sign in sign up
<<
Home , Aleksi Saarela, Alexander Holtz, Alexander Salak, Andrei Chibisov, Anton Forsberg, Anttoni Honka

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 06/25/19 Anaheim Ducks 1148452 The Ducks went bold with Trevor Zegras, and nearly 1148483 Colorado Avalanche development camp 2019 roster landed a second coveted prospect unveiled 1148484 Grading the Avalanche’s 2019 draft class 1148453 Coyotes get first look at 'mature' Victor Soderstrom in prospect development camp 1148485 Dallas trades winger Tyler Pitlick to Flyers for Ryan 1148454 NHL draft grades: Arizona Coyotes' 2019 NHL draft class Hartman, who the Stars have thrown punches at before earns solid early reviews 1148486 Dallas Stars legend Sergei Zubov deserves enshrinement 1148455 Coyotes prospect development camp begins, dust settles in the Hockey Hall of Fame, still. after NHL Draft 1148456 Coyotes release roster and dates for prospect development camp 1148487 Why the Detroit Red Wings believe 'right turn' on defense 1148457 After nervous moments, Coyotes’ Chayka pleased with in draft will pay off draft 1148488 Red Wings draft picks get chance to learn about NHL life with development camp 1148489 First-round picks Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno, Moritz Seider 1148458 Bruins will get an up-close look at draft class this week highlight Red Wings development camp 1148459 Report: Steven Kampfer to re-sign with Bruins on a 1148490 Breakdown of Detroit Red Wings 2019 draft class two-year deal 1148460 Bruins' Noel Acciari knows Boston is 'a special, special Oilers place' as free agency approaches 1148491 Jim Playfair's playing career here was short but eventful 1148461 Bruins draft grades roundup: Mixed reviews on John 1148492 Will the Oilers’ summer 2019 top-20 prospects be the Beecher, later picks answer to a frustrated fan base’s prayers? 1148462 After 36 years, Bruce Cassidy finally solving knee injury that derailed his career 1148463 With Seattle approaching, Bruins already planning for 1148493 AFFECTING CULTURE THROUGH THE DRAFT; 2021 NHL expansion draft WEIGHING FORWARDS, DEFENSEMEN AT 22, 33; MORE FROM YANNETTI 1148494 HEAD EUROPEAN SCOUT CHRISTIAN RUUTTU TALKS 1148464 Projecting the NHL timeline for all of the Sabres’ top BJORNFOT, FAGEMO, PARIK, NOUSIAINEN prospects 1148495 Solid drafts by Wild and Wolves reflected by national 1148465 Canes trade de Haan to Blackhawks as part of deal for grades goalie Forsberg 1148496 Minnesota Wild sign D Hunt to 2-year deal 1148466 Will success as coach help Brind’Amour’s Hall case as 1148497 Wild re-signs defenseman Brad Hunt for two years, $1.4 player? million 1148467 Suzuki among 26 players in Canes’ prospects camp 1148498 Here are five players to keep an eye on at Wild 1148468 NHL Trade Grades: What the swap development camp means for the Blackhawks and Hurricanes 1148499 Wild agree to two-year contract with defenseman Brad Hunt 1148500 What the Wild have been up to so far in the free-agent 1148469 Blackhawks acquire defenseman Calvin de Haan and a courting period prospect for and 1148470 ‘Everything was about hockey’: From Edmonton to to Chicago, Blackhawks top pick Kirby Dach 1148501 Canadiens invite 39 players to this week's development never sto camp in Brossard 1148471 Blackhawks acquire Hurricanes’ Calvin de Haan in 1148502 Here's a new name for Canadiens fans: Arsen 4-player trade Khisamutdinov 1148472 Blackhawks hope they found a Superman in mild- 1148503 Stu Cowan: Larry Robinson has high praise for Blues mannered Kirby Dach coach Craig Berube 1148473 Blackhawks hope Dach can transform forward group, not 1148504 Breaking down the domino effect that allowed the just plug hole Canadiens to take the best scorer in the draft 1148474 Blackhawks get de Haan from Hurricanes in trade 1148475 Blackhawks introduce top draft choice 1148476 What Olli Maatta and Calvin de Haan trades mean for 1148505 How P.K. Subban deal went down between Predators, future of Blackhawks defense Devils 1148477 Blackhawks acquire defenseman Calvin de Haan from Carolina in four-player trade 1148478 'Winning to me is everything': Kirby Dach wants to play big 1148506 Free agent Robin Lehner says he still is focused on role in helping Blackhawks win more Stanley Cups re-signing with Islanders 1148479 Watch live: Kirby Dach's Blackhawks introductory press conference 1148480 NHL Trade Grades: What the Calvin de Haan swap means for the Blackhawks and Hurricanes 1148481 Roundtable reaction: Blackhawks bolster blue line by trading for Calvin de Haan 1148482 Where the Blackhawks stand with their restricted free agents 1148507 gives first impression on life as a Ranger 1148546 Ben Kuzma: Canucks are at fork in road with Hutton as 1148508 It’s time to start dreaming about this new Rangers crop RFA deadline nears 1148509 ’s Rangers heir apparent Igor Shesterkin 1148547 Is Ethan Keppen a rare find for Canucks as fourth-round is finally here pick? 1148510 Igor Shesterkin, Rangers' top goalie prospect, has wits 1148548 From Torts to AV to Tampa, Miller is well prepared for about him at development camp scrutiny 1148511 Goldman: How Kaapo Kakko compares to similar players in previous draft classes 1148540 Golden Knights sign center William Karlsson to 8-year NHL contract 1148512 Bellevue-based Symetra life insurance becomes Seattle 1148541 Golden Knights prospects eagerly await start of NHL team’s first founding partner, sponsor development camp 1148513 No new GM yet, but a key hockey operations pickup by 1148542 Golden Knights officially sign Karlsson to 8-year contract NHL Seattle should help make that call extension 1148514 FIVE TO WATCH: Players to keep an eye on at Senators 1148543 Free Agency Bracket: Noel Acciari vs. Marcus Kruger development camp 1148544 Ted Leonsis reflects on Capitals' induction to D.C. Sports 1148515 Senators prospect Kastelic carries proud hockey heritage Hall of Fame into development camp 1148516 Now that the NHL Draft is over for the Senators, let the Websites second-guessing begin 1148549 The Athletic / LeBrun Notebook: Pavelski visiting teams this week, latest on Marner talks and more 1148550 The Athletic / Duhatschek: Q&A with Todd Warriner on 1148517 Flyers trade Ryan Hartman for Stars’ Tyler Pitlick as GM what it takes to go from draft pick to NHL regular Chuck Fletcher’s sweet tooth for Minnesota natives co 1148551 The Athletic / By the numbers: Evaluating the 2019 free 1148518 Flyers re-sign blossoming Travis Sanheim to a two-year agency class deal 1148552 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Rating the biggest 1148519 Flyers’ prospects camp starts Tuesday in Voorhees stories and moments from draft weekend on the Surprise 1148520 For Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher, the NHL draft was about Scal reinforcements | Sam Donnellon 1148553 The Athletic / Pronman: Top prospects for the 2020 NHL 1148521 Flyers trade Ryan Hartman to Stars in exchange for Tyler Draft Pitlick 1148554 .ca / Rumoured Myers price tag overshadows 1148522 2019 Flyers development camp: Roster, schedule and Canucks’ pickup of Miller more 1148555 Sportsnet.ca / One standout selection from each round of 1148523 Flyers sign Travis Sanheim to 2-year, $6.5 million the 2019 NHL Draft extension 1148556 Sportsnet.ca / Five potential offer sheet targets on the 1148524 Flyers trade Hartman to Dallas, sign Sanheim to two-year secondary RFA market deal 1148557 Sportsnet.ca / Breaking down how the cap-strapped Oilers 1148525 A quest for increased cap certainty: Busy Flyers sign should navigate the off-season Sanheim to bridge deal, swap Hartman for Pitlick 1148558 TSN.CA / Miller trade the result of Vancouver’s past draft failures 1148526 A closer look at all 41 prospects invited to Penguins development camp 1148545 Jets facing tough calls under cash crunch 1148527 ‘The other’ Matt headlines Penguins development camp roster 1148528 What should we make of the Penguins' power-forward SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 draft picks? San Jose Sharks 1148529 Sharks to host top prospects, four 2019 draft picks at development camp 1148530 NHL rumors: Joonas Donskoi receiving 'strong interest' in free agency 1148531 Sharks free-agency decisions: Will star winger Timo Meier stay or go? 1148532 NHL rumors: Sharks' Joe Pavelski could meet with Stars, Lightning this week 1148533 Bob Boughner’s return to the Sharks was a ‘no brainer’ move after his head-coaching tenure in Florida ended St Louis Blues 1148534 Celebrations over, Blues gear up for free agency 1148535 Which Blues players will stay and which might have played their last game in the Note? 1148536 Leafs’ outlook is brighter with cap in hand | The Star 1148537 Kids hope to shine at Maple Leafs development camp 1148538 Nick Robertson among 5 new Leaf picks headline devo camp 1148539 Duhatschek: Q&A with Todd Warriner on what it takes to go from draft pick to NHL regular 1148452 Anaheim Ducks struggling Kootenay Ice team in the . In our mock draft, we consistently had Krebs as Anaheim’s pick at nine but his Achilles tear and surgery this month put a chill into some teams.

The Ducks went bold with Trevor Zegras, and nearly landed a second Zegras was regularly rated higher than Krebs, so the Ducks likely coveted prospect couldn’t ignore Zegras falling into their lap. Had Madden and Co. walked away with both, it rightly could have been viewed as a draft coup.

By Eric Stephens Jun 24, 2019 “We had a plan in place to get a mid-first-round pick to jump on the guy that was falling,” Madden said. “He just went before the pick that we had a chance to get. That would have been an interesting story.”

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Four of the five picks the Ducks made — Still holding the 29th pick, the Ducks took scoring winger and Calgary on the second and final day of the NHL Draft are going to play college native Brayden Tracey. Tracey was the top rookie in the Western Hockey hockey. Three of them hail from Minnesota, the self-proclaimed State of League, as his 36 goals and 81 points easily outpaced other first-year Hockey. players.

Connective threads developed, but Martin Madden said one theme has Tracey played with some highly productive older Moose Jaw linemates in always risen above anything else in the Ducks’ draft plan. Justin Almeida and Tristin Langan. But the Ducks were high on this left wing who surged in the draft rankings throughout his first junior season. “We had a game plan of getting the best player available at every pick,” He overcame a late-season shoulder injury and had an impressive World said Madden, the Ducks’ amateur scouting chief. Under-18 tournament for , posting four goals and three assists in After their work was done Saturday, Madden and his staff wound down seven games. over a sunset dinner at a restaurant off picturesque Coal Harbour. They Concerns about his skating were his only red flag, and might be hope this year’s haul of prospects will produce some NHL talent. Judging overblown because he isn’t considered a poor skater. Tracey said a by the Ducks’ history under Madden, it’s a good bet more than one will meeting with Anaheim’s brass was the first one he had upon arriving in find his way onto the Anaheim roster over the few years. Vancouver. He immediately got a good vibe from an organization that Time and development will determine how well these ‘Best Player expressed how much it liked him. Availables’ fare as they push toward their ultimate dream — one having “It’s something special,” Tracey said. “At the beginning of the year, we been realized when their names were called. Every draft is key for teams didn’t really think we’d be here. Obviously, I’ve come a long way, but it in the salary cap era but this one was especially important for the Ducks. doesn’t come without the organization at Moose Jaw. I think the coaches They had two first-round picks, and seven choices total, and they need to down to my linemates and my teammates, it’s special and I wouldn’t be start putting another wave of talent into the organization — especially here without them.” because they have prospects who are expected to matriculate onto the 2019-20 club. Tracey cited Moose Jaw coach Tim Hunter, a longtime former NHL forward and assistant coach, as one who particularly has been key in his Some meaty notes, small bites and other morsels to chew on: rise as a player. — Trevor Zegras is the prize of this Anaheim draft. General manager “Having Tim on the bench behind me, you know where he’s been,” he Bob Murray did not think the center/wing with elite-level passing skills said. “He’s won the Cup. He’s coached in the league, he’s played in the would be on the board when their No. 9 pick came along. The native of league. Learning from him is something outstanding. He’s helped me so Bedford, N.Y., will go to Boston University in the fall but is highly much. Whether it’s me being mature or me not working hard enough, I confident about needing just one season of college hockey before joining think he’s been the guy who’s been there the last couple of years. It’s the Ducks for 2020-21. (Which could be a good sign toward inking him on really helped me.” an entry-level deal sooner than later.) The Ducks will certainly want to pump the brakes on any comparison with Murray tried to temper the enthusiasm about securing a player some 2003, when they took Getzlaf and Corey Perry in what has turned out to believe was the third-best forward in this draft (behind Jack Hughes and be the greatest draft of this century. But parallels are being drawn Kaapo Kakko) in terms of pure offensive skill. But the feeling around because of the pairing of a world-class passer and a scorer with skating Zegras was that he could be the center who succeeds Ryan Getzlaf as concerns. the franchise’s No. 1 center. — Four of the five Saturday picks were defensemen: Jackson LaCombe “We’re super excited with Trevor,” Madden said. “But let’s not go in the second round, Henry Thrun in the fourth, and Will Francis and overboard. We knew we were going to get an extremely talented player Mathew Hill in the sixth. “Best player available” might be their chant but at 9. We were absolutely convinced of that. And we’re really happy that the Ducks needed to address a position where their once unrivaled depth Trevor happened to fall to us.” was no more. Isac Lundestrom was a safer choice with the 23rd selection last year, as They’ve dealt away Sami Vatanen, Shea Theodore and Brandon a smart forward who could play well in multiple situations but might not Montour. Jacob Larsson and Brendan Guhle should challenge for a spot have a true top-six ceiling. Zegras is not that. He is more of the type of on the Anaheim blue line, because the only everyday defenders are Cam choice the Ducks made in 2012, with a fast-rising defenseman in Fowler, Lindholm and Josh Manson. Korbinian Holzer returns to provide Hampus Lindholm. depth but Jaycob Megna and Andy Welinski can be Group 6 unrestricted But Madden doesn’t see the Zegras pick as one they necessarily took a free agents next week if they’re not re-signed. Josh Mahura and Simon bigger cut on. Benoit show some promise, but this fall camp will be big for them.

“I don’t know if it’s a big swing,” Madden said. “As I told you the other The Ducks selected only four defensemen among their 25 picks over the day, I really don’t see much risk in those first 12 guys. They’re all going to four previous drafts, so it was high time they stocked the shelves. play and they’re all going to be really good players. And they’re all going “We also wanted to add some defensemen back to our depth pool,” to have an impact. It’s not a huge swing in my view because I don’t see Madden said. “I think we accomplished that.” the strikeout risk with that group of players. — LaCombe is seen as a raw, toolsy offensive talent who has sprouted “He is supremely talented. There’s no doubt about that. He’s got great physically. He also is one of three Minnesota-born players the Ducks vision. Great creativity. Great skill. And in that respect, he is different grabbed Saturday. from our centerman now in the system. So, that’s an added bonus.” “Just happenstance, really,” Madden said. “We were looking at forward, — The Ducks had a chance to really turn heads at the draft. With the really, for that 39th pick and they just happened to be gone by that . 29th and 39th overall choices also at their disposal, they investigated Jackson has got huge upside. He’s played at a lower level up until now moving up to No. 18 for their second pick. but he’s a great skater. Outstanding skills. Very good hockey sense. Dallas held that choice and the framework of a deal had been arranged. “And he’s growing like crazy. He was 5-10, 150 pounds about 20 months Vegas’ selection of center Peyton Krebs at 17 ruined the plan, because ago. He’s 6-2, 195 now and he’s still growing. He’s got huge upside.” the Ducks liked the heady playmaking center who stood out on a LaCombe is committed to the University of Minnesota after playing at famed prep hockey factory Shattuck-St. Mary’s. He described himself as an offensive-style defenseman who can help his teammates get better, which makes sense because he is a converted forward.

“I met a lot of great people and it’s been a lot of great players that have gone through there,” LaCombe said of the Shattuck experience. “Kind of really special to be a part of that. I loved every second of it.”

— Zegras and LaCombe are off to college and Thrun will play at Harvard this fall, while fifth-round forward Trevor Janicke is bound for Notre Dame and Francis is committed to Minnesota-Duluth.

For most of these picks, there’s a developmental plan of three to five years. And the preponderance of college players taken is something Madden said developed organically.

“It’s an added bonus,” Madden said. “It’s not the reason why we make those selections. It’s part of the discussions when we’re analyzing and comparing players. But as I said before, you take the best player available. This time it happened that many of them are going to college. Simple as that.”

Madden said the college route could be particularly beneficial for Thrun, who was a reliable defender and teammate of Zegras on the star- studded U.S. National Team Development Program squad.

“Henry’s an outstanding athlete and really, really smart individual,” Madden said. “Those are his best qualities. He competes. Keeps it simple. Contributes in all ways we want a defenseman to contribute. I think that the long route for him will allow him to keep getting better offensively.

“He’s got some skill. He’s got some offense. Going to college might allow him to get more confident in that aspect of the game. But if he doesn’t, he’s going to be a solid two-way guy regardless.”

— Another draft plan was to get into the third round and fill the hole between the 39th and 101st choices.

“We had some options to move down,” Madden said. “We would have had to move down too much from 39. We were getting much later in the second round. The historical value is about equal. But when we were looking at our list, I was really concerned that we were going to miss the guys that we really wanted. So that’s why we passed on those opportunities.”

— There has been no announcement from the team, but Francois Beauchemin appears to be taking on a role within the organization. The respected defenseman, who won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks and played 531 of his 903 career games with them, was at the draft and may be working with Todd Marchant in player development. Beauchemin retired in 2018 after a 14-year career.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148453 Arizona Coyotes “Is he ready to play in the NHL?” Chayka said. “Obviously that’s tough for an 18-year-old defenseman, but we want to see how he does, and from there it’s if he can play in Tucson, is he better served to play over in Coyotes get first look at 'mature' Victor Soderstrom in prospect (Sweden) again and continue to develop. … development camp "He’s physically mature, he’s mentally mature, he’s got the skill set, so it’ll be whatever’s best for his development long-term and where he’s at coming into camp.” Julia Stumbaugh, Arizona Republic Published 7:40 p.m. MT June 24, 2019 | Updated 7:54 p.m. MT June 24, 2019 Prospect camp began Monday, with practice sessions this week open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday, followed by a town hall meeting and scrimmage on Friday.

Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Soderstrom is joined by the Coyotes' past two first-round picks, Barrett Chayka has been through four drafts with the Coyotes so far, but he said Hayton (2018) and Pierre-Olivier Joseph (2017), as well as other 2019 was by far the most stressful. returning prospects such as Nate Schnarr and Ivan Prosvetov.

“We had a single goal in mind going into it and didn’t want to miss,” With NHL free agency opening up on July 1, the readiness of the club’s Chayka said. prospects will have a hand in dictating what roster moves Chayka makes.

When the Coyotes traded the 14th and 45th overall picks on Friday in “Teams can’t be built through free agency, they also can’t be built order to select 11th overall in the first round, many expected the scoring- through trades,” Chayka said. “You’ve got to pull every single lever, and starved club — they ranked 29th in the league in goals in 2018-19 — to the draft is our focus, like any team. But if we get the chance to add a go after one of the offensive talents in the draft. player that can take us to the next level, then we certainly have the ability to do that.” High-scoring winger Cole Caufield was available. But it was no accident that the Coyotes instead used their selection to choose Swedish Arizona Republic LOADED: 06.25.2019 defenseman Victor Soderstrom.

“We tried to move up seven, eight, nine,” Chayka said. “We tried to move up as high as we could and offered a lot to get up there. We made sure we left no stone unturned to get our guy.”

For Soderstrom, hearing his name called was what he described as the best feeling of his life so far.

“Trading up to get me, it really means a lot,” Soderstrom said. “… Right when they traded my agent told me, ‘Yeah, they’re gonna pick you.’ But I wasn’t really sure until I heard my name.”

Three days later, Soderstrom arrived at Gila River Arena for the Coyotes' annual prospect development camp. The Swede, used to mild summers back home, is adjusting to the heat and to getting his skates back under him after a few months out of the rink.

Still, his skating was decisive as he took the ice for the first day of development camp.

“I think I’m a two-way D with offensive upside,” Soderstrom said. “I think I have good hockey sense, hockey IQ. I’m a smooth skater, skilled. I think I need to work on my strength, that’s what I’m focused on the most.”

“I think I’m a two-way D with offensive upside. I think I have good hockey sense, hockey IQ. I’m a smooth skater, skilled.”

Soderstrom’s favorite player is Sidney Crosby, but as a defenseman he’s tried to model parts of his game after a host of NHL blueliners: Erik Karlsson, John Klingberg, Drew Doughty, and the Coyotes’ own Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Soderstrom particularly admires Ekman-Larsson's from the point and passing abilities.

"OEL and the Swedes here, they have a talented group of players, and I think they could be a really good team in a couple years," Soderstrom said.

Last year, playing in the highest level of the Swedish league, Soderstrom’s team finished 11th out of 14 teams. Soderstrom, who totaled seven points in 44 games, didn't get the chance to demonstrate his offensive upside as a player.

Chayka doesn’t seem to be worried about the recent lack of production. He sees Soderstrom’s success at the highest Swedish level as proof that he can excel against grown men.

Next season, he might play with the Coyotes' AHL affiliate in Tucson or even potentially the Coyotes. It’s worth noting that another defenseman drafted by Chayka, Jacob Chychrun, played 68 games in 2016, the year he was selected with the 16th overall pick.

Chayka has not been afraid to put young defensemen on the big stage, especially when they’re as physically ready for the NHL as Chychrun was. Perhaps the same will be true of Soderstrom. 1148454 Arizona Coyotes extremely talented players to their pipeline. Had they added any of the top forwards available in the first round instead of Soderstrom, this grade would probably be a B+."

NHL draft grades: Arizona Coyotes' 2019 NHL draft class earns solid Bleacher Report: B early reviews Steve Silverman writes: "Soderstrom is well on his way to becoming a polished defenseman, but the issue for the Coyotes may be trying to Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic Published 9:45 a.m. MT June 24, 2019 figure out what he does best. He can skate, shoot, block shots and play one-on-one defense, but he does not stand out in any of these areas."

Last Word on Hockey: B The Arizona Coyotes did just fine in the 2019 NHL draft, according to early reviews for the team's selections. Ben Kerr writes: "The Coyotes had a lot of picks, but this is a story of quantity over quality. Soderstrom projects to be a solid all-around Several national publications have graded the GM John Chayka's picks with excellent skating. There are some size concerns but in and they like what the team did, with marks ranging from B+ to B-. the modern NHL, they should not limit his potential. Farinacci could become a top-six centre in the NHL. However, given the level of While we won't know how this class will pan out for years to come, early competition he has faced to date, he is a bit of a long-term project. reviews seem to indicate that the Coyotes could have really helped Maccelli plays the game at a high speed and has the stickhandling skill to strengthen the future of the franchise in the NHL draft. make plays at that speed. Darin is another speedy winger and has a Check out what NHL pundits are saying about the Coyotes' choices in deadly shot. Raty drives offence through getting in quickly on the the NHL entry draft. forecheck and creating turnovers. Nussbaumer looked like a top pick at this time last year but had a disappointing draft year. He’s a good gamble Are you a sports fan? Stay in the know. Subscribe to azcentral.com in the 7th round." today. Yahoo Sports: B Sporting News: B+ Ryan Lambert writes: "Didn’t really get the Victor Soderstrom pick at 11, Steve Kournianos writes: "The Coyotes went forward-heavy in since they traded up to get him. He’s a good prospect but maybe not No. Vancouver, with an obvious emphasis on speed and skill. After trading up 11 good, you know? Anyway, they went almost exclusively with forwards with Philadelphia on Friday to grab graceful puck mover Victor for the rest of the draft and if you have the Coyotes roster, that’s probably Soderstrom at 11, GM John Chayka opened Day 2 with playmaking a good idea." center John Farinacci followed by three consecutive wingers with speed - Matias Maccelli (98th), Alexandr Darin (107th) and Aku Raty (151). Not everyone was high on the Coyotes' draft, however. Arizona then picked up two additional centers in 200-foot pivot Anthony Fansided labeled the team as a "loser" for its selections. Romano (176th) and Swiss import Valentin Nussbaumer (207th)- a preseason first rounder, and ended their weekend with hard-shooting Alex Hoegler wrote: "The Arizona Coyotes drafted up so they could get point man Axel Bergqvist (200th). Although trading up three spots to grab Swedish defenseman Victor Soderstrom at No. 11 overall, but I think Soderstrom seemed unnecessary since neither team picking after them general manager John Chayka needed a forward. Otherwise, the took a defender, the fact that they went for skill at every position, plus aforementioned York would have been the safer and better pick here. drafted a possible heir apparent for Oliver Ekman-Larsson, is good Chayka’s wheeling and dealing left him without another draft pick until enough to classify this draft as a success." the third round, where the Coyotes selected center John Farinacci at No. 76 overall. Not a bad pick, but again, Chayka should have gone with a Rotoworld: B forward and then a defenseman with his first two selections." Ryan Dadoun writes: "There was only one trade in the first day of the Arizona Republic LOADED: 06.25.2019 Entry Draft and it was the Coyotes surrendering the 14th and 45th overall picks to Philadelphia so that they could move up to 11th overall. Unsurprisingly given what they gave up, the Coyotes think extremely highly of Soderstrom. Coyotes director of scouting Lindsay Hofford described him as a “five-star guy” and emphasized that they didn’t have many of those on their list while Coyotes GM John Chayka said that he’s not far off from being NHL-ready. So what exactly does he bring to the table? Well, he’s a right-handed shooting defenseman who can count his maturity and hockey strength among his biggest strengths. He’s a great passer too and possesses a decent shot, but as a 17-year-old (he turned 18 on Feb. 26) playing against men in Sweden’s top league, he didn’t do much offensively. He finished with four goals and seven points in 44 Swedish league contests last season. In the long run he might not be an elite blueliner offensively, but he’ll be strong enough defensively that it wouldn’t be shocking to see him eventually settle into a top-four role. Because they gave up the 45th pick as part of the trade to get him, the Coyotes didn’t pick again until 76th when they took John Farinacci, who is a good two-way forward. With the 98th overall pick they took Fourth round, who should be interesting because he excels offensively, but he’s on the smaller end, isn’t a great skater, and there are some concerns about his ability to put out a consistent effort. So there are clear areas of concern there, but also real potential. I’m not sure that I’m on board with the Coyotes decision to trade up for Soderstrom given the price and how much other good talent was still available with the 14th pick, but I can’t deny that they added some potentially good pieces in this year’s draft."

Fansided: B-

Dave Stevenson writes: "I’m not grading the trade up to get him, but there’s a lot to like about Victor Soderstrom. He’s close to being NHL ready and I think he has the potential to be a top-four defenseman. The Coyotes system needs scorers and I think Alexander Daryin could be one. Daniil Savunov has some attractive tools, but I don’t know if the collective sum of them will be an NHL player. The Coyotes added some 1148455 Arizona Coyotes forward Ryan Donato, in professional hockey. Donato’s father Ted (Farinacci’s uncle) is the head coach at Harvard, where Farinacci will play hockey next season. Ted’s younger brother Dan was Farinacci’s Coyotes prospect development camp begins, dust settles after NHL Draft head coach at Dexter, the prep school where he played last year.

Farinacci is a 6-foot, 185-pound right-shot center who models his game after Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins. The Coyotes had him ranked BY MATT LAYMAN | JUNE 24, 2019 AT 9:27 PM higher than 76th overall, where he was selected, but injuries may have been part of that; Farinacci had a bone contusion in his right knee and UPDATED: JUNE 24, 2019 AT 10:42 PM missed some time, but is said to be 100% now.

Areas for improvement are skating and pace of play, he said. GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Coyotes’ prospect development camp “He’s a skilled forward, high-character, he can score, he’s playing prep began on Monday, which will include five days of young players coming school this year, so again, some of the evaluation was a bit more through Gila River Arena for on- and off-ice training sessions, physical difficult,” Chayka said. “But we liked him early in the year. He was playing tests, free time together and even some involvement in the community. in [the] Hlinka [Gretzky Cup] there. I thought he was one of the U.S.’s Among those on the ice Monday were 2018 first-round pick Barrett best forwards. Our guys are pretty high on him obviously and come to Hayton, 2017 first-round pick Pierre-Olivier Joseph, and all of the draft camp here and see how he does.” picks from this past weekend with the exception of the two Russian Spending the last two years in Massachusetts (and more when he goes players, Alexandr Darin and Danil Savunov. back to Harvard), Farinacci is originally from New Jersey. General manager John Chayka expressed his excitement for the new WHAT’S NEXT FOR KEEGHAN HOWDESHELL? players, reflecting on when current Coyotes like Clayton Keller, Jakob Chychrun, Christian Dvorak and Christian Fischer came through the Two players at the prospect camp this week — forwards Keeghan same program after they were drafted. Howdeshell and Nate Schnarr — had big seasons in the last year. Schnarr was drafted in the third round by Arizona two “It’s exciting,” Chayka said. “A lot of them still have a long path to go and years ago and finished ninth in the OHL this past season in points with that’s probably the reason why we drafted good character people that 102 (34 goals, 68 assists in 65 games) for the Guelph Storm. can kind of get better and grow and improve every year. And now you see some guys coming through, P.O. [Joseph], [Nate] Schnarr and some Howdeshell finished ninth in the OHL, too, but in goals scored. He had 46 of these guys that have really developed physically and you see them goals on the season, only four behind the top-5, while playing for the year-to-year, growing like that, so it’s always a time of hope and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. After the season, he was rewarded with a excitement for everyone and now they’re here to learn how to be a pro one-year contract with the Tucson Roadrunners. and take that next step.” He said his teammates had a lot to do with his increase in production, The time is intended to be more for development than evaluation, and the which was an uptick of 30 more goals than he had the year before. “If it players on Wednesday will even participate in community events within wasn’t for them, I don’t think I would have put those numbers up,” he the Valley. On Friday, the week is capped off with a Red & White said. scrimmage on Friday at 7 p.m. at Gila River Arena. That scrimmage, like the rest of the camp, is free and open to the public. He’s a 6-foot-2, right-handed shot and said his game might be similar to that of Josh Anderson, a Columbus forward who scored 27 goals in 82 Chayka, head coach Rick Toccet and team president and CEO Ahron games in the NHL last season. Cohen will hold a town hall before Friday’s scrimmage, starting at 5 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel next to the arena. BARRETT HAYTON BACK FOR YEAR TWO

VICTOR SODERSTROM ARRIVES IN AZ Hayton, who went fifth overall in 2018, is at prospect camp for the second time. He technically made the NHL roster out of training camp last Soderstrom, wearing No. 77 (coincidentally, the same number as fellow season, but was only given a taste of NHL life before he was sent back to Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman), donned a Coyotes uniform for the his junior team, the aforementioned Sault Ste. Marie. first time on ice on Monday. “My goal is to obviously stay with the team this year,” Hayton said Earlier in the morning, Chayka told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Monday. “That’s why I’m down here all summer, that’s why I’m taking the Sports Station that the Coyotes tried to trade up to spots even higher steps that I am to really give myself the best opportunity to make the than the 11th pick to take Victor Soderstrom, and actually had offered lineup and have an impact.” more than what they ended up trading (picks 14 and 45 for pick 11). Hayton has already been skating on his own with the team’s skating The Coyotes are high on Soderstrom for a multitude of reasons, and coach, Lars Hepso, this summer. teams first began contacting him about the draft at the beginning of last season. Arizona was one of the first of those teams. Arizona Sports LOADED: 06.25.2019

“I had a good feeling they were going to pick me, because they’ve been the team that I’ve talked to the most,” Soderstrom said. “They talked to my agent a lot, too. Actually, right when they traded, my agent told me, ‘Yeah, they’re going to pick you,’ but I wasn’t really sure until they heard my name.”

It’s to-be-determined where Soderstrom will play next season, and Chayka said that the Coyotes “have still got to work through things with his representation.” Playing pro hockey in Sweden last year, the Coyotes seem confident that Soderstrom has already been tested against more mature players than those found in junior. But whether he goes to the AHL or back to Sweden will depend on what’s best for his development.

“The discussion will be how he comes in and is he ready to play in the NHL,” Chayka said. “Obviously that’s tough for an 18-year-old defenseman, but we want to see how he does and then from there, it’s, ‘Can he play in Tucson? Is he better-served to play over in Brynas again and continue to develop?’ That will be a collaborative discussion.”

JOHN FARINACCI JOINS THE FAMILY BUSINESS

Farinacci was the Coyotes’ third-round selection and the second player the team took in the draft this year. He joins his cousin, Minnesota Wild 1148456 Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes release roster and dates for prospect development camp

BY TOM KUEBEL

JUNE 23, 2019 AT 2:00 PM

The Arizona Coyotes plan to welcome first-round draft pick Victor Soderstrom to its prospect development camp beginning on Monday in Glendale.

Soderstrom is expected to join fellow former first-round draft picks Barrett Hayton and Pierre-Olivier Joseph.

Seven of the nine players selected by the Coyotes in the 2019 NHL Draft are expected to attend the camp.

It culminates in a scrimmage game at 7:00 p.m. on Friday at Gila River Arena.

President and CEO Ahron Cohen, GM John Chayka and head coach Rick Tocchet will host a town hall event with fans at the nearby Renaissance Hotel before the game.

Activities for kids will be offered after the game.

The players are scheduled to participate in several community events on Wednesday, as the team will participate in on-ice practices Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148457 Arizona Coyotes Finals. Chayka knows the team was close to ending the drought last season but said that it needs to score more and stay healthy.

“We didn’t score enough to make the playoffs and we were a top five After nervous moments, Coyotes’ Chayka pleased with draft goals-against team and didn’t get the big goals and didn’t have the firepower to take that next step,” Chayka said. “We’ll evaluate and look at the role of injuries and it’s tough when you are a lost team and its very BY SEBASTIAN EMANUEL | CRONKITE NEWS | JUNE 24, 2019 AT rare that you make the playoffs.” 7:10 PM The addition of free agents can help the Coyotes get over the hump but UPDATED: JUNE 24, 2019 AT 7:11 PM the overall development of their young players will help the growth of the franchise.

“Another year of experience and another year of growth, big summers GLENDALE, Ariz. – As the NHL Draft unfold, John Chayka was should help us to continue to grow,” Chayka said. “We are hoping for determined to select Swedish defenseman Victor Soderstrom. some internal development and good health and the right additions to There was a problem: The Coyotes’ president of hockey operations and boost our offense. If we can get those things then we should be general manager had Soderstrom as one of his three best players. The competitive and contending.” team, however, had the 14th overall pick. Arizona Sports LOADED: 06.25.2019 When the 18-year-old’s name wasn’t called during the first 10 picks, the team traded up to the 11th spot and landed its guy.

“For me it was the most stress we have had at the draft table so far,” Chayka said Monday. “We had a single goal going into it and didn’t want to miss. We tried to move up as high as we could and offered a lot to get up there and made sure we left no stone unturned to get our guy. To execute and get him here and get him involved in everything is what we are after.”

The move was symbolic of a team that remains confident in its vision – and Chayka – despite the Coyotes missing the playoffs in the young GM’s three years and the last seven overall. Optimism remains high in the organization after a 2018-19 season where elimination from the playoffs came just days before the regular season ended.

The team believe Soderstrom can be an important part of the future. As nervous as Chayka was Friday, the stress level for Soderstrom was just as high as he waited for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to call his name.

“Those long hours before the draft, on draft day when you wake up, you just want it to start,” Soderstrom said. “I was pretty nervous sitting in the stands and when I heard my name I was really excited. It was so fun. I’m excited to be here.”

When the Coyotes traded with the Philadelphia Flyers to secure the 11th pick, Soderstrom’s agent told him that he was going to be joining the Arizona Coyotes.

“Them trading up to get me means a lot,” he said. “I had a good feeling that they were going to pick me because they have been the team I have talked to the most. … I wasn’t really too sure until I heard my name. I’m really excited to be here and proud to be a Coyote.”

He also was able to exhale.

“It was a relief because you have been thinking of this all season long,” Soderstrom said. “Now you belong to a team and it feels good.”

Chayka, who is entering his fourth year as the team’s general manager, believes the team had a successful weekend and looks forward to the upcoming free agency period.

“Some teams will get free agents and that will create a log jam and someone will shake loose,” Chayka said. “Some teams will miss on free agents and that will change their trade approach. Its very dynamic right now and things change by the hour basically. Teams are looking at all their options and alternatives as will we.”

Although an announcement about an ownership move is expected on July 19, the team’s aggressive approach to the offseason will not change, Chayka said. The Athletic has reported that billionaire entrepreneur Alex Meruelo is in the advanced stages of purchasing a majority share of the team.

“We are trying to build an organization here and our focus here is on growing the business and growing our team and really putting in place a foundation that we can be a strong organization for a long long time,” Chayka said.

The Coyotes haven’t made the NHL Playoffs since the 2011-12 season, when they lost to the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference 1148458 Boston Bruins [Boston draft picks], to be perfectly honest with you, I just don’t know a lot about them.

“When I look at how they’ve drafted under Don Sweeney, they like to go Bruins will get an up-close look at draft class this week to their American players, and they kind of go all over the map.”

Sportsnet reporter Elliotte Friedman, who saw Beecher at the draft, said By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated June 25, 2019, 12:39 a.m. he looks the part: “I could not believe that guy was 18 years old. That guy is a beast.”

■ From its initial year (2007, when David Krejci, Brad Marchand, and The key names on Don Sweeney’s list are Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Tuukka Rask were in the mix) to now, Bruins development camp has Carlo, and Danton Heinen. The Bruins general manager, hoping to come always provided a success story or two. Most recently: Karson Kuhlman, to terms with the trio of restricted free agents before the summer grows who played in the Cup Final after participating in the last two camps in long, presumably has those names circled, underlined, and starred on Brighton. the whiteboards in the offices overlooking the frozen sheet at Warrior Ice Arena. ■ First-round pick Tyler Seguin added some star power to the 2010 camp, and a too-skinny David Pastrnak had everyone buzzing in 2014. But this week, he’ll pause from his salary-cap machinations and More young talent arrived in 2015, with three first-rounders and future RFA/UFA negotiations and have a look at John Beecher, Quinn Olson, NHLers Alex Iafallo and Brandon Tanev on invites. and Matias Mantykivi. Those prospects and others will run through their paces Wednesday through Friday in Brighton at the team’s annual But 2016 was the best year for a Bruins summer session. development camp. Forwards Anders Bjork, Jake DeBrusk, Ryan Donato, Trent Frederic, The Bruins had not released a camp roster as of Monday afternoon, but Heinen, and Sean Kuraly have become familiar names. Three of the top Beecher, the Michigan-bound center taken 30th overall in last Friday’s six D for this year’s Cup team — Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk, and McAvoy — draft, will be a headliner. Fresh from his days as a supporting cast were there, and Jeremy Lauzon and Jakub Zboril will push for roster member in a stacked US national development program, Beecher has a spots this fall. Malcolm Subban was a first-round goalie. chance to show the size and skating that convinced the Bruins to spend The low point? Hard to go anywhere other than 2009, when Zach Hamill their first-round pick on him in Vancouver. Other parts of his game? We’ll (eighth overall, 2007) was there for the third summer, and fellow first- see. rounders Jordan Caron (’08) and Joe Colborne (’09) had fans wondering Calgary-bred left wing Olson (third round, No. 92), Finnish center if and when they’d ever pan out. No one from the camp made an NHL Mantykivi (sixth round, No. 185), and Wisconsinite left wing Jake impact. Schmaltz (seventh round, No. 192) also will be there. Olson (Minnesota- Hamill, the former WHL scoring leader (Everett Silvertips), now 30, has Duluth) and Schmaltz (North Dakota) are headed to college in 2020. bounced around Europe the last six seasons, spending last year with EC Mantykivi has been with the SaiPa system in Finland’s . Bad Nauheim of the second-tier German league.

The question mark among Boston’s five draft picks is Russian blue liner ■ Zane McIntyre, formerly Gothberg, has the record for longevity at these Roman Bychkov (fifth round, No. 154), who may or may not be in things. The goalie competed in seven Bruins development camps (2010- attendance, the Bruins said. Bychkov played for the Yaroslavl affiliate in 16), the last two after changing his name to honor his mother’s side of Russia’s top junior league. If he is promoted to the KHL this season, he the family. McIntyre, 26, is a UFA after the second of his pair of two-year would play for long-ago Bruin Craig MacTavish, who last month signed contracts expired. on to be Lokomotiv head coach after leaving Edmonton. ■ The Bruins re-signed defenseman Steven Kampfer to a two-year, Arguably Boston’s top center prospect, Jack Studnicka (2017 second $1.6 million deal, according to TSN. Kampfer, who tuns 31 in September, round, 53rd overall), and Kyle Keyser will be in Brighton, but was a pending UFA in his second tour with the Bruins. He played in 35 may not skate. The two worked out plenty as Black Aces during the regular-season games (3-3—6), but only three in the postseason run. Bruins’ Stanley Cup Final run. Boston Globe LOADED: 06.25.2019 ■ This week will offer a fresh look at speedy forward Jakub Lauko, a third-rounder from last year (77th overall). He had a decent World Junior Championship as an energy forward for the Czechs, then led the Memorial Cup in scoring (2-6—8 in five games). He is likely to help QMJHL Rouyn-Noranda defend its league title next year.

“Very happy with his progress,” Bruins scouting director Scott Bradley told reporters in Vancouver. “I don’t know if he’s ahead of schedule, but we’re excited he’s coming to development camp.”

The Bruins persuaded their top pick from 2018, Swedish defenseman Axel Andersson (second round, 57th overall), to play in Providence this fall. They hope the same for Russian center Pavel Shen (seventh, 212th).

Bradley said Shen, who put up 11 points in 18 games for Russia’s U-20 international teams last year, could come to North America rather than develop in the KHL full-time.

“We’re working on him to see if he’s going to come over,” Bradley said. “I think we have a chance to get him over to North America.”

■ Sportsnet analyst Sam Cosentino, on a podcast wrapping up the draft, first pointed to the Bruins when asked who had an underwhelming two days in Vancouver.

Beecher has an impressive build and “great skating ability,” Cosentino believes, and profiles “at the very least” as a third-line, -kill type of player.

“That’s his basement, so I think people really like that about him,” Cosentino said. “Where’s his ceiling? That’s questionable.

“Did his offense get suppressed playing on a team loaded with star players? There’s potential for that to have happened. The rest of the 1148459 Boston Bruins

Report: Steven Kampfer to re-sign with Bruins on a two-year deal

By Jacob Camenker June 24, 2019 9:06 PM

The Boston Bruins will reportedly re-sign one of their free agent defensemen. However, it's not one of the ones that many expected it to be.

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Bruins have agreed to a two-year deal with veteran defenseman, Steven Kampfer. Pagnotta broke the news on Twitter.

Sounds like the Boston Bruins have agreed to a two-year contract with D Steven Kampfer. Deal won’t be finalized until later in week.

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 25, 2019

Kampfer was a key role player for the Boston Bruins last season. When called upon in the regular season, he had 6 points (3 goals, 3 assists) in 35 games of action while averaging 14:38 time on ice. And in the playoffs, he appeared in three games for the squad and notched his first career postseason goal against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Acciari: Boston is a "special, special place"

Though Kampfer didn't see a lot of action, he serves as an experienced depth piece with seven years of NHL experience. And when called upon, he was solid. The Bruins probably were looking to retain him as cheap depth, especially with a couple of their top defenseman -- Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo -- hitting restricted free agency (though keeping both McAvoy and Carlo is a priority for the Bruins).

Additionally, Torey Krug is entering the final season of his contract, so re- upping with Kampfer for two years gives them depth in case he leaves or if the team chooses to trade him.

It's unclear what the financial component of Kampfer's deal will be or if keeping him cause them to part with any of their other veteran defensemen. But for now, it appears that Kampfer is planning on returning the Bruins for another season. And keeping him as insurance is a sensible move for the Bruins.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148460 Boston Bruins

Bruins' Noel Acciari knows Boston is 'a special, special place' as free agency approaches

By Joe Haggerty June 24, 2019 3:24 PM

Noel Acciari checks so many boxes for what the Bruins are looking for in an NHL hockey player.

He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s unselfish and team-oriented and he’s been a big game player throughout a solid hockey career.

It’s not surprising that the Bruins and Acciari want to keep things going as he heads to unrestricted free agency on July 1 after playing the last three seasons for the Black and Gold as a hard-hitting fourth-line energy kind of player.

It’s also not surprising that the Rhode Island-born Acciari loves being a Bruin and wants to stay in Boston for the foreseeable future.

B's go for size-speed combo with Beecher

“It was an unbelievable year. Stanley Cup Final and Game 7… you’re there 60 minutes from winning a Stanley Cup. I love all of these guys. They are my family. I had a lot of fun with them this year. It’s a bitter ending, but we had a great locker room and a great coaching staff,” said Acciari. “I’d love to come back to Boston. I love all of these guys. I love everybody here. This is all I know.

“We’ll see what happens going forward. You can’t predict anything. Boston has it all. I’m a local guy. I’m not just saying it. I’ve lived it. This is a special, special place. I’m looking for this family [in my next contract]. I’ll take my time and see how things go. But Boston has been my home for my entire life.”

The 27-year-old is hitting free agency at the right time after playing a career-high 72 games, posting a career-high 14 points and averaging a career-high 12:59 of ice time as one of the key parts of a standout fourth line this season.

Acciari is coming off a two-year deal that paid him $725,000 in each of the last two seasons and is certainly looking at a raise to something in the neighborhood of $1.25-1.5 million per season based on his performance. It’s certainly not going to break the bank for the Bruins for the 5-foot-10, 205-pounder to give him a raise, but anything edging closer to the $2 million mark is probably going to make him too expensive as strictly a fourth-line guy even if he’s averaged eight goals and 12 points over the last two years.

Rounding up grades for Bruins' draft

Certainly the Bruins value his toughness after he played through a broken sternum in the playoffs after suffering the injury in the second round.

“We’ve had conversations with Noel and his representative just like we were with all of our guys. We’d like to see Noel come back. He’ll have options, so that’ll be up to Noel to see whether or not he feels that this is still the right fit for him,” said Don Sweeney. “We value Noel as a player, for sure. He’s kind of a bit of that fabric of that identity group in the bottom part of our lineup, and he’s made himself into a real valuable NHL player, so he’ll have options with either us or elsewhere. You’re never going to question his courage, for sure. He puts it all on the line, as I said before, he plays with his nose over top of the puck and not everybody does that.”

It seems that the Bruins are trying to take care of things with restricted free agents like Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo before moving on to guys like Acciari, but they may not have a choice if the former Providence Friars garners a lot of interest on July 1. One would expect Acciari to return to the Bruins with all things being equal, but nobody knows with the kind of funny money that can get thrown around by teams on the July 1 open of free agency.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148461 Boston Bruins

Bruins draft grades roundup: Mixed reviews on John Beecher, later picks

By Darren Hartwell June 24, 2019 8:30 AM

With just one pick among the top 90 selections, the Boston Bruins weren't expected to be a major player at the 2019 NHL Draft.

But how did they fare with those limited resources? Depends on who you ask.

The Bruins left Vancouver with five selections, led by No. 30 overall pick John Beecher, an 18-year-old center out of the U.S. National Team Development Program. They didn't pick again until the third round, landing Minnesota-Duluth wing Quinn Nelson at No. 92, then added a Russian defenseman, a Finnish forward and a USHL forward prospect in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, respectively.

B's go for size and speed with Beecher pick

The national media didn't have many glowing things to say about the Bruins' draft crop. While some outlets saw promise in Beecher, others believe Boston reached for the big center, and most writers weren't impressed with the club's picks in the later rounds.

This never figured to be a high-impact draft for the B's, who will look to free agency and trades to re-tool their roster. But let's check out what the experts thought of Boston's haul.

ESPN.com: C-minus

Quote of Note: "Not having a second-round pick might lead a team to reach a little if they have a late first. That seemed to be the case with the Bruins and Beecher. ... I don't think the Bruins made an especially big impact on their prospect pool with their later picks."

Sporting News: B

Quote of Note: "Although they mostly avoided pure finishers or playmakers, GM Don Sweeney and staff deserve credit for making something out of the few picks they had, and identifying speed and mobility as important characteristics of their draftees."

The Athletic: C-minus

Quote of Note: "A lot of scouts debated John Beecher, but I’m buying on him as a potential very solid third-line player and fine value at No. 30. The Bruins took some shots the rest of the draft, but I think a lot were long shots."

Bleacher Report: C-plus

Quote of Note: "Beecher looks like a strong future pick because he has excellent size at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, and he is a tremendous skater."

Puck Prose: D-plus

Quote of Note: "There were better players to be had at the end of the first round than Beecher. The Bruins only had two picks in the top 100, so this was always going to be a rough draft from them."

Rotoworld: C

Quote of Note: "Boston didn’t have another pick (after Beecher) until the third round when the club selected Quinn Olson at 92nd overall. Most pundits believe the Bruins reached with this selection."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148462 Boston Bruins

After 36 years, Bruce Cassidy finally solving knee injury that derailed his career

By Joe McDonald Jun 24, 2019

VANCOUVER – Former hockey players deal with plenty of aches and pains, mostly with their knees and hips.

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, 54, has officially hit that stage of his life. On Thursday, he will undergo left knee replacement, which is a direct result of an injury he suffered as an 18-year-old prospect for the Chicago Blackhawks.

A month after the Blackhawks selected Cassidy in the first round (No. 18 overall) in the 1983 NHL Draft, he was playing ball hockey when he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. After the diagnosis, a Blackhawks team doctor insisted Cassidy did not need surgery and instead prescribed rehabilitation.

It was the wrong decision, and he’s still affected by it. Aside from the ACL tear — an injury that helped derail his career, which lasted only 36 games — he also suffered cartilage and ligament damage and ultimately had two surgeries.

“I could’ve avoided some of this,” Cassidy said. “When they didn’t fix it, it would give out so I kept damaging cartilage. They told me I would have arthritis. It was unavoidable because of all the damage. If they had fixed it, it wouldn’t have kept giving out and maybe I don’t have cartilage issues. My other knee, I tore it 25 years ago, it was a clean snap and there was no cartilage damage and it’s never bothered me. Anyway, it is what it is.”

Cassidy’s rehab will take 12 weeks and he’ll be on crutches for the first three. As is true for any player, the harder he works during rehab the faster the healing process. Still, it’s a process he would rather avoid this summer because his mind is still on hockey despite the Bruins’ recent loss to the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup final.

After the Bruins lost to the in the second round in 2018, Cassidy quickly started preparing for the new season. This time around, after the Bruins fell one win shy of the Stanley Cup following two grueling months of hockey, Cassidy is already thinking about next season.

“I was ready to go back to work the next day,” he said. “I know that sounds, whatever, but it’s true. Our guys liked each other and I liked going (to the rink). It was the longest I’ve ever coached and you think you’d be exhausted, and you are to a certain extent. And everybody says it’s going to be a grind and it is, but it’s an enjoyable grind. You’ve got a good team. You’ve got invested guys. I’m ready to go back and see what we’ve got for a lineup and who we’re re-signing and I’m excited to start talking about our group next year. I don’t know if that’s healthy. I should maybe take a rest for a while, but that’s just my feeling.”

Even though the loss remains fresh, Cassidy concedes he’s already rewatched Game 7.

“Oh, yeah. I went through it,” he said. “I didn’t watch the celebration — haven’t got there yet. I taped it on the NHL Network and I figure one day I’ll watch it. I even tried to walk out to the bench after the media (was done), but it felt weird. I always said I would do that, if I lose I’m going to go out and see what it’s like and at least put it in your memory, but it was just weird that night. A lot of it is a blur. They were on the ice, and you just want to get the hell out of there.”

Since his offseason golf game has been put on hold for his knee surgery, Cassidy will have time to refocus on plans for next season.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148463 Boston Bruins Seattle’s inaugural GM and his hockey operations colleagues will shape the identity of the roster. It’s possible they might favor one style over another. But based on his age, production and projected salary, Heinen, With Seattle approaching, Bruins already planning for 2021 NHL who will be 25 by the time of the expansion draft, could be the player the expansion draft Bruins lose.

It just so happens that Heinen, a pending restricted free agent, will sign an extension with the Bruins this offseason. Based on current By Fluto Shinzawa Jun 24, 2019 projections, Seattle, in two years, would be responsible for Heinen’s salary. It will be tricky for the Bruins to negotiate with Heinen, knowing

the versatile wing may play out his deal elsewhere. But for 30 teams VANCOUVER — The franchise does not have a name. Its general (Vegas is exempt from the process), the expansion draft is not that much manager has yet to be hired. Its arena is under construction. fun.

Despite its infancy, the yet-to-be-named Seattle club, which begins NHL The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 play in 2021, looms over its 31 soon-to-be competitors, including the Bruins.

“I can’t watch a game,” said Seattle CEO and president Tod Leiweke at the NHL draft, “without looking and saying one day, 2-3-4 players in every game will be wearing Seattle across their chest.”

In less than two years, the Bruins will have to file their protected and unprotected lists for Seattle to review for its expansion draft. June 2021 is not that far away. Change is inevitable between now and then. That has not discouraged general manager Don Sweeney from conceptualizing lists that are sure to evolve.

“Oh yeah,” assistant GM Scott Bradley answered Saturday when asked if expansion draft planning is under discussion. “Donnie’s in front of it. We talk all the time about it. He has meetings. We’ll start preparing next week.”

Just under two years is enough time for Seattle’s bosses to dream about what kind of club they’d prefer to build. In 2017, the Golden Knights set the bar awfully high, reaching the Stanley Cup final in their inaugural season.

“I think Las Vegas has done a remarkable job,” Leiweke said. “We will be our own unique franchise and have our own unique executives that we’ll be proud of. They’re going to chart their course for that. I hope we’re really competitive that first year. Long term, I hope we’ll be a very, very competitive, elite franchise for the long haul. That’s what we’re focused on.”

Two years ago, the Bruins used the 7-3-1 format to protect seven forwards (David Backes, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Brad Marchand, Riley Nash, David Pastrnak, Ryan Spooner), three defensemen (Zdeno Chara, Torey Krug, Kevan Miller) and one goalie (Tuukka Rask). The Golden Knights took Colin Miller.

The Bruins were one of 22 teams to follow the 7-3-1 model. Based on their current organizational construction, the Bruins may change their thinking in 2021.

Defense is now the Bruins’ position of strength. This may hold for the next two years. If so, they may prefer the 8-1 protection format: eight skaters, regardless of position, and one goalie. This way, they can declare more than three defensemen off-limits, even if two fewer players total can be protected than with the 7-3-1 alignment.

Up front, the Bruins are required to protect Bergeron and Marchand because of their no-move protection. Pastrnak and Jake DeBrusk are slam dunks to be declared hands-off.

On defense, assuming no movement before then, Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo are protection locks. Krug, who will be on his next contract by 2021, will also be protected if he remains a Bruin. The same goes for Matt Grzelcyk, who is restricted after 2020 and will be on his next deal.

The goalie the Bruins will protect is unknown. Jaroslav Halak is unrestricted after 2020. Rask is signed through 2021.

In terms of non-protection, the Bruins project to expose John Moore. The defenseman should meet the criteria: under contract in 2021-22 and having played in at least 40 NHL games in 2020-21 or at least 70 total NHL games in the previous two seasons.

The Bruins will be required to expose two forwards under contract in 2021-22 and having played in at least 40 games in 2020-21 or at least 70 total NHL games in the prior two seasons. Danton Heinen, Karson Kuhlman, Trent Frederic and Anders Bjork are four of the forwards most likely to meet these criteria. 1148464 Buffalo Sabres 2020-2021, but a great summer of training could make things interesting come September.

“He’s going to be a good centerman in the NHL,” Jankowski said. “We Projecting the NHL timeline for all of the Sabres’ top prospects think that he’s a guy who’s going to be able to produce some offense while playing a well-rounded, 200-foot game with good size. He still has the frame to fill out, still a little bit immature physically. Which is great, it By Joe Yerdon Jun 24, 2019 shows there’s a little bit of upside there and it gives us good depth at the center position.”

Luukkonen is the guy everyone is anxious to see, but after undergoing With the 2019 NHL Draft in the rear view and Buffalo’s summer hip surgery in April, the start of his season will likely be delayed. He was development camp convening on Wednesday, GM Jason Botterill and the OHL goalie of the year with Sudbury and was runner-up for the CHL the Sabres front office will shift their focus from evaluating which goalie of the year award. His coaches at Sudbury talked about how he prospects to bring into the organization to how to foster the long-term changed the way they thought about the importance of goaltending while development of the ones already part of it. he broke franchise records there. He’ll get a season with the Americans During Botterill’s three drafts with the Sabres (director of amateur to show how he adjusts there. It’s possible he could get games in Buffalo scouting Ryan Jankowski has been here for the past two), he has made next season if things with Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark go sideways. a point of using the second day to draft players from Europe and those Ruotsalainen is the new guy out of this group, but signed with the Sabres destined to play in college in order to give them more time to develop. with four years of pro experience in Finland’s Liiga. He could make the But how long will that process take until the results are seen in Buffalo? Sabres right away. He might go back to Finland if he doesn’t. He could I’ve broken down the Sabres prospects who are either currently on entry- still go to Rochester if he wants to. The 5-foot-8, 180 pound center had level contracts or who have been drafted and remained unsigned. They 21 goals and 42 points for Ilves last season. have been broken down into time periods when they’ll ideally be ready to Bryson and Fitzgerald are fresh out of college and will be fixtures in be NHL players should they get there. Understandbly, players with entry- Rochester. Bryson is coming off a brilliant season at Providence in which level deals who have seen significant action in Buffalo – center Casey he helped the Friars to the Frozen Four. He’s anxious to show what he’s Mittelstadt, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, left wing Victor Olofsson, right got as a pro, size be damned. It will be interesting to see how Fitzgerald’s wing Tage Thompson and defenseman Lawrence Pilut – were not game translates from a solid career at Boston College to the AHL and included. potentially beyond. As for the rest, let’s break it down: Two years So close they’re basically already there Jonas Johansson (G – 2014 – third round) William Borgen (D – 2015 – fifth round) Devante Stephens (D – 2015 – fifth round) Alexander Nylander (LW – 2016 – first round) Vasily Glotov (C – 2016 – seventh round; unsigned) Rasmus Asplund (C – 2016 – second round) Marcus Davidsson (C – 2017 – second round) Andrew Oglevie (RW – 2018 – free agent) Brandon Hickey (D – 2018 – trade) The AHL playoffs proved difficult for Asplund (no points in three games), Davidsson signed a two-year deal with Vaxjo in the SHL, where he’ll be a but it made for a major learning lesson. He believes he’ll be in Buffalo teammate of 2019 draft pick Filip Cederqvist. Big things are expected of next season and he’ll get a shot to unseat the incumbents during training Davidsson, but he’s getting the low-and-slow cooking treatment from the camp. His season got better as it went along and we know how beloved Sabres, which is OK because he needed a change of scenery from the Swedish way is in Buffalo. Djurgardens. He could be in North America after next season, but that In Nylander’s case, he’s 21 years old and the AHL is a hard league for would still likely put him two years away from possibly being an NHLer. guys that age, never mind being 18 or 19 the way he was in his first two Glotov was a development camp darling after he was drafted in 2016. seasons in Rochester. He can make the Sabres out of camp. He could He’s had a strange road through junior hockey but had an All-Star also not do that. The NHL glimpses have shown there’s hope, but season with Cincinnati in the ECHL, where he had 50 points in 68 games perhaps Ralph Krueger can be the coach to bring the best out of him. with 19 goals. He’s yet to get a point in three career games in Rochester With Pilut and Zach Bogosian coming off operations, the opportunity so he might just be an ECHL player. If he’s going to be an NHL player, could be there for Borgen (and others) to grab a spot out of camp and he’ll have to make it in Rochester next season and excel. run with it. His physical play inspired the Americans and there’s no Hickey found himself in a very crowded group of defensemen in his first question more of that is needed in Buffalo. If he can do that and mix in pro season out of BU. He played 38 games last season in Rochester, but his usual steady play, he can stick around for a while. wasn’t factoring into the lineup a lot toward the end. Changes this Oglevie dealt with injuries last season in Rochester that slowed up his summer could lead to him getting more games this year to see where opportunity to show what he can do as a pro. After a solid career at Notre he’s at and if he does well he could push for some games in the NHL Dame, his speed and tenacity would be great to have in Buffalo. He eventually. could make it soon, but after 28 games last season they might need Stephens and Johansson each have a year remaining on their entry-level more of a look at him in the AHL. He has a huge opportunity to make deals and each have a bit to prove. waves if he has success because after Thompson, he’s the only other defined right wing in waiting. Stephens is up against it in an organization that’s been loaded with depth defensemen and he’s spent the majority of his time in the ECHL. He had Give it a year 25 points in 69 games with Cincinnati last season but has played seven Casey Fitzgerald (D – 2016 – third round) games in two seasons at the AHL level. That doesn’t bode well for either cracking the NHL with Buffalo. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G – 2017 – second round) Johansson was in competition for a bit with Linus Ullmark, but Johansson Jacob Bryson (D – 2017 – fourth round) could never crack through to Rochester on a permanent basis in two seasons. Working in his favor is the severe lack of goaltending depth in Arttu Ruotsalainen (C – 2019 – free agent) the organization. Look at this depth chart at the moment and keep in Dylan Cozens (C – 2019 – first round) mind Adam Wilcox and Scott Wedgewood are not listed because they’re due to be UFAs on July 1. The near future could be a lot of fun. Carter Hutton We’ll be talking a lot more about Cozens as time goes on, but with him being a CHL player, it opens up his timeframe for being in the NHL Ullmark sooner than not. He’ll ideally spend a year in the WHL and be back in Luukkonen Erik Portillo (G – 2019 – third round; unsigned)

Johansson Filip Cederqvist (LW – 2019 – fifth round; unsigned)

Erik Portillo These players are all pretty freshly picked out of the draft and, apart from Huglen, are all Europeans. Huglen will go back to Fargo in the USHL Yikes. next season before moving on to Minnesota to possibly join Johnson. Johansson is coming off season-ending surgery he had done in He’s speedy and skilled and pulled this off: February, but it’s a big season for him to prove he can carve out a place In between time with Fargo last season, he crushed it with Roseau High in Rochester and possibly beyondm even with a thin goalie pipeline. School in Minnesota with 52 points in 24 games.

