SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 8/15/2021 1219421 Hall of Fame goaltender Tony Esposito left a lasting legacy 1219422 Hagg Bag: Some Boston Bruins Talk In The Summer Break 1219423 BHN Puck Links: NHL Issues Memo On Who Must Be Vaccinated 1219424 Jake McCabe, Connor Murphy united on Blackhawks after 12 years of friendship 1219425 Avalanche Mailbag: Where in lineup will Alex Newhook play this year? 1219426 Staying centered: Jack Roslovic looks to prove himself in Columbus 1219427 Oil Spills: Oilers summertime mop-up 1219428 Rangers' Adam Fox and Bruins' Charlie McAvoy: LI stars to NHL studs Senators 1219429 GARRIOCH: The will get off to an earlier start at the for mid-week games 1219430 GARRIOCH: Ottawa Senators GM has had a busy off-season with more work ahead before camp 1219431 Flyers sign their top 2021 pick, a Finnish winger with 'elite speed' 1219432 Penguins Schedule: NHL Announces Times, Pens Get 6 Afternoon Games in April 1219433 BREAKING: Eklund Signs with Sharks, Willing to Play in AHL 1219434 Where Has Brent Burns Declined? | SJHN+ 1219435 Lightning will raise Stanley Cup banner at home opener 1219436 Sonya Bryson-Kirksey released from hospital following COVID battle Maple Leafs 1219437 Michael Hirshfeld’s work is providing some coaching for NHL coaches 1219438 Canucks sign Jason Dickinson to a three-year deal SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1219421 Boston Bruins “I think I was more nervous than Tony that night,” Phil said in “The Brothers Esposito,” a book with Tim Moriarty that the Globe excerpted in 1971. “In fact, it was probably the most frightful game of my entire hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Tony Esposito left a lasting legacy career.” A six-year NHLer, he was “getting ready to shoot pucks at my own brother, who had been in the league only one week.”

Tony was fuming after hearing his older brother publicly agonizing about By Matt Porter Globe Staff potentially sending him back to the minors. Phil scored twice. It was a 2-2 tie. Updated August 14, 2021, 9:14 a.m. “We talked for maybe five minutes before I rushed for the team bus,”

Tony wrote. “ ’You were lucky on the first and lucky on the second For those not familiar with Tony Esposito, here are the basics: star goal,’ I said. netminder for Chicago from 1969 to 1984. Three-time Vezina winner. No- “Phil just laughed. He said, ‘What the hell, Tony. I’m just a lucky guy.’ ” doubt Hall of Famer (1988). Still holds the record for shutouts in a season: 15, in a 63-start rookie season of 1969-70. NO LOVE LOST

Tony O. Chelios never a fan of Bettman

Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Keith Magnuson, and other villains of the Big The day is fast approaching when a whole bunch of new names — Chris Bad Bruins era knew Esposito, who died Tuesday at 78 from pancreatic Chelios and Mark Messier (ESPN) and Wayne Gretzky (Turner) among cancer, as a teammate. Phil Esposito loved his brother, stuck up for his them — will appear on our screens to break down games and discuss brother, and loved shooting for the insides of his brother’s posts. Every the league. Network executives will tell you that their hires, particularly goal, Tony insisted, was a lucky one. Hall of Famers, will bring the heat.

Derek Sanderson said he might have been right. Even Phil, one of the Know what would be good TV? game’s all-time great scorers, had a tough time with his brother. Chelios and Gary Bettman having a discussion about what’s good for the “[Tony] gave you things and then he’d take them away,” Sanderson said. game. Wonder how much they’d agree. “He had great hands. The first great right-catching goalie.” If they get to talking labor issues, it might get tense. In 1994, as Lockout “He was very competitive,” Sanderson said, amid all the memories he 1 was under way and those beneath the executive level were losing shared over the phone this past week. “We had a problem going into paychecks, Chelios wondered aloud about Bettman’s safety … and didn’t Chicago because of him. He was a force to be reckoned with.” seem too concerned about it.

They used to shoot high on Esposito early in games, Sanderson recalled, “If I was Gary Bettman, I’d worry about my family, about my well-being,” to try and rattle him. It made Phil livid, though he understood the strategy. Chelios said. “He’s going to affect a lot of people. Some crazed fan or He didn’t like seeing his brother and Sanderson square off at center ice, even a player — who knows? — they might take it into their own hands after Sanderson ran the Chicago netminder. and figure they get him out of the way, things might get settled. You hate to see something like that happen, but he took the job.” “He wound up and threw a stick at me,” recalled Sanderson, describing Tony Esposito’s hands at the end of a heavy piece of lumber. Sanderson Fun stuff. At the time, Bettman might have had an easier time shrugging had knocked over Tony O. with an elbow-and-hip combo following that off than Chelios’s next quip: Esposito’s charge through the circles for a loose puck. Esposito got up, pitched his Northland at Turk, and earned a few haymakers for his “The main thing is he doesn’t know anything about hockey,” Chelios said trouble. of the commissioner, then one year on the job and fresh from the NBA front office. “That’s obvious. He doesn’t recognize players like Jeremy “I used to cuff him, hit him in the back of the leg, skate through his Roenick and Brendan Shanahan at the meetings. Whether it’s this little crease,” Sanderson said a half-century later, with vivid recall. “I used to man syndrome thing or whatever ...” bug him and [Ken] Dryden. Goaltenders, if you let them go — like Glenn Hall and [Jacques] Plante, [Johnny] Bower — those guys were so The more diplomatic Gretzky also bashed Bettman that week, saying [expletive] focused. Tony could beat you by himself. You outshoot him, how “disappointed” he was that a newcomer had tried to change the 40-18, and you’d lose, 2-0.” financial picture.

This was the era in which fought Magnuson, as the Black “I’ve worked too damn hard in this sport to help push our sport and make Hawks (the spelling was changed to one word before the 1986-87 it be a piece of a puzzle, where it is today,” he said, “and I hope it doesn’t season) and Bruins were the “Real Final” of 1970, the last Original Six- all come crumbling down because one person wants to change the whole on-Original Six matchup of that year’s playoffs. It was rare to see a format.” college goalie (Tony O. played at Michigan Tech), the North American Let’s set the talk of Bettman’s legacy aside for now, and say this: He was game then largely dominated by ’s junior system. a primary force behind the multibillion-dollar TV deals that have player That Stanley Cup semifinal was brother vs. brother, two stars on their salaries at record numbers, and have a bunch of ex-players drawing TV way to becoming superstars. Tony was a year younger than Phil, but paychecks. Chelios, who remarked in his 2013 Hall of Fame speech that they arrived on similar timelines. Watching with split allegiances was Joe labor disputes were his most significant career regret, also didn’t mention Bertagna, the future Harvard goalie, Bruins goalie coach, and ECAC and Bettman over the course of 10 minutes. When speaking with reporters on commissioner. He was converting from forward as a a call beforehand, he winced upon reference. sophomore at Arlington High and had an instant favorite as he studied “Let’s not mention that name on this call,” he said. “This is a good day.” the position. In the mask-optional years, to drop into a butterfly meant putting one’s face in the middle of the net. ETC.

