear Evgeni Malkin’s They need to listen to Malkin’s words and realize that every team is wakeup call dangerous right now — except perhaps for the Penguins, unless we are talking about self-inflicted damage.

KEVIN GORMAN | Thursday, October 3, 2019 11:46 p.m. Only then are they among the best.

Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.

The exclamations of exasperation from Evgeni Malkin tend to come when Tribune Review LOADED: 10.04.2019 the Pittsburgh Penguins need to hear it the most — during a midseason slump or on the brink of postseason elimination.

That Malkin was miffed after the season opener should have the Penguins worried. Actually, the way they played in the season opener should have the Penguins worried.

Their 3-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena was deserving of the harsh words they heard afterward from their 33-year-old center, who was disgusted by their lackluster effort and sloppy play with the puck.

“The exhibition games are done. It’s real games right now,” Malkin said. “We need to understand that every team is dangerous right now. It doesn’t matter if it’s Buffalo or Washington. We need to learn (from) how we played and we have to play better, for sure — like, 100% better.”

Like, 1,000% better.

The Penguins played like they picked up where they left off last season, when they were caught sleepwalking by the New York Islanders in a first- round sweep in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

It was one game, and Malkin was ready to sound the alarms.

The Sabres didn’t just outplay the Penguins. They played faster, harder and, like the Islanders, pounced on every mistake. And the Penguins made plenty of them, from the blind backhand pass Jake Guentzel made for a turnover on a power play to the one Kris Letang sent through the slot that led to a penalty and the Sabres scoring the winning goal on a power play.

“The season’s started already,” Malkin said. “We need to understand that it’s not like we have 20 games to wake up. No, it’s already started. Every point is important. Every year, it gets harder and harder to make the playoffs.”

The Penguins don’t resemble a playoff team; at least, not one capable of advancing. They looked like a facsimile of last season. This time, Phil Kessel isn’t around to be blamed.

Consider the numbers alone: The Penguins were charged, by the home scorekeepers no less, with 17 giveaways. That’s an astounding number, especially compared to the Sabres’ six.

The Penguins were outshot 41-29 putting pressure on goaltender Matt Murray to make one spectacular save after another. Murray stopped 38 shots, including two breakaways, only one a short-hander.

“He’s playing amazing,” Malkin said of Murray, “but we’re not playing good enough.”

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan called Murray “our best player,” adding that “we’ve got to be better in front of him.”

Sound familiar?

Speaking of the power play, the Penguins were 1-for-5 with the advantage. That goal came in the second period, when Malkin took advantage of Kessel’s favorite spot by slipping a wrister past Carter Hutton from the left circle to tie the score 1-1.

Yet Malkin was particularly critical of the power play, calling it “bad” and saying it’s “not working.” Mostly, Malkin raised the same question we have had about the Penguins since last season and through all of the offseason: Why does such a talented team make the same mistakes over and over and over again?

“We (were) not good enough,” Malkin said. “They were hungry. They played much faster. I think we only played for 30 minutes. It’s the young guys, a young league right now. We had a couple letdowns, and they changed the game. … 1155475 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins lose lackluster season opener at home to Sabres

SETH RORABAUGH | Thursday, October 3, 2019 9:49 p.m.

The Penguins entered the season with the potential of returning to the days when they were the faster, more dynamic team on the ice.

And Thursday, they saw one of the key players from their two most recent Stanley Cup championship teams generate ample offense as he dashed and darted all over the ice.

The only problem was it was Conor Sheary.

The former Penguins winger scored two goals, including the winner, and led the Sabres to a 3-1 victory against the Penguins, who bumbled and staggered their way through a gaffe-filled season-opener at PPG Paints Arena.

“We (were) not good enough,” forward Evgeni Malkin said. “They (were) hungry. They played so much faster. I think we liked played only 30 minutes. It’s young guys, a young league right now. We need to play faster, we need to play hungry. How we played tonight, we need to change.”

The Penguins were hoping to alter how they looked during their feeble four-game sweep at the hands of the New York Islanders during the first round of last year’s postseason. Instead, it almost appeared as if they were playing Game 5 of that series.

The Sabres struck first at 5 minutes, 23 seconds of the first period. After Penguins forward Jake Guentzel fumbled a puck on his own right half- wall, Sabres forward Casey Middlestadt emerged with it and fed a pass from above the right circle to Sheary below the right dot. Sheary lifted a wrister which fluttered past the blocker of goaltender Matt Murray.

The Penguins tied the score at 5:50 of the second period with a power- play goal. Defenseman Kris Letang controlled the puck at the right point, surveyed the offensive zone and moved a pass to Malkin above the left circle. Moving towards the dot, Malkin gripped and ripped a wrister which glanced off of Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen’s stick and past the left leg of goaltender Carter Hutton. Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist provided a screen on the sequence. Assists went to Letang and Sidney Crosby.

Buffalo went up by two late in the second at the 19:16 mark. Off a pass from center Sam Reinhart, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin got in deep on the right wing, fended off Letang and lifted a backhander past the glove of Murray on the near side.

Though the Penguins generated their lone goal on the power play, they failed to fully capitalize with the man advantage as they were ineffective with three opportunities during the third period alone. With six minutes of power-play time — including a six-on-four sequence with goaltender Matt Murray pulled for an extra attacker — they could only muster four shots on net.

“Every power play, you need to play hard,” Malkin said. “You need to work. If they give us a chance to play the power play for two minutes, play hungry with the puck in the corner. Play right. Our breakout, nobody wants the puck. We just kicked it around, like (Letang) had the puck, but nobody supported him.”

Sheary provided his current employer plenty of support as evidenced by his two goals.

“You just want to prove to people that you can still play,” Sheary said. “You kind of get the feeling that someone doesn’t want you when they trade you, and I think I took that to heart.”

The Penguins could have used a bit more heart to open their season.

“Overall, for 60 minutes, they wanted it more than us,” Letang said. “And I think that’s where we lost it.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155476 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins change goal song, and as expected, the Internet is not amused

Bret GibsonBRET GIBSON | Thursday, October 3, 2019 9:28 p.m.

Change is sometimes difficult, and for some Penguins fans, it’s inadmissible.

Case in point: the goal song.

Once Evgeni Malkin scored in the second period in the season opener against the Buffalo Sabres, Penguins nation was expecting to hear “Party Hard” by Andrew W.K. But when House of Pain’s “Jump Around” was piped in PPG Paints Arena, several fans were miffed.

So the @penguins new goal song is Jump Around rather than Party Hard? pic.twitter.com/HAcjXndFfT

— Jordan Taylor (@JMTaylor12) October 4, 2019

@penguins I’ll let you keep Jack Johnson if you give us back #PartyHard as a goal song. That’s how serious I am! #blasphemy

— Jeff Hamilton (@jhamilton15) October 4, 2019

RIP Party Hard… @Penguins @AndrewWK #Pens #LetsGoPens #PartyHard pic.twitter.com/aXGG2EnXLe

— Billy’s Autograph Collection (@BillysManCave) October 4, 2019

There's no sense getting upset about a goal song change when there's not a lot of goals being scored. pic.twitter.com/6zlhbSCX74

— They have Disrespected the Are You Ready Penguin (@ChillKessel) October 4, 2019

“Party Hard” carried the team through its Stanley Cup wins 2016 and 2017, but after the last two underwhelming postseasons, it appears change is here.

Was literally working on a new Party Hard design earlier today pic.twitter.com/FPySwm6YVS

— Pittsburgh Clothing Co. (@PGHClothingCo) October 4, 2019

Tribune Review LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155477 Pittsburgh Penguins The Sabres struck again with 43.8 seconds left, when defenseman Rasmus Dahlin flipped one past Murray to make it 3-1.

FIRST PERIOD Penguins by Period: Evgeni Malkin scores on power play but Sabres, Call it the Curse of Conor Sheary. Sheary answer The diminutive Buffalo Sabres winger has a habit of torturing his past

employer as much as he did his current one when playing for the KEVIN GORMAN | Thursday, October 3, 2019 7:59 p.m. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sheary scored the first goal in the season opener Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena, giving the Sabres a 1-0 lead at 5:23 of the first period. THIRD PERIOD Conor Sheary strikes gold!  The Sabres’ last-minute goal in the second period put the Penguins in a two-goal deficit that appeared to take its toll. We get our first goal of the 2019-20 season and take a 1-0 lead.#Sabres50 pic.twitter.com/h9H3wsoOBI The Penguins looked listless in the third period. — Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 3, 2019 First, they gave up another breakaway, only to see Kyle Okposo shoot high and wide right. And the fans were getting restless. He now has five points (three goals, two assists) in four games against the Penguins since they traded him to Buffalo in June 2018. Sheary had Never was that more evident than on their first of three power plays, eight points (five goals, three assists) in as many games the Sabres when Jake Guentzel flipped a no-look backhand from the left corner while with the Penguins. along the boards – nowhere near Kris Letang – and watched the puck sail through the neutral zone. The goal came after Jake Guentzel committed a turnover as he collided with Patric Hornqvist while attempting to clear the puck along the This offseason, the Penguins pushed the addition-by-subtraction halfwall. Casey Mittelstadt slipped the puck to Sheary past defenseman narrative after trading Phil Kessel and acquiring young forwards Alex Brian Dumoulin for the opening tally. Galchenyuk, Brandon Tanev and Dominik Kahun. But none of the newcomers made much of an impact in a 3-1 loss. It was the Sabres’ 10th shot, as they dominated possession in the first half of the first period. The Sabres outshot the Penguins, 41-29, as the Penguins had 17 giveaways and went 1-for-5 on the power play. The Penguins, however, had their moments.

This looked like a continuation of their first-round series sweep against Matt Murray stopped 15 shots in the period, none bigger than turning the New York Islanders, with lackadaisical puckhandling and defensive back Zemgus Girgensons on a shorthanded breakaway after Justin lapses leading to the go-ahead goals. Schultz overplayed the puck at the blue line on the Penguins’ first power play in the final five minutes. And no momentum to build a comeback. Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long. SECOND PERIOD Kevin Gorman Coming off a disappointing season, Evgeni Malkin promised to be a different player this season for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tribune Review LOADED: 10.04.2019

What showed from the start – even if didn’t show up on the score sheet in the first period – was that Malkin was absolutely flying around the ice at PPG Paints Arena.

Just like old times.

In the second period, it showed up on the score sheet.

The goal came on the power play, after Kris Letang fed Malkin at the top of the left circle. As Malkin drifted to the dot, he used Patrick Hornqvist’s screen to sneak a short-side wrist shot past Buffalo goalie Carter Hutton to tie it at 1-1 at 5:50 of the second period.

Gino for Geno? That goes well. (Evgeni Malkin/@emalkin71geno) pic.twitter.com/fxz6kI7uDk

— NHL (@NHL) October 4, 2019

MALKAMANIA RETURNS TO THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH! pic.twitter.com/BAdvqvTkXD

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 4, 2019

Yes, from Phil Kessel’s favorite spot.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Malkin started strong in the opener, especially after he had a goal and two assists in the 7-6 victory over the Washington Capitals in the first game last season.

Malkin was fantastic from the first period, where he fed Jared McCann from the top right circle for a shot in the slot that Hutton stopped with his left shoulder. Later, Malkin and new linemate Alex Galchenyuk showed slick stick work before Malkin’s shot was stopped by Hutton. And Malkin had a shot sail wide right of the net on the power play.

It was only a matter of time before Malkin had his moment.

But Buffalo regained the lead on another goal by Connor Sheary, this one from point-blank after a Colin Miller shot went off Matt Murray’s pads and the stick of Casey Mittestadt in the crease for a 2-1 lead at 14:03. 1155478 Pittsburgh Penguins “They’re both phenomenal at tipping pucks,” Schultz said. “Any guy up there is kind of interchangeable. As long as we’re moving the puck, shooting the puck, we’ll be fine.”

Penguins turn to Jake Guentzel, Patric Hornqvist in power play Tribune Review LOADED: 10.04.2019

SETH RORABAUGH | Thursday, October 3, 2019 6:26 p.m.

Phil Kessel wasn’t at the Pittsburgh Penguins’ morning skate on Thursday.

That’s nothing out of the ordinary. After all, coach Mike Sullivan usually makes the morning skates optional, and Kessel vigorously took the option over the past four years.

Also, there is the matter of Kessel having been traded to the Arizona Coyotes in June.

That leaves a considerable void on the Penguins’ potent but volatile power play as Kessel led the Penguins with 36 power-play points (12 goals, 24 assists) in 2018-19.

Thankfully, they have a spare 40-goal scorer to throw into the mix.

Jake Guentzel, who led the team with exactly 40 goals last season, isn’t a stranger to the top power-play squad. The team inserted him onto that group late last season and during the 2019 postseason. And while he’s not expected to man the left-wall area Kessel inhabited so deftly the past four seasons, he will have a prominent role as a presence in front of the net, either above the crease or the slot.

“I joke with Jake a lot sometimes,” Sullivan said during the postseason. “I always say to him, ‘Do you ever go home and say, “This coach is crazy. I’m the leading goal scorer on the team, and I’m on the second power play?” ’ There’s some validity to that.”

During Thursday’s morning skate, Guentzel manned the slot while sturdy net-front stalwart Patric Hornqvist pestered Matt Murray during drills. But throughout the bulk of training camp, Guentzel was the only net-front presence on the top group.

While their styles contrast greatly, it appears management sees Guentzel and Hornqvist as interchangeable above the crease.

“They’re both very good. They’re just different in how they go about it,” Sullivan said. “Jake has a unique ability to play in that traffic area. For a guy that’s not overly big or strong, he just finds the quiet ice in the traffic and he has that sixth sense that allows him to be effective in that area. And he plays with a lot of courage. Both of those guys do. (Hornqvist) is more like a bull in a china closet. He’s just going to make a mess of it in front of the net, and he’s going to make the goalie’s life miserable. So they’re a little bit different in how they go about it, but they’re both very effective.

While Guentzel (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) is only slightly smaller than Hornqvist (5-11, 189 pounds), his methods aren’t nearly as rambunctious as Hornqvist’s.

“(Hornqvist) obviously gets in there a little more,” defenseman Justin Schultz said. “That’s his game.”

Is that to say he’s he’s more violent?

“Yeah, exactly.”

Said Guentzel: “He goes in there with his nose dirty. He’s taking cross checks, he’s giving cross checks. I just try to go there and take the goalie’s eyes away or get a stick on the puck. Definitely different kind of styles, but I feel they both do good.”

Guentzel is far more precise when he ventures towards the cage. A lot of his net-front play involves re-directions or precision passing, whereas Hornqvist’s attack usually involves a lot of hacks and whacks on goaltenders’ leg pads.

“He’s known for his net-front presence,” Guentzel said. “He grinds. Obviously, he creates a lot of traffic in front of the net. I’m just trying to get to loose puck as much as I can and just find that middle pocket.”

Regardless of who mans that role, their teammates profess confidence in either player and their varying styles, particularly those directing traffic from the point. 1155479 Pittsburgh Penguins Tanev in free agency. How quickly they can adapt to playing for and with the Penguins will be a key.

“All of our guys are excited, both our veteran guys and some of the Kevin Gorman: Penguins try to move away from sweep, closer to next young guys that we brought in,” Sullivan said. “There’s a certain mindset Stanley Cup that’s around the team right now that we really like, and we’re going to try to feed off that.

“The challenge is going to be to bring it daily, game-in and game-out, KEVIN GORMAN | Thursday, October 3, 2019 5:12 p.m. because that’s what it takes to have success in this league. But certainly with some of the new players that we brought in, they sense a great

opportunity. With some of our veteran guys, I think they see the same The Pittsburgh Penguins are two years removed from winning the thing.” Stanley Cup title, two weeks shy of six months since being swept in the What we don’t know is how this team will look by March, after general first round of the playoffs. manager Jim Rutherford swings some deals. What we don’t know is By a team that was swept in the second round. whether the Penguins will get off to another slow start and have to fight to the finish just to make the playoffs. By a team that was swept in the third round. What we do know is every NHL team starts the season wanting to win By a team that lost in the Cup Final. the Cup title, but not every team had an extended offseason to think about its shortcomings and made major changes the way the Penguins That’s how far removed the Penguins are from being Cup champions, not have. to mention minus a superstar sniper after trading winger Phil Kessel to Arizona in late June. “We understand that. We have that goal, too,” Sullivan said. “We know ultimately what we want to accomplish, but we’re not going to get ahead Or the Penguins could look at it like this: They are 82 games away from of ourselves and dwell on it. We’re just going to focus on the day-to-day the playoffs, then 16 wins away from winning the sixth Cup championship task. That’s the approach that I know of that can bring us success in the in franchise history. long term.” “Just as far,” Sidney Crosby said, “as everybody else.” For now, that’s the approach Sullivan has the Penguins focused on No wonder the Penguins’ focus was on looking forward, to their season taking to move forward, far removed from their first-round sweep and just opener against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night at PPG Paints as close as everyone else to winning the Cup championship. Arena and to the start of what they hope is another run to the Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long. postseason. Tribune Review LOADED: 10.04.2019 “Every team’s got to go through that process throughout the year and face different challenges, but, ultimately, it’s about getting into the playoffs,” Crosby said. “That’s where you start. If you have the right habits, you can get yourself there. That’s how you approach it. I don’t think you’re thinking about Stanley Cup finals in Game 1.”

That’s what the Penguins can count on.

They know the chances of extending their NHL-best streak of 13 consecutive playoff appearances are strong, thanks to the championship core of centers Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang who have won the Cup three times.

They know they have a complementary cast of two-time Cup winners in wingers Patric Hornqvist and Bryan Rust, defensemen Brian Dumoulin and Justin Schultz and goalie Matt Murray, along with a Cup winner and now 40-goal scorer in Jake Guentzel.

And they have a two-time Cup champion coach in Mike Sullivan, whose job status was moved to the back burner when his contract was extended for four seasons in July.

Is that enough?

The Penguins are counting on Crosby to be himself, for Malkin to return to form, for Letang to play more like he did in the regular season than postseason, for Murray to be their stopper and their supporting cast to be improved. They are counting on the leaders to build better chemistry than they had last season.

“There’s a sense that people count us out of the race, but we have a great group of guys, tons of talent and guys who want to compete and who want to win,” Letang said. “We have the same core of guys. There’s a few new faces, obviously, but I think we’re still going to be a fast team that wants to play with pace.

“That’s not much difference.”

The difference is in what the Penguins lost and whether what they added will be a boost or a bust to a team that was swept by the New York Islanders last April. The Penguins no longer have Kessel’s 82 points and power-play wrist shot, the slow but steady defense of Olli Maatta or the leadership of Matt Cullen. The power play and penalty kill could suffer as a result.

In an attempt to get younger and faster — and, most of all, better — they added Alex Galchenyuk and Dominik Kahun through trades and Brandon 1155480 Pittsburgh Penguins “He’s smart defensively. I know if I’m jumping up, I know he’s always going to be back there. It makes it really easy to play with a guy like that.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 10.04.2019 Penguins have paired Jack Johnson, Justin Schultz again

SETH RORABAUGH | Thursday, October 3, 2019 2:51 p.m.

Jack Johnson was where he thought he’d be Thursday morning.

Not Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Not the Pepsi Center in Denver.

Not any of the NHL’s other 30 corporate-monikered confines.

And definitely not Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre.

(Or a surplus Saturn-V rocket aimed at the sun as suggested by an abundance of amateur aerospace engineers on Twitter.)

He was at PPG Paints Arena when the Penguins took the ice for the morning skate to prepare for their season-opening contest against the Buffalo Sabres.

Throughout the summer and the early stages of autumn, his name was connected to several would-be transactions which could have relieved the Penguins of his salary cap hit of $3.25 million. Most of those with an interest in the Penguins read and digested them.

Johnson was not one of them.

“I’ve gone through it before,” Johnson said. “It’s nothing new. It goes with the territory. I wasn’t worried about it all summer. I was training hard getting ready for Game 1 anticipating this day, being here. I’m excited to get going.”

A former first-round pick (No. 3 overall in 2005), Johnson learned to ignore outside speculation or criticism during the embryonic days of his NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings.

“Yeah, pretty early on,” he said. “There’s always going to be noise going on. I’ve never been a social media guy or anything, so I don’t usually hear this stuff anyways, nor do I care. Unless somebody within the organization comes and tells you something, there’s no point in listening.”

“I just think it’s the reality of our business,” said coach Mike Sullivan. “I don’t think our city is any different than any other NHL city. There’s always going to be someone that’s involved in trade speculation. The approach we have with our players is we’re very straightforward. We don’t really overly concern ourselves with what you guys think or do or say. We know what’s going on inside of our dressing room. We’re concerned with ourselves. We have a transparent relationship with our players and that’s how we approach it.”

Few of Johnson’s teammates can appreciate that perspective better than Justin Schultz. During his time as a highly touted but ultimately disappointing prospect with the Edmonton Oilers, Schultz was routinely razed by critics for falling well short of the Norris Trophy-caliber performances Oilers management suggested he was capable of.

“I try to stay off Twitter and all that stuff,” Schultz said. “Our team does a pretty good job of ignoring that and just going out there and playing. And that’s what we need in a pretty big market like this.”

Johnson and Schultz skated with one another during the morning skate. They practiced with each other during the final two days of training camp and played with one another last season after Schultz recovered from a left leg fracture he suffered in October. But they were rarely paired during the preseason. In fact, Johnson spent much of the camp on a fourth pairing with reserve defenseman Chad Ruhwedel while Schultz skated regularly with Marcus Pettersson.

Regardless, they feel they developed a lasting chemistry last season.

“A tremendous amount of trust in him,” Johnson said. “That’s the biggest thing. A good partnership is based on trust on the ice. I just know where he’s going to be. He’s great at handling the puck which also helps us get our of our own end and into the offensive end.”

“We’re pretty comfortable with each other,” Schultz said. “We played a lot last year when I came back. 1155481 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins’ Alex Galchenyuk is a ‘game-time decision’ vs. Sabres

SETH RORABAUGH | Thursday, October 3, 2019 12:44 p.m.

Penguins forward Alex Galchenyuk is expected to be in the lineup for Thursday’s season-opening contest against the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena. He missed the bulk of the preseason due to an undisclosed injury.

“He feels really good,” said head coach Mike Sullivan. “We’ll visit with the trainers but it looks encouraging. He’ll be a game-time decision.”

Galchenyuk, who was limited to one preseason game, worked on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Brandon Tanev during the morning skate.

“It’s just excitement,” said Galchenyuk, an offseason acquisition. “Be as positive as you can. The home opener. Come in and play that first game in a Penguins jersey. I wouldn’t call it nerves, just a lot of excitement. I can’t wait to get started.”

The team’s lines and pairs during the skate were:

59 Jake Guentzel – 87 Sidney Crosby – 72 Patric Hornqvist

18 Alex Galchenyuk – 71 Evgeni Malkin – 13 Brandon Tanev

19 Jared McCann – 27 Nick Bjugstad – 24 Dominik Kahun

12 Dominik Simon – 53 Teddy Blueger – 46 Zach Aston-Reese

8 Brian Dumoulin – 58 Kris Letang

3 Jack Johnson – 4 Justin Schultz

28 Marcus Pettersson – 44 Erik Gudbranson

Reserve defensemen John Marino, Juuso Riikola and Chad Ruhwedel worked on a “fourth pair.”

Matt Murray is scheduled to start in goal for the Penguins.

The Sabres’ lines and pairings were:

68 Victor Olofsson – 9 Jack Eichel – 23 Sam Reinhart

53 Jeff Skinner – 90 Marcus Johansson – 17 Vladimir Sobotka

13 Jimmy Vesey – 37 Casey Mittelstadt – 43 Conor Sheary

28 Zemgus Girgensons – 22 Johan Larsson – 21 Kyle Okposo

19 Jake McCabe – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen

26 Rasmus Dahlin – 33 Colin Miller

6 Marco Scandella – 10 Henri Jokiharju

Goaltender Carter Hutton is expected to state for the Sabres.

The game is scheduled to start at 7:12 p.m.

Tribune Review LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155482 Pittsburgh Penguins After the Penguins coughed up the puck at their blue line a few times in the early going, the Sabres made them pay for another sloppy attempt at a zone exit with a goal by Conor Sheary, the former Penguins winger, 5:23 into the game. Old mistakes cost Penguins season opener against Sabres Hornqvist and Jake Guentzel banged into each other along the boards and Casey Mittelstadt pounced on the loose puck. He slipped a pass to Sheary, who from 17 feet out flung a wobbling shot between Murray’s MATT VENSEL blocker and the post.

“We won a faceoff and just don’t execute on the breakout,” Sullivan said. It’s a new season with new faces and, if you ask around the locker room, “We turn the puck over. And Conor’s a guy that can finish. He did it for us a new energy within the Penguins. But Thursday, in the first game of at when he was here.” least 82, they looked a lot like the team that crashed and burned out of The Sabres continued to control play for much of the first period. At one last year’s playoffs. point, they were out-shooting the Penguins, 15-6. The Penguins showed The Penguins in their playoff sweep at the hands of the New York some fight late in the first and tied it up, 1-1, with a power-play goal 5:50 Islanders made too many daring passes, gave up too many odd-man into the second. rushes and struggled to score in that series, tallying one goal in each of An awesome screen by Hornqvist had Sabres goalie Carter Hutton the final three games. playing a guessing game. He lost, leaning the wrong way when Evgeni “It’s something you’ve got to heed the lessons from as a group,” Matt Malkin shot from the left dot. Malkin’s goal extended his point streak Murray said before the start of training camp. “The way we handle it against Buffalo to 10 games. could be good for us honesty. We’re coming from a place where we got But the Sabres regained the lead just over eight minutes later on humbled last year. We didn’t play the right way. And there’s a lot of thing Sheary’s second goal of the night. They pushed it to 3-1 before the we can learn from that.” second intermission. Apparently, it’s going to take more than just three weeks of training The Penguins had three defenders back against Rasmus Dahlin and camp. Sam Reinhart. But Teddy Blueger couldn’t keep up with Dahlin, who took Penguins' Alex Galchenyuk is congratulated by Evgeni Malkin after Reinhart’s pass on his backhand, cut to the cage then coolly lifted a shot scoring against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first period of a over Murray’s glove. preseason NHL hockey game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019. The good news for the Penguins is there are 81 regular-season games The same kind of mistakes that plagued them in the playoffs, combined left to go. The next one is Saturday, when the Columbus Blue Jackets with a quiet night offensively, cost the Penguins in their 3-1 loss to the come to town. Buffalo Sabres in the season opener at PPG Paints Arena. It was their But Malkin, who said the young Sabres were “so much faster” than the first regulation loss against the Sabres since Oct. 5, 2013, a point streak Penguins and were the “hungry” team, believes they need to play with that was snapped at 18 games. urgency now. “It’s not the start we’re looking for, obviously. We didn’t play hard enough “The season started already,” he said. “We need to understand, it’s not and we didn’t play smart enough. And if you don’t do those two things in like, ‘Oh, we have 20 games to wake up.’ No. It’s already started. Every this league, it’s hard to win,” Patric Hornqvist said. “It’s disappointing. We point is important. Every year it is harder and harder to make the have to learn from it and make sure we buy into all the small details. playoffs. We understand that.” They add up to big things.” Post Gazette LOADED: 10.04.2019 The Penguins had 12 giveaways through two periods and 17 overall, and that was with the scorekeepers here perhaps taking it easy on the home team.

Given how much coach Mike Sullivan and the Penguins since camp started have harped on making smarter decisions with the puck, a few of the giveaways were particularly mindboggling. How about Kris Letang slinging that no-look backhand pass from the Penguins' corner to the slot, where a Sabres skater stood?

Transition defense was a problem, too. Just four days earlier, Sullivan without an explanation had his players practice 2-on-1 rushes. He then huddled them up and deadpanned that if the Penguins were going to allow so many of them, like they did in the preseason finale, they might as well get good at defending them.

There were a handful of odd-man rushes, including a Sabres forward twice cruising in alone. Murray kept the puck out both times to keep the Penguins in it.

“He was our best player,” Sullivan said of Murray, who made 38 saves.

Buffalo Sabres left wing Conor Sheary congratulates goaltender Carter Hutton after beating the Penguins 3-1 Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, at the PPG Paints Arena Uptown.

And the scoring? Where were the goals? High-wire-act hockey can be excused away when the puck goes in the other team’s net a few times. But the Penguins didn’t score at even strength and went 1-for-5 with their new-look power play.

“We just weren’t good enough tonight in a lot of areas,” Sullivan said. “I don’t think you can just sit and point at any one area. I think it was a lot of areas of our game where we just didn’t have an element of consistency. I don’t think there was cooperative effort and it’s hard to play this game in the absence of it.” 1155483 Pittsburgh Penguins New-look penalty kill The Penguins knew coming into the season they’d have one hole to fill

on the penalty kill after Matt Cullen retired. Bryan Rust’s hand injury After offseason filled with trade speculation, Jack Johnson ready for added a second. Game 1 Luckily for Pittsburgh, there are no shortage of forward options. Sullivan rattled off a list of about seven who could all contribute.

MIKE DEFABO Brandon Tanev, who signed a six-year deal as a free agent, was a penalty-killing specialist in Winnipeg because of his speed and tenacity. Nick Bjugstad hasn’t played on the PK much in his NHL career but worked on it through camp, showing off his long reach. Dominik Simon Trades and trade rumors are part of life in the NHL. That’s especially true killed penalties with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/ in Pittsburgh, where general manager Jim Rutherford has dealt 19 Scranton, so he’s familiar with the system. players and nine draft picks since the 2017 Stanley Cup. “Zach Aston-Reese has been a very good penalty killer for us,” Sullivan Perhaps no Penguins player was the subject of those swirling winds of continued. “Teddy Blueger is a guy that I think one of his strengths is his speculation this offseason more than defenseman Jack Johnson. penalty-killing ability. ... Jared McCann is another guy we moved into the “There’s always going to be noise going on, whether it’s you or other penalty kill right away last year.” guys,” Johnson said. “I’ve never been a social-media guy anyway. I don’t And then, there’s always that Sidney Crosby guy and his buddy Jake hear that stuff, nor do I care. Unless someone who is in the organization Guentzel, who frequently came on the ice at the end of penalty-killing comes and tells you something, there’s no point in listening to any of it.” situations last season. He might have been the only one not dialed into the chatter. “It goes without saying, those two guys are terrific penalty killers,” When the Penguins were looking to ship Phil Kessel, one possibility Sullivan said. “We’d like to use them a little more selectively than we did would have included sending Johnson and Kessel to Minnesota. But last year. when Kessel nixed that deal as a part of his partial no-trade clause, “We’ve got a lot of guys that we’ve got into the mix here. We think we can Johnson stayed in Pittsburgh. become a high-energy kill. All these guys, at some point, will be a part of The rumors were popped in the microwave as recently as this week, it.” when a report surfaced that said Johnson was likely to be traded within Captains named in Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton 48 hours. Colorado was a popular target of that speculation, because the Avalanche have the necessary salary cap space to add a blue-liner and a It’s no surprise that Sidney Crosby remain captains for another season, need at goaltender for someone like, say, Tristan Jarry. But those 48 with Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin serving as alternates. Meanwhile, in hours came and went without a deal. Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton, David Warsofsky was named the captain of the AHL affiliate. Now, after a long couple months off, the season is finally here. And so is Johnson. This will be Warsofsky’s ninth season in professional hockey. The 29- year-old defenseman has spent the bulk of it in the AHL, where he has He’s not in Minnesota or Colorado or even the coldest corner of Siberia, 200 career points (45 goals, 155 assists) in 403 games. Kevin as some of the most critical and vocal members of the Penguins fan base Czuczman, a 28-year old defenseman, and Andrew Agozzino, a 28-year- have suggested on Twitter. Instead, he was on the second defensive old forward, were named alternate captains in Wilkes-Barre. pairing with Justin Schultz for the Penguins’ season-opener against the Buffalo Sabres. Post Gazette LOADED: 10.04.2019 “I’ve gone through it before. It’s nothing new,” Johnson said. “It goes with the territory. I wasn’t worried about it all summer. I was training hard, getting ready for Game 1, anticipating this day would be here. I’m excited to get going.”

Johnson learned early in his career that rumors are part of the game and that you can never get too comfortable. In 2011, he signed a seven-year extension with the Los Angeles Kings. Six months into the first year of the deal, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Asked about how he approaches trade talk with his players, coach Mike Sullivan said he takes a transparent approach.

The Penguins set out to get younger, deeper, faster and hungrier. Did they?

“There’s always going to be someone who is involved in trade speculation,” Sullivan said. “The approach we have with our players is we’re very straightforward. We don’t really overly concern ourselves with what [media members] think or do or say. We know what’s going on in our dressing room. We concern ourselves with ourselves.”

Galchenyuk in the lineup for opening night

A nagging lower body injury kept newly acquired winger Alex Galchenyuk out for a week. But it couldn’t keep him from skating in the season opener.

After Sullivan called him a “game-time decision” earlier in the day, Galchenyuk took the ice and skated on the Evgeni Malkin line during his first game at PPG Paints Arena.

Galchenyuk was acquired this offseason from Arizona as a part of the Kessel trade. He first popped up on the injury report prior to the Penguins’ preseason game last Wednesday when he was scratched from that evening’s game lineup. He returned to practice this Wednesday, the day before the season opener. 1155484 Pittsburgh Penguins not a sign of larger issues. Now for Pittsburgh, the question becomes if this was just a bad game – or more than that.

"The season started already,” Malkin said. “We need to understand, it’s Evgeni Malkin frustrated with Penguins' performance on opening night not like, ‘Oh, we have 20 games to wake up.’ No. It’s already started. Every point is important.”

Post Gazette LOADED: 10.04.2019 MIKE DEFABO Pittsburgh Post-Gazette OCT 3, 2019 11:07 PM

The leaner, fitter, more focused Evgeni Malkin collected the puck at the blue line on Thursday during the Penguins’ season opener at PPG Paints Arena. He walked in to the left circle, wound up and buried a slap shot behind Buffalo goaltender Carter Hutton for a power play goal.

It was only Game 1. And it was only one goal, hardly enough to make a difference in the final result of Pittsburgh’s 3-1 loss to Buffalo.

Was it also, perhaps, a sign of something more?

Throughout this offseason, the spotlight has followed Malkin after a 2018- 19 season that Malkin said himself was not his best. Even though Malkin recorded 72 points last year, he turned the puck over way too much. He committed too many penalties. He just wasn’t himself and he knows it, saying multiple times that he was unhappy with last season.

Conor Sheary continues to torture Penguins

In an effort to reignite Malkin, the Penguins reconstructed his line this offseason. They added Alex Galchenyuk, a winger with a wicked shot who can speak Russian on the ice with Malkin. On the right wing, the Penguins plugged in Brandon Tanev, one of the NHL’s fastest players and a disruptive force who is willing to go into the grimy parts of the ice.

Meanwhile, the 33-year-old Malkin spent the offseason trying to out-skate father time. He arrived in Pittsburgh two weeks earlier than usual and in great shape. Everyone from coach Mike Sullivan on down noticed it. For the most part, Malkin said and did the right things, doing his best to show that he was, indeed, a leaner, fitter, more-focused version of himself.

But how would we know if Malkin was really back?

Thursday’s season opener against the Buffalo Sabres presented the first look.

It was, admittedly, an incredibly small sample size. Just 60 minutes of hockey is hardly enough to know for sure if this year will be different for Malkin. Scoring a power-play goal doesn’t hurt.

But if we’re going to make generalizations off of 60 minutes, why not make them off of just five: the five minutes he spent talking in the locker room after the game.

As Malkin fielded questions, he was visibly upset with the outcome – which is exactly how the Penguins should want it.

Old mistakes cost Penguins season opener against Sabres

His criticisms were numerous. The team’s mindset? Not good enough.

“We need to play faster,” Malkin said. “We need to play hungrier. How we played tonight, we need to change.”

The effort? Not there.

“The most important thing is your energy, what you give to the game,” Malkin said. “We lost every puck tonight. We go into the corner and they have easy puck.”

His most direct comments though were about the magnitude of the loss.

“The exhibition games are done,” Malkin said. “It’s the real games now.”

By the time he was done giving his thoughts on the game, it was easy to forget about the goal entirely.

For one, when one of the team’s best players is spending five straight minutes ripping the team’s energy, effort and decision-making, it’s easy to forget a bright spot. Even more than that, Malkin’s displeasure only highlighted what he’s shown this offseason, that he is still hungry and he still has that fire burning inside of him even after winning the Stanley Cup three times in Pittsburgh.

The goal was nice. But the frustrated locker room comments were more of a sign that last year’s bad year might be just that – a bad year – and 1155485 Pittsburgh Penguins from that evening’s game lineup. He returned to practice this Wednesday, the day before the season opener.

New-look penalty kill After offseason filled with trade speculation, Jack Johnson ready for The Penguins knew coming into the season they’d have one hole to fill Game 1 on the penalty kill after Matt Cullen retired. Bryan Rust’s hand injury added a second.

MIKE DEFABO Luckily for Pittsburgh, there are no shortage of forward options. Sullivan rattled off a list of about seven who could all contribute.

Brandon Tanev, who signed a six-year deal as a free agent, was a Trades and trade rumors are part of life in the NHL. That’s especially true penalty-killing specialist in Winnipeg because of his speed and tenacity. in Pittsburgh, where general manager Jim Rutherford has dealt 19 Nick Bjugstad hasn’t played on the PK much in his NHL career but players and nine draft picks since the 2017 Stanley Cup. worked on it through camp, showing off his long reach. Dominik Simon killed penalties with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/ Perhaps no Penguins player was the subject of those swirling winds of Scranton, so he’s familiar with the system. speculation this offseason more than defenseman Jack Johnson. “Zach Aston-Reese has been a very good penalty killer for us,” Sullivan “There’s always going to be noise going on, whether it’s you or other continued. “Teddy Blueger is a guy that I think one of his strengths is his guys,” Johnson said. “I’ve never been a social-media guy anyway. I don’t penalty-killing ability. ... Jared McCann is another guy we moved into the hear that stuff, nor do I care. Unless someone who is in the organization penalty kill right away last year.” comes and tells you something, there’s no point in listening to any of it.” And then, there’s always that Sidney Crosby guy and his buddy Jake He might have been the only one not dialed into the chatter. Guentzel, who frequently came on the ice at the end of penalty-killing Old mistakes cost Penguins season opener against Sabres situations last season.

When the Penguins were looking to ship Phil Kessel, one possibility “It goes without saying, those two guys are terrific penalty killers,” would have included sending Johnson and Kessel to Minnesota. But Sullivan said. “We’d like to use them a little more selectively than we did when Kessel nixed that deal as a part of his partial no-trade clause, last year. Johnson stayed in Pittsburgh. “We’ve got a lot of guys that we’ve got into the mix here. We think we can The rumors were popped in the microwave as recently as this week, become a high-energy kill. All these guys, at some point, will be a part of when a report surfaced that said Johnson was likely to be traded within it.” 48 hours. Colorado was a popular target of that speculation, because the Captains named in Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Avalanche have the necessary salary cap space to add a blue-liner and a need at goaltender for someone like, say, Tristan Jarry. But those 48 It’s no surprise that Sidney Crosby remain captains for another season, hours came and went without a deal. with Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin serving as alternates. Meanwhile, in Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton, David Warsofsky was named the captain of the Now, after a long couple months off, the season is finally here. And so is AHL affiliate. Johnson. This will be Warsofsky’s ninth season in professional hockey. The 29- He’s not in Minnesota or Colorado or even the coldest corner of Siberia, year-old defenseman has spent the bulk of it in the AHL, where he has as some of the most critical and vocal members of the Penguins fan base 200 career points (45 goals, 155 assists) in 403 games. Kevin have suggested on Twitter. Instead, he was on the second defensive Czuczman, a 28-year old defenseman, and Andrew Agozzino, a 28-year- pairing with Justin Schultz for the Penguins’ season-opener against the old forward, were named alternate captains in Wilkes-Barre. Buffalo Sabres. Post Gazette LOADED: 10.04.2019 “I’ve gone through it before. It’s nothing new,” Johnson said. “It goes with the territory. I wasn’t worried about it all summer. I was training hard, getting ready for Game 1, anticipating this day would be here. I’m excited to get going.”

Johnson learned early in his career that rumors are part of the game and that you can never get too comfortable. In 2011, he signed a seven-year extension with the Los Angeles Kings. Six months into the first year of the deal, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Asked about how he approaches trade talk with his players, coach Mike Sullivan said he takes a transparent approach.

The Penguins set out to get younger, deeper, faster and hungrier. Did they?

“There’s always going to be someone who is involved in trade speculation,” Sullivan said. “The approach we have with our players is we’re very straightforward. We don’t really overly concern ourselves with what [media members] think or do or say. We know what’s going on in our dressing room. We concern ourselves with ourselves.”

Galchenyuk in the lineup for opening night

A nagging lower body injury kept newly acquired winger Alex Galchenyuk out for a week. But it couldn’t keep him from skating in the season opener.

After Sullivan called him a “game-time decision” earlier in the day, Galchenyuk took the ice and skated on the Evgeni Malkin line during his first game at PPG Paints Arena.

Galchenyuk was acquired this offseason from Arizona as a part of the Kessel trade. He first popped up on the injury report prior to the Penguins’ preseason game last Wednesday when he was scratched 1155486 Pittsburgh Penguins Marino seems to have a natural knack for being able to make the puck go north. Take a look at the next clip.

Here, we again have Marino assessing the play before he retrieves the Marshall: John Marino’s roster spot is well deserved puck. He takes a look around the Penguins’ net, looking for an outlet on the far side of the ice. It’s not there.

So Marino eats it and keeps it alive along the wall. The Penguins are By Jesse Marshall Oct 3, 2019 playing their standard defensive posture here, a strong side overload. Simply put, the Penguins will flood the puck side of the ice, attempting to

overwhelm the opposition and support each other on the way out of the It’s been a chaotic 48 hours for rookie defenseman John Marino. zone.

The ex-Harvard blueliner went from receiving a public vote of confidence Marino thrives in this. He takes the puck up the wall, chips it to a from the general manager to a roughly 16-hour demotion to Wilkes- teammate and then steps to the interior of the ice to become a passing Barre/Scranton and back again. There was a lot of paper shuffling option himself. Defensemen who cannot provide this option are required to land the 22-year-old on the NHL roster. Marino spent a handcuffing their forwards and putting them in compromising situations. cursory and administrative day in the minors before the Penguins placed This extra layer of support is an added bonus to any breakout attempt. Bryan Rust on injured reserve and recalled Marino — all moves meant to While he bumbles the puck across the offensive blue line, the end result keep the club salary cap compliant. is no less effective. We might not be seeing these plays on highlight reels anytime soon, but that doesn’t make them any less impressive to me. The Penguins are squeezing Marino into this roster. Shuffling around cap space and carrying nine defensemen seems like a tall ask for a player I mentioned earlier that I thought Marino’s ability to reverse the flow of that hasn’t officially made his debut in professional hockey. It’s also a play was an impressive aspect of his puck distribution. Take a look at the surprising place to be for a player who was involved in what appeared to clip below. The Red Wings are pressing the puck side of the ice here in a be the most innocuous move of the Penguins’ offseason. similar fashion to the Penguins in the previous clip. Rather than play into that, Marino sends a “Murphy Dump” cross-ice to spring his teammate in Marino, acquired via the Oilers for a conditional sixth-round draft choice a footrace. in 2021, might have been a tad undervalued by his previous employer. From the onset of his arrival in camp, he’s possessed the look of a player In the same shift, we get a look at Marino’s vision in action once again. who spent several fruitful years playing college hockey combined with a Count the number of times he picks his head up to look for a passing few years of seasoning at the American Hockey League level. Only one option while under pressure. of those things is true; Marino possesses a pro-level ability to distribute I count at least three different lanes get evaluated here. This is the the puck without having garnered any pro-level seasoning. essence of what you want out of a third-pairing defenseman. Consider When you get down to the bare bones of it, that’s what the Penguins truly that, more often than not, Mike Sullivan will buoy his third pairing by need from their defensive unit: an ability to move the puck to the deploying them with one of Crosby or Malkin. It’s the reason why Jack forwards. Inconsistencies in that department plagued them in their first- Johnson played so many minutes with elite offensive talent last season. round sweep at the hands of the New York Islanders last spring. Where From a coaching perspective, if you can put your worst defensive unit out the Penguins struggle, you often can find turnovers at either blue line just on the ice with your best forwards, there’s a good chance they can keep before disaster occurs. the puck out of the defensive zone vis-a-vis their offensive capabilities.

What stood out to me about Marino, and what we’ll focus on in video So, in that vein, why not deploy a defenseman who can reliably get the today, is his ability to distribute the puck in a multi-faceted fashion. puck into the hands of those forwards? Anchoring offense to bolster Whether he is skating the puck out of danger, reversing the flow of play defense doesn’t have to be something you settle for in today’s or making the safest pass possible, Marino’s ability to navigate his way environment. What we’ve seen from Marino through the preseason is an out of the defensive zone has been his preseason and training camp ability to feed the play in multiple ways. Considering the environment hallmark. We’ve also seen him keep a strong gap at the blue line and he’d be in on the third pair, there’s a potential for him to bolster offense play with a physical edge. with his puck distribution and skating.

This next clip is a sample of Marino’s first shift in the final preseason In the next clip, take a look at his willingness to join the rush and become game against the Buffalo Sabres. It features a few subtle and routine an active participant in the offense. plays that are executed well despite the dangers that exist within them. I Marino goes from leveraging his body to help break up a play to joining think the general baseline for a young, third-pairing defenseman is “don’t the rush and getting a nice attempt on the net without hesitation. This blow the play up yourself.” The direction to them is often to take what is level of on-ice awareness gives the Penguins second line a nice chance given, don’t force anything, and settle into the game. in transition. His defensive assignment caused him to drift a bit up ice, In the clip below, we see Marino use his body to break up a one-on-one putting him in a premium position to jump into the play. rush attempt, as well as distribute the puck off the wall to a teammate These little plays add up, and I could’ve cut a 30-minute montage of under duress from a forechecker. these kinds of sequences. Let’s point out a few fundamentals inherent in that short clip. Marino’s preseason results were strong from the data side of it. We have First, when Marino engages with Sabres’ forward Jimmy Vesey, notice only an hour of even-strength hockey to draw off of, and while that’s a how he uses his leverage to both render Vesey useless and take him to drop in the ocean in terms of sample size, it’s also all we have given the ice. Marino puts his stick under Vesey’s and lifts, robbing his ability to Marino’s lack of professional hockey prior to this year. Marino controlled maintain possession of the puck. With Vesey’s arms up and the puck at 51 percent of shot-attempts and held 58 percent of the expected-goal his feet, Marino just exerts a little upward force with his right arm and share in his preseason minutes (via Natural Stat Trick). You’d much Vesey goes down to the ice. The play is neutralized, and the puck is rather see those results than find he floundered in his first professional heading the other direction. go-round, and it lends some extra credence to what we’ve seen on video.

On the breakout attempt, we get a glimpse of Marino’s vision. His head is Jim Rutherford obviously has some things to figure out with regards to up, and he’s discerning what he’s going to do with the puck before he the Penguins’ salary cap situation and their desire to keep Marino on the even has control of it. There’s pressure coming from the Sabres F1 parent club. But given his performance so far, it’s easy to see why the pressing up ice. Marino makes the soft-touch play off the wall to spring Penguins made so many accommodations to keep him around. the play forward. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 This might not be the most glorious of defensive sequences, but the Penguins only got this kind of defensive play in stretches last season. They didn’t have a player with the defensive reliability of Brian Dumoulin coupled with the puck-moving of Justin Schultz. And looking at their roster, how badly is that needed? 1155487 Pittsburgh Penguins It goes without saying, then, that some of us (other hand raised) were surprised to see Tanev begin and end camp on a scoring line. He started to the right with Crosby and finished to the right of Malkin.

Five things we learned watching the Penguins in training camp We know what you’re probably thinking: Didn’t you just get done telling everybody that there won’t be set right wingers on the scoring lines?