Three years “We know he’s got the skills and abilities, it’s just going to be a little bit Brett Murray (LW – 2016 – fourth round; unsigned) longer development curve,” Jankowski said.

Oskari Laaksonen (D – 2017 – third round; unsigned) The rest of the 2019 class is going to get a lot of time to develop. Cederqvist will be in Vaxjo; Portillo will likely go to Dubuque in the USHL Mattias Samuelsson (D – 2018 – second round; unsigned) next season before going to the University of Michigan; Rousek, a 20- year-old, has two years left on a contract in the with Matej Pekar (LW – 2018 – fourth round) Sparta Praha. Ryan Johnson (D – 2019 – first round; unsigned) Worge Kreu finished another season with Linkoping’s junior team in All five of these guys are close-ish despite how far three years from now Sweden and should be poised to graduate up to the SHL while Cronholm sounds. is signed on to play for Malmo. Kukkonen is signed with in Liiga through 2020-2021. Weissbach is through with two seasons at the Johnson is the 2019 first-round pick not named Dylan Cozens and he’ll University of Wisconsin where he’s put up 26 and 25 points. He could be be headed to the University of Minnesota next season. He could be there there all four years before a decision is made on him. one or two years before it’s time for the AHL or NHL, but Sabres brass likes his game a lot. The waiting is the hardest part when it comes to prospects, even more so given how gloomy things may feel at the moment. The great unknown of “He’s not overly rugged, but he does have this little sense of grit every how things will play out for all these prospects is the other hard part. now and then, and that showed in the playoffs this year,” Jankowski said. Botterill and Jankowski have only just started their plan to refill the “He had a great playoff for the Clark Cup champions in the USHL, which organizational coffers and a lot of players sometimes just don’t pan out. shows that he’s a winner and he’s a gamer. I like the well-roundedness of him. From an offensive standpoint, we think that can still come, but even There are still holes. Having two right wings doesn’t cut it. Adding if it doesn’t we know we’ve got a new-age defenseman that can move the Cozens at center helps sorely needed depth there, although it could be puck and skate.” rough again in the short-term. More forwards in general would be a good thing. The defensive depth is good and they really need more Pekar is coming off a broken collarbone injury last season in Barrie that goaltending. They’ve got free agency and the rest of the offseason to try held him to 33 games. But he had 36 points including 14 goals, which is and put layers on top of what’s in the pipeline, but the work to keep the rather good considering. He’s a pest, he scores, and he’d probably be flow of young talent coming never ends. better off going back to the OHL for one more year. One year there, a year (or two) in Rochester, and he could be knocking on the door of the The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 NHL.

Samuelsson is headed into his sophomore year at Western Michigan, but another excellent season there could be enough for him to move on to the AHL. As a second-round pick, things can move faster, but his size and physicality to go with his skills are part of what helped the Broncos get to the NCAA Tournament.

Laaksonen is trending in a good direction. He’s under contract with Ilves in Finland through 2020-2021 and is likely headed for North America after that. The plan has been to go slow with him from the beginning, but he’s evolving as a player quickly. He could be four years off, but the progress he’s made is solid.

“Did we think that when we drafted him he’d be in a situation to win a gold medal at the World Juniors two years later? No, but he’s taken the steps there.” Botterill said on Saturday. “Now he does still have ways to go but I think he’s ramped up his time frame and that’s all you’re looking for all these guys is to, every year they’re improving, try to work on a lot of their weaknesses.”

Murray could be further off than three years. He played one-and-a-half seasons at Penn State after he left Youngstown in the USHL, but opted to transfer to Miami, which led him to going back to Youngstown last season, where he buried 41 goals as a 20-year-old. His plans to transfer changed after Redhawks coach Rico Blasi was fired. He can go to any school now or he could go pro, but either way there’ll be a wait and the Sabres hold his rights until Aug. 15, 2021, according to CapFriendly.

Four-plus years

Linus Weissbach (LW – 2017 – seventh round; unsigned)

William Worge Kreu (D – 2018 – seventh round; unsigned)

Linus Cronholm (D – 2018 – fourth round; unsigned)

Miska Kukkonen (D – 2018 – fifth round; unsigned)

Aaron Huglen (C – 2019 – fourth round; unsigned)

Lukas Rousek (LW – 2019 – sixth round; unsigned) 1148465 Carolina Hurricanes

Canes trade de Haan to Blackhawks as part of deal for goalie Forsberg

BY CHIP ALEXANDER

JUNE 24, 2019 08:36 PM

With apparent problems re-signing goalies Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney to new contracts, the Carolina Hurricanes used a trade Monday to acquire goalie Anton Forsberg from the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Canes sent defenseman Calvin de Haan and forward to the Blackhawks for Forsberg and defenseman Gustav Forsling.

De Haan, 28, signed a four-year free-agent contract with Carolina last July that pays him $4.55 million a season, adding a veteran to the Canes’ blue line. But he needed shoulder surgery after the , with an expected recovery time of four to six months.

Both Mrazek and McElhinney will become unrestricted free agents July 1 if not signed. General manager Don Waddell has said his goal was to re- sign both before free agency began but has said in the past week that was becoming more problematic.

The Canes still have goalie Scott Darling under contract -- Darling another former Blackhawks backup goaltender who was traded to Carolina in April 2017 and quickly signed a four-year deal.

Forsberg, 26, stated 30 games for the Blackhawks and had a 10-16-4 record with a 2.97 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. It’s possible the Swede could compete with -- the 2018-19 AHL goaltender of the year -- for the Canes’ backup spot next season.

Forsberg was a seventh-round draft pick by the in 2011 and played 10 NHL games in three seasons before last season. He was traded to the Blackhawks in June 2017 in the deal in which Columbus sent forward , Forsberg and a draft pick to Chicago for forward , and a draft pick.

Forsling, 23, was a fifth-round draft choice by the Vancouver Canucks in 2014. Traded to the Blackhawks in January 2015, he has played 122 NHL games in three seasons with Chicago, with eight goals and 19 assists.

De Haan played 74 regular-season games and 12 playoff games for the Canes this season, finishing with one goal and 13 assists in the regular season. More of a stay-at-home D-man, he gave the Canes calm play in the defensive zone and had a plus-1 rating.

But de Haan missed all but 33 games in the 2017-18 season with the New York Islanders because of a left shoulder injury that required surgery. He now has had the right shoulder surgically repaired.

The Canes also had defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk undergo shoulder surgery after a playoff injury, with the same four-to-six month recovery period. Forsling should compete for a spot in the third defensive pairing along with two former first-round draft picks, Haydn Fleury and Jake Bean.

Saarela scored a career-high 30 goals this past season for the champion , the Canes’ affiliate.

The Canes and Blackhawks have been frequent trade partners in recent years. Among the former Blackhawks sent to the Canes by Chicago were Teuvo Teravainen, Bryan Bickell, Joakim Nordstrom and Kris Versteeg. And Darling.

News Observer LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148466 Carolina Hurricanes

Will success as coach help Brind’Amour’s Hall case as player?

BY LUKE DECOCK

JUNE 24, 2019 03:18 PM

The chances that Rod Brind’Amour’s name will be called when the Hockey Hall of Fame announces its new inductees Tuesday are, again, curiously small. Among the plugged-in pundits who think they have a line into the selection committee’s secretive ways, Brind’Amour’s name is rarely mentioned.

That is ludicrous. In a year where Vincent Lecavalier is the only first- ballot NHL name worth serious consideration and there’s only one dead solid lock for the Hall – Hailey Wickenheiser, an easy and obvious choice – Brind’Amour is as good a choice as any, the best defensive forward of his generation, an unparallelled leader and a champion, with raw stats that certainly clear the bar.

The rest of the names under popular consideration all have thinner claims. Either their numbers or their accomplishments don’t stack up to Brind’Amour: Daniel Alfredsson, Theo Fleury, Curtis Joseph, Lecavalier, Alexander Mogilny, Jeremy Roenick, Doug Wilson, Sergei Zubov.

Worthy of the Hall of Fame? Many of them, for certain, but not all of them. More worthy than Brind’Amour? Hardly.

This is an old story. Brind’Amour has been passed over six times. Unlike, say, baseball, the entire process is conducted in secret. No nominations or vote totals are announced, so it’s impossible to know if Brind’Amour is getting closer to induction or farther away with each passing year. Larry Walker, at least, knows where he stands among the overlooked in his sport.

The 18 voters – Ron Francis and Pierre McGuire among them – will meet Tuesday and make their decisions. And that’s that. Invitations are extended and blazers are fit, and it happens again in 52 weeks.

In the weird way these things work in hockey, Brind’Amour’s successful debut season as Carolina Hurricanes coach shouldn’t have any bearing on his Hall of Fame candidacy, but it inevitably will, if not now, then down the road. His success behind the bench won’t so much retroactively legitimize his playing career as it will make it easier for committee members to nominate and vote for him. The hockey world can be like fifth grade sometimes; no one ever wants to go first and no one ever wants to be laughed at.

Not that anyone would have snickered before, but after what he did this year, no eyebrows would be raised either.

As for future years, Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has commissioned his analytics staff to prepare a full statistical assessment of Brind’Amour’s career, essentially an attempt to put Brind’Amour’s past numbers in present-day terms. Basically: If we knew what we knew now, analytically speaking, what would we have thought of Brind’Amour then? (Exhibit A: Patrice Bergeron, acknowledged as a future Hall of Famer in a way Brind’Amour never was during his career.)

That’s a considerable undertaking, but like his coaching, it has the potential to underpin a retroactive reassessment of Brind’Amour’s entire career, to give his resume further foundation for the Hall of Fame voters.

It shouldn’t need it. Brind’Amour’s resume stands on its own, no matter what any ex post facto analysis would indicate, no matter how well he does as a coach. For whatever reason – and, again, would the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2006 have already put the committee over the edge? – Brind’Amour hasn’t been given the same respect by the committee as have his equals, peers and in some cases, inferiors.

Maybe this is the year. More likely, it isn’t. The call may never come. But it should.

News Observer LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148467 Carolina Hurricanes

Suzuki among 26 players in Canes’ prospects camp

BY CHIP ALEXANDER

JUNE 24, 2019 03:18 PM

The Carolina Hurricanes will open their prospects development camp this week with 26 players, including nine from their 2019 NHL Draft class.

Ryan Suzuki, the forward taken 28th in the first round, heads up the recent draftee class. Pyotr Kochetkov, the Russian goalie chosen in the second round on Saturday, will be one of seven in camp.

Sessions open to the public at PNC Arena will be the on-ice testing (5 p.m) and team practice (6 p.m.) on Wednesday, and the 5:30 p.m. practice Thursday. The Canes Summerfest prospect game will be Saturday at noon. There is no admission charge.

Nine players are attending this week as camp invitees.

Saturday, PNC Arena

Schedule

9:15 a.m.: Equipment sale open to general public

10-11 a.m.: Prospects autograph session

11:15 a.m.: State of the Hurricanes discussion

12 pm.: Canes Prospects Game.

News Observer LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148468 Carolina Hurricanes Forsling, like nearly everyone in this deal, was traded previously in his career. He was sent to the Blackhawks from Vancouver in the trade that sent to the Canucks. Forsling is a downgrade from de NHL Trade Grades: What the Calvin de Haan swap means for the Haan in the short term and his best attribute is that he’s significantly Blackhawks and Hurricanes cheaper. He’s a third-pair defenseman with a bit of offensive upside if he can get his once-promising career back on track with the Hurricanes.

“He’s got a chance to get better,” said one talent evaluator. “But he’s an By Craig Custance 7h ago NHL defenseman.”

The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 The trade

Chicago Blackhawks receive defenseman Calvin de Haan and forward Aleksi Saarela

Carolina Hurricanes receive goalie Anton Forsberg and defenseman Gustav Forsling

Blackhawks: B

This is a fairly economical way for the Blackhawks to strengthen the bottom half of their defense, especially when you consider what some of the veteran free agent defensemen are going to get when the market opens on July 1. The reality here is that they’re probably not losing anything of note in this trade aside from cap space, which isn’t an insignificant asset.

One source who really likes de Haan suggested that the Hurricanes might not have made the playoffs without him – he was that important to the Carolina defense this past season. But he wasn’t so important that they didn’t feel like they couldn’t trade him for depth players.

“He’s steady. He kills penalties,” said an executive on Monday. “He plays 18 minutes a night and you don’t notice him but in a good way. He’ll play 18 solid minutes and he’s solid defensively. And teammates like him. I thought he was good for Carolina last year.”

The issue for de Haan is that there are still three more years on a contract that pays him $4.55 million per season. That’s a bit steep if he’s in your bottom pair, which is where it was headed in Carolina. His salary is just fine for this coming season but his shoulder injury may keep him out until November, so it’s a potentially shortened season. If injuries slow him down as he gets closer to his 30s, which is a possibility with his history, that contract is one to watch.

Saarela has now been traded twice in his young career, first as part of the trade that sent Staal to the New York Rangers. He has scored 55 goals total in the past two seasons for the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), but there’s doubt that he can translate that success to the NHL.

The Athletic’s prospect analyst Corey Pronman on Saarela: “Saarela had a strong second season in the AHL, as a top scorer for the top team in the league. Saarela is a talented player with speed and skill, but what makes him deadly is his shot. He’s got a 70 if not an 80 grade wrist shot that he can absolutely rip to the top corner from any spot in the offensive zone. His above-average speed and skill allow him to create space to make the most of that shot. My issues with Saarela are, while he’s skilled, it’s not high-end skill; he’s small and he leans on his shot too much, refusing to play between the dots. He may not have enough dimensions for the NHL but the talent is there and the production, so I think he could make it.”

Hurricanes: C

As with most deals right now, this was driven by money. The Hurricanes have some contracts to sign – most notably for a starting goalie and talented restricted free agent Sebastian Aho. This trade helps the depth in goal, which is necessary because the expectation now is that backup Curtis McElhinney will move on. According to an NHL source, conversations between Petr Mrazek and the Hurricanes are still ongoing.

In 2017, Forsberg was a key piece in the trade that sent Artemi Panarin to the Columbus Blue Jackets (I mean, not as key as Brandon Saad, but Chicago was definitely happy to get him). He hasn’t panned out at the NHL level, where he has a .901 save percentage in 45 games. That said, he’s still just 26 years old and crazier things have happened than a guy figuring it out as a goalie later in his career.

The most likely scenario is that the Hurricanes either sign Mrazek or a free agent to start in goal and Forsberg battles Alex Nedeljkovic for the backup job. 1148469 Chicago Blackhawks He was the Islanders’ first-round pick (No. 12 overall) in 2009 and was a teammate of Colliton’s with Bridgeport of the American Hockey League when both were in the Islanders’ system.

Blackhawks acquire defenseman Calvin de Haan and a prospect for Saarela was the Rangers’ third-round pick in 2015 before being traded to Gustav Forsling and Anton Forsberg the Hurricanes in 2016. Saarela has yet to appear in a regular-season game but made his NHL debut April 20 when he appeared in Game 5 of the Hurricanes’ Eastern Conference first-round series against the By JIMMY GREENFIELD Capitals. He had 54 points (30 goals, 24 assists) in 69 games last year for the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. JUN 24, 2019 | 8:38 PM The Blackhawks drafted Saarela’s brother, Antti, in the fourth round of

last week’s draft. With each passing trade, the Blackhawks seem to be tipping their hand Chicago Tribune LOADED: 06.25.2019 that something larger is in store.

The Hawks acquired defenseman Calvin de Haan and forward prospect Aleksi Saarela from the Hurricanes on Monday for goalie Anton Forsberg and defenseman Gustav Forsling, both of whom were restricted free agents.

The deal comes less than a week after the Hawks sent forward Dominik Kahun to the Penguins for defenseman Olli Maatta.

Forsberg was not expected to return while Forsling was a possibility, though he was expendable given the depth of blueliners the Hawks have in their system and at the NHL level.

De Haan, 28, had shoulder surgery last month and is expected to be out four to six months, which means he might miss the start to the regular season. But with a $4.55 million cap hit, now third among Hawks defensemen behind Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith, he’ll be in the lineup the moment he’s healthy.

[Most read] Willson Contreras sends message to Braves catcher Tyler Flowers and announcer Jeff Francoeur in Cubs’ 8-3 win »

The Hawks have around $12 million in cap space left after the trade, according to capfriendly.com. That figure is sure to come down when the Hawks re-sign some of their restricted free agents, including Brendan Perlini, David Kampf, Dylan Sikura and John Quenneville.

The trade gives the Hawks seven bona fide NHL defensemen: Seabrook, Keith, de Haan, Erik Gustafsson, Connor Murphy, Maatta and , who finished the year in Rockford but who many believe is ready to break into the NHL for good.

Seabrook and Keith have no-movement clauses and can’t be dealt without their permission. There was a report out of Vancouver that the Hawks discussed sending the third overall pick to the Canucks for the 10th pick in the draft on the condition the Canucks pick up the remainder of Seabrook’s contract. Seabrook grew up in the Vancouver area and still has a home there.

Heard over the weekend that #Canucks & #Blackhawks had discussed swapping the 3rd and 10th overall picks so Vancouver could jump up to get Bowen Byram, but Chicago wanted Van to take D Brent Seabrook and the remaining 5 years/$6.875M AAV on his contract. Thus the deal died.

— James Cybulski (@JamesCybulski) June 24, 2019

Gustafsson is in the final year of his contract that has a $1.2 million cap hit and is coming off a 60-point season but was a defensive liability much of the season. He was benched by Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton in early December before turning his season around shortly afterward.

Despite his breakout season, Gustafsson is not a sure thing to be re- signed. Top defensive prospect Adam Boqvist is perhaps a year away from joining the Hawks and also has elite offensive skills.

[Most read] Gov. Pritzker expected to sign bill into law Tuesday that would legalize marijuana in Illinois on Jan. 1 »

Murphy is a solid top-four defenseman with a reasonable $3.85 million cap hit that has three years remaining. But he’s now the Hawks’ fifth- highest paid defenseman and doesn’t have any kind of no-movement clause.

Like Maatta, de Haan is left-handed and strong defensively but doesn’t have a lot of offensive upside. He had one goal and 13 assists in 74 games last season for the Hurricanes and 95 points (13 goals, 82 assists) in 378 career games. 1148470 Chicago Blackhawks regular-season games before a dominant postseason. One upside to going back would be a chance to play with his younger brother, Colton, whom Saskatoon drafted last year.

‘Everything was about hockey’: From Edmonton to Saskatoon to — He can join the Hawks for up to nine games and get a taste of the Chicago, Blackhawks top pick Kirby Dach never stopped thinking about NHL without burning the first year of his three-year entry-level deal. If it the sport works out, great. If not, he returns to Saskatoon for the remainder of the season and delays the start of his NHL career.

By JIMMY GREENFIELD Dach may look capable of playing in the NHL, but the teenager will need to prove he can battle against men. JUN 24, 2019 | 3:22 PM “I was at Game 4 for St. Louis versus Boston (in the Stanley Cup Final) and got to meet a couple of those players and see how big and strong they are,” Dach said. “One area where I need to add is a little bit more The frozen ponds of Canada are where many kids first lace up skates size. The other thing I need to learn is the pace of play. I don’t and establish NHL dreams. understand what that’s going to be like until I get there and play with When the season turns and the ice briefly melts, hockey can take a bit of those guys and practice with them. a back seat to summer pleasures. But only for a short while. "So for me to get into camp, I’m going to make it tough on the During summers, Hilary and Dale Dach would take their three kids — management group to send me back and I’m going to give them every including oldest son Kirby, whom the Blackhawks drafted with the No. 3 reason to keep me here.” pick last week — to a lake near their home outside Edmonton for some Chicago Tribune LOADED: 06.25.2019 splashing around.

It didn’t matter. Hockey was never far from Kirby’s mind.

“I’d say, ‘Go grab what toys you want to take down to the water,’ ” Hilary said Monday after a news conference at the United Center. “And he grabs a hockey stick. He floats around with a hockey stick. That was him. Everything was about hockey.”

Dach on adding to Chicago's Stanley Cup history: "Winning to me is everything. I hate to lose... I want to be a part of those runs and be a key member on those teams." #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/uX7j4fNiln

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 24, 2019

Kirby Dach has the face of a boy, the body of a man and a mother amazed at a journey that over the weekend took her family to Vancouver to watch Kirby become a Hawk.

Nobody in the Dach family — including Hilary, Dale and siblings Colton and Callie — had been to Chicago before arriving Sunday in advance of Kirby’s introductory news conference. It won’t be their last visit.

“It’s been an amazing experience,” Hilary said. “Anytime a parent gets to watch their child’s dreams come true, it’s very humbling. I just want the best for all my kids. Right now it’s about Kirby and seeing him so happy, and to be part of such a monumental organization, I just can’t ask for anything better.”

Hawks general manager Stan Bowman feels the same way. Dach is the type of player who wasn’t attainable before the Hawks moved up from No. 12 in the draft lottery.

For those who preferred defenseman Bowen Byram or forward Alex Turcotte, know this: You might end up being right.

But Bowman and vice president of amateur scouting Mark Kelley are beyond confident that Dach, a 6-foot-4, 198-pound center with an NHL- ready body, was the best choice for the Hawks.

“When you look at the game that Kirby brings to Chicago, he’s got a little bit of everything,” Bowman said. “He’s got the skill to play with the high- skill players. He can make plays that can wow you. He’s also got the competitiveness to show that he wants it more than anyone else.

"I think we’ve got a special player here, and as you’ll see, we’re excited for what’s to come.”

The whirlwind first few days in the organization are over, and Dach can start focusing on prospect development camp in July and then training camp in September. The Hawks have three options next season for Dach, 18, who isn’t age-eligible to begin the season in the AHL.

— He can make the team out of training camp and begin his NHL career. This isn’t unheard of for a No. 3 pick. Last year’s third pick, Canadiens forward , was in the NHL all season. The previous three No. 3 picks — Dylan Strome, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Miro Heiskanen — didn’t play in the NHL at all during their draft year.

— He can return to the of the Western Hockey League. Dach has nothing left to prove in the WHL, where he already has played three seasons and this past season had 73 points in 62 1148471 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks acquire Hurricanes’ Calvin de Haan in 4-player trade

By Satchel Price and Ben Pope Updated Jun 24, 2019, 6:53pm CDT

The Blackhawks acquired defenseman Calvin de Haan and forward prospect Aleksi Saarela for goaltender Anton Forsberg and defenseman Gustav Forsling in an unexpected Monday night trade.

The move continues an ongoing remodeling of the Hawks’ defensive corps following a rough showing on that front last season. The team also recently traded for the Penguins’ Olli Maatta, sending Dominik Kahun and a fifth-round pick to Pittsburgh.

De Haan, like Maatta, is a defensive-minded blue liner who’s signed relatively affordably ($4.55 million cap hit) for the next three seasons. He joined the Hurricanes last year in free agency after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Islanders.

In his lone season in Carolina, De Haan recorded one goal and 13 assists in 74 games. The 28-year-old posted strong possession metrics, including a 55.5 percent even strength Corsi, for a team that dominated in that area.

He’s exactly the kind of player the Hawks needed: a conservative, reliable rearguard who can provide stability to a unit that previously lacked anyone in that role.

Whether he’s paired with Connor Murphy to form a true shutdown duo, slotted alongside Erik Gustafsson to counterbalance the Swede’s sometimes over-aggressive offensive tendencies, or designated as the responsible mentor for a prospect like Henri Jokiharju or Adam Boqvist, de Haan could be a useful addition in any number of ways.

Saarela, 22, will further boost the Hawks’ forward prospect pipeline, which has gotten a lot wetter in a matter of days. Saarela played most of the past two seasons for the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, recording 30 goals and 24 assists in 69 games last season with the Calder Cup-winning Carolina Checkers. His 17-year-old brother, Antti, was drafted by the Hawks just this Saturday.

The Hawks gave up shockingly little in exchange for de Haan and Saarela, considering both assets heading to Raleigh are restricted free agents who may or may not have been set to receive qualifying offers by the Tuesday deadline.

Forsling, 23, and Forsberg, 26, both showed signs of promise at times with the Blackhawks but never established themselves at the NHL level. Forsling regularly missed time over the last three seasons due to injury or being sent to the AHL. Forsberg struggled with the Hawks in 2017-18 before playing well with Rockford last season, but had little path back to the United Center moving forward with having secured the backup role.

The Hawks now have 17 players under contract at a total cap hit of $69.53 million, per Cap Friendly.

That gives them a still-healthy $11.97 million to fill out the remaining spots on their roster under the salary cap, but general manager Stan Bowman may now be done upgrading the defense. The free agent market is woefully shallow at the position and the GM expressed concern at the draft about using too much of the team’s current cap room with rising stars Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome due for big raises next summer.

Even if the defense is set now, though, the Hawks have a real chance at improving now that both Maatta and de Haan are in the fold. A mere one acquisition seemed insufficient, but two equates to potentially one-third of the whole unit — and combined with an offseason of added familairity with coach Jeremy Colliton’s systems, the Hawks can reasonably expect substantial defensive improvement in 2019-20.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148472 Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.25.2019

Blackhawks hope they found a Superman in mild-mannered Kirby Dach

By Rick Morrissey Jun 24, 2019, 4:22pm CDT

The first round of the NHL Draft on Friday was more congressional- subcommittee meeting than party, just as it is every year. Attire? Various shades of dark. Attitude? Muted. Celebrations? Not frowned upon, but eyed closely for immoderate amounts of emotion.

Watching NHL commissioner Gary Bettman attempt to hug each pick, the way his counterparts in the NFL and NBA do during their drafts, was like watching a germophobe beholding a bathroom hand towel. I am now convinced of two things: that Bettman was born without the need-for- human-contact gene and that the genes he does possess are each dressed in a tiny suit and wing tips.

Everybody at the draft acts like he has been there before. No one emotes. It’s one of the things hockey people love about hockey.

Into this culture steps 18-year-old Kirby Dach, the Blackhawks’ first-round pick and the third player chosen in the draft. The team introduced him at a news conference Monday morning at the United Center, and he was exactly what you’d expect. Polite. Earnest. Single-minded.

Asked for his early impressions of Chicago, a city he hadn’t visited before, Dach said he had seen little of it but was impressed with “how well-kept the rinks are.’’ That might be the hockey-est statement ever. Perfect.

Public response to the Hawks’ drafting of Dach has been mixed. Some fans were upset that the team didn’t go with blue-liner Bowen Byram, given the wobbly state of its defense. Others wanted more of a brand name like center Alex Turcotte.

But nobody really knows, or will know anytime soon, given the lack of familiarity and immediacy when it comes to the draft and its aftermath. The prospects come from all over the world, and even the ones who are from Canada and the United States haven’t been eyeballed to within an inch of their lives by fans, the way NBA and NFL prospects have. Bulls fans had the opportunity to see a lot of North Carolina’s Coby White before the team took him in the first round of the draft Thursday. Hawks fans would have had to work to see Dach, a center who has played two full junior seasons with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League.

Bulls fans can expect to see White on the floor during the 2019-20 season. Hawks fans have no idea when Dach will get to the United Center. He hopes to impress the coaching staff enough to make an impact right away, but it’s more likely that he’s a couple of seasons away. He needs to add bulk and strength. And the NHL, in general, isn’t about instant gratification.

It’s about work, for a lot of people. Dach went out of his way to thank his family for the sacrifices it had made for him. That’s not how his dad, Dale, looked at it.

“People call them sacrifices, but I find that they’re more growing moments,’’ he said. “Instead of doing a few more holidays, we did more holidays at a hockey rink or a tournament in spring hockey. Instead of going away at Christmas, we spent it at home going to one of the kids’ tournaments. It’s all part of growing up and getting experiences. It didn’t matter where we were. We just made the best of it.’’

He said his son “has been really grounded his whole life,’’ which seems to be the standard factory setting for hockey players. For his part, Kirby Dach says he’s going to be “the best me I can possibly be at all times.’’ If you were looking for bravado, folks, that will have to suffice.

He said he hopes to soak in everything he can from Hawks center Jonathan Toews, but I hope he understands that the nickname “Captain Serious’’ is already taken. You get the distinct sense that the only thing Dach has stolen in his life is a puck.

“I think we have a special player here,’’ general manager Stan Bowman said.

Just to be clear: Bowman said it. Not the kid. 1148473 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks hope Dach can transform forward group, not just plug hole

By Ben Pope Jun 24, 2019, 1:17pm CDT

Even as the Blackhawks touted the glorious history of No. 3 draft picks in Chicago — from Denis Savard to Jonathan Toews to Michael Jordan — the news conference Monday introducing Kirby Dach, the team’s new top-three selection, took a decidedly forward-looking tone.

Dach could make the Hawks’ roster in training camp in September. But that’s not the team’s primary focus.

“Part of our job is to project, when Kirby has established himself in the league, what we think he’s going to be,” general manager Stan Bowman said. “We see him as a centerman who’s going to be the guy that can do a little bit of everything.

“If you’re going to be an elite player in this game, you can’t just be an offensive player. You have to be the guy that the coach wants to use when you’re ahead by a goal, and you need to win a faceoff and protect the lead.”

The Hawks already have their four centers for the coming season, unless pending restricted free agent David Kampf goes unqualified Tuesday or occasionally mentioned trade bait Artem Anisimov gets dealt. (Then again, if Dach looks ready to be an NHL center in the fall, he’ll easily take priority over both.)

The organization’s approach to the pick this weekend, however, had little to nothing to do with filling holes on the current roster — which might have contributed to passing on defenseman Bowen Byram. The long- term vision is for Dach to grow under the tutelage of Toews, who has a lot in common with the 18-year-old Albertan.

“I’m always trying to learn and improve, and to have Toews still here and to learn from him, along with [another center and former No. 3 pick in] Dylan Strome and what he went through — to have those older guys in the locker room to mentor me in my game is going to be awesome,” Dach said.

Dach was part of a group of top NHL prospects who attended Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final in St. Louis.

He saw how physical and intense the game was, giving him a glimpse of the style of play he’ll need to eventually adjust to. And he’s aware he’s not there yet, though he added he still plans to “make it tough on the management group to send me back” to juniors after NHL training camp.

Bowman was less convinced, or perhaps just less interested, in the immediate 2019-20 possibilities.

“If you look at Jonathan’s career and see the player that he has become, it didn’t happen in a month or in five months; it took a couple of years to become one of the top players in the game,” Bowman said.

In the meantime, Dach has much to get accustomed to: the intensity of professional hockey’s offseason workouts, the muscle he must add to his 6-4 frame, the city of Chicago itself. He’ll be back in town in July for prospects camp, which should help in all three regards.

And while he continues to focus on the day-to-day adjustments and pressures, the Hawks will keep their eyes on the big picture.

“[Given] the ceiling we see, projecting him two, three, four years down the road,” scouting director Mark Kelley said, “I think he can have a very strong impact on ... the franchise going forward.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148474 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks get de Haan from Hurricanes in trade

John Dietz

Hours after introducing center Kirby Dach to Chicago area media, Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman acquired defenseman Calvin de Haan and forward Aleksi Saarela from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for goalie Anton Forsberg and D-man Gustav Forsling.

The 28-year-old de Haan was the 12th overall pick of the Islanders in 2009 and played five years in New York before going to Carolina in 2017- 18. He has just 2 goals in his last 107 games but has blocked 559 shots in his last 261 contests. De Haan is signed through 2021-22 with an average salary of $4.55 million.

The acquisition of de Haan and former Penguins D-man Olli Maatta has upgraded the Hawks' blue line and also gives Bowman some options in the trade market with free agency opening July 1. The Hawks' top nine defenders are now Duncan Keith, Connor Murphy, Brent Seabrook, Erik Gustafsson, Maata, de Haan, Henri Jokiharju, Slater Koekkoek and Carl Dahlstrom.

Saarela is just 22 years old and helped the Charlotte Checkers defeat the Chicago Wolves in the Calder Cup Finals. He set career highs in goals (30), assists (24) and points (54) in 69 games. He also scored 7 goals and had 8 assists in 17 playoff games.

Forsberg had a strong season in Rockford, going 15-15-2 with a 2.64 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. Hurricanes GM Don Waddell is currently mulling over whether he should buy out former Hawks netminder Scott Darling, who has two years remaining on his four-year, $16.6 million deal.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148475 Chicago Blackhawks But even Dach knows there is plenty of work to do. Not only must he get bigger and stronger, but he's also about to experience a pace of play that can make even the best second guess themselves at times.

Blackhawks introduce top draft choice "I don't understand what that's going to be like until I get there and play with those guys and practice with them," Dach said. "So for me to get into camp, I'm going to make it tough on the management group to send me John Dietz back and I'm going to give them every reason to keep me here."

And once he is here full time? And able to learn from Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Dylan Strome and others? Kirby Dach can't stand to lose. Well, Dale Dach says watch out. At anything. "The ceiling for Kirby is almost unreachable," Dale said. "He will push Hockey. Basketball. A backyard baseball game. himself and the Chicago Blackhawks fans and organization will see that No matter what -- no matter the circumstances -- the Blackhawks' he'll do everything in his power to become one of the best players in the prospect will do whatever it takes to win. league."

Even if his parents attempt to intercede. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.25.2019

"We have a little outdoor rink behind our place that the city of Fort puts up," said Dale Dach moments after his 18-year-old son was introduced as the city's most recent No. 3 overall draft pick Monday inside the United Center. "Whether he's out there with older kids or younger kids, he's winning. … There's no holding back.

"And as a parent, you try to go out there and say, 'Hey -- tone it down a bit.' And, nope. You walk 10 feet away, turn your back and he's winning. He just wants to win."

That competitive fire is what drove Michael Jordan -- taken No. 3 by the Bulls in 1984 -- and helped him bring six NBA championships to the Bulls. Jordan hated to lose on the court, sure, but he also wanted to dominate during practice, on the golf course, on the diamond, at cards and so much more.

It hardly went unnoticed by emcee Eddie Olczyk -- yet another former No. 3 overall pick -- that MJ's statue sat just 30 feet away from Dach, General Manager Stan Bowman and Vice President of Amateur Scouting Mark Kelley.

"We'd like to welcome MJ -- Michael Jordan -- to our news conference as well," Olczyk joked.

Later, Dach talked about his desire to help any team he's on reach its ultimate goal.

"Winning to me is everything," Dach said. "There's a saying, 'You gotta hate to lose before you like to win.' And I hate to lose, so anything I do I always have to win no matter what it is.

"It's something that drives me. The ultimate goal in hockey is to win the Stanley Cup, and I'm going to work as hard as I can and push myself to every limit to get there."

In addition to possessing the obvious high-end skill that every top pick has, it was this drive to win that tipped the scales for Bowman and Kelley when they opted to take Dach over defenseman Bowen Byram and center Alex Turcotte.

As he did at last weekend's draft, Bowman reiterated how much he loved Dach's competitiveness during the Western Hockey League playoffs. Despite Dach's opponents doing everything they could to frustrate and contain him, the 6-foot-4, 198-pound center continued to produce and -- just importantly -- to push back.

"That's the moment of the year when you can tell a lot about a player because the intensity level changes," Bowman said. "Sometimes players … aren't able to take their game up to the next level. …

"But he demonstrated the ability to continue to be the talented player he was (and) also show them he wasn't going to back down. That's an attribute that you need if you're going to be a successful NHL player. It was nice to see how he responded."

How he responds to playing against full-time NHLers during training camp will determine if Dach plays for the Hawks this season or if Bowman and others decide he needs another year to develop.

His open-ice moves, skating ability, soft hands and deadly shot were on full display last season when he had 30 goals and 51 assists in 72 games (including playoffs) for the Saskatoon Blades. 1148476 Chicago Blackhawks Stan Bowman operates the rest of this summer and throughout the upcoming campaign.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 What Olli Maatta and Calvin de Haan trades mean for future of Blackhawks defense

By Charlie Roumeliotis June 24, 2019 10:40 PM

After finishing 30th in goals against average (3.55) and 31st in penalty kill percentage (72.7) this past season, the Blackhawks are clearly making it a priority to patch up their defense this summer. And that's been evident with the acquisitions of defensive-minded defensemen Calvin de Haan and Olli Maatta.

But it raises some interesting questions about the future of the Blackhawks blue line.

With the de Haan and Maatta additions, the Blackhawks now have five defensemen under contract through at least the 2021-22 season: Brent Seabrook ($6.875 million cap hit), Duncan Keith ($5.538 million), de Haan ($4.55 million), Maatta ($4.083 million) and Connor Murphy ($3.85 million). That's $24.8 million tied up to five guys.

The money isn't the primary concern, though. It's the limited amount of roster spots available. The Blackhawks don't have to immediately figure out how it's going to work a year from now and beyond, but it makes you wonder how the cards may eventually be shuffled.

Let's run through the situations:

— Erik Gustafsson had a breakout season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He's obviously not part of the five current players under contract after next season, putting the Blackhawks in a spot where they have to consider trading him or be comfortable with letting him walk for nothing if he isn't re-signed. (They could always trade his negotiating rights after next season and pull off a sign-and-trade as well, if it came to that).

And even if Gustafsson is re-signed, the Blackhawks would then have six players locked up for the 2020-21 season and on, and that's enough to submit a lineup.

— Henri Jokiharju, who was drafted No. 29 overall in 2017, is probably ready to take the next step and become an everyday player. Where does he fit into the long-term plans?

— Adam Boqvist, who was taken No. 8 overall in 2018, likely needs one more year in the OHL before making the jump to the NHL, which would put him on a timeline to become part of the Blackhawks next season. Does he occupy that sixth spot if another one isn't opened by then?

— Nicolas Beaudin, who was drafted No. 27 overall in 2018, is expected to start the upcoming season in Rockford after four years in the QMJHL but might be NHL-ready by the 2020-21 campaign.

— And then there's Ian Mitchell, who's returning to Denver for his junior season and will serve as the team's captain. He's said all along that he intends to sign with the Blackhawks once he's finished with college, but does the organization value him enough to create a spot for him when he's ready?

To make things a little more complicated, the Seattle expansion draft is set to occur in 2021 and the same rules will apply as Vegas in 2017.

The Blackhawks have the option to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender or eight skaters and one goaltender. All players with no-movement clauses at the time of the expansion draft (and who decline to waive them) must be protected; Keith and Seabrook have a NMC. And all first- and second-year pros are exempt; Jokiharju would have to be protected.

As of this moment, the Blackhawks are likely to use the eight-skater option, but they will also have valuable forwards to protect. They're going to lose a good player one way or another, and it's probably going to come from the defensive group. All of this comes into play when weighing roster decisions for next season and beyond.

As stated above, the Blackhawks do not have to make an immediate decision on the future of their blue line corps. They can play out the 2019-20 season with the group as currently constructed. But the decisions the Blackhawks have to face next season could impact how 1148477 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks acquire defenseman Calvin de Haan from Carolina in four- player trade

By Charlie Roumeliotis June 24, 2019 6:33 PM

In an attempt to further shore up their blue line, the Blackhawks announced Monday that they have acquired defenseman Calvin de Haan and forward prospect Aleksi Saarela from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for goaltender Anton Forsberg and defenseman Gustav Forsling.

De Haan has three years remaining on his contract that carries a $4.55 million cap hit. He becomes the third-highest paid defenseman on the Blackhawks in terms of cap hit behind Duncan Keith ($5.538 million) and Brent Seabrook ($6.875 million); newly-acquired Olli Maatta ($4.083 million) and Connor Murphy ($3.85 million) aren't far behind.

De Haan registered 14 points (one goal, 13 assists) and averaged 18:31 of ice time in 74 regular-season games in his first season with the Hurricanes, and added one goal in 12 postseason contests. He's 28 years old, is a left-handed shot and was known to be a puck-mover when he was drafted in the first round (No. 12 overall) in 2009 but has grown into more of a defensive specialist in the NHL.

De Haan logged 147:22 of ice time on the penalty kill last season, according to Natural Stat Trick, which ranked third among Hurricanes defensemen. He also recorded 106 blocked shots and 187 hits, which ranked fourth and second on the team, respectively. He's someone who might be better suited on the third pairing, but can certainly play a top- four role.

Between the Maatta and de Haan acquisitions, two defensive-minded blue liners, the Blackhawks aren't messing around when they say they're looking to clean things up in their own end. Both of these players address that — or at least the Blackhawks are hoping it does.

The primary concern for de Haan is his health. He underwent right shoulder surgery in May and his recovery time was put at four-to-six months, meaning he may not be ready for the start of training camp in September or possibly the season opener on Oct. 4 in Prague. But if the Blackhawks felt like that injury was a long-term issue, they wouldn't have traded for his services.

The other part of the deal involved Saarela, a 22-year-old versatile forward who set a career high in all three scoring categories — goals (30), assists (24) and points (54) — in 69 regular-season games with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. He also compiled 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 17 Calder Cup Playoff games, and skated in one Stanley Cup Playoff game for the Hurricanes.

Saarela has one more year left on his entry-level deal that carries a cap hit of $753,333, and is likely to start the season with the Rockford IceHogs. He is the older brother of Antti Saarela, who was drafted by the Blackhawks in the fourth round (No. 123 overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.

The Blackhawks had 11 restricted free agents at the end of the season and a crowded roster put them in a spot where they couldn't re-sign everybody. Forsberg, who was jumped on the Blackhawks' goaltending depth chart by Collin Delia, and Forsling, who's struggled to become a fixture on the Blackhawks blue line in part due to injuries, were two players whose roles were likely going to diminish. Tuesday is the deadline for teams to extend qualifying offers.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148478 Chicago Blackhawks

'Winning to me is everything': Kirby Dach wants to play big role in helping Blackhawks win more Stanley Cups

By Charlie Roumeliotis June 24, 2019 1:50 PM

Three days after he became the sixth player in franchise history to be taken third overall, the Blackhawks welcomed Kirby Dach to Chicago on Monday for the first time to show him around his new organization. He was given a tour of Fifth Third Arena, the Blackhawks locker room and plans to explore the city over the next few days.

"It's been crazy," Dach said of the last 72 hours. "After hearing my name called, I didn't hear anything or remember anything. I had to watch the video over a couple times to remember what happened, I kind of just blacked out in the moment and enjoyed it. I flew home two days ago and flew here [Sunday] and it's been awesome. The facility here is first class and I can't wait to get started in a couple weeks in [development] camp."

It's an exciting day for the organization and the city of Chicago because the Blackhawks are adding an elite prospect during a time where they're retooling for a chance to win another Stanley Cup.

"This is an important day for us for a couple reasons," GM Stan Bowman said. "I've had a chance to get to know Kirby over the last few months and I think as you guys get a chance to talk to him and hear from him, you're going to find out that he's really committed to being the best he can be and to making the Blackhawks an elite team.

"The other thing is we talk about what makes a player important in today's NHL. People say you've got to have a high skill level and being able to create offense is important. Other people are going to say you look at the way the playoffs were played and skill's great but you've got to have size and competitiveness. So that's the more important attribute. When you look at the game that Kirby brings to Chicago, he's got a little bit of everything. He's got the skill to play with the high-skill players. He can make plays that can wow you. He's also got the competitiveness to show that he wants it more than anyone else. I think we've got a special player here and as you'll see we're excited for what's to come."

Dach, who's a 6-foot-4, 198-pound center, is the kind of player you build around and he's already joining a group that features three-time Stanley Cup champions Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews. He already received phone calls from Kane and Toews welcoming him to the franchise.

"Growing up as a kid in Canada, you're always watching hockey," Dach said. "And when they were winning Stanley Cups all the time in Chicago here — with the three in the six years — Toews and Kane, Keith and Seabrook, were a big part of that. And to be in a dressing room with those guys now is pretty surreal, and those are the moments you dream of as a kid. To have it come true, you have to take a step back and realize that."

While he may have looked up to them as a kid, Dach is now part of the group and wants to play a large role on a team that wins not just one more championship but several.

"Winning to me is everything," Dach said. "There's a saying, 'You gotta hate to lose before you like to win.' And I hate to lose so anything I do I always have to win no matter what it is. It's something that drives me and the ultimate goal in hockey is to win the Stanley Cup and I'm going to work as hard as I can and push myself to every limit to get there because that's what I want to do.

"Obviously Chicago's had a couple runs here in the past where they've been able to do that and I want to be a part of those runs and be a key member of those teams."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148479 Chicago Blackhawks

Watch live: Kirby Dach's Blackhawks introductory press conference

By NBC Sports Chicago June 24, 2019 10:43 AM

The Blackhawks made a franchise-altering move over the weekend, selecting center Kirby Dach third overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.

Monday, the Blackhawks are holding an introductory press conference for Dach, 18, at the United Center. Here's the important information for those looking to tune-in to the big event:

Time: 11 a.m. CT

Television: NBC Sports Chicago (see channel finder)

Stream: NBCSportsChicago.com or the MyTeams app

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148480 Chicago Blackhawks “He’s got a chance to get better,” said one talent evaluator. “But he’s an NHL defenseman.”

The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 NHL Trade Grades: What the Calvin de Haan swap means for the Blackhawks and Hurricanes

By Craig Custance Jun 24, 2019 50

Blackhawks: B

This is a fairly economical way for the Blackhawks to strengthen the bottom half of their defense, especially when you consider what some of the veteran free agent defensemen are going to get when the market opens on July 1. The reality here is that they’re probably not losing anything of note in this trade aside from cap space, which isn’t an insignificant asset.

One source who really likes de Haan suggested that the Hurricanes might not have made the playoffs without him – he was that important to the Carolina defense this past season. But he wasn’t so important that they didn’t feel like they couldn’t trade him for depth players.

“He’s steady. He kills penalties,” said an executive on Monday. “He plays 18 minutes a night and you don’t notice him but in a good way. He’ll play 18 solid minutes and he’s solid defensively. And teammates like him. I thought he was good for Carolina last year.”

The issue for de Haan is that there are still three more years on a contract that pays him $4.55 million per season. That’s a bit steep if he’s in your bottom pair, which is where it was headed in Carolina. His salary is just fine for this coming season but his shoulder injury may keep him out until November, so it’s a potentially shortened season. If injuries slow him down as he gets closer to his 30s, which is a possibility with his history, that contract is one to watch.

Saarela has now been traded twice in his young career, first as part of the Eric Staal trade that sent Staal to the New York Rangers. He has scored 55 goals total in the past two seasons for the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), but there’s doubt that he can translate that success to the NHL.

The Athletic’s prospect analyst Corey Pronman on Saarela: “Saarela had a strong second season in the AHL, as a top scorer for the top team in the league. Saarela is a talented player with speed and skill, but what makes him deadly is his shot. He’s got a 70 if not an 80 grade wrist shot that he can absolutely rip to the top corner from any spot in the offensive zone. His above-average speed and skill allow him to create space to make the most of that shot. My issues with Saarela are, while he’s skilled, it’s not high-end skill; he’s small and he leans on his shot too much, refusing to play between the dots. He may not have enough dimensions for the NHL but the talent is there and the production, so I think he could make it.”

Hurricanes: C

As with most deals right now, this was driven by money. The Hurricanes have some contracts to sign – most notably for a starting goalie and talented restricted free agent Sebastian Aho. This trade helps the depth in goal, which is necessary because the expectation now is that backup Curtis McElhinney will move on. According to an NHL source, conversations between Petr Mrazek and the Hurricanes are still ongoing.

In 2017, Forsberg was a key piece in the trade that sent Artemi Panarin to the Columbus Blue Jackets (I mean, not as key as Brandon Saad, but Chicago was definitely happy to get him). He hasn’t panned out at the NHL level, where he has a .901 save percentage in 45 games. That said, he’s still just 26 years old and crazier things have happened than a guy figuring it out as a goalie later in his career.

The most likely scenario is that the Hurricanes either sign Mrazek or a free agent to start in goal and Forsberg battles Alex Nedeljkovic for the backup job.

Forsling, like nearly everyone in this deal, was traded previously in his career. He was sent to the Blackhawks from Vancouver in the trade that sent Adam Clendening to the Canucks. Forsling is a downgrade from de Haan in the short term and his best attribute is that he’s significantly cheaper. He’s a third-pair defenseman with a bit of offensive upside if he can get his once-promising career back on track with the Hurricanes. 1148481 Chicago Blackhawks defensive standpoint. Maatta alone was an OK move, but adding de Haan, the Blackhawks are a different team in my eyes.

As Laz wrote, something else has to happen, but the Blackhawks have Roundtable reaction: Blackhawks bolster blue line by trading for Calvin taken major steps toward transforming their defense this season. de Haan Both players’ strengths are defending. In de Haan’s case, he’s a true shutdown defenseman. He can stop rushes and get the puck out of his By Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus Jun 24, 2019 zone quickly. He was second among the Hurricanes’ defensemen with a 55.64 Corsi percentage had a 53.6 expected goals for percentage this past season, according to Natural Stat Trick. Like Maatta, de Haan can play on the penalty kill too. Bowman has certainly gone out and General manager Stan Bowman’s makeover of the beleaguered addressed the Blackhawks’ greatest weakness. He still has some money Blackhawks defense continued Monday evening, as he acquired to add a forward, too. defenseman Calvin de Haan from the Carolina Hurricanes barely a week after trading for the Penguins’ Olli Maatta. Sara Civian’s thoughts: The Hurricanes are swimming in cap space, sure. But they still have a slew of players to sign (Sebastian Aho, Brock The trade: The Blackhawks sent a pair of restricted free agents — McGinn, Justin Williams or a Williams type, Micheal Ferland or a Ferland defenseman Gustav Forsling and goaltender Anton Forsberg — to type) on top of whomever they might trade for. Jake Bean and Haydn Carolina for de Haan and prospect forward Aleksi Saarela, whose brother Fleury could be NHL defensemen today. It’s an obvious downgrade as it Antti was just drafted. Forsling and Forsberg are a pair of once-promising stands, because I think de Haan is excellent, but he was making $4.5 prospects who no longer figured into the Blackhawks’ long-term plans. million on the third pairing when there was already a logjam on defense. De Haan had shoulder surgery in mid-May, with a four-to-six month It’s a cap dump, and probably necessary, but I wonder if there could’ve recovery expected. So his availability for training camp and the season been a less jarring way to go about it. opener is in doubt. The 28-year-old veteran, a first-round pick in 2009, had one goal and 13 assists in 74 games last season for the Hurricanes. The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 Calvin de Haan scouting report, from The Athletic’s Sara Civian: De Haan is an extremely serviceable stay-at-home defenseman. He’s the perfect piece-of-the-puzzle guy who isn’t flashy and won’t put up points, but will round out a group in a way that you’ll miss when it’s gone. He can play anywhere in the lineup with basically anyone. Over the course of this season, he caught sticks to both eyes and battled back, then sustained a shoulder injury. He’d been plagued with injuries in the past but had one of the strongest seasons of his career in Carolina all things considered.

He also owns a brewery in Ottawa, which is pretty sweet.

Eastern Conference source on de Haan: “Solid second-pair defensive defenseman. Nothing flashy about him, not an elite athlete, but generally makes the right decision in coverage and with the puck.”

Scout’s take on de Haan: “De Haan is definitely a defensive guy. The Blackhawks have improved their backend. He’s much better than Maatta, too. He’s very solid defensively. They needed to upgrade, and they’ve done that. I like Saarela too. He’s still got a chance. He can shoot the puck. He’s got an NHL shot already. He can score. I like this trade for the Blackhawks.”

Mark Lazerus’ thoughts: The Blackhawks’ blue line is getting better. It’s also getting awfully crowded. As it stands right now, the Blackhawks have nine NHL defensemen: Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Erik Gustafsson, Connor Murphy, Henri Jokiharju, Carl Dahlstrom, Slater Koekkoek, Maatta and de Haan. Yes, Jokiharju could theoretically start in Rockford, but that’d be insanity given he’s still probably one of the four best options listed here. So chances are, Bowman isn’t done. He’s still got cap space to work with, too, despite adding $8.6 million in defensemen in the last 10 days. So perhaps a trade, rather than free agency, is the best way to boost the forward group now that the blue line has been addressed.

Does he try to move Gustafsson, who helped transform the league’s worst power play into one of the league’s best, and who’s signed for just $1.2 million next season? His value might never be higher, yes, but he’s also your best (only?) power-play quarterback. It seems like dealing him at the trade deadline (with a big raise due next summer) would be a wiser option.

So is it Murphy? He’s on a reasonable contract ($3.85 million through 2021-22, the same year de Haan’s deal expires) and has been one of the Blackhawks’ only reliable defenders over the past two seasons. Trading him while bringing in Maatta or de Haan would be mostly a wash.

Is it Seabrook? No. No, it’s not. Stop asking me that, everyone.

Perhaps de Haan’s surgery and uncertain timetable will allow Bowman to hoard all these defensemen and put off a decision until October or November. But at some point, somebody’s got to go.

Scott Powers’ thoughts: It’s quite clear the Blackhawks were looking to put the “D” back into their defensemen this offseason. Adding Maatta and now de Haan, the Blackhawks have made two serious upgrades from a 1148482 Chicago Blackhawks $1,169,651 cap hit, according to Evolving Hockey. Kampf has played 109 NHL games through two seasons.

Anthony Louis Where the Blackhawks stand with their restricted free agents Forward, drafted sixth round in 2013

The Blackhawks are not going to qualify Louis, 24, and he will become By Scott Powers Jun 24, 2019 an unrestricted free agent, according to a source. Louis led the IceHogs with 44 points in 70 games in the 2017-18 season and had 34 points in 70 games last season. The Blackhawks have a number of forwards With the NHL Draft over, the Blackhawks can move on to other matters, coming into Rockford, and this decision will make space for them and including their restricted free agents. give Louis a fresh start elsewhere.

The Blackhawks don’t have any Mitch Marner-type deals to square away John Quenneville – wait for next summer with Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome for that potential drama – but they have some negotiating to do in the coming Forward, acquired from the weeks. Qualifying offers are due by 4 p.m. CT on Tuesday. The Blackhawks plan to sign Quenneville, 23, after acquiring him from Here’s where the Blackhawks stand with their 11 remaining restricted the Devils for Hayden on Saturday. Quenneville played 19 NHL games free agents. for the Devils last season. He does not have arbitration rights.

Victor Ejdsell Bowman said, “In the case of Quenneville, he was a high pick, a first- round pick. He’s one of those guys that had a lot of success at the Forward, acquired from the Nashville Predators American League level. He’s played in the NHL, but he’s had a smaller role. I think sometimes that happens. These guys go to a different Ejdsell, 24, has already decided to play next season in Sweden, but the situation. It’s not the team that drafted you so you maybe look at them a Blackhawks have placed a qualifying offer on him to retain his NHL little bit differently. Kind of a fresh start for both guys. We wish John well rights, according to a source. Ejdsell hasn’t closed the door on returning in New Jersey and we’re excited to get Quenneville with us.” to North America, and the Blackhawks would gladly have him back if he opts to return. That could depend on how Ejdsell does in Sweden. He Brendan Perlini was one of the SHL’s top goal scorers during the 2017-18 season, but couldn’t duplicate that consistency with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL Forward, acquired from the Arizona Coyotes last season. Perlini is the one RFA contract that could cost the Blackhawks more than Anton Forsberg others. With 45 goals and 72 points through 199 NHL games, Perlini probably has a case. Evolving Hockey has projected Perlini to receive a Goalie, acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets two-year deal with a $2,056,017 cap hit. The Blackhawks may not go that high considering Perlini was a healthy scratch at times last season. Forsberg, 26, has received a qualifying offer from the Blackhawks, but he Perlini doesn’t have arbitration rights. isn’t likely to remain with the organization, according to a source. It’s expected Forsberg will either be traded and get an opportunity elsewhere Asked whether he wants Perlini back, Bowman said Saturday, “We do. or play in Europe next season. Forsberg was one of the top goalies in the He’s a streaky goal scorer. He still ended up with 14 goals even though AHL last season, but he didn’t get any NHL games with the Blackhawks. he didn’t get going right away with us. There’s a lot of guys they’ll never get 14 in the whole year, so he’s got that unique ability to put the puck in Gustav Forsling the net. I think there’s a lot more there.” Defenseman, acquired from the Vancouver Canucks Dylan Sikura It’s unclear where Forsling, 23, will play next season. The Blackhawks Forward, drafted sixth round in 2014 have given him a qualifying offer, but general manager Stan Bowman has some things to figure out with an abundance of defensemen. Sikura, 24, is negotiating a new contract with the Blackhawks, according to a source. Sikura has quickly gotten to his second contract after Asked about Forsling on Saturday, Bowman said, “Yeah, well, we’ve got burning the first year of his entry-level deal at the end of the 2017-18 a lot of young defensemen and we’re going to have to sort out which season. He played in 33 NHL games last season. He does not have ones are ready to take the next step and which ones are fighting for jobs. arbitration rights. He’s in that group with a lot of potential there and he’s played a couple years. Each year he’s played a little bit more than the last year, so Spencer Watson hopefully he could take a bigger step next year.” Forward, acquired from the Los Angeles Kings Blake Hillman Watson, 23, had not received a qualifying offer as of Sunday night and is Defenseman, drafted sixth round in 2016 not expected to, according to a source. Watson was acquired from the Kings for Matheson Iacopelli during last season. Watson spent time in The Blackhawks had not extended Hillman, 23, a qualifying offer as of the ECHL and AHL after the trade. Monday afternoon, according to a source. Hillman signed with the Blackhawks at the end of the 2017-18 season and burned the first year of The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 his contract. He played last season with the IceHogs.

Luke Johnson

Forward, drafted fifth round in 2013

There has been no word yet on whether the Blackhawks have offered Johnson a qualifying offer, but it’d be surprising if they didn’t. Johnson, 24, played in 15 NHL games for the Blackhawks last season. He also had 18 goals and 31 points in 53 games with the IceHogs last season. He does have arbitration rights.

David Kampf

Forward, signed as a free agent

Kampf, 24, is negotiating a new contract with the Blackhawks, according to a source. With Kampf having arbitration rights, he may not be in a rush to get the deal done. He’s projected to receive a two-year deal with a 1148483 Colorado Avalanche 56 Sasha Larocque D 6-0 205 25

53 Nick Leivermann D 5-11 194 20

Colorado Avalanche development camp 2019 roster unveiled 3 Wyatt McLeod D 6-3 190 19

41 Samuel Regis D 5-11 196 17

By JOE NGUYEN | PUBLISHED: June 24, 2019 at 1:46 pm | UPDATED: 18 Conor Timmins D 6-2 184 20 June 24, 2019 at 1:53 PM 49 Peter Tischke D 6-1 205 23

GOALTENDERS The Colorado Avalanche on Monday released the roster for its 2019 development camp. No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Age

The camp runs from June 25-29. There will be four on-ice sessions at 30 G 6-4 217 19 Family Sports Center in Centennial: 8:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, 3- 34 Trent Miner G 6-1 187 18 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, 1-5:15 p.m. Thursday and 8:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday. These sessions are free and open to the public. 32 Shamil Shmakov G 6-6 194 19

There will be a three-on-three game at EPIC’s Blue Arena in Fort Collins 35 Adam Werner G 6-5 200 22 at 6 p.m. Friday. Denver Post: LOADED: 06.25.2019 All eight of the Avs’ 2019 draft selections — including first-round picks Bowen Byram and Alex Newhook — are on the roster.

Other notable players include 2018 first-rounder Martin Kaut, 2017 second-round pick Conor Timmins and center Shane Bowers, who was a 2017 first-rounder acquired from Ottawa in the Matt Duchene trade.