“You talk about courage … “ said Bertagna, on the phone and looking at Kaprizov trying to force Wild’s hand a signed Tony O. red No. 35 jersey in his Gloucester office. Kirill Kaprizov, who finally arrived stateside last season and electrified the Tony won 423 games, third all time when he retired and 10th today. He Twin Cities to a degree not seen since Marian Gaborik, is flexing his was known for trickery in the net, such as making snow piles at the side muscles. The Daily Faceoff reported the Calder Trophy winner agreed to of his net in the one-referee days, and sewing mesh inserts into his a deal with CSKA Moscow of the KHL that will pay him at least $10 goalie pants to block pucks. The league quickly registered its displeasure million if he can’t come to terms with the Wild by Sept. 1. with his innovative streak. But not nearly enough to keep him out of the Hall of Fame, an honor he received four years after retiring. Kaprizov wants a three-year deal that brings him to unrestricted free agency; the Wild want to lock him up for longer at a lower cap hit. The After taking different paths to the NHL, Phil and Tony met for the first Athletic reported and Co. are offering a 7-8- time on Dec. 5, 1968. Bruins vs. Canadiens, before Tony was claimed on year ticket in the $9 million range annually, which would make Kaprizov waivers by Chicago. Tony flew from Houston, Montreal’s farm club at the the richest player in franchise history. Guerin, of Wilbraham, has time, to Boston Garden. reportedly offered 5-6-year deals as a compromise. Kaprizov’s camp, per the Daily Faceoff, says Minnesota has not made an our organizational protocols,” Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said in offer since April, which sounds like what Torey Krug’s side was saying a statement. On his now-deactivated account, Imoo appeared to about Boston before he left for St. Louis. It would be an ugly turn for the support anti-Black and transphobic accounts and statements, right-wing Wild to lose Kaprizov after 55 games (27-24—51). He doesn’t have conspiracies, anti-vaccination sentiments, and the Jan. 6 insurrection on arbitration rights and can’t be offer-sheeted. Capitol Hill. That didn’t fly with the Leafs, one of the league’s more outspoken clubs on social issues … Wait, Darnell Nurse at how much? Flyers reward Hart despite struggles Edmonton’s roster decisions continue to surprise … New Bruins Erik As Jeremy Swayman charts his own course to a starting job in Boston Haula and Derek Forbort (and Providence prospect Jack Ahcan) are (first splitting the net with ex-Buffalo goaltender Linus Ullmark), the Flyers skating in a summer four-on-four league in Edina, Minn., called Da are trying to fix their goalie. Carter Hart, three months older than Beauty League. Haula has six goals and 9 points in three games, placing Swayman, turned 23 on Friday. He celebrated with a three-year, $11.9 him among da league leaders … Derek Sanderson, 75, said plans are in million bridge deal after a disastrous third season. the works for a Farrelly Brothers movie on his life, largely based on his 2012 book, “Crossing the Line.” “Mostly off-ice stuff,” Sanderson said of After submitting a 24-13-3 record, 2.42 goals-against average, and .914 the film. “Going into the stands [at Madison Square Garden], Johnny save percentage for the playoff-bound Flyers in 2019-20, Hart bottomed Carson, all that [freakin’ stuff] … The upcoming Amazon documentary out last season: 9-11-5, 3.67, and .877. When it went badly, it went about the 2020-21 Maple Leafs, “All or Nothing,” should be good for a badly: He allowed four or more goals 13 times in 25 starts. He also laugh, if nothing else. Beleaguered-sounding fan and “Arrested missed the last 12 games with a sprained left knee. So, onward and Development” actor Will Arnett, narrating the trailer: “Fifty-four years upward. since the Leafs’ last championship. And yeah. We lost again. But what happened behind closed doors is a story you’ll want to see.” Wonder how GM didn’t blame Hart for the team’s struggles. He beefed next year’s docuseries will end … Cassidy, this past week named an up the defensive unit in front of him, bringing in small, puck-moving Ryan assistant for Team Canada for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, is also a first Ellis (Nashville) and large, angry Rasmus Ristolainen (Buffalo). Fletcher base coach for his 10-year-old son Cole’s baseball team. As of also brought in San Jose reclamation project Martin Jones to compete Wednesday, Cassidy said he was 36 for 36 in sending runners this with his young stopper. season … Chris Snow celebrated his 40th birthday on Wednesday with Loose pucks his family at their vacation spot in New Durham, N.H. A day later, the Flames assistant GM was throwing out the first pitch at Fenway Park Joe Thornton, Florida man, will chase the Cup in Sunrise. The 42-year- along with son Cohen, 10, and daughter Willa, 6. It was his first time back old snowbird hooked on with the Panthers on a one-year, league- since his mid-20s, when the Melrose native was the Globe’s Red Sox minimum $750,000 deal, solidifying the team’s forward depth and beat writer. When Snow was diagnosed with an aggressive form of ALS bringing his trademark sunshine and good vibes. He skated the left wing in June 2019, his doctors weren’t convinced he would see 39, much less in Toronto last season, putting up 5-15—20 in 44 games. Advice for 40. Donating to research is a decision with impact. Jumbo: Hack off the beard before training camp. Nothing like late- summer South Florida heat. Like being wrapped in a steamed wool blanket every time you step outside … Florida adding second-line center Boston Globe LOADED: 08.15.2021 Sam Reinhart (25-15—40 in 54 games in Buffalo last season) for three years at a $6.5 million cap hit is a solid move. The big question: What will be the next contract for all-world captain Aleksander Barkov, who enters his walk year making less ($5.9 million) than 117 other players, according to CapFriendly.com … Good to see Adam McQuaid, done in by injuries at the end of his rough-and-tumble career, rejoin the Bruins as a player development coordinator … Chris Kelly filling the vacancy on Bruce Cassidy’s staff ensures there won’t be a brain drain after Jay Pandolfo’s departure. One sharp defensive forward mind out, another one in … Fun fact about AHL Providence coach Ryan Mougenel, who supplanted Jay Leach (Seattle): He once saved a man from drowning in Boston Harbor. In 2012, Mougenel, coaching ECHL Las Vegas at the time, and a couple of others dived in near Columbus Park to bring an unconscious swimmer to safety … TD Garden is getting a video board upgrade. Time flies. The old one, raised in 2007, is now analog by today’s standards. A new sound system, also said to be in the works, is a much-needed addition. From the ninth floor, some of the high-end noise could be ear-splitting. Now, about that slushy, spongy ice sheet … The Rangers signed RFA netminder Igor Shesterkin to a four-year, $22.67 million contract coming off his rookie season. Seemingly a risk to park $5.67 million of cap space there after 47 NHL games, but Shesterkin’s dominance in the KHL and AHL makes it look like a reasonable bet for new GM . Worth noting that he is paying a bit above market value. In recent years, three other 25-year-old goalies with similar résumés earned less in term and AAV. The Blues gave Jordan Binnington (33 games) two years at $4.4 million per in 2019, the Blue Jackets handed Elvis Merzlikins (33 games) two years at $4 million per in 2020, and the Red Wings extended Alex Nedeljkovic (29 games) two years at $3 million per last month. Shesterkin is also making more than Vancouver’s would-be franchise guy, Thatcher Demko, who was also 25 (and 62 games into his NHL tenure) this past March when he signed for five years at $5 million a year. Shesterkin is taking up the same slice of the Rangers’ salary-cap pie (7 percent) as Frederik Andersen, when the Maple Leafs signed him at age 26 to a five-year, $25 million deal in 2016 … Former Penguins Cup- winning coach Dan Bylsma, released from his post under Detroit’s Jeff Blashill, will coach Seattle’s temporary AHL affiliate in Charlotte. After a year sharing the Checkers with the , the Kraken will shift operations to Palm Desert, Calif., for the 2022-23 season. Seattle is building a 10,000-seat arena in the Coachella Valley for its still-unnamed AHL club … Toronto’s AHL club, the Marlies, is looking for a new goalie coach. Dusty Imoo, 51, was hired this past week, based partly on the strength of his work with Maple Leafs backup Jack Campbell during their time in Los Angeles’s system. But Imoo was dropped a few days after he was hired because the team “made a mistake by not thoroughly following 1219422 Boston Bruins Studnicka finally shows that he’s got enough NHL strength to play top-9 minutes and begins to fulfill his potential as a top-6 center at the NHL level?

Hagg Bag: Some Boston Bruins Talk In The Summer Break I saw Studnicka skating with the NHL guys at last week and he looks bigger, stronger and much more like an NHL player than he did at this time last year when he was getting his first real NHL Published 8 hours ago on August 14, 2021 time in the Toronto bubble.

By Joe Haggerty Let’s revisit this at midseason and see where we’re at. But I can tell you that and Cam Neely want to do nothing more than put a