Yep. By Rob Rossi Oct 3, 2019 But if there is going to be a player who locks down one of those spots, Tanev emerged in camp as the best bet. His speed, tenacity, defensive awareness and willingness to grind were regularly on display. Those An NHL training camp never lasts long enough for too much to happen. traits were missed up and down the Penguins’ lineup last season, but Exhibition games begin within a few days of opening practices. Rosters more so up than down — especially in the four-game Stanley Cup are trimmed by the end of the first week. Coaches are fine-tuning for the playoffs sweep at the hands of the Islanders. regular season by the end of the second week. And — aside from moves It’s looking a lot likelier that Tanev might end being thought of as a to become salary-cap compliant — barely a roster spot is to be had by bargain as a top-six winger than an overpaid bottom-six forward. the third week. Just don’t call him a “Poor Man’s Chris Kunitz.” (At $3.5 million a season, The Penguins’ camp was not without its surprises. They did not finish it Tanev shouldn’t be thought of as “poor.”) unscathed. That was a crazy game of poker What do we know now about the Penguins that we didn’t know at the start of camp? We’re glad you asked … Matt Murray scored the commitment he was seeking over the summer. He married his longtime love. The lines they are a changin’ He is still waiting on the Penguins to make an honest man of him, Set lines are a scarcity in the modern NHL. The Penguins will not be an though. exception. Murray has a couple of Cup rings to plug his ears, so he might not hear Coach Mike Sullivan said during camp that he expected a handful of what his critics say: that he is too injury-prone, too inconsistent when not forwards to find themselves playing at times to the right of centers Sidney backed by a strong defensive team, and was too successful too early to Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Those forwards (in no particular order) are: mature fully into a franchise-caliber goalie worthy of a big commitment Brandon Tanev, Bryan Rust, Patric Hornqvist, Dominik Kahun and — from the Penguins. probably — Jared McCann. There is no indication management buys any of those opinions about We’re hedging our bets on McCann because it sure seemed as though Murray. It’s probably true that Murray didn’t get a long-term contract offer Sullivan had settled on McCann and Nick Bjugstad pairing to form the over the summer — and won’t be getting one during the season — foundation of a third line. because the Penguins control his rights for at least next season. Sullivan, like many NHL coaches, favors building lines around duos. Given their salary-cap situation, paying Murray now was not a viable An obvious option for the top line is Jake Guentzel and Crosby — a 40- option for the Penguins. goal winger to go with a 100-point center from last season. The second But he is coming off a stellar second half last season. And he was the line should be constructed with Alex Galchenyuk and Malkin, at least so Penguins’ sharpest performer throughout camp. Murray made it look as long as the former continues to show coaches he can be a stylistic fit with though he is primed for a breakout season. the latter. (Whether a two-time Cup goalie can have a breakout season is up for A third line built around McCann and Bjugstad would be intriguing if, for debate, but…) no other reason, those players each joined the Penguins in the same trade last season. GM Jim Rutherford said he thought McCann was the Murray has never played more than 50 games in any one season. He No. 3 center the Penguins had lacked since Nick Bonino, and Bjugstad has not said his goal is to surpass that number this season, but we get would be a scoring-line winger. Instead, coaches prefer McCann on the the feeling he wants at least 60 starts. Given how he has played since wing and Bjugstad in the middle. And if they pair well together, McCann the calendar flipped to 2019, Murray might go on to reclaim his status as and Bjugstad might make the Penguins’ third line consistently formidable one of hockey’s best young goalies if he starts 60 games this season. for the first time in a couple of seasons. He might force the Penguins into buying him the farm next summer, too. Still, a question that existed coming into camp remains: Who will be the right wingers for Crosby and Malkin? All the young dudes

Turns out it was the wrong question. We should have been asking: Do Jack Johnson was revealed to be expendable during camp. the Penguins have right wingers to play on the scoring lines? Granted, him ending it on the second defense pairing was not convincing The answer is “yes” — if, that is, you buy the apparent working theory evidence of that statement. But we’re sticking with it, anyway. that the roster assembled by Rutherford has several forwards who can fill Might be because we know the Penguins have tried to move Johnson a those roles. couple of times since last season. Might also be because we watched the But if you have several players constantly contending to be the scoring- Penguins bring nine defensemen to their final practice before the regular- line right wingers, do you really have any scoring-line right wingers? season opener.

Look, nobody said anything about camp teaching us everything. It’s not that eight is enough when it comes to defensemen occupying one of the 23 slots on an NHL roster. It’s that almost nobody who has been Take the money and run around the Penguins for the past couple of decades (or longer) can recall a time when nine defensemen were with the big club at any one time. The free-agent season had barely begun when Rutherford was being criticized for paying too much for too long to land Tanev. The Rutherford Why this time, then? response that gained the most attention was him saying that doing business on July 1 usually meant overpaying for a player. But Rutherford We repeat: Johnson was revealed to be expendable during camp. also noted that coaches were confident Tanev had more to offer than And that had more to do with the strong performances of Juuso Riikola what he had showed while with Winnipeg. and John Marino than anything Johnson showed. (Though he was not Some of us (hand raised) took that to mean the Penguins believed Tanev sharp for the first half, Johnson’s game rounded into as-expected form as was ticketed for a third-line role instead of being perhaps the NHL’s best- camp wound down.) compensated fourth-line winger for the foreseeable future. Riikola played with poise, flashed potential as a puck-mover, asserted himself physically and looked every bit what you would expect of a top- six defenseman in the NHL. He also carried himself with the confidence of a young man who was comfortable in North America after a transitional year last season.

The Penguins’ best defense would include him among the top six. It would also feature Marino as the extra or “seventh” defenseman.

Marino parlayed a standout prospect tournament into camp opportunities. He took advantage of those to impress coaches with maturity — on and off the ice — rarely found in a player trying to jump directly from college to the NHL.

A thick chapter of hockey history could be written about players who failed to turn stellar training camps into regular-season roles in the NHL. An example is Riikola, who was better in training camp last season but played in only 37 games with the Penguins.

If that sounds like us warning everybody to pump the brakes on anointing Riikola and Marino as the defensemen who will convert a potential weakness into a strength for the Penguins — well, yeah.

However, each of Riikola and Marino showed themselves to be better fits than did Johnson for the what the Penguins want from defensemen: mobility and puck-movement. So, we’re looking at the big picture and playing it out as follows:

Johnson will be traded.

The defense pairings, when the Penguins are healthy, will be: Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang, Marcus Pettersson-Justin Schultz, and Riikola- Eric Gudbranson. And next summer, Schultz departs as a free agent because the Penguins are in love with the potential for a Pettersson- Marino partnership on the back end.

This is the house that doubt built

In theory, a top power-play unit featuring Letang and Schultz should be best for business.

No club surrendered more shorthanded goals than did the Penguins last season. Also, with Phil Kessel no longer around to draw Sullivan’s ire, there is an opening for a right-handed shooter to balance out the left- handed heavy until that tilts to wherever on the ice Crosby and Malkin place themselves on the power play.

During camp, Sullivan talked a lot about Letang and Schultz being on the power play. He sounded relieved to possibly have two defenseman instead of a unit that featured four forwards.

We get it. Really.

With Crosby, Malkin and either Guentzel or Hornqvist, the Penguins have more than enough skill with three forwards to dominate on the advantage. And, well, it’s not as though either Letang or Schultz are slouches as offensive-minded defensemen.

But Letang did not look comfortable in the role once filled by Kessel. He, in fact, appeared much smoother when working right-to-middle high in the offensive zone on the power play.

Problem was, that was Schultz’s area when he and Letang each worked on the top unit during camp.

And not for nothing, but the power play looked more dangerous with Letang in his more familiar spot and Galchenyuk pulling the trigger where Kessel once roamed. For that to work out, somebody has to get the puck into the offensive zone — and Schultz is more adept at that than any Penguins player who might see time on the top power-play unit.

Does anybody else have a headache?

Kessel might have been one for Sullivan. But when it came to the power play, Kessel provided the Penguins a luxury they have only otherwise had when Sergei Gonchar was playing and not coaching. Kessel, like Gonchar, was the best option to gain the offensive zone and run the power play.

The Penguins were unable in camp to firmly establish who will handle those roles this season.

At least referees usually call a lot of penalties early in a season, so the Penguins probably will be gifted a lot of in-game opportunities to figure out their new-look power play’s best look.

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155488 San Jose Sharks

Sharks’ Erik Karlsson shares happy news about addition to family

By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 7:03 pm | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 at 7:33 PM

SAN JOSE — Erik Karlsson had a good reason for missing the Sharks’ season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights. Perhaps the best reason.

Karlsson announced via his Instagram account early Thursday evening that his wife, Melinda, has given birth to a baby girl.

Karlsson posted a photo of himself next to his wife, who was cradling the girl in her arms and wrote, “To my beautiful wife for doing everything in her power to bring our beautiful little baby girl in to this world, never have I met a more determined or stronger person than you. It hasn’t been easy but after the rain finally our little rainbow arrived. Love you both more than I could ever imagine.”

Karlsson left Las Vegas shortly before the Sharks played the Golden Knights on Wednesday. Coach Pete DeBoer said he didn’t know Karlsson would be unavailable until about an hour before the start of the game. The Sharks lost 4-1.

Karlsson did not practice with the Sharks earlier Thursday. At the time, DeBoer said he did not know whether Karlsson would be available to play the following night against the Golden Knights in the Sharks’ home opener.

Messages of congratulations quickly poured in for the Karlssons, who went though unimaginable heartbreak less than two years ago. In March 2018, the couple revealed on Erik Karlsson’s Twitter account that they had lost their son, Axel, a month before he was due to be born.

The couple shared a message that read, “At this extremely difficult time it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel but we know one day we’ll get there. We would like to thank everyone for the love and support we have received and also for respecting our privacy and the process that we need to go through.

“We feel very lucky to be Axel’s parents. Even though he was stillborn, we know we will hold him again one day under different circumstances and the joy he gave us will be with us forever.”

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155489 San Jose Sharks

Sharks look forward to home opener energy after feeling effects of Vegas’ crowd, quick start

By MICHAEL NOWELS | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 2:16 pm | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 at 2:16 PM

The Sharks were beaten to the punch Wednesday night, and they know it.

Five minutes and 21 seconds into the season opener against the rival Vegas Golden Knights, they trailed 2-0.

A penalty and two turnovers led to two goals, and T-Mobile Arena was rocking. The Sharks were able to claw a goal back, but they never got back even with Vegas after that start, falling 4-1.

“For both those first two goals, when you turn the puck over, you’re going have it stuck in the back of your net nine times out of 10,” defenseman Brenden Dillon said. “Especially for Vegas — that’s what they feed off of, that’s what they live off of.”

At that point, the Vegas crowd was amped up (especially after watching a puck drop from nearly 18 miles above the earth for whatever reason). For the visiting team, that can spell doom. And while the Sharks were able to claw a goal back in the first period, it ultimately did.

With the Sharks opening their home building Friday night, they are hoping to put that kind of pressure on the Golden Knights.

“Obviously they had their home opener yesterday, so you could tell they had excitement and a big jump,” forward Timo Meier said Thursday after practice. “I think we’re going to have that extra step tomorrow, we’re going to do some things better that we didn’t do last night. It’s going to be exciting.”

As for the turnovers that got the Vegas players and crowd juiced, Marc- Edouard Vlasic, who was involved in both early breakdowns, said simple decision-making is the key.

“You make the play if it’s there. If not, try not to turn it over,” he said. “But it’s impossible to go all game without turning the puck over. You just got to minimize the amount.”

Coach Pete DeBoer said he thought his team stabilized well after that initial Vegas rush, calling the first period the Sharks’ best. He noted that Vegas has a history of jumping on the Sharks early at home, including Games 3 and 4 of last season’s playoff battle, when the Golden Knights scored within the game’s first minute and a half.

He said his team must be ready to go immediately at puck drop Friday night to amplify the advantage of playing in the Shark Tank, and to slow Vegas down.

“We want to make sure we get out and understand that they’re a fast- starting team. We don’t want to get into a hole early against them,” DeBoer said. “At home here, for us, that’s playing on our toes and using the great crowd we have to our advantage.”

The Sharks will have Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc back to help Friday night. Both skated Thursday at practice after leaving the opener with apparent injuries. Less certain is star defenseman Erik Karlsson, who missed Wednesday’s game to tend to a personal matter. DeBoer gave no update Thursday on Karlsson’s availability.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155490 San Jose Sharks

Sharks offer no Karlsson update, but two forwards return to practice

By MICHAEL NOWELS | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 12:54 pm | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 at 1:29 PM

Erik Karlsson was not at Sharks practice Thursday morning after missing Wednesday night’s season-opening loss in Las Vegas.

“I can’t share anything and I don’t know,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer told reporters when asked about Karlsson’s status for Friday night’s home opener, a return date with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Karlsson’s absence was announced just before warmups of the Vegas game, a 4-1 Golden Knights victory. The Sharks have only said Karlsson is tending to a personal matter.

Back at practice Thursday were Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc, both of whom left Wednesday night’s game at T-Mobile Arena with apparent injuries.

DeBoer said both should be ready to go Friday night.

“It was just kind of one of those where you get hit and it’s feeling really bad at the time but I feel better now,” Meier said.

The Sharks will open SAP Center Friday night against the rival Golden Knights, with puck drop scheduled at 7:30 p.m.

They’ll skate again Friday morning, when we may learn more about Karlsson’s availability.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155491 San Jose Sharks

Further proof that Sharks vs. Golden Knights is the NHL’s best rivalry

By GARY PETERSON | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: October 3, 2019 at 10:10 am | UPDATED: October 3, 2019 at 10:54 am

You know you have a rivalry on your hands when it’s Game On before they even fire up the Zambonis.

So it happened Wednesday night when a San Jose Sharks fan, in enemy territory, handed out souvenirs to fans of the Las Vegas Golden Knights before the season opener for both squads.

Yes, that is the Sharks’ Barclay Goodrow scoring the series-clinching goal on the Knights’ Marc-Andre Fleury in Game 7 last spring.

Isn’t that refreshing? People hardly ever send cards anymore.

This insta-rivalry dropped the puck in the Knights’ inaugural season two years ago. The two teams met in the second round. The Knights won and advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Last season they met in the first round, and a jolly good row it was. On the brink of elimination, the Knights won Game 6 in double OT. The Sharks closed it out in Game 7.

The Knights won Wednesday’s season lid-lifter 4-1. Or, as one expert called it, Game 8. The same expert: This is arguably the best rivalry in the NHL.

The two teams meet again Friday night in San Jose. That doesn’t leave much time for gloating or verbal slew-footing. Golden Knights fans are already on the attack. If Sharks fans don’t get on board they’re going to find their sweaters have been yanked over their heads

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155492 San Jose Sharks

Why Erik Karlsson's mysterious absence from Sharks signals red alert

By Brian Witt

October 03, 2019 6:30 PM

Editor's note: This was published before Erik Karlsson announced that his wife gave birth to a baby girl, explaining his absence from Wednesday's season opener.

Red alert.

The Sharks looked terrible in their season-opening loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. There's no way around it. And while it's irrational to jump to conclusions based on the first of 82 regular-season games, these are not rational times.

That's because one of the major positives you could point to from the Sharks' offseason -- re-signing All-Star defenseman Erik Karlsson to an eight-year contract -- was mysteriously missing from that lackluster opening-night effort, and that mystery has yet to be cleared up as of yet.

About an hour before puck drop, it was announced that Karlsson would miss Wednesday's game due to personal reasons. On Thursday, San Jose coach Pete DeBoer couldn't and/or wouldn't provide any additional information on the defenseman's status.

Red alert.

Obviously, Karlsson's well-being is the most important thing here, and the Sharks already are doing the right thing in supporting him by allowing him to do what he needs to do and be where he needs to be -- whatever and wherever that means.

But, there's no ignoring the fact that Karlsson is arguably San Jose's best player and absolutely essential to the team's success in the season ahead. While there was nothing to suggest Karlsson absence was at all injury-related, it's also notable that he had offseason groin surgery after missing considerable portions of his first season with the Sharks.

San Jose already is without suspended winger Evander Kane, and both Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc left Wednesday's game in the third period with injuries. That said, Kane's suspension will be up after two more games, and both Meier and Labanc were back at practice Thursday, so their absences will be brief, if at all.

Karlsson's, though, seems considerably less definite, and until more information is provided, the Sharks and their fans will be holding their collective breaths.

And they should be. He's that important.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155493 San Jose Sharks

Ex-Shark Justin Braun embracing Flyers' youth after offseason trade

By Marcus White

October 03, 2019 1:47 PM

Wednesday's season-opening loss to the Vegas Golden Knights was the first time the Sharks began a campaign without defenseman Justin Braun in the lineup since Oct. 8, 2011.

Back then, Braun still was skating with the AHL's Worcester Sharks, trying to carve out a regular role with San Jose. Eight years later, he's in the NHL, but orange and black has replaced teal following an offseason trade to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Braun is expected to make his Flyers debut Friday in Prague against Chicago, and the 32-year-old lined up alongside 22-year-old Philly blueliner Ivan Provorov at Thursday's practice. The veteran recently told NBC Sports Philadelphia that he hopes to pass on what he absorbed during nine seasons in San Jose.

"It was a great experience," Braun said. "It kind of got me my start. Learned a lot from the guys there over the years, but excited to be in a new spot and everyone's been great so far. Looking forward to getting things going."

Braun played at least 20 minutes per night in each of the last six seasons, and he suited up in every Sharks playoff game in San Jose's previous seven postseason runs. The Flyers have only made the playoffs in three of the last seven seasons, but Braun still thinks his playoff experience will have plenty of application in the regular season as Philly tries to get back to the postseason.

"You're in those high-pressure spots, [you know] not to panic," Braun said. "You've gotta just make the next play, you can't be flipping pucks for icings all the time. You just gotta take a deep breath. You know you're gonna be up 1-0 late in games, and you gotta shut the door and get those two points."

Braun grew into a veteran leader in San Jose, and he now will be the second-oldest skater -- and the third-oldest player overall -- on a Flyers roster brimming with players under the age of 25. The Flyers have high- scoring veterans like Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek leading the way, but Philadelphia has a younger complexion than San Jose did a season ago.

"What I like about the Flyers is a lot of youth coming in," Braun said. "You've got young energy. I've been playing with some older guys over the years. ... Obviously, the vets [like] Giroux and Voracek -- I've been watching them for years and seeing the skill they've got and the points they can put up. And just watching [goaltender] Carter Hart guy play, he's been great. He works hard every day."

Braun's possession metrics slipped over the last three years, but he still was a defenseman the Sharks relied upon at even strength and on the penalty kill, and the Sharks defense has to adjust to life without him.

In Braun's absence, longtime partner Marc-Edouard Vlasic started the 2019-20 season alongside reigning Norris Trophy finalist Brent Burns and Brenden Dillon should slide in with Erik Karlsson when the All-Star returns to the team. Dalton Prout was set to skate with rookie Mario Ferraro on San Jose's third pairing, but Karlsson's absence due to a "personal matter" Wednesday brought Tim Heed back into the lineup.

The Sharks' new-look pairings should -- in theory, at least -- settle by the time Braun plays his first game at SAP Center as an opponent on Dec. 28. That won't make seeing Braun suit up in a new uniform any less odd for his old teammates, though.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155494 St Louis Blues “That was a decision you have to make advisedly after a lot of thought and analysis. Our feeling in the end was, we wanted to be competitive, we needed to be competitive, so we made that commitment.”

For Blues chairman Tom Stillman, it's a celebration of a title that's still Along the way, Stillman has learned the strangely addictive quality of the hard to believe Stanley Cup. Players, managers, owners all want to get it. And then once they’ve got it, they want to get it again. The Stanley Cup has turned up in all sorts of places around town, and everywhere it goes, it’s the center of attention. By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch “It’s so fun to see people’s reactions,” said Stillman, who happily shows

off a photo of him with the Cup in his arms on the flight back from Boston. Hanging on a hook in Tom Stillman’s office at Enterprise Center is a “It is this mystical, mesmerizing presence. You can’t keep your eyes off it. black checked sport coat, a bit wrinkled and with a faint smell of People are just drawn to it. Even people that aren’t hockey fans. You just champagne. It’s the jacket Stillman wore into the Blues’ dressing room at see this huge, beautiful silver trophy with all the dents and you have TD Garden in Boston and the one that was drenched in champagne in some sense of the history and lore behind it and it just draws people in.” the ensuing celebration. He is not going to get it cleaned. The Blues have a couple more weeks with the Cup before it goes back to “Rookie mistake,” he said. “I think it’s going to be retired.” its home in Toronto. Stillman wants it back.

It’s been a wild 3½ months — “111 days,” he notes, to be precise — for “It’s very difficult under any circumstances (to win) and it’s been shown to the Blues’ chairman since his club won the Stanley Cup. He’s seen a be very difficult to repeat,” he said. “It’s happened only once in the cap parade, a huge victory party under the Arch, had the Cup at his house, era. But it certainly doesn’t mean it can’t be done.” seen his name on it, and after all that, it is still hard for him to grasp.

“They’ve been, in some ways, a little detached from reality,” he said. “It St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.04.2019 still doesn’t completely seem real or completely sink in that we won the Stanley Cup. I’ll be reading an article and come across the words, ‘The Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues’ and I’m always a little taken aback still. It hits you in my chest, and ‘Oh my gosh, we did that.’ It’s been a lot of fun and at the same time, sometimes (you’re) in a state of disbelief.”

He had the same feeling the first time he saw his name engraved on the Cup.

“Did this really happen?” he said.

That’s not an uncommon feeling around Blues Nation, with a team that toiled longer than any other and a fan base that suffered longer than any before finally winning the Cup. Those days have vanished, washed away on a Wednesday night in Boston.

The new season is here, as the Blues lost at home to Washington 3-2 Wednesday in their season opener.

Stillman is glad those days are over.

“I confess that that got old,” he said of references to the franchise’s long drought. “I understand it and everybody certainly has a right to have their feelings and views about it. It doesn’t mean you love hearing about it or being reminded of it. From the perspective of people in this building, whether on the hockey side or the business side, you can see how the feeling would be, we weren’t here then. We’re trying to do something different now and nobody wants to be saddled with that. And I didn’t really like our players, especially young players, being saddled with that, but it is what it is.

“It is a breakthrough moment, a breakthrough year. It certainly changes that narrative forever. But at the same time, we start a new season tonight and now we need to go and prove it all over. We feel like we have a very good team and still have a window for some time, so nobody is satiated here.”

The Blues are in good shape to make another run at the Cup, and not just this year. As it has routinely been, the team is right up against the salary cap as it goes for the Cup again, something that takes commitment from an ownership group that doesn’t have the deepest pockets and is in the nation’s 21st largest market.

“I think in today’s NHL, it’s difficult to win or even have a serious contender if you’re not in the neighborhood of the cap,” Stillman said. “So that’s a commitment we made because we wanted to win a Cup for the Blues franchise and for St. Louis. That cap is a two-edged sword. If not for the cap, the St. Louis Blues wouldn’t exist. Not in St. Louis. We could not have kept up.

“At the same time, we’re going to have to keep improving our revenues and everything we do to keep up with that cap because it’s going to continue to rise, driven by the big market teams like Toronto and Montreal and New York and Philadelphia that have much bigger revenue bases. 1155495 St Louis Blues defenseman Dmitry Orlov tied the game 2-2 with a slap shot from the right point that deflected off Alexander Steen’s stick and past Binnington high, glove side.

Blues hoist the banner but can't stop Capitals from crashing the party The goal came with just seven seconds left on a Washington power play. It was a dubious call to begin with. Bozak collided with Jonas Siegenthaler behind the Washington net, fell to the ice and Siegenthaler fell over Bozak. Somehow that translated to two minutes for tripping on By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch Bozak.

But the larger issue was the Blues’ inability to get anything going It wasn’t a dream, and as of Wednesday night there’s a banner to prove offensively for most of the second period and part of the third. The it. On a night unlike any other in St. Louis sports history, there was Capitals turned the pressure up on their forecheck, suffocated the Blues emotion, shouts of joy and a tear or two as the banner was raised to the in the neutral zone and seemed to get to most of the loose pucks. rafters at Enterprise Center: Stanley Cup Champions, 2019. “We turned the puck over a lot,” Berube said. “They played quick. Got it Try as they might, the Blues couldn’t keep the party going. They jumped in on us, went to work and they just had a bunch of zone time on us. to a 2-0 lead on goals by Sammy Blais and Alex Pietrangelo in the “And when we got it back we turned it over at the blue line — they opening eight minutes, but it was all Washington for most of the countered on us. Again. Here they come again. And we were on our remainder of the game. heels for quite some time until probably five minutes to go in the (second) Jakub Vrana’s goal with 2 minutes 9 seconds left in overtime gave the period. Capitals a 3-2 victory before a sellout crowd of 18,096. After Binnington held off the Capitals in a furious closing minute of “To me, our whole game tonight we weren’t aggressive,” Blues coach regulation, the winning sequence for the visitors came after extended Craig Berube said. “We didn’t play our game. The first period was fine, zone time during three-on-three play in overtime. The Blues’ trio on the but after that I thought that we got away from our game, and didn’t have ice gave the Capitals a lot of cushion before Vrana ended things by that aggressive mindset. skating to his left, around O’Reilly and beating Binnington.

“Didn’t manage the puck very well.” “Just too slow,” Berube said of the OT sequence. “Soft. Just backing off too much.” Normally, Berube doesn’t address the team after a loss — he lets any emotion of the moment pass and talks to the squad the next day. But “You never expect to give up a lead,” Binnington said. “Let alone a 2-0 with a day off Thursday, he talked to the players before they left the lead. We just gotta keep working and stick to the game plan. locker room following a disappointing season opener. “And have a little bit more tenacity I guess.” “They know how we’re supposed to play,” Berube said. “We didn’t do that for 60 minutes. They know that. . . . I thought it was good to talk to these guys about our game. And what went on. It’s not an easy day. Just a lot St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.04.2019 of emotions. Like I said, I thought we started off well in the game but it certainly died.”

With NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in the house, the Cup winners from the previous two years opened a season for the first time since the 1962-63 campaign and only the fifth time in league history.

The pregame ceremony was stirring, and even in defeat the Blues savored the experience.

“It’s a great moment,” defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. “We’ll have a couple days to kind of reflect on it, but it was good. It’s obviously tough when you’re trying to flip the switch (after the ceremony) and get ready for the game. But obviously a pretty special moment.”

Blais had only three goals in 43 regular-season games last year for the Blues. It took him just 53 seconds to score the first goal of this Blues’ title defense.

After a strong preseason, Blais earned a spot on the Ryan O’Reilly line on opening night — valuable real estate to be sure. It paid immediate dividends when David Perron sent a pinpoint backdoor pass to Blais for a tap-in past Capitals goalie Braden Holtby.

Blais from Perron. Call it the French-Canadian Connection. (Blais left the game midway through the third period after absorbing a hard hit and tumbling to the ice. He did not return.)

The good times continued on the Blues’ first power play of the season. On a unit that consisted of Pietrangelo, newcomer Justin Faulk, Tyler Bozak, O’Reilly and Perron, Faulk passed to Pietrangelo in the left faceoff circle and the Blues’ captain fired a sizzler past Holtby with a one- timer.

“We talk about attacking the breakdown (on the power play),” Pietrangelo said. “And there was a breakdown.”

“It was a great shot by ‘Petro,’” Berube said. “It was good to see.”

But the Capitals regained some momentum on an Alex Ovechkin goal late in the opening period and after killing a Blues power play early in the second, seized control of the contest.

From the 3:42 mark of the second all the way until just 3:32 remained in the period — a stretch of more than 13 minutes — Washington outshot the Blues 14-0. Just about in the middle of those 14 shots, Capitals 1155496 St Louis Blues “Every time you come in here, you see that banner,” Pietrangelo said. The mind went back to something Armstrong said on the TD Garden Ice

minutes after a dog-pile of celebrating Blues dissolved. A real-time BenFred: Blues' banner night completes St. Louis hockey exorcism transition occurred in Boston that night. The Blues entered last season as the team that had never been to the mountaintop. They nearly died in a ditch before magic happened. Hollywood would have scoffed at their story, one of a team that went from worst to first by switching to an Ben Frederickson interim coach mostly known for his old hockey fights, a fourth-string goalie and an all-in approach that spread responsibility out to every man in skates. Look up, and remember. From the summit, Armstrong looked back and saw decades worth of Let that 12-foot-by-8-foot rectangle serve as a lasting reminder of the baggage his organization dropped during the climb. “Uncharted water,” lessons we learned from the team that proved that impossible has an he called it that night, eager for more splashes. Months later, he traded expiration date. Edmundson and first-round pick Dominik Bokk for scoring defenseman Justin Faulk, a three-time All-Star who signified this season is no Now and forever nestled into the rafters of the Enterprise Center is a sign greatest-hits tour. that the right blend of determination, selflessness and good fortune can exorcise the most deeply rooted demons and beat back the baddest The so-called experts don’t think the Blues can do it again, of course. Bruins. Berube's team is receiving the worst odds ever for a defending Cup champion. This just in: Who cares? Not the Blues. That gorgeous Stanley Cup is up for grabs again, back to flirting with every fan base. Watching over them this season, and every season from this point forward, will be a tangible reminder that the impossible is within reach. Two of the Blues who helped secure it for an unforgettable summer in St. Louis already are gone. “Every team we play will be looking at that, and using us as an example," O'Reilly said. "With the parity in this league, you are not out of it until the Those who returned are eager to hide their rings and focus on the next very end. Having the banner there represents that. As a group, we all pane of their championship window. know individually you can’t quit. You have to keep fighting. Constantly." “Closure,” Colton Parayko called it. Pageantry behind them, the champions are ready for round two. But that banner?

Don’t tell me it doesn’t mean something moving forward. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.04.2019 With all due respect to the Star-Spangled, it ranked second at Enterprise Center on Wednesday night.

This team and its city had waited more than a half-century for this lift, and it did not disappoint.

The Blues' championship flag climbed from a cloud of fog, dampening eyes during its rise.

The chairman who revived the team that lifted a curse bit his lip on the bench, hoping his tears were hard to see. Tom Stillman is one of you. This city loves him for it. “I'll be over there in the dark,” Stillman said beforehand. “I think I'm going to be over on the bench, and the spotlight will be on the banner, so that's good."

The coach and the general manager who built and led the team to the top looked impatient, as is their nature. “Just the game,” Craig Berube said when asked what would go through his mind during the ceremony. “One day closer to getting fired,” Doug Armstrong had deadpanned this offseason. If there is a better cure for a Cup hangover than the duo of Chief and Army, good luck finding it. They cross-check sappy like a snort of smelling salts.

None of the sold-out seats held a rear. "'Gloria" played one last time. Everyone sang.

“I’ve been here a long time,” Alexander Steen said. “This is something I dreamed of doing here in St. Louis.”

The 11-season veteran carried the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, now safe to touch, onto the ice during player introductions, flashing a rare grin.

Ryan O’Reilly followed behind him with his Conn Smythe Trophy.

And then came captain Alex Pietrangelo, believe it or not, skating the Stanley Cup around the Enterprise Center ice in front of Blues fans for the first time.

Naturally, Blues fans had to wait, the byproduct of the Blues winning the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Final on the road.

Naturally, the delay made the big day that much sweeter.

Pietrangelo handed the Cup to alternate captain Steen, who handed it to alternate captain Vladimir Tarasenko, who handed it back to Pietrangelo, who skated it back to Phil Pritchard, the keeper of the Cup.

Stanley disappeared.

Its image in the rafters will not. 1155497 St Louis Blues

Blues fall to Capitals 3-2 in overtime in opener

By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Oct 2, 2019

The Blues came out flying after banner-raising ceremony, taking a quick 2-0 lead on Washington, and then came back to earth and lost 3-2 in overtime on a goal by Jakub Vrana at Enterprise Center.

Vrana scored 2:51 into the extra period, skating the puck from one side of the rink to the other before getting space against Ryan O'Reilly and beating Jordan Binnington. The Blues got a point, which puts them one ahead of where they were after last season's season opener, a 5-1 loss to Winnipeg.

Sammy Blais left the game in the third period after being caught under the chin by T.J. Oshie. Coach Craig Berube said Blais returned late in the game, though he didn't appear on the ice. Blais had been playing well up to that point, and he led the team in hits with six.

The game apart in the second period for the Blues. Washington tied the game with 7:32 to go in the second on a power play goal by Dmitry Orlov that hit the stick of Alexander Steen and then fluttered its way over the shoulder of a frustrated Jordan Binnington.

"We turned the puck over a lot," coach Craig Berube said. "They played quick, got it in on us, went to work and they just had a bunch of zone time on us. When we got it back, we turned it over at the blueline, they countered on us, here they come again, we were on our heels for quite some time till probably five minutes to go in that period. We were OK then."

"Once they got the momentum," O'Reilly said, "they did the right thing at the right time and we couldn't get our feet back going again and change the momentum like we needed to."

"We weren't quite as aggressive," captain Alex Pietrangelo said. "They were trying to stretch us out. We just kind of got on our heels. We have to find a way to stay on our toes and stay aggressive."

The Blues scored just 53 seconds into their season on a goal by Blais, who finished off a pass from David Perron. Then Pietrangelo made it 2-0 on a power-play goal, hitting a one-timer off a pass from new defensive partner Justin Faulk.

"I liked the start for sure," Berube said. "Guys fed off the start of the game and what went on. After that, we weren't the same."

Alex Ovechkin scored with 4:23 to go in the period to get the Caps on the board.

After a brief flurry of chances The second period was all about the Capitals, who at one point had 14 consecutive shots on goal and outshot the Blues 15-8.

Letting two-goal leads getaway was an early hallmark of last season. The difference between early in the season and late was that later in the season, when they lost a two-goal lead, they would come back to win. Early on, they didn't.

It hasn't been a great night on the faceoff dot for the Blues, who are at 45 percent after two periods, though that's an improvement since they were at 29 percent after the first period.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155498 St Louis Blues

Blues raise championship banner at Enterprise

By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Oct 2, 2019

The Stanley Cup made its first -- and for the time being, last -- appearance in front of fans at Enterprise Center as the team celebrated its 2019 Stanley Cup win by raising the championship banner to the rafters.

The banner, a simple image with the blues logo over the Stanley Cup on a white background with a blue border.

Alexander Steen brought the Campbell Bowl, given to the Western Conference champ, on to the ice and Ryan O'Reilly brought out the Conn Smythe Trophy he earned as playoff MVP. Captain Alex Pietrangelo followed with the Stanley Cup, and he began skating it around the ice, handing it first to Steen and then to Vladimir Tarasenko, the team's three captains. Pietrangelo then placed it on a table in front of the container from which the banner would rise.

For now, the banner is above the ice on the end where the Blues defend twice, but it will be moved to its permanent home at center ice on the bench side of the ice, amid the team's division championship banners.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155499 St Louis Blues “I’m still confident in what I can do,” Ritchie said. “New team, new opportunity, fresh start, whatever you want to call it. I just tried to take advantage of it.”

Ritchie beats former team on 1st shift, Bruins top Stars 2-1 Heinen beat Bishop from the left circle about five minutes later after Alexander Radulov was called for holding. Bishop stopped all 18 Boston shots after that.

BY SCHUYLER DIXON AP SPORTS WRITER NOTES: Former President George W. Bush did the ceremonial puck drop. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush live in Dallas. ... The Bruins OCTOBER 03, 2019 11:50 PM improved to 9-21-5 in season openers on the road. The previous road win in an opener was 4-3 in overtime at New Jersey in 2010. ... The Stars opened the season at home for the ninth straight year. They are 5-3-1 in DALLAS those games.

Brett Ritchie had never taken the ice in an NHL game with a team other than the Dallas Stars when he debuted for the Boston Bruins. Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 10.04.2019 After scoring on his first shift, Ritchie watched his former teammates basically form a parade route out of the rink with injuries.

The new Boston forward scored barely a minute in, Dallas defenseman Roman Polak was taken off on a stretcher just before the Stars’ only goal and the Bruins opened defense of their Eastern Conference title with a 2- 1 victory Thursday night.

Danton Heinen had a power-play goal in the first period as the Bruins beat Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop with their first two shots in a season-opening meeting of teams that lost Game 7s in the playoffs to Stanley Cup champion St. Louis last season.

“You’re not going to score on your first two shots very often,” said Ritchie, who was with the Stars when they lost in double overtime in the second round last spring before the Bruins fell to the Blues in the Cup finals.

“We jumped out to the lead there and built the momentum for the first, and then they took it to us in the second.”

Dallas’ goal came less than a minute after Polak had to be taken off on a stretcher after going head-first into the boards when he tried to check Chris Wagner with 12:56 remaining in the second period.

Polak barely moved while face down on the ice before being rolled onto a board and lifted onto the stretcher during a delay that lasted almost 10 minutes. Coach Jim Montgomery said after the game Polak was OK after an evaluation at a hospital and could return soon.

“I think obviously we kind of didn’t want to think about it after it happened,” defenseman John Klingberg said. “We got to get back playing again. It’s tough to see a teammate go down like that.”

Roope Hintz’s goal came 51 seconds later when the 22-year-old beat Tuukka Rask stick side on a partial breakaway after Mattias Janmark split two defenders with a pass. Joe Pavelski got his first point with the Stars with an assist on the takeaway that started the rush.

“You’ve got to find ways to stay in games and give yourself a chance,” Pavelski said. “I thought we did a good job with that. We kept coming, kept getting better. It was right there for us.”

The Stars had 16 of their 29 shots in the third period, and Rask stopped them all to finish with 28 saves. The 13th-year pro entered the season with the best goals-against average among actives goalies at 2.28.

“I felt the best in the third,” Rask said. “I don’t know if that’s because it was the most action or what, but a big win.”

Before Polak’s injury, forward Blake Comeau sustained a lower body injury when he fell awkwardly after getting hit in the cheek by a puck in the first period. Montgomery said he would miss multiple weeks.

The Stars lost another forward after the first period when Jason Dickinson didn’t return with an upper body injury.

“It’s life in the NHL,” Montgomery said. “Next man up. We went through it all of last year and we’re a resilient group. We’re a deep organization and we’re going to be OK.”

Ritchie’s goal came 1:09 in when Andrew Cogliano couldn’t get a clearing pass from Bishop out of the zone and turned over the puck near the blue line. Charlie Coyle got an assist.

The 26-year-old Ritchie spent his first five NHL seasons with Stars as a 2011 second-round pick, signing as a free agent in Boston following two disappointing seasons in Dallas after he scored 16 goals _ nearly half his career total _ in 2016-17. 1155500 St Louis Blues “If we had to hand-sew the image of the Cup, we wouldn’t be able to put any names or anything like that on there,” Kelly said. “It would be a little bit more of a general type of banner with some shading. They wanted an actual Cup printed on there, so we printed on the banner.” A top-secret assignment: Making the Blues’ Stanley Cup banner The Flag Loft sent the Blues a swatch of what their Stanley Cup banner would look like. (Brenda Wilbur)

By Jeremy Rutherford After emailing Wilbur a PDF file of the banner, Kelly sent her a sample swatch so that she could see how the picture would appear on the Oct 3, 2019 material.

“Does it look pixelated or anything like that, because you’re taking this As often as Blues fans have fantasized over the years about winning the image and you’re blowing it up 10 times the original size,” Wilbur said. Stanley Cup and having a parade on Market Street, they’ve also yearned The next challenge was how big did the Blues want to make the banner. to see a championship banner raised to the rafters at Enterprise Center. They had reorganized their conference and division banners in the rafters The night finally came Wednesday, and about seven hours before it went to accommodate the Stanley Cup banner, but there were a lot of other up, Brenda Wilbur, the Blues’ senior director of branding and creative, factors that went into the size of it. was doing a little day-dreaming herself. “You want to make it slightly larger than all the other championship “It’s very exciting to know that it’s here,” she said. “I’m more excited to banners, so that it has more prominence,” Wilbur said. “But you want to see the fans’ reaction than me seeing it go up because I’ve seen it.” make sure that the people in the suites can see (the game), so that’s something that you have to think about size-wise. We want to make it as Wilbur did more than just see the Stanley Cup banner. She designed it big as we can, but visibility is key. We don’t want people not to be able to and was among a small group of people who kept the details top secret see around the banner.” until the magical moment when 18,096 fans and a national TV audience watched the 10-by-14-foot symbol of success ascend 86 feet in about 90 To help with that, Kelly visited Enterprise Center and brought along a seconds. couple of American flags that were different sizes, so that Wilbur could see the samples in the spot where the Stanley Cup banner would go and The club would go on to lose 3-2 in overtime to Washington in its regular- decide which dimensions she liked. season opener, but it was a game, or least a pregame, that many won’t forget. “I met with Brenda and we went out in the stadium, trying to figure out the sizing,” Kelly said. “It was a little bit back and forth with the sizing, but we The project began about two-and-a-half months ago, or shortly after the gave them the U.S. flags for some scale before we decided on the size.” Blues beat Boston 4-1 in Game 7. They didn’t need that much time to create the banner, but because the team would be giving away replica They chose 10-by-14. banners to the first 12,000 fans in attendance on Oct. 5, and those “For our ceremony, it will get raised to the (middle) rafters, like we do with needed 100 days of lead time, there needed to be a design to replicate. any retirement banner,” said Chris Frome, the Blues’ senior director of “It’s actually a very quick process, but you had to start it earlier because event presentation. “But then the next game, it’ll be in its proper spot.” of the giveaway,” Wilbur said. The hole in the rafters waiting for the championship banner. (Jeremy The Blues already had a partnership with The Flag Loft, a local company Rutherford/The Athletic) that has been in business since 1991 and started doing work with the Throughout the process, Wilbur admitted being nervous about there club in 2000. The company, owned by Rick Kelly, has taken care of the being a mistake. club’s conference championship banners and the “History Made” banners seen at the parade. “When you see the proof, it’s like, ‘Is anything spelled wrong?'” she said. “When someone says, ‘Brenda,’ you’re like, ‘What’s wrong?'” The Flag Loft printed banners for the Blues that were used at the team’s Stanley Cup parade. (Rick Kelly/The Flag Loft) But six weeks after Kelly received the design, it would be too late for any mix-ups, as the ink was coloring in the image. So after a few conversations with the NHL about the usage of the Stanley Cup image and examining what other clubs had done in the past, Wilbur “You’re just watching the machine go back and forth,” he said. “It’s put pen to paper and crafted what she envisioned would be on the Blues’ probably only doing about an inch every two minutes. Some people might banner. think it’s dull, but it’s kind of cool. ”

“There weren’t a lot of elements to it because you want to focus on the Kelly took a couple of pictures in the shop but quickly realized that wasn’t Cup, the Note and the year,” she said. “We definitely wanted to make very wise. sure that the Cup was the focal point. Some teams don’t use the Cup, which is odd to me. I’m like, ‘This is your one time to be able to do that,’ “I thought, ‘I can’t do that,’ so I deleted them from my phone in case my so we definitely took advantage of that.” phone got stolen,” he said.

Wilbur took two different designs to Chris Zimmerman, the Blues’ CEO of When the banner was finished, The Flag Loft hand-delivered it to business operations, and Steve Chapman, the team’s chief revenue Enterprise Center, where it was kept under a watchful eye. officer, to get their feedback before sending the plans off to The Flag “Immediately upon arrival, we hung it up in a secured area,” Frome said. Loft. “There was maybe only three sets of eyeballs that have seen it.” “I thought they were both outstanding,” Chapman said. “We kind of have It was held at nearby Stifel Theatre and hung up to avoid any wrinkles. a similar taste in that we like a classic, clean style. Don’t do something that’s not going to look good five years from now. She made some great “It’s double-sided, so we had to put a vinyl liner in it,” Kelly said. “When designs and we picked out one.” you put a liner in something, you’re preventing the image from being seen in a shadowing effect. They probably have the highest beam lights But there’s more that goes into a Stanley Cup banner than the look of it. in the stadium, and if there’s lighting behind it, you don’t want the shadow The material also takes careful consideration. of the Cup on the opposite side being seen through. So we had to put a “You don’t want it to be too shiny or too matte,” Wilbur said. “You’re also vinyl liner in it, and it’s thick, so what ends up happening is it has a making sure that sound can pass through the material. So it’s not just the memory to it and you might get a fold in there that takes a while to get design, but the materiality and functionality of the banner itself.” out. I told them, ‘Just make sure it’s always as flat as possible.'”

For the Blues’ banner, the entire image is printed on a fabric known as Before it was raised to the rafters at Enterprise Center, the Blues’ Stanley 270 VorTex, which is different than what’s used for conference Cup banner was hidden at Stifel Theatre. (Brenda Wibur) championship and number retirement banners. Those are done in 200 Now seeing the final version of the banner for the first time, Wilbur was in denier nylon, and the image is sewn on, not printed. awe. “Yeah, it’s amazing to see it, what you designed come to fruition,” she said.

The Blues then packed it up to carry over to Enterprise Center for a dress rehearsal Tuesday night.

“We wrapped it up so that no one would even see it when we transported it from one building to the next,” Frome said.

The test-run began after 5 p.m., so that most employees had left the building and wouldn’t have a chance to take a picture.

“The social media policy was in effect,” Frome said. “We actually went around, and if we saw anybody, we made sure to tell them, ‘Please do not take any photos. Respect the banner, respect the Cup, let it be for the fans.”

For the few involved in the rehearsal, Chapman made the same request.

“We didn’t want this one getting out,” he said. “We just said, ‘Hey guys, no pictures tonight, don’t take one home to show the wife or kids or whatever. It’s been 52 years, when this thing comes out, let it be the first time that St. Louis has seen it.'”

They practiced hoisting the banner about 10 times.

“We worked with NBC to make sure that their shots would all be perfect,” Frome said.

It was rolled back up Tuesday night, and then a little after 7 p.m. Wednesday went on the ice for the moment everyone had been anticipating.

“It was unbelievable,” Blues coach Craig Berube said. “It really was. I mean, it’s a huge thing, it’s a great thing for the city and the fans and the organization.”

“It was pretty special,” Blues goalie Jordan Binnington added. “Good job all around. It was a great show.”

Chapman watched the ceremony with goose-bumps.

“I knew everything that was going to happen and I had chills,” he said. “You know what, that banner symbolizes a whole lot of pride and a whole lot of teamwork. That’s what it symbolizes, and you want it to reflect that, and I think it’s a great banner.”

Wilbur and Kelly were both proud of their work.

“It’s definitely something that I’ll always remember, knowing that I designed it and I get to come to games and see it,” Wilbur said.

“I will say there is a little bit of pride involved,” Kelly said. “Every time I’m driving around and I see our flags and banners somewhere, I say, ‘Hey, we did that.’ It makes you feel special.”

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155501 Tampa Bay Lightning That’s the prongs of this Lightning season. Everything that happens will be seen through the prism of past failures. It will be that way until they lift the Cup. Fairness doesn’t factor into the equation.

Lightning look ready to ‘bury our dead’ Coburn remembered 2010, when the Flyers came back from a 3-0 series deficit, and a 3-0 hole in Game 7, to beat the Bruins in an Eastern Conference quarterfinal, a crushing blow to Boston. The Bruins won the Cup in 2011, beating Philadelphia along the way. By Martin Fennelly “They were a changed group,” Coburn said. “The previous year was Published Earlier today done, and they were better for it.” Updated Earlier today Are the Lightning better for it?

We have no idea. They played fast and furious Thursday, mistakes TAMPA — It’s official: included, comebacks, too. Kucherov fired one home on a one-timer that beat Sergei Bobrovsky, the same Bobrovsky who shut down the I’m part of the problem. Lightning for Columbus in the playoffs. Shattenkirk and Maroon scored their first Lightning goals. Ondrej Palat put the Lightning ahead for good I’m picking the Lightning to win the Stanley Cup. in the third period shortly after Florida had tied it at 2. I’m going with Lightning coach Jon Cooper and the boys to go all the “I didn’t like that we gave up the lead, but we got it right back,” Cooper way. said. You know, like last year. It was a grind. Mandatory drug testing for columnists. Now! Good. This team needs that. The Lightning hit the ice at Amalie Arena on Thursday night with a 5-2 “I think it builds a lot of character,” Shattenkirk said. win over the Panthers. Trailing Tampa Bay, still, is that epic playoff fold that wiped out a record-setting 62-win season and the Cup dreams that This team needs that, too. went with it. The Rays already have won one more playoff game than the Lightning did last season. Eleven of the Lightning’s first 15 games are on the road.

“It’s over with,” veteran Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn said Good. Adversity will toughen them up. Thursday morning. “That’s the beauty of it. We had time to bury our “Just learning to play the right way,” Maroon said. dead. And last year is our dead.” This Lightning season is on. The Lightning’s body remains warm. This team is poised again to be a beast. I look at the roster and it still glitters, with reigning MVP Nikita They improved to 1-0. Kucherov and reigning Vezina winner Andrei Vasilevskiy, with Steven Stamkos, with Victor Hedman and, eventually, Brayden Point, with a Bring out your dead. crazy-good offense that still borders on video game. With some added muscle in the likes of Luke Witkowski, and Pat Maroon, who just won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues, and a blue line bolstered by the Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 arrival of Kevin Shattenkirk.

Here comes Cooper and the lads, back for more, gluttons. It’s another lesson learned, to go with coming up short in the Cup final in 2015, missing the playoffs in 2017, losing from ahead to Washington in 2018, to John Tortorella and Columbus sweeping them into oblivion in the first round.

Are we done with the lessons already?

Isn’t it about time this team taught one?

The Lightning went from kings to clowns. From heavyweight champ to punch line. There went the Presidents’ Trophy winners. Never mind that it has been a bad year for presidents overall.

The Lightning lost the trust factor

Forget their “window.”

The window is now.

They didn’t chase the Cup last season. Toward the end of the regular season, they chased numbers, history. It cost them. It caught up with them. By the time they ran into trouble in the playoffs, there wasn’t a thing they could do, or would do. That shiny regular season, one long dream sequence, did nothing to prepare them for their quick exit.

“Even when we played bad last season, we’d win and win and win,” Hedman said.

There is nothing left for this franchise but to go close the deal.

“You come in with a chip on your shoulder,” Coburn said. “You don’t like to be labeled. And we’ve been labeled everything.”

The roster says anything is possible again. Recent history says it’s possible, including the past two Cup winners, Washington and St. Louis, perennial also-rans until they made history.

You are what you are until you’re not. 1155502 Tampa Bay Lightning had six giveaways — or their four penalties but countered that with an acknowledgement of the high energy of the home opener.

Everyone was excited going into this one. Lightning start regular season with win over Florida “You always want to win the first game at home, especially,” Palat said. “That was a big game.”

By Diana C. Nearhos The Lightning are back.

Published Earlier today

Updated Earlier today Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 10.04.2019

TAMPA — Steven Stamkos peeked over his shoulder every second, maybe two, watching for the cue for Andrei Vasilevskiy to lead the Lightning onto the ice for warmups.

Fans at Amalie Arena weren’t the only ones eager for the regular season to start.

The long offseason finally came to an end Thursday, and the whole building shed last season like a snake ridding itself of dead skin. Neither team nor fans held on to anything.

Fans welcomed the Lightning into the new season as players skated through a video-board portal to raucous cheers from the announced sellout crowd of 19,092. Coach Jon Cooper received a loud chorus of “COOOOP,” and the expected players got the biggest cheers (as well as anthem singer Sonya Bryson-Kirksey).

And everyone left happy after the Lightning beat the Panthers 5-2.