Avalanche development camp roster

FORWARDS

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Age

51 Logan Barlage C 6-4 201 18

10 Alex Beaucage RW 6-2 192 17

14 Shane Bowers C 6-2 186 19

46 Filips Buncis C 6-4 210 22

55 Luka Burzan C/RW 6-0 184 19

20 Nick Henry RW 5-11 186 19

50 Martin Kaut RW 6-2 180 19

47 Bryce Kindopp RW 6-1 185 20

15 Nikolai Kovalenko RW 5-10 174 19

48 Cam Morrison LW 6-3 210 20

27 Sasha Mutala RW 6-0 200 18

42 Navrin Mutter LW 6-3 190 18

12 Alex Newhook C 5-10 192 18

26 Sampo Ranta LW 6-2 190 19

17 Brandon Saigeon C 6-1 197 21

43 Igor Shvyrev C 6-1 200 20

25 Denis Smirnov RW 5-9 180 21

9 Matthew Steinburg C 6-1 182 18

Tyler Weiss LW 5-10 158 19

DEFENSEMEN

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Age

40 Jack Ahcan D 5-8 185 22

2 Josh Anderson D 6-2 225 20

24 Bowen Byram D 6-1 195 18

5 Nate Clurman D 6-2 200 21

45 Michael Davies D 5-8 164 22

7 Drew Helleson D 6-3 194 18

54 Nolan Kneen D 6-0 187 20 1148484 Colorado Avalanche Grade: A

Drew Helleson, D, USNTDP (USHL) – 47th overall

Grading the Avalanche’s 2019 draft class Helleson was a guy I was vocal about not being a fan of in the run-up to the draft. Just because Colorado took him doesn’t change how I feel about that pick. Helleson is a guy with a lot of intriguing tools but played a BY AJ HAEFELE JUNE 24, 2019 very limited role for the DP last year.

The real question is “Was he in that limited role because of the talent around him (very possible), or was he in that role because he’s simply a Let’s start with the obvious here: Grading draft classes immediately after limited player?” That’s the crux of the evaluation with Helleson. There’s a they’re built is always kind of a silly proposition. We have no idea how lot to like about his game. My favorite aspect is his tenacity. That guy these guys are going to pan out and the draft-day “winners” frequently hates when the other team has the puck and he relentlessly seeks to are not as such five years down the road when a guy like me is writing a retrieve it, whether by means of the stick or just crushing a fool. “Re-drafting the 2019 draft!” piece because it’s mid-May and we’re trying to keep our readers engaged. Helleson’s skating will fit in nicely with Colorado but his game is going to take some time to round into form. The offense is a major question mark. Now that we’ve gotten the truth about that out of the way, let’s talk about He’s off to Boston College to get the polish he needs. The Avs might these grades! The way I approach this (transparency is important, after have to wait a while but he’s a solid defender that can marinate in the all) is that value is determined not by the player’s pre-draft rankings pipeline while Colorado’s NHL defense shows out. The Avalanche don’t versus the number they were actually selected but rather by a have a lengthy history of successfully developing this style of player so combination of their fit in the organization and their ultimate projected the onus is on them to change their own history with this pick. upside. Grade: B- Players rise and fall in draft classes for a huge swath of reasons. I’m not here to judge where a player gets selected but how that player can help Matthew Stienburg, C, St. Andrew’s College (CISAA) – 63rd overall an organization once he does. Hoo boy. This was the pick that had Avs fans up in arms after it was Let’s do this! made. Once everyone figured out who this kid was by presumably crashing his Elite Prospects page, the disappointment set it right away. Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver Giants (WHL) – 4th overall I’m less worried about his pre-draft ranking than I am what kind of player he actually is. Boy, am I glad I was wrong. For weeks leading up to the draft, I had reported the Avs were steering away from Byram and more towards the He doesn’t seem to fit Colorado’s MO to the slightest. He’s not a great forwards. When their forward target went to Chicago at three, it opened skater, he doesn’t flash major skill upside, and he’s not even particularly the door for Byram to make his way to Colorado. I said consistently big despite playing more of a Tom Wilson-style of game. I don’t mean throughout the pre-draft process that Byram was as clean a prospect on that in the way that Wilson is perceived around the league as a cheap defense as you’ll find. shot kind of guy; simply that he provides a mean physical element and adds a dash of skill to go along with it. The skill is high-end, the character is great, and the maturity really stands out among his peers. He solidifies Colorado’s defense for years to come The jury is VERY much still in doubt about this pick and it certainly and could be a franchise-caliber defenseman for the Avalanche. I’m not stands out as THE question mark of the weekend. This felt like the Cam totally sold he reaches that kind of ceiling but it’s very realistic to expect Morrison pick all over again where the Avs convinced themselves they he carves out a career as a strong two-way player who combines with needed a certain type of player and decided to pull the trigger on an Cale Makar to give Colorado a dazzling top pairing (assuming Byram can archetype over raw talent. I sure hope this kid makes me feel like a jerk unseat Sam Girard, which, good luck with that). for saying that.

Byram also hedges against Girard not taking any major steps forward in Grade: D the NHL and gives the Avalanche a young trio to die for. If Conor Timmins pans out, that’s a future top four that could give opposing teams Alex Beaucage, RW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) – 78th overall nightmares. Even if he doesn’t, Nikita Zadorov and Erik Johnson are This selection started a random run on right wings for the Avs. Beaucage certainly going to enjoy the addition of Byram as he helps make all of is coming off helping lead the Huskies to a Memorial Cup victory and was their jobs easier. one of the top goal-scorers on the team. We’ll just start there. He’s a This was a slam dunk of a pick and I love that Colorado didn’t over- shooter, first and foremost. He’s a guy who is going to fire pucks at the prioritize filling that 2C need that exists on the NHL roster today. They’re net and do it with a pretty high level of skill. still drafting for tomorrow, though Byram could be an immediate addition The rest of Beaucage’s game is why he had to wait as long as he did but to the blueline, especially if certain deals go down. General manager Joe the wait could be worth it for the Avalanche. His skating is going to need Sakic said Byram will get every opportunity in training camp to make his a lot of work and the Avs’ skate-first approach will either jump him case for the NHL right away. forward or keep him from being a force at the next level. His goal-scoring Grade: A+ ability is much-welcomed to an organization that has been overrun by more classic playmaking types than snipers. Alex Newhook, C, Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) – 16th overall This draft class certainly changed that balance and Beaucage is the Here we go. Byram was a totally clean prospect that you need not really leader of the pack. He could become a major weapon on the power play worry about. Newhook carries some real risk with very real holes in his down the road. I’m kind of iffy on the player as a whole, though, so I don’t game but he is basically Colorado’s identity in prospect form. High-end love this pick as much as the rest of them. ceiling, hallmarks are speed and skill, and there are very real warts that could keep both Newhook and Colorado from reaching their ceilings. Grade: B

Newhook is an unbelievable skater, one of the best in this entire class. Sasha Mutala, RW, Tri-City Americans (WHL) – 140th overall His hands, shot, and hockey IQ are all high-end. I get strong Dylan Larkin This was a killer pick in my eyes. Mutala is a player with another level he vibes here. It’s going to take Newhook a couple of NCAA seasons to can get to that he just hasn’t found yet. Maybe he never will. Even if he really round out his overall game but once he does, holy smokes look doesn’t, Mutala can provide the same kind of presence Nick Henry has in out. His ability to transition to left wing at U-18s and find success next to the organization as a hard-working right wing with some scoring upside Krebs was great to see just in case Colorado solves that 2C problem and a bottom-six NHL future if things work out nicely. before Newhook arrives. With Mutala, though, there’s always the lingering possibility he finds that I don’t tend to worry too much about who was left on the board once next level. He’s a guy who works his tail off in trying to improve and has Colorado makes a decision. For me, it’s all about how that kid fits and the kind of ability that could make the league look silly for letting him get how he can help. Even with Peyton Krebs on the board, taking Newhook this far. Simply put, he could be the steal of the entire draft. You could is justifiable in many ways. He could be a legitimate star in the NHL. say that about anybody, of course, but Mutala has all the classic markers board when Colorado went after Helleson but a team can’t think that way. of a guy that could end up making a front office look like geniuses. The Stienburg pick will come under fire until he proves us all wrong.

This was a continuation of Colorado’s recent trend of using the fifth round BSN DENVER LOADED: 06.25.2019 as a major upside play. They did it with Adam Werner (2016), Igor Shvyrev (2017), and Danila Zhuravylov (2018). I’m sure it’s a coincidence they were all picked in the same round but it’s one of the few trends to pull from a team whose drafting is absolutely all over the place, literally and figuratively.

Grade: A+

Luka Burzan, RW, (WHL) – 171st overall

If you’re going to take a second-time draft eligible kid like Burzan, this is the proper range to do it. Too frequently teams can be seduced by 19- year-old breakout seasons and invest higher picks in them and those players can plateau immediately after.

Using a sixth-round pick after Burzan’s breakout year is just a great roll of the dice as they filled a need as well as took a chance on the upside. There’s a legitimate argument to be made for Burzan as simply a late- bloomer and if he continues his upward trajectory, this could be a steal. His skating will give him a leg up on several of the guys in this draft class. His skill puts him in the same kind of company as those drafted in the middle rounds.

Like others in this class, he’s a better shooter than passer and Colorado’s lean on goal-scorers was pretty clear this year. Instead of trying to find a role player here, they took a chance on Burzan’s upward trajectory. I’m always a big fan of that approach in the later rounds.

Grade: B+

Trent Miner, G, Vancouver Giants (WHL) – 202nd overall

Finally! A goalie! There was much speculation about the Avs going after Spencer Knight in round one or Mads Sogaard in round two. Both players were gone before the Avs had a realistic shot at either and a run on goaltenders early meant Colorado was left searching a bit.

They found their target in Miner, a player whose selection elicited several scouts to message me with a fondness for the pick. He’s the kind of gem you can mine (get it?) in the seventh round and find great value. Miner wasn’t the full-time starter for the Giants last year and he’ll compete again with Coyotes draftee David Tendeck for the job next season. Miner outplayed him during the regular season last year and hopes to do it again.

Where he fits in the Avs is pretty obvious. The Avalanche have arguably failed to develop a legitimate NHL starter in the entire time they’ve been in Colorado (you could make an argument for Marc Denis and I’d hear it out). Right now, they have a smorgasbord of goaltenders in Finland, , Russia, and the Swede (Adam Werner) just came across to North America to join the Eagles. Might as well add a CHL kid with huge upside and major talent.

This might have been my favorite day-two pick. Seventh-round picks rarely offer the kind of upside this kid does. If it turns out last year was a flash in the pan and he never comes close to that level again, the Avs are only out the 202nd pick. If he becomes anything more than that, the Avs are on the right side of value.

Grade: A

Class Grade: A-

This is heavily weighted towards the first round because those are the highest chances you get NHL players and the Avs did a great job. They went big and bold and set themselves up wonderfully. If they win a Stanley Cup within five years, this draft class very likely plays a significant role in that success.

It wasn’t just those two, though. The middle round selections are definitely open to doubt but they used their later picks on high-upside gambles that have the kind of intangibles to still turn into valuable players even if they don’t hit their ceilings.

They filled their forward coffers full, they re-shaped their top 10 prospects, and they added a high-end prospect at all three positions.

The class isn’t without its risks, however. Passing on Alex Turcotte and Peyton Krebs could both be situations that come back to haunt Colorado if this is indeed the darkest timeline. There was a lot of legit talent on the 1148485 Dallas Stars The first group will practice at 10:30 a.m. followed by the second at 11:30 a.m.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.25.2019 Dallas trades winger Tyler Pitlick to Flyers for Ryan Hartman, who the Stars have thrown punches at before

By Matthew DeFranks ,

The Stars swapped forwards Monday afternoon, sending winger Tyler Pitlick to Philadelphia for Ryan Hartman.

Hartman is a 24-year-old restricted free agent who scored 12 goals in 83 games last season for the Predators and the Flyers. Hartman was a first- round draft pick in 2013 and is known as an agitator on the ice with 70- plus penalty minutes in each of the last three seasons.

The Stars traded Tyler Pitlick to Philadelphia for Ryan Hartman. Hartman scored 12 goals last year and is an RFA. Pitlick has a $1M cap hit this season.

— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) June 24, 2019

The Stars will be Hartman's fourth team in the last 16 months. He was traded from Chicago to Nashville at the trade deadline in 2018 for a package that included a first-round pick. At the trade deadline in February, Nashville dealt him to Philadelphia to acquire .

Pitlick had one year remaining on his contract that carried a $1 million cap hit and is coming off a season interrupted by wrist surgery that sidelined him for two months as the Stars chased a playoff spot. He was primarily a defensive forward who played on Dallas' shutdown line with Radek Faksa.

Hartman played mostly in a bottom-six role last year in Nashville (where his most common linemates were Nick Bonino and Calle Jarnkrok) and Philadelphia, averaging a career-high 13:07 of ice time. The Predators also used Hartman on the penalty kill during the first half of the season before pulling him off the unit.

According to MoneyPuck, Hartman was responsible for 0.72 expected goals per 60 minutes last season (expected goals is a metric that values shots based on their probability of scoring). That would have ranked fourth among Stars forwards behind Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov.

To retain Hartman's rights, the Stars must tender him a qualifying offer by Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline. According to Cap Friendly, the offer must be at least $918,750.

Hartman has some history with his new teammates.

In February, Hartman and goalie Anton Khudobin exchanged words after Khudobin believed Hartman to be diving. Hartman speared Khudobin between the legs and then fought defenseman Esa Lindell, who had come to Khudobin's defense.

"My point is if you see the first period, he hit me really, really slightly and fell down," Khudobin said after the game Feb. 2. "I don't like diving in hockey. He speared me a couple times, too. I didn't answer, but you spear me again. And [he] dove. I'm like, 'What are you going to do?' Diver. That's it. But it's hockey, it's always going to be like this. If I need to drop the gloves, I will. But guys stepped in for me, and I hope it's not going to happen again."

Hartman, then with the Blackhawks, previously got in the face of Stars captain Jamie Benn. The incident followed Benn crashing Hartman into the boards with force during a 2016 meeting.

Development camp starting: The Stars will open the on-ice portion of development camp Tuesday morning at the Comerica Center in Frisco. The camp will consist of four days of on-ice work for Stars prospects, including their four draft picks over the weekend headlined by first-round defenseman Thomas Harley.

In total, 37 prospects will participate in the camp, with other notables such as Ty Dellandrea (2018 first-round pick), Tye Felhaber (59 goals in the OHL last season), Jason Robertson (led the OHL in points), Riley Tufte (2016 first-round pick) and defensemen Joseph Cecconi, Emil Djuse and Ben Gleason also in attendance. 1148486 Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars legend Sergei Zubov deserves enshrinement in the Hockey Hall of Fame, still.

By Josh Lile

Folks, it's that time of year again.

Dallas Stars legend Sergei Zubov is still not enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The 2019 class will be announced on Tuesday, and they will inevitably leave Zubov out once again because of his lack of hardware. This may seem a bit negative, but despite being a wonderful player worthy of enshrinement, the chances of it actually happening still feel low.

So here we are, once again, to stump for the best defenseman from one of the best defensive teams the league had to offer in a ridiculously defensive era. Should I be stumping for him? One might argue that idea is unprofessional, but I would turn around and argue that I offer no pretense of being a stalwart professional here. I'm writing this from my couch after work with history on my side.

Sergei Zubov is one of the more remarkable athletes I ever got to watch consistently. Everything he did was so fluid and seemingly effortless. His vision was top notch. We could rehash every argument for him until we're all blue in the face. We could talk about how Russians still have trouble getting in. We could do all of that. Or you could just read this by unnamed WFAA Staff and we can move on.

Instead we'll simply compare Zubov offensively to the defensemen who have most recently been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. These would be, mostly, his contemporaries. Paul Coffey, Ray Bourque, Larry Murphy, and Al MacInnis all entered the league a decade earlier so, while they overlapped, calling them straight contemporaries is a bit unfair. They're from a more offensive era.

And what do you know? Zubov is right in the middle of the pack of the Hall of Famers with all of the guys who entered the league a decade prior ahead of him. Offensively, Zubov is right there with Nicklas Lidstrom on a points per game basis.

I'm not going to sit here and tell you Zubov was as good defensively as Lidstrom. Lidstrom was an all-time great. Zubov was exceptional defensively though. There was no situation he wouldn't be allowed to face on the ice. The man could do quite literally everything asked of him.

And here we sit again. Daniel Alfredsson, Jeremy Roenick, Alexander Mogilny, Sergei Gonchar, Theo Fleury, Pierre Turgeon, and Gary Suter all have pretty good cases (among others) for joining the Hall when Hayley Wickenheiser gets the call on Tuesday. Zubov is every bit as deserving as these players.

Eventually he has to get in, right? Eventually the Russian backlog has to get unclogged, right? Eventually some more defensemen have to get in, right? Tomorrow we find out if the best defenseman on one of the most talent rich and stingy defensive teams the post-expansion league ever had to offer makes it into immortality. I'm not holding my breath, but I will happily put an edit right at the top of this story indicating how wrong I was should his election come to pass.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.25.2019

1148487 Detroit Red Wings Last year’s first-round pick, Filip Zadina (who used to billet with the family of Ethan Phillips, the Wings’ fourth-round pick from 2019), is slated to be at the camp, along with dozens of other recent draft picks.

Why the Detroit Red Wings believe 'right turn' on defense in draft will pay Ethan Phillips reacts after being selected 97th overall by the Detroit Red off Wings during the NHL draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver.

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Published 6:00 a.m. ET June 24, Scouting review 2019 | Updated 6:14 a.m. ET June 24, 2019 A week before the draft, Yzerman said there could be more changes to his staff beyond hiring longtime confidante Pat Verbeek, who’d been with Yzerman in Tampa Bay. Yzerman’s former director of amateur scouting, There’s a fun annual scene at the conclusion of the NHL draft when team Al Murray, was promoted as news broke of Verbeek joining Yzerman and personnel rush off the floor, many headed to the airport. is staying with the Lightning.

The Detroit Red Wings' hockey operations people at the weekend event Tyler Wright has been the Wings’ director of amateur scouting since July at Rogers Arena were among the fleet of foot, but, then, they’d just spent 2013, joining Ken Holland’s staff after six years in the same position with roughly eight hours spread across two days picking 11 players to add to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 2018 draft seems promising, especially the organization. General manager Steve Yzerman seemed pleased in the first four picks (Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno, Jonathan Berggren and his wrap-up interview with reporters that he and his staff had added the Jared McIsaac, but it’s simply too early to tell (only the top four draft picks best players they deemed available at each spot, especially in the early from 2018 went on to earn full-time jobs with their NHL teams). There is rounds. nobody from the 2017 draft picked after the Wings chose Michael Rasmussen at ninth who has had considerably more success yet at the Here are takeaways from the weekend in Vancouver. NHL level. From the 2016 first-rounders, Tage Thomposon, 26th, St. Moritz Seider poses for a portrait after being selected sixth overall by the Louis) has played 106 NHL games compared to 52 by Dennis Cholowski Detroit Red Wings during the first round of the NHL draft at Rogers Arena (20th, Wings). on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. In 2015, when the Wings drafted Evgeny Svechnikov at 19th, they could The Right stuff have had forward Brock Boeser (23rd, Vancouver). He’s put together two straight 20-goal seasons and has 116 points in 140 NHL games. In 2008, the St. Louis Blues drafted a big defenseman who shoots right Sebastian Aho (35th, Carolina) is a 30-goal scorer who has 197 points in at fourth overall. Eleven years later Alex Pietrangelo was a key reason 242 games. Travis Konecny (24th, Philadelphia) is coming off two they succeeded in winning the Stanley Cup, producing 19 points in 26 straight 24-goal seasons. On the other hand, the scouting staff had a playoff games this spring. Right-shot defensemen are gold in the NHL, home run in 2014 in Dylan Larkin at 15th. Larkin ranks third among that and that’s why Moritz Seider appealed to the Wings as they made their draft class with 213 points, trailing only Edmonton’s third overall pick selection at sixth overall this weekend, and why they followed up with Leon Draisaitl (312) and Boston’s pick at 25th, David Pastrnak (284 Antti Tuomisto at 35th. They added a third right-shot defenseman in the points). sixth round in Gustav Berglund. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 06.25.2019 Does Seider warrant being picked that high when the Wings could have had any one of highly ranked forwards Trevor Zegras, Dylan Cozens, Vasili Podkolzin or Cole Caufield? Time will answer that. But the Wings scouted Seider heavily and big, talented defensemen who shoot right are a rare commodity.

“I think he can be a very solid top-two defenseman,” chief European scout Hakan Andersson said. “I think he’s very smart with the puck. Great size. I like his mobility. He leans on guys in his own end — it’s not a guy you just walk by to get to the net. He’s a very good all-around package.”

Among their recent draft picks and free-agent signings, Filip Hronek, a second-rounder from 2016 (the pick was part of the Pavel Datsyuk contract trade with Arizona) shoots right. So does Oliwer Kaski, a 6-foot- 3 Finn expected to challenge for a spot in Detroit this fall.

An education

The newest crop of picks start their immersion into the organization at this week’s development camp. There’ll be daily on-ice activities culminating with a scrimmage Saturday. The value from the Wings’ point of view is more about what happens off the ice.

“You get to know the kids a little bit, and educate them if they need it,” Yzerman said. “And then try to set them up.”

This entails educating the prospects on what they need to do in the kitchen and in the gym to put themselves in the best position to further their careers. “Make sure they understand what they need to do — the lifestyle, the education, the training, to get to the NHL,” Yzerman said. “It’s more education and development than conditioning.”

Andersson gave an example of the difference nutrition makes as he spoke about Berglund, who struggled at the start of this past season.

“He moved to Frolunda and had a tough time living on his own,” Andersson said. “He didn’t eat properly so he was tired and couldn’t train as hard. They had to straighten him out a little bit halfway through the season. But after that, the coach said he’s the most improved player on the junior team.” 1148488 Detroit Red Wings ► Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

► Tickets: Free, and available in limited quantities on a first-come, first- served basis. For more information, go the Wings’ website. Fans may Red Wings draft picks get chance to learn about NHL life with reserve up to six tickets for each day. development camp ► Open workouts: On-ice workouts at Little Caesars Arena will be open to the public this week during the Red Wings’ development camp. Here is Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News Published 1:02 p.m. ET June 24, 2019 | a schedule of on-ice workouts: Updated 1:46 p.m. ET June 24, 2019 CAMP SCHEDULE

Tuesday

Detroit — Talk about the whirlwind for the young players just selected in TEAM HOWE the NHL Entry Draft. 10:20 – 11:20 a.m. – On-ice testing You’ve had a few days to enjoy the feeling of being picked by an NHL team — and now you’ll get an understanding of what it’ll take to get 11:45 – 12:45 p.m. – On-ice shooting there. TEAM LINDSAY The Red Wings selected defenseman Moritz Seider with the No. 6 overall pick Friday. He'll likely be at the Wings' development camp this week in 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. – On-ice testing Detroit. 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. – On-ice shooting

The Red Wings open development camp Tuesday at Little Caesars Wednesday Arena, providing an education on NHL life to recent draft picks. TEAM LINDSAY Ten of the Red Wings' 11 draft picks will attend, according to the team, including first-round pick Moritz Seider, as well as all 10 of the Wings' 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – On-ice skill development (forwards/goaltenders) draft picks from 2018, and five from the 2017 class. 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. – on-ice skill development (defensemen) Three signed free agents played late last season with the Wings — TEAM HOWE forwards Taro Hirose and Ryan Kuffner, and goaltender Kaden Fulcher — also will be there, in addition to 17 free-agent prospects from the 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. – on-ice skill development (forwards/goaltenders) major junior, college and European ranks. 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. – on-ice skill development (defensemen) “We get to know the kids a little bit and try to set them up and educate them if they need it,” general manager Steve Yzerman said. “They all Thursday have varying experience as far as training and eating properly, so they TEAM HOWE are at different stages from different countries and backgrounds. We want to educate them on what they need to be doing on and off the ice 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – on-ice skill development (forwards/goaltenders) this summer. 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. – on-ice skill development (defensemen) “For the ones we do get to bring back in September (junior league players), make sure they have a real good summer, and for the ones we TEAM LINDSAY don’t get back that are in college or have to play in Europe, make sure 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. – on-ice skill development (forwards/goaltenders) they understand what they need to do — the lifestyle and dedication, the work ethic, the training to get to the NHL. 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. – on-ice skill development (defensemen)

“It’s a good week. Our camp will be more about education, instruction Friday and development than conditioning.” TEAM HOWE The camp, which runs from Tuesday through Saturday, will be split into two teams: Team Howe and Team Lindsay. There will be daily on-ice 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. – on-ice skating (defensemen/goalies) instruction and skill development from Wings player development 10:15 – 11:00 a.m. – on-ice skating (forwards) coaches. TEAM LINDSAY Players also take part in NHL-level off-ice workouts and attend presentations designed to help players transition to professional hockey. 11:30 – 12:15 p.m. – on-ice skating (defensemen/goalies)

Tyler Wright, the Wings’ director of amateur scouting, said the week is an 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. – on-ice skating (forwards) outstanding “learning process” for both the players and the organization. BOTH TEAMS “I like the fact we have it right now (after the draft),” Wright said. “You test them, you get some baseline kind of value of where they’re at physically 6:00 – 6:20 p.m. – on-ice warm-up (all players) and what they need to work on, and you continue to test them as they 6:30 – 6:50 p.m. – 3-on-3 tournament, Game No. 1 (return). 7:10 – 7:30 p.m. – 3-on-3 tournament, Game No. 2 “You don’t have to tell us how much work you’ve been doing, when you come back and do the tests we know how much work you’ve done. 7:40 – 8:00 p.m. – 3-on-3 tournament, consolation game

“There’s no hiding in this day. Development is such a big process in the 8:20 – 8:40 p.m. – 3-on-3 tournament, championship game NHL level. You have to be able to draft right and be able to develop.” Saturday The camp, which used to be held in Traverse City, will be housed for the second consecutive year at Little Caesars Arena — specifically, within BOTH TEAMS the Belfor Training Center — where the young players experience the 11:30 – 11:45 a.m. – on-ice warm-up (all players) amenities offered to players at an NHL facility for an entire week. 12:00 p.m. – Red & White Game (three 20-minute periods) The camp will conclude with a three-on-three tournament on Friday night and a Red & White game on Saturday afternoon. Detroit News LOADED: 06.25.2019

Red Wings development camp

► When: Tuesday-Friday, with scrimmage Saturday. 1148489 Detroit Red Wings Goaltenders: Victor Brattstrom, Jesper Eliasson, Kaden Fulcher, Carter Gylander, Filip Larsson, Keith Petruzzelli.

Free-agent goaltender invitees: Robbie Beydoun, Drew DeRidder. First-round picks Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno, Moritz Seider highlight Red Wings development camp Tickets for development camp are free and available in limited quantities on a first-come, first-served basis, by clicking here and using “PUBLIC” as the promo code. Fans may reserve up to six tickets for each day. Updated Jun 24, 2:43 PM; Posted Jun 24, 2:35 PM Parking will be available in the Little Caesars Arena Garage for $7 per day. By Ansar Khan Michigan Live LOADED: 06.25.2019

The Detroit Red Wings’ three most-recent first-round picks will highlight development camp at Little Caesars Arena this week.

Forwards Filip Zadina and Joe Veleno, selected sixth and 30th in 2018, and defenseman Moritz Seider, taken sixth this year, highlight the roster of 47 prospects at the camp, which runs from Tuesday to Saturday at the Belfor Training Center.

Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman called it a good week of education and development.

“Get to know the kids a little bit and try to set them up, educate them if they need it,” Yzerman said. “They all have varying experiences as far as training and eating properly, so they’re all at different stages from different countries and different backgrounds. We want to educate them on what they need to be doing on the ice and off the ice this summer.

“The ones we get to bring back in September (for rookie tournament and/or training camp), make sure they have a good summer. The ones we don’t get back, who are in college or play in Europe, make sure they understand what they need to do, the lifestyle, the dedication, the work ethic, the training, to get to the NHL. It’s a good week.”

Prospects will be divided into two groups -- Team Howe and Team Lindsay – and take part in on-ice skill development and off-ice workouts, culminating with a three-on-three tournament on Friday (6:30 p.m.) and Red & White Game Saturday (noon).

Red Wings director of amateur scouting Tyler Wright said it’s a “100 percent learning process.”

“I like the fact that we have it right now,” Wright said. “You test them. You get some kind of baseline value of where they’re at physically and what they need to work on. And you continue to test them as they come back. You don’t have to tell us how much work you’re doing. When you come back and do the test, we know how much work you’ve done. There’s no hiding it.

“In this day, development is such a big process at the level. You’ve got to be able to draft right. You’ve got to be able to develop. You’ve got to sit there and cross your fingers and hope the players turn out.”

Ten of the 11 players the Red Wings selected in this year’s draft will participate, including their three second-round picks: defenseman Antti Tuomisto and wingers Robert Mastrosimone and Albert Johansson.

Taro Hirose and Ryan Kuffner, a pair of free-agent college forwards signed in March who finished with the season with Detroit, will take part.

Other highly regarded prospects at camp include forward Jonatan Berggren, defenseman Gustav Lindstrom and goaltender Filip Larsson.

Here is the development camp roster:

Forwards: Jack Adams, Jonathan Berggren, Albin Grewe, Taro Hirose, Otto Kivenmaki, Ryan Kuffner, Robert Mastrosimone, Ryan O’Reilly, Chase Pearson, Ethan Phillips. Elmer Soderblom, Joe Veleno, Filip Zadina.

Free-agent forward invitees: Mathieu Bizier, Samuel Bucek, Thomas Casey, Alex Limoges, Troy Loggins, Jarid Lukosevicius, Gregor MacLeod, Cody Morgan, Owen Robinson, Odeen Tufto Chad Yetman.

Defensemen: Seth Barton, Gustav Berglund, Patrick Holway, Albert Johansson, Kasper Kotkansalo, Gustav Lindstrom, Cooper Moore, Alec Regula, Moritz Seider, Malte Setkov, Antti Tuomisto.

Free-agent defensemen invitees: Charles-Edouard D’Astous, Marc- Olivier Duquette, Owen Lalonde, Alec McCrea. 1148490 Detroit Red Wings

Breakdown of Detroit Red Wings 2019 draft class

By Ansar Khan | Posted June 24, 2019 at 06:05 AM

The Detroit Red Wings’ previous four draft classes feature five players who have played a combined 185 NHL games thus far.

Several more are certain to enter the league in the next few years, but it takes time.

So it will be a while before Steve Yzerman’s first draft as Red Wings general manager can be evaluated.

“The danger is we all want our draft picks playing as soon as possible; it helps justify the picks a little bit,” Yzerman told media at the draft. “Ultimately, you really have to make sure you’re doing what’s right for these kids, that they’re playing at a level that they can be competitive and improve and excel at.

“There is stress. Very few 18-year-olds play in the NHL today. Now that they’re in the fold, we’ll try to set them up as best as we can, educate them and provide them with resources to develop and then we’ll see. If it’s one year, two years, three years … some of these kids will be five years. It doesn’t mean they’re not going to be good players. But it’s going to take five years for some of them.”

Here is a look at the 11 players the Red Wings selected over the weekend at Rogers Arena in Vancouver:

1. Moritz Seider

Round: 1

Pick: 6

Position: Defense

Height/Weight: 6-3/208

Shoots: Right

2018-19 club: Mannheim (Germany)

2018-19 stats: 29 games, 2 goals, 4 assists, six points, 8 penalty minutes.

Red Wings director of European scouting Hakan Andersson: “I think he can be a very solid top-two defenseman. I think he’s very smart with the puck, I think he’s going to fill out more. Obviously, great size. I like his mobility. He leans on guys in his own end. He’s not a guy you just walk by to get to the net. He’s a very good all-around package.”

Michigan Live LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148491 And he certainly knows Larsson starred for Skelleftea when New Jersey took him fourth overall in 2011. “Before I came here (draft, now development camp), I was there and trained at the same gym. I haven’t Jim Playfair's playing career here was short but eventful talked to him but I can see he’s a good worker (gym).”

This ’n that: Winger Ostap Safin, who had major hip issues last year, isn’t here for development because he separated his shoulder late in Halifax’s Jim Matheson, junior season. The right-winger should be ready for Oilers main camp (no surgery required) and will be playing his first pro year in Bakersfield … June 24, 2019 Russian goalie Ilya Konovalov, the third-round Oiler pick, was at the draft Updated:June 24, 2019 5:37 PM MDT in Vancouver even though he had no guarantees he would get picked by anybody but he’s not at development camp. “He didn’t have his equipment,” said Howson…Local boy/defenceman Jake Lee (Kelowna Rockets), who didn’t get drafted Saturday, is off to San Jose Sharks Edmonton Oilers’ new associate coach Jim Playfair only played two NHL development camp as an invitee … Rod Brind’Amour’s son Skyler, off to games with the team in the ’80s because they had a powerhouse Quinnipiac for his freshman year after two years with Chilliwack (BCJHL, defence back then, but he managed a goal and an assist. 44 points, 52 games this past season), is at camp. Back for another whirl “Yeah, I scored in the 13-4 game against New Jersey where Gretz got is George McPhee’s boy Graham, who had a rough statistical season into trouble (for calling the Devils Mickey-Mouse),” said Playfair. (nine points) at Boston College, a rare off-year for the usual powerhouse program. He’s going into his senior year …. Goalie Olivier Rodrigue, their “I think it was the 11th goal and Wayne brought the puck over to the 2018 second-round draft who was invited to Canada’s world junior bench. He said ‘big goal,’’’ laughed Playfair. showcase (Plymouth, Mich.) camp in late July, was recently traded from Drummondville to Moncton in the Q. Much stronger team…Oilers won’t Playfair, the one-time head coach of , couldn’t crack the be signing Harvard defenceman John Marino (sixth-rounder, 2015), who Oilers in those days with Kevin Lowe, Paul Coffey, Charlie Huddy, Lee is going into his senior year. He can be an unrestricted free-agent this Fogolin, Randy Gregg and Don Jackson, then Craig Muni on the back- summer because he played a year in the USHL before going to college end. He played on the Oilers farm team in Nova Scotia for three years, … Oilers may still sign graduating Providence College alternate then became a free-agent and signed with Chicago, the NHL captain/defenceman Vincent Desharnais (seventh-round 2016), who has organization that also had players on the shared farm club. He got into been at development camp before. He had a 3.4 grade point average in coaching after suffering a detached retina. management at school …Camp invite German defenceman Leon Huttl Playfair has three sons: Dylan, an actor; Austyn, a fashion designer; and played with Detroit’s first-round pick (sixth overall), defenceman Moritz Jackson, a hockey player. Seider on his country’s under 20 world junior team at the Division 1 championship last December … Another invited forward Taylor Ward Austyn, a good buddy of Auston Matthews, started designing clothes played for Clare Drake’s grandson Mike at U of Nebraska-Omaha (34 when he injured his shoulder playing for Tri-City Americans. He bought a points, 35 games). Singer sewing machine at a thrift shop and got into fashion school in Vancouver. Dylan was in on the ground-floor on Letterkenny, the Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 06.25.2019 successful Canadian TV show entering its seventh year that originally began on Crave TV and which Hulu now has exclusive rights for in the U.S. He plays Reilly on the show filmed in Sudbury, Ont.

Jackson also played in Tri-City, went to Dalhousie and was in the East Coast Hockey League in Orlando last year.

Lots of interest around NHL in San Jose UFA winger Joonas Donskoi during this courting period, with Oilers having him on their list. But not at the top. They’re most interested in Washington winger along with a large group of other clubs after his break-out (22 goals, 46 points) season, but with only $8.33 million cap space are they prepared to give him, say, three years at $3.75 million?

He could certainly be a top 6 forward but his stats (427 games played, 155 points) are similar to Oiler UFA Alex Chiasson (455 GP, 162 points). Local boy Daniel Carr, the best forward in the AHL with Chicago Wolves, is an Oiler possibility but like Donskoi would be in a second wave of interest. One other name to consider: Boston fourth-liner Noel Acciari, who plays hard and made $725,000 with the Bruins last year, playing 13 minutes a game.

Philip Broberg, the Oilers first pick last Friday, was here with his Swedish Hlinka-Gretzky team last August, making the final against Canada. “We actually got inside the (Oilers) dressing room for a tour then, so I feel comfortable in Edmonton. I remember the fans (10,000) in the final,” said Broberg, who played with two phenomenal 16-year-old forwards — Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz — who could go in the top 3 of the 2020 NHL draft.

Broberg will either stay in Skelleftea on the Swedish Elite League team that Adam Larsson once played on or he’ll come to play in Hamilton where ex-Oiler Steve Staios is GM. “It’s whatever Edmonton wants,” said Broberg, who can ask Hawks’ 2018 first-round defenceman Adam Boqvist how he liked playing in London last season. “It’s about playing against men in the SHL and if I come here (Canada) I would play on the small ice.”

“The player has to want to come over. If you force a European player who is not mentally ready it’s not going to work. Philip is open to it. We’ll have to come to a decision in the next month,” said Howson.

If he stays in Skelleftea, he’ll be with Oilers third-round 2016 draft pick D Filip Berglund 1148492 Edmonton Oilers sends those cherry passes and helps unlock the NHL offence, he could make the opening-night lineup again.

No. 2 (NR) LD Philip Broberg, AIK (Allsvenskan) Will the Oilers’ summer 2019 top-20 prospects be the answer to a frustrated fan base’s prayers? Oilers fans will be contemplating Broberg versus Trevor Zegras or Cole Caufield for the next several years. Philip Broberg’s potential is substantial, with the full scope of his abilities somewhere out in the ether. By Allan Mitchell Jun 24, 2019 In ranking him second on this list, I’m making an assumption that his offensive ability is closer to what we saw in the and the U18’s than his pedestrian regular season in the Allsvenskan.

There is no other fan base in the NHL that knows the draft and tracking Broberg’s U18 tournament might have been the tipping point for the prospects as well as Edmonton Oilers fans. This decade has been an Oilers, as his offensive output (7, 2-4-6) led Swedish defenders by some education, as well as an exercise, in (mostly) frustration. From the dual margin. Put simply, he was the main option for Sweden at the U18’s, and injury-plagued AHL seasons of a young Tyler Pitlick through the wildly it was a similar story at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament. unfair eye injury suffered by Ryan Mantha, it’s been a difficult trip despite the steady stream of No. 1 overall selections. There was talk after the first round that Broberg might come to North America and play for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL. That might be The summer 2010 list of top-20 prospects should have provided the best possible outcome, giving the Oilers a chance to measure the Edmonton with a strong foundation for a contending team. As with so player against opponents his own age (as was the case in the two junior many losing organizations, winning players were cast away, blamed for tournaments). the lack of progress despite being teenagers or in their early 20s. Here’s the 2010 top-20 list via depth chart: No. 3 (11) LW Tyler Benson, Bakersfield Condors (AHL)

Edmonton’s summer 2010 list delivered four quality NHL players (Taylor Tyler Benson entered the 2018-19 season with one goal in mind: staying Hall, , Devan Dubnyk, Jeff Petry) and two more who played healthy. The organization drafted Benson in the second round of the more than 250 games (Chris VandeVelde, Magnus Paajarvi). 2016 draft, and in the two years that followed, he played in just 63 Unfortunately, other NHL teams enjoyed the heart of those careers. percent of his WHL games. It was important for him to play in all game states, even if the boxcars weren’t pretty. Early in the season, Benson’s The 2015 edition might not have provided six men who play 250-plus offence was not strong, but as the new year arrived, he took off NHL games, but the top end is so good, it’s likely we’ll look back on this offensively. group as the best of the decade: Benson’s first 43 games: 5-29-34, .791 As you can see, summer 2015 was the height of the “Leftorium” depth chart for Edmonton; fully 40 percent of the list was populated by lefty Benson’s final 25 games: 10-22-32, 1.28 blue. The marquee position was centre, with two impact players in Benson performed well in the playoffs (10, 1-6-7) and appears to be back Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Added to Darnell Nurse, the club on track as an NHL prospect. For some time, the intel on him has been housed three men who are likely to exceed 1,000 NHL games, with that his vision and passing are top-flight, and he’ll go as far as his speed Oilers fans hoping most of those games are in Oilers jerseys. Names like allows (Benson is not a fleet winger). Laurent Brossoit, Jujhar Khaira, Caleb Jones, Ethan Bear and William Lagesson could also improve the 2015 list as time goes on. He’s in a great position to push for an NHL job in the fall, and even if the new general manager creates roadblocks in summer procurement, Guidelines for the summer top 20 Benson should be an early recall. A career that appeared to be in limbo a Players with over 50 NHL games graduate (25 for goalies). couple of years ago is back on track in a big way, and the young winger is very close to NHL-ready. Players who have been traded no longer appear. No. 4 (13) LD Dmitri Samorukov, Guelph Storm (OHL) The list is based on potential and gives zero weight to being close to NHL-ready. Dmitri Samorukov did more to improve his stock among Oilers prospects than any other player in the system, and that is reflected in his leap from Previous ranking in brackets (previous ranking is from Summer 2018). No. 13 last summer. It didn’t start out well. Samorukov didn’t impress at rookie camp and was sent back to junior in mid-September. This list likes offence. He had a statement season, emerging as a quality shutdown This list also likes prospects who can make the NHL in more than one defenceman at the OHL level. His size and speed are major positives, way. and Samorukov plays with an edge that accentuates a mean streak. The 2019 top 20 What’s more, his offensive game rose to dynamic proportions, peaking in the playoffs when Samorukov delivered 10 goals and 28 points in 24 No. 1 (1) RD Evan Bouchard: London Knights (OHL), Bakersfield games. Condors (AHL), Edmonton Oilers (NHL) He’ll turn pro in the fall and will be part of a group in Bakersfield that Evan Bouchard’s season came in three stanzas, all of them impressive. features a great prospect in every spot on the blue line. It’ll be a He arrived in Oilers training camp and turned heads right away, with competitive season, and fans shouldn’t expect to see him in the NHL in coach Todd McLellan saying, “His play with the puck on his tape and 2019-20. What is clear now: Samorukov is a substantial talent and is on poise to make passes is elite.” He stayed in the NHL for seven games, track for an NHL career after a breathtaking season. scoring a goal, and had a good possession ratio (53.79 Corsi for five-on- five) and plus-shot metrics at five-on-five. What’s more, his passing No. 5 (NR) CR Raphael Lavoie, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) acumen was sorely missed when he was sent back to junior. It was The Oilers badly needed a shooter and found one in the second round. It noticeable. was no sure thing, and make no mistake: Management took a real risk by Back in junior, Bouchard simply dominated, with the only real criticism taking Broberg over the high-quality offensive forwards available at No. 8. involving his lack of urgency in playing the game. The intel suggested his However, getting Raphael Lavoie gives the team an enormous lift in an foot speed has improved with maturity, and the numbers (both boxcars area of great need (scoring forwards). and goal differential) continue to be outstanding. At the end of his junior Lavoie posted a solid regular season (62, 32-41-73), then caught fire in season, there were AHL playoff games with the Bakersfield Condors. the playoffs (23, 20-12-32). Great hands, 206 shots in 62 games (3.32 Bouchard scored a point per game, showing exceptional offensive ability shots per game) — and he’s 6-foot-4, 199 pounds. Lavoie is a natural despite playing limited minutes. He was 3-5-8 in eight games with a five- scorer. He’ll have to work on his consistency. Drafted into a dream on-five goal differential of 6-3, continuing a trend of finishing on the good scenario, Lavoie has all the tools to take full advantage. side of possession. No. 6 (2) RW Kailer Yamamoto, Bakersfield Condors (AHL) and Next stop: Oilers training camp. Ken Holland and Dave Tippett will Edmonton Oilers (NHL) evaluate him, with an eye to sending him to Bakersfield. If Bouchard Kailer Yamamoto might be the answer to a trivia question: “Name the last fall). His 232 shots in 63 games (3.68 per game) make him one of the Edmonton Oilers first-round pick to be fast-tracked to the NHL.” But the more prolific shooters in the system. big question pertains to his future role with the organization. He began the 2018-19 season in Sweden on a line with Connor McDavid and Milan This is an exceptional result for the No. 146 pick in the 2017 draft. He Lucic. The best part of his NHL time was a brilliant goal, the first of his has moved down from last summer, but his progress has been solid if career, but he scored just 1-1-2 in 17 games with the Oilers. While in unspectacular. He’ll head to Bakersfield, and Jay Woodcroft might Edmonton, he suffered a wrist injury that curtailed production for the rest develop some grey hairs mentoring Maksimov on playing without the of the year. puck.

When he was healthy in Bakersfield, Yamamoto scored goals at a clip No. 10 (12) LD William Lagesson, Bakersfield Condors (AHL) one associates with a scoring winger (10 goals in 27 games, which For William Lagesson, it’s a matter of consistency. The young projects to a 25-goal season), pushing toward NHL work. At the height of defenceman was drafted five years ago and spent most of his early years his season with the Condors (from Feb. 1 to March 8), Yamamoto played in the USHL and NCAA before heading to Sweden. His scouting report in 13 AHL games, posting 6-3-9 totals and showing up in the box scores and offensive numbers suggested a depth defender. Lagesson’s arrival consistently. Edmonton will want to see that kind of productivity from him in Bakersfield last fall and his performance during the season were a in Bakersfield 2018-19, although it’s possible he breaks camp again with revelation. His five-on-five goal differential (48-37) was strong and close a strong preseason showing. to performances by Jones and Ethan Bear.

Yamamoto is a skilled winger in an organization desperate for scoring What’s more, Lagesson delivered more offence (67, 8-19-27) than solutions. The lack of offence in the NHL plus the wrist injury makes expected, especially since he didn’t spend time on the power play. His 24 Yamamoto a question mark entering training camp in the fall. No one even-strength points led Condors’ blue last season. doubts the young man’s skill, but the fast-tracking (twice) and lack of NHL production (1-4-5 in 26 games over two years) give his résumé Lagesson has an unusual skating style, but he can defend and contribute some down arrows. The Oilers believe in him. Another season like last offensively. Edmonton’s LH depth chart on defence is currently crowded, one might erode that confidence. but Lagesson’s cap number and strong AHL performance make him a fantastic option for Holland’s Oilers. Expect him to make his NHL debut in No. 7 (7) LD Caleb Jones, Bakersfield Condors (AHL) and Edmonton 2019-20 if the quality play continues. Oilers (NHL) No. 11 (6) CL Ryan McLeod, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL), Saginaw One of the true positives of the 2018-19 campaign was the impressive Spirit (OHL) and Bakersfield Condors (AHL) NHL debut of Caleb Jones. A fourth-round selection in 2015, Jones vaulted to the top of the pro depth chart (Bakersfield division) with quality McLeod is a fascinating player because of the tools he brings, but the play in the AHL. What’s more, he showed a combination of skill, speed offensive results have me wondering about his possible NHL role. A and calm feet during a prolonged NHL debut (17 games) midseason. speed demon who showed so well in his first NHL camp that he didn’t get sent out until very late, McLeod posted less than a point per game in the At the AHL level, Jones showed he was top-flight and close to NHL- OHL in his draft-plus-one season. Considering his intelligence (that’s ready. During his NHL time, it was also obvious he could play a role what kept him with the Oilers so long a year ago), size and ability to be in successfully. His only struggles in five-on-five possession came when so many plays, his production is something of a mystery. playing tough minutes alongside Adam Larsson. Here are the numbers (via Corsica.Hockey) from Jones’ 17 games (this is five-on-five): His impressive playoff performance with the AHL Condors (5, 0-3-3) and his Oilers totals preseason 2018-19 (4, 0-3-3) are the most encouraging Jones-Larsson numbers for this player. He turns 20 in late September, so the 133 minutes, 43.4 Corsi for, 5-11 goals for expectation is spending 2019-20 in Bakersfield, looking to impress in all areas, but especially on offence. Kevin Gravel-Jones: No. 12 (3) RD Ethan Bear, Bakersfield Condors (AHL) 66 minutes, 55.5 Corsi for, 2-2 goals for Bear is the latest example of why NHL teams overload on defencemen in Jones-Matt Benning: procurement. After showing very well in 2017-18 and earning his first NHL games, Bear suffered through an injury-riddled season in 2018-19 39 minutes, 57.3 Corsi for, 3-3 goals for and enters the summer of 2019 trying to reestablish himself as an NHL The sample size is too small to consider trustworthy, but Jones showed option. well in playing 115 third-pair minutes in 2018-19. His foot speed and skill He is the first RH defenceman since Jeff Petry (2006 draft) to be selected make him a strong candidate to make the Oilers in the fall or to be an by Edmonton and play at least 15 NHL games during his entry-level early recall. Jones is an important piece for Holland this summer, contract. However, with the Oilers bringing Bouchard to pro hockey, representing an inexpensive and substantial possible replacement for signing Joel Persson out of Sweden and having Logan Day sign an NHL one of the incumbent defencemen. contract, Bear’s playing time in Bakersfield could get squeezed — not to No. 8 (5) CR Cooper Marody, Bakersfield Condors (AHL) and Edmonton mention the idea of spending the season in the NHL. Oilers (NHL) The truth is that defencemen do not develop in a straight line, and Bear In his first 14 games of 2018-19 with the Condors, Cooper Marody can recover by staying healthy. His five-on-five goal differential (41-28) scored 5-12-17 and formed an outstanding “Kid Line” with Benson and was among the best on the Condors, and his offence (52, 6-24-31) Cameron Hebig. After that, the linemates changed, but Marody kept reflected his passing ability and power-play acumen. He remains a posting strong offensive numbers, finishing 58, 19-45-64. quality prospect, but Edmonton’s procurement of other options is going to make his path to the NHL more complicated than it looked a year ago. He had two disappointments during the season: very little traction in six NHL games and an injury in the fourth game of the AHL playoffs that No. 13 (NR) G Shane Starrett, Bakersfield Condors (AHL) ended his season (a dangerous hit from behind by Kale Kessy). Other I had him ranked No. 33 among Oilers prospects a year ago, and he is than that, his first season in pro was a dream. older for a prospect (24), but the performance by Shane Starrett in Marody’s speed is not a strength, but his passing and creativity are at an Bakersfield last year is impossible to ignore. He posted a fabulous NHL level now. It’s not certain he’ll play at pivot in the NHL, but with the season (.918SP ranked No. 5 overall, tops among AHL rookies) and current depth chart at right wing, he’s going to get a good, long look in earned another contract. training camp. It is possible he breaks camp with the big club in October. Starrett has a real chance with Edmonton in the coming months. He’s No. 9 (4) RW Kirill Maksimov, Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL) clearly a solid AHL starter, his contract is $700,000 and the next step is an NHL audition. Holland will be looking for value contracts, and if There’s a lot to like about Kirill Maksimov, who has good size (6-3, 194), Starrett continues to play well in Bakersfield, his chance will come. skill (34 and 40 goals in his final OHL seasons) and speed. He is not a disciplined two-way winger, and consistency has been an issue, but his No. 14 (NR) G Ilya Konovalov, Yaroslavl Lokomotiv (KHL) shot should get him to the NHL during his entry deal (which begins this This is a fascinating player and situation. The Oilers drafted Konovalov at No. 19 (NR) Dylan Wells, Wichita Thunder (ECHL) and Bakersfield the 2019 draft this past weekend, and you could make a case that he’s Condors the best goalie prospect in the system today. At 20, he played well in the KHL, seeing 1,080 shots and allowing 76 goals (.930 save percentage). Wells divided his time between Wichita (22, .912) and Bakersfield (12, He faced 26.8 shots per game. .909) in 2018-19, posting consistent numbers in both locations. His first pro season was successful, as he backstopped his teams to an 18-12-2 Lokomotiv’s backup goalie (Alexander Salak) was effective (.922 save record. percentage) while facing 23.9 shots per game, but Konovalov’s totals are clearly superior. We don’t have a lot of intel on the player (Jonathan Starrett emerged in Bakersfield when was unable to play, but Willis wrote a fine piece on the weekend), but the numbers scream Wells was the closest thing to a backup in the AHL for much of the quality. I placed him here; his resume justifies the ranking. season. One curious item: Wells faced 31.1 shots per 60 with the Condors, compared to 28.34 for Starrett and 24.7 for Skinner. No. 15 (8) RD Joel Persson, Växjö Lakers HC (SHL) Wells should be in the rotations with Starrett and Skinner next season, Originally signed in May 2018, Persson remains a bit of a mystery due to with each man trying to establish himself as the top option. his negotiating a one-year lag in arriving in North America. So it’s the same as a year ago with Persson, who remains a promising player. No. 20 (14) RW Ostap Safin, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) Former Edmonton Oilers goaltender (and current Swedish hockey Since the moment he was drafted (No. 115 overall, 2017), Safin was commentator) Mike Zanier has the intel on Persson: considered the club’s best chance to produce a power forward. At 6-5, “Right shot, 6-foot-1, 185-190 pounds. He is a great story, played 2016- 191, and scoring 26 goals in the QMJHL in his draft-plus-one season, 17 in Division 3 and was signed into Växjö as a project that might have Safin had a lot of things going for him and was considered a legit potential. By October 2017 he was quarterbacking the power play and prospect. He has good speed and a plus shot — and those things racking up the points. By the end of the year, he was in the top pairing for coupled with his size add up to a player who has a future. the champion Växjö Lakers. He sees the ice really well.” Safin lost his season to injury, playing in just 15 regular-season games His numbers (50, 6-25-31) in 2018-19 were similar to those of his for Halifax and looking like a shadow of his healthy self in the long playoff previous season, made all the more impressive when considering the run (23, 0-2-2). Safin had a hip-flexor injury in the camp leading up to the quality of his team faded year over year. He averaged 19 minutes a Four Nations Cup at the end of July last summer and never got back to night, took 150 shots and played an important role for the Lakers. complete health. Persson will come to camp with a chance to make the Oilers, and the He is signed, and the next step is Bakersfield. Considering his injuries competition (which includes prospects Bouchard, Bear and a few LH kids last year, the organization might be wise to send him back to junior for who can right their offsides) will be brisk. another season. If he can’t play in Bakersfield, more development time No. 16 (9) G Stuart Skinner, Wichita Thunder (ECHL) and Bakersfield could be lost. Condors (AHL) Just outside

Stuart Skinner is 6-3, 205, and blocks out most of the sun. He is a highly Goalie Olivier Rodrigue, defencemen Filip Berglund, Michael Kesselring regarded goaltender in Edmonton’s system, but in a crowded group in and Logan Day plus forwards Patrick Russell and Matej Blumel all 2018-19, he spent much of his year in the ECHL with the Wichita received strong consideration for this list. Thunder. In 41 games, he posted a .903 save percentage and got lots of work (32.6 shots per game). Oilers’ summer 2019 top-20 depth chart

He spent six games in the AHL (.879) but ended the season with a wild The 2019 draft ran counter to previous Oilers drafts in a number of ways. and crazy playoff performance. In four games, he posted a .918 save There were no kids chosen from the OHL or WHL, but an RH centre from percentage and stopped 45 of 46 in a screamer of a playoff game against the QMJHL, a KHL goalie and a Swedish defender all landed on the the San Diego Gulls on May 11. Skinner is in a tough spot, with Starrett summer top 20 from the weekend draft. and Dylan Wells also looking for playing time, but that playoff run The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 confirmed his talent. It’s reasonable to expect he will get more of the Bakersfield net in 2019-20.

No. 17 (NR) LW Joe Gambardella, Bakersfield Condors (AHL) and Edmonton Oilers (NHL)

Joe Gambardella entered pro hockey late and needed to emerge quickly as an NHL option. In his first season with Bakersfield, he scored 13 goals on 68 shots in 50 games (19.1 percent success). He established himself as a marksman but needed to shoot more. “Last summer, I went home and worked on my shot a lot. I wanted to take more shots this year,” Gambardella told me — and he elevated his number of shots to 98. His shooting percentage spiked to 29.9 on the way to a 29-goal season.

Gambardella credits his linemates, but he put himself in a position to play on a featured line. His defensive play is quality, going all the way back to college, so the final piece was offence, and his AHL résumé is solid after the 2018-19 season. He’s an aggressive forechecker, something Tippett will value. Gambardella played in 15 NHL games last season; he has a chance to build on that total in the coming year.

No. 18 (20) RD John Marino, Harvard (NCAA)

Some of the hardest prospects to track are college hockey players who don’t deliver a lot of offence. John Marino is valued as a prospect, and there was some buzz about him possibly coming out after his junior season in 2018-19. He’s returning to Harvard and will be one of three captains on the 2019-20 team. Marino’s decision to sign (or not) with the Oilers remains an unanswered question, but the scouts I’ve spoken to suggest he’s a true NHL prospect who will play pro.

Marino’s appeal is as a defender, with skating being his strength. Although a lack of power-play time has obscured his actual offensive ability, he’ll make his money in pro hockey defending against oncoming opponents. 1148493 Los Angeles Kings answer questions about his work ethic and compete level. It’s an interesting subject detailing the way players are incubated and developed and touches on a number of broad themes related to amateur scouting AFFECTING CULTURE THROUGH THE DRAFT; WEIGHING and the means of unearthing a player’s potential. FORWARDS, DEFENSEMEN AT 22, 33; MORE FROM YANNETTI Mark Yannetti, on when the decision to select Arthur Kaliyev was made:

I can tell you we had two guys – you’re going to need 20 minutes for me JON ROSENJUNE 24, 2019 to talk. We were confident, and when I say ‘confident,’ I mean we’re not just flipping the coin and rolling the dice. Confident doesn’t mean ‘100%.’ It just means we thought there was a better-than-average chance that two guys would fall to 33, and he was a guy that we thought might fall, PROSPECTS AND SCOUTING and like I said, if anyone wants to talk to me for a long time, it played into The LA Kings went into Vancouver last week without consensus of who the Bjornfot thing. Both guys were there at 33, both guys we thought they were taking with the fifth pick. would fall there. [Reporter: Is there a five-minute version?] Yeah, I guess so. So, it’s draft strategy, right? The problem is I don’t think I can do it in “There were two places in this draft where guys were in dead heats. Two five minutes because I’m one of the most verbose human beings on the places,” Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yannetti said. “Five and 22. planet. That’s Dean’s fault, by the way. Blame Dean for me being like Dead heats.” this. So, what happens is you look at 22, and we had a dead heat at 22. So, you have a D and a forward that happen to be our dead heat. And Alex Turcotte fell from a presupposed perch, making the decision easy then you look at the draft, and if you look at our list – not any for them – even as consensus was eventually found. “We were finalizing independent list – between 22 and 32, we would’ve had two defensemen our pick up until today,” Yannetti said in a detailed reflection of the left on our list, and then between 22 and 33, we had two defensemen but executive and amateur staffs’ pre-draft focuses. we had four forwards. I know it doesn’t make sense – that’s why it’s the “This one, we were really, really deadlocked between two players and short version. So, the odds of there being a defenseman there at 33 were almost split evenly down party lines,” he said Friday. “So, it took less than half of what it was with there being a forward. That’s just your probably, from between the time the meetings ended until now, I’ll bet numbers. Now, you look at all the independent lists, and we identified two you we put in 100 hours’ worth of work, 150 hours’ worth of work on of those forwards we thought would be the ones to fall, so now it checks these guys, and a lot of it had to be done when we were together, so we another box in terms of what may be there. So, what we did is we took a spent two full days on finalizing [the fifth] pick and then solidified it today. slight calculation of risking maybe losing the forward because if we lose So, it might seem last minute, but the work was left to be done here. But those guys, the difference in depth between the four guys that we lose it was probably the latest that we’ve finalized something.” and the ones that would be available at 33 was much less than what you’d lose between a defenseman. So, if the two defensemen are on a The Kings, by many accounts, had a good draft. They landed Alex scale of 1-100, the difference is 70. If the forwards go, the next forward, Turcotte, they nabbed 51-goal scorer Arthur Kaliyev on the second day, it’s like 20. So we kind of took a calculated risk saying that we wouldn’t they impressively turned the 64th and 126th picks into the 50th pick and get defensive value at 33, but we could still get forward value if our list selected Swedish speedster Samuel Fagemo. (Vegas turned the 48th went wrong. … I can’t tell you how stressful it was watching 27, 28, 29, and 82nd into the 41st; San Jose turned the 82nd and 91st into the 55th and then once it got to 31, then we knew we’d get one of the two, and and Minnesota turned the 73rd and 99th into the 59th, to provide some we’re like, ‘oh yeah, we’re geniuses.’ And I’m sitting there the whole time, nearby context. Yannetti also acknowledged the team received a like, ‘don’t [go poorly].’ I’m telling Rob this is a probability, and if a “laughable” offer to move down in the draft.) probability doesn’t happen, then I’d look like an idiot.