group around Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand that are worthy of The Boston Bruins are in snooze mode now for the next few weeks while another Cup run. It wasn’t their request that David Krejci decided to go NHL general managers have retreated to their summer cottages, and home to the Czech Republic just when they’d found a left winger for him, players are quietly ramping things up at informal practices at NHL or that Tuukka Rask is out of the equation while recovering from hip facilities all across North America. It’s no different in Boston where NHL surgery. players like Jack Eichel, Noel Acciari, Charlie McAvoy, , The Bruins are spending to the salary cap limit, so trying to paint this as a Anders Bjork, Torey Krug, Kevin Hayes and Brad Marchand are working “Jacobs doesn’t care about winning” really don’t hold up. You know that out together a few times per week at Warrior Ice Arena. the playoffs are pure profit for NHL owners, right? Every NHL owner But the 2021-22 NHL season is beginning to feel close with puck drop wants as many home games as possible, and that goes double for times announced this week for each of the 82 games on the regular somebody that also owns the concessions, the building and everything season schedule, and with training camp roughly a month away. With else associated with the team. that in mind we’ve got another edition of the Hagg Bag mailbag which, as As is usual with the Boston Bruins, they go into the season with some always, features real questions from real readers sent to my twitter question marks on their NHL roster that they’ll either address internally or account using the #HaggBag hash tag, real messages sent to my do it at the trade deadline. If Charlie Coyle is the No. 2 center come Facebook fan page and even the occasional email sent to me from those playoff time next season for the Boston Bruins, then we can certainly Boston Bruins fans out there looking to take the extra step. revisit this discussion. But I’m willing to give the Bruins some leeway here Now let’s crack open the bag and get to it: given the relative success they’ve had over the last five years with this management group/coaching staff. They’ve earned our respect even if My initial reaction to the start of free agency was to be mad at GM Don they’ve fallen short of the ultimate goal. Sweeney. He spent $27M of cap space and didn’t acquire a single impact player; still, nobody to play with Charlie McAvoy, still no second What do you think the Bruins consider a successful season? If they’re line center. The more I thought about it, the more I realize it’s not his making a legitimate run for the cup, would not winning the cup make it an fault. Sweeney understands that the best way to keep his job is to make unsuccessful season? #HaggBag this team good enough to make the playoffs and give the Jacobs family a JH: I think this is a “see the answer above” kind of question. The Bruins couple of home playoff games. are obviously trying to win a Cup. If they weren’t spending to the cap or Any bravery on his part that could make this team a true Cup contender putting together a quality team then I could understand the line of also comes with the risk of missing the playoffs. The Jacobs family is not thinking that they are not “in it to win it.” They are using first round picks championship driven, sure they will take it, but for them the risk of at trade deadlines to upgrade the NHL roster when they have to, and missing the playoffs outweighs the potential to win a championship. So because of that they have depleted their prospect cupboard. They rather than go with two rookie goalies on ELCs (a huge cap advantage), wouldn’t do that if they weren’t going for it. There are times when they’ve he signs a goalie for 4-$20M. Rather than upgrade the defense with real got to make tough long term calls on players whether it was Torey Krug top 4 players (the Bruins claim they understand that’s their biggest need), and Zdeno Chara last summer, or whether it was how to go about it’s Mike Reilly (the definition of regular season 2nd pair, playoff 3rd pair replacing David Krejci as the No. 2 center. guy). Rather than Jack Eichel or Christian Dvorak, it’s center by Part of the problem is that they are in the same division as a team that’s committee with a bunch of overpaid and in some case over-the-hill third only one of two teams to win back-to-back Cups in this century and that liners. And don’t even get me started on the possibility of bringing back they clearly weren’t in their league last season. The other part of the Tuukka Rask, the poster child for “great regular season, will never win a problem is that they have an NHL roster that’s grown old over the last title” player (I just threw up a little in my mouth). five years, so they really had to make some difficult “on the fly” decisions So there will be a season, the Garden will be sold out every night and the with the roster. Bruins will make the playoffs, but the end result will be the same as it I just don’t think this Bruins organization is simply “happy to be in the was in 2018 and 2020, with Tampa beating them in 5 games (despite playoffs.” And it’s pretty apparent, even if they don’t always make the losing key players, Tampa still has their top 6 forwards, best defensive right moves with trades or free agency. group in league, best goalie in league). Haggs, if Krejci retires who do you think the Boston Bruins backup plan –Marc, Malden would be at 2nd line Center? JH: Wow, Marc, I’m ready to step out into traffic right now after reading JH: Clearly the Boston Bruins already had their backup plan with Coyle that email. There’s no question that there are some unanswered after signing him to a big contract extension a few years ago that they questions headed into the season. Is Derek Forbort capable of being a may, or may not, come to regret in the coming years. I like Coyle for his shutdown top pair defenseman with Charlie McAvoy where he’ll free up size/strength/speed combo and he’s a very good hockey player in the McAvoy for even more puck-moving and offensive exploits? I think right role, but I just don’t think he has enough consistent offensive punch there’s a reasonable chance of that given his defensive zone abilities and to be a No. 2 center on a Stanley Cup contender. the fact he’s proven he can play 20 minutes a night in this league. But I also think this is a big season for Jack Studnicka’s development as I Mike Reilly and Matt Grzelcyk as your second and third pair D-men is mentioned previously. The Bruins have to give him an extended shot in a workable for me, particularly if McAvoy really steps up as the PP higher profile role at some , and if he really has a good camp, he quarterback for that first unit now that we’re two years removed from could push his way into a top-6 look given the current situation. I honestly Torey Krug. think there’s a better shot of Studnicka flourishing in that role than Coyle You also said they didn’t do anything impact-wise while spending $27 consistently holding it down, and that would answer a lot of questions for million in cap space. They did re-sign Taylor Hall and I’d call him an the Black and Gold entering this season. impact player. So, I think you are over-exaggerating things by at least Who makes it to the show first, Lysell or Lauko? half. JH: Lauko. I think he could push his way into an NHL look this season, I agree that the second line center spot could be a major weakness, and I even if NHL scouts I’ve talked to in the past haven’t been high on him do think the B’s offense is going to take a step back to start next season developing into a top-6 forward role at the NHL level. He’s got 10 goals with the playmaking Krejci no longer around. But what if 22-year-old Jack and 28 points in 45 AHL games over the last two seasons as a guy under 21 years old. That’s pretty good production. I’m going to guess that Lysell rhetorical universe. We deal in the real world where every move a GM is a year or two away given his size and strength as an 18-year-old kid makes, or doesn’t make, still counts on their ledger. coming out of Sweden. It’s tough to tell, though, until we get a look at him in training camp. And to rebut your bullet points:

The best bet for Lysell is that he winds up with the Vancouver Giants in *Jeremy Swayman could be better than Tuukka Rask next season, a fact the WHL this season after signing the three-year entry level deal with the you’re discounting overlooking. I look at Linus Ullmark as an insurance Boston Bruins. But he also has some pretty ridiculous speed and skill policy in case Swayman falters or hits a wall but signing him was a luxury that could play at the NHL level sooner than later. I just think you have to allowed because Swayman is the real deal on an entry level contract. be a pretty special David Pastrnak-type talent to jump straight into the *Derek Forbort will be in Boston’s top-4 and will end up with more ice NHL as a late first round pick, and Lysell may not quite be that even with time than Matt Grzelcyk this season. Mark that one down because it’s these kinds of highlights to his name. going to happen, and Forbort will get the bulk of the time in the top pair Would like to see Chara in some type of player development/coaching with Charlie McAvoy. It remains to be seen if that’s going be an upgrade role soon over Jeremy Lauzon/Charlie McAvoy, but I think it definitely could be. If we learned one thing last season, it’s that there’s a real danger to JH: I think that would be awesome if Zdeno Chara decides that’s what he overexposing a good player in Grzelcyk with too much ice time and too wants to do, but the 44-year-old hasn’t even decided whether he’s done much responsibility. playing yet. Then when he decides to retire, Chara would have to decide he wants to settle in Boston full time and devote the requisite amount of *The top-6 is most definitely worse, but what happens if Studnicka time to working in the Boston Bruins front office. Given the money he’s develops into a top-6 center and has veteran guys in Hall and Craig made and the career that he’s had along with his myriad interests outside Smith on either side of him? That turns the Bruins into a better, deeper of hockey, it may be that Chara doesn’t want to continue to be an NHL team with a much better bottom-6. lifer after he’s done playing. We’ll have to see, but certainly his Clearly the Boston Bruins are gambling a little bit that guys like Swayman leadership, his work ethic and his knowledge would be a major asset to and Studnicka are going to really pop this season, but you have to do the Bruins organization if that’s what he ends up deciding to do at the that at times in the salary cap era. That’s something the Tampa Bay end of the day. Lightning have to do this season as well, albeit that they’re doing it after Haggs, winning a pair of Cups.

The only thing stopping me from calling this offseason an abject failure If this season truly turns into “No. 2 center by committee” then I will by Don Sweeney is the fact that the offseason isn’t over, and he still has absolutely give you a big mea culpa and tell everybody that Will had it time to make a significant trade. My question is – why should I have any figured out back in the summer. But I don’t think it’s nearly as doom and faith that Sweeney is actually going to do that? gloom as you do. We shall see.

Since the Bruins returned to the playoffs in 2017 Sweeney has made one JH: I’m sorry, but I don’t care about these guys. Honestly, this is the trade for a piece that would meaningfully improve this team – Rick Nash same as the people that were talking about Carl Soderberg forever like in 2018. The Bruins got burned by that one and Sweeney has been gun- he was this game-changing force hiding out in Sweden. He came over shy, making half in/half out moves for B-list players, ever since. The here and he was a good third line center, but not somebody that could Coyle and Johansson moves worked out, but they were classic half even unseat Patrice Bergeron or David Krejci. Definitely not a top-6 in/half out moves. The Ritchie and Kase moves were exactly the same. center on a great NHL team. The Hall deal doesn’t count because Sweeney walked away from that Alexander Khokhlachev had ample chances to win a job with the Boston deal, and we only got Hall because he forced his way here. He hasn’t Bruins, but he wasn’t big enough or fast enough to succeed at the NHL extended himself for a free agent since 2017. The only ones he has ever level. He was a tweener in my opinion: An effective AHL player that extended himself for are David Backes, Matt Beleskey, and John Moore. wasn’t big or fast enough to make the jump to the NHL level. Heck while we’re on the subject, he was going to use the three first round picks in 2015 to trade up for Noah Hanifin, Zach Werenski, or Ivan And I just never saw anything with JFK. He really hasn’t even popped in Provorov but chickened out and we all know how that ended up. the Swedish Elite Leagues over the last few years either. He had five goals and 13 points in 50 games last season for two different teams. Why I want to believe that another move is coming, but I don’t. While Tampa do people still ask him JFK when he’s probably not even good enough to added Ryan McDonagh, Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow and Pat crack the NHL roster? Maroon Sweeney has repeatedly settled for players like Ondrej Kase and Marcus Johansson. The Foligno, Haula, Nosek, Forbort and Ullmark This reminds me of years ago when all the NHL teams were lining up as signings are all fine. But they’re all b-listers none of which offset the loss suitors for Jimmy Vesey, including the Boston Bruins trying to woo the of your #2 center. We are heading into a season in “win-now” mode with Harvard kid to sign with the Bruins. There were breathless reports about a team that is objectively worse at every single position; how good he was as a player, and that he would make an impact at the NHL level. Then I remember asking David Krejci about the “Vesey • Ullmark is a good goalie. He’s not better than Rask. Sweepstakes” and he kind of rolled his eyes and wondered why there • They’re bringing back the exact same top-4 and a bottom pair that is was so much fuss about a player that hadn’t even proven he could play worse. at the NHL level.

• The top-6 is obviously worse. The bottom-6 is better, but that doesn’t Krejci was absolutely right looking back at hindsight with the knowledge offset getting worse literally everywhere else. that Vesey has been an average NHL player that’s played on four teams and never scored even as much as 20 goals or 40 points in an NHL If they were to make some sort of significant move, either at forward or season. There’s really no reason to carry torches for players like Koko or on D, that might offset the loss of Krejci. But this is the same the same JFK that wouldn’t even be impact players for the Bruins even if they were GM who has sat on his hands and watched the last great years of the in Boston. 2011 core slip away. Is there any reason to believe that this offseason will be any different? In fact, is there any reason to believe that this GM Why don’t players sign for a percentage of the cap instead of a hard deserves to keep his job? figure? Wouldn’t it be easier for the GM to figure out cap usage? Also, would incentivize all players to help expand the league to up the revenue I’ve defended Sweeney through a lot. But when you lose your #2 center and help raise the cap even more. and are still trying to contend you need to make some sort of aggressive move. You don’t replace that player by going bargain bin shopping for a –David Simpson (via Facebook page) lot of b-listers. Unless you’re Sweeney, and it’s the only thing you know JH: Why would players agree to sign for a percentage of the salary cap how to do. that can potentially go way down, or go flat as it’s going to be for the next Contending teams don’t handle the 2nd line center position “by few seasons due to the economic ramifications of COVID-19? As it is, committee.” their salaries are already tied to league revenue escrow that goes up and down dependent on how the NHL is doing as a business. JH: Sorry, man, but you lose me as soon as you tell me that trading for Taylor Hall doesn’t count. Of course, it counts. We don’t deal in your Even as there is harmony on the current CBA with no end in sight, there is way too much general mistrust between the NHL and NHLPA for the players to blindly attach their salaries to the league’s calculation on profits. The players are already motivated to create robust league revenues based on the escrow issue tied to their own salaries, but wholly attaching their own salaries to NHL revenues just isn’t something any player, or agent, would ever be on board with anytime soon.