Stamkos commented before the game that whether its the first game or 900th, you still get butterflies before the home opener.

“It’s nice to get out there and finally play meaningful games,” said Pat Maroon, a free-agent acquisition at forward, “go out there and sweat with the guys and enjoy it.”

The seven preseason games were great and all, but this is where it really starts.

Maroon gave the Lightning a 4-2 lead with less than seven minutes left in the game and quipped afterward that he was on pace for 82 goals this year. He has 88 goals in his eight-year career, so coach Jon Cooper said he’d wait and see how that worked out for Maroon.

When you win your home opener, even when it isn’t perfect, you can share levity.

The Lightning got on top of the Panthers early. Amalie Arena erupted when Nikita Kucherov scored the first goal of the season 6:39 in for a 1-0 lead. The goal came on a delayed penalty, and Tampa Bay had an advantage for more than 30 seconds.

Mikhail Sergachev found last season’s Hart Trophy winner at the top of the right circle. Kucherov fired a one-timer past Sergei Bobrovsky, the goalie who stymied him in the playoffs in April.

Sergachev finished the night with three assists. Before they knew the Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad had put up four points against the Jets, Kucherov told Sergachev he was leading the league in points. Sergachev responded by saying there was plenty of time for the “big guys” to put up more.

It would have been too simple for that first lead to last, or to say the Lightning took control of the game from there. They didn’t play a perfect game — they gave up the lead twice — but the Lighting never trailed.

The Panthers’ Mike Hoffman completed a nice play to tie the score early in the second period. Kevin Shattenkirk put the Lightning back on top eight minutes later with a knuckle puck off the crossbar.

Vincent Trocheck tied it again with a shorthanded goal midway through the third period. This time Ondrej Palat needed only 45 seconds to giving Tampa Bay back the lead, scoring on the same power play.

“What I liked in the third — I didn’t like that we gave up the lead, but I liked that we got it right back,” Cooper said. “So you kind of have that sinking feeling, but the guys were really positive on the bench.”

The Lightning generated the chances they needed to get the lead and then to protect it. Cooper didn’t love the “turnover bug” — the Lightning 1155503 Tampa Bay Lightning “They're professionals, so if (the doctors) say he can't play, then he can't,” Cooper said. “It's probably more frustrating for the fact that he looks good out there, but he can't play.”

After home opener, Lightning hit the road Forward Cedric Paquette did not skate with the team on Thursday morning, and he did not play in Thursday’s game. Paquette appeared in the last preseason game on Sept. 28, but he left early due to injury.

By Ryan Kolakowski

Published Earlier today Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 Updated Earlier today

TAMPA — The Lightning enjoyed their home opener, but now they won’t see home for awhile.

The team, 5-2 winners over the Florida Panthers Thursday, will not get another chance to play at Amalie Arena until Oct. 19. The Lightning have a rematch with the Panthers on Saturday night in Sunrise to kick off a six- game road trip.

“You want to take advantage of your home games,” said forward Steven Stamkos. “We realize the schedule is pretty tough to start the year. We have an opportunity to have our first game of the year in front of our great fans.”

Forward Pat Maroon, who signed with the Lightning as a free agent after winning the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues last season, said it is exciting to start the season in front of a new home crowd.

“This place is electric,” Maroon said of Amalie Arena after the win. “I’m looking forward to playing in front of these fans every night.”

Maroon’s third period goal to give the Lightning a 4-2 lead.

Coach Jon Cooper said his team has a little bit more energy now than they would in the idle of the regular season.

“It’s just an exciting time,” Cooper said. “Opening night of the regular season is matched only by the opening night of the playoffs.”

The Lightning only play four of their first 15 games at home. The first road trip of the season includes stops in Carolina, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Boston.

Stamkos tried to make the best of the early travel-heavy schedule, noting that playing on the road can have some benefits. There are fewer distractions and less pressure in road games, Stamkos said.

“At the end of the day, it’s still hockey,” Stamkos said. “We have to go our there and perform. It can be a confidence boost if we can get off to a good start, especially on the road.”

Stamkos said the team came into the year looking to fix some bad habits, and he was happy with the way the team cut down on penalties through the start of the preseason.

“Staying more disciplined, for sure, has been an Achilles heel for our team over the past three years with minor penalties,” Stamkos said Thursday morning. “We’ll look to stay out of the box.”

Related: Lightning start regular season with win over Florida

Within the first two minutes of Thursday’s game, Mikhail Sergachev was called for tripping and sent to the penalty box. The Lightning racked up eight penalty minutes in Thursday’s win.

The Lightning didn’t want to test their penalty kill unit early in the season, but it held up. Tampa Bay held Florida 0-4 on the power play.

“We took a few penalties that we didn’t need to take,” Cooper said. “But the penalty kill was outstanding for us.”

The Lightning started their home opener with a video of scenes from last season’s loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the Amalie Arena video board. Tampa Bay didn’t shy away from the disappointment of last season’s early playoff exit.

“Would it be better to forget the past, or should we remember?” a narrator said. “Now, we move forward. No more apologies.”

Center Brayden Point skated with the team Thursday morning, but he remains unavailable for game action as he recovers from offseason hip surgery. 1155504 Tampa Bay Lightning

Diana C. Nearhos’ takeaways from the Lightning season opener

By Diana C. Nearhos

Published Earlier today

The line of the night might go to Jeff Vinik. The Lightning owner hosted a party for sponsors at the same locale as the party for the start of the postseason in April. “Welcome to the second round of the playoffs,” he quipped.

Amalie Arena has two new banners, but the Lightning didn’t hold a banner-raising ceremony. The 2018-19 Presidents’ Trophy and Atlantic Division Champions banners appeared quietly in the night. Okay, it was probably during the day, but there was no fanfare.

Welcome to Tampa Bay. Two Lightning newbies scored in their debuts. First, Kevin Shattenkirk scored on a knuckle puck off the crossbar to put Tampa Bay on top 2-1 in the second, then Pat Maroon jammed in a rebound late in the third for a 4-2 lead.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155505 Tampa Bay Lightning From two brutal series against the Lightning eight years apart, the Bruins forward has the most playoff goals against them of any active player, seven. He had two goals in a game twice in the hard-fought second- round matchup of 2018. In 10 games total, Bergeron has 11 points. When it comes to Lightning foes, these ‘killers’ top the list 1. Lars Eller

The Capitals forward continues the trend of players with the most games By Diana C. Nearhos against the Lightning leading the way, but half his points against Tampa Bay were in one series. Starting his career with the Canadiens pitted Published Yesterday Eller against the Lightning a few times, but it was in the 2018 Eastern Conference final with the Capitals that he made his mark. Eller recorded seven points (two goals) in those seven games. In total, he has 13 points TAMPA — Certain players make you cringe when you see them coming (four goals) in 17 games against Tampa Bay. up on the schedule — some because they’re tough (Tom Wilson), some because they’re pests (Brad Marchand) and some because they’re just Past five years good. The list changes when narrowed to a recent time frame (Ovechkin drops And some players just have a team’s number. to sixth).

Take the Lightning’s Ondrej Palat, who averages about 0.7 points per 3. Mark Stone game for his career. Against the Stars, he averages 1.3. The wing spent seven-plus seasons with the Senators, against whom So who are the Lightning killers? Tampa Bay has been successful (13-5-2 overall), before being traded to the Golden Knights in the Western Conference at last season’s trade The Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin has the most total points against Tampa deadline. In 16 games, Stone has 20 points (nine goals) against the Bay, but he has a lot of points against everybody. Fellow Capital T.J. Lightning. Oshie elevates his game for the Lightning, especially. 2. Jonathan Huberdeau Oshie matches Ovechkin for most goals against the Lightning in the past five years, 12. Where he distinguishes himself is in effectiveness. Oshie The Panthers center has been one of the most impactful players against tops the career productivity list when sorted by points per game against the Lightning, though they have largely had their way with Florida over them; Oshie has 28 points in 20 games. the past five years (13-6-2). Huberdeau, entering his eighth year with the Panthers, missed half of the 2016-17 season with an injury and yet is still Oshie is something of a surprise on this list. second on this list. In 18 games, Huberdeau has 22 points (seven goals) against the Lightning. Unlike others, his career numbers are good but not stellar. He averages 47 points and 19 goals per season for his 11-year NHL career, good 1. Nicklas Backstrom numbers but not special. If his numbers against the Lightning were extended to a full season, he’d have 115 points and 61 goals. That would No. 4 on the overall list, the Capitals center has 23 points (seven goals) lead the league almost any year. in 15 games (298 minutes) against the Lightning over the past five years.

Regular season Also of note

Unsurprisingly, the top three active players are among those who have A few trends popped up on this dive into the Lightning’s most challenging played the most games against Tampa Bay. opponents:

3. Ilya Kovalchuk It comes back to the Capitals

Even though he spent 2013-18 in the KHL, Kovalchuk’s seven-plus The Caps are all over this list. That’s not surprising given how often the seasons with the Flames and three-plus with the Devils have made him teams face each other and Tampa Bay’s 4-9-0 record against one of the most prolific Lightning opponents. In 1,331 minutes over 61 Washington in the past five years. games, Kovalchuk, now with the Kings, has 65 points against Tampa Big names missing Bay. The Oilers’ Connor McDavid plays the Lightning only twice a year. In his 2. Eric Staal six games against them, he has the same average of 1.3 points per Staal has been in the Western Conference with the Wild for the past game as he has for his overall NHL career. three years, but he saw a lot of the Lightning in his 11-plus years with the The Penguins’ Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin also average about 1.3 Hurricanes. And he was a thorn in Tampa Bay’s side for all of them. In points per game against the Lightning (they are ninth and 10th on the 1,439 minutes over 73 games, Staal has 73 points (33 goals) against the Lightning killers list). For Crosby, that holds to his career average. Lightning. Malkin’s is 1.2. 1. Alex Ovechkin On the other side The league’s best goal scorer, who has spent his entire 14-year career The Oilers’ Connor McDavid has the best scoring rate against the with the Capitals, has played the second-most minutes against the Lightning in the Western Conference. Who else stands out? Joe Lightning, and he has the most points against them: 90 (47 goals) in Thornton spent seven-plus years in the East with the Bruins, but he has 1,480 minutes over 69 games. He was most potent earlier in his career, 13-plus with the Sharks. In 44 games against the Lightning, he has 44 which mirrors Ovechkin’s overall points trend. In the past five years, points. Ovechkin drops to sixth on the list against the Lightning with 19 points in 15 games. Blake Wheeler was in the East for three seasons before the Flames moved to Winnipeg and became the Jets in 2011. In 33 games, he has Playoffs 31 points against the Lightning. Only one player overlaps from the top five in the regular season and the What about former players? playoffs. We’ll give you one guess who. Even including inactive players, Alex Ovechkin tops the list of career 3. Alex Ovechkin points against the Lightning. Second is Jaromir Jagr, now playing in the He has faced the Lightning in only two series, but that whole league’s- Czech Republic, with 83 points in 80 games. In terms of points per game, best-scorer thing hurts. In 11 games against Tampa Bay, Ovechkin has Mario Lemieux runs away with the lead at 2.2. Interestingly, in second 11 points (six goals). place, with 1.7 points per game, is Steve Yzerman.

2. Patrice Bergeron Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155506 Tampa Bay Lightning forward. He’ll be in the Selke conversation in coming years. But if Palat can play up to this top-six potential, it could loom large for Tampa Bay. Palat doesn’t have to score 25 goals. But rack up 15 or so, and be this kind of force on both ends, and the Lightning will be very happy. Smitty’s Seven: What we learned from Lightning’s season-opening win Andrei Vasilevskiy is still the backbone

From the first day of camp, the Lightning set out to be more responsible By Joe Smith defensively and limit penalties with the hopes that Vasilevskiy wouldn’t have to bail them out as much. Oct 3, 2019 But there were several times the Vezina winner came through, making 27

saves in the first two periods. His best may have come on the 2-on-0 in TAMPA, Fla. — It was barely 20 minutes into his Lightning debut and the second period. Kevin Shattenkirk was ticked off. There were some turnover issues, like in Vincent Trocheck’s short- The veteran defenseman had watched Evgeni Dadonov get behind him handed goal that tied the score in the third. But Tampa Bay eventually for a partial breakaway late in the first, with goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy shut it down, holding the Panthers to just eight shots on goal in the final making the big save. Then, a couple minutes into the second, Shattenkirk 20 minutes. blew an assignment, straying too far from the middle to leave Mike But saves like Vasilevskiy’s on Dadonov early were momentum- Hoffman all alone in front for the tying goal. swingers. “I bit too early,” Shattenkirk said. “That one really pissed me off.” The good news is that Tampa Bay made adjustments going into the third But, like the Lightning, Shattenkirk bounced back, scoring the next goal in period and shut it down. a 5-2 victory over the Panthers at an electric Amalie Arena. Just over two “We knew it wasn’t the cleanest game,” Shattenkirk said. “In the third months from getting bought out by the Rangers, Shattenkirk was playing period, we were very good, very deliberate with pucks. We were making in the top pair with Norris Trophy winner Victor Hedman. the right plays, making strong plays, taking care of our zone.” “It’s quite a change,” Shattenkirk said, smiling. “For me, I just feel like I’m Maroon a force down low rejuvenated in general by what happened. Being on a winning team, it’s so nice to be back in that atmosphere. We’re all hungry for something There was a point in the third period when Maroon — stationed in his here. It’s nice to share that hunger with the guys, that passion for winning “office” by the crease — took a shot by Ryan McDonagh off the left leg and the ultimate goal.” and was in obvious pain. He hobbled to the bench, then stretched it out on the ice during a commercial break. The Lightning didn’t hoist the Stanley Cup Thursday night. They didn’t celebrate the Presidents’ Trophy, with the banner already in the rafters. Moments later, Maroon was back in the crease area, cashing in on a The pregame video montage struck the right humbled tone, with clips of power play goal. He could have ordered a coffee in the amount of time Tampa Bay’s stunning loss to Columbus in the first round playing, then he positioned his 6-foot-3 frame beside Sergei Bobrovsky, who was the post-series handshakes. The words “devastating” and “failure” were under siege by Tampa Bay shots. It was an easy tap-in for Maroon, but used. you can see why Tampa Bay was intrigued by adding him to the first power play unit. Then came their motto, sparked by guest speaker Jon Gordon in a talk last week: “My job is to stay in front of the net, look for those dirty … second, third opportunities,” Maroon said. “The boys did a good job whacking the puck “It’s time to attack.” and I was there to clean up the trash.” There were times the Lightning looked like last season’s 62-win team, I asked Maroon how long it took for him to shake off that shot off the leg. with Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy bailing them out with 35 He laughed. saves (including one on a 2-on-0). The power play was potent, with Ondrej Palat — who was outstanding — scoring the go-ahead goal “I’m used to those — you’ll probably see me go down a lot,” Maroon said. midway through the third barely a minute after Florida had tied it. The “I’ll get hit a lot there. That’s my job. I’ve made a career doing that. It hurt, top-ranked penalty kill —without Anton Stralman, Dan Girardi or Ryan stings a little bit heading to the bench. It locks up on you, but you get out Callahan — went a perfect 4-for-4. The “new guys,” Shattenirk and Pat there and try it again. Maroon, both scored a goal. Aside from Maroon’s presence on the power play, that fourth line with “Opening night,” Shattenkirk said. “It’s like the first day of school.” him, Gemel Smith and Luke Witkowski was really effective. There was a point in the second period where they had the best shift of any line all Well, here is what we learned from the Lightning’s opener: night. They were physical, they were great at cycling the puck down low, Ondrej Palat looks like a different player maintaining possession. Witkowski was throwing his body around. It could add a different element for Tampa Bay, even when Cedric Palat talked in camp on how how much better he felt after revamping his Paquette (upper body injury) returns. offseason training. Sergachev striving for more Instead of being an “animal” in the gym, focusing on heavy weights, Palat did more sprints, jumps and his core. As a result, Palat looks quicker, can Mikhail Sergachev had a career night offensively with three points (all be more relentless in longer shifts. And after scoring just eight goals in an assists), including on Shattenkirk’s first goal with the Lightning. injury-plagued 2018-19, he has sought to be more aggressive. But what means more to the 21-year-old Russian is his continued “I want to be dangerous,” he said. improvement defensively. Sergachev’s strong play getting back to thwart a 2-on-1 in the second period was an example of that. Palat was just that Thursday, with five shots on goal and four hits. His line with Anthony Cirelli and Alex Killorn were tasked with the toughest “That’s what I care about the most,” Sergachev said. “Playing in the right assignment — shutting down the Panthers’ top line of Sasha Barkov, position, winning battles, it’s what I’m trying to do. I’m going to try to Dadonov and Jonathan Huberdeau. That trio, which coach Jon Cooper prove it more and more and get more ice time, PK, show them I’m ready believes is one of the best in the league, was shut out and a combined for the top-four.” minus-3. Sergachev has been desiring a top-four spot the past couple seasons, “The Palat line did a hell of a job,” Maroon said. with one of the bigger questions in camp whether he’d land on the top pair with Hedman. Sergachev got his share of reps in preseason with Palat set the tone with a big hit on an early penalty kill shift. It looks like Hedman, and showed some potential, but the coaches decided to pair he could be a key cog on that unit that lost several regulars. He scored Shattenkirk with the 6-foot-6 Swede. the go-ahead goal on a rebound of Alex Killorn’s shot on the power play. Cirelli, in just two years, has become arguably the team’s top defensive “(Ryan) McDonagh is a different player than Sergachev, it’s why one guy is a big PK guy for us,” Cooper said. “To round out your game, though, to be able to handle top-four minutes and be put in those situations, sure all guys want that. Does Sergachev have the talent to do that? There’s no question. But just remember, he’s 21 years old, he’s played 150 games in the league.”

Cooper’s point? Sergachev’s time will come.

The top pair for now

Shattenkirk made it clear he wasn’t happy with his first 30 minutes, “Sloppy,” he said.

But a lot of what’s been going on is the learning curve of playing with Hedman, an incredibly unique-type defenseman who can cover a lot of ground and be aggressive when his instincts take over.

“I know he recovers so well,” Shattenirk said. “He’s never really beat on a play. You have to be patient in your own one-on-one and know he’ll probably get back to where he needs to be.”

That’s what happened on Shattenkirk’s blown assignment in the second period when he bit too soon when Hedman had Trocheck covered along the boards.

Keep in mind that it was just Shattenkirk and Hedman’s second game together (the other one was a preseason game last week). This type of chemistry takes time. But Hedman has liked what he’s seen so far.

“He reads the game very well, he’s very vocal out there and is great with the puck,” Hedman said. “We just have to read off each other, both be aggressive up ice when we have the chance. Obviously our strengths are in the (offensive) zone and you can’t get caught with two guys down low. You’ve got to make those reads, and so far they’ve been working.”

The fact Shattenkirk finished with a goal (on a team-high-matching five shots) put a good ending on his debut. The shot was a knuckler from the point, which appeared to get deflected and soar over Bobrovsky’s shoulder. “I was just trying to get the puck to the net and hope for the best,” Shattenkirk said. “It seemed to be there most of the night, the shooting lanes. It was just one of those where everyone starts celebrating before you. I figured something good happened.”

Nuts and Bolts

Carter Verhaeghe, with a dozen family and friends in attendance, had a solid NHL debut, a plus-1 with one shot in 10:55; he also got some time on the second power play, which was interesting. … Steven Stamkos had a strong night in the faceoff circle, going 5 of 6, and was often used on D-zone draws on the PK. The captain’s line, with Tyler Johnson at center and Nikita Kucherov at wing, didn’t do a ton 5-on-5, and you wonder where Brayden Point will slot in when he’s ready. Kucherov scored the season’s first goal, on a rocket one-timer, giving him two points on the night. … Best line of the night came when I jokingly asked Sergachev if he told Kucherov he was coming for his Art Ross Trophy (which goes to the leading scorer): “He said I have the most points in the league right now. But it won’t take long for the big boys to catch me.”

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155507 Tampa Bay Lightning “It’s easy to say it’s part of your story when you eventually win,” Stamkos said. “For us, it’s in the past. You can’t do anything but move on. It’s a new year, new set of circumstances. For sure, it’s in the back of your head. Everyone remembers that feeling. But it’s done and over with. I’m ‘Time to move forward’: How the Lightning can exorcise the demons of sure we’ll get asked about it. But the time for talk is over. It’s time to their first-round playoff sweep move forward.”

Lightning captain Steven Stamkos hangs his head as the Blue Jackets celebrate a goal in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series last April. Joe Smith (Aaron Doster / USA Today) Oct 3, 2019 Four days after the Cavaliers’ catastrophic loss in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, Bennett held a team meeting in a film room at their facility in Charlottesville. BRANDON, Fla. — The Lightning hosted a special guest before a recent Monday practice, and players probably weren’t prepared for what they The wounds were still fresh. Critics had started to pile on. You couldn’t were going to hear. escape it on campus. What Bennett said set the tone for a summer of healing among a group of devastated teenagers. Assistant Brad Jon Gordon, 48, the author and motivational speaker, was used to bigger Soderberg remembers the speech like it was yesterday. rooms (and audiences), like with his previous clients the national champion Clemson football team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland “Own the loss, own it. Don’t blame anybody. That particular night, Browns. A year ago, Gordon counseled Virginia men’s basketball coach University of Maryland, Baltimore County outplayed us — period. Don’t Tony Bennett after the Cavaliers were on the wrong end of one of the be afraid to say it, don’t be afraid to admit it.” biggest upsets in sports history, the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 in “I think if Coach had just told the guys to ‘forget about it, wipe it out of the men’s NCAA Tournament. your mind,’ that would have been a bad way to do it,” Soderberg told The There Gordon stood in front of a cozy meeting room addressing the Athletic. “What he did was right on point. The guys accepted it as Lightning, the most recent standard-bearers of shame after being the first extremely painful. There’s no place for us to start looking to our right and President’s Trophy-winning team to get swept in the first round of the left and questioning each other, players or coaches. The message was playoffs. Their quest for redemption will be a storyline in the hockey world ‘own it.’ for the next eight months. “They often say, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’ It was a What Gordon said in his 45-minute speech resonated with the star- good example of that.” studded group, which is once again the Vegas favorite to win the Stanley The Cavaliers were returning a good chunk of their core, and it’s the Cup. same with the Lightning. GM Julien BriseBois vowed to not “blow up” his “It’s not about defending your position as an elite team. It’s about roster, deciding to only make subtle changes like signing Cup champion attacking something new.” Pat Maroon and veteran defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. They lost some players by attrition, including veterans Ryan Callahan (career-ending It’s a delicate balancing act the Lightning will have to navigate this back injury), Dan Girardi (retiring) and Anton Stralman (signed with the season, which opens Thursday at Amalie Arena against the Florida Panthers). Panthers. As coach Jon Cooper said, they’ve got to “own” the playoff failure and let it fuel them. But it can’t consume them. They’ve got to be Cooper stressed the importance of improving defensively and cutting able to move forward and keep plugging away, knowing they won’t be down on penalties, but there wasn’t a major shift in his systems or able to silence any critics until they win a playoff game in April. strategy.

Flipping the script quickly will be of prime importance as the Lightning “I’m not going to change how we play,” Cooper said. “Because you don’t play eight of their first 12 games on the road (and then the next two in win 62 games by a fluke. And I can sit here and say we lost four in a row Sweden). But as Bennett told his Cavaliers, “Adversity, if used the right and that didn’t happen to us all year. We lost four in a row at the most way, will buy you a ticket to a place you haven’t gone another way.” inopportune time. We didn’t become a bad team overnight.”

Virginia won the national championship last season, overcoming another Soderberg said the Cavaliers treated the next season as “business as No. 16 seed’s near-upset in the first round to complete the feat. The usual” as far as their systems and practice plans went. “We all had that Washington Capitals lost in the second round of the playoffs after being little monster that was out there — how could it not be?” Soderberg said. back-to-back President’s Trophy winners, then won the Stanley Cup the “But day-to-day activities were the same. I never heard Coach say, next year in 2018. Clemson was outlasted by Alabama in the 2015-16 ‘We’ve got to redeem ourselves.’ I just heard, ‘Keep working, keep title game before returning the next winter to dethrone the Crimson Tide. knocking.'”

Gordon, who wrote “The Energy Bus” and “Power of a Positive Team,” There’s a message on the screen saver on Soderberg’s laptop: “Stay the was offering examples of how to climb that same mountain. He talked Course.” And that’s what Virginia did, rolling to a 35-3 regular-season about the importance of being “connected and committed,” with the record, earning another No. 1 seed in the tournament. But it wasn’t until greatest teams fighting for each other. He recommended staying “inside- the Cavaliers stared down a similar monster in the first round that they out,” focusing on who was inside the dressing room instead of the finally were able to heal and move forward. expectations of media and fans. “I don’t think we fully wiped that out of our memory until we beat Gardner A few Lightning players asked questions. Then captain Steven Stamkos Webb a year later in the same game,” Soderberg said. “We were down stood up and spoke. 14 in the first half, and it was a No. 16 seed versus a No. 1 seed. Déjà vu to the nth degree. I personally thought once that game ended, and we “He said the message rang true,” Gordon said. “It was something they won with a tremendous second half, I saw a tangible difference in the really wanted to focus on.” way guys acted. They were free. At that point, I knew we could make a run. There was no baggage on our shoulders.” Wing Alex Killorn called Gordon’s speech “powerful,” one that made him think. You started to hear some of the author’s buzzwords in player When the Cavaliers returned to campus the next fall as national interviews the next week, from Stamkos talking about “we before me” in champions, Bennett took the stage for another speech. This time, he dug moving to the wing or Victor Hedman on looking ahead. into his jacket and pulled out two ticket stubs. One from their infamous loss to UMBC. The other? A stub from the night they cut down the nets “We haven’t won anything yet,” Hedman said. “So there’s nothing to as champs in an overtime victory over Texas Tech. defend.” “I know I’m a little biased,” Bennett told the crowd, “but I think it’s one of Whether the Lightning become the next Virginia men’s basketball team or the greatest stories ever told.” the 2017-18 Capitals remains to be seen. But they know they’ll be asked about it nonstop over the coming months. Virginia coach Tony Bennett cuts down the net after his team beat Texas Tech to claim the national title last April. (Bob Donnan / USA Today) When Cooper showed up in Las Vegas in June for the NHL Awards, he And the Lightning group has come a long way in the past couple of years was a bit apprehensive. in terms of chemistry. When assistant Derek Lalonde showed up before last season, he was told there were a number of cliques in the dressing “Because of the pity party,” he said. room. Now you have a group that Cooper says has a “February Cooper said for the first month of the offseason, people seemed “scared” closeness” in October. to bring up the Lightning’s stunning loss. A month later, they had the “I think (cliques) were something when I first came into the league that courage to ask. A month after that, they felt comfortable making jokes. was a really big problem with our team,” said Tyler Johnson, who made But the appearance at the award show, beyond being part of the healing his NHL debut in 2013. “Over the years, we’ve made a transition in that process, was also a learning experience. Cooper, a finalist for the Jack way. Now everyone gets along — we’ll go out to dinner with different Adams Award (NHL Coach of the Year), picked the brains of the two people every night. That says a lot. You feel comfortable to be in any other finalists — Craig Berube, who had led his Blues to the Stanley Cup, situation.” and the Islanders’ Barry Trotz. A year earlier, Trotz’s Capitals had “We’re closer at this point in the season than we’ve been in years past at overcome several stinging early exits to finally hoist hockey’s holy grail, this point.” beating Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference final to get there. Johnson said the changed complexion in the room happened more “He said, ‘There’s a light at the end of the tunnel,'” Cooper recalled. naturally through attrition than any significant team-bonding trip. Some It didn’t seem like it at first. Former Capitals (and Lightning) wing Brett players left, new ones came in and some younger guys grew into Connolly recalled the foul mood during the exit meetings in the spring of leadership roles. Out went “glue guys” like Callahan, Girardi and 2017 after Washington lost to Pittsburgh in the second round. No one Stralman, but in came character guys like backup goalie Curtis was immune from criticism, including face of the franchise and future Hall McElhinney, Shattenkirk and Maroon. of Famer Alex Ovechkin. Maroon, the only player in the Lightning room that has won a Stanley “A lot of the talk in the offseason was about people not being happy and Cup, swears by the intangible factors of a championship team. One of the year-end meetings, there were questions about who will be back,” the strengths of that Cup-winning Blues team — which went from last in Connolly said. “You’re like, ‘Wow. Who would have thought they’d be the NHL at midseason to a title — was how it mentally and physically asking those questions about certain guys on the team, the was able to grind out series after series by wearing down opponents. The management?’ Everyone was looking for answers. You’ve got to stick players were pulling in one direction. with it and keep believing.” There were some subtle signs, even in the preseason, of the Lightning’s Trotz said there’s a “heavy crown” with being President’s Trophy winners. cohesion, from the pushback in games where guys fought back in Everyone thinks you’re going to blow everybody away, and the reality, scrums for each other. There were presences like Maroon and Luke Trotz said, is the margin for error is still razor-thin. “To everybody, if you Witkowski, who dropped their gloves. don’t win the Cup, it’s an absolute failure,” he said. “And it’s not.” “You have to respect each other, play for each other and hold each other “You needed time to heal,” Trotz continued. “It’s hard because everyone accountable,” Maroon said. “If you can do that, you’re going to have that is piling on you. Everyone wants me fired, and trade half the team.’ good locker room and guys will come together. This is a great group, I That’s not right. They’ve got to heal. can tell. Everyone is getting along. The next step is a belief system. The past is over. You have to focus on what’ll happen this year.” “It’s like a death in the family. It’s like your parent dying. Some guys can get over it and move on. Some people take a long time. It’s all different One of the exercises Gordon taught Bennett was called “Hero, Hardship, for each group.” Highlight.” The idea came from an Australian rules football team that ended a 36-year championship drought. Players go one by one, sharing For the Capitals, the frustration and in-fighting continued through the first who their hero or role model is, a highlight in their life they are proud of half of the next season. Trotz could sense “a lot of bitterness, a lot of and a hardship they encountered. The Cavaliers did it, and so did the hurt.” There wasn’t a lot of joy. So Trotz gave players more space. He Clemson Tigers. Gordon said he encouraged Lightning players to take compared the situation to having a broken leg and said it’s not healed some of their own time and try it. until it’s healed. “Find ways to connect and commit to each other,” Gordon said. “At the beginning of the year it was tough,” Connolly said. “There were some incidents where guys were not happy with each other, the older It was Lightning CEO Steve Griggs and BriseBois who were the ones guys or younger guys. (Trotz) let guys handle it at their own pace.” that brought Gordon in to speak. BriseBois read “The Power of a Positive Team” over the summer. After Gordon spoke to the players, he Connolly said things started to click in January or February. They started addressed the entire Lightning organization in a staff meeting at the to forget about all the negative stuff from early in the season or previous Tampa Theater that afternoon. years. “We just came together,” Connolly said. “We started playing our best hockey again.” Any employee could ask questions to the panel, which included Cooper.

“We had to let that group heal and get a little bit pissed off,” Trotz said. “The big thing was, ‘Have you moved on from last year?'” Cooper said. “Once they healed, they said, ‘We’re better than this.’ When they realized “Well, we’ve moved on because it’s a new season. But we’re going to 30 it, it was time to grab them and say, ‘OK, stop fucking around. Let’s go.’ other arenas and will get the same question from every media member. So it’s hard to move on because everyone is going to bring it up. It’s “And we went.” completely fair, and as well they should.

It’s not like the Capitals’ path to the title was all smooth. They fell behind “Anytime you lose a couple games, there are going to be questions. Had 2-0 in the first-round series against Columbus, coming dangerously close we not lost the way we did last year, we probably wouldn’t have these to falling behind 3-0 (and a potentially franchise-changing early exit) questions. But we did, and we have to stand up and own what happened. before winning Game 3 in overtime. They got their share of breaks. And I think it’s going to be good for us. There’s no way we’re going to ever be a series-swinging save by Braden Holtby against Vegas in the Stanley able to erase what happened last year unless we make the playoffs this Cup final. year. And if we’re fortunate enough to do that, we’ve got to win a round and have to learn why we didn’t win. I think, from what I’m seeing in “There’s so much randomness the year we won the Cup,” Trotz said. “If training camp right now, we’re slowly learning why we lost and trying to Holtby doesn’t make that save, maybe we don’t win? There’s the term, fix it.” ‘the unseen hand.’ There’s an unseen hand that’s going to be played, and you don’t know when it’s going to be played and how it affects your Soderberg thinks about what the Lightning went through and calls it group and how quickly it’s going to get it back.” “painfully similar.” Any advice?

“There’s no secret formula,” Connolly said. “There are two main things,” Soderberg said. “Own it and stay the course — keep knocking. You just never know.” Having a close team is a big part of it. Like Gordon told the Lightning in his speech, championship teams not only play with each other, they “fight for each other.” The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155508 Toronto Maple Leafs failed to disclose to the team, in his hometown of Scottsdale, Ariz., back in May. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

To top it all off, there was the near-constant talk swirling around who the Tyson Barrie content to fly under the radar for now with Maple Leafs Leafs would name as their captain before John Tavares was finally unveiled before Wednesday’s game.

Then on the ice, Matthews scored two goals to steal the postgame JOSHUA CLIPPERTON headlines along with Tavares, and overshadow Barrie’s two-point night in his blue-and-white debut. TORONTO “He flies under the radar a little bit, just because of everything that’s THE CANADIAN PRESS going on,” Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly said. “He’s going to be a big PUBLISHED OCTOBER 3, 2019 part of what we’re doing.”

UPDATED OCTOBER 3, 2019 Barrie had a boatload of talent up front in Colorado with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. He means no disrespect, but a stable of forwards that includes Matthews, Marner and Tavares – just to name a few – presents even more avenues for him to In most cities and on most teams, acquiring a dynamic offensive contribute. defenceman in a blockbuster trade would dominate training camp chatter and make waves on opening night. “It’s a lot of fun to be able to jump in the play and having these guys looking for you,” Barrie said. “It’s been a lot of fun so far and it’s one Tyson Barrie has been on the cusp of hitting 60 points the past two game in.” seasons and figures to play an important role in driving the offence for a franchise with Stanley Cup aspirations. Muzzin, who battled Barrie in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Kings, was partnered with his now-NHL teammate for Canada at He’s also now a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and for anyone not the 2015 world championship and is eager to see what this season paying attention, the team has produced its fair share of news over the brings the complementary pair. past month. “I was excited,” Muzzin, who is more likely to hang back and let Barrie Mitch Marner’s contract impasse and resolution, the fallout from the push the pace offensively, said of his initial reaction to the trade. “It was a charge against Auston Matthews in Arizona and the captaincy soap nice addition for me and the team.” opera have, quite frankly, sucked up most of the oxygen. But Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen might have put it best in terms of It’s pushed Barrie to the periphery of the conversation – at least for now – where Barrie currently stands and where he could soon find himself – in and that suits him just fine. the spotlight. “You hear so much about the fan base and the media in Toronto,” the 29- “He’s a guy you’ll notice more and more.” year-old said. “It’s obviously there, but I think it is a little nice to fly under the radar with everything that was going on.

“It’s made it easier, but now it’s time for me to deliver and play well.” Globe And Mail LOADED: 10.04.2019 Barrie did that with two assists in Wednesday’s 5-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators in the season opener, including a spin-o-rama at the blue line before feeding Ilya Mikheyev for the rookie’s first NHL goal.

“He’s very calm with the puck at the point,” Toronto’s Jake Muzzin said of his defence partner. “You saw some moves ... which not a lot of guys do.”

A third-round pick in the 2009 NHL draft by the Colorado Avalanche, Barrie put up a career-high 59 points last season (14 goals, 45 assists) in 78 games after registering 57 points (14 goals, 43 assists) in 10 fewer outings during the 2017-18 campaign.

The Victoria native was a key contributor for the Avalanche, but found himself on the move this summer along with forward Alexander Kerfoot in a trade with the Leafs that saw centre Nazem Kadri head the other way.

“One of the best in the league,” Kerfoot said of Barrie. “He just makes things happen.”

Part of the reason for the swap from a Colorado perspective was a deep prospect pool and the fact Barrie has only the 2019-20 campaign remaining on his current contract, which carries a US$5.5-million salary cap hit before the possibility of testing unrestricted free agency next summer.

The way high-end defenceman are getting paid these days, Barrie could be in for a big windfall July 1 if he doesn’t re-sign with Toronto, but that’s not something the Leafs are worried about right now.

“He’s got a real good skill set with the puck, a real good understanding of the game,” head coach Mike Babcock said. “He’s just scratching the surface. We think he can take a huge step this year.”

But while there was plenty of attention after the trade, that died down quickly in a Toronto summer that was dominated by the negotiations between the Leafs and Marner – a restricted free agent at the time – on a new deal.

Then after the star winger signed his big-money extension at the start of camp, news broke that Matthews is facing a charge of disorderly conduct and disruptive behaviour stemming from an alleged incident, which he 1155509 Toronto Maple Leafs If that’s what a rivalry looks like, the Panthers are rivals with the Lightning. And that is not the case. Even Floridians would give you that, right after you explained to them that you were talking about hockey. The thing with the puck. You’ve seen Slapshot, haven’t you? Oh, forget it. Toronto-Ottawa is the Battle of Ontario? It’s more like a sad skirmish Canadians cling to a Battle of Ontario out of parochialism. We want to believe our hockey matters more than American hockey (as if their hockey was any different). CATHAL KELLY There is a strong urge to fence the game and protect it from foreign TORONTO elements. As Canadian franchises declined from the top of the food PUBLISHED OCTOBER 1, 2019 chain, that urge intensified. When the north-of-49 Stanley Cup drought became a measurable phenomenon, people began losing their minds. UPDATED OCTOBER 1, 2019 That’s how an original-six franchise gets fooled into thinking it has proven something when it beats the newbies from up the highway in the first round of the playoffs (and then loses in the next round). It was a mark of Auston Matthew, seen here at Scotiabank Arena on Sept. 28, 2019 in Toronto’s limited aspiration that it thought that counted as an Toronto, felt as though preseason lasted longer than summer. achievement. One day ahead of the biggest campaign in their recent history, a few of Nobody talks much about the fact that Ottawa, for all its current failures, the key Toronto Maple Leafs couldn’t help but sound a little bored. is having a much better century than Toronto. Given the way the club “Preseason feels like it was longer than summer,” Auston Matthews said. carries itself, it seems to have forgotten it, too.

I’ll bet it did. For you. In the end, this low-grade, no-stakes antagonism probably wasn’t good for Ottawa. It led it to believe that being better than Toronto – not exactly Is this the best Toronto team you’ve been on? a high bar – amounted to something.

“Probably,” Mitch Marner said, shrugging. That is the rot at the heart of all Canadian teams in the modern era. An What are you hoping to achieve? American team is judged by championships. A Canadian team is judged by the Canadian hockey championship, which is not a real thing. “Same as last season – high expectations.” The people who run the Rangers can’t storm into their season-ending I’m not sure those two ideas belong in the same sentence. presser and start shouting, “We beat the Islanders! We’re No. 1 (in local, geographic terms)!” It’s almost as if having a dozen cameras stuck in your face is not conducive to forming coherent thoughts. In Canada, you can do that. Your team is awful? Sure, but I’ll bet it’s better than the Edmonton Oilers. And they were once really good. So that Or maybe it’s the idea of playing the Ottawa Senators in Wednesday’s means your awful team is punching above its weight, Canada-wise. season opener. Maybe that drains you of your wit. For both their sakes, the Leafs and Senators need to let go of the Battle They’re still advertising Toronto-Ottawa as the Battle of Ontario. For a of Ontario. It was fun (not really, but let’s pretend). Now it’s in the way. long time now, it’s been more of a skirmish. These two teams now represent the polarities of the National Hockey League. The Leafs need to begin thinking of the Stanley Cup curse as their only rival. That’s what they need to beat. We’re a long way past “high One is fancy in a gaudy and overpriced way, its reputation based more expectations.” There’s only one expectation. on heat than results. The other is hopeless and, if the NHL did such things, would fail a hockey inspection. The Senators need to figure out a way to be worth watching, while also being pretty terrible. That may be the hardest thing in sports to do. But Something this lopsided isn’t a battle of anything anymore. Calling it one that’s their only option for a little while. is an insult to actual battles – the Battle of Alberta; the Battle of Hastings; the Battle of Every Costco Parking Lot Everywhere on a Saturday Aside from the times they play, neither should be concerned in the least morning. about what the other is doing. Every Canadian team should start thinking this way. The question isn’t ‘Can I beat Team X?’ It’s ‘How do I become Even at its hottest, the Leafs-Senators rivalry felt contrived. When it the St. Louis Blues of this season?’ started off, Toronto was a bit of basket case, which meant the team couldn’t be choosy about its enemies. The Leafs wanted a fun, old-timey In fact, let’s forget about the battles of this or that for a while. Maybe they team, such as the Montreal Canadiens, but it had to take Ottawa instead. can pick it up again once somebody’s won something that includes a trophy. At the height of strong feeling in the early 2000s, Leafs fans rallied around their hatred of Daniel Alfredsson. That was silly. You can’t hate a Swede. They’re too agreeable. Globe And Mail LOADED: 10.04.2019 Sens fans agreed to channel all their animus at Darcy Tucker, which made a lot more sense.

But once the two teams stopped meeting in the postseason, everyone stopped caring.

For the past decade and a half, this strictly regular-season affair has become a dysfunctional Canadian Christmas. Everybody dislikes one another, but they still show up for dinner and try to be polite. No one enjoys themselves, but they do it again anyway. For the sake of nostalgia, if nothing else.

The illusion of hostility collapsed entirely over the summer. The two teams traded a half-dozen players in what was more of an art film than a blockbuster.

The Yankees don’t do trades with the Red Sox. Because that’s an honest-to-God rivalry that carries on regardless of how good either team is at a given moment.

When you do trades with someone, that means they are an opponent rather than a rival. These are now just two teams headed in opposite directions who happen to be within driving distance of each other. 1155510 Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Star LOADED: 10.04.2019

Leafs’ Tyson Barrie has a breathtaking debut

By Joshua Clipperton The Canadian Press

Thu., Oct. 3, 2019

In most cities and on most teams, acquiring a dynamic offensive defenceman in a blockbuster trade would dominate training camp chatter and make waves on opening night.

Tyson Barrie has been on the cusp of hitting 60 points the last two seasons and figures to play an important role in driving the offence for a franchise with Stanley Cup aspirations.

He’s also now a member of the Maple Leafs and for anyone not paying attention, the team has produced its fair share of news over the last month. Mitch Marner’s contract impasse and resolution, the fallout from the charge against Auston Matthews in Arizona and the captaincy soap opera have sucked up most of the oxygen.

It’s pushed Barrie to the periphery of the conversation — at least for now — and that suits him just fine.

“You hear so much about the fan base and the media in Toronto,” the 29- year-old Barrie said. “It’s obviously there, but I think it is a little nice to fly under the radar with everything that was going on. It’s made it easier, but now it’s time for me to deliver and play well.”

Barrie did that with two assists in Wednesday’s 5-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators in the season opener, including a spin-o-rama inside the blue line before feeding Ilya Mikheyev for the rookie’s first NHL goal.

“He’s very calm with the puck at the point,” Toronto’s Jake Muzzin said of his defence partner. “You saw some moves … which not a lot of guys do.”

A third-round pick by Colorado in the 2009 NHL draft, Barrie had a career-high 59 points last season (14 goals, 45 assists) in 78 games after registering 57 points (14 goals, 43 assists) in 68 games the season before. The Victoria native was a key contributor for the Avalanche, but found himself on the move this summer along with forward Alexander Kerfoot in a trade that saw centre Nazem Kadri head the other way.

“One of the best in the league,” Kerfoot said of Barrie. “He just makes things happen.”

Part of the reason for the swap from a Colorado perspective was a deep prospect pool and the fact Barrie has only the 2019-20 campaign remaining on his current contract, which carries a $5.5-million (U.S.) salary cap hit.

The way high-end defencemen are getting paid these days, Barrie could be in for a big windfall July 1 if he doesn’t re-sign with Toronto, but that’s not something the Leafs are worried about right now.

“He’s got a real good skill set with the puck, a real good understanding of the game,” Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said. “He’s just scratching the surface. We think he can take a huge step this year.”

Barrie had a boatload of talent up front in Colorado with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. He means no disrespect, but a stable of forwards that includes Matthews, Marner and John Tavares — just to name a few — presents even more avenues for him to contribute.

“It’s a lot of fun to be able to jump in the play and having these guys looking for you,” Barrie said. “It’s been a lot of fun so far and it’s one game in.”

Muzzin, who battled Barrie in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Kings, was partnered with his now-NHL teammate for Canada at the 2015 world championship and is eager to see what this season brings.

“I was excited,” Muzzin, who is more likely to hang back and let Barrie push the pace offensively, said of his initial reaction to the trade.

“It was a nice addition for me and the team.” 1155511 Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL game day: Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue Jackets

By Kevin McGran

Sports Reporter

Thu., Oct. 3, 2019

Prove them wrong: The Blue Jackets are motivated, with U.S. media outlets such as ESPN and Sports Illustrated predicting Columbus to finish last in the Metropolitan Division. They have lost key personnel in goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and forwards Artemi Panarin and Matt Duchene. “Losing those guys probably hurts a little bit but we're bringing back a lot of our core guys,” forward Cam Atkinson said. “I think we've got to come in with a chip on our shoulder and prove a lot of people wrong.”

Blue-line blues: The defence, led by Seth Jones and Zach Werenski, is the engine of the Jackets, says GM Jarmo Kekalainen. Werenski had 11 goals last season and Jones tallied nine, but each scored 16 a year earlier. “Obviously, I want to score a little bit more this year,” Jones told the Columbus Dispatch. “It’s just consistency and not forcing things.”

Bobbing for goalies: Instead of signing a free agent or trading for a veteran to replace Bobrovsky, Kekalainen decided to let a pair of largely untested players — Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins — battle for the No. 1 job. Korpisalo was Bobrovsky’s backup. Merzlikins is a 25-year- old rookie. “If they can do it, great. If they can’t, we’ll react to the situation,” Kekalainen said.

Toronto Star LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155512 Toronto Maple Leafs of the Stanley Cup final. The Canadiens spent $1.75 million to sign veteran Keith Kinkaid to a one-year deal in the off-season – a wise move considering Price turned 32 in August. And the Lightning, for their part, paid relatively dearly to pick up a long-lamented ex-Leaf, Curtis The Maple Leafs are going to get their back-to-backs up, at least in the McElhinney, who in July signed a two-year deal worth $2.6 million, the early going richest pact of his career to date.

If those teams seem well positioned to get their No. 1 some rest while remaining competitive, the Leafs remain more of a question mark. There By Dave Feschuk Sports Columnist was organizational hope Michal Neuvirth could beat out Hutchinson in Thu., Oct. 3, 2019 training camp, before he was released from his professional tryout. Now there’s organizational hope Hutchinson, who’ll earn $700,000 in capped- out Toronto, can play at a higher level than his career .908 save percentage suggests. If you were going to characterize the opening month of the Maple Leafs’ schedule in a word, it’d have to be something severe. “Gruelling” might The Leafs play 14 sets of back-to-backs this season, most of which fall in work. Maybe “unfair” is more apropos. the opening few months. Andersen confirmed Friday that the plan, so far, is for him to rest on the second night of back-to-back games en route to Not only do the Leafs play the defending Stanley Cup champions and the playing what he hopes is something less than 60 games. And if the reigning President’s Trophy winners in the opening eight days of the situational urge might suggest it’d be better to use Andersen in the campaign, they’ll also play four sets of back-to-back games in the coming second legs — well, such jockeying hasn’t been in Babcock’s playbook to three-plus weeks, including Friday in Columbus and Saturday at home to date. Montreal. And in each of those four instances of two games in two days, Toronto’s opponent in the second game will spend its previous night idle. “For now it’s back-to-backs and we’ll see where that leads us,” Andersen said. “But I think the plan is to find a few more games (for rest) in there For instance, when the Leafs are skating in Columbus on Friday, the somewhere.” Canadiens will be waiting in Toronto — presumably sleeping while the Leafs clearing customs around midnight. It’s a similar story Oct. 16 at Babcock said Thursday that there’s a plan to bring in a third goaltender Washington, when Toronto plays the night before at home against for the bulk of the season, presumably in part to free up Andersen to skip Minnesota; on Oct. 22 at Boston, when the Leafs host Columbus the practice during heavy stretches. Babcock’s willingness to spell Andersen night before; and on Oct. 26 in Montreal, a meeting that follows a home more frequently in games, of course, will have a lot to do with how game with San Jose. Hutchinson performs beginning this weekend. If Leaf fans might come to spend this month convincing themselves the scheduling robot is out to It’s an anomaly, surely. Over an 82-game season, these kinds of destroy their team, Hutchinson will do his best to ignore the conspiracy conspiracy-theory-inducing injustices tend to balance themselves out. So theories and simply stop pucks. no, I don’t think there’s a rogue scheduling robot lurking somewhere in the league’s New York office, deviously programmed by Gary Bettman to “Now I just approach it the same as any other game. It doesn’t matter if destroy Toronto’s season before it begins. it’s a back-to-back or not,” Hutchinson said. “Every organization needs two goalies who can play, because it’s such a long season and there’s so But I wouldn’t blame Michael Hutchinson if he entertained such a much that can happen. Every chance you get, you’ve got to just embrace thought. If Toronto head coach Mike Babcock’s historic habits hold, after it, no matter the situation.” all, it’ll be Hutchinson, Toronto’s backup goalie of the moment, who’ll be asked to start the tail end of each of those back-to-backs. In each of those cases, it won’t take much for Freddie Andersen’s understudy to convince himself he’s entering a game that’s been rigged against him. Toronto Star LOADED: 10.04.2019

But Hutchinson, age 29, only smiled when he was asked about the prospect.