But to weigh such options, and to complete a draft list that places Yannetti, on changing culture within an organization: estimated values on players within different tiers, there are a lot of inherent unknowns. How does a player’s value evolve when he ranks at What happens is if you want to change culture, you have to change a certain level within his tier and other players at his position start flying cultures from both ends. So, if you’re going to change culture, you start in off the shelves faster than at another position? It’s all an interesting, live- the draft. It’s unlikely you can go from a bottom team to a top team in a action process that Yannetti, as he has with Los Angeles since 2006, year. It’s unlikely. You affect culture from the bottom. So, you do it engagingly jumps into. through the draft. I think we made a big step in affecting our culture in this draft. We got three whales in terms of culture, in our opinion, in this “So, again, the draft’s kind of a fluid thing, and we always talk about the draft. If we’d come out with one, we would’ve been happy. [Reporter: best player available, and I know I’ve lamented in the past when we That was the first two picks, and then-] Fagemo is more ‘compete’ than haven’t done that,” he said. “So, in saying that though, just because a ‘culture,’ but those two boxes are really linked to us. While he’s ‘culture’ player is 1-2-3-4, the difference between one and two could be paper in a secondary way, he’s ‘compete’ and he’s pace-based and speed- thin, or it could be castle. So in areas where you have guys that are in based, which for me is the better compete. You get the puck back quick. virtual dead heats and you’re trying to decide between two guys at five, I’m starting to go into the ‘compete’ side where ‘pursuit, pressure’ rather one guy may check off that captain box, that leadership box, that than ‘hard-nosed,’ ‘physical.’ When Mike [Futa] and I did [the draft], compete box, and one guy might not – then it becomes easy. “[Rob Mike’s more ‘physical-compete’ and I’m more ‘speed-compete’ when we Blake] has a certain way he wants to build the team, and obviously our were together and we’d balance each other out. Now, there’s no one to culture needs a reboot. So, one of the ways we can affect this [is at] the keep me in check, so we can do it our way. I’m just kidding. So, he would ground floor up. So, if all things are equal, the player with the culture box be a secondary way, so what happens is you affect the culture coming gets checked.” through the foundation. That’s what we did with Clifford way back when. People try to minimalize that – they weren’t there. You do it that way, and “Again, you don’t just look for culture and overlook talent. We got really then once the team is ready, then you bring in Jarret Stoll, Matt Greene, fortunate with a kid like Turcotte. He checks every single box. You know , you bring in Justin Williams. So, what happens is you get five-tool baseball players? He’s one of those four-tool players, and one of the culture coming in from the bottom, and depending on the rebuild those tools is the intangibles and character, so that’s easy. Then, when three years in, maybe four, now you come and bring the culture in at the you look at a guy like Bjornfot, now you’re putting back line character in, top, if it’s not there already. Obviously, you hope that Drew and Kopi he’s mobile, he plays on the power play, he’s a definite first PK guy, so develop into Greene and Stoll in terms of culture. They’re dynamic now you put value on that position at D, you put character on that individuals, so that’s the hope, and now you have culture coming in from position at D, and he ticks off skating. He moves the puck up ultra-quick. the top, the bottom and the middle, and that’s probably how you contend So, we tried to put it in certain places, but we don’t just look at the for a Cup. So, yeah, the short answer, you can’t really affect it one year. character intangibles.” Yannetti, on whether a restocked pipeline makes it easier to draft Discussing such pushes for character, work ethic, compete level and inconsistent players like Kaliyev: other intangibles, Yannetti and the organization hope the players they’re drafting will “affect change” from the grassroots level. By banking on such Certainly. If this were year three when we were here, Kaliyev would’ve neutrino-measured constitution with the Turcotte and Tobias Bjornfot been an absolute no-brainer. Again, there’s a reason he fell. A guy gets selections, and by virtue of a restocked pipeline, the team chose to use 102 points, I think he was the youngest or second-youngest ever in that the second pick of the second round on Arthur Kaliyev, a player with the league to do it, and that’s a league that puts guys in the NHL. So, he type of game-changing skill the organization needs but who has had to doesn’t fall by accident. It’s not like 31 teams just forgot about him. And he knows it. These are 17-year-old kids, and at a certain point in the draft, the risk and the reward balance, and then at a certain point in the draft the reward trumps the risk. We thought obviously at 33, that’s where the reward trumps the risk. Again, I see things in there sometimes that say character concerns. There are zero character concerns. There are consistency and compete concerns, but that’s completely different from character concerns. Sometimes people lump character and compete into the same grouping and use them interchangeably – it’s not. With him, our view is he’s a 17-year-old kid that sometimes acts like a 14-year-old kid. He’s not going to be the first one who does that and he’s not going to be the last. So, our view is, when he matures, those perceived things that pushed him down get fixed – and then, look at our development staff. Our development staff has taken everyone they’ve gotten and matured them. I can think of two kids we couldn’t get to in the time I’ve been here. Guys can make it or don’t make it, but our development staff, literally, there were only two kids they couldn’t convert in character, so you give ‘em a guy like Kaliyev, I’m not sure we’ve ever put a guy with that kind of talent [with the development staff] since I’ve been here. So, for me, that reward I think and hope will pay off.

Yannetti, on Jordan Spence’s background:

He didn’t get drafted – I think he went though the draft in the Quebec league. He actually got whiffed through one time. … Again, anytime a kid deals with adversity – and not only deals with it, but just smashes through it – it’s a huge plus for us. Most of these kids, these kids aren’t handed anything because they’ve worked their asses off for it, but these kids don’t deal with adversity. They’re the best players who are put on the best team and get to play with the best people and get to have the best facilities – that’s their station in life. Most of their kids don’t deal with adversity until they get to the pros, so anytime a kid is showing at 13, 14 that he can deal with adversity, that’s a pretty promising trait in my opinion. … We have all kinds of different interviews with the kid – we just kind of sat down and talked to him, it was really unique, and he was kind of cool. It was much less of an interview in the times we talked to him, and much more of having a chat. … Very personable, very easy to talk to. It was fun. It was good, it was nice to have him there at that spot.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148494 Los Angeles Kings camp right away the next day, and that was the key – that he noticed ‘these guys aren’t much better than me, or they’re on the same level,’ and he changed his game a little bit. He’s not making the big turns and HEAD EUROPEAN SCOUT CHRISTIAN RUUTTU TALKS BJORNFOT, more stops and starts in his game than he has to be. FAGEMO, PARIK, NOUSIAINEN Ruuttu, on whether the European players will be at development camp:

We’ve got Bjornfot, Fagemo, Parik, Nousiainen, and they’re all coming. JON ROSENJUNE 24, 2019 Nousiainen’s having problems getting to LA on Sunday, but he’ll be there Monday.

Ruuttu, on Lukas Parik: PROSPECTS AND SCOUTING Every tournament he played, I mean he’s 6’4, he’s very athletic. His At no point has there been a shortage of eyes on Tobias Bjornfot, the LA technique is not on the same level as the Swedish kid that we were Kings’ second pick of the first round of the NHL Draft Friday night in looking at, too, but Parik is a competitor, he’ll never give up and he works Vancouver. Just as there was a constant trail behind forwards Kirby really hard. The great part about him is his English is very good and he’s Dach, Bowen Byram, Dylan Cozens and Peyton Krebs in the Western open to any deals or anywhere we want him to be next year – he’s wide Hockey League, there was a trio of esteemed draft-eligible Swedish open to it. And he’s all excited, he’s got his mask on in Prague right now defensemen drawing regular scrutiny – Edmonton’s Philip Broberg and at the airport and is flying over. Arizona’s Victor Soderstrom and Bjornfot – all of whom helped Sweden win their first-ever U-18 World Championship this past spring as hosts. Ruuttu, on scouting Kim Nousiainen: Bjornfot served as captain for those seven games and has worn the Kim actually, he was at the Berlin camp with us, so our development crowns of Sweden’s national junior teams 51 times. Given his people – O’C, Muzz, Sean and all those, they worked with him. We traditionally steady and chaos-free play, and his visibility, there weren’t tested him, we watched him play, and we all fell in love with him. Kim is a any unearthed secrets about him as a player. little bit like Kimmo Timonen. That’s pretty much what he could say, and “Well, like I told Tobias, he bored me out,” said Christian Ruuttu, LA he’s from the same team. [Reporter: Is he a Kuopio kid, too?] He’s a Kings Head European Scout. “And it’s a credit to him – he’s a D-man Kuopio kid, and my son plays on that team, too, so we know him pretty who’s a great skater, a strong skater, doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He much inside-out. hardly ever makes a mistake and he’s a leader. Also, he doesn’t look Ruuttu, on any expectation they’d end up with so many European flashy or anything like that, but he just makes things happen and makes players: everybody around him better.” No, they just fell on the spots where we had them. Our thing wasn’t going Four of the Kings’ nine selections are Europe-based (another, Arthur after Euros, it’s just turned up that that’s where they were, and we were Kaliyev, is an Uzbeki immigrant to the United States, and another, Andre happy to get them, and the good part is that we’re getting them to Lee, is a Swede bound for UMass-Lowell), making Ruuttu intricately development now directly, so it’s very good. familiar with a variety of players who’ll get their real first introduction to the organization at development camp this week. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 06.25.2019

Christian Ruuttu, on Tobias Bjornfot using his feet to work out of trouble:

Exactly. Closes gaps really quickly. Defending-wise, he gets his body in front because he’s such a good skater. It’s very hard to play against, plus he has a good stick at the same time, defending-wise. They said it last night and I hadn’t even thought about it, but he does remind me of Ryan McDonagh. That’s exactly what he is. He’s not flashy, but he’s still a good power play guy. His skating is so good with the puck, and he can move. He’s not going to look for the second out past. If he sees the first pass, he’ll give it to you.

Ruuttu, on examples of Bjornfot’s character while scouting him:

When you asked anybody on the Swedish team that he played for, ask who’s the leader on the team, one name came out every time. It was Tobias. It was Tobias Bjornfot. Bjornfot, Bjornfot, Bjornfot. Every single guy said that, so it’s very impressive. You can’t go around asking Tobias who’s the leader, but every player said that on his team. ‘Tobias is our leader,’ and leading a team, getting the first World Championship under- 18 for Sweden, it was a very good thing – winning at home, too. But Tobias is a solid player that way.

Dave Sandford/NHLI

Ruuttu, on Samuel Fagemo:

Samuel was our guy in the seventh round last year. We wanted him in the seventh round, but we didn’t have a seventh round pick. He went back [after not getting drafted], I talked to him early in the year, and I said, ‘how did you feel about not getting drafted?’ He was shocked, he was really disappointed, and I think he said ‘I had my head down over one day and then I started to work really hard.’ He got his chance with the Frolunda team early in the year, and he took the chance and he ran with it, and he turned out to be one of the key players in the Championship Hockey League that Frolunda won, and also in the SHL. He’s full of energy and he’s fearless, and he scores goals. [Reporter: He seems charismatic, too. Just chatting with him, he’s a very engaging young man.] Yeah, I watched him coming down the stairs and he was fist-pumping. That’s how he plays. [Reporter: Did you end up telling him, ‘hey, we would’ve taken you if we had the seventh?] I think I did when I met him early this season, because I know he was so frustrated. ‘Just keep working, good things happen to good people.’ … I think he went back to work. He flew to Phoenix camp right away, the development 1148495 Minnesota Wild

Solid drafts by Wild and Wolves reflected by national grades

By Michael Rand JUNE 24, 2019 — 2:47PM

Among the fan bases of the Wild and Wolves, it seems fashionable right now to believe one can do nothing right and one can do nothing wrong.

Perhaps that stems from more than just recency bias, but I suspect that is playing a large role in opinions about the new guy who hasn’t presided over a loss or bad trade (Gersson Rosas with the Wolves) and the no- longer-new guy who has presided over both (Paul Fenton of the Wild).

Regardless of what you thought of both Fenton and Rosas going into their respective drafts a few days ago, this much is true: Both seem to have done a solid job in my estimation — and in the general consensus of those who are paid to “grade” drafts in their immediate aftermath. Here is a sample of a few such grades for both teams:

WILD

The highest mark I could find came from Sporting News, which doled out an A-minus to the Wild. The No. 12 overall pick, Matthew Boldy, was the centerpiece of the haul.

It’s safe to say that sophomore GM Paul Fenton’s haul from the weekend in Vancouver made up for the odd decisions he and his staff made last June in Dallas, beginning with the selection of elite 200-foot winger Matthew Boldy, and continuing with finesse flanker Vladislav Firstov.

Indeed, it might have also helped reverse the negative momentum from last year’s draft, which earned the Wild poor marks.

Yahoo graded Fenton’s draft a B+, saying Boldy isn’t NHL-ready yet but that he has the makings of being the complete package.

ESPN gave the Wild a “B,” explaining that the drafting of two goalies — which I personally loved — was a bit of a head-scratcher but applauding the overall haul: Boldy is going to be a really strong player for the Wild a few years down the road. He can make the plays in small areas and has an excellent, heavy, accurate shot. Skill was a big-time theme of Minnesota’s draft.

WOLVES

The highest praise for Rosas came not via a direct grade but from inclusion in ESPN’s somewhat selective “biggest winners” of the first round. Jonathan Givony liked the value Rosas got in trading Dario Saric and the No. 11 pick to move up to No. 6. He believes Jarrett Culver is among the draft’s most versatile players. He wrote:

Setting a culture is among the first things a new NBA general manager needs to do upon taking on a job. Gersson Rosas adding a player with the intangibles, work ethic and coachability of Culver will help significantly with that endeavor.

CBS Sports gave the Wolves a B+. They called the trade “brilliant” and added praise for the second round as well. Another smooth (but under- the-radar) move came in the second, when they snagged Jaylen Nowell, the Pac-12 Player of the Year, at 43.

Sporting News likewise graded the Wolves at a B+, saying of Culver: He’s a top-five prospect in this class who I have rated as only slightly worse than RJ Barrett, the Knicks’ pick at No. 3. Culver has reasonable upside as a secondary creator and two-way wing.

It doesn’t hurt the Wolves that the Suns were almost universally panned for taking Cam Johnson with the No. 11 pick they got back from the Wolves. Rosas almost certainly would have made a different pick had he not traded the pick, but it gives the appearance of a wide gulf between those five slots in the draft.

Star Tribune LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148496 Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild sign D Hunt to 2-year deal

Associated Press JUNE 24, 2019 — 1:20PM

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Wild defenseman Brad Hunt has agreed to a two-year contract worth $1.4 million.

Hunt had five points in 29 games with the Wild last season after coming over from Vegas in a midseason trade.

The 30-year-old Hunt, a native of British Columbia who played at Bemidji State, has 39 points in 128 career NHL games with five teams.

Star Tribune LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148497 Minnesota Wild

Wild re-signs defenseman Brad Hunt for two years, $1.4 million

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune JUNE 24, 2019 — 11:21PM

As a midseason pickup, defenseman Brad Hunt’s stint with the Wild was an abbreviated one.

But it was enough time for Hunt to impress as a left-shot defender who could play either side, rove between the second and third pairings and contribute on special teams.

And now he’ll get the chance to build off that solid debut with the organization, as the team announced Monday it agreed to a two-year, $1.4 million contract with Hunt ahead of July 1 when he was set to become an unrestricted free agent.

In 29 games with the Wild last season, Hunt had three power play goals and totaled five points. He capitalized on the opportunity to be a point man on the power play, a role the Wild was hoping to bolster by adding Hunt amid defenseman Matt Dumba’s absence because of a season- ending pectoral injury. Hunt also stood out for his versatility, moving all over the lineup — including to forward on a few occasions.

Overall, Hunt tallied 12 points in 42 games with Vegas and the Wild in 2018-19. His five goals and four power play tallies were career-highs.

The Wild acquired Hunfrom the Golden Knights on Jan. 21 along with a sixth-round pick in last weekend’s draft, which the team used to select center Nikita Nesterenko, in exchange for a 2019 fifth-round pick.

This is Hunt’s fifth stop in the NHL; the 5-9, 187-pound 30-year-old has 10 goals and 39 points in 128 career games over six seasons with Edmonton, St. Louis, Nashville, Vegas and the Wild.

He also boasts 209 points in 287 career games in the American Hockey League and racked up 112 points during four seasons at Bemidji State.

Hunt and Anthony Bitetto were the only defensemen who finished the season with the Wild who were up for new contracts. Bitetto is poised to become a UFA.

It’s possible that after signing Hunt the Wild’s blue line is set with seven NHLers returning, although the team might want to continue to tweak with its depth like it did with this move.

Development camp

Thirty-one prospects are scheduled to descend on TRIA Rink in St. Paul for the Wild’s development camp, which kicks off Tuesday.

That group includes seven of the team’s eight draft picks last weekend in Vancouver; only left winger Vladislav Firstov was not included on the camp roster.

Aside from skating, strength and conditioning work, players also will tackle off-ice topics such as sports psychology, social-media training and nutrition.

Practices Tuesday and Thursday, starting at 9:20 a.m., are free and open to the public. So is a 3-on-3 tournament Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Draft details

The Wild’s philosophy is to draft the best player available at each pick, but a few trends emerged from its selections last weekend.

Beefing up its goaltender pipeline was a focus, as the team added two netminders in Hunter Jones (59th) and Filip Lindberg (197th).

Forwards who could play on the wing and up the middle were appealing, a versatility team brass feels some of its picks have. And the Wild also loaded up on players with size; everyone except 5-11 defenseman Marshall Warren is at least 6 feet.

“The thing I liked is when guys came up to our table and they were way taller than me,” General Manager Paul Fenton said. “We’ve had some smaller prospects, good hockey players. But every time somebody came up and they were much taller, you got a smile on a lot of our faces.”

Star Tribune LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148498 Minnesota Wild 57 games with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League. As affable as a prospect the Wild have in the farm system, the 18-year- old goaltender will no doubt impress members of the front office and Here are five players to keep an eye on at Wild development camp coaching staff with his words off the ice. More importantly for Jones, though, will be doing the same thing with his play on the ice.

KIRILL KAPRIZOV, WINGER By Dane Mizutani | PUBLISHED: June 24, 2019 at 4:04 pm | UPDATED: June 24, 2019 at 7:41 PM Just kidding. He won’t be there.

WILD DEVELOPMENT CAMP SCHEDULE

After bolstering their prospect pool at the NHL Draft over the weekend, June 25: Team White Practice/Team Green Practice (Open to Public), the Wild will waste no time seeing some of those prospects, and other 9:20 a.m./10:50 a.m. prospects throughout the farm system, in action at their annual June 26: Team Green Practice/Team Green Practice (Closed to Public), development camp. 9:20 a.m./10:50 a.m.

It’s sure to be a busy week with 31 prospects expected to descend upon June 27: Forwards Practice/Defensemen Practice (Open to Public), TRIA Rink from Tuesday to Friday, hoping to leave a lasting impression 9:20 a.m./10:45 a.m. on members of the front office and coaching staff. Here’s a link to access the full roster. June 28: 3-on-3 Tournament (Open to Public), 6:30 p.m.

It’s a new era of sorts for the Wild with some big names from the past — Pioneer Press LOADED: 06.25.2019 Luke Kunin, Joel Eriksson Ek and Jordan Greenway — too far along in their careers to be considered prospects. They won’t be in attendance, which should provide others a chance to steal the spotlight, even if it’s only for a few days.

Here are five players to keep an eye on:

MATT BOLDY, WINGER

As the highest drafted Wild prospect since Matt Dumba, Boldy enters development camp with lots of hype surrounding his name. He was taken with the No. 12 pick over the weekend, though some experts had the 18- year-old winger pegged as a surefire Top 10 pick. He showcased his skills as a member of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program last season, scoring 33 goals and dishing out 48 assists. While it’s still unclear how soon Boldy will be able to make an impact at the NHL level, his performance this week should give a good indication of how much work he needs when he attends Boston College this fall.

NICO STURM, CENTER

As the only prospect with any NHL experience, Sturm could really benefit from a strong showing this week. If he’s dominant, he could set himself up nicely to make the team out of training camp. If he’s ordinary, he could leave himself some work once next season rolls around. He signed with the Wild as an undrafted free agent last season, and as a 24-year-old center, Strum probably is what he is at this point. He likely won’t be an elite sniper in the NHL, though he could provide some nice depth in the lineup. It’s up to him to prove he can be that for the Wild heading into next season.

CONNOR DEWAR, WINGER

Perhaps the most-gifted pure goal scorer the Wild have coming to development camp, Dewar is fresh off an impressive campaign as the captain of the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League. He was a third-round pick by the Wild last offseason and finished with 36 goals and 45 assists for the Silvertips before signing an entry-level contract with the Wild toward the end of last season. There’s a good chance he starts next season in the minors with the Iowa Wild, and if he proves himself as a finisher this week, the 19-year-old winger could be fresh in the minds of some of the higher-ups when help is needed at some point next season.

FILIP JOHANSSON, DEFENSEMAN

As a surprise first-round pick by the Wild last offseason, Johansson has a lot of work to do this week to prove general manager Paul Fenton right. He was less-than-impressive last season as a member of Leksands IF in the , struggling to make much of an impact on the blue line. In a perfect world, he develops into the next Jonas Brodin, a reliable minutes-eater on the blue line who threatens to jump up into the play from time to time. It’s just unclear whether the 19-year-old has that in him.

HUNTER JONES, GOALTENDER

How much did the Wild want him? They traded back into the third round over the weekend to select Jones. He was someone amateur scout Darren Yopyk raved about following the draft, emphasizing how his 6- foot-4 frame could do wonders for his development. He finished last season with a 3.31 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage in 1148499 Minnesota Wild

Wild agree to two-year contract with defenseman Brad Hunt

By Dane Mizutani | PUBLISHED: June 24, 2019 at 11:40 am | UPDATED: June 24, 2019 at 3:31 PM

In an offseason that will likely be defined by splashy moves, the Wild made a savvy move on Monday morning, agreeing to a two-year, $1.4 million contract with defenseman Brad Hunt.

While it won’t do much to move the needle, Hunt, 30, will almost certainly play a key role on the blue line next season. He recorded 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in 42 games split between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Wild last season. He was acquired midseason by the Wild in exchange for a fifth-round selection in last weekend’s NHL Draft and proved to be a useful player on the power play.

In his career, Hunt has 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) in 128 games. Besides the Wild and the Golden Knights, he’s also spent time with the Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators.

Pioneer Press LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148500 Minnesota Wild completely healthy from the head and facial injuries he sustained this past postseason.

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that Pavelski may visit Tampa and What the Wild have been up to so far in the free-agent courting period Dallas this week. It’s unclear if Pavelski will take the relatively short ride to Minnesota. Another team a source close to Pavelski has told The Athletic intrigues Pavelski is Chicago. His first choice certainly would be By Michael Russo Jun 24, 2019 to return to the team he captained, San Jose.

Pavelski turns 35 this summer, so if you give him a three-year deal, suddenly a team that wanted to get faster and younger is altering course. We’re only two days into the free-agent courting period in preparation for Parise, too, turns 35 next month. Eric Staal and Suter turn 35 next the market opening Monday at 11 a.m. CT, but right now, it appears as if season. Mikko Koivu is 36, Devan Dubnyk 33. the Wild are focusing mostly on trying to add a right-shot right wing or two. And while Pavelski showed last season he’s still absolutely on top of his game with 38 goals, would he come close to that output in Minnesota, With Luke Kunin the only right-shot forward in the Wild’s top-9, general which lacks playmaking centermen, and could the Wild suddenly be manager Paul Fenton has reached out to the agents of Joe Pavelski and saddled with a bad contract in a year or two? It sure looked like we Wayne Simmonds, among others, sources say. started to see the decline of Staal last season and we’ve seen that before That appears to be his primary focus because as of now he has yet to with veterans on multi-year deals in Minnesota (Dany Heatley, Jason reach out to a number of free-agent centers, nor left wing Anders Lee, Pominville and come to mind). the New York Islanders captain and Edina native who ranks 13th in the But what is intriguing about Pavelski? He’s a winner, he knows how to NHL with 102 goals the past three seasons. score, he’s one of the best net-front shot tippers in the NHL, he goes to That obviously could change at any moment. But, the big question would the net, he’s strong on the right faceoff dot and he’s one heck of a leader be where Lee would play in the Wild lineup. and positive influence. That’s something the Wild are starved for inside a locker room that always seems to be pulling the rope in different As of now, Fenton hasn’t made any trades to clear roster spots, so the directions. Wild are jammed tight with left-shot top-9 wingers — , Jason Zucker, Kevin Fiala, Ryan Donato and Jordan Greenway. That’s why Fenton wants him.

Here’s a look at the Wild depth chart after Monday’s re-signing of Wayne Simmonds defenseman Brad Hunt. Unless trades are made, it’s hard to envision Age: 30 (Aug. 26, 1988) how the Wild are going to be huge players in free agency despite having a decent amount of salary-cap space. Height: 6-2; Weight: 185 pounds

Lee very much hopes to return to the Islanders. If it gets to the point 2018-19 stats: 79 games, 17 goals, 13 assists, 30 points, -16, 99 PIM, where Lee decides to talk to other teams more seriously, one would think 157 shots the Wild would be on that list and it’s likely Fenton will want to at least be in on those conversations with him. Career: 841 games, 243 goals, 231 assists, 474 points, -62, 1,057 PIM, 1,861 shots Here’s a look at The Athletic’s free-agent tracker with scuttlebutt from several of our reporters. Several teams, including the Wild, have shown interest in Simmonds, who will be looking to bounce back from a tough 2018-19. Here’s a look at right wingers on the markets that could be options for the Wild, and you may also find our Dom Luszczyszyn’s piece today He scored 17 goals, but only one with Nashville after being dealt by the breaking down some of the free agents very helpful. (All the charts below Flyers at the trade deadline. are borrowed from Luszczyszyn’s story. Click on each to view a larger Since 2011-12, Simmonds ranks 16th in the NHL with 204 goals and version.) third with 91 power-play goals. He was a driving force for a long time on Joe Pavelski Philly’s strong power play and has long been one of the best net-front guys in the NHL. Age: 34 (July 11, 1984) He can play up and down the lineup, he plays a heavy game that the Height: 5-11; Weight: 190 pounds Wild lack and he’s a protector of teammates. This guy is so strong, playing in L.A. once, he literally caved in Eric Nystrom’s cheekbone 2018-19 stats: 75 games, 38 goals, 26 assists, 64 points, -4, 22 PIM, 188 during a fight with the then-Wild forward. shots The concern always is how will he age. Luszczyszyn sounded that alarm Career: 963 games, 355 goals, 406 assists, 761 points, +108, 371 PIM, in his piece today. He would probably command anywhere between a 2,848 shots four- and six-year deal around $5 million annually. This is the guy it sounds like Fenton most wants to land. He has been in But Simmonds is one respected teammate and the type of guy, like contact with Pavelski’s agent, Dan Plante, and Plante has talked to Pavelski, that could bring instant respect to the Wild locker room. Pavelski a lot about the Wild, where he officially re-signed his client, Brad Hunt, to Monday morning. Oh, and he’s also represented by Zucker and Jared Spurgeon’s agent, Eustace King, so maybe bringing in Simmonds would get some good will What’s that mean that Plante and Pavelski have talked about Minnesota? between King and Fenton in Spurgeon extension negotiations this Well, not to be the bearer of obvious news, but that’s either very, very offseason. As outlandish as that may seem, yes, that stuff does happen. good … or very, very bad. Alex Chiasson Pavelski, from nearby Plover, Wisconsin, obviously has a relationship Age: 28 (Oct. 1, 1990) with Parise and Ryan Suter and returning close to home could be intriguing to him. Height: 6-4; Weight: 208 pounds

But so is winning. 2018-19 stats: 73 games, 22 goals, 16 assists, 38 points, -1, 32 PIM, 123 shots And the big question is whether Pavelski — and all free agents, quite frankly — believes he can win in Minnesota when you know with certainty Career: 454 games, 81 goals, 81 assists, 162 points, -27, 254 PIM, 636 that several teams who have clearer paths toward winning will be shots pursuing him heavily. ’s former Boston University linemate didn’t get a contract in Yes, money talks, and it would not be shocking if Fenton was willing to free agency last summer. top $7 million on a three-year deal for Pavelski, whom Plante says is He was invited to the Edmonton Oilers’ training camp on a professional This just doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense, but because of his tryout, made the team and signed just before the season started. He was relationship with Bruce Boudreau in Anaheim, maybe there will be mutual scratched the first five games of the season but scored three times in his interest. first three games and quickly moved up the depth chart on a team starved for secondary scoring. Perry five or six years ago makes sense. But, bought out by Anaheim, Perry has dropped off immensely in recent years. His hands have slowed According to The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman, Chiasson took Milan and he has trouble getting up and down the ice. Lucic’s spot on the first power play and eventually recorded career highs in goals and points. However, his offense dried up in the second half. He Other right-shot options: Boston center/right wing Noel Acciari, Buffalo’s had six goals after the calendar turned to 2019. After Chiasson mostly Pominville, New Jersey’s Drew Stafford. played with Leon Draisaitl, Ken Hitchcock came in and moved Zack The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 Kassian to a line with Connor McDavid and Draisaitl.

Chiasson struggled in the reduced role. New Oilers GM Ken Holland has seemed lukewarm about bringing Chiasson back.

The Wild have inquired about Chiasson. Three concerns: 1) Analytically, he doesn’t drive play offensively, which suggests he’s a passenger that needs good players around him; 2) Is he really going to shoot 17.9 percent again? 3) Why is he likely going to join his sixth team since the start of 2013-14?

Joonas Donskoi

Age: 27 (April 13, 1992)

Height: 6-0; Weight: 190 pounds

2018-19 stats: 80 games, 14 goals, 23 assists, 37 points, +10, 10 PIM, 115 shots

Career: 283 games, 45 goals, 77 assists, 122 points, +19, 66 PIM, 446 shots

As of now, the Wild haven’t shown a ton of interest, but they have reached out to his agent, and if it looks like they’re going to swing and miss on Pavelski, Donskoi makes sense.

Of the right-shot right wings, at least he’s in his 20s and he does show flashes of being a solid, solid player often.

As our Luszczyszyn wrote about Donskoi today:

“Few players drive play better than Donskoi does who is excellent at creating chances for himself and his teammates, as well as moving the puck up ice. … Part of what also makes Donskoi so underrated is his massive ability to draw penalties while not taking many himself. Only 14 other players are projected to do a better job on a per minute basis next season and that could be a valuable asset to a team with strong special teams. Donskoi may not score much but could be very useful for a team needing middle-six depth that struggles to possess the puck and create chances. At under $3 million, he would be a steal.”

One concern: He was scratched a lot in the most recent playoffs, only playing 12 of San Jose’s 20 games.

Brett Connolly

Age: 27 (May 2, 1992)

Height: 6-3; Weight: 195 pounds

2018-19 stats: 81 games, 22 goals, 24 assists, 46 points, +13, 24 PIM, 139 shots

Career: 427 games, 79 goals, 76 assists, 155 points, +12, 196 PIM, 581 shots

Probably doubtful because as of mid-afternoon Monday, the Wild didn’t call on Connolly, a source said.

Fenton likely isn’t a fan of a player Luszczyszyn wrote isn’t good in his own end and isn’t doing much when he’s not scoring.

Corey Perry

Age: 34 (May 16, 1985)

Height: 6-3; Weight: 206 pounds

2018-19 stats: 31 games, 6 goals, 4 assists, 10 points, -16, 27 PIM, 59 shots

Career: 988 games, 372 goals, 404 assists, 776 points, +76, 1,110 PIM, 2,870 shots 1148501 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens invite 39 players to this week's development camp in Brossard

STU COWAN, Updated: June 24, 2019

The Canadiens have invited 39 players to their annual development camp that will be held Wednesday through Friday at the Complex in Brossard.

Seven of the 10 players the Canadiens selected at the NHL Draft last weekend in Vancouver will be at the camp, including first-round pick Cole Caufield, who was selected 15th overall. The 5-foot-7, 163-pound right- winger posted 72-28-100 totals in 64 games with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s U-18 team this past season. Defenceman Jayden Struble, selected in the second round (46th overall), will also be at the camp.

The only three players drafted on the weekend who won’t be there are Swedish defenceman Mattias Norlinder (third round, 64th overall), who is recovering from a fractured hand, Russian centre Arsen Khisamutdinov (sixth round, 170th overall), who has one year remaining on his KHL contract, and Kieran Ruscheinski (seventh round, 206th overall), who has school exams to take this week.

Among the 39 players who will be at the camp are forward Ryan Poehling, the Canadiens’ first-round pick (25th overall) at the 2017 NHL Draft, and Nick Suzuki, who was acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in last year’s Max Pacioretty trade. Suzuki was selected by the Golden Knights in the first round (13th overall) at the 2017 NHL draft. Two of the Canadiens’ second-round picks from 2017 — right-winger Jesse Ylonen (35th overall) and centre Jacob Olofsson (56th overall) — will also be at the camp. Defenceman Alexander Romanov (selected 38th overall in 2017) is in town, but can’t take part because he has one more year left on his KHL contract.

The 39 players will hit the ice for the first time Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and then scrimmage at 5 p.m. On Thursday, they will be on the ice from 10:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. scrimmage, before the camp wraps up with a 9:30 a.m. scrimmage on Friday.

All practices and scrimmages are open to the public.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148502 Montreal Canadiens he was. The Canadiens already had a sweater prepared with Struble’s name on the back.

“Yeah, he was one of our targets, so we were happy to get him in the Here's a new name for Canadiens fans: Arsen Khisamutdinov second round,” Timmins said about the 6-foot, 205-pound Struble, who had 10-30-40 totals in 28 games this season with St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, Mass. STU COWAN, Updated: June 24, 2019 Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.25.2019

If Russian forward Arsen Khisamutdinov ever plays for the Canadiens, the team’s equipment staff will face a big challenge trying to fit his name on the back of a sweater.

With 13 letters, including five vowels, the name is also quite a mouthful.

“The big Russian that we drafted, who wants to pronounce his name?” assistant general manager Trevor Timmins joked with reporters after the Canadiens selected the 6-foot-3, 205-pound centre 170th overall at the NHL Draft Saturday in Vancouver. “Eh? Somebody’s got to say it.”

As a sixth-round pick, Khisamutdinov is a long shot, but Timmins is hoping Canadiens fans will get to know the 21-year-old Russian’s name well in the future. He is a late bloomer who posted 26-29-55 totals in 41 games this season with Reaktor Nizhnekamsk in Russia’s MHL junior league. Khisamutdinov also played nine games with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in the KHL, posting 2-3-5 totals.

“He’s a guy that we had at our European combine in Stockholm,” Timmins said. “Our Russian scout was very high on him. We watched him on video a lot play at the KHL level and some games below. He’s a big, offensive forward that has one year left on his contract and we’re hoping to get him over here the year after this coming season.

“I don’t think a lot of people know much about him,” Timmins added. “He’s a guy that hasn’t played on the (Russian) national teams. He’s one of these late developers that if he wasn’t drafted here probably would be one of the UFAs that would be chased down by a lot of teams and then you get in line with all the other 30 teams to try and convince him to sign with your team. So we tried to take a step forward a year earlier, draft him and then sign him.”

Timmins and the Canadiens scouting staff attended the NHL Combine in Buffalo but also held two of their own combines — one in Stockholm and one in Montreal — for players who weren’t invited to Buffalo. Danish goalie Frederik Nissen, selected by the Canadiens in the fifth round (138th overall), was at the Stockholm combine, along with Khisamutdinov. The Canadiens also drafted two defencemen who attended their Montreal combine: Gianni Fairbrother (third round, 77th overall) and Jacob Leguerrier (fifth round, 126th overall).

“So that extra work gave us more info,” Timmins said.

Khisamutdinov was one of two older prospects the Canadiens selected after they were passed over at previous NHL Drafts. In the seventh round, they took 20-year-old left-winger Rafael Harvey-Pinard with the 201st overall pick after he posted 40-45-85 totals in 66 regular-season games with the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and then added 13- 14-27 totals in 20 playoff games to help his team win the President’s Cup.

“If we brought him to (training) camp, we’d have to sign him,” Timmins said about the 5-foot-8, 166-pound forward. “We don’t think he’s ready to play pro next year, so instead of us getting on the back of the bus as a free agent — the same as the Russian — we wanted to use a pick and we traded for an extra pick to select him. So now he’s ours and we have next year that he can go back and play as an over-age (junior) if he doesn’t make the team. I’m not going to take that away from a player.

“I love his intensity,” Timmins added about Harvey-Pinard, the only Quebec player the Canadiens picked. “He’s got hockey sense and he has a never-die, never-quit attitude, much like our first pick last night.”

In the first round Friday night, the Canadiens selected 5-foot-7, 163- pound right-winger Cole Caufield 15th overall after he posted 72-28-100 totals in 64 games with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s U-18 team. Timmins said the Canadiens didn’t expect Caufield to still be around by the time they picked and the assistant GM was both surprised and happy he was.

The Canadiens were really hoping defenceman Jayden Struble would still be around when they picked in the second round (46th overall) and 1148503 Montreal Canadiens for training camp and we’re looking forward to getting the guys from Day 1. They’re good right now, but I think we can make them even better.”

Robinson doesn’t have a contract for next season but is hoping to re-sign Stu Cowan: Larry Robinson has high praise for Blues coach Craig with the Blues. He said he could stay in the game forever if it wasn’t for Berube the travelling.

“You’re here one day three hours behind (with a time change), you’re off STU COWAN, Updated: June 24, 2019 to Los Angeles and then you come back the next day and you’re home for a day and then you’re off again,” he said. “So it’s just gotten a little bit too much for me.”

Former Canadien Larry Robinson and Craig Berube now have something But the Hall of Famer was still able to help the Blues win their first in common that makes them unique: they are the only two men to win the Stanley Cup. Stanley Cup as an interim head coach. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.25.2019 Robinson won the Cup as interim head coach of the New Jersey Devils in 2000 after replacing Robbie Ftorek on March 23 that season. Berube won the Cup this season with St. Louis after replacing Mike Yeo on Nov. 20 when the Blues were in last place in the Central Division with a 7-9-3 record.

One of the first things Berube did was ask Robinson to join him behind the bench as an assistant. Robinson had been working with the Blues as a senior consultant.

The 68-year-old Robinson spent 15 games behind the bench with Berube before the travelling became too much for the Hall of Famer and he returned to his consultant job. But Robinson was with the Blues throughout their playoff run, providing another set of eyes from the press box and offering advice to the coaching staff and players. Robinson also went on the ice for some practices to work with the defence.

The Blues went on to win their first championship in franchise history and Robinson earned his 10th Stanley Cup ring, including six as a defenceman with the Canadiens. He also won two as a Devils assistant coach.

Robinson was impressed by Berube’s no-nonsense approach.

“He made everybody accountable, he held everybody accountable,” Robinson said last Friday from his Florida home. “It didn’t matter who you were or what you did. If you screwed up you heard about it. He’s a really good communicator … if he’s got something to say he doesn’t waste any time saying it. He just grabs the guys right away and talks to them about it.”

When St. Louis lost Game 3 of the Western Conference final to the San Jose Sharks on an OT goal scored off a blatant hand pass that wasn’t called, Berube found a way to turn it into a source of motivation for the Blues, who were left trailing the series 2-1.

“I mean we were all upset,” Robinson said. “But he just came in and he told the guys: ‘Mistakes happen, stuff goes on in hockey and you just got to live with it. Don’t let it affect your play … use it as motivation.’ That really calmed our team down and got us focused and I think he kept everybody focused. He never let anybody get too high or too low and I think that was a big strong point in the way that we played.”

Robinson has said in the past that his greatest day in hockey was when he won the Cup as a head coach.

“The only reason I said that is because when you’re a head coach you’re the man in charge and you make the final decisions,” he explained. “You’re not just making decisions about yourself. When you’re a player, you jump on the ice, you play your game and the only guy you got to worry about is yourself. But as a head coach, you’re worrying about lineups, you’re worrying about the way guys are going to react, you’re worrying if the flights are ready and if the players are getting enough rest and so on and so on. So there’s a lot that goes into being a head coach preparation wise compared to a player. That’s why I felt that one was the most memorable. But this one was kind of special in its own way, too.”

Berube had assistant coaches Steve Ott and Mike Van Ryn behind the bench with him during the playoffs while Robinson looked on from above. Robinson was very impressed with how Van Ryn handled the defence.

“He works with those guys every day and he just did a terrific job,” Robinson said. “Mike and I talk a lot and we have the same philosophies. We’re both excited for next year to come and start with these guys from Square 1 because we introduced a lot of different things that these guys haven’t had before in how to play defence, use of the stick and angles and all that kind of stuff. He’s already got stuff written down for next year 1148504 Montreal Canadiens For Caufield to fall, wild cards like Podkolzin and Seider needed to drop earlier than later. But as far as the Canucks were concerned, they were just following their list.

Breaking down the domino effect that allowed the Canadiens to take the “He was the last name, if he wasn’t there at 10, we would try maybe to best goal scorer in the draft trade down in the draft and get another pick,” Benning said. “There were some players we liked after we picked, but when (Podkolzin) was there we were making the pick.” By Marc Antoine Godin Jun 24, 2019 The parity among the top-15 picks or so made it so a lot of teams had a similar thought to Benning of trading down and adding picks later in the draft in the hopes they could nab the same player lower in the first round VANCOUVER – When the Canadiens decided to take Cole Caufield out anyway. for dinner at the NHL combine in Buffalo last month, his agent Pat Brisson shot a warning to Marc Bergevin. That is exactly what the Phildelphia Flyers did at No. 11.

“Unless you get into the top-10, you won’t see him.” It is important to remember that when Chuck Fletcher was named GM in December, he was tasked with giving the Flyers a bit more of their Caufield might only be 5-foot-7, but the fact he scored 72 goals in 64 traditional identity, that of a heavy, abrasive team. With that in mind, were games to shatter the single-season USNTDP record set by Auston they really going to take the shortest winger to ever be drafted in the first Matthews and scored 14 goals in seven games at the U18 world round? championships – matching a record set by Alex Ovechkin – made him a very intriguing prospect. Caufield is not just a scorer, he is useful in many other ways on the ice, but his size clearly scared a few teams off. The St. Louis Blues winning If you wanted a goal scorer in this draft, the best finisher, Caufield was the Stanley Cup led to the usual discourse about the formula for winning your man. – a formula, it should be noted, that is very fluid – and their size up and The Canadiens, sitting with the No. 15 pick, could not have reasonably down the lineup did not go ignored. expected to get him without spending some assets to move up in the Players like Caufield, therefore, are not the flavor of the month. draft, something Bergevin did not want to do. “Nobody’s going to stop asking me about it,” Caufield said. “But I mean, So how did this prolific scorer fall from the sky only to land in the I’m just going to have to continue to prove people wrong, because I’ve welcoming arms of the Canadiens? It took a series of events that created been doing it within dealing with that with my whole life. So I mean, a totally unpredictable domino effect, one the Canadiens were able to honestly, at this point, it doesn’t really matter. To me, it’s not really a risk take full advantage of. factor in my game, and in how I play, so I’m not too worried about it.” The first domino came at pick No. 6 and the Detroit Red Wings. John If the Flyers had wanted Caufield, they never would have traded down Wroblewski, Caufield’s coach at the USNTDP, was sure the Wings would three spots from No. 11 with him still available. They would have grabbed take him. him. But Fletcher had said it was possible his first round pick was in play, “I didn’t see him getting past them because they’ve got to score goals,” and on Friday he acted on it in order to get back in the second round of Wroblewski said after the first round Friday night. “They’ve got (Dylan) the draft after trading his second round pick last week in the trade that Larkin and they’ve got (Andreas) Athanasiou, and they’ve got some really sent defenceman Justin Braun from the San Jose Sharks to Philadelphia. good players up front, but not necessarily guys that score. (Tyler) “This is a draft with a lot of top-end prospects, so we felt all along that if Bertuzzi is a great grinder, sets a lot of guys up. (Anthony) Mantha is a we could move back two, three, four spots, whatever the case may be, hell of a playmaker. But Caufield is pure as they come in goalscoring.” and pick up a second round pick, it would make sense,” Fletcher said. Wroblewski briefly interrupted Caufield’s first press availability with the “You know, when we were sitting at 11, we still had three kids in our top- Montreal media to give him a big hug. Wroblewski grew up in Wisconsin, 10 on the board, and we felt if we moved back we’d have a pretty good about an hour away from Caufield’s hometown of Stevens Point, and so chance unless we got really unlucky of getting one of them, and we did. a little more than two years after they first met, he considers Caufield to We got a kid very high on our list, and picked up a second round pick, so be like a little brother. This photo was taken a few hours before the draft. I think it worked out well.”

COUPLE NE WISCONSIN BOYS REUNITING The Flyers found a trade partner in the Arizona Coyotes, who gave up PIC.TWITTER.COM/8ZMGY3CBAX the No. 14 pick and added No. 45 as a sweetener to move up three spots. The Coyotes had defenceman Victor Soderstrom as their target, — JOHN WROBLEWSKI (@COACHWROBO) JUNE 21, 2019 and they got him.

But even if Wroblewski saw a good fit for Caufield in Detroit, new Red “We weren’t leaving the draft without him,” Coyotes GM John Chayka Wings general manager Steve Yzerman had other plans. Rumours said. “We were going to do whatever it took to get him.” began to circulate earlier Friday that the Wings were partial to German defenceman Moritz Seider, whose stock was rising, sure, but to be taken Chayka’s philosophy at the draft is clear; load up on centres, this early in the draft was shocking to everyone. Even Seider. defencemen and goalies. Wingers are less of a priority. Despite Caufield being there, the Coyotes stuck to their principles. WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTED TO GO AFTER THE TOP 10 AND GET PICKED 6TH OVERALL When the Minnesota Wild went on the clock at No. 12, Bergevin’s phone rang at the Canadiens’ table. A team was offering an established player I LOVE THIS REACTION FROM BIG GERMAN DMAN MORITZ SEIDER in return for the No. 15 pick. #NHLDRAFT PIC.TWITTER.COM/BPGM32BRR2 “I can’t remember exactly (when) and I’m not going to say the team, but — DAN SILVER (@DSILVER88) JUNE 22, 2019 they offered to take that pick for, he didn’t say the player’s name, but I could figure it out who it was,” Bergevin said. After the Red Wings, the Buffalo Sabres at No. 7 were a long-rumoured landing spot for Caufield, but their need to strengthen their depth down The conversation was short, but Bergevin kept the lines of the middle led them to pick centre Dylan Cozens. communication open with that team in case the player he wanted was gone. When the Flyers were up at No. 14, his phone rang again, but no Up to that point, the fact Caufield was still available at No. 8 wasn’t all dice. that unexpected. But for him to make it to No. 15, some more dominos needed to fall. Like the Canucks and Flyers, the Wild were also thinking of trading down from No. 12. GM Paul Fenton admitted the sheer number of similarly The next one came at No. 10 when the Vancouver Canucks took promising prospects available to him made it tempting. Russian forward Vasily Podkolzin, one of the true wild cards of the first round. “It’s not often that you go in and you pick 12th and you like 12 players,” Fenton said. “I’m honestly telling you, we liked 12 players that were “He was a little bit all over the place on the different lists,” Canucks GM there, so we kind of weighed the options. Did we want to go, move up Jim Benning said. and what have you? But for us, the right player fell to where we were. We (Nick) Suzuki who played in the middle in Guelph down the stretch, I had him rated much higher than 12, I can tell you that, and our guys are think we’re finding that the Canadiens are stronger down the middle than ecstatic about it.” they were in the past,” Bergevin said. “So if we could add a goal scorer on the wing, it could be a nice fit.” Matt Boldy Bergevin was no different from his colleagues because he, too, was Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire considering trading down in the first round.

That player was Caufield’s teammate Matthew Boldy. The Wild made the He never considered paying the price to move up. decision that power forwards like Boldy are rare, so when one is available, you take him. As it turns out, he didn’t need to.

Next up at No. 13, the . The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019

No goalie was taken in the first round in two of the three previous drafts but the expectation was that Spencer Knight, another one of Caufield’s teammates at the USNTDP, would break that trend, though few could have predicted he would go in the top-15.

“It’s not a risk,” Panthers GM Dale Tallon said when asked if he is rolling the dice taking a goalie so early. “I mean, a lot of guys don’t work out, doesn’t matter what position. Not all first rounders make it. But I think this guy’s a franchise-type goalie.”

The Panthers had identified five or six players they liked, but they, too, considered trading down if the right player wasn’t available at No. 13.

“We were happy that he was there,” Tallon said. “We had targeted him and probably another defenseman. Those were our top two choices. One guy that we wanted was taken and we’re very happy to get Spencer.”

Was the other player Seider or Soderstrom? It doesn’t matter, because the Panthers’ decision to take Knight was essentially the final domino to fall in allowing the Canadiens to get their hands on Caufield.

Even Knight couldn’t believe what the Canadiens managed to pull off.

“Montreal got the steal of the draft,” he said. “He’s the best goal scorer in this draft, he scored 72 goals this year. He’s my roommate and I can’t say enough good things about him.

“He’s always smiling, never angry and he’s just a happy guy.”

That famous smile, which lends itself to comparisons with Brendan Gallagher, is very unique, Wroblewski said.

“He’s got a smile on his face when he scores,” he said. “It’s different than other guys. There’s a couple of goals he scored this year, he’s already smiling before the puck is going in the back of the net. It’s this laser one timer, and he’s down on one knee, and he knows it’s already on the way in. It’s destined for the top shelf, and the water bottle is going to pop, and he’s already smiling before the puck goes in the back of the net.”

Knight is relieved he never had to see Caufield smile in that way, but still, facing him in practice had its own set of challenges.

“He can put the puck wherever he wants,” he said. “Sometimes, if you know where it’s going, it still goes in because he puts it in the exact perfect spot. His shot is tremendous.”

The second the Flyers took USNTDP defenceman Cam York at No. 14, it was clear to the Canadiens they were going to take Caufield.

“It was a long shot that we’d be able to get him, but we got him,” Bergevin said.

York’s name had been linked to the Canadiens for some time and seemed like a more likely target at No. 15 than Caufield. Bergevin badly hid his intentions when he was asked if it would have been a tough call if York was still available. Bergevin admitted the Canadiens were interested, but others in the organization were not as sold.

Regardless, the Canadiens are probably better off now with the pure scorer they need.

“It doesn’t matter right now to me. I’m really happy with where I went,” Caufield said.

“It’s a perfect fit.”

Hard to argue.

The two big needs for the Canadiens were left defencemen and a scorer to complete all the playmakers in the system.

“I think now, the Canadiens, the way we’ve been able to draft the last few years with KK (Jesperi Kotkaniemi), (Ryan) Poehling coming up, with 1148505 Nashville Predators having $9 million in cap space could be worth a first-round pick. In this case, it was worth two second-round picks and two young prospects.

"I feel more comfortable with where we are right now. I know we've taken How P.K. Subban deal went down between Predators, Devils a good player off our team. I can't sit here and say we're a better team for doing that."

Paul Skrbina, Published 10:00 p.m. CT June 23, 2019 Not yet, anyway.

How the deal went down

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — David Poile made a deal with the More deals could be in the offing. Devils. Poile expects to have more discussions in the coming weeks than he did lost his post-game dance partner – P.K. Subban – and during the draft, partly because the league didn't announce next year's Mattias Ekholm lost his defensive partner – also Subban – as a result. cap until after the draft ended.

And it was all Dante Fabbro's fault. Well, that and the salary-cap crunch As for Subban, who missed 19 games because of a lower-body injury the Predators potentially faced. this season, Poile said there were four teams he talked seriously with about him. He said he began exploring the idea with the Devils about two So Poile, the Predators' general manager, found someone with whom to weeks before the trade was finalized. tango – the Devils. Their willingness to absorb Subban's full $9 million annual cap hit in exchange for defenseman prospects Steven Santini, Most of the other offers included the Predators retaining part of Subban's Jeremy Davies and some draft picks was key to the deal. That, coupled salary, which Poile said he wasn't totally against, but not totally for. with the promise Fabbro showed in 10 games this past season, led to Poile said he and Subban talked after the season ended about the Subban's departure. possibility of a deal. Subban expressed his desire to stay in Nashville but "I probably wouldn't have made this trade if Dante Fabbro hadn’t signed said he understood, as the team's highest paid player, that he could be with the Predators and hadn’t played as well as he did," Poile said. "That dealt. gave me good confidence that ... we still could have a good defense and Still, Poile wasn't "totally sure this was the route I wanted to do" until the trade somebody like P.K." New Jersey deal came about and was announced just before the start of Poile added that it was "kind of disappointing to be trading" Subban, but the second round of the draft Saturday. necessary considering defenseman ' eight-year, $50 million Poile had nothing but kudos to heap on the man he acquired three years extension kicks in next season and defenseman Roman Josi's, ago for then-Predators captain Shea Weber. The man who has the presuming he signs, the year after that. seventh-most goals, ninth-most assists, sixth-most points, fourth-most Now what? power-play points and sixth-most shots on goals among defensemen during the past nine years. Poile said while the loss of Subban is big, he's still confident in the core of Josi, Ellis and Ekholm. "There was never a bad day for P.K. Subban," Poile said. "He always came to the rink happy. He played the game with great gusto. He was "In this day and age, there's certain things that need to happen in a cap fully committed. era," Poile said Saturday afternoon after the NHL Draft at Rogers Arena. "Our team was trending in a certain way with our contracts that we "There's no question he cares about himself and his brand, but he loves needed to make some decisions. That’s what we did today." the game. He wants to leave a lasting impression."

What comes in the coming tomorrows remains to be seen. And will be Tennessean LOADED: 06.25.2019 vital.

Moving the 30-year-old Subban gives the team more than $13.1 million in cap space, which will allow it to make captain Josi a fair contract extension offer that could be in the neighborhood of $9 million per year and perhaps pursue a big-name free agent such as Matt Duchene.

Teams could begin talks with unrestricted free agents Sunday but cannot sign them until July 1. The Predators long have wanted Duchene, or someone of his ilk, who would give them the secondary scoring they lacked this season.

But Poile wasn't ready to talk about that quite yet Saturday.

"Today I just cleared the space," Poile said. "I don’t feel like tonight I want to just give it back.

"Cash is king. The Predators for a lot of years operated in that position. I became a little uncomfortable with where we were (with the cap). I want to see what this week brings. We're going to explore some different things for sure. No promises, no commitment, no exact goals."

But they now have a commodity – wiggle room with the cap, which will be $81.5 million next season – and could have more should they move another player or two such as centers Kyle Turris or Nick Bonino.

Gone tomorrow

Poile said the Predators probably could have stood pat, like they did last year, put off signing Josi to an extension and been cap compliant in 2019-20. But the need for more offensive firepower is a top priority.

He also said the team won't re-sign unrestricted free agents Wayne Simmonds, Zac Rinaldo or Cody McLeod, and he sounded unsure about Brian Boyle.

"That’s the hardest thing for fans and players to understand," Poile said. "It was hard in our discussions with our own people to understand that 1148506 New York Islanders

Free agent Robin Lehner says he still is focused on re-signing with Islanders

By Andrew Gross

Updated June 24, 2019 1:24 AM

Robin Lehner has maintained all along that he wants to remain with the Islanders as he approaches unrestricted free agency. President and general manager Lou Lamoriello has said he hopes to be able to re-sign the goalie.

And working out a contract extension with his current team apparently remained Lehner’s lone focus as the window for impending UFAs to talk to other teams opened Sunday.

“I’ve got no plans to talk to another team at this point,” Lehner told Newsday on Sunday. “From my understanding, that’s not Lou’s intention either. Hopefully, it will work out so we can finish what we have started.”

The free-agent market opens July 1. Lehner, coming off a one-year, $1.5 million deal, and captain Anders Lee, completing a four-year, $15 million pact, are among the Islanders’ impending UFAs.

Lee could be the second straight captain the Islanders lose to free agency after signed a seven-year, $77 million deal with the Maple Leafs last year. Lee said at a charity event in Manhattan on Saturday that he expects to enter the interview process and talk to other teams.

“You know what? I never thought we’d be to this point, but I guess it’s the nature of what this week means,” Lee said Saturday. “But that doesn’t change how I feel.

“There’s not really a day or a moment that I haven’t put my thoughts into everything. I hope it all works out. I haven’t enjoyed thinking about the other options.”

Lamoriello and Lee’s agent, Neil Sheehy, had a lengthy chat in the stands at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Saturday on the second day of the NHL Draft.

Lehner and Lee are believed to be seeking longer contracts than Lamoriello is offering, with financial terms not necessarily the issue.

Lehner was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, given to the top goalie, after setting a career high for wins with a 25-13-5 record and compiling a 2.13 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. He won the Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication at the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas on Wednesday night after detailing his battles with addiction and mental-health issues on the first day of training camp.

“Got to keep pushing, end the stigma,” Lehner said in concluding his acceptance speech. “I’m not ashamed to say I’m mentally ill. But that doesn’t mean mentally weak.”

Lehner also acknowledged in Las Vegas on Tuesday that his past troubles are a factor in the current negotiations.

Islanders forwards Valtteri Filppula and Tom Kuhnhackl and defensemen and Dennis Seidenberg are the team’s other impending UFAs. Forwards Anthony Beauvillier, Michael Dal Colle and Josh Ho- Sang are impending restricted free agents without arbitration rights. All have been extended qualifying offers.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148507 New York Rangers

Kaapo Kakko gives first impression on life as a Ranger

By Zach Braziller June 25, 2019 | 1:29am

It’s only been a few days, but Kaapo Kakko has already got a taste of what his new life will be like.

He flew into Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday and was greeted by a number of Rangers fans. Later on, he got to see New York City for the first time.

“It was so nice,’’ Kakko, the 6-foot-2 Finnish forward taken second overall in the NHL draft on Friday, said. “I was walking downtown, and it was so big and nice.’’

On Monday, he put on a Blueshirt for the first time, and had a workout with his fellow prospects on the first day of the team’s developmental camp at Chelsea Piers in Stamford. Following the camp, Kakko will go home to Finland to train and rest. Then it’s back to his new home.

“My next goal is to play in the NHL next season,” said the 18-year-old Kakko, who scored 22 goals in 45 games for TPS in Finland’s top pro league and helped Finland win a gold medal at the World Championships.

That seems like more of an inevitability than a goal.

General manager Jeff Gorton believes 19-year-old winger Vitali Kravtsov, last year’s first-round pick (ninth overall) who played in the KHL last season, has a shot to make the team.

“I think he’s going to be right there,” Gorton said. “He’s going to come in and try to win a job like a few other guys. Why shouldn’t he think like that? He’s played in the KHL for a few years and been successful. He’s doing all the right things to try to make himself into a good player.”

Gorton said he has had talks with agents about certain free agents, but the team hasn’t brought in any players yet. Meetings are allowed this week before the free-agent signing period begins on July 1.

The Rangers have hired Tuomo Ruutu as their European-based development coach. Jed Ortmeyer and Tanner Glass will be based in North America. The club may hire a defenseman as a fourth development coach. Ruutu played 12 seasons in the NHL for the Blackhawks, Hurricanes and Devils.

New York Post LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148508 New York Rangers years to become Henrik Lundqvist’s heir to the throne, even as Alex Georgiev has been making his case to change the line of succession.

“No matter what, I have to prove quite a bit,” Shesterkin said. “I’m very far It’s time to start dreaming about this new Rangers crop from the pinnacle I envision for myself. So I have a lot of work to do.

“I’ll do everything I can to play well. It’s up to the staff to see where I fit.”

By Larry Brooks June 24, 2019 | 9:41PM Not to rush things or raise the level of expectations that are pretty well through the roof anyway for the 23-year-old goaltender, but Sergei Nemchinov, the popular 1994 Cup winner, dropped by to take in the You didn’t even have to squint to be able to see the future of the Rangers workouts. He is quite familiar with Shesterkin’s game. on the ice at Chelsea Piers in Stamford during Monday’s first day of prospect camp. “A lot like Mike [Richter],” he said. “Great skater, explosive. Reads the game very well.” And quite likely, important pieces of the present, as well. Again, this will all play out. There is no rush, even if these prime kids are There among the first group were Kaapo Kakko, Igor Shesterkin, K’Andre all in a hurry, and why not? It is prospect camp for the Rangers, whose Miller and Morgan Barron. And in the second group of the split-squad prospects seem pretty darn good. workouts and drills were Adam Fox, Vitali Kravtsov and Yegor Rykov. You could imagine all of them finding their way to Broadway within the New York Post LOADED: 06.25.2019 next couple of seasons, and all but collegians Miller (Wisconsin sophomore) and Barron (Cornell junior) pulling on the Blueshirt at some point during 2019-20.

“It’s always a great day when you see them on the ice for the first time,” said Jeff Gorton, the general manager whose work assembled the group of young athletes. “We’ve made a number of high picks the last few years and to see them on the ice, it’s exciting.

“I think there are a lot of players here who think they have a chance to make the team. It shows you how far development camp has come over the years.”

Oh, you think?

In 2016, prospect camp featured zero first-rounders, three second- rounders and six third-rounders. Those nine picks have yielded two Rangers, Pavel Buchnevich and Boo Nieves, with Sean Day and Steven Fogarty and Ryan Gropp still in the organization.

This year’s camp features four first-rounders, three seconds and four thirds. Plus Shesterkin, a fourth-rounder in 2014, and Rykov, a Devils’ fifth-rounder in 2016.