They certainly wouldn’t do it to make the GM’s job easier when it comes to figuring out the salary cap. That is why people like Boston Bruins assistant GM Evan Gold are part of NHL management teams to figure out the ins and outs of the salary cap, and how best to navigate it.

Boston Hockey NowLOADED: 08.15.2021 1219423 Boston Bruins

BHN Puck Links: NHL Issues Memo On Who Must Be Vaccinated

Published 16 hours ago on August 14, 2021

By Jimmy Murphy

Per Sportsnet NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, the NHL sent a memo to all 32 teams Friday that stated:

“Any worker or people with access to personal interactions with club personnel, including players, are required to be fully vaccinated.”

This announcement came two days after the announced that while they would be returning to full capacity at Jets home games, all fans attending must show proof that they are fully vaccinated. That same day though, the San Jose Sharks announced they would not require proof that fans are fully vaccinated but will require proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the game.

Boston Hockey Now has reached out via email to the Boston Bruins to find out if Bruins fans will need to be fully vaccinated to attend Bruins games during the 2021-22 regular season but as of Saturday morning, there was no reply yet.

Following the Jets’ announcement, I posted a tweet poll asking Bruins fans if they would be OK with the Bruins requiring fans attending home games this season to be fully vaccinated. Despite this being probably the most polarizing topic right now, the Yes votes won by a whopping 81.8 percent to 18.2 percent for the No votes.

It’s good to know that Bruins fans are thinking of and caring for each other and not part of the selfish and entitled population that is literally willing to die on a hill of ignorance!

Now onto the rest of your BHN Puck Links:

Boston Bruins

The Bruins now have times to go with their 2021-22 regular season games. (BHN)

Given the way their season has gone lately, maybe the Boston Red Sox should hire Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy until October. (BHN)

National Hockey Now

In the humble opinion of this puck scribe, not enough credit is given to the for taking the eventual back-to-back Stanley Cup champions to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. Don’t forget, the Isles were without captain Anders Lee and as Stefan Rosner writes, they will be even better this season when he returns. (NYI Hockey Now)

What happened to 2017 Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns’ game over the last three seasons? (San Jose Hockey Now)

Other than the late-breaking news Friday night that NHL players must be vaccinated, the big story in the NHL Friday was that former Boston Bruins captain Joe Thornton has signed with the Florida Panthers at the young age of 42. (Florida Hockey Now)

The lost a valued member of their front office on Friday as Assistant GM Ryan Martin was hired for the same post with the New York Rangers. Martin will also serve as GM of the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. I met Martin many years ago when I moonlighted as a scout for the Montreal Juniors in the QMJHL. The man knows the game inside out and is one of the most cerebral managers in the game. I wish him the best in his new venture. (Detroit Hockey Now)

Can Nolan Patrick, the second overall pick at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft finally start to realize his potential with the after a disappointing start to his career with the Philadelphia Flyers? (Vegas Hockey Now)

Rob Simpson gives his rankings of the Vancouver Canucks’ offseason moves thus far. (Vancouver Hockey Now)

Boston Hockey NowLOADED: 08.15.2021 1219424 Chicago Blackhawks McCabe recalls Murphy scoring the overtime championship-winning goal for the U.S. against Sweden in the 2011 World Under-18 Championships. And Murphy recalls McCabe serving as the U.S. captain and top-pair Jake McCabe, Connor Murphy united on Blackhawks after 12 years of defenseman en route to a gold medal in the 2013 World Under-20 friendship Championships.

McCabe’s top-pair partner, in another remarkable present-day, Hawks- related twist, was Seth Jones. That team was also stacked with John By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST Gibson (now with the Ducks) in goal, J.T. Miller (Canucks) up front and Jacob Trouba (Rangers) also on defense. Aug 14, 2021, 6:30am CDT “That was an awesome tournament,” McCabe said. “We had a really,

really talented team. John Gibson was definitely our MVP; he was In the summer of 2009, then-16-year-old Connor Murphy and 15-year-old unbelievable all tournament long. But we just had a really good group.” Jake McCabe were slightly overwhelmed. After turning pro, McCabe and Murphy again represented the country They had just been the last two players chosen — and were called in and played together in the 2014 and 2016 World Championships. together to hear the news — for a U.S. team at a junior hockey “[In 2014], I was fresh out of college, so I wasn’t playing a whole bunch development camp. They were months away from joining the U.S. — I was more just opening the door and letting the other guys go out National Team Development Program. Their hockey careers were quickly there,” McCabe said with a laugh. “But [in 2016], we were actually ‘D’ accelerating, but they were still mere teenagers. partners most of the tournament.” “At that age, everything is such a shock,” Murphy said. “It felt so crazy to Although that 2016 team finished fourth, a certain USA Hockey executive be connecting with guys who were across the U.S. [It] almost felt like watching from the stands in Russia — Hawks general manager Stan they were across the world at the time. And we literally were playing Bowman — was impressed by the McCabe-Murphy pairing’s against kids across the world after that.” performance. But they at least had each other. Murphy, an Ohioan, and McCabe, a “I remember leaving there thinking, ‘These guys are really good, young Wisconsinite, quickly became friends. defensemen,’” Bowman said earlier this summer. “‘It seems they have Twelve years later, they remain close. And this fall, for the first time, bright careers ahead of them, and it would be nice one day to bring them they’ll be united on NHL ice. to Chicago.’”

With McCabe leaving the Sabres to sign a four-year contract with the That same year, McCabe rented a summer apartment in River North with Blackhawks, and Duncan Keith’s departure making Connor Murphy by his wife and “loved it right away.” Working out with two college friends far the Hawks’ longest-tenured defenseman, their friendship has come ultimately connected him to Chicago-based GVN Performance, which full circle. became his permanent summer training group.

“It’s definitely the spot I wanted to be, so sometimes I have to pinch After Bowman acquired Murphy from the Coyotes in 2017, the longtime myself that it’s real,” McCabe said. “It’s pretty cool to be able to drive friends would occasionally run into each other or hang out during over to Fifth Third [Arena] now and hop on the ice with the rest of the offseasons in Chicago, but their time together remained limited. guys.” Meanwhile, McCabe’s Hawks connections continued to grow, such as “In the [locker] room the other day, we were both saying it feels weird when the Hawks last year hired GVN trainer Juan Gonzalez as the seeing him sitting in the stall by us with Hawks gear on,” Murphy said. “It Rockford IceHogs’ strength and conditioning coach. McCabe’s has been so many years [of] seeing him around with all of his Buffalo daughter’s birth in April further cemented the family’s future in Chicago. stuff and reconnecting in the summer. Now realizing that we’re going to Finally, this July, with McCabe an unrestricted free agent and Bowman be together every day of the year, that’s an exciting thing.” rebuilding a maligned defense, the union that long seemed inevitable Jake McCabe, alongside Murphy, has been a regular on US national finally happened. teams since age 15. Marko Hannula/USA Hockey “My wife and I were talking about free agency coming up and hoping After joining the USNTDP in the fall of 2009, it didn’t take long for there was going to be a fit [with the Hawks],” McCabe said. “And luckily McCabe and Murphy to become familiar with each other. enough, there was mutual interest. It came together relatively quickly.”

“It was very quick,” McCabe said. “You get to know your teammates “I was super excited, obviously,” Murphy said. “Any time you have a pretty quick when you spend all the time in the world with them. We both buddy that joins onto the team, it feels great.” lived in the same general area, or at least our billet families did. You eat McCabe remains on track to be 100% recovered from knee surgery in lunch together, you sometimes drive to the rink together [and] we were February in time for training camp next month, whereas Murphy has hurt together, so we spent a lot of time together.” focused on his conditioning and puck-moving skills during summer Wait a second. Hurt together? training.

“We actually both suffered the same injury: We both had a stress fracture They, along with Jones and Calvin de Haan, comprise the revamped in our lower backs,” McCabe said. “We were out for a couple months and defensive core expected to greatly improve the Hawks’ ability to keep the did the same rehab together: Manual therapy and strengthening. It was puck out of their net next season. nice, actually.” “It is amazing how some of this stuff comes full circle,” Murphy said. “To In between games, practices and tournaments with the USNTDP, players think that, after 12 years, we’re back in a similar stage together is pretty still attend public high school. For McCabe and Murphy, Pioneer High in cool.” Ann Arbor, Michigan, was their assigned school.

And while they were sidelined with their back injuries, there was a lot Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 08.15.2021 more school and a lot less hockey.

“We needed another elective credit, so we took guitar class together,” Murphy said. “We were sitting in there with our back braces, playing guitar, trying to learn that, thinking about how cool it would be. It’s funny how far we’ve gotten since then.”