“The younger I was in the league, you do kind of psych yourself out a little bit sometimes (worrying about playing) back-to-back games,” Hutchinson said Thursday, before the Leafs flew to Columbus. “Early on in my career, I thought that it was a bigger deal — the second game of a back-to-back — than it actually is. But as you get older, you learn that a lot of stuff is only in your own head.”

It certainly appeared to reside in the skull of Garret Sparks, Toronto’s primary backup last season. The Leafs went 6-7 in the second end of back-to-back games, with a goals-against average of 3.62. In the other 69 games, it was a tidier 2.92.

So maybe it’s mental. Maybe it’s material. After all, Saturday’s game against the Canadiens is the first of a few this month in which the Leafs will face an Atlantic Division opponent likely to start its No. 1 goaltender — in this case, Carey Price.

This season the Atlantic might as well be renamed the Vezina Division. The winners of five of the past seven Vezina Trophies reside in the group, among them Andrei Vasilevskiy in Tampa Bay (who won the award for the league’s top goaltender last season), newly arrived Sergei Bobrovsky in Florida (who won in 2017 and 2013), Tuukka Rask in Boston (2014) and Price (2015).

Along with paying big money for stellar No. 1s — Vasilevskiy, who’ll make a bargain $3.5 million (U.S.) this season, is set to begin an eight- year deal worth an average annual value of $9.5 million next season — each of the Lightning, Bruins and Canadiens have made backup goaltending a clear priority in a load-management era in which the past seven Stanley Cup champions have seen their starters play 60 or fewer regular-season games.

Boston’s Jaro Halak, who earns a cap hit of $2.75 million, was stellar in spelling off Rask a season ago, when the Bruins made a run to Game 7 1155513 Toronto Maple Leafs

Game Day: Maple Leafs at Blue Jackets

Lance Hornby

October 4, 2019 12:09 AM EDT

With 19 points against Toronto since his Detroit days, the veteran Nyqvuist has had more success against the Leafs than any other National Hockey League opponent. Mike Babcock knows him well from coaching in Motown. The Leafs have certainly added to their skill level on the back end with Tyson Barrie and Rasmus Sandin, but have to play heavier in their zone this year and Muzzin is their most physical presence.

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

Full metal Jackets

After a total of eight exhibitions and one regular season game against non-playoff teams, the Maple Leafs are in for their stiffest test in the first October road game. Yes, the Jackets have been weakened by the departures of Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene and Sergei Bobrovsky after management rolled the dice in the playoffs and didn’t get further than an opening-round upset of Tampa Bay. But there are plenty of familiar names here who have given the Leafs grief through the years.

Space for Spezza

After ruffling feathers by benching Jason Spezza for the opener, Leafs coach Mike Babcock is scheduled to put the veteran in his first Leaf game on the fourth line. Also getting in the Leafs lineup after sitting on Wednesday: Winger Nic Petan and defenceman Justin Holl.

New pipe installment

Joonas Korpisalo is the Jackets’ new starting goaltender, with big skates to fill after ‘Bob’ headed to Florida. As a result, Columbus has worked harder on systems to move the puck out and take some heat off him and Elvis Merzlikins. You can indeed frustrate the Leafs as Ottawa did, but take penalties at your peril.

New kids on the block

The Jackets will have to deal with a couple of mystery Leafs, defenceman Rasmus Sandin, who looked fine in his NHL debut, and the straight-shooting Ilya Mikheyev, who has good hands around the net and is quickly adapting to North American ice.

October artillery

This is the season opener for Columbus and coach John Tortorella’s team will be determined to silence critics who already have written them off because of the UFA desertions. The Leafs, on the other hand, have to play smart defence and keep that defeaning goal cannon to one or two salvoes. Cam Atkinson has six 20-goal seasons.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155514 Toronto Maple Leafs

Soup's on for new Leafs winger Mikheyev

Lance Hornby

October 3, 2019 11:54 PM EDT

One game into his Maple Leaf career and Russian winger Ilya Mikheyev already has a catchy nickname.

‘Meet Toronto’s new Souperman’ agent Daniel Milstein playfully put on a Tweet of Mikheyev putting away his favourite food, a bowl of borscht. In his first interview with the Toronto media after a goal and assist in his NHL debut, Mikheyev slipped in that he’s a big fan of the native dish and his few months living here have him wondering why North Americans don’t eat such hearty soups. Of course he was surprised at all the reaction to his comments.

“Yes, all the guys are talking to me about soup,” he laughed after Thursday’s practice. “I had just asked why (there’s not more here).”

The 24-year-old has not been deprived of borscht, assuring girlfriend Kristina has kept making him a steady supply.

“I can show you pictures,” he said. “It’s hard to cook. You must wait until the beets are warmed (in hot water) for four hours.”

The Leafs took a souvenir picture of Mikheyev with his goal puck, sporting a cut on his face from the Ottawa game, which he sent to his parents and 83-year-old grandmother, Antonina Pakhorykova, in their hometown of Omsk in southern Siberia.

“Yes, I called her, but it was plus 10 hours,” Mikheyev said. “When I was going to bed, she was waking up.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155515 Toronto Maple Leafs There was a welcome sight for the Leafs at practice on Thursday, Zach Hyman a regular participant. The left winger had knee surgery after a tear during the p[layoff series against the Bruins and has mostly been working out on his own. He hadn’t been able to comment on his progress LEAFS NOTES: Tavares kept his 'C' a secret from teammates until now.

“Today was an encouraging day to get back with the main group,” he said. “You have the mentality that you want to be playing all the time, but Lance Hornby we have a great medical and support staff here and I’m just taking it day October 3, 2019 11:50 PM EDT by day. And today was encouraging.”

He was on a line with Friday’s healthy scratches Nick Shore and Timashov and defenceman Travis Dermott, who had a shoulder John Tavares needed his best poker face for two days, knowing he’d operation and is not yet in contact drills. Both are still expected to miss been named captain, having gone through the surprise ceremony with much of October’s schedule. his wife and baby son on Monday night, yet sworn to secrecy until Wednesday night. LOOSE LEAFS

“Knowing what was coming for a couple of days, I made sure to enjoy the Babcock on Dubas and others lauding Muzzin for being the social co- whole day up to being introduced to the fans,” Tavares said. “It was nice ordinator on the Leafs for team bonding activities such as dinner and to let those feelings and emotions out.” outings. “We have a lot of guys who do that, but Muzz gives me one guy to talk to instead of 10. He’s that kind of guy anyway, a fun guy. He’s The club caught him off-guard on Monday. He believed general manager been around winning, knows what it takes.” … Many Leafs and NHL Kyle Dubas had asked him to SBA that day as a member of the alumni participated in last weekend’s Road Hockey To Conquer Cancer leadership group to talk about season logistics. Aryne and three-week- event in Toronto that raised a record $3.1 million for the Princess old son Jace were waiting for him, Jace wearing a tiny sweater with a ‘C’. Margaret Hospital and cancer research … Nazem Kadri is gaining a new perspective as a member of the Colorado Avalanche, who live a more “I had no idea they’d be there. She said she was going shopping for her sheltered life than his old team. “I’m going to miss the city of Toronto, but mother’s birthday,” said Tavares, who agreed mom kept mum perfectly that white noise, it’s something I thought was normal. It definitely isn’t.” … for a whole day before the announcement, in cahoots with Dubas. “I saw Rookie Ilya Mikheyev said his favourite Russian player, Pavel Datsyuk, the video, it was beautiful.” helped pave his way to Toronto as a free agent. “He helped me (get to While former captain Wendel Clark was at the game, Tavares heard from know) Mike because he worked in Detroit. He said: ‘You will need to one of the low-key Leafs ‘C’s, predecessor Dion Phaneuf. work’. He told me about life here. He’s very smart. I played with him on the national team at world championships.” “I got a really nice text from Dion,” he said. “I met him at the world championships a few years ago and we spent time together after it. It was a message about how special it is to be a captain and in this city.” Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.04.2019 For awhile, it seemed Wednesday’s game was being played at the Coca- Cola Coliseum.

Marlies regulars from the past two years were appearing in force on the score board, Trevor Moore and Frederik Gauthier with goals, Dmytro Timashov and Rasmus Sandin adding assists. Throw in Duke the Dog as mascot instead of Carlton the Bear and it would have been like a May/June AHL playoff game, though the new guys would like to consider themselves as much Maple Leafs as Marlies grads William Nylander and Kasperi Kapanen.

“The time I spent with the Marlies was great, they’re great at developing players,” said Gauthier. “Some of us were there a longer period of time. Every year, I feel more confident and being in the lineup the first day, too, that was a big deal for me.”

Head coach Mike Babcock said it was a team effort that determined that the Toronto bench had enough video evidence to challenge the Ottawa goal that was turned over and denied the visitors a 3-2 lead. Toronto scored the next three goals. Jordan Bean is the video co-ordinator and Andrew Brewer the staff’s eye in the sky.

“Bean Bag and Brew did that for sure,” Babcock praised. “We had a really good replay, too. It was a big play in the game.”

Being absolutely sure these days with so many more penalties assessed for unsuccessful challenges has made such a call from the bench more impactful.

“Just think about the heat in there,” joked Babcock. “You know in Toronto, if we get it wrong, there’ll be no beatdown right? We have decisions to make and sometimes we’ll be wrong. But have enough jam to tell us (upstairs) and we’ll make the decision.”

The Leafs defence had 17 shots on net against Ottawa, each blueliner with at least one and a total of 30 attempts.

“One of our focuses at camp was to create more 5-on-5 chances and more offensive-zone time,” said Jake Muzzin. “You look at teams who are really successful in the playoffs, they led the league in O-zone time with the puck so that was an area of our game we wanted to improve on.

“We had some power plays early on that allowed some shots from the D to get through.” 1155516 Toronto Maple Leafs “That felt a little weird,” agreed Petan, who played here a bit at the end of last season. “But I had a good camp and I’m ready to go. I like that I’m going to play with two big wingers (Spezza and right winger Frederik Gauthier).” Caught in spin cycle, but Spezza to make Leafs debut in Columbus Gauthier scored on Wednesday and rookie Timashov had an assist, but with two stacked lines and a potentially productive third, the final trio will often have some new faces, game to game. Lance Hornby “Whoever is going on the fourth line is not going to play a lot of minutes,” October 3, 2019 11:48 PM EDT Babcock said.

There was no indication of which game backup goalie Michael Leafs Nation will be Rotation Nation for Jason Spezza and a few other Hutchinson will draw for his first start this weekend. If it’s Columbus, that fringe members of Mike Babcock’s Toronto roster. gives Frederik Andersen an extra day of rest and the favourable home start versus a Habs team he has had success against. Though Spezza will be in the lineup on Friday in Columbus after his controversial home-opener benching, the coach reminded one and all that it’s likely the new norm for a team trying to get through 82 games Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.04.2019 without blowing a tire in the playoffs. Starting the 2019-20 schedule with four games in six nights is already taxing.

Spezza will replace Nick Shore at centre on the fourth line, Dmytro Timashov takes a seat for Nic Petan and Justin Holl gets the call on defence as Rasmus Sandin’s partner, while Martin Marincin is out.

While Babcock took a heavy measure of public criticism for the optics of ruining Spezza’s Toronto homecoming on Wednesday, keep in mind that lineup inflexibility was one of the knocks against him last year. Staying too loyal to 39-year-old Patrick Marleau at times was a prime example.

But after unveiling the fourth-line switch plan on Wednesday morning, he expanded it to include Holl ahead of the first road game.

Holl, whom the Leafs feared losing on waivers last season, stayed the whole season though rarely played. Many feel he should be rewarded for his perseverance. It also keeps the Leafs defence fresh and the team in the hunt for home-ice advantage as the year goes on.

“You’re not a fan of four in six, but on the other hand, I’ll know a lot more in six days than I would if we played four (in 10 nights),” Babcock said. “You try to build confidence. At the start of the year, everyone is close to the same.”

Babcock spun the Spezza siesta as a need for the 36-year-old to get more in tune with the Leafs special teams, and the focus on penalty- killing. That and some power-play time were going to be part of Spezza’s new role as the self-described ‘Swiss army knife’ of Leafs forwards, a lesser position, but one he was said to be OK with in summer meetings with Babcock and general manager Kyle Dubas. But putting Spezza in the press box when he’d been so looking forward to his first game at Scotiabank Arena was interpreted that the coach wasn’t all in with Dubas’ acquisition or just wanted to show people he was still in charge after an off-season in which the GM was active in re-shaping the roster.

Dubas dismissed that notion and Spezza reiterated on Thursday he was not holding a grudge.

“I moved on from that the minute I knew I wasn’t playing,” Spezza insisted. “You just get yourself ready. This league is about constant preparation, whether you had a good game or a bad game and for me, I didn’t even play. So you move forward.

“I want to be here. I know this team has great potential.”

The Leafs play the Blue Jackets, then return home to meet the Canadiens on Saturday and have a day off before the Stanley Cup champion Blues are in.

Toronto came back from a rough start on Wednesday versus Ottawa for a 5-3 win with scoring across the board. Babcock, who joked that his team began that game “borderline dysfunctional,” expected some nerves, but expects better as the road team on Friday.

Petan was among a group of veterans who cleared waivers Tuesday as the Leafs got down to 23 players for opening night. But one of those kept was defenceman Timothy Liljegren, whose entry level contract was the ideal number for Toronto to get close enough to the salary cap to trigger long-term injury-relief money needed to balance the books after Mitch Marner’s mega-deal. Once that was set, Liljegren was sent back to the Marlies and Petan called up after watching Wednesday’s game beside Spezza in the rafters of SBA. 1155517 Toronto Maple Leafs

Spezza, Petan, Holl in for Leafs against Blue Jackets

Lance Hornby

October 3, 2019 4:06 PM EDT

Jason Spezza will be just one of the changes Mike Babcock implements Friday night in Columbus, the Maple Leafs first road game of the regular season.

Spezza, whose benching in the home opener prompted chatter around town that the coach wasn’t on board with General Manager Kyle Dubas’s acquisition of the 36-year-old centre, repeated it’s all part of a pre- discussed rotation.

For Friday that will include Spezza for Nic Shore on the fourth line, call- up Nic Petan taking rookie Dmytro Timashov’s spot on the right side and Justin Holl getting in on defence as rookie Rasmus Sandin’s partner on the third pairing, bumping Martin Marincin.

“We start four in six (nights),” Babcock said. “You’re not a fan of that, but on the other hand, I’ll know a lot more in six days than I would if we played four (in 10). You’re trying to build confidence. At the start of the year, everyone is close to the same.”

Spezza insisted he has plenty of drive, despite what many interpreted as a snub by the coach on Wednesday, after signing as a Leaf last summer in his hometown for the minimum NHL salary for the chance to play in front of friends and family, such as the gala opener.

“I moved on the minute I knew I wasn’t playing,” Spezza said. “You just get yourself ready. This league is about constant preparation, whether you had a good game or a bad game and for me, I didn’t even play. So you move forward.”

“I want to be here. I know this team has great potential,” he added.

The Leafs play the Blue Jackets, then return home to face the Canadiens on Saturday and have a day off before the Stanley Cup champion Blues come to town.

Toronto came back from a rough start Wednesday versus Ottawa for a 5- 3 win with scoring across the board.

Babcock, who joked his team began that game “borderline dysfunctional,” expected some nerves. But he expects better as the road team.

Spezza will get penalty killing duty Friday, which Babcock did not feel he was ready to take on in the opener.

“Whoever is going to play on the fourth line is not going to play a lot of minutes,” Babcock explained.

There was no indication what game back-up goalie Michael Hutchinson will draw for his first start this weekend.

A surprise Thursday was injured winger Zach Hyman in a regular practice as he comes off knee surgery. There’s no change in his projected return at the end of the month, but it was a good sign.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155518 Toronto Maple Leafs also the behind-the-scene contributions of Connor Brown, Ron Hainsey and even a minor-league journeyman such as Scott Sabourin.

A culture change is just as important as a good draft, which is why the TRAIKOS: Brannstrom taking skate to face a source of pride for Sens Leafs made the difficult decision of parting ways with Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul prior to Matthews’ and Marner’s rookie season.

“(The Leafs) went through some dark days,” said Borowiecki. “Especially Michael Traikos with the way the league is structured now, you have to draft and develop. We’re trying to do that here and really trying to lay that foundation of work October 3, 2019 8:54 PM EDT and compete and that’s going to serve these young guys well. It’s only going to lead to a better future for us, and hopefully success like Toronto.” TORONTO — The Ottawa Senators were going to lose. There was no doubt about that. But Erik Brannstrom still had a say in how exactly they It’s not just the Senators who are following Toronto’s blueprint of mixing were going to lose. talent with hard work. The Canucks added blue-collar workhorses such as J.T. Miller and Micheal Ferland — not to mention Jay Beagle a year In the end, he made it more painful than it probably had to be. ago — to their roster this year, while new Oilers GM Ken Holland spent this off-season handing out one-year “show me” contracts to half a dozen Down 5-3 with their net empty and half a dozen seconds on the clock, the of their players. Senators rookie defenceman took a skate to the face as he prevented Auston Matthews from scoring what should have been an easy goal to “I’ve also been in the game a long, long time,” Holland said last week. complete a hat trick in an opening night loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs “And we have to build (a culture) to have success. We’re trying to build a on Wednesday. culture around Connor.”

Some might have called it was a needless injury in a game that had As for the Senators, don’t expect a turnaround overnight. But if season already been decided. But his teammates, almost all of who gave ends with more stitches than wins, it could be deemed a success. Brannstrom a fist bump as he was having his face stitched back together, viewed it much differently. “He left the game with bandages on his face,” Borowiecki proudly said of Brannstrom. “It’s easy to pack it in when you’re down by two and it’s an That’s how you get better, they said. That’s how you rebuild a franchise. empty net and the game’s out of reach. But good on him. I’m sure every guy in the room is going to give him a bump for that.” “It’s awesome,” said Senators veteran defenceman Mark Borowiecki. “We were all barking on the bench, for sure. It’s professional pride and pride as a team. You don’t want him to score a hat trick against you. You see (Brannstrom) playing hard and going to the end, that’s what you want Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.04.2019 to see out of a kid like that. He has all the skill in the world, all the natural talent in the world, but above all that he’s also a good person and he has the work ethic and compete. And that’s what turns you into a stud in this league.”

Ultimately, this is also what turns you into a stud team in this league.

This is how you go from being one of the worst to one of the best. It’s not always about drafting first overall and landing the next Auston Matthews. It’s about playing right to the final buzzer. It’s about cultivating a culture of effort and accountability, even if it means you have to get your face sliced open in the process.

“That’s the foundation I think you see teams talking about that now,” said Borowiecki. “Edmonton is preaching the same thing. Teams that are going through rebuilds, there has to be that solid foundation of work ethic, compete, perseverance. Hopefully, people stick with us here because it’s going to lead to success.”

Thanks to the Oilers, as well as the Sabres, the term “rebuild” has received a negative connotation from the days when Chicago, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh used the draft as a springboard to winning multiple Stanley Cups. But there are recent examples of how it can be done right — and quickly.

The Leafs haven’t yet won a championship, much less a single playoff round, since drafting Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander. But already teams are taking cues from them in the manner in which they built a competitive roster that has qualified for the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.

Yes, Toronto is overflowing with talent. Aside from Matthews, Marner and Nylander, they also drafted Morgan Rielly on defence and signed John Tavares a year ago. But talent gets you only far in this league.

The Oilers had a couple of players who finished in the top-four in scoring last season, but still missed the playoffs. Meanwhile, the New York Islanders didn’t have a single player ranked amongst the top-65 last year and they went to the second round.

It’s also worth noting that while Matthews had two goals on Wednesday — and Marner, Tavares and Nylander each picked up an assist — the three other goals came from players occupying roster spots on the bottom-two lines who are earning less than $1 million this season. And they weren’t necessarily of the highlight-reel variety.

It’s a good lesson for Ottawa, which is not just relying on Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk and Brannstrom to lead them out of darkness but 1155519 Toronto Maple Leafs The next thing that happened was they put the C on the Tavares number 91 sweaters in the Real Sports shops. And fans who already had a 91 jersey flocked in looking to purchase a C.

WARMINGTON: Leafs secret operation kept Tavares in the dark on “I knew he would be captain from the moment he got here,” said captaincy Rebecca Veitch, who was enjoying the moment with her best friend and Senators fan Sarah Powell.

Other fans like Sam Manos didn’t waste any time. He put the C on his Joe Warmington Tavares sweater with hockey tape.

October 3, 2019 8:33 AM EDT “Johnny T is a class guy,” said Manos. “As great is this was today, it will be even greater when he hoists the Stanley Cup.”

There’s no secret that’s what this Maple Leafs team is aiming toward as WARMINGTON: Police chief puts bail system in his sights the 2019-20 season gets under way. It may have been the worst kept secret in town that was also the best That was definitely a big night for Auston Matthews. kept. And maybe a bigger one for Glen “Cowboy” Brunelle as well. But the way the Toronto Maple Leafs went about naming John Tavares as the organization’s 25th captain was epic and will go down as one of “This was the first time I had been to a Maple Leafs game,” the Toronto the great moments in franchise history. Police constable said.

And they pulled off some real James Bond clandestine moves to pull off It was courtesy of Number 34. the surprise. If you read The Toronto Sun Wednesday, you may have seen the story Not once but twice. about the 46-year-old copper who is fighting a serious cancer battle and how his pals at 12 Division were given a signed authentic game worn The shroud of mystery around The Vault Wednesday night to ensure the sweater by Matthews to raffle off to help raise money for a special fans, the media and the NHL heard about who the captain was when he vacation. hit the ice was an operation that was on the same level as keeping state secrets in war time. Matthews who scored two goals on the ice in the home opener against Ottawa also scored off the ice. Then he went a step further. We will get back to that in a minute. Upon reading the story in the Sun, he asked his agent to track down First was the caper the team pulled off Monday when they told Tavares Brunelle and invite him to the game. he was getting the nod. “I couldn’t believe it,” Brunelle said. “What a gesture.” “He got called in for a meeting with Kyle Dubas,” explains Steve Keogh, the Leafs media relations director. His wife Tracey is a Toronto Police dispatcher and was working Wednesday, so he invited his buddy and fellow cancer patient Rick It was more than that. Bianco to the game. When number 91 walked in he got the surprise of his life. There they were in Section 101, Row 19, seats 20 and 21. Standing in the board room was his wife Aryne and their new-born son For Glen the last few months have been a tough battle. Jace. But the last couple of days have been magical. The first thing Tavares saw was Jace wearing a Maple Leafs sweater with a C on it.

Then there was GM Kyle Dubas making it official. Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.04.2019 “I thought it was fantastic,” said MLSE Chair Larry Tanenbaum. “It was so creative. It was beautiful.”

It brought a tear to the eye of John Tory and his wife Barb, as well as just about everybody who heard about it.

“It was special for sure. It was Steve Keogh’s idea,” said Dubas.

Keogh a father of a two-year-old himself said he thought of it because “I know how important family is to John.”

It was brilliant.

And it turns out Tavares’s wife was in on the plan. Turns out she knew before anybody.

“She did a good job of keeping it close,” said Keogh.

And then they all did a masterful job of not letting this news slip out for two whole days.

You would think by Wednesday somebody on the team would have spilled the beans. But no one did.

The team was so adamant about keeping it under wraps they actually pulled black curtains blocking out any access point to the dressing room or the runway on the ice.

The only people who knew were the players and coaches.

People had guessed and speculated but didn’t know for sure until Tavares skating out and made it official.

The crowd went wild.

“What a good decision,” said Tory. “He’s such a great leader.” 1155520 Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews is a puck whisperer I’ve mentioned this before, but geez. You’ve probably heard the

expression “you can’t give a good player a bad pass,” meaning, even if Bourne: From Tavares creating space to Matthews calming the puck, you throw a shin-high knuckler at a talented player, they should be able how little plays lead to big moments to knock it down and corral it. With no player is that truer than Matthews. Any puck within about a 15-foot range of him seems to instantly calm itself, settle down and relax in his control.

By Justin Bourne I compare him to Calvin Johnson, former Detroit Lions receiver. The sheer range a QB had to throw a completion to him was about the size of Oct 3, 2019 a two-car garage door – throw it anywhere in that area and the guy would haul it in. Matthews is no different. If you can get him the puck within the vicinity of his area code, he’ll have possession of a quiet puck in a split- Watching the Leafs first game of the season, I was reminded of the second. stacked Marlies teams I was fortunate to work with a couple of seasons back (particularly my first year there, 2015-16) and the ways we would More Matthews magic win games. I’m pretty sure it’ll be a pattern Leafs fans will become I don’t think he got enough love for a pass he made to Nylander for a familiar with this season against lesser opponents. breakaway in the second. Back when I was in college, Keith Ballard used We would come out, and our quite-talented team would just sorta play for to execute this play to Thomas Vanek on neutral zone faceoff wins. It awhile. Some nights we’d get the puck luck, get up a couple and we’d wasn’t crazy unique, but passing the puck behind the guy eliminated the just end up playing out the clock. Talented teams get not so much “nights turnover risk and placed the puck in the hands of a dangerous player on off,” but nights where things just sorta go to plan. Other games would a dangerous part of the rink. stay close, the staff would lean on the team and we’d get that burst of They’d win it back, Vanek would go, and Ballard would bank it off the “let’s get this done” effort, generally in the second period. If we didn’t boards behind an expectant Vanek, who’d now have the puck with speed separate ourselves during that push, the other team had a shot. Our guys and the D on their heels. It was a low-risk play that created problems. I’m would get frustrated instead of staying with the game plan, start forcing a big fan of utilizing the rink to find other avenues around guys for plays and that’s where we’d take L’s. If you’re playing the Leafs, I’d completed passes. (You may remember me from such instructional encourage less “weather the early storm” mindset and more “brace for videos as “Yay for the lateral dump”.) that second-period push” thinking. There was a taste of that in the play Matthews made last night – he didn’t It’s not that the team comes out with the resolve to not try. It’s that they have a direct lane to Nylander, so he just smoked it off the boards behind come out and try, sure, but if things don’t go their way for a while, they him knowing it’d spit out where only Nylander could get to it, provided he know there’s still another gear they can drop it into for a hard push. Not executed the “pass” properly. He did. all teams have that luxury gear. When the Leafs find it this year, very very few teams will be able to hang. The Sens sure couldn’t. (It’s the What a talent. times they make those pushes and the other team pushes back that we’ll see what they’re really made of.) Speaking of Nylander …

Since the rest of our Leafs beat is hitting the big-ticket items today, I I think it’s time we address the fact that he’s the most talented offensive wanted to call your attention to a few little things I noticed from last player … who kinda lacks goaltender deception 1-on-1. I mean he can rip night’s game that you might find interesting. it and he can place it. He can skate and he can pass and he can yada yada yada, I don’t need to explain why Nylander is good. John Tavares sees ‘wow’ plays coming and helps facilitate them But 1-on-1 with goalies, you just never see much in the way of deception. When Auston Matthews potted his second of that game last night, and it That breakaway move in the above clip … like I guess “backhand five- looked like it took all the effort of tossing a nerf football three feet into a hole” is something “fancy,” but that was a pretty vanilla go at it and it toy bin during clean up, he received a just amount of praise from fans. didn’t come all that close to beating Craig Anderson. This may be a job When Mitch Marner made the pass, the skill it took received the same for Darryl Belfry, the Leafs skills coach – I think the kid has gotta expand admiration. The way Marner moved, the vision the play took, the his arsenal when in alone. His 5-on-5 shooting percentages over his contortion he had to make to slide the pass back to Matthews for that three (mostly) full NHL seasons have been 5.31 percent last year, 9.02 clean look, it was all gorgeous. the year before that and 7.86 the one prior. League average shooting percentage (at 5-on-5) last year was eight percent. It’s not that he’s bad But we’re talking about the little things here. It’s those little things that at finishing, but it doesn’t appear he’s especially good at it, either? That’s when you see them, they become harder to forget because you realize unusual for someone that talented who can execute basically any idea there are certain types of players who do them regularly and others who they have. just kinda play. John Tavares does the little things, regularly. (That may have come up a time or two recently when he had something added to Willy creates chances for himself at a rate way higher than league the front of his sweater.) average players, so you’d expect with all that experience he’d have figured something out, but it doesn’t seem that he has. If he could tape I think back to the preseason, where Matthews made that bad-ass fake- on an extra move – just a subtle shoulder drop, or a toe-open pump shot toe drag on the PP before giving Tavares a bat-outta-the-air “tap-in” early, or just something to freeze the goaltender before using his deadly freebie here: shot – he might be able to bury on a slightly higher percentage of his “I could score that,” say most people. But Tavares makes it possible by opportunities. And with how many he gets, that could result in an extra the initial ass-into-the defender bump that saves the ice for him to bat handful of goals over the course of a season. that puck in. Most players just stand there and wait, get bumped a half a Re: Ilya Mikheyev foot forward and suddenly they don’t have the room to “easily” bat the puck in the net, it’s in on their hands like a cut fastball. I think the Leafs have themselves a capital-p Player here. Obviously Leafs fans shouldn’t get themselves too-too excited, but he’s an NHLer in On the Marner-to-Matthews play, he’s again thinking about the next step. every physical capacity at least (skating, size, shooting, etc.), and maybe Most of us can’t think like Marner and so we didn’t anticipate the pass to a pretty good one. His lengthy stick on the PK is good and coupled with Matthews. JT can, and knowing Marner may want that lane to Matthews, his overall effort, it looks to be awfully disruptive. he makes a quick effort to tie up JG Pageau’s stick so he can’t have it in the lane to block the pass to Matthews. His first NHL goal was off a beautiful feed and all that, but what impressed me was the queue he took from Tyson Barrie to go get open. He just consciously gives it a little whack. I don’t even know how much In hockey, you communicate to your teammates your plan by where you the attempted stick check effected Pageau’s ability to get in that lane skate (including “at them”). When Barrie skates towards Mikheyev here, (Pageau was on the under-side of the stick-whack and did manage to get a passenger might stand around and watch what the D-man has up his his stick through), but I think it did some, which was all that was needed. sleeve, waiting for something to happen. As Barrie skated towards Tavares got the assist for winning the draw, but it was the stick check Mikheyev’s ice, he wasn’t a passenger – he took that as his queue to that really “assisted” the goal. vacate that part of the ice, rather than have two guys right on top of each other and went and got himself open.

Barrie happens to be talented enough to make that play over to him. Were the Leafs new defender talented enough to make that play or not, Mikheyev would still deserve the kudos for popping to an open spot for the goal.

By the way, those are the goals you don’t score when your D can’t make plays. Guys get open like that all year long on bad teams then get asked why they didn’t produce. You can only take care of your half of that equation. A guy like Barrie makes it all whole.

Barrie brings a lot to the table

The play Barrie made on that goal was a thing of beauty, but his overall game was outstanding too. The number of times he killed a forecheck with a small play should’ve been refreshing for Leafs fans (one casual toe-drag against a casual PK forechecker looked so easy it was as though nothing at all had happened. Meanwhile, a lesser skilled player gets that same puck poked away and suddenly it’s mayhem). It’s interesting to see how much more having a guy like Barrie enabled other Leafs to do what they do. His breakouts turned more “get this thing outta the zone” moments into rushes, his shot on the power play opened up another dimension for his teammates, and he just … well, he looked like what the Leafs brass hoped they were adding. A truly dynamic element from the back end that makes everyone else – like Ilya Mikheyev! – exponentially more dangerous.

Cody Ceci is interesting

He’s interesting because to my eye, he can do it. Whatever the thing is that you’re thinking about right now that good D-men can do, he can do it. He can pass it (even little slip plays!), he can play the big guy role, he can shoot it, he can break the puck out. But when the game starts to get on top of him, and he has to make a choice, he doesn’t excel in those moments. If there were a coach with a mic in his helmet that could say, in those moments “reverse it” or “skate it,” or “fire it to the far lane” I think he could execute those things perfectly. But there isn’t a coach in his helmet, and the real play-caller inside his helmet doesn’t seem to always dial up the right order. Or more accurately, the play-caller gets panicky, freezes up and just kinda does whatever’s easiest, which isn’t always best.

That to me seems like a player who, with confidence, could be effective. With doubt, could be a liability. That’s a fragile ecosystem, but maybe a good Leafs team can get that ship sailing in the right direction? Stay tuned, I guess.

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1155521 Vegas Golden Knights

Bettor wins more than $50K off $103K in wagers on Golden Knights

By Todd Dewey Las Vegas Review-Journal

Gamblers bet big and won big on the Golden Knights in their season- opening 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night at T- Mobile Arena.

A Westgate sportsbook bettor won more than $50,000 off $103,500 in money line wagers on Vegas, as the book handled the most money ever wagered on a regular-season NHL game.

“The handle was phenomenal. There was a huge handle on the game,” Sunset Station sportsbook director Chuck Esposito said. “It was greater than the wild-card playoff game between the Rays and A’s and was more than some of the NFL games from last weekend.”

The Knights closed as minus 200 favorites at Station Casinos, and countless bettors also cashed in on Vegas on the puck line (-1½, +125) as Las Vegas books took a hit.

“From a fan’s perspective, it was definitely ‘Go Knights Go.’ I went to the game, and it was a blast,” Esposito said. “But from the business side of it, we were rooting against them a little bit, most definitely on the puck line. Whenever they cover that, that’s tough to beat, especially in home games.”

Despite losing the six-figure wager, Westgate sportsbook director John Murray said the book didn’t take a major loss overall.

“We sold a lot of it back,” he said. “Didn’t lose too much.”

Knights’ viewing party

Sunset Station will host its first Knights’ viewing party Friday at Club Madrid for their game at San Jose. The party is free and open to the public and includes free giveaways.

Last Man Standing

Station’s Last Man Standing NFL survivor pool started with 6,492 entries and 344 remain. Station’s LMS college contest started with 3,555 entries and 218 remain.

Mattress Mack

Houston furniture store owner Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale placed a $1.5 million wager to win $3.3 million Thursday on the Astros to win the World Series (+220) on a mobile app at FanDuel sportsbook in New Jersey.

McIngvale has a total of more than $5 million in bets to win more than $11 million on Houston to win it all. The wagers are to help offset a possible loss of $15 million on a promotion offering a full refund of any mattress set purchase of at least $3,000 if the Astros win the World Series.

Historic sportsbook

William Hill will open the first sportsbook at a U.S. professional sports venue at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., pending regulatory approvals, as part of a partnership announced Thursday with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals and Washington Mystics.

The book, which will span multiple floors, will be open daily, year-round, and will be accessible to ticketed and nonticketed fans during game days and nonevent days. Fans also will have the chance to watch major events when they aren’t live in the arena, turning the arena into a 20,000- seat TV viewing area.

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Golden Knights turn to Shea Theodore to fill void on defense

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

Shea Theodore long has been touted as a potential No. 1 defenseman for the Golden Knights.

His time in the role has arrived.

The 24-year-old will be counted on to fill the hole created with fellow defenseman Nate Schmidt sidelined for several weeks because of a lower-body injury.

“Obviously you never want anyone to get hurt, and the stuff that he’s gone through, you never wish upon anyone,” Theodore said, alluding to Schmidt’s 20-game suspension at the beginning of last season because of a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance.

“Sometimes, it is what it is, and you’ve got to step up. And I think we have got a lot of guys in this room that are ready to step up, myself included.”

Theodore was tied with Nick Holden for the most ice time (23:37) in Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over San Jose in the season opener.

He skated alongside Brayden McNabb on the top pairing during practice Thursday, and the two are expected to match up against opposing teams’ top lines while Schmidt is out.

Theodore, who announced Sept. 12 he was treated this summer for testicular cancer, said he is still working to regain his sharpness after an abbreviated training camp.

He missed the first seven days after suffering a minor undisclosed injury during testing that was unrelated to his cancer diagnosis and also sat out the third period of the Knights’ preseason game against Colorado on Sept. 25.

“As a (defenseman), there’s so many little reads here and there, on the positioning of some guys,” Theodore said. “Getting up to that fast pace and getting all the little things dialed in, I think there’s an adjustment period. But I think overall, taking what I can from (Wednesday) night’s game going forward, it’s going to be good.”

Marchessault averts disaster

Left wing Jonathan Marchessault was given a maintenance day Thursday, but coach Gerard Gallant said it was unrelated to any damage he absorbed in the first minute against the Sharks.

Marchessault appeared to be inadvertently struck on the left leg by the skate of San Jose’s Tomas Hertl and limped to the bench. He didn’t miss a shift and logged 15:28 of ice time.

“It was scary, because the blade came up and sort of sliced the outside of his sock, but he’s fine,” Gallant said. “It was nothing.”

Karlsson milestone

William Karlsson recorded his 100th career assist Wednesday on the first of Reilly Smith’s two goals. The center finished with two assists and has 85 goals and 101 assists in 348 games.

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Paul Stastny looks for consistency with Golden Knights

By Adam Hill Las Vegas Review-Journal

By the time veteran center Paul Stastny started to feel comfortable in his first season with the Golden Knights, the team traded for a star player that he had to learn to work alongside.

Everything seemed to click by the time the playoffs started, but the early exit left the question of what could have been lingering through the offseason.

Stastny, 33, hopes stability will lead to consistent success in his second season in Las Vegas.

“It was tough last year,” Stastny said during training camp. “(Nate) Schmidt missed the first 20 games, then I got hurt and came back, and (Max Pacioretty) was hurt. (Alex Tuch) missed some time. We just had a lot of injuries, and it led to a lot of different line combinations. It wasn’t until around Christmas where I got really comfortable. Then we got (Mark) Stone (in March), and we started to figure out who was playing with who.”

Stastny was centering a line with Pacioretty and Stone at the end of the season that was easily the team’s most productive unit in the postseason.

They are expected to be reunited on the second line this season, and Stastny is eager for the opportunity.

“For me, it’s different this year because I feel there’s a lot more excitement because there’s a lot less unknowns,” he said. “It’s not easy to find that chemistry, and when you do, it doesn’t happen overnight. The more you play together, the more you hang out off the ice and talk about the game or just talk about life, the more trust you have in each other. We talked a lot this summer about hockey and just real-world stuff.”

Despite the extended absence because of a lower-body injury and patchwork lines at times last season, Stastny had 42 points in 50 games.

Coach Gerard Gallant knows what the two-time All-Star and two-time Olympian is capable of doing.

“I thought he had a good year, but he missed a lot of time early and it was tough on him,” Gallant said. “He’s a tough player and an intelligent player. He played really well in the second part of the season, especially the playoff series. That line was really good.”

Schmidt said Stastny’s presence is felt beyond the impact on his line.

“A guy like him is such a calming guy on the ice,” Schmidt said. “You see what happens when he plays with younger players, they elevate their game. The way he brings his poise to the ice, it really just calms things down when he has the puck. The underappreciated thing is how hard he works away from the puck. You only see it when it hits his stick, but he’s able to make those plays because he works hard to get there, and that helps other guys make plays, too.”

Stastny said he thinks the team has found a balance between moving on from Game 7 in San Jose while still using it to fuel the drive for redemption.

“For everyone in this room, our expectation is to win the Cup first and foremost,” he said. “But we don’t look at it like that. After what happened last year, we were pissed off for 24 or 48 hours and then turned the page and decided to just use it as motivation. We’re not using it as an excuse. We’re just really excited to get back to work. You saw that with what guys did off the ice and now on the ice.”

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Golden Knights rookie to get chance after Nate Schmidt’s injury

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal

The future is now for the Golden Knights’ blue line.

Defenseman Nate Schmidt is week to week with a lower-body injury, coach Gerard Gallant said Thursday. That means one of the team’s two rookie defensemen — Nicolas Hague and Jimmy Schuldt — will be in the lineup Friday night.

Indications are it will be Hague, but Gallant was coy when asked. Either way, the coach said he had no problem throwing a young player into a hostile atmosphere for the Knights’ 7:30 p.m. game at SAP Center against the San Jose Sharks.

“I think it’s awesome,” Gallant said. “It’s going to be tough, but you know what? Let’s jump into it.”

Schmidt appeared to get injured in a knee-on-knee collision with Sharks captain Logan Couture in the Knights’ 4-1 win Wednesday night in the season opener at T-Mobile Arena. He needed to be helped off the ice and into the locker room.

Schmidt is one of the Knights’ most important players. He skates well, moves the puck and can be trusted in all three zones. Because of that, he led the team in time on ice in each of its first two seasons.

Schmidt was suspended for the first 20 games last season, and his absence was felt. The Knights were 8-11-1 without him and 35-20-6 with him (He didn’t play in the regular-season finale).

“It stings for sure,” said Brayden McNabb, Schmidt’s defense partner. “He’s a big part of this team in the locker room and definitely on the ice. It’s tough, but he’s been there before. He’s a pro. He knows how to heal himself up. He’ll be back, and he’ll be ready.”

The Knights had veterans to step in for Schmidt last season. Now, they have rookies.

Schuldt, 24, broke training camp with the team after playing capably in his NHL debut April 6. Hague, 20, was one of the Knights’ final two roster cuts and recalled from the American Hockey League on Wednesday. He arrived at T-Mobile Arena just in time for the game.

Both players would be capable of filling Schmidt’s role on the second power-play unit. Gallant wouldn’t say which one will get the first chance, but if Thursday’s practice was any indication, it will be Hague.

The former second-round pick skated with veteran Deryk Engelland and received pointers from assistant coach Ryan McGill afterward. Schuldt rotated partners as an extra.

“You hate to see a guy go down, especially a guy like (Schmidt),” Hague said. “He’s a great teammate, obviously. He’s an unbelievable player we want on the ice. I don’t know what’s going to happen with that. If I do get the call, I’ll try to take advantage.”

Should he get that call, Hague can turn to another rookie for advice. His camp roommate, Cody Glass, scored in his first NHL game Wednesday.

Hague isn’t concerned with matching that.

“I couldn’t be happier for him,” said Hague, who described the two of them as “almost like brothers” in rookie camp. “I’ll worry about myself. I’m not trying to worry about stats or anything like that.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155525 Vegas Golden Knights 3. Colorado Avalanche (38-30-14) The Avalanche acquired depth this offseason after advancing to the

second round, so their all-everything line of Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan Golden Knights picked to finish second in Pacific Division MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen should have more help. But the roster is young and could have some growing pains.

4. Dallas Stars (43-32-7) By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal The Stars reached the second round last season and added Joe Pavelski and former Hart Trophy (MVP) winner Corey Perry. There’s a chance they disappoint after scoring only 93 points last year despite a massive The NHL had its most unpredictable postseason in history last season, season from goaltender Ben Bishop. with all four division winners losing in the first round. 5. Chicago Blackhawks (36-34-12) The Stanley Cup was lifted by a St. Louis Blues team that was at the bottom of the league standings in January. The Blackhawks were surprisingly decent last season after strong performances from veterans Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. The With an offseason to prepare, here’s one hockey writer’s projected defense still looks too leaky for a playoff berth. standings in each division this season (last season’s record in parentheses): 6. Winnipeg Jets (47-30-5)

1. San Jose Sharks (46-27-9) The Jets have plenty of issues and look primed for a step back.

The Sharks lost captain Joe Pavelski in free agency, but they had 101 7. Minnesota Wild (37-36-9) points last season while recording the NHL’s worst save percentage (.889). An average season from 29-year-old starter Martin Jones (.912 The Wild’s offseason turned bizarre when they fired GM Paul Fenton in career save percentage) could make them the team to beat. July and replaced him with Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Bill Guerin in August. Minnesota shouldn’t be at the bottom of the league standings, 2. Golden Knights (43-32-7) but the Central is a tough division.

The Knights have a formidable top six and a Hall of Fame goaltender in 1. Tampa Bay Lightning (62-16-4) Marc-Andre Fleury, but there’s questions about blue-line and forward depth. An improvement over last season’s 93 points still seems likely. The Lightning tied an NHL record for most wins in a season and also the record for fewest playoff wins (0). Despite getting swept in the first round, 3. Calgary Flames (50-25-7) this team remains loaded.

Last season’s division winners are basically running it back after a first- 2. Boston Bruins (49-24-9) round exit in the playoffs. The Flames remain talented, but they appear bound to take a step back after so many players had career seasons. The Bruins are as deep as any roster in the league and should return hungry after losing in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. The only thing 4. Arizona Coyotes (39-35-8) that could hold Boston back is the brutal division in which it plays.

Is this the season the Coyotes get back to the playoffs for the first time 3. Toronto Maple Leafs (46-28-8) since 2012? It’s possible with elite offensive weapon Phil Kessel in the fold. The question is whether goaltender Darcy Kuemper can repeat his The Maple Leafs have their young core of Auston Matthews, Mitch career season or Antti Raanta can bounce back from injury. Marner, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly locked up. They sacrificed depth to do it, but they’re counting on that group to lead them to a playoff 5. Vancouver Canucks (35-36-11) series win for the first time since 2004.

There’s a lot of potential on the roster with center Elias Pettersson (the 4. Florida Panthers (36-32-14) Calder Trophy winner for best rookie), right wing Brock Boeser (2018 Calder runner-up) and defenseman Quinn Hughes (potential 2020 The Panthers scored the ninth-most goals in the NHL last season, but finalist). But it’s uncertain whether those three have enough help. their defense and propensity to turn the puck over held them back. New goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and coach Joel Quenneville should help 6. Edmonton Oilers (35-38-9) with that.

Superstar center Connor McDavid scored a career-high 116 points last 5. Montreal Canadiens (44-30-8) season, but it wasn’t enough to get the Oilers into the playoffs. New general manager Ken Holland is rebuilding the roster, and adding former The Canadiens finished two points out of the playoffs and should be in Knight James Neal in the offseason was a good start. the hunt again. Their offseason was pretty quiet after an attempt to acquire Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho via offer sheet failed. 7. Anaheim Ducks (35-37-10) 6. Buffalo Sabres (33-39-10) All-Star goaltender John Gibson kept the Ducks moderately afloat for much of last season. But with little scoring on the roster, signs point Still no playoff trips for the Sabres since 2011. It’s hard to see this being toward a rebuilding season. the season that changes unless 22-year-old captain Jack Eichel and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin suddenly receive more help. 8. Los Angeles Kings (31-42-9) 7. Detroit Red Wings (32-40-10) Things got ugly in Los Angeles last season, as the Kings sported a minus-61 goal differential, worst in the league. There’s only a few teams The Red Wings are entering rebuild mode with new general manager that arguably have less talent. Steve Yzerman, who won three Stanley Cups with the franchise as a player and another one as an executive. 1. Nashville Predators (47-29-6) 8. Ottawa Senators (29-47-6) The Predators will be fighting for a third straight division crown after trading former Norris Trophy (best defenseman) winner P.K. Subban and The Senators scored a league-low 64 points, seven fewer than the next signing center Matt Duchene. The shake-up could help the team with its closest team. Las Vegas sportsbooks project them to score around 70 woeful power play (12.94 percent, worst in the NHL). this season.

2. St. Louis Blues (45-28-9) 1. Pittsburgh Penguins (44-26-12)

The reigning champs largely stood pat after awarding goaltender Jordan The Penguins were swept out of the first round, but they still have Binnington a two-year, $8.8 million contract. The 26-year-old now needs enough talent to contend. They need future Hall of Famer Evgeni Malkin to show he can perform for a full season after being promoted late last to have a bounce-back season and goaltender Matt Murray to be more year. consistent. 2. Washington Capitals (48-26-8)

The Capitals shook up their roster outside of their core after losing in the first round. The 2018 Stanley Cup champions still have enough firepower for another run if center Evgeny Kuznetsov stays out of trouble.

3. New Jersey Devils (31-41-10)

The Devils were last in the division, but they added No. 1 overall pick Jack Hughes, P.K. Subban and Russian winger Nikita Gusev to an improved roster. Former Hart winner Taylor Hall is expected to be healthy after undergoing knee surgery in February.

4. Philadelphia Flyers (37-37-8)

The Flyers have a nicely developed pipeline of young players and might have found a goaltender they can build around in 21-year-old Carter Hart. That could help them make a playoff push in general manager Chuck Fletcher’s first full season.

5. Carolina Hurricanes (46-29-7)

The “Bunch of Jerks” rallied together to make the Eastern Conference Final, but it’s hard to maintain that kind of momentum. The defense should remain solid, but offense could be an issue.

6. New York Islanders (48-27-7)

The Islanders were a surprise success, but, like the Hurricanes, it’s hard to tell whether they have staying power. Losing Vezina Trophy (best goaltender) finalist Robin Lehner in free agency could set them back.

7. Columbus Blue Jackets (47-31-4)

The Blue Jackets loaded up at the trade deadline for a playoff run, then were pillaged in free agency. There’s still talent in right wing Cam Atkinson and defensemen Seth Jones and Zach Werenski.

8. New York Rangers (32-36-14)

The Rangers signed Blue Jackets star Artemi Panarin in free agency and drafted right wing Kaapo Kakko No. 2 overall as part of a successful offseason. The future looks bright.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155526 Vegas Golden Knights Reilly Smith, who scored a pair of goals, similarly hounded the Sharks and limited their chances.

The five healthy defensemen may have played the best of all. When the Golden Knights down but not out if Nate Schmidt’s injury is serious Golden Knights were without Schmidt last season, Jon Merrill and Nick Holden struggled mightily. They were both exceptional on Tuesday. No need to panic after top defenseman leaves opener with knee issue Sorensen’s goal came on a pair of roped passes from Couture and Brent Burns. It’s the type of play a team talented enough to be within two games of the Stanley Cup Final last season is going to make. By Case Keefer If anyone was at fault for the score, it was Shea Theodore as Sorensen

got behind him in the Sharks’ offensive zone. But the 24-year-old Nate Schmidt shrieked in anguish, and that wasn’t even the biggest Theodore is the least of the Golden Knights’ defensive concerns as he giveaway that he may have suffered a serious injury in the first period of came into the season with the possibility of supplanting Schmidt as the the Vegas Golden Knights’ season opener. team’s No. 1 blue liner.