Again, let’s trace back to 2016. That draft marked the fourth straight in which the Blueshirts had traded away their first-rounder, this one having gone to the Coyotes in the deal for Keith Yandle. The second-rounder was gone, too, sent to Carolina as part of the trade for Eric Staal. Day, at 81st overall, represented the club’s first pick.

And yet, the Rangers have four players on their roster who were among the first 66 chosen that year. For Gorton hasn’t merely been stockpiling picks to the count of six first-rounders over the past three drafts, he has been adding kids chosen in the top rounds as part of the rental returns for players such as Rick Nash, Ryan McDonagh, Michael Grabner and Kevin Hayes.

So, from the Class of ’16, the Rangers present Brett Howden (27th) and Libor Hajek (37th) from Tampa Bay; Ryan Lindgren (49th) from Boston; and Fox, (66th) from Carolina in exchange for a pair of seconds. And Rykov went 132nd that year to New Jersey.

What appeared to be a wasted year has turned into something quite different. Of course, so have the Rangers, who should become one of the NHL’s youngest teams over the next couple of seasons. Of course, there is more to it than that. Being young isn’t a talent. Everyone is young once. Being young and talented, well that is different. The Blueshirts are going to be both.

Kakko, who’s experienced a whirlwind since his second-overall selection Friday, was a center of attention. So was Shesterkin, who flashed personality during his media interview through which he used Nick Bobrov, the club’s director of European scouting, as an interpreter. So was Kravtsov, last year’s ninth-overall pick, who smiled and cracked jokes throughout the media interview he conducted in English.

It doesn’t take a seer to see this trio of Europeans on Broadway this season in important roles.

Kravtsov impressed at last year’s prospect camp. Kakko has inspired Kaapomania in Rangerstown ever since his signal performance at the World Championships that ended a month ago. Shesterkin, though out of sight in the KHL, has never been out of mind. He has been expected for 1148509 New York Rangers

Henrik Lundqvist’s Rangers heir apparent Igor Shesterkin is finally here

By Zach Braziller June 24, 2019 | 6:49PM

Thirty-seven years old and with two years remaining on his contract, The King will need an heir to his throne sooner than later. It just so happens highly regarded Russian goaltending prospect Igor Shesterkin is finally here, ready to begin his career in America five years after he was drafted by the Rangers in the fourth round.

The timing would seem perfect. Shesterkin can learn under Henrik Lundqvist until he’s ready to take his turn on Broadway. Plus, he grew up looking up to Lundqvist, describing him as his “idol.”

“Right now I just want to prove how I play the game, that I could be [his replacement one day], but I have a long way to go to prove that,” he said through a translator on Monday following his first workout in the team’s development camp at Chelsea Piers in Stamford. “I’m very honored to sign a contract with a club like the New York Rangers. It’s a great honor for me, but it’s just the beginning. I will do everything I can to play as well as I can, and then it will be up to the coaching staff to see where I fit.”

It remains to be seen where that is exactly. The 23-year-old Shesterkin has been putting up impressive numbers in Russia’s KHL, going 24-4 with a 1.11 GAA and a .953 save percentage in the regular season this year before registering a 4-5, 1.95, .904 in the postseason. He could start with the Rangers as Lundqvist’s backup or he could find himself with the of the AHL for seasoning. Alexandar Georgiev is back after starting 30 games a year ago.

“I think he’s coming here to try and make [the team],’’ general manager Jeff Gorton said. “I’m not going to be in someone’s way and tell him, ‘You have no chance to make our team.’ … We’ll let that work itself out when training camp comes around.’’

For now, Shesterkin is getting adjusted to his new life in New York. He arrived three days ago and has already visited a few museums. He took countryman and Rangers right winger Pavel Buchnevich’s advice to walk rather than drive to get around. The presence of Buchnevich, and fellow Russian prospects Yegor Rykov and Vitali Kravtsov, has made him feel comfortable.

“Hopefully they don’t take anything away from my ability to learn English,” Shesterkin joked.

Most importantly, Shesterkin is set to begin his career in the Rangers organization and could be Lundqvist’s heir apparent. He seemed at ease taking questions from reporters, making jokes and exhibiting confidence in his foreign tongue. But he doesn’t feel like he has arrived.

“No matter what, I have to prove quite a bit, and I’m very far from the pinnacle that I envision for myself,” Shesterkin said. “So I have work to do.”

New York Post LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148510 New York Rangers

Igor Shesterkin, Rangers' top goalie prospect, has wits about him at development camp

By Colin Stephenson

Updated June 24, 2019 7:47 PM

STAMFORD, Conn. — Even speaking through an interpreter, as he was Monday, this much was clear: Igor Shesterkin has some personality.

In his first interview with the media that cover the Rangers on a daily basis, Shesterkin — with Rangers director of scouting Nick Bobrov serving as his translator — cracked jokes left and right after his first on- ice appearance in a Rangers jersey during the first day of the team’s prospect development camp.

“It’s always interesting to see new players, but there are a lot of them, so I didn’t have a chance to get to know all of them,’’ Shesterkin said. “I got a couple of shots to the head, so we have some work to do.’’

Shesterkin is one of 37 prospects attending the camp this week at Chelsea Piers Connecticut. Kaapo Kakko, whom the Rangers selected Friday in Vancouver with the No. 2 overall selection in the NHL Draft, is at the camp, as are all three of their 2018 first-round picks — Vitali Kravtsov, K’Andre Miller and Nils Lundkvist — and defenseman Adam Fox, the Jericho native they acquired from Carolina in an April trade.

“It was so nice,’’ Kakko said of New York City, which he is visiting for the first time. “I was walking downtown [Sunday] night, and it was so big and nice.’’

Kakko, 18, a 6-2, 194-pound right wing who scored 22 goals in 45 games for TPS in Finland’s top professional league before helping Finland win gold at the World Championships, said “my next goal is to play in the NHL next season, adding, “it feels so good’’ to wear a Rangers jersey.

According to general manager Jeff Gorton, several prospects at the camp are expected to have a chance to make the Rangers out of training camp in the fall. Kakko, Kravtsov and Fox certainly are in that group. Shesterkin, too, according to Gorton.

“I think he’s coming here to try and make [the Rangers],’’ he said. “I’m not going to be in someone’s way and tell him, ‘You have no chance to make our team.’ . . . We’ll let that work itself out when training camp comes around.’’

Shesterkin, 23, spent the last three seasons in the KHL, playing for SKA St. Petersburg, and put up monster numbers, including a 1.11 goals- against average and .953 save percentage in 2018-19.

Shes_terkin will battle with his idol, Henrik Lundqvist, and fellow Russian Alexandar Georgiev for a spot on the roster, but he wouldn’t make any bold statements about whether he thinks he belongs in the NHL right away.

“I will do everything I can to play as well as I can, and then it will be up to the coaching staff to see where I fit,’’ said Shesterkin, who wore No. 30 in Russia but was assigned No. 31 for the camp.

He was asked if he believes he can be the successor to Lund_qvist.

“Right now, I just want to prove how I play the game. That I could be,’’ he said. “But I have a long way to go to prove that.

“I need to get a lot stronger. Kaapo said he needs to get a lot stronger, and look at him! So I have a long way to go.’’

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148511 New York Rangers To get a broader look at how much high-caliber prospects play in their first post-draft season, we can expand our search past the second overall pick to those selected in the top 10. Since we’re extending our prospect Goldman: How Kaapo Kakko compares to similar players in previous pool, we can focus on just wingers. draft classes The caveat though, is that the value of later draft picks significantly drop, even from second overall to 10th.

By Shayna Goldman Jun 24, 2019 Chart by Sean Tierney, data by Michael Shuckers

Over the last 10 years, 26 wingers were drafted in the top 10 of the NHL draft. Given his standing as the Rangers’ highest pick in an NHL draft since they took Brad Park second overall in 1966, it’s understandable for there Not all of these 26 wingers went directly to the NHL the year after being to be expectations on Kaapo Kakko to be a franchise-altering player. drafted. Of those 26, 13 at least made an appearance in the league; eight of those 13 actually played their rookie seasons. But labeling a player that already — before they even drafted him, really — sets up some pretty high standards for an 18-year-old with no NHL From last year’s draft class, Brady Tkachuk is the only top-10 winger to experience. Just look at the expectations set for Lias Andersson after the play his rookie season. Filip Zadina spent much of the year with Detroit’s Rangers traded for the seventh overall pick from Arizona, which marked AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, while Vitali Kravtsov will debut their highest pick since Al Montoya was selected sixth overall in 2004. on North American ice this upcoming season. Between 2017 and 2016, The pressure is always high for such high picks, but maybe even more Matthew Tkachuk was the only one to spend his entire draft-plus-one so when the team has a lackluster recent history of drafting. season in the NHL.

While Kakko has the potential to be all of those things — a game- Jesse Puljujärvi played his rookie season in the NHL just after being changer, a franchise-changer, a cornerstone of a team, and so on — it drafted, but also spent time with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL; he can’t be expected of him immediately. It’s what he’ll ideally develop into, still isn’t quite an NHL mainstay. Alexander Nylander has spent more but expecting that fully formed player to instantly step on the ice in time in Rochester in the AHL than Buffalo since being drafted; he has yet October skips a few steps. to play a full rookie season.

So what can the Rangers realistically expect from the Finnish winger as a Not reaching the NHL in the season after being drafted isn’t always an rookie? indictment of the player’s skill or their ceiling; it doesn’t have to mean that a player was drafted too early or is a bust. To get a better idea of how much he’ll play in the NHL season and what he’ll produce, we can look at a few comparables. Mitch Marner spent his draft-plus-one season with the London Knights of the OHL while William Nylander split his between SHL and AHL. Nikolaj First, we’ll look at other second overall picks. To keep everything as even Ehlers and Jonathan Drouin spent time in the QMJHL between being as possible, we’ll stick to forwards that were drafted with the second drafted and coming to the NHL while played in the WHL overall pick in recent years to figure out how much they played in the and Mikko Rantanen first went to Colorado’s AHL affiliate. NHL in their first year after the draft, what their role was, and how much they produced. That brings us to the eight that played their rookie seasons in the NHL the year after being drafted. Taylor Hall is one of two first overall picks on A forward was selected in eight of the last 10 NHL drafts; the only this list. The Edmonton Oilers clearly had the space in their lineup for Hall defenders to go second were Ryan Murray in 2012 and Victor Hedman in to immediately join the lineup, hence his first-line minutes. 2009. Of those eight forwards, just three were wingers — Andrei Svechnikov, Patrik Laine, and Gabriel Landeskog; centers are generally Jeff Skinner’s rookie season highlights this list and it landed him a Calder considered to be more valuable than wingers, which is why they’re often Trophy as rookie of the year; he played second-line minutes on average drafted at the top of the class. For our purposes, since there’s just three and produced like a first-liner. On the other hand, there’s Valeri Nichuskin wingers picked second in the last 10 years, we’ll look to all forwards to who played and scored at the rate of a third-liner as a rookie. start. At the very least, this provides some insight into how many NHL games a Each one of those eight forwards played in the NHL the season after top winger prospect may play, what their role will be and how much being drafted. Sam Reinhart though, first played 47 games in the WHL they’ll produce. with the Kootenay Ice. Along with those WHL games, he played three But there are more factors to consider. For Kakko, one is the transition with the Rochester Americans, Buffalo’s AHL affiliate, as well as nine from European ice to North American. Specifically, we’re looking at the with the Sabres. move from Finland to North America. Kakko has played for TPS of Liiga Second overall picks often have high ceilings, which is why teams may – which is also known as the Finnish Elite League – and scored at an want to insert them directly into the lineup in expanded roles. After two elite rate. years of moving key players, the Rangers will more than likely have the A number of players drafted to the NHL have first played in Liiga, space in their lineup to play Kakko in a top-six role. As long as he’s able especially with the rise of Finnish hockey. The most notable recents ones to handle the role and it’s what’s best for his development, he’ll be able to include fellow second overall picks and Patrik Laine, slot right in. along with Rantanen and Sebastian Aho.

Kakko slotting high into the lineup wouldn’t be that out of line with other To see how comparable these players are to Kakko, besides the fact that second overall picks; some are able to absorb top minutes off the bat and they played in the same league before joining the NHL, the above chart produce in that role. notes their scoring in the draft years in Liiga, along with their average The Sabres had the space in the lineup for Jack Eichel to jump right into points per game. How those points translate to the NHL are also denoted first-line minutes, where he also scored at the rate of a first-liner. by their NHL equivalency; the formula for which was calculated by Manny Landeskog was trusted in all situation minutes in his rookie season. Perry. While he scored closer to the rate of a third-liner at even strength (his Of these players, only four played their rookie year in the NHL in the production was boosted on the power play), his positive underlying season after being drafted — Barkov, Laine, Puljujärvi and Jesperi numbers showed how he was able to handle the role on both ends of the Kotkaniemi. Not even Mikael Granlund, who scored at the highest pace ice. of these players before being drafted, reached the NHL the following It isn’t that unusual for top prospects to be limited in their minutes in the season. After being drafted in 2010, he didn’t play his rookie season until first season though. Just look to Tyler Seguin’s 12:12 average in his first 2013-14. Neither did Teuvo Teravainen and Aho, who were both NHL season. The Carolina Hurricanes also seemed to take a more cautious rookies two seasons after being drafted. approach with Andrei Svechnikov’s year-one development. Nolan Of those four to reach the NHL in their draft-plus-one seasons, three did Patrick’s slower production led to fewer and more sheltered minutes well in their first year. Montreal needed a center and Kotkaniemi helped (those equivalent to a fourth-liner on average) in his rookie season in fill that void. His average ice time was actually that of a bottom-six player, Philadelphia. but his scoring was that of a second-liner at even-strength and his underlying numbers were positive.

Barkov played second-line minutes for the Panthers in year one before expanding to first-line, all situation minutes, while Laine was just in first- line territory in his rookie year.

For the most part, the more notable prospects of this group had a shorter path to the NHL, even if they didn’t play their NHL rookie season right after being drafted. That’s a positive for Kakko as well — a player whose production in Liiga, and overall his ceiling, puts him high up in that group of notable prospects.

What may help Kakko adjust, as it may have for others coming from Liiga, is his experience in a professional league before coming to the NHL. It also may help that he got a taste of playing against NHL players at the 2019 World Championship, where his performance sparked questions of whether it would propel him to number one in what was already a tight race with Jack Hughes.

With many prospects, size can be a concern. That isn’t the case for Kakko and his 6-foot-2 frame, and that should ease the transition to North America, which many consider to be more physical than leagues in Europe.

The challenge is getting accustomed to a smaller ice surface. Kakko’s size and strength are two key assets; it’s what helps him protect and maintain the puck. It’s also what helps him, along with his vision, create space for himself and his teammates. On the NHL rink, there’s less space to create, which could be a challenge to start.

The Rangers already took strides in their rebuild by adding Kakko. But as other top prospects show, each player’s path to the NHL and to reaching their potential can vary. While Kakko is likely to make an impact on the Rangers and the NHL this coming October, it’s just one step in the career of a player with the likelihood of many successful ones.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148512 NHL

Bellevue-based Symetra life insurance becomes Seattle NHL team’s first founding partner, sponsor

June 24, 2019 at 7:24 am Updated June 24, 2019 at 2:20 PM

By Geoff Baker

Symetra Life Insurance has been named the first founding partner and sponsor of Seattle’s incoming National Hockey League franchise and will be featured prominently at the team’s arena and training facility.

NHL Seattle and the Oak View Group announced Monday the Bellevue- based company, founded in 1957, will also be the title sponsor of one of the premium clubs inside a rebuilt KeyArena when it opens again in summer 2021. A naming sponsor has yet to be announced for the $930 million arena — which NHL Seattle and OVG for now have dubbed “New Arena at Seattle Center’’ — but the Symetra brand will be displayed throughout its interior.

In addition, the brand will appear on the ice and dasher boards at the Northgate Ice Center, the $85 million training facility being built at the site of the Northgate Mall and also expected to open in 2021.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A news release issued Monday by NHL Seattle, OVG and Symetra states they will announce later this year a series of community and philanthropic programs.

“Symetra is committed to investing in and improving the community and they are the perfect fit for what we’ve been working on,’’ OVG co-founder Tim Leiweke said in the release. “We feel that a partnership between our organizations will provide tremendous value across the Pacific Northwest.’’

Symetra CEO Margaret Meister said in the same release: “The New Arena at Seattle Center will transform the face of sports and entertainment in the Pacific Northwest and we’re pleased to be the first to support these efforts.

“Our partnership with OVG and NHL Seattle will help us reach our customers while giving us a great platform to elevate our brand awareness.’’

NHL Seattle president and CEO Tod Leiweke said the deal is a “great start’’ to the new team — which launches in October 2021 — having a core of key partners that support commitment to the community.

Seattle Times LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148513 NHL new position elsewhere, but it won't be with Seattle – where Mandrycky relocates permanently this week after helping train her Wild replacement.

Leiweke and Bruckheimer say they accomplished all they needed to here No new GM yet, but a key hockey operations pickup by NHL Seattle on the GM front – so much that they left post-breakfast and a day early should help make that call without attending the second stage of the draft Saturday morning. After arriving Friday morning, they'd held a series of meetings with hockey officials and potential candidates – all before an afternoon news session BY GEOFF BAKER with reporters, which they were a half-hour late to because of traffic after one such meeting. JUNE 25, 2019 01:00 AM, UPDATED 6 MINUTES AGO Later, they hit the floor of Rogers Arena for the opening round of the NHL

draft on Friday night. But more so than observing the player selections, Tod Leiweke and Jerry Bruckheimer spent the final morning of the NHL they spent three hours moving between various team tables and having draft enjoying breakfast with their incoming Seattle franchise's newest side discussions, both together and individually, about their GM post. hockey operations hire. "Tod knows a lot of people and I know a lot of people," Bruckheimer said. While the duo didn't land a general manager after a furious 24 hours of "So, we talked to people about who they liked and it was great. We got a exploratory private meetings here, new NHL Seattle hockey analytics lot of great information." specialist Alexandra Mandrycky certainly will help with a search now For Bruckheimer, the ideal candidate "has got a vision, is well-respected moving on to the next phase. Described by some NHL insiders as a "rock within the industry and has some gravitas." star" in her field, Mandrycky spent the past few seasons with the Minnesota Wild where she had a major hand in player evaluation and On the vision part, he wants: "Somebody who's got a vision on how to personnel decisions. build the team. That's what you want to know. How do you build a team? How do you make it competitive?" And for Leiweke, the NHL Seattle president and CEO, and Bruckheimer, the principal team owner, who both came to the draft with the explicit Leiweke now has "a list" of candidates, some of whom they already met purpose of refining their list of GM candidates, Mandrycky, 28, will play a with here. They gauged candidates' interest level and queried them on key role in determining whether one of those men gets hired this team-building philosophies to form "a composite sketch" of whether summer. they'd fit with the "different type of organization" NHL Seattle hopes to become. "Analytics isn't just a department for us, it's a way of life," Leiweke said as he sat with Mandrycky and Bruckheimer on Saturday morning at a "I wouldn't call it an interview, that's maybe not entirely fair," Leiweke restaurant in the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel, where some of their GM said. "But we talked to people. We're not going to drop names as we go conversations from Friday had taken place. "The world is changing. It's along. But we are going to be transparent. I mean, we talked to people in an informed approach. And Alex (Mandrycky) will play a part in our GM this restaurant." decision. We're feeling good about fresh eyes on this." Now "full on" in their search, they'll try to further narrow the field – with Mandrycky's official start date is July 1, with the title of Director of Hockey Mandrycky's help – ahead of formal interviews and a call on whether to Administration and a say in all major personnel decisions. For now, the hire somebody. And while Leiweke continues to preach patience, he GM vetting is her top priority. won't need all summer to decide whether the future GM is already on the list. "The fact is she had a fantastic reputation as one of the best in our industry," Bruckheimer said, pausing between spoonfuls of oatmeal. "So, "We're not a group that lets grass grow under our feet," Leiweke said. "I we're very fortunate that she had some connections to Seattle and we think the more time you have to get ready for the expansion draft, the were able to get her to come work with us." better."

Mandrycky's husband, Christian, whom she met while earning an News Tribune LOADED: 06.25.2019 engineering degree at Georgia Tech, is finishing a doctoral degree in bioengineering at the University of Washington – which caused them to move to Seattle from her native Atlanta in 2013. The pair had maintained separate apartments in Seattle and Minnesota since Mandrycky's hiring by the Wild in January 2016.

"I'd spend something like three weeks in Minnesota, then come back to Seattle for a week and a half," Mandrycky said. "So, a lot of commuting between both."

She's eager to delve into the GM candidates.

"You can look at their past track record," she said. "So, we'll be looking at their draft history, their trade history and their contracts. Specifically, different managers with different organizations have different philosophies on how they evaluate players.

"And ultimately, we want our organization to be successful in evaluating players. We want to be able to have conversations with the candidates and find out what they feel like they did well. What they feel like they maybe regret."

Mandrycky has few regrets about her time with the Wild, which broke her into professional sports. She'd become interested in hockey through her husband, a Buffalo native and avid Sabres fan – one of their first nights out in Seattle was an Everett Silvertips junior game – and then delved into the statistical aspects of the sport as a way of keeping her analytical and programming skills sharp after graduation.

She discovered hockey data sets online and began tinkering with them. Eventually, she and Andrew Thomas worked together on the War-on- Ice.com analytical website before the Wild hired both – Thomas as lead hockey researcher and Mandrycky as hockey operations analyst.

The Wild opted not to renew Thomas in April and then Mandrycky turned down the team's contract offer in May. Thomas has yet to announce a 1148514 Ottawa Senators If an opening exists for a younger player on a third and fourth line, the Senators could also opt to use either Filip Chlapik and/or Nick Paul, who also have plenty of pro experience. In an ideal world, the Senators want FIVE TO WATCH: Players to keep an eye on at Senators development Formenton to become a front-liner player and he could be best served by camp receiving bigger minutes in the AHL first.

All that said, Formenton should stand out at development camp because of his speed. Ken Warren 4. Jacob Bernard-Docker: All signs point to Bernard-Docker following in the skate steps of Christian Wolanin — going from the University of North Dakota directly into the NHL. The time will eventually come for and the other five fresh faces from last weekend’s draft to make their impact on the Ottawa But that’s not likely to happen just yet. Senators organization, but barring a shocking development, none of them will play for the big-league club this season. After a solid first year at North Dakota — five goals and 12 assists in 36 games — the Senators 2018 first round pick will go back to school for Accordingly, from where we sit, the most intriguing part of the another season. That decision will also allow him to challenge for what development camp that gets underway Tuesday surrounds those who could be a prominent role on Canada’s world junior team during the were drafted, one, two, even three years ago, and are on the cusp of Christmas holidays. making the big-league roster. In his first Senators development camp last summer, Bernard-Docker Nobody is going to make the Senators roster based on their play in the showed plenty of poise. With a full year of NCAA hockey behind him, he next week. But with new head coach D.J. Smith watching closely, first should be that much more polished this time around. impressions could be pivotal in setting a positive tone for the new boss. So, too, should be fellow defenceman Jonny (Gin and) Tychonick, a With that in mind, Postmedia looks at Five To Watch. Senators second round pick in 2018 who is also coming off his first season at North Dakota. 1. Logan Brown: Until the Senators sign a veteran free-agent centre, there’s a wide open spot on the roster behind Colin White, Jean-Gabriel Adding to the North Dakota theme of the organization, winger Shane Pageau and Chris Tierney. Pinto, selected 32nd overall by the Senators on Saturday, will also be headed to the school in the fall. The 6-6, 220-pound Brown is a leading candidate to fill that void. 5. Viktor Lodin: Drafting a 20-year-old after he has been passed over in Brown, 21, and the Senators 11th overall draft selection in 2016, took a the previous two NHL drafts can pay off. major step forward last season, scoring 14 goals and 28 assists in 56 games with Belleville of the AHL. His defensive awareness also took a Just ask Zack Smith, who has played 612 NHL games since being step forward under Belleville coach Troy Mann. selected as a 20-year-old by the Senators in 2008.

While Brown has the size and poise to control the pace of a power play Now, along comes Viktor Lodin, a Swedish winger chosen in the fourth — think of Jason Spezza — he has struggled to escape the injury bug round (94th overall) by the Senators on Saturday. (The Senators took yet both in junior and his first season of pro. another 20-year-old, Mark Kastelic, with their fifth round selection).

Brown, however, figures to be challenged by Josh Norris, the 2017 San It will be intriguing to see exactly where Lodin fits into the organization Jose Sharks first round pick who came to the Senators in the Erik after playing last season with Orebro in the Swedish Elite League, Karlsson trade. scoring one goal and four assists in 41 games.

Norris, a pivotal player for the U.S. at the world juniors last season, Lodin also played for Orebro’s under 20 squad and scored three goals scored 10 goals and nine assists in 17 games with the University of and four assists in two games in the opening round of the playoffs. Michigan before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. While it’s rare to take a 20-year-old, the Senators believe it was a 2. Erik Brannstrom: There’s a very real possibility the dynamic 19-year- calculated gamble, saying that Lodin’s improved speed and strength give old defenceman could score his first goal in Ottawa before he scores his him a chance to eventually play in the NHL. first goal in Belleville. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.25.2019 Considering where the Senators are in their development, the door is wide open for Brannstrom, acquired from Vegas in the Mark Stone swap, to crack the opening day lineup and to be used as a second unit power play after Thomas Chabot leaves the ice.

The intrigue here is how much of a leash Smith will allow for Brannstrom to make mistakes.

What also plays into the equation is how much youth is too much youth on an NHL blueline.

Beyond Cody Ceci (whose name remains in the middle of trade speculation), Dylan DeMelo and Mark Borowiecki, there is limited experience on the blueline. Thomas Chabot (134 games), Ben Harpur (103), Christian Jaros (63), Max Lajoie (56) and Christian Wolanin (56) are still very much in the early development phases of their careers.

If it doesn’t happen immediately, Brannstrom will be a big part of the operation down the road.

3. Alex Formenton: Plenty has happened since Formenton played a single game for the Senators in 2017, becoming the youngest player in club history.

While Formenton certainly hasn’t lost his big league speed, the Senators now have the option to send him to Belleville if necessary.

Now that fellow winger Drake Batherson has a superb full pro season under his belt, he is presumably a notch ahead of Formenton on the depth chart. The signing of Anthony Duclair as a free agent also pushes Formenton down the roster slightly. 1148515 Ottawa Senators 82: Miles Gendron

50: Maxence Guenette

Senators prospect Kastelic carries proud hockey heritage into 29: Clay Hanus development camp 40: Conner McDonald

49: Jordan Power Ken Warren 60: Lassi Thomson

96: Cade Townend The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in the Kastelic family. 43: Jonny Tychonick Or, shall we say, the puck doesn’t fall far from the family tree? 80: Nicholas Welsh Mark Kastelic, the Calgary Hitmen captain who was drafted by the Senators in the fifth round (125th overall) of Saturday’s NHL entry draft Forwards and will be on the ice at development camp this week, is part of an 85: Vitaly Abramov impressive hockey lineage. 94: Stephen Anderson His father, Ed, played 220 NHL games with the Washington Capitals and Hartford Whalers. 38: Rudolfs Balcers

His maternal grandfather, Pat Stapleton, skated in 635 games for the 19: Drake Batherson Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks. On top of that, Kastilec’s uncle, 64: Jean-Christophe Beaudin Mike Stapleton, had a 697-game NHL career with eight NHL squads. 21: Logan Brown The Senators organization is full of players whose fathers have had extensive NHL careers. 62: Todd Burgess

Winger Brady Tkachuk, coming off an outstanding rookie season, is the 95: Christopher Clapperton son of Keith Tkachuk, who played in 1,201 big-league games. Defenceman Christian Wolanin is the son of Craig Wolanin, whose 79: Angus Crookshank career included 695 NHL contests. 55: Jonathan Davidsson Jeff Brown is the father of Senators centre Logan Brown, who is bidding 59: Alex Formenton to crack the opening day lineup this season. Brown, an Ottawa native, played in 747 NHL games. 81: Jonathan Gruden

Fellow centre Jonathan Gruden, a 2018 Senators draft pick, is the son of 47: Mark Kastelic John Gruden, who played 92 big-league games, including 22 with the Senators from 1998-2000. 45: Parker Kelly

And then there’s Drake Batherson, whose father, Norm, played for the 42: Viktor Lodin Senators’ original American Hockey League franchise in Charlottetown 68: Luke Loheit and attended training camp in Ottawa. 84: Aaron Luchuk If the trend continues, there might soon be enough parents of Senators players to form their own alumni NHL team. 37: Josh Norris

Senators development camp schedule 63: Jakov Novak

Tuesday: On-ice sessions: 1:45-3 p.m., Bell Sensplex 52: Markus Nurmi

Wednesday: On-ice sessions: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Bell Sensplex 73: Zachary Okabe

Thursday: On-ice sessions: 10:30 a.m-11:45 a.m., Bell Sensplex 57: Shane Pinto

Full team scrimmage: 7 p.m., Kanata Recreation Complex 92: Mark Simpson

Saturday: 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Bell Sensplex. 75: Andrew Sturtz

*All sessions open to the public 14: Max Veronneau

ROSTER Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.25.2019 Goaltenders

34: Joey Daccord

30: Filip Gustavsson

70: Kevin Mandolese

33: Mads Sogaard

Defencemen

88: Olie Alsing

76: Jonathan Aspirot

48: Jacob Bernard-Docker

54: Alexis Binner

90: Trenton Bourque

26: Erik Brannstrom 1148516 Ottawa Senators HOCKEY ANALYST: 43

— PAUL (@SENS_ARMY_) JUNE 22, 2019

Now that the NHL Draft is over for the Senators, let the second-guessing Now obviously in what is considered a volatile draft, there will be begin deviations. No two organizations will share the same draft rankings and there will be deviations from what can be considered the industry’s consensus opinion. So with the Thomson pick being considered a bit of a By Graeme Nichols Jun 24, 2019 reach for the 19th spot, the consensus picks for that particular range will provide an easy barometer to measure the Senators picks against over the next few years.

Despite there being an understandable level of cynicism and apathy By deviating from the norm, the Senators have inadvertently opened within this fanbase for the ways in which ownership and management are themselves up to some second-guessing and it became part of a larger responsible for the turmoil that has enshrouded the outlook for this trend for the weekend – which is a bit unfortunate, because with some of franchise, the NHL Draft is supposed to be a mechanism for hope. the amateur staff’s recent selections, they probably deserve some leeway here. Considering how an unheralded St. Louis Blues team disposed of the Boston Bruins to capture their first Stanley Cup, it should be relatively Most importantly, if you are familiar with the Senators’ draft history at all, easy for NHL teams to point to that championship squad as an example chances are you can recall Erik Karlsson be described as a “garbage of competitive team (and goaltender) getting hot at the right time and pick” in another publication – teaching everyone a valuable lesson: it is helping prove the notion that in the parity-filled NHL, anything can foolhardy to react negatively to a selection when it will take time for happen. proper assessments to be made.

It is a time when fans should be optimistic and as much as it hurts to see After the first day failed to produce any trade activity that was anticipated the list of names of talented players who have left the Senators at the beginning of the day, the second day of the NHL draft kicked off a organization on suspicious terms, the draft is one of the few occasions flurry of trades before a single selection was made. fans can look forward to and embrace the next wave of young players entering the organization – especially since Senators’ amateur scouting The Carolina Hurricanes acquired from the Toronto staff is one of the few areas that fans are willing to place some trust in. Maple Leafs with a conditional first-round pick and a seventh-round selection in 2020 for a sixth-round selection in this year’s draft. With management electing to tear the roster apart and rebuild, the 2019 NHL Entry Draft was an important one for the organization. The move was designed to create the salary cap flexibility the Leafs needed to re-sign some of their younger players and all the Hurricanes Although there was some speculation that the Senators could move up or had to do was acquire Marleau and buy him out for the purpose of down from their 19th overall selection, Ottawa’s draft started with the allowing him to pursue another contract with a team on the west coast. announcement that the team selected defenceman Lassi Thomson at 10:08 p.m. EST. Marleau has one-year remaining on a deal that costs $6.25 million, but he has an initial base salary of $1.25 million remaining with one $3 The Finnish right-shot defenceman spent his 2018-19 season playing for million signing bonus due. The Hurricanes will have to pay out the the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League where he recorded signing bonus in fill, but it will cost them an additional $416,667 in each of 17 goals and 41 points in 63 games and was named to the league’s the next two seasons to cover the buyout. In other words, it cost the Second All-Star Team. Hurricanes approximately $3.8 million to acquire a first round pick.

Thomson is expected to return to play in Finland next season, but the Both teams achieved what they needed to. Toronto shed salary and Senators may convince him to return to Kelowna – who will host the Carolina, owning one of the league’s lowest payrolls, used their cap Memorial Cup next season – or possibly even play in the American flexibility to take on salary for the cost of a first round pick. Hockey League. It was a classic salary dump and for a team that needs to reach the Kelowna’s head coach, Adam Foote, was very complimentary of the salary cap floor and has repeatedly bragged in the past about spending selection, but here is colleague Corey Pronman’s write-up of the smartly and using their cap space to take on bad contracts for a price, it’s Senators’ selection from his first round analysis: exactly the kind of diligent move the Senators should have aggressively pursued to accelerate their “rebuild”. “Thomson had a great first WHL season, playing big minutes in all situations for Kelowna. There are a lot of positive attributes in his game. An obvious reaction to this that the Leafs or Senators may not have He has an absolute rocket from the point that can beat goalies clean, as wanted to work with a divisional rival to alleviate the Leafs’ burden, but it well as generate opportunities around the net. He can move the puck is not like the Senators are poised to compete soon. Precedent has very well with his brain and feet. His puck game is good, showing the already been established with the Senators doing a plus-one by acquiring ability to generate clean exists and entries, stretch the ice on breakouts, Dion Phaneuf in 2016. Moreover, with the Carolina Hurricanes – a and showing confidence with the puck. He can at times make high-end relatively young team that just reached the Eastern Conference final and plays with his poise and vision, but he also tends to be too cute with the whose AHL affiliate just captured the Calder Cup – aren’t they more of a puck and play without urgency, leading to costly turnovers. Defensively I threat to the Leafs’ efforts to escape the Eastern Conference? don’t mind his game, but his strength is more with the puck than without it. I think his offensive game is high-end enough to balance out any minor For me, the argument does not hold water and the Senators aren’t in a defensive issues.” position where they should be discriminating against who they are making trades with. This was a unique opportunity to add a high draft It all sounds promising enough, but if there is any concern, it is that the pick for money that will inevitably be spent on a veteran player or two to selection is a bit of a departure from where a number of third party help the team reach the salary cap floor in a non-competitive year. scouting services had Thomson ranked. Knowing this, it’s hard not be jealous of what another small market club like the Hurricanes is doing. LASSI THOMSON DRAFT RANKINGS: Following the league’s announcement of a few trades, the Senators ISS: 38 kicked off the start of the second round with the 32nd overall selection by PRONMAN: 42 taking Shane Pinto, a University of North Dakota commit, out of the USHL. WHEELER: 39 In 56 regular season games that were split between the Lincoln Stars MCKENZIE: 30 and the Tri-City Storm, the 6-foot-2, 192-pound centre tallied 28 goals and 59 points. In six playoff games with the Storm, Pinto added another BUTTON: 57 four goals and nine points. MCKEEN'S: 45 Corey Pronman discussed Pinto in his grading of the Senators’ draft FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS: 48 selections: “Pinto played his first season of high-level hockey as an 18-year-old, and The Senators selected another overage player with their fifth round pick was a top player in the USHL between Lincoln and Tri-City. He’s a big, (125th overall) in Mark Kastelic. strong center with good hockey sense. He makes plays and is tough to deal with in the hard areas. His compete level isn’t consistent, but most The 6-foot3, 220-pound right centre was the captain of the Western nights he’s on and tough for opponents to deal with. There will be Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen. The Phoenix-born Kastelic tallied 47 stretches where you question Pinto’s skill level. He looks average with goals and 77 points in 66 regular season games while adding 122 PIM. the puck, makes basic plays and doesn’t show the ability to create. Then Although Lodin was not represented on any third-party scouting service all of a sudden he puts a puck through a defender and generates a draft lists, Kastelic only appeared on two. The NHL’s Central Scouting chance. I’m skeptical of calling him a natural offensive player and a Bureau featured him as their 132 ranked North American skater while power play guy in the NHL, but I could see him become a bottom-six McKeen’s Hockey had him ranked 189th overall. forward with his skill. His skating ranged between average to above- average. He won’t blaze by guys and doesn’t hit the blueline with speed, Even though these are two more selections that can be perceived as which is a concern, but he’ll be able to skate with pros without the puck.” reaches, the Senators obviously liked what they saw from these overagers and did not want to risk having to compete with other Like Thomson, Pinto’s selection was earlier than many third-party organizations for both players on the free agent market. prognosticators anticipated. While true that the Senators could have eventually signed both players, SHANE PINTO DRAFT RANKINGS: the decision to pass on younger and potentially more skilled alternatives ISS: 50 reminds me of a Dorion quote from an availability that he did with Senators digital influencers during a preseason game this past fall. PRONMAN: 73 “We’ve talked to our amateur staff and we’re not always going to draft the WHEELER: 50 highest-skill guy,” Dorion said. “We’re going to draft a player that helps us win the most and that comes with character. MCKENZIE: 45 “Those are intangibles that we’re always going to try and (pursue). Easier BUTTON: 40 to say now, but sometimes when you get in the fifth, sixth, seventh MCKEEN'S: 105 rounds, sometimes you try to hit a home run with a skill guy. We’re going to do less and less of that now. Just because at the end of the day most FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS: 106 of them don’t ever pan out.”

HOCKEY ANALYST: 88 It remains to be seen whether Lodin, Kastelic or seventh round selection (187th overall) Maxence Guenette – a mobile defenceman who played — PAUL (@SENS_ARMY_) JUNE 22, 2019 for the Val d’Or Foreurs last season – will pan out, but if they don’t, it is Adding more middle-six upside to the farm system is a valuable thing, but going to be pretty easy to contrast and measure what the Senators did a number of pundits noted that the Senators passed on more skilled against the industry consensus. alternatives and took Pinto a little earlier than where they had him slotted. WHAT COULD'VE BEEN THE #SENS DRAFT… Why is that significant? #19: ARTHUR KALIYEV Because shortly after the Pinto selection, it was announced that the #32: BOBBY BRINK Senators had traded their 44th overall selection and this year’s 83rd overall selection for the 37th overall selection. #44: PAVEL DOROFEYEV

With it, the Senators intriguingly selected goaltender Mads Søgaard from #83: the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers. #94: YEGOR SPIRIDONOV Considering the young goaltending depth that already exists within the system – Marcus Hogberg, Filip Gustavsson and Joey Daccord – it was #125: MARSHALL WARREN interesting to see the Senators move multiple picks to bring another #187: DUSTIN WOLF goaltender into the mix. — COLIN CUDMORE (@CUDMORECOLIN) JUNE 23, 2019 Thanks to the volatility of the position and the incredibly high attrition rates for goaltenders, not all of the goaltending prospects I mentioned For a franchise that is undergoing a rebuild, it is crucial for the above will pan out and fill their projected ceilings. So in that sense, there organization – especially a small market one under tight fiscal restraints – is a reasonable case to be made that adding more depth to the position to nail its draft picks. And considering the waning attendance and gives the organization better odds that one or more of these prospects palpable cynicism that exists within this fanbase, I don’t know that this pans out. year’s draft class moved the needle and helped to inspire the masses now. General manager Pierre Dorion explained the decision by affirming that the organization had Søgaard tabbed as a first round pick, so when the Although the Senators added some valuable depth to their organization organization felt that the goaltender was sliding in the draft, they felt at some important positions – goalie, right defence and centre – obligated to make a play and select the second-highest ranked North eventually, the time will come when management will have to roll the dice American goaltending prospect according to NHL Central Scouting. and take a chance on more skilled alternatives that they desperately need atop their lineup. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 196-pounds by EliteProspects.com, the Danish- born Søgaard is one of the tallest players in the draft. And while there is still time for the Senators to do some positive things this offseason, it is difficult to ignore some lost opportunities to creatively In 37 WHL regular season appearances, Søgaard posted a .921 save make this team’s future outlook better and wonder whether the percentage to go with three shutouts, a 19-8-2 record and a goals organization could have done more. against average of 2.64. Let the second-guessing begin. Having moved their only third round selection, the Senators had to wait until the 94th overall pick to select Viktor Lodin from Örebro HK of the The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 SHL.

The overage centre turned 20 years old on June 2, and inevitably caught the attention of Senators scouts as the team was keeping an eye on defenceman Nick Ebert – a former draft pick of the Los Angeles who the Senators signed as an unrestricted free agent on June 10.

Lodin only registered one goal and five points in 41 games for Örebro HK, but he did have seven goals and 18 points with their J20 team in the SuperElit league. 1148517 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers trade Ryan Hartman for Stars’ Tyler Pitlick as GM Chuck Fletcher’s sweet tooth for Minnesota natives continues

by Sam Donnellon

Tyler Pitlick, the newest Flyer via a trade Monday with the Dallas Stars for Ryan Hartman, hails from Minnesota. Which is also where Bobby Brink, whom the Flyers traded up to draft Saturday, is from. Same for Bryce Brodzinski, their seventh-round pick.

Chuck Fletcher and Brent Flahr spent nine seasons together as the general manager and assistant general manager for the Minnesota Wild, where Flahr was known for his love of scouting and Fletcher for his trust in Flahr.

So maybe, just maybe, they have developed a sweet tooth for Minnesota kids.

How else to explain not just their draft picks and the maneuvering it took to move up to No. 34 and pluck Brink, but what seems to be an inordinate number of undrafted Minnesota kids invited to the development camp, which will begin Tuesday.

Let’s see: There’s undrafted Jackson Cates, older brother of 2017 fifth- round pick Noah Cates. There’s Ben Meyers, and Matt Anderson, and Seamus Donahue.

Pitlick, 27, a 2010 second-round pick (31st overall) of the Edmonton Oilers, is coming off an injury-riddled season in which his availability and production declined from the previous season, when he recorded a career-best 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists). He appeared in 47 games in 2018-19, recording eight goals and four assists for 12 points.

“Tyler is a hardworking, versatile player who will bring speed, energy, and a competitive edge to our team," Fletcher, the Flyers’ first-year GM, said in a statement.

Hartman, the South Carolina native whom he was traded for, is all of the above – except for the versatile part. Both are right wings, but Pitlick has played center. Hartman was also a restricted free agent, while Pitlick’s contract, which runs only through next season, counts as $1 million against the salary cap.

Hartman had two goals and four assists in 19 games with the Flyers after being acquired through the Wayne Simmonds trade. In 83 games total with Nashville and Philadelphia, he had 12 goals and 14 assists.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148518 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers re-sign blossoming Travis Sanheim to a two-year deal

by Sam Carchidi,

One down, three to go.

The Flyers have re-signed blossoming defenseman Travis Sanheim, one of their five restricted free agents who is expected to play a key role this coming season, to a two-year contract that has an annual $3.25 million cap hit, general manager Chuck Fletcher announced Monday.

“I’m really excited. It’s a big step in my career,” Sanheim said. “I’m looking forward to another two years with the Flyers, and just really excited with the way the team is moving toward and with the moves we’ve made this offseason.”

Those moves include acquiring veteran defensemen Justin Braun and Matt Niskanen and signing center Kevin Hayes.

Sanheim, 23, was arguably the Flyers’ best defenseman in the second half of last season. In his final 51 games, he averaged 21 minutes, 39 seconds of ice time and collected 25 of his 35 points.

“To be able to sign a two-year deal and have that trust in them" feels good, Sanheim said. “They want me to be a part of the team moving forward. It’s exciting, and now I obviously have to put the work in and prove to them that I’m worth that.”

With the additions the Flyers have made recently, Sanheim said, "we’re a playoff team. Now it’s up to us players to go and show that with the moves Chuck’s made that we’re capable of making the next step. He sees us as a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup.”

Drafted in the first round (17th overall) in 2014, the highly mobile Sanheim finished with nine goals, 35 points, and a minus-4 rating last season, his first full year with the Flyers. The soft-spoken native averaged 19:34 of ice time, and toward the end of the season, he was on the top pairing, alongside Ivan Provorov.

“We are very pleased with the progress Travis has made in his young career,” Fletcher said, adding Sanheim was a “big part of our present and our future.”

Provorov, right winger Travis Konecny, and center/winger Scott Laughton, are among the Flyers’ remaining RFAs. Another one, Ryan Hartman, was traded to the Dallas Stars on Monday.

Signing Prorovov will be a little trickier. Provorov, coming off a disappointing season, apparently wants a long-term deal instead of a “bridge” contract like Sanheim’s. Some reports say he is seeking $8 million per season.

The Flyers have 18 players signed for a $64.4 million cap hit. The cap maximum this season is $81.5 million, meaning the Flyers have $17.1 million in available space.

Besides the restricted free agents, the Flyers need to sign a backup goalie, and they would like to add a third-line right winger.

But with the cap space dwindling, adding a quality right winger won’t be easy. Tyler Pitlick, acquired from Dallas for Hartman, could fill that role.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148519 Philadelphia Flyers 1-p.m. to 3 p.m.: Autograph session at Stone Harbor Elementary School.

3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Volleyball tournament at 96th Street beach.

Flyers’ prospects camp starts Tuesday in Voorhees Friday

10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.: On-ice sessions. by Sam Carchidi, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: 3-on-3 tournament.

Saturday

The Flyers’ development camp, which will include six of the seven 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.: On-ice sessions. players drafted over the weekend — along with highly touted forwards , Joel Farabee, and Isaac Ratcliffe — will open Tuesday in 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 5-on-5 scrimmage. Voorhees. (Note: The Flyers said the schedule is subject to change, and updates Forty-one prospects will be at the five-day camp, including five first-round will be given on their website.) picks from the last four years. The camp will be free and open to the Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.25.2019 public.

Cam York, the standout defenseman from the United States’ National Team Development Program, will be among the recent draft selections at camp. He was selected in the first round (No. 14 overall) Friday.

York was one of a staggering 17 players from the USNTDP selected in the weekend draft at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

York, right wingers Bobby Brink (second round) and Bryce Brodzinski (seventh); defensemen Ronnie Attard (third) and Mason Millman (fourth), and goalie Roddy (sixth round) are 2019 draft picks who will be on the ice. (Russian right winger Egor Serdyuk, selected in the sixth round, is the only 2019 draftee unable to attend.)

Brink, a 5-foot-8, 165-pound right winger from Minnesota, had 35 goals in 43 USHL games last season.

Frost, Farabee, and Ratcliffe are among the players who will have a chance to make the team during training camp in September.

York is among five first-rounders selected by the Flyers in recent years who will be at camp. The others: German Rubtsov (No. 22 overall in 2016), Frost (No. 27 in 2017), Farabee (No. 14 in 2018), and Jay O’Brien, a surprising No. 19 overall selection in 2018.

Rubtsov, who will turn 21 on Thursday, is returning from shoulder surgery that caused him to miss most of the season with the AHL’s Phantoms. He had six goals and 10 points in 14 games before suffering the injury.

Three goalies with promising upsides will be in camp: Felix Sandstrom, Samuel Ersson, and Kirill Ustimenko.

Among the other notable attendees: right winger Wade Allison, defenseman , center Pascal Laberge, and left wingers Noah Cates, Carsen Twarynski, and Matthew Strome.

Carson Briere, son of former Flyers star Danny Briere, received a camp invitation. The 5-9, 181-pound center had 44 goals in 59 NAHL games last season with Johnstown.

The camp’s annual Trial on the Isle community event will be held Thursday in Stone Harbor.

Here’s the camp’s schedule:

Tuesday

8:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.: Goalie sessions.

9:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: On-ice sessions.

1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Goalie sessions.

4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.: On-ice sessions.

Wednesday

8:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.: Goalie sessions.

9:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: On-ice sessions.

1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Goalie sessions.

4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.: On-ice sessions.

Thursday

12:45 p.m.: Community caravan and clinic behind Stone Harbor Elementary School. 1148520 Philadelphia Flyers Will it come back to bite him? Time will tell. But his drafts in nine years with Minnesota were as notable for who he didn’t draft in particular spots than who he did. A 2016 Hockeywriters.com analysis cited Vladimir For Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher, the NHL draft was about reinforcements | Tarasenko, Nick Bjugstad, Brandon Saad, and Nikita Kucherov on a Sam Donnellon laundry list of names Fletcher bypassed for what turned out to be lesser players.

York needs to be a star. Or at least Victor Soderstrom (11th), Matthew by Sam Donnellon Boldy (12th), Caufield, Newhook, or Krebs better not end being qualitatively better.

The law of averages are not on his side for that. Patience may be a virtue. Nor is history. But when your professional team hasn’t won a championship in 44 years, impatience is your cold reality. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.25.2019 And so it was among Flyers fans as the draft unfolded this weekend and they watched players they knew little or nothing about just a few weeks before — but had fallen in love with via pre-draft hype since — bypassed in favor of a U.S.-born defenseman who had been listed as high as five and as low as 20 amid various pre-draft rankings.

It’s not that people don’t like the possibility that defenseman Cam York, taken 14th overall by the Flyers after trading down, might someday live up to comparisons with former Rangers all-star Brian Leetch. It’s that they don’t see him bringing much relief to the current team that they have grown so impatient with, a team that despite perennial scrambling of peripheral players remains, at its core … lacking.

(You thought I was going to say rotten, didn’t you?)

That current team already has a glut of defensemen at or near the NHL level. But the idea, promoted by some fans, that the three defensemen new general manager Chuck Fletcher drafted over the weekend increased the possibility that a current D-man would be traded isn’t necessarily an accurate one.

Here’s why.

Nolan Patrick will probably spend time with Lehigh Valley this season.

As constructed organizationally right now, the Flyers are heavy with forwards nearing the top of their system – that is, close to being NHL ready. Nolan Patrick, Morgan Frost, Isaac Ratcliffe, Joel Farabee, Wade Allison — these are the draft-day stars of the previous three drafts, and all but Allison, who due to injury is returning for a fourth season at Western Michigan, are likely to be playing at least in Lehigh Valley this coming season.

Go back just a few more drafts and you find Travis Konecny (2015) and Oskar Lindblom (2014).

As for defensemen close to being ready – well, they’ve all played at least a game for the Flyers already. Ivan Provorov (7th, 2015), Travis Sanheim (17th, 2014), and Samuel Morin (11th, 2013) were all first-round picks, and Robert Hagge was chosen with their second-round pick of 2013.

“Not for this pick, but certainly we were hoping to land a defenseman or two during this draft to help replenish the defenseman prospect pool,” Fletcher told PhiladelphiaFlyers.com. “But when you’re picking that high, you have to make sure you’re picking the player with the most upside.”

Fletcher said moments before though that “as the draft moved on we still had three players that we rated very highly when the time came for us to pick.” That was an answer explaining the decision to trade the 11th pick with Arizona for the 14th and 45th picks, reclaiming the second-round pick they had surrendered to San Jose, which they later packaged in a trade that moved them to 34th, where they selected Bobby Brink, a goal- scoring forward who, like Cole Caufield, seemed to slip that deep due to his size (5-8).

Get all that?

The bottom line is that, while they would have selected a forward in the first round if their draft board led them that way, they actively operated so that York was that guy. And even then, they still had to pass on Caufield and two of the centers that some projections had them taking at 11. That Caufield, Alex Newhook, and Peyton Krebs went bang, bang, bang after the Flyers picked York 14th is further evidence that Fletcher’s first pick as the Flyers GM had at least an element of need mixed into their “best available player” mantra.

The Flyers structured their draft board around taking defenseman Cam York. 1148521 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers trade Ryan Hartman to Stars in exchange for Tyler Pitlick

By Jordan Hall June 24, 2019 5:21 PM

Well, Chuck Fletcher won't have to worry about re-signing Ryan Hartman.

That's because the Flyers' general manager traded the restricted free agent on Monday to the Stars in exchange for forward Tyler Pitlick.

"Tyler is a hard-working, versatile player who will bring speed, energy and a competitive edge to our team," Fletcher said in a release by the team.

Hartman, 24, was acquired at the Feb. 25 deadline in the Wayne Simmonds trade. The Flyers also received a 2020 fourth-round pick in that deal. Hartman, a 2013 first-round pick, scored six points (two goals, four assists) in 19 games with the Flyers. He was set to play winger on the third of fourth line in 2019-20. Fletcher last week did not rule out the chance of a prospect taking a third-line winger spot in training camp.

Pitlick, a 27-year-old who can play center or winger, is 6-foot-2, 201 pounds and appeared in only 47 games last season because of wrist surgery in February. He finished with 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in 2018-19. His best season came in 2017-18, when he scored 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 80 games with Dallas.

"I'm a physical, north-skating player," Pitlick said, via Flyers public relations. "I can score and make plays when I get the chance. I'm going to be physical and I'm going to create energy and compete as hard as I can."

Pitlick is on the final year of a three-year contract with a cap hit of $1 million. The move could help the Flyers slightly with the cap. There's a chance Hartman could have received more than $1 million on his new deal, and for more than one year. Pitlick will be off the books after 2019- 20 if the Flyers decide they don't want to re-sign him. According to CapFriendly.com, the Flyers have a little over $17 million in cap space.

Fletcher still needs to handle four of the Flyers' remaining restricted free agents and figure out the team's backup goalie situation (see story).

In a span of 11 days, Fletcher has parted ways with Radko Gudas, Andrew MacDonald and Hartman, signed Kevin Hayes, traded for Matt Niskanen, Justin Braun and Pitlick, re-signed Travis Sanheim and drafted seven new Flyers prospects.

Busy times, indeed.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148522 Philadelphia Flyers superb hands and soft touch. The 2017 second-round pick scored 50 goals and 82 points in 65 regular-season games for the OHL's Guelph Storm before tacking on 30 more points (15 goals, 15 assists) in 24 2019 Flyers development camp: Roster, schedule and more playoff games (see story).

Just like Frost and Farabee, Ratcliffe is turning pro in 2019-20.

By Jordan Hall June 24, 2019 7:15 PM No. 45, Cam York — The Flyers' newest first-round pick, York will get his first taste of the organization. The defenseman does not lack skill or scoring ability. The Flyers watched York a lot before drafting him No. 14 overall last weekend. The future will be prevalent this week at Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey, starting Tuesday through Saturday as the team holds its "He's put up big numbers offensively," Flyers assistant general manager annual development camp. Brent Flahr said (see story). "He's a talented guy and projects to be a very good defenseman for a long time." Some of the organization's brightest and newest prospects will be in attendance, learning the fine details of how to be a pro with various drills No. 54, Yegor Zamula — An under-the-radar defenseman who could and off-ice training. have a Myers-like climb. Zamula is 6-foot-3, 176 pounds and had a promising 2018-19 season with 56 points (10 goals, 46 assists) in 61 Let's get you set for the 2019 edition with five things to know. regular-season games for the WHL's Calgary Hitmen. Here's how the 1. Development, not evaluation Flyers found the undrafted product and signed him

It's time for the annual reminder: Flyers development camp is about Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 providing the team's prospects with proper training habits — on and off the ice — to grow as players. The five-day session is not about Flyers coaches and officials analyzing the prospects for the purpose of evaluation and future roster construction.

The whole premise of camp is for it to be educational.

2. Keep your eyes peeled

While the Flyers won't be evaluating, there will be plenty to watch for fans. With each development camp, there is always a ton of talent on the ice with many future pros and some prospects on the NHL doorstep.

For example, last summer's development camp featured Carter Hart, Philippe Myers, Mikhail Vorobyev and Mark Friedman, all of whom played for the Flyers in 2018-19.

This year's crop of players features some of the organization's top prospects and a trio of forwards who could join the Flyers at some point in 2019-20.

3. Numbers to watch

There are two sheets of ice at Skate Zone that will oftentimes be used simultaneously throughout camp.

With 41 players listed on the camp roster, which includes newcomers to the organization, here are five players to WATCH:

No. 48, Morgan Frost — A can't-miss playmaking center who was ranked as the 13th-best prospect in hockey by ESPN's Chris Peters during March. Over his final two junior hockey seasons, Frost combined for 221 points (79 goals, 142 assists) and a plus-103 rating in 125 regular- season games with the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (see story).

He'll be turning pro in 2019-20 and will be pushing for the Flyers during training camp. You'll want to keep an eye on him, especially when he's doing this:

Want a glimpse of Morgan Frost? Here's one. pic.twitter.com/zCaUK6FCuA

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) June 30, 2018

No. 60, Joel Farabee — An advanced, quick-rising winger who needed just one year of college hockey before turning pro. Farabee, a strategic goal-scorer with a lot of skill, put up 17 goals and 36 points in 37 games with Boston University and was named the 2019 Tim Taylor Award winner for national Rookie of the Year.

"If he needs some seasoning in Lehigh, that happens with a lot of really strong prospects, but it also wouldn't surprise me when the Flyers have him in their opening night lineup next October," U.S. under-18 head coach John Wroblewski said to NBC Sports Philadelphia in late March (see story).

Joel Farabee, ladies and gentlemen! Wow. #GoBU pic.twitter.com/qeeAol3ebX

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) March 3, 2019

No. 76, Isaac Ratcliffe — Another goal-scoring winger, Ratcliffe is hard to miss, not only thanks to his 6-foot-6 frame, but also because of his 1148523 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers sign Travis Sanheim to 2-year, $6.5 million extension

By Jordan Hall June 24, 2019 12:58 PM

One restricted free agent down, four more to go.

The Flyers on Monday signed RFA defenseman Travis Sanheim to a two-year, $6.5 million contract, with an average annual value of $3.25 million.

"We are very pleased with the progress Travis has made in his young career," Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said in a release by the team. "He is a skilled, two-way defenseman with excellent size and mobility. He is a big part of our present and our future."

With a two-year deal at 23 years old, Sanheim can prove himself and then receive a long-term contract with a bigger raise.

"I'm obviously really excited," Sanheim said in a release by the team. "It's a big step in my career. I'm looking forward to another two years with the Flyers. I'm really excited with the way the team's moving forward and the moves we've made this offseason."

The 2018-19 campaign marked Sanheim's first full NHL season and it was a promising one. The 2014 first-round pick played all 82 games and was second among all Flyers defensemen in points with 35. He scored nine goals and put up 26 assists in 19:34 ice time per game. His two-way play grew exponentially and he started earning power-play time, as well.

In 2019-20, Sanheim will be one of the key pieces to a new-look defense featuring youth and now much more experience with the additions of Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun (see story).

"Our goal is the playoffs," Sanheim said, via Flyers public relations. "Moving forward, we're a playoff team."

According to CapFriendly.com, the Flyers have a little over $17 million in cap space. Fletcher also traded RFA Ryan Hartman on Monday (see story). Here are the Flyers' remaining restricted free agents:

Scott Laughton, F

Travis Konecny, F

Justin Bailey, F

Ivan Provorov, D.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148524 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers trade Hartman to Dallas, sign Sanheim to two-year deal

Dave Isaac, NHL writer Published 6:04 p.m. ET June 24, 2019 | Updated 6:11 p.m. ET June 24, 2019

Free agency doesn’t officially start for a week and Chuck Fletcher may not have much money left to spend when July 1 rolls around.

He got some cost certainty in his fourth line and locked up defenseman Travis Sanheim to a two-year deal with a cap hit of $3.25 million Monday.

Travis Sanheim inked a two-year, $6.5 million contract extension with the Flyers Monday.

“I’m obviously really excited. It’s a big step in my career,” Sanheim, 23, told the Flyers’ public relations staff. “Looking forward to another two years with the Flyers and just really excited with the way the team is moving toward and the moves that we’ve made this offseason.

“It shows that he sees us as a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup. Making those moves, it puts the trust into us that he’s willing to make those moves for us to move forward and in the right direction. Now it’s up to us players to go and do the work.”

Fletcher’s work wasn’t done in signing Sanheim. He also made another trade, although this one isn’t as big of an impact as bringing in two new defensemen in Justin Braun and Matt Niskanen or acquiring the rights of a big center like Kevin Hayes.

Monday Fletcher traded pending restricted free agent winger Ryan Hartman to the Dallas Stars for 27-year-old forward Tyler Pitlick, who has one year left on his contract at $1 million. The two moves, according to capfriendly.com, leave the Flyers with roughly $17 million in salary cap space and other RFAs to sign like Ivan Provorov, Travis Konecny, Scott Laughton, and Nicolas Aube-Kubel.

“I’m a physical, north skating player,” said Pitlick, who played right wing in 47 games with the Stars last season, mostly in a defensive role. “I can score and make plays when I get the chance. I’m going to be physical and I’m going to create energy and compete as hard as I can.”

"Tyler is a hardworking, versatile player who will bring speed, energy and a competitive edge to our team," Fletcher added in a press release.