Murphy moved on to Canadian juniors and McCabe to the University of Wisconsin in 2011, but the friends continued to play alongside each other on U.S. national teams. 1219425 Colorado Avalanche committee internally, with Nichushkin a likely candidate or Compher. Hey, maybe Sampo Ranta tears it up and becomes a top-six guy? Again, it’s going to be a top subplot to the team, how well Newhook establishes Avalanche Mailbag: Where in lineup will Alex Newhook play this year? himself.

I mean, yeah, it’s quite likely. There’s no question that there is pressure on Bednar this year. But there’s pressure on every NHL coach. Every Published 14 hours ago on August 14, 2021 NHL coach’s seat is warm. That’s the nature of the business. Well, maybe not Jon Cooper’s seat, but… By Adrian Dater Bednar knows this. He’s not naive. is not a guy who makes

rash decisions, though. He’s kept the faith in Bednar through a lot of ups Let’s do an Avalanche Mailbag here. and downs already, and I don’t expect that to change. But, yeah, of course, a bad start or just underperformance in general would likely force Great first question Ben. It’s all going to depend who he plays with, I Sakic’s hand in wondering if a change would be necessary. think. If he gets a second-line role, and stays there consistently, I think you have to expect 40 points out of him. If he’s bouncing around the third Only in the case of injury to the top six. I think the Avs are expecting him and fourth lines, I think 25-30 points is the hope. to get a full year under his belt in Loveland, and look more toward next year with regard to making him a full-timer. Of course, injuries could He’ll probably have to play a lot of right wing too, if he is to play on one of speed up his development track. the top two lines. I mean, Landeskog and Burakovsky are the top two left wings on the team and should play in the top six. It’s going to be a very, very interesting subplot to the coming season, how Newhook does. He’s Colorado hockeynowLOADED: 08.15.2021 still a kid, let’s not forget.

It’s an act Adam. I don’t hate the Wild and never have. I really like the great state of Minnesota and the great hockey heritage there.

The old Red Wings days? Yeah, there was a bit of hate there. I’ve admitted that in my book, “Blood Feud.”

I DO have a talent for getting under opposing fans’ skin, and sometimes I’ve enjoyed doing that. I actually like to have FUN sometimes on Twitter, but in today’s hyper-sensitive social environment, where nobody has a sense of humor anymore and everything gets taken out of context, I mostly have retired my Matthew Tkachuk/Tom Wilson act.

Another good question regarding Newhook, Will.

At this point, I’d say Jost. He is definitely the more advanced player right now when it comes to the defensive/checking side of the game, and that’s paramount as a 3C. I think the fervent hope of the Avs is that Newhook will establish himself as a worthy top-six forward. He’ll probably have to play on the wing to do that this year, but no doubt the Avs have hope for him that he can be the replacement at 2C for Nazem Kadri after this season – assuming this might be Kadri’s last year with the club.

Samuel, I will go with this for right now:

Burakovsky-Kadri-Newhook

Compher-Jost-Nichushkin

Bonus Voucher!

Maltsev-Helm-O’Connor

That fourth line is going to be interesting. I think the Avs might interchange Maltsev and Helm at center occasionally, with the other playing on the wing, likely the left side. But you’ve got guys like Kurtis MacDermid, Kiefer Sherwood and Sampo Ranta who will challenge for a regular roster spot too. It’s going to be a very competitive camp for those depth guys.

It’s a good question Dwayne, and I think it’s fair to think the Avs didn’t offer as much term to Grubauer as he wanted because they have a prospect such as Annunen in the pipeline. But we all know how long goalies take to develop. I think we’re still looking at a couple years, minimum, before Annunen gets a real shot with the Avs. If he has a huge year with the Eagles and guys such as Darcy Kuemper and Pavel Francouz somehow don’t play beyond this coming season, then Annunen’s track to the NHL could be sped up.

The fact is, nobody has any idea how Annunen will be in the NHL. I don’t think Grubauer’s situation wasn’t influenced by Annunen, but maybe a little.

Lots of Newhook questions here, so it’s obvious what’s uppermost in the minds of many Avs fans right now.

Tough question, because the Avs have almost no cap room left and a full complement of one-way contracts to the roster. If Newhook is awful and either does more time in the minors or is just an occasional player on one of the bottom two lines, then there is a void in that top six, for sure. But my guess is the Avs would do something of a top-six winger by 1219426 Columbus Blue Jackets system adjustments that are going to be in place with new coaches. That’s just the nature of it. And then it’s keeping my creative juices flowing offensively, just striving to not only help the team win defensively Staying centered: Jack Roslovic looks to prove himself in Columbus but help us win offensively when we need it as well.”

Brian Hedger Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 08.15.2021

The Columbus Dispatch

Columbus' Jack Roslovic is already comfortable offensively playing center. He tied his NHL high with 12 goals and set career marks with 22 assists and 34 points last season.

It’s getting to be repetitive.

Jack Roslovic is growing weary of hearing, “Yeah, but don’t forget about playing defense,” whenever the idea of him becoming a top center for the Blue Jackets is the topic. It’s getting a little old, honestly, but the 24-year old forward also gets why it’s said so much.

Despite playing the position almost exclusively until breaking into the NHL in 2017 with the Winnipeg Jets, who moved him to wing because they were a team brimming with centers, Roslovic is still in the early stages of proving himself at the position while playing among the world’s best players.

“I don’t like saying it, but it’s a little bit reality,” said Roslovic.

Roslovic requested a trade from Winnipeg because he wasn't playing as much as he would have liked for the Jets. He then signed a two-year contract with the Blue Jackets after being acquired, along with star forward Patrik Laine, in a major trade Jan. 23 that sent center Pierre-Luc Dubois the other way.

The offensively-gifted forward opened eyes with his high level of skill and production as a top-six center in Columbus. Playing two minutes per game longer than he did the season prior with Winnipeg (2019-20), Roslovic tied his NHL high with 12 goals and set career marks with 22 assists and 34 points.

Faceoffs are one area where the Blue Jackets hope to see improvement as Jack Roslovic (on right) spends more time at center.

Defense was a different story, and so was taking faceoffs against some of the NHL’s top centers. Roslovic showed improvement by the end of the season, particularly in his faceoff win percentage, but a lot of honing is still needed in those areas for him to become a dependable two-way center who anchors a line with skilled top-six wingers.

Belief that he can do this relatively soon is based on three things: work ethic, a familiar face from Winnipeg hired as one of the Jackets’ new assistant coaches and the hope that coach Brad Larsen’s systems will be better suited for a center with his talents than the one former coach John Tortorella deployed.

Larsen was Tortorella’s top offensive assistant, but is looking to instill a more “progressive” system for a team filled with young, skilled players. Part of the plan included bringing aboard Pascal Vincent as an assistant. He was hired away from his post as head coach of the Manitoba Moose and will be reunited with Roslovic in Columbus.

Vincent worked with Roslovic for almost two full seasons with the Jets’ top affiliate in the . Roslovic was used as a center in that stint, which turned out to be his only professional experience playing the position until joining the Blue Jackets.

“Looking back on it, I’m not going to take anything back but it definitely would’ve been nice to play center (in Winnipeg) and help me grow my game,” Roslovic said. “But I had a really good step this year and a lot of the teaching was from (Vincent) and the coaching I got in the (AHL). Center has always been my natural position and he trusted me with it, and hopefully when he comes here, we’ll continue on.”

Looking at the Blue Jackets’ depth chart at center ice, that’s almost a certainty. What remains a question mark is the one thing he’s getting tired of hearing.

Will his defensive game close the gap on his offensive skills?

“I think it’s going to be interesting,” Roslovic said. “I’m going to start, hopefully, learning new reads that you’re going to have to make and the 1219427 Edmonton Oilers

Oil Spills: Oilers summertime mop-up

Craig Ellingson

Publishing date:Aug 14, 2021

NHL beat writer Rob Tychkowski joins me to talk about the loose ends of the Edmonton Oilers’ summer of 2021 with the pre-season a little more than a month away, including: goalie Mikko Koskinen’s present and future (related to his past, of course). potential signings and/or trades.

Rob’s reaction to the Ethan Bear trade to the for Warren Foegele.

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 08.15.2021 1219428 New York Rangers "I certainly don’t,’’ he said. "He’s had a pretty good NHL career so far himself. Charlie, I grew up with him, and to see where he’s at now, it’s awesome for me. I asked a ton of questions when he first played, and he Rangers' Adam Fox and Bruins' Charlie McAvoy: LI stars to NHL studs stepped in and dominated in the playoffs. And to see where he’s at now is awesome for me.’’

Besides, according to Bruce Fox, McAvoy is destined to be the second By Colin Stephenson Long Islander to win the Norris. [email protected] @ColinSNewsday "Yeah, Charlie’s gonna win the Norris, trust me on that,’’ Bruce Fox said. "He will win the Norris. He’s phenomenal.’’ Updated August 14, 2021 6:01 PM In the meantime, McAvoy is genuinely excited for his pal to have won the

award. What were the odds that a couple of 5-year-old kids from the same youth "It was so exciting. It’s so well-deserved. He’s so special,’’ McAvoy said. hockey team on Long Island would grow up to both be elite defensemen "There’s so many things you could say. Honestly, I think the coolest thing in the NHL? was – not only to play with him, but just a kid from Long Island, right?’’ Pretty long, probably.

Charlie McAvoy and Adam Fox beat those odds, and now the two 23- Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 08.15.2021 year-olds are among the generation of young, stud defensemen in the NHL. Fox, the Jericho native, just won the 2021 Norris Trophy, given to the league’s best defenseman, in only his second year with the Rangers. McAvoy, the Long Beach native playing in his fourth season with the Boston Bruins, was fifth in the voting.