The way forwards Mark Stone and Cody Glass rushed to the “Those guys did a great job for us tonight keeping it simple and allowed defenseman’s side and consoled him as he lay motionless on the ice was us to get through the first one unscathed,” Stone said of the defensemen. more telling. The outside of Schmidt’s knee collided with San Jose “I haven’t talked to Nate, but Nate is one of the happiest-go-lucky guys so Sharks center Logan Couture’s knee less than six minutes into an he’ll be ready to go when he’s ready.” eventual 4-1 Golden Knights win. In the meantime, even with Cody Eakin and Alex Tuch also on the injury “Freak accident,” Glass described his front-row view of the play. list, the Golden Knights are poised to stay afloat. Stone nailed Schmidt’s personality, so while it might be a while before anyone outside the team Officials halted the action as trainers tended to Schmidt before hears from him, there’s little doubt of what his message would be. teammates Tomas Nosek and William Carrier leapt over the boards from the bench to help him skate off the ice and into the locker room. Vegas He’d urge everyone not to fret his absence too much and try to fire up already held a 2-0 lead, but the incident sliced into the gleeful what’s still a more-than-formidable team. atmosphere and ultimately left a blemish on an otherwise perfect night. “I went through it and I feel like it’s only going to make him stronger,” Schmidt was ruled out for the rest of the game in the second period. Glass said. “I’m not sure what happened, what the outcome is but I just Coach Gerard Gallant offered no further update on the veteran’s status hope the best for him.” after the game. LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 10.04.2019 Fatalistic fans began assessing worst-case scenarios and arriving at dire conclusions. It’s hard to blame them considering Schmidt is the team’s top blue-liner — defense is the one area where Vegas wasn’t inarguably among the NHL’s elite coming into the season — and they’ve struggled without him before.

Memories of last year’s 8-11-1 start while Schmidt served a 20-game suspension for a positive drug test surely infiltrated some of the regular- season record 18,588 fans’ minds.

Let’s hope Schmidt is fine and only misses a few games, which appears at least within the realm of possibility at this point. If it’s worse than that, however, take a deep breath and fear not.

These are not last year’s Golden Knights. This year’s Golden Knights can persevere.

They showed they could preserve with their response to losing Schmidt on Tuesday. It just may have taken a few minutes. Some definite shellshock struck at T-Mobile Arena in the immediate aftermath.

The Golden Knights skated a little less crisply. The noise level dropped to a volume fit for human consumption for the first time of the night. Heck, even the preponderance of gold-sequined jackets in the stands somehow seemed to lose a little sparkle.

Gallant got into a shouting match with the referees for not stopping the game sooner and they in turn chastised him for letting his trainers on the ice during play. Then Brandon Pirri committed an unnecessary hooking penalty. A few minutes later, the Sharks cut it to a one-goal game with Marcus Sorensen soaring in from the wing to beat Marc-Andre Fleury.

“We had to regroup,” Stone said.

The Golden Knights regrouped by buckling down. They buckled down in an impressive fashion — on defense.

Stone said the forwards felt an onus to help out with a defensive rotation diminished to five players without Schmidt. They succeeded wildly.

Vegas didn’t allow another high danger scoring chance to San Jose until several minutes into the third period, after Glass had given it breathing room with a second-period goal in his first NHL game.

Stone led the defensive charge, setting up Glass’ goal by pouncing on a loose puck in the neutral zone, but he wasn’t the only one. William Karlsson showed why Stone’s not the only Golden Knight considered a Selke Trophy contender with strong defensive shifts of his own. 1155527 Vegas Golden Knights LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 10.04.2019

The Golden Knights have the best home-ice advantage in the NHL

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Many eyes were on Ryan Reaves as he strolled along the golden carpet, smiling for photos and signing autographs during a ceremonial walk into T-Mobile Arena. Thousands of Golden Knights fans jammed into Toshiba Plaza for the pregame festivities Wednesday hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite player, or two, ahead of the season opener against the Sharks.

This is the third season of Golden Knights hockey, yet it feels as if they’ve been here much longer. The Knights have given us a reason to be proud, bringing this community together with their winning brand of hockey and, most important, their good deeds in the community.

Our city and this team have been a perfect match since the beginning, that moment two years ago when there were few dry eyes in the arena during its touching tribute to the Oct. 1, 2017, mass shooting victims before the first home game in franchise history.

A season opener won’t pass without supporters remembering how sincere Deryk Engelland was that opening night in embracing his role as the face of the franchise, setting off a love affair between community and team that will endure. Engelland is a legend, as are goalie Marc-André Fleury, Reaves and others.

The crowd — whether it’s a preseason game, the season opener, playoffs or midweek practice before the sun rises — never disappoints. The 4-1 win against the Sharks, in which Vegas scored two goals in the initial 5:21, featured those wild and crazy fans impacting the game with their energy just like every night the past two seasons. The summer was way too long, right?

The fortress, the nickname for T-Mobile during Vegas games, gives the Knights the best home-ice advantage in hockey. Find me another NHL franchise with fans this loyal and passionate — sorry, Montreal. Show me another franchise that sells out games in the preseason. Find me another franchise whose fans travel to regional games and are frequently louder than the home team.

This fanbase is so over the top in their pride for the home team that it’s downright refreshing, something we native Las Vegans long envisioned over the years as we waited for major sports to arrive. You, arguably, could also say the Golden Knights — who are 53-22-7 at home in two regular seasons — have one of the better home-field advantages in all of sports.

It’s right on par, if not better, than the NFL’s Seahawks, NBA’s Warriors and baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals.

“It’s always a party in Vegas. Nothing like it,” Reaves told the Toshiba Plaza crowd.

The party, which included a franchise-best 18,588 fans on Wednesday, is only getting started.

The Knights have a legit chance to make a deep playoff run, especially with Max Pacioretty, Paul Stastny and Mark Stone playing on the same line, and of course, with the boost they get playing at home.

It’s not just one game — it’s every night, 41 times a year. And it doesn’t matter who they are playing, although the opener Wednesday against the hated Sharks was an added bonus.

Here’s how important the crowd is: The Golden Knights likely will be the betting favorite in a majority of home dates, or at least when Fleury is starting in goal. Sure, no team will run the table at home with the peaks and valleys of a long season, even though many in the standing-room- only crowd of 18,000-plus each night are confident they will.

That confidence is massively important because it gives players a pick- me-up at home during close games. It’s surely similar to other sports and in other markets, although the bond between team and community in Vegas, and the party for every Knights game, is unmatched.

As Reaves says, “There’s nothing like it.” 1155528 Vegas Golden Knights want to elevate his game because he elevates our game through his smart play and poise.”

Pacioretty and Glass have had great chemistry throughout camp, dating How Golden Knights rookie Cody Glass turned his nerves into a dream all the way back to last year’s preseason games where they skated NHL debut together. The veteran notices small plays Glass makes that he believes are signs of future greatness.

“He got a puck bouncing by their bench, and instead of just throwing it in By Jesse Granger Oct 3, 2019 with jitters, he found Stone in the middle and Stone was able to make a play that resulted in a good offensive chance,” Pacioretty said. “Little

plays like that, in your first NHL game. You have the puck and you don’t Cody Glass was the first player drafted in Golden Knights franchise know where anyone is, but you have your head up and hit Stone in the history. And in the first game of his NHL career Wednesday night, he middle. That’s very good poise. He’s a guy who sees plays and makes scored his first NHL goal. them. He doesn’t make hope plays.”

What’s Glass doing with the milestone puck? On Glass’ goal in the second period, Stone started the rush by intercepting a Sharks pass and whipping the puck to Pacioretty in the “It’s going straight to my dad,” he replied, grabbing the puck wrapped in corner. Pacioretty then feathered a pass through San Jose defenseman tape off the back of his locker stall and holding it up with pride. “It’s a Mario Ferraro and onto Glass’ stick. family thing. I felt like my brother and my dad were key parts of me getting here. When I scored it was kind of emotional. I didn’t know where “I owe him … everything,” Glass said with a laugh. “It was a great play. they were sitting but I knew they were very happy for me. I can’t wait to Stone with a great back check, and when Pacioretty got the puck I knew go see them after this.” it was coming. There was a defenseman there but I knew with his skill set he was going to find me somehow. I just tried to get enough wood on it to Vegas dropped the puck for its 2018-19 season with a dominant 4-1 win put it in the back of the net. I didn’t really see it after I shot it, I just saw it over rival San Jose Wednesday night. Opening night was an emotional in the back of the net.” one for Glass, as was the lead up to it. Glass one-timed the puck perfectly into the far-side corner of the net, just Last week it appeared Glass was destined to start the season in the AHL past Martin Jones’ left pad. He circled behind the net with smoke firing despite having a strong showing at training camp. Then Cody Eakin and into the air and T-Mobile Arena’s deafening goal horn blaring, and Alex Tuch both went down with injuries, sending both players to the pointed directly at Pacioretty with a giant smile stretching across his face. injured reserve. “It’s hard to explain the feeling,” Glass said. “I was just thinking of my That opened a roster spot for Glass to make his NHL debut. family, and thinking of what got me here. You kind of have to keep (your emotions) in check because you’re still in the game.” “They’re giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to begin my dreams here,” Glass said. “I’m just trying to take advantage of it, and I think my best is Glass’ father, Jeff, and brother, Matthew, made the trip from Winnipeg to yet to come.” Las Vegas to share the moment with Cody.

Before the game he was as nervous, as one would expect. He said he “I just think about all the little things. Growing up it was very difficult for struggled to fall asleep for his usual pregame nap and was noticeably on my brother and I and my dad,” Glass said. “He just kept pushing through edge leading up to puck drop. everything and kept me in hockey. Kept pushing me to be a better person and player.” It was no ordinary pregame routine, as the Golden Knights players paraded down the “Gold Carpet,” through a hoard of fans outside of T- After a quick embrace on the ice with Pacioretty and Jon Merrill, Glass Mobile Arena. Glass made his way through the flashing cameras with skated by the Vegas bench to receive fist bumps from his teammates gold confetti falling all around him and fans screaming his name. before taking his seat on the bench.

“Going down that golden carpet and seeing the fans, was something Then the arena’s public address announcer Bruce Cusick announced special,” he said after. “The atmosphere, and getting my name called to Glass’ first career goal, sending the entire arena into a boisterous go out on the ice was unbelievable.” standing ovation.

The veterans did their best to quell his nerves early. “You dream of it as a kid and for it to come true like that is unbelievable,” Glass said. “It’s very emotional. When I was sitting on the bench I had “In the beginning of the game I was really nervous and I guess they kind goosebumps. It was a very special moment.” of noticed that on me,” Glass said. “They were like, ‘You made it now, and it’s time to stick. Enjoy the moment but it’s the first of many games.’ The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 They calmed me down and I felt like I came out skating in the first period.”

Glass’ veteran linemates, Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone, have done a commendable job easing the rookie into the NHL, starting with a dinner party earlier this week.

Pacioretty invited Glass, Stone, Stastny and 2019 first-round pick Peyton Krebs over to his house for a taco bar.

“That might be the half-Mexican in me, to have taco night whenever people come over,” Pacioretty joked. “I think that stuff translates on the ice. When you do the right thing for your teammates, good things happen, and it could be a reason why he got rewarded. The first thing my wife said to me when those guys left was, ‘Wow, I can’t believe how nice and how mature those kids are for their age.’”

“It was incredible,” Glass said. “For him to invite me over to his place to meet his family and his kids was unbelievable. It made me that much more comfortable with the guys around me.”

Pacioretty helped Glass on the ice as much as he’s helped him off it, dishing a gorgeous pass to Glass for his goal.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to go out there tonight and try to make Cody look good,” Pacioretty said. “It says a lot about him as a kid and as a player that guys want to go out there and want to play with him, and 1155529 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights No Longer Using 15 Seconds of Fame Video Clips for Fans at Arena in Season 3; VGK Roll Out 3-Game Ticket Pack Deals

By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com

After using the 15 Seconds of Fame in-game video clip service for fans during the first two seasons at T-Mobile Arena, the Vegas Golden Knights have decided for Year 3 not to have the social media app service that provides short video-board segments of fans dancing or cheering at VGK home games.

Some Golden Knights fans like Cathy Brooks of Las Vegas who used the 15 Seconds of Fame service told LVSportsBiz.com on opening night Wednesday they missed not having the 15SOF service available at the VGK home arena.

During the first two seasons, the 15 Seconds of Fame service used footage from the T-Mobile Arena center scoreboard showing fans during Golden Knights games. The Knights frequently show fans on the big scoreboard dancing, cheering and celebrating goals during games at the venue.

After fans downloaded the app, 15SOF would send the personalized in- game video-board content from the arena, stadium or ballpark to the fans’ phones.

The National Hockey League has a partnership with 15SOF, which has deals with other sports leagues and professional teams. Former Lakers basketball great Kobe Bryant is an investor.

Asked for a comment, 15 Seconds of Fame’s PR agency issued this statement on behalf of the service: “Las Vegas Golden Knights fans have made abundantly clear that 15 seconds of Fame enhances their game experience and allows them to relive special memories for a lifetime. The high engaged Knights fans can continue to keep those moments alive through our partnership with the NHL.”

The Golden Knights issued this explanation about why 15SOF is not back at T-Mobile Arena for the 2019-20 season: “We evaluated the partnership during the offseason and determined it was best to go our separate ways.”

The Knights rolled out a new pregame video on opening night Wednesday that included owner Bill Foley in a helicopter and four VGK players like Marc-Andre Fleury on horses trying to recover a golden sword that was taken in a western TV show-style clip.

Naturally, it was pure Vegas; that is, over-the-top kitschy content that the Las Vegas fans loved.

LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155530 Washington Capitals and show him the ropes, but when the Czech tries to speak in Slovak, Fehervary sometimes just laughs.

“He tries,” Fehervary said. Martin Fehervary modeled his game after Michal Kempny’s. Now they’re And as the group continues to mesh off the ice, Fehervary is still honing teammates. his game on the ice, getting better each day. His training camp impressed General Manager Brian MacLellan, who described the youngster as having excellent detail in his defensive game, stickwork and Samantha Pell footwork — just about everything Reirden and the coaching staff wanted to see.

He leapfrogged multiple blue-liners in the Caps’ prospect pipeline to ST. LOUIS — When Martin Fehervary was growing up, he played for a make the season-opening roster, including 2016 first-round pick Lucas youth hockey club in the Czech Republic, in a little town called Hodonin. Johansen and 2018 first-round pick Alex Alexeyev, who suffered a It sits near the border with Slovakia and is less than an hour from the concussion in mid-September. second-largest city in the country, Brno. “He is a lot like Kempny, which has been said over and over again,” Hodonin’s youth hockey team is a mix of Czechs and Slovaks. MacLellan said. “It is a pretty similar style of play. Both really good guys, Fehervary, who was born in Slovakia, played in Hodonin for a couple of upside is tremendous. As he figures out the puck movement and years as a child, honing his skills before moving on. offensive side of the game, I think he is going to be a great player for us.” Years later, Fehervary was watching the Chicago Blackhawks play when The organization sees Fehervary as a crucial part of its blue line, if not he noticed a defenseman named Michal Kempny. He liked Kempny’s now, then soon. And while Fehervary looked like a true rookie at times style of play, the way he moved on the ice and his presence on the blue Wednesday night, he also had multiple instances, such as his first shift, line. Then Fehervary suddenly realized Kempny grew up in Hodonin and when he didn’t look like a 19-year-old. His play earned him the team’s the two came up through the same youth team. “Hard Hat Award” — a Nationals batting helmet — presented by captain “When I was there in Hodonin, I didn’t even know about a Michal Alex Ovechkin after the game. Kempny,” said Fehervary, who turns 20 on Sunday. “I was a kid, and I “He’s not overwhelmed by the situation at all,” Reirden said. “He’s didn’t even know he played there.” aggressive. He’s in-your-face style of defending. He’s in phenomenal But Kempny soon became the player Fehervary wanted to emulate. shape in terms of his conditioning, and his off-ice testing is way ahead of When Fehervary was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the second any other 19-year-old on our team, so he has prepared that way as well.” round of the 2018 draft, he told reporters that Kempny, who had been Washington Post LOADED: 10.04.2019 traded to Washington earlier that year, was his favorite defenseman.

“Yeah, you know, he has the ability to skate. He is skating very well,” Kempny said. “He’s really good, physically prepared. He’s in really good shape. Can defend well, can do some offensive plays. Yeah, there is a lot of similar things with my play.”

Now Fehervary and his favorite player are in the same locker room. Fehervary made his NHL debut Wednesday night in the Capitals’ 3-2 overtime win against the St. Louis Blues, getting the chance to be in the season-opening lineup in part because Kempny has been injured. Kempny, who tore his hamstring in April, was placed on the team’s injured nonroster list Tuesday and is still questionable for games Friday and Saturday against the New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes, respectively. He was cleared for contact as of Wednesday morning and was slated to be reevaluated soon.

When Kempny is ready to play, Fehervary could be in danger of getting pushed out. But for now, the young, witty blue-liner is making the most of his chance. When Coach Todd Reirden pulled Fehervary aside at the team hotel Tuesday to tell him he would be in the lineup against the Blues, Fehervary was unfazed: “Yeah, that’s what I thought so!” he said.

That was typical Fehervary, unassuming and willing. And to play on the same team as Kempny? Well, that’s a dream come true.

“We talk a lot about everything,” said Fehervary, who earned 13:35 of ice time Wednesday. “We spend a lot of time after practice together like workout or to the hot tub, cold tub, and talk a lot about everything. It is really nice to be with him.”

The Capitals have an ample number of Czechs and Slovaks in Kempny, Fehervary, Jakub Vrana, Radko Gudas and Richard Panik. The group already went out to dinner, and despite the slight language difference all have adjusted well.

“Marty is such a nice guy,” Kempny said. “He works really hard every day, and I like his attitude. For me it is really nice to have some guy that is looking up to me. … That’s really nice to me, and I really appreciate it. Obviously, as a hockey player you want to be better every year, and if some young guy says, ‘I want to be like Kempny,’ that is really nice of him.”

We asked the Caps to draw themselves. And they did.

Fehervary said it’s usually easier for Slovaks to understand Czechs because a lot of movies and other entertainment in Slovakia were in Czech, whereas Czechs normally have a harder time understanding Slovaks. Fehervary said Vrana has been the main player to take him in 1155531 Washington Capitals Wizards fans could be able to head to home games and take a detour to the sportsbook before taking their seats.

If the model becomes a success, it could usher in other sports arenas Capital One Arena to open first in-arena sportsbook in U.S. opening sportsbooks as well. Leonsis, a potential trailblazer in this scenario, knows what’s at stake.

“We will follow every rule that you want,” he said he told the D.C. Council. By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times - Thursday, October 3, 2019 “William Hill is working very, very closely with (the council). I understand the scrutiny that we will receive, and we will do things in a measured,

professional way.” Monumental Sports and Entertainment has partnered with British betting Washington Times LOADED: 10.04.2019 and gaming company William Hill to open a sportsbook inside Capital One Arena — the first on-site sportsbook at a professional sports venue in the U.S.

The move also made William Hill the exclusive sports betting partner of the Washington Wizards, Capitals and Mystics, the three main teams Monumental owns.

Monumental founder and CEO Ted Leonsis, long a vocal proponent of legalized sports betting, said he wants to be a leader in bringing the activity out of the unregulated shadows and “into the sunlight” for everyone’s gain.

“We will try to integrate everything that William Hill can bring to this industry within our arena, really for the benefit of our fans,” Leonsis said. “We are trying to make a broad statement here that data and gaming and interactivity is very, very good for our industry. It will be great for the players. It will be great for the league and for our media partners.”

The William Hill Sportsbook at Capital One Arena, as it was called at a press conference Thursday, will occupy the space that formerly housed a Greene Turtle restaurant on 6th and F streets. It cannot open until it passes regulatory approvals from the District government.

Joe Asher, CEO of William Hill U.S., said they’d like to open sometime in 2020, but neither he nor Leonsis see a reason to hurry.

“I don’t know how long this is going to take,” Leonsis said. “I’m not rushing the city. William Hill is not rushing the city. However they want us to do this in the light of day, that’s how we will do it.”

In May 2018, the Supreme Court struck down a federal law known as PASPA that limited sports betting to Nevada, effectively allowing states to decide the matter for themselves. The D.C. Council voted in December to legalize sports betting, but there’s currently an injunction against the government over the no-bid contract it struck with the gambling management company Intralot.

Leonsis said Monumental will not see any of the money William Hill generates from bets nor have any influence on setting odds. The financial gain for Monumental lies in the rent William Hill will pay to use the Greene Turtle storefront and any advertising space William Hill decides to purchase.

But Leonsis believes it is still a financial win-win for everyone involved — constructing and operating the sportsbook will create jobs, the bets will create tax revenue and the rent revenues will help Monumental’s bottom line.

Fans will be able to place bets both at a physical kiosk in the sportsbook or on William Hill’s mobile app, which will only be available for users are inside the arena.

“It creates one more reason for folks to actually go to the game versus sitting home and watching on TV or watching it in the sports bar,” Asher said.

William Hill also partnered with the NBA this week; the company will be able to use official NBA betting data in their operations.

The sportsbook will be open year-round, not just for Wizards or Capitals home games and not just at night.

“This is the most global of cities,” Leonsis said, “and we would like to see at lunchtime people from the community coming in and watching soccer matches from around the world and things happening in India — cricket and the like — and be able to eat, watch and to be able to bet.”

For now, Asher said the next step is to wait until they’re able to apply for a license. Then it will be up to the D.C. lottery to approve it. But there’s a chance that before the new NHL or NBA season is over, Capitals and 1155532 Washington Capitals “It’s not like gambling isn’t happening in an unregulated world,” Leonsis said. “So our first mission as an industry is to bring what’s illegal into the sunlight.”

Partnership between Monumental Sports and William Hill brings sports The idea for a partnership grew out of Leonsis’ trip to London before the gaming to Capital One Arena 2012 Summer Olympics when he was part of an exploratory committee hoping to bring the Games to Washington. As he walked London neighborhoods Leonsis came upon gaming parlors everywhere.

By Brian McNally October 03, 2019 2:06 PM “There are more gaming parlors in London than there are Starbucks and pizza parlors,” Leonsis said. “It’s a consumer phenomenon. It’s a

community-building activity and there’s nothing untoward, unfriendly WASHINGTON - Monumental Sports & Entertainment has a deal with about it.” British bookmaker William Hill to turn Capital One Arena into an all- Meanwhile, a push to legalize gambling across the country finally came purpose sports-betting complex as preparations continue for legal sports to fruition in 2018 when the Supreme Court struck down the Professional gambling in the District. and Amateur Protection Act, which allowed states and municipalities to At a press conference on Thursday at Capital One Arena, executives legalize gambling. The idea was to allow communities to regulate from Monumental and William Hill jointly announced that the site of a gambling and gaming and take its share of the tax money generated. former Green Turtle Bar and Grill restaurant attached to the arena at the In the District, there are still regulatory hurdles to overcome and a corner of 6thand F Streets will become a booking venue. That remains pending lawsuit about how its gaming contract was awarded. Leonsis subject to regulatory approval from Washington, D.C., which voted to says Monumental and William Hill will comply with however the D.C. City legalize sports gambling in late 2018. Council decides to implement legalized gambling. The deal is the first of its kind in the United States. No other bookmaker Until all of that is cleared up and the sports book is allowed to go up, is currently located inside a major professional sports arena. The there will likely be kiosks in the arena where people can make their bets. bookmaking venue will be three stories and open every day – even when Capital One Arena is not hosting live sporting events like Wizards “I don’t know how long this is going to take,” Leonsis said. “I’m not basketball or Capitals hockey games. rushing the city, William Hill is not rushing the city. However they want us to do this in the light of day that’s how we’ll do it.” “We’re trying to make a broad statement here that big data and gaming and interactivity is very, very good for our industry,” Ted Leonsis said. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.04.2019 “Be great for the players, be great for the leagues and for our media partners.”

Fans can expect a restaurant and bar with plenty of big-screen televisions. There will be entrances from the F Street level outside the venue for patrons at all times and from inside the arena for ticket holders during events.

The deal is a partnership, Leonsis emphasized. Monumental will not handle money or garner revenue directly from bets placed at the William Hill sports book. The company will pay to rent the location and for advertising space around the arena and data from its sports events.

William Hill has been in business for 85 years with books in the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden, Ireland, Italy, Spain and the Bahamas. CEO Joe Asher spent part of his childhood in Washington attending Capitals games during their inaugural season in 1974 and the Washington Bullets NBA championships parade in 1978.

Monumental hopes that the extra data generated by gaming will contribute to interest in women’s sports, like the Washington Mystics, another of its sports franchises. The Mystics are currently playing in the WNBA Finals.

But there will be a wall between William Hill and Monumental’s sports teams, Leonsis said. Wizards and Capitals and Mystics players and coaches and front-office executives will have nothing to do with William Hill’s business or mission.

Monumental doesn’t file for a gambling license because they don’t get a cut of the money. That’s up to William Hill. Leonsis said his company is working with its various professional sports leagues and the city of Washington about what the proper policy will be on employees participating.

“There’s no revenue sharing or commissions in any way,” Leonsis said. “We are first the landlord so they are renting the space from us. We had to create and carve out a lot of space no different than a McDonald’s or Dunkin’ Donuts. And then secondly we are providing them with inventory to promote and hopefully they’ll promote on our television networks, that NBC will be advantaged, maybe they’ll be advertising on other platforms.”

The William Hill facility is expected to provide fans with more reasons to stick around at sporting events even if they don’t have a rooting interest in the same way fantasy football generates huge interest for the NFL every weekend. There will be age limits (21) to participate and its William Hill mobile apps should appeal to a younger, tech-savvy audience interested in gambling from their seats at events. 1155533 Washington Capitals Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.04.2019

Todd Reirden still fired up at 'Canes coach for 'unprofessional' exchange with Tom Wilson

By Caroline Brandt October 03, 2019 9:30 AM

The Hurricanes eliminated the Capitals during last year's playoffs. Alex Ovechkin knocked out 'Canes Andrei Svechnikov during last year's playoffs. There's still some heat between these two teams, but Saturday's home opener against the Hurricanes just got a lot more interesting.

During the Caps' final preseason game against the 'Canes Sunday, Tom Wilson received a 10-minute game misconduct after he went after Carolina's bench. Wilson told media members after the game that Carolina head coach Rod Brind'Amour chirped him from the bench.

Four days later, Caps head coach Todd Reirden is still fired up over the "extremely unprofessional" exchange.

“To me, it’s a very unprofessional quality of a coach, and it’s an unwritten rule in the coaching world, is that once you can no longer play hockey, and you have to wear a suit behind the bench, now if you have a problem with the other team, if you have a problem with something that they’re doing, then you talk to their coach if you have a problem with it," Reirden said on The Sports Junkies Thursday. "You don’t talk to their players, because you can’t go out and do anything about it."

Reirden said that this is not the first time Brind'Amour has chirped at one of the Capitals' players.

"He did it last year during the playoffs as well, so it was something I was, to be honest with you, ready for and when it happened, I didn’t let it go," Reirden said.

Following the period, Reirden said he immediately crossed the ice to have some choice words with Brind'Amour.

“One thing that was not on video was me, after the period, going towards their bench to talk to their coaches and as soon as that period was over, I went across the red line and had some choice words for their coach, not for their players," Reirden said.

However, Reirden wasn't able to address his concerns with Brind'Amour himself, who ran off the ice following the period.

“I had to go through the assistant coach because he was running off the ice and I’m like, ‘make sure you send him this message,'" Reirden said.

Reirden made sure he got his message across, but said it did not go over well with Carolina's assistant coach.

“We had a pretty heated exchange," Reirden said. "It was fun.”

Known for his composure on the ice that can sometimes appear a bit too calm to some fans, Reirden said he does not hold back when it comes to backing his players.

“A lot of people don’t really know that side of me very much but you know at times, I think it’s important to have composure," Reirden said. "During the game, I certainly know when cameras are on me and not on me when I do things, so it’s important that you give across that message and I was unhappy with that so I dealt with it in the only way that I could which is address their bench.”

Chirping and fights are part of the game, but when it comes from coaches who can't "answer for any questions or comments that you wanna make" on the ice as Reirden says, it's indefensible.

“I think a lot of former players that have played the game, they sometimes forget that they no longer are a hockey player, and that’s off- limits,” Reirden said.

The Capitals play the Hurricanes for their home opener Saturday at 7:00 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington, which promises to be an impassioned game.

“That’s something that will add to our home opener against them," Reirden said. 1155534 Winnipeg Jets

Curtain rises on NHL play for Heinola

By: Mike McIntyre

NEW YORK — First, Ville Heinola got the talk from Paul Maurice, the one he gives all players making their NHL debuts.

"The piece that I’ll share is if you’ve got kids and you’re at the game or you’re watching it on TV and we bring the families in — as excited as you are on that bench or on that blue line, there are people that are actually more excited (for you). So I encourage them to call their parents. To call your parents and say thanks,’’ the Winnipeg Jets head coach said Thursday.

"You don’t have to get to everybody, but there are a whole lot of people in the world that are so excited that you’re excited that you’re playing your first NHL game. They are even more excited than you are. Take some time to think about them, and if you get a chance, make sure you thank them."

A few hours later, Heinola got the traditional "hot lap" at Madison Square Garden, the customary solo twirl for pre-game warmup while his teammates watched.

"We’ve all had our NHL debuts, so for a young guy like him to come into Madison Square Garden, it’s hard to argue that there’s a better stage. It’s going to be a lot of fun. He’s a heck of a player, he’s going to be a good player for a long time, so this is just the start," said defencemen Neal Pionk, who was paired with Heinola.

If you thought any of it rattled the kid, just 18 and only a few months removed from being drafted 20th overall by the Jets, well, think again. Smiles, sure. Nerves, a few. But no sense of being overwhelmed on such a big stage.

"When I was a young boy, I was dreaming about this. And now it has come true, so (there are) awesome feelings," Heinola said prior to puck drop, admitting he didn’t expect all of this to happen so quickly.

"I was thinking maybe two or three years. But now it’s coming, so it’s an awesome thing. When I came to camp, I didn’t expect anything. I just came to play hockey and things have gone well, so that’s awesome," said Heinola.

The raw rookie was credited with an assist, a shot on goal, one hit, one takeaway and four giveaways in 18:24 of ice time.

Heinola impressed during camp. Injuries to Sami Niku and Nathan Beaulieu and the absence of Dustin Byfuglien contributed to the opportunity. But it was his play in pre-season games that warranted a longer look.

"He’s picked up on the systems really, really quickly and he’s figured out at least the Winnipeg Jets players. Blake Wheeler, you play differently than you play Nik Ehlers. Those kinds of adjustments — and you can see them in his game — are really, really quick and I didn’t expect that," Maurice said.

"So, the video I watched after drafting him and bringing him into camp, some of the reports were — I don’t want to say that they questioned his skating — but they said that for a smaller guy, he’s not real fast, except he’s figured that out and he is quick. He’s been able to change his game. And then, I guess the last thing, like all of those special offensive defenceman, he does everything with his head up. He can move sideways with the puck on his stick and his head up and see the entire ice."

Patrik Laine gave his fellow Finn a pep talk prior to the game.

"Hopefully, he’s not too nervous. I’ve been talking to him about it already. You’re only gonna play your first game once. There’s no better place to play your first game than here," Laine said. "He’s got to play his own game, he’s got to enjoy it."

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 10.04.2019 1155535 Winnipeg Jets "I didn’t really know what to expect. I’ve been talking to a couple guys in Chicago, they know them and obviously around the league, you know players. It was different. I came in here early, got to walk around the city a little bit. Just kind of waiting for the players to get up here, we had a Dahlstrom glad to play for Winnipeg nice dinner and I got to meet all the guys," he said.

Defenceman flew more than 14,000 kilometres this week, just don't As a Central Division rival in Chicago, he’s seen plenty of the Jets over mention the word 'jets' the past two seasons but knows things have changed with some key departures and turnover.

"There’s a lot of new guys this year, and I don’t know a ton about them. ike McIntyre I’m sure I’ll get familiar with them real quick. But I’m just going to try and bring my game. I thought I played well last year and will just try to bring that into this year," Dahlstrom said. NEW YORK — You’ll excuse Carl Dahlstrom if he’s feeling some jet lag at the moment, not to mention being a bit unsure of where he is. "I see myself as a pretty defensive defenceman with some upside in the offence. But I definitely see my gap as probably my biggest strength, After all, the 24-year-old Swedish defenceman has logged more than getting close to guys quickly, getting the puck from them and getting it to 14,000 kilometres in the air this week — from Chicago, to Germany, to our forwards." the Czech Republic and then a very unexpected flight to New York to meet his new NHL teammates for the first time on Wednesday evening. Now he just needs a chance, and perhaps a little more rest.

Ex-Blackhawks defenceman Carl Dahlstrom (centre, battling with Blues Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 10.04.2019 Carl Gunnarsson, left, and Alex Pietrangelo) flew from Europe to join the Jets in New York City on Wednesday.

"For Carl, he’s on the longest first-game road trip in the history of the NHL," Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice cracked on Thursday.

Dahlstrom’s career took an unexpected detour when the Chicago Blackhawks placed him on waivers Monday, deciding he wouldn’t be part of the opening-night 23-man roster. That would be stressful enough, but Dahlstrom was already in Europe, as Chicago played an exhibition game in Berlin on Sunday, then moved on to Prague, where they’re set to play their first regular-season game tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers.

After clearing waivers and being assigned to Chicago’s AHL team, the Jets came calling. A late pre-season injury to Nathan Beaulieu that’s expected to sideline him for at least a month, along with the continued absence of Dustin Byfuglien and Sami Niku’s nagging groin strain, meant there was a vacancy on the blue line.

The result was a truly long-distance waiver claim that Dahlstrom happened to find out about through Twitter. His phone wasn’t working, so calls from his agent and Chicago management went unanswered.

"To say the least, it was pretty hectic," Dahlstrom said Thursday morning as he participated in an optional skate with the Jets at Madison Square Garden.

"Obviously, there’s a lot going through your mind. I slept really well (Wednesday) night, slept on the plane, as well. To be honest, I’m just really looking forward to it a lot. I see this as a new opportunity for me. Really set up a name for myself. I’m just really excited right now."

Not surprisingly, Dahlstrom was given the night off as the Jets played their season opener against the Rangers.

"He had to move through Europe to get here, so we’re telling him, ‘Get some rest and we’ll talk to you tomorrow.’ We’ll go through the video and bring him in kind of slowly," Maurice said.

"This is truly a road trip. From Chicago to Europe and back. We’ll consider (getting him in the lineup today against the New Jersey Devils). The guys, the six, that will go (Thursday), they’ve all had good camps. They’ve all played well, worked hard and they deserve to be in the opening-day lineup."

Dahlstrom admitted it’s a bit of an emotional roller-coaster to find out the organization that drafted you (second round, 51st overall in 2013) no longer sees a fit for you with the NHL club. He has 49 NHL games under his belt over the past two seasons, with no goals and nine assists.

"I’ve always believed in myself, but we had a bunch of guys over there and still cuts (to be made). So I knew there was always a chance. I’m trying not to think of the past right now, I’m just looking forward to this," he said.

"I was really happy that another team wanted me. For a team to pick you up, they must really want you. I was really excited when I saw it on Twitter."

Dahlstrom’s sister has been living in New York for the past month, so he got to spend a bit of time with her after flying in from Prague on Wednesday afternoon, waiting for the Jets to arrive a few hours later. 1155536 Winnipeg Jets The Jets controlled the game early and were pressing when Rangers defenceman Marc Staal took some wind out of the sails by scoring on a wraparound. Hellebuyck got caught hugging the right post and was too slow to push off and prevent Staal from sliding it across the goal-line. Jets drop season-opener to Rangers 6-4 Mark Scheifele tied it less than six minutes later following a superb feed Hellebuyck lets in five goals on 31 Rangers shots from Nikolaj Ehlers, who was a one-man cycle behind the New York net.

Artemi Panarin gave the home team a 2-1 lead jut 27 seconds into the middle frame. He buried a rebound after Mika Zibanejad’s initial shot By: Mike McIntyre Posted: 10/3/2019 8:52 PM | Last Modified: 10/3/2019 drilled Hellebuyck in the mask. Hellebuyck ended up leaning the wrong 10:52 PM way and giving New York’s big summer free agent addition a wide-open net to shoot at.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck watches New York Blake Wheeler responded exactly 30 seconds later, converting on a two- Rangers right wing Kaapo Kakko during the second period Thursday, on-one rush with Ehlers. Eighteen-year-old rookie defencemen Ville at Madison Square Garden in New York. Heinola got the play started up the ice and drew his first NHL point in his first NHL game. Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck watches New York Rangers right wing Kaapo Kakko during the second period Thursday, at Ex-Jet Jacob Trouba gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead at 6:03 of the second Madison Square Garden in New York. period, as his blast of a bouncing puck beat Hellebuyck over the right shoulder and just under the crossbar. Trouba, traded by the Jets in the NEW YORK — Sure, we’re just one game into the regular season, but summer in exchange for Neal Pionk and the draft pick that turned into it’s a question already begging to be asked: Do the Winnipeg Jets have a Heinola, gave it an extra-big fist pump on the celebration. goalie controversy brewing? That lead was even shorter-lived, as Wheeler scored his second of the It’s starting to look that way after No. 1 netminder Connor Hellebuyck period nine seconds later. Once again, it was Ehlers playing the setup sprung a leak all over Madison Square Garden Thursday night in a 6-4 man with his third primary assist of the night. Kulikov also had a helper. loss to the New York Rangers. "We played a really good game, to be honest. Obviously there’s some Hellebuyck, who is coming off a disappointing season and appeared things that we need to tighten up on. We’ve got a lot of new players — shaky in three pre-season appearances, didn’t exactly turn a new page that’s not an excuse — but we played a good game and if we can once the puck dropped for real. He surrendered five goals on 31 shots — continue this, and keep improving, we’ve got a hell of a team," said including the game-winning goal by Oakbank’s Brett Howden with 4:09 Ehlers. left in the third period. The Rangers sealed it with a short-handed empty- netter in the final seconds. The Jets got their first lead of the night 2:41 into the third period, as all three players who signed new contract extensions during training camp Hellebuyck was defiant after the game, suggesting he was better than teamed up for a power-play marker. Kyle Connor got a stick on a Josh the final result indicated. Morrissey point shot, with Patrik Laine drawing the other helper.

"I liked a lot of my game. I felt that I earned better. I felt like I played a lot This time it was the Rangers who responded quickly, as Trouba sprung better than five goals against. I don’t know, it just seems like the puck Zibanejad on a breakaway. The speedy forward beat Hellebuyck with a was always in the wrong spot for me. And if I look back at my tape I backhander to tie the game, less than three minutes after Winnipeg had probably wouldn’t do a whole lot different. But I gotta do something pulled in front. because five is unacceptable," said Hellebuyck. With overtime looming, Howden notched the game winner as he gobbled There’s no question Hellebuyck is as confident as they come, but that up a loose puck that was put on net following an offensive-zone faceoff faith in himself becomes borderline delusional at times when he has a win. particularly bad outing such as this. He even doubled down when it was suggested he might be feeling more pressure this season with so much "A shot from the point. Hit a shin pad or a leg. There was like three or turnover on Winnipeg’s blue line. four guys in front of me and I couldn’t find it. And then all of a sudden he’s pulling it back door and I had no way of getting over there," said "No, I’m not feeling any more pressure. What I’m feeling is I want to feel Hellebuyck. right in my game and (Thursday night) I did. This whole pre-season I felt myself building forward and I really like where I’m at. Like I said, five Brendan Smith added the empty-netter. goals against is not the result I expect. But this is going to make me "You go into a building and put up (close to) 50 shots, you did a pretty better in the end," said Hellebuyck. good job. There’s some bounces that went against us, certainly some "I’m not happy with losing at all. Don’t mistake me saying I like my game things we can tighten up. But the majority of that game is pretty good," thinking I’m happy with what the result was. I’m going to go back, am said Wheeler. going to watch film and get better. It’s Game 1. There’s a long season "Like I said 50 shots, spent a lot of time in their own zone. Some of the ahead." chances we gave up were just too good. They got a couple bounces to The Jets were the better team in pretty much every other department. go their way (Thursday night) and cashed in on them." Veteran Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist came up huge on multiple There were already increasingly loud calls among the fan base for occassions and finished with 43 saves. That included a couple big stops backup goaltender Laurent Brossoit to take on a bigger role, especially with the Jets on the power play in the final minute and Hellebuyck pulled after a strong first year with the Jets and several solid pre-season for an extra attacker. outings. He’ll get his first start of the new season when the Jets take on Indeed, final shot attempts were 81-51 in favour of the Jets. That’s the New Jersey Devils tonight as this season-opening four-game road usually a recipe for success — but not when you get sub-par trip continues. goaltending. However, head coach Paul Maurice wasn’t ready to throw Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 10.04.2019 his starter under the bus.

"It’s not like we gave up 10 chances or eight chances and they scored on five of them. He made some really good saves in that game. So did their guy, plus one. He’ll get better," said Maurice, who liked much of what he saw from his group.

"There was lots of real good stuff. The style of offensive game, I didn’t feel like we cheated for it. We actually generated a lot of our offence by reloading and getting back above pucks and turning pucks back in on them. That part was really good. But you gave up five, so you can’t be bragging about that game either," he said. 1155537 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 10.04.2019

Season debut like Christmas Eve for Jets' newcomers

By: Mike McIntyre

NEW YORK — Let's get this show on the road, but make sure you have a program handy.

A much different looking Winnipeg Jets team will hit the ice at Madison Square Garden tonight to open its 2019-20 NHL season than the one we last saw in meaningful action last spring, bowing out to the eventual Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues in the opening round of the playoffs.

Gone are several regulars: Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers, Ben Chiarot and Brandon Tanev all found new hockey addresses during the off-season. Dustin Byfuglien is another notable player not on the roster as he contemplates whether to continue playing or retire.

Five new faces will make their regular-season debuts against the New York Rangers. They include Neal Pionk (acquired in the Trouba trade), Mark Letestu, Gabriel Bourque, Anthony Bitetto and 18-year-old rookie defenceman Ville Heinola. Rookie centre David Gustafsson is also on the roster but will be a healthy scratch tonight, as is defenceman Carl Dahlstrom, picked up on waivers from Chicago earlier this week.

That's seven new players on Winnipeg's 23-man roster.

"Now it’s an exciting time for all of us. It’s a bit of Christmas Eve, truly. You’re excited to kind of open up the gifts and see what you’ve got," coach Paul Maurice said prior to an optional morning skate for his club.

Heinola, selected with the 20th-overall pick in the NHL draft in June, was perhaps the biggest surprise of training camp as he earned the starting nod. Injuries to Nathan Beaulieu and Sami Niku, along with Byfuglien's absence, helped the cause, but the Finnish rookie has shown in pre- season action that he belongs.

"It means a lot for me. When I was a young boy I was dreaming about this and now it has come true, so awesome feelings," Heinola said Thursday morning. "I was thinking maybe two or three years (to make the NHL), but now it’s coming so it’s an awesome thing. When I came to camp, I didn’t expect anything. I just came to play hockey and things have gone well so that’s awesome."

Heinola will be paired with Pionk, as they were for a couple pre-season games.

"We’ve all had our NHL debuts, so for a young guy like him to come into Madison Square Garden, it's hard to argue that there’s a better stage. It’s going to be a lot of fun. He’s a heck of a player, he’s going to be a good player for a long time, so this is just the start," said Pionk, who is excited to be facing his former club for the first time.

"I think this is how you draw it up. You know, trades happen, that’s just part of pro sports. I think if you’re asking a guy, you’d say let’s do the first one right away. I’m excited for it."

Tonight will also be the first game for both forwards Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor, who missed all seven pre-season contests while dealing with contract disputes that ended last week.

"I’m still kind of working on feeling my hands and timing and that kind of stuff, otherwise I feel pretty good, and hopefully I’ll get one step closer to actual game shape tonight," Laine said before a throng of international media, including several reporters and camera crews from Finland here to watch him, Heinola and New York's second-overall pick, Kaapo Kakko, all on the same ice.

Connor Hellebuyck starts in goal for the Jets, who play the first four games of the new season on the road. The trip continues Friday night in Newark against the New Jersey Devils, Sunday night against the New York Islanders and Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Veteran centre Bryan Little is on the trip but won't play tonight as he deals with a concussion suffered during the final pre-season game last Sunday in Minnesota. He skated on his own this morning as he works his way back from the injury. 1155538 Winnipeg Jets Forwards Nikolaj Ehlers-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler

Kyle Connor-Andrew Copp-Patrik Laine Game Day: Jets at Devils Mathieu Perreault-Adam Lowry-Gabriel Bourque

Mason Appleton-Mark Letestu-Jack Roslovic Ted Wyman Defence

Josh Morrissey-Dmitry Kulikov Game Day: Maple Leafs at Blue Jackets Ville Heinola-Neal Pionk HOCKEY Anthony Bitetto-Tucker Poolman Soup's on for new Leafs winger Mikheyev Goalies Winnipeg Jets (0-1-0) at New Jersey Devils (0-0-0) Laurent Brossoit Friday, 6 p.m. CT, Prudential Center. Connor Hellebuyck TV: TSN3, Radio: TSN 1290 New Jersey Devils THE BIG MATCHUP Forwards Blake Wheeler vs. P.K. Subban Taylor Hall-Nico Hischier-Kyle Palmieri It’s an in-game rivalry that reached its heights during the playoff series between the Jets and Nashville Predators in 2018. Subban is now in the Nikita Gusev-Jack Hughes-Jesper Bratt Eastern Conference with the Devils and won’t be as much of a thorn in the Jets side this year, but the physical defenceman with the big shot will Blake Coleman-Travis Zajac-Wayne Simmonds look to stick it to the visitors in his New Jersey debut. Not that it’s easy to Miles Wood-Pavel Zacha-John Hayden get Wheeler off his game. The Jets captain has recorded back-to-back 91-point seasons. Defence

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME Andy Greene-P.K. Subban

ROOKIE WATCH Will Butcher-Sami Vatanen

Rookies Ville Heinola of the Jets and Kappo Kakko of the Rangers, both Mirco Mueller-Damon Severson 18, made their NHL debuts Thursday night in New York and on Friday it’s Jack Hughes’ turn. First overall draft pick Hughes will play the first game Goalies of what is expected to be a long and prosperous career. By all accounts, Cory Schneider he looks very much like the real deal already. Mackenzie Blackwood THEY’RE NO. 1 INJURIES The Devils certainly are a team with some strengths that will make them tough to beat. They have three first-overall picks in the lineup, including Jets: C Bryan Little, D Sami Niku, D Dustin Byfuglien (suspended), D 2018 Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall on left wing and centres Nico Nathan Beaulieu Hischier and Hughes. Hall was taken first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2010, while the Devils selected Hischier and Hughes first overall in Devils: None 2017 and 2019 respectively. SPECIAL TEAMS

CORY’S RESURGENCE POWER PLAY (2018-19)

Former goalie Cory Schneider will start in goal for the Winnipeg: 24.8% (4th) Devils in the opener and is hoping for a major bounce-back season after things went off the rails for a full year, starting in December of 2017. New Jersey: 17.7% (21st) Schneider started just 26 games last season and won just six. It would PENALTY KILLING (2018-19) seem he’s just a place-holder for Mackenzie Blackwood, who is also on the Devils roster. Winnipeg 79.2% (22nd)

MAN, THAT DEFENCE New Jersey: 84.3% (4th)

The Jets defence corps from last season has been decimated by free Winnipeg Sun LOADED 10.04.2019 agency, injuries, and Dustin Byfuglien’s indecision about his playing future. You’ll need a program to recognize this group, with only two players from last year’s team in the lineup — Josh Morrissey and Dmitry Kulikov. Heinola, Neal Pionk, and Anthony Bitetto are newcomers to the organization, while Tucker Poolman has not played with the Jets since the 2017-18 season. This group looks to be in trouble on paper.

FINDING THEIR LEGS

It will be interesting to see how Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine handle the back-to-back games right at the start of the season. Both players missed training camp while negotiating new contracts and neither played a pre- season games. Essentially these early games are their pre-season. Laine said his legs felt good before Thursday’s season opener in New York, but playing at a high level on consecutive nights will be a challenge.

GAME DAY LINEUPS

Winnipeg Jets 1155539 Winnipeg Jets “You go into a building and put up 50 shots, you did a pretty good job,” Wheeler said. “The majority of that game is pretty good. We spent a lot of time in their zone. Some of the chances we gave up were just too good. They got a couple bounces to go their way tonight and cashed in on Jets drop high-scoring season opener to Rangers as Hellebuyck them.” struggles ALL THE NEW FACES

Five players made their Jets debuts on Thursday night — defencemen Ted Wyman Neal Pionk, Anthony Bitetto and Ville Heinola and forwards Gabriel Bourque and Mark Letestu.