While the two moves did provide a little clearer picture of where the Flyers will spend their money, the holes in the lineup remain the same. Pitlick figures to take Hartman’s spot as a fourth-line right wing. His contract also allows the flexibility if one of the Flyers’ young forward prospects make a strong push in training camp to win that spot.

The Flyers still have a hole at right wing in a third-line capacity and need to find a goalie in addition to their RFAs that need to be signed.

One option remains Cam Talbot, who the Flyers traded for in February but didn’t really see much action. Visa issues kept him from joining the team immediately and then-interim coach Scott Gordon mainly used Brian Elliott in hopes of getting the Flyers back into the playoffs and Talbot took a back seat. Talbot’s camp spoke again with the Flyers Monday and a couple other teams also called about the soon-to-be free agent goalie.

Courier-Post LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148525 Philadelphia Flyers Scenario Projected Cap Space

RFAs signed, Sanheim at $3.25 million $5.887 million

A quest for increased cap certainty: Busy Flyers sign Sanheim to bridge RFAs signed, Sanheim at $5.0 million $4.137 million deal, swap Hartman for Pitlick In both scenarios, the Flyers are looking at a 21-man roster with spots to fill at third-line wing and 1B netminder. Acquiring both of those players with about $6 million is doable. With a little over $4 million? It would have By Charlie O'Connor Jun 24, 2019 been extremely tough, and that’s not even accounting for RFAs Ivan Provorov, Travis Konecny and Scott Laughton, who could very well come in above their projections, or the 2019-20 contract bonuses for Nolan Philadelphia Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher helpfully gave Patrick, Oskar Lindblom and Carter Hart. The Flyers likely don’t want to everyone who attended the NHL Draft in Vancouver a full travel day to enter next season completely slammed against the cap ceiling, a return home without any activity from the club. scenario that would force them to push all earned bonuses to the 2020- 21 cap picture. But just a single day. There are lots of moves to be made when it comes to this team, after all. Essentially, the acquisitions over the past few weeks almost necessitated that the Flyers go with a bridge deal for Sanheim if they had any intention After Fletcher strongly hinted Saturday that he was close on a contract of addressing their remaining roster holes at anything above bargain- with pending restricted free agent defenseman Travis Sanheim, the basement prices, in addition to exploring a long-term extension with Flyers announced Monday afternoon the two sides had agreed to a two- Provorov. year, $6.5 million contract with a $3.25 million yearly cap hit. It’s a bridge deal, which will carry the 23-year-old to the summer of 2021, at which Travis Sanheim scores a game-winning goal against the Bruins in point he’ll become an RFA again, with two more seasons left before he’s overtime on Jan. 31. (Bob DeChiara / USA Today) able to declare for unrestricted free agency. From Sanheim’s perspective, going long-term surely was an option, but a A few hours later Monday, Fletcher made his second roster move of the bridge deal functions as a justifiable bet on his upside. day, sending 24-year-old forward Ryan Hartman — who was acquired as the main piece in the Wayne Simmonds trade — to Dallas for Tyler The young defenseman exploded from an offensive standpoint in the Pitlick, a 27-year-old winger. Pitlick spent the first half of 2018-19 on a second half of 2018-19, when he was given a much more prominent role line with shutdown center Radek Faksa, but after missing more than two on the depth chart. Entering the negotiations, however, his body of work months because of wrist surgery in the second half of the season, he — especially in terms of raw numbers — wasn’t super impressive. After struggled to regain his old role with the Stars. He has one season all, he spent the first year of his entry-level contract in the minors, the remaining on a three-year, $3 million contract. second year either buried on the NHL depth chart or back in the AHL, and the first half of Year 3 still buried. His strong second half alone Breaking down the Sanheim extension wasn’t going to earn him big bucks, even on a long-term deal.

Back in early May, we did a deep dive on Sanheim’s contract situation But if Sanheim replicates the production and results of the final few and determined that his eventual contract would likely take one of two months of 2018-19 over the next two seasons, he’ll be able to demand a forms: A short-term bridge deal (with a two-year length probable, lucrative extension in 2021 — a far stronger bargaining position than he considering his player comparables) or a long-term extension (likely six held now. Assuming he proves to be the first-pair-quality, 45-plus-point or seven years). blueliner that he was from January on, he’ll be in line for a massive raise.

The two sides ultimately went with the former option, and in the short There’s some risk for Sanheim, of course. He’ll have new coaches, and term, it should be a massive bargain for the Flyers considering there’s no guarantee that Alain Vigneault and Mike Yeo will use him as Sanheim’s on-ice value. much as Scott Gordon and Rick Wilson did. As currently constituted, the Flyers have a defense corps filled with established veterans and high- Now, I don’t think this was a case of either side ruling out the possibility upside young talent; it’s possible he could get buried on the depth chart of a long-term deal. I believe there were extended discussions over the again. last few months on a deal with a far larger framework. But they clearly never culminated in a long-term deal. In the end, a bridge deal made Yet Sanheim’s underlying performance — even before the “breakout” sense for both sides, with negotiations wrapping up even before Sanheim second half — has always been strong, hinting that his emergence was officially became an RFA. no fluke. And it’s not out of the realm of possibility that his role grows over the next two seasons. Gostisbehere is no lock to be traded, of From the Flyers’ perspective, the pivot toward a short-term deal is course, but in the event that happened, Sanheim would have a strong understandable. Extended negotiations lasting deep into the summer case to be “next man up” on PP1, since Provorov has largely struggled in might have produced a long-term compromise, but after multiple power play minutes during his NHL career. Such a promotion would acquisitions over the past few weeks (Kevin Hayes, Matt Niskanen, dramatically inflate Sanheim’s point totals and substantially increase his Justin Braun), Fletcher finds himself light on functional cap space for leverage in future negotiations. 2019-20 and in need of cost certainty on his remaining RFAs in order to plan for moves in the coming weeks. In May, I recommended that the Flyers should push for a long-term deal with Sanheim, as he struck me as a player worth betting on for continued Based on comparables, it would make sense for the two sides to be growth and strong results. But even though the Flyers apparently talking about a cap hit on a long-term deal somewhere between $4.5 explored that avenue, the moves of the past few weeks put the club in a million (matching deals recently signed by Damon Severson, after position where a long-term deal might have squeezed it a bit too much accounting for cap ceiling inflation, and Shayne Gostisbehere, in raw for 2019-20. It’s an under-the-radar drawback of the “spend to the cap, average annual value) and $5.3 million (comparable to the deal Shea go for it now” roster construction strategy; the Flyers no longer could Theodore received in September, again, accounting for cap ceiling painlessly trade a slightly higher cap hit on Sanheim today for a inflation). potentially large bargain tomorrow. Would anything in that range be fair? Sure, and even the high end might Tyler Pitlick. (Perry Nelson / USA Today) have become a bargain for the team in the back half of the deal. Hartman-for-Pitlick trade opens up a bit more cap space But the Flyers’ current cap situation complicated the issue. Even with Sanheim on a $3.25 million cap hit, Philadelphia will be challenged to The Flyers’ quest for increased cap certainty continued just a few hours stay under the $81.5 million ceiling for 2019-20. There’s a path to doing later with a trade of bottom-sixers, as Fletcher sent Hartman to Dallas in so, but it’s a tight one. exchange for Pitlick.

Hand Sanheim an extra $1.25 million to $2.30 million next season, On its face, the deal seems like a mild downgrade for the Flyers. While however, and that tight path becomes excruciatingly difficult to navigate. both forwards play tenacious, hardworking games and have solid skating Let’s plug in Evolving Wild’s current projections for the remaining RFAs ability, Hartman holds statistical edges across the board, from raw and see where the Flyers would stand had they agreed to a $5 million scoring to rate scoring to five-on-five play-driving to games played. Pitlick cap hit with Sanheim on a long-term deal. doesn’t grade out as a bad player, but Hartman pretty much has him RFAs’ eventual contracts (the site made adjustments this weekend to beaten in every area. account for the lower-than-expected cap ceiling), the Flyers have $75.613 million worth of cap commitment set aside for 21 players. Metric Ryan Hartman Tyler Pitlick (Players in yellow are still unsigned. All cap hits are in millions.) Games Played 237 158 In theory, that gives the Flyers just under $6 million in cap space to Total Points 88 50 acquire a 1B goalie and another forward. Of course, they’d likely be best 5v5 Points/60 1.62 1.46 served not spending all the way up to that threshold — Provorov probably wants more than $6.62 million per year on a long-term deal, the 5v5 Primary Points/60 1.26 1.18 Flyers and Konecny could easily choose to go with long-term deal instead of bridge, and then there are the bonuses in Patrick, Lindblom Corsi For% RAPM +3.82 -0.84 and Hart’s 2019-20 contracts to consider. xGF% RAPM +0.02 -0.02 But the current cap situation seems workable. Even if the Flyers’ (Note: Over the past three seasons.) eventual choice in goal ends up costing around what Brian Elliott did in 2017 ($2.99 million cap hit in 2019-20 terms), they still would have the Pitlick’s profile isn’t poor; it’s that of a perfectly solid bottom-six forward. ability to add another piece and stay compliant. And he does top Hartman in one key area: defense. While Hartman has struggled in recent seasons to help his teammates suppress scoring Slowly but surely, the Flyers’ roster for next season is taking shape. chances, Pitlick played on Dallas’ shutdown line with Faksa and always The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 graded out well by chance suppression metrics. He’s a useful player, particularly in a fourth-line role.

That said, it appears the Flyers traded a younger, slightly better and less injury-prone player — Pitlick struggled with injuries in his first stop in Edmonton, then missed more than two months last season after wrist surgery — for an older, more defensively oriented version of the same guy. Why?

Most likely, it comes down to money.

Pitlick has one season left on a contract with a $1 million cap hit; that’s actually solid value for his on-ice contributions. Hartman, on the other hand, was in line for more than that. Evolving Wild had him projected at a $2.51 million cap hit on a two-year deal, and while that always seemed a bit ambitious for a player traded twice in 12 months, it’s a near certainty he would have cost more than Pitlick. The fact that Hartman was arbitration-eligible this summer also gave him a little extra leverage in negotiations.

As discussed, the Flyers didn’t project to have much cap space left after re-signing all of their RFAs, a group that included Hartman. This trade helps matters. Pitlick’s cap hit is actually low enough that it could be buried in the AHL in its entirety next season if he’s outplayed by younger players in camp, though it’s important to note that Pitlick is a clear NHLer by the numbers — he’s not a liability. Assuming he is a virtual lock to make the team, he provides cheap cost certainty at the 4RW spot in a way that Hartman could not.

Part of Monday’s trade truly hurts, though: In retrospect, it makes the Simmonds deal look quite poor. At the time, it seemed like the Flyers had swapped Simmonds for a young bottom-sixer with upside who could turn into a long-term piece for the club, in addition to a likely third-round pick assuming the Cup-contending Nashville Predators won their first-round playoff series. Now, with Nashville first-round losers and Hartman gone, the deal equates to Simmonds for a fourth-round pick and one year of Pitlick. Not exactly an inspiring return for a player who meant so much to the franchise.

However, the Hartman-for-Pitlick trade does provide the Flyers with increased cap flexibility in the here and now, which — at least in theory — could make it easier for them to find a third-line wing upgrade via free agency or a trade. Before, it seemed like Hartman himself was the most likely fallback plan for 3RW if such an acquisition could not be found. Now, unless the Flyers intend for Pitlick — a player who scored just 12 points last year — to skate alongside Patrick (or have designs on acquiring a 4C and bumping Laughton up to Line 3), it seems they’ll be in the market for another forward with scoring ability.

Cap situation recap

With Monday’s two moves, the Flyers’ murky cap situation becomes a bit clearer.

The team now has 17 players projected to be NHLers under contract for 2019-20, at a cost of $63.233 million. The cap ceiling for the coming season has been set at $81.5 million, so Philadelphia has $18.267 million to fill six remaining spots.

Three high-profile RFAs remain — Provorov, Konecny and Laughton — in addition to a couple of possibilities for 13th forward in Justin Bailey and Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Using Evolving Wild’s updated projections for the 1148526 Pittsburgh Penguins tied for second in the QMJHL with 45 goals last season. Known as a shooter with a nasty power-play one-timer.

Austin Lemieux (LW, 6-3, 170, 23, Arizona State-NCAA): A veteran of A closer look at all 41 prospects invited to Penguins development camp development camp at the building that bears his surname, Lemieux is coming off a remarkable freshman year at Arizona State. He had four goals and 13 points in 31 games to help the school to its first NCAA JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Monday, June 24, 2019 8:56 p.m. tournament appearance.

Jake Lucchini (C, 5-11, 183, 24, Michigan Tech-NCAA): The Penguins dipped into the undrafted college free agent pool and signed Lucchini to For recent draft picks, it’s a first taste of life in the Pittsburgh Penguins an NHL deal late last season. The energy-line forward made an impact organization. For undrafted free agents, it’s chance to make a good first during a 15-game WBS appearance, scoring six goals. impression. *Billy Moskal (C, 6-0, 190, 19, London-OHL): Known for his speed and Either way, here’s a closer look at the 41 players the Penguins have faceoff ability, the only thing missing from the undrafted Moskal’s resume invited to development campthis week at the UPMC Lemieux Sports is big points production. He had 14 goals and 36 points in 68 games last Complex in Cranberry. season. On-ice sessions begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday and 9:30 a.m. Thursday and Samuel Poulin (LW, 6-1, 212, 18, Sherbrooke-QMJHL): Penguins fans culminate with a three-on-three tournament at 7 p.m. Friday. All sessions will get a look at the team’s first first-round pick since 2014. He’s got size, are free and open to the public. competitiveness and a good all-around game. His offensive ceiling is a FORWARDS question mark, but his passing and vision are top of the line.

*Roman Ahcan (LW, 5-9, 161, 20, Wisconsin-NCAA): Minnesota native *Quinn Preston (RW, 5-11, 179, 21, Ohio State-NCAA): Michigan native was a lineup regular as a freshman, posting six goals and 15 points in 37 listed the Penguins as his favorite team on his Ohio State bio. Had five games while playing primarily a checking-line role. goals and 14 points in 35 games as a freshman with the Buckeyes, but there’s some offensive skill to his game. He was a top scorer in the Jordy Bellerive (LW, 5-10, 195, 20, Lethrbridge-WHL): Bounced back USHL two years ago. from injuries suffered in a campfire accident last summer to net 33 goals and 83 points in 68 games. Did a three-game stint in Wilkes-Barre at the Valtteri Puustinen (RW, 5-9, 183, 20, HPK-Finland): Fans of his back end of last season and is ready to turn pro. home call him the Finnish Phil Kessel. He’s a shooter who had 10 goals in 47 games in Finland’s top pro league last season. A seventh-round Chase Berger (C, 6-0, 194, 24, Penn State-NCAA): One of the greatest pick last weekend, he’s 20, so a North American debut won’t be too far players in the brief history of the Penn State program. Never missed a off. game in four years, making 154 consecutive appearances. Second in school history in goals (51) and points (118). Had a goal and an assist in *Jared Spooner (LW, 6-0, 174, 23, Minnesota State-NCAA): A two-way a six-game WBS stint at the end of last season. Signed to an AHL deal. player and good all-around athlete, Spooner is coming off a solid sophomore season. Had seven goals and 27 points in 41 games. *Brandon Biro (RW, 5-11, 161, 21, Penn State-NCAA): native had a big junior year, posting 16 goals and 40 points in 37 games. *Eduards Tralmaks (LW, 6-3, 205, 22 Maine-NCAA): Latvian forward won Scored a handful of clutch postseason goals and will be the team’s a Clark Cup in the USHL in 2017 and has made some highlight reels captain next season. plays in college with the Black Bears. Had eight goals and 17 points in 36 games as a sophomore last year. *Matthew Boucher (LW, 5-9, 174, 21, U. of New Brunswick): The son of former Penguins defenseman Philippe Boucher scored between 27 and *Bobby Trivigno (LW, 5-8, 146, 20, UMass-Amherst-NCAA): His college 31 goals in his last three seasons in the QMJHL, but slipped through the coach called him the best forward on the team, the kind of player who draft cracks, presumably due to his size. Went the Canadian college makes his linemates better. Had 13 goals and 28 points in 39 games as route last season. a freshman last season.

Judd Caulfield (RW, 6-4, 205, 18, U.S. National Team Development *Josh Williams (RW, 6-1, 185, 18, Medicine Hat/Edmonton-WHL): Hasn’t Program): Drafted in the fifth round last weekend, Caulfield is a long-term found the secret to major junior production just yet, recording 14 goals project for the Penguins. He’ll head to his hometown school, the and 33 points in 66 games last season, but he’s a top-five WHL bantam University of North Dakota, in the fall. He’s a massive power forward who draft pick with a ton of talent. says he needs to work on his puck skills. DEFENSEMEN Jan Drozg (RW, 6-2, 174, 20, Shawinigan-QMJHL): Slovenian winger is Calen Addison (5-10, 180, 19, Lethbridge-WHL): Undersized defender’s an under-the-radar prospect. Led junior club in scoring each of the past arrow pointed up after the Penguins took him in the second round of the two seasons. Had 21 goals and 62 points in 60 games last year. Ready draft last June. He was among the WHL’s top-scoring defensemen with to turn pro after a two-game AHL stay at the end of last season. 65 points in 67 games. Played two games with WBS at the end of the Liam Gorman (C, 6-2, 188, 19, St. Sebastien’s-HS): Penguins will find year. out a lot more about the 2018 sixth-round pick when he heads to Santeri Airola (5-11, 163, 18, SaiPa-Finland): Penguins made a trade of Princeton in the fall. Known as a rangy, two-way center. seventh-round draft picks to secure Airola, who lacks size but skates and Filip Hallander (LW, 6-1, 190, 18, Timra-Sweden): Second-round pick moves the puck well. from 2018 coming off a pretty solid developmental year for a European *Roni Allen (6-0, 201, 20, JYP-Finland): Undrafted defenseman 18-year-old. Played for Sweden at the World Juniors. Recorded seven established himself as a regular in Finland’s top pro league as a 20-year- goals and 21 points in 45 points in Sweden’s top pro league. Penguins old. Penguins seem interested in getting in on the wave Finland has like his skating and all-around game. ridden to the top of international hockey lately. Brandon Hawkins (RW, 5-10, 194, 25, Northeastern-NCAA): Second on Niclas Almari (6-1, 180, 21, HPK-Finland): Almari had an eventful few team in goals (12) and points (33) for the Huskies last season and was days in early May, winning the Finnish league’s championship and named to Hockey East all-Tournament Team. Scored two goals in a five- signing his entry level deal with the Penguins in the same week. He plays game WBS trial at the end of the season. Signed to an AHL deal for next bigger than his 6-1 frame and has a solid all-around game. year. Ryan Jones (6-2, 186, 23, Nebraska-Omaha-NCAA): Indiana native Renars Krastenbergs (LW, 6-0, 185, 20, Wheeling-ECHL): Skilled picked in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, Jones has been a stay-at- Latvian forward was among the Nailers’ leading scorers with 19 goals home regular on Nebraska-Omaha’s blue line for three years now. and 44 points in 62 games. Was an undrafted free agent invitee to development camp last year. Michael Kim (6-0, 201, 23, Boston College-NCAA): One of a handful of college free agents who joined Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at the end of last Nathan Legare (RW, 6-0, 206, 18, Baie Comeau-QMJHL): Penguins traded up to the third round to take him in last weekend’s draft. Finished season, Kim is a sturdy defender and four-year contributor at BC. He’s on an AHL contract.

*Zachary Lauzon (6-1, 194, 20, Rouyn-Noranda-QMJHL): A second- round pick in 2016, Lauzon is working his way back from concussion- related issues that threatened his career. He committed to play college hockey at the University of New Brunswick in the fall.

*Cam Lee (6-0, 190, 22, Western Michigan-NCAA): Nephew of longtime NHL goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere is a puck mover coming off a strong junior year of college. He had seven goals and 26 points in 37 games.

Jon Lizotte (6-1, 216, 24, St. Cloud State-NCAA): The Penguins followed the undrafted defenseman throughout his senior year and signed him to an AHL deal in the spring. He was the stay-at-home partner to touted free agent Jimmy Schuldt on St. Cloud’s top D pair.

Antti Palojarvi (6-1, 176, 20, Lukko-Finland): A sixth-round pick in the 2017 draft, Palojarvi got his first taste of life in Finland’s top league with a 16-game audition.

Clayton Phillips (5-11, 182, 19, NCAA): According to the reports, the 2017 third-round draft pick is planning to transfer after recording one goal and 10 points in 34 games with the University of Minnesota as a sophomore.

Will Reilly (6-2, 197, 21, RPI-NCAA): A rangy right-handed shooter, the seventh-round pick from the 2017 draft has been a regular on the RPI blue line for three years now. He had five goals and 18 points in 33 games as a junior.

*Liam Ross (6-2, 198, 18, Sudbury-OHL): Undrafted defenseman checks a lot of prospect boxes with good size and skating ability coming off a decent year with Sudbury that included seven goals and 29 points in 68 games.

*Tyler Spott (5-11, 174, 19, Green Bay-USHL): The son of San Jose Sharks assistant Steve Spott is headed to Northeastern after a 29-point season in the USHL.

GOALIES

Alex D’Orio (6-2, 209, 20, Saint John/Baie-Comeau-QMJHL): After earning an NHL contract at development camp two years ago, D’Orio is ready to turn pro. After being traded to Baie-Comeau last season, he went 16-6-1 with an .899 save percentage.

*Matt Jurusik (6-2, 194, 22, Michigan Tech-NCAA): Jurusik’s winding road took him to Wisconsin for two years and the USHL for a season before ending up with Michigan Tech, where he went 9-11-2 with a .909 save percentage last season.

Emil Larmi (6-0, 183, 22, HPK-Finland): Development camp will be the first taste of North American hockey for Larmi, who signed with the Penguins last month after leading HPK to a championship in Finland’s top pro league.

*Matt Murray (6-1, 185, 21, UMass-Amherst-NCAA): Might not be known as the other Matt Murray forever given how his sophomore season went this year. He was 20-5-0 with a .919 save percentage.

*Tommy Nappier (6-3, 194, 21, Ohio State-NCAA): St. Louis native is a big goalie coming off a strong sophomore year for the Buckeyes. He went 12-4-3 with a .934 save percentage.

* — free agent

Tribune Review LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148527 Pittsburgh Penguins

‘The other’ Matt Murray headlines Penguins development camp roster

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Monday, June 24, 2019 12:37 p.m.

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced their 41-man roster for development camp on Monday and in a surprise development, goaltender Matt Murray’s name was on it.

Not that Matt Murray. The other Matt Murray.

This Murray is a 23-year-old goalie who just finished up a solid sophomore season at UMass, going 20-5-0 with a .919 save percentage. He’s one of 18 undrafted free agents the Penguins invited to camp for a look.

Also included on the roster were all five picks the Penguins made at last weekend’s NHL draft in Vancouver, led by first-rounder Samuel Poulin and third-rounder Nathan Legare.

The camp will be a rare North American appearance for European draft picks such as Valtteri Puustinen and Santeri Airola from this year’s draft and Filip Hallander from last year’s class.

Goalie Emil Larmi, who signed with the Penguins last month and could be the No. 3 on the organizational depth chart depending on what happens with Tristan Jarry, will be in attendance as well.

Austin Lemieux, who had 13 points in 30 games as a freshman at Arizona State last season, is on the roster.

Top prospects Kasper Bjorkqvist, Nikita Pavlychev and Justin Almeida will not participate due to injury. Bjorkqvist is a physical winger turning pro after three strong seasons at Providence, Pavlychev is a massive 6- foot-7 center from Penn State, and Almeida is a high-scoring, undersized forward from the Western Hockey League.

Practices will be held Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, with camp culminating in a three-on-three tournament Friday night. Admission for all sessions at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex is free and open to the public.

Here’s the roster:

FORWARDS: Roman Ahcan, Jordy Bellerive, Chase Berger, Brandon Biro, Matthew Boucher, Judd Caulfield, Jan Drozg, Liam Gorman, Filip Hallander, Brandon Hawkins, Renars Krastenbergs, Nathan Legare, Austin Lemieux, Jake Lucchini, Billy Moskal, Samuel Poulin, Quinn Preston, Valtteri Puustinen, Jared Spooner, Eduards Tralmaks, Bobby Trivigno, Josh Williams

DEFENSEMEN: Calen Addison, Santeri Airola, Roni Allen, Niclas Almari, Ryan Jones, Michael Kim, Zachary Lauzon, Cam Lee, Jon Lizotte, Antti Palojarvi, Clayton Phillips, Will Reilly, Liam Ross, Tyler Spott

GOALIES: Alex D’Orio, Matt Jurusik, Emil Larmi, Matt Murray, Tommy Nappier

Tribune Review LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148528 Pittsburgh Penguins Let’s circle back to the present. It’s unclear if this draft class says anything about how Rutherford and coach Mike Sullivan want the Penguins to play next season.

What should we make of the Penguins' power-forward draft picks? The moves they make next — and also the ones they don’t — will tell us that.

6-7 minutes Button cautioned that the Penguins, frustrated after getting swept in the first round by a hungrier Islanders team, shouldn’t try to mimic the Blues.

He pointed to the puck-hogging Red Wings teams of the last decade. In Sometime Saturday, shortly after the Penguins had picked another 200- 2007, they lost to the big, bruising Ducks. Afterward, then-Ducks GM plus-pound prospect, a conversation from a couple weeks prior came to Brian Burke boasted that going forward, teams would have to play like mind. his to claim the Cup.

Craig Button, the former Calgary general manager who before that “What was Ken Holland going to do? Go and change his team all the helped build the Dallas team that won a Stanley Cup two decades ago, sudden because they got beat in a playoff series against the Anaheim was giving his thoughts on St. Louis bludgeoning Boston to win it all — Ducks?” Button said. and why it would be a bad idea for some other contenders to pivot toward that big, bruising style. The Red Wings kept their core and their identity intact and made back-to- back Cup finals. You may recall whom they faced and how those series “You can’t start saying, ‘Look at what St. Louis did. We better be like played out. them,’” said Button, who is now an analyst for TSN in Canada. “Every team has its own unique DNA. … I will say this very clearly: Any manager Button believes the Penguins need to make tweaks with their personnel. that wants to retool his team based on what happened in recent history is But he feels “the spine of their team” is still “pretty damn good.” And if making a massive mistake.” they stick to being the Penguins instead of trying to be the Blues, they can still win it all again. It’s too early to declare that this is what general manager Jim Rutherford and the Penguins are doing, just because they drafted three power “I would suggest that anybody saying that the Penguins aren’t a forwards who aren’t expected to be ready to play in the NHL for two, contender,” Button concluded, “I’d say you better examine what a three, four years. contender is then.”

They have already been trending this way a little bit since repeating as Penguins announce camp roster champs two years ago, trading a first-rounder for Ryan Reaves; bringing The Penguins on Monday announced the 41-man roster for their 2019 in physical blue liners in Jamie Oleksiak, Jack Johnson and Erik prospect development camp, and it includes all five of their picks from Gudbranson; keeping Garrett Wilson in the lineup last season over guys last week’s draft. such as Teddy Blueger and Adam Johnson. Samuel Poulin, Nathan Legare, Judd Caulfield, Valtteri Puustinen and Despite that, the Penguins continued to be a team that often tried to win Santeri Airola will all attend the camp, which runs Wednesday through by blowing by or dangling around defenders, instead of punishing Friday at UPMC Lemieux Complex in Cranberry. opponents down low on both ends of the rink. When you have top-end creators in Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Jake Guentzel Calen Addison, the Penguins’ top pick in 2018, and Filip Hallander, and Phil Kessel, why lean on a heavy game? drafted 58th overall last year, are among the other invitees.

So what are we to make of the Penguins picking three power forwards in This year’s camp begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The three-on-three a row? tournament is set for 7 p.m. Friday.

Quebec area scout Luc Gauthier, who watched a lot of first-round pick Post Gazette LOADED: 06.25.2019 Samuel Poulin and third-rounder Nathan Legare in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, said that character, speed and skill are still the three primary characteristics the Penguins look for in their draft picks. But Gauthier also mentioned the Blues when discussing those two.

“If you look at the Stanley Cup final, the way St. Louis played, Boston played, they’re big, strong, and they skate,” he said. “Both of those guys have those qualities.”

Director of amateur scouting Patrik Allvin suggested that the Penguins just picked the top guys on their board, though in the case of Legare, the team traded a trio of 2019 picks to jump up into the third round to take the sturdy winger.

Maybe that was the case, that the top guys on the board just happened to be large. But there sure seems to be something more to their selections.

Perhaps the Penguins just felt there was a shortage of size within their shallow farm system, so they drafted Poulin, Legare and fifth-rounder Judd Caufield.

After all, none of the prospects — at any position — they picked in the previous three drafts topped 200 pounds at the time they were picked, though obviously they weren’t finished products physically at age 17, 18, 19. And in the Post-Gazette’s annual ranking of the top 10 prospects in the system, only three weighed more than 200.

Another possibility: The Penguins know they will eventually have to change their style of play in a few years once Crosby and, if they are still playing in Pittsburgh, Malkin and Letang reach their mid-30s. Might they have actually been thinking that far ahead when they took Poulin, Legare and Caufield?

Based on their win-now approach under Rutherford, maybe not. 1148529 San Jose Sharks

Sharks to host top prospects, four 2019 draft picks at development camp

By Marcus White June 24, 2019 4:07 PM

Four of the Sharks' picks from the 2019 NHL Draft will attend the team's development camp in San Jose this week.

Second-round picks Artemi Kniazev and Dillon Hamliuk, as well as fourth-rounder Yegor Spiridonov and sixth-rounder Santeri Hatakka will particpate, as will top Sharks prospects including Ryan Merkley (2018 first-round pick), Mario Ferraro (2017 second-round pick) and Sasha Chmelevski (2017 sixth-round pick).

In all, 46 players are scheduled to attend when camp gets underway Tuesday, and the prospects will scrimmage twice in camp.

The first scrimmage takes place Wednesday, and the prospects will scrimmage again Friday night at SAP Center. Tickets cost $10 (or $20 for four), with "net proceeds benefitting the Sharks foundation," the team said in a release.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148530 San Jose Sharks

NHL rumors: Joonas Donskoi receiving 'strong interest' in free agency

By Brian Witt June 24, 2019 1:53 PM

Erik Karlsson has re-signed. has conveyed he'll do the same. Patrick Marleau wants to return. Joe Pavelski is considering external options. Oh, and then there's Joonas Donskoi.

The NHL free agency period hasn't even begun yet, and already it's felt like an entire offseason's worth of headlines for the Sharks. With so many high-profile players potentially playing elsewhere next season, it seems as if every league rumor has in some way been related back to San Jose.

Donskoi, obviously, is no different.

After re-signing Karlsson, the Sharks have even less financial wiggle room than they did entering the offseason. If they're going to find a way to retain major contributors like Pavelski and restricted free agent Timo Meier, some tough decisions will have to be made.

In Donskoi's case, it appears like he'll be a casualty of San Jose's salary- cap reality.

There’s been strong interest in Sharks UFA Joonas Donskoi, from what I understand. Door isn’t closed on a return to the Sharks, but it’s looking more and more likely that he’ll find another home for next season

— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) June 24, 2019

While Donskoi tied a career high with 14 goals last season, he struggled with consistency and finished the regular season on a 34-game scoreless drought. He scored the deciding goal in the Sharks' series-clinching Game 7 win over the Avalanche in the second round of the playoffs, but he was in and out of the lineup throughout the postseason.

As a player who has shown a knack for the clutch goal, it's no wonder why Donskoi would be appealing for teams with playoff aspirations. The 26-year-old has had some big moments for the Sharks in the past, but they have some bigger fish to fry at the moment.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148531 San Jose Sharks Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019

Sharks free-agency decisions: Will star winger Timo Meier stay or go?

By Chelena Goldman June 24, 2019 3:20 PM

One could argue the 2018-19 season was when Sharks winger Timo Meier "arrived."

The 22-year-old honed his skills as a power forward this past campaign, cementing himself as a staple in the Sharks lineup. His 30-goal regular season was tied with for third-best on the team, and his 15 points in the Stanley Cup playoffs tied for third-best with Tomas Hertl.

Now, Meier is primed to headline a stacked restricted free-agent class generating plenty of buzz this offseason. He also is one of a handful of young Sharks who can become an RFA this summer

Here's a look at why Meier could stay in San Jose for a long time -- and why he potentially could be on the move.

Why he could stay

There's no secret here. Signing Meier is one of the Sharks' top priorities this offseason.

Mix Meier's upward in-season progress with the amount of responsibility he has already taken on as a young player, and you have a player any team would want on their roster. The Swiss product has also demonstrated a strong work ethic and drive to continue building his game, as he said on locker-room cleanout day at the end of May that he still has room to improve.

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said that same day that he had already had a few discussions with Meier's agent. Although the nature of those talks have remained private, Wilson did reference that many of the team's young stars in the past have been signed to bridge deals, which carry a smaller salary-cap hit over a shorter term as a "bridge" to a bigger contract down the line. Tomas Hertl, for instance signed a two-year, $6 million contract as an RFA in 2016 before signing a five-year, $22.5 million contract last summer.

With that knowledge in mind, the Sharks likely want to reach a similar deal with Meier before the end of the summer.

Why he could go

Before everyone starts freaking out too much -- yes, it's likely that Meier and the Sharks will reach a deal. But San Jose's lack of cap space makes things a little more complicated, and the possibility of an offer sheet can't be ignored.

A player of Meier's caliber will demand a healthy payday, and the Sharks have just under $14.5 million in salary-cap space according to CapFriendly. If San Jose can't move more pieces around and get some relief under the cap, signing Meier to a second contract that isn't a bridge deal will be difficult.

The Sharks undoubtedly want to avoid what the Toronto Maple Leafs experienced with William Nylander last season. The young forward didn't re-sign until Dec. 1, and struggled to find his goal-scoring touch in 54 regular-season games.

With conversations underway, there's hope that nothing close to the Nylander situation will take place. An offer sheet doesn't seem realistic either, considering a player has not signed one since 2013.

The verdict

The Sharks are going to get a deal done with Meier. Given San Jose's history of signing young players, there's every reason to believe the two sides will find common ground before training camp begins in September.

That, however, could require the Sharks clearing additional salary-cap space to make an offer Meier will accept. It might take a little time and debate before both sides are happy.

By the end of the offseason, however, conversations surrounding Meier should go back to what he can do for the Sharks in the upcoming season rather than his contract. 1148532 San Jose Sharks

NHL rumors: Sharks' Joe Pavelski could meet with Stars, Lightning this week

By Marcus White June 24, 2019 10:05 AM

The Sharks' efforts to keep all of their free agents got harder this weekend, when the NHL set next season's salary cap at $81.5 million. That gives San Jose just under $15 million in salary-cap space with Joe Pavelski and Timo Meier, among others, set to hit unrestricted or restricted free agency.

At least in part because of that pending cap crunch, Pavelski told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun that he will meet with "a few teams" this week. He also told LeBrun that he has not ruled out coming back to the Sharks, however.

“Yeah, we’ll see how that goes,’’ Pavelski said. “Maybe I come back. I don’t know.’’

League sources suggested to LeBrun that Pavelski "may visit" the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Dallas Stars later this week. A league source told The Athletic's Craig Morgan that the Arizona Coyotes already have met with Dan Plante, Pavelski's agent. LeBrun wrote that the Buffalo Sabres also could have called Pavelski, but they "don't have a site visit scheduled."

The President's Trophy-winning Lightning faces similarly tough cap decisions as the Sharks, with restricted free agent Brayden Point still unsigned. But the Stars ($9.957 million in cap space), Coyotes ($11.516 million after placing Marian Hossa on long-term injured reserve) and Sabres ($18.915 million) have the bulk of their roster signed and enough space to sign Pavelski, and all three ranked in the bottom third of the league in goals scored.

Pavelski can help in that regard. He scored 38 goals last season, tied for the second most of his career, and has scored more than all but five players over the last five seasons. But Pavelski will turn 35 next month, and LeBrun wrote that the 13-year veteran "probably wants" a three-year deal, and LeBrun's "sense" is the Sharks don't want to sign Pavelski to a contract longer than two years.

Free agency officially begins July 1 at 9 a.m. PT (noon ET), and that is the soonest Pavelski could sign with another team. He could re-sign with the Sharks at any point beforehand, but Pavelski is at least exploring putting on a different sweater next season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148533 San Jose Sharks “With our staff, we all work on everything,” DeBoer said. “Whoever is in charge, there’s input for everybody.”

It will be interesting to see if Boughner’s return alters any system play Bob Boughner’s return to the Sharks was a ‘no brainer’ move after his next season. When the Sharks were struggling last season, it was often head-coaching tenure in Florida ended because they were allowing far too many odd-man rushes or breakaways. Part of the reason that goalies Martin Jones and Aaron Dell combined for the NHL’s worst save percentage in the regular season was By Kevin Kurz Jun 24, 2019 because they were routinely getting hung out to dry.

In the two combined seasons Boughner was on staff, the Sharks were fourth in the league with a 2.48 goals-against average. They were 21st VANCOUVER — Bob Boughner, recently re-hired by the Sharks as an this season with a 3.15 GAA, playing a more wide open style with guys assistant coach on Pete DeBoer’s staff, is not on social media. like Burns and Erik Karlsson on the blue line. But he was still aware of Logan Couture’s tweet on April 7, the day that Re-hiring Boughner, whom DeBoer has known for more than 20 years, the Florida Panthers announced that Boughner was being let go as their was “an easy decision.” head coach after two seasons. “Familiarity, he’s got relationships already with all our key players from LOL YA TOTALLY HIS FAULT. BRING HIM BACK when he was there. You’re adding a guy who already was a great coach @SANJOSESHARKS HTTPS://T.CO/UUCCPFXJTR when he was here the last time but now has head coaching experience,” — LOGAN COUTURE (@LOGANCOUTURE) APRIL 7, 2019 DeBoer said. “No brainer, you know? Real fortunate that he’s available, real fortunate he knows our group. Should be seamless.” “I thought it was really cool,” Boughner said on Friday at Rogers Arena, where he was attending the first round of the NHL Draft. “It was good to Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said: “I think he had a great see at that time, at my lowest time, you had people pulling for you that connection with our players, with our D in particular, and with Pete. It was you had relations with. I thought it was a very cool thing.” an easy conversation. I think Pete and I both looked at each other and (thought), here’s an opportunity. He’s a great fit for us.” The Sharks followed Couture’s suggestion, officially bringing the 48-year- old Boughner back to the organization on May 29. He’ll oversee the Boughner is most looking forward to working with the defensemen 1-on- defense next season, like he did under DeBoer in 2015-16 and 2016-17 1, something that a head coach doesn’t always have time to do. He still before departing for the first head coaching gig of his career. The hasn’t met Karlsson, but he’ll get a look at some of the Sharks’ prospects Panthers, who went 80-62-22 under Boughner over two seasons but in the system that weren’t around during his previous stint during this failed to make the playoffs, hired Joel Quenneville the day after week’s development camp. terminating Boughner. “I think as a head coach you have so many different responsibilities. Couture isn’t the only Sharks player that’s pleased to have the popular You’re managing so many different things,” Boughner said. “Just want to Boughner back in San Jose. Brent Burns, who had a special relationship get back to the personal relationships that I had with some guys. I think I with Boughner after the coach helped him win a Norris Trophy in 2017 can appreciate now how important it is to deal with guys 1-on-1 and and turned him into a perennial candidate for the award, told reporters at spend a lot of 1-on-1 time, which you don’t get to do as a head coach.” the NHL Awards in Las Vegas last week: “It’s awesome. He’s a great “It’s a great opportunity. It’s unbelievable what Doug and Pete showed guy, a strong voice. He’s just a great personality back there. He really me. I think that after what I went through the last two years it’s a great gets the guys. I can’t say enough good things about him.” place for me. One, because I’m so familiar with the players and two, we Boughner said: “He’s excited, (Brenden Dillon), guys that you stay in had success there a couple years ago. And the staff, we’re all pretty tight. touch with through texts over the last couple years. A couple guys It’s a great place to kind of reset and get back to work.” reached out in a great way. Joe Thornton, (Joe) Pavelski, Cooch and all The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 those guys all reached out to me, and it was nice. That’s the special thing about that team. I’d tell everybody even when I was in Florida about how tight that dressing room is. Why they have success, that’s the reason.”

The coaching staff is also a tight group. Take, for example, what they did after Boughner was hired in Florida.

In the Sharks’ coaches office was a large, industrial-sized printer that was always breaking down and drove Boughner crazy.

“I’m always like, get rid of this f-ing thing,” Boughner said.

When Sharks assistant coach Steve Spott shipped Boughner his personal belongings from the office and the house the coaches all shared together in San Jose, there was a gigantic box awaiting Boughner in his new house in Florida. He had no idea what could be inside.

“I’m like, what is in this big box? The big box is in my house. I open it up, it’s the printer with a note on it,” Boughner said. “I won’t tell you what the note said, but yeah, it was the printer.

“The worst part was now I have to get rid of this thing. It weighs about 200 pounds and I have to go throw it in the trash.”

It was a bit of an odd season as it related to the Sharks’ coaches in 2018- 19. When the team was struggling through November, DeBoer decided to alter the responsibilities of three-quarters of his immediate staff. Spott went from handling the forwards to the defensemen, while Dave Barr took over the forwards. Rob Zettler, who replaced Boughner in 2017, went from overseeing the defensemen to serving as the eye in the sky where Barr was previously.

While Boughner will now handle the defensemen again, the remaining responsibilities like special teams are yet to be determined, according to DeBoer. Assistant/goalie coach Johan Hedberg remains on staff, too, while Zettler was let go. 1148534 St Louis Blues “(Forward) Jordan Kyrou is a player that we had high expectations for and did well this year. Got injured, had knee surgery. So he’s healing up now and should be ready for (preseason) camp.

Celebrations over, Blues gear up for free agency “There’s other players, too, that are starting to push. . . . You know, our younger players are our future.”

By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch Among those younger players are seven restricted free agents who were regulars on the Blues’ Cup championship team. The Blues are expected to make qualifying offers to them by the deadline Wednesday.

For general manager Doug Armstrong, the afterglow of a Stanley Cup Among those seven RFA’s, goalie Jordan Binnington, defenseman Joel championship quickly has been replaced by the reality of the business. Edmundson and forwards Oskar Sundvist and Zach Sanford are eligible for arbitration. He’ll remember the Blues’ accomplishment for the rest of his life. Ditto for that parade down Market Street and the rally under the Gateway Arch. “Obviously we’ve done our work on preparing for salary arbitration with our RFA’s,” Armstrong said. “We have an understanding what that’s But for now, he already has turned to the future. With the NHL draft going to take. It’s just a math equation. It’s really nothing more than that.” completed over the weekend, the focus almost entirely is on shaping the roster for next season. Who stays? Who goes? Who’s added from the Binnington, who made $650,000 this past season, obviously is due a big outside? pay raise. The question remains how big? And do the Blues seek a long- term contract with Binnington instead of a one-year deal as an RFA? “That’s just the nature of our beast, of our game,” Armstrong said. “That you have to celebrate the good times but then you have to do your job “Well, I think that’s what he and his agent and I have to sit down (and the rest of the time.” discuss),” Armstrong said. “He’s shown zero let-up from Day 1. From his first shutout (against Philadelphia) to his Game 7 one-goal game (against And with that came a sobering reality. Boston), he’s been consistent, he’s been a strong competitor. “We’d like to bring as much of the band back together,” he said. “But we “He’s got two years until he’s an unrestricted free agent. We want to understand that the whole band’s not coming back.” make sure we do good by Jordan — he’s done well by us. But also, So in this time of player evaluation and roster shaping, the emotional longer resume's are easier to deal with.” high of winning the Cup has to be put aside. If the Binnington, Edmundson, Sanford or Sundqvist negotiations go to “It can be (tough) because you won,” coach Craig Berube said. “And you arbitration, those hearings don’t take place until July 20-August 4. look at everybody and you go, ‘Well, why change anything or do this?’ Ivan Barbashev, Sammy Blais, and Robby Fabbri also are RFA’s, but are But in the end, you still gotta look at getting better and improving at some not eligible for arbitration. Unless they get an outside offer, they either point. That’s the business side of the thing.” take the Blues’ offer or don’t play. Armstrong normally works the phones with the best of them. But he didn’t Like the situation with respect to unrestricted free agents, the Blues also make many calls during the Stanley Cup Final or semifinals. That began have several RFA’s on the fringe of the roster or who played in San to change after the parade, on June 15. Antonio: goalie Ville Husso, forwards Connor Bleackley, Nolan Stevens He’s got some catching up to do. Even so, don’t expect anything like the and Nikita Soshnikov, and defenseman Mitch Reinke. roster upheaval of a year ago, when Armstrong basically remade half of Among that group, Husso and Soshnikov are eligible for arbitration. On his four forward lines. Sunday night, Stevens agreed to a one-year, two-way deal with the “We don’t have many unrestricted free agents,” he said. “So our roster’s Blues. A fifth-round pick by the team in 2016, he gets $700,000 at the relatively set.” NHL level and $70,000 at the AHL level.

The team’s only unrestricted free agents who were regulars during the Even with the salary cap coming in at only $81.5 million for next season, just-concluded season are forward Pat Maroon and defenseman Carl or about $1.5 million less than anticipated, the Blues are in decent cap Gunnarsson. shape with a little over $17.2 million available. That’s according to CapFriendly.com. The team also has six UFAs who were on the fringe of the roster or were with the team’s American Hockey League affiliate in San Antonio: St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.25.2019 forwards Jordan Nolan and Chris Thorburn, defensemen Chris Butler, Michael Del Zotto and Tyler Wotherspoon, and goalie Jared Coreau.

One of those six, Nolan, has agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the team. Nolan gets $700,000 at the NHL level and $300,00 if he’s in the AHL. Last season, he played 14 games with the Blues and 59 for the Rampage.

Although the free-agency period doesn’t start for another week (July 1) — in terms of free agents being able to sign with other teams — Sunday was the first day pending unrestricted free agents could speak or meet with other teams.

All along, Armstrong didn’t plan to meet with Maroon and Gunnarsson — or their agents — until he returned from Vancouver, B.C., and the draft. Gunnarsson received several calls from outside teams Sunday according to Canadian sportscaster and writer Pierre LeBrun.

After signing defensemen Jay Bouwmeester and Robert Bortuzzo to new contracts during the season, it seems doubtful Gunnarsson returns to the Blues.

There’s another factor at play, too. Namely, there are players who spent most or all of last season in San Antonio who will be pushing for Blues roster spots this fall, including defenseman Niko Mikkola.

“Mikkola, a young Finnish player, went to the Worlds,” Armstrong said. “His team beat Canada, won the championship. I think he was voted one of the top three players. He’s someone that we think is really ready to push. He’s done two World Championships now. 1148535 St Louis Blues plans moving forward, taking into account roster evolution and how much they’ll cost.

Pietrangelo, who will turn 30 next season and possesses a no-trade Which Blues players will stay and which might have played their last clause, will likely be looking for a long-term extension with an AAV north game in the Note? of $8 million and maybe even $9 million. Could the Blues see Colton Parayko take over that role in that time? Meanwhile, Schenn, 27, had a 70-point season two years ago and could be in line for a four- or five-year By Jeremy Rutherford Jun 24, 2019 deal with an AAV in the neighborhood of $7 million. Could the cost- controlled Robert Thomas assume more of Schenn’s duties?

“I think you look at the NHL now — free agency is there, players come It really is unfathomable. In a matter of six months, the consensus on the and go, leave organizations, that’s just the reality of it,” Armstrong said. Blues’ roster went from “Blow it up” to “How can we keep the band “It’s like anything; we want them to feel comfortable, and we have to feel together?” That’s what a Stanley Cup will do. comfortable, whether it’s a restricted or unrestricted free agent. I think General manager Doug Armstrong would like to keep it together — what we’ve all become accustomed to now is it’s not personal. It’s a “Yeah, yeah,” he replied when asked at the NHL draft in Vancouver — business. We understand it. We hope it works out for everybody, and our but while it would be fairly feasible because a majority of the roster is goal is to try and make it work out. But unfortunately, and we went either under contract for the 2019-20 season or the Blues hold their through it with David (Backes), that’s just the reality. It’s not a negative on rights, it will be impossible to bring everybody back. either side; it’s just a reality of the industry.”

The Blues have 16 contracts carrying over and 11 players set for But for now, it’s about what makes sense after winning the Stanley Cup, unrestricted and restricted free agency. Before we get to the free agents, and that seems to be keeping as much of the band together as possible. let’s take a look at those who are under contract next season, with charts “Our focus is to try and help this group, give it a true opportunity to come provided by CapFriendly. out and I guess the word is ‘defend,'” Armstrong said. “We know we’re The Blues have nine forwards with deals, including MacKenzie going to get everyone’s A-game next year, and that’s something that we MacEachern, who signed a one-year, one-way extension last season: hope we’re ready for, and I think this group will be. I think the majority of that group is going to be back.” The Blues have six defensemen with contracts, including Jordan Schmaltz, whose deal changes to a one-way: Here’s a player-by-player look at which Blues players will stay and which might have played their last game in the Note: The only goalie on an NHL contract is Jake Allen: Not going anywhere The Blues’ 16 contracts have a projected cap hit of $64.3 million, according to CapFriendly. That would leave them $17.2 million under the These aren’t necessarily the best players on the team, but because of recently announced $81.5 million salary cap, with the potential for 11 of their talent, role on the team, point in their career or contract status, it their own free agents signing. seems like a lock that they’ll be back.

Seven of those 11 are restricted free agents, which means the Blues own Vladimir Tarasenko — It was not guaranteed last season that Tarasenko their rights. They are forwards Zach Sanford, Ivan Barbashev, Oskar was here to stay. No, the Blues never got close to trading him, but they Sundqvist, Sammy Blais and Robby Fabbri, defenseman Joel were open to the idea. All that is in the past, however. He had 22 goals in Edmundson and goalie Jordan Binnington. his final 38 regular-season games and a point in eight consecutive playoff games, becoming the go-to presence the club needed. The 27- The other four are unrestricted free agents: Pat Maroon, Carl year-old has a no-trade clause that kicks in July 1, and with four years Gunnarsson, Michael Del Zotto and Chris Thorburn. But only Maroon, left on a deal with a $7.5 million AAV, it looks like he’ll be with the Blues Gunnarsson and Del Zotto are believed to have a possibility of returning, for a long time. as Thorburn appears ready to call it a career, and each of them is a depth player. Ryan O’Reilly — Stanley Cup. Conn Smythe. Selke Trophy. All-Star. Need we say more? Armstrong’s trade for O’Reilly already seemed like “We have a couple unrestricted players that were important parts to our the steal of the century, and his first season in St. Louis (which included team, but not that core grouping of guys that you build around,” a career-high 77 points) confirmed that. And now making it look even Armstrong said. “I’ll get back (from the draft) and talk to those (UFA) better is the fact that O’Reilly, 28, has four more seasons left on his guys. I don’t see us getting anything done in the first few days, but I’m seven-year, $52 million contract signed in Buffalo ($7.5 million AAV), going to get back and talk to them. All the restricted guys are going to get which, incredibly, is just the 16th-highest cap hit in the league at center. their qualifying offers, and we’ll deal with that in mid-July.” Jaden Schwartz — No Blues player was harder to figure out last season It’s difficult to know what the cap hits will be on the contracts for the free than Schwartz, who had 11 goals in the regular season (three in his first agents because the length of the terms will determine the AAVs. 41 games) and 12 in the playoffs, which was second behind San Jose’s According to projections by @EvolvingWild, which does not predict goalie Logan Couture. His two postseason hat tricks and game-winner with 15 salaries, the Blues would be paying $12,168,817 for the six RFA skaters. seconds left in a 3-2 win over Winnipeg in Game 5 of the conference If we factor in Binnington, at a guesstimated $5 million AAV, that’s nearly quarterfinals helped redeem and maintain confidence in the 26-year-old, $17.2 million, which is exactly what the Blues have left in cap space. who has two years left on a contract with a $5.35 million AAV.

It’s hard to believe the Blues would pay Edmundson $4.6 million or Robert Thomas — The Blues have a keeper in their first-round pick (No. Fabbri $2 million, more than Sundqvist and Barbashev, which would 20 overall) from 2017. The rookie had nine goals and 33 points in 70 leave them a little wiggle room for their UFAs. Maroon made $1.75 regular-season games playing right wing on the third line, but he showed million and Gunnarsson made $2.9 million last season, and both are enough flashes to indicate he’ll be a terrific top-six NHL center. Thomas getting outside interest, so they’d likely have to take less than market ended the year watching most of the Stanley Cup final series with a wrist value to stay. injury but is expected to be healthy by training camp, and for a player who won’t be 20 until July 2, the season provided a wealth of experience. So you can see how it’ll be difficult for the Blues to bring everyone back unless they’re moving Edmundson or Allen or going the extreme route Tyler Bozak — After nine seasons in Toronto, he took a while to find his and exploring the futures of Alex Pietrangelo and . footing with the Blues, but when he did, the veteran center anchored one Pietrangelo has one more season left on a seven-year, $45.5 million deal of the team’s more consistent lines with Thomas and Maroon. The 33- ($6.5 million annual average value), and Schenn has one season year-old netted 38 points in his first season, and on a three-year, $15 remaining on a four-year, $2o.5 million deal ($5.1 million AAV). million deal ($5 million AAV), he’s considered overpaid, which is why he’ll remain with the Blues. But for what the Blues are asking from a third-line “The two primary guys are ‘Petro’ and ‘Schenner,’ but we don’t have to center and power-play contributor, Bozak gives them what they need. deal with that for another year at this time,” Armstrong said. Oskar Sundqvist — There wasn’t a more improved player in the Blues’ True, the contracts of the two don’t expire until next summer, but the organization this season, and maybe in the NHL. He scored two goals in Blues will need to decide whether Pietrangelo and Schenn are in the his first 70 games in the league, combining his time in Pittsburgh and St. Louis, and had 18 goals this season, including four in the playoffs. He’s some skill and can hit, finishing second on the team with 2.9 hits per an RFA whose salary should see a jump from just under $1 million to game last season. No one should be fearful of the Blues parting ways about $1.8 million, and he’ll be plenty worth it as a fourth-line center who with Blais, but with the club’s cupboard fairly full with bottom-six wingers, can play up the lineup in a pinch and stabilize the penalty-killing unit. perhaps the 23-year-old RFA would attract some interest.

David Perron — He’s a player who can’t be seen going anywhere Zach Sanford — His situation is similar to Blais’ as a player who has size because he has three years left on his contract ($4 million AAV) and and skill and whom the Blues like, but he has to use those attributes because he produced this season (46 points in 57 regular-season games more regularly. Sanford, who was acquired from Washington in the Kevin and 16 points in 26 playoff games). Plus, the Blues have limited options Shattenkirk trade, wasn’t running out of chances at age 24. But after on the right side after Tarasenko, and not only is Perron best suited playing himself out of the lineup with his passive play, he had a good there, but he’s also shown good chemistry with O’Reilly. series in the Stanley Cup final against Boston, putting himself back in good standing with the organization. Ivan Barbashev — He’s had success in the NHL, but this was a breakout season for the Russian, who had a career-high 14 goals and 26 points in MacKenzie MacEachern — After three years in the minors, the Blues’ 80 games. A forward with skill who can also hit, Barbashev found a home third-round pick from 2012 began to blossom this season and earned a on the fourth line with Sundqvist and Alexander Steen and on the penalty promotion to the NHL. The 25-year-old played a key role on the team’s kill. An RFA, he’ll be due a raise this season, but it’s deserving after the fourth line for 29 games before being bumped from the lineup and sitting year he had. out in the playoffs. He signed a one-way, $750,000 contract and is expected to give them depth at forward, but he’s still unproven. Robert Bortuzzo — The Blues announced a three-year, $4.1 million ($1.4 million AAV) contract extension with Bortuzzo in December. The right- Likely to return but could be dangled in a potential trade shot defenseman gives them depth on that side, and he’s an ultimate team player who helps on the penalty kill and is among the club’s leaders If the Blues are going to make a move, these players have issues in blocked shots. Moving him seems highly unlikely, especially after just surrounding them that wouldn’t make it a surprise if they were the ones to re-signing him at a fair price. leave.

Jay Bouwmeester — What a comeback story! Bouwmeester went from Brayden Schenn — He took a back seat to O’Reilly, and that was evident nearly being run out of town by fans to signing a one-year, $3.2 million in his ice time, power-play opportunity and production. But make no contract extension for 2019-20 in April and then becoming part of the mistake: The 27-year-old was a heart-and-soul player, and the depth he Blues’ highly successful shutdown pair alongside teammate Colton provided was key to the Blues’ Cup run. But if they aren’t prepared to pay Parayko in the postseason. Who knows what Bouwmeester, who will turn him after this season and believe their prospects could soon fill the void, 36 in September, has left in the tank, but he didn’t re-sign with the Blues Schenn could be on the move. to play somewhere else next season, so he’ll be back. (Brad Rempel / USA Today)

Vince Dunn — The second-year defenseman didn’t get off to a great Jake Allen — The Blues tried to move Allen in the past but to no avail. start, but he recovered well, posting 12 goals, 35 points and a plus-14. Now, with Binnington entrenched as the starter, there will likely be more Dunn has the best offensive instincts of anyone on the blue line, and exploring, and with just two more years left on Allen’s deal ($4.35 million while his riskiness at even strength and on the power play might come AAV), perhaps there will be a taker. Allen has been a supportive back to bite him at times, he’s a difference-maker. The Blues will have teammate, so the Blues might not mind having him back, but spending him back in 2019-20 on the third and final season of his three-year entry- $10 million-plus on two goalies doesn’t make sense. level contract, which is a bargain for a salary-cap team. Robby Fabbri — It was a pivotal season for Fabbri after he missed nearly Colton Parayko — There were times two years ago when Parayko didn’t two years following back-to-back knee surgeries. The knee was fine, but look like the player the Blues signed to the five-year, $27.5 million he couldn’t get going because of a variety of other injuries that resulted extension, but he buried that conversation in 2018-19. In fact, the 26- from overcompensating for the knee. When he was healthy, Fabbri was year-old was in the Conn Smythe conversation until Game 7 of the scratched and seemed to fall out of favor with the club. His time may be Stanley Cup final, when O’Reilly pulled away. There aren’t many brighter up with the Blues. futures in the NHL, and with three years left on a deal with a $5.5 million AAV, the Blues couldn’t be happier to have him. Joel Edmundson — Last summer, Edmundson made what looked like a good move, taking a one-year, $3 million deal with the Blues and Jordan Binnington — The rookie will get paid, but how much? The Blues postponing his big payday. But the 25-year-old had a disappointing certainly would not have won the Stanley Cup without Binnington, but season, bouncing in and out of the lineup the second half of the year and he’s an RFA for two more years and there’s no comparison for that in the playoffs. He’s an RFA this summer whom the Blues could consider contract. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun looked into the situation and trading rather than paying. speculated the 25-year-old could fetch $4-6 million annually with the Blues paying the price for UFA years for anything beyond two seasons. Jordan Schmaltz — The 2012 first-round pick spent a large chunk of the Binnington will be in St. Louis, but we don’t know yet at what cost. year with the Blues last season but dressed for only 20 games before being placed on waivers and sent to the minors. His contract changes Almost certainly returning from a two-way to a one-way deal this season, and while it’s $700,000, it There’s no reason to believe these players won’t be back, but there are seems unlikely the club will keep him on its NHL roster. reasons for each to be included in this category. The coin flips

Alex Pietrangelo — The captain proved the naysayers wrong with his The Blues will talk to these players, but a week away from free agency, performance in the Stanley Cup final and the way he led the Blues out of it’s too early to know if things will work out. last place in the NHL. His future in St. Louis is more solid than it was six months ago, but the bottom line remains whether the Blues will want to Pat Maroon — There is mutual interest between the Blues and Maroon, pay Pietrangelo what he’ll command when his contract is up. With the hometown hero who scored one of the biggest goals in franchise Parayko showing how capable he is, the Blues might have to consider a history in double overtime of Game 7 against Dallas in the conference move if they can’t find a middle ground with Pietrangelo. semifinals. He might be able to command $3 million-plus in free agency but could probably stay put if he accepts a small bump from last year’s Alexander Steen — Though the Blues haven’t historically engaged in $1.75 million deal to play in St. Louis. buyouts, his future in St. Louis appeared headed that direction after more drop-off in his production. Then the 35-year-old accepted a limited role Carl Gunnarsson — Despite an injury-plagued season, he’s very reliable on the fourth line, a move that energized his play. Now, a buyout of the when in the Blues’ lineup and gives them a partner for Pietrangelo. final two years of his contract ($5.75 million AAV) would be shocking, and Armstrong has always liked players he’s familiar with, and the Blues don’t his no-trade clause would prevent a trade. He seems suited to stay, but have many left-shot defensive prospects who are NHL-ready. with the Blues getting younger and more skilled, nothing can be ruled Gunnarsson has other teams interested, so the Blues’ offer will have to out. be competitive with his current $2.9 million salary.