That must have been some youth team they were on.

"You’re not kidding,’’ McAvoy said at a charity ping pong event in Stamford, this past week. "We’ve been really fortunate to be able to play here, play for great coaches, be able to develop as young kids, and then both to go on to Ann Arbor [Michigan] and play for the national team.’’

McAvoy, born in December 1997, made the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, in 2013. Fox, born in February 1998, made the program the next year. Both were on the U.S. team that won the World Junior Championship in 2017, with fellow Long Islander and Long Island Gulls teammate, Jeremy Bracco.

Both Fox and McAvoy said making the program was the first time they realized they had legitimate shots at reaching the NHL.

"You go there, you see how many people have made it from there, and you kind of feel, ‘Hey, why not me?’ ’’ McAvoy said. "It’s sort of a blueprint, a direct line to, not only college, but, hopefully, the pros. So that was kind of where it came to me that, we’re doing something special here.’’

Both played college hockey in Boston – McAvoy at Boston University, Fox at Harvard – and both were drafted in 2016, McAvoy in the first round by Boston, Fox in the second round by Calgary. The Flames ended up trading him to Carolina, who would later deal him to the Rangers.

The two players, both righthanded shots, were defense partners the entire time growing up, from the time they started on the Long Island Leafs, at 5 years old, through when they joined the Long Island Gulls together. The Gulls were coached by Mike Bracco – Jeremy’s father – who, at one point told Fox’s father, Bruce, that Fox and McAvoy were the best defense pair in North America.

"At the time, I kinda like laughed at him,’’ Bruce Fox said. "But looking back now, they could have been, at the time.’’

What made that thought even more mind-boggling was the fact that the two boys were a year younger than most of the kids they were playing with and against. Fox was playing up a year, in the 1997 age group. And while McAvoy was in the correct age group, a December birthday meant he was younger than almost everyone except Fox.

The two boys were tight on and off the ice, sleeping over at each other’s houses, and all the stuff that regular kids do. They both played other sports – McAvoy surfed and played lacrosse, baseball and football; Fox played youth football and was a good lacrosse player.

"They both were just normal, good kids,’’ Bruce Fox said.

Today, the two pals are so proud of each other’s accomplishments. Adam Fox, not the most expansive speaker on most topics, practically gushes when asked about McAvoy. Asked, playfully, if he teases McAvoy about the fact that he is the first Long Islander to win the Norris Trophy, he quickly said no way. 1219429 Ottawa Senators “We’re happy with the number of afternoon games because that lets us focus on one of our key pillars from a marketing perspective, and that’s our focus on families,” LeBlanc said.

GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators will get off to an earlier start at the As noted in this space earlier this week, the Senators and Toronto Maple Canadian Tire Centre for mid-week games Leafs are still waiting for word from the provincial government on whether they can have capacity in their respective rinks. The Senators have 18,153 seats and haven’t been able to put any single game tickets on Bruce Garrioch sale until they get the green light from Doug Ford’s government.

Publishing date:Aug 14, 2021 They also have 1,200 part-time employees that work on a game-by-game basis that need to start making plans for the winter and the Senators also

need to start bringing back people to fill several position in places like Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. sales and marketing.

Fans heading back to the Canadian Tire Centre this fall will need to An email to the office of Lisa MacLeod, the Minister of Heritage, Sport, arrive a little earlier. Tourism and Culture Industries, asking for an update on the status of how many fans will be able to attend wasn’t returned. She did hold a The NHL set its start times for the 2021-22 campaign just before the technical briefing with several stakeholders Thursday — including the weekend got under way and the Ottawa Senators have moved several of Senators and Leafs — and the indications were both teams should be their mid-week starts up by 30 minutes to 7 p.m. starts. able to sell all their seats.

While the Senators opted to schedule their games to 7:30 p.m. to give It’s believed for the Senators and Leafs to get the go-ahead certain people more time to get to the rink in Kanata when the club moved vaccination thresholds have to be met and if they haven’t been already midway through the 1995-96 season from the Civic Centre downtown, they’re certainly close. last season Ottawa played pretty much all of its mid-week games with 7 p.m. starts in the empty rink. No, the organization hasn’t stated whether fans must be fully vaccinated but don’t be surprised if that’s the case when an announcement is made Of the 23 home games released by the league Friday afternoon, 15 will because Melnyk has stated several times “the last thing I want to do is be played at 7 p.m. while six are set to be played at 7:30 p.m. If you’re hold a super spreader event.” wondering why there’s a very rare 1 p.m. start on Jan. 25 on the schedule, that’s because the Senators will try a “School Day” game and will release the details on that promotion later. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 08.15.2021 It should be noted the club also has a 1 p.m. start on New Year’s Eve against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins but that’s during the holiday season with the expectation Bell Capital Cup participants will also be in town.

Making a decision to go this route wasn’t easy because there are a lot of factors involved but after several discussions internally, owner , Anthony LeBlanc, the club’s president of business operations, and the marketing/sales staff felt like the earlier starts may be something that appeals to fans more.

With the 7:30 p.m. starts, the puck isn’t dropped until 7:38 p.m. after the introductions and the national anthems. No, that doesn’t sound like a lot of time but there were several nights where game weren’t completed until just after 10 p.m. If it happened to go to overtime or a shootout you’re looking at 10:20-to-10:30 p.m window for the game to be completed.

Coupled with the fact everybody is leaving the rink at the same time it can make for a late night when people have to work the next day. The earlier starts make sense on a lot of levels and Melnyk was all for the change.

“It’s (7 p.m.) a start time in many markets,” LeBlanc told Postmedia in an email. “Internally, we preferred 7 p.m. start times but we’re cognizant of the fact that 7:30 p.m. was considered important for traffic management.”

Of course, the pandemic has changed all that. Yes, we’ll have to see what the traffic patterns are like in September, but not everybody will be rushing back to their offices this winter. Many people will continue to work from home in the coming months and this is as good a time as any to see how this works.

“Based on the significant uptick in the number of people that will continue to work remotely we felt this was a good season to test out the 7 p.m. start,” LeBlanc said.

An important factor in all of this is television and TSN, the club’s regional rights holder, has no issue with the earlier start times. It may allows them to use That’s Hockey as a pre-game show for its broadcasts of Ottawa games.

Not only does having That’s Hockey help promote the game coming up on the network, it also has the unique ability to put a microphone on players live while they skate around in the warmup and coach D.J. Smith made a few appearances to update the lineup from the bench.

The club also has six afternoon games on weekends plus three 5 p.m. starts on Sunday. 1219430 Ottawa Senators This will give Smith options with his pairings on a nightly basis. Given the fact you’re always going to have injuries, you can never have enough defencemen. Picked up on waivers from the , Victor GARRIOCH: Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion has had a busy off- Mete signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract last week to avoid an season with more work ahead before camp arbitration hearing.

It would make sense for Mete to play in the third pairing with Holden or Brown. That’s a decision that can be made depending on the schedule Bruce Garrioch but the club also has a decision to make on Erik Brannstrom.

Publishing date:Aug 14, 2021 He hasn’t been able to establish himself as a regular and spent time with the club’s AHL affiliate in Belleville last year so he’ll need a strong

training camp to push for a spot. Ottawa Senators General Manager Pierre Dorion. STABILITY BEHIND THE BENCH Pierre Dorion has rolled up his sleeves and has already gotten a lot off The signing of Smith to a two-year extension plus an option was a big his plate this summer. step for the organization. He heads into this season with three years left And, before training camp opens Sept. 22 at the Canadian Tire Centre, on his contract. the Ottawa Senators’ general manager still has more work to try to give The Senators want this group of young players to grow together. This this team a chance to compete for a playoff spot in the spring. was a message to the core the guy behind the bench isn’t going A lot of this off-season has been about staying on course. anywhere. Melnyk and Dorion are committed to helping this group have success. This gives the 44-year-old Smith the chance to show he can When Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and Dorion sat down in Feb., take this team to the next level and help it have success. 2018 in Barbados to map out this rebuild the organization wanted to make sure it had the right pieces in place to get to the next level. The Smith has gotten the players to buy into his program and that’s not easy hiring of coach D.J. Smith in May, 2019 has given the organization because there’s several different personalities in the room. someone behind the bench the players want to play for and win with. The addition of former NBC broadcaster Pierre McGuire, a former NHL Buoyed by the fact the club finished with a 9-2-1 record down the stretch, head coach, pro scout and assistant GM, has helped to give the front the Senators didn’t feel like they had to make wholesale moves, but office more knowledge of the league in his role as vice president of Dorion and the hockey operations staff did fine-tuning around the NHL player development. draft last month. Dorion spoke about the positive role that the 60-year-old McGuire played For the most part, the core is in place. The Senators plan to build this in free agency. around the likes of forwards Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, Drake SIGNING ON THE DOTTED LINE Batherson, Tim Stuetzle, Shane Pinto and Alex Formenton along with Thomas Chabot. The Senators have work to do with their own free agents.

Ideally, they’d like to make another move or two to either add a veteran Tkachuk, Batherson and Gustavsson all need contract extensions after centre or anotherforward to the mix after making a couple of additions on coming off their entry-level deals. defence. Let’s be honest, most eyes are on Tkachuk because the 21-year-old Here’s a look back at the off-season for the Senators and a look ahead at winger has 125 points in 198 games since being selected No. 4 overall in what’s on Dorion’s “To Do” list in the coming weeks: the 2018 NHL draft. Trying to guess what kind of extension Tkachuk is going to sign by some media has become almost a daily exercise in SENDING THEM PACKING Ottawa because the reality is nobody knows where these discussions are The biggest roster move the Senators made was dealing winger Evgenii at. Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for veteran Many look at winger Matthew Tkachuk’s negotiations with the Calgary defenceman Nick Holden and a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL draft. Flames, see that he signed a three-year extension worth $7 million and Signed to a three-year, $15 million contract as a unrestricted free agent believe this is where Brady will settle in Ottawa. Sure, it’s a plausible last October, Dadonov scored 13 goals and had 20 points in 55 games theory, but if that kind of deal is the only way something gets done in time last season but he didn’t produce on the power play and that’s why he for camp, it can be signed on Sept. 15. was brought here. Dadonov finished with just one assist with the man Yes, Dorion and Tkachuk’s Toronto-based agent Craig Oster of Newport advantage and that’s why the decision was made to move on. Sports have held talks and though nobody is saying this publicly they’ve Getting that salary off the books is good for the organization and the 34- exchanged ideas on term/money. year-old Holden will bring a strong presence to this club’s blueline while Melnyk has said the organization would like to get Tkachuk signed to a playing mostly with rugged defender Josh Brown. long-term extension (six, seven or eight years) and make him the That wasn’t the only change made. captain. If you’re going to sew the ‘C’ on a players jersey does it really make sense to have him playing on a three-year bridge deal if that’s what The club also told goaltender Marcus Hogberg he wouldn’t get a the two sides decide to settle on? qualifying offer after a disastrous year plus the organization also let forwards Derek Stepan, Artem Anisimov and head to free Both sides want an amicable solution and unlike some experts we’re not agency. going to sit here pretending we know where this will settle because we don’t. The expansion picked up goaltender Joey Daccord but the club has no shortage of depth in net with Matt Murray, Anton As for Batherson, he has just completed his first full season in the NHL, Forsberg, Filip Gustavsson, Mads Sogaard, Kevin Mandolese and Leevi and there’s been speculation in league circles the two sides will settle on Merilainen under contract. a short-term (two or three years) to give the 23-year-old more time to show what he’s got. Mandolese will be with the ECHL in Atlanta while Merilainen will suit up for the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs. He had 17 goals and 34 points in 56 games last year and if he doesn’t sign a longer term then maybe Batherson wants to see where he can BACKING THE BLUELINE take this season.

After signing restricted free agent D Artem Zub to a two-year, $5 million As for Gustavsson, he will likely start the year in Belleville unless the club deal, the Senators felt they needed someone who could help the club’s has to carry a taxi squad this season in case of a fourth wave of COVID- top four. That came in the form of the signing of UFA blueliner Michael 19. Still, the club has Forsberg on a one-way contract to be the backup. Del Zotto, who spent last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, to a two-year, $4 million deal. MOVING PIECES The club is still trying to add another forward _ either a winger or centre _ through a trade or free agency. Brannstrom could still be a trade chip in these negotiations if the organization tries to make a deal. Ideally, they’d like to get a winger that can play in the top six or another centre to move somebody to the wing. He’s a year away from unrestricted free agency and you’d have to give up big pieces to get him. The Senators kicked tired on centre Jack Eichel but the asking price is high and the contract would make it restrictive to make other moves. It says here it wouldn’t be any surprise if the club added another winger to replace Dadonov.

There’s rumours making the rounds on the internet that the Senators have held talks with the San Jose Sharks about centre Tomas Hertl. He’s a year from being a UFA and we’re led to believe there’s nothing to any of this chatter. New York Rangers centre Ryan Strome may make sense if the Rangers trade for Eichel. Chicago is also trying to move centre Dylan Strome and Ottawa has shown mild interest there.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before but the club would like to move centre Logan Brown. It hasn’t worked for both sides and it would be best if something happens before camp. But, the Senators don’t want to give Brown away and Dorion wants to make a hockey deal. His numbers in the AHL have been pretty good when he hasn’t been injured and he’s still a prospect despite his inability to make the team.

Finally, expect Chris Tierney to start the season with the Senators. He wasn’t good last year but he’ll be a UFA and should be motivated to get new contract somewhere else. There was midl interest from a couple of teams at the NHL trade deadline last year but those teams have faded away.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 08.15.2021 1219431 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers sign their top 2021 pick, a Finnish winger with 'elite speed'

BY JORDAN HALL

Samu Tuomaala, the headliner of the Flyers' 2021 draft class, signed his three-year entry-level contract on Saturday.

A 5-foot-10, 179-pound Finnish winger, Tuomaala was drafted by the Flyers in the second round at 46th overall last month. He was the Flyers' opening pick of the draft after the club traded its first-round spot in a package to acquire Rasmus Ristolainen.

The 18-year-old Tuomaala possesses game-changing speed and an affinity to scoring. He was the 10th-ranked European skater by NHL Central Scouting, just after touted Swedish winger Fabian Lysell, who was taken at 21st overall by the Bruins. Tuomaala was the 19th-ranked player in the draft by TSN's Craig Button.

"He was rated as a first-round talent," Flyers director of European scouting Joakim Grundberg said in July. "We were able to get him in the middle of the second round, so we’re really excited about that. To us, he has elite speed and high skill, very good shot, high offensive upside. There are things he’s got to work on like his overall game and obviously getting stronger. We’re really excited; we see a lot of upside there."

Tuomaala, who likes to model his game after David Pastrnak, scored 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) through 30 games last season for Karpat at the junior hockey level in Finland. He had a big 2021 U-18 IIHF World Junior Championship for Finland, putting up 11 points (five goals, six assists) in seven games.

"We kind of thought he would probably go at the end of the first or somewhere in the 20s and he fell," Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr said in July after the draft. "A real talented winger, great speed, real dynamic speed, he loves to shoot the puck and score goals. Talented kid. He's going to take a little time to get stronger and put on a little weight, but a talented kid that has real good offensive upside."

Tuomaala said he wants to improve his defensive game. In 2021-22, the Karpat product is expected to play in Liiga, Finland's top pro league. He saw five games in Liiga last season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.15.2021 1219432 Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 08.15.2021

Penguins Schedule: NHL Announces Times, Pens Get 6 Afternoon Games in April

Published 20 hours ago on August 14, 2021

By Dan Kingerski

The NHL released the schedule a few weeks ago, but absent were start times for the games, including the Pittsburgh Penguins. Fans who love the afternoon tilts, despite most players despising them, will get six afternoon home games on the Penguins 2021-22 schedule.

And a point of happiness for journalists and early-to-bed folks who like to leave in the third period, the Pittsburgh Penguins do not have any 8 p.m. starts at home.

In fact, the Penguins have only a few games, excluding the west coast and central time zone games, which are not 7 p.m. starts. The season’s first game, as the Lightning raise their Stanley Cup banner will get a later jump. That game is scheduled to be a 7:30 p.m. puck drop–though we know how those go.

The Penguins have 7:30 p.m. puck drops at the New York Islanders on Nov. 26, Dec. 29 at the , at home vs. St. Louis on Jan. 5, March 10 at the Islanders, and March 23 at the Buffalo Sabres.

Pittsburgh Penguins Afternoon Games:

Is 6 p.m. an afternoon game or early evening? The games in bold are home games.

The Penguins’ first-afternoon game is on New Years Eve in Ottawa. As Josh Yohe of the Athletic and I were chased out of the media workroom in Detroit at 11 p.m on Dec. 31, 2015, perhaps an afternoon game is best. The Penguins will play back-to-back afternoon games and three in eight days as they host the San Jose Sharks on Jan 2. and visit Dallas on Jan. 8.

Dec 31: 1 p.m. Penguins at Ottawa

Jan. 2: 1 p.m. Penguins vs. San Jose

Jan. 8: 2 p.m. Penguins at Dallas

The Pittsburgh Penguins will also have back-to-back Sunday afternoon games when they host the Winnipeg Jets and LA Kings at the end of January.

Jan. 23: 1 p.m. Penguins vs. Winnipeg Jets

Jan. 30: 1 p.m. Penguins vs. LA Kings

The Olympic break will shelve some of the Penguins for three weeks in February. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are expected to play on Team Canada and Team Russia, respectively, in Beijing. Bryan Rust and Jake Guentzel figure to be Team USA favorites, too.

The Penguins will play back-to-back early games late in February.

Feb. 26: 3 p.m. Penguins vs. New York Rangers

Feb. 27: 6 p.m. Penguins at Carolina

The Penguins have another 6 p.m. against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 13 and SIX afternoon games in April, including four straight Saturdays.

March 13: 6 p.m. Penguins vs. Carolina

March 27: 5 p.m. Penguins vs. Detroit

April 2: 3 p.m. Penguins at Colorado

April 9: 3 p.m. Penguins vs. Washington

April 10: 4 p.m. Penguins vs. Nashville

April 16: 12:30 p.m. Penguins at Boston

April 23: 12:30 p.m. Penguins at Detroit

April 24: 4 p.m. Penguins at Philadelphia 1219433 San Jose Sharks

BREAKING: Eklund Signs with Sharks, Willing to Play in AHL

Published 9 hours ago on August 14, 2021

By Sheng Peng

Will William Eklund play for the San Jose Sharks next year?

It’s now a possibility: Per Puckpedia, Eklund and the Sharks have agreed to an entry-level contract.

This was a critical step for Eklund to take if he wants to play for the San Jose Sharks next season.

Time was ticking on this possibility. A player with a European contract for the 2021-22 season cannot be signed to an NHL contract after Aug. 15 unless his respective international federation releases him.

In addition, a source has indicated to San Jose Hockey Now that Eklund would be willing to accept a temporary assignment to the AHL if his caliber of play is close to NHL-quality. Of course, Eklund’s preference would be to make the San Jose Sharks straight out of training camp.

But if not, Eklund will also have the option of returning to his SHL club Djurgårdens.

San Jose Sharks fans will get their first look at Eklund this week: Sharks development camp starts this Monday and there will be a prospects scrimmage on Thursday night.

San Jose Hockey NowLOADED: 08.15.2021 1219434 San Jose Sharks

Where Has Brent Burns Declined? | SJHN+

Published 18 hours ago on August 14, 2021

By Sheng Peng

Brent Burns may not be Brent Burns anymore, but he’s still plenty good.

If his usage — undisputed No. 1 defenseman on the San Jose Sharks and part of the team’s most relied-upon shutdown pairing with Mario Ferraro — doesn’t convince you, maybe this SPORTLOGiQ-powered piece about Burns’s strengths will do the trick.

But I wouldn’t be writing this article if it was all sunshine and rainbows for Burns and the San Jose Sharks. So just like SPORTLOGiQ provided the good about the 36-year-old, here’s the bad.

San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 08.15.2021 1219435 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning will raise Stanley Cup banner at home opener

By Mari Faiello

Published Yesterday

Updated Yesterday

The Lightning will raise their Stanley Cup championship banner before their regular-season opener against the Penguins on Oct. 12 at Amalie Arena. Start time is 7:30 p.m.

The game is part of a doubleheader that will kick off the 2021-22 NHL season. The expansion Kraken will play the Golden Knights in the second game in Las Vegas.

The schedule includes an Olympic break from Feb. 2-22. However, a final decision has not been reached regarding NHL participation in the Games in Beijing.

“Talks remain ongoing,” the league said.

If NHL players do not participate, the league will switch to a revised schedule that “to the greatest extent possible, will adopt the dates and games reflected in the schedule contemplating Olympic participation,” the league said.

Memo sent to league personnel regarding vaccination requirements

The NHL sent a memo to league personnel updating vaccination requirements for its teams, Canada’s Sportsnet network reported.

“Any person whose job, role, position or access entails or entitles them to have personal interactions (within 12 feet) with Club Hockey Operations personnel (including Players) are required to be Fully Vaccinated,” the memo says, according to the report.

NHL sent a memo updating vaccination requirements to its teams: "Any person whose job, role, position or access entails or entitles them to have personal interactions (within 12 feet) with Club Hockey Operations personnel (including Players) are required to be Fully Vaccinated."

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 08.15.2021 1219436 Tampa Bay Lightning

Sonya Bryson-Kirksey released from hospital following COVID battle

By Mari Faiello

Published Yesterday

Updated Yesterday

TAMPA — It has been nearly a month since Sonya Bryson-Kirksey got to see life outside James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital.

But Friday, the Lightning’s U.S. national anthem singer walked out under her own power after being released following a 29-day stay with COVID- 19 pneumonia.

Wearing a blue Stanley Cup boat parade T-shirt, Bryson-Kirksey, 54, of Riverview stepped out of an elevator to the lobby as family, friends and staff applauded.

At one point, she let go of her walker and hugged her husband, Jimmie Kirksey Jr. It was the first embrace the two had since Bryson-Kirksey was admitted to the hospital July 16 with a 103-degree fever.

After arriving home, Bryson-Kirksey reached out on social media to Lightning fans and others who supported her during her time in the hospital.

“Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for every prayer, cards, food, letters, positive thoughts, well wishes and donations,” she wrote. “My husband & I are grateful for every gift of love and for checking on he and I, while I was in the hospital.

“I have been surrounded by prayer (and) I might have gotten in a couple of jabs, but there is NO DOUBT THAT GOD brought me through, but I will continue to be a warrior. Now, that I am home from my 30-day hospital stay, I PLEASE ask for privacy to continue my therapy, healing and to wean from oxygen. I will try to respond to messages as my energy dictates and when I am well enough, I will be back on socials being ME! I LOVE YOU!”

Shortly after being admitted to the hospital, Bryson-Kirksey said she was fighting for her life during the sickest period of her life. She has multiple sclerosis, which made the coronavirus’ delta variant more dangerous to her, though she was vaccinated in March.

She spent a week in the intensive care unit late last month after her fever spiked. When the finally broke, she returned to her regular room Aug. 4 to work on her breathing and getting her lungs back to normal.

A GoFundMe page to help the family with expenses raised more than $20,000, and a local T-shirt apparel designer created a shirt inspired by her, with proceeds going toward the fundraiser and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 08.15.2021 1219437 Toronto Maple Leafs comfortable from day one doing all the things we needed to have done. It was a slam dunk.”

Hirshfeld, who recently took on an advisory role with the Professional Michael Hirshfeld’s work is providing some coaching for NHL coaches Tennis Players Association, stresses that the success of the coaches’ association “isn’t about me.”

By Mark Zwolinski Sports Reporter “We’re all pretty humble people here and, really, this isn’t about one person — it’s about the coaches.” Sat., Aug. 14, 2021

Toronto Star LOADED: 08.15.2021 Michael Hirshfeld certainly paid his dues.

The executive director of the NHL Coaches’ Association started his professional career in minor-league baseball, doing a little bit of everything for the Welland Pirates, a former short-short season affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He did a little more with the Triple-A Ottawa Lynx, who were an affiliate of the Montreal Expos. And he spent time with the Blue Jays, working in public and media relations while he was in law school.

It was a hectic but fun beginning, the 48-year-old Hirshfeld says, while describing his days in Welland. “We built the mound, we sold the tickets, we did everything we had to to make the team run.”

Things haven’t slowed that much. Hirshfeld has gone from building mounds to building an organization for hockey coaches. He was a corporate lawyer and spent more than 15 years in the investment industry before Mike Babcock, the former Red Wings and Maple Leafs head coach, interviewed him for the executive director’s job with the NHLCA five years ago.

“His leadership has been fantastic,” Babcock says. “Mike has done a good job getting us to where we wanted to be.”

The organization was founded in 2001 by Scotty Bowman, along with Roger Nielsen, Pat Quinn, and Larry Robinson, and was a part-time service being administered by George Kingston before Hirshfeld took over. It is a full-time operation now. Lindsay Artkin, who started providing consulting services in 2016, became president in 2019. The participation rate of coaches was about 44 per cent five years ago. Today, it’s 100 per cent.

“What we do is make things easier for the coaches,” Hirshfeld says.

There are more than 200 coaches with the NHL’s 32 teams, and the organization helps them with their contracts and offers counselling covering a wide range of personal services. Hirshfeld tapped into companies like BMO, the law firm Dentons and the accounting firm PwC to provide specialists.

“Now, when the coaches think of pensions, health benefits, disability insurance, really, anything non-hockey-related, they don’t have to tackle these issues on their own,” Hirshfeld says. “We have professionals ready to help the coaches immediately and it speeds up the time needed to educate them in the things that are important to them and their families.”

It’s the type of organization Babcock envisioned when he began the search for an executive director. His goal was not only to help every NHL head coach but every coach on staff, from the assistants to those who toil behind the scenes in video and data analysis. They now have access to information on member contracts.

Michael Hirshfeld has a simple description of the role of the NHL Coaches’ Association. “What we do is make things easier for the coaches.”

Artkin has developed programs for younger hockey coaches, allowing them to develop their skills by learning from the top professional coaches. The NHLCA also has programs for female and BIPOC hockey coaches.

“I think the NHL landscape has to be more diverse, and our coaches have given us the mandate to assist BIPOC coaches and female coaches in their own professional development,” Hirshfeld says. “By helping in their development and trying to remove some of the barriers for these coaches, the goal is that more and more opportunities will open up at all levels of professional hockey.

“We wanted to get it to the next level,” Babcock says. “We wanted to help the coaches get the information they needed ... information that they could use and that their families could use. Hirshy had a solid background. When we interviewed him, he showed confidence, he was 1219438 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks sign Jason Dickinson to a three-year deal

Staff Reporter

Publishing date:Aug 14, 2021

The Vancouver Canucks have just two outstanding contracts to deal with, as the NHL team announced Saturday they’d signed restricted free agent forward Jason Dickinson to a new contract.

The 26 year old agreed to a new three-year deal with the Canucks that will pay him an average annual salary of $2.65 million.

The Canucks sent a third-round pick in last month’s NHL Entry Draft to the to acquire Dickinson, who had 15 points last season.

Dickinson didn’t accept his qualifying offer from the Canucks ahead of the opening of the free agency window last month and opted for arbitration. A hearing was scheduled for Aug. 20.

“Jason was an important addition for our forward group this summer and we’re pleased to have agreed to terms with him on a three-year deal,” said GM in a statement. “He’s a versatile player that can play on both the wing and at centre, and is also a strong killer.”

The 2013 first-round pick by Dallas is expected to centre the Canucks’ third line this season.

Dickinson’s agent Pat Morris told Postmedia that one-, two- and three- year deals had been discussed.

The contract will pay Dickinson $1.5 million in salary this season, plus a $500,000 signing bonus. His salary in 2022-23 will be $2.7 million and $3.25 million in the final year of the deal (no signing bonus in the latter two seasons). There is no no-trade clause in the contract.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound native of Georgetown, Ont., led all Stars forward in blocked shots (49) and was fourth in hits (78) while averaging a career-high of 16:12 in ice time per game.

He’s played 221 career NHL games, notching 25 goals and 38 assists.

The Canucks have just two free agents remaining, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 08.15.2021