The 23-man roster includes two more new faces — Dahlstrom and NEW YORK — On a wild opening night at Madison Square Garden, winger David Gustafson. when the Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers put their offensive talent on display, the difference in the end was goaltending. It’s a team with a very different look after key players like Tyler Myers, Ben Chairot, Jacob Trouba and Brandon Tanev left town — Byfuglien, The Rangers stole a 6-4 victory from the Jets, despite getting badly Bryan Little and Nathan Beaulieu are also out of the lineup — but this is a outshot and holding far less of the offensive zone time, as future Hall of chance for some younger or lesser-used players to step up and make Fame goalie Henrik Lundqvist outperformed Winnipeg goalie Connor names for themselves. Hellebuyck. The most notable new player is Heinola, who was drafted 20th overall in Lundqvist made 43 saves — many of them of the highlight-reel variety — June and cracked the opening-day lineup in early October. while Hellebuyck stopped 27 shots and simply didn’t look sharp. “I was thinking maybe two or three years,” Heinola said Thursday “I liked a lot of my game,” Hellebuyck said after the Jets dropped their morning. season opener. “But now it’s coming so it’s an awesome thing. When I came to camp, I “I felt that I earned better. I felt like I played a lot better than five goals didn’t expect anything. I just came to play hockey and things have gone against. Of course, you always want to win. I’m not happy with losing at well so that’s awesome. all. Don’t mistake me saying I like my game thinking I’m happy with what the result was tonight. I gotta do something because five (goals) is “It means a lot for me. When I was a young boy I was dreaming about unacceptable.” this and now it has come true, so awesome feelings.”

The Jets fired 47 shots at Lundqvist and had 81 shot attempts to the Pionk, meanwhile, was acquired from the Rangers in the Trouba trade Rangers’ 51. (along with the pick that turned into Heinola) and he’ll make his Jets debut against his former team. A team is going to win more often than not in a game like that, especially when scoring four goals, on the road. “I don’t think you could draw it up any better,” Pionk said. “It’s the best way to do this — play your first game against your old team. This is Average goaltending is simply not going to cut it, however. where I started my career and I’ve still got a lot of friends over there.” “It’s not like we gave up 10 chances or eight chances and they scored on Heinola wound up playing 18.24 minutes and handled himself well. five of them,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said. “He made some really good saves in that game. So did their guy, plus one. He’ll get better.” “He didn’t make any mistakes early but I thought after about his third or fourth shift, he looked like he’d been there before,” Maurice said. “I like The loss spoiled some fine performances by the Jets. Winger Nikolaj him when he has the puck on his stick and positionally he’s right. I Ehlers had three assists and was a force around the puck all night, while thought he played a real fine game for his first NHL game. Lots of speed captain Blake Wheeler scored twice. Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor and it was sloppy. There were a lot of unusual things happening to the had the other Winnipeg goals. puck. It was bouncing and sometimes for a young player that will cause “We played a really good game, to be honest,” Ehlers said. “Obviously you to pull back a bit, but he didn’t. I liked his game.” there’s some things that we need to tighten up on. We’ve got a lot of new Ehlers was highly impressed with the rookie. players — that’s not an excuse — but we played a good game and if we can continue this, and keep improving, we’ve got a hell of a team.” “I think he’s a great player,” Ehlers said. “He did really well for himself out there and throughout training camp he proved that he’s earned a spot Ehlers admitted he was happy about his personal performance. here. He did that again tonight. He’s an exciting player to play with and to “My legs felt really good and I was able to use my speed in the right watch. He’s obviously gonna get better and better, everybody does, but situations,” he said. “The other two guys (Wheeler and Scheifele) were he showed some pretty cool qualities and skill and that’s exciting.” getting in the right positions. It wasn’t enough but I think personally I took LEGS FEELING BETTER a step. I felt good.” Forwards Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor played Thursday for the first time The Rangers took the lead three times in the first two periods, only to since signing their new contracts last week. Both missed all of training have the Jets quickly tie the score. Defenceman Marc Staal opened the camp and the pre-season. scoring, but Scheifele tied it up before the end of the first period, taking a great feed from Ehlers and burying a shot over the glove of Lundqvist. “The legs feel better than expected,” Laine said Thursday morning. “It felt pretty good the last couple of days, especially (Wednesday). I’m still kind Artemi Panarin gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead early in the second, but of working on feeling my hands and timing and that kind of stuff. Wheeler scored on a great two-one-one feed from Ehlers 30 seconds Otherwise I feel pretty good and hopefully I’ll get one step closer to actual later. game shape after (Thursday’s game). After former Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba scored to put the Rangers “I should be ready to go but I think it will probably still take a week or two up 3-2, Wheeler scored again, just nine seconds later. Rookie to get into the rhythm and get into game shape.” defenceman Ville Heinola, an 18-year-old playing his first NHL game, picked up an assist on the second Wheeler goal. Connor scored a goal on a deflection but both he and Laine, on a line centred by Andrew Copp, finished the night at minus-3. Winnipeg took its only lead early in the third, when Connor tipped home a Josh Morrissey shot, but Zibanejad tied it on a breakaway, and “I thought Patrik played his ass off tonight,” Maurice said. “That’s the Manitoban Brett Howden got the winner off a goal-mouth scramble with power forward. He won’t like his game because the puck didn’t go in for 4:09 to play in the third period. him.

Brendan Smith added an empty netter to ice it with 17 seconds left. “I thought Connor was not his normal, but not that far off. I don’t think we have to wait too long to see it.” The Jets move on to play the New Jersey Devils on Friday night. DAHLSTROM’S WILD RIDE Defenceman Carl Dahlstrom was not in the Jets lineup Thursday night itself well at both ends of the ice. With a little better goaltending, the but he was still a man with a story to tell. performance of the D would have looked just fine.

Dahlstrom was claimed on waivers by the Jets on Tuesday to help them Friend now a foe with their depth in light of free agent departures, injuries and the uncertainty surrounding Dustin Byfuglien’s future. Former Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba looks like he’s going to fit in very nicely in New York. He had a goal and two assists and played a game- The 24-year-old Swede was in the Czech Republic when he heard the high 24.26 minutes. More games like that are going to make him an news after travelling there with the Chicago Blackhawks to open the awfully popular player at Madison Square Garden. season in Prague against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 10.04.2019 Then he had to turn around on Wednesday and fly back to New York, where he met his new teammates for the first time at the team hotel.

“Pretty hectic,” was how the 6-foot-4, 231-pound blue-liner put it Thursday.

“I found out about waiver claim around 6 p.m, local time in Prague Tuesday. Flew out Wednesday around 10 a.m., straight to New York.

“My sister’s been living here for about a month now. I got to meet her for a bit yesterday for a short stint before the guys showed up.”

Dahlstrom’s phone wasn’t working — he wasn’t receiving calls or texts — while he was in Prague, so he found out about the waiver claim on Twitter. It was an odd way to learn that he was now a Winnipeg Jet, but the whole situation made him smile.

“I was really happy that another team wanted me,” Dahlstrom said. “For a team to pick you up, they must really want you. I was really excited when I saw it on Twitter.”

Dahlstrom has played 49 NHL games and has nine assists and only six penalty minutes. He was taken in the second round of the NHL draft in 2013, 51st overall.

“I see myself as a pretty defensive defenceman with some upside in the offence,” he said. “But I definitely see my gap as probably my biggest strength, getting close to guys quickly, getting the puck from them and getting it to our forwards.”

Maurice said the Jets coaches will consider Dahlstrom as an option to play on Friday night against the Devils in New Jersey.

LITTLE BACK SKATING

Centre Bryan Little is with the Jets on this season-opening four-game road trip and he skated Thursday.

That’s a good sign, considering he was levelled by Minnesota’s Luke Kunin in the final pre-season game and he was reported to have a concussion.

“He’s moved off that kind of really light bike stage into he’ll skate today but we won’t push him hard,” Maurice said.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED

Big saves mean big wins

Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck simply has to be better than he was in the season opener. The Jets outshot the Rangers by a wide margin and had a much more offensive zone time than their opponent but Henrik Lundqvist was the better goalie on this night. He made far more big saves than Hellebuyck and that made the difference in a high-scoring game.

Nik is slick

Nikolaj Ehlers is one talented hockey player and he started off the season with an outstanding game. He set up the Jets first two goals with brilliant passes, added a third assist, stole pucks and was dangerous in the offensive zone all night.

Rookie holds his own

No one could have predicted that 2019 first round draft pick Ville Heinola would even be in the opening day lineup for the Jets, let alone play 18.24 minutes and record his first NHL assist. The kid is just barely 18 and even he thought he’d be a couple years away from playing in the league, but he seemed to handle himself very well in his debut.

Defence half-decent

The biggest question mark heading into the season for the Jets was how their new-look blue-line would perform. Yes, the Jets gave up six goals — one into an empty net — but the defence corps seemed to handle 1155540 Winnipeg Jets The Rangers have their fair share of new faces in the lineup as well, including Trouba, second-overall draft pick Kaapo Kakko and prized free agent Artemi Panarin.

Heinola set to make NHL debut as Jets meet Rangers in season opener Henrik Lundqvist will start in goal for New York, while Connor Hellebuyck gets the call for the Jets.

Many eyes will still be on Heinola, who got the standard first-game Ted Wyman speech from head coach Paul Maurice on Wednesday.

Maurice wasn’t about to share the entire message but he provided a snippet. NEW YORK — Just 104 days after he was selected 20th overall in the NHL draft in Vancouver, 18-year-old defenceman Ville Heinola will make “The piece that I’ll share is as excited as you are on that bench or on that his debut for the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night at the world’s most blue line, there are people that are actually more excited (for you),” famous sports arena. Maurice said. “So I encourage them to call their parents. To call your parents and say thanks. You don’t have to get to everybody, but there Heinola thought this day might be years away when he first heard his are a whole lot of people in the world that are so excited that you’re name called, not three-plus months. excited that you’re playing your first NHL game. They are even more “I was thinking maybe two or three years,” Heinola said Thursday excited than you are. Take some time to think about them and if you get morning at Madison Square Garden, where the Jets will play their season a chance, make sure you thank them.” opener against the New York Rangers (6 p.m. CT). Maurice surely couldn’t have expected Heinola to be so polished at this “But now it’s coming so it’s an awesome thing. When I came to camp, I point in his career, but he’s not exactly stunned by the development. didn’t expect anything. I just came to play hockey and things have gone “A pleasant surprise, so we’re not shocked,” Maurice said. “We thought well so that’s awesome. highly of him as a player. But, just to do that at 18, that’s impressive.” “It means a lot for me. When I was a young boy I was dreaming about Heinola was feeling pretty calm on the morning of the biggest moment of this and now it has come true so awesome feelings.” his life so far. Heinola has been a revelation since training camp opened, showing “I was so nervous before that first (pre-season) game but after that I see poise well beyond his years, offensive skill and a grasp on where he that I can play here and after that I feel comfortable,” he said needs to be on the ice at the NHL level. So how are his nerves now? His play and other circumstances led to him being named to the starting lineup, and the No. 2 defence pairing with fellow newcomer Neal Pionk. “A little bit, but not yet,” he smiled.

The circumstances include Dustin Byfuglien’s absence from the team — “I think it’s coming on tonight.” he’s reportedly mulling his NHL future — and a late training camp injury to veteran Nathan Beaulieu. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 10.04.2019

Those things mean Heinola needs to play now, while the team has the option of using him for nine games without activating his entry-level contract.

If he plays well and the Jets still need him, he could well stick for the whole season.

Heinola is not the only player making his Jets debut.

Pionk will also play his first game with the Jets after coming over from the Rangers in a trade for veteran Jacob Trouba in the off-season.

Pionk gets to kill two birds with one stone by playing his first game with the Jets and his first game against his former team on the same night.

“I don’t think you could draw it up any better,” Pionk said. “The trade is part of the business so it’s the best way to do this — play your first game against your old team.

“I think it’s really good. This is where I started my career and I’ve still got a lot of friends over there. That’s the best part about tonight, playing against them.”

Other players making their Jets’ debuts tonight include defenceman Anthony Bitetto, winger Gabriel Bourque and centre Mark Letestu.

Meanwhile, forwards Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor will play for the first time since signing their new contracts last week. Both missed all of training camp and the pre-season.

“The legs feel better than expected,” Laine said. “It felt pretty good the last couple of days, especially (Wednesday). I’m still kind of working on feeling my hands and timing and that kind of stuff. Otherwise I feel pretty good and hopefully I’ll get one step closer to actual game shape tonight.”

Laine was asked what the difference will be for him, having not played in the pre-season, from a normal year.

“To be honest, no idea,” he said. “This is the first summer I’ve been in this situation where I didn’t play any pre-season games and missed the whole camp. I was still working hard for the last two weeks, as were the guys who were in the camp.

“I should be ready to go but I think it will probably still take a week or two to get into the rhythm and get into game shape. I’m ready to play tonight.” 1155541 Winnipeg Jets “There are different styles, but the underlying theme, whether you’re a vocal leader or a quiet leader or a lead by example (person) is being able to understand your teammates and each guy on an individual level,” said Morrissey, who was chosen 13th overall by the Jets in the 2013 NHL The ‘A’ game: Josh Morrissey grows into a leadership role with the Jets Draft. “Just like leaders are different, all of your teammates are different as well. If you’re able to understand and communicate with every player

on the team, who are all in different situations, that’s important. By Ken Wiebe Oct 3, 2019 “Also, at the end of the day, you always need to have that accountability, where if you’re not taking care of what you need to do or you’re not working hard or being a professional or whatever it is, it’s pretty hard to NEW YORK — What’s in a letter, specifically when that “A” is sewn onto ask somebody to follow you or to bring somebody along in that direction. an NHL jersey? But if you’re checking all of the boxes and doing everything you can to be the best teammate, the best pro, the best player every day, then that’s That was the question I posed to Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh when you can have the ability to bring people along in that direction.” Morrissey on the morning of his 2019-20 season debut against the New York Rangers. Leadership comes in many forms, and Morrissey brings a blend of all the important qualities to the table. Earlier this week, Morrissey was told by Jets head coach Paul Maurice that he’d been formally added to the leadership group as an alternate “You know what, sometimes in leadership, it’s not necessarily them captain. finding their voice, it’s you seeing the other players recognize them as a leader,” said Maurice. “When you can walk into a room and, truly, there It was welcome news, even if it was somewhat expected — and perhaps are players in the NHL that some of it is talent-based. They are just so even encouraged — by those who watch and cover the Jets. talented that they can change a game and they become a leader in that On Thursday night, the new addition to the road white jersey was in full way. Josh has been so consistent a player for us, in practices, in games view. and how he preps during the summer.

“Paul and I had a meeting on Tuesday and it was a huge honour,” “Over time, he grabs a very strong respect by his teammates because Morrissey told The Athletic inside Madison Square Garden. “As a player, they see it every single day. His ability to lead is based on, even at a very when you’re thought of in that light, it’s hard to really have a higher young age, a very solid body of work. His personality doesn’t change honour from your coaches and from the team and from the organization. much. He’s positive but very focused. He’s not a real loud guy, but he I’m excited, and the main thing for me is that obviously I have a letter on has the grace of really great leaders, he has some empathy for players in my jersey, but nothing else really changes. Just try to go about my the room, and he can understand what they’re going through.” business the same way. First and foremost, make sure that I’m taking Wheeler has witnessed Morrissey’s natural emergence as a leader care of what I have to do every day and leading by example in what I do. firsthand. “We have a great leadership group here, and I’m excited to continue to “He’s always a guy who is not the loudest guy, but when he says grow in that position as well over time and just really embrace it. There something it’s typically on the right track and his heart is in the right are guys who are part of our team that don’t wear letters that are a part of place,” said Wheeler. “He works extremely hard, and he’s a guy that the leadership group. It’s an honour to wear a letter at any level, but in doesn’t have to say a whole lot to have the respect of everyone in the the NHL, the prestige and the responsibility that comes with that, simply room.” looking around the league, not that many guys are wearing a letter. Again, I’m excited to have the opportunity to lead and to be part of the The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 group of leaders.”

Morrissey, 24, who last month signed an eight-year extension that kicks in next season, joins a group that includes captain Blake Wheeler and alternate Mark Scheifele. Dustin Byfuglien has been an alternate captain for the past several seasons and will continue to be one when/if he returns to the team.

For many young players, even the ones who enjoy a great deal of success early in their careers, finding a voice at the NHL level can be a challenge.

When does a player feel comfortable enough to speak up or chime in when a situation arises?

In hockey, there’s often a hierarchy that has veteran players at the top of the food chain, and working one’s way up the ladder isn’t always a linear path.

“During my first year, we were in Tampa Bay and I don’t remember if it was an offday or in between periods, but Paul (Maurice) was talking about our group and he said something to me like, ‘You can say something in the room, too, it’s OK. I want to hear you say something,’” said Morrissey, whose Jets fell 6-4 to the Rangers in their opener. “I was pretty quiet at that point. Each guy is different, and you kind of find that progression naturally. The next progression now, as a leader and wearing a letter, is to continue to develop my own individual game and continue to become a better pro every single day. And to learn from Blake, Mark and guys like Bryan Little, who have been around for a long time and have that experience.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie or you’re a 10-year vet or if you’re 18 or 35, if you stand up in the room and say something, everybody is listening and we’re all part of a team. That’s what makes a good team, to have that unity among the group.”

Morrissey has been a leader on most teams he’s been a part of on the road to the NHL, so the announcement wasn’t a surprise. But he is deserving of the honour and the type of guy who could actually wear the “C” one day. 1155542 Winnipeg Jets Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor played parts of last season together with Little as their centre. It was as part of this line that Laine exploded for five goals against St. Louis and, as a result, the narrative has largely been that the line was a success. That’s not exactly true, however — it stayed Everything I don’t know about the 2019-20 Winnipeg Jets together well past that night and was outscored 15-14 on the whole. It also generated some of the team’s worst possession metrics: 43.8

percent of shot attempts and 39.9 percent of expected goals. By Murat Ates Oct 3, 2019 I believe that Andrew Copp can improve the group’s possession numbers. He was much better at driving play than Little was last season and, thanks to Evolving Hockey, we can estimate each player’s individual The first e-mail I ever sent to James Mirtle included three pitches for impact on key possession stats last season: Winnipeg Jets stories. Copp’s isolated impact on goals, expected goals, and shot attempts for It was September 2017. Mirtle had just informed me he used to lurk at (CF) and against (CA) was measurably stronger than Little’s and also “Irreverent Oil Fans,” the blog founded by Vic Ferrari — also known as strong in an absolute sense — he looks good by every metric. Tim Barnes, now known as Director of Analytics for the Washington Capitals. I’d been one of a few regular writers there in the mid 2000s and, I believe that, if they’re kept together for long enough for the sample size even though I didn’t write at nearly the same level as Barnes (or Sunny to matter, Copp, Laine and Connor will do better than 40 percent of Mehta, former Director of Analytics of the New Jersey Devils), Mirtle was expected goals. familiar with my work. But by how much? How fortunate for me, yes? The only centre to produce positive possession results between Laine Of course, familiarity wasn’t enough. If Mirtle was going to let me and either one of Connor or Ehlers was Paul Stastny. Stastny, of course, freelance for him, he wanted to see some samples of my writing, a is at another level entirely from Copp, at producing points and at driving resumé, and all of that boring stuff. play, too.

He also wanted to see Winnipeg Jets story ideas. In the end, I’m confident that this season’s version of Copp, Laine, and Connor will outperform last season’s version of Little, Laine, and Connor. The first one never came to fruition. The second became this I’m not at all confident this trio will stay together when Little returns to investigation into Patrik Laine’s goal scoring prowess — my debut here at health, nor am I sure it will be capable of driving possession all of the The Athletic. way above 50 percent. The finishing will obviously be excellent — we’ve all seen Connor and Laine shoot — but Copp will need to find ways to The third was a statement: the Winnipeg Jets were going to make the get the puck to his wingers in good spots. 2017-18 Stanley Cup playoffs. I was so confident that, after outlining my arguments, I predicted the franchise’s first ever playoff win. But what if it takes Laine and Connor a while to get going, as happened to William Nylander in Toronto a year ago? Once again: how fortunate for me. But the metrics I valued were clear — or at least as clear as hockey can be despite its inherent chaos. It was an Or, on the other hand: What if Laine and Connor, being developing and easy statement to make with confidence. gifted players like they are, find ways to win just a few more battles and protect just a few more pucks than they have in the past? Those same metrics were just as clear that, despite being a great bet to finish inside the NHL’s top ten in 2018-19, Winnipeg was poised for a Hockey is played by human beings, and the ones responsible for step back. The defence was going to take a hit, I thought. I figured Winnipeg’s second line have just a few more question marks than usual, Winnipeg for fifth, give or take; they finished 10th. A little less accurate both positive and negative. but altogether very reasonable, no? Go down the depth chart and I’m certain there will be consternation about That sound you hear now isn’t me patting myself on the back. Mathieu Perreault, Adam Lowry, and Gabriel Bourque in a checking capacity. Perreault is most recently remembered for playoff and It’s me freaking out. preseason penalty taking, while Bourque was a fourth liner whose I have no idea how the 2019-20 Winnipeg Jets will perform. linemates performed better without than with.

Today, on the first day of the 2019-20 regular season, there are simply It’s just that every combination of Lowry and Perreault from 2017-18 to too many competing themes for me to believe Winnipeg has a clear path now has outscored and outchanced its opposition. Whatever Bourque is ahead laid out. capable of at 5-on-5, Lowry and Perreault should be able to make that work. Meanwhile, Bourque will help take Brandon Tanev’s minutes on the Consider the forward group, as Bryan Little goes through concussion PK. protocol: Finally, Mark Letestu spent most of his 2018-19 in the AHL and appears Ehlers — Scheifele — Wheeler to be a choice made more for veteran savvy than all around excellence. Connor — Copp — Laine This isn’t “optimal,” from a possession maximizing point of view. However, from a decision-making-fatigue point of view, I can understand Perreault — Lowry — Bourque a world in which Maurice prefers a person he can plug into that role without worry. Letestu is who he is at this stage of his career — a viable Appleton — Letestu — Roslovic fourth line centre, by 2017-18 metrics, and an AHL producer, by 2018-19 Gustafsson results.

From a numbers perspective, there is a lot to like and to be concerned David Gustafsson has been excellent and will get his chance — just not about. quite yet. There is probably an argument that the 19-year-old Swede would be more immediately effective than some of the men dressed The Nikolaj (“it’s Nikolaj“) Ehlers version of Winnipeg’s top line was the ahead of him. That said, I don’t see a strong case for the Jets to rush most productive one we saw last season. Ehlers, Scheifele, and Wheeler Gustafsson to their nine-game decision point. I don’t see a meaningful won the goals battle 20-11 while carrying 53.0 percent of shot attempts difference between Gustafsson getting his audition in by Winnipeg’s ninth and 51.1 percent of expected goals, according to Corsica Hockey. game — or its 19th. Statistically speaking, this was better than the Kyle Connor or Patrik Laine version of the Jets top line by all of shot attempts, expected goals, Do you see what just happened here? I set out to write about the Jets in and real goals scored. an overarching, big-picture sort of way, then got lost in the minutiae. Winnipeg’s forward group should be its biggest strength — a simple In short, you can see why Paul Maurice would choose to go with this trio. checkmark on the way to more pressing concerns. If you’re keeping Wheeler and Scheifele together, as Winnipeg is committed to doing, then putting Ehlers there is a solid play. But the Jets top line only dominated with Ehlers on it. Connor and Laine need to develop their own game and get a strong performance from Copp to ensure success on line two. Bourque is an effective penalty killer, but his possession results were poor compared to the rest of Their defence, as listed, is far below playoff calibre. Kevin Cheveldayoff Colorado’s fourth line. will be forced to address that. Combine this with Byfuglien’s ongoing contemplation of his future and the range of possibilities for Winnipeg’s Question marks where you might expect a sure thing. defence is as big as the man who is missing from it.

Let’s move on to the defence, where the problems are most evident: Goaltending and special teams can patch over an awful lot of cracks.

Morrissey — Kulikov The Jets’ strengths would be big enough for most teams to make the Heinola — Pionk playoffs. Their weaknesses are big enough for most teams to miss. Their roster deployment often strikes me as curious; their systemic Bitetto — Poolman adjustments this fall strike me as exactly on point.

Dählstrom And compounding all of this: hockey is a sport played by real human beings. It’s tempting to launch right into a dissertation on Dmitry Kulikov’s real, observed success on Winnipeg’s third pairing, his injury struggles, and I’ve been impressed by the Jets leadership group throughout camp and the most ideal road to his return to form. perceive a more business-like, quiet-chip-on-the-shoulder attitude among all Jets players right now. None of that patches the holes on defence, but I don’t think that road runs through top pairing minutes on his off-hand it might buy Cheveldayoff time to do that on his own. side. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 I also don’t think it’s a long-term solution. Sami Niku will be back once he gets his legs under him. Neal Pionk will probably take that top pairing job. Carl Dahlström, who has been described to me as a number six or seven defenceman, will draw in too — likely above Anthony Bitetto.

These are not long-term solutions, either.

Dustin Byfuglien will come back — or he won’t.

If he doesn’t, then Winnipeg will either find a meaningful use for his cap space — or it won’t.

The Jets lost two top-pairing capable right handed defencemen from a team that didn’t excel defensively, and it’s tempting to immediately write the team off from playoff contention as a result.

And yet Winnipeg protected its own blue line through the preseason with the most aggression I can remember. Stylistically, the commitment of the Jets forwards was there. The tight gap from Winnipeg’s defencemen was there — including Pionk, whose zone entry prevention numbers were bottom-tier in New York. Systemically, it looks like this version of Jets defence corps is doing all of the right things.

No matter how well Winnipeg protects its blue line, it will have to play traditional in-zone defence at some point this season. It’s tough to imagine it going particularly well if they keep running Kulikov on his off- side or giving Bitetto meaningful minutes.

But I also don’t expect this to be the same defence we see even a month from now.

It is my expectation that Kevin Cheveldayoff has started exploring the trade market with thoughts to a contingency plan in case Byfuglien retires and, if Byfuglien comes back, suddenly you can look at Winnipeg’s collection of defenders and cobble together something that pushes the team back towards playoff contention. I don’t expect a smooth scenario here, per se, but I also believe it’s possible.

Back in 2017, one of the many reasons I was able to confidently predict a playoff spot for the Jets was its goaltending. Connor Hellebuyck had been too good at too many different levels and Steve Mason had had somewhat recent NHL success. I believed the defence was strong enough to create a situation where Winnipeg’s goaltending would succeed.

I didn’t see a Vezina finalist–calibre season coming — not from a mile away — but Hellebuyck delivered.

Now, with Hellebuyck having taken a step backwards in 2018-19 and Laurent Brossoit excelling for short stretches in Winnipeg’s crease, the pressure is even higher on Winnipeg’s goaltending than it was back then.

If Winnipeg’s goaltenders can play behind this group of defencemen and deliver above-average numbers — or better — a lot of cracks would be immediately sealed. That said, goaltending is tough to predict at the best of times and I would be skeptical of anyone who says they can predict results with certainty.

So who would I be if I tried to do the same?

In the end, here’s what I think I know about the Winnipeg Jets on the first day of the regular season.

Their forward group is very good. No amount of armchair GM-ing we can do will take that away. 1155543 Winnipeg Jets McDonagh, as good as he was – and he was plenty good, logging tons of ice time in all situations – was injury-prone. He wasn’t really a legit power-play point man either. And he never topped the numbers Trouba put up last season, when the Jets upped his responsibilities and he Jacob Trouba is more focused on his Rangers debut than facing former played all 82 games, with career highs of 42 assists and 50 points. Winnipeg teammates to start the season “I have more I want to achieve, more than I can achieve, another level of my game I think I can get to,” Trouba said.

By Rick Carpiniello Oct 3, 2019 He also made it clear when the Rangers got him that it wasn’t all about him. Trouba’s fiancee Kelly Tyson is pursuing a medical career, having

studied in Australia and now living and working in Florida while hoping to Jacob Trouba has taken the New York City subways – he said it’s like get a residency in one of New York’s many hospitals. going someplace new every time he gets off the train. He’s had NYC “Her career is just as important as my career,” Trouba said the day after pizza, but only from two places so far. His dog is adapting to being a big- the trade. city pup, though Trouba finds he has to wipe his paws every time they come home. “It’s not something that’s really talked about, I guess, (by) most athletes. But there are other goals in life that I have. I want to be a husband and a He’s a New Yorker. Sort of. father and all of that stuff. Her career’s important and she’s worked Trouba begins his Rangers career against the team that traded him — extremely hard to get where she is and I want to see the best for her as the Winnipeg Jets — Thursday night. much as she wants to see the best for me. We want to find a way that we can both be successful in our careers, living together and achieving other And to him, that he’s playing his former team is just a sidebar. goals in life outside of our careers. There’s other places that she could do it. New York is obviously a great place for her, a great place for a lot of Trouba knows that this is more about the new chapter in his career, as a things. So it was definitely important for me, for both of us, I guess.” key cog on a team looking to take steps forward after tearing down and rebuilding from the ground up. He added this week: “Now it’s up to her to get a residency here. The pressure’s on her. It’s been good. She’s here this week. She’s down in Just as the Rangers know how crucial a piece they added when GM Jeff Florida most of the year and hopefully next year she’ll be doing half and Gorton obtained the 25-year-old right-handed defenseman in a trade a half, doing her rotation stuff for school and then after that hopefully she few days before the entry draft last June. has a residency here doing what she wants to do and we’ll be in the “(It’s) more the first game of the year, New York,” Trouba said of the same city and have a life together.” significance of the season opener. “Yeah, it’s the Jets. I don’t know how Though New York was a perfect landing spot in that regard, Trouba didn’t much of an added element that is. It’s a little more fun, I guess, to throw have a voice in where he’d be dealt. in there. But it’s more the first game in a Rangers jersey that you want to remember.” “They didn’t really let us talk to any teams, so I didn’t have much control,” Trouba said. “I mean, I talked to my agent and we had a couple of teams The Rangers? They want to remember a whole lot of games with Trouba in mind that I would prefer to go to, but I never expressed to Winnipeg a in their number eight jersey, playing the right side and being the first-pair team I wanted to go to. I honestly don’t know what happened behind the defenseman that they lacked since trading Ryan McDonagh in their first scenes that much. But, yeah, I was happy to end up here.” deadline sell-off two seasons ago. He had held out for a contract in 2016, signing in November. He played They want Trouba to also be that power-play quarterback they’ve craved big minutes in ’17-18 (not on the power play) with partner Josh for all these years – a spot they’ve tried to fill with Wade Redden, Dan Morrissey, and talked about unfinished business in Winnipeg before Boyle, Keith Yandle and Kevin Shattenkirk, to name a few. Trouba’s got going to salary arbitration in 2018. His one-year award, worth $5.5 the skill and the smarts and mostly the big cannon to be that guy – million, made him a likely trade piece. As he played out that contract, although he could eventually, if not soon, be challenged for that duty by Trouba leaped forward as a player, now playing the power play, too. righty rookie Adam Fox, 21, another big trade acquisition this past offseason. The Rangers, meanwhile, had no first-pair defensemen.

Trouba eats big even-strength minutes, plays a physical style around his Opportunity knocked for all involved. own net and will kill penalties — the Rangers are so sorely lacking a defenseman to play the right side on the PK that Brendan Smith, as he Now he’s in New York, playing on a first pair with long-time friend Brady did late last season, will dress as a forward at times (or a lot) and kill Skjei, and easing into his role as a crucial player. penalties as a defenseman. It seems second-year head coach David Quinn wants to pile on as much Newcomer Artemi Panarin is more of an established superstar and as Trouba can handle. newcomer Kaapo Kakko, at 18, has unlimited upside. But the addition of “The thing that has surprised me, and I knew he was a smart player, is Trouba was as necessary and arguably as important, as any move how smart he is,” Quinn said. “He’s got great vision, he passes the puck Gorton made over the summer. The age, Gorton said, was “a big part of well. He’s going to help us get out of our end easier. He’s a physical it. presence as well. He’s a smart hockey player.” “He’s in the prime of his career, so the opportunity for a player like that to Quinn has a way, too, of looking at the presence away from the rink, become available doesn’t happen all the time. We jumped on it. where the Rangers have so many young eyes and ears needing to learn “We coveted him for a while.” and be led.

There was a roundabout way for Gorton to get Trouba, a 6-3, 202- “He does have a presence off ice,” Quinn said. “I think when you join a pounder and native of Rochester, Mich. new team there’s kind of a feeling-out process to it, and he’s certainly become more comfortable, it seems, in the last few weeks. You can just The Rangers had dealt Kevin Hayes, a pending unrestricted free agent, see it. I think as we continue to move forward he’s going to make more of to the playoff-bound Jets for a first-round pick and pesky winger Brendan an impact off the ice.” Lemieux at the February deadline. Before the draft, Gorton traded the Jets’ first-rounder back to Winnipeg with Neal Pionk for Trouba. So in Like Skjei and Mika Zibanejad and others, Trouba is a young player and, essence it was Hayes and Pionk for Trouba and Lemieux. Also known as at the same time, a veteran among the green kids who fill the roster. a heist. And Hayes bolted Winnipeg for a seven-year, $50 million “It’s a good group,” Trouba said. “It’s young and it almost reminds me of contract with Philadelphia. Winnipeg when I first got there. We had a pretty young group of guys that What wasn’t a heist for the Rangers, but was a known part of the kind of came up the first few years together. equation, was the seven-year contract worth an $8 million annual cap hit “It’s been a hard training camp. There’s been some good battles for it would take to sign Trouba, who was a restricted free agent. He is going positions. Learning a new system, a new team, new style, it’s been kind to have to earn that kind of dough, but it’s a safe bet he will. of different. I’m used to one thing my whole career, one type of training camp. This one’s a little different, a little more up in speed.”

That his journey begins against Winnipeg is just amusing. But not weird.

“Not really,” Trouba said. “The one that will be weird is Andrew Copp, just because I’ve always played with him. I’ve never actually played against him. We played together since we were 12 years old or something, we’ve been on the same team. So that one will be fun, to finally play against one of my best friends.”

Will Trouba hit Copp?

“Yeah, he’ll hit me too,” he said. “The same goes for all of them.

“It’s not as weird as some people think it is because we had so many hard battles in practices, so it’s not weird for me to battle against these guys. So in that sense it’s almost normal – to go in the corner with them. It’s not weird that I’ve played with them forever and not really battled against them because I have.”

Trouba’s just never done it in a Rangers uniform. He’s never really done anything in a Rangers uniform.

Until now.

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155544 Vancouver Canucks His lack of production makes you wonder if the Canucks might have preferred to keep Sven Baertschi to start the season. The Swiss winger has scored at a fine rate and he carries a smaller cap hit. But Baertschi also carries injury baggage, given his concussion history. Eriksson hits the Rockies with Canucks hoping he loses hands of stone And would Eriksson’s agents — who helped the Canucks land Tyler Myers — have tolerated him being waived and reassigned to Utica instead of Baertschi? Patrick Johnston Eriksson is perhaps fortunate because of circumstance to still be in the

Canucks’ mix. The Canucks could really benefit if he finds a way to be CALGARY — On Thursday, the Canucks headed for the Rockies. the Loui of old, the one who once upon a time scored and worried rival defences and goalies. With two full days between their season-opening, 3-2 setback Wednesday in Edmonton and Game 2 of their Alberta swing in Calgary Vancouver Province: LOADED: 10.04.2019 Saturday at the Scotiabank Saddledome — Vancouver’s NHLers headed to Banff for some team bonding.

Their two days in Banff were to include off-ice activities and a scheduled Friday practice.

Loui Eriksson, of course, was among them. After a summer of minor controversy, he remains a Vancouver Canuck. Even he has admitted his first three seasons in Vancouver have been a disappointment.

And his status has been a regular topic for fans and commentators for months.

“I’m not trying to think too much about it,” he said this week about all the noise aired over his struggles.

“I’ve been in this league a long time,” he added. “I still can bring something to the game and all I can do is work harder … take a spot and play good.”

It’s the proverbial one game at a time, he admitted. He really wants to be more than he’s been.

“For sure, I think that’s how everyone does it, one game at a time. You try to play good tonight and then move forward to the next game. And I know the situation is a bit different, but I’m still here, I’m going to give everything I can and help the team as much as I can.”

Loui Eriksson’s lack of production, hefty salary and offseason outburst have created a roster conundrum. Gerry Kahrmann / PNG

The Swedish winger, whose cap hit is $6 million, played 13:12 in Wednesday’s opener, skating on the left wing on the third line with centre Brandon Sutter and right-winger Josh Leivo. He managed three shot attempts and his line was even in terms of shot attempts for and against.

Eriksson and his linemates had played well defensively before the terrible neutral-zone turnover that led to Connor McDavid’s game-winning goal. But they didn’t generate much on offence — and for this team to succeed more production needs to come from the third line.

In today’s NHL, the third line tends not to be looked at as a simple checking line, at it was in the past, one whose primary role is to face up against the opposing team’s best lines, Now, they need to contribute as depth scorers while being reliable defensively.

Wednesday was, in so many respects, a microcosm of what the Eriksson experience in Vancouver has been. Yes, there were lots of little things done well. He killed two minutes’ worth of penalties. But the offence, as ever, was lacking.

There are plenty of reasons to see why Eriksson is not a good fit in Vancouver. He may still think of himself as an offensively minded player as he discussed his situation in the off-season, when he noted he was deployed more and more as a defensive-focused forward last season.

Scoring goals, he pointed out, requires opportunity. Is Eriksson not scoring because he’s playing on the bottom lines, or is he playing on the bottom lines because he hasn’t been scoring enough?

Most would surely argue it’s the latter answer in this chicken-and-the-egg scenario. He had plenty of opportunity during his first two seasons to play with the Sedins and last season he started the year playing with Elias Pettersson.

His lack of production has drawn the ire of fans. It has also been frustrating for those in the Canucks’ management offices. They tried to find him a new home over the summer, but other teams don’t see the value in his cap hit. 1155545 Vancouver Canucks Yes, the Canucks are tired here. Most of the skaters were on the ice for a minute when McDavid scored.

They also, to a man, started to change. Watch it again and you’ll see The Armies: 8 Alternate Captains, Quinn Hughes’ tribute to ‘the shift’ and Josh Leivo jump off the ice while Brock Boeser jumps on to eat the empty the dawn of a new era dash.

You’ll also see Chris Tanev drift out of position, drift too far wide to get properly back for more than a stick lift against a physics-defying bullet By Thomas Drance Oct 3, 2019 train like McDavid — a man who seems to bend space and time the way you or I put one foot in front of the other.

Hughes told the media postgame that he was also looking toward the And so, as the Vancouver Canucks lose a game in which they probably bench. deserved better, falling 3-2 to the Edmonton Oilers in regulation, we begin a new season and launch a new version of The Athletic “I think that can happen to you at any level,” Hughes said of him and Vancouver’s Canucks postgamer. Tanev both looking to change, once Sutter got the puck out of the zone. “Guys come down on you fast and hard and it’s a pretty routine play off of The format will feel familiar, but obviously, tragically, the voice behind it turnovers. It was kind of a weird play.” will be different. Sutter obviously needs to do better with the pass, and it’s probably worth The Athletties were Jason Botchford’s singular masterpiece. It was the noting that he didn’t play another shift in the game after this goal. Vancouver hockey zeitgeist, self-contained and electric. And even with all of that, Tanev was still able to disrupt McDavid with a It can’t be replaced. It can never be recreated. stick lift. Hughes even managed to play the puck away from McDavid, That’s the thing about a towering achievement of hockey reporting and before the Oilers captain roofed the puck over Jacob Markstrom. entertainment like The Athletties — it deserves to be remembered as “I felt like I got a piece of my stick on the puck there and then I think he such. got a good bounce there (to retain possession),” Hughes said. It also deserves to be retired: to remain Jason’s forevermore. Sometimes errors compound and you get burned, especially when you’re And yet we’ve committed to carrying on the type of obsessive, unique, facing the best offensive talent in the world. irreverent, fun, collectivist postgame content experience the VIPs Just, wow demand and expect from The Athletic Vancouver. “He’s got a lot of speed and you know he’s coming at you and he’s gonna We’re calling it The Armies, because there’s no one person who can make a play,” Hughes said of how he viewed the McDavid goal. come in and do this job. Like rebuilding an NHL team, it’s going to take “Honestly I don’t really expect anything else from him.” an army. “Not anyone else in the world to be honest with you (moves the way he Thankfully in Wyatt Arndt, Harman Dayal, me and you, the VIPs who does),” Horvat said. “It’s pretty crazy to see his top-end speed and even faithfully read Jason’s work, we believe we have that army. how fast he gets there, and there’s a reason why he’s the fastest guy out We’ll be collaborating throughout the season, working together to create there and the best player in the league.” something distinct, but recognizable. Something that pays tribute to what Sometimes video doesn’t even do the pace at which McDavid moves came before, but that’s durable enough to pave its own way. proper justice. Welcome to The Armies. For example, here’s McDavid one stride after receiving the puck in the Ultimate game breaker, breaks games neutral zone. Tanev is a bit too far out, but Hughes is still back there and he’s level with the centre. Connor McDavid is basically Game Genie. A human cheat code. Except another half a stride later, McDavid has already burned that Over the past three seasons, McDavid has outscored the second closest centre and it’s now clear just how much trouble Tanev — a top-end NHL player, Nikita Kucherov, by 27 points at even-strength. He’s literally skater in his own right — is in. leaps and bounds more lethal than any other hockey-playing human on the planet. Half a stride later, Sutter is completely out of the play, Tanev is cooked and Hughes’ best last-ditch effort to get his stick on the puck seems like Now, look, Vancouver would want the tail end of the lengthy defensive an improbable desperation play. shift that resulted in McDavid smashing through their defence and scoring the game-winner back. There were several compounding That Hughes actually got as close as he did to knocking the puck away mistakes by a variety of Canucks skaters that lead to the goal. Still, this from McDavid is a testament to the quality of his stick. was a goal that only McDavid could score. This is just superhuman stuff: Let’s start with the bad. Brandon Sutter, who otherwise had a pretty Best tribute to ‘The Shift’ decent game, coming out even on the shot clock despite being Vancouver’s preferred matchup for Leon Draisaitl and spending six It almost felt like one of those three-on-three overtimes from last season, additional minutes checking McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. After the way Hughes & Co. had the puck on a string at the end of the first Quinn Hughes blocked a shot, Sutter thought he had an open outlet pass period. to a streaking — streaking being a relative term here — Loui Eriksson on the left flank. They put the Oilers’ defence into a Sedin-like torture chambre for 2:04 and saw a partial line change that was enabled while Vancouver’s two He didn’t. Matt Benning squeezed, the puck was quickly turned over and most exciting players, Hughes and Elias Pettersson, played catch. McDavid went the other way. Hughes was dynamic throughout, and drove the entire play by activating “We managed to get it at least out of the zone and they made a nice play down from the point, beating a defender wide and firing a shot attempt in the neutral zone,” Sutter said of how he viewed the sequence. “Their from in tight. (defenceman) quick upped (a pass) to maybe Draisaitl and he bumped it to Connor and he was coming full steam and we just didn’t quite have the Hughes’ ability to keep the puck alive on multiple occasions was pretty close in the middle, but … we were just maybe half a step too late.” stunning, but the real magic began at the tail end of the above video after he batted a clearing attempt out of mid-air to keep the possession alive. He’s dead on, but still, when you watch this, that neutral zone turnover will drive you crazy: Hughes receives the puck by the half-wall, completes a 180-degree turn, walks the length of the blue line and does another 180-degree turn to There’s a bit more to this play than first meets the eye though. fend off Colby Cave before resetting the puck back to the point for Pettersson who whips it across for Tanev with time and space. “He’s a special player and he does a lot of special things out there,” said Horvat’s always been a strong north-south player, particularly when he Bo Horvat when asked about Hughes’ shift. “Deking guys out, he’s such can use his speed and size in transition, but with space taken away on an efficient skater so it doesn’t take him much to get around guys and it’s this occasion, he made a slick feed across the slot to Miller who almost encouraging for sure having a young guy lead the charge like that. set up Pearson. One is left to wonder if it might’ve been a game-sealing Having shifts like that and having guys like that to turn the tide and young goal had it not been for Mike Smith grabbing Pearson’s stick. guys that are gonna push the pace is huge for our group.” Later, there was a play from Gretzky’s office behind the net where he “We had them on the ropes that shift for sure,” summarized Green. perfectly saw, timed and executed a pass to Pearson for a one-timer just as he was attacking the slot — Smith making three incredible saves. Moments and shifts like these, where talented players are able to express their offensive creativity is not just exciting for the fans watching, You don’t want to read too much into one game, but could this be the first but for the young guns involved too. sign of Horvat diversifying his offensive game further?

“It’s really fun, there was a moment in the third period when I thought to We know he can take the puck to the net, but the ability to create myself ‘this is pretty fun’ and the moment to start the game where the chances when the middle is well-protected could be a big development crowd was going crazy, I was saying to myself ‘I haven’t seen anything for the Canucks second line. like this yet’ so it was pretty cool,” said Hughes. “I think confidence is the best word to use in that situation and just being What’s perhaps most exciting though, is that Hughes thinks the Canucks’ confident in yourself and confident in your abilities that you’re going to core is just getting started. make the plays,” explained Horvat. “I felt more and more comfortable out there, especially with my linemates and knowing each others’ games we “There’s gonna be shifts like that throughout the year for sure because were snapping around pretty good and had some really good offensive there’s a lot of good players on the team, a lot of smart players and I zone shifts and that’s an encouraging sign.” think you’re only going to see us get better. I told someone this morning, I think by game 30 you’re really going to see us be at our best. Not that Speaking of his linemates, Miller and Pearson did a great job of finding we’re not (at our best) right now, but I think as the season goes on we’ll the right seams and making themselves available in the right positions. get better and better and I think that’s just us making plays and using our After all, a playmaker is only as good as the skaters he’s setting up. creativity in the o-zone.” “They know where to be on the ice all the time and so they’re hitting Best trolling holes and screaming for pucks and making my job a lot easier to try and find them,” Horvat said. There’s simply no way this person is a Canucks fan, and that makes it amazing: Eight alternate captains??!!?

THEY'RE RUNNIN WILD IN EDMONTON@THESTANCHION As we await the announcement of the Canucks’ 80-game captain for the PIC.TWITTER.COM/WRPR9AMN28 2019-20 season at the club’s home opener on Wednesday, the delayed captaincy decision has caused confused speculation in the Vancouver — BABYCHSTACHE (@MCCLAIN_CODY) OCTOBER 3, 2019 market.

You know you’re committed to trolling when you put on a rival Western Obviously the Canucks tweet on the matter confused people, but all hell Canadian franchise’s sweater for the purpose of mocking fans of that really broke loose when Baby Dragon got his wires crossed in a text team. True excellence requires sacrifice. message exchange with Canucks PR, causing a proper Canucks Twitter Best stamina meltdown.

What’s arguably most impressive about that play is Hughes dances the Following up on Wednesday morning, in an attempt to clarify the zone with his series of turns and pivots really late into his shift. In fact, situation, the following amicable exchange resulted he’d been on the ice for well past a minute when he decided to change Drance: Travis, some confusion in the Vancouver market after the four sides and dipsy doodle around Colby Cave. As were announced. Not looking for state secrets, but will the captain be “(That’s) probably conditioning from the last month and at the same time, picked from that group? just work and I think it’s pretty easy for me to skate so I think that also Travis: Guess you’ll have to be at the game on Wednesday night to find plays into it too,” Hughes rationalized. out. Might be four As still after that game, there might not be.

He certainly looks like he can play all day. After logging over 23 minutes Drance: Are you able to do four As? in the Canucks’ season opener, it seems I may have been too conservative in my prediction that he’d lead the club in ice time over the Travis: Yeah, you can do eight As, you just rotate them around. last 30 games or so. Whatever you want.

That might come even sooner. Drance: But you haven’t made a decision on the rotations for home and away? Best playmaking Travis: I’ve made a decision. It’s the ultimate compliment you can give a player: we expect Horvat to take noticeable steps forward with his game on an annual basis. Drance: Who will be wearing As tonight?

There’s been nothing but a linear progression with Horvat’s development. Travis: You’ll find out when you get to the game. Whether he’s rounding out his offensive game or steadily improving his two-way game, Horvat’s progress as a player marches forward P.J.: Did you consider doing eight As? inexorably. Travis: No. We done?

Which is perhaps why we need to look at his vision and playmaking on Reading the captaincy tea leaves Wednesday night and wonder if this might be the next area that Horvat really steps it up. Now here’s the thing, as we look to get to the bottom of this: we all think we know who the next Canucks captain is. And we may have got a pretty After all, Horvat set up at least four excellent chances that could have all significant indication of how the alternate captains will rotate on led to goals. Wednesday night too.

It began with a waist-high saucer pass to spring JT Miller on a breakaway You see NHL rules limit a club with a captain, which the Canucks have in the first period. said they will have for the latter 80 games of the season, to two alternate “I had to get it up and get it there quickly and it had to be a hard pass so captains per game. If you don’t have a captain you can have three kudos to him for handling it,” said Horvat. alternates for a game.

This sequence was a sweet hook-pass to hit a streaking Tanner Pearson So on Wednesday night the Canucks had Horvat wearing an A, Edler on the weak side. It wasn’t the only example of Horvat’s lateral vision wearing an A and Tanev wearing an A. tonight, though. Sutter didn’t have a letter, but perhaps he will at home. Finally, there were indecisive suggestions that actually said something poignant about how plentiful the good times were: As it stands we have no confirmation about who the captain will be. The Canucks won’t even confirm for us if the players all know — though THERE REALLY SHOULD BE AN ALL OF THE ABOVE OPTION FOR surely they do. THESE

But from how the Canucks leadership group adorned their sweaters on — SPENCER GILLIS (@SPENCERGILLIS) OCTOBER 3, 2019 Wednesday, I’d probably suggest that if Horvat has his letter modified next week, Edler may be a full-time alternate, while Tanev and Sutter And so the puck has dropped on the 2019-20 season and a new era has rotate between home and away games. dawned.

That’s my bet, anyway. Amid the chaos of those losing seasons, when all we could hear was the thunder of #BenningBros and #TeamTank arguing, and all we could The LTI thing smell was bad takes in the air, we look back and we’re amazed that your thoughts were so clear and true. There’s an important distinction that’s worth noting when discussing the technical state of the Canucks roster, particularly as it pertains to injured That three words went through our mind endlessly, repeating themselves forward Antoine Roussel. like a broken record: you’re so cool, you’re so cool, you’re so cool.

Let’s start with what’s simple: as of this writing, the Canucks have 22 The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 men on their active roster: 13 forwards, 7 defensemen, 2 goaltenders.

When they submitted their 23-man roster list ahead of Tuesday’s 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT deadline, their roster was frozen until after they played a game. Now that they’ve done so, they’re able to recall and reassign players again.

On Wednesday, the club placed Tyler Motte on regular injured reserve (IR). He continues to count against the salary cap, but he has to miss at least a week worth of games — which was his timeline anyway, according to Travis Green’s comments on Tuesday.

Which brings us to Roussel. Roussel is, in fact, “on” long-term injured reserve (LTI). The Canucks, however, haven’t replaced his spot on the roster.

And so, as it stands, Roussel is “on” LTI, but the Canucks aren’t “in” LTI – in that they’re below the accruable limit and are still tolling daily space.

That could change in the days and weeks ahead. It could change in the hours ahead.

That’s simply where it stands at the moment.

The retirement ceremony and the dawn of a new era

Some great memories were shared on Twitter today.

People DM’d me to tell me about all the times they made The Provies or The Athletties. There were people who had stories, how they’d given Botch a nugget of information that he’d run down. How much pride they felt in being part of the incomparable work he did.

We launched some polls after Wyatt announced we were introducing a new gamer tonight. The old heads rode hard once more, insisting loudly that Baby Dragon and Boat Captain are the finest nicknames in the land.

BABY DRAGON/BOAT CAPTAIN SHOULD BE RUNNING AWAY WITH THIS…

— MEGANUCK (@MEGANUCK) OCTOBER 2, 2019

Excellent feuds were remembered — like the one between Jason and the only guy who’s ever visited Vancouver and come away terrified of the rowdiness at Starbucks:

BOTCH VS DEJAN #STARBUCKS

— KRISTO (@KRISTO_01) OCTOBER 3, 2019

We remembered the days of epic back-patting, and longed for them to return rather than have us be forced to engage in another spat about Tim Schaller:

WRITE-IN VOTE FOR THE JANNIK HANSEN WARS

— JACKSON (@FAILSONMCDONALD) OCTOBER 3, 2019

There were game-appropriate suggestions:

“SEA OF GRANLUNDS” FOR BOTTOM 6. CLASSIC BOTCH !

— TREVOR CUTLER (@TREVCUTLER) OCTOBER 2, 2019

Granlund played tonight! He PKs for the Oilers! Somehow despite playing his former team today, he wasn’t really around during morning skate. How does that even happen? 1155546 Websites The Athletic. “It always depends on the player, it’s never uniform. So you have unique circumstances. …

“But it comes down to their comfort level,” added the agent. “I know Alex The Athletic / LeBrun: As 2020 RFA list dwindles, how did this summer’s DeBrincat is one extremely confident person but quietly confident, you drama change the market? would never know it. He just performs. But the contract does give him peace of mind and it gives the team stability.”

It allows a talented young player like DeBrincat to now focus solely on By Pierre LeBrun Oct 4, 2019 hockey this season and not worry about the contract.

“There’s nothing wrong with trying to get ahead of it,” Bowman said.

Alex DeBrincat was the latest to scratch his name off the 2020 RFA list So, who’s next? and it’s got me wondering: With Samuel Girard, Thomas Chabot and Clayton Keller also signing extensions before entering the final year of Players on the last year of their entry-level contract: their entry-level contracts, are we seeing a counter-reaction to what just Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders transpired this past offseason? Pierre-Luc Dubois, Columbus Blue Jackets The great RFA stand-off of 2019 produced no shortage of fireworks; Kyle Connor last Saturday wrapping up quite the month of September Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils signings along with Patrik Laine, Mikko Rantanen, Matthew Tkachuk, Mitch Marner, Brayden Point, Brock Boeser, Travis Konecny, Charlie Mikhail Sergachev, Tampa Bay Lightning McAvoy, Ivan Provorov and Zach Werenski. Jake DeBrusk, Boston Bruins

Drama all around. Dylan Strome, Chicago Blackhawks

A unique class of RFAs helped reshape the marketplace for players Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning coming out of entry-level, preceded by contracts from Auston Matthews, Timo Meier and Sebastian Aho which also had an impact. Vince Dunn, St. Louis Blues

And so what to make of DeBrincat, Chabot, Keller and Girard already Victor Mete, Montreal Canadiens agreeing to deals this early? There are others but I feel those are the most notable. Barzal is the big Is this about avoiding the kind of drama that just played out for the high- whale. My understanding is that the Islanders and Barzal’s camp led by end 2019 guys? Or is it because the 2019 class helped reshape the agent J.P. Barry have already had dialogue to the extent of wanting to marketplace that it’s given teams and agents fresh comparables which get together to get the process going at some point in the fall. Where it should help accelerate the next batch of deals? goes from there, well, that’s going to be fascinating. Barzal’s numbers through two seasons basically has him sandwiched between Matthews “Well I think it’s probably a combination of those factors,” Blackhawks and Marner through the same stage of their careers. GM Stan Bowman told The Athletic from Prague on Thursday. “First off, this was a bit unchartered waters what happened in the past couple of So if I were to play negotiator here, I would presume that Barry will begin months, you had all these players who had really strong entry-level the talks pointing to those two Toronto contracts while if I’m Isles GM Lou contracts ending. I’m not sure that phenomenon had ever happened Lamoriello I would counter with Rantanen’s deal as a good place to be. before. That there were so many of them. And there was some uncertainty as to what was the value.” On a five- or six-year deal, does Barzal end up at $9.5 million AAV or $10 million? How about $10.5 million or $11 million? Once some of those contracts started to get done over the past month, it certainly gave Bowman and DeBrincat’s agent Jeff Jackson hard The Blue Jackets, I believe, have already let it be known to Dubois’ camp evidence of where the market was being set. led by agent Pat Brisson that they’d be interested in getting negotiations going in earnest. And while there haven’t been any talks yet, or any set, The Laine, Boeser, Tkachuk and Point deals all had an impact on Brisson is receptive to hearing from the Jackets starting this fall and not DeBrincat ending up with three years and a $6.4-million AAV. And again, wait until after the season. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Columbus throw keep in mind that those players signed their deals after their third year; a pretty big number at Brisson early in the process once it gets going. the Hawks were attempting to get DeBrincat done before that. Sergachev, as I’ve written recently, will be an interesting one to watch. The number never goes down for a team if you wait, in my mind. He could go right to the wire. I think the game plan for agent Mark Gandler is to let the season play out and then wait until then to get talks It’s why the Coyotes thought signing Keller to an eight-year max deal started. The “Tampa way” might get tested on this one. worth $7.15 million AAV back on Sept. 4 made sense a year before his entry-level deal expired. It’s believed the Habs had a preliminary chat already with Mete’s agent Darren Ferris on the eve of camp. I don’t think there’s any hurry there “I think every one situation is different and motivation might be different, and Ferris’ normal game plan as we saw with Marner is to let the final but for us we just felt strongly about our player and knew we’d have to year of the entry-level contract play out. sign him and want to sign him long term,” Coyotes GM John Chayka told The Athletic on Thursday. “We started negotiations obviously earlier and There haven’t been any real talks yet between the Blackhawks and we went into them realizing that if there was a deal to be had that made Strome’s camp led by agent Mark Guy but I think you’ll see Bowman turn sense for both sides, that we’d want to do it, we didn’t have to wait and his attention there at some point during the season now that DeBrincat is see how he played for another season.” signed.

If Keller has a dramatically better season this year, the number goes up. Dunn had 12 goals last season for the Cup champion Blues. Pretty If DeBrincat pots another 41 goals this season but was still unsigned, I impressive for a second-year blueliner. At this point, however, no sign guarantee you the number next summer would’ve been higher than $6.4 that the Blues have talked to his camp about extending early. million AAV. “We are not a group that looks to jump the process,” said Blues GM But for DeBrincat, there’s peace of mind and security in getting it done Doug Armstrong said via text message Thursday. “Our group is built now. Plus with a Year 3, $9-million salary, excellent protection moving around vets so no need to put pressure on young players.” forward to the next negotiation. Not to mention there’s that little matter of captain Alex Pietrangelo and And, both sides avoid the drama that just played out for so many RFAs his pending UFA status ahead of July 1. That is obviously priority No. 1. around the league. Pending UFA forward Brayden Schenn is another key negotiation which is already underway. “Every player is different and every player has a different mentality and a different comfort level with pressure, stress, and they have a different DeBrusk will have to wait as well, it appears. His agent Rick Valette says thought on how they fit within the team,” Jackson, DeBrincat’s agent, told he hasn’t yet spoken with the Bruins about an extension for young Jake. The priority for the Bruins, presumably, is figuring out pending UFA blueliner Torey Krug.

The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155547 Websites Jagr’s face is on the outside of the arena in at least seven different places. A giant portrait of Young Jagr overlooks the greenery surrounding the rink, Dallas Jagr stares out from the door of the team store and Grizzled Jagr with the Kladno Knights logo is plastered just about The Athletic / ‘I do everything’: In Kladno, Jaromir Jagr, the player, can’t everywhere else. His JagrTeam equipment line is sold on the premises let down Jaromir Jagr, the owner and advertised on the boards. He’s not just a player, not just an owner. He’s nearly the entire business model.

Jagr is revered throughout the hockey world, but in Kladno, he’s Mark Lazerus Oct 3, 2019 worshipped. He’s posing for pictures at dinner, signing autographs on his way in and out of the rink, cheered wherever he goes. And the adoration doesn’t stop at the Kladno city limits. KLADNO, Czech Republic — The concrete bleachers at the east end of CEZ Stadion are yellowed with age, stained with beer and cracked with “Even at away games, there’s always a crowd, always people lined up the stomping of untold fans over the last seven decades. waiting to see him,” says Kladno defenseman Brendon Nash, who played two games with the Montreal Canadiens nearly a decade ago. “Last year, The glass around the rink is fogged, warped and streaked, pockmarked I knew some guys on other teams, and they had no fans all year, except by pucks. The cramped locker room is below the rink level. Opened in for when we were there. When Jagr was playing, it was a sold-out game.” 1949, the arena is a throwback in every way. Those things matter to Jagr now. His duties as club owner weigh on him Just like its owner, who is also its star and main attraction. far more heavily than that 45-pound vest ever has. He’s always spent seemingly all day at the rink, but instead of his legendary 1,000 squats a Jaromir Jagr is easily identifiable in a sea of blue and white jerseys. Just day, it feels like he’s making 1,000 phone calls a day. He’s not an owner look for the telltale signs — the curly mop of hair fleeing his helmet, the in name only, merely the money behind the team. salt-and-pepper beard (more salt than pepper these days), the huge rear end that made it nearly impossible to take the puck away from him. He’s actually running it.

Oh, and the smile. Everyone knows that smile from Calgary to Kladno “I do everything,” he says. “Everything. Absolutely everything. I’m trying and every hockey town in between. Jagr is old. He’s tired. He’s to run everything, absolutely everything.” overwhelmed with work and obligations. Even payroll? But on the ice, he’s 22 again. “Everything. Everything.” “I’ve never had a problem playing hockey,” Jagr says. “It was too easy for me, because I (grew up) on a farm. Work on a farm or play hockey? Jagr’s face is everywhere around CEZ Stadion. (Mark Lazerus / The Playing hockey is like a vacation. Still feels that way.” Athletic)

Watch him lead the charge on suicide drills, always in the first group. He’s even the traveling secretary. Watch him sweep a teammate’s bouncing shot off the goal line with a When O’Donnell needed a Czech visa to play for the Knights, Jagr was backhanded flick, then let out a guffaw that echoes off the empty seats. the one running around getting all the necessary signatures and Watch him lurk around the crease menacingly, then pounce on a puck paperwork. He even accompanied his assistant to the post office to make and knock it past the goalie, then sheath his sword in celebration. sure it got done in time. And watch him do it all while wearing a 45-pound weighted vest and “I’m here all the time,” he says. “Playing hockey is like my vacation ankle weights. At age 47. because (the ownership side) takes a lot of time. It’s a good challenge, He gets off the ice after about 90 minutes, dashing off to Prague — about but you don’t have extra time at all. You’ve got to look for players, you’ve a 45-minute drive — to renew his green card at the American embassy. got to get players, you’ve got to sign players, you’ve got to talk to the But he’ll be back in the afternoon for another on-ice session. And agents. You’ve got to control everything — selling the tickets, running the probably an off-ice workout or two. Some days, he’ll hit the ice four or five arena. And we don’t just have the professional team, we have 11 (youth) times. teams, from (age) 5 to 21.”

Why? Because he’s Jaromir Jagr, dammit. And that’s just what he does. That doesn’t even count the Golden Dragons, a Chinese national team with which Jagr is a partner. They have locker-room space at CEZ “We’re looking at it and going like, ‘Oh, that’s old-school, why is he doing Stadion and are trying to prepare for the 2022 Beijing Olympics by that,’” Kladno teammate Brendan O’Donnell said. “But how do you argue playing in a lower-level Czech league. with it? He’s second all-time in points and he’s got (766) goals in the NHL. What have any of us done compared with him? Nothing. So maybe Though he sounds overwhelmed, Jagr has tackled his new duties with we should be doing what he’s doing.” trademark enthusiasm and dedication. He puts in the hours in the office, just like he always put in the hours in the weight room and on the ice. He What he’s doing is keeping his team afloat, and keeping his hometown says it’s “kind of exciting” and insists he’s learned more in the past year relevant. This sleepy suburb of Prague has about 70,000 residents, but it than he learned in the previous 30. feels a world apart from the bustle and tourism of the big city. Take the highway for a bit and get off on a country road with no painted lines, go “It’s new information all the time, you know what I mean?” he says. past the guy selling sacks of potatoes out of the back of his truck, and “You’ve got to make decisions right away — left, right, all the time. And wind your way through until you hit Kladno. There’s not a heck of a lot don’t look back. In regular life, you don’t have to make those kinds of here. The main drag has some bars and restaurants, there are a couple decisions. But you just have to stand behind your decisions.” of car dealerships and a few high-rise apartment buildings. Those decisions are even tougher when you’re sharing a locker room Kladno is a rust-belt-like town built on three industries: iron, coal, and and a sheet of ice with the people they affect. When he’s on the ice, he’s Jaromir Jagr. just another player, a mentor, a crafty veteran here to help. But he also knows it can be awkward. Hockey players are often a bitchy bunch, but The latter one is still a booming business. That’s why he just can’t stop. it’s tough to let off some steam after a game or a practice when your boss — the owner and the GM — is sitting one stall down. Imagine if CEZ Stadion opened 70 years ago. Kladno is hoping to build a new Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook had Rocky Wirtz and Stan Bowman arena on the site of the old one in the near future, which could force them sitting on either side of them after a tough loss. to play in Prague for a couple of years. (Mark Lazerus / The Athletic) Awkward. Asking Jagr if he’s considered hanging up his weighted skates for good seems tantamount to hockey treason, but it quickly becomes evident that “I sit beside him in the room, so when he comes in, I’ll be talking to one of he’s thought about it quite a bit. First, he sighs deeply, then there’s a the other Canadians and you’ve just got to zip it right up,” O’Donnell says pregnant pause that pushes 20 seconds. with a laugh. “He works to find the fine line, but he does a good job of being one of the guys. The players know when they can joke around and “Well, if I see I cannot help, and I’m not going to bring fans to the arenas, when it’s time to be serious.” I’m not going to play,” he says. “It brings money to our club.” Jagr knows his teammates/employees are probably walking on eggshells you work, and the stronger you are, the theory goes, the better your around him, but he tries to keep things loose. During a practice, he’s chances of escaping injury during a grueling season. always kneeling front and center when the coaching staff is drawing up drills, but he’s also the first one to go do the drills — even the grueling Jaromir Jagr, one of the last ones to leave the ice, catches his breath conditioning ones — and he frequently chats up teammates while he after practicing for more than 90 minutes. (Mark Lazerus / The Athletic) takes an occasional break on the bench, animatedly waving his hands It didn’t work out quite that way last season, his first full season back in around and unleashing the occasional belly laugh. Kladno after his 24th and final (we think) NHL season, a 22-game stint Ten of the players on the roster are less than half his age, so his with the Calgary Flames. A variety of injuries kept him off the ice nearly experience is invaluable. But he also has the power to fire anyone at the entire season, and he played in just four regular-season games, anytime, so his presence is intimidating. He knows this. And he tries to posting a goal and three assists in the Czech second league. balance it like a politician — for the team, and for maybe selfish reasons, But he got healthy for the playoffs, and brought another of Kladno’s too. favorite sons, Tomas Plekanec, with him. The two were utterly dominant “You just have to be careful how you talk to them,” he says. “When you’re together. Jagr had two goals and three assists in eight playoff games. the boss and you don’t like something, you give them shit. But the next Then, in the all-important relegation/promotion round, Jagr posted a day, you want that guy to pass you the puck. So it’s kind of different. A ridiculous 10 goals and three assists in 11 games (Plekanec had one (normal) GM doesn’t have to worry that nobody’s going to give him the goal and 13 assists in those same 11 games), earning Kladno a puck, you know what I mean? ‘I’m the GM! I don’t care if I get a pass or promotion back to the Extraliga, the top league in the Czech Republic — not! I do what I want!’ For me, it’s different.” which, of course, is great for business. Kladno had been mired in the second division for the previous five seasons. But really, who’s not going to pass the puck to Jaromir Freakin’ Jagr? So, yes, he can still play. Jaromir Jagr wears a weighted vest for portions of practice. He’ll also wear ankle weights while skating. (Mark Lazerus / The Athletic) “He’s still a really good player,” O’Donnell says. “He’s 47 and he’s still so good. I’ve never seen a guy protect the puck better than him, and I’m not Jagr doesn’t have the wheels he once had, but he’s still got that ass. just saying that because he’s the boss.” That ass you can bounce a hockey player off. He is the boss, though, just as concerned with ticket sales and the And there’s just nothing anyone in this league, or the NHL, can do about process of building a new state-of-the-art arena on the site of the 70- it. year-old CEZ Stadion as he is with medicine balls and faceoff plays. So he’s making calls in the morning, hopping on the ice for team practice (he “He was so tough to take the puck off of,” Blackhawks goaltender Corey never takes maintenance days), making the business rounds in the early Crawford says. “He’d just stick his ass out and just keep you away. He afternoon, back in his gear for another on-ice session, reaching out to was so strong.” some free agents, back on the ice for another twirl in the evening, then Still is. The hands are still smooth, the shot is still lethal, but it’s the checking in on ticket sales in the evening. strength on the puck that still defines Jagr. It’s that farm-boy strength, Every day, it’s like that. cultivated and honed over the years by probably the most ludicrous workout regimen in NHL history. He really did do 1,000 squats a day for “I’m here all the time,” he says again. years, building up that massive trunk. He really does wear the weighted vest every day. He really does stand in a hallway firing a medicine ball Jagr is a few years away from turning 50. He made more than $140 into the wall with his stick over and over and over. He really does all sorts million in his NHL career, and untold millions more in endorsements and of bizarre exercises the younger players have never seen before, with in the KHL. He’s a national icon. O’Donnell only able to describe them as “Jagr-esque.” He doesn’t need to do this. He doesn’t need to do any of this. But he And he really does hit the ice multiple times a day, while players half his can’t stop. age lounge around and play video games. This is what he does. He works. And it still beats living on the farm.

“He just loves it so much,” Nash says. “He loves the game, and wants to “I don’t think that the age is an issue if you have time to practice,” he keep playing. We’ve asked him why he still does that stuff, and he’s like, says. “I always believe that when you got it, when you’ve got the talent, ‘That’s all I’ve ever known. So why change it up when it’s worked this it’s up to you. If you like to work, you can do it. And I like to work.” long?’ He’s still as strong as ever. He’s one of the hardest guys that I’ve ever played against to move off the puck. Once he gets down low, it’s The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 nearly impossible. I can’t imagine what he was like in his prime, given what he’s like now.”

O’Donnell was watching some highlight show recently and they were talking about Roger Federer, tennis’ ageless wonder.

It was all O’Donnell could do not to laugh.

“They’re taking about Federer and how he’s so good at his age, like, ‘How is he able to do it at his age?’” he says. “He’s like 37. I’m like, let’s see what he’s doing in 10 years.”

Adds Jagr: “Look at Tom Brady, look at Roger Federer. I’m a little bit older than them. But if you want to do it, and you’ve got time to put in the work, you can do it. For me, it’s a little bit tougher, because I have to run the office, too.”

Then he flashes that big smile again.

Jagr, like so many other elite athletes, has a fascination with both Federer and Tom Brady. Every athlete wants to know the secret to extend your prime not only into your 30s, but your 40s. Jagr says it’s no secret.

Put in the work.

For Jagr, the work is preventative. He works himself until he’s dead tired, then forces himself to practice so he can learn to be at his best even when he’s exhausted. He read somewhere that Brady chalked half of all injuries up to bad luck, and the other half to bad preparation. The harder 1155548 Websites William Francis (D, Anaheim) looked very impressive during the USHL Fall Classic. For a large defenseman, his skating looked more than fine, he was up on Cedar Rapid’s top power play unit and was making plays. The offensive upside/hockey sense was my main concern with him last The Athletic / Pronman’s NHL prospect impressions: Who is already season, and I tend to hedge on players his age in the USHL looking raising their stock? good, but at the very least his week was intriguing.

Klim Kostin (F, St. Louis) made noise at Blues camp. I’m still very much a believer in him despite his so-so numbers to date in the AHL. I think he’ll By Corey Pronman Oct 3, 2019 have a good year.

Ville Heinola making the Jets roster is huge for an 18-year-old NHL camps have wrapped up and the CHL is well underway. I just got defenseman drafted at 20th-overall just a few months ago. When I would back from a trip to the USHL Fall Classic as well. Here’s what I’ve seen discuss him with NHL scouts throughout his draft season, his just OK and heard lately. skating would come up as a reason to hedge against him, even with his great hockey sense and play in . His skating took a big leap over the Jonatan Berggren (LW, Detroit) hasn’t been getting much ice time to start summer. Paul Maurice praised that aspect of his game numerous times, the season with Skelleftea and no power play time. With that said, he’s a and the result has been a player pushing for NHL ice time. highly skilled player so he is interesting and tough to figure out. He makes a lot of plays like these that make you think he’s going to be a Defenseman Tobias Bjornfot made the Kings as well after being the 22nd player: pick in the draft. When talking to scouts, the one thing that kept coming back is how elite his defensive play is already at 18 years old. His ALBIN SUNDSVIK GÖR SITT FÖRSTA MÅL FÖR SÄSONGEN, offense may never be high-end, but it’s good enough. FRAMSPELAD AV JONATAN BERGGREN. #2020NHLDRAFT #LGRW PIC.TWITTER.COM/DQGAQIAKCN Kirill Marchenko (RW, Columbus) has been a top player at the VHL level, Russia’s second tier pro league, earning a call-up to the main club for — ANTON JOHANSSON (@ANTONJ85) SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 SKA and replacing Vasili Podkolzin. He isn’t getting much time in the KHL, though, like Podkolzin. Marchenko’s physical gifts are elite, there But I also have seen him get eliminated off pucks too easily too often are few forwards his size who make these kinds of skill plays at the versus men, and while he skates well, he doesn’t have elite quickness for speed he can do them at. his size. Quinton Byfield (2020 draft-eligible) has been on fire to start the season. I Antti Tuomisto (D, Detroit) is dominating Finland’s junior league, as saw him play a few times this season between the Hlinka and a Sudbury someone would expect for a player of his draft slot playing his third game, and he looks like a true elite prospect. You don’t often see his season at the level. I watched one game of his and thought he was combination of size, speed, skill and power. I’m not sure if I’d put him at impressive. He killed a lot of plays defensively with his reach and No. 1 just yet, but he’s pushing himself into that conversation. It’s a long physicality. He won’t win a ton of races in the NHL, but his skating looked season though. Kirby Dach was the WHL leader in scoring this time last better with a cleaner stride than from what I remembered so I’ve bumped season before cooling off. him up to a legit NHL prospect. I talked with the Tri-City Storm’s head coach Anthony Noreen about Zac Aliaksei Protas’ (C, Washington) camp was promising for a third-round Jones (D, New York Rangers), who was a top player in the USHL last pick coming in as an 18-year-old. If he gets a little quicker, he has the season. He had effusive praise for the young defenseman who was a skill and brain to become a player. He and fellow Capitals prospect third-round pick. “He might be the most talented player I’ve ever Connor McMichael both had strong camps and starts to their CHL coached. Kyle Connor is 1A, he’s 1B,” Noreen said of Jones. “He’s a seasons. modern-day defenseman. For him to put up 50 points as a rookie In talking to teams about Julius Honka (D, Dallas), I didn’t sense any of defenseman, while going up against other team’s top lines and killing them feel he is someone they would move any semi-significant prospect penalties, I think New York is going to look like geniuses in a couple of or pick for. years.” The main reason why Jones didn’t go high last season was some scouts were skeptical of his skating ability for a smaller player. Taro Hirose (LW, Detroit) has been impressive whenever I’ve watched him during his camp. He looks a lot quicker, which along with his great Carter Verhaeghe (C, Tampa) made arguably the best roster in the skill and hockey sense has gone a long way. Scouts who have been league in Tampa at the age of 24. You would not have been off the mark watching him have also been quite complimentary of the player and his calling him an AHL journeyman a year or two ago. Development isn’t projection. always a straight line.

Albin Eriksson (RW, Dallas) started off the season well, but his ice time When I was at a Sudbury game, I thought Blake Murray (C, Carolina) has dipped a bit. I’ve liked what I’ve seen in flashes with the skill he made more plays than I saw from him last season. He’s off to a good shows for a big man. His skating isn’t amazing but it’s decent for his size. start this season. He’s got a real chance to become a player if he gains a little consistency. At 6-foot-5, Cole Brady (G, New Jersey) has impressed scouts early in Joe Veleno (C, Detroit) has had an impressive camp. Apparently I his USHL campaign with Fargo. Between him and Akira Schmid, the agitated some folks by not pointing that out earlier. Devils seem to have a lot of intrigue in goal in that league this season.

Lots of buzz coming out of Pittsburgh about Nathan Legare’s camp. Defenseman Carson Lambos has looked quite good for the Winnipeg There are still some scouts skeptical about his skating, but he showed he ICE early on. He’s tracking as a top guy for the 2021 NHL Draft. He’s an was able to play at a pro pace in a brief amount of preseason play. elite skater.

Nils Lundkvist (D, New York Rangers) has had an awesome start to the Joshua Ho-Sang and Daniel Sprong both cleared waivers. That doesn’t season in the SHL. The amount of offense he’s shown surprised even mean it’s the end for them, there have been good players who have not some of his bigger advocates in the scouting community. He’s a very been claimed on season-opening waivers before. It does mean it’s time smart puck-mover who can make the difficult plays. for them to blow folks away though. I got the sense from talking to NHL folks when both were on waivers there was more appetite for Sprong For a defenseman his size, being able to defend well will always be than Ho-Sang, even if neither got claimed. something folks zero in on. I wouldn’t call him an elite defender, but he holds his own and make a lot of stops. Zachary Edmond (G, San Jose) has been dominant to start his QMJHL season. If he keeps this up he will play his way from bubble candidate to Grand Rapids, Detroit’ AHL affiliate will have three top-10 picks playing strong World Junior consideration. games together in Michael Rasmussen, Moritz Seider and Filip Zadina, who are still on entry level deals (technically Dylan McIlrath would count Conor Timmins (D, Colorado) breaking camp with the Avs is a great too, but he isn’t a prospect anymore). I can’t remember the last time story. Whatever happens from this point forward with his health, you that’s happened outside a lockout season. They are one of the most have to admire the player working to come back from missing over a year interesting teams prospect-wise now in hockey. with a serious injury and jumping straight to the NHL. The Athletic LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155549 Websites An even crazier stat shows Lucic has received a fighting major in his debuts with Boston, Edmonton and Calgary, as well as a match penalty his first game with Los Angeles.

Sportsnet.ca / Flames burned by early penalties as notorious slow starts Despite barely touching the puck the first period, the Flames took solace continue in outplaying the Avs at even-strength the second half of the night.

A hollow victory, if that.

Eric Francis | October 4, 2019, 1:58 AM “The first 10 minutes in any team’s building in their opener is always going to be that atmosphere that we had tonight,” said Giordano, who celebrated his 36th birthday with a goal that brought the Flames to within 4-3 late in the second period. DENVER – The punch in the face Milan Lucic delivered to Nikita Zadorov late in the second period is the one they’ll show on all the highlight reels. “They got a lot of momentum because their top players got a lot of touches early. That’s a pretty good unit over there and they made us pay. However, it was the opening gut punch Zadorov’s Avalanche handed the We’ve got to work on our discipline, but from the midway point I thought Calgary Flames that was the real story of the night. we did a better job.” Riding a wave of emotion created by a raucous opening night crowd at CHIP SHOTS: Pepsi Center, the Colorado Avalanche picked up right where they left off against the Flames last spring when they dummied them in five games Fresh off signing his six-year, $55.5 million contract, Rantanen scored on during the first round of the playoffs. two of his line’s 13 shots in a game that will have Calgarians concerned about how overmatched they again seemed against Colorado … Sean Handed two power plays in the first five minutes, the Avalanche outshot Monahan scored on the Flames’ first shot of the night, 8:33 in. Johnny the visitors 14-3 in a first period clinic that somehow saw the Flames Gaudreau had a goal and an assist, giving him his 100th career multi- down just 2-1 because of goaltender David Rittich. point game in his 395th outing … Flames GM Brad Treliving has his Despite tying the game early in the second with the Flames’ second contact extended by three years earlier in the day … On the same day he power-play goal of the night, the visitors tried playing catch up the rest of admitted he was “very close” to accepting a trade to Calgary for TJ the night against a team that boasted one of the best power-play units in Brodie in August, Kadri made his Avalanche debut with eight shot the league last year. attempts, including a bullet that rifled off the crossbar early … The Flames flew home after the game and will host Vancouver Saturday A case can be made it’s an even better bunch this year as Nazem Kadri night. and Cale Makar have replaced Colin Wilson and Tyson Barrie on a power play anchored by Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog and Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 10.04.2019 Nathan MacKinnon.

“Just too many penalties we took – it’s pretty simple,” said Matthew Tkachuk, whose club played shorthanded for 10 minutes en route to a 5- 3 loss that included a pair of power-play goals for each side.

“It was hard to get into the groove for everybody. Whether you think they’re penalties are not – I guess it was similar for both teams – you can’t make excuses for that and you’ve got to stay disciplined because that’s a power play that can hurt you.”

Plenty of physical pain was inflicted late in the second period when six- foot-five Zadorov mashed tiny Austin Czarnik with a hit that drew a boarding call, as well as the ire of Lucic.

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Disinterested in engaging, the Russian defender tried holding onto Lucic before the gloved Flames winger popped Zadorov with a few in the face.

The fireworks were eerily reminiscent of the scene on opening night a year earlier when Dillon Dube was recklessly hit by Erik Gudbranson, prompting Travis Hamonic to throw down with the monstrous Canuck.

In both cases coming to the honourable defence of a smaller, younger teammate ended their nights – Lucic with an instigator misconduct and Hamonic with several facial fractures that cost him the better part of a month.

“He takes a run at one of our guys and sometimes you’ve got to win the game within the game and show team toughness,” explained Lucic after his Flames debut.

“It felt like our game got better after that moment.”

Tkachuk agreed, suggesting it changed the game’s momentum.

Indeed, the Flames were the better team in the third period when the whistles went away and it was all five-on-five hockey that saw the Flames outshoot the hosts 14-6. Alas, Philipp Grubauer did what he did to the Flames last spring and held them at bay before Joonas Donskoi’s second of the game found the back of an empty net to seal the deal.

The notoriously-slow-starting Flames are 1-15-1 in their last 17 season openers, which includes being winless in their last 10. Amazing. 1155550 Websites Top guys Shea Weber and Victor Mete managed very few. Ben Chiarot and Brett Kulak didn’t fare much better.

But Fleury? He moved the puck as well as he skated with it, which is to Sportsnet.ca / Cale Fleury's play one of many positives for Canadiens in say he did both at a very high level. shootout loss Fleury played 17 shifts and a total of 14:52, made a great move and came up a centimetre short of burying his first shot in the league on a third-period breakaway, and had four hits, including one punishing belt on Eric Engels October 4, 2019, 12:00 AM six-foot-four, 220-pound Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal.

He was confident, strong and looked exactly like the player who won his spot out of camp outright over seasoned NHLers Mike Reilly and RALEIGH, N.C. — The record will show that 20-year-old defenceman Christian Folin. Cale Fleury finished minus-one in his first-ever National Hockey League game, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. “He played very well,” said Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, who made 40 saves and stopped two-of-three Hurricanes in the shootout. “That’s Consider that just one more example out of thousands we already have not an easy team to come in and play against in your first game. They to suggest plus/minus can be misrepresentative at times. provide a lot of pressure on their forecheck and I thought he handled Here’s another statistic that defies what we actually saw from Fleury, who himself very well.” was probably Montreal’s second-steadiest defenceman behind Jeff Petry It’s one of many positives the Canadiens can take out of this one. on Thursday: When Fleury was on the ice at 5-on-5, the Hurricanes dominated the shot attempts by a count of 16-9. They have to be happy that Jonathan Drouin was their best forward after the 24-year-old had a pre-season that left Canadiens general manager Again, not so flattering. Marc Bergevin saying: “We need more from Jonathan.” FANTASY POOL ALERT! Kotkaniemi’s play was excellent, too. And completing the line was Joel Play the Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool presented by RAM for your Armia, who dominated along the boards throughout and came close to chance to drive away with a 2020 RAM 1500 Sport or win cash prizes! scoring in overtime. It's FREE and easy to play! That the Canadiens battled back from the early two-goal deficit, scored a But the composure the Calgary native showed while the game around power-play goal on their second of three opportunities after finishing 30th him developed at break-neck speed was something to behold. in that department last season and kept pace all night was good stuff.

“He was naturally nervous at first, and then he settled down, and then he Sure, it was a disappointing outcome for them after Dougie Hamilton was good,” said Canadiens coach Claude Julien. “He made some good scored and his Hurricanes teammate Petr Mrazek stopped Paul Byron, decisions, he was poised, and I think he continued to show us what he Drouin and Nick Suzuki in the shootout. The Canadiens could have showed us in the pre-season.” avoided playing extra time altogether had they handled themselves better coming up the ice, and they probably could have done more to alleviate This game was a massive departure from everything else we saw in the the pressure they faced on the penalty kill. pre-season. It was played on turbo mode, and it looked more like the type of game you see in April and much less like one you’d expect in But they have to feel good about what they got from their youngster on early October. the blue line, even if he finished the game as a minus-one.

“I’m glad you guys saw it that way, too,” said Julien. “I was impressed “I thought it went pretty good,” Fleury said. “Made some solid plays. honestly with the pace of this game. From both teams. It was a fast- Obviously have some things I want to clean up, but I felt pretty good for paced game, it was hard-fought, there was battles along the walls and the first game.” there was a lot of battles in front of the net. No doubt, both teams were Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 10.04.2019 trying to make a point here tonight and at the end of the day you like the effort of your team and you’re disappointed that a point slipped away. But it’s a hard-earned point against a good hockey club.”

The Hurricanes jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Lucas Wallmark and Martin Necas. Then Montreal’s Tomas Tatar made it 2-1 with a power-play goal.

Just over a minute later, 19-year-old Canadiens centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored the first road goal of his NHL career.

And then a three-way passing play finished by Jordan Weal gave Montreal a 3-2 lead with 3:24 remaining in the second period.

The response from Carolina?

A full-out onslaught in the third period, with the tying goal coming off Erik Haula’s stick right as a Montreal penalty was expiring in the seventh minute.

“Once they get the puck in their D-zone it seems like they fly one or two guys and they send the puck in the air or off the boards and create foot races,” Petry said. “And then when they do dump it in, they’re on top of you pretty quick with their D pinching in. For us it was to try to get back and make quick plays and try to keep the puck off the wall because their D were pinching and they were doing a good job at clogging up the boards.”

It was the difference in this game. The Canadiens couldn’t contain Carolina’s forecheck, and most of their defencemen struggled to execute clean breakouts as a result.

“We had some Ds that really had a hard time tonight with making some good first passes,” Julien said. 1155551 Websites “In a sense I feel like a rookie again, coming to a new team. The feeling of those butterflies, just like I was a kid again. There’s a bunch of studs in this locker room. Definitely a recipe for success. If we all meld it together and we match our work ethic with our skill-set, the sky is the limit.” Sportsnet.ca / Avalanche's Nazem Kadri says he was 'bummed out' by Maple Leafs trade Did he manage to watch the Leafs’ 5-3 win Wednesday night?

“I did – they looked pretty good,” smiled Kadri, slated to play alongside Tyson Jost and Andre Burakovsky. Eric Francis | October 3, 2019, 5:08 PM “It was a little bizarre not to be a part of it, but I’m part of something special here, so I’m excited about it.”

DENVER – One day after finding it “bizarre” to watch his former team Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 10.04.2019 open the season, Nazem Kadri admitted he was shocked and “bummed out” to be traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1.

Even after exercising his limited no trade clause to turn down a trade to Calgary early in the summer, the 28-year-old centre said he had no idea his longtime organization had decided he’d be on the move.

“I just didn’t really get the impression I was being shopped around and my initial feeling was to stay in Toronto and that’s kind of why that situation panned out the way it did,” the Colorado Avalanche newbie said Thursday morning when asked why he nixed a trade that would have sent defenceman TJ Brodie to the Leafs.

“It was nothing against Calgary. I obviously love that city and love going there as a visiting team. I just had aspirations of staying put.”

Did he come close to becoming a Flame?

“Yes, I did – I came very close,” said Kadri who revealed he spent several days mulling over relocation.

“It was a tough decision. There was a lot to think about for me and my family. It’s not just me that’s going to be living there so I had to take everybody else’s feelings into consideration. It was close, but at the end of the day I think I made the right decision.”

Soon after rejecting the Flames deal, he was sent to Colorado with Calle Rosen and a third-round draft pick in exchange for Tyson Barrie and Alex Kerfoot.

“Yes, I was bummed out – I’d be lying to you if I told you I wasn’t,” the London, Ont. native said of the swap that caught him completely off guard.

“I quickly turned the page. Obviously I have a lot of memories and a lot of things I’ll never forget over there. They treated me well, but now my focus is playing with the Avalanche and doing whatever it takes to win. I really want to be here.”

Kadri said he understood immediately the opportunity that would present itself in Denver as a second–line centre playing behind the NHL’s most potent line: Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen.

What many others recognized months earlier was that Kadri’s playoff suspensions for dirty hits each of the last two seasons not only played a role in Leafs series losses, but in sealing his fate.

Toronto had run out of patience with his lack of discipline and managed to send the veteran west to land a top-pairing defenceman they so dearly needed to replace the soon-to-depart Jake Gardiner.

Asked if he’d miss the pressure of playing in Toronto under an intense media glare, he smiled.

“I’m going to miss the city of Toronto,” said Kadri, a two-time 30-goal man who had been relegated to third-line status on a Leafs team deep up front.

“But definitely that white noise… it’s something I thought was normal, but it definitely isn’t. It’s a nice change of pace. Here it’s a lot different in terms of just a little more laid back and a few less distractions, so you can really focus on what you do on the ice.”

On Thursday, his Avalanche will open against none other than the Flames at Pepsi Center where he was a focal point of a much smaller media contingent after morning skate.

“It’s a lot different but I think it kind of reenergizes you a little bit,” said the former first rounder of his first season opener in 10 seasons not wearing a Maple Leafs jersey. 1155552 Websites Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 10.04.2019

Sportsnet.ca / Tavares embracing tradition that surrounds Maple Leafs captaincy

Thomas Ketko October 3, 2019, 7:45 PM

To be entrusted with being captain of an NHL team is to be entrusted with a role that, at most, 30 other human beings have at the same time.

It carries with it unique responsibilities and expectations, in part born from the day-to-day needs of a hockey organization, and in part from the legacy of captains-past.

That immense history behind wearing a “C” isn’t lost on John Tavares, who was announced as the 25th captain all-time for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night during the team’s season opener.

“There’s a lot of history to it, that’s what makes the game of hockey really special, its ability to connect generation after generation,” Tavares said during an appearance on Prime Time Sports.

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The nature of a captain’s responsibilities have evolved, of course, as the game itself has — a change that Tavares readily acknowledges. But the purpose of the letter isn’t to re-write that history, rather, in his view, but to build on it.

“(The role of a captain is) To follow up on what a lot of great captains, leaders and players have done over a century now in really building a great tradition, a lot of success and a certain type of standard.”

Assuming those history-laden weights that come with being a captain is not new territory for Tavares. In 2013 he was introduced as the 14th captain in New York Islanders history, and remained in the role until his departure for the Maple Leafs in the 2018 off-season.

That experience, he believes, will be invaluable as he fills those captain shoes in a hockey market that amplifies all the good and all the bad that happens to its team.

“With the Islanders the circumstance was a little bit different there,” Tavares said. “I think what I learned from there was just really how important the people are around you — the leadership group you have around you — your teammates, coaching staff, management … you figure out you don’t have all the answers and you can’t bear all the burden to feel like you have everything on your shoulders.

“There’s an importance to how you handle yourself and how you do certain things and having a pulse of the group. But I always felt the captain was as good of a captain as he was because of the other leaders around him. I really learned to lean on a lot of people and I know that I’ve got a tremendous group here that will be very influential.”

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There’s a familiarity to that leadership mantra, one that borders on an echo in this city. After all, it was just last summer that the city of Toronto watched as Kawhi Leonard and his presentism, his advocacy for never getting too up or too down, his steadfastness in going out there and just enjoying it, helped guide the Toronto Raptors to their first-ever NBA Championship.

“It’s a long journey, it’s a long process, there’s a lot of ups and downs and challenges that you face. I think the most important thing is that we don’t take this opportunity for granted, and to really try to maximize this group and enjoy it,” Tavares said.

“It’s so much fun coming to the rink every day, going on the ice with this group and pushing each other to get better. So let’s maximize it and really enjoy what we have here.” 1155553 Websites extend Muzzin, partner Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci beyond this season — you can certainly start building a case for trying to keep him around.

“He’s got a great personality, he’s got a great way of socializing with Sportsnet.ca / Jake Muzzin helping bring young Maple Leafs together in everybody within the team and making them feel welcome and a part of room and beyond it,” said general manager Kyle Dubas.

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Muzzin is also an effective play-driver on a team that has established two TORONTO — You won’t find a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs who clear goals after breaking down its most successful opponents over the understands this sport’s spirit of sacrifice quite like Jake Muzzin. summer. The Leafs coaching staff is tracking 5-on-5 chances and time spent in the offensive zone this season and looking to make He’s from the ilk of defencemen that don’t think twice about jumping in improvements in both areas. front of a slapshot, or absorbing a big hit while executing a clean breakout pass, and his willingness to put the “we” before “me” extends It was no surprise to see Muzzin log more than 22 minutes in beyond the rink as well. Wednesday’s season-opening 5-3 victory over Ottawa given his strong puck skills and comfort on both specialty teams. As one of the few veterans on the NHL’s fourth-youngest team, Muzzin now finds himself searching out opportunities for team-bonding activities Toronto gave up a lot to bring him here — the Kings are starting the and sorting through restaurant options on the road. He’s even decided to season with Tobias Bjornfot, selected with the 22nd overall pick acquired pick up his phone every now and again. from Toronto, and Carl Grundstrom on their NHL roster — but did so because of his ability to strengthen the blue line and help push a young FANTASY POOL ALERT! team to the next level. Play the Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool presented by RAM for your He’s certainly a supporting asset for new captain John Tavares and chance to drive away with a 2020 RAM 1500 Sport or win cash prizes! alternates Morgan Rielly, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews. It's FREE and easy to play! Had the circumstances and dynamics around this group been a little bit “I’m not good at it really, at all. I don’t like calling people and planning,” different, Muzzin would be wearing a letter this season. The Leafs gave he said Thursday. “I like someone else doing it and I just show up, you him an “A” for exhibition games and have tasked him with being a captain know?” in the shadows from here on out. The 30-year-old has embraced a role dubbed the “social co-ordinator” by “I think we have the absolute right guys in the positions out there. One head coach Mike Babcock because he thinks it’s vital to long-term hundred per cent,” said Muzzin. “There’s no other leaders that I would success. When he looks back on the Los Angeles Kings teams that want to play under. I’ve been around a little bit now and I’ve experienced raised the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014, he remembers a band of some things. Now I’m going to just back them up and help lead where I brothers spirit that helped them overcome the most difficult obstacles. can, but it’s not hurting my feelings that I didn’t get a letter. These Leafs are now in transition having ushered out longtime stalwarts “I’ll be OK.” Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner over the summer, plus trusted vets Patrick Marleau and Ron Hainsey. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 10.04.2019 There was a void in the dressing room to go with all the new faces at training camp and Muzzin stepped forward with an idea to help bring the group together. He got the green light.

“Muzz can get things lined up and going,” said Babcock.

“I honestly think it helps,” said Muzzin. “[When teammates spend time together socially] they’re not on edge, they’re not scared of the coach, they’re not trying to impress, they’re just being themselves. I think once you get to know everyone — just like who they are really away from the rink — then you have a better feeling of what they’re going through or what you see on the ice or what you can help them with.

“It goes a long way.”

None of this would be possible if Muzzin hadn’t found his own comfort zone in Toronto. He was blindsided by the Jan. 28 trade that uprooted him from the Kings organization after a decade and came while his wife, Courtney, was seven months pregnant with their first child.

The couple loved their beachside lifestyle — who wouldn’t? — and got tossed into the middle of the NHL’s biggest fishbowl in the middle of winter.

“You don’t live your life planning to be traded or moved or [have] something drastic happen,” said Muzzin. “We assumed that our life was down in South Bay there — Hermosa and Manhattan Beach — and we would live there and just play there. We were settled in and ready to go there for life, really.

“I think at that point it was.”

The defenceman made a point of returning to Toronto earlier than usual for summer skates as much because of the social benefits as any extra comfort he might build on the ice. He thinks it’s helped to spend more time with teammates and get to know their families on a personal level.

While it’s premature to handicap how the Leafs might handle his impending UFA status — they most certainly won’t have the cap space to 1155554 Websites Congratulations to our client Ilya Mikheyev on the first NHL point in his first career NHL game. Toronto Maple Leafs biggest kept secret is no more… #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/ryGTcBIrBO

Sportsnet.ca / Meet Maple Leafs gem Ilya Mikheyev: Scores goals, loves — Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) October 3, 2019 soup Mikheyev explains (without an interpreter, because he wants to do this on his own) that he didn’t have a contract following his fourth and final KHL season with Omsk Avangard, during which he posted a career-best Luke Fox | October 3, 2019, 5:56 PM 23 goals and 45 points in 62 games and helped propel his hometown to the final. He wanted a raise, sure, but he was also chasing

a dream. TORONTO — The soup Ilya Mikheyev’s girlfriend makes to keep him In May, Mikheyev inked a one-year, $925,000 deal that will make him a happy and remind him of Omsk requires stewing beef slowly. A good four restricted free agent next summer. hours of warming and marinating before stirring with beets, cabbage and other veggies. “I want all my life to play in NHL because here in NHL is best league, is best players, and I like,” he says. “I’m very happy today. I have my first But some things are worth the wait, worth the extra effort. NHL game; I’ve been working a long time for. I’ve waited for this moment “Borsht is very hard to cook,” Mikheyev says, smiling as he holds court my whole life.” and talks soup inside Toronto Maple Leafs headquarters for the second The year Mikheyev made Russia’s national squad, he skated alongside time in under 24 hours—and the second time ever. his childhood idol, Pavel Datsyuk, at the 2018 world championships and His mind drifts from the arena to the bowl. picked the icon’s brain about making the jump to the highest league.

“Ooooh. Very good. I can show you picture.” “I like Datsyuk because he’s very smart,” Mikheyev says. “I spoke with him before I came to Toronto. He helped me about Mike Babcock Were it not for John Tavares’ captaincy reveal and Auston Matthews because he worked with him in Detroit about five years all season.” doing Auston Matthews things on opening night, the story in Leafland after the Maple Leafs cruised through Game 1 with a 5-3 victory over the And what advice did Datsyuk give Mikheyev about dealing with Babcock? Ottawa Senators would have been Mikheyev shining in his North “You need work,” he says. “You need work.” American debut with a goal, an assist, and a quote for the ages. The growing scrum around the rookie breaks into laughter, but the coach When we asked the third-line winger about the greatest challenge he’s is such a convert that he’s been anticipating Mikheyev’s arrival since faced, packing up and moving to the big city and small rinks of Toronto, losing Game 7 in Boston. he spoke at first of the language barrier, naturally. “He’s a really smart human being. He speaks English. His gal speaks Then he paused to address a subject near and dear to his heart. English. He’s confident, confident, confident,” Babcock said Thursday. “What’s important for me, I don’t know why – I like soup. Yes. I like soup. “His habits and his life lead him to be ready to go each and every day. I don’t know why you don’t eat soup,” Mikheyev said, incredulous. “My So, he’s a high-end human being who loves hockey, and you’re just girlfriend is cooking, and I’m very happy when I eat.” seeing his start here. You’re going to see a hockey player.”

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Play the Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool presented by RAM for your Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to chance to drive away with a 2020 RAM 1500 Sport or win cash prizes! your inbox! It's FREE and easy to play! In this clubhouse, it’s difficult to decide if Mickey’s teammates are more The affable Mikheyev’s offhand comment about the culinary differences impressed with the kid’s skills or his grasp of a second language. between his homeland and his new home team went viral Wednesday Tyson Barrie, who set up Mikheyev’s first goal, will tell you about the time evening, with fans photoshopping Mikheyev’s smiling face on Campbell’s Mikheyev “roasted” him during one of the Leafs’ pre-camp skates. His cans and sharing silly soup gifs, and his teammates teasing him about centreman, Alexander Kerfoot, describes him as the “complete package.” his liquid diet when he arrived at Thursday practice. Matthews casually compares Mikheyev’s stickwork and edging to “Yes, yes,” Mikheyev says, undeterred by the beet-red minor gash open Datsyuk’s. And Babcock loves the third-liner’s zest for 4-on-5 play. under his right eye, the result of a fresh high stick. “All guys say me about “He’s an unbelievable penalty killer,” the coach says. “Boy, can he fly.” soup.” Leafs staffers were taken aback that Mikheyev declined the use of an It’s true that Mikheyev’s agent, Dan Milstein, lost a valuable client in interpreter during his media scrum following his debut. They had never Artemi Panarin shortly before the UFA signed an $81.5-million contract heard the player speak for so long, or so well. with the New York Rangers on July 1. He sent a photograph of himself in a Leafs sweater overseas, and the But who needs the Bread Man when you have the Soup Man? 10-hour time difference allowed him to tell Grandma the good news “Trust me, you’re going to remember his name and know how to spell it,” before his head hit the pillow Wednesday night. Milstein told Steve Dangle and Justin Bourne during a summertime radio “When I go to bed, my grandma wake up,” Mikheyev said. “My grandma appearance on Sportsnet The Fan 590. “He’s a hard worker, a great 83 years, but she can use WhatsApp.” character. He’s a guy I would bet my life on. You guys are in for a treat.” Mikheyev comprehends English better than he can speak it, and now that At the risk of sounding biased and hyperbolic, Milstein touts Mikheyev, he doesn’t have access to his language teacher in Russia, he’s been 24, as the best undrafted talent out of Europe since 2015, the season burning through Friends episodes on Netflix to pick up our slang. Panarin flew over from St. Petersburg to swipe the Calder Trophy from Connor McDavid. If a phrase flies over his head, he pops open Google translate.

Toronto’s courting of Mikheyev — a 6-foot-3, 195-pound left shot who Morgan Rielly shakes his head. He can’t imagine switching countries, slurps up penalties, throws shoulders and finishes plays with soft hands cultures, playing styles and still debuting with the impact Mikheyev did — began back in August of 2018 and was a persistent recruit involving this week. GM Kyle Dubas, head coach Mike Babcock and the scouting staff. “It’s pretty darn impressive,” Rielly says. “I’ve been surprised at how good Well over 20 teams expressed interest, but the Leafs were persistent in he is [with English]. I think he has a real desire to learn and improve it, their admiration and communication. which is awesome, but I think he’s been outstanding. I don’t think it’s been a problem at all.” “He didn’t really think too hard after all the presentations,” Milstein said. “His heart was with Toronto.” First NHL goal alert! Ilya Mikheyev! pic.twitter.com/UMCvksuKkt — NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) October 3, 2019

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155555 Websites It didn’t take long for hockey’s newest team to get itself entrenched in the game’s greatest rivalry. Last spring’s trash-talk-filled first-round series between the Golden Knights and Sharks featured no shortage of bad blood between the two clubs, and ended about as dramatically as Sportsnet.ca / 5 early-season grudge matches we can't wait to watch possible: a controversial major penalty call, four power-play goals in four minutes and an overtime win for San Jose to rob Vegas of what had

looked like a sure series victory. Emily Sadler | October 3, 2019, 5:36 PM The league wasted no time in pitting these two heavyweights together this season, scheduling the clubs for a home-and-home to open 2019-20.

Hockey season has only just begun, but we’re ready to call it: The NHL’s Vegas won the first game by a score of 4-1, and we have no doubt the schedule makers are our early-season MVPs. Sharks will come out swinging on Friday night. We can’t wait.

There’s no shortage of early-season storylines to start 2019-20 on an The trash talk is alive and well, thanks to the league’s best chirper, Ryan intriguing note: The Maple Leafs and Canadiens rarely disappoint when Reaves. (His favourite target, Evander Kane, is currently serving a three- they get together and they’ll do so for the first time this Saturday in a game suspension, missing these matchups.) classic Hockey Night in Canada showdown; Quinn Hughes and the "Poor Evander. So tragic." Canucks will face off against his little brother Jack (maybe you’ve heard of him?) in New Jersey on Oct. 19; and the Flames and Jets will take it We're still extremely here for the Evander Kane–Ryan Reaves rivalry. outside in Oct. 26’s Heritage Classic at Mosaic Stadium, the first outdoor game of the season. (: @RossDiMattei)pic.twitter.com/Z0G8aSxdUk

This year’s hockey drama is well spread out, of course, and we’ll have to — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 2, 2019 wait a little longer for some other highly anticipated matchups, including Fans got in on it, too. This guy’s game is already in mid-season form: the first Battle of Alberta (it’s not until Dec. 27) and the Lightning’s return to Columbus (Feb. 10) to avenge their embarrassing first-round exit. Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes

But for hockey fans ready for some drama right out of the gates, the 2019-20 meetings: Oct. 3 @ CAR | Dec. 19 @ CAR | Feb. 29 @ MTL schedule’s got some pretty great grudge matches to satisfy our cravings for some good old emotional hockey showdowns. Here are five early- OK, maybe this isn’t quite a grudge match but it’s kind of fitting that the season grudge matches we’re especially excited to see in October. two teams at the centre of one the most dramatic days of the off-season should face off against one another to start the season. Colorado Avalanche vs. Calgary Flames Back on July 1, Hurricanes RFA Sebastian Aho was on the receiving end 2019-20 meetings: Oct. 3 @ COL | Nov. 19 @ CGY | Dec. 9 @ COL of a rare offer sheet from the Canadiens. The Hurricanes matched, of course, locking up their young star for the next five seasons. Carolina is After finishing the 2018-19 season with a West-best 107 points, the coming off a thrilling post-season run and now the ‘bunch of jerks’ that Flames were favoured for a long playoff run last spring but their 4-0 won over the hearts of a lot of hockey fans look to build on that — victory in Game 1 of the first round was the only win they’d get, thanks to starting with the team that attempted to pry away one of its brightest a red-hot Avalanche team that stopped them in their tracks. The Flames, young stars. who had gone 3-0 against Colorado in the regular season and finished 17 points ahead of them in the standings, went on to lose the next four Is this a bigger narrative for us media folks and hockey fans than those games, falling victim to the same fate as the other four division leaders in who were actually involved? Yeah, sure — Hurricanes head coach Rod what was a particularly parity-filled post-season. Brind’Amour said exactly that ahead of the game, via Sportsnet’s Eric Engels — but it’s still an intriguing storyline that adds another dimension No better way to start a redemption campaign than against the very club to what should be a fun, fast-paced season opener for a pair of promising responsible for your demise, right? The Flames certainly think so. Eastern Conference clubs. “That’s a great place to start the season and kick it off,” Flames forward St. Louis Blues vs. Boston Bruins Sean Monahan told Sportsnet’s Eric Francis ahead of Thursday’s season-opener in Colorado. “There’s obviously history there with the 2019-20 meetings: Oct. 26 @ BOS | Apr. 2 @ STL playoffs. They’re a good team and they’ll put us on pace to get the season started. They’ve got speed, skill and quality defencemen, so The stakes don’t get any higher than the when the Stanley Cup is up for that’s one we’re looking forward to.” grabs, making this Cup Final rematch between the Blues and Bruins the ultimate grudge match. Only this time, the U.S. component of Hockey’s Rocky Mountain rivalry has some pretty hefty expectations of its own. No longer considered the The Blues sent a message to the league that they’re ready to repeat, underdog, Colorado’s rapid rebuild has them penciled in as a top bringing in (and locking up) star defenceman Justin Faulk just prior to the contender this year with increased scoring depth to support one of season while the Bruins bring back a strong roster boasting much of the hockey’s best lines (Gabriel Landeskog-Nathan MacKinnon-Mikko same depth and firepower that got them to the Final last spring. Rantanen) and a rookie rearguard already topping most ballots for this Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins year’s Calder (Cale Makar). 2019-20 meetings: Oct. 19 @ TOR | Oct. 22 @ BOS | Nov. 15 @ TOR Another interesting wrinkle to this one: Nazem Kadri, a big part of Colorado’s new-found offensive depth, will make his Avalanche debut Speaking of the Bruins… there might not be a fanbase with a bigger after nixing a trade to Calgary. If you’ll recall, the former Maple Leaf grudge against Boston than the one in Toronto. The Bruins have ousted explained that decision to veto the trade during an episode of 31 the Maple Leafs from the first round of the playoffs in back-to-back years, Thoughts: The Podcast back in July: with both series going all the way to seven games. (There, uh, was also that loss in 2013.) Last year’s Leafs loss stung a little extra, considering “So what happened is they had a deal in place and they wanted me to the lofty expectations on Toronto to take the next step in the playoffs move my no-trade clause,” Kadri told co-hosts Elliotte Friedman and Jeff after officially emerging from its rebuild, and the fact that they could’ve Marek. “But you know, obviously, for me, it was no disrespect to Calgary closed out the series in Game 6 but failed to finish the job. or the Flames organization. I love their team and I love the direction they’re headed. I just figured that had I declined, I would have had a Fans will be treated to two games between the clubs in the span of just better opportunity of being a Maple Leaf next year and that’s really what four days, giving little time for cooler heads to prevail after their first it came down to. I wanted to play for the Leafs next year. I wanted to be a matchup. part of that. In declining that trade I had aspirations of being a Leaf and we know clearly that didn’t happen.” With the amount of parity in this league, it’s tough to predict anything in the NHL these days — except for one thing: a Leafs-Bruins playoff Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks series. It seems only natural for these two teams to already be on a collision course to a third consecutive playoff matchup this spring, 2019-20 meetings: Oct. 2 @ VGK | Oct. 4 @ SJ | Nov. 21 @ VGK doesn’t it? Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155556 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Islanders' Ho-Sang asks for trade, misses first AHL practice

Mike Johnston | @MikeyJ_MMA October 3, 2019, 2:31 PM

Joshua Ho-Sang failed to crack the New York Islanders opening-night roster for a second consecutive season, so earlier this week, the 2014 first-round pick was placed on waivers and sent down to the AHL.

Ho-Sang, along with Tanner Fritz and 449-game NHL vet Thomas Hickey, cleared waivers Monday and were set to join the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. However, Ho-Sang didn’t show up for his first practice, making his immediate future with the team unclear.

Bridgeport head coach Brent Thompson said, “I really don’t know,” when asked if Ho-Sang would eventually report to the team.

“As far as I know right now, it’s a couple of days just to collect himself and go from there,” Thompson added via Sound Tigers reporter Brian Heyman.

General manager Lou Lamoriello explained Thursday that Ho-Sang’s representation has asked for a trade, so the team “told him not to report for a few days while we worked on that.”

Lamoriello: Ho-Sang's rep asked for a trade, so we told him not to report for a few days while we worked on that.

— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) October 3, 2019

“He came in and did everything that you could ask of a player to try and win a spot,” Lamoriello said of Ho-Sang after roster cuts. “In my opinion, he was given every opportunity and it just did not work out and you have to make a decision.”

The 23-year-old forward has always had trouble staying at the NHL level after five years as a junior star in the Ontario Hockey League.

“Obviously a very skilled good player and a misunderstood smart young guy,” Hickey said of his teammate. “Whether it’s here or somewhere else, I wish him the best. Hopefully it’s here. It would be good to have him back.”

Islanders head coach Barry Trotz, who mentioned he’s thankful the three players mentioned above went unclaimed, thought this was Ho-Sang’s best camp to date.

“The reason being he was consistent,” Trotz said. “His attention to detail was much better. It was a real tough decision on that organizationally. He’s made strides. Every time he gets an opportunity at training camp or in the regular season, he’s closer and closer.”

Ho-Sang has registered seven goals and 17 assists in 53 career regular- season NHL games.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155557 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Sharks' Erik Karlsson, wife Melinda welcome baby girl

Sportsnet Staff | @Sportsnet October 3, 2019, 9:37 PM

San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson and his wife Melinda have welcomed a baby girl into their lives.

Karlsson, who missed San Jose’s season opener on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, shared the news in an Instagram post Thursday night.

While a member of the Ottawa Senators in March 2018, Karlsson announced he and Melinda’s first child, a boy, was stillborn.

He thanked his wife for everything she’s done in the post.

“To my beautiful wife for doing everything in her power to bring our beautiful little baby girl in to this world, never have I met a more determined or stronger person than you,” he wrote. “It hasn’t been easy but after the rain finally our little rainbow arrived. Love you both more than I could ever imagine.”

The Senators traded Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks in September 2018.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 10.04.2019 1155558 Websites has never played an NHL regular season game. If he can play, that is an upgrade from when Klefbom went out last year.

The other player is Bear, whose camp earned him a spot next to Klefbom Sportsnet.ca / Larsson injury looms over Oilers' already cautious early on Opening Night where he played a steady, NHL-caliber game. Those season optimism two right-shot defencemen will shelter the blow of losing Larsson, and although both would be considered swifter puck-movers than Larsson, neither can claim his defensive acumen.

Mark Spector October 3, 2019, 5:03 PM "He’s talked about as that warrior on your team that guys look up to," said new goalie Mike Smith. "Anytime you have a guy who is willing to do

whatever it takes in front of you to keep the puck out of the net, as a A season ago, when lead defenceman Oscar Klefbom went down with a goaltender you love those players. He is one of those guys who’s willing broken finger on Dec. 11, it was the beginning of a slide that would cost to eat a puck to keep it out of our net, and that commitment level is everyone their jobs. contagious. It wears off on other players around him."

The Edmonton Oilers would go 6-12-0-3 in Klefbom’s absence, killing The Oilers should be able to survive this. penalties at a 72.7 per cent clip. Edmonton picked up just 15 of a Now, if any other top four guy get hurt? That will be a different story. possible 42 points, the lack of blue-line depth was absolutely exposed. By the time Klefbom returned on Feb. 5, everything was over but for the Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 10.04.2019 firings.

On Thursday, it was announced that Adam Larsson had broken a bone in his leg blocking a shot in a season-opening 3-2 win over Vancouver. It’s a crippling, three-month loss at least, of a top four defenceman slated to spend the season on a shutdown pair with Darnell Nurse. The chances of him returning on the season’s second half and catching up to the pace of play are 50/50 at best.

So the question arises, are the Oilers better equipped to handle this loss in the 2019-20 season, than they were a season ago? Or are their already-slim playoff hopes dashed, even before Game 2 of head coach Dave Tippett’s first year at the helm?

"Disappointing. Frustrating that it happens in the first game of the year," Tippett said. "Everyone’s going to have injuries, and we talk about it all the time: Injuiries aren’t an excuse for not winning. Somebody else has to take that spot and get the job done."

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On a first period play that should have been blown down upon the Canucks entering the Oilers’ end with Loui Eriksson clearly offside, Larsson would block a Quinn Hughes shot. He lasted until about three minutes left in the game when, as Tippet said, "He just couldn’t go anymore."

No surgery is required, but Larsson was immediately placed on Long Term Injured Reserve. Via Twitter, Edmonton announced Larsson would miss six-to-eight weeks, but if he’s healthy enough to return from this injury by the first week of December it’d be as if the Oilers won the lottery.

The #Oilers have announced that defenceman Adam Larsson will be out of action for six to eight weeks with a fractured right fibula.

Here's to a speedy recovery for Larss. pic.twitter.com/r8cXSHiAEg

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 3, 2019

"We’ve been talking about having a good start to the season," said Klefbom, "and we did. We played a solid game. We’re going to figure it out, but we’ll miss him for sure. He’s a very important player for us.

"He’s one of those tough guys that you really want on your team."

In a paper transaction, the Oilers demoted Ethan Bear and called up Evan Bouchard from AHL Bakersfield. The move was made to put more salary on Edmonton’s cap, a strategical move coupled with placing Larsson’s $4.167 salary on Long Term Injured Reserve.

In a perfect world, defenceman Joel Persson (shoulder injury) will be ready to play Saturday when Los Angeles comes to town, and Bouchard will not leave Bakersfield. If Persson can’t go, Bouchard will come up only until the Swede is ready, then return to the AHL to resume his apprenticeship.

We would declare that Persson is one reason why the Oilers are better equipped to handle an injury to a top four defenceman this season as opposed to last. But we’ve only seen him play pre-season games — he 1155559 Websites “This training camp, I found my trigger,” Hellebuyck said. “I found what allows me to access all my training and all my core work and tightness. Once I found that trigger, I was clicking. I was moving extremely well.”

TSN.CA / Seravalli: Winnipeg Jets’ opening loss highlights Hellebuyck’s Say what? What exactly does that mean? slim margin for error “It means I’m able to access all of the muscles that I’ve trained so hard to get,” Hellebuyck said.

Frank Seravalli How does he do that?

“If I told you my secret, then everyone would know,” Hellebuyck said, smiling. “It’s not mental. It’s not in warmup. It’s on the ice. When I do this, NEW YORK — Cue the clip of Connor Hellebuyck after allowing five it allows both sides [of my body] to feel even.” goals against at Madison Square Garden in the Winnipeg Jets’ season opener. Hellebuyck said that the NHL’s mandated changes to the chest protector – changes that limited its size – before last season made it difficult for There was Hellebuyck, his legendary bravado on display again – a sense him to find that “trigger.” of confidence that must be some sort of defence mechanism after efforts that aren’t good enough. “The new chest pad change really hurt that,” Hellebuyck said. “I didn’t really know what that change was. I’m very in-tune with my game. I built “I liked a lot of my game,” Hellebuyck said. “I felt like I earned better. I felt my game a certain way and things changed on me. So I rebuilt it again like I played a lot better than five goals against. and I feel good.”

“If I look back at my tape, I probably won’t do a whole lot different.” Then once that happens: “Once the confidence builds, your game builds, then you get faster and faster and better and better.” On a night like Thursday, when as captain Blake Wheeler said “the majority of that game is pretty, pretty good” for the Jets, those are the So much of Hellebuyck’s explanation is ‘inside baseball’-type goaltending type of quotes that produce eye rolls in the dressing room. jargon. But that is the insight into why Hellebuyck says he felt like he “earned better” in a game in which he allowed five goals. “That was mild,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said when Hellebuyck’s confident comments were relayed. See, there is a method to the madness.

The Jets are used to it by now. Remember when Hellebuyck said after a “I don’t want you to mistake me saying I like my game with me being five-goal loss three seasons ago that he believed he could win a Vezina? happy with what the result was tonight,” Hellebuyck said. “You always Or when Hellebuyck said after being outdueled by Marc-Andre Fleury in want to win. I’m not happy with losing at all. the 2018 Western Conference final that he liked his game better? “I don’t know, it just seemed like the puck was always in the wrong spot That’s all well and good. But the truth is, words don’t mean much in the for me.” NHL. Hellebuyck might not say it, he might not outright take ownership the way Results matter. his teammates would probably prefer. But Hellebuyck has to know that the season – especially this Jets season – might rest squarely on his Thursday night’s opening 6-4 loss to the Rangers was one night, one shoulders. misstep in an 82-game slog. But it perfectly illustrated Hellebuyck’s new normal. There is zero margin for error with this paper-thin Jets’ defence “It’s Game 1,” Hellebuyck said. “There’s a long season ahead.” corps. Game on. Button: Jets defence simply isn't good enough TSN.CA LOADED: 10.04.2019 The Jets blue line was already a big story line heading into the season and they weren't able to shut down the Rangers in their season opener. Craig Button explains why their personnel on the back end isn't NHL caliber right now.

Three of Winnipeg’s top five defencemen from last season are gone (Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot) and one is still M.I.A. (Dustin Byfuglien). Trouba offered a poignant enough reminder with his three-point debut on Broadway.

They’ve been replaced by newcomer Neal Pionk, the oft-injured Dmitry Kulikov, journeyman Anthony Bitetto and 18-year-old rookie Ville Heinola.

All of those changes translate to a lot of heavy lifting for Josh Morrissey and a lot of high-event hockey for Hellebuyck.

For the Jets to make it through the murderer’s row that is the Central Division – with four legitimate Stanley Cup contenders – they can’t squander many nights that they score four on the road.

“We played a lot of that game how we wanted to,” Wheeler said. “You know, I mean, [47] shots … with a lot of time in their zone.”

Hellebuyck, now 26, isn’t feeling the pressure to do more with less in front of him. Or if he is, he certainly isn’t saying.

“No, I’m not feeling any more pressure,” Hellebuyck said. “What I’m feeling is I want to feel right in my game. Tonight, I did. This whole preseason, I’ve felt myself building forward and I really like where I’m at.”

If last year was Hellebuyck’s “prove it” season as he called it, where he was supposed to prove that he was a perennial Vezina candidate, then he failed. He dipped from .924 to .913 in save percentage – at a position that’s so incredibly difficult to play well consistently.

But if you allow Hellebuyck to explain, there is reason for optimism that he’ll be up to the tall task this year. 1155560 Websites So, Barrie's first two assists with the Leafs came on goals by an NHL rookie in Mikheyev and a fourth-line stalwart in Gauthier. The potential for what he can do with Toronto's top six is huge.

TSN.CA / Mark Masters: New Leaf Barrie adept at avoiding traffic on and "There's some serious high-end talent in Colorado and we've got the off the ice same here, but then I think there’s a couple more pieces to it," said Barrie, who racked up 45 assists last season while skating alongside the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. "It's a lot of fun for a player like myself to be able to jump in the play and have Mark Masters these guys looking for you. It's been a lot of fun so far and it’s one game in."

TSN Toronto reporter Mark Masters checks in daily with news and notes It certainly helps when you have a guy like Muzzin serving as a sort of on the Maple Leafs, who practised at the Ford Performance Centre on safety valve in case any rush up the ice goes sideways. Thursday before travelling to Columbus for Friday night's game against "He's so poised," Barrie gushed, "and talks so much and he makes the the Blue Jackets. game feel really easy for me and I always know he has my back The key pieces in a blockbuster off-season trade between the Toronto whatever’s going on so that’s a great feeling to have." Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche, Nazem Kadri and Tyson Barrie 'Not a lot of guys can do that': Barrie's spin move has Leafs buzzing got together for an hour during the summer to offer each other inside information. They talked about the teams and the cities and everything Tyson Barrie fired six shots on net against the Senators, second only to else. Auston Matthews for the team lead, but it was a spin-o-rama move leading to an assist which earned him a spot on the highlight reel. Mark What was a notable piece of advice from Kadri? Masters has more on how Barrie's impressive display of skill in the "He told me to get on the subway to go to the game," said a grinning opener has the Leafs buzzing. Barrie, who has moved into Kadri's old place, "so I did and it took me like --- 10 minutes so I feel grateful for that, because it can get a bit snotty down there." Barrie is actually a few years older than Morgan Rielly, 25, but feels like he will benefit from observing his fellow B.C. native up close all season. It turns out the 28-year-old defenceman is adept at avoiding traffic on and off the ice. His spin move around Ottawa Senators winger Drake "He's awesome. From watching last year, he was my vote for the Norris Batherson just inside the offensive blueline in the Leafs’ season opener (Trophy) and I think he didn’t get the all-star game either, which is tough Wednesday night led to a goal by Ilya Mikheyev in the third period. when you play on a team like this, but he's an underrated player. And he’s such a fantastic guy and person and I can learn a lot from him and "I was looking for a shot," Barrie recalled, "and I could kind of see that the the way that he plays." forward was willing to block it, so I kind of gave it a fake and I think he bit a little bit so [I] tried to get out of there and once you're down in the zone Rielly led all defencemen with 20 goals last season, but finished fifth in you're just trying to find an open guy and Ilya did a good job." Norris voting. It was the first time he received any votes for the award.

Ilya Mikheyev with his first NHL goal, but what a play from Tyson Barrie calls Rielly an 'underrated player' who he can learn a lot from Barrie. 5-2 Leafs. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/n18ugzkaje Maple Leafs defenceman Tyson Barrie explains how impressed he is — Maple Leafs Hotstove (@LeafsNews) October 3, 2019 with new teammate Morgan Rielly, saying the defenceman had his vote for the Norris Trophy last year, and goes on to call him an underrated "I was hoping he was coming to me," said a smiling John Tavares who player who he he can learn a lot from. was lurking in the slot. "I saw him make the move and I tried to get open. Just great poise and patience, obviously, tremendous ability to have that --- type of footwork, puck control and to be able to see the ice." Toronto's blueliners produced 30 shot attempts on Wednesday and It's one thing to have the tools to make that type of play and quite another Muzzin thinks that's a byproduct of some preseason work. to have the swagger to go for it. "One of our focuses at camp was to create more five-on-five chances "I mean, if he loses it, it could be a chance against," said Jake Muzzin, and more O-zone time," he revealed. "You look at the teams that were who has been partnered with Barrie since camp opened, "but he’s really successful in the playoffs and went all the way, they led the league confident enough to pull it off. He's very calm with the puck at the point. I in O-zone time with the puck." mean, you guys saw some moves last night, which not a lot of guys do." Barrie produced 10 of the attempts against the Senators. Barrie's ability and self-belief is paired with a hockey IQ that is quite high. He knows when to take risks. "I don’t think we get an opportunity to shoot the puck as much as we do unless our forwards are doing a good job on the forecheck," he said, "At the right times, everything is acceptable," said head coach Mike "and I think the way our forwards can back other teams off with speed Babcock when asked about Barrie's twinkle-toes turn which helped and pull up and find (the) lane, it's such a big part of it to work together. extend the Leafs lead to 5-2. "To me, he has got real good defensive They did a great job last night forechecking and getting pucks low to high instincts. He knows what he is doing. There are some things he can and we were just firing them in there." clean up and we’ll work hard at cleaning those things up and that will allow him to have the puck more. He is a guy you’d like to have it on his NHL: Senators 3, Maple Leafs 5 tape because he can get it going in a hurry." After revealing John Tavares as the 25th captain in franchise history prior Barrie used one of his six shots on Craig Anderson to help set up to the game, the Leafs cruised past the Sens in the season opener, Frederik Gauthier for Toronto's first goal of the season. Barrie jumped up headlined by a two-goal performance from Auston Matthews. Tyson in the rush on the play and held his ground on the right flank as rookie Barrie recorded two assists in his Toronto debut, including a beauty to Dmytro Timashov filled in at the point. set up Ilya Mikheyev's first NHL goal.

"I found myself coming down and then Timmy just called for it up top so I --- knew he was up there covering for me so that gives me a little leeway to With the Leafs playing four games in six nights to open the season, stay down there," Barrie explained, "and then he sent it back and I didn’t Babcock wanted to keep practice short on Thursday so the main session really have much so I just fired it at the net and Goat did a great job lasted only about 25 minutes with no special teams work. However, battling in there." Jason Spezza was among a group of players, who stayed out late to do The first goal of the season belongs to Frederik Gauthier. Great cycle some penalty-kill drills with assistant coach Dave Hakstol. work from the 4th line and he buries it in front. 1-1. #LeafsForever Spezza will make his Toronto debut tomorrow in Columbus. He was a pic.twitter.com/ThovW7sqiq healthy scratch for the home opener, because Babcock said the 36-year- — Maple Leafs Hotstove (@LeafsNews) October 3, 2019 old needed more time to get up to speed on the penalty kill. "We didn’t do a good enough job in training camp," Babcock admitted. Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Moore "Our plan coming in was to penalty kill him all the time. In training camp, though, we wanted him on the power play all the time, too. We probably Gauthier - Spezza - Petan didn't do a good enough job of that so he wasn’t ready to kill on a regular Timashov - Shore - Hyman basis. We played him in a game — the last game he played — and we didn’t have him up to speed. That’s not on him — that’s on us. We spent Defencemen a lot of time over this last while where we haven’t put him on the power Muzzin - Barrie play at all and are just getting him dialed into that." Rielly - Ceci "It's just getting reps," Spezza said. "I've killed penalties in the past, it's just getting the details that they want here. At this time of year, it’s reps Sandin - Holl and getting reps in." Dermott - Marincin Does he feel comfortable with Toronto's system? Goaltenders "Yeah, definitely," Spezza said with a smile. "I definitely feel like I’m up to speed and looking forward to playing." Andersen

The Leafs killed all three Senators power plays last night while Spezza Hutchinson watched. It wasn't easy for him, but one of the reasons Spezza was TSN.CA LOADED: 10.04.2019 brought to Toronto was to be a stable, calming presence in a young dressing room with only one Stanley Cup champion (Muzzin) on the roster.

"As a veteran guy I have a big responsibility and how you act and how you handle situations, you’re always looked at," he said. "When I was a young guy, I looked at the older guys in the dressing room and it stuck with me and it meant a lot. As a guy who’s been able to play a long time you carry that burden and you want to make sure you’re a good example.

"You want to play every night. You want to play at the start of the year for sure, but one thing I’ve learned in this league, whatever happens to you, whether you play a good game, bad game, you get sat, you really just have to look forward to the next day and the next day is the one you’re judged on. I didn’t play last night so I got to bed and got ready for today and you move forward. And I think that’s how you have success in this league for a long time is really being in the moment."

Leafs Ice Chips: Spezza up to speed on PK, Babcock plans rotation

A day after being a healthy scratch for the season opener, Jason Spezza and others stayed on the ice after Leafs practice to go through some special teams reps. As Mark Masters explains, Spezza will be in the lineup Friday against the Blue Jackets and he says his comfort level on the penalty kill is just fine.

---

After being named the 25th captain in franchise history, Tavares got a chance to spend some time with a couple of his predecessors following Wednesday's win as Wendel Clark and Darryl Sittler visited the dressing room.

Joining the "C"lub. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/jydbGMbj5Z

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 3, 2019

Tavares also received a text message from immediate predecessor Dion Phaneuf, who wore the 'C' in Toronto before being traded on Feb. 9, 2016.

"I got to know him at the World Championships a few years ago and we actually spent some time together after that tournament in the summer so I know him pretty well and he sent a really, really nice message just saying how special it is to be a captain here and to play for this city," said Tavares. "It was really nice."

Tavares on how wife kept captaincy secret, getting special message from Phaneuf

John Tavares discusses how special it was to be surprised by his wife, Aryne, and son, Jace, when he was presented the Maple Leafs' captaincy, and how impressive it was that she was able to keep it a secret. Tavares also explains how nice it was to get a message from former Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf.

---

Lines at Leafs practice:

Forwards

Johnsson - Matthews - Nylander

Kapanen - Tavares - Marner 1155561 Websites Babcock will do the same with his continued tinkering of Toronto’s personnel, which doesn’t project to end anytime soon.

Zach Hyman and Travis Dermott skated with the main group at TSN.CA / Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock to shuffle lineup on Thursday’s practice for the first time since undergoing off-season Friday against Columbus Blue Jackets surgeries (Hyman tore his ACL in April, while Dermott had a shoulder operation following a mid-season injury last year). Both players are expected to be available by the start of November, which gives Babcock ample time to continuing assessing who will stay and who will go down Kristen Shilton the road.

“Nothing is ahead of schedule [with Hyman and Dermott],” he said. “So TORONTO – The Maple Leafs opened their regular season Wednesday obviously they’re miles away, but they’ve been working real hard. We with a 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators, but head coach Mike Babcock need them back because we’re way better with them, and obviously is far from decided on what his team’s best lineup looks like. that’s huge depth. It’s important to get them back, but in the meantime other guys get a good opportunity.” So Babcock will make three changes to his group when Toronto travels to Columbus on Friday, subbing in Nic Petan, Jason Spezza and Justin TSN.CA LOADED: 10.04.2019 Holl for Dmytro Timashov, Nick Shore and Martin Marincin.

“To be honest with you, we have some rotations we have planned,” Babcock explained after the Leafs’ practice on Thursday. “We start with four [games] in six [nights], and on the other side, you’re going to know a lot more [than if] we played four in a week and a half. I think at the start of the year everyone is pretty close to the same. As some teams earn confidence and other teams don’t, you separate yourself a little bit.”

Babcock said the Leafs will also have a third goalie around the team moving ahead, likely to take reps in practice to not overextend Frederik Andersen and Michael Hutchinson during busy stretches.

Babcock was open throughout training camp about how the Leafs’ roster could be a work in progress early in the season.

“When we made our decisions on our lineup, you’d like to say everything is set in stone and you know exactly what you’re doing,” Babcock said. “But that’s not necessarily true. [And] maybe there’s someone playing for the Marlies, too, that’s in the mix that we didn’t consider [or] didn’t prioritize as highly right at that time. So we’ll see what happens over the next bit.”

The Leafs made one move on Thursday, sending defenceman Timothy Liljegren back to the Marlies and recalling Petan.

Liljegren was one of two rookie blueliners, along with Rasmus Sandin, who made Toronto’s initial cut to 23 players this week, but he was a healthy scratch for Wednesday’s opener. Sandin played his way into another look on Friday with a solid plus-one performance in only 8:58 of ice time.

“He’s got good poise,” Babcock said of Sandin. “…I thought he was real good in the game and that’s why he’s playing again.”

Spezza, who was a surprise healthy scratch against Ottawa, will make his Leafs debut against the Blue Jackets.

Babcock initially tapped Shore over Spezza at fourth-line centre because of what he saw as deficiencies in Spezza’s penalty killing, revealing he’d play at Columbus instead. The Leafs didn’t actually do any work on the penalty kill at Thursday’s practice, but Spezza stayed out after the team portion to work directly with assistant coach Dave Hakstol, who runs the kill.

While Spezza is putting in the extra time trying to catch up, Babcock said it was on the coaching staff to have the 36-year-old ready to go before now.

“We didn’t do a good enough job at training camp,” Babcock said. “Our plan coming in was to penalty kill him all the time, and at training camp though we wanted him on the power play too [so it split up his reps]. We probably didn’t do a good enough job of that, so he wasn’t ready to kill on a regular basis. The last game he played, we didn’t have him up to speed. That’s not on him, that’s on us.”

Missing out on the home opener was difficult for Spezza, a Toronto native who took a pay cut on his one-year, $700,000 contract to play at home, but he flushed the frustration as fast as possible.

“I moved on the minute I knew I wasn’t playing,” Spezza said. “You just get yourself ready. This league is about constant preparation, whether you had a good game or a bad game, and for me, I didn’t even play. So you move forward." 1155562 Websites “He’s not big. He’s not fast. He doesn’t have a booming shot,” veteran Mark Letestu said. “He just hasn’t been overwhelmed by anything.”

Heinola wasn’t overwhelmed when he was nearly put through the boards TSN.CA / Surprising rookie Ville Heinola gives Winnipeg Jets’ blueline a on a check by Adam Lowry on the first drill of training camp, a hit that boost sent gasps through Bell MTS Place. He hasn’t been overwhelmed in preseason games.

“That would be the thing that sticks out,” Maurice said. “The other thing Frank Seravalli would be his learning curve. He’s picked up on the systems really, really quickly. Those kinds of adjustments and you can see them in his game,

are really, really quick and I didn’t expect that.” NEW YORK — All eyes in the world’s most famous arena will be fixated “He’s got the right mental makeup for the game,” Wheeler said. “He’s on the $81.5 million man Artemi Panarin and Calder Trophy hopeful poised for a young player. He’s got great hockey IQ. He’s not an Kaapo Kakko as they make their Rangers debuts on Thursday night. imposing player, but he gets on loose pucks, and he can take the puck But it’s Kakko’s Finnish junior teammate and fellow 18-year-old rookie away from anyone in camp.” who will capture the attention of fans back in Winnipeg. As Maurice says: You don’t have to skate fast if you’re never in the That would be Ville Heinola, the Jets’ first-round selection (20th overall) wrong position. in June, the pick Winnipeg got back from these Rangers in the Jacob That is Heinola in a nutshell, now in a position to make a jump almost no Trouba trade. one saw coming. Heinola was the surprise of the Jets’ training camp. With questions “He just needs to blend in and be himself,” Wheeler said. “We’ll make looming about the status of Dustin Byfuglien, and the loss of blueliners good memories for him tonight.” Trouba, Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot in the off-season, Heinola won a spot in the opening-night lineup – practically out of nowhere. Heinola has provided a team with sagging expectations and no shortage of distractions a shot in the arm to start the regular season. “Many people weren’t expecting as much as he’s proved,” forward Nikolaj Ehlers said. “He came in and had an unbelievable camp.” “He’s helped push that stuff to the background even further,” Letestu said. “He is something positive to focus on instead of negative.” --- Now it’s just time to play. Livestream Jets vs Rangers tonight with TSN Direct – the exclusive streaming service from TSN. Subscribe Now > “He’s a relaxed guy and he can really play some good hockey. He’s got to enjoy it,” Laine said. “I told him you’re only going to play your first *NHL Regional Restrictions Apply game once, so there’s no better place to play your first game than here --- tonight.”

One year ago, Heinola was playing in Finland’s junior league. On TSN.CA LOADED: 10.04.2019 Thursday night, he will be skating on the Jets’ second pair at Madison Square Garden.

“A pleasant surprise,” coach Paul Maurice said. “We thought highly of him as a player. But to do that at 18, that’s impressive.”

In typical understated Finnish fashion, Heinola kept his focus on the game Thursday morning. “It’s so exciting,” was just about all he could muster as he taped his sticks in preparation for the big night.

But what is Heinola really feeling?

“You’re terrified. You’re anxious. You’re scared. You’re excited,” Jets captain Blake Wheeler said, recalling his first NHL game on Oct. 9, 2008, for the Bruins. “Pretty much every emotion.”

Freshly signed countryman Patrik Laine is helping Heinola keep those emotions in check.

Laine made headlines by purchasing a Lamborghini SUV in Finland after signing his new $13.5 million deal last Friday, but his first priority when returning to Winnipeg – before even taking the ice for practice with the Jets – was to host Heinola at his house on Sunday night for dinner.

“I didn’t know him at all,” Laine said. “Never saw him play.”

Heinola said he had to pinch himself. There is no bigger star in Finland than Laine.

“When I was a bit younger, I looked at him like, ‘Whoa, he’s this crazy guy. He shoots the puck so hard,’” Heinola said. “But now it’s different. He’s helped a lot.”

Laine’s father, Harri, cooked traditional Finnish food – the first Finnish meal Heinola had in a month – and that helped make him feel more at home in Canada.

Laine invited Heinola to room with him on the road to start the season.

“Every small thing, he’s helped me,” Heinola said. “I follow what he does, where to go, and he makes me feel more comfortable.”

For as impressive as Heinola has been, the funny thing about his game is that there isn’t one aspect that is overly impressive. He is balanced and well-rounded. 1155563 Websites has since departed to Tampa Bay, but the Hurricanes were able to land James Reimer via trade with Florida, further shoring up their crease.

So, why am I picking the team that finished fourth in the Metropolitan TSN.CA / Hockey will thrive in the south this season Division last year to win it this season? A bit of the reason is fading confidence in the legacy franchises in the division, though Washington was seriously considered for the top spot. More of it has to do with the masterful off-season the Hurricanes had. Travis Yost Carolina recognizes they have two budding superstars in Andrei

Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen, who have worked together to create We made it! a ferocious top line. But complementing these players is vital (here’s what happens when you don’t). The Hurricanes spent the summer The National Hockey League returned to action on Wednesday night adding scorers to blend into the rest of the lineup, including forwards after a four-month hiatus, and outside of a very small number of markets Brock McGinn, Ryan Dzingel and Erik Haula, plus former Toronto Maple already turning their attention to the 2020 NHL Draft (can’t imagine why), Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner. And I would be remiss to not mention excitement is high for fan bases across North America. the Nino Niederreiter fleecing last January.

One of the things I like to do right before the season begins is forecast Think about the talent procured there, then think about the run-of-play the divisional winners. It’s a great exercise to get a feel for divisional advantages Carolina already had with a lineup that was among the strength and the expected hierarchy of teams based on prior youngest in the entire league: performance and personnel changes, including both rosters and coaching staffs. There is surely going to be some shuffling around within the division – Columbus looks great here for example, but their roster was abruptly Three of the four divisional races went down to the wire last season, with gutted this off-season and it stands to reason they’ll trade off some of only the Tampa Bay Lightning – the same Tampa Bay Lightning team their standings points to upswing teams like the New Jersey Devils and unceremoniously swept by wild card Columbus in the first round – New York Rangers. But it’s hard to figure how any team will materially creating significant daylight between them and their competitors. The eat into Carolina’s position in the standings, especially with how decisive betting markets seem to think these races will remain competitive in a shot and scoring-chance advantage they have on a nightly basis. 2019-20, and I tend to agree. I still have concerns about how much shooting talent is on this roster – As for my picks? Let’s get started in the Atlantic: for all that Carolina does when it comes to owning the puck, they give at least a portion of it back through their lack of finishing. The Hurricanes Atlantic projected winner: Tampa Bay Lightning have scored on just 8.4 per cent of their shots over the last three Two things are true about Tampa Bay: their exit from the 2018-19 seasons, which is third worst in the entire league. Some of this is playoffs was as embarrassing as any series in recent history, and the because they strategically trade some volume for quality, and some of competition at the top of the division – specifically from the Toronto this was because of the personnel in place. Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins – is ferocious. You can make the But the lineup is flush with talent, and the division – at least relative to argument that three of the best five teams by expected win totals reside where it was a few seasons ago – has weakened. It’s a huge opportunity in the Atlantic, in part because of the depth and talent in the respective for this upstart Carolina team, and I think they have a real shot at lineups, and in part because the bottom of the division is absolutely grabbing the top spot. brutal. Central projected winner: Nashville Predators But even with two great teams around them, it’s hard to imagine they can close what ended up being a 21-point gap after game 82 of last season. Of the four divisions, this was the most difficult decision. In fact, I had The Lightning roster is deep, and their forward core – headlined by Nikita already started writing about why Dallas may have the upper hand of all Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and Brayden Point – is the most dangerous seven teams and talked myself out of it. attacking unit in the league. Dallas’ relatively ineffective offence ultimately made the difference. The The part that makes opponents mad is that you really have to pick your Stars were a brutal opponent last year, but that was largely because poison with Tampa Bay. Their blitzkrieg-style offence has wreaked havoc nothing got past goaltender Ben Bishop. As a group, the team averaged on opposition defences for years now – both at even strength and with just 2.1 goals per-60 minutes at even strength (27th) and only marginally the man advantage. In fact, their grades in both last year are reminiscent offset that with the league’s 11th best power play – a unit that converted of a Steph Curry interactive: on 21 per cent of its opportunities.

The scary part with Tampa Bay – as if the vast majority of last year’s Dallas, to their credit, recognized they were a serious contender heading offensive juggernaut returning wasn’t enough – is that this group has also into 2019-20 and targeted some serious offensive weaponry, including become incredibly reliable on the defensive side of the ice. Part of this is two legacy Californian snipers in Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry. tied to personnel, surely – the blueline is run by perhaps the best two- way defender in the league in Victor Hedman, and goaltender Andrei But Nashville countered those moves by bringing in Matt Duchene to Vasilevskiy has evolved into one of the league’s best mistake erasers. At anchor the offence. The overhaul at the centre position in Nashville has the end of last season, Tampa Bay was fifth in all situations goals certainly been something to watch over the years – consider where this allowed (2.6 per-60), and fourth in all situations expected goals against team was to start the year a few seasons ago versus where they are (2.6 per-60). now:

This team is an absolute juggernaut. The only interesting wrinkle here Those prior Nashville teams were extremely formidable, but the constant within the divisional race is that the Lightning will have to work to fight off cry for more playmaking talent down the middle of the lineup surely the Maple Leafs and the Bruins. But from what we have seen last year resonated with the front office. The addition of Duchene into the lineup and the trajectory of their core players, I just don’t think that fight will be cannot be understated. For comparison’s sake, Evolving Hockey had all that hard. Pavelski as a +1.1 Wins Above Replacement player based on his contributions across all game states, and Perry at -0.6 in his injury- Metropolitan projected winner: Carolina Hurricanes shortened season. Duchene? For Ottawa and Columbus, he added +3.2 wins, which was 18th in the National Hockey League amongst regular For years, we watched the Carolina Hurricanes carry some of the most forwards and ahead of names like Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon and dominant puck-possession numbers in recent history. But it never Artemi Panarin. materialized into much, because the Hurricanes could never get a save when they needed it. Adding Duchene to one of the league’s better even strength teams – the Predators were +0.4 goals better than their opponents for every 60 One season later, a lot of people are seriously talking about Carolina minutes of play, nearly triple that of the Stars in 2018-19 – will make this winning their division. It’s amazing what even mediocre goaltending can team even more dangerous. But it also should help with the one area that do for a team that owns the run of play like Carolina does, and that’s just has killed the Predators for years, and that’s the power play. what Petr Mrazek (91.4 save percentage all situations) and Curtis McElhinney (91.2 save percentage) delivered in 2018-19. McElhinney If there’s one reason to stay awake at night over the Predators, it’s because of the man advantage. Nashville power plays – historically run in a three-forward, two-defencemen format – have been brutal for years, and last season’s 12.9 per cent conversion rate was comfortably dead last in the league. The team’s leading power-play goal scorers were Craig Smith, Filip Forsberg, and Kyle Turris with four. For a frame of reference here, Stamkos had 20 markers himself with Tampa Bay last season.

But with Nashville, I get an exceptional even strength team, a high-end penalty kill, and a goaltender in Pekka Rinne who is undergoing as impressive a mid-30s renaissance as I can recall. (And Juuse Saros is coming, too.) Counting on marginal improvement on the power play to couple with all of the team’s core strengths seems like the most sensible bet, and so on the thinnest of margins, I’m siding with Peter Laviolette’s club.

Pacific projected winner: Vegas Golden Knights

If there is one team in the Western Conference that could probably stand toe to toe with a team the calibre of the Tampa Bay Lightning, it’s the Vegas Golden Knights.

A lot of that has to do with their forward group – a forward group that was already impressive prior to acquiring superstar winger Mark Stone last season. Stone has become the new Patrice Bergeron, a player so elite defensively that the underlying numbers put him a notch or two above nearly everyone at his position. For what it is worth, Evolving Hockey’s Goals Above Replacement measure had Stone graded as the league’s most valuable contributor (+24.7) amongst wingers last season and second amongst all forwards behind Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby.

The Stone addition was also critical because it alleviated a lot of the scoring pressure that had fallen on the team’s top line of Jonathan Marchessault, Reilly Smith, and William Karlsson – a trio that struggled to put pucks in the back of the net during stretches of the 2018-19 season.

Either way, the team had an embarrassment of riches before acquiring one of the best wingers in the world. And yet looking at their pre/post performance, Stone clearly took the team to another level:

Any time you are getting 52 per cent or more of the shots (or scoring chances, or expected goals, or goals), you are consistently putting yourself in a position to win hockey games. Vegas has consistently met and exceeded that threshold for the first two seasons post-expansion, and everything we saw after the Stone trade suggests they’ll be even more formidable in 2019-20.

If you are looking for a weakness on this team, it’s probably on the blueline. The team moved Colin Miller this summer and has struggled to find productive second and third pairings for some time.

It does make for a beautiful irony within the division when you consider that San Jose – another legitimate contender in their own right – may carry the best blueline in the entire National Hockey League. Quite frankly, San Jose would have earned more consideration here if I wasn’t gravely worried about their goaltending situation, again.

To recap: Tampa Bay, Carolina, Nashville, and Vegas. Who said hockey couldn’t thrive in the south?

Enjoy the season!

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USA TODAY / Stars' Blake Comeau, Roman Polak leave ice against Bruins after fluke injuries

Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Published 10:49 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019 | Updated 11:55 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2019

Forward Blake Comeau is bloodied after taking a puck to the face on a fluke deflection.

The Dallas Stars were looking forward to this season after pushing the eventual Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues to the second overtime of Game 7 in the second round, then beefing up by adding Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry in the offseason.

They even brought in former President George W. Bush to read the opening lineup in the dressing room and drop the puck for the ceremonial faceoff.

But the Stars were down two players before the midway point of their season opener at home against the Boston Bruins after a pair of fluke injuries.

Stars forward Blake Comeau left in the first period after being bloodied on a deflection.

The Bruins tried to make a pass in the Stars zone during a delayed penalty call, but defenseman Andrej Sekera got his stick in the way, sending the puck airborne.

Comeau was backchecking hard, and the puck struck him in the face.

Puck deflects directly into Blake Comeau's face, immediately attended to by trainers and had to be helped off the ice. #GoStarspic.twitter.com/DNKCPEd1NK

— SportsDay Stars (@DMN_stars) October 4, 2019

He went down, and the Bruins immediately called for medical assistance. He tried to get up, but the blood was flowing from his face and he rolled onto his back while a trainer attended to him. He was helped to the dressing room.

Roman Polak being stretchered off after going hard into the corner boards pic.twitter.com/9olNQRUxER

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) October 4, 2019

During the second period, defenseman Roman Polak was trying to check Boston's Chris Wagner into the boards, but Wagner turned his body. Polak crashed into the boards.

The defenseman was taken off the ice on a stretcher and was being evaluated at the hospital.

"The good news is Roman has full use of his extremities," coach Jim Montgomery said in his postgame news conference. "We hear he's feeling pretty good at the hospital, but we don't have results yet. We're hopeful that he may be a player again after a couple days."

Montgomery said Comeau would be out multiple weeks with a lower- body injury - "He got hit in the face and he fell awkwardly and strained his lower body" - and forward Jason Dickinson suffered an upper-body injury when he was cross-checked and would miss a week.

The Stars lost 2-1 and will visit St. Louis on Saturday.

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