Sammy Blais — He came on strong this season after improving his Michael Del Zotto — The Blues were smart in bringing in defensive depth conditioning level, and the Blues took note, keeping him in the lineup at the deadline, trading a sixth-round pick to Anaheim for Del Zotto. But when healthy. That’s because the sixth-round pick from 2014 has got as it turned out, they really didn’t need it, as the veteran played in just seven regular-season games and none in the playoffs. He would be good to have back for depth if he comes cheap, but likely not if the Blues don’t move Edmundson and keep Gunnarsson.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148536 Toronto Maple Leafs Sean Kuraly. But the Bruins beat the Leafs with goaltending and experience, and some of their best players (Krug) were more hardnosed and smart going about their business than Toronto’s ().

Leafs’ Stanley Cup outlook is brighter with cap in hand | The Star So what about St. Louis? Well, the best St. Louis players up front were Ryan O’Reilly, Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko, none of whom are thumpers. To get O’Reilly and his smart, cerebral game, the Blues By Damien Cox June 24, 2019 traded away size in the form of six-foot-six Tage Thompson and six-foot- four Patrik Berglund.

The real St. Louis bulk was on the back end, led by Alex Pietrangelo, When Brian Burke arrived from Anaheim to take over the Maple Leafs in Joel Edmundson, Colton Parayko and Jay Bouwmeester. Could the November 2008, he felt strongly that he would be able to take advantage Leafs use some of that? Yes, if those D-men can move the puck and play of Toronto’s weak position in the standings by using salary-cap space to Toronto’s game. buy assets from other teams. But Toronto fans need to accept the fact Dubas and his group have a The cap system was just three years old by that time, and Burke was philosophy that isn’t going to change, and be happy that at least the convinced he saw the future. Leafs are committed to a plan that’s in tune with the times. Toronto’s real Well, Burke was right. Just his timing was off. He was ahead of his time need is to get its key players — Matthews, Nylander, Marner — to learn in terms of how he believed the cap system would evolve. how to perform in the playoffs with the same determination and snarl as players such as Bergeron and O’Reilly. Here we are in 2019, more than a decade later, and the Leafs just had to pay the Carolina Hurricanes the ransom of a 2020 first-round draft pick to That and the very different skill of salary-cap management, an art many make Patrick Marleau’s $6.25-million U.S. contract go away. hockey fans still don’t necessarily value, are going to be the factors that determine much of the future for this hockey club. Some, not all, Leaf fans were taken aback by this. The club had to pay the Hurricanes a first-rounder? Why? That’s crazy! The reality is that a Toronto Star LOADED: 06.25.2019 Toronto first-round pick is likely (but not guaranteed, of course) to fall somewhere between No. 20 and No. 31 in the draft, which makes it less valuable.

GM Kyle Dubas, meanwhile, correctly reasoned that players such as Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson, not to mention Mitch Marner, were more valuable assets at this time to a Leaf team pursuing a Cup than a pick that would turn into a prospect not likely to arrive in Toronto before 2023. So, the deal with Carolina probably wasn’t as agonizing as you might think.

We’ve seen various innovative ways of dealing with cap issues in recent years, such as Toronto and Columbus swapping David Clarkson and Nathan Horton. Three years ago after Pavel Datsyuk told Detroit he was going back to Russia, the Wings dealt his rights to Phoenix (not yet named Arizona). The price was the No. 16 pick in the draft and a second- rounder, with the Wings getting the No. 20 pick back.

Those were peculiar circumstances involving players who were no longer playing. With the Marleau deal and P.K. Subban’s trade to New Jersey, however, we see more clearly that NHL general managers view cap space as every bit as much of an asset as an active player, prospect or draft pick. It took a long time for GMs to get to this point after years of dealing with cap pressure by stubbornly hanging on to players even if it meant sacrificing something more valuable.

If Leaf fans were bothered by surrendering the first pick to move Marleau, some were probably just as irritated by the fact Dubas didn’t change emphasis in the draft and start pursuing big, strong prospects. After all, St. Louis won the Cup with a big, gritty team, right?

That’s clearly not how Dubas saw it. Of the six players the Leafs drafted on Saturday, none were six feet tall, and three were five-foot-nine. Clearly, Dubas’s belief in speed, skill, hockey IQ and puck possession over size is not going to change. He doesn’t see height, in particular, as any kind of crucial factor in determining the value of a prospect.

It’s been happening with the Leafs, really, since boss Brendan Shanahan preferred William Nylander over strapping winger Nick Ritchie back in 2014, and continued the next year when the Leafs selected Marner over big defenceman Noah Hanifin. When presented with six-foot-three centre Auston Matthews in 2016, of course, the Leafs jumped at the prospect. It’s not like they don’t like talent if it comes in a larger package.

Seven of the top 13 picks on Friday were six-foot-two or more, so if the Leafs had been drafting in that area they might well have grabbed one of those players. But tiny Jack Hughes was the first pick and Montreal was thrilled to get five-foot-seven Cole Caufield with the No. 15 selection.

The belief that Toronto needs to get grittier is undoubtedly true. The belief that size alone determines whether players have that ingredient is false.

Boston, which knocked off the Leafs in the first round, was led by Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Torey Krug. Giant Zdeno Chara on the back end surely helped, as did six-foot-two fourth-liner 1148537 Toronto Maple Leafs

Kids hope to shine at Maple Leafs development camp

Lance Hornby

The Maple Leafs get their first on-ice look at 2019 top pick Nick Robertson this week.

The California-born Peterborough Petes forward, chosen 53rd overall in Vancouver, and five of the club’s six picks last weekend (minus forward Mikhail Abramov), will be among 36 prospects at the MasterCard Centre for the club’s annual development camp.

Fourteen of the 24 Leafs who finished last season had attended a development camp in the past. Another native Californian, the un-drafted Trevor Moore, parlayed a strong 2016 development camp into an entry- level contract and saw NHL time last season.

The 18 forwards, 14 defencemen and four goalies gathered at MCC Monday for medicals and will be practising in two groups starting Tuesday, culminating with a scrimmage game on Saturday. They include previous draft picks and some international free agents such as Danish defenceman Oliver Larson, Austrian forward Lucas Haudum and two from Belarus who played last year in the WHL, forward Vladimir Alistrov and defenceman Sergei Sapego. Another Californian, Devin Cooley, joins netminders Ian Scott, Zachary Bouthillier and Joseph Woll.

Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas also extended an invitation to undrafted Soo Greyhound forward Tye Kartye from his old junior team and Windsor defenceman Nathan Staios, son of former NHLer and Leafs assistant coach Steve Staios.

Director of Player Development Scott Pellerin will oversee the camp with Mike Babcock’s new assistant Paul McFarland and Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe.

CAMP ROSTER

Goaltenders (4)

Joseph Woll, *Devin Cooley, Ian Scott

Zach Bouthillier

Defencemen (14)

J.D. Greenway, Joseph Duszak, Mac Hollowell, *Brennan Kapchek, , Mike Koster, Filip Kral, *Oliver Larson, *Sean Larochelle, Kalle Loponen, Ryan O’Connell, *Marc-Antoine Pepin, *Sergei Sapego, *Nathan Staios.

Forwards (18)

Nick Robertson, Nick Abbruzzese, *Vladimir Alistrov, *Trey Bradley, *Justin Brazeau, Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, *Joe Carroll, *Colton Conrad, *Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, *James Hamblin, *Lucas Haudum, *Tye Kartye, *Josh Nelson, *Jason Polin, Pavel Rotenberg, *Xavier Simoneau, Riley Stotts, *Riley Woods.

* free agents

Toronto Sun LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148538 Toronto Maple Leafs

Nick Robertson among 5 new Leaf picks headline devo camp

Lance Hornby

The Maple Leafs will get an early on-ice look at their 2019 first draft pick, Nick Robertson.

The California-born Peterborough Petes centre-winger, chosen 53rd overall in Vancouver on Saturday night, and five of the club’s six picks on the weekend, will be part of 36 prospects at the Mastercard Centre starting Tuesday for the club’s annual development camp.

Fourteen of the 24 Leafs who finished last season had attended a development camp in the past. Another native Californian, the un-drafted Trevor Moore, parlayed a strong 2016 development camp into an entry level contract and saw NHL time last season.

The 18 forwards, 14 defencemen and four goalies gathered Monday for medicals and will be practising in two groups starting Tuesday at the Mastercard Centre, culminating with a scrimmage game on Saturday. They include previous draft picks and some international free agents such as Danish defenceman Oliver Larson, Austrian forward Lukas Haudum and two players from Belarus who played last year in the WHL, forward Vladimir Alistrov and defenceman Sergei Sapego. Another Californian, Devin Cooley, joins netminders Ian Scott, Zachary Bouthillier and Joseph Woll.

Director of Player Development Scott Pellerin will oversee the camp with new assistant coach Paul McFarland and Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148539 Toronto Maple Leafs until your bantam season. It’s hard to imagine such a thing occurring today.

My mom was a figure-skating pro and she ran the figure-skating and Duhatschek: Q&A with Todd Warriner on what it takes to go from draft power-skating programs for our town and a couple of other towns nearby. pick to NHL regular When I was 10 or 12 years old, she would say to me, ‘you need to arch your back and get your posture stronger from the middle.’ So now I’m in bantam and we’re in the Ontario finals and we’re playing a team from By Eric Duhatschek Jun 24, 2019 Napanee and it was so long ago that they were wearing Cooperalls. My old coach had the game burned from a VHS onto to a DVD and said, ‘go

watch this, you won’t believe it.’ I was a major peewee playing bantam For any prospect leaving the NHL Draft this past weekend, the most and I’m seeing myself and thinking, ‘mom is right – I’m skating too far dangerous assumption was that this the completion of a journey. The fact bent over.’ I corrected that in the years before I played pro, but just is, this is just the start. seeing yourself, like that, on a video, for the first time, I had no idea – of how I skated, or even of the way I looked in my equipment. A total of 217 players were chosen over a two-day period in Vancouver, but even in the deepest, most successful drafts in history, only a small With kids today, that’s just commonplace. Once you see yourself enough, percentage ever play regularly in the NHL. The rest could find work on you develop an awareness of how you move – and they’re doing it when the fringes of the NHL, or in the minors, or possibly even in Europe. they’re eight years old. They can see, ‘oh wow, I have a wide stance. Or my strides aren’t long enough. Or I’m too hunched over’ – whatever it But for the majority, the closest they’ll ever come to realizing their NHL might be. And they can correct themselves way earlier. But for me, I first dream was when they were handed a sweater on the draft floor and then time I saw myself on video, it was like a light-bulb moment. invited to a team’s development camp, some of which are starting this week. It was hard, heavy game when you first arrived in the NHL, and frequently, that disqualified smaller, skilled players from consideration. Once on the scene, they will hear some version of the aforementioned When it comes to scouting teenagers in the current era, is that the single sober warning – that the real work starts now. biggest change – a greater appreciation put on skill, no matter how big a player might be? What they’ve done to this point gets a foot in the door. It will be up to them to subsequently barge through. Think of how many players you know and covered in the 80s, who were overlooked because they were just under six-foot, or their stick was too Few understand the challenges that lie ahead better than Todd Warriner. short, or for some other reason that today would be thought of as Those of a certain age will remember that Warriner was chosen fourth ridiculous. The minor leagues in the 80s and 90s were filled with players overall by the in the 1992 draft. But then, before he who were really good, but they were 5-8, 5-9, 5-10 – or defensemen who ever played an NHL game, Warriner’s rights were traded to the Toronto were under six feet, who could play now. Maple Leafs in the blockbuster Wendel Clark-for- deal. Overall, I would say all of today’s kids are better earlier. You can’t rely on Now 45, Warriner played in a different era – just as the NHL was moving one or two skills. You have to have four or five, just to get to the point from high-octane offense to the dead-puck decade. That, in turn, obliged where people are watching you. But I also think it’s easier to rule out Warriner to reinvent himself as a player on the fly. players now. If a kid struggles to skate, he might have good technique and might be a good athlete and people think they can alter him, or A high-scoring junior (224 points in 162 games), he ended up becoming change him, but if you look at a 19- or 20-year-old and he doesn’t skate a reliable two-way forward as a pro. pretty well now, it’s tough to think he’s going to make the transition to the NHL, because it’s that much quicker again. In all, Warriner played 453 NHL games for six teams and scored the first- ever goal in the Air Canada Centre. He also played four seasons in You were telling me that in your son’s bantam year, you could see the Europe and now works for Rogers Sportsnet as an analyst on their junior process of weaning out players starting already – because small may be hockey telecasts. OK, but timid isn’t.

But Warriner’s journey wasn’t without its challenges and he shared some On that team, we had all these nice kids, who could skate and were of the insights he gleaned along the way. pretty keen, and then all of a sudden, there’s body checking. So now, we’re going into bantam and we’re not the biggest team and it changed I want to know about the challenges of becoming an NHL pro as opposed the whole dynamic altogether. And it wasn’t even because a guy was to just an NHL draft choice and I remember you once telling me that the small, it was because he was timid. So, as you move up in the levels, you difference between junior hockey and the NHL isn’t much anymore – the have to adapt. Some kids fall off. Some kids don’t. But you really can’t same game, but just played at a little different pace. But that was not the predict that. That’s a hard thing. You see a kid who’s small and skates case when you were breaking in, right? well and is competitive, but if he doesn’t like to go get the puck if there’s No, when I came up, junior was a wide-open game. Then I got to the a guy there who’s going to hit him, it isn’t going to work. And it’s hard to NHL and everybody’s checking and trapping. It was a different game and see that coming. it wasn’t my thing. Like so many guys, I had to adapt quickly to a very The things that worked for you in junior in the 1990s didn’t necessarily different, changing game. Plus, I’d come from the (Canadian) national translate in the NHL, which obliged you to adapt? How did you manage team, and we’d been to the gold-medal game (at the 1992 Olympics), but to do that? now, here I was in Toronto. People were so upset that Wendel was gone and I was coming the other way. All of a sudden, I realized I had to get My usual joke is that you just needed to spend about three hours around my act together. Pat Burns to know exactly what it’s going to take to stay in the league. It really was that simple for me. I remember going to the minors and I was Nowadays, teams are predisposed to put untried youngsters into their playing for Tom Watt and I learned a lot from him. He didn’t love me as a lineups far more readily than when you broke in. What was that player because I was pretty high risk and kind of all over the ice a lot of “apprenticeship” like? times. Coaches back then wanted structure – and they wanted to check There was a general feeling around the league at the time that young and they wanted to trap and they wanted you to play more robotically and players had to pay their dues and I was fine with that. I went to the that was OK. I understand that now as a coach too. But I wasn’t that type minors for two years and when I finally got my chance, I felt I was ready. of player. And with Burnsy, it was always pretty cut-and-dried. My second Junior was all about: ‘How fast can I go and how many can I get? In the training camp, when I got cut in Collingwood, he said, ‘the game doesn’t NHL, it was ‘no, you gotta check, you gotta stay above the puck.’ owe you anything.’ Eventually, those were the things that kept me in the game, but these In my time, you basically had to look at the team you’re with and say: were things I never really considered doing at the start of my career. ‘What does it need? How can I help?’ It becomes pretty apparent quickly People sometimes enjoy a discussion of then versus now because there to a lot of kids from junior that, ‘wow, this is a good league, with a lot of are always lessons to be learned from the past. When you were just a good players.’ And you have to figure out if you are going to be one of kid, coming through the ranks, you hadn’t even seen yourself on video those good players. Many of us gain wisdom as we age. To me, the idea of essentially reinventing yourself as a role player when you’re just out of your teens can’t have been easy and would have required some genuine self- assessment. Can you isolate the factors that made that possible?

If I had to look at one thing, I think it was because I wasn’t all that stubborn. I feel like a lot of guys that I played with before who were really good juniors weren’t as willing to change their games. You think: ‘I got 100 points three times. I should be on the power play.’ In the end, because I could skate, I could play it either way. Other guys weren’t as lucky that way. But I was also willing to learn – and just wanted to make it badly enough that I was willing to do whatever it took.

A lot of others were maybe pigheaded that way – and wouldn’t change and didn’t play as long. The biggest thing with my generation was ‘are you willing to adapt?’ And then, ‘can you figure out what that adaption looks like?’ But that’s a hard thing sometimes with kids.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148540 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights sign center William Karlsson to 8-year contract

By David Schoen / June 24, 2019 - 8:11 PM

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.

The Golden Knights signed center William Karlsson to an eight-year, $47.2 million contract Monday, locking up the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer through 2027.

Karlsson was set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. He could have become an unrestricted free agent in 2020 but opted for long-term security with the Knights.

The 26-year-old from Sweden had a breakout season in 2017-18 after being acquired in the expansion draft from Columbus, finishing third in the league with 43 goals. He won the Lady Byng Trophy, presented to the most gentlemanly player, and was sixth in the voting for the Selke Trophy as best defensive forward.

This past season, Karlsson was second on the Knights with 24 goals and 56 points, and his team-friendly $5.9 million cap hit makes him the fourth- highest paid forward on the club by average annual value.

Karlsson’s 67 goals over the past two seasons rank 17th in the league overall (ninth among centers). He is the only player to appear in every regular-season and postseason game in franchise history (191 games).

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148541 Vegas Golden Knights got a great team. They had a great playoff run their first year, and I’m excited to join them.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.25.2019 Golden Knights prospects eagerly await start of development camp

By David Schoen / June 24, 2019 - 5:30 PM

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.

Kaedan Korczak moved from the prairies of Saskatchewan to play junior hockey in picturesque Kelowna, British Columbia. The defenseman was never the same.

“That was a big change,” he said. “But now I’m kind of used to the Kelowna lifestyle, so it’s hard to go back to Saskatchewan.”

Wait till the Golden Knights’ second-round pick spends a few days in Las Vegas.

Korczak and the majority of the club’s prospects will be in town this week for development camp, which begins at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday and concludes Saturday at City National Arena.

All of the team’s selections from the 2019 draft are scheduled to attend, including first-round pick Peyton Krebs. The No. 17 overall selection will not participate after undergoing surgery for a partially torn Achilles tendon prior to the draft.

“I’ve never been (to Las Vegas),” Korczak said. “My parents have been to a couple games and they say it’s electric every game, so I’m pretty excited.”

Cody Glass, the team’s first pick in the 2017 draft, highlights the roster of 43 players and will be watched closely. The 20-year-old center debuted in the American Hockey League this spring and helped Chicago reach the Calder Cup Final.

Glass will be joined by defensemen Dylan Coghlan and Nicolas Hague, his teammates with the Wolves.

The camp also will mark the first appearance in Vegas for defenseman Slava Demin, a 2018 fourth-round pick and sophomore-to-be at the University of Denver.

In all, 22 of the 25 draft picks who remain under the Knights’ control are scheduled to skate. Aside from Krebs, the only picks who won’t be there are 2018 second-round pick Ivan Morozov and 2018 fourth-rounder Paul Cotter.

“Beautiful place to play,” said goaltender Isaiah Saville, one of three fifth- round picks last weekend. “My parents went to the inaugural season home opener and they said the atmosphere was incredible. I’m really excited to be a part of this organization.”

Last season, defenseman Jimmy Schuldt was invited to development camp and eventually signed as a free agent with the Knights following his senior season with St. Cloud State.

Massachusettes rising junior forward Mitchell Chaffee appears to be the top college free agent in attendance this time.

Chaffee won the Hockey East scoring title and helped the Minutemen to the national title game, though UMass coach Greg Carvel said after the loss that Chaffee needs to work on his conditioning and skating.

Physical forward Jermaine Loewen, the first player from Jamaica to be drafted in the NHL, is one of the most intriguing participants. He was selected by Dallas in the seventh round in 2018 but was not signed to a contract after completing his junior career with Kamloops (WHL).

Other undrafted players to watch include 19-year-old defenseman Brayden Pachal, who was passed over in the draft for the second time despite posting 51 points and an eye-popping plus-76 rating for Western Hockey League champion Prince Albert.

German forward Taro Jentzsch and Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) forward Cole MacKay showed in juniors, and prep defenseman Michael Vorlicky is part of a highly rated recruiting class at Wisconsin.

“I heard it’s a great place,” said defenseman Layton Ahac, one of two third-round selections this year. “I heard it’s really warm, and I know they 1148542 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights officially sign Karlsson to 8-year contract extension

By Justin Emerson (contact)

Monday, June 24, 2019 | 8:25 p.m.

It was rumored over the weekend but it’s official now: Barring a trade, William Karlsson is going to be a Golden Knight for a long time.

The team officially announced Karlsson’s eight-year extension with an average annual value of $5.9 million on Monday night. The deal begins this season and keeps Karlsson in Vegas through the 2026-27 season.

The Swedish forward has long said he wanted a long-term deal, and the Golden Knights echoed that sentiment. The deal has concessions on both sides, as Karlsson took a discount on average annual value in exchange for the lengthy term.

Karlsson had 24 goals and 56 points last season and is the only member of the team to play in every regular season and postseason game in team history.

The signing solidifies him as a member of Vegas’ core for what figures to be the rest of his prime, joining Mark Stone as players signed for the next eight seasons.

Karlsson and general manager George McPhee will address the media Tuesday afternoon.

LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148543 Washington Capitals Stanley Cup experience, too, playing for Chicago’s 2013 and 2015 Cup winners. He has 87 postseason games and a triple-overtime game- winner in the Western Conference Final to his name in 2015 in Game 2 Free Agency Bracket: Noel Acciari vs. Marcus Kruger of that series against Anaheim.

A defensive specialist, only two Blackhawks forwards played more short- handed minutes than Kruger (132:46) last season. There is risk here. By Brian McNally June 24, 2019 2:51 PM Kruger was traded to Carolina in 2017-18, but was placed on waivers after 48 games and spent the rest of the season in the AHL before being

traded to Arizona and then back to Chicago. But part of that stemmed It is almost time for NHL free agency to begin, and the Capitals certainly from how much he was making on a $3.08 million cap hit. At a bargain- have needs to fill and a limited budget. Who would be the best fit? Who basement price, Kruger is more palatable. would be the best free agent target for Washington to pursue? That’s Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 what NBC Sports Washington wants to find out!

Our experts got together and made a bracket of the 16 best free agent fits. The bracket is divided into four regions: Third line forward, fourth line forward, depth defenseman and Caps’ free agent. Now we want you to tell us who you want to see rocking the red next year!

Every weekday we will match two free agents up against one another and present a case for each player. Then you get to vote and decide who advances!

Check out today’s matchup:

Region: Fourth line forwards

Noel Acciari vs. Marcus Kruger

2018-19 stats

Noel Acciari (27 years old):72 games played with the Boston Bruins, 6 goals, 8 assists, 14 points, 12:59 TOI

Playoffs: 19 games played with the Boston Bruins, 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, 13:10 TOI

Marcus Kruger (29 years old): 74 games played with the Chicago Blackhawks, 4 goals, 8 assists, 12 points, 10:25 TOI

Playoffs: None

Hockey-Graph contract projections

Noel Acciari: 2 years, $1,180,934 cap hit

Marcus Kruger: 1 year, $861,030 cap hit

The case for Noel Acciari

Plays a lot bigger than his 5-foot-10, 205-pound frame. A perfect fit at right wing on the fourth line for Washington. The native New Englander, who played at Providence, is a home-grown Bruin and might not want to leave home, but Boston also might not have the cap space to give an obvious fourth-line player a decent raise. The Capitals might not, either, but for now, they really only have to add in RFA Jakub Vrana’s new contract and figure out what they’re going to do with RFA Andre Burakovsky.

Acciari is renowned for his character and toughness. He was a college captain for Providence and helped the Friars win an NCAA title in 2015. There’s never been a shot he’s unwilling to block. Acciari sustained a broken sternum in the second round against Columbus and a blocked shot with his right foot in Game 7 of the Cup Final left him in a walking boot.

Acciari’s offensive upside is limited, but he did have 10 goals in 2017-18. He was a key player for the Bruins in the past two Stanley Cup playoffs and chipped in two goals in this year’s playoff run that came within a game of a championship. Acciari would help on Washington’s penalty kill, too. In 111:52 he was only on the ice for 11 power-play goals against. Only two Boston forwards were on the ice more short-handed.

The case for Marcus Kruger

A different skill set here for the smaller Kruger (6-foot, 186 pounds). Don’t expect even double-digit goals from him, either. But Kruger will likely cost less than $1 million and can be a valuable penalty killer, where Washington needs help. That’s huge for a team that is now dealing with an $81.5 million salary cap, which is $1.5 million less than expected. Add in the overage bonus for defenseman Brooks Orpik from last season and you’re in trouble at just over $80 million.

Kruger played seven seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and one disappointing one with the Carolina Hurricanes. Kruger has plenty of 1148544 Washington Capitals

Ted Leonsis reflects on Capitals' induction to D.C. Sports Hall of Fame

By Caroline Brandt June 24, 2019 11:08 AM

Just as the party seems to be ending, the 2018 Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals are finding new ways to celebrate.

Sunday at Nationals Park, the Caps were honored with the "team of distinction" award in the D.C. sports hall of fame, the first-ever award of its kind.

“I think it just shows how this team connected with the fans and as many people have noted, this is one of the most divided cities in the world," Caps majority owner and president of Monumental Sports, Ted Leonsis said to Rob Carlin on the Capitals Talk podcast. "People can’t agree on anything, but they agreed on how much they loved, and how much fun they had and how proud they were that we won the Stanley Cup."

Founded in 1980, the D.C. sports hall of fame honors athletes, sports journalists and executives each year for excellence in D.C. sports. 2019 was the first time an entire team was formally recognized, fitting for the first-ever Stanley Cup championship in D.C.

"It [the honor] is a good capstone on that run," Leonsis said.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148545 Winnipeg Jets roster once free agency hits. Although the Jets don’t look to be big July 1 shoppers, there could be some significant holes to fill, albeit with somewhat limited resources.

Jets facing tough calls under cash crunch In that regard, Cheveldayoff has already signed two European free agents earlier this month in Finnish forward Joona Luoto, 21, and Russian forward Andrei Chibisov, 26, no doubt hoping to find a diamond Mike McIntyre in the rough at relatively bargain-basement prices.

Posted: 06/24/2019 3:00 AM "Luoto is coming in a three year entry level deal. He’s someone our Finnish pro scout really had a lot of time for. He’s someone that

competes real hard. We think that with some development you can find VANCOUVER — The Winnipeg Jets are bringing what they believe to be yourself a player that can eventually come into your lineup with the type five quality prospects home from Vancouver — along with plenty of of player that he’s going to be. Good size, real hard compete and questions about the more immediate needs of the team. someone who’s willing to come here and put in the time," Cheveldayoff said this weekend. With the NHL draft now in the rear-view mirror, many of the answers will start emerging in the coming days. "Same with Chibisov...It’s a little less of a runaway with him, only a one year deal because of his age. They’ll come in and be added to our The salary cap was set late Saturday at a lower-than-expected US$81.5 prospect pool. A guy like Chibisov’s case, a little bit older, maybe he gets million for the 2019-20 season, so general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff a chance to catch Paul (Maurice’s) eyes." knows exactly what he’s up against. No doubt, he was hoping for the original projection of US$83 million. As a result, some tough decisions Both will be present at Bell MTS Iceplex this week as the Jets hold their must be made, and fast. annual summer development camp. The five players selected at the draft this past weekend in Vancouver will also be there, along with players Patrik Laine, , Andrew Copp, Neal Pionk, Nathan Beaulieu from other recent draft classes and some additional free agents. and Joe Morrow are all restricted free agents who need new deals. In the case of Laine and Connor, could another NHL club try to take advantage Medicals will be held Monday, and on-ice sessions run Tuesday through of Winnipeg’s financial woes and sign them to an offer sheet the Jets Thursday and are open to the public. would either be forced to match or lose the player in exchange for draft "We tend to really try to talk about pro habits, things that over the course pick compensation? of time, little tricks of the trade so to speak, stuff that has really helped That could happen as early as July 1, so buckle up. the development of younger players go from whatever league to the National Hockey League and help them become even better national Tyler Myers, Brandon Tanev, Ben Chiarot and Par Lindholm are the key leaguers. It’s really all about the pro habits, the on the ice, the off the ice, unrestricted free agents who are now able to speak with other possible from the training standpoint, nutrition standpoint, acclimation standpoint. suitors about signing with them beginning next Monday as well. Myers, It really is a development camp, it’s not an evaluation camp," said for example, met Sunday with the Vancouver Canucks. The clock is Cheveldayoff. ticking, their time in Winnipeg likely coming to an end. So while Cheveldayoff will be keeping one eye on the future, he’ll have To get all the RFAs signed and have any hope of retaining a UFA, or two, another locked in on the present. Will he end up liking what he sees? We some salary is going to have to be shed. Mathieu Perreault and Dmitry shall soon find out. Kulikov are two names being talked about as potential victims of the cash crunch. There was speculation that might happen at the draft this past Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 06.25.2019 weekend here in Vancouver, but Cheveldayoff stood pat, at least for now.

"Everyone’s got their own agendas, everyone’s got their own situations that they’re looking at. It’s not an easy time, so to speak, right now, to worry about anyone else but yourself. Everyone is just doing what they need to do within their own organizations," Cheveldayoff told the Free Press of several cost-cutting moves that went down at the draft, including Toronto’s Patrick Marleau, Nashville’s P.K. Subban and Tampa’s J.T. Miller all on the move for pennies on the dollar.

"Everyone has their own pressure points and jobs they need to do."

Cheveldayoff started on his a week ago when he moved Jacob Trouba to the New York Rangers for Pionk and the 20th pick in the draft, which no doubt hurts the Jets on the ice but helps them off of it in terms of dollars and cents. But there’s likely going to have to be more of that kind of wheeling and dealing to come in order to make all the pieces fit.

Add it all up and it has the potential to be an extremely busy week. Not to say all of the above business is going to get taken care of, but there will at least be some finality on whether any of the UFAs can possibly be welcomed back under the cap.

"I’m a guy where the doors are always open until the doors are closed. We’ll see how things play out this week," Cheveldayoff said when asked if he could see any of them coming back.

"You can sit here and try and make your own market and do whatever you can or have the ability to do, but the market will set itself."

It says here the market, save for perhaps Lindholm and Chiarot, is going to push the Jets right out of the bidding.

Myers and Tanev are likely going to be heavily courted and offered big- money deals the Jets simply can’t afford to match.

As for the RFAs, while it’s unlikely all will be signed over the next seven days, the offer-sheet cloud will begin to loom and Cheveldayoff will at least need to have a strong idea of how much they’re all going to end up making as he assesses what, if anything, he needs to do to fill out his 1148546 Vancouver Canucks

Ben Kuzma: Canucks are at fork in road with Hutton as RFA deadline nears

Ben Kuzma

There were several reports Monday that indicated Ben Hutton won't be qualified.

The clock is ticking on Ben Hutton.

The restricted free agent needs to be tendered a qualifying offer by the Vancouver Canucks before the Tuesday deadline of 2 p.m. Pacific time to retain negotiation rights with the left-shot defenceman. However, several scenarios are in play, including a possible trade, or walking away from the 26-year-old that would make him an unrestricted free agent.

There were several reports Monday that indicated Hutton won’t be qualified.

Hutton also has arbitration rights, and after a season in which he showed improvement in decision-making and production with 20 points (5-15) in 69 games, he has more bargaining power and more clout on the open market. When Alex Edler and Chris Tanev were injured at various points of the season, he logged major minutes on his expiring two-year extension that carried an annual US$2.8-million salary cap hit.

Hutton averaged 22:21 per outing this season — more than Ryan McDonagh, Charlie McAvoy and Matt Niskanen — and that certainly would work in his favour in arbitration, even though he seemed vulnerable as the minutes mounted. The Canucks may also think he may have hit a performance plateau.

Hutton logged a season-high 29:25 when Edler and Tanev were lost to injury at Las Vegas in October. He then racked up 28:25 when Edler was lost again to injury in Philadelphia in February to prove that overcoming tough coaching love last season and a big wake-up call were hurdles he could clear to prolong his career.

Quite frankly, Hutton’s transformation from a downcast and defeated blue-liner a year ago — scratched in four-straight February games in 2018 and seven times over a span of 15 — to a better-conditioned, more mobile and stronger defender was remarkable. But where does he fit in the big picture?

The left side is expected to sport Edler, Quinn Hughes and Olli Juolevi, who had knee surgery in December after a strong AHL start in Utica, N.Y. He recently started skating and should be up to speed for training camp. There may not be room for Hutton, who could project as a third- pairing blue-liner, because prospects Ashton Sautner and Guillaume Brisebois are also left shots.

And even if the Canucks were to qualify Hutton, an independent arbiter could reward Hutton’s improved season because he had just six points in 2017-18. The Canucks may not want to even think about going down that road. If they do, player-elected arbitration has a July 5 filing deadline.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148547 Vancouver Canucks 4goaltenders: Arturs Silovs, Matthew Thiessen, Michael DiPietro, Jake Kielly.

8 defencemen: Brogan Rafferty, Ethan Frisch, Jett Woo*, Josh Teves, Is Ethan Keppen a rare find for Canucks as fourth-round pick? Lucas Peric, Mitch Eliot, Paul DeNaples, Toni Utunen. (Woo will not participate in on-ice sessions).

Ben Kuzma 14 forwards: Adrian Elefalk, Aidan McDonough, Carson Focht, Darien Craighead, Ethan Keppen, Henry Bowlby, Jack Malone, Karel Plasek, Keegan Stevenson, Liam Finlay, Linus Karlsson, Nils Hoglander, Tyler Madden, Will Lockwood. Ethan Keppen wants to emulate Matthew Tkachuk and Jamie Benn. 7 2019 draftees: Silovs, McDonough, Focht, Keppen, Malone, Plasek, You have to go way back to find fourth-rounders who made an NHL Hoglander. impact with Vancouver, but Ethan Keppen is an intriguing pick for the Canucks 4NHL games: Rafferty (2), DiPietro (1), Teves (1).

Vasili Podkolzin has returned to Russia, but Nils Hoglander is here and Vancouver Province: LOADED: 06.25.2019 he’s very intriguing. And so is, Ethan Keppen, who is beyond interesting.

The Vancouver Canucks’ annual development camp commences Tuesday at UBC and three days of practice and evaluation should give the NHL club and its fans an opportunity to asses those pushing for a place in the organization and those selected in the 2019 draft.

While Podkolzin was the focal point of Friday’s pursuit — the big Russian winger was selected 10th overall and is under contract in the KHL the next two seasons — the Saturday selections that included Hoglander in the second round and Keppen in the fourth should command attention.

The Canucks had the 102nd pick and traded down to 122nd — picking up the 175th selection in the process — to take Keppen. Aside from 59 points (30-29) in 68 games with Flint Firebirds of the OHL, the 6-foot-2, 212 pound left winger immediately struck a chord with the locals.

He wants to emulate Matthew Tkachuk, the productive and agitating Calgary Flames winger, and also play like Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn. That would be quite the package.

Keppen had 18 even-strength goals last season to rank third among OHL draft-eligible forwards and his 18 primary assists at even strength placed him second in the junior loop. So his stats and stature, despite a stride that needs some work for explosiveness, caught the Canucks’ eye.

“It was the combination of size and skating and courage to want to get to the net,” said Canucks general manger Jim Benning. “We’re happy to get him and work with him.”

Fourth-round picks haven’t had a history of panning out for the Canucks.

You have to go way back to find one when Ronnie Stern was selected in 1986. Before that, it was Wendell Young in 1981, in 1980 and Harold Snepsts in 1974. Defenceman Jack Rathbone (2017) did have 22 points (7-15) in 33 rookie games with Harvard last season, so there is some hope on the fourth-round horizon.

As for the camp, 26 players will attend. Eight are invitees and 18 are in the Canucks’ organization.

Vancouver Canucks’ Development Camp

(There is no admission charge for fans)

Tuesday

9:15 a.m. — 10:05 a.m.: Forwards on-ice practice.

10:20 a.m. — 11:05 a.m.: Forwards and defencemen on-ice practice.

11:20 a.m. — 12:15 p.m.: Defencemen on-ice practice.

WEDNESDAY

9:15 a.m. — 10:05 a.m.: Defencemen on-ice practice.

10:20 a.m. — 11:05 a.m.: Forwards and defencemen on-ice practice.

11:20 a.m. — 12:15 p.m.: Forwards on-ice practice.

THURSDAY

9:15 a.m. — 10:05 a.m.: Forwards on-ice practice.

10:20 a.m. — 11:05 a.m.: Forwards and defenceman on-ice practice.

11:20 a.m. — 12:15 p.m.: Defencemen on-ice practice.

CAMP BY THE NUMBERS 1148548 Vancouver Canucks “I knew there was a (trade) possibility and I had to look at it pretty realistically,” said Miller. “I wasn’t surprised but when you sign long term, you get the assumption that you’re going to be there a long time. But From Torts to AV to Tampa, Miller is well prepared for scrutiny when a deal came along that made sense for both teams, I knew I could be the guy.”

The move brings with it a lot of changes, on and off the ice. Ben Kuzma Miller will have to move away from the No. 10 jersey he wore in both New York and Tampa — he admired Ron Francis and John LeClair while growing up — as the Canucks’ have Pavel Bure’s No. 10 raised in the J.T. Miller played for and Alain Vigneault in New York and rafters of Rogers Arena. in front of those leather-lunged fanatics in Madison Square Garden. And of course there are those gruelling six-game road trips — as So, whether from behind the bench or the stands, the newest member of opposed to those one-hour flights in the Eastern Conference. the Vancouver Canucks got an earful when the versatile forward wasn’t meeting expectations. It didn’t happen often because consistency of When he is home Miller will have his hands full on the home front. effort has become his NHL calling card. Miller and his wife, Natalie, are parents of two girls in Scottlyn, 14 Miller doesn’t expect to succumb to the scrutiny that comes with playing months, and Scarlett, six weeks. in a Canadian market, even though he’s pencilled in as a linemate for Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser and as a down-low power play “It’s been a pretty wild ride the last couple of years,” he understated. “But presence. there’s a lot of positivity and a lot of support to make this move as easy as possible. And if you have a group that buys in, you’re going to have So, whether in New York or Tampa, where the talent-rich Lightning won chance to make the playoffs.” the President’s Trophy this past season with 128 points but were swept in first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the 26-year-old Miller has seen Vancouver Province: LOADED: 06.25.2019 it all. Yelling from the coach? Scrutiny from the media or fans? Bring it on.

“For sure,” Miller said Monday. “Those coaches were demanding and I’m looking forward to this opportunity in an awesome city like Vancouver and the first time out of the country is going to be exciting.”

Especially flanking Pettersson and Boeser and figuring into the power play that has potential to rocket from 22nd (17.2 per cent) to at least top half of the league. Miller saw first-unit time in Tampa with an alignment that finished first overall at 28.2 per cent efficiency. So, should we expect at least 25 goals?

“I never want to be satisfied with where I’m at and I thought last year was one of my most consistent with playing a complete game,” added Miller, who averaged 14:40 of playing time. “As far a ceiling, I have a good enough shot to get more than the low 20s in goals, but I don’t want to put a number on it.”

What he can put into perspective is a game that should suit Pettersson and Boeser, and get the Canucks away from rotating wingers for the dynamic duo.

“I can bring physicality and a forecheck presence and obviously I’m trying to get the puck in their hands,” stressed Miller. “They’re super talented and guys I definitely watch and am in awe of what they can do at such a young age. I’ve learned a lot with awesome leadership groups and want to be the guy that young guys can look up to.

“If I get that opportunity, it’s getting pucks back to them with my size and get to the net and create as much room as possible. I’ve had experience in playing on lines one through four with the Rangers and Tampa and one of the strong suits of my game is that I can play with anybody. And with Tampa on the power play, I moved down to the goal and net-front spot and jelled with the first unit right away.

“The last couple of years I’ve really been comfortable on the goal-line and learned a lot of things.”

Miller, who was acquired Saturday from the cash-strapped Lightning, had a pair of 22-goal seasons with the Rangers on a line with Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello. They selected the 6-foot-1, 218 pound East Palestine, Ohio native 11th overall in the 2011 draft and moved him to Tampa in a multiplayer swap in February of 2018.

He’s coming off a 47-point season in which he moved up and down a deep lineup and was often a third-line, right-wing staple with Anthony Cirelli and Alex Killorn. Although he had just 13 goals in 75 games, he set a career-high for power play points (20), while his assists (34) matched a career high and his points (47) were the second-highest of his career.

However, with 93-point restricted free-agent centre Brayden Point expected to pocket a rich extension, there wasn’t room for Miller’s contract that has four more seasons at a US$5.25 million annual cap hit.

For the Bolts, it was about dollars and sense because they finished the season just US$1.7 million under the cap ceiling. For Miller, it was about incentive. 1148549 Websites RFA star winger Timo Meier, and 56-point man, RFA winger Kevin Labanc.

It’s going to be a fascinating week to be sure. The Athletic / LeBrun Notebook: Pavelski visiting teams this week, latest on Marner talks and more Latest on Mitch Marner talks

One way or another we’re heading for a rather dramatic week on the Mitch Marner front. As I tweeted on Saturday, which caused some By Pierre LeBrun Jun 24, 2019 consternation in Leafs Nation, the Marner camp expects to hear from a few teams come Wednesday when the RFA speaking period opens. The Maple Leafs know this and are ready for anything. Leafs GM Kyle Dubas Two summers ago, the San Jose Sharks had this dance with two raised eyebrows Thursday in Vancouver when he told reporters he may cornerstone veterans. not necessarily match an offer sheet to Marner, that maybe he would take the picks. That might have been designed to startle Marner a bit, One stayed and one left. make him realize that there’s an actual chance he won’t be a Maple Leaf Joe Thornton thought long and hard about Toronto’s interest but decided if this doesn’t get resolved, or maybe Dubas was simply stating the truth he couldn’t leave the Sharks. Patrick Marleau got the third year on his given his cap situation. contract with the Maple Leafs that the Sharks wouldn’t offer and was But I also think part of why some teams will come calling Wednesday if intrigued by the young, talented squad in Toronto. So he jumped at the Marner still hasn’t re-signed with the Leafs is that they want to know chance. officially from agent Darren Ferris what it would take to get in the ball Now it’s Joe Pavelski’s turn to swallow hard and make a big career game contract-wise. And here’s where this thing could go a few different decision. The Sharks captain is entering the UFA speaking period for the ways: I do think some teams, if they think they can sign Marner, would first time in his sparkling career and the phone rang off the hook for agent prefer trading for his rights rather than going the offer sheet route (as an Dan Plante on Sunday. aside, as of Saturday no team had made the Leafs a trade offer for Marner). Think of how former Leafs GM Brian Burke acquired Phil Kessel There are visits set up for Pavelski this week with a couple of teams. from Boston. He threatened the Bruins with an offer sheet before getting him the natural way via trade instead. It could be that the Leafs and “It’s been fascinating and interesting so far,’’ Pavelski, 34, said. “We’ll go another team find more common ground on a traditional trade for Marner check out a few teams.’’ rather than the offer sheet route. But certainly, the door remains open for a return to San Jose if both sides I also have to think that the Leafs give it another shot in signing Marner can figure out their impasse. over the next few days, put something in front of his camp again that “Yeah we’ll see how that goes,’’ Pavelski said. “Maybe I come back. I makes them think. I spoke this weekend with one rival agent who has don’t know.’’ nothing to do with any of this. He thinks the magic contract figure is six years with a $10-million AAV. It’s a bit more than the Leafs probably want In fact, it’s believed Plante and Sharks GM Doug Wilson spoke again on to go, less than what the Marner camp probably wants, but still pays him Sunday afternoon, so the dialogue remains open which is at least good more than the Hart Trophy winner in Nikita Kucherov ($9.5 million) and even if it may or may not lead to a resolution. also term-wise gets him off the same cycle as Auston Matthews’ five-year deal which is a good thing for Toronto. The Leafs no doubt would rather It’s really all wide-open right now as far as how it plays out between now go seven or eight years with Marner, but again, this is about compromise. and next Monday’s opening of free agency. Will we see compromise from either side this week? Nobody involved would comment on which teams have shown the most Blackhawks plans interest in Pavelski but other leagues sources suggest he may visit Dallas and Tampa this week. My sense is the Blackhawks don’t plan on a lot of UFA action early this week but that could change later in the week. A source suggested the The Stars would be a nice fit, a team on the rise that had a strong Hawks are more focused on trades early this week. And I think part of season, and has enough cap space for Pavelski with Jason Spezza gone that is that the term it’s going to take to sign most UFAs on the market and pending UFA Mats Zuccarello still unsigned. The Lightning? I’m not isn’t terribly appealing to a Chicago team that has a good cap situation. A sure how exactly they could fit Pavelski in with their cap situation even year from now, the Hawks don’t want to be in a position to have to shed with J.T. Miller gone and Ryan Callahan’s contract more or less no longer assets just to sign their RFAs. So for now it’s about trades where there a factor; they still have Brayden Point to sign among other players. But are players out there with shorter terms left on their contracts. But Pavelski is such an attractive add, I can see why Tampa would want to at obviously, if that doesn’t work out, the UFA market will also come into least try. play. I also think Buffalo is among the teams that called the Pavelski camp but William Karlsson’s new contract the Sabres don’t have a site visit scheduled with Pavelski. William Karlsson, once he signs his deal, will be a Vegas Golden Knight It’s believed the crux of the impasse in talks with San Jose revolves for eight years at a $5.9 million AAV per season. It’s a team-friendly deal around term though neither side is revealing anything on that. But that’s in terms of the cap hit but where the club grudgingly had to move was on my sense. term where the max was really important to the 26-year-old Karlsson. He Much like Marleau two years ago, I suspect San Jose doesn’t want to do absolutely loves it in Las Vegas and wanted to hammer down his future more than two years while the Pavelski camp probably wants three there. So both sides gave in this deal. I think one of the reasons years. Karlsson’s camp, led by agent Micheal Deutsch, couldn’t push too hard on AAV is that the Knights weren’t bluffing in hinting if both sides couldn’t And I don’t blame either side for their respective stances. come to an agreement they probably would be forced to deal him. I mean, Wilson was proven right on Marleau. That third year the winger Because a one-year salary arbitration contract, which is what he did last got in Toronto at $6.25 million cost the Leafs a first-round pick to dispatch summer, would walk him to UFA status in a year. No way Vegas was to Carolina this past weekend. Now the Hurricanes hope to convince going to allow that. In the end, the Knights get a player they really value Marleau to play for them but if they can’t, they will most likely buy him out locked up for a long time and the player gets to play out his career in a and make him UFA which could pave the way for a cheaper fit and a place he’s fallen in love with. Hard to argue with any of it. return to San Jose. Schenn hopes work with Oates leads to new deal

On the flip side, the ever-productive Pavelski scored 38 goals this past Not every free agent gets to know his fate on July 1. Others wait longer. season and he’s one of the league’s ultimate gamers. He’s coming off a That’s probably going to be the case for UFA blueliner . five-year, $30-million deal which carried at $6-million cap hit. No doubt Let’s see if a team takes a flyer on the 29-year-old, who bounced around his camp feels he deserves a raise, even if he does turn 35 on July 11. the Anaheim and Vancouver organizations this past season. He’s not And no question the Sharks are up against it cap-wise after Erik only working his ass off right now to get ready for next season but he’s Karlsson’s big extension plus the fact they also have Thornton to re-sign, also done some work with skills guru Adam Oates. “When I got traded and started in (AHL) Utica, I decided to give Adam Oates a call to try and give myself one more chance to work my way back into the NHL,” Schenn said. “He believed in me and thought I could work my way back up and be effective in today’s NHL if I changed some things in my game. One of them was finding a way to move the puck better, a 5-10 foot pass I needed to improve on and as well as putting myself in better positions around the ice to close plays out defensively. A lot of people think it’s just how you skate but he taught me it’s actually how you think the game and putting yourself in better positions around the ice to have success where skating won’t be an issue. Ultimately he gave me confidence that I could make these plays.”

Schenn said he’s been on the ice with Oates all summer.

“He was a huge help for me in working back to the NHL and playing games down the stretch,” Schenn said. “I feel good about the way things ended in Vancouver but I feel this is just the start of working with him and feel very motivated to improve and am working to get back to the level where I was projected to be.’’

For a bargain price, this guy seems like a logical gamble. Teams can never have enough D depth.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148550 Websites until your bantam season. It’s hard to imagine such a thing occurring today.

My mom was a figure-skating pro and she ran the figure-skating and The Athletic / Duhatschek: Q&A with Todd Warriner on what it takes to power-skating programs for our town and a couple of other towns nearby. go from draft pick to NHL regular When I was 10 or 12 years old, she would say to me, ‘you need to arch your back and get your posture stronger from the middle.’ So now I’m in bantam and we’re in the Ontario finals and we’re playing a team from By Eric Duhatschek Jun 24, 2019 Napanee and it was so long ago that they were wearing Cooperalls. My old coach had the game burned from a VHS onto to a DVD and said, ‘go

watch this, you won’t believe it.’ I was a major peewee playing bantam For any prospect leaving the NHL Draft this past weekend, the most and I’m seeing myself and thinking, ‘mom is right – I’m skating too far dangerous assumption was that this the completion of a journey. The fact bent over.’ I corrected that in the years before I played pro, but just is, this is just the start. seeing yourself, like that, on a video, for the first time, I had no idea – of how I skated, or even of the way I looked in my equipment. A total of 217 players were chosen over a two-day period in Vancouver, but even in the deepest, most successful drafts in history, only a small With kids today, that’s just commonplace. Once you see yourself enough, percentage ever play regularly in the NHL. The rest could find work on you develop an awareness of how you move – and they’re doing it when the fringes of the NHL, or in the minors, or possibly even in Europe. they’re eight years old. They can see, ‘oh wow, I have a wide stance. Or my strides aren’t long enough. Or I’m too hunched over’ – whatever it But for the majority, the closest they’ll ever come to realizing their NHL might be. And they can correct themselves way earlier. But for me, I first dream was when they were handed a sweater on the draft floor and then time I saw myself on video, it was like a light-bulb moment. invited to a team’s development camp, some of which are starting this week. It was hard, heavy game when you first arrived in the NHL, and frequently, that disqualified smaller, skilled players from consideration. Once on the scene, they will hear some version of the aforementioned When it comes to scouting teenagers in the current era, is that the single sober warning – that the real work starts now. biggest change – a greater appreciation put on skill, no matter how big a player might be? What they’ve done to this point gets a foot in the door. It will be up to them to subsequently barge through. Think of how many players you know and covered in the 80s, who were overlooked because they were just under six-foot, or their stick was too Few understand the challenges that lie ahead better than Todd Warriner. short, or for some other reason that today would be thought of as Those of a certain age will remember that Warriner was chosen fourth ridiculous. The minor leagues in the 80s and 90s were filled with players overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1992 draft. But then, before he who were really good, but they were 5-8, 5-9, 5-10 – or defensemen who ever played an NHL game, Warriner’s rights were traded to the Toronto were under six feet, who could play now. Maple Leafs in the blockbuster Wendel Clark-for-Mats Sundin deal. Overall, I would say all of today’s kids are better earlier. You can’t rely on Now 45, Warriner played in a different era – just as the NHL was moving one or two skills. You have to have four or five, just to get to the point from high-octane offense to the dead-puck decade. That, in turn, obliged where people are watching you. But I also think it’s easier to rule out Warriner to reinvent himself as a player on the fly. players now. If a kid struggles to skate, he might have good technique and might be a good athlete and people think they can alter him, or A high-scoring junior (224 points in 162 games), he ended up becoming change him, but if you look at a 19- or 20-year-old and he doesn’t skate a reliable two-way forward as a pro. pretty well now, it’s tough to think he’s going to make the transition to the NHL, because it’s that much quicker again. In all, Warriner played 453 NHL games for six teams and scored the first- ever goal in the Air Canada Centre. He also played four seasons in You were telling me that in your son’s bantam year, you could see the Europe and now works for Rogers Sportsnet as an analyst on their junior process of weaning out players starting already – because small may be hockey telecasts. OK, but timid isn’t.

But Warriner’s journey wasn’t without its challenges and he shared some On that team, we had all these nice kids, who could skate and were of the insights he gleaned along the way. pretty keen, and then all of a sudden, there’s body checking. So now, we’re going into bantam and we’re not the biggest team and it changed I want to know about the challenges of becoming an NHL pro as opposed the whole dynamic altogether. And it wasn’t even because a guy was to just an NHL draft choice and I remember you once telling me that the small, it was because he was timid. So, as you move up in the levels, you difference between junior hockey and the NHL isn’t much anymore – the have to adapt. Some kids fall off. Some kids don’t. But you really can’t same game, but just played at a little different pace. But that was not the predict that. That’s a hard thing. You see a kid who’s small and skates case when you were breaking in, right? well and is competitive, but if he doesn’t like to go get the puck if there’s No, when I came up, junior was a wide-open game. Then I got to the a guy there who’s going to hit him, it isn’t going to work. And it’s hard to NHL and everybody’s checking and trapping. It was a different game and see that coming. it wasn’t my thing. Like so many guys, I had to adapt quickly to a very The things that worked for you in junior in the 1990s didn’t necessarily different, changing game. Plus, I’d come from the (Canadian) national translate in the NHL, which obliged you to adapt? How did you manage team, and we’d been to the gold-medal game (at the 1992 Olympics), but to do that? now, here I was in Toronto. People were so upset that Wendel was gone and I was coming the other way. All of a sudden, I realized I had to get My usual joke is that you just needed to spend about three hours around my act together. Pat Burns to know exactly what it’s going to take to stay in the league. It really was that simple for me. I remember going to the minors and I was Nowadays, teams are predisposed to put untried youngsters into their playing for Tom Watt and I learned a lot from him. He didn’t love me as a lineups far more readily than when you broke in. What was that player because I was pretty high risk and kind of all over the ice a lot of “apprenticeship” like? times. Coaches back then wanted structure – and they wanted to check There was a general feeling around the league at the time that young and they wanted to trap and they wanted you to play more robotically and players had to pay their dues and I was fine with that. I went to the that was OK. I understand that now as a coach too. But I wasn’t that type minors for two years and when I finally got my chance, I felt I was ready. of player. And with Burnsy, it was always pretty cut-and-dried. My second Junior was all about: ‘How fast can I go and how many can I get? In the training camp, when I got cut in Collingwood, he said, ‘the game doesn’t NHL, it was ‘no, you gotta check, you gotta stay above the puck.’ owe you anything.’ Eventually, those were the things that kept me in the game, but these In my time, you basically had to look at the team you’re with and say: were things I never really considered doing at the start of my career. ‘What does it need? How can I help?’ It becomes pretty apparent quickly People sometimes enjoy a discussion of then versus now because there to a lot of kids from junior that, ‘wow, this is a good league, with a lot of are always lessons to be learned from the past. When you were just a good players.’ And you have to figure out if you are going to be one of kid, coming through the ranks, you hadn’t even seen yourself on video those good players. Many of us gain wisdom as we age. To me, the idea of essentially reinventing yourself as a role player when you’re just out of your teens can’t have been easy and would have required some genuine self- assessment. Can you isolate the factors that made that possible?

If I had to look at one thing, I think it was because I wasn’t all that stubborn. I feel like a lot of guys that I played with before who were really good juniors weren’t as willing to change their games. You think: ‘I got 100 points three times. I should be on the power play.’ In the end, because I could skate, I could play it either way. Other guys weren’t as lucky that way. But I was also willing to learn – and just wanted to make it badly enough that I was willing to do whatever it took.

A lot of others were maybe pigheaded that way – and wouldn’t change and didn’t play as long. The biggest thing with my generation was ‘are you willing to adapt?’ And then, ‘can you figure out what that adaption looks like?’ But that’s a hard thing sometimes with kids.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148551 Websites Duchene looks like a tweener top six center – one that would be elite on a second line but arguably outmatched on a top line. He projects to be a first line center over the next two seasons, but not an above average The Athletic / By the numbers: Evaluating the 2019 free agency class one, ranking 28th in the league per his GSVA (and not that much higher than Kevin Hayes either). Forget $9-million per season over seven years – Duchene likely isn’t worth that salary right now. With Duchene being 28 years old, things only get worse from there and over the majority of a By Dom Luszczyszyn Jun 24, 2019 lengthy contract would likely only provide second line value. His rumored ask would be an overpayment.

“Nothing good happens after 2 a.m.” It’s one of the many lessons offered Duchene has always been held in high regard as one of the league’s by the sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” – a rule to live by to avoid bad better players, but his results have lagged behind his reputation. Last decisions in your late 20’s and early 30’s. NHL front offices should have year was a high mark for his production, but it came off a bloated 18 its own version to avoid bad decisions on players in their late 20’s and percent shooting percentage that Duchene is unlikely to repeat. He’s early 30’s: “Nothing good happens after June 30.” blazingly fast and a gifted puck-handler, putting up decent point totals as a result, but he struggles to drive play like you’d expect from a top-flight That should be the motto for NHL free agency, but instead, it’s billed as a center (especially one who is excellent at entering the zone with control) frenzy where teams sell their fans on the hope of a brighter future, which due to his defensive struggles. Duchene has only had one season in his is rarely the case. There are of course exceptions to the rule, but more career where his team has outshot the other with him on the ice. often than not, no other day creates more future headaches and costly mistakes than July 1. Part of that is the fact that Duchene has never really had a strong support system. That’s why his “difficulty” rating is so high: it’s hard to do well It’s a day where players have all the power while on the downswing of when you play for a bottom five teams year-after-year and to his credit, their career creating future cap problems for their new home. What he’s always been positive relative to his team, save for his brief stint in you’ve seen lately likely isn’t what you’ll get due to when players hit their Columbus. It’s possible his raw talent will shine much brighter on a peak in hockey, with prime age ending as player freedom increases. competitive team and that gives reason for optimism in signing him. It’s Peak season is in the past for the majority of players and it’s why all the also possible that slotting him as the top option on those teams was part leagues worst contracts are signed during this period. The silly season is of the problem. almost upon us. A team offering him $9 million or more likely expects him to be The Guy, It’s not all doom and gloom though. Some contracts work out OK and but it’s unlikely he can be that. He’s much better suited as a there’s even potential to steal players that fly under the radar. Here’s complementary piece, though it looks increasingly unlikely his new deal what to expect from the top free agents this summer, from the future will be commensurate of that. worst contracts in the league, to the deals that might just be OK, to the few exceptions to the rule that may actually pan out favorably. Projected Contract: $7.4M x 3 years

Evaluating the UFA Field At 35 years old, Pavelski is still a fantastic player that can bring the heat. Last season he scored 38 goals and was still pushing play in the right Forwards direction with a plus-2.8 percent expected goals rate relative to his team. He’s a goal-scorer who is one of the best in the league at creating high- Projected Contract: $11.2M x 8 years quality chances. Last season he was 20th in individual high danger With Erik Karlsson off of the market, Artemi Panarin is now alone at the chances per 60. top of the class as this year’s most prized offering. No other player The decline has already begun for Pavelski and it will likely only get available impacts the game more than Panarin who has seen a meteoric worse from here on out, though my model expects Pavelski to stay rise to superstardom since coming over to the NHL four seasons ago. In steady with where he was at the two seasons prior in 2019-20. After that, that time he has 320 points in 322 games. Only seven other players have the cliff begins and its imperative that the team signing him keeps the scored more points in that time frame. He’s incredible with the puck term short, though he’s at a high enough point that he should remain an leading to elite zone exit and entry numbers that make him an excellent effective player for the length of his contract. play-driver. Panarin is elite, and at 27, is still young-ish for an unrestricted free agent. He should still be a top line threat for the next two-to-three years and is worth upwards of $8 million in those seasons. Anything more than two-to- Panarin is the type of player where a big money, long-term commitment three years at his age is definitely a gamble. won’t lead to much regret. It’s very rare that a player of his caliber even makes it to the open market to begin with, a player that legitimately Projected Contract: $6.6M x 7 years moves the needle and can elevate a team to the next level. He’s worth it. There were many who wondered whether Anders Lee could maintain his Still, as with all UFAs, his best days are likely behind him (unless he ages value without John Tavares as his main pivot. He proved any detractors better due to starting his NHL career just four years ago, which is wrong last season scoring 28 goals while being one of the Islanders’ possible), and as long the team signing him understands that there strongest two-way players. It was a step back from the 40 goals he should be no issues. My model expects a three-to-four year window scored a year prior, but the drop-off there was worth it for his defensive where Panarin provides elite value before a slow decline in his 30’s. improvement. In 2017-18, Lee was a major defensive liability on a team Even then, Panarin should still be a top line player for the entirety of his that already struggled mightily in their own end but was much stronger contract. under new coach Barry Trotz. He may have been the Islanders’ most complete skater last season. That’s worth $9.8-million per season over seven years which is $700,000 lower than what Evolving Hockey projects on a seven-year deal (let’s His body of work defensively is still collectively below average though. face it, he’s probably not getting eight years since Columbus is the only The Isles may have allowed fewer goals against with him on the ice team that can offer such a deal). With elite talents, there’s more leeway compared to any other skater on the team last year, but the year prior in overpayments and Panarin is no exception as one of the league’s most they allowed the most. That variance isn’t all Lee (or Trotz for that dominant players. Even if he’s overpaid, he’s still providing immense matter), it’s mostly goaltending. His expected goals rate is much more value, which is not something you can say about other pending free indicative of his ability. There, he did improve year-over-year, but it was agents. from a ghastly rate in 2017-18, to a slightly above average one in 2018- 19. Projected Contract: $6.8M x 6 years Lee can score goals (1.13 5-on-5 goals-per-60 over the last three This is a contract that deeply concerns me. On a six-year deal, Evolving seasons, 16th in the league) and can drive play (plus-four percent Hockey pegs Duchene to be worth $6.8-million per season, while my relative expected goals rate) despite being a below average puck-carrier. model thinks he’s worth $6.7 million. Rumors are swirling that Duchene That’s thanks to strong offensive instinct, which should make him an will command significantly more than that on the open market: north of attractive commodity during free agency if the Islanders can’t manage to $9-million per season. It’ll be an extremely tough ask for him to live up to re-sign him. At age 29, what I’m most concerned about with any Lee that. contract is term. Lee projects to provide top-line value for only the next two seasons and top-six talent for three-to-four seasons after that. A top- That would give me plenty of pause with Ferland, but if he can be six forward at the projected price of $6.6 million is fine for five years, but surrounded by talented offensive drivers, he could still provide anything more and a team is paying $6.6 million or more in years six and underrated value in a team’s middle six at the right price. Those seven for a 35-year-old middle-six caliber forward. That wouldn’t be expecting and paying for more will be disappointed. good. Projected Contract: $4.3M x 4 years There’s also the chance that Lee’s contract year performance where he played like a bonafide top liner isn’t representative of his true talent. Ryan Dzingel had a career-high 56 points last season and I would bet a Before last year he was a tweener in the top six and regressing to that lot on him never approaching that total again. Not on a team that would point on top of a decline might make things uglier much faster than actually use him properly anyways. Ottawa didn’t have many options, projected here. forcing him into a top-six role with power play time. On an average team, Dzingel is probably a third liner with scoring punch that needs sheltering Projected Contract: $6.2M x 4 years due to his defensive shortcomings. Evolving Hockey projects a four-year deal worth $4.3-million per season, but that feels almost a million too For the entirety of Mats Zuccarello’s career, his teams have always been high. By year four, Dzingel will barely be a top-nine option and any deal better when he’s on the ice compared to the bench based on his relative longer than four years probably shouldn’t even be considered. shot metrics. Every season. Zuccarello has been a very underrated player through much of his career for that reason, but things likely get Projected Contract: $4.6M x 4 years less rosy from here for the 32-year-old, especially as his minutes start dropping. His higher than expected projected output from above is based After a career year in 2016-17 where Marcus Johansson notched 58 on the 19:51 he averaged last season, a mark he’s unlikely to reach on a points, the next two seasons haven’t been very strong. Both years have contending team. been mired in injury where he hasn’t been able to replicate the same scoring punch he showed with Washington. Scoring on 19 percent of While his relative metrics have been good, he’s been below 50 percent in your shots and getting a cushy gig as the net-front presence on the top expected goals share in three of the last four seasons. Being The Guy on power play will do a number on expectations, and Johansson hasn’t met a poor Rangers team certainly didn’t help, but he struggled even as a them since. It’s probably why he was viewed as expendable following complementary piece in the playoffs for his new team. The Stars carried that season. just a 45 percent expected goals share with Zuccarello on the ice, one of the worst marks among forwards. His 11 points in 13 games were great, Johnasson looks to be an average player, perfectly suitable for a team’s but five of those points were secondary assists. The fact the Stars got middle six. He scores a little more than average, but drives play a little out-chanced in his minutes was disappointing for a player that’s rarely worse. That latter fact is surprising because he’s very strong in transition been on the wrong side of that ledger. with excellent entry and exit numbers over the last few seasons. For teams that struggle to push the puck up ice with control, Johansson could Whether Zuccarello can continue to drive play as he ages is an important definitely be an asset. question now as that’s a large part of his game. My model is optimistic thanks to strong relative numbers and still considers him to be above I’d be wary with what teams will pay for all that and for how long though, average in that regard – and that’s in pretty difficult minutes too. A shift to especially after seeing him as part of a Stanley Cup final run with the a lesser role could increase his value further. Zuccarello remains one of Bruins on a strong third line. Three years with an average cap hit south of the game’s strongest playmakers and could eclipse 60 points with good $4.5 million is definitely manageable, but he’s projected to earn slightly health – he was on pace for 68 last season. more with an extra season tacked on, a season where he projects to be a low caliber third liner. While he should still be able to provide top-six value into his 30’s, there are cracks under the surface that make things a bit risky. That’s par for Projected Contract: $6.0M x 3 years the course for any deal involving a player over 30 though. Term will mean This feels like Patrick Marleau redux (which is funny now given Marleau a lot here. Evolving Hockey projects four years for him and for that was off-loaded to this very team), albeit with a much better play-driver length, he could still provide great value, especially if can be a positive actually worth the big money to start. Justin Williams is the heart of the influence on chance rates. Anything more would be a sizeable risk Hurricanes and still has an incredibly strong influence on shot rates at though. both ends of the ice. In that vein, he was practically made to be a Projected Contract: $5.6M x 6 years Hurricane and retire in Carolina. After his second straight 50-plus point season in Raleigh, it’s clear he can still pack a punch on the scoresheet. At 30 years old, term is the enemy for any Gustav Nyquist contract. He’s a decent second liner that drives offense coming off one of his career- At 37, the obvious concern is age and based on typical age curves it best seasons, but it’s all downhill from here and managing expectations looks like Williams should still have two very productive years providing with him is critical. Nyquist is a solid contributor and underrated for what top-six value left in the tank and a season after on the edge between he brings to the table, but it won’t be long until he’s out of a top-six role second and third line caliber. Based on the way he played the last few entirely. A contract under four years could be palatable, but anything seasons, I believe it. The key will be limiting term to one-or-two seasons. more could be a disaster in waiting depending on his cap hit. Anything more could be a costly mistake as the Leafs learned this weekend. Projected Contract: $4.1M x 4 years Projected Contract: $4.8M x 4 years Micheal Ferland is an effective middle-six option, a goal-scorer with size that teams generally covet. He’s particularly great at getting into Richard Panik gets a bit of a bad rep in hockey circles for his lack of dangerous areas and creating chances, though not so strong at drawing consistency, which is likely part of the reason he was shipped out of penalties and staying out of the box. Chicago two seasons ago. There are worse options than him in this free agency class though. Panik looks like an average player, who fits fine in Based on the contract projected for him, Ferland looks like he could be a team’s middle six. relatively affordable for his skill-set and should command more for what he brings to the table. At 27, age isn’t as large of a concern relative to What you’ll likely get is around 35-to-45 points with some penalty other UFA’s. differential issues, but the reason to be enamored with Panik has more to do with his play-driving ability where he’s very strong offensively and can But there’s a definite reason for reserved skepticism and that comes with hold his own defensively. Over the last couple seasons, Panik’s teams the difficulty of his minutes. Last year in Carolina, Ferland spent 69 carry a 52.6 percent expected goals percentage with him on the ice, but percent of his 5-on-5 time next to either Sebastian Aho or Teuvo that drops to 49 percent with him off. That difference is 66th best mark in Teravainen (or both). The year prior, it was 82 percent next to Johnny the league among forwards over the time frame. His 1.79 points-per-60 Gaudreau or Sean Monahan. He compliments and works well with great rate at 5-on-5 is also solid – and much of that was on a talent-depleted players, but there’s a chance that his strong results are the product of Arizona team. who he plays with and not actually his own ability. In 1385 minutes with those star players, Ferland’s teams have scored 3.42 goals-per-60. He’s not a sexy name, but he can help a team at the right price and term. Without them on the ice, that falls to 1.78 goals-per-60 in 438 minutes. That’s not Evolving Hockey’s projected $4.9-million per season over four Before becoming an option on the Flames top line, Ferland looked mostly years, but a little less could be workable. replaceable and it shows when he’s apart. Projected Contract: $5.0M x 5 years It feels like Wayne Simmonds’ reputation has faded with his dismal defenders drive play at both ends of the ice as well as Gardiner does and performance in Nashville after being acquired at the trade deadline, but his presence could be a huge addition to any team’s top four. Gardiner with the reborn infatuation with heavy hockey after a Blues’ Stanley Cup isn’t a No. 1 defenseman but could be a strong complement for years to victory, this contract has potential to be ugly. If he gets term it could be come. He should have top pair value for roughly the next five years. toxic. That’s the sweet spot for any Gardiner deal, especially if the cap hit Simmonds is projected to net $5-million per season for five years approaches $7 million. Anything more could be dicey as he declines into according to Evolving Hockey’s work and it’s debatable whether he’s a second pairing defender. Gardiner is 29 so age is definitely a concern even worth $5-million on a one-year deal. Over five, he’s likely worth just here. With his game centered around skill over brawn, there’s a chance more than half of that and he may not even last that long with the way his he ages more gracefully, though recent injury trouble could put a dent in career is heading. that.

Simmonds is no longer a viable top-six forward option at age 31 and it Projected Contract: $6.1M x 7 years won’t be long before he isn’t a viable top-nine option either. He can score goals and is a strong net-front presence, but part of both strengths is that It seems a lot of hockey men are still enamored by the extremely tall he’s given an opportunity to do so on the power play, an opportunity he Tyler Myers, despite the fact he’s been aggressively mediocre in arguably doesn’t deserve anymore. At 5-on-5, Simmonds’ game has Winnipeg with last season being a low point. When Myers was on the ice, declined immensely over the past few seasons as he struggles to drive the Jets carried a 48.2 percent expected goals rate, a pretty low mark for play and score at an above average rate. Over the last two season, his someone playing on the third pair. Myers can move the puck fine and is expected goals percentage of 47.6 percent was one of the worst rates on OK offensively, but is a turnstile at his own blue line and struggles Philadelphia and he was just as bad in Nashville. His points-per-60 of defensively as a result. Over the last three seasons, he’s allowed the 1.19 over the time frame is fourth line caliber. most expected goals against per 60 amongst Jets defenders.

Simmonds is just not the player he used to be, and unless he takes a And yet, Myers looks like he’s in line for a deal that will pay upwards of massive pay-cut relative to what’s expected, then his next contract will $6-million per season for a long time. With Myers one year away from likely be regrettable on day one. age 30, it doesn’t feel like a very strong bet as he’ll only get worse as the years wear on – and he’s already not at a high place to start. Projected Contract: $3.5M x 3 years At this point, my model figures Myers provides bottom pairing value and Brett Connolly does one thing well and one thing only: score goals. it’s only a matter of time before that value disintegrates further. There’s That’s despite not creating the best chances for himself with a below no larger discrepancy this offseason between my model’s projected average individual expected goals rate. market value and Evolving Hockey’s projected contract than Myers, who appears to be worth just over half of what he’s expected to get. Of all the In his time in Washington, Connolly scored on 18.9 percent of his shots contracts signed in July, it’s Myers’ that will arguably be the biggest at 5-on-5 and put in a career year last season with 46 points. That was poison pill right from the get-go. Teams expecting a top-four defenseman while playing 13:20 per night, which is actually a sizeable minute will likely be in for a rude awakening sooner rather than later. increase relative to his previous seasons. Connolly has evolved into a pretty efficient scorer in low minutes over the last few seasons, posting Projected Contract: $4.5M x 3 years 2.19 points-per-60 during his tenure in Washington – which is first-line caliber. Last year’s stunning 2.66 actually led all Capitals and was good At age 33 Anton Stralman isn’t what he used to be: a fancy stats darling for 17th in the league overall. that drives play to an elite degree. He’s still above average in that regard but took a major step back last year in an injury-riddled campaign. His 50 His poor defense is likely what’s keeping him from a bigger role, but his percent expected goals rate was the worst on Tampa Bay’s blue line and offensive upside suggests he’s deserving of more minutes. He could be a he was the only Lightning defenseman last season to be out-shot for the savvy pick-up for a team looking for depth scoring in its top nine with season at 5-on-5. It was only the second time since 2007-08 that’s potential for more upside. Connolly is a bit of a passenger, but in the right happened to him. spot and role could provide surprisingly good value. At his projected price, he could be the rare July bargain. I’d expect a small bounce-back for next season, but would be wary of last year being a sign of things to come going forward. He would need a large Projected Contract: $2.8M x 3 years bounce-back to be worth the contract projected to him, which would arguably be an over-payment by about $1-million per season. Joonas Donskoi never gets much love, but he’s been a strong under-the- radar player for the Sharks over the last two seasons, doing well in a Goalies bottom-six role. Few players drive play better than Donskoi does who is excellent at creating chances for himself and his teammates, as well as The Evolving Hockey twins don’t have contract projections for moving the puck up ice. The Sharks had a 58.2 percent expected goals goaltenders (which means I don’t either as my “market value” projections rate with Donskoi on the ice last season as a result, the highest on the are derived from their work), and I don’t have projections past this team and 4.4 percent better than when he was on the bench. For one of season (because that would be a hopeless venture) but I figured it would the best teams in the league in that regard, that’s seriously impressive. be worth mentioning a few of the big names. He’s a positive at both ends of the ice too. Sergei Bobrovsky had a down season by his standards, but a strong Part of what also makes Donskoi so underrated is his massive ability to stretch drive gave him his third straight season posting a save draw penalties while not taking many himself. Only 14 other players are percentage above expected. The prior two were to a massive degree as projected to do a better job on a per minute basis next season and that Bobrovsky was arguably the league’s best goalie during the time frame. could be a valuable asset to a team with strong special teams. My model uses the past three years and figures a return to form is in the cards, valuing Bobrovsky at 3.5 wins per 60 starts based on his output Donskoi may not score much but could be very useful for a team needing above expected, second only to John Gibson. middle-six depth that struggles to possess the puck and create chances. At under $3 million, he would be a steal. That makes Bobrovsky one of the league’s most valuable players on paper, but the volatility of goaltending means a smart team shouldn’t pay Defensemen him as such – or at least give out term for it. One only needs to look at the now onerous Carey Price contract for a perfect example. Projected Contract: $6.8M x 7 years Bobrovsky may be worth 3.5 wins on paper, but there’s far less certainty With Karlsson off the market, Jake Gardiner easily becomes the best in that figure than for a forward or a defenseman. With skaters, it’s much defenseman available. He was a whipping boy for many Leafs fans easier to project. With goalies, all expectations go out the window thanks throughout his tenure, but an injury that saw him miss the end of the to the year-to-year variance of the position. Bobrovsky could be worth 3.5 regular season and the Leafs struggles as a result, began to flip the wins, or 1.5 wins, or 5.5 wins, or anywhere in-between when all is said script and enlighten many to his value. and done at the end of the season, giving any long-term contract much Gardiner is a modern NHL defenseman, one who makes his due by less cost-certainty. Not to mention he’ll be 31 by the time puck drops in moving the puck up ice and he’s one of the league’s strongest in that October. regard. He’s also one of the league’s best playmakers on the back end and was a key part of what drove Toronto’s elite offense. Very few Bobrovsky is one of the best goalies in the league right now. He deserves to be paid like one. I would just be wary of being the team that does it, especially if it’s for a long time.

Just as we all expected at the start of the season: Robin Lehner was one of the best goalies in the league. Based on his career playing below expectations, it was a big shock, but of course, dealing with his issues away from the rink likely changed everything for Lehner. That obviously makes projections difficult for a model that’s agnostic to personal lifestyle changes.

Based on the last three seasons, Lehner is projected to be a goalie that meets expectations next season; nothing more, nothing less – aside from the massive variance that comes with goaltending. It’s a massive regression from his stellar 2018-19 campaign which is to be expected given how much he overachieved, but perhaps not a justified one with Lehner’s improved mental health. Time will tell, but it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Lehner use last season as a stepping stone into solidifying himself as a capable full-time starter.

Back in 2015, it seemed like Petr Mrazek was going to be one of the game’s top starters, posting stellar numbers for Detroit, but his career derailed a bit in the following two seasons. In 2016 and 2017, he was as bad as he was good the two years prior. The Hurricanes took a gamble with his acquisition last summer, but it paid off as he posted a positive season above expected and was the key to their elite stretch drive.

With goalies being so volatile, I’m not sure Mrazek’s decent 40 games last season were enough to cement him as a legitimate starter though. My model still projects him to post a save percentage slightly below expected. Any contract with significant term would be risky.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148552 Websites That’s more like it. The Wings gave us our first true stunner at number six by taking German defenseman Mortiz Seider, who’d been rated as a late- first pick on most of the major lists, if that.

The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Rating the biggest stories and Was it a bad pick? We won’t know for a while and Yzerman has moments from draft weekend on the Surprise Scale obviously earned some benefit of the doubt over the years. If you think a guy is the best player on the board, and you can’t find a way to trade down, then that’s who you take. By Sean McIndoe Jun 24, 2019 But a surprise? I’d say so. And Seider himself seemed to think so too.

Surprise scale: 95/100. I gave it a few bonus points for the bow tie. The best kind of NHL Draft is one that surprises us. We spend weeks and months figuring out exactly what should happen, and who’s going to The rest of the first round wind up where and it’s always more fun to be wrong. Whether it’s a big As always, there were a handful of picks that had people scratching their trade, an off-the-board pick, or some unexpected breaking news, the best heads and a few others that seemed to represent great value. The Oilers draft weekend moments are the ones that leave you wondering what just made some of their fans mad by picking Philip Broberg, but they’d hinted happened. at that for weeks and Oilers fans are always mad about something, so no How did the 2019 edition do? The short answer: Not bad. For the longer surprise points there. The Canucks went high-risk/high-reward in front of answer, let’s break out the surprise scale and see just how good a job the hometown fans with Vasili Podkolzin. The Coyotes moved up to No. this year’s draft did of delivering the unexpected. 11 to grab Victor Soderstrom, a player not many lists had ranked in that tier and the Panthers grabbed goaltender Spencer Knight at No. 13 even Gary Bettman gets booed though we all assume they’re going to throw seven years at Sergei Bobrovsky next week. Fans booing is part of the fun of the first round. There are even parts of the evening that seem specifically designed to encourage it, like the Meanwhile, the Canadiens had sharpshooter Cole Caufield fall into their traditional roll call that seems to be there just so the local fans can boo lap at No. 15, which isn’t a joke about him being small but maybe should the teams they hate the most. (This year’s winners: Toronto and Boston, have been. The Sabres got solid value in Dylan Cozens at the seven with honorable mention to Chicago, Edmonton and Calgary.) spot and our Scott Wheeler loved the Knights’ pick of Peyton Krebs, even though it was a little jarring to see Krebs rolling around backstage due to But the main event is always Gary Bettman, who continues to insist on an Achilles injury. And projected mid-first pick Arthur Kaliyev fell all the appearing in front of fans who clearly don’t want to see him. This year’s way to the Kings early in Round 2, part of a solid weekend of work for reception was especially bad, as we all knew it would be. The fans gave Los Angeles. it to him with both barrels when he first appeared; while you could hear him on TV, he was completely drowned out in the arena. The boos Surprise scale: 50/100. Standard stuff, but lots to talk about. continued all Friday night as he did that weird thing where he shows up between every pick to tell us who’s next even though we can all see the No player trades in the first round giant logo on the scoreboard. In the days leading up to the draft, we’d heard that there was plenty of Surprise scale: 0/100. Only because the scale doesn’t go any lower. trade talk. We hear that every year, sure, but the buzz did seem louder than usual this time. But then Friday night came and went and there was Bettman brings backup nothing. Bettman only got to do his patented “We have a trade to announce” move once, and that was just for the Flyers and Coyotes In an admittedly funny bit, Bettman responded to the initial wave of boos flipping picks. by acting flustered, trying to talk over them and eventually wandering away from the podium. The crowd loved that, thinking that they’d actually Mix in the lack of drama at the top of the draft and only the Red Wings driven him off the stage, only to see him return with reinforcements: truly going off the board, and it made for a Friday night that was kind of, Henrik and Daniel Sedin. well, dull. The first round accomplished what it needed to, but if you tuned in looking for fireworks, you came away disappointed. I mean, there’s really no way to sugarcoat this. This was a full-fledged heel turn by the Sedins, right? They just aligned themselves with the The question was whether that was just setting the stage for Day 2 … sworn enemy of their fan base. This is the NHL equivalent of Stone Cold shaking hands with Vince McMahon. Sorry, Canucks fans, the Sedins Surprise scale: 40/100 hate you now. That’s just how this works. Patrick Marleau to the Hurricanes

In related news, how great would it have been if Bettman had come back We’ve long known that the Leafs were trying to move out from under the out with Mark Messier instead? last year of Marleau’s deal and that it was looking likely to happen. But Surprise scale: 22.33/100 the deal with the Hurricanes still raised a few eyebrows. You figured the Leafs would have to retain a big chunk of a salary, maybe pay his July 1 The top two picks signing bonus and throw in a bit of a sweetener to close the deal. Instead, they shed the entire thing but had to pay a ransom to do it, There wasn’t much intrigue around the top two picks, beyond some mild sending a protected 2020 first rounder to Carolina. (and mostly forced) speculation over whether the Devils might throw a curveball and go with Kaapo Kakko over Jack Hughes. They didn’t, You can see the logic for both sides. The Hurricanes use cash and cap making the expected pick with Hughes and the Rangers grabbed Kakko. space to buy a valuable draft pick. The Leafs get out from a contract that So far, so good. looked bad on the day it was signed and only got worse over the course of last season. Toronto’s cap crunch has been well documented and Surprise scale: 10/100 something had to give. That something ended up being a first and that’s The rest of the top five a tough price to pay for a team that’s going to need plenty of young players on entry-level deals for the next few years. Clearly, the Leafs For months, we’d heard that the real action would start with Chicago at decided it was better to grit their teeth and pay full price to unload the number three. And it did, sort of, with the first genuine suspense of the whole deal rather than going halfway. What they can do with the cap draft. The Hawks ended up grabbing Kirby Dach in a minor surprise with space now will determine whether they were right. Bowen Byram and Alex Turcotte available. The Avalanche and Kings quickly got us back on track by grabbing them. Surprise scale: 60/100

Surprise scale: 20/100. Man, so far this thing is barely warmed up. Come The big one: P.K. Subban to the Devils on, somebody go off the board. The Marleau deal was only a few minutes old when it was shoved out of The Red Wings go off the board the spotlight by a far bigger one. And this time, we even got the dramatic build, with reports that Subban had been traded but we didn’t know where, followed by news about who wasn’t involved, the revelation that the Devils were the destination and then finally the details of the deal. And the details were pretty stunning because the Devils got Subban for THE PREDATORS JUST TOOK A FIVE MINUTE TIMEOUT TO next to nothing. A warm body, a passable prospect and two seconds isn’t FURTHER DEBATE THE…179TH OVERALL PICK IN THE DRAFT. much of a price to pay for a Norris winner, even one coming off of a THEY WERE IMMEDIATELY BOOED FOR IT. RIGHTFULLY SO. shaky season. Subban doesn’t come cheap at $9 million a year, but with only three years left on his deal, the Devils aren’t locked in forever here. &MDASH; АRPON BASU (@ARPONBASU) JUNE 22, 2019 For a team with two recent first overall picks but a lack of in-their-prime Surprise scale: 85/100. Until I remember that it takes guys in my fantasy star power beyond Taylor Hall, it was a swing they had to take. football league 20 minutes to pick a player who was already taken nine (As an added bonus, for some reason the NHL waited about an hour to rounds ago: Surprise scale: 10/100 actually announce the trade to an audience that clearly already knew all Everything else that didn’t happen about it. I’ve never heard a bigger trade announced to zero reaction.) No Rasmus Ristolainen trade. Nothing on Jesse Puljujarvi, despite his From the Predators’ perspective, this trade is more about cap space than trade demand. No deals involving Phil Kessel or Kris Letang. Nothing all the return and we can’t really evaluate it until we find out how much of that new around those Blue Jackets’ free agents. Tyson Barrie didn’t end that space David Poile is going to throw at Matt Duchene or whoever up going to the Canucks or anywhere else. Nothing on the Mitch Marner else. For now, let’s just say it was a genuine “wow” moment on a front, which is probably news on its own given where that all seems to be weekend that didn’t have many. headed. Nothing involving Colin Miller or Nazim Kadri or Shayne Surprise scale: 80/100 Gostisbehere or a Flames’ defenseman or a Hurricanes’ defenseman. Jason Zucker wasn’t even traded, which I’m pretty sure is the first The Canucks did a thing weekend in a while where that’s been the case.

While everyone was still digesting the Subban news, word circulated that That’s all to be expected – every draft has a ton of big names who are the Canucks were going to acquire J.T. Miller from Tampa Bay for draft rumored to be on the block and they can’t all move. There’s still a full picks. That seemed about right. He’s a decent player, the Canucks can week to go before free agency and no doubt plenty of conversations that use some middle-six help up front and the Lightning needed to shed cap took place over the weekend could circle back over the next few days. space. The rebuilding Canucks aren’t in a great position to be trading The offseason is far from over. away picks, but you need players too, so deploy your assets as best you can. Still, it was hard to leave Vancouver without feeling like the draft had been a bit of a letdown, at least in terms of big surprises. It was a great Then we found out that they gave up a first-round pick. weekend, the Canucks did a nice job hosting and the city was wonderful. But we wanted a few blockbusters, and at most we only got one. Granted, it’s a lottery-protected pick. But only kind of, because if the Canucks don’t make the playoffs next year, the pick becomes an YOU WOULDN’T THINK A DRAFT DURING WHICH PK SUBBAN WAS unprotected first in 2021. Will the Canucks be bad by then? They TRADED WOULD BE BORING AS HELL, YET HERE WE ARE. obviously hope not, and they probably shouldn’t be, given the young talent already on the roster. But this is the NHL and things happen. Ask &MDASH; MARK LAZERUS (@MARKLAZERUS) JUNE 22, 2019 the Sabres or Coyotes how long it takes to get back to the playoffs, even Lack-of-surprise scale: 75/100 when you’re pretty sure you should be close. Some huge move happening three minutes after this story comes out It’s a risk. And it’s a risk that doesn’t seem worth taking to add a decent and rendering it out-of-date before you read it. player from a team that was under pressure to cut his cap hit. It’s hard not to go the cynic’s route and point out that if the Canucks miss the Wait for it … playoffs this year, Jim Benning probably isn’t around to worry about the Surprise scale: 0/100. But try to act surprised. 2021 first. Or maybe he’s just really confident in his team, or in Miller, or both. But man, it’s a risk. The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 Or, to put it a little bit more succinctly:

To summarize, Saturday morning saw deals involving P.K. Subban, J.T. Miller and the unloading of a year of Patrick Marleau’s contract and only Subban didn’t cost a first-round pick. The NHL is strange sometimes.

Bad trade scale: 85/100

Surprise scale, given who made the deal: 25/100

The league finishing the draft without a salary cap

Uh … guys? The cap thing is kind of important. Maybe next time, we could try to get it nailed down before the weekend’s festivities are already over.

To be fair, this wasn’t just an NHL issue, as the league made sure to point out. The NHLPA has a say here too, and they seemed to be the ones taking the blame for the delay. It takes two to tango and each year’s cap number is at least somewhat negotiable, so these things take time.

Still … it’s weird, right? The cap might be complicated, but lots of things are complicated and you still have to figure them out on time. Having your entire league gathered in one building for two days, with all sorts of roster decisions hanging in the balance, seems like a good time to make sure you can give them the single most important piece of information they need.

It wasn’t the end of the world and we knew roughly what the final number would be. But maybe get started on the whole project a few days early next year.

Surprise scale: I don’t know, maybe I’ll get around to telling you later

The Predators needing a timeout to make the 179th pick

This was completely unacceptable. 1148553 Websites 7. Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie-OHL

Drysdale is a player a lot of scouts are very excited about. He’s not the biggest defenseman, but he’s a very good skater with near elite hockey The Athletic / Pronman: Top prospects for the 2020 NHL Draft sense. He can transition pucks at a high level with his feet and vision. He’s not a perfect comparable to Quinn Hughes, but in discussing Drysdale with scouts, they made a point how highly mobile, albeit small, By Corey Pronman Jun 24, 2019 defenders like Drysdale and Hughes are becoming more common at the top of the draft.

8. Jean-Luc Foudy, C, Windsor-OHL Before I sign off for a few weeks, I will leave you with a preview of the 2020 NHL Draft. Foudy won me over last season. I think he has the attributes that will make him a top NHL player. He’s a dynamic skater who consistently After a year where the talent was all out West and in the United States, attacked with speed and made skilled plays with pace. And he’s got a next year’s talent is in Eastern Canada and Sweden. The top tier for me high skill level and great vision to go with his speed, making him a more at the moment is five players deep, with projected top pick Alexis skilled version of his brother, Columbus prospect Liam Foudy. I wish Lafreniere being a small step above the field. Jean-Luc Foudy scored a bit more and he’s not the biggest, but he’s got Also, I didn’t rank Tim Stützle because I haven’t seen him yet. the ability to be a high-end driver of offense.

I’m not going to describe this draft as deep or thin, because we are way 9. Dylan Holloway, LW, Okotoks-AJHL too early in the process to get into that. These rankings will change a lot Holloway had a great season, being named MVP of the AJHL and over the next year. playing well in international competition for Canada. Holloway is a great We’ll check back into this draft in more detail in the fall. skater who competes hard and has a ton of energy in his game. He has the skill to go around defenders, but he’s just as comfortable driving. He’s 1. Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimouski-QMJHL also a very smart player who makes a ton of plays. He will play the University of Wisconsin next season and become a big part of one of the Lafreniere had a fantastic season and was named CHL player of the most interesting amateur hockey teams in the world in the 2019-20 year. He’s incredibly skilled and smart, showing the ability to make campaign. defenders look foolish and to pick apart defenses with his vision. He’s not only very skilled, but also very competitive. Lafreniere attacks the net, 10. Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa-OHL has some physicality in his game and gets a lot of goals in the dirty areas. His speed is only average, but he’s a true No. 1 overall pick type Rossi had a great first OHL season and was a big reason why the 67’s of prospect and roughly comparable to Jack Hughes on talent. were a top team in the CHL. He’s a small forward, and while he skates well, he’s not a burner. Everything else about him is great, though. He’s 2. Alexander Holtz, LW, Djurgarden-J20 SuperElit so skilled, he’s very smart, he’s got a bullet shot and he competes very hard for pucks. I expect him to be one of the top players in the OHL next Holtz and Lucas Raymond will be mentioned together a lot in the next 12 season and to be a regular on the highlight reel. months. They both dominated the Swedish juniors and they were linemates at the international level this past year. I consider it a complete 11. Antonio Stranges, C, London-OHL tie between them on talent. Holtz is a highly skilled goal-scorer with high- end sense, a truly elite shot, and is a bit quicker and bigger than Stranges is one of the most entertaining players to watch from the 2002 Raymond. age group. He’s a highly skilled player with fantastic vision. He is a good and unique skater in how he uses his edges to travel around the 3. Lucas Raymond, RW, Frolunda-J20 SuperElit offensive zone. He is not a perfectly well-rounded player, but I expect Stranges to make many highlight reels next season and throughout his Raymond on the other hand also has fantastic skill and has true elite career. He’s the top American prospect in next year’s draft class. hockey sense. He was one of the smartest 16-year-old hockey players I’ve ever seen. His ability to wait out defenses and find teammates with 12. Rodion Amirov, LW, Ufa-MHL ridiculous passes was something that stood out every time I watched him. If you want an elite playmaker, Raymond is your guy. He scored the Amirov was one of the best forwards at the U18 worlds and was a good golden goal at the U18s as an underage player. player at the MHL level. Scouts rave about his skill level and his offensive upside. He has all the offensive tools to score as a pro. He’s fast, he 4. Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury-OHL sees the ice well, he has great hands, he makes plays with pace and he can score goals. Amirov is not that great off the puck in terms of his Byfield was the top rookie in the OHL, showing the promise that led to defensive and physical play, but he competes fine. him being the first pick in his OHL draft. He’s a 6-foot-4 center who skates well and has a high skill level. He’s a good playmaker, but it 13. Theo Rochette, C, Chicoutimi-QMJHL wasn’t consistent to me. The pure physical toolkit is elite and makes him a projected top NHL draft pick. For me there’s a minor separation Rochette is one of the best passers in his age group and is a player you between the two Swedes and Byfield, and then a minor separation after. want with the puck on his stick. He can run a power play at a high level, and create a lot at even strength due to his skill and vision. He’s a good 5. Yaroslav Askarov, G, SKA-MHL skater too, but it’s his game with the puck that gets me excited about his potential, even though he doesn’t have elite speed and is a bit on the I know what you’re about to say. I get it, I’m waiting for the comment smaller side. He had an excellent first season in the Q, and I expect him section and the text messages. I can feel the snark coming. Yes, I’m to be one of the best players in that league next season. putting a goalie this high. I’ve been high on Askarov for a year, and he’s continued to impress me again and again. I think he’s the complete 14. Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw-OHL package. A 6-foot-3 goalie with high-end athleticism, high-end hockey sense, and a player who has been great, if not dominant, wherever he Perfetti had an incredible season, as one of the best U17 scorers in goes. Askarov has a swagger to his game and has the ability to steal a recent OHL memory and a huge part of a top OHL team at such a young win for his team. age. Perfetti is a very skilled forward and a super smart player in general who creates a ton of offense and can score goals. The main concerns in 6. Anton Lundell, C, HIFK-Liiga his NHL projection are his smaller frame at 5-foot-10 and the fact his skating isn’t anything noteworthy. Lundell was excellent for a 17-year-old in Liiga, while also playing well at the World Junior Championship and the U18s. His hockey sense is one 15. Jaromir Pytlik, C, Sault Ste. Marie-OHL of the best in the draft, and he makes a ton of plays due to his IQ. Despite scoring a ton at every level, Lundell doesn’t have a ton of “wow” Pytlik came over from Europe midseason and grew into a big role with in his game. He has skill but it’s not elite, and the speed is just fine. What the Greyhounds. I think he has all the tools to be a great pro. He’s big, he makes him a top prospect is his intelligence and what he’s shown he can competes, he skates well and he’s got plenty of skill. Next season he will do versus men at such a young age. be a go-to player for offense, and I think he will put up big numbers. He impressed me everytime I watched him in junior or in international tournaments.

16. Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John-QMJHL

Poirier was a tough player to evaluate because he was 16 years old on a very poor QMJHL team. If you looked closely at him in his Q games or at the World U17 Challenge, you saw the skill set of a real player. Poirier is very skilled, very intelligent and could be a first power play defenseman in the NHL. Saint John should be better this season, and it is very possible Poirier flourishes into a top player in the Q.

17. Connor McClennon, RW, Winnipeg-WHL

McClennon, like fellow top prospect Peyton Krebs, had his production suppressed a bit due to his surrounding cast. At the U17 challenge, he shined and showed what he could be with good linemates. He’s dynamic. He’s very skilled, intelligent, quick and can score goals. I think he’s going to have a great 17-year-old season in Winnipeg.

18. Ryan O’Rourke, D, Sault Ste. Marie-OHL

O’Rourke had a fine first OHL season. Even though he saw his ice time decline in the second half, he was still a top 16-year-old in the league. He was also excellent at the U17 Challenge, showing he was a top defenseman in his age group. He’s not a player who is going to wow you, but O’Rourke is very smart, mobile and tough to play against. The offensive upside is my biggest question heading into the NHL, but he checks off all the other boxes.

19. Justin Barron, D Halifax-QMJHL

Barron has been excellent between Halifax and international play the past two years. He’s a fantastic skater, especially for 6-foot-2, and it’s his skating that allows him to project into the NHL. I think he has some offensive upside, but I don’t see high-end skill or vision. When he’s on and making plays, moving his feet and making stops, he can impact a shift. But I’ve seen times where his puck decisions aren’t the best.

20. Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi-QMJHL

Lapierre was fantastic for a rookie in the CHL, scoring a point per game and displaying the promise that made him the first overall pick. He’s got a very high skill level and makes a ton of plays. Along with Rochette, Lapierre will make Chicoutimi a major point of interest for next year’s NHL Draft. I’ve never seen high-end speed from Lapierre, but I don’t think he’s slow either.

21. Jacob Perreault, C, Sarnia-OHL

The son of longtime NHL player Yanic Perreault, Jacob scored 30 goals as a rookie in the OHL and dazzled when I saw him in games for Sarnia. He’s a very good puck handler and passer who can be a multi- dimensional weapon on the power play due to his ability to thread a seam pass or pick a corner. His skating is average though and he’s not the biggest guy out there either.

Other Names to Know:

Lukas Cormier, D, Charlottetown-QMJHL

Kaiden Guhle, D, Prince Albert-WHL

Noel Gunler, RW, Lulea-SHL

Jake Sanderson, D, USNTDP-USHL

Braden Schneider, D, Brandon-WHL

Ty Smilanic, C, USNTDP-USHL

Connor Zary, C, Kamloops-WHL

The Athletic LOADED: 06.25.2019 1148554 Websites Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen go deep on pucks with a mix of facts and fun, leaning on a varied group of hockey voices to give their take on the country’s most beloved game.

Sportsnet.ca / Rumoured Myers price tag overshadows Canucks’ pickup But on the most talented team in hockey, Miller’s role and ice time also of Miller went down. The previous three years, he averaged 22 goals and 52 points and his shooting percentage was an impressive 16.3 per cent. For context, consider Canuck sniper Brock Boeser’s shooting percentage Iain MacIntyre June 24, 2019, 7:02 PM through two-plus seasons is 14.3.

Miller can finish. And asked Monday about Benning’s suggestion that he’ll play alongside Boeser and Calder Trophy winner Elias Pettersson, VANCOUVER – J.T. Miller’s timing is perfect. Outrage on the West Coast Miller said he would expect to exceed the “low-20s” in goals if that is his that the Vancouver Canucks are courting free-agent defenceman Tyler deployment. Myers has completely engulfed criticism of the acquisition of Miller. “Every time we played the Canucks … there was so much young talent,” Of course, it’s not Miller’s fault – any more than it will be Myers’ – what a Miller said in a conference call. “It was always fun to play these guys, and National Hockey League team thinks he is worth. now to be able to be a part of it is going to be really cool. There is a ton The Tampa Bay Lightning had Miller and said it wanted first- and third- of potential on this team. I’m going to do whatever I can to help push for round draft picks for him. And the Canucks, rather than haggling for days the playoffs and hopefully get in there.” or weeks, and possibly seeing the forward get traded elsewhere, agreed Pettersson and Boeser scored against Miller’s team when the Canucks at the NHL draft on Saturday to the steep price. won 4-1 in Tampa last October, one of only seven home games the At least they secured the reliable, two-way player they targeted and Lightning lost all season. needed for their top six, and in Miller also have a 26-year-old on a “Super-talented young hockey players, guys that I definitely watch and reasonable contract who will help the Canucks for the next four years. am in awe over what they can do in the NHL at a young age,” Miller said. Coincidentally, Miller was literally on his way to Vancouver with the New “If I’m given that opportunity, obviously I’ll use my size (6-1, 218 pounds) York Rangers when he was traded to the Lightning 16 months ago. He’ll to get pucks back for them and then try to get to the net and create as make it here soon, but fortunately was not flying Monday when the air much room as possible. One of the strong suits of my game is I can play was clogged with ash from the latest eruption of Mount Vancouver over with anybody on any line.” evidence of the Canucks’ long-rumoured interest in Myers, the impending On the Canucks, Miller will probably play net-front on the power play, Winnipeg Jet free agent who is likely to command way more than he is which would free Bo Horvat to play the “bumper” role between Pettersson worth on July 1. (As most free agents do). and Boeser. Hughes should be on the point. General manager Jim Benning, coach Travis Green and managing owner From the Pittsburgh area, Miller said he’s looking forward to living and Francesco Aquilini led the Canuck delegation in a Sunday dinner with playing in Vancouver. He and his wife Natalie have two infant daughters, Myers in Vancouver. The Canucks probably even paid! born between dad’s two trades. As one of the top two defencemen still headed toward unrestricted free Miller said it isn’t hard mentally to go from a Presidents’ Trophy-winning agency, Myers could receive on the open market a seven-year contract team in Tampa to one in Vancouver that missed the playoffs the last four in excess of $50 million, which is, of course, absurd for a second- or years. third-pairing blue-liner with range and handy puck skills to go with his defensive-zone shortcomings. “It really is an awesome place to play hockey and to live,” he said. “And with the young talent this team has, the veteran core, I think we can do Many fans in Canuck Nation suggested online that Benning should be some really good things.” fired if he signs Myers, who is 29 years old. But the truly angry were on eBay, pooling their resources to purchase a crown of thorns and an old If they don’t, he’ll hear about it. map to Golgotha. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.25.2019 Aquilini wants to be a populist, a man of the people – the billionaire from East Vancouver who never lost his roots as a Canucks fan.

But he has stuck by Benning when the angry mob would have fired him years ago, before the GM drafted Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes and rebuilt the roster. Keenly aware what people say – and by “people” we mean those not employed in the NHL – Aquilini will surely have to consider not only what Myers would cost in money but also criticism.

Angry Canucks Twitter is a minority in the fanbase, but it’s a significant one.

If the Canucks don’t overpay in free agency for a defenceman, they’ll probably have to overpay for one in trade. But at least that would give Benning the next four months to make his best deal possible, instead of the next week when managers are hostage to the free agents they’re courting.

Maybe Myers, who played junior hockey in Kelowna and keeps a home in the Okanagan, will sign for four years at $6 million per season instead of seven years at $8 million. Whatever his contract, he’d be a divisive figure in Vancouver.

By contrast, it’s hard to imagine anyone not liking J.T. Miller. It was only the trade price that was controversial.

In his full season with the Lightning, who re-signed him to a five-year, $26.25-million contract after acquiring him from Rangers, Miller had 13 goals and 47 points, his poorest season offensively in four years.

Tape II Tape 1148555 Websites Cole Schwindt │ 3rd round, 81st overall │ Florida Panthers

Big, right-shot centres, are hard to come by, and this player offers that package. Not to condone fighting, but a tussle with Josh Wainman on Sportsnet.ca / One standout selection from each round of the 2019 NHL February 13th happened to coincide with a 5 game point streak. Draft Understanding that he could hold his own, Schwindt started to use his size to his advantage, and ultimately put up 12 points over Mississauga’s Sam Cosentino June 23, 2019, 12:45 PM final 9 games of the season.

A good off-season could position him well to take a major step in point production next season. Two days, 31 teams and 217 players later and the 2019 NHL Draft is done. Brett Leason │ 2nd round, 56th overall │ Washington Capitals

Sixty-three players were selected from Canada — the most of any Steal of the draft potential. country — with the US, a close second, claiming 59 players. The Admittedly I’m biased towards Leason because he’s the player I’d had USNTDP set an abundance of records with 17 players taken in total, the most live viewings of this season. I watched him play in the regular eight of whom were selected in round one. We witnessed Dylan Cozens season, world juniors, playoffs and Memorial Cup resulting in a varying become the first Yukon born player taken in the first round. level of competition and a variety of pressure-packed situations.

All told, 27 players were selected that had previous ties to the NHL, lead The thing I like most is that he’s had very little hockey-specific training — by Hughes, whose brother Quinn spent the last month of the season with indicating that if he puts the work in, he can dramatically increase his the Vancouver Canucks. ceiling. On his best nights, he can be effective in a multitude of ways, The most heart-warming moment of the day had to be Everett goalie from blocking shots, to stripping pucks, disrupting the breakout, Dustin Wolf being selected by Calgary with the 214th overall pick. I can’t distributing or scoring. imagine having to sit with your family, watching all of the players you’ve Vasily Podkolzin │ 1st round, 10th overall │ Vancouver Canucks played with and against get selected and enjoy the moment with family and friends, while you sit there wondering what your future holds. A player I would deem a top-five pick seemingly has great value for the Canucks at 10. The Wolf family was forced to wait for more than three hours before hearing Dustin’s name called. The screams, the jubilation, the utter joy There are no holes in his game, but Podkolzin plays a North American could be heard and felt throughout Rogers Arena. style that is heavy on compete. He thinks the game well and can create offence in a variety of ways — whether that’s making accurate, hard Here’s my take on my favourite selection from each round. passes, taking it to the net, working out of the cycle or shooting it, he Raphael Harvey-Pinard │ 7th round, 201st overall │ Montreal Canadiens makes those around him better.

A smallish player who has the heart of a lion, Harvey-Pinard captained There are some concerns about his skating ability, but something I the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies to President and Memorial Cup titles. believe will come in due time as he grows into his solid frame. Yes, the contract issue is a bit of a concern, but as scouts like to say, "the best Having experienced a pro camp with the Vegas Golden Knights, Harvey- players always want to come over and play in the best league." It’s not as Pinard will not be fazed by going to camp with Montreal. At the CHL if he was going to play in the NHL next season anyway. level, he’s a point producer, and he’s relied upon in crucial situations. Harvey-Pinard is like a second coach with his ability to think the game. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.25.2019 Hockey IQ is off the charts and when matched with work ethic gives him the chance to make it as a late pick.

Patrick Moynihan │ 6th round, 158th overall │ New Jersey Devils

The best endorsement of a player is that which comes from teammates.

When asked who is the most underrated player on their team, many of the USNTDP players replied with Moynihan. With the ability to play all over the lineup, Moynihan is lauded for the details in his game, for a never-ending motor that allows him to have success.

The production (68 PTS in 92 GP) was still impressive considering all of the other high-end options on their team. Another guy who will find a way to make it. Next stop, Providence.

Kirill Slepets │ 5th round, 152nd overall │ Carolina Hurricanes

Having watched Slepets on several occasions this season both in November at our Canada-Russia series and at the World Juniors, it was easy to see why Carolina took him as a 20-year-old. He possesses world class speed and an ability to anticipate the play, that leads to an abundance of scoring chances.

He does, however, lack finish in his game. That may ultimately be his downfall, but the fallback position for Slepets is a penalty-kill specialist — he has sneaky length and great hand-eye coordination that make him a threat short-handed.

Jordan Spence │ 4th round, 95th overall │ Los Angeles Kings

A player born in Australia, who moved to Japan and eventually back to his dad’s home province of Prince Edward Island, Spence had to live with a friend while waiting for his family to relocate just so that he could play at a competitive level.

Undrafted in his first year of QMJHL eligibility, the Moncton Wildcats jumped up and took him in the second round of the 2017 draft. Before you know it, he’s put up 49 points best amongst QMJHL rookie rearguards en route to the league’s rookie of the year award. 1148556 Websites Sam Bennett, Calgary Flames

It’s fair to say the Flames would prefer to keep Bennett, who although will likely never live up to the expectations of a fourth-overall pick, has settled Sportsnet.ca / Five potential offer sheet targets on the secondary RFA in as a pain-in-the-butt third line grinder. Calgary loves those players and market Bennett plays a valued role for them, but he’s not the top priority this summer. The goaltending needs to be resolved. Matthew Tkachuk’s next AAV needs to be settled. Maybe there’s still a trade to be had for TJ Rory Boylen | June 24, 2019, 2:41 PM Brodie or Travis Hamonic.

The Flames have $12.9 million in cap space before figuring all that out and Tkachuk will eat up most of it. EvolvingWild has projected Bennett at Will this really be the year of the offer sheet, or will all that hype dissipate $2.79 million on a three-year deal, which would demand just a second- this week and next as RFAs start to re-sign with their current teams? round pick of compensation. You’d have to go all the way up to a $4.2 With the RFA negotiating period coming up and starting Wednesday, million AAV before the compensation rises so there’s plenty of room to none of the very biggest names have officially signed yet. Mitch Marner settle on a price. How much is a 23-year-old third-line winger worth to a has reportedly been given a big offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs, but team that needs one? And how much is he worth to the Flames before will entertain talks with other teams. Mikko Rantanen, Kyle Connor, Patrik they’d let him walk? Laine, Brayden Point, Sebastian Aho, Matthew Tkachuk — all of them Jakub Vrana, Washington Capitals are difference-makers who could pull in massive new contracts. Ryan O’Reilly was the last player to sign an offer sheet all the way back in The 13th overall pick in 2014, Vrana isn’t among the high-end RFAs this 2013, so if any of these big tickets decide to put pressure on their current summer, but tops the list of important off-season contracts as far as the teams by going that route, it could change the game for the rest of this Capitals are concerned. With their ageing core, it’ll be key over these class, or at least next year’s group. next few years to have younger talent pushing its way up the depth chart and so far Vrana has been leading that brigade, finishing with 24 goals Since the salary cap isn’t rising as high as previously thought, settling at and 47 points. $81.5 million for 2019-20, teams that already figured to be up against it are feeling even more of a pinch. And while it may not be tenable for Washington has $9.2 million in cap space with nine forwards signed and some organizations to get into the big fish RFA game and give up four- a decision on whether or not to qualify Andre Burakovsky after another first round picks, they could instead look to get into the secondary market disappointing season. If you’re going to offer sheet Vrana and make and put the screws to their opponents by offer sheeting a lesser RFA. things uncomfortable for Washington, you’ll have to find a team willing to The compensation would be far more digestable and worth it, and the bet on his future production. cap cost wouldn’t be as exorbitant. EvolvingWild has Vrana at $3.1 million on a two-year bridge — would So who are these players? First, we’ve only focused on teams that are someone offer perhaps $5 million or more on a long-term deal to bump dealing with their own kind of cap crunch and thus could be legitimate the compensation up to a first and a third? The Capitals could still targets. Then, we identified some players other teams may be interested prioritize Vrana and likely fit that under their cap for 2019-20, but with in acquiring and giving up a couple of picks to do it. None of these Braden Holtby and Nicklas Backstrom both one year away from free players will break the bank, but given the compensation for the very best agency, an inflated cost to Vrana this summer means bigger issues next RFAs is so staggering, this is the market a shrewd GM could try and take off-season if the cap remains stagnant. advantage of. Andrew Copp, Winnipeg Jets Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen go deep on pucks with a mix of facts and fun, leaning on a varied group of hockey voices to give their take on the One of Winnipeg’s most trusted penalty killers, Copp is a strong country’s most beloved game. defensive player who would be a nice addition to most bottom-six units in the league. He’s turning 25 years old next month and is generally a 10- Timo Meier, San Jose Sharks goal, 30ish-point player which doesn’t jump off the page, but is a pretty good level for a fourth-liner. The beauty about this potential offer sheet is If there’s any GM who we’d expect fully capable of steering his way out of that you may not have to come in above market value to get it done. The a sticky situation, Doug Wilson is it. But with just $14.8 million in Jets have $23.8 million in cap space, but far more important decisions to projected cap space and only seven forwards signed, it’ll be an uphill make on players higher up the depth chart. EvolvingWild has Copp in at battle. Captain Joe Pavelski hasn’t signed and is now believed to be a $2.1 million AAV on a two-year deal, which would both double his prior meeting with other teams. Joe Thornton wants to come back, though his AAV and demand only a second-round pick as compensation. new cap hit cost shouldn’t be prohibitive. Meantime, San Jose has more committed to its defence than any other NHL team and still needs to Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.25.2019 address its goaltending issue.

Meier was the ninth overall pick of the 2015 draft and just had his breakout season, finishing with 30 goals and 66 points in 78 games. EvolvingWild’s contract predictions has Meier coming in at a $5.7 million cap hit on a six-year deal, but if you believe he’ll at least stick at that production — and really, there is no reason not to — would a team swoop in and offer between $6.5-$7 million? That would push the compensation to a first-, second- and third-round pick and would be enough to make things uncomfortable for the Sharks.

If I’m the Sharks, I’d be a little worried about an offer sheet to Timo Meier. They’re in a vulnerable position right now with the salary cap, and Meier is only getting better coming off a 30-goal season. What if a team offers him six years/$40 mil and Sharks are only at 2/$10?

Kevin Labanc, San Jose Sharks

Along the same lines as Meier, Labanc perhaps doesn’t have the same offensive ceiling, but he stepped up with a career-best 17-goal, 56-point season and will turn just 24 years old midway through next year. He’s more of a playmaker where Meier is the goal scorer. You probably wouldn’t go as high with Labanc on an offer sheet, but as the Sharks deal with their bigger fish, giving Labanc $4 million would only demand a second-round pick as compensation — going to $4.3 million moves it to first- and third-round picks. If we’re looking for players who rival teams could pick on to squeeze the Sharks, Labanc is a decent target. 1148557 Websites So the Oilers need some wingers. A cheap, quick one for the first line, and a couple of guys who can work with Nugent-Hopkins on line two to produce some complimentary offence.

Sportsnet.ca / Breaking down how the cap-strapped Oilers should They’re not even looking at the Mats Zuccarellos or Ryan Dzingels due to navigate the off-season their cap situation. They enter the UFA class at about the Brett Connolly, Jonas Donskoi plateau.

Mark Spector | June 24, 2019, 6:44 PM With Jesse Puljujarvi’s agent saying he’ll choose Europe over another season with the Oilers, and promising farmhands Tyler Benson and Kailer Yamamoto likely a year away, Edmonton needs some help for their centremen, and they need it now. Two lessons we learned at the 2019 NHL Draft: The goalie One, perhaps the draft isn’t hockey’s new trade deadline after all. Draft picks have increased in value, as they accrue the young, cheap players Our prediction? Mike Smith, who played for Dave Tippett in both Dallas that every organization needs to survive. and Arizona, takes his pads up Highway 2 and signs with the Oilers. The only fly in that ointment would be if Smith decides to re-sign with the And two, if it cost the Toronto Maple Leafs a first-round draft pick to move Flames, a team he says he enjoyed being with for the past two seasons. one year of Patrick Marleau, how on earth do you trade a Milan Lucic, a Loui Eriksson, a James Neal or a Nikita Zaitsev? Failing that scenario, how about either of the UFA tandem from Carolina: Petr Mrazek or Curtis McElhinney? The cap has taken over the game, and all transactions therein. The boss wants parity, and Gary Bettman’s cap has produced a system where It’s hard to see a tight-spending outfit like the Hurricanes re-upping both teams that successfully develop players over time — like Winnipeg — players. We’re betting one is looking for work after July 1. are literally forced to share them with the weaker teams, once it becomes contract time for stars like Patrik Laine or Kyle Connor. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.25.2019

Why does a player of P.K. Subban’s value get moved for two second rounders and two players who make a combined $2.34-million? Because if Nashville is going to improve itself up front — not to mention re-sign Roman Josi after next season — it needed to clear cap space.

New Jersey benefits, and really it’s a shortcut that the Devils have not earned through organizational competency.

Which brings us the Edmonton Oilers, a team that sits somewhere in the middle. They’ve got some nice young players coming, a couple of superstars under long-term deals, but the prospects are too far away to help next season and they’re almost capped out.

The needs here are clear: A third-line centre, some help on the wings and a goalie to share the load with Mikko Koskinen. So, how does GM Ken Holland go about that, with only $8.3-million in cap space?

Let’s break it down:

A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. New episodes every Thursday.

Buy-outs

The Lucic buy-out would provide Edmonton $2.4-million in cap savings in the 2019-20 season, but after that it is an anchor, with about $125,000 combined savings in the final seven seasons of the buy-out.

Andrej Sekera is a different story, however. He has two seasons remaining at $5.5-million, and the cap savings would be $3-million in each of the next two seasons, according to Capfriendly.com.

With Caleb Jones and Joel Persson both pushing to make the lineup next year, a Sekera buy-out before the first buy-out window ends on June 30, could be Holland’s best cap relief.

Nazem Kadri

Kadri absolutely fits the bill of the player the Oilers require to play centre behind Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Does Holland have a defenceman to trade as the starting point to a trade with Toronto? If you buy out Sekera, it gets harder. If you don’t, could you move Adam Larsson in a deal for Kadri?

In Edmonton, Larsson is forced to play No. 2 minutes. In Toronto, as a No. 4, we predict that Leafs fans would fall in love with his game. Larsson has two years left at $4.16-million while Kadri has three remaining at $4.5-million. The guts of a deal are there.

Wingers for centres

It’s a forgone conclusion that Leon Draisaitl will go down in Oilers history as Connor McDavid’s left-winger. Sure, he’ll get some starts at centre. But when the chips are down, or the roster matures into something far closer to a finished product, Draisaitl and McDavid will play together on the first line in Edmonton. 1148558 Websites Vancouver, to be blunt, was a disaster from 2007-13. It’s hard to float eight bad years of drafting, but Vancouver had so much talent at the NHL level that they were able to smooth over some of those mistakes.

TSN.CA / Miller trade the result of Vancouver’s past draft failures It’s easy to get lost in the laundry list of names Vancouver has grabbed over the years, so let me make this a little bit easier. Now I will show the same exact table, but only for players who have been at least one win Travis Yost better than a replacement-level player over the years. (For reference: Tampa Bay has 15 qualifiers.)

You can nitpick with the selection criteria – players like Cody Hodgson The biggest trade of NHL Draft weekend came from the New Jersey and Jake Virtanen certainly have been serviceable, and recently drafted Devils, who acquired defender P.K. Subban from the Nashville Predators players like Olli Juolevi and Kole Lind probably just need more time – but at a rather reasonable cost on Saturday morning. the story is still the same. The Canucks, at least until recently, have The second biggest trade of the weekend probably belonged to the missed on grabbing impact players with early picks and struggled even Vancouver Canucks, who bet big on Tampa Bay’s J.T. Miller. To acquire more so to find diamonds in the rough later in the draft. It’s a primary Miller, the Canucks had to package goaltender Marek Mazanec, a third- reason why Benning’s rebuilding efforts have been so challenging. round pick in 2019 and a conditional first-round pick that will come due in The pessimist sees a laundry list of names that never materialized. The either 2020 or 2021. optimist sees that Vancouver has hit on a few players more recently, all It’s a big price to pay, but Vancouver is trying to plug holes throughout through their premium picks. That might be what gives the Canucks hope the lineup. The pressure continues to mount on that front, with a budding for their 2018 and 2019 draft classes. First-round pick Quinn Hughes superstar like Elias Pettersson still on his entry-level contract and a fan (2018) isn’t far away. Nor is 2019 first-round pick Vasily Podkolzin or base that hasn’t seen playoff hockey since the 2014-15 season. second-round pick Nils Hoglander, for that matter. Vancouver sorely needs these players to develop and integrate into the lineup long-term, How did Vancouver get here? It is a long and winding story that spans and perhaps hit on a couple of their mid or late-round picks with a stroke multiple regimes after carrying one of the league’s best teams at the of luck. height of the Sedin Twins era. We haven’t seen that for close to a decade in Vancouver. But nothing One of the underlying themes during this futile run has been a disastrous lasts forever. Perhaps we will start to see the tides turn. record when it comes to drafting and developing over the last decade. It was true during the Mike Gillis era (2008-14) when the team usually TSN.CA LOADED: 06.25.2019 picked in the lower half of the draft, and it has generally remained true since Jim Benning took over (2014-present). Failing at the draft and failing to develop talent only served to create an environment where a rebuilding front office feels pressure to trade draft picks for established players.

To Benning’s credit, the team has landed a few nifty players during his tenure – the aforementioned Pettersson is at the top of the list – but Brock Boeser (2015 first rounder) and Jared McCann (2014 first rounder) are also success stories.

The problem during the Benning tenure is that the team has struggled to put other picks around these players. Combine that with Gillis leaving the cupboards relatively bare, and you have a team that’s going to struggle to win games in today’s ultra-competitive NHL.

Consider Vancouver’s draft history from 2007-17, through the Pettersson draft. Seventy-one players were selected over that interval, including 19 players taken within the first 60 selections of their respective draft years. I mention this because it’s not for the lack of opportunity that the Canucks have failed on draft day.

The below table shows, by Wins Over Replacement, the value each class has created individually regardless of where they have ended up playing, and the corresponding rank of that team’s class against their peers around the league. (Note: using more rudimentary measures, like games played or total ice time allocated, show similar findings.)

In terms of total WAR over 2007-17 by draft team, Vancouver is comfortably dead last. Some of that is because their more promising selections have been very recent (which don’t lend themselves as well to aggregated measures), and some of that is because of some truly poor drafting.

The total WAR table, which is a mere aggregation blind to unitization or expected draft value by pick selection, looks as follows:

It jumps off the page how poorly Vancouver compares to a team like Tampa Bay, which is an outlier on the other side of the spectrum. Tampa Bay has developed into a juggernaut over the years and a lot of that can be accredited to how well the team has drafted.

To rattle off some of the names that have driven Tampa Bay’s success, consider the following: Alex Killorn (2007), Steven Stamkos (2008), Victor Hedman (2009), Richard Panik (2009), Radko Gudas (2010), Vladislav Namestnikov (2011), Nikita Kucherov (2011), Ondrej Palat (2011), Brayden Point (2014), and Anthony Cirelli (2015).

Here are Vancouver’s corresponding picks, by year, for reference: