SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 7/20/2020 1188722 For Bruins, upcoming week of preparation will be a big test 1188750 Nygard would love to shake injury bug in first post-season 1188723 Charlie Coyle tests negative for COVID-19 following with Oilers inconclusive result 1188751 Oilers' Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen combining for 1188724 GM Don Sweeney, Bruins dealing with player absences positive net presence 1188725 Brad Marchand believes Bruins can succeed in this unique 1188752 JONES: Opportunity literally knocking on Edmonton situation Oilers' door 1188726 Bruins' Charlie Coyle held out after 'inconclusive' 1188753 Lowetide: Philip Broberg fortunate to arrive with Oilers COVID-19 test, tested negative subsequently under mature management 1188727 Seven more Bruins players were 'unfit to participate' in 1188754 A ‘different’ Oilers initiation leaves Olivier Rodrigue practice Saturday wanting more 1188728 The trickle-down effect of David Pastrnak and Ondrej 1188755 What to know from training camps as Blackhawks and Kase’s absences from camp Oilers prepare to meet 1188729 Agent: Charlie Coyle kept out of practice after returning inconclusive test Florida Panthers 1188756 Is Joel Quenneville tired of getting asked about Sergei Bobrovsky yet? ‘It’s what it is’ 1188730 Calgarian's advocacy for diversity makes him finalist for NHL's O'Ree award Minnesota Wild 1188731 Flames hit the ice for first game-like scrimmage of Phase 1188757 Wild training camp in summer aside, Matt Dumba's 3 motivation is strong 1188732 Snapshots: Top line back together on the ice for 1188758 North Stars' Wren Blair pulled a fast one in 1967 with scrimmage camp accommodations Carolina Hurricanes 1188733 Hurricanes’ team photo this year has a new look: 1188759 Hickey on Hockey: Crosby's early exit puts spotlight on everyone wearing a mask stupid NHL policy 1188734 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks camp, including no 1188760 From Legos to new brides to babies, life away from family clarity on the goaltending job and a defensive pairing will be adjustment for Predators 1188735 The Chicago Blackhawks need scoring help in their series 1188761 Daily testing, social distancing in locker room: Hockey life against the Edmonton Oilers. Here are 5 playoff newco a bit different for Predators 1188736 Blackhawks’ defensemen, adjusting to Corey Crawford’s absence 1188737 At halfway point of training camp, Blackhawks begin 1188762 Jean-Gabriel Pageau starting to mesh with Islanders looking ahead to Edmonton teammates 1188738 Rozner: Blackhawks a mystery in net with on tap 1188763 Barry Trotz not happy with Islanders' effort in scrimmage: 1188739 Blackhawks' Dach could be secret to getting past Oilers 'I didn't like a lot of the stuff today' 1188740 How Blackhawks defenseman Slater Koekkoek would 1188764 Andy Greene never considered not returning to Islanders defend Oilers' Connor McDavid this season 1188741 Blackhawks could see Oilers' Smith and Koskinen in net for qualifier New York Rangers 1188742 What to know from training camps as Blackhawks and 1188765 Igor Shesterkin is clear front-runner in Rangers goalie Oilers prepare to meet battle 1188766 Pavel Buchnevich not in danger of missing start of Rangers-Hurricanes series 1188743 Chambers: Avalanche has a shot at . Ian Cole 1188767 Pavel Buchnevich’s exit from Rangers practice shrouded has the playoff to prove it in mystery 1188768 Pavel Buchnevich does not take part in Rangers' Columbus Blue Jackets intrasquad scrimmage 1188744 Josh Anderson added to Blue Jackets’ camp roster 1188769 Igor Shesterkin isn't just assuming that he is David Quinn's 1188745 Healthy Oliver Bjorkstrand shows scoring touch in first top pick in net week of Columbus Blue Jackets’ camp 1188770 After a week of camp, Igor Shesterkin has made Rangers’ 1188746 Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski elevates his game biggest decision easy 1188747 Revamped top line provides potential spark for Stars 1188771 Jake Voracek talkin’ about privacy after Flyers practice on offense Sunday 1188748 Fixing Stars’ offensive hangups could be key to lengthy 1188772 Jake Voracek back to work with Flyers after acing a test playoff run 1188773 Flyers' Jakub Voracek says calm down, he's fine ... now 1188749 Stars 20/20: The Stars scrimmaged. Everything’s weird; you know let’s have some fun 1188774 Teddy Blueger keeps putting in extra work to remain in 1188796 Jets' blueline stronger than ever Penguins’ lineup 1188797 Jets rookie Harkins getting up to speed in case playoff 1188775 Double Team: Markus Naslund’s unfulfilled promise with playing time comes his way Penguins was realized with Canucks 1188798 JETS SNAPSHOTS: Jets coach Maurice thankful to have 1188776 Penguins forward remains absent from nearly full complement of players in camp amid COVID-19 practice te 1188777 Sidney Crosby misses practice, and the Penguins' depth SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 is already being tested 1188778 Sidney Crosby injury update and other observations from Penguins camp St Louis Blues 1188779 Something old, something new in Blues' early line combos 1188780 Quarantine Chronicles: Getting there is half the fun 1188781 For starters, Tarasenko will be on Blues' second power play unit 1188782 Tampa Bay Lightning’s Blue and White game: What to watch for Monday 1188783 Lightning coach, players adjust routines with NHL’s return-to-play protocols Maple Leafs 1188784 Auston Matthews is no magician — at least off the ice — but he has a few tricks up his sleeve for Toronto’s NH 1188785 Is Pastrnak OK? What about Stamkos? The road to the Stanley Cup is full of unexpected curves 1188786 Keefe not worried that pucks regularly getting past Andersen in Leafs scrimmages 1188787 Hyman's status not abundantly clear, but Leafs coach Keefe not overly concerned 1188788 Matthews feeling 'a bit better' every day as Leafs move into second week of camp 1188799 Ben Kuzma: Ferland finally tests fitness, health in Canucks scrimmage 1188800 Willes' Musings: Canucks trio of Hughes, Pettersson and Boeser are making history 1188801 Ben Kuzma: Eriksson vows to play on, push hard for Canucks' post-season spot 1188802 Steve Ewen: Evason's old allies excited about his new opportunity with Minnesota Wild 1188803 Sunday scrimmage: 5 key observations from the Canucks’ second game simulation Vegas Golden Knights 1188789 Golden Knights search for chemistry on 3rd line 1188790 Golden Knights call-ups auditioning for playoff roster spot 1188791 Fleury or Lehner? Golden Knights’ goalie puzzle remains hard to solve Washington Capitals 1188792 Capitals’ Michal Kempny is ready for a new start after the four-month pause 1188793 The biggest ‘what ifs’ in Capitals history: What if the Caps never traded Filip Forsberg? 1188794 Why Caps' Michal Kempny could again be the key to a long playoff run in 2020 1188795 A guitar, UNO and video games: What are the Capitals packing for the bubble? Websites 1188804 Sportsnet.ca / Oilers Notebook: Tippett still searching for best fit with Anthanasiou 1188805 Sportsnet.ca / Canucks' Ferland taking return from complex health scare 'day by day' 1188806 Sportsnet.ca / 'My darkest nightmare': Canucks' Stecher opens up about father's death 1188807 Sportsnet.ca / Where the East's American play-in teams stand ahead of NHL restart 1188808 TSN.CA / experiment with 'All-Star Game line' as intensity rises at camp 1188809 TSN.CA / Auston Matthews aiming to shoot more as Toronto Maple Leafs camp ramps up 1188722 Boston Bruins Sweeney said a small group of players were working out in Brighton, but he would not say if any of the nine missing Saturday were back on the ice.

For Bruins, upcoming week of preparation will be a big test “We’ll certainly keep our fingers crossed, based on the test results that need to come back, that we’ll have a group (Monday) that will probably, definitively answer that question for you,” Sweeney said. “Some of these By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated July 19, 2020, 5:27 p.m. things are pending (a test) result. “We hope to have a full group (Monday). The best-laid plans sometimes go astray.” The Bruins are scheduled to leave for Toronto this coming Sunday. How cohesive they will be upon arrival is anyone’s guess. He said the team will test players for COVID-19 every day this week “just to stay ahead of things.” In Phase 3, players already cleared to practice This week the Bruins will test players daily for COVID-19, instead of are required to have an RT-PCR (nasal swab) test every other day, with every other day as currently required. That could mean more player results available within 24 hours. A positive test means they cannot use absences, practice adjustments and cryptic status updates, all in the team facilities. name of keeping players and staff healthy before entering the NHL’s strictly monitored bubble in their playoff hub city. The Bruins leave for Toronto this coming Sunday). They open with an exhibition game against Columbus (July 30), followed by round-robin At least one player, Charlie Coyle, was held out of Saturday’s practice games against Philadelphia (Aug. 2), Tampa Bay (Aug. 5) and because of an inconclusive test result. Coyle’s agent, Quincy-based Bob Washington (Aug. 8). The first round begins Aug. 11. Norton, said in an email to the Globe that Coyle later tested negative and has since reported no symptoms. No Toronto restriction

David Pastrnak’s agent, J.P. Barry, said he is being quarantined because Even though local and provincial offices approved the idea, Canada’s of exposure to a positive case. The Bruins’ leading scorer and NHL federal government on Saturday declined ’s regular-season co-leader in goals (48) has yet to skate with his usual request to open its US border for the Toronto Blue Jays to play 30 linemates, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, or man his spot on the regular-season home games at their home ballpark, Rogers Centre. No. 1 power play unit since the Bruins returned to practice. Sweeney was not aware of the baseball ban affecting the NHL’s plans in Winger Ondrej Kase, trying to find a home in Bruce Cassidy’s top-six that city. forward unit, has been at Warrior Ice Arena only for a brief time, skating Wednesday with rookie Trent Frederic. “There’s no comings and goings on a daily basis,” he said. “Once you’re in, you’re inside that protective environment. That’s for all the right Safety first, of course, but missed practice time is piling up. reasons.” Nine players, Pastrnak, Kase and Coyle among them, were not present The MLB issue was the back-and-forth travel between cities. The NHL at Saturday’s practice. No. 1 goalie Tuukka Rask was believed to be was granted an exemption because the 24 teams set to arrive in Toronto dealing with a hand injury. It is not clear why the Bruins were without and Edmonton, via private charters, will not have contact with the general power-play Torey Krug, No. 2 center David Krejci and public and will remain in place for the duration of the Stanley Cup bottom-six forwards Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner. Cassidy had to playoffs, leaving for good when they are eliminated. scrap a planned scrimmage. The reported the US-Canada border will remain closed All those players were deemed “unfit to participate” by the team, as part to nonessential travel until at least Aug. 21, when the NHL plans to be in of the NHL-NHLPA injury and illness media protocol in use for the rest of the second round of the playoffs. this season. Roster rules General manager Don Sweeney, speaking on a Sunday video call, downplayed the severity of players missing a day or two. “But when At the start of Phase 3 last week, teams had to submit a playoff roster. you’re starting to miss weeks on end, which we have a couple players Sweeney said they can leave behind players on the roster who aren’t that will be in that category, you’ll have some rust to knock off,” he said, cleared on July 26, but they could “face quarantine issues” if they didn’t possibly alluding to Pastrnak and Kase. travel to the hub city on the team charter … Teams cannot call up non- roster players while at the hub city, or shuttle players in and out. Only “We had some players that had been skating quite a bit leading up to goalies can be recalled … Sweeney said Rask “certainly” won’t play the Phase 3, but the timing I think more than anything, continuity with your whole exhibition game against the Blue Jackets. Jaroslav Halak will get linemates, situations you have to work through as you go through some work … Sweeney was chipper. “I am happy to report that I am fit practices, you’re going to have to get them up to speed when you do and able to participate in this call,” he said. So they have that going for have them back in a shorter period of time.” them.

Sweeney confirmed that Pastrnak and Kase skated at another facility Boston Globe LOADED: 07.20.2020 before entering Phase 3. Players in Phase 2 were able to skate where ice was available. The Globe viewed photos and later-deleted social media posts of the two Bruins wingers posing in full gear with non- NHLers at a rink in Malden, as late as Monday of last week.

When asked if Pastrnak had been spoken to about being too carefree in public, Sweeney didn’t directly answer. He said the Bruins’ medical team, particularly team doctor David Finn, facility hygiene officer Kathleen Saunders, and consultant Edward Ryan, the director of global infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, are constantly educating players on NHL and Massachusetts safety protocol (“one doesn’t supercede the other,” he noted), and that players who reported for Phase 3 were coming from “different environments where things weren’t on the same level and the concern may or may not have been on that level.”

“You have to assimilate to what’s necessary in our environment,” Sweeney said.

He said players are free to explain why they are “unfit,” if they choose.

“I think every team pretty much will probably face (significant absences) at some point in time, unless they’re just incredibly fortunate, and good for them,” Sweeney said. “But we’re not in that situation, so I can’t change that. All I can do is worry about and plan for what we have.” 1188723 Boston Bruins

Charlie Coyle tests negative for COVID-19 following inconclusive result

By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated July 19, 2020, 12:17 p.m.

Bruins center Charlie Coyle, one of several players missing from Saturday’s practice, was held out because he submitted an inconclusive test for COVID-19. Coyle later tested negative and reported no symptoms throughout.

That’s according to his agent, Quincy-based Bob Norton, who confirmed those details to the Globe in an email Sunday morning. Coyle, the Weymouth product and key cog on the third line, was feeling well.

“All good,” Norton wrote.

The Athletic first reported the reason for Coyle’s absence.

Coyle was one of nine Bruins regulars out of action Saturday at Warrior Ice Arena, all of them designated “unfit to participate” by the team under the NHL’s vague new reporting system. Others absent included leading scorer David Pastrnak, who is known to be in quarantine for coming in contact with a person who tested positive for the coronavirus; No. 1 goalie Tuukka Rask (recent hand injury), defenseman Torey Krug and forwards David Krejci, Sean Kuraly, Ondrej Kase, Nick Ritchie, and Chris Wagner also missed practice. The Bruins were scheduled to be off Sunday, but general manager Don Sweeney said an unnamed group of players would skate.

Boston Globe LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188724 Boston Bruins you have to assimilate to what’s necessary to our environment. And that’s part of the balancing act here. We have the protocols that the league has put forward and we’ve been operating under every one of those, but we also have (state and city) requirements. It’s a balancing act GM Don Sweeney, Bruins dealing with player absences there, making sure our guys are educated. Sometimes you have to react after the fact when you have things that don’t go your way. And I think

that’s probably the case as it stands here.” By STEVE CONROY | PUBLISHED: July 19, 2020 at 4:24 p.m. | Once the B’s get to Toronto, they will play an exhibition game against UPDATED: July 19, 2020 at 4:27 p.m. Columbus on July 30, then the round-robin games begin for them on Aug. 2 against the Flyers. It’s going to be a short ramp-up for every player, but especially goalies. Rask said on Friday he’d be surprised if he Don Sweeney greeted reporters on a Sunday morning Zoom call with a or any other starting goalie played every minute of every game. Sweeney cheery salutation. understands where he was coming from, leaving open the possibility that he could have an off-night. It would not shock anyone if Jaroslav Halak “I’m happy to report that I’m fit and able to participate in this call,” said the saw meaningful game action. Bruins’ general manager. “Fortunately we have an exhibition game against Columbus and then we Sweeney, of course, was jokingly referencing the league-mandated “unfit have a series of three games,” said Sweeney, who said Rask is in a good to participate” terminology that has become the catch-all phrase for place mentally and physically. “We’d like to win all three and put players absent from practice during the coronavirus pandemic. And ourselves in the highest seed possible. But again, that’s up to Tuukka unfortunately for the Bruins, coach Bruce Cassidy has had to use the and (goalie coach Bob Essensa) and Bruce to decide if he’s going to play “UTP” term to reporters in the first week of Phase 3 much more often every game. Certainly he won’t play the whole game against Columbus. I than he’d like. David Pastrnak and Ondrej Kase have not been able to just think it’s in everybody’s interest that we’re comfortable with either practice since last Wednesday and, on Saturday, Torey Krug, Charlie Coyle, David Krejci, Tuukka Rask, Sean Kuraly, Nick Ritchie and Chris .” Wagner were missing. Boston Herald LOADED: 07.20.2020 Before Phase 3 even began, Sweeney had warned that there could be some hiccups, though he may not have expected this level of agita.

“You’d like to be at full capacity the entire time, but I referenced the fact we weren’t going to be,” said Sweeney. “We were going to have situations that would arise that we’d have to deal with. That goes for the coaches as well, to be flexible and change what they intended to do to what they have to do. They had a great practice (Saturday) with the players that were available and executed the things they wanted to accomplish in that practice. We had players on the ice again (Sunday). Hopefully we’ll have a full group (Monday) but, again, we have to wait till tests come back on a daily basis and see who’s available to practice and move forward.

“The best-laid plans can go astray. We have to be able to adapt on the fly. I think our coaches are understanding that now. As we get closer to moving to the hub, we certainly would like to have a full component of our group at some point in time and be able to practice and execute at the level we expect them to.”

Sweeney did not divulge who hit the ice on Sunday. As for Pastrnak and Kase, Sweeney said, ‘We’re certainly hopeful that they will join our full group” in Phase 3.

But there is not a ton of time left. The B’s will board a charter flight bound for the hub city of Toronto on Sunday, giving them just six more days of practice. That won’t allow some players much time to get up to speed.

“Any player that misses a day, it’s not that big a deal. But when you’re starting to miss weeks, and we’ve had a couple of players in that category, there will certainly be rust you have to knock off,” said Sweeney. “We do have players that were skating quite a bit leading up to Phase 3, but the timing more than anything, the (chemistry) with your linemates, situations that you may have to work through as you go through practices, you’re going to have to hopefully get them up to full speed in a shorter period of time.

“It’s not ideal by any means but this is what you have to deal with going forward. I think every team pretty much will probably face it at some point in time unless they’re just incredibly fortunate, and good for them. We’re not in that situation, and I can’t change that. All I can do is plan for what we have to do going forward.”

Photos have circulated of Pastrnak (whose agent has said he’s tested negative but had been in contact with someone who’d contracted the virus) and Kase skating at a local rink recently. Sweeney said it was prior to them entering Phase 3. It is not yet clear where Pastrnak came in contact with the infected person.

Sweeney sad the B’s medical staff has done an excellent job of educating the players of the do’s and don’ts. But it’s been a challenge.

“Players were coming from different environments where things weren’t on the same level and the concern may or may not have been on the same level (as it has been in Massachusetts),” said Sweeney. “Again, 1188725 Boston Bruins going to be kept well away from everybody else and it’s going to be clean.”

Marchand is already thinking of ways to deal with what he expects will be Brad Marchand believes Bruins can succeed in this unique situation some level of monotony once they get to Toronto. He talked about bringing some board games, books and his guitar. Marchand is also toying with the idea of taking an online business course.

By STEVE CONROY | July 19, 2020 at 5:07 a.m. But while certain freedoms will be curtailed when the teams get to Toronto, Marchand is looking on the bright side.

“We’re fortunate enough just to be playing,” said Marchand. “You look This is the time of year NHL players have usually checked out. The around the world right now and see what everybody’s going through. Stanley Cup has been handed out, the draft is over and most free agents We’re fortunate to be doing what we love to do and get paid to do. Maybe have found new teams. Not much to do but hit the links or slip on the flip- things are a little different but we should feel very fortunate for the flops and head to the beach. opportunity to play again, especially with the group that we have and the But these are not ordinary times. We are approaching the Stanley Cups opportunity that we have. It will be different. It’s going to be an even playoffs, yet parts of this continent are entering a major heat wave. But playing field for everybody If you look at the way every regular season while every hockey’s players’ calendar is off, those participating in the starts, that’s essentially what this is, we’re starting from scratch again. 24-team tournament have to find a way to regain that laser focus they “Some of the worst teams in the league sometimes start out as the best. usually start honing around April Fool’s Day. You look at Buffalo last year. They were one of the best teams early on Brad Marchand believes in the collective mindset of his team, but and it faded away. But that’s how it could play out. Any team can come conceded that it doesn’t yet feel like the most important games of the out real hot and some of the best teams could be really cold early. It’s 2019-20 season are on deck. going to make for a very interesting playoff for the fans and for us to be a part of. I’m just feeling grateful to be able to play again.” “It definitely doesn’t feel like we’re going into the ,” said Marchand prior to the B’s practice on Saturday. “I think that once we Marchand also hopes he and his NHL brethren can bring some reality- get there (Toronto), it’ll be a little bit different, but right now it does have based entertainment to the masses after a long absence. more of a training camp feel. But we’ve always had a pretty driven, “There are only so many good shows on Netflix that you can go through committed group and I don’t think that’s changed at all. before you want to watch some sports and hockey,” he said. “It doesn’t “I was actually really impressed with how the first few days have gone. really matter what sport it is. But I think it’s going to be great for Guys look really sharp and look like they’ve been taking care of everybody with the schedule. They’re going to have something new and themselves and doing what they’ve had to away from the rink to stay exciting to watch and enjoy and are excited to follow. Hopefully it can committed and focused. And I think it just comes down to that we’re all in bring some joy when there’s a lot of grief going around.” this together. We’re going to go out there and be quarantined, stuck in a A significant of players missed Saturday’s practice session at bubble not allowed to do a whole lot, so we might as well make the most Warrior Ice Arena. The B’s were without Torey Krug, Tuukka Rask, David of it and make it worthwhile. The last thing you want to do is go up there Krejci, Charlie Coyle, Nick Ritchie, Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner. and not be committed and make it all for nothing. Ondrej Kase, like Pastrnak, missed his third straight day. Coach Bruce “I think we believe in our group and the kind of the mentality we’ve built Cassidy, hands tied by league policy, could only say they fell into the amongst our guys. That’s one thing the management group and the “unfit to participate” category but did add that they had no injuries. coaching staff have done a great job of, bringing guys in that want to be “There’s always different reasons,” said Cassidy. “There’s the quarantine here and are committed. They don’t need to be pushed, it’s just internal. rules, waiting on tests results, there’s a number of different things that And I think that’s why we’re a good team.” factor into this (and you should) not automatically assume we have a Perhaps the one comparable situation to this for Marchand is when he positive test. I told you (assistant coach) Kevin Dean had to miss a played in the World Cup of Hockey in the late summer of 2016. While couple of days because he was in the vicinity of someone who tested players were able to step into that event and create an intense, positive so to be on the safe side we kept him away. There’s a little bit of meaningful tournament, Marchand doesn’t feel there’s much from even that going on this week. We want to get to Toronto as healthy as that experience on which he can draw as he prepares for this unique possible.” tourney. Coaches like Cassidy have been put in the uncomfortable position of “This is going to be different from anything. It’s almost like going back to possibly withholding information that would have been, before the being a kid again and going to a tournament where you’re watching other pandemic, considered basic. He had no problem with Pastrnak’s agent teams play right after you finish your game and go watch the next one,” trying to clear things up. Marchand said. :You all stay at the same hotel. This is more like being a “We’re protecting the players’ rights. They collectively bargained that to kid than anything, except you’re not allowed to go anywhere and do come back. So if they want to put it out there, any information why they’re anything other than play hockey, which is a good thing, right? not at practice, yeah, it makes my life easier,” said Cassidy. “It’s going to take being mentally strong to go there and be willing to stay Marchand was bitterly disappointed two years ago when the NHL did not in a hotel that long, be cooped up and away from your families. But at the send its players to the Olympics in South Korea. In the new CBA, the the end of the day it’s going to be worth it if you win.” league has a commitment to go to the next two Games (pending The B’s are also getting a lesson in how precarious this all may be. Top approval from the governing bodies). While he knows he has no -scorer David Pastrnak is currently in quarantine because he came in guarantee to make Team Canada, Marchand is happy the chance is contact with someone who has COVID-19 (because of the NHL’s there. stringent secrecy rules regarding the virus, it was left up to Pastrnak’s “I just think anyone who as the opportunity to play at that level, that’s the agent to say that his client has tested negative) and has been out of ultimate tournament to play in. That’s where the best of the best or their action since Wednesday. sport in the entire world play,” said Marchand. “We were held out of that “It’s news to me about Pasta. I just though he was on a couple day last time, which I don’t think was right but I also think we were going to be hangover,” joked Marchand at first. “Yeah, it’s unfortunate the times that allowed to go to the China Olympics. I think they knew that before the we’re in but I guess it’s a new reality, for right now anyway. Teams are last one. They want to grow the game in China. It’s not a secret, so why going to have to be willing to be resilient and battle though it. would we not go to the Olympics in China?

“And we’ve done that over the last number of years, where we’ve had a “I always felt that the NHL missing the last one, that they would go to the lot of guys out and going through a lot of injuries. But there’s definitely next one. But I do think it’s right for players to have that opportunity. that chance, that a team is going to be in a conference final or finals and Personally for me, I’m not saying I’m going to be there, but hopefully lose one of their top guys. I would expect that the way things are going to potentially I’ll get a look and never thought that would be the case be set up that once we get into the bubble, I can’t imagine that many growing up. Obviously, everything has to line up and go well up to that guys are going to be sick. It’s going to be pretty locked-down and we’re point, but I think it’s special for for everyone to get that opportunity. That’s a very big sage to play on. It would be very special.” Boston Herald LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188726 Boston Bruins

Bruins' Charlie Coyle held out after 'inconclusive' COVID-19 test, tested negative subsequently

By Joe Haggerty July 19, 2020 12:21 PM

The bad news was that a whopping seven Bruins players were held off the ice on Saturday and deemed “unfit to participate” while something was clearly afoot with the COVID-19 testing.

The good news is that we may now have an idea of what exactly happened with at least some of the new “unfit to participate” players that included core B’s group guys like Torey Krug, Charlie Coyle, David Krejci, Chris Wagner and Tuukka Rask among others.

Coyle’s agent, Bob Norton, confirmed to NBC Sports Boston that Coyle received an “inconclusive test result” for COVID-19 and was held out of Saturday’s practice for precautionary reasons.

“First test was inconclusive so held him off the ice in an abundance of caution,” said Norton. “He then tested negative in a follow-up test. He’s fine.”

Bruins GM Don Sweeney indicated that a group of B’s players that didn’t skate on Saturday took the ice on Sunday and it’s believed that Coyle was among that group after testing negative for COVID-19 in a follow-up test. This is going to be the new normal for teams across the NHL in Phases 3 or 4 as the testing ramps up to a daily basis and any delays, inconclusive tests of false positives could lead to unexpected absences from the ice. It’s something that’s going to force NHL coaching staffs to be agile about their practice plans and hopeful that things work out quickly for any players caught up in testing snafus.

“We have to be flexible and be able to change what we intended to because that's what we have to do," said Don Sweeney, during a Sunday morning Zoom call with reporters. "We have players on the ice today and hopefully we'll have a full group tomorrow. Test results come back on a daily basis and we see who is available to practice and then we move forward. The best laid plans sometimes go astray and we have to be able to move forward. Our coaches understand that now.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188727 Boston Bruins

Seven more Bruins players were 'unfit to participate' in practice Saturday

By Joe Haggerty July 19, 2020 12:09 PM

BRIGHTON, Mass – The Bruins had planned on having a scrimmage on Saturday afternoon with their entire group of players in Return to Play camp. They still had the scrimmage that included a long bomb goal from the point by Connor Clifton and Trent Frederic scoring during a shootout portion at the end, but it was missing a large group of significant players. Both David Pastrnak and Ondrej Kase were once again missing while being “unfit to participate”, but another seven players were missing from practice as well including David Krejci, Torey Krug, Sean Kuraly, Charlie Coyle, Nick Ritchie, Chris Wagner and Tuukka Rask.

Bruce Cassidy confirmed following practice that none of the players were missing due to injuries, but it was instead the same “unfit to participate” that could mean a number of different things along the COVID-19 protocol spectrum.

"We had no injuries to speak of,” said Cassidy. "[They were all] unfit to play. The league has asked us to continue along that line for the respect of the privacy of the players. That's what we'll do. There's always different reasons. There's the quarantine rules, there's waiting on test results and there are a number of different things that factor into this. It doesn't automatically assume that we have a positive test.

"We want to get to Toronto as healthy as possible. I guess that's how I would elaborate on that. We hope to have some of these players back [on Sunday]. [Sunday] was a scheduled day off, so the group that was on today will not skate [on Sunday]. We're not gonna change that. If some guys missed and are cleared to skate, then we may go on [Sunday]."

Certainly, player absences are part of the deal right now for NHL teams in Phase 3 as all manner of things can happen with test results, both good and less-than-deal, and that's something the Bruins are experiencing right now. They hope this all settles down as they near the July 26 date when they are scheduled to travel to the Hub City in Toronto. "You'd like to be at full capacity the entire time but I made reference [in an earlier zoom call] that we weren't always going to be and we were going to have situations that would arise [in Return to Play] and we would have to deal with them. We have to be flexible and be able to change what we intended to because that's what we have to do," said Don Sweeney, during a Sunday morning Zoom call with reporters.

"We have players on the ice today and hopefully we'll have a full group tomorrow. Test results come back on a daily basis and we see who is available to practice and then we move forward. The best laid plans sometimes go astray and we have to be able to move forward. Our coaches understand that now. As we move closer to going to the Hub we'd live to have our full component of our group to practice and execute at the level that we expect them to." The good news was that Joakim Nordstrom was back skating on Saturday after he missed practice on Friday, so perhaps there is hope that it’s going to be a brief absence for the large group missing from the ice on Saturday at Warrior Ice Arena. Unfortunately, the significant contingent of missing players really threw a monkey wrench into Cassidy’s plans to hold a late afternoon scrimmage that would help the Bruins adjust to some of their matinee round-robin games scheduled a few weeks from now in the Toronto Hub City. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188728 Boston Bruins round pick on Feb. 21. Kase scored no goals and one assist while averaging 14:32 of ice time per appearance. On March 10, the Bruins’ final game before the shutdown, Kase was the No. 2 right wing next to Ritchie and Krejci. The trickle-down effect of David Pastrnak and Ondrej Kase’s absences from camp One of Bruce Cassidy’s camp priorities was to give Kase plenty of reps with Krejci to determine whether the two could find common ground. Krejci and Kase never shared ice time during the first week of camp. Neither Pastrnak nor Kase participated in the informal practices and By Fluto Shinzawa Jul 19, 2020 workouts of Phase 2 at Warrior.

“Any player that misses a day here, it’s not that big a deal,” Sweeney On July 26, the Bruins will travel via charter to Toronto as they transition said. “But when you’re starting to miss weeks on end — we have a out of Phase 3. Whether David Pastrnak or Ondrej Kase will participate in couple players that will be in that category — you certainly have rust that any activities at Warrior Ice Arena prior to the club’s departure remains to you’ll need to knock off. We do have some players that have been be seen. skating quite a bit leading up to Phase 3. But the timing, I think more than anything, the continuity with your linemates, the situations you have to “At some point in time, we are certainly hopeful that they will join our full work through as you go through practices, you’re going to have to group,” general manager Don Sweeney, citing NHL and Massachusetts hopefully get them up to speed when you do have them back in a shorter guidelines, said when asked if Pastrnak or Kase were eligible to join their period of time. It’s not ideal by any means. But it’s what you have to deal teammates in Phase 3. with going forward.”

Pastrnak is quarantining after coming into contact with someone who The Bruins play Columbus in an exhibition game on July 30. They start tested positive for COVID-19. The length of Pastrnak’s quarantine is round-robin play against the Flyers on Aug. 2. The first round begins on unknown, while Kase is considered unfit to play, leaving the Bruins to Aug. 11. deal with the roster fallout from having their top two right wings miss all but one day of the first half of camp. During camp, Anders Bjork has taken most of Pastrnak’s top-line shifts. Karson Kuhlman has been Krejci’s most common right wing. Sweeney said he saw pictures of Pastrnak and Kase at a local rink before they reported to Warrior for Phase 3. Per the NHL’s return to play Cassidy called Bjork the best player during the first day of camp. The 24- protocol, both of the forwards from Czech Republic had to serve either a year-old has skated well in terms of explosiveness, high-end speed and 14-day quarantine or a 7-day quarantine with testing on Days 1, 3, 5 and agility. Bjork has regularly beaten the goalies cleanly with his lively wrist 7 before gaining clearance to participate in camp because they were shot when he’s had time and space. returning from Europe. But while Bjork has shown no hesitation about entering traffic, he, like “Not when they were in our Phase 3 did they skate outside our facility,” most young players, has not been as effective in close quarters. These Sweeney said. “Prior to entering Phase 3, I certainly saw photos of them are conditions in which Marchand and Bergeron excel. being in another facility.” “It’s good to play with good players and learn from them — specifically, Pastrnak and Kase were on the Warrior ice on Wednesday. Pastrnak how well they protect the puck,” Cassidy said on Friday. “Those are practiced alongside 10 of his teammates that morning. Later that day, some of the things we’re trying to get him to do. Even in the scrimmage Kase skated with Trent Frederic. Neither has skated at Warrior since. today, you saw opportunities to move it quicker, protect it. It gets turned over in a hurry, it goes the other way. There’s good defenders in this “Players were coming from different environments where things weren’t league. They always see good defenders, that line. That’s one area on the same level. The concerns may or may not have been at that where he has to have a better understanding of the game.” level,” Sweeney said. “You have to assimilate to what’s necessary in that environment. That’s part of the balancing act here. You have protocols Bjork was a healthy scratch against Philadelphia in what would be the the league has put forward. We’ve been operating under every one of final regular-season game of 2019-20. Three days earlier, the Bruins had those. But we also have guidelines for what Massachusetts requires from assigned Kuhlman to Providence. us and the Boston Public Health (Commission). It’s a balancing act there, Had Pastrnak and Kase been present, either Bjork or Kuhlman could making sure our players are educated along those fronts. At times, you have taken reps on the third line, where both would be more sheltered. have to act after the fact when you have things that don’t go your way. I But because of the right-side vacancies, Kuraly has served as the No. 3 think that’s probably the case as it stands here.” right wing throughout camp prior to his Saturday unavailability. Pastrnak and Kase remain two of the Bruins’ 31 players on the team’s The left-shot Kuraly has played center and left wing as a pro. Prior to 51-person traveling party to Toronto. Only asymptomatic people with camp, he had not taken many shifts on his weak side. negative tests and people with no suspected exposure to or symptoms associated with COVID-19 are allowed on the charter flight. “It’s been a different look,” Kuraly said. “I think coming out of the D-zone and neutral zone are the biggest challenges. It’s a lot of backhand play. If any members of the traveling party have to fly commercially to Toronto, It’s a lot of coming back to the puck and figuring out if I want to catch they are subject to 4-day quarantine in their hotel rooms. They must test passes on my forehand or backhand. I’ve been working a little bit with negatively daily for four straight days to exit quarantine. (assistant coach) Joe Sacco on some of that stuff. Coming back to Seven other players were classified as unfit to play on Saturday: David pucks. Getting breakout passes off the wall. I think it’s an adjustment. Krejci, Nick Ritchie, Charlie Coyle, Sean Kuraly, Chris Wagner, Torey We’ll see how it goes. Even just a couple days in practice, it’s definitely a Krug and Tuukka Rask. Coyle was held out because of an inconclusive new feel for me.” test. Coyle later tested negative. The Athletic LOADED: 07.20.2020 Most of the team had Sunday off. Several players who didn’t practice on Saturday skated on Sunday. Sweeney declined to identify the players. Coyle, presumably, was among the bunch.

“I think the Bruins are doing a great job,” Bob Norton, Coyle’s agent, wrote in an email regarding Phase 3 conditions. “They’re erring on the side of caution and I believe they are gearing the camp to prepare for a long run, which I think is the smart approach.”

Even if some of the players return for Monday’s practice, the prolonged absences of the team’s top two right wings is problematic. While it shouldn’t take long for Pastrnak to revive his chemistry with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, Kase will require more break-in time.

The ex-Duck appeared in only six games with the Bruins since being acquired for David Backes, Axel Andersson and the team’s 2020 first- 1188729 Boston Bruins

Agent: Charlie Coyle kept out of practice after returning inconclusive test

By Fluto Shinzawa Jul 19, 2020

Charlie Coyle was held out of the Bruins’ Saturday practice after returning an inconclusive COVID-19 test, according to agent Bob Norton. Coyle participated in an off-ice workout instead while 24 of his teammates practiced.

Coyle later tested negative, consistent with all other previous tests. “So Charlie is fine,” Norton wrote in an email.

Coyle was one of nine players classified as unfit to play on Saturday. Nick Ritchie and Sean Kuraly, Coyle’s linemates during camp, also belonged in that category.

David Pastrnak, Ondrej Kase, David Krejci, Chris Wagner, Torey Krug and Tuukka Rask were the other players who were not cleared for Saturday’s practice. Pastrnak is quarantining after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

The reasons for the absences of Kase, Krejci, Ritchie, Kuraly, Wagner, Krug and Rask are unknown. Bruce Cassidy said none of the players was injured. Coyle, Ritchie, Kuraly, Krejci, Wagner, Krug and Rask had participated in all previous on-ice sessions before Saturday. Pastrnak and Kase skated on Wednesday, their only time they’ve been on the ice in Brighton since the start of camp.

The Bruins are off on Sunday. They are scheduled to begin the second week of camp on Monday at Warrior Ice Arena. They are due to leave for the NHL hub city of Toronto on July 26.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188730 Calgary Flames The award recognizes an individual, who, like O’Ree, has worked to make a positive impact on his or her community, culture or society to make people better through hockey.

Calgarian's advocacy for diversity makes him finalist for NHL's O'Ree “Without a doubt, Dampy has made a positive impact, not only in the award Calgary South Asian Community but also major cities across Canada and into the Himalayas of India, where he has done work with the Indian national women’s hockey team,” said Toor of Brar, who’s also travelled to a college in Punjab, India, to mentor students of a roller hockey program. Todd Saelhof “Dampy is a true role model for the next generation of South Asian Publishing date:Jul 20, 2020 athletes from our community. Apna Hockey is very fortunate to have a person like Dampy leading the way.”

Voting for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award opens Monday Willie or won’t he? morning and closes Friday night, and supporters can cast their ballot once a day, every day. That depends on if the campaign to garner enough votes works for Dampy Brar. Joining Brar on the ballot is Alexandria Briggs-Blake — who led her community in an effort to rebuild Tucker Road Ice Rink in Maryland, the Not that winning the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award would change home to a predominantly African-American hockey team, after it was the way people look at the Calgarian. ruined by a fire in 2017 — and John Haferman — who founded the He’s already known as quite the humanitarian for his work with hockey’s Columbus Club, which has led to approximately 30,000 boys youth, which is the reason he’s one of three finalists for the coveted and girls from underprivileged neighbourhoods in central Ohio being honour. introduced to hockey.

“Anytime your name gets attached to the NHL, it’s a great thing,” said the “The other two finalists, they’re doing great things in the community,” Brar 44-year-old Brar. “Willie O’Ree had a hand in picking the finalists, so to added. “What we’re doing is just being positive role models in our have that honour is a big thing. It gives you a little more inspiration and communities and bringing our communities together. I think anybody in motivation to continue to do what you’re doing. And the support I’m the world that is helping out youth is bringing positivity to the community. getting from social media is amazing.” “And I think I can speak for all the nominees in saying that this is just What Brar is doing is working tirelessly to mentor and teach youth gratitude towards what we’re doing. You do it because you love to do it hockey, including coaching his own children’s teams. with passion and to help out, but if you get recognized, it’s a thumbs up, especially by the NHL.” Specifically, he’s been an advocate for females and cultural diversity in the sport. Calgary Herald: LOADED: 07.20.2020

Alongside Lali Toor, Brar founded Apna Hockey, an initiative in Alberta that provides a network and support for South Asian players.

“You see how prevalent the East Indian community is in every industry — from medicine to home building to driving cabs,” Brar said. “Hockey is also big with East Indians. There’s a lot of Punjabi kids making rosters in the and the Alberta Junior Hockey League … Jujhar Khaira is on the (NHL’s) Edmonton Oilers.

“Being able to educate and promote the game of hockey within our community and breaking barriers with diversity in hockey and bringing different communities together is important.”

Brar was born-and-bred in Sparwood, B.C., where the game first moved him behind the support of his parents, dad Ram and mom Satwant.

He eventually turned pro, playing eight games in both the East Coast Hockey League and International Hockey League before suiting up for the Tacoma Sabercats and the Idaho Steelheads over four seasons in the West Coast Hockey League.

Along the way, he tried out for the Canadian Olympic team in 1997 and made six of seven cuts, getting a chance to play in the Saddledome against the Calgary Flames rookies to fulfil one of his dad’s dreams for his boy.

These days, however — when he’s not playing ball hockey, highlighted by his spot on Canada’s over-40 select squad — it’s about giving back to the game.

“When Apna Hockey came about, it was basically like a breath of fresh air,”said Brar, who worked with Hayley Wickenheiser and Wickfest in 2018 to bring the first-ever women’s hockey team to Canada from Leh Ladakh, India, and then travelled one year later to that Himalayan city to provide his support for the sport.

“I grew up with a bunch of East Indians, and we all moved to Calgary and all put our kids in hockey,” Brar continued. “So to find players to be part of the program, they were already there.

“Now I get to do what I want to do. Just to be involved with women’s and East Indian girls’ hockey is amazing. To be able to give back to female hockey is a big point.”

It’s truly in line with the spirit of the honour for which he’s in the running. 1188731 Calgary Flames Dube had beat Talbot glove-side, perhaps part of Talbot shaking off the rust? Shortly after, not to be fooled again, he flashed the glove on Dube — but couldn’t deny him with seven minutes remaining in the first.

Flames hit the ice for first game-like scrimmage of Phase 3 The 22-year-old Cochrane native showed his mobility, moving the puck off the wall and scoring from the slot, blocker side.

“For me, it’s just getting my reads back,” said Talbot earlier in the day. Kristen Anderson, Postmedia “Getting to play behind a full defensive corps … getting back to those game situations. It was tough to have only a couple defencemen and six Published:July 19, 2020 forwards last week. My timing feels good, we accomplished a lot of stuff Updated:July 19, 2020 9:15 PM MDT off the rush but it’s those game-situations … these three games this week are going to be big.”

Just like riding a bicycle, eh? There are certain circumstances of a National Hockey League game that you can simulate. “It’s been a long time since I’ve taken a game-time nap,” Monahan had said prior to Sunday’s scrimmage. “You’re trying to make it as game-like A pre-game morning skate. A pre-game meal. A pre-game nap. A pre- as you can and the situation we’re in, I think we’re making the best of it. game meeting. Warm-ups with your own music — with or without helmets. “Doing this is going to benefit us when we’re actually playing.”

Your home announcer (yes, Beesley was back rocking the microphone). Ward spent Sunday’s game observing the scrimmage rather than being Goal songs (Tonight I Fell in Love by The Tokens which is what plays on the bench and calling the action, sitting in the owner’s box while when Dillon Dube scores … and he did, twice in the first period). assistant coaches Martin Gelinas and Ryan Huska were on the bench for Team Red and Ray Edwards and goalie coach Jordan Sigalet manned All of these things were present at Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday the bench for Team White. night, although there were no fans in the stands to see it. From there, he was watching specific players, how their style of play was While nothing substitutes the real thing — which is what the Calgary being executed in a game situation, work ethic, and details. Flames will be facing in just over a week when they square off with the Edmonton Oilers for their only exhibition game, their first game in over “Are we doing the things we need to be doing at the correct times?” said five months — they tried their very best to make it pretty darn close in a Ward. “And how we’re doing them. We’ll be looking at our overall style of Red/White scrimmage, their first of this training camp. play in terms of what our system play looks like. There’s some players we’ll be really paying attention to how they do in the scrimmage moving Interim head coach Geoff Ward has had many weeks to pore over these forward so we have a really good read on our group by the end of the details and was able to solidify their plans when their play-in schedule week moving into the bubble.” game out with three different game times — 8:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 12:30 p.m., each featuring a unique game-day routine and set up. Although he wouldn’t reveal who, specifically, he was planning on watching, there were a handful that likely impressed him — one of which This is their opportunity to nail down their timing, special teams had to have been Dube and linemates Lucic and Bennett, along with execution, situations in different zones, and, most importantly, to focus Calgary’s first line who made life tough for Team Red goalie David on their game pace. Rittich.

And, most importantly, to not take it easy on each other. “As we said at the beginning, we’re going to take the best 20 players we can to the hub to play the games,” Ward said. “So, there’s potentially “As veteran guys, myself, Looch, guys like Monny and Johnny, guys who some people that could play themselves into that situation. We’re going have been around, I think it’s important to stress to the young guys, it’s to be carefully watching how those players play.” OK to hit us, it’s OK to play us hard,” said Flames captain Mark Giordano. “Because I know how it is — when I was young, I didn’t want Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.20.2020 to come in here and injure anyone or hurt Iggy () for example. The biggest thing is, you don’t want anyone to be tentative. But, let’s be honest, nobody is going to have a big open-ice hit to end a guy or hurt a guy right now.”

What Giordano was referring to was when Glenn Gawdin robbed TJ Brodie of the puck along Team Red’s blueline to force a turnover after Giordano and Brodie were starting to set-up possession in the offensive zone at the end of the first period. Oops.

But that’s a good thing, according to Giordano. “I think it’s more about the little battles around the corners and in front of the net,” continued Giordano. “You want guys to engage and be physical. Those are important little battles we need to get back to because those are the things you don’t do in the summer and you really feel it during games. They make you more tired out there. You’ve gotta get those details right back into your game so I think it’s important as veteran guys we stress to the young guys in camp and guys who are here as “black aces,” if you want to call them that, they need to play us hard.”

Giordano was back with old pal Brodie on Team White starting the game with the Flames first line of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and Elias Lindholm.

It was Team Red that got on the board first when Sam Bennett set up a beauty entry dishing the puck to Milan Lucic who hit Dube in the first period to open the scoring. Significant considering Dube had missed all week of training camp — for reasons the Flames or the player wouldn’t elaborate on — and Ward had challenged him earlier in the day to stand out in Sunday’s scrimmage.

However Team White scored back-to-back goals off the rush after that with almost-30-goal-scorer-Lindholm and Zac Rinaldo connecting. 1188732 Calgary Flames The Flames are a week away from entering the ‘bubble’ in Edmonton, and a week away from beginning their extended stay in the team hotel.

It’s not just them, though, that will take up residence at Sutton Place as Snapshots: Top line back together on the ice for scrimmage they’ll be bunking with the Vancouver Canucks, Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks and … Winnipeg Jets.

Yes, they’ll be in the same location as the team they’re going to be Kristen Anderson, squaring off with during the play-in round. Published:July 19, 2020 While it’s an uncommon occurrence for this to happen during the Stanley Cup playoffs, this is something that players are used to when attending Updated:July 19, 2020 8:34 PM MDT the world championships which are usually staged in multiple locations.

“I’m kind of used to that,” said Flames forward Mikael Backlund, who The band is, officially, back together. played for Sweden. “But it is weird seeing other guys who you play against. I think it’s going to be even harder now, just playing one team At Sunday’s makeshift morning skate and during the team’s first against the Jets. You’ll see them in the hallway, you may have had a scrimmage of the National Hockey League’s ‘Return to Play’ training battle with a guy and you’re maybe not too happy to see him. It’s camp, the Calgary Flames’ first line of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan definitely going to be a little weird.” and Elias Lindholm was a trio again. AROUND THE BOARDS It was the first time they’d skated as a threesome since the Flames hit the ice again — due to what the Flames’ brass referred to as Flames forward Matthew Phillips was the only one absent for the morning “circumstances” — which Calgary general manager Brad Treliving skates. His absence was deemed by the team to be “unfit to participate” quickly dispelled as being fitness-related. … C Derek Ryan skated briefly with the goaltenders prior to the ice times … Forward Buddy Robinson was watching the first group’s morning Gaudreau had been skating with the second grouping of players along skate on Sunday which was the first time he’d been sighted since the with other full-time NHL-ers Sam Bennett, Mark Jankowski, Andrew start of training camp … Both goaltenders — David Rittich and Cam Mangiapane, Zac Rinaldo, Milan Lucic, Cam Talbot, Rasmus Andersson Talbot — played the entire game on Sunday (on separate teams, of and Noah Hanifin. course) … the “officials” for Sunday’s game were assistant general manager Craig Conroy and contract coach Darren Rommerdahl … The However, that group was mixed in with the first group to make up two Flames tried to keep everything the same about their normal “game day” teams who squared off in the first game-simulation — which kicked off at 8:30 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome — mimicking their first game of the experience and that included certain players going helmet-less during warm-ups. For Team White it was defenceman Erik Gustafsson and play-in against the Winnipeg Jets on Aug. 1. forwards Zac Rinaldo and Mark Jankowski. For Team White, it was All three players have insisted all week that the separation is no big deal defenceman Noah Hanifin and forwards Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, but, of course, there’s nothing like playing with your linemates who and Milan Lucic. you’ve played with for the better part of every single game over the past Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.20.2020 two seasons. “It’s nice, obviously to have some time together here … and get the timing of things back,” noted Monahan. “And to share the ice together, it’s nice to have him back in our group.

“It’s nice to have our normal line together, I haven’t skated with Johnny in a long time … chemistry is there and sometimes it takes a few shifts but I think the timing of how we’ve done this throughout training camp.”

Just like old times, except with no purple Gatorade — the magic elixir that the trio made famous over the last two seasons, squirting it in each other’s mouths after their line scores a goal.

“That’s the unfortunate part,” said Monahan (with what we can only assume was a smile, as he was wearing a protective mask over his face during the post-skate Webex call).

ALSO BACK IN ACTION Flames forward Dillon Dube was also back, skating with Milan Lucic and Sam Bennett, a first during the entire training camp. Not to put any pressure on the 21-year-old but Flames head coach Geoff Ward and the staff were watching his every move to see if his conditioning and game speed were up to their standards. It’s a tough situation, but they’re not messing around.

All week long, Ward has been emphasizing the need to put their best 20 players on the ice when they get to Rogers Place in Edmonton for the exhibition game against the Oilers and the play-in round against the Winnipeg Jets. This means if any player — including Dube — isn’t ready, he won’t play.

“He’s got a week he needs to catch up on,” said Ward. “I think he really needs to pay a lot of attention. I think, more so than maybe some other guys, he needs to make a statement in these scrimmages in terms of his preparedness and where his readiness is in terms of being able to play. We’ve seen other guys for a week now and haven’t had the opportunity to see him.”

COZY IN THE BUBBLE 1188733 Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes’ team photo this year has a new look: everyone wearing a mask

BY CHIP ALEXANDER

JULY 19, 2020 06:05 PM ,

The Carolina Hurricanes traditionally pose for a team photo every year but never quite like this year.

Not in July. Not during a pandemic, wearing masks.

The Hurricanes gathered at center ice Saturday for the photo and Don Waddell, the team’s president and general manager asked that the masks be worn by all the players, coaches, staff and management. In a sense it became a PSA and a team statement.

Gov. Roy Cooper has mandated that face coverings be worn in public places to slow the spread of the coronavirus and often has worn a black mask with “Canes” on it at his coronavirus task force press conferences. He reweeted the team photo and commented: “My beloved Canes — the toughest guys around — know the importance of wearing the mask to protect people around them. Go Canes! — RC.”

Health officials are insistent the wearing of face coverings can lower the infection rate of the contagious virus. As of Sunday, the state’s Department of Health and Human Services reported that nearly 100,000 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the virus and that 1,115 are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 issues.

Cooper and DHHS secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen continually stress the importance of face coverings, social distancing and the washing of hands to combat the virus. The daily positive rate for COVID-19 has been about 9% or 10% in testing in recent weeks, which Cohen considers too high. “This whole ‘wear one, don’t wear one’ to me makes no sense. I don’t know why you wouldn’t,” Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Sunday in a Zoom media call. “No one has ever given me a good argument on this. It makes no sense to me. Someone tell me this could help, then you do it. It’s that simple.

“Until I hear a better reason on that, then I’ll listen. We know we have to do this to give us a chance. No one knows what’s going on with this (virus), but we’re being told if you wear this it gives you a better chance not get it or give it to other people. So that’s the message. I mean, it’s plain and simple.”

The Hurricanes wear face covering off the ice, in the locker room area and when around each other. The trainers and equipment staff all have masks at the training camp. They’re taking all the precautions.

“Obviously you do your part,” goalie James Reimer said in a Sunday media call.

The Canes have another week of training camp — Phase 3 of the NHL’s Return to Play plan — before leaving for Toronto to enter the protective “bubble” for Phase 4 and the postseason competition. One fear among NHL teams is that a coronavirus outbreak on a team could stymie the league’s attempt to finish out the 2019-20 season with the Stanley Cup playoffs. Until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, everyone must be vigilant.

“Everyone is looking forward to a time where wearing masks and stuff won’t be necessary,” Reimer said. “You’re just grinding it out now and trying to make the best of it.”

News Observer LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188734 Chicago Blackhawks about what your preference (as a goalie) is, how you want to play situations. So it’s just going to come with time.”

Colliton has made “clean exchanges” between the goaltenders and 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks camp, including no clarity on the defensemen a point of emphasis in drills. The Oilers getting extra goaltending job and a defensive pairing that needs to play huge chances in the Hawks zone would have costly consequences.

“We touched on that, and we’re going to revisit it again,” Colliton said. “Breaking the puck out clean, it sure helps if your goalie can get a stop By PHIL THOMPSON and set it or make a play. A lot of it is just reps, communication and getting used to being predictable to each other.” JUL 19, 2020 AT 7:06 PM 2. Slater Koekkoek and Olli Maatta’s bond could come in handy against

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Preparing for the best-of-five play-in series against the Edmonton Oilers Defensemen Slater Koekkoek and Olli Maatta have stayed connected is one thing for the Chicago Blackhawks. Preparing for the isolation of an since the NHL hiatus in mid-March. NHL hub city “bubble” is another. “We played a little tennis before training camp, just stuff like that,” Maatta “I’m just bringing a deck of cards and maybe a PS4 and trying to pass the said. “He’s a funny guy.” time a little more there,” defenseman Olli Maatta said Sunday after the team’s sixth practice of training camp. Their chemistry as a defensive pairing has been evident on the ice as well. Hawks players and coaches have been making mental adjustments as they get ready to deal with strict safeguards against the coronavirus, just “When we got together, it was good right away,” Maatta said. “We as they’ve made physical ones getting back into playing shape during definitely had some chemistry. We read off each other pretty well, and we camp. both talk a lot. That’s a huge thing on the ice, and it makes the game easier. You trust where your partner is and he trusts where you are, so it “It’s obviously different. We all know it’s a once-in-a-lifetime situation,” takes that hesitation out of your game.” Maatta said. “I don’t think anybody expected anything like this to happen. But the NHL has done a great job just to figure things out, make things as There will be no room for hesitation should they find themselves matched safe as they can. It feels like the rinks right now are the safest place to up against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl or one of the other dangerous be.” Oilers forwards. Coach Jeremy Colliton said practice has been close to normal despite “Their speed through the neutral zone is a huge thing,” Koekkoek said. the circumstances — “Of course there’s some extra hoops to jump “Try not to get caught napping where they’re building up a lot of speed through safety-wise and making sure we’re wearing masks all the time,” and you aren’t. That’ll be a big focus for us and make sure we try to he said — but the real test will come after the team travels to Edmonton match their speed as well as we can. on July 26. “McDavid’s one of the fastest in the league, if not the fastest. Tough task, “I think the biggest thing is just getting to Edmonton and figuring out how but if we can be aware of when he’s winding it up, try to get in his way a everything is going to work and getting our own routines set and how are little bit, that’ll help a lot.” we going to prepare the guys to play,” Colliton said. “That’s what we’re looking forward to next, to really get settled and get prepared to go.” 3. The younger Blackhawks may not have many NHL playoff games under their belts, but they can draw on other experiences. Here are three observations from camp with a little less than two weeks before Game 1 against the Oilers. The Hawks roster is a mixed mag: Top-six forwards such as and Jonathan Toews have won three Stanley Cup titles, while fourth-liner 1. Jeremy Colliton is happy with his goaltending, but should he be? Matthew Highmore has yet to log a minute in the NHL postseason.

Corey Crawford remained “unfit to play” Sunday, and Malcolm Subban But the less seasoned players can draw on other experiences to mimic and company had their highs and lows in practice. the intensity they’ll face in a best-of-five series against the Oilers.

You can’t read too much into a scrimmage, but Patrick Kane and During the 2018 Calder Cup playoffs in the AHL, Highmore was on the Brandon Saad looked effortless scoring goals against Subban. First- Rockford IceHogs team that swept through the first two rounds to reach string red team goalie Collin Delia made a couple of nice stops, though it the Western Conference finals, which they lost to the Texas Stars in six looked like Kane poked through a goal that should’ve gone on the board. games. Jonathan Toews missed a wide-open shot on Kevin Lankinen, whose turn in the rotation had him starting for the black squad. “(It’s a) similar scenario. You have to get off to a quick start in those series because they go by in the blink of an eye,” Highmore said. “I recall Matt Tomkins, backing up Lankinen, gave up a goal to Adam Boqvist our (Rockford) team coming into the series having more or less nothing during the black team’s 4-2 win, which included Alex Nylander outracing to lose, playing hard and doing those little things. That’s what I take away Nicolas Beaudin on Kane’s long pass for an empty-netter. from that series. Maybe a little more experience in a five-game series than some other guys.” Crawford’s experience eclipses that of all of the healthy goalies combined, but Jeremy Colliton said Sunday’s camp performance was an Coach Jeremy Colliton likened playing in a hub city under quarantine aberration. conditions to what some players have faced while playing for their national teams. “All three of them have played well — Tomkins too,” Colliton said. “It’s been a great opportunity for him. I don’t think there’s a lot to choose from “You’re in kind of a dorm-type setting, your team’s all together, you eat right now between the three of them. We had some low-scoring games together, there’s not a lot to do,” he said. “It’s about the hockey.” (in camp, but) today there were a few more. The competition has been good. LOADED: 07.20.2020

“They’ve been making it tough on us. We’re going to have a few more scrimmages, and hopefully that will help us make a decision.”

Defenseman Olli Maatta said it doesn’t matter who gets the nod among “a good group of goalies.” However, the Hawks have done best against the Oilers when they can break clean out of the defensive zone, and Maatta acknowledged it’s something Crawford has helped them do with his puck handling.

“One of the things Crow brings is his play with the puck and how good he is with that, but these guys are pretty solid with it too,” Maatta said. “The biggest thing is just communicating on and off the ice, talking all the time 1188735 Chicago Blackhawks “A lot of it comes down to he didn’t convert on his chances like he had in the past, whether that’s just the puck going post and out as opposed to post and in,” Colliton said. “And sometimes that confidence when you do score one or you get a bounce when a puck goes off you or put it off a The Chicago Blackhawks need scoring help in their series against the stick and it finds its way in, often that can give you a boost the rest of the Edmonton Oilers. Here are 5 playoff newcomers who could help that game and he just didn’t have that many of those situations.” effort. 3. Alex Nylander

Reasons for optimism: If anyone needed a reset, it was Nylander. By CHRIS SOSA Expectations were high when the Hawks acquired him in a trade with Buffalo for defenseman Henri Jokiharju in July 2019. Nylander’s work JUL 19, 2020 AT 8:00 AM ethic during the lockdown by all accounts has been praiseworthy. He also appears to be developing chemistry with Kane; only good things can come from that. The uncertainty surrounding the Blackhawks’ goaltending — Corey Crawford has been deemed “unfit to play” since camp convened July 13 “He’s got all the talent in the world,” Kane said of Nylander. “He’s a great — likely puts more pressure on the offense in their playoff series against skater, he’s got all the puck skills, he’s got a good shot. He hasn’t really Edmonton. played that much as far as minutes and being able to play in like a top six role consistently, so when he was in that spot at the end of the season The Oilers’ firepower justifiably gets top billing in this matchup, with Leon and before the break, we were really starting to develop some chemistry Draisatl and Connor McDavid having finished one-two in the NHL in and our line was coming on.” scoring this season. Reasons for pessimism: The rookie has struggled to find a role this How will the Hawks hope to counter? With Conn Smythe winners Patrick season, ending up a healthy scratch on a number of occasions. The fact Kane and Jonathan Toews, for starters. Duncan Keith and Brandon he had no power-play goals doesn’t help his cause, either. He might be Saad’s playoff resumes also stand out. running short on chances to prove himself.

Zeroing in on Saad, he’s one of the Hawks’ best two-way players and 4. Kirby Dach has put a midseason ankle injury in the rear-view mirror. His game is a blueprint for younger players to contribute even when they’re not scoring. Reasons for optimism: Granted it’s only practice, but Dach has turned heads at camp not only with his skill, but with how he reshaped his body “He’s able to protect the puck up ice,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “He’s during the lockdown. And although he had just eight goals and 15 assists able to get you from the defensive zone to the offensive zone and carry this season, his ability to score in bunches bodes well for the playoffs. someone on his back. He’s a playoff-type player, so we know in the past his game has transferred very well to these types of situations.” “I noticed it right away when he came back, when he was skating with us right before training camp,” Kane said of Dach’s improvement. “Looks Veteran defenseman Brent Seabrook has been clutch in the postseason, like he’s skating better, his shot’s better. He looks like he’s a little bit too, but it’s unclear whether he will be healthy enough to play coming off bigger, like he might have put some weight on, and he’s looked really a number of surgeries. good.”

Beyond that, the Hawks must rely on players with no playoff experience Reasons for pessimism: Dach went through long stretches this season in when the puck drops Aug. 1. Here are five who must help shoulder the which he produced little on the score sheet, including a 28-game stretch load if they’re to make a deep postseason run. from late November through mid-January in which he notched a total of one assist. There’s also no way to know how well 19-year-old Dach will 1. Dominik Kubalik hold up physically in his first playoff action, though the added muscle Reasons for optimism: Kubalik set a high bar for himself as a finalist for should help. the Calder Trophy, which honors the NHL’s top rookie. His 30 goals were “That was a big thing for me during this break, to get in the gym right second on the team in 2019-20, and he also had 16 assists. He was particularly hot down the stretch, when he totaled 28 points, including 19 away, and maintain my strength and try and add some size,” Dach said. goals, in the final 29 games of the regular season — a stretch that 5. Dylan Strome included his first hat trick. Reasons for optimism: Strome was a revelation last season, compiling 51 “He went into the season with pro experience and he’s a little bit older points in 58 games with the Hawks after being acquired in a trade with rookie, but he got better as the year went on,” Colliton said. “Like any Arizona. And like Dach, he’s making a strong impression in summer young guy there’s some ups and downs to his game, but he was able to camp. snap back quickly and get back to his maximum quickly, and that was really encouraging.” Reason for pessimism: Strome was less dynamic this season, putting up 38 points in 58 games, though he did spend several weeks on injured Reason for pessimism: This might be nitpicking, but he did get off to a reserve with an ankle injury. slow start. The Hawks shouldn’t have any complaints as to how he’s played since January, however. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 07.20.2020 2. Alex DeBrincat

Reasons for optimism: DeBrincat’s 76 points in the 2018-19 season are the biggest reason to believe he can break out in the playoffs. He also was one of only four Hawks to play in every game this season, a measure of both his durability and the coaching staff’s faith in him.

“The points and goals didn’t really come, but I still think I brought a lot to the table,” DeBrincat said. “Obviously I had some bad games, but overall it wasn’t as bad as what I had in my mind or when you go back and watch games. ... I’m trying to get over that, not scoring as much and things not going my way.”

Reasons for pessimism: DeBrincat had almost as many shots in 2019-20 (207) as he did in 2018-19 (220), yet he scored only 18 goals this season compared to 41 the previous year. There’s also the fact that he had a minus-10 rating this year, down from even last year despite averaging about the same amount of ice time. If there was any Hawks player who left goals on the table this season, it was DeBrincat. 1188736 Chicago Blackhawks on. The emergence of Lucas Carlsson, the recovery of Brent Seabrook and the arrival of Ian Mitchell all threaten his job moving forward.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 07.20.2020 Blackhawks’ defensemen, goaltenders adjusting to Corey Crawford’s absence

By Ben Pope Jul 19, 2020, 5:49pm CDT

Corey Crawford’s absence hurts the Blackhawks most in terms of his goaltending. That much is obvious.

But the repercussions extend beyond the crease.

Crawford, for example, is one of the more active goalies in the league in terms of playing the puck behind and next to the net.

Without him, the Hawks have devoted practice time to testing their three possible replacement goalies’ skills at moving the puck, then getting those goalies and their defensemen on the same page.

‘‘One of the things ‘Crow’ brings is his play with the puck and how good he is with that, but these guys are pretty solid with it, too,’’ defenseman Olli Maatta said Sunday. ‘‘That helps out us D-men breaking out.

‘‘The biggest thing is just communicating on and off the ice, talking all the time about what your preference is, how you want to play situations. So it’s just going to come with time.’’ In one drill Friday, in which the goalies were asked to stop an around-the- boards dump-in and pass the puck to a circling-back defenseman while under light forechecking pressure, Malcolm Subban’s vision and accuracy were impressive.

But Collin Delia, whose impressive second half in the and decent NHL success last season made him Subban’s top challenger entering camp, struggled.

Coach Jeremy Colliton called that seemingly small detail a ‘‘point of emphasis.’’

‘‘We touched on that; we’ll revisit it again,’’ Colliton said. ‘‘Breaking the puck out clean, it sure helps if your goalie can get a stop and set it or make a play. A lot of it is just reps, communication and getting used to being predictable to each other.’’ Delia played fairly well in the scrimmage Sunday, but Subban and Kevin Lankinen faltered. Despite previously insisting the Hawks haven’t ruled out Crawford returning at some point, Colliton said he hopes the scrimmages this week will ‘‘help us to make a decision’’ on the starting goalie in Crawford’s place.

With only a few players speaking with the media each day, it has been difficult to follow each goalie’s opinion on the battle. Subban hasn’t talked since Wednesday and Lankinen hasn’t talked at all, but Delia was one of the players made available for an interview Saturday. ‘‘It’s obviously a really friendly competition,’’ Delia said. ‘‘It’s a one-of-a- kind opportunity. As we look back, we’re not going to see any type of life event of this magnitude affect a lot of major sports. We’re just happy to be a part of it.’’

Koekkoek wants to re-sign Pending restricted free agent Drake Caggiula said Saturday that he would like to spend the rest of his career with the Hawks, and fellow pending RFA Slater Koekkoek echoed that sentiment. ‘‘I’d love to re-sign here,’’ Koekkoek said. ‘‘I love the city, love my teammates and the organization. I think if I can have a good playoff, who knows? Winning always helps, so that’s what I’m focused on. Everything else will take care of itself.’’

Koekkoek said he wasn’t sure whether his agent, Ritch Winter, has had contract discussions with Hawks general manager Stan Bowman.

Although the Hawks can retain Koekkoek’s rights with a simple qualifying offer, whether they’ll do that is hard to predict. The 26-year-old defenseman often was a healthy scratch this season, but he developed a strong rapport with Maatta on the third pairing later 1188737 Chicago Blackhawks

At halfway point of training camp, Blackhawks begin looking ahead to Edmonton

By Ben Pope Jul 19, 2020, 4:00pm CDT

The Blackhawks were scheduled to begin practice at 11 a.m. Sunday, as usual.

By 10:40, though, almost the entire team had assembled on the ice at Fifth Third Arena, getting a head start on warmups and drills before battling through another intrasquad scrimmage.

That represents the Hawks’ level of enthusiasm as they enter the second half of training camp. The practice Sunday marked their sixth of 12. By next Sunday, they’ll be in the air en route to Edmonton, Alberta, the hub city for the Western Conference playoffs. ‘‘The biggest thing going forward is . . . just getting to Edmonton and figuring out how things are going to work and getting our own routines set and [determining] how we’re going to prepare the guys to play,’’ coach Jeremy Colliton said. ‘‘That’s what I’m looking forward to next.’’

The scrimmage, meanwhile, was the most intense and high-scoring yet, with Team Black earning a 5-2 victory against Team Red.

Patrick Kane scored twice, beating Collin Delia with a ruthless breakaway move and sniping a wrist shot past Malcolm Subban, then set up Alex Nylander for an empty-netter. He was moving at top speed all day, bewildering his teammates-turned-opponents by stickhandling through the smallest gaps and tightest double-teams.

After the scrimmage, Colliton ran the team through another exhausting bag skate. That has been the general blueprint for the first six practices: drills, a 20- or 25-minute scrimmage, then heavy conditioning.

But as the Hawks transition into the second half of camp Monday, Colliton said he plans to shift the emphasis of his practices.

‘‘We’re going to try to extend [the scrimmages] out a little bit further, playing two periods instead of one,’’ Colliton said. ‘‘We’ve been doing a lot of skating as we go. We’ll probably pull back on that.’’

He also said the Hawks will spend more time tailoring their system and strategies specifically for the Oilers and do more special-teams work.

By this point, the Hawks again have grown accustomed to the daily practice schedule and in-season type of mentality, even with the new COVID-19 protocols instituted by the league. All the mask-wearing, social distancing, coronavirus tests and personalized towels and water bottles have become normal. ‘‘[When] we had the small group . . . it felt like you didn’t see half the team,’’ defenseman Olli Maatta said. ‘‘Just saw a couple of guys, and that was it. But right now, it really hasn’t changed much; it feels the same. Coming in, you do the checkups and do the tests every other day just to make sure everybody’s safe, but it doesn’t really change the feeling, to be honest. We know the locker room is one of the safest places for us.’’ ‘‘Of course, there are some extra hoops to jump through safety-wise, and [we’re] making sure we’re wearing a mask all the time,’’ Colliton said. ‘‘The routine is a little bit different. But overall, just going through it daily, you find the best way to do things and adjust as you go, and it feels pretty normal.’’

That’s why Colliton has become so eager to get the Hawks settled in Edmonton as soon as possible.

Despite the NHL and NHL Players’ Association’s extensive rulebook for the hub-city portion of the restart, the Hawks won’t know the best way to navigate the new territory until they arrive.

Once they do, they’ll have only three days until their exhibition game and six until the playoffs begin.

They’ll want to maximize every minute of each of those days. Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188738 Chicago Blackhawks "The work ethic from all three of those guys has been good and that makes us feel good about the preparation they're doing," Colliton said. "We have a situation now where we've talked about it being open competition for a spot, whether that's the starting position or the backup. Rozner: Blackhawks a mystery in net with playoffs on tap "We've rotated those three guys through the first group and the plan is to continue to do that so everyone gets a shot to show themselves and for us to get a (clear) picture. To handicap it a few ice times in, we're not Barry Rozner going to do that, but I think the competition between them is going to be Updated7/19/2020 5:57 PM very interesting to watch."

Not exactly where you want to be two weeks before the postseason begins, but with Corey Crawford you never quite know. When word first trickled out regarding potential playoff opponents, Blackhawks fans had every right to be excited. Maybe he's got another big surprise in store.

After all, playoff hockey is a good thing. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 07.20.2020

Sure, from a talent standpoint the Hawks can't compete with Edmonton, but the Hawks' veteran core knows how to win and the mere sniff of postseason action for the first time in three years might be enough to get them jumping.

On top of that, the Oilers had plenty of confusion in goal this season -- are we still calling it this season? -- and the combination of 38-year-old Mike Smith and 32-year-old Mikko Koskinen was hardly inspiring as teams hit the pause.

At the same time, Corey Crawford is a two-time Stanley Cup winner who should have won the Conn Smythe twice. He has the ability to catch fire and win games by himself, and Crawford was playing some good hockey after Robin Lehner was traded.

So there was that thinking, the hot goalie plus the track meet expected in this series offered the Hawks a chance to steal the best-of-five.

But in a week, the Hawks travel to the bubble in Edmonton and Crawford is only now expected to show up in camp. Yikes.

His whereabouts have been a mystery with the team resuming camp and Crawford being the only veteran to have not participated in voluntary workouts that began a month ago.

So now what?

The Hawks have been looking at Malcom Subban, Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen thus far, and one would suspect Subban will get first crack at the net. That's not to say Crawford is an impossibility, but real games are two weeks away and that's not much time for him to prepare.

There's also the question of what shape Crawford will be in since the NHL has mandated no release of injury information or whether players have tested positive for COVID-19, labeling him merely "unfit to participate."

On Friday, however, head coach Jeremy Colliton did not slam the door on Crawford, saying, "We certainly haven't ruled him out going forward."

Whether that means for the first round -- or subsequent play should the Hawks advance -- remains to be seen, but Crawford has offered many surprises over the last few years, so guessing is perhaps unwise. If Crawford is unable to go it significantly diminishes the Hawks' chances against the high-flying Oilers, and you can expect some high-scoring games either way. If nothing else, it gives the Hawks a chance to take a look at the other three netminders, with Crawford a free agent and the team up against the cap.

Subban, acquired in the Lehner deal, is only 26 with 66 games of NHL experience, though he's never played in the postseason, while Collin Delia, also 26, has 18 games. His last NHL start was Feb. 22, 2019.

"It could end up being the opportunity of a lifetime," Subban said last week. "For me, it's just taking it day by day and continuing to work hard and make sure I'm ready if I get an opportunity."

The 24-year-old Lankinen was signed by the Hawks in 2018 and was the Rockford representative at the 2020 AHL All-Star Game before shoulder surgery ended his minor league season. A year ago, Lankinen posted a .942 save percentage while backstopping Finland to gold at the World Championship. 1188739 Chicago Blackhawks Against Boston the next night, Dach stripped Chris Wagner of the puck in the neutral zone and raced the other way on a breakaway. He failed to convert, but it was an impressive one-man effort to set up the chance in the first place. Blackhawks' Dach could be secret to getting past Oilers These are the types of plays that could catch the Oilers off guard and potentially lead to a stunning upset. But no matter what happens in two weeks, there's no doubt Dach's long-term future is awfully bright. John Dietz "He can be a top player in the league," said Patrick Kane, who has tried Updated7/19/2020 5:47 PM to talk with Dach about how to develop as a young player. "For me, I was a goal scorer. I came in to the league and a lot of the moves I was making weren't necessarily getting around defenders. As Edmonton prepares to take on the Blackhawks in a best-of-five play-in series, the Oilers will have to figure out how to deal with Patrick Kane, "So I had to pull up and find a guy (and) try to create space for Dominik Kubalik and Alex DeBrincat. teammates. So I became more of a pass-first guy. ...

They'll also attempt to take advantage of a young defense corps and "He's a guy that can be the same way. He's got the ability to ... use his cash in with the best power-play unit in the league. reach to get by guys and beat guys 1-on-1. So he (can) ... put a guy on his back, pull someone to him and then create some space for someone One thing they'd better not do, though, is sleep on Kirby Dach, who has else. He has all the potential in the world to do that. clearly taken his game to the next level since the NHL paused its season in mid-March. "He can be as good as he wants, you know? Time will tell. He's had a great start for his career. It's not easy to come in at a young age and "He's been very noticeable with his skating and confidence on the puck, play. even more so than (before)," said coach Jeremy Colliton. "You can see the improvements throughout the season (and) from the Dach has been centering the third line since the Hawks rebooted their last time we played until now. He's getting better and better, and he's season with training camp at Fifth Third Arena last Monday. His wingers going to be a good one." are 30-goal scorer Kubalik and the tough, gritty Drake Caggiula. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 07.20.2020 "As you get older and more mature, you're going to feel stronger on the ice," said Dach, who had 8 goals and 15 assists in 64 games. "That was a big thing for me during this break was to get in the gym right away and maintain my strength and try to add some size, but at the same time not take away from my on-ice game."

It was an eventful rookie season for Dach, who suffered a concussion during a summer prospects tournament in Traverse City. The setback caused Dach to miss a significant portion of training camp, and he didn't make his season debut until the sixth game of the season against Washington on Oct. 20.

Over the next week and a half, there was plenty of speculation about whether Dach would be sent back to juniors or if he'd stay with the Hawks all season. Finally, on Oct. 30 after a practice in California, GM Stan Bowman told a thrilled Dach that he would be staying.

"When you watch him play in the Western League it felt like he wasn't going to learn the lessons you need to learn as a pro and an NHLer there," coach Jeremy Colliton said after Sunday's practice. "He was ready to be challenged."

Dach managed just a goal and an assist in his first 10 games, then put together a five-game points streak that included a goal against Toronto on Nov. 10, a goal against Vegas on Nov. 13, and 2 goals against Buffalo on Nov. 17. Over the next 28 games, however, Dach managed just a single goal and saw less than 14 minutes of ice time in 11 of 15 contests between Nov. 21 and Dec. 19.

"It wasn't perfect early," Colliton said. "And I'm sure when you're used to playing a lot it's sometimes hard to play a little bit less.

"One thing you really enjoy about Kirby is you only have to tell him something once. If you give feedback to him, he'll kind of look at you and take it in. He doesn't say much and then you never have to deal with it again.

"He really blossomed as the year went on and became an important player for us."

That was especially true once Dach proved he could handle a bigger role about midway through the season. His ice time increased (16:06 over the final 27 games), he was putting more shots on net (1.85 per game compared to 1.38 in his first 37 games) and his overall confidence simply soared.

A great example came against Minnesota on Feb. 4 when Dach put an open-ice move on Jonas Brodin that completely flummoxed the veteran D-man. A flailing, falling Brodin watched helplessly as Dach motored directly to the net, where he ultimately failed to finish things off against goalie Alex Stalock. 1188740 Chicago Blackhawks

How Blackhawks defenseman Slater Koekkoek would defend Oilers' Connor McDavid

By Scott King July 19, 2020 3:05 PM

Blackhawks defenseman Slater Koekkoek began this year as an extra defenseman for the first half of the season. After injuries to Brent Seabrook and Calvin de Haan helped him slide in for the second half, he showed a reliable game. "This season, it’s never easy being the odd-man out to start the season. I’d done it before in Tampa," Koekkoek said after Sunday's practice. "It’s tough mentally and I think the guys respect me around here, that I come to work every day and work hard, ultimately it paid off halfway through the season, due to injuries or an opportunity I ran with. "It went well for me in the second half, great chemistry with Olli. We work so well because off the ice, we’re close friends and like to do stuff together. I think that plays a part. Thought we worked well."

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Koekkoek, 26, was acquired by the Blackhawks from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 11, 2019 via a trade and was given a one-year contract extension following last season.

The blueliner has been skating on the Hawks' second defensive pairing with Maatta the past couple days at Phase 3 training camp with Calvin de Haan dealing with a family emergency and Connor Murphy being ruled "unfit to play".

Slater is likely to be in the Hawks' lineup if and when de Haan and Murphy return for the Aug. 1 start of the Blackhawks and Oilers' qualifying round series for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Koekkoek knows when it comes to the matchup, defending the Oilers' top league scorers and speedsters like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl won't be easy, but he's up to the task if it's assigned to him. "I think their speed through the neutral zone is a huge thing. Try not to get caught napping where they’re building up a lot of speed and you aren’t," Koekkoek said. "That’ll be a big focus for us and make sure we try to match their speed as well as we can. McDavid’s one of the fastest in the League, if not the fastest. Tough task, but if we can be aware of when he’s winding it up, try to get in his way a little bit, that’ll help a lot."

After this season, Slater becomes a restricted free agent. He'll need a new contract, but would love to stay in Chicago. "Not sure if my agent and Stan (Bowman) have had conversations yet," Koekkoek said. "I’d love to re-sign here. I love the city, love my teammates and organization. I think if I can have a good playoff, who knows. Winning always helps, so that’s what I’m focused on. Everything else will take care of itself." Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188741 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks could see Oilers' Smith and Koskinen in net for qualifier

By Scott King July 19, 2020 8:18 AM

Edmonton Oilers head coach Dave Tippett pretty much evenly rotated Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen in net during the regular season and it sounds like both goalies could see time between the pipes against the Blackhawks in the qualifying round as well.

Smith was 19-12-6 with a 2.95 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage in 39 games (37 starts) with the Oilers in his first season with the team. Koskinen was 18-13-3 with a 2.75 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage in 38 games (34 starts) in his second season in Edmonton.

Smith certainly has the edge when it comes to postseason experience. He's played in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games, starting 22. Last season, he started all five for the Calgary Flames before they were knocked out in the Western Conference First Round by the Colorado Avalanche. Smith is 11-12 with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage in the playoffs. Koskinen hasn't played in an NHL playoff contest yet. Against the Hawks in the regular season this year, Smith posted a goals- against average of 3.00 and a .906 save percentage in three starts. Koskinen saved all 10 shots he faced in relief of Smith in a 4-3 Blackhawks victory at the United Center on March 5, the only time he faced Chicago this season.

Both goalies are battling at training camp to see who will make the majority of the starts in the best-of-five play-in series against the Blackhawks, starting Aug. 1 at Edmonton, but both are likely to go at some point against Chicago according to Tippett.

"We have a great deal of confidence in both guys," Tippett said on a video conference call Saturday. "As camp goes on here, we'll continue to kind of monitor where they're each at. Both look really good so far. I envision both guys getting an opportunity to play."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188742 Chicago Blackhawks practices. Calvin de Haan hasn’t participated in the past four practices because he left to tend to a family emergency. De Haan and Murphy were expected to be the Blackhawks’ second defense pairing, so they could be significant losses. There is still some time. What to know from training camps as Blackhawks and Oilers prepare to meet What’s been the health status of players at Oilers camp?

Nugent-Bowman: Other than veteran blueliner Mike Green deciding not to participate in the playoffs, citing family reasons, it’s hard to imagine the By Scott Powers and Daniel Nugent-Bowman Jul 19, 2020 Oilers being in a better position right now. Joakim Nygard’s return from a broken hand gives the team more depth at left wing. Players such as

James Neal, Oscar Klefbom and Connor McDavid were just getting back There might never be a time again when teams will be as prepared for from nagging ailments before the pause. Judging from their work on the their opponent as they will be during the NHL’s qualifying round. ice, it looks like the break has helped.

It’s been known since late May that the Chicago Blackhawks and McDavid, in particular, missed Edmonton’s second-to-last game due to Edmonton Oilers might be meeting in the NHL’s return-to-play scenario. illness. I’m told he ideally could have used a bit of a break at that time. It wasn’t finalized until later, but you would have to think with not much He’s now rested and apparently was able to use the time off to train else to do that Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton and Oilers coach Dave effectively, something he couldn’t do last summer as he rehabbed from a Tippett pulled up some video back then. devastating knee injury. Blackhawks beware.

Even now, the Blackhawks and Oilers have to be keeping a close eye on The only concern as camp began was the status of rookie depth blueliner everything happening at the other’s camp. Maybe they’re reading The Caleb Jones, who was deemed “unfit to practice” but skated with the Athletic Chicago and Edmonton? We can only hope. The Blackhawks black aces afterward through the first three days. Jones practised for the streamed their scrimmage Saturday. The Oilers were probably among first time Friday, then revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19 upon those who tuned in. his return to Edmonton from Dallas for Phase 2 roughly three weeks ago.

“Obviously, we’re keeping tabs on them as they are on us,” Colliton said Jones said he was asymptomatic the entire time and was able to lift Saturday. “We got to sort through the information that comes up and dumbbells and ride a stationary bike while in isolation. He was actually figure out what we’re going to give the players. We don’t want to give cleared for practice Monday, but the Oilers wanted to ease him into camp them too much. We don’t want to overload them. But we started to give since he’d been off the ice for two weeks. Jones should be ready to battle them some things, and that will get more and more detailed as we get for a bottom-pairing spot next week. closer, and certainly once we get to Edmonton, there will be a lot more So, McDavid has looked good. Same with Art Ross winner Leon we give them to prepare.” Draisaitl. What about in Chicago? I see Patrick Kane has his playoff There is a lot going on in both camps. If you’re a fan of the Blackhawks . What about his game? or the Oilers, you might have time to catch up only with your specific Powers: It’s interesting how Colliton is dividing his lines. Kane’s line is team. To help pick out what’s important to know about each team, Daniel definitely geared to provide offense. It’s Alex Nylander on the left wing, Nugent-Bowman, who covers the Oilers, and Scott Powers, who covers Dylan Strome at center and Kane on the right wing. They were together the Blackhawks, will hold the first of perhaps a few discussions. when the pause occurred and there was some chemistry. Nylander has Scott Powers: Daniel, hope you’re staying safe. I’m sad I won’t be been up and down the lineup this season, but he’s skilled and Kane likes coming to Edmonton when it’s actually nice outside. I’ll start this with the playing with him. That line was the most noticeable in Saturday’s biggest questions on everyone’s minds, and they obviously don’t have scrimmage. much to do with actual hockey. I think a lot of us were skeptical this could Here are the Blackhawks’ expected lines and pairings if everyone is be pulled off in a pandemic. Going to Canada obviously seemed like the healthy: logical move. What are the COVID-19 numbers like in Edmonton now? Any concerns about the league going there and creating this bubble? Alex DeBrincat-Jonathan Toews-Brandon Saad Also, everyone took notice here of the recent storm that hit the Edmonton area and the possible damage to Rogers Place. Any concerns there? I’m Alex Nylander-Dylan Strome-Patrick Kane sorry this isn’t a cheerier intro for you. Dominik Kubalik-Kirby Dach-Drake Caggiula Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Whoa, whoa, whoa! What’s with all the hard Ryan Carpenter-David Kampf-Matthew Highmore non-hockey questions? OK, let’s get to them. I, too, was skeptical about hockey returning this summer. And to some degree, I still am. But Duncan Keith-Adam Boqvist Edmonton’s COVID-19 numbers have consistently been right at the top among NHL’s 10 original hub-city contenders. I spoke to an infectious- Calvin de Haan-Connor Murphy disease specialist for a recent story for The Athletic, and she was Olli Maatta-Slater Koekkoek comfortable with the NHL’s Phase 4 protocols — specifically, the amount of testing. The main takeaway from her: If teams get to Edmonton and if If de Haan and/or Murphy is unable to go, Brent Seabrook and Lucas the tournament gets through the first two weeks without issue, there Carlsson could be options. Carlsson and Seabrook essentially have been should be a Stanley Cup awarded here in late September or early the fourth pairing in practices. October. Yes, those aren’t small ifs. The arena damage, and the timing of it, certainly wasn’t welcome. On the plus side, most of the damage and It’s only practices and scrimmages, but the one player who has excess water is in an area far away from the rink and the dressing rooms. especially stood out early in this camp has been Dach. After he was the As of Friday, pumping out the water was more of an eyesore than No. 3 overall pick last year, the Blackhawks really eased him into the anything. season, and he was building confidence and getting more responsibility as the season went on. Over this past week, he’s been looking more and Now that we’ve gotten some of the hub details out of the way, we can more like a potential difference-maker with his ability to carry the puck shift to hockey. I’d say the whereabouts of a certain goaltender in and get to the net with his size and length. I also think the Blackhawks Chicago is the most intriguing storyline. will try to match up his line with Draisaitl’s.

Powers: Yeah, Corey Crawford’s absence has loomed large over the What have the Oilers’ lines and pairings looked like? Blackhawks’ camp. I’m not sure why he’s not here, but Colliton has said they haven’t ruled him out from returning. Having him back obviously Nugent-Bowman: I’ll get to your question in just a moment. I just feel like would be huge for them. It’s the difference between having a two-time I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Oilers’ biggest roster quandary off the Stanley Cup winner and someone who has played 87 career Stanley Cup hop: goaltending. playoff games in net and starting one of three goalies without any playoff The Blackhawks have a clear No. 1 (provided Crawford is able to play); experience. the Oilers don’t. All the numbers suggest Mikko Koskinen should be Crawford is the headliner missing from camp, but he’s not the only one. given the first crack at the starting assignment. But Tippett has been Connor Murphy has been deemed “unfit” and missed the team’s past two Mike Smith’s coach for more than half of his NHL career. They’ve worked together with three organizations. The scuttlebutt is Tippett might just lean toward his trusted netminder early on. However, he said Saturday that neither will be stapled to the bench. “I envision both guys getting an opportunity to play,” the coach said.

With that said, here are the lines and pairings:

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-Connor McDavid-Zack Kassian

Andreas Athanasiou-Leon Draisaitl-Kailer Yamamoto

Tyler Ennis-Riley Sheahan-Josh Archibald

James Neal-Jujhar Khaira-Alex Chiasson

Oscar Klefbom-Adam Larsson

Darnell Nurse-Ethan Bear Kris Russell-Matt Benning

The biggest question heading into camp was this: Where would Nugent- Hopkins be slotted? He’d been with Draisaitl and Yamamoto for almost the entire 2020 portion of the season, and that line had been one of the best in the league during that time. However, Tippett struggled to find the right combination of flanks for McDavid, who still produced despite a rotating cast of characters.

Putting Nugent-Hopkins with McDavid seems to better balance the top two lines. It seems as though the centre and right wing combos are set, perhaps with the exception of Gaetan Haas supplanting Khaira. Inserting Haas into the lineup would almost certainly require Khaira to be moved to left wing because he’s an effective killer.

Left wing is the position of fluidity. Other than Nugent-Hopkins getting a spot on one of the top two lines, Tippett can shuffle the other three — plus Nygard and potentially Khaira, too.

The top four defence pairings are all but set in stone. Jones, a lefty, has been the most reliable defenceman on his off side, so he could replace Russell or Benning in the lineup.

Powers: I’m learning a lot myself about the Oilers from just doing this. If readers like this format, I’d be open to returning to the table with you. This was fun. Someday, hopefully, we’ll be able to have these discussions in person again. First round on me when that time comes. Talk to you soon.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188743 Colorado Avalanche

Chambers: Avalanche has a shot at Stanley Cup. Ian Cole has the playoff beard to prove it

By MIKE CHAMBERS | July 19, 2020 at 6:00 a.m.

Ian Cole is a two-time Stanley Cup-winning defenseman with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

So he knows a thing or two about big .

Cole, now in his second season with the Avalanche, begins growing his playoff beard at the start of the season in October — if he believes he’s on a team capable of making the playoffs.

The Avalanche was definitely that team, and since the 2019-20 season could cover an entire year — with the Cup expected to be awarded in early October — Cole could have the biggest beard in the history of playoff beards.

If the Avalanche plays for the Cup, that is.

“This is definitely as big as it’s gotten in my career. People seem to respond to it well,” Cole, now in his 10th NHL season, said on a Zoom call. “Am I incapable of playing without a beard — is this my thing? I don’t know. Maybe not. Maybe it is. But if you feel confident your team is going to make the playoffs, you want to start growing it a little early.” Cole, 31, was also asked about the Avalanche’s genuine chances of winning this thing or at least making it to the conference or Cup finals. He certainly knows a thing or two about that and says the Avs’ depth at all three positions supports a long run.

“Looking at our team, I think we very much check those boxes. There is a lot of excitement for our team and amongst the guys on our roster,” Cole said. “It’s something that we’re very excited about.”

Minus the media. Media isn’t allowed in the Avalanche’s training-camp bubble and security will be even tighter at the NHL Western Conference bubble in Edmonton after teams travel to that hub city. Like the old days, players will be more apt to marinate in their soggy equipment after games and practices, instead of hurrying off to their private dressing room in their undergarments.

In the old days, there was just one dressing room.

In a normal world, Avs captain Gabe Landeskog usually grants interviews one-on-one or scrum interviews after most practices and games before seeking privacy with his teammates. Not anymore.

For the rest of this season and probably to begin 2020-21, players will talk to the camera on Zoom calls and only hear questions from reporters. “We’re always going to miss you guys,” Landeskog said of familiar Denver media. “We get to know all you guys, and get to see all you guys after practice and games. When you’re not playing very well, it can sometimes be tough. But, no doubt, I truly enjoy most interviews. It’s a good time to have that energy space right after, whether it’s practice or games, it gives you a little time to reflect on what’s going on.

“But on the flip side, I truly enjoy the downtime in the locker room right after practices or games — especially practices. You kind of sit around. You don’t rush out of there. Everybody is getting undressed at the same time and you’re shooting the (breeze) in there, which is a lot of fun. It goes both ways.”

Unfortunately for the traveling media, it doesn’t go both ways. Building relationships face-to-face and promoting one-on-one interviews are highly important in our industry. Writing game stories from television is the last thing we want to do.

Let’s hope the NHL’s world with Zoom doesn’t last long.

Denver Post: LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188744 Columbus Blue Jackets

Josh Anderson added to Blue Jackets’ camp roster

Brian Hedger Jul 19, 2020 at 3:31 PM

The power forward hasn’t played since Dec. 14 in Ottawa and is more than four months into recovery from shoulder surgery in March. He didn’t skate with either of the Blue Jackets’ practice groups Sunday, but Josh Anderson still provided a lift to those hoping to see him play in the postseason. The Blue Jackets added the fast-skating power forward to their roster, which increased the number of players in training camp to 34 (four goalies, 30 skaters).

Anderson, 26, skated on his own prior to the first of two practice sessions and continues to rehab his surgically repaired left shoulder off the ice. He hasn’t played since injuring the shoulder in a fight Dec. 14 in Ottawa that ended his season after just 26 games. He had surgery March 2 to repair a posterior labral tear in the shoulder, began an estimated recovery of four to six months and is now continuing that effort in Columbus.

"No information at all," said Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella, who was asked about Anderson after the practices. "I have no idea. I haven’t even talked to Josh. He’s in Phase 3 with us here and rehabbing. I have no idea where it’s at."

Anderson reached the four-month point July 2 and will be five months out from the surgery Aug. 2, when the Jackets begin a five-game series in the qualifying round of the Toronto hub against the host Maple Leafs – his favorite team as a kid.

It’s unclear whether he’ll be ready, since injury information is even more secretive than usual per league policy, but it could be a huge boost for the Jackets if Anderson plays in the postseason. His combination of size (6 feet 3, 222 pounds), speed, strength, skill and toughness is rare in the NHL, which has progressively gotten smaller and faster, and he’s a lot to handle when at the top of his game.

Anderson wasn’t at the top of his game most of the season, though, partially due to an undisclosed upper-body injury that happened in the second game of the season and kept him out nearly two weeks (seven games). He finished a disappointing regular season with just one goal and three assists after setting career highs in 2018-19 with 27 goals, 20 assists, 47 points, a plus-25 plus/minus rating and 214 hits.

If Anderson can return for the start of postseason, the Blue Jackets will have only veteran forward Brandon Dubinsky (wrist) left on injured reserve – a list that included as many as 11 names at one point this season.

"The break, nobody wanted this to happen, but it certainly helped this team get some guys healthy," Tortorella said. "We’re really excited about that opportunity to play with a full team."

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188745 Columbus Blue Jackets Gerbe still pushing Nathan Gerbe scored the lone goal for the Blue team in the scrimmage

Friday, which was his first of the camp and caught Tortorella’s attention. Healthy Oliver Bjorkstrand shows scoring touch in first week of Columbus "That line had a really good scrimmage," Tortorella said. "I’ll never put a Blue Jackets’ camp guy in because he’s a guy I’m pulling for. He’s going to have to earn it, but that guy … he’s an easy guy to watch and get excited about." Brian Hedger Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.20.2020

Jul 19, 2020 at 6:46 AM

Oliver Bjorkstrand’s actions are backing up his words a week into the Blue Jackets’ playoff training camp.

After recovering from March 3 ankle surgery, the 25-year-old forward has scored a goal in each of the camp’s first two scrimmages. He’s also scooting around like he did before suffering the left ankle injury near the end of regulation in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 20.

"We’re not really having problems with it," Bjorkstrand said Tuesday, the second day of camp. "I’m feeling good on the ankle, and I’m comfortable where I’m at right now out there on the ice and the way I’m feeling out there, so that’s just a positive."

It’s especially encouraging as the Blue Jackets prepare for a five-game series against the high-scoring Toronto Maple Leafs in the qualifying round of the NHL’s 24-team return format to finish the season.

Despite his injury, which caused Bjorkstrand to miss the Jackets’ final seven games prior to the league’s COVID-19 pause, he still led the team with 21 goals and was fourth in overall scoring with 36 points.

Bjorkstrand had become a key member of the Jackets’ top-six forwards, skating at right wing on the top line. Starting this camp, he’s playing with rookie left winger Alexandre Texier and center Pierre-Luc Dubois on a line that could either be a dangerous checking group or a top-six offensive threat.

The first two scrimmages showed why, as Bjorkstrand scored his team’s goal in a 1-1 tie Thursday and followed up by scoring the first goal in his group’s 2-1 victory Friday.

Double trouble

The Jackets are again experimenting with putting their top two defensemen on the top power-play unit.

Zach Werenski and Seth Jones are going through power-play work together, only this time with Werenski quarterbacking things from the point and Jones taking his hard shot to the left-wing wall. That’s a change from previous experiments with both in the top group, when the roles were flipped.

There are no guarantees that it will look this way going against Toronto, but it might, especially in a five-game series where the pressure to win is immediate.

"We’re going to get them on the ice as much as we can," coach John Tortorella said of his top defensive duo. "We still haven’t made our final decisions as far as what our groups are going to look like, but we certainly want to take a look at it early in the camp."

Local honor The NHL released its three finalists for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award on Friday, and one of them, John Haferman, is a familiar name around the Columbus hockey scene. Haferman is the executive director of the Columbus Ice Hockey Club, which aims to help kids from some of the area’s more diverse and underserved populations learn life and leadership skills through hockey.

Over the past three decades, the club has worked with more than 30,000 kids, and Haferman has overseen the dispersal of more than $300,000 in scholarships. The O’Ree award, named after the NHL’s first Black player, is given annually to "an individual who, through the sport of hockey, has positively impacted his or her community, culture or society." O’Ree, who has attended Blue Jackets games in the past, has worked with Haferman and the Columbus Ice Hockey Club in years past to promote diversity within the sport. 1188746 Columbus Blue Jackets contract extension in September worth $5 million a season, Werenski showed that Columbus may have two Norris Trophy candidates in the years ahead and they happen to be defense partners.

Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski elevates his game "I try to take things from him every day that can make me better," said Jones, who is a Norris candidate at age 25. "And he’s a few years younger than me, and I’m still doing that, whether it’s in practice or games,. Brian Hedger "Some of the things he does offensively, he’s so gifted. Especially when Jul 19, 2020 at 5:31 AM we started getting injured this year, he was a guy that we leaned on offensively, and he delivered. … Without him, I don’t know if we’d be in the same position." The mustache, on its own, would have been a conversation starter. As for the mullet/mustache combo? Zach Werenski had already grown one last fall for "Movember," so growing it back during the NHL’s pandemic pause would have been "I really don’t know what to tell you," Werenski said, laughing. "It’s just enough to prompt questions in the Blue Jackets’ first week of training what I’ve got going on right now." camp in preparation for the conclusion of the 2019-20 season. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.20.2020 Werenski, however, took it one step further and combined his ’stache with a full-on "business up front, party in the back" mullet hairstyle straight out of the 1980s.

"What’s there to defend?" said Werenski, a star defenseman in the NHL who turns just 23 today. "I like it, I don’t know. During quarantine, I got kind of bored, so I got the mustache going. I also let my hair go, and probably about a month ago, maybe three weeks ago, my hair was really long …

"So, I was just going to get it cut and I just said, ‘Screw it, I’m going to get a mullet.’ And, uh, here we are."

Indeed, here we are. Along the pathway of an NHL career, we’re still on the first half of the front nine with Werenski, who has only played four seasons, all with the Blue Jackets. Despite marked improvement defensively and 20 goals to lead NHL defensemen this season, there are reminders that he’s still a young guy.

One is shaved into the sides of his head, another lives under his nose, and the only ones he actually cares about happen on the ice. It’s an errant pass here, a missed shot there or a blown coverage that leads to an opponent goal.

"I still think there’s a lot of room for me to grow defensively," Werenski said. "It’s not going to happen overnight. It’s not going to happen one season to the next. I think it’s just making progress every year, and I think I took a step forward this year."

He’s not the only one who feels that way.

"More and more, he’s becoming a complete player," said Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella, who plans to lean heavily on Werenski and fellow defenseman Seth Jones in a five-game series against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the NHL’s qualifying round for the playoffs.

"I think he’s found himself comfortable now in understanding what’s expected of him away from the puck, but he’s also gotten more aggressive with the puck, so you know … that’s still a young guy we’re talking about here. He’s still developing as a player."

Despite his early success, Werenski has yet to reach what he could become. There’s plenty of room to grow between the top of his mullet and the ceiling of his potential.

Werenski has already twice set the franchise record for single-season goals by a defenseman. He and Jones, his All-Star defensive partner, each scored 16 goals in 2017-18, and Werenski shattered that mark in just 63 games this season. And if he’s able to score 20 goals during a pandemic-shortened season that included a shoulder injury which cost him seven games, what is he capable of doing in a full season without injuries?

"There’s a lot more I think I could get to, a higher offensive ceiling I can get to," Werenski said. "It’s been a work in progress for me to be a 200- foot player. It doesn’t happen easily. It’s a lot of hard work. But I’m definitely working toward growing (as a player) and hopefully be really good on both sides of the puck." He made a lot of progress this season, helping the Blue Jackets overcome a mountain of injuries not to mention a raft of free-agent defections to stay in the playoff picture. After signing a three-year 1188747 Dallas Stars -- Jake Oettinger was on the bench as the backup goalie during the scrimmage, a sign that he’s the frontrunner for the No. 3 goalie job.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.20.2020 Revamped top line provides potential spark for Stars offense

By Matthew DeFranks 6:06 PM on Jul 19, 2020 CDT

FRISCO — As the Stars coaching staff stacked Team Green with offensive talent on Sunday, many of the line combinations that interim coach Rick Bowness assembled were broken up (if only temporarily).

Except one. The exciting trio of Denis Gurianov, Roope Hintz and Tyler Seguin remained together throughout the 5-on-5 portion of the scrimmage Sunday, proving themselves dangerous on the rush and capable of forcing turnovers in the offensive zone with a strong forecheck.

Gurianov-Hintz-Seguin did not score Sunday morning, though Seguin did beat goaltender Anton Khudobin seconds after the horn sounded.

The line barely played together during the regular season, and never logged more than a minute of 5-on-5 time together during the same game. But, in theory, it’s a line that should succeed. All three players are above-average skaters. All three have lethal shots. They have a right- handed center in Seguin. They have a left-handed center in Hintz.

Bowness put the line together on the first day of training camp Monday, and the three have only been split up when the Stars move to special teams work. If the line stays together, it could be a way to get more ice time for Hintz and Gurianov, since Seguin plays more minutes than any other Stars forward.

Robertson up next: Based solely off of which team he was placed on, and who he played with, it’s clear that the Stars believe Jason Robertson is one of their first options up front if injuries or illness arrives.

Robertson played on Team Green during the scrimmage Sunday, joining the Stars’ best offensive players on that side of the ice. Gurianov, Hintz, Seguin, Jamie Benn, Radek Faksa, Corey Perry, Joe Pavelski and Alexander Radulov were the other forwards in green. Miro Heiskanen, John Klingberg, Joel Hanley, Dillon Heatherington and Thomas Harley were the defensemen.

Among Team Green’s forwards, Robertson was the only one not projected to be in the lineup when the Stars face Vegas on Aug. 3. He primarily played on Pavelski’s left wing, opposite Radulov. During the scrimmage, Robertson had a pair of chances around the net, and had perhaps the team’s best scoring chance at 5-on-5, when he tried to stuff a Heiskanen feed past Khudobin. He’s also been involved during power play sessions on the third unit, a distinction not bestowed on fellow AHL 25-goal scorer Joel L’Esperance or first-round pick Ty Dellandrea. While Justin Dowling continues to practice with the first group made of the Stars’ NHL roster, Robertson could be the first black ace to see action. Coming along: The Stars power play has received better results since Wednesday, when they failed to score a goal in 13 minutes of action. On Saturday, during a special teams portion of practice the Stars went 4 for 10 on the power play, with each unit scoring twice. Jamie Benn scored both goals around the net on the first unit. Corey Perry scored both goals (also around the net) on the second unit.

On Sunday, the Stars scored one goal in eight minutes of power play time. Perry scored with a deflection off his foot.

-- Bowness said the Stars would probably scrimmage at 4 p.m. on Wednesday to help acclimate the team to afternoon game times. Only three Stars games currently have game times, and all three are in the afternoon.

The Stars play Nashville in an exhibition July 30 at 2 p.m. Mountain Time. In the round robin, the Stars play both Vegas (Aug. 3) and Colorado (Aug. 5) at 4:30 p.m. local time in Edmonton. 1188748 Dallas Stars “For the first real scrimmage we’ve had, I thought it was really good,” Bowness said.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.20.2020 Fixing Stars’ offensive hangups could be key to lengthy playoff run

By Matthew DeFranks 5:52 PM on Jul 19, 2020 CDT

FRISCO — The Stars stout defensive game remains durable. Their offensive game? Well, check back in a week.

On Sunday morning, the Stars completed their first scrimmage of training camp, using a 30-minute period between practice sessions to practice different game scenarios. The scrimmage consisted of 15 minutes of 5- on-5 play, eight minutes of power play, four minutes of 3-on-3 play and three minutes of empty-net 6-on-5 play.

Team Green defeated Team White, 2-1, but none of the goals were scored at 5-on-5.

Defenseman Thomas Harley scored for Green during 3-on-3 on a pretty backhand flip over Anton Khudobin after Joe Paveski pestered Jamie Oleksiak into a turnover. Forward Corey Perry scored during a power play after Denis Gurianov’s pass toward the crease caromed off Perry’s foot and into the net, putting Green up 2-0.

Forward Ty Dellandrea scored the lone goal for Team White during 6-on- 5 by firing a loose puck in the slot past . In a micro sense, the scrimmage was helpful but inconclusive.

The small sample size of less than a period’s worth of 5-on-5 allowed for a glimpse of what players could do, but hardly solidified opinions about them. The scrimmage displayed the danger of Denis Gurianov, Roope Hintz and Tyler Seguin together. You saw the offensive skill of prospects Harley and Jason Robertson. The goaltending was solid. “You don’t over-evaluate your first scrimmage, either,” Stars interim coach Rick Bowness said. “We were looking for team play, we saw that; team structure, we saw that. Some o-zone time, we saw a little bit better, an improvement there. There’s still some times, we should have kept the puck longer than we did so we’ll just kept addressing that.”

In a macro sense, the lack of offense at 5-on-5 could be a harbinger of what’s to come when the Stars’ postseason begins in about two weeks in Edmonton. As teams regain their skill and timing on the offensive side of the puck, the defensive structure will rebound more quickly.

For a team like the Stars, whose identity is based off winning tight, low- scoring games, it could bode well when they open the round robin against Vegas on Aug. 3.

“A big reason why we’ve had success the last couple years is because of our good defensive play,” Stars forward Blake Comeau said. “I don’t expect that that’s going to change at all when we start back up.”

Even if the Stars revamp their offense during a two-week training camp to include more involvement from the defensemen and more possession time in the offensive zone, the likely result would be a league-average offense. After finishing 26th in scoring during the regular season, it’s imprudent to believe the Stars could become a high-flying squad offensively.

But an average offense in addition to the goaltending of Bishop and Khudobin could be enough to make the Stars a dangerous team in the playoffs.

“If we’re not scoring goals, we always have our great defensive play that’s always going to keep us in games,” Comeau said.

The Stars have now completed six of their 10 days of training camp. They will be off Monday before returning to the ice Tuesday. Bowness said the team would scrimmage every session before leaving for Edmonton on July 26.

Bowness said he liked how the team moved the puck of the defensive zone, and how the power play moved the puck. But they still need to find some more polish offensively, and work on 5-on-3 and 6-on-5 situations. 1188749 Dallas Stars to take the puck wide and the Robertson nearly jammed home the pass from the defensive prospect.

Visually (yes, I have bad handwriting), this is how the first period played Stars 20/20: The Stars scrimmaged. Everything’s weird; let’s have some out. fun Numbers without a line under them indicate a shot attempt that missed the net. One line underneath indicates it was blocked, while two lines indicate it was saved by the goal. If a number is circled, which none are By Sean Shapiro Jul 19, 2020 in this chart, it was a goal while a “P” next to a number is a shot that hit the post or crossbar.

3. Tyler Seguin did score with a wrist shot from just inside the slot at the FRISCO, Texas — This is weird. first-period buzzer, going over Khudobin’s glove, but the coaches It’s weird being at NHL training camp in July. It’s weird covering a team deemed he didn’t release the shot before the buzzer. without typical access. It’s also understandable since, you know, there Seguin protested a bit, but he didn’t have a strong enough case. happens to be a pandemic ongoing. Reporters seeing the inside of a locker room isn’t really a big deal in the grand scheme of things. 4. The second 15-minute period was built around specialty situations.

But for the first time since March 10, we saw organized, competitive NHL Green had a power play for eight minutes of the segment. There were hockey in a game situation. The Stars held their first scrimmage of five-minutes of three-on-three and three-minutes of end-of-game training camp. situations with the goalie pulled. The scrimmage wasn’t exactly fair; the Green Team was given much As stated earlier, Green won this scrimmage, but based on the actual better odds. But it was an entertaining contest that Green won 2-1 after performance of the penalty killers you’d feel like White had the better day two 15-minute controlled periods. if there wasn’t a scoreboard running. The power play only saw five shots get through in eight minutes, and they didn’t score during the first six- It’s training camp for everyone, myself included, so we are knocking off minute power play. the rust and bringing back our first 20/20 in four months to make sure we’re ready for that exhibition game against the Nashville Predators on When they did finally score, it was on a goal that probably would have July 30. been reviewed and potentially overturned by the NHL video replay room.

1. As mentioned in our lovely intro, the Green Team was the favorite Denis Gurianov zipped a pass to Corey Perry in front of the net and the heading into this game. Green was given better firepower and consisted puck went off his skate and in for the goal. It wasn’t a distinct kicking of the Stars’ power-play units. The white team was mostly made up of motion, but Perry certainly guided the puck in that direction with his foot. penalty killers. Instead of a painstaking review and Twitter hot takes, it was simply The rosters broke down as follows and lines looked like this during the deemed a good goal. There were no official and the outcome of this even-strength portion. scrimmage doesn’t really mean much anyway.

Green 5. I’m sure you want to know what the power-play units looked like.

Denis Gurianov – Roope Hintz – Tyler Seguin The first unit consisted of John Klingberg at the point with Jamie Benn, Seguin, Alexander Radulov and Joe Pavelski. Most of the power-play Jamie Benn – Radek Faksa – Corey Perry chances came off Seguin’s stick —he had a pair of one-timers and a rush Jason Robertson – Joe Pavelski – Alexander Radulov chance — while Radulov did hit the post on a tight angle chance.

Miro Heiskanen – John Klingberg The second unit was quarterbacked by Miro Heiskanen and consisted of Denis Gurianov, Roope Hintz, Radek Faksa and Perry. Dillon Heatherington – Thomas Harley Gurianov was the trigger man for the unit and the threat of his one-timer Joel Hanley – Gavin Bayreuther from the circle does open up more space and opportunities in the slot. He took two shot attempts earlier before electing to pass (or maybe it was a White really wide shot) on the goal off of Perry’s skate. Andrew Cogliano – Jason Dickinson – Blake Comeau 6. In between the power play time, the Stars ran four minutes of an Mattias Janmark – Justin Dowling – Joel L’Esperance overtime-style 3-on-3.

Nick Caamano – Ty Dellandrea – Joel Kiviranta This is how we finally got our first goal: on this nice finish by Thomas Harley. Rhett Gardner The kid (he’s still only 18) has pretty good hands and absolutely was built Andrej Sekera – Stephen Johns for 3-on-3 hockey with his skating ability.

Esa Lindell – Taylor Fedun The goal was created, though, by one of the oldest players in camp after Jamie Oleksiak Pavelski stripped the puck from Jamie Oleksiak. The two battled for the puck into the offensive zone. Pavelski was able to get the final edge and On paper, the White Team was already at a disadvantage. That was Harley’s speed jumping into the play set up the breakaway finish. before the Green Team was given eight minutes of power play time in the 15-minute second period. 7. In total, White had a 5-3 edge in shot attempts during 3-on-3, while Green had a 3-2 edge in shots on goal. 2. Green controlled much of the possession but couldn’t score in the first period. Here is how it looked.

Green had a 10-7 edge in shot attempts and a 5-2 edge in shots, all at 8. The scrimmage ended with end-of-game 6-on-5 situations for both even strength. teams.

White looked like the typical Dallas Stars. They kept opponents outside This is how the White Team finally broke through. and locked down the middle of the ice. On a few instances, Green was Taylor Fedun had his shot from the point blocked. It trickled to Ty able to drive wide and create something near the net, but Anton Dellandrea, who snuck a wrist shot through traffic to make it 2-1. Khudobin wasn’t called upon to make any really difficult saves. Green was then given a 6-on-5 opportunity to close out the scrimmage, Jason Robertson had two of the best chances and got to the front of the which effectively meant any chance of tying the game for White would net twice, including a nice chance where Thomas Harley used his speed require an empty-netter. That didn’t happen. 9. Here is another shot chart. This one consists of the special teams and 18. After practice on Saturday, Klingberg and Pavelski spent extra time end-of-game minutes from the second period. working on tip drills. 10. One of the developments the Stars are hoping to see from camp is Pavelski was the designer of the drills and told Klingberg before one of Stephen Johns adding a little bit more offense to his game. That’s why the attempts that “We can score on this,” and then proceeded to work on he’s been paired more with Andrej Sekera than Miro Heiskanen. That high tips from the slot. environment could potentially force the right-handed defender to defer less when moving the puck. It was less of Klingberg’s typical shot — the floater that he typically uses to get through the layers of shot blockers — and more of the Brent On Sunday, Johns looked good offensively jumping into the play and had Burns-esque shooting for sticks approach that Pavelski was used to for a a few key chances for a team that was, quite literally, shorthanded. decade in San Jose.

In the second period, he hit the right post on a shorthanded chance. He Pavelski and Klingberg had started to develop more chemistry in the final also jumped into the play and just missed the net during 3-on-3. month before the NHL stoppage. That also coincided with us witnessing them spending extended time together working on drills before or after 11. My goalie stats aren’t accurate because Bishop and Khudobin kept practices. switching sides, but both goalies looked sharp enough in the scrimmage and none of the goals against were howlers. 19. NHL players have just as many issues with a Zoom call as your co- worker that can’t find the mute button or your grandmother who can’t turn One thing that Bishop does extremely well is break up plays around the on her camera. net with his stick. There are many times passes get spiked away or deflected before they ever turn into chances. Those are the types of Throughout NHL camp, we’ve had our share of Zoom hiccups with things that don’t show up as saves but should. players, who have been conducting media availability from their own homes a few hours after they’ve left the rink. In the second period, for example, he spiked away a pass from Perry that was heading to a wide-open forward streaking toward the back post. Heiskanen struggled to get his camera working earlier this week. So did Khudobin, who had this wonderful exchange with Stars public relations. Bishop did make his best save on Seguin on a 2-on-1 during the end-of- game situations, moving left to right and pushing the shot aside with his “Dobby, you want to turn your camera on?” right pad. “Oh fuck, how?” 12. I thought Robertson looked good throughout the scrimmage and was really effective in the offensive zone. Pavelski didn’t have any issues with Zoom but did give us an impromptu tour of his house while answering a question. Maybe he was letting a pet If he’s going to play it’s going to be in a top-six role, and he’s more than inside, maybe he was getting a snack? Either way, we never had time to capable of doing that at this point. The question with Robertson is ask a follow-up on that journey because Pavelski’s interview was one of whether coaches will trust him enough away from the offensive zone. By the most heavily attended by virtual media members. playing on the power play team, he really didn’t have many chances to prove himself or be exposed defensively on Sunday. Oleksiak had connectivity issues during his interview and when he was asked a question, he seemingly gave a very thoughtful answer that was 13. One name I didn’t think would stand out in the scrimmage but at least at least a minute long but no one could hear him. I asked him if he could caught my attention: Gavin Bayreuther. answer again on the call and he obliged. But once again, no one could hear him. 14. For some NHL teams, scrimmages have been emphasized during training camp. At that point it was just easier to say, “Thanks, Jamie,” and move on.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have done a full scrimmage series, while the That being said, I would like to take a moment to give Stars PR credit for Vancouver Canucks held a morning skate and then evening scrimmage how well they’ve handled all this. They’ve done a good job making the earlier this week. The Stars haven’t put as much emphasis on the most of a less-than-ideal situation and haven’t used social distancing as scrimmage, but they also don’t have a do-or-die situation of a five-game an excuse to make players unavailable like some other NHL PR series waiting for them like the Maple Leafs and Canucks have. departments.

Dallas can use the exhibition and round-robin to get up to playoff speed, 20. I’ll leave you with this final important message from Landon Bow, who if you aren’t in the top-four you don’t have that luxury. didn’t participate in the scrimmage and patiently waited for Group 2. 15. There were no officials or coaches acting as officials in the Be safe, wear a mask. scrimmage, but I do have a local DFW refereeing note. The Athletic LOADED: 07.20.2020 Gord Dwyer, a DFW native and NHL referee, will be working the Eastern Conference playoff games in the Toronto hub. Dwyer is No. 19 on his ref uniform if you wanted to get a jersey to support another DFW product in the playoffs.

16. In the NHL, “unfit to practice” is the blanket statement coaches have to use when discussing a player’s absence throughout Phase 3 and Phase 4 of the return to play.

NHL coaches were always coy about injuries in the playoffs, but this takes it to a league-mandated extreme where any honesty on a player’s absence could be punished.

The Stars haven’t had any issues in this regard so far. No one has been “unfit to practice” yet, and in a state with soaring COVID-19 numbers, that’s an important development. 17. One NHL player who has tested positive for COVID-19, and was forthcoming himself, was Edmonton Oilers defenseman Caleb Jones who is a DFW native and had been spending the NHL stoppage in Texas. Jones told reporters earlier this week about how he tested positive because he didn’t want to be a distraction to teammates. I give him credit for owning the story and putting it behind him.

On a local note, Jones had been skating for a few weeks in Dallas before flying to Edmonton and getting tested. Jones typically skates at Valley Ranch when he is home in DFW. 1188750 Edmonton Oilers Double-A moving alongside Sheahan and Archibald, and Ennis sliding in with Leon Draisaitl and Kailer Yamamoto.

“I’ve watched the other scrimmages and just wanted to see how this Nygard would love to shake injury bug in first post-season with Oilers would work. We talked about doing some different things during camp. Both will be on a second power-play unit,” said Tippett, who likes Ennis’s portability, where he can fit with just about any line and Athanasiou, even with his speed, hadn’t really clicked with Draisaitl. Jim Matheson, Tippett hasn’t had to juggle bodies in camp like many other NHL teams Published:July 19, 2020 with players unfit for practice. He’s had the same 18 forwards for six days Updated:July 19, 2020 4:37 PM MDT now.

“That part feels good, we’ve been healthy and stabilized. We haven’t had distractions,” he said. If anybody knows what kind of NHL player Joakim Nygard is, they’re lying. NO RAZOR FOR THIS GUY

After all, he has spent more time on injured reserve than on the ice in his Sheahan has a mop of facial hair, a giant playoff beard before the first season with the Edmonton Oilers. playoffs even start. It’s by far the healthiest growth of anybody on the roster. Nygard, who’s been on the wing with centre Gaetan Haas and Patrick Russell during Phase 3 camp as ostensibly the Oilers fifth line, cracked “I’ve never had it this long and it can be an inconvenience at times but I’ll his ribs in mid-October. He then broke his hand in late January. He keep it going for playoffs,” said the Oilers’ best penalty-killer. dressed for 33 games and was out for 34, needing surgery to repair his FINNISH ISOLATION hand. Mikko Koskinen said Finland locked everything down in the beginning but He’s fast and brave but hasn’t played a game in almost six months, “the people listened to what the government was telling them and at the dating back to Jan. 29, when he blocked a shot in the dying seconds of beginning of June, we were back to living a normal life. There for four or the first period against Calgary at Rogers Place. five cases a day and some days nothing. It’s been handled really well.” Certainly, coach Dave Tippett doesn’t have a clear read on the Swede This ’n’ that: Connor McDavid scored another dazzling goal in practice, yet. ripping into open ice and tucking one home. “Looks like he’s gained a “He came over as a first-time NHL player, first season as a pro in North step during this whole time,” said Sheahan. Scary thought. In the America getting acclimated to the new rinks and the speed, which was a scrimmage, Kris Russell scored the winning 3-2 goal for Team Blue. challenge,” said Tippett. “Then he had a couple of injuries, the last one Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.20.2020 was really bad because he was going to miss an extended time. He didn’t feel he had the traction to get going but I talked to him and his hand is good and he feels way more comfortable now.

“It’s like his second year, he understands how we play, the day-to-day routine. His concentration right now is getting his game up and running to the best level.”

Nygard is a terrific skater who can get in on the forecheck, as he showed at times when he played with Riley Sheahan and Josh Archibald. He’ll probably be watching when the Chicago qualification-round series starts unless the Oilers get some injuries in camp, but his speed will get him back in the lineup, and hopefully he can stay in one piece.

“His hand’s not sore but he’s still going to work on it so he feels comfortable handling the puck. I would like to see him get an extended period of time to play. He’s got speed, tenacity and can get on pucks. He’s shown glimpses of it this season but there were too many times he had to take a step back because of injuries,” said Tippett.

Nygard says his hand feels “brand new.” When he went out to the point to block that shot in late January, he never dreamed the hand would take so much damage. “I got the puck between the fingers and the bone went in a couple of pieces. It was pretty bad, but stuff happens. I had some big injuries this season and hopefully being back now, I can avoid them,” he said.

His medical woes started in exhibition season, when a skate blade sliced into his left cheekbone, cutting him for 10 stitches, also in a game against Calgary.

“First time I’ve had stitches in my face, actually I also got two sticks in my face that game, too,” said Nygard, who was cut by the skate in a fluke play. “I pushed one of their guys at the back and he fell forward and his leg came up and I was 90 degrees.”

In games that count, he’s the healthiest he’s been at Phase 3 camp. “I haven’t played in a long time but the scrimmages this week are important so I get some game situations again. I just want to get into a (playoff) game as soon as possible,” said Nygard.

CHANGING ON THE FLY

Tippett hadn’t changed anybody on his top four lines but switched Andreas Athanasiou and Tyler Ennis for the scrimmage Sunday, with 1188751 Edmonton Oilers Koskinen has never played a single post-season game. But, who knows who’ll get the nod. Smith has had far more battles with

the Hawks over the years, playing in Arizona for years with Tippett as his Oilers' Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen combining for positive net coach. presence Koskinen went back to Vaanta, a suburb of Helsinki, during the break. He was only able to skate about 15 times before Phase 3. Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal “Not as much as I normally do,” said Koskinen, who was able to stop shots with a group of NHLers, and other Finns either playing in Sweden Published:July 19, 2020 or the Kontinental Hockey League while back home, starting in early June. Updated:July 19, 2020 4:17 PM MDT He hasn’t laid awake at night knowing he’s in a battle with Smith for the

starting nod. Two guys, one crease. “I really haven’t thought about that, there’s so many other things going Does it really matter who starts in goal for the Edmonton Oilers — Mike on,” he said. Smith or Mikko Koskinen — as long as the net result is they get past the Koskinen had two outstanding starts against Dallas and Columbus, Chicago Blackhawks in the upcoming play-in round? facing 89 shots and only giving up two goals in wins the last week of the A thornier question is the Hawks’ own goal, considering Corey Crawford NHL season. Now he has to start over. hasn’t shown his face at their camp yet? “Doesn’t matter what happened four months ago. This is like a new While the Hawks obviously have a precipitous drop off after Crawford, season,” he said. who has two Stanley Cup rings, but is still deemed unfit to practise, the In a way this is like Robin Lehner, who was playing for the Hawks this Oilers have a 1 and 1-A in net. They aren’t like the Montreal Canadiens season until being traded to Vegas at the deadline, and Thomas Greiss with , the Winnipeg Jets with Connor Hellebuyck or the on Long Island in 2018-19. They were mirror Images in the regular Tampa Bay Lightning with Andrei Vasilievskiiy. With them, it’s hold your season before coach Barry Trotz started the larger Lehner against breath they stay in one piece. Pittsburgh, won with him, and decided to ride him before they tumbled to So, while Smith and Koskinen are competing at Oilers’ Phase 3 camp to Carolina in the next round. see who gets the Aug. 1 qualification series start here against Chicago, The Oilers have had tag-teams before, of course. In the glory days, Grant they’re both going to play sometime along the playoff ride, because Fuhr and Andy Moog would split the regular-season but Fuhr got the nod coach Dave Tippett doesn’t see one better than the other. Unless it’s from coach Glen Sather in the playoffs unless he was hurt, when Moog fistic fury. Plus, the Oilers may have to play 33 games and win 19 to get admirably took the net and helped them win their first Cup in 1984. the Stanley Cup. Coaches deal in the present, but they don’t lose track of the past. The decision in goal is certainly more difficult than Tippett’s forward lines or defence pairs. He’s got his four lines and three pairs if Matt Benning Smith has a career 2.17 goals-against average and .938 save and Kris Russell play together as the 5-6 guys. percentage in his 24 playoff games.

“We’ve got a great deal of confidence in Mike and Mikko and we’ll That may be the biggest tell. Bet on him getting the start against the continue to monitor through camp where each guy is at, but I envision Hawks. both getting a chance to play,” said Tippett. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.20.2020 Smith has started all three games against Chicago this year, so there’s that. But he’s 1-2 against Blackhawks. Smith has played 24 playoff games in his career, Koskinen none. Again, maybe a tip-off who’ll get the start against Chicago. But there’s really no wrong answer to the goalie question.

In regular-season, neither Smith nor Koskinen started more than four straight.

The tale of the tape reads:

• Smith played 2,156 minutes this season, Koskinen 2,116. • Smith started more games 37 to 34 and got an extra win (19-18).

• Koskinen had the better save percentage and average, .917 to .902, 2.75 to 2.95.

• Smith started 19 of the last 29 games, but Koskinen started three of the last five before the NHL pause. “I want to start the first game and I’m sure Mikko says the same,” said Smith. “We’ve had that mentality all season long and it’s made for a friendly, competitive battle in the net. I think it’s reason this team has had success. We’ve both played and contributed.

“I don’t think there was a stretch where both of us weren’t aren’t playing well. It’s been a great friendship for me, a new partner in Mikko, an awesome guy to play with and compete against. Definitely two different personalties but we mix well together.”

Smith certainly talks more.

“Yeah, Mikko’s a man of very few words,” he said. “There’s not a lot of communication but he’s a really down to Earth guy, a pleasure to work with. Obviously, both guys want to play and win and when our number’s called we’ll be in there. We’re both working extremely hard to prepare and we’ll be cheering for each other to raise Lord Stanley,” said Smith. 1188752 Edmonton Oilers holding their training camps in their facilities in their own cities. “Our players are confident in coming here every day. I think our doctors and trainers have done an unbelievable job. And really, the city has done an unbelievable job of containing the virus as well as you can. Edmonton JONES: Opportunity literally knocking on Edmonton Oilers' door was rewarded with that and I think everybody is confident everybody can stay healthy and get into the tournament and finish the season.

“I think the players are proud of the facility here and proud of the city. I Terry Jones don’t think there will be a home ice advantage without the fans but Published:July 19, 2020 everybody is comfortable here and everybody knows how to get to the rink.” Updated:July 19, 2020 10:36 AM MDT There appears to be opportunity in opening this unique playoff year with a best-of-five series against Chicago.

One word. There’s no lack of fans that figure it’s bogus to have the Blackhawks in the playoffs, the team being a seller on the trade deadline (moving Opportunity. goaltender Robin Lehner) and being in countdown mode to mathematical There are a lot of reasons for the Edmonton Oilers to embrace what’s elimination when COVID-19 hit and the entire world of sports came to a ahead in Edmonton’s Hub City Stanley Cup playoffs but the sense is the screeching stop. core group and majority of players on this team came to training camp The Blackhawks are at training camp without No. 1 goaltender Corey intending to embrace the opportunity that exists for them here. Crawford, who is listed as unfit to play. Two defencemen are also It’s halfway through training camp and the beginning of the greatest missing from the team most view as defence being its biggest liability. indoor show on earth that nobody is allowed to watch live and in person Getting a series against Chicago that few think the Blackhawks can win — Game 1 of the Stanley Cup best-of-five play-in series between the may turn out to be an opportunity, too. The top four teams will be playing Chicago Blackhawks and the Oilers followed by Game 1 of the Winnipeg Jets series against the Calgary Flames. for seeding. The play-in series teams will be involved in the real deal. The winners should advance more prepared to play in a best-of-seven So far, so good for the Oilers, says Edmonton head coach Dave Tippett. series. But it feels more like a lengthy version of the sessions teams have You have to figure opportunity may be there, too. coming off Olympic breaks or extended All-Star breaks than a traditional training camp. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.20.2020 “It has felt a little different than a regular training camp,” Tippett said of the schedule featuring three consecutive days of practice followed by a day off, when I asked for his halfway point evaluation. “At a regular training camp, you have between 50 and 60 players and are trying to teach new stuff. What we’ve been looking at is a review of our structure of how we play. You have to get players up and going full speed again. And then you’re playing for a playoff series against an opponent.”

The head coach says he couldn’t be more pleased with the way training camp has gone so far.

Tippett has been impressed with the pace the Oilers have brought to proceedings, and more than impressed with how they’ve been embracing everything involved.

“They look like a real motivated group. I like what our leadership has done in the room. They seem to be very focused on preparing the right way.”

It seemed like about the right time to bring that up for Tippett to chew on.

“I think everybody is talking about opportunity. First of all, there was the opportunity to come back and restart the season. But now you’re down to 24 teams and every team has an opportunity. And it’s a unique opportunity.

“It not as if you’re going into this thinking there are teams that have distanced themselves from everybody. It’s not as if you think there are teams with home-ice advantage. The opportunity is a lot more equal than it would normally be going into the playoffs. “I think a lot of teams feel that way. I know we feel that way. There’s an opportunity in front of us. Can we seize that opportunity and run with it? I’m sure there are a lot of other teams saying that, but that’s certainly one of the things we’re talking about with our group.”

You can debate if there is opportunity because all the games for the Western Conference teams from start to finish are in the Oilers’ home arena.

You can try to determine if there will be any home-ice advantage involved in playing all their games in Rogers Place with no fans in the stands, but the opportunity may exist in other areas.

Tippett was asked a couple of days earlier what he figures it’s going to mean to have Edmonton as Hub City.

“Well, you’re very comfortable with your surroundings, that’s first and foremost. I think one of the biggest things is that our players know it’s not a hot spot,” he said of the contrast that sees so many of the U.S. teams 1188753 Edmonton Oilers The other obvious reason is that a team can never have too many defencemen. Mike Green’s opt out and Caleb Jones’ early absence meant there was playing time for Broberg and all other blueliners on the roster. It’s the same reason Edmonton brought in a bunch of goaltenders Lowetide: Philip Broberg fortunate to arrive with Oilers under mature — it needs extra bodies in the early days of a camp. management There is a riff from that last item that may also be a consideration, best expressed by reviewing the devastating march through a valiant spring by the Buffalo Sabres’ defence in the 2006 postseason. As crazy as it By Allan Mitchell Jul 19, 2020 sounds, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility for Edmonton’s No. 9 defenceman (probably Lagesson) to spend late summer and fall playing big minutes in vital games. In 2006, Buffalo had to call players back from In sports, as in life, timing is everything. It took a long time for the the beach to have enough defencemen. Edmonton Oilers organization to figure out the Kingdom of Sweden. While most NHL teams were comfortable with drafting kids from Sweden The nature of this year’s playoffs, with the bubble rosters and the long by the 1980s, Edmonton was slower off the mark. The first Swedish pick road ahead uncertain for all 24 teams, places added importance on each by Edmonton to make the NHL came in 1987 (Peter Eriksson played 20 position. That extends to the No. 10 defenceman, who in this case would games); it would take until 2007 for the organization to draft another be Broberg. future NHL player from Sweden (Linus Omark). Conjecture It’s a shocking fact, because other teams (including the Detroit Red The final possible difference, and this is the most exciting possibility, is Wings) had substantial clusters of Swedish players contributing to that Broberg has taken a step forward year over year. Impact players, Stanley Cup championships during the latter portion of the 20th century. including defencemen, show themselves early in development. Since 2007, the Oilers have been aggressive and successful in drafting Quoting Dave Tippett, “If you watch the practices, he looks good out from Sweden, reflected at the NHL level by the presence of Oscar there. He doesn’t look out of place at all.” Klefbom. He was drafted in the first round in 2011, stayed in Sweden for two years and then played most of his Draft+3 season in the AHL with That doesn’t mean Broberg is being fast-tracked and it most definitely the . doesn’t mean he’s in the NHL to stay. What Tippett said is a recognition that Broberg (who just turned 19) is on track as a significant prospect and That’s the kind of timeline we would associate with a mature organization could arrive in North America close to NHL-ready next fall. Klefbom’s interested in getting optimal production for a valuable asset like a first- development track would be familiar in that scenario. round selection. I wrote about Broberg in March, looking at his “true” offensive ability at 18 Broberg’s debut (at even strength, not far from Victor Soderstrom and Erik Brannstrom at During this summer’s training camp, another Swedish first-round the same age) as well as his coverage skills (held his own as a rookie in selection, Philip Broberg, has been getting a lot of attention. On a good league). I concluded he was developing well in Sweden and Saturday, he showed outstanding skill on two goals and had the gathered another year at home (like Klefbom) was a decision that made sense. observers steady talking about his possible future. Broberg played his final SHL game on March 12. That was four months Oilers fans of a certain vintage would have been forgiven for rolling their ago and Broberg’s final two weeks in the SHL included a game in which eyes or suggesting the club was about to rush another young prospect. he scored a goal and had an assist. It’s possible he took a late-season To be clear, no one writing or talking about the Oilers is suggesting step forward and the showing in Edmonton is real, the first indication of Broberg should be moved up the depth chart based on a scrimmage or another advancement. two. No, he impressed and needs more time. What does it all mean? If you drill down on the Broberg story, there’s some fascinating forces at No one should walk away from this conversation with the idea I’m work. recommending Broberg should be fast-tracked this summer or in the The Oilers and Sweden at the draft (since 2010) 2020-21 season. The impressive showing at Edmonton’s camp may buy him a ticket inside the NHL bubble and a good seat for the playoffs. It’s Total players drafted by Edmonton 2010-19: 76 extremely unlikely he would see action as the No. 10 defenceman but he would offer insurance against a “Sabres 2006” injury run. Total Swedes from Sweden drafted by Edmonton from 2010-19: 5 (6.5 percent) There are two stories here, in my opinion.

Edmonton drafted just five Swedish names in the decade, compared to The first is that Broberg, who is 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds, doesn’t look 13 during the 2010s. However, two of Sweden’s picks between 2010-19 out of place on NHL ice. It’s possible he has taken a big step forward and were first-rounders and only one (Magnus Paajarvi in 2009) was in the that will show itself in the coming months. That’s an exciting possibility for first round during the previous decade. All five players drafted during the the Oilers and their fans. decade that just ended were defencemen: Klefbom, Erik Gustafsson, William Lagesson, Filip Berglund and Broberg. The second story involves all of the kids who were brought to the NHL too soon, who are scattered along the lost highway of Oilers draft picks. Not one of those drafted before Broberg was rushed to the NHL. Every Would Sam Gagner have benefited from another year in junior, even Oilers management group this century would have been unlikely to fast- though he impressed at the Oilers’ 2007 training camp? Would track Broberg under normal situations. Edmonton have been wise to resist playing Anton Lander as a penalty killer in his first North American season? What about Nail Yakupov? In Ken Holland’s final five drafts, Detroit chose 11 players from Sweden Would he have been a better player with another year outside the NHL? among a total of 41 picks. None was fast-tracked. Draft and develop is two steps, and his history makes it clear the Oilers general manager is a More recently, Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto may have had an believer in patience and process. He would have stopped any attempt to easier path to the NHL with a more traditional, step-by-step approach. fast-track Broberg in a traditional training camp. Broberg was never in such a conversation. You can’t find a fan or The current training camp is not close to a normal situation. There is a member of the media arguing to fast-track him. Part of it is due to his window of opportunity here this summer, not to play but rather to stay. being a defenceman, and part of it is that Broberg arrived to a more mature organization. A steady hand was badly needed for more than a What is different this year? decade in Edmonton. Oilers prospects will benefit from organizational There are obvious reasons why Broberg was invited to camp, led by the patience over the decade ahead. desire to have him get a taste for the big-league lifestyle of the NHL. The Watch Broberg, whether he remains in camp or heads to Sweden for the Oilers normally bring new players in after the draft and invite a few SHL season. If he has made a big leap in progress, expect more minutes prospects from previous drafts for an orientation camp in July. Broberg wouldn’t have that opportunity in 2020, so this camp satisfied the desire in all disciplines, a spike in offence and a building excitement about his eventual NHL arrival. to build bonds with him and show the organization in a positive manner. Whenever that happens, Oilers fans should have more confidence that Broberg’s arrival will be right on time. The Athletic LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188754 Edmonton Oilers “He was the backbone of the squad, for sure,” Boyce said. “He jumped right back in and led the push all the way to mid-March. He was the reason we won some of those games.”

A ‘different’ Oilers initiation leaves Olivier Rodrigue wanting more “I felt after Christmas that I was more confident. I played well and I was consistent in my game,” Rodrigue said. “I brought everything I learned from to Moncton.”

By Daniel Nugent-Bowman Jul 19, 2020 That the early-season inconsistencies never snowballed into something bigger is a testament to Rodrigue’s temperament, Boyce said.

Boyce played in 84 NHL games for Toronto and Columbus from 2008-12. Olivier Rodrigue won’t soon forget his first time on the ice with the Oilers. Rodrigue reminds him of rival goalie Marc-Andre Fleury because of It was three weeks ago, and he’d just arrived from Chicoutimi, Que. He similarities in their “mild-mannered and secretively competitive” natures. hadn’t been on the ice in three months. One of Rodrigue’s biggest strengths, Boyce noted, is that he’s It was barely a couple of minutes into the voluntary skate during Phase 2 positionally sound at 6-foot-1 and 158 pounds. Just as importantly, in Edmonton when Andreas Athanasiou darted toward him. The speedy Rodrigue doesn’t let bad goals linger. winger unleashed the type of rocket that helped him net 30 goals with the “His personality in the net is a lot like him away from the rink. He’s very Red Wings last season. nonchalant,” Boyce said. “He’s not flashy in any regards. He’s nice and “The first shot was a little bit different,” Rodrigue said. cool, calm and collected. It’s the same way he plays. He’s very smooth. He makes the saves he’s supposed to make 99 percent of the time.” Rodrigue survived the initial shock and moved on to the Oilers’ playoff training camp. He was never part of the main group but took part in post- Rodrigue posted back-to-back shutouts on March 8 and 11, upping his practice sessions with the black aces, goalie coach Dustin Schwartz and save percentage to .918. The Wildcats held down first place in the Q with assistant coach Brian Wiseman. four games to go, five points clear of Chicoutimi, which had a game in hand. The experience was meant to be the first real taste of the pros for the graduating junior netminder, a 2018 second-round pick. It was a chance Then, the season was postponed and subsequently cancelled. to get him some reps with the organization because development camp “It sucks because we didn’t play the playoffs. We never got the chance to and the September rookie tournament were cancelled because of play for the (President’s) Cup,” Rodrigue said. “I felt like we had a great COVID-19. team, a team to go far in the playoffs.” Rodrigue, 20, is one of the Oilers’ most promising goalie prospects, but Rodrigue had plans to train in Bakersfield, Calif., where his family resides he was never a candidate to make the playoff roster. The team is only since his dad, Sylvain, is the goalie coach for the Oilers’ AHL team. planning to take three goalies into the playoff bubble — Mike Smith, (They started their drive to Saguenay, Que., for the summer at the end of Mikko Koskinen and . Rodrigue was released from camp June.) With travel restrictions at Canada-U.S. border, he instead went to Saturday. live with his godmother in Chicoutimi. His brief stint in Edmonton closes the book on a bizarre season, one with “I had a couple weights in the garage. The Oilers sent me training to do several twists and turns. every day. I was doing that by myself. I tried to run a lot,” he said. “In A lot was expected of Rodrigue this season, not only from the Oilers but Quebec, with the virus, it was pretty bad. Nothing was open. I couldn’t go also within the Quebec league. The acquired him from on the ice.” Drummondville last June as part of an effort to load up for a shot at a He had a couple of virtual meetings with his dad and Schwartz to keep league title. his mind sharp and ready to, one day, face shots again. His first half was merely decent, below his lofty standards and the team’s. That first day in Edmonton three weeks ago wasn’t easy. Rodrigue allowed five goals in two of his three starts in September. He “That was different because I’ve never been stopped for so long in my surrendered at least three goals in half of his eight October appearances. life,” Rodrigue said. “I think that was way too long. Five pucks went by him each of the three times he went between the pipes in December — all losses. “The first day was kind of hard — to see the puck as well as in-season and trying to get back. The biggest difference was coming from junior to Wildcats assistant coach Darryl Boyce felt like there were some nights NHL guys. It’s a big difference.” when Rodrigue just couldn’t make the big save at the right time. Boyce and Rodrigue felt being at camp would be a good learning The blips weren’t enough to dissuade Hockey Canada from inviting him experience for the netminder, who’s slated to join the pro ranks next to its world junior camp. Rodrigue had starred at the Hlinka tournament in season. Of course, it’s uncertain when the minor-pro campaign will begin. 2018 and won a gold medal and he was still one of the more accomplished goalies in major junior. Facing shots from NHL and AHL players was only one aspect Rodrigue figured might help him. Watching their practice habits, and then putting Rodrigue made the world junior team out of camp but never saw any some of them use, was the other objective. action as Canada won gold in the Czech Republic. He went more than a month between starts. “I want to make it to the NHL one day,” Rodrigue said. “If I can apply that next year, maybe one day it’s gonna happen.” The lack of game action didn’t dampen his spirits. Rodrigue credited his Canadian teammates and goaltending coach Jason LaBarbera for The Athletic LOADED: 07.20.2020 keeping him tested.

“Every time I step on the ice is a chance to get better to be with the best players in the country. I was playing hard. Even if I wasn’t playing, I was part of the team, training with the guys,” Rodrigue said. “I really wanted to enjoy my time there and take as much as I can.”

Boyce had some concerns about how Rodrigue would respond to the long layoff when he returned to Moncton. He quickly realized those fears, however small, were needless.

Rodrigue won his first four starts upon his return. He posted a .950 save percentage over 11 appearances in February and March. He led the Wildcats to a team-record 16-game winning streak. 1188755 Edmonton Oilers practices. Calvin de Haan hasn’t participated in the past four practices because he left to tend to a family emergency. De Haan and Murphy were expected to be the Blackhawks’ second defense pairing, so they could be significant losses. There is still some time. What to know from training camps as Blackhawks and Oilers prepare to meet What’s been the health status of players at Oilers camp?

Nugent-Bowman: Other than veteran blueliner Mike Green deciding not to participate in the playoffs, citing family reasons, it’s hard to imagine the By Scott Powers and Daniel Nugent-Bowman Jul 19, 2020 Oilers being in a better position right now. Joakim Nygard’s return from a broken hand gives the team more depth at left wing. Players such as

James Neal, Oscar Klefbom and Connor McDavid were just getting back There might never be a time again when teams will be as prepared for from nagging ailments before the pause. Judging from their work on the their opponent as they will be during the NHL’s qualifying round. ice, it looks like the break has helped.

It’s been known since late May that the Chicago Blackhawks and McDavid, in particular, missed Edmonton’s second-to-last game due to Edmonton Oilers might be meeting in the NHL’s return-to-play scenario. illness. I’m told he ideally could have used a bit of a break at that time. It wasn’t finalized until later, but you would have to think with not much He’s now rested and apparently was able to use the time off to train else to do that Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton and Oilers coach Dave effectively, something he couldn’t do last summer as he rehabbed from a Tippett pulled up some video back then. devastating knee injury. Blackhawks beware.

Even now, the Blackhawks and Oilers have to be keeping a close eye on The only concern as camp began was the status of rookie depth blueliner everything happening at the other’s camp. Maybe they’re reading The Caleb Jones, who was deemed “unfit to practice” but skated with the Athletic Chicago and Edmonton? We can only hope. The Blackhawks black aces afterward through the first three days. Jones practised for the streamed their scrimmage Saturday. The Oilers were probably among first time Friday, then revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19 upon those who tuned in. his return to Edmonton from Dallas for Phase 2 roughly three weeks ago.

“Obviously, we’re keeping tabs on them as they are on us,” Colliton said Jones said he was asymptomatic the entire time and was able to lift Saturday. “We got to sort through the information that comes up and dumbbells and ride a stationary bike while in isolation. He was actually figure out what we’re going to give the players. We don’t want to give cleared for practice Monday, but the Oilers wanted to ease him into camp them too much. We don’t want to overload them. But we started to give since he’d been off the ice for two weeks. Jones should be ready to battle them some things, and that will get more and more detailed as we get for a bottom-pairing spot next week. closer, and certainly once we get to Edmonton, there will be a lot more So, McDavid has looked good. Same with Art Ross winner Leon we give them to prepare.” Draisaitl. What about in Chicago? I see Patrick Kane has his playoff There is a lot going on in both camps. If you’re a fan of the Blackhawks mullet. What about his game? or the Oilers, you might have time to catch up only with your specific Powers: It’s interesting how Colliton is dividing his lines. Kane’s line is team. To help pick out what’s important to know about each team, Daniel definitely geared to provide offense. It’s Alex Nylander on the left wing, Nugent-Bowman, who covers the Oilers, and Scott Powers, who covers Dylan Strome at center and Kane on the right wing. They were together the Blackhawks, will hold the first of perhaps a few discussions. when the pause occurred and there was some chemistry. Nylander has Scott Powers: Daniel, hope you’re staying safe. I’m sad I won’t be been up and down the lineup this season, but he’s skilled and Kane likes coming to Edmonton when it’s actually nice outside. I’ll start this with the playing with him. That line was the most noticeable in Saturday’s biggest questions on everyone’s minds, and they obviously don’t have scrimmage. much to do with actual hockey. I think a lot of us were skeptical this could Here are the Blackhawks’ expected lines and pairings if everyone is be pulled off in a pandemic. Going to Canada obviously seemed like the healthy: logical move. What are the COVID-19 numbers like in Edmonton now? Any concerns about the league going there and creating this bubble? Alex DeBrincat-Jonathan Toews-Brandon Saad Also, everyone took notice here of the recent storm that hit the Edmonton area and the possible damage to Rogers Place. Any concerns there? I’m Alex Nylander-Dylan Strome-Patrick Kane sorry this isn’t a cheerier intro for you. Dominik Kubalik-Kirby Dach-Drake Caggiula Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Whoa, whoa, whoa! What’s with all the hard Ryan Carpenter-David Kampf-Matthew Highmore non-hockey questions? OK, let’s get to them. I, too, was skeptical about hockey returning this summer. And to some degree, I still am. But Duncan Keith-Adam Boqvist Edmonton’s COVID-19 numbers have consistently been right at the top among NHL’s 10 original hub-city contenders. I spoke to an infectious- Calvin de Haan-Connor Murphy disease specialist for a recent story for The Athletic, and she was Olli Maatta-Slater Koekkoek comfortable with the NHL’s Phase 4 protocols — specifically, the amount of testing. The main takeaway from her: If teams get to Edmonton and if If de Haan and/or Murphy is unable to go, Brent Seabrook and Lucas the tournament gets through the first two weeks without issue, there Carlsson could be options. Carlsson and Seabrook essentially have been should be a Stanley Cup awarded here in late September or early the fourth pairing in practices. October. Yes, those aren’t small ifs. The arena damage, and the timing of it, certainly wasn’t welcome. On the plus side, most of the damage and It’s only practices and scrimmages, but the one player who has excess water is in an area far away from the rink and the dressing rooms. especially stood out early in this camp has been Dach. After he was the As of Friday, pumping out the water was more of an eyesore than No. 3 overall pick last year, the Blackhawks really eased him into the anything. season, and he was building confidence and getting more responsibility as the season went on. Over this past week, he’s been looking more and Now that we’ve gotten some of the hub details out of the way, we can more like a potential difference-maker with his ability to carry the puck shift to hockey. I’d say the whereabouts of a certain goaltender in and get to the net with his size and length. I also think the Blackhawks Chicago is the most intriguing storyline. will try to match up his line with Draisaitl’s.

Powers: Yeah, Corey Crawford’s absence has loomed large over the What have the Oilers’ lines and pairings looked like? Blackhawks’ camp. I’m not sure why he’s not here, but Colliton has said they haven’t ruled him out from returning. Having him back obviously Nugent-Bowman: I’ll get to your question in just a moment. I just feel like would be huge for them. It’s the difference between having a two-time I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Oilers’ biggest roster quandary off the Stanley Cup winner and someone who has played 87 career Stanley Cup hop: goaltending. playoff games in net and starting one of three goalies without any playoff The Blackhawks have a clear No. 1 (provided Crawford is able to play); experience. the Oilers don’t. All the numbers suggest Mikko Koskinen should be Crawford is the headliner missing from camp, but he’s not the only one. given the first crack at the starting assignment. But Tippett has been Connor Murphy has been deemed “unfit” and missed the team’s past two Mike Smith’s coach for more than half of his NHL career. They’ve worked together with three organizations. The scuttlebutt is Tippett might just lean toward his trusted netminder early on. However, he said Saturday that neither will be stapled to the bench. “I envision both guys getting an opportunity to play,” the coach said.

With that said, here are the lines and pairings:

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-Connor McDavid-Zack Kassian

Andreas Athanasiou-Leon Draisaitl-Kailer Yamamoto

Tyler Ennis-Riley Sheahan-Josh Archibald

James Neal-Jujhar Khaira-Alex Chiasson

Oscar Klefbom-Adam Larsson

Darnell Nurse-Ethan Bear Kris Russell-Matt Benning

The biggest question heading into camp was this: Where would Nugent- Hopkins be slotted? He’d been with Draisaitl and Yamamoto for almost the entire 2020 portion of the season, and that line had been one of the best in the league during that time. However, Tippett struggled to find the right combination of flanks for McDavid, who still produced despite a rotating cast of characters.

Putting Nugent-Hopkins with McDavid seems to better balance the top two lines. It seems as though the centre and right wing combos are set, perhaps with the exception of Gaetan Haas supplanting Khaira. Inserting Haas into the lineup would almost certainly require Khaira to be moved to left wing because he’s an effective penalty killer.

Left wing is the position of fluidity. Other than Nugent-Hopkins getting a spot on one of the top two lines, Tippett can shuffle the other three — plus Nygard and potentially Khaira, too.

The top four defence pairings are all but set in stone. Jones, a lefty, has been the most reliable defenceman on his off side, so he could replace Russell or Benning in the lineup.

Powers: I’m learning a lot myself about the Oilers from just doing this. If readers like this format, I’d be open to returning to the table with you. This was fun. Someday, hopefully, we’ll be able to have these discussions in person again. First round on me when that time comes. Talk to you soon.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188756 Florida Panthers “He was raving about how well Bob did,” Quenneville said. With the time off, Bobrovsky and Tallas were able to fully assess the

goaltender’s first regular season in Florida, and return to Coral Springs Is Joel Quenneville tired of getting asked about Sergei Bobrovsky yet? with a plan to have Bobrovsky at his best once the team heads up to ‘It’s what it is’ Canada.

The common refrain throughout the first week of practice for Bobrovsky was patience. The focus right now is to make sure he’s playing patient in BY DAVID WILSON the crease. Most of the tinkering is going into his mental setup rather than technical overhauls. A fresh start means a chance to reframe JULY 19, 2020 09:00 AM , everything.

“I’ve got to commend him on how well he’s played, how well he’s The question was bound to come at some point during his 10-minute prepared,” Quenneville said. “Robbie Tallas and him spent a lot of time interview Wednesday on WQAM. The question has dogged the Florida going into this training camp looking at the game, looking at his season Panthers all throughout Joel Quenneville’s and Sergei Bobrovsky’s first prior to this and having a great attitude’s been part of it, but he’s looking seasons in Sunrise. Bobrovsky was a $70-million investment for the to make whatever adjustments are necessary. You watch him in practice, Panthers in the offseason — the sort of investment Florida was banking you can see that his patience level is right there, but he’s been really on to transform it from a perennial doormat into a legitimate threat in the good. Goaltending’s been excellent.” Eastern Conference. Far too often, the goaltender was just another part Miami Herald LOADED: 07.20.2020 of the Panthers’ inconsistencies. Quenneville spent all season hearing the same sort of questions about Bobrovsky underwhelming play until finally, when the COVID-19 pandemic halted the season in March, he got to go nearly four months without needing to come up with answers. The expanded postseason now is less than two weeks away, though, which means it’s time for the coach to start answering questions about his superstar goalie’s uneven play. “Are you getting sick of the Bobrovsky questions at this point?” asked Zach Krantz of “The Joe Rose Show with Zach Krantz.”

“It’s what it is,” Quenneville said.

It’s particularly the nature of the beast this time of year, when a goaltender’s play can be the most important factor in determining who advances through the Stanley Cup playoffs. This is the time of year Florida was thinking about when it gave Bobrovsky a seven-year deal last year. If Bobrovsky delivers in the qualifying round against the New York Islanders next month in Toronto and springs the Panthers into the more traditional 16-team postseason for only the fourth time in franchise history, all will be forgotten for his disappointing debut season in South Florida.

“After the four months, it is a fresh start,” Bobrovsky said Tuesday. “It’s been a long time for everybody and we actually had the time to rest, and we had the time to train on our own and it’s a long time, four months, so it is a fresh start.”

By now, Bobrovsky’s rocky year has been well documented. His 3.23 goals against average is easily the worst of his career. His .900 save percentage is his second worst ahead of only his second season, when he was a part-time player for the Philadelphia Flyers. Only 41.7 percent of his starts were deemed quality starts, as defined by Rob Vollman’s Hockey Abstract. A year after Bobrovsky led the NHL with nine shutouts, he had just one in the regular season this year. had the fourth worst defense is the third worst

Bobrovsky wasn’t pleased with his play in the regular season, either. The postseason is a chance at redemption in Year 1.

“He’s committed to doing whatever it takes,” Quenneville said. “Bob has had a great attitude about where he is and where he’s at today.”

A week into into postseason training camp, Quenneville has repeatedly heaped praise upon the 31-year-old Russian. When the first practice wrapped up Monday at the Florida Panthers IceDen, Quenneville and a group of coaches gathered to talk about what they had seen in their first full-team practice in four months. Quenneville realized no one said anything about Bobrovsky. He also realized goaltending coach Robb Tallas wasn’t there to give his insight on the goaltenders.

“We’ll ask Tally what he thought,” Quenneville told the rest of the staff, “because when you don’t notice the goalies that’s a good thing.”

Tallas agreed. 1188757 Minnesota Wild “Very smooth,” Evason said. “Very confident with the puck. Same as any young player coming up, he’s going to have to learn his reads defensively and know his positioning defensively so he doesn’t get into a physical confrontation with a guy like [Marcus] Foligno. He’s not going to Wild training camp in summer aside, Matt Dumba's motivation is strong win that physical confrontation, but he can win the stick battle because of his intelligence and his stick and his skill level.”

Schedule update By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune JULY 20, 2020 — 12:06AM The Wild won’t practice again until Tuesday after having Sunday and

Monday off. When it gets back on the ice, the focus will be on special EDMONTON, Alberta – Getting back on the ice with the Wild for the teams. second round of training camp this season hasn’t exactly felt normal to Star Tribune LOADED: 07.20.2020 defenseman Matt Dumba, not when he exits the arena and is greeted by temperatures in the 90s.

“That’s kind of the polar opposite of what it usually is around the season time here in Minnesota,” Dumba said during a recent video conference call.

But with a Stanley Cup awaiting the winner of the 24-team postseason tournament that’ll get underway next month, Dumba is excited for the challenge. “I want to pick up where I left off and just be solid,” he said.

Where Dumba left off was on the upswing, playing arguably the best hockey of his season.

After an uneven start in which his minutes declined and he was demoted down the defensive depth chart, Dumba seemed to settle in the more games he logged in his return from a torn pectoral muscle that sidelined him the second half of 2018-19. In the 22 games leading up to the March 12 stoppage, Dumba had 11 points and was more sound in his own end.

“He probably will tell you it wasn’t the year he wanted,” coach Dean Evason said. “… We forget the seriousness of his injury, and it’s taken some time. He’s had the opportunity to rest, work out and he looks strong. He looks fast. He looks big, actually, on the ice. “So if Matt Dumba shoots the puck, he’s going to have success. We get him to do that in the offensive zone, the rest of his game will feed off that.”

Even as he’s preparing for the season to resume, Dumba hasn’t forgotten about his work in the community. He was among a group of players to form the Hockey Diversity Alliance during the break in the season, to eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey.

“We’ve been in contact with the NHL,” Dumba said. “We’ve had three meetings with them now. Looking to make change and act as agents of change in this game. I know we’re optimistic of what lies in the future for the HDA.”

Scrimmage observations

For the first time in camp, the Wild scrimmaged Saturday — a 4-3 rally for Team White over Team Green.

Zach Parise, Jonas Brodin (twice), Jordan Greenway and Jared Spurgeon were among the goal scorers.

Evason was pleased with the offense and transition play through the neutral zone, but said he felt the Wild wasn’t tight defensively. Overall, though, the competitiveness was there.

“It wasn’t messing around,” Evason said. “Like they were playing hockey and getting ready to play the game for real. So, it’s a real good step forward.”

The top defensive pairing featuring Spurgeon and Ryan Suter was strong, with Suter’s skating looking particularly sharp. And center Nico Sturm, who was a call-up from the minors during the season, had an impressive showing. “He’s just such a worker in every area,” Evason said. “He just doesn’t stop. He works and works and works. His attention to detail is real good.”

Prospect Calen Addison also stood out.

Addison, a 20-year-old defenseman, is attending camp to get familiar with the organization after being acquired in the Jason Zucker trade with the Penguins in February. 1188758 Minnesota Wild “You could only keep down Goldy [Bill Goldsworthy] for so long,” Nanne said. “He had gone to town, and Blair knew it, and he had his assistant coaches and other staff line up their cars, sort of hidden, on both sides of the path. North Stars' Wren Blair pulled a fast one in 1967 with camp accommodations “When the cab dropped off Goldy, he came walking up the hill, and they all turned on their lights and Blair shouted, ‘This is going to cost you, Goldsworthy.’ Goldy was standing there in the spotlight like one of Hogan’s Heroes caught breaking out of the prisoner of war camp.” JULY 19, 2020 — 10:30PM Reid and Nanne were in Haliburton for the 1968 and 1969 camps. The PATRICK REUSSE North Stars spent a couple of weeks there, playing an exhibition game — Kingston, , was a favored location — in the second week. The Wild saw the 2019-20 schedule shut down on March 12 and “We got the cab to take us to town one night and Bill Orban was bringing returned to the ice for a second, brief training camp on July 13. The team back a case of beer,” Reid said. “The cabbie stopped at the gas station. will arrive in Edmonton next Sunday, play an exhibition game vs. He’s filling up and Blair pulls up to the next pump. Orban lays on the Colorado on July 29 and start a best-of-five qualifying series against seat, trying to hide himself and the beer. Vancouver on Aug. 2. “The next day, we’re up in the woods, drinking the beer, and we hear this Very strange way to wrap up the Wild’s 20th year and 19th season as crashing coming through the branches. We thought it was a bear. Minnesota’s second NHL representative. “It almost was. It was [defenseman] Moose Vasko, and he appeared and Now that we’ve agreed on that, it can be added our skaters will be said, ‘I know there’s beer in here, and I need some.’ ’’ sequestered in Canada with fine accommodations, hearty meals and, in Needing beer vs. facing The Bird’s wrath. These were hockey players all probability, several beer choices when back at the hotel following a sequestered in Haliburton, Ontario. Beer won in a landslide. few hours on the ice, game or practice. Star Tribune LOADED: 07.20.2020 In other words, if the coronavirus can be kept away, the Wild athletes will have it much more comfortable as they embark on this great experiment than did the North Stars, as they were launching Minnesota into the NHL as an expansion team 53 years ago. Wren (The Bird) Blair was hired as general manager and coach of the North Stars a year before they started play on Oct. 11, 1967 at St. Louis. Everything was being done on the fly, and Blair was able to convince his bosses that the Haliburton Hockey Haven in Ontario’s cottage country would be a perfect location for a secluded training camp.

As luck would have it, Blair was the co-owner of the Hockey Haven along with Jim Gregory. They had opened this summer camp for youthful hockey players in 1965. Wren was able to negotiate a deal with himself for the North Stars to use the facility in September, after said youth were back in school.

The North Stars used Blair’s camp and trained in Haliburton from 1967- 1969.

“We were in a barrack with 30 cots made for kids — 3 feet wide, 5 feet long,” said Tom Reid, North Stars defenseman turned Wild radio analyst. “We were adult hockey players. We couldn’t fit. Most of us slept on the floor. “Didn’t make much difference. You couldn’t sleep anyway. The snoring … unbelievable. And mosquitoes would get in there, and they were the size of birds. “There was also a cafeteria with almost the same menu they had fed the kids.”

Blair had sold a vision of a training camp in Nirvana, through the Twin Cities media to the public. A headline in the Minneapolis Star in early August 1967 read: “Oh! For Life of North Stars,’’ with the subhead, “To swim, golf, fish at training camp.”

The first weekend in Halburton was going to be all about developing camaraderie with those recreational activities, Blair told the Star’s Mike Lamey.

A month later, on the night before the Stars were to leave Toronto for Haliburton, Blair ordered veteran wing Claude Larose out of the team hotel because he was reluctant to sign a lowball contract offer. Camaraderie, Bird-style. “We all rode the bus to Haliburton; no cars for the players,” Lou Nanne said. “We had an old yellow school bus to take us to the arena in town. Other than that, we were supposed to stay out of town.

“If you managed to get to town to have a beer … Blair knew everyone in Haliburton, and he had spread the word to turn us in to him if players were seen in a bar.”

Stir crazy and thirsty, select players would call the town cab. The driver would pick them up “down the hill” and they would head into town, The Bird and his village rats be danged. 1188759 Montreal Canadiens There have been dozens of instances of players sinking their chompers into opponents over the years. The Dracula wannabes include Hall of Famers Chris Chelios, Dave Manson, Matt Cooke, Andrew Shaw and Laval Rocket assistant coach Alex Burrows. Hickey on Hockey: Crosby's early exit puts spotlight on stupid NHL policy My favourite biting incident occurred in the 1986 Stanley Cup final when the Canadiens’ Claude Lemieux bit Calgary’s Jim Peplinski on the finger. Peplinski, who needed a bandage and a tetanus shot, famously noted: “I :Pat Hickey didn’t know they allowed cannibalism in the NHL.” Publishing date:Jul 19, 2020 Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.20.2020

Sidney Crosby left practice Saturday and he wasn’t on the ice Sunday. We would like to give you an update on the Pittsburgh Penguins superstar’s condition, but all we can do is speculate because the National Hockey League, in lockstep with the NHL Players Association, has imposed a total blackout on any news related to the health of the players.

“As the league has put forth these rules, we’re not permitted to comment,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said when asked about Crosby’s decision to leave Saturday’s practice with 25 minutes to go.

I understand the reasoning behind the rule. The players are entitled to some degree of privacy and they may fear there’s some stigma attached to testing positive for COVID-19 and suggestions they became infected because they did something stupid and didn’t follow the rules.

The league has provided some general updates on the number of positive tests, and two players — Toronto’s Auston Matthews and Edmonton’s Caleb Jones — have said they tested positive and are practising after dealing with the virus. The main drawback to the rule is that it leads to speculation. When a player doesn’t show up for practice, the team can announce only that he is “unfit to practice.” There’s no way of knowing whether he is infected with the virus, is treating a minor injury or has undergone surgery that will keep him out of the lineup for months.

The Crosby case illustrates the stupidity of the rule. We can assume that he didn’t suddenly decide in the middle of a practice that he was suffering from COVID-19. Somewhere down the line, we’re going to learn that Crosby tweaked something in practice and it was decided that the best course of action was to take some time off rather than risk aggravating the injury. Would it have hurt anyone for Sullivan to use a little common sense and say Crosby tweaked something and it wasn’t serious?

The coronavirus has provided the NHL with an excuse to formalize an unofficial policy of hiding medical information. With a few exceptions, teams routinely release information using vague terms like upper-body or lower-body injuries. Teams are generally afraid to use the word concussion, and the league’s protocol for in-game concussion testing is a hit-or-miss proposition. But there might be a reckoning on the horizon.

Betting on sports events is a growing business in the United States where 18 states currently allow sports betting and another five states are getting ready to launch sports books. There are only three states that aren’t contemplating legalization. The NHL has jumped into bed with the gambling industry in hopes that casual sports fans will become more invested in hockey if they bet on games. The William Hill Sports Books in Nevada reported a 38-per-cent jump in betting on NHL games in the 2018-19 season, at least partly because of the arrival of the Vegas Golden Knights.

The NFL is popular because it’s easy to bet on games and the league requires every team to provide accurate and up-to-date information on injuries. With the increased interest in the NHL, don’t be surprised if bookies and punters demand more transparency on issues like injuries and starting goaltenders. Taking the bite out of the game:Social distancing is difficult in hockey, but with the NHL taking all the necessary precautions to keep the players safe, I hope Brad Marchand is reminded that licking opponents isn’t cool. And all players should heed Daniel Carcillo’s admonition that “Men don’t bite men.” That comment came after he was (allegedly) bitten by Marc Savard in the 2010 playoffs. 1188760 Nashville Predators While there is talk of allowing families to join players in some of the later rounds of the playoffs, the players will be off-limits to outsiders at least to start.

From Legos to new brides to babies, life away from family will be Ekholm's goal is to be away from his long enough to see them again in adjustment for Predators Edmonton, which would mean the Predators advanced deep into the postseason.

"I can't really be with them, so I'm trying to make the most of it. I guess Paul Skrbina most of the guys don't have their families," Ekholm said. "We're here to do something. We're not here to get knocked out early. We want to go as

deep as we can. I feel like that's even more motivation for me, doing it for The car and plane building have been put on hold. my family that's back home right now." Nick Bonino had to let go of the Legos. Will finish have impact on who starts in goal for Predators?

While the NHL was on pause for four months, Bonino found himself Welcome, Matt spending a lot of time with his daughters, who are 4 and 2, playing with The break allowed Matt Duchene to spend a lot of time with his 18- the popular children's toys. month-old son Beau. The Predators forward stuck mainly to 100-piece sets for the kids' sake, The forward said he's approaching being away as mind over matter. But and spent some time watching Lego-building shows with them. he does mind. And it does matter that he could be away for several But with teams reporting to summer training camp this week, and weeks. Bonino's wife and children in Canada, the playing days are over for now "Try not to think about it," he said. "That's kind of where I'm at. It's going as the hockey playing days begin again. to be really hard to leave for potentially that long, especially after being "No more Lego," Bonino said. "We did a lot of Lego for a while. ... together with them for as long as I have. I'm trying to keep my mind off Unfortunately I'm not able to play Lego with them right now, but it was a it." lot of fun during the break to just have that with the kids." Duchene returned to Canada during part of the NHL's pause. Leaving families behind after such an extended period of being together But he left knowing he made the best of the time he had. every day will be one of the biggest challenges facing some players as they traverse through camp and inch toward the start of the 24-team "I'm never going to get to spend this time I have with Beau right now, playoff, which will be held in Edmonton and Toronto. ever," he said in March. "It's never going to happen again, because as he gets older, he's going to have his own stuff, I'm going to be busier than I After spending so much uninterrupted time with their loved ones, some am right now … and I think that's a cool thing." players now find themselves separated for who knows how long. The Predators are scheduled to face the Coyotes in a three-game, play-in Tennessean LOADED: 07.20.2020 series in Edmonton beginning Aug. 2.

Teams are set to leave for the hub cities July 26. That, Bonino said, will be an adjustment. He said that while some have likened the hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic to a summer break, it was nothing like that.

Typical summers are spent going to the gym to work out and train. This wasn't that. This was spending 12-13 hours a day with his children. This was playing Legos. "It’s a bit therapeutic when you sit there with the kids on the floor," Bonino said. "An hour turns into two and you just have fun with them."

Now, though, is a time to move forward, he hopes. Perhaps into early October, when the Stanley Cup Final is scheduled to be played in Edmonton.

"That was really nice but at the same time we have a job to do," Bonino said. "Everybody on the team, everybody around the world had to sacrifice something to get back to work. We're lucky enough to play a great sport and have a lot of fun.

"It seems like most guys' families are all set ... in a safe place. I'm just focused on hockey." There goes the groom

Mattias Ekholm can relate.

He spent much of the NHL's pause in Sweden with new bride Ida Björnstad and their young son, William.

Ekholm and Ida married in June in front of some people close to them rather than the bigger wedding they had planned.

Ekholm left for Nashville soon after and had to leave his wife and son behind. "We got to finish that off with the wedding, which was really cool and really great," Ekholm said of the pause. "I'm happy we did that, but at the same time we're in this spot, sacrificing something." 1188761 Nashville Predators Just as Nashville SC did before it was sent home earlier this month from the MLS tournament in Orlando after many on the team tested positive for COVID-19.

Daily testing, social distancing in locker room: Hockey life a bit different "We know anything can happen. Things can go wrong," Johansen said. for Predators "But from seeing the protocols and what we've been doing, I'm very comfortable with being around the rink and the guys right now."

Tennessean LOADED: 07.20.2020 Paul Skrbina

Spit happens. Every day. For every player and coach.

Such is the new normal for Predators players and personnel who began reporting to training camp July 13 in preparation for the 24-team tournament that begins Aug. 1 in Edmonton and Toronto.

Captain Roman Josi said players take their temperature at home before arriving at Bridgestone Arena, where goalie Pekka Rinne joked it was so clean you could "eat off the floors," for practices. Everyone also fills out a daily questionnaire about how they are feeling.

Then come the COVID-19 tests. Every day. For every player and team employee.

But these aren't the intrusive, up-the-nose-with-a-swab tests that are widely used.

"Saliva, so it's not painful at all," Josi said of the tests. Green Gatorade bottles are lined up on top of the wall in front of the Predators bench, each labeled in black marker with players' names.

While coaches and players, with the exception of the goalies, of course, don't wear masks on the ice during practice, team trainers and other personnel do. The locker room also has been expanded to accommodate proper social distancing.

"The safety of everybody here is the most important thing," Josi said. "We're all wearing masks all the time. The league, along with Bridgestone, everybody's done an amazing job."

"You pretty much wear your mask everywhere, except if you're working out or when you're on the ice," Josi said. "Everything you touch you pretty much sanitize after."

That includes the gym, where equipment is wiped off after each use. So, too, is the lectern players sit at every day during media availability. "As everyone should be on the outside, wearing masks, we're doing it all," defenseman Ryan Ellis said. "There's protocols in place to keep us safe, and we're trying to do everything we can to follow them." Forward Ryan Johansen admitted, though, that being inside Bridgestone post-quarantine has been, well, different.

"It's strange walking around, but it is what it is," Johansen said. "We're just going to continue to do that to set ourselves up as best as possible."

Forward Kyle Turris said he's been somewhat following what's been going on inside the NBA bubble in Orlando as the league prepares to begin play. The Predators open their play-in series against the Coyotes on Aug. 2 in Edmonton. "Hopefully the NHL and the (players' association) are learning as the NBA goes and have everything set up in a way that will work and promote the well being of the players and allow for competitive games and a healthy atmosphere," he said.

One place Johansen and his teammates catch glimpses of normalcy is on the ice, where masks are traded for helmets and the world's problems are temporarily paused.

He said it's "all business" on skates. But when the skates come off ... "You have to have attention to detail about moving around the room," Johansen said. "It's about as good as we can do to be safe and healthy. You just have to trust it and continue to do the right things."

Will finish have impact on who starts in goal for Predators? 1188762 New York Islanders

Jean-Gabriel Pageau starting to mesh with Islanders teammates

By Zach BrazillerJuly 19, 2020 | 1:59am

The novel coronavirus pandemic turned everyone’s life upside down. For Jean-Gabriel Pageau, it created havoc. He was already going through a new transition, playing for a new team in a new country after being traded to the Islanders in February. Then hockey stopped due to the virus. “It was definitely a different feeling how it all happened,” he said during a Zoom call on Saturday. “It happened so quick.”

There was one bonus it has provided: a chance to really get to know his teammates and the system the Islanders play during this mini training camp. There really wasn’t time for that in the seven games he played upon coming over from the Senators and signing a six-year, $30 million extension with the Islanders. “It’s a huge benefit for sure. It gets me time to spend with the guys. I get to know them a little more. Get to practice more, too, with the team,” the 27-year-old Pageau, acquired in exchange for conditional first-round pick in 2020, a second-round pick in 2020 and a conditional third-rounder in 2022, said. “That’s something that during the year you don’t usually have a lot of time for. It really helps me.”

It’s only been practice and a few scrimmages, but Pageau’s teammates and coach Barry Trotz have liked what they have seen since the team returned to the ice together. Pageau provides them with a quality third line pivot, a center that offers depth and enables Derick Brassard and Josh Bailey to go back to where Troz feels they fit better. The Isles had been forced to mix and match at center before landing Pageau.

“You can see he’s more natural there,” Trotz said. “I thought [Saturday] Pag looked much more comfortable. He’s starting to look way more comfortable.”

At the time of the trade, he was having a career year, producing a career- best 24 goals and 16 assists. In seven games with the Isles, he had scored twice, without notching an assist. Now, after this long layoff, he may be better prepared to make a difference.

“Anybody who got traded at the deadline for any team in this tournament, I think they’re going to benefit from it,” Trotz said. “I don’t think you’re yourself until you have a number of games and a training camp. I think this is the best thing, not only for Pag, but anybody who got traded during the deadline.” New York Post LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188763 New York Islanders “I think the power play looks good,” Beauvillier said. “We just started working on it. It’s going to be huge for us in the playoffs. We’re moving the puck quickly and putting the puck in the back of the net.”

Barry Trotz not happy with Islanders' effort in scrimmage: 'I didn't like a Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.20.2020 lot of the stuff today'

By Andrew Gross

Updated July 19, 2020 7:02 PM

Visually, the Islanders looked crisp wearing their game jerseys rather than practice sweaters. Barry Trotz couldn’t say as much for the on-ice performance. “I didn’t like a lot of the stuff today,” the coach said after Sunday’s scrimmage at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow. “Overall, I wouldn’t say I was happy with the whole group. There were portions I was happy with.”

So ends the first week of the Islanders’ Training Camp 2.0 as they prepare to restart their season with a best-of-5 qualifying series against the Panthers in Toronto beginning on Aug. 1. The Islanders depart for their quarantined arena/hotel bubble July 26.

Trotz never shies from bluntly honest assessments and publicly expressing displeasure over Sunday’s three-period scrimmage may also be a coaching tactic, trying to reinforce the reality that the elimination games are coming up quickly. “I thought we weren’t on the puck,” Trotz said. “Some of our detail, we were really loose. We’ve got a lot of work to do. Some of our areas, we could tighten up for sure. Some of that might be a little bit fatigue. Some of that might be a little mindset. We’ve got to get that in order.”

And Trotz may also be trying to send a message that no player should feel secure in a lineup spot. He hinted some changes may be coming to his lines and defense pairings.

For the most part through training camp’s first six days on the ice, including three scrimmages, Trotz has kept his combinations intact from the regular season that was paused on March 12 because of the COVID- 19 pandemic. Mathew Barzal has been centering captain Anders Lee and Jordan Eberle on the top line. Brock Nelson has been in between Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey on the second line, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Derick Brassard have anchored the third line with either Tom Kuhnhackl or Michael Dal Colle and a healthy Casey Cizikas has been back with Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck on the identity-setting fourth line.

Defensively, a healthy Adam Pelech has been reunited with top-pair partner Ryan Pulock, Devon Toews has been with Scott Mayfield and Nick Leddy has been paired with Johnny Boychuk. That was the projected top six but Trotz said on Saturday Andy Greene and rookie Noah Dobson were “as good as any pair we’ve had.”

“I think some guys are moving up,” Trotz said on Sunday. “Some guys are earning an opportunity to be in the mix a little bit more.” Trotz has also cited burly Ross Johnston as one of the forwards that “keeps making a statement” and said he noticed rookie Kieffer Bellows “a little bit” in Sunday’s scrimmage.

And while Trotz conceded Barzal’s top line, which accounted for all four of its squad’s goals, was skating well, he questioned how much of that was because Nelson’s line had trouble defensively.

“They’ve had better days,” Trotz said of Nelson’s line. “Beau was the guy that was really instrumental in them having success. He buried a couple of chances and hit a couple of posts. But that line was minus a couple today. That line needed to dial it in a little. But that line has been good the previous two scrimmages. They’ve been pushing hard. When you get fatigued, the mind goes and then everything else sort of goes.”

On a positive note, both Barzal and Beauvillier connected with power- play goals. Trotz did not incorporate special teams work into the on-ice work until Saturday’s scrimmage. 1188764 New York Islanders

Andy Greene never considered not returning to Islanders this season

By Andrew Gross Updated July 19, 2020 6:42 PM

Andy Greene and his wife, Rachel, are raising two young sons in New Jersey, where he played 13-plus seasons for the Devils. At age 37, he’s an impending unrestricted free agent with the salary cap remaining flat at $81.5 million next season. But Greene said Sunday he never considered opting out of returning this season as the Islanders prepare for a best-of-five qualifying series against the Panthers on Aug. 1 in Toronto.

“It was tough to leave, a little bit tougher than I anticipated,” said Greene, acquired on Feb. 16. “But I didn’t really consider opting out at all. I knew this was going to be a good opportunity with our team here to make a run. You try to weigh the pros and cons of everything. Free agency never played into it.”

Greene returned to Long Island to resume skating with his teammates about three weeks ago. He said frequent Zoom calls and group texts with his new teammates after the season was paused on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic made him feel like a longtime Islander even though he’s only played 10 games with the team.

“It’s good to have that competition back,” Greene said. “It’s what we’re wired for. It’s what we thrive on.” Notes & quotes: Captain Anders Lee scored a hat trick to pace Blue, with Semyon Varlamov in net, to a 4-3 win over White in Sunday’s scrimmage. Linemate Mathew Barzal, on the power play, had the other goal. “I liked the finish of Leesy today,” coach Barry Trotz said. “Ebs [Jordan Eberle] was creating and Barzy’s flying in terms of his edge work.” Anthony Beauvillier scored twice for White, including a power-play goal, with Matt Martin scoring the other goal and Thomas Greiss in net . . . Leo Komarov and defenseman Sebastian Aho still have yet to skate in training camp.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188765 New York Rangers learned maybe psychologically not to beat up myself too much, too often, and be able to roll with the punches.

“Maybe it came with age and maturity, but definitely learning from the Igor Shesterkin is clear front-runner in Rangers goalie battle guys in the locker room helped.”

The Rangers were a more effective and more efficient team with Shesterkin in net. His ability to swallow pucks and move pucks out of By Larry BrooksJuly 19, 2020 | 5:02pm | Updated danger was a major factor in the improvement of the team’s defensive structure. The Hurricanes are a pressure team that forechecks furiously

and funnels everything to the net, so those attributes are definitely a Six days and two scrimmages into prep work for the tournament, David factor in determining who will get the call on Aug. 1. Quinn said, “I think it’s kind of a good time to reassess where we’re at All things remaining equal, expect that to be Shesterkin. The difficult and go from there,” as far as the competition to be the starting goaltender decision for Quinn will come if the goaltender looks bad in Game 1 (or for Game 1 against Carolina. maybe in Game 2, with Game 3 a back-to-back scenario), or if there is an The fact is, though, that the Rangers are at the very same place injury. regarding their No. 1 as they were when the season broke for the Then, and only then, will it be time to reassess. coronavirus on March 12. New York Post LOADED: 07.20.2020 Which means No. 31, Igor Shesterkin.

Henrik Lundqvist has, for the most part, been quite good. Alex Georgiev has been fine. But neither has outshined Shesterkin to the degree that would have been necessary for Quinn and the Rangers to reverse course. Indeed, neither one has outshined the 24-year-old rookie, at all, with Shesterkin flashing the same skill and effectiveness he did while going 10-2 with a 2.52 goals against average and a .932 save percentage in leading the Rangers to the cusp of the playoffs and entry to this unique tournament. Neither the talent nor persona faded in the least during the four-month pause.

“Obviously I’m working hard every day, playing at 100 percent, working hard to reach that goal to be back, but it all depends on the coaching staff,” Shesterkin said through interpreter Nick Bobrov, the Blueshirts’ director of European scouting, when asked about the competition. “The bottom line is, I’m so happy to be back. No matter what happens, I’ll be supportive of my teammates.”

Shesterkin was just a little over two weeks removed from the Feb. 23 car accident in Brooklyn, in which he and Pavel Buchnevich sustained injuries, when the season paused. The goaltender had missed six games recovering from a non-displaced rib fracture before returning for two starts. He was pulled after allowing five goals in 39:06 against the Islanders at the Garden on March 7, but was outstanding three nights later in a 4-2 victory at Dallas.

“After the accident, I returned to form pretty quickly. The first game was so-so and then it was back to normal,” said the netminder, who spent the break in Miami. “I trained during the pandemic very hard with my personal coach so my physical shape is 100 percent.

“Now the key is to bring it to the ice and work on psychological things and doing the right things on the ice. I feel like I’m getting there very quick.”

Shesterkin said he spent the break here rather than returning to Russia with his wife, Anna, after having difficulty registering his dog for the flight home.

“We didn’t want to check the dog into the luggage compartment,” he said. “So we had to stick around and ended up spending that time in Miami. We were very happy we made that decision.”

While in southern Florida, Shesterkin had the opportunity to skate with Alex Ovechkin on a couple of occasions. Maybe that’ll give the netminder an edge on the next one-timer from the top of the left circle from No. 8. Or maybe not. If that was the trick, Lundqvist likely would have spent his last 15 summers in Moscow rather than Gothenburg.

“It was obviously a great, very positive experience,” Shesterkin said. “Because of the circumstances I only skated with him twice, there were a lot of Russian NHLers there. It was a wonderful experience.”

Shesterkin arrived and played with such mastery, he never seemed like a rookie. Of course, he had brought his star with him from Russia. He may have just 12 games of NHL experience, but he has 16 games of KHL playoff experience on his résumé.

“My learning experience began in the AHL and obviously learned a lot there,” Shesterkin said on the Zoom call. “When I got called up [on Jan. 6], I watched how NHL players deal with victories and defeats and I 1188766 New York Rangers with the Islanders after seven seasons in the KHL, the last five with CSKA Moscow.

“Obviously we talked a lot on the phone, we’re friends, and I knew how Pavel Buchnevich not in danger of missing start of Rangers-Hurricanes many thoughts were going through his mind at that time making this series difficult decision,” Shesterkin said. “Thank God he chose this path.

“I will always support my friends and greet him with a red carpet.” By Larry BrooksJuly 19, 2020 | 2:11pm | Updated New York Post LOADED: 07.20.2020

Pavel Buchnevich, who left Saturday’s practice with an undisclosed ailment and did not participate in Sunday’s scrimmage, is not in jeopardy of missing the start of the qualifying round against Carolina.

“I can say that is not the case,” David Quinn, who is limited by NHL/NHLPA regulations as to what he is permitted to tell the media regarding injuries/absences, said when asked if that were a concern.

Buchnevich is not dealing with a COVID-related issue. Players are not permitted to enter the training facility, let alone practice, without a negative result from the previous day’s test. If a test result is delayed or misplaced, that player (or coach or staff member) would be denied entrance to the building.

It thus stands to reason that Buchnevich strained/tweaked/pulled/twisted/aggravated something before leaving the ice on Saturday. We’ll see if he skates on Tuesday following Monday’s day off for the club.

Kaapo Kakko completed an impressive first week of work with a strong showing in Sunday’s scrimmage while moving up to assume Buchnevich’s spot on the right side of the unit with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. Julien Gauthier, meanwhile, slid into Kakko’s slot on the right with Fil Chytil and Phil DiGiuseppe.

“I thought Kakko had a really good day. He’s had a really good stretch here since we got back,” Quinn said of the Finn, who beat Igor Shesterkin for a goal in the scrimmage. “His practices are good, he seems like a different kid, and like we’ve talked about, there’s a little bit more confidence in his game, there’s confidence away from the rink. There’s a comfortable approach that he didn’t have before.”

The 19-year-old looks a bit quicker, his anticipation seems improved, and his release on the shot seems much quicker, as well. He’s looking for the shot and hasn’t been holding onto the puck trying to beat three people — or the same opponent two or three times. He has been diligent in getting back to the defensive zone. It just seems crisper out there.

“You see that he’s smiling, he’s happy, and it’s like a new energy for him,” said Jesper Fast, whose line with Artemi Panarin and was matched against the Zibanejad unit in the scrimmage. “He’s been looking real sharp in this camp and strong on the puck.

“He had a good scrimmage so that can give him more confidence. He’s going to be a big part for us in this playoff.” Henrik Lundqvist went the 40-minute distance in the two-period scrimmage for the Blue team, allowing three goals in his team’s 5-3 victory. Shesterkin allowed two goals in 20 minutes while Alex Georgiev was beaten three times in 20 minutes for the losing squad.

During the season, Kakko played 30:10 of five-on-five with Zibanejad and Kreider, the trio on for three goals against and none for with a 49.06 Corsi (Thanks, Naturalstattrick.com). They played as a set line for only two matches, Games 8 and 9 on Oct. 24 and 27. Management and coaching staff will meet on Monday to assess the state of the team that is less than a week away from traveling to Toronto on July 26. The Blueshirts will meet the Islanders in a July 29 exhibition before opening with Game 1 against the Candy Canes at noon on Aug. 1.

“We feel good about where we’re at,” said the coach. “We feel good about the schedule we created—a lot of thought went into it—and our guys have done a good job handling it. “I think we’ll probably sit down on Monday. There are a lot of things to re- address here after spending a week together and the week of practices.” Shesterkin has thrown out the welcome mat for his buddy, Ilya Sorokin, the highly regarded 24-year-old Russian netminder who signed last week 1188767 New York Rangers

Pavel Buchnevich’s exit from Rangers practice shrouded in mystery

By Mollie WalkerJuly 19, 2020 | 4:30am

Pavel Buchnevich left training camp early for an undisclosed reason Saturday. “Under league policy, I’m not allowed to elaborate on injuries,” coach David Quinn said.

The league announced last week that teams will be barred from disclosing injuries or cases of the coronavirus beginning in training camp 2.0. The NHL and NHL Players’ Association released a statement regarding their new injury policy, saying it “was adopted out of respect for an individual player’s right to medical privacy.”

There was no noticeable incident that led to Buchnevich’s departure from the ice, but he did not finish out practice after leaving midway through.

The Russian winger is in his fourth season with the Rangers, which has proven to be his most successful yet. He posted 16 goals and a career- high 30 assistant in 68 games for the 2019-20 regular season.

Buchnevich also saw ample time on the first line this season with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, who he’s been skating with for the majority of training camp so far. The Rangers found a deadly offensive rhythm just before the regular season was suspended in March, catapulting themselves to one of the top-five scoring teams in the league.

So as the first week of training camp wraps up, Quinn has shifted his attention to the defensive side of things.

“These last few days we’ve been talking with the defenseman in particular,” Quinn said. “One of the things we’ve been trying to harp on is our gaps and that’s something that we have to constantly remind our defenseman. That it’s going to be very important against a team like Carolina, taking away time and space from them.”

Though the Rangers edge out the Hurricanes in most offensive categories, Carolina’s numbers on defense speak for themselves. The ’Canes allowed an average of 2.84 goals per game and 193 goals in total, which is good for the ninth-lowest of the 31 NHL teams.

The Rangers tied with the Wild for an average of 3.14 goals allowed per game, the ninth-highest in the league.

Defenseman Jacob Trouba said he believes the biggest energizer for defense in the postseason is the fans in the crowd. Considering that won’t be possible in the NHL’s “bubble” in Toronto, Trouba is banking on feeding off of his teammates.

“I think it’s going to be really reliant on your teammates and I guess the bench to really keep the energy and the pace of the game up,” he said. “So in that sense, it’s going to be different but at the same time it’s definitely a playoff game, you’re playing for something and you got to find a way to build your own energy as a team.

“Being a young team, I think we have a better chance of doing that, playing freely, don’t really have many expectations. I think that’s something that can work for us.”

Defenseman Tony DeAngelo said there wasn’t one particular area that defenders were focusing on during training camp, but that they’re just looking to get back into game shape.

“We’re kind of just getting our touches down and stuff, trying to get back in the rhythm of feeling pucks in different spots,” DeAngelo said. “It’s kind of feeling those rushes again, feeling other people, you know, attacking in front of the net, box outs, all that kind of stuff.

“We’re just trying to get all that rhythm back and get ready to go because speed is going to be as high as you can get once we start.” New York Post LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188768 New York Rangers

Pavel Buchnevich does not take part in Rangers' intrasquad scrimmage

By Colin Stephenson Updated July 19, 2020 6:56 PM

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Pavel Buchnevich, who left practice Saturday during the early part of the scrimmage at the end of the workout, did not take part in Sunday’s full team, intrasquad scrimmage. But while coach David Quinn is not, by NHL rule, allowed to divulge any information as to why Buchnevich wasn’t practicing, Quinn was able to convey the message that Buchnevich’s absence won’t be seriously long term.

Asked if the Russian forward’s participation in the NHL restart playoff tournament is in jeopardy, Quinn, choosing his words carefully, replied, “I can say that that is not the case.’’ With the team set to be off on Monday, Sunday was a scrimmage day, with the full squad splitting up to play two 20-minute, stop-time periods. Rookie Kaapo Kakko, the No. 2 pick overall in last summer’s NHL draft, took Buchnevich’s spot on the right wing of the top line, with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. And Kakko, who has had a strong training camp, scored two goals in the scrimmage.

“He's had a really good stretch here, since we got back,’’ Quinn said of Kakko. “He just seems like a different kid. And… as we've talked about, there's a little bit more confidence in his game… that he didn't have before.’’

Blue notes

Julian Gauthier, who the Rangers acquired in a minor-league trade with Carolina in February, took Kakko’s place on the third line, with LW Phil DiGiuseppe and C Filip Chytil. Gauthier also had two goals… Henrik Lundqvist played both halves of the scrimmage, while Igor Shesterkin and Alex Georgiev split time in the other goal. Lundqvist’s blue team won, 5-3, and he stopped a penalty shot by D Libor Hajek… Kakko, Brendan Lemieux, Mika Zibanejad and Brett Howden scored for the blue team; Gauthier and Jesper Fast scored for the white team. Shesterkin allowed two goals and Georgiev allowed three… With Buchnevich unavailable, D Brandon Crawley played LW for the white team… Zibanejad missed a first-half penalty shot against Shesterkin.

Colin Stephenson, Newsday sports writer covering the New Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188769 New York Rangers

Igor Shesterkin isn't just assuming that he is David Quinn's top pick in net

By Colin Stephenson Updated July 19, 2020 5:01 PM

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Igor Shesterkin was the Rangers’ No. 1 goaltender when the NHL halted play on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic. And given coach David Quinn’s assertion when the team reconvened last week for the start of Training Camp II that he wanted the team to “pick up where we left off,’’ it’s a reasonable assumption that — barring something unexpected — Shesterkin most likely will be Quinn’s pick to play in Game 1 of the Rangers’ best-of-5, play-in series against the Carolina Hurricanes on Aug. 1.

Shesterkin won’t make that assumption, however. “I'm working hard every day, playing at 100%, working hard to reach that goal to be back,’’ Shesterkin said Sunday, through interpreter Nickolai Bobrov, the club’s Director of European Scouting. “But, it all depends on the coaching staff. The bottom line is, I'm so happy to be back. No matter what happens, I'll be supportive of my teammates.’’

Shesterkin, 24, was chosen by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL draft to be the heir apparent to Henrik Lundqvist, and he signed with Rangers last summer and came over to North America for training camp last fall. He started the season in the AHL, with the Rangers’ farm team, and tore up that league before the Rangers called him up on Jan. 6.

In 12 starts with the Rangers, Shesterkin went 10-2 with a 2.52 goals- against average and a .932 save percentage, making him one of the biggest reasons the team was able to claw its way back into the playoff race. But after the long shutdown, the notion of an open competition for the No. 1 job made sense, especially given the matchup the Rangers got in the NHL’s 24-team restart. Lundqvist, in his career, has dominated the Hurricanes, posting a 33-12- 1 record against them, with a 2.00 GAA and a .934 save percentage, including 3-0 this season, with a 2.33 GAA and .947 save percentage. Add to that, the fact that Lundqvist, and the Rangers’ other goaltender, Alexandar Georgiev, spent the bulk of the NHL pause in Europe, where they had much better access to workout facilities and ice.

Shesterkin never went back to Russia during the pause because he and his wife had issues with transporting their dog on a flight back to Moscow.

“We didn't want to check the dog into the luggage compartment, so we had to stick around, and ended up spending that time in Miami,’’ Shesterkin said.

Limited as he was in working out and skating, Shesterkin nevertheless has looked sharp in the Rangers’ first six days back at training camp.

“I trained during the pandemic very hard with my personal coach,’’ he said. “So my physical shape is at 100%. Now, the key is to bring it to the ice and work on psychological things; work on doing the right things on the ice.’’

The Rangers are scheduled to have Monday off, and Quinn said the coaches will get together and talk about how to proceed during the final week of practice before the team leaves for Toronto on Sunday. When they get to Toronto, they’ll have just one preseason game, July 29 against the Islanders, and since they won’t be able to split that game three ways between Shesterkin, Lundqvist and Georgiev, they’ll have to make some decisions about the goaltending situation before then.

“We'll probably sit down here on Monday . . . to talk about things of that nature,’’ Quinn said. “I think there's a lot of things we [want to] re-address here after spending a week together, and having the week of practices and kind of getting a feel where we're at. That's something that we'll talk about.’’

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188770 New York Rangers “He doesn’t say a lot, but he smiles a lot when he hears people making fun of everybody and when he gets involved in conversations,” said Quinn, who gave him the lion’s share of the starts as soon as Shesterkin arrived from the AHL on Jan. 6, kicking off a 16-6 run by the Rangers. After a week of camp, Igor Shesterkin has made Rangers’ biggest decision easy “He’s very comfortable,” Quinn said. “I love the fact that he’s comfortable and he’s got a lot of confidence and we’ve talked about his swagger. He doesn’t just have it on the ice. He has it off the ice as well. He has a personality. This isn’t a guy who sits and keeps to himself. I think he’s a By Rick Carpiniello Jul 19, 2020 guy that, once he does get more comfortable, there will probably be more interaction with his teammates. That being said, he seems to enjoy his teammates and they enjoy him.” TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — It seems Rangers coach David Quinn’s decision on which goalie he’ll ride into the play-in series against Carolina is They enjoy his quickness and competitiveness. His defensemen enjoy imminent. that he handles the puck so deftly, helping them get out of the defensive zone and slowing down an opponent’s forecheck (in fact, in Shesterkin’s If not already made. first week he took two shots toward an empty net, trying to score a goal, which he probably will do eventually). They enjoy that he wins games, After a Sunday full-squad scrimmage in which Henrik Lundqvist played and hope he can win three of five against Carolina. the whole game in one net (and won 5-3), and Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev split time in the other, Quinn said he will use part of And either way, this decision – if it is what we think – will benefit Monday’s off-day to have that discussion – and others – with his staff. Shesterkin and the Rangers for years to come, this first bit of playoff experience. “I think we’re probably going to have a conversation here after a week now that we’ve gone (through) … to kind of reassess where we’re at and Shesterkin worked hard with a personal trainer in Miami during the take it from there,” he said. pause, as he and his wife remained in Florida for a heartwarming reason.

We can take it from here. I’d say it’s fairly certain that Shesterkin had “We remained in the U.S.,” Shesterkin said. “We had problems with taken the Rangers’ No. 1 goalie position during his two months or so in registering our dog for the flight (to Russia). We didn’t want to check the the NHL, and that it was his job to lose in this return-to-play camp. dog into the luggage compartment so we had to stick around and ended up spending that time in Miami and we were very happy that we made I would add that it’s positively certain that Shesterkin has done nothing to that decision.” lose the job, and in fact, arguably has re-won it. There is and always has been the caveat of Lundqvist’s remarkable record against Carolina (24-4- There he worked out a couple of times with a group of NHL players, 0, 1.73, .947 during a stretch in which the Rangers have won 31 of 37 including Alex Ovechkin, during the break. meetings) plus his 128 career playoff games, compared to zero by the other two goalies. But Lundqvist, who was plenty good in Sunday’s “It was obviously a very positive, great experience,” Shesterkin said. “I scrimmage, probably hasn’t done nearly enough to supplant his long-time only skated with him twice because of the circumstances. There were a heir apparent, especially given that he’d started four of the last 30 lot of Russian NHLers there and it was just a wonderful experience.” games, one of the last 19. He is fully recovered, he said, from a broken rib he suffered in a car During the season, when Shesterkin started, Lundvist backed up, and crash in Brooklyn Feb. 24 – he returned after six games to play his worst Georgiev was in streetclothes, so no, it’s not entirely fair to Georgiev. The NHL game, a 6-4 loss to New Jersey, then beat Dallas 4-2 in his final Rangers would certainly be comfortable if he were their No. 1 goalie, but start before the pause. if he’s not No. 1, then until a bigger decision is made in the offseason, “I think he’s in a good place,” Quinn said. “I think all these three guys are he’s likely No. 3. in a good spot. I like what I’ve seen from all of them at some point in The Rangers, who have had a week of practices (one day off) and two time. So, it’s a battle.” full-squad scrimmages, leave for the hub city of Toronto and their bubble Speaking of which, Pavel Buchnevich (who happened to be a passenger next Sunday. They then play the Islanders in an exhibition July 29 and in the car when Shesterkin crashed) sat out Sunday’s scrimmage. He dive right into a playoff (play-in) series Aug. 1. was hurt at some point during Saturday’s practice and left. Though the So decision time has come, although it could be drawn out a bit if Rangers are not allowed to give injury/illness updates per NHL protocol needed, and certainly doesn’t need to be officially announced. Surely, I designed to protect the privacy of Covid-tested players, Quinn was asked might be wrong about this, but I’d be fairly shocked. specifically whether Buchnevich’s participation in the tournament is in jeopardy. “I’m working hard every day, playing at 100 percent, working hard to reach that goal to be back, but it all depends on the coaching staff,” “I can say that it not the case,” he replied. Shesterkin said through interpreter Nick Bobrov, the team’s director of With Buchnevich out, Kaapo Kakko took his spot on the right of Chris European scouting. “The bottom line is, I’m so happy to be back. No Kreider and Mika Zibanejad and scored a pair of goals. Julien Gauthier – matter what happens I’ll be supportive of my teammates.” whose speed has been quite apparent and on display this week, moved Shesterkin, 24, and pretty much penciled in as Lundqvist’s successor up to Kakko’s spot with Phil Di Giuseppe and Filip Chytil, and also scored since he was taken in the fourth round of the 2014 draft, said last twice. summer upon arriving in North America that he idolized Lundqvist. Now So Quinn said he has other decisions to make, starting with staff he watches him closely, as he does all his teammates. meetings on Monday. But his biggest decision probably is already made. “My learning experience began in the AHL,” Shesterkin said. “Obviously I The Athletic LOADED: 07.20.2020 learned a lot there. When I got called up I watched how NHL players deal with victories and defeats and learned to maybe psychologically not beat up myself too much too often and be able to roll with the punches. Maybe it came with age and maturity, but definitely learning from the guys in the locker room helped.

“Watching Henrik, you see the work ethic – an unbelievable, crazy work ethic,” Shesterkin said. “And I try to reach that level of watching him and Georgie, who also has an unbelievable work ethic, every day. I’m looking at things, learning things every day. I’m looking at details. But I’m not going to tell you what I learned.” That’s a part of Shesterkin’s character. Underneath a façade he may create because he’s uncomfortable doing large group interviews in English, you can tell there’s a character there. 1188771 Philadelphia Flyers Breakaways James van Riemsdyk was moved up to the second line alongside Kevin

Hayes and Travis Konecny as Vigneault continues evaluating lines. Joel Jake Voracek talkin’ about privacy after Flyers practice on Sunday Farabee was moved down to third line alongside Derek Grant and Tyler Pitlick. Scott Laughton skated on a wing with Nate Thompson and Nic Aube-Kubel. Write these lines in pencil. Vigneault said he’s going to keep experimenting. ... The players are off Monday. They will start working on by Ed Barkowitz, special teams when they return Tuesday, which will also include a scrimmage, the coach said.

Flyers forward Jake Voracek wasn’t necessarily angry. Annoyed is more Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.20.2020 like it. He was back at practice on Sunday after being unavailable for Saturday’s session. Voracek, who looked fine on Sunday, said there was a delay in getting the result from his routine coronavirus test from Friday, which caused him to sit out.

A stipulation of the NHL’s return-to-play plan prohibits teams from commenting on the injury or illness status of players beyond statements like the one issued by general manager Chuck Fletcher on Saturday that Voracek was “unable to participate in today’s scrimmage.” In the middle of a pandemic, ambiguity only fuels speculation. Social media then adds its own touch of gasoline. Voracek, a 12-year NHL veteran and one of the team’s leaders, was forthcoming about the reason he had to miss Saturday. But he firmly explained that in a locker room currently filled with 34 players, there are 34 personalities.

“We’re here to play hockey,” he said. “I know that we’re in a different situation than normal people. [But] on the other hand, it’s our health. If you [meaning a player] decide to share it with someone, it’s up to you. If you don’t want to share it, go ahead. I know you guys have to write about it and [fans] want to talk about it, but we are people, too. We deserve to have some privacy, as well.”

It’s a fair point, but it’s also a nuisance the players likely will deal with as games get closer. It feels like a virtual powder keg as American cities and states dance with the balance of restrictions and openings. Everyone is wondering, Is the NHL really going to be able to pull off crowning a champion?

A few hours after Voracek was forced to sit out Saturday’s practice, the Canadian government told the Blue Jays they were not permitted to play this season in Toronto. That’s the same city the Flyers will head to next Sunday along with 11 other Eastern Conference teams.

The mighty difference is that baseball is allowing its teams to travel, which would involve crossing the border to and from the United States. The NHL is wrapping its teams in a virtual bubble to limit the chance of a coronavirus outbreak. The 12 Western Conference teams will be in Edmonton. There was also a bit of an insurrection in the NFL as numerous star players openly questioned that league’s COVID-19 plans with their camps set to open in a week.

Voracek led the Flyers in assists this season with 44, and was a responsible player on both ends of the ice. He was back in his usual right-wing spot on Sunday on the top line alongside Claude Giroux and center Sean Couturier.

“He had a lot of energy, a lot of pop in his skating,” coach Alain Vigneault observed. “I talked to him about this a couple of days ago. He had obviously skated back home a couple of times a week. He’s looked good out there. He’s looked focused. I like the energy and enthusiasm.”

Voracek’s return was a relief to fans who are counting on the Flyers to break an eight-year drought since winning their last playoff series. It’s also been 45 years since the Flyers last won the Stanley Cup, and this is Philadelphia. Fans tend to lose their minds quickly when a star player is simply “unable to participate” in a routine practice.

But all is well, folks. For now.

“In some kind of way, you want to protect the player’s privacy, right?” Voracek said. “If someone was to get it, not everyone has to know it or [a player can] decide not to share it. It’s what’s wrong with this world today. Everybody seems entitled to know everything about each other. It’s not a bad thing to have some privacy sometimes.” 1188772 Philadelphia Flyers with that. I think it’s the right decision. If you want to share it, you can. But I’m the kind of guy if you ask me, I’ll probably tell you."

OK, and as for that hockey part ... Jake Voracek back to work with Flyers after acing a test Voracek has drilled mostly at right wing of the top line, next to center Sean Couturier and left wing Claude Giroux. Seems a good place to start. By Rob Parent 4 hrs ago "Practices look pretty good, but then you go into the game and it’s a completely different rodeo," Voracek said. "It’s going to depend on how well-prepared the other teams are. In practice, when we do the Just one question was all it took to unearth all the feel-good vibes Jake scrimmage or when we do the drills, I think it’s a high-paced practice. Voracek was soaking in Sunday. "Obviously, it’s going to be a completely different ballgame when you So Jake, did it feel good to get out on that practice ice? step on the ice for a game." "Feel good," Voracek said. He knew that he should. Delaware County Times LOADED: 07.20.2020 "You guys panic so much it’s not even funny," Voracek added. "You guys make it sound like I’m dying or something. Everything’s fine."

Everything's Jake with Voracek, then. Got it. Twitter alert and all that. Apparently, not all was cool Saturday, though, when it was announced by the team that Voracek would be "unavailable" for that day's intrasquad scrimmage. Then it was noted that no further information would be available on that development.

In the era of coronavirus and social media and navigating the fine line of HIPAA laws and zippered-shut sports injury reporting, it was promptly speculated that maybe all wasn't well with Voracek and all those virus tests that are going on. Of course, since no one was allowed to officially clarify anything about that ... who knew?

As it turned out, Voracek turned up Sunday, with the explanation that a test result from Friday had been determined inconclusive, which meant he had to skip the scrimmage to get tested again on Saturday. "I did another (test) yesterday and it came back negative this morning," Voracek said via a media video chat. "There was nothing wrong. Everything’s all right." Voracek wouldn't normally be bothered by such trivial matters as speculative media reports, his usual response to such things being unfollowing a reporter for a month or two. But there's no question the whole idea of playing hockey in a Toronto bubble with the virus bopping around North America adds a layer of concern to everything. "In some kind of way, you want to protect the player’s privacy, right?" Voracek said. "Say if you get it, not everyone has to know it. If you decide not to share it with everyone, that’s OK to keep it to yourself and close friends and family. That’s what’s wrong with this world today. Everyone seems entitled to know everything about each other.

"It’s not a bad thing to have some privacy sometimes. I mean, do you know all the cases every day that are diagnosed? Do you know all the people and everything about them? No, (because) somebody wants to keep it quiet. If you guys want to ask me what happened, ask me. I will tell you. You don’t have to dance around it." Sounds kind of logical. If you wish to have clarification on a sticky bit of player news, ask the player ... (presuming you're lucky enough to find him on a video chat) ... because the team bosses aren't about to tell you.

Either way, Voracek was healthy, ready and willing Sunday to weigh in on media paranoia and other matters ... such as hockey. "We played a lot of scrimmages in the summer so that’s helping," he said. "Kind of gets the timing a little earlier than in training camp. I was kind of (ticked) I missed the scrimmage yesterday because the more scrimmages you get in, it’s better. It is what it is. Nothing I could do about it."

Which, of course, brought him back to the speculative reports of why he missed Saturday's scrimmage. Still a little touchy on that subject.

"We’re here to play hockey," Voracek said. "It’s your decision if you want share it with the world or not. I know we are in a different situation than normal people, but on the other hand, it’s our health. If we decide to share it with someone then that’s up to you. If you don’t want to share it, you don’t have to. It’s like I said, I know you have to write about it and talk about it, but on the other hand, we are people, too. We deserve to have some privacy as well, especially in times like that. I’m completely up 1188773 Philadelphia Flyers today — everyone seems entitled to know everything about each other. It’s not a bad thing to have some privacy sometimes. I mean, do you know all the cases every day that are diagnosed? Do you know all the people and everything about them? No, somebody wants to keep it quiet. Flyers' Jakub Voracek says calm down, he's fine ... now you know If you guys want to ask me what happened, you can ask me, I’ll tell you, I don’t care. You don’t have to dance around it.”

Voracek explained. He's fine. Now everyone knows. By Jordan Hall July 19, 2020 5:40 PM Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.20.2020

It was a microcosm of what's so great about Jakub Voracek.

During a video interview via Webex, his honesty and realness were on full display. Those qualities are also known as no bulls--t, and that sums up the Flyers' 30-year-old winger, who is friendly but never ambiguous in his thoughts. The transparency is appreciated. As he leaned back in his chair Sunday with his hand behind his head, Voracek knew the questions were coming. That didn't make them any less frustrating but they had to be asked. Voracek was "unable to participate" Saturday in the Flyers' first scrimmage of training camp. Because of a mutual agreement between the NHL and NHLPA to respect an individual player's right to medical privacy, teams are not allowed to release specifications for any injuries/illnesses during camp or the return- to-play 24-team tournament.

Voracek had skated in all of the previous four on-ice days of camp, so his sudden absence Saturday was undeniably puzzling and, per the rules, without answers. Although there were no valid reasons or signs to cause alarms (see story), Voracek's absence could have been because of anything.

When Voracek hit the practice ice Sunday, it was noteworthy. Everyone with an interest in his status could now relax. Voracek wished no one ever got bent out of shape to begin with over his status.

"I feel good," Voracek said. "Why are you asking? You guys panic so much it's not even funny, holy f---. You guys are making it sound like I’m dying or something. Everything’s fine.”

It's hard to fault Voracek's frustration. Expectedly, speculation and concern bubbled. I mean, we live in the days of the internet and social media, where immediacy is craved, panic is normal and perspective is abnormal. Turns out, Voracek was MIA because his COVID-19 test Friday was delayed and came back inconclusive, "so they couldn’t tell if it was negative or positive," he said.

Per the league's Phase 3 protocol, Voracek could not participate Saturday:

Results on testing must be available within twenty-four (24) hours. For individuals whose results are not received within twenty-four (24) hours, such persons shall not utilize club training facilities until results are available and indicate a negative testing result. Voracek took another test Saturday and it eventually came back negative, allowing him to get right back out there Sunday.

"There was nothing wrong," Voracek said. "Everything's all right.

“I was kind of pissed I missed the scrimmage [Saturday] because the more scrimmages you can get in, it’s better. It is what it is. There’s nothing I could do about it.”

While it's hard to fault Voracek for his impatience with the panic (especially with the frustration over a testing mishap), it's also hard to fault those for seeking answers. Philly is passionate, even obsessive, about its sports. Quelling its rabidness is an impossible task. Fans are invested in the team, they support the team, they put money into the team, and this Flyers team has a legitimate chance at a Stanley Cup run. Voracek is an important player to those chances and he was out Saturday for unknown reasons.

There are two sides of the coin to the new protocol. One's medical privacy is 100 percent absolutely important but not being able to disclose anything about the most harmless of absences will inevitably fuel speculation.

"In some kind of way you want to protect the player’s privacy, right?" Voracek said. "Say if you get [the coronavirus], not everyone has to know it. If you decide not to share it with everyone, that’s OK to keep it to yourself and close friends and family. That’s what’s wrong with this world 1188774 Pittsburgh Penguins During the 2019 postseason, Blueger, as a rookie, played in only one of the four games as the Penguins were swept in the first round by the New York Islanders.

Teddy Blueger keeps putting in extra work to remain in Penguins’ lineup Despite his success during the 2019-20 season and the role he has carved for himself, Blueger claims he still doesn’t feel his place in the lineup is guaranteed.

SETH RORABAUGH | Sunday, July 19, 2020 6:07 p.m. “A little bit different of a season for me this compared to last,” Blueger said. “But I think you’re never really secure. Competition is really high

throughout this team and, obviously, great players down in Wilkes-Barre. By the time the NHL season was halted March 12 because of the Everyone is kind of champing at the bit to get in there. I don’t think really coronavirus pandemic, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese your place is ever really secure. There’s always someone fighting to take had a head start on everyone else. your place.

He hasn’t played since suffering an undisclosed injury Feb. 16. “The other side of that is, obviously, I’m fighting to take other guys’ spots too, higher up in the lineup. Everyone is battling for ice time. I do think, So the Penguins’ first week of training camp in Cranberry in preparation obviously, my role has been a little bit different this past year, but I don’t of the NHL’s postseason tournament has been the first chance he had to think that guarantees me anything moving forward. You’re always judged be reunited with linemates Brandon Tanev and Teddy Blueger — at least on your last game or your last practice.” on the ice in a high-tempo setting. Or being the last to practice. “It’s been a while, but nothing has changed. (Tanev) is still yelling at everyone,” Aston-Reese joked. Tribune Review LOADED: 07.20.2020

And Blueger?

“Teddy’s still the same,” Aston-Reese said. That is to say: a workaholic.

Sunday morning, Blueger, along with reserve forward Evan Rodrigues, worked for approximately 25 minutes after practice on faceoffs. During a portion of that extended session, he took faceoffs with the knob of his stick, as opposed to the blade.

“Compared to a blade, you have a lot less of your stick on the ice,” Blueger said. “So the timing becomes important. It’s just a little drill just to get your timing back as far as meeting the puck at the right time when it hits the ice.”

That’s nothing out of the ordinary for Blueger. He usually is one of the final players to leave the ice after practices or morning skates. Typically, he will meticulously fine tune the details of his game.

“Yeah, he’s always been like that,” said Aston-Reese, who was a teammate with Blueger dating to their days with the Wilkes- Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2017. “I would stay out for an extra 20 or 30 (minutes) in Wilkes, and he would stay out 30 minutes after that.

“I just remember he would do this crazy thing in the gym where he would do a 10-minute ride (with an exercise bike) on like the highest gear. Just barely pedaling at all and he would do that for 10 minutes pretty much after every practice.

“He’s always had that mindset, and it’s been that way ever since I’ve been a Penguin.”

That mindset has made Blueger the centerpiece of the team’s effective fourth line.

“They’re a third line on a lot of teams in the NHL,” assistant coach Mark Recchi said. “They’re just a terrific line, and they’ve really built some chemistry through the course of the (season). The way (Mike Sullivan) uses his lines, he really relies on that so-called ‘fourth line’ to start a lot in the (defensive) zone. “(Top centers Evgeni Malkin) and (Sidney Crosby), it gives them a break, so they’re starting in the offensive zone 80, 90% of the time, which is where we want them.”

During the regular season, Blueger led the Penguins in defensive zone faceoffs with 483. Forward Jared McCann was a distant second with 207. “We want to bring the energy, outwork the other team,” Blueger said. “Recapture that game we had when we were at our best during the regular season. When we’re at our best, we’re supporting each other all over the ice. We’re hard to play against. We’re reliable defensively.”

Added Recchi: “They can play against any line. (Sullivan) trusts them and he believes in them. They push each other, and they demand each other to be good as a line. And it’s really fun to watch. When we had all of the injuries, they were kind of our identity: We were stingy defensively, but we still were able to score goals and create a lot of offense from just being tight defensively and playing the right way.” 1188775 Pittsburgh Penguins The following season, Cooke played in all 82 games, posted 33 points and, given his rambunctious style of play, a team-leading 111 penalty minutes.

Double Team: Markus Naslund’s unfulfilled promise with Penguins was Cooke’s best season in Vancouver was 2002-03. Appearing in 82 realized with Canucks games, he set a career-high with 42 points and even garnered enough votes to finish ninth for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, the award for the league’s top defensive forward. SETH RORABAUGH | Sunday, July 19, 2020 1:30 p.m. Cooke spent the first nine seasons of his NHL career in Vancouver before being dealt to the Washington Capitals at the 2008 trade deadline.

By the following offseason, he joined the Penguins as a free agent. His While the NHL is on hold because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, time with the Penguins was successful but tumultuous. the Tribune-Review will offer the Double Team project, an examination of Lining up with Tyler Kennedy and Jordan Staal, Cooke gave the the five best players who have contributed substantially to the Penguins Penguins a reliable presence on the third line that mixed an element of and another franchise. For consideration, a player must have played at physicality with a touch of offense. That trio helped batter the exhausted least the equivalent of a full season for each franchise. (Sorry, Jarome Red Wings in the 2009 Stanley Cup Final and was vital to the franchise’s Iginla fans.) third championship. Today, a look at the Vancouver Canucks. The franchise dates to 1945 A steady threat to reach double-digit goals during his five seasons in when the Canucks existed as a Pacific Coast Hockey League team Pittsburgh, Cooke was also a steady threat to the opposition. After before joining the Western Hockey League in 1952. By 1970, the NHL missing 21 games throughout the 2010-11 season because of expanded into Vancouver and brought the team, stocked with former suspension for various infractions, Cooke underwent counseling and NHL players, into the league. The Canucks are named after a slang term extensive one-on-one coaching to clean up his game. that refers to Canadians. In 2011-12, Cooke appeared in all 82 games and incurred only 44 In 120 all-time games against the Canucks, the Penguins have a 67-40- penalty minutes, the lowest total in his career since debuting in the late 13 record. 1990s. He even earned the team’s nomination for the 1. Markus Naslund, left winger Memorial Trophy, which recognizes sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. The Penguins’ 1996 trade of Naslund to the Canucks for Alek Stojanov often is cited as the worst transaction in franchise history. And make no After walking a straight line throughout the shortened 2012-13 season — mistake, it was hideous from the Penguins’ perspective. Naslund became only 36 penalty minutes in 48 games — Cooke was allowed to walk as a a franchise pillar for the Canucks, and Stojanov lasted all of 45 games in free agent and joined the Minnesota Wild in July 2013. Pittsburgh. 3. Jiri Slegr, defenseman But in all reality, had Naslund remained with the Penguins, he likely Slegr spent 11 seasons in the NHL and played for six teams, but his would not have met his potential. A first-round pick in 1991, Naslund greatest sustained success came with the Canucks and Penguins. debuted in 1993-94 and spent parts of three seasons with the Penguins. But given all the depth the team had in the early to mid-1990s, Naslund A second-round pick in 1990, the Czechoslovakian-born Slegr debuted was relegated to a bottom-six role and didn’t have the skill set suited to with the Canucks in 1992-93, appearing in 41 games and scoring 26 be a checking forward in that era of the NHL. points (and recording an ample 109 penalty minutes) for the Smythe Division champions. The following season, Slegr set a career-high with His best season with the Penguins was his last when he put up 52 points 38 points in 78 games for the Canucks. in 66 games in 1995-96 before being dealt to Vancouver. Despite that success, Slegr was a healthy scratch throughout the Even after the deal, Naslund didn’t gain immediate traction in his new postseason as the Canucks reached the Stanley Cup Final for the surroundings. After scoring 21 goals and 41 points in 78 games during second time in franchise history, losing to the Rangers. 1996-97, Naslund regressed the following season as he was limited to 34 points in 76 games and was even a healthy scratch under abrasive Early in the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season, Slegr was traded to the coach Mike Keenan. Edmonton Oilers. After two seasons in Edmonton, Slegr was on the move again, traded to the Penguins in August 1997. Midway through 1998-99, Keenan was replaced by Marc Crawford, and Naslund’s game took off as he scored 36 goals and 66 points in 80 Joining a team with several other Czech players such as forwards games and was selected to an All-Star Game for the first time. Jaromir Jagr, Martin Straka and Robert Lang, Slegr found an immediate fit with the Penguins. A fireplug of a defenseman at 6-foot-1 and 210 By 2000-01, Naslund was named captain. Teamed with power forward pounds, Slegr offered a blend of stout defense with a little offensive pop Todd Bertuzzi and playmaking center Brendan Morrison on the West during parts of four seasons in Pittsburgh. Coast Express line, Naslund scored 41 goals as well as 75 points in 80 games and led the Canucks to their first playoff appearance in five years. In 1997-98, Slegr, a member of the Czech Republic team that won the Olympics that winter, helped the Penguins win the Northeast Division title One of the greatest Swedish players in NHL history, Naslund would by scoring 17 points in 73 games while also recording 109 penalty record three consecutive 40-goal seasons, including his signature minutes. campaign of 2002-03 when he set career-highs with 48 goals and 104 points. That effort earned him the Lester B. Pearson Award, which Slegr’s best season with the Penguins was 1999-2000 when he scored a recognizes the league’s top overall player as voted on by NHLPA career-best 11 goals as well as 31 points in 74 games. members. Midway through the 2000-01 campaign, Slegr was traded to the Atlanta In all, Naslund spent 12 seasons in Vancouver, served as captain for Thrashers. After winning the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2002, eight and was selected to five All-Star Games. By the time he left to join Slegr returned to Vancouver as a free agent in September 2003. His the New York Rangers as a free agent in July of 2008, he held most of second stint with the Canucks was brief, lasting only 16 games before he the franchise’s career scoring records. was traded again, this time to the Boston Bruins in January 2004.

2. Matt Cooke, left winger 4. Jarkko Ruutu, left winger

Cooke’s NHL journey started in Pittsburgh during the 1997 draft at Civic Penguins general manager Ray Shero had a penchant for signing left Arena when he was selected in the sixth round by the Canucks. Debuting wingers from the Canucks who could make the opposition madder than a in 1998-99, Cooke didn’t break through as a full-time NHLer until the hornet. Two years before signing Cooke, Shero inked Ruutu as one of 2000-01 campaign when he appeared in 81 games and put up 27 points his first signings after taking over as Penguins general manager in the as well as 94 penalty minutes. 2006 offseason.

It didn’t take Ruutu, a native of Finland, long to become a fan favorite in Pittsburgh, thanks to an easily chanted name (or at least one syllable of it) and his ability to agitate the opposition with a big hit or just flat-out obnoxiousness. Helping the Penguins reach the postseason for the first time in six years in 2006-07, Ruutu put up 17 points and a team-leading 125 penalty minutes

By 2007-08, Ruutu settled into a role on the third line with Staal and Kennedy. He appeared in 71 games, scored 16 points and racked up 138 penalty minutes, five of which came after a wild fight against Maple Leafs forward Darcy Tucker on Jan. 3, 2008.

In the postseason, Ruutu played in 20 games, recorded three points and helped the Penguins reach the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the Red Wings. The following offseason, he joined the as a free agent.

A decade earlier, Ruutu was drafted in the third round by the Canucks. After debuting in 1999-2000, Ruutu broke through as a full-time NHLer in 2003-04. Appearing in 71 games, he scored 14 points and racked up 133 penalty minutes for the Northwest Division champions. Following the 2004-05 lockout, Ruutu’s final season in Vancouver of 2005-06 saw him play in 82 games, recording 17 points as well as a team-leading 142 penalty minutes.

5. Dale Tallon, defenseman

Well before he became a high-profile general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers, Tallon was the future of the Canucks.

Vancouver’s first draft pick (No. 2 overall) in 1970, the Canucks hoped to build their new franchise around the talented puck-moving defenseman. And sure enough, Tallon seemed like he was up for the challenge as rookie in 1970-71 as he scored 56 points in 72 games, garnered a selection to the All-Star Game and finished fifth in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy, the award for the NHL’s top first-year player.

But that was the high-water mark for Tallon with the Canucks. His production gradually declined over the next two seasons, and management lost patience quickly. Additionally, Tallon grew weary of coach Vic Stasiuk and threatened to jump to the rival . That prompted management to trade him to the Black Hawks in the 1973 offseason.

Tallon spent five mostly underwhelming seasons in Chicago before being traded to the Penguins in October 1978. Tallon’s time with the Penguins was ordinary, to be kind. Playing in 63 games and putting up 29 points in 1978-79, he helped the Penguins reach the postseason. Tallon then stumbled through the 1979-80 season, appearing in only 32 games. During the 1980 offseason, he retired at age 29. Honorable mention: Nick Bonino, center; Kevin McCarthy, defenseman; Tracy Pratt, defenseman; Brandon Sutter, center; Barry Wilkins, defensemen.

Tribune Review LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188776 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins forward Sidney Crosby remains absent from practice

SETH RORABAUGH | Sunday, July 19, 2020 10:53 a.m.

Penguins forward Sidney Crosby did not participate in Sunday’s practice at the team’s facility in Cranberry. During the second period of a scrimmage Saturday, Crosby left the ice and retreated to the team’s dressing room. Coach Mike Sullivan declined to comment on Crosby’s status after the scrimmage, citing the NHL’s new rules on withholding a player’s medical information during the coronavirus.

Assistant coach Mark Recchi, filling in for Sullivan’s media responsibilities Sunday, declined comment as well.

A team source indicated Crosby’s departure from Saturday’s scrimmage was a precautionary measure for an undisclosed ailment.

The team is already missing forwards Anthony Angello, Patric Hornqvist, Adam Johnson, Sam Miletic, Sam Poulin and Phil Varone, as well as defensemen Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Juuso Riikola and Alex D’Orio, who have been absent since the start their training camp due to what is presumed to be precautionary measures against potential secondary exposure to coronavirus. Tribune Review LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188777 Pittsburgh Penguins The hope in the building over the weekend was he wouldn’t be out long. With Crosby not practicing Sunday, Evan Rodrigues got an opportunity to

skate in Crosby’s place on the top line with Jake Guentzel and Sheary. Sidney Crosby misses practice, and the Penguins' depth is already being Rodrigues had been playing right wing on the third line during the first tested few days of camp.

The Penguins acquired Rodrigues at the trade deadline with this sort of situation in mind. No, they didn’t expect him to produce like a Hall of Matt Vensel Famer. But during his five seasons in Buffalo, Rodrigues was trusted to fill a number or roles.

Rodrigues, who made it to the NHL despite going undrafted, skated at Whether it is the first day of training camp or a random Tuesday in each of the three forwards spots there. He played on all four forward January, Mike Sullivan when questioned about tough lineup choices likes lines, including lining up as the No. 1 center in a game against the to say you need more than 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies Penguins last season when Sabres star Jack Eichel was injured. He to go the distance. killed penalties and got power-play time. It may take a village to do it in this summer’s Stanley Cup playoffs, with “I pride myself on being able to play all three positions and up and down an extra play-in round, a condensed schedule and the uncertainty of a the lineup,” Rodrigues said. “Versatility is something that I’m bringing to pandemic. the table and hopefully it will help out this team. Anything I can do to help Given the potential risk of contracting COVID-19 off the ice and us win games and take us to the ultimate goal, winning a Stanley Cup, increased odds for injury on it as players must quickly ramp up to peak I’m willing to do.” performance level, a team’s depth and versatility will be even more The 26-year-old has played seven games for Pittsburgh and stood out in important than playoffs past. the final two. He scored his first goal in the March 10 win in New Jersey. Seven days into camp, the Penguins are already staring down that Two days later, the season came to a halt. After a long layoff, Rodrigues reality. thinks the return-to-play process has been beneficial, giving him more time to get comfortable. Sidney Crosby did not practice Sunday in Cranberry, a day after the star Penguins center walked out of a team scrimmage with an apparent “I think coming back from our hiatus, it was almost like starting fresh. It’s injury. Nine others were still being held out of practice due to potential almost like a second season here,” Rodrigues said. “It’s been good to be exposure to COVID-19. around the guys a lot. ... It’s made the transition to being part of this team a lot easier.” That left Sullivan and the Penguins without 10 of the 34 players on their camp roster. They had just 12 forwards Sunday, with Game 1 of their Circumstances have also created an opening for another depth forward qualifying round series against the Montreal Canadiens now less than in rookie Sam Lafferty. He looked to be, at best, the 15th guy on the two weeks away. organizational depth chart when the Penguins brought in Rodrigues, Sheary and Patrick Marleau at the trade deadline. Now, he’s skating on Once again, these Penguins would have to make do with what they’ve the third line in camp. got. Lafferty was one of the standouts in Saturday’s scrimmage, scoring once “It’s something that we’ve done all this year,” Brian Dumoulin said. “A lot and setting up Guentzel on a 2-on-1 while filling in for Crosby on the top of the times, you don’t even have time to think about it, just with the busy line. He showed more decisiveness, twice blowing by smaller defenders schedule. I think it’s going to be the same this time, whether a guy gets on the rush. injured or someone gets sick. It’s important for us to stay focused and maintain our direction.” “He plays a power game,” Sullivan said Saturday. “He’s physical, he’s strong on pucks and he’s using his speed to challenge defensemen wide The long list of players who missed chunks of this season include a pair or to force turnovers by closing on defensemen and making it hard on of All-Star centers, a 40-goal scorer and four of their top six defensemen. their breakouts.” Heck, they even lost two dudes to season-ending surgery this spring, when the players were stuck at home chasing after their children and The absences of Crosby and Hornqvist have had a trickle-down effect on building puzzles. special teams, too. Those two are power-play regulars, buzzing around the crease. So it was wise to show up in Pittsburgh prepared for pretty much anything. During Sunday’s special-teams drills, Sullivan started with two defensemen, Kris Letang and Justin Schultz, on the power play. He soon Assistant coach Mark Recchi said the coaching staff had multiple plans subbed in Jason Zucker for Schultz, giving the winger his first shifts with for camp based on the number of skaters at their disposal. Most of the the top unit in this camp. players being held out due to the COVID-19 scare are prospects and minor leaguers who would likely be peppering reserve goalies on the Two of Zucker’s six goals in 15 games since coming over from the other sheet of practice ice anyway. Minnesota Wild came on the power play. He was on the second unit when the season halted. “It didn’t really change a whole lot,” Recchi said of absences affecting camp. “There’s no question he’s got the skill set,” Recchi said. “He’s got a great release [on his shot]. But when you have hockey sense ... he can play But NHLers Patric Hornqvist and Juuso Riikola are among those nine. If net-front, he can play the pocket, he can play on the flanks, anywhere and when they become available, it’s fair to wonder about their readiness you really need him.” to play. Sunday, Zucker was mostly working in Crosby’s spot just off the right Throw in whatever Crosby’s dealing with, and the depth chart is thinning post. out. The Penguins are scheduled to play another scrimmage Monday in Crosby left Saturday’s scrimmage midway through the second of two 25- Cranberry. minute periods. He skated off the ice, grabbed his sticks and walked toward the locker room at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. He did not Post Gazette LOADED: 07.20.2020 return to the ice.

Sullivan, in accordance with the NHL’s new injury and illness policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, said after Saturday’s scrimmage that he was “not permitted to comment” on why his captain suddenly left practice. Conor Sheary, Crosby’s linemate, speculated Saturday that it was “just a maintenance thing.”

A day later, Recchi apologized for politely declining comment on Crosby. 1188778 Pittsburgh Penguins That development meant for their fifth camp practice, one of the Penguins’ lines featured three players who hadn’t been available the night before the trade deadline.

Sidney Crosby injury update and other observations from Penguins camp There are a lot of reasons Rutherford was inducted into the as a builder in November. Shrewd deals such as the one he orchestrated with former top assistant Jason Botterill, formerly the Sabres’ GM, is only the latest example of Rutherford’s long history of in- By Rob Rossi Jul 19, 2020 season trades that better positioned one of his clubs for the postseason.

As for the other forward Rutherford added at the trade deadline, well … Sidney Crosby did not practice Sunday. Line it up However, multiple NHL sources told The Athletic that Crosby’s absence A look at the forward groupings and defensive pairings deployed for drills at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex was “only a precaution” after he did Sunday: not finish a scrimmage the previous day. Crosby felt “something off a little bit” during that scrimmage but resisted using the term “injury” when Penguins' forwards (July 19) talking with others about the issue later Saturday, the sources said. First The sources were not fully aware of the exact location of Crosby’s discomfort but said he has been especially cognizant of “anything that Jason Zucker doesn’t feel right” since returning in mid-January after missing 28 Evgeni Malkin consecutive games following a procedure in mid-November to repair a core muscle injury. Bryan Rust

Crosby, who played with a sports hernia through October, aggravated Second that injury in early November. He opted for in-season surgery — the first not involving dental work in his 15 seasons. Jake Guentzel

Heightened awareness during the pandemic has placed player health Evan Rodrigues under more of a microscope. But the Penguins routinely have players go Conor Sheary through multiple medical evaluations before clearing them to practice and play. In November, Crosby was evaluated by team doctors and a Third specialist in Philadelphia over a period of about a week before opting for surgery. Patrick Marleau

Penguins officials are prohibited from providing details about player Jared McCann injuries and/or ailments as part of rules agreed upon by the NHL and its Sam Lafferty Players Association for the return from a shutdown brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Coach Mike Sullivan, on Saturday, and assistant Fourth coach Mark Recchi, on Sunday, each cited the protocol when declining to answer reporters’ questions about Crosby’s status. Zach Aston-Reese

The Penguins open a best-of-five series against the Montreal Canadiens Teddy Blueger in Toronto on Aug. 1. Brandon Tanev

Had there been a playoff game scheduled for Sunday, Crosby “probably Penguins' defense (July 19) would have played,” one source said. First “But there was no game,” another said. “Sid is smart not to push it.” Brian Dumoulin Better safe than sorry Kris Letang Prior to the trade deadline in late February, general manager Jim Rutherford had considered not adding forwards so as to preserve the Second chemistry he believed was a strength of the Penguins. But Rutherford Marcus Pettersson resisted that temptation to retrieve his line from the trade waters and instead reeled in three forwards, each intriguing in his own way. John Marino

Conor Sheary had been a regular when the Penguins won the Stanley Third Cup in 2016 and ’17. His speed had not disappeared during his time with the Buffalo Sabres, even if Sheary had not flashed as much offensive Jack Johnson upside as he did in Pittsburgh. Justin Schultz Sheary’s skating and familiarity with Sullivan’s system made him a low- As always, draw your own conclusions. Also, keep in mind that Sullivan’s risk rental for Rutherford. In fact, Sheary’s Penguins past — he proved preference is to construct lines around two forwards so as to provide capable of playing up and down the lineup and also had acquitted himself options for in-game adjustments. well as one of Crosby’s wingers — seemed to make his acquisition one with potentially significant upside. Most intriguing about the lines Sunday was the preservation of Jason Zucker, Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust as a group. There are a couple of Evan Rodrigues, who felt underused with the Sabres, also provided the ways to possibly read that decision by Sullivan: Penguins with another fast-skating forward. Whereas Sheary could play either wing on any line, Rodrigues was versatile enough to skate on the Affording Zucker opportunities to build chemistry with Malkin and Rust is wings and man the middle. a priority during camp. Zucker had not played and/or practiced much with those players since joining the Penguins from Minnesota in a trade Feb. Coming into this camp, Rodrigues did not appear to have a spot in the 10. lineup unless there was an injury or illness to a forward. With winger Patric Hornqvist unavailable since Day 1, Rodrigues had not looked out Crosby’s absence is projected to be brief and the smoothest transition for of place as the right winger on a line centered by Jared McCann. practice was having Rodrigues in his slot. If the Penguins truly believed Crosby might not be ready for games, Sullivan would have the option of Until Sunday, when Rodrigues replaced Crosby between wingers Jake reuniting Guentzel with Malkin and Rust; those three players either Guentzel and Sheary. scored or set up almost half of the goals the Penguins scored in December. Another observation: McCann and veteran winger Patrick Marleau are finding a rhythm together as camp progresses. That would certainly be a case of plans working out as anticipated.

Rutherford acquired Marleau, a popular veteran who has never won the Cup, to provide a depth scoring option but also bring postseason know- how to a group of bottom-six forwards that lacked a lot of Cup experience. Also, with coaches having settled on McCann’s best fit being at center (as opposed to on the wing), there was a hope that Marleau’s style — he isn’t as fast as during his prime, but he still moves well enough to win races — would mesh with McCann. Why does that matter?

Most teammates believe McCann’s shot is second only to Malkin’s as a weapon. He’s seen as such a skilled shooter that there is a belief McCann has the goods to carry the offense through several games, if not a series, if opponents are successfully limiting the Penguins’ more reputable offensive stars.

Coaches’ review of film during McCann’s funk before the pause — 21 consecutive games without a goal — showed his struggles had more to do with him passing up shooting opportunities than not working himself into shooting position.

Playing with Marleau, one of McCann’s boyhood idols, might unlock the shooter’s mentality coaches prefer McCann to adopt. Or so goes the theory. Marleau and McCann have been seen talking to one another a lot during practices. Sullivan has good reason to give their partnership all the time it needs.

Also, if Crosby was going to be out for an extended period, McCann would probably slot into the role of No. 2 center for the Penguins. He did when Crosby was out from early November until mid-March.

Around the boards

Zucker replaced Crosby on the top power-play unit for practice Sunday. The unit featured defenseman Kris Letang and McCann up high, Malkin on the half-wall and Guentzel and Zucker roaming below the faceoff dots. The second unit had defensemen Marcus Pettersson and John Marino up high, Rust on the half-wall and Sheary and Marleau below the dots. … Goalie Matt Murray, who again did not look sharp, was rocked during a drill by a shot from McCann. The puck hit hard against the top of Murray’s helmet and appeared to daze him, but he did not miss any other action from the drill or practice. … Rust, Zucker and Sheary are breaking in new skates, distinguishable by Vegas gold-colored display near the boots’ upper heels. The Athletic LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188779 St Louis Blues Additionally, they see plenty of time together on the power play, and there are games in which they might not start out together but are reunited in-game.

Something old, something new in Blues' early line combos “Yeah, those two, we play a lot together and I’m really happy to skate with those guys on a line during the practices,” Tarasenko said. “We play a lot of time during past years. I think we have really good chemistry. I think we know what we need to do to have success as a line.” Jim Thomas 6 hrs ago The unit was together in all 10 games this season until Tarasenko

suffered a left shoulder injury Oct. 24. The group went without a point in EDMONTON, Alberta — When the Blues re-assembled a week ago for the season opener, the Stanley Cup banner-raising night. Phase 3 (training camp), there were two big questions about what coach But the line scored at least one goal in each of the next nine games. All Craig Berube would do with his lines. told, the unit averaged three points per game in the 10 games, on 12 Would Vladimir Tarasenko be re-united with Jaden Schwartz and goals and 18 assists. And keep in mind, Tarasenko played only six shifts Brayden Schenn on the team’s first line? and 4 minutes 37 seconds before his injury. Granted, some of those points came on the power play; nonetheless, it’s a high-powered trio. And would it be Sammy Blais or Alexander Steen on the third line, with the runner-up dropping to the fourth line? “We’re going to try to do the same thing,” Tarasenko said. “Score some goals. Help our team win.” Yes, it’s Tarasenko on the Schenn line. And turns out it’s Blais on the third line with Robert Thomas and Tyler Bozak. At least so far. The Sanford-O’Reilly-Perron line opened 34 games together pre- pandemic, by far the most games together for any Blues line this season. Alternate captain Steen found himself on the fourth line, a line so strong Sanford didn’t join the line this season until Oct. 27 — Game 12. The trio when used in the club’s Stanley Cup run of 2018-19. But there’s a twist combined for nine points (matching a season-high for any Blues line here: Instead of Steen, Oskar Sundqvist and Ivan Barbashev in Week 1 combo) on four goals and five assists. After that outing, Berube wasn’t of camp, it was Steen, Sundqvist and Mackenzie MacEachern. too eager to split them up. Meanwhile, Barbashev centered a line flanked by San Antonio callups The emergence of Sanford has helped make this trio even more potent. Klim Kostin and Austin Poganski. “His impact this season has been huge,” O’Reilly said. “You see the What gives? confidence that is coming with him, the plays that he’s making. . . . For him, it’s trusting his ability again. He knows when he’s at his best game “I don’t know,” Barbashev shrugged last week. “I have no idea. Those are the roster lines and I gotta go with it.” and what he can do.” The third line of Blais-Thomas-Bozak is something new; the trio opened With Berube running six lines over two group sessions a day, he needed only two games together this season, most recently Feb. 13 in Las Barbashev and Sundqvist to center separate lines. That’s one reason. Vegas. But keep in mind also that Barbashev’s wife, Ksenia, is due with the couple’s first child in mid August, right around the time the Blues will be So far in camp, Thomas said: “I think we’re finding each other a lot. immersed in Round of 16 playoff competition. We’re being creative with the puck. We’re moving in the neutral zone and kinda in the (offensive) zone. We’re feeding off each other well. So I think Barbashev could miss a few games, and MacEachern had very little it feels really good out there, and it’s gonna look nice in the game.” playing time with Steen over the course of the pre-pandemic season. So the practice reps in Week 1 might have simply been an attempt to build Other developments some MacEachern-Sundqvist-Steen chemistry. The Blues’ power play was the third best in the NHL this season. So Staying in the hub city bubble is of the highest priority during the playoffs even with the return of Tarasenko, Berube has decided, for now at least, to guard against coronavirus outbreaks, but one of the extenuating to stick with what was working. circumstances recognized in the NHL’s Phase 4 protocol is the birth of a child. In such cases, the player can return to the hub city bubble, but only Berube had Tarasenko working with the second unit, which included after showing negative results in at least four consecutive tests for Thomas, Bozak, Blais and Colton Parayko, on Sunday when the team COVID-19 over a four-day period. worked on special teams for the first time.

Perhaps with that at least partly in mind, Berube said: “We’ll move guys The first unit consisted of O’Reilly, Perron, Schenn, Schwartz and Alex around. Don’t get set on what you’re seeing out there right now.” Pietrangelo.

Even so, Berube and his staff had four months to think about lines during “The first unit had great success this year,” Berube said. “So I just want the NHL’s pandemic pause, so the trios on the ice so far in camp weren’t to keep it the same for now and see how it looks. It’s just the start. Who thrown out their haphazardly. knows how things go and things change.” Schwartz-Schenn-Tarasenko and Zach Sanford-Ryan O’Reilly-David • Berube broke his team into two groups Sunday, one of special teams Perron as the top two lines were slam-dunks. players and another of nonspecial teamers. The nonspecial team group consisted, with the exception of forward Jordan Kyrou, of postseason “There’s some lines out there that’ve been together for quite a while here callups Kostin, Poganski, Jake Walman, , Tyler Tucker, with this team,” Berube said. “So they’re familiar with each other, and you Ville Husso and Joel Hofer. (Niko Mikkola skated with the special can see it out there. teamers.)

“But saying that, there’s still some spots that are available maybe. We • Dunn missed practice for the fourth straight day; the Blues are off gotta keep looking at guys. We need everybody. I think in this kind of Monday. tournament format in the playoffs here, we’re gonna need a lot of guys. You never know what happens with injuries and things like that.” St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.20.2020

Especially during these days of the coronavirus. One day a player is on the ice, and then suddenly he’s gone. (See: defenseman Vince Dunn.) Schwartz-Schenn-Tarasenko has seen loads of time together since Schenn came to St. Louis in a 2017 trade. They opened 31 games together in 2017-18, but a modest 19 times last regular season — and not once in the regular season after Jan. 17 although reunited in the playoffs. 1188780 St Louis Blues Oh, oh. I left my cellphone in the cab. (To be continued. . . .)

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.20.2020 Quarantine Chronicles: Getting there is half the fun

Jim Thomas 10 hrs ago

(First in a series of updates from Post-Dispatch hockey writer Jim Thomas in quarantine) There wasn’t a single car in one of the intermediate lots approaching Lambert Airport. Not one. The main terminal was empty _ I saw two other travelers at 9:30 Saturday morning. I took my first flight in 1972 _ on the way to college _ and I’ve never seen the place so barren.

Naturally, the quickest route to western Canada was via Chicago and then Toronto. Yep, basically going the wrong way. I was in Row 11 en route to Chicago. There were only seven passengers sitting in front of me on the plane; you could smell the disinfectant. Such is travel in the age of the coronavirus.

There was a 3 1/2-hour layover in Chicago, which would’ve come in handy later. Upon boarding the flight to Toronto, the friendly folks of Air Canada were handing out small bags.

Snacks, already? How nice. Nope. Hand sanitizer, gloves, facemask, small bottle of water. I used everything but the gloves. This plane was about half full. Landed early in Toronto, with 1 ½ hours to make it through customs and catch the connecting flight to Edmonton. Should be sufficient. Right? Wrong. This is where some of the 3 ½-hour layover in Chicago would’ve come in handy.

Customs was not quite chaos, but close. I was sent to the wrong line twice; once I made it to the right line there was a long line, and only three customs agents to handle it all. Tick tick, tick, tick, tick. When it was finally my turn, the friendly customs agent told me I had missed my flight, which I was well aware of.

But I wanted to be nice. Crossing the border into Canada isn’t easy these days, especially when you’re coming from the COVID-19 capital of the world. I presented a letter of support from the NHL and from the Post- Dispatch, explaining my purpose in the country.

“You know a lot of people in Canada are upset that writers from the U.S. are coming up here when we’ve got Canadian writers,” the agent said.

I explained that I’m from St. Louis covering the St. Louis Blues.

“Have they ever won the Cup?” she asked.

Last year, I responded.

OK, she said she didn’t follow hockey all that closely. She asked why I was staying so long _ I had put down 83 days on the customs information card.

I told her I’m staying until the Blues lose, and 83 days would take us up till a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Even a first-round loss would have me there about a month, I explained.

She reminded me rather sternly that Canada takes COVID seriously. And that was that. Customs cleared.

But there were no remaining flights to Edmonton on Saturday night. I was able to get the first flight out Sunday morning. But now it was decision time? Spend $200-300 to stay seven, eight hours in a Toronto hotel? Or sleep in the airport. I can sleep basically anywhere, so I chose airport, which was the course Post-Dispatch colleague Ben Hochman and I had taken on the night the Blues clinched Game 7 in Boston.

It wasn’t the worst night’s sleep I’d ever had. Four-hour flight to Edmonton, slept most of the way. My bags had arrived Saturday night, in effect arriving into quarantine before me.

Cab to the hotel, check in, unpack, nice room, ready to write. Feeling good. The ordeal over. Here we go. 1188781 St Louis Blues

For starters, Tarasenko will be on Blues' second power play unit

Tom Timmermann 16 hrs ago

MARYLAND HEIGHTS -- The Blues' power play was ranked third in the regular season, which presented a problem for coach Craig Berube as he got high-scoring forward Vladimir Tarasenko back for the playoffs: How much do you want to mess with success?

For now, the answer seems to be not much. The Blues worked on special teams for the first time in their restarting the season camp on Sunday morning, and Tarasenko, who missed most of the season with a shoulder injury, was placed on the second power play unit, along with Robert Thomas, Tyler Bozak, Sammy Blais and Colton Parayko. The first unit -- Brayden Schenn, Jaden Schwartz, Ryan O'Reilly, David Perron and Alex Pietrangelo -- remained intact.

"The first unit had great success this year," Berube said. "The power play overall had really good success. Third in the National Hockey League. So I just want to keep it the same for now and see how it looks. It's just the start. Who knows how things go and things change." "Obviously he's got everything," Parayko said. "He's got all the tools over there, he's a shot threat, a pass threat, he can make anything happen over there. Teams are going to be watching him close and that opens up space for the all of us that are in the lineup with him."

Right before the break, the second unit was actually doing pretty well considering the limited ice time it got. And Tarasenko on the second unit allows him to be partnered with Thomas.

"We'll see what happens," Schenn said. "This is what we start with on Day One. There's going to be some tweaking I'm sure as we go along here. Obviously adding a huge weapon like Vladi back to our lineup, he scores a lot of goals for us, we'll see what happens.

"I don't think we have a second unit, it's a 1A-1B type of thing. I think maybe for today they kept us together because I guess as units, with our unit, we were third in the league. Sometimes you don't want to mess with chemistry. We didn't have Vladi all year and now we do and we're going to need him in the playoffs. We have to find a way to gel both units."

Berube split the squad in camp into two groups today, one consisting of the players who you would expect to see in games and the other consisting mostly of the minor-league callups. Berube said it was mostly done because the players in the second group are unlikely to get any special teams time. Defenseman Niko Mikkola was the one young defenseman in the special teams group, while Jordan Kyrou was in the non-special teams group. The second group was: Kyrou, Austin Poganski, Klim Kostin, Jake Walman, Derrick Pouliot, Tyler Tucker, Ville Husso and Joel Hofer.

"We want to get the reps in for the guys that are going to be on the power play and the penalty kill," Berube said. "Those other guys, you'll see them pop in and out this week with the (main) group."

Absent from camp for the fourth day was defenseman Vince Dunn. Everyone else was present.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188782 Tampa Bay Lightning On Saturday and Sunday, he skated with his normal power-play unit during training camp. But when more physical drills followed, the forward left the ice.

Tampa Bay Lightning’s Blue and White game: What to watch for Monday It’s unlikely Stamkos will make a full appearance “until he’s fully ready,” Cooper said.

Cedric Paquette missed his third straight day of training camp Sunday. Mari Faiello The forward was banged up in Wednesday’s scrimmage and while he finished the practice, he did not make an appearance with the veteran

group on Friday or Saturday. TAMPA — Ryan McDonagh knew the first thing to look for when the Paquette, however, did skate with the AHL callups Sunday morning, the Lightning’s training camp schedule was released: scrimmage days. team said. “They’re huge,” McDonagh said Wednesday after an informal The coaching staff also made some minor adjustments to the groups, scrimmage. “The coaching staff knows it’s one thing to practice drills and sending forward Mitchell Stephens to train with the callups while have a lot of time and space. It’s another being in a game situation where requesting forwards Mathieu Joseph and Alex Volkov train with the you don’t have as much time and you have to think quick.” veterans group, which has practiced separately since Friday). The defenseman said scrimmages are a good checkpoint to see where With Cooper expecting everyone to get some decent reps in the Blue and the team is in its training, especially since there isn’t much time before White game, it’s likely fans will get a better look at the callups in action. It the first return game, July 29 against the Panthers, part of the exhibition will also help coaches evaluate them better. schedule for the Stanley Cup qualifiers. It’s only practice, but , a finalist for the Vezina Trophy McDonagh said he liked the effort in the informal scrimmage, adding the as the league’s top goaltender, still shakes his head when a puck slides team kept things pretty clean and didn’t let many sloppy plays creep in. past his pads and into the goal. “Those are where you have to make your adjustments and make your There’s only so much gamelike environment that a practice can create, strides,” he said. “There’s nothing like five-on-five. You can’t emulate it in especially for a goaltender who has been in the Vezina conversation for any kind of drill.” three straight years. Coach said he was also pleased with the team’s initial Nevertheless, an intrasquad scrimmage that can mimic the scrimmage and doesn’t expect much to change Monday during the first unpredictability of a game can be helpful for Vasilevskiy and backup of two Blue and White intrasquad games at Amalie Arena. Cooper said Curtis McElhinney ahead of the exhibition game against the Panthers. he expects all the players, including the AHL callups, to get in some reps, however, he doesn’t expect the team to play 20-minute periods and there How can I watch? will not be NHL referees officiating. The Lightning will broadcast Monday’s Blue and White game, set to start “We’ve had quite a few practices now, and I think the guys want to be in at 4 p.m., on their website and the Fox Sports Go app, which is free to a little more gamelike situations,” Cooper said Sunday. “We’re going to download on Apple or Android devices. try to replicate that as much as possible ... and for the most part, we’ll try to give it a game-feel.” The team is planning a 30-minute pregame show, starting at 3:30. Analyst Brian Engblom and play-by-play broadcaster Rick Peckham will Here are some things to think about ahead of Monday’s Blue and White call the game. Play-by-play announcer Dave Mishkin and analyst Phil game: Esposito will handle the radio broadcast off the Lightning’s Power Play channel, which can be heard on the iHeart Radio App. Since Wednesday’s scrimmage, the team has spent a good portion of their practice sessions working on special teams, especially the power Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 07.20.2020 play.

Special teams are one of the elements that McDonagh said can take a little bit more practice to get back into shape coming off a long break.

On Sunday, the team used the same two units for the power play and switched up the units on the penalty kill.

I counted 6 #TBLightning groups of special teams going through the last drill. PP groups stayed the same but players were switching out in the PK. Footage of a PP group (Hedman, Kucherov, Point, Stamkos & Killorn) vs. a PK group (Coburn, Shattenkirk, Coleman & Goodrow) is below. pic.twitter.com/9ET3NspLT4

— 홼횊횛횒 홵횊횒횎횕횕횘 (wears a mask) (@faiello_mari) July 19, 2020

Defenseman Victor Hedman and forwards Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Alex Killorn and Brayden Point made up the first power-play unit, while the second unit consisted of defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and forwards Pat Maroon, Yanni Gourde, Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat.

The penalty kill switched up from unit to unit over the span of six run- throughs on Sunday. However, Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow made an appearance in three of those run-throughs, while McDonagh and Erik Cernak made an appearance in two.

Who’s going to play?

Tampa Bay Lightning Yanni Gourde (37) and Mathieu Joseph (7) on the ice during a scrimmage game at the Lightning playoff training camp at Amalie Arena on July 15, 2020 in Tampa. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]

Captain Steven Stamkos has been slowly working his back back from a leg injury he sustained in voluntary workouts during the season shutdown. 1188783 Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 07.20.2020

Lightning coach, players adjust routines with NHL’s return-to-play protocols

Mari Faiello

TAMPA — More times than not, a person doesn’t realize how much they miss something until it’s taken away.

The Lightning have been forced to adjust their routine to ensure they’re following the new health and safety protocols in place for the NHL’s return-to-play.

Players and coaches can’t eat or drink anything 30 minutes before they take their COVID-19 test, which is taken upon their arrival at the rink. For some, that means getting up earlier to eat breakfast. For others, it means packing snacks for the rink after they take their test. Coach Jon Cooper takes two soft-boiled eggs with him to training camp, typically eating each one after the skates. He also likes to drink a cup of coffee.

But there are two things Cooper especially misses from his daily routine.

“I’m a salad freak,” he said. “Sinfully, (I miss) the vanilla ice cream, too.” While the salad bar and the ice cream might be easy to replicate at home, it helps having it at the ready at the rink. Cooper also might not have as many options to dress up his greens at home as he does with a full spread in the Lightning’s dining room.

“We’re pretty spoiled here,” Cooper said. “One of the big things, though, is making your own food and bringing your own food.”

The coach said it’s difficult for the players not to have food around because they’re athletes and skating in long sessions. The team tries to keep the players’ time at the arena following practice sessions to a minimum so they can get back home and eat a proper meal.

“They got to eat,” Cooper said.

From the start, Cooper has said the team and staff have done really well with remembering to wear their facial masks when they’re not skating. Cooper normally wears a “standard throwaway” mask around the rink when he’s not on the ice. Forward Blake Coleman has also had to adjust his eating habits. He wakes up earlier so he can eat at home before testing, but he said that hasn’t really impacted his normal schedule too much since he’s already up with his newborn child, Charlie.

“I kind of snack a bit more at the rink now than I used to,” he said. “You just kind of learn to adjust and find a new routine. It’s just making changes that work for you.”

Coleman said he likes to snack on Stinger protein bars and other things he can quickly grab around the rink.

“The trainers do a good job keeping us stocked with food,” he joked.

Forward Anthony Cirelli said he typically likes to grab a coffee before games. With the new protocols, eating has been a big part of his adjustment, especially since he can’t eat breakfast before the morning sessions.

“They’re easy fixes,” he said.

At home now, Cirelli said he likes to make toast and a couple of eggs for breakfast. For lunch, he’ll change things up, but likes to make his chicken and rice combo. He tries to steer toward the easier meals to prepare so he can get good food quickly before and after he skates.

Defenseman Ryan McDonagh said wearing a face mask everywhere around the rink was a little adjustment he had to make when the team returned.

“You just have to keep in check,” he said. “In the grand scheme of things, when it counts, when you’re in the gym, in meetings and on the ice, especially, it feels like hockey, and that’s what’s important.” 1188784 Toronto Maple Leafs In 2018-19, five goals in his first three games and nine in the first five. This season: five goals after three games, six in five.

“Every day I’ve felt a bit better,” said Matthews. “I think that’s to be Auston Matthews is no magician — at least off the ice — but he has a expected. It’s kind of the way it goes. Things are progressing better and few tricks up his sleeve for Toronto’s NHL bubble better every day, but obviously (I) want to continue to take steps forward.

“The way I felt the last couple of days is a lot better, but the timing — By Kevin McGran handling the puck, feeling the way you do about halfway through the season when you’ve been playing games, you’re kind of used to it. I think Sun., July 19, 2020 pace of play and things like that are starting to come back. Kind of figured that would take some time. But as far as being happy, I always

like to be better.” Auston Matthews isn’t exactly sure what life in the NHL bubble is going to Toronto Star LOADED: 07.20.2020 be like for himself and the rest of the Maple Leafs, but he’s pretty sure there will be card tricks. “Me and (Alex Kerfoot) have been practising card tricks together and trying different things and, I don’t know, rattling each other’s minds, stuff like that,” said the Leafs’ top centre. “(The bubble) is something that is weird, but we’ll figure how to pass the time when we’re not at the rink and we’re sitting in our rooms and stuff.” Back up a second. Card tricks?

“Really easy ones,” said Matthews. “I’m no magician, but I was bored one day and I started looking up a couple of card tricks. And I saw (Kerfoot), and he’s a pretty smart guy, so I wanted to see if he could figure it out.

“And then he just so happened to have a couple of card tricks up his sleeve. We exchanged card tricks, and here we are.”

Here we are indeed, in a place no one could have foretold when the hockey season began: a pandemic, delayed and expanded Stanley Cup playoffs, a summertime training camp and 12 teams in Toronto starting next Sunday — sharing two hotels and trying to hold off the coronavirus bug by hiving themselves off from the rest of the world.

If you had all that and “Auston Matthews does card tricks” in Pandemic Bingo, you may have just filled a line. And though he says he’s no magician, he really kind of is. At least with the puck.

Matthews has been a standout in the first week of training camp. He scored twice in a scrimmage that mimicked real-game conditions, including timeouts and piped-in game music. Team Matthews leads Team Andersen two games to one in a best-of-five set, largely on Matthews’ offence. He has three goals and five assists to lead all skaters.

He came into camp in poorer shape than he would have liked, after testing positive for COVID-19 at home in Arizona and self-isolating for 14 days when he got to Canada. But his progress has been noticeable.

“He said he was feeling sluggish, but you never really notice with him,” said defenceman Tyson Barrie. “He’s such a special player, the way he controls the puck. The head and the hands are the great equalizer. He has those going. He looks pretty good right now.”

On Sunday, Matthews played with and Mitch Marner — an “all-star” line, according to Barrie — that was hard to contain. Marner scored and had an assist. Ilya Mikheyev also scored twice, once short- handed, in Team Matthews’ 5-0 win.

“They’re obviously three very good players and I’ve used them (together) at different times in a game,” said coach Sheldon Keefe. “I suspect it’s something I would want to go back to at different times.”

Part of the reason was that forward Zach Hyman missed another day after taking a puck off the foot. Keefe also wanted to see William Nylander at centre with Mikheyev and .

“Wanted to use that chance to mix things up and try some different things,” said Keefe. “I thought that served its purpose.”

Matthews had 47 goals when the regular season came to a premature end, denied a shot at 50 with 10 games unplayed. He has been known as a hot starter, which could be the difference in the best-of-five Stanley Cup play-in series against Columbus, starting Aug. 2.

In 2016-17, he scored four times in his first game and had five goals after five contests.

In 2017-18, two goals in his first three games and six by game five. 1188785 Toronto Maple Leafs might end up with more talent available to GM Ron Francis in the expansion draft next June.

We can now resume the conversation about which teams really benefited Is Pastrnak OK? What about Stamkos? The road to the Stanley Cup is from the trade deadline in late February. Ilya Kovalchuk had one goal in full of unexpected curves seven games with Washington after coming over from Montreal. Jean- Gabriel Pageau, you’ll recall, was traded from Ottawa to the Islanders and then signed a $40-million deal. With Pageau, the Isles were winless in seven. By Damien Cox Carolina added Sami Vatanen and Brady Skjei to the back end as Sun., July 19, 2020 insurance for Hamilton and Brett Pesce, and Vincent Trocheck for scoring. Andreas Athanasiou could get a look with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl in his new Edmonton home. Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase Is it really 24 teams with a shot at the Stanley Cup? Feels that way. could change the look of the Bruins up front. The Penguins added forwards Jason Zucker, Patrick Marleau, Conor Sheary and Evan After all, who really remembers where we left off? Rodrigues. Alec Martinez was dealt by L.A. to Vegas, and the Kings also The NHL returns with a hastily organized playoff format invented out of moved Tyler Toffoli to Vancouver as they finally moved aggressively into thin air. We’ll have eight best-of-five series starting in two weeks, some rebuild mode. Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow added depth and involving teams that didn’t imagine they’d be playing playoff hockey back sandpaper to Tampa’s front lines. in March. David Pastrnak is still “unfit to play” in Boston, with the NHL and the As we move improbably toward this curious summer hockey landscape, Bruins wrapping a big cloud of mystery around this one. Pastrnak was here are some non-Maple Leafs storylines to keep an eye on: tied for the league lead in goals (48) when the music stopped and has been a superb playoff performer. His agent says he doesn’t have the Some big names who wouldn’t have been playing if the post-season had coronavirus. Social media photos of Pastrnak and Kase out in public started in April are now back. At the top of that list is Tampa’s Steven when they were supposed to be quarantining, or at least following NHL Stamkos, who had core surgery in March. He had a little hiccup in the protocols, caused ripples in Boston last week. Lightning training sessions, but appears likely to be a participant when Tampa gets started. Winnipeg terminated the contract of Dustin Byfuglien in April, with the defenceman walking away from the final $14 million of his contract. Since Jake Guentzel of the Penguins had shoulder surgery and wasn’t then, there’s been no word on his intentions. You can bet that subject will supposed to be back for the post-season, but he’ll be available to play on come up repeatedly during the NHL’s playoff season, even with a flat cap Sidney Crosby’s wing. Columbus, Toronto’s opponent in the qualifiers, restricting what teams may be able to offer the veteran to induce his will have both Seth Jones and Oliver Bjorkstrand back from broken return to the NHL. ankles. Carolina’s Dougie Hamilton suffered a broken fibula on Jan. 16, but will be back on the Hurricanes’ top defence pairing with Jaccob Toronto Star LOADED: 07.20.2020 Slavin against the Rangers.

Moves that weren’t made at the trade deadline are now looming as influential. The Rangers, four points out of the second wild card at the trade deadline, turned down offers for left-winger Chris Kreider and instead signed him to a seven-year contract. Kreider then immediately broke his foot, eliminating him from the rest of the season. Then came the coronavirus pause. Now Kreider, who had 24 goals playing with Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich, is back and should be a significant force against Carolina. Similarly, Montreal looked likely to move Tomas Tatar and Jeff Petry at the deadline, but GM Marc Bergevin decided to hang on to them. Keeping Tatar has proven even more important in terms of competing with Pittsburgh in the qualifiers because of the uncertainty of the availability of Max Domi, who is weighing the health risks.

Two fascinating goaltending battles could influence the Western Conference playdowns. In Vegas, 35-year-old Marc-André Fleury is facing a tough challenge from Robin Lehner, who was acquired in a three-way deal with Chicago and Toronto. In Nashville, Juuse Saros started 15 of the last 21 Predators games before the break, seemingly supplanting Pekka Rinne as the No. 1 puckstopper. Head coach John Hynes has a tough call for Game 1 against Arizona.

Two other veteran goalies, meanwhile, may have seen their last games, at least with the only teams either has played for. Corey Crawford and his three Cup rings have been listed as “unfit to play” in Chicago, which means he could have COVID-19 or just about anything else under the NHL’s absurd injury reporting protocol. Head coach Jeremy Colliton doesn’t have great options to face Edmonton. Clearly, the Hawks never planned to be in the post-season, so they’re having to scramble. Malcolm Subban seems the likeliest choice. In New York, meanwhile, it seems unlikely that Henrik Lundqvist will be able to wrest the starting job away from youngsters Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev. Shesterkin, in particular, was brilliant before the league stopped, going 9-1 with a 2.33 goals-against average and .940 save percentage after making his NHL debut on Jan. 7.

The NHL’s salary cap will remain flat at $81.5 million (U.S.) for next season, and possibly longer. Before the pandemic, it was thought to be headed for upwards of $84 million next season. That’s already shaping conversations about many players. Washington, for example, may have to let goalie Braden Holtby walk after this season. In Vancouver, there are already rumours about the future of winger Brock Boeser. The flat cap could also be really good news for Seattle’s expansion team, which 1188786 Toronto Maple Leafs there are no on-ice officials (other than Toronto Marlies coach Greg Moore), but music is being piped in to help provide a real-game feel.

“I think it’s great,” defenceman Tyson Barrie said. “In a time where we’re Keefe not worried that pucks regularly getting past Andersen in Leafs trying to make it as normal as possible, this is going to be pretty close to scrimmages the setup we have when we’re playing Columbus.”

What hasn’t been lacking in the initial three scrimmages is the intensity. Players who otherwise are Leafs teammates aren’t trying to run each Terry Koshan other through the boards (never mind the Leafs aren’t overly physical anyway), but in puck battles, no one is giving up much. Published:July 19, 2020 LOOSE LEAFS Updated:July 19, 2020 8:25 PM EDT Matthews figured he will take a deck of cards, among other prized

possessions, into the bubble. “Kerf (Alex Kerfoot) and I have been As the pucks fly past Frederik Andersen, Sheldon Keefe isn’t getting his exchanging card tricks together and trying some different things on each hackles up. other, trying to rattle each other’s minds,” Matthews said. “Really easy (tricks). I’m no magician.” … A day after performing well on a line with On Sunday, Andersen allowed five goals as Team Matthews beat Team Matthews and Nylander, Nick Robertson wasn’t as noticeable on a trio Andersen 5-0 in the third scrimmage of Maple Leafs camp at the Ford that included Kerfoot at centre and Kasperi Kapanen on the right wing … Performance Centre, a day after Andersen allowed six goals in a 6-2 Matthews, anticipating life in the bubble: “It’s going to be weird. It’s going loss. to be a bit abnormal. But at the same time, every other team is going through the same stuff. So there’s really no excuse. We’re going to have Keefe didn’t anticipate losing any sleep on Sunday night, nor did the to go into a bit open-minded.” … Keefe on the signing on Saturday of Leafs coach think Andersen would. defenceman Teemu Kivihalme to a two-year contract: “He has always “I’m not too concerned about anything that really is happening in these seen himself as a guy who skates the puck and is involved on the scrimmages, whether it’s the goalie or any of our players,” Keefe said. offence, but there’s a lot of things that can happen with guys who skate “They have enough enough mental toughness and intelligence to be able as well as he does that can become an asset for defending. Calle Rosen to shrug these things off and stay moving forward with preparation. is similar in that nature with his development. We can never have enough depth on defence.” “You would like to see it not go in as much. Fred is experienced and smart enough to know that there’s a number of those he has no chance Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.20.2020 on.”

So no, Keefe doesn’t think Andersen’s confidence will be damaged in getting lit up by the likes of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and others.

Andersen did make some rather large saves on Sunday, including one late as he spreadeagled to deny Nylander on a backhand deke. “That might have been the save of the game,” Keefe said. “For him to stay in the game and stay focused, to be able to make such a save was a good and healthy sign for us.”

At the other end, Jack Campbell was sharp. Though Campbell didn’t face the level of talent that was going against Andersen — the Leafs’ probable third- and fourth-liners were playing for Team Andersen — Campbell didn’t make a mistake in posting a shutout. Put it this way: Campbell played like a guy who could be called upon on a moment’s notice once the qualifying round against Columbus starts on Aug. 2. At this point, Keefe couldn’t ask for more from his backup goalie.

LINEUP LOOKS

In the scrimmage, Keefe kept just the fourth line of Frederik Gauthier between Kyle Clifford and Jason Spezza together, opting to go with new looks for the rest of his lines.

Most intriguing, of course, was Matthews between captain John Tavares and Marner. It won’t last for now, but Keefe left open the idea of returning to it at some point.

Then there was Nylander between Ilya Mikheyev and Adam Brooks. Nylander as a full-time centre for the Leafs one day? It’s on the table.

“I thought he did well, he had the puck, did a great deal offensively,” Keefe said. “Coming up through the middle, he’s a lot more dangerous that way, so we liked that part of it. He and his line had the puck a lot so he didn’t have to defend a great deal. “In terms of what I see or what may have to happen for us to go to (Nylander at centre) a little more in long term, I don’t have that answer. We’ll see him shift back to the wing, but it’s nice to have that option.”

Mikheyev had two goals and continues to demonstrate that being out since suffering a wrist injury on Dec. 27 is having no negative impact on his performance.

As for the scrimmage itself, the Leafs are getting closer to simulating actual games. The teams played three periods on Sunday, and had TV timeouts. Penalties were just a minute long with the running clock and 1188787 Toronto Maple Leafs

Hyman's status not abundantly clear, but Leafs coach Keefe not overly concerned

Terry Koshan

Published:July 19, 2020

Updated:July 19, 2020 6:00 PM EDT

There was a Zach Hyman sighting at the Ford Performance Centre on Sunday. Hyman was not on the ice on Saturday, a day after inadvertently blocking a shot during practice on Friday.

Before his Maple Leafs teammates hit the ice on Sunday, Hyman was on one sheet with goalies Joseph Woll and Kasimir Kaskisuo and a couple of staff members, firing shots at the netminders.

Thanks to the stringent rules in place regarding players’ absences in the age of the coronavirus pandemic, Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe could not say a lot regarding Hyman’s status, but did acknowledge it’s not a serious issue that has forced Hyman to the sideline.

“I would say low at this point, but you never quite know,” Keefe said when he was asked about his level of concern that Hyman might not be available for Game 1 against Columbus on Aug. 2. “We’re going to see how this is. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to say or can’t say, but I’m not too concerned.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188788 Toronto Maple Leafs We’re not likely to see Matthews between Tavares and Marner again relatively soon, but with William Nylander taking up some slack at centre as he did on Sunday, it will be an option for Keefe.

Matthews feeling 'a bit better' every day as Leafs move into second week The Leafs will have a full day off on Monday and we can imagine of camp Matthews will be further refreshed when practice resumes on Tuesday prior to scheduled scrimmages on Wednesday and Thursday.

“There’s a lot of other benefits that Auston’s getting in terms of handling Terry Koshan the puck and feeling his way through traffic and finding ways to create and make plays,” Keefe said. “He doesn’t seem to be affected too much Published:July 19, 2020 in terms of producing.” Updated:July 19, 2020 5:50 PM EDT Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.20.2020

Some good news from Auston Matthews’ corner as the Maple Leafs hit the second week of training camp. “Every day, I’m starting to feel a bit better,” the Leafs centre said on Sunday following scrimmage at the Ford Performance Centre.

“I’m just trying to take it day by day, do everything that I can to get myself prepared for the ice sessions and trying to get back to the regular routine during the season. I think things are progressing better and better every day.”

Matthews’ road back to the resumption of National Hockey League play was sidetracked when he was diagnosed with COVID-19 in late June, and even when it’s a highly tuned professional athlete involved, there’s no way of predicting how a recovery would evolve for anyone who has tested positive.

What became more clear as the Leafs moved through the first week of camp was that Matthews was putting the illness behind him. To that end, playing on what defenceman Tyson Barrie called “an all-star game line” on Sunday with captain John Tavares on his left and Mitch Marner on his right, Matthews scored a pair of goals as his side defeated Team Andersen 5-0.

“He said he was feeling a bit sluggish (last week), but you never really notice with him,” Barrie said. “He is such a special player and the way he controls the puck, the head and the hands is the great equalizer. He has those going and I think he looks pretty good right now.

“They can’t be fun to play against, but it’s fun to get out there with them and you can see the way they throw the puck around and they know where each other is going to be, those are three special players and they were making it work (Sunday).”

Anything less than dominance by a line that includes the marksmanship of Matthews, the magic of Marner and the determination of Tavares would be a disappointment, even on a muggy day in the middle of July. Especially in the second and third periods, the three spent much of the time in the offensive zone. And though it was mostly against the men who are the Leafs’ bottom-six forwards, the Matthews trio didn’t have any interest in taking anything off against their opponents.

Marner also had a goal after taking a pass from Tavares and turning Frederik Andersen inside out, while Ilya Mikheyev, again playing with plenty of zest, scored two goals.

To what extent is Matthews satisfied with his progression? “The last couple days are a lot better, but still the timing and handling the puck and feeling the way you do halfway through the season when you’ve been playing games and you’re kind of used to it (is not yet there),” Matthews said. “The pace of play and everything is starting to come back to me. As far as being happy, I’d always like to be better.”

Matthews agreed with the assertion of coach Sheldon Keefe, who said on Saturday that his No. 1 centre might be holding back a bit from regularly unleashing his shot. We haven’t seen it much during even- strength play or power plays during scrimmages.

“I don’t think I’d really call it an issue,” Matthews said. “A lot of times in these training camp scenarios you’re almost looking for the perfect play and it’s good to get out of that habit and start shooting more.

“I’m always going to have that shoot-first mentality. You don’t want to hurt anybody, but I expect a lot out of myself and in certain situations, I know I need to shoot more. “When I do get in those situations in an actual real game, I’m going to be firing the puck and making the right plays.” 1188789 Vegas Golden Knights line,” DeBoer said. “I think the pause and getting healthy has allowed us to take a look at that. It’s been good.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 07.20.2020 Golden Knights search for chemistry on 3rd line

By David Schoen July 19, 2020 - 6:59 PM

For most of the Golden Knights’ brief existence, the third line has been a revolving door of forwards that was unable to establish an identity.

But the latest incarnation offers hope that the Knights finally found a reliable trio. Chandler Stephenson skated with Alex Tuch and Nicolas Roy again Sunday during training camp at City National Arena, and the group continues to impress coach Pete DeBoer ahead of the NHL postseason.

“I like that line,” DeBoer said. “I think every day at camp they’ve gotten better and better. They’ve got an opportunity to be a real formidable group. You’ve got real good size, real good speed. A lot of skill there. And I’ve thought every day out here they’ve looked better.”

The Knights’ current third line appears to be a departure from previous units.

During the club’s inaugural season, Tuch and Brendan Leipsic were Cody Eakin’s primary wings for the first half of the season. That line had a 49.2 shot attempts percentage and minus-2 goal differential at five-on- five, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.

After Leipsic was traded at the deadline in February 2018, the likes of Ryan Carpenter, Oscar Lindberg and Tomas Tatar tried to pump life into the line on the wing with minimal success.

Eakin and Tuch combined for a 49.3 shot attempts percentage and a 48.6 percent expected goals share with a minus-7 goal differential at five- on-five that season, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.

In 2018-19, a hodgepodge of forwards made up the third line for the first three months while Eakin filled in for injured second-line center Paul Statsny.

During one stretch in November 2018, Lindberg, Carpenter and Tomas Hyka skated together. Former coach Gerard Gallant even briefly used Max Pacioretty on the third line in February 2019 in search of more balance.

It was more of the same to open this season, as the line of Eakin, Cody Glass and Brandon Pirri failed to score at five-on-five and consistently lost the puck possession battle (49.3 shot attempts percentage).

When Tuch returned from injury after missing the first 13 games, he didn’t click with Eakin and Glass. The William Carrier-Eakin-Tuch line was the only one to find success before it was broken up.

But with Eakin traded to Winnipeg on Feb. 21 and the Knights back to full strength after the NHL pause, Tuch (6 feet 4 inches, 220 pounds) is joined by Roy (6-4, 200) and Stephenson (6-0, 208) to form the team’s biggest line.

“It’s been awesome,” Stephenson said. “We’re just trying to get prepared as much as we can. Obviously the speed of (Tuch) and the work ethic of (Roy), it’s going to be fun. I like playing with them.”

Stephenson, who posted a career-high 22 points in 41 games after being acquired from Washington on Dec. 3, has alternated at center with Roy in practice.

Tuch, who was injured Feb. 13 against St. Louis and missed the final 12 games before the NHL paused its season because of the coronavirus pandemic, has seen time at both wings.

Their ability to forecheck and cycle the puck in the offensive zone was evident throughout the first week of camp.

“I think prior to the pause, when you’re dealing with injuries and shorter rosters, sometimes you never get the opportunity to be at full strength and be able to throw three real skilled players like that together on a third 1188790 Vegas Golden Knights LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 07.20.2020

Golden Knights call-ups auditioning for playoff roster spot

By Ben Gotz July 19, 2020 - 4:36 PM

The Golden Knights’ preplayoff training camp, as opposed to the one in the fall, has few battles for lineup spots. Coach Pete DeBoer’s lines, defensive pairs and power-play units have stayed consistent throughout the first week. The fight to stick on the expanded roster instead is supplying most of the drama. The players the team called up for camp are jockeying for tickets to Edmonton and trying to show their worth in practice.

“(I) just (want to) try to come out here and have fun and show them why I’m here,” defenseman Dylan Coghlan said. “Hopefully, I’ll grab a roster spot in the future.”

Coghlan is one of 10 players the Knights brought to camp to provide depth. The team is allowed to bring 31 players into the bubble, so eight of the new faces will stick around.

Deciding who goes will be tricky. Unlike a normal fall training camp, the Knights won’t have any exhibition games before having to make lineup decisions. They’ll instead have to rely on how players practice and look in scrimmages.

“For me, it’s just how quickly the young guys can pick up what we’re talking about off the ice and implement it into drills, and I think they’ve done a great job,” DeBoer said. “Some of them have experience with how we want to play and some of the things we want to do, some of them don’t. They haven’t slowed down our practices or what we’re doing here, and that’s the main thing. They’ve all fit right in.”

Many of the call-ups are viewing the experience as a positive one no matter how it ends. Just being in camp has given them a leg up since they’ve had easy access to ice and lots of face time with the coaching staff. “There’s a lot of people that I know back home, buddies and stuff, (for) whom just finding ice right now is really tough,” said defenseman Jake Bischoff, who played in three games for the Knights this season. “So being able to skate every day is definitely an advantage, and skating at a high level with these guys in practice and stuff, preparing for whatever, whether it be this year or next year, is definitely going to be an advantage.”

Let’s get physical The Knights increased their intensity at practice Sunday.

Several drills got physical, especially a five-on-five in the offensive zone. DeBoer said while he wants his practices to err on the side of caution, adding a checking element is a “necessary evil” before games begin.

“The last thing you want is an injury, but you have to get some level of physicality back in your practice so it’s not a shock come game time,” DeBoer said. “It’s a fine line, and we’re trying to walk it.” Knights ask for masks

Defenseman Alec Martinez wrapped up his Zoom call with the media Sunday by redonning the mask he wears around City National Arena. The Knights took the image and used it for a public service announcement on Twitter.

This is Alec. He wears a mask to protect himself and others.

Be like Alec. pic.twitter.com/WCkH8I831t

— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 19, 2020

“This is Alec,” the team tweeted. “He wears a mask to protect himself and others. Be like Alec.” 1188791 Vegas Golden Knights And what if he has to pull one of the goalies early in the game and the replacement plays better? Who starts the next contest?

It’s a situation DeBoer has never dealt with. He’s reached two Stanley Fleury or Lehner? Golden Knights’ goalie puzzle remains hard to solve Cups, in 2012 with the New Jersey Devils and in 2015 with the , but Martin Brodeur and Martin Jones, respectively, started every game during those runs.

By Justin Emerson “I think particularly with four months off, a short training camp and a long playoff runway, it might be even more important this year that both guys Sunday, July 19, 2020 | 2 a.m. play games at different points,” DeBoer said. “Maybe it will be one guy starting the majority, maybe we’ll go back and forth. I’m really going to keep an open mind to this because of the situation and because we have Marc-Andre Fleury missed the first few days of training camp, so it took two great goalies.” until Thursday for the Golden Knights to visually face the question that could define their postseason. LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 07.20.2020

Fleury was in the net nearest the home bench, as usual. Robin Lehner, the former Vezina finalist and prized trade-deadline acquisition, was on the other end of the ice.

For the most part, it was a positive sight for the Golden Knights — one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL finally practicing together again. But it also raises the question that at some point coach Peter DeBoer is going to have to answer — Which one does his team most rely on?

“We’ve got two starting goalies, so we’re going to play them both,” DeBoer said. “I haven’t decided on any of the specifics of that, but both guys are going to play and then we’ll go day to day from there.”

It’s been a debate since the moment Lehner arrived. Fleury is the future Hall of Famer with a Stanley Cup pedigree and the face of the Golden Knights over the last three years. Lehner has been more successful recently, including a career year with the New York Islanders last season.

Lehner, 28, is also seven years younger and playing for a new contract in the offseason.

Both have experiences in a time-share situation. Lehner split the Islanders’ net with Thomas Greiss last season and with Corey Crawford in Chicago this year before the trade. In Pittsburgh, Fleury spent his last few years sharing time with Matt Murray. Once Lehner joined the Golden Knights, he started three of the seven games before the pause, and Fleury started the other four.

Working in DeBoer’s favor is the Golden Knights’ schedule in the return- to-play format. They have an exhibition and three round-robin games for seeding where he can evaluate his goalies before actual elimination games start.

Fleury and Lehner have not surprisingly stayed diplomatic in their assessment of the situation.

“At the end of the day, all that matters is winning, right? That’s why we’re all here,” Fleury said. “Obviously it’s always more fun when you’re on the ice playing but I think playoffs comes, you’ve got to be selfless and do what’s right for the team.” Both have been outstanding in camp. Drawing conclusions from a week’s worth of practice would foolish, but it’s just been noticeable how few pucks have found the nets in scrimmages.

“I think we’ve created opportunities and chances and good looks but both guys are dialed in here,” DeBoer said. “That’s a great feeling for coaches, but also for teammates knowing those guys both look that good right now.” Scrimmages have been up-tempo to replicate game action as much as possible. DeBoer has emphasized pace, intensity and energy, as it will be up to the players to hype themselves up without fans in the crowd for games.

Lehner said that hasn’t been an issue. Fleury is enjoying angering his teammates by not allowing them to score in practice.

“I think the team that mimics the intensity the best of the game is going to have the advantage, but I think it’s hard,” he said. “We can practice and scrimmage as much as we want. I think there’s a mental aspect that’s coming into playing real games, pressure.”

Choosing between Fleury and Lehner may sound like a luxury for DeBoer, but it also presents a near-impossible scenario. If the goalie he chooses as the starter struggles, fans will question why he didn’t pick the other. 1188792 Washington Capitals Vanecek. The other younger players in camp — Connor McMichael, Garrett Pilon, Philippe Maillet, Brian Pinho, Beck Malenstyn, Shane Gersich, Daniel Sprong and Tyler Lewington — participated in the second session, as did goaltender Pheonix Copley. Capitals’ Michal Kempny is ready for a new start after the four-month pause Washington Post LOADED: 07.20.2020

Samantha Pell

July 19, 2020 at 12:24 PM EDT

At times during the regular season, Washington Capitals Coach Todd Reirden could see Michal Kempny wincing after hits and favoring his left side. The 29-year-old defenseman’s power and skating ability hadn’t fully come back after surgery in April 2019 for a torn left hamstring. And while Kempny was a regular in the lineup six months after surgery, he wasn’t fully recovered.

It typically takes at least a year to recuperate fully from that sort of injury, and when the season paused March 11 amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, Kempny still was only 11 months out of surgery. Now, four months later, he’s past the expected recovery time, and he feels he’s getting a new start. For the Capitals, a healthy, confident Kempny could be a difference-maker in the postseason.

“I feel great. I feel fresh,” Kempny told reporters during a video conference call Saturday. “I feel like I have a new start. I feel a lot better than I felt in October, before the season, and last training camp. ... I put together probably nine weeks of good workouts, good training, good skating with my coach back home. We were working together really hard to prepare myself for the playoffs. I feel really good. I feel confident, and I am really happy to be here.”

Kempny struggled in the regular season as he tried to power through, but his play was plagued by inconsistency and, toward the end of the season, low energy. He acknowledged the season was difficult for him physically and mentally. He said it was “really tough” for him during games to find energy, and he didn’t have any extra energy when he needed to get his legs moving.

After missing the first eight games of the season because he was still recovering from surgery, he was never out of the lineup for any other injuries. He missed two games in December because he was sick, and the next time he was out of the lineup was March 4 as a healthy scratch.

“I had a lot of ups and downs last season … and some games they were really, really tough for me. And right now, like I said, I feel really good, I feel fresh,” Kempny said. “I’m really happy about the work I’ve done the last couple weeks, so I am ready to go.”

It was in February and March, after the acquisition of Brenden Dillon, that Kempny moved from the top defensive pair with John Carlson to the third pair with Radko Gudas, limiting his ice time and forcing him to adjust the way he plays. In training camp, after coming back from overseas and missing the first day because of quarantine rules, he has been back on the top pair with Carlson, a familiar and comfortable place. “I really appreciate it for the new chance, for the new start,” Kempny said. “I feel great, I feel fresh, and I can’t wait until the start of playoffs.” During the pause, Kempny put together a training plan and went through workouts with his skating coach back home in the Czech Republic. He also participated in group workouts with teammate Jakub Vrana and Boston Bruins star David Pastrnak. Reirden said there was a lot of discussion between Kempny and the team’s strength coach, Mark Nemish, as well as with head athletic trainer Jason Serbus. “[Kempny] just keeps getting better every day,” Reirden said. “I’m going to continue to evaluate and watch him and see what gives our six [defensemen] the best look, but I can definitely see a difference.”

Notes: Backup goaltender Ilya Samsonov remained absent from practice Sunday; he has missed all six days of training camp. Defensive prospect Alex Alexeyev, who also has not been on the ice during camp, did not participate, either. Forward T.J. Oshie, who was absent Saturday, was back at practice Sunday. . . .

The Capitals, who held an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday, spent Sunday practicing in two groups, with the first consisting of veterans plus two younger players: defenseman Martin Fehervary and goaltender Vitek 1188793 Washington Capitals championship team they ultimately became and a player with 166 career goals and 353 points by age 25 couldn’t have hurt any.

But it is fair to point out that keeping Forsberg would have meant The biggest ‘what ifs’ in Capitals history: What if the Caps never traded someone on the team today, a part of that top-six core that went on to Filip Forsberg? win a Cup, would not have been here, either, this whole time. It is one of the great ‘what-ifs” in Capitals’ history.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.20.2020 By J.J. Regan July 19, 2020 8:02 PM

We are looking at some of the biggest “what ifs” for the Capitals. Last week, we looked at what ifs for the season. This week, we are looking at some of the bigger what ifs from franchise history.

Today’s what if: What if the Capitals had never traded Filip Forsberg? This is one of the most painful questions in the history of the franchise.

In 2012, the Capitals used one of their two first-round draft picks on Swedish winger Filip Forsberg, taking him at No. 11 overall almost because they had to. Forsberg was projected almost universally as a top- five pick and he just kept dropping and dropping for no discernible reason. He wasn’t in Washington’s plans. But he was too good to pass up at that spot. Less than a year later, the team traded him to Nashville for veteran winger Martin Erat and prospect Michael Latta. In total, Erat and Latta contributed 44 points to the Caps. In just his first full NHL season, at age 20, Forsberg scored 63 points for the Predators.

It was a bad trade, there’s no getting around it, but that happens. Every team in the NHL makes bad trades. What makes this sting is that the Caps gave away a top-six, potentially top-line player for very little in return. So what would have happened had the team kept him? Forsberg likely would not have had much of an impact in the Adam Oates years. He played a total of 18 games for Nashville between 2012-13 and 2013-14, the two years in which Oates was the head coach. Forsberg likely would have gone to Hershey in 2013-14 and either remained there or, if he was called up, judging from the way in which Oates completely mismanaged Tom Wilson, he would not have been used correctly.

Barry Trotz took over after 2014 and was a much more competent coach, but leaned far more on veteran players than younger ones. Jakub Vrana was drafted in 2014 and had a difficult time earning the coach’s trust. He played in only 21 games for Washington in 2016-17 and it took a suspension to Tom Wilson in the 2018 playoffs for Vrana to solidify himself as a top-six forward. In the 2017-18 regular season, Vrana averaged just 12:30 of ice time per game. Fourth-line center Jay Beagle averaged 12:27 that year.

Forsberg is more of a two-way player which may have appealed more to a coach like Trotz, but it seems doubtful Forsberg would have stepped into as large an offensive role for Washington as quickly as he did in Nashville. In the end, however, Forsberg is a top-six player and that’s where he ultimately would have ended up. The team would have added another 20-30 goal scorer into the top six...but it would have cost them too. Considering the amount of offensive skill Washington boasts and the ultimate price tag that came along with Forsberg -- he is currently in the fourth year of a six-year, $36 million contract -- one must wonder if perhaps Forsberg on the roster would have dissuaded Brian MacLellan away from trading for a player like T.J. Oshie in 2015. Even if MacLellan had decided to pick up Oshie, it would have meant losing someone in the near future. It was inevitable. Consider the team’s salary cap situation now in 2020. The Capitals are right up against the cap without an additional $6 million player.

There was simply no way to keep the team intact as it was so a big-name player would have had to go. Maybe the team does not trade for Oshie, maybe it trades away a player like Vrana or even Forsberg himself, but someone on the current roster would have had to go long before now to make this work under the cap ceiling.

It’s foolish to say that the Caps won the Stanley Cup because of the Forsberg trade or that they were somehow better off without him. Who knows what the team could have accomplished with him? They made it to the second round of the playoffs in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and lost in a Game 6 and a Game 7 twice. They were very close to being the 1188794 Washington Capitals defenseman would soon be playing alongside Carlson on the top pair, but that's exactly where Kempny fit and his addition was one of the keys to winning the Stanley Cup. His addition to the top pair would be no less impactful in 2020, that is, if it works. Why Caps' Michal Kempny could again be the key to a long playoff run in 2020 Defense has been a major issue for the Caps this season, but if Kempny is back to his previous form, it will be like adding a top-pair defenseman onto the roster. With Kempny and Carlson back together, that bumps Brenden Dillon down tot he second pair with Dmitry Orlov and also By J.J. Regan July 19, 2020 8:13 AM moves Nick Jensen down to the third.

Just slotting Kempny into his normal spot has a trickle-down effect that Defensively, the 2019-20 season was not a good one for the Capitals. immediately makes all three defensive pairs more formidable. The defense was incredibly porous and Todd Reirden constantly had to Does this solve all of the team's defensive issues? No. There's still no shift pairs and tinker with the defensive lineup just to stop the bleeding. obvious answer for who should be playing on the right side of the second Among the myriad of issues with Washington's blue line, one of the most pair. Orlov is a lefty and Jensen is better as a third-pair defenseman. But glaring was the play of Michal Kempny. It wasn't good. if Kempny is back to 100-percent it is a major upgrade for a defense in The savior of the 2018 postseason, Kempny did not look like himself desperate need of one heading into the postseason. physically or mentally this season and found himself moved down to the “I really appreciate it for the new chance, for the new start," Kempny said. third defensive pair. There is perhaps no player on the Caps' roster who "I feel great, I feel fresh and I can’t wait until the start of playoffs. I’m needed the four-month pause more than Kempny. Because of that, he really excited and I am really excited to be paired with John again so it’s may just prove key yet again if Washington hopes to make a long playoff great.” run. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.20.2020 You don't have to tell Kempny that he has had a tough season. He's well aware. Among all the critics his play has drawn this season, he remains among his own toughest. "I had a really tough season," Kempny said. "It was really hard for me physically and mentally." Kempny's 2018-19 season was cut short by a torn hamstring he suffered late in the season. He underwent surgery to repair it on April 2, 2019. As a result, he did not return to the lineup until Oct. 18. The immediate returns were great, but his play quickly tapered off.

To head coach Todd Reirden, it was clear Kempny was not yet fully recovered.

"At times, you could see him wincing during the year with some pain still in that area after hits or times that he had gone into the boards wrong," Reirden said.

This was not a cause for concern, nor evidence of any setback or complication. In fact, the team expected it would be a full year before Kempny had fully recovered.

"With the type of injury that Michal had, we all saw it and know about it, it's one that takes a full year to really get better from," Reirden said. "So now we're finally over that hump in terms of being 100 percent. So I think you can see noticeably his skating and his power is back to maybe where it was prior to the injury. Now it's just a matter of him getting back into the swing of things."

No one is happy that the season was paused, but for Kempny, four months off to reset mentally, recover physically and train for the postseason is exactly what he needed.

"Now he knows that he should be back to 100-percent as well," Reirden said. "Sometimes that could be a mental block and I think that that's something I haven't noticed from him since he's been back is him favoring that side which I did see during our prior season."

"I feel like I have a new start," Kempny said. "I feel a lot better than I felt in October, before the season, and last training camp."

He added, "I am really happy about the work I’ve done this summer. I put together probably a good nine weeks of good training so I am pretty happy about it, how I feel right now.”

So is Reirden, evidently. After some initial days of training camp, Reirden began putting together a prospective lineup and Kempny has been playing back on the top pair with John Carlson. The success of that pair could determine how far Washington will go in the playoffs. "Obviously the success that Michal and John have had together is something we're trying to rekindle," Reirden said. "I think that makes our overall six D, it really prepares us really well for any opposition we see."

Back in 2018, it was known that Carlson was the best defenseman on the team, but it had been hard to find the right defensive partner to pair him with. General manager Brian MacLellan took a chance and traded for a depth defenseman out of Chicago. He probably did not know that depth 1188795 Washington Capitals the other black aces checked into a hotel near the Caps’ Arlington, Va., facility earlier this month. So his Xbox is already getting plenty of use.

“I’m not really a video game guy, but obviously for this situation it’s a little A guitar, UNO and video games: What are the Capitals packing for the different,” he said. “You’re going to need to find ways to pass the time. bubble? So I’ve been trying some new games out.”

Since getting into town, McMichael and the other youngsters have been battling online nightly – and talking a little trash. By Tarik El-Bashir Jul 19, 2020 “I’ve been playing with Spronger (Daniel Sprong), Vitek (Vanecek), Beck Malenstyn and Garrett Pilon,” he said. “That’s kind of been our squad. So I’ve just been going to war with those guys.” Jakub Vrana is packing a PlayStation 4 and some comfy clothes to lounge around in. “I don’t think anyone’s really better than the other,” the rookie added. “We’re all kind of not too great but not too bad, either. The guys kind of Connor McMichael is bringing his Xbox and might smuggle in some get annoyed with Vitek, though. He just messes around a bit too much.” Skittles. McMichael likes to play as himself in NHL 20. Jonas Siegenthaler plans to take a few board games and a deck of cards with him. “I think it’s pretty cool,” he said with a sheepish giggle.

Michal Kempny’s got to have his iPad. But it won’t be just video games for McMichael. He’s also bringing his MacBook Pro to watch movies, his iPhone 11 to FaceTime with friends T.J. Oshie? He just hopes Braden Holtby remembers his guitar. and family and, perhaps, a few bags of his favorite sugary treat. Traveling is an unavoidable part of the gig for NHL players. But the trip “Maybe I’ll bring some Skittles,” he said. that the Capitals will embark on next Sunday will be like nothing they’ve ever experienced. They’re headed to Toronto, where they’ll enter the Malenstyn is into the video games, too, so he’s taking his PlayStation, as NHL’s bubble and potentially stay for as long as two months. is Evgeny Kuznetsov. Malenstyn, however, also envisions quiet nights in the room relaxing and catching up on all the TV shows that he hasn’t There’s going to be a lot of hockey, of course. But there will be hours gotten to yet. upon hours spent at the team hotel, too. And the league is making every effort to keep the players in and COVID-19 out. “I’ve watched the series ‘Waco,'” he said. “I’ve watched the series ‘Alone.’ Both of those just being like quick, six-episode series. I’ve watched a little So Oshie and Co. must plan – er, pack – accordingly. bit of ‘Community’. I’m willing to kind of bounce around.” “If we could all get in a room and Holts just jams on the guitar and we all What’s next on his list? Malenstyn said he’s on the lookout for a series or chat and hang out,” Oshie said, imagining his ideal night between games. three to binge in the bubble. “Just being together, I think, is going to be important during this playoff “I’m open to suggestions,” he said. “But once I start watching, I have to stretch after a four-month break from seeing each other.” finish it. Because as soon as I hop away, then it’s over, I can’t get back Fortunately for Oshie, Holtby has plans to bring his guitar. into it.”

“It’s a travel guitar,” Holtby explained. “It folds up. You can take it When he’s not wearing out his PS4 controller or on his laptop, Malenstyn everywhere.” said he’ll fight off homesickness by getting on the phone with his girlfriend, parents and grandparents. Holtby cracked a smile. “For me, it’s honestly going to be the phone calls that I get when I’m “I don’t think it’s about me playing,” he joked, “it’s whether they like sitting there bored or something,” he said. “Just having those social listening or not. Too many people leave.” interactions will kind of help me keep things normal, I think.”

As much as Oshie is looking forward to hearing Holtby strum, he also Malenstyn does, though, wonder how his unlimited minutes plan is going knows what’s really going to dominate the Caps’ downtime: video games. to hold up in Canada, especially if the Caps go on a deep run.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of video games. Even though a lot of us “My unlimited plan here in the States, it’s worked out really well for me,” have kids, we’re still kids at heart,” said Oshie, who at 33 is the third- he said. “So my phone bill is even keel the entire time. I don’t have to oldest player on the roster behind Ilya Kovalchuk, 36, and Alex Ovechkin, worry about it spiking too high. But when we go up to Canada, my data 34. “Typically, we’re a big Mario Kart team. So you kind of get some gets limited. The hotel wifi is going to have to do me a favor. When I’m up competition and fun with that.” there I only get five gigs. I mean, that’s enough for a month. But if I really have to lean on the data, I might be struggling a little bit.” Vrana expects intense intrasquad competitions involving Mario Kart, Fortnite, NBA 2K20, NHL 20 and lotttsss of FIFA 20. Carl Hagelin said he’ll let younger players lug game systems to the hotel and he’ll “just hop in here and there and play a little.” He also plans to “I mostly play FIFA,” Vrana said. “That’s the one for me. I usually dust pack his laptop, a tablet, a book or two, and a pair of swim trunks. Hotel John Carlson. Siegs (Jonas Siegenthaler) is pretty good. Backy (Nicklas X has a rooftop pool overlooking Lake Ontario. Backstrom) plays sometimes. Boyder (Travis Boyd) plays, too. So we have a group of guys. We always get the guys together in the hotel and Hagelin also said he and Siegenthaler have discussed going old school play some tournaments. Me and Madison Bowey were a tough matchup, and bringing some board and card games. but then Bows (got traded).” “If we’re going to be gone for this long, I guess I’ll play whatever,” Hagelin So who’s good and who’s bad? said. “Siegs was talking about some board games the other day. He said “Everybody thinks he’s the best guy out there,” Vrana said with a he’s going to bring UNO, too.” chuckle. When it was relayed to Siegenthaler that Hagelin has high expectations of his board game choices, the defenseman said he’s still researching his Vrana added that he’s relatively low-maintenance and plans to pack options. pretty light. Other than his game console, he says he’s definitely bringing some well-worn sweats, his most comfortable pair of slides and, of “I don’t know which ones yet,” he said. “I have to buy some. It’s fun to course, a laptop so he can log into Netflix after he’s done gaming. play board games and card games with the guys. Maybe have a little side bet, too.” “I’m not really a show guy; it’s mostly just movies,” he said. “So, yeah, it’ll be a lot of Netflix and room service.” As much as Siegenthaler is looking forward to the card games, others are just as excited about the nights Holtby pulls out his guitar. For McMichael, the youngest player on the roster at 19, this is going to be, by far, his longest trip as an NHLer. In fact, it’s already begun; he and “He’s a great guitar player,” Hagelin said. ” I’m one of those guys, to be honest, I’d rather just sit there and listen to him play the guitar for an extended amount of time than playing some of the video games. So if he brings his guitar, I think that’d be great for all the guys.” Added Vrana: “It’s awesome to listen to that guy play. It’s chills. He’s really good.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188796 Winnipeg Jets Louis. You’re never out of it. You lose one game and you just have to forget about it and move on to the next one and go into the next game with a fresh mind and a good attitude."

Jets' blueline stronger than ever The Jets were playing some of their best hockey when the NHL was forced to press pause on the season. Kulikov said camp isn’t about fighting for jobs — it’s about trying to get back to where they were as a team in March. Taylor Allen "With our season, we almost never had a full group on the D corps. At

the end, when we started to really play well, that’s when we got our full Other than Connor Hellebuyck standing on his head nearly every night, group together. Just playing the right way. When you’re having fun the most consistent thing about the 2019-20 Winnipeg Jets was the fact playing the right way, the game just comes to you and the bounces come they were constantly battling injuries on their blueline. to you," said Kulikov.

From Josh Morrissey to Sami Niku, nearly everyone on the D-unit was on "You give up less scoring chances and you create more. Injuries played the shelf at some point this season. But if all goes well between now and some role in that, but once we started playing fun hockey, it just started when the Jets kick off a best-of-five series against the Calgary Flames in going our way." Edmonton on Aug. 1, the Winnipeg side will finally be able to say they’re As for packing for the bubble, it’s not exactly a priority for Kulikov, who at full strength. made his training camp debut on Sunday lives in Boca Raton, Fla., now. morning at Bell MTS Iceplex leaving fellow D-man Anthony Bitetto as the lone Jet to not yet make an appearance. "I don’t know, to be honest with you. Just pack some stuff. Whatever I have. I didn’t bring much with me," said Kulikov. In a pandemic world, however, it’s an even bigger victory to claim you have a team at 100 per cent. "There’s just a lot of uncertainty about this and packing the clothes was the least of my worries." Feeling grateful these days, Paul Maurice? Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 07.20.2020 "Absolutely," admitted the Jets bench boss.

"It’s also a function of — knock on wood and fingers crossed — having our hockey team in the best NHL city for a lot of reasons, but for health and safety. Manitoba has done a great job, Winnipeg’s done a great job of people adhering to sensible rules to stay safe. On our hockey club, we certainly encourage that. You don’t get to see what goes on in our locker room down here, but it’s extensive. I don’t have a mask on but when this camera goes off, my mask goes on and I’m wearing it 100 per cent of the time as we move through the room."

"There are just a lot of things that we’ve done and I think that’s helped our players understand how serious it is. After they walked in on Day 1 (and went) ‘Oh my God,’ the stalls were getting sterilized every time somebody was in it. All the things they see, they continue to do that. So we kind of looked at it that we would take the hit, maybe, of losing a slight competitive advantage early by putting everybody through the quarantine, even if they weren’t coming from a high-risk area, and maybe being a little bit behind it on Day 1 or 2, because the health of this group, all these players coming in are coming in negative and they all understand they’re all negative, then we can have our whole group working the entire time. You don’t want to be off the ice right now." After a week of training camp, Maurice is giving his squad a passing grade. While Week 1 saw players ease back into things to get their feet underneath them, the coming days will have a focus on special teams work while raising the intensity level up a few notches.

"There are still a few guys who have a ways to go but we have time," Maurice added. "But we’ve got a bunch of guys that are moving now and you can’t tell it’s not a normal regular season day for me. They’ll argue that their hands maybe aren’t right but their bodies are moving right." Veteran defenceman Dmitry Kulikov was also asked to assess the team’s performance in the opening week of camp.

"To be honest with you, I’m surprised with how well everybody got ready for this camp," Kulikov said. "The guys are looking sharp on the ice. There’s none of that summer rust, as you could call it. For me personally, I just try to keep up with everybody."

Kulikov is heading into his third postseason with the Jets and is still looking for his first playoff point in a Winnipeg uniform. With this year’s version of the Stanley Cup playoffs featuring a play-in round, players coming off of long layoffs, games played without fans allowed, and teams being forced to live in a bubble, it’s a little difficult to use past experiences to prepare for this time around.

"To be honest, you never know what’s going to happen in the playoffs. That’s what kind of game that it is, especially in this (best-of-five) elimination series," said Kulikov, who had 10 points in 51 games this season.

"You get off to a great start. If you think about the past, there’s been some tough series. Two years ago was a tough one against Nashville. And then Vegas, the one we lost — and then last year, we lost to St. 1188797 Winnipeg Jets games before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the NHL to shut down the season.

While having the season end so abruptly was as difficult on him as Jets rookie Harkins getting up to speed in case playoff playing time anyone else, Harkins tries to see a silver lining. comes his way “The year went by really fast for me,” he said. “The first half with the Moose, playing a lot of games, a lot of long road trips and then getting called up. Ted Wyman “Every day going to the rink after I got called up was a grind, trying to Published:July 19, 2020 stick it out and prove that I belonged. There were a lot of hard, grinding days. Updated:July 19, 2020 3:06 PM CDT “When it ended, it was obviously disappointing because you want to see

it through to the end. But to get a chance to heal up, rest up and then Given his speed, tenacity on the forecheck and ability to chip in goals, resurrect the season now is good. Hopefully I can get an opportunity and there are those who wonder why forward Jansen Harkins isn’t a bigger try to ride that wave that I was on throughout the season.” part of the playoff plans for the Winnipeg Jets. As for heading into the bubble in Edmonton next Sunday, Harkins is Harkins played the first 29 games of his NHL career in 2019-20 and excited. showed a great deal of promise. He scored two goals and added five “Everyone’s in a different position,” he said. “A lot of guys are leaving assists while playing mostly on the fourth line. their wives and families, but I’m a younger guy and I don’t have much He didn’t look at all out of place at the big-league level. tying me down.

And yet, so far in the Jets training camp for the summer playoff “It’s gonna be a pretty cool experience. It’s obviously not the best tournament, Harkins has been part of the secondary group of skaters and circumstances but I can make do with it. I’m looking forward to getting is most likely destined to be in the press box when the Jets open the there and just playing some hockey. qualifying round against the Calgary Flames on Aug. 1 in Edmonton. “It’s not really ideal to be locked down in a hotel or a bubble, but “He’s really been preaching to us, especially the guys skating in the hopefully I can get some action on the ice and help the team out.” earlier group right now, you can’t count yourself out,” Harkins said Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.20.2020 Sunday, referring to Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “It’s still early and hopefully we’ve got a lot of hockey in front of us.”

Harkins, a 23-year-old who was selected in the second round (47th overall) of the 2015 NHL draft by the Jets, clearly has NHL speed and plenty of youthful enthusiasm for doing the hard work that needs to be done.

But right now it seems Maurice is going more for a veteran squad, one that is battle tested and suited for a long playoff run. The average age of the top group of forwards, led by 33-year-old captain Blake Wheeler, is 26.6.

The youngest forward in the lineup is 22-year-old Patrik Laine, who has already played four NHL seasons and has 138 goals. Kyle Connor and Jack Roslovic are both just 23, but also have considerable NHL experience. That’s what Harkins lacks right now, though he’s not far from joining that top group of skaters.

Right now, the 13th forward in the top group is 29-year-old Gabriel Bourque, who had two goals and six points in 52 games this season.

Maurice said that is by design, and with Harkins in mind.

“Being the extra forward in the main group, you get way fewer reps and what he’s doing with the second group … we had nine guys out there, and those guys are touching the puck an awful lot,” Maurice said. “You can take a look at that group and take a pretty good look at the four lines and have a pretty good idea of what I’ve got structured and, if everybody stayed healthy, what it would look like. But this is not a depth chart, the groups, and I would leave it saying I’ve got lots of confidence in what (Harkins) can do coming into our lineup. He’s going to come in and out of the main group.”

Harkins would obviously love to get a chance to get into action in Edmonton. He looked comfortable while with the Jets and has earned some trust from the coaching staff.

“I felt I fit in pretty well with the team,” he said. “We like to play a fast, aggressive game. That’s one of my strengths, just trying to bring some speed and play hard on the puck and do what I can. We’ve got a lot of really good offensive players and sound defensive guys so I’m just trying to find my niche and play to my strengths the best I can.”

Harkins started the season with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, scoring seven goals and 31 points in 30 games. Then he was a regular in the Jets lineup between Christmas and March, though he sat out the last two 1188798 Winnipeg Jets “We had a different set of circumstances coming in, in that we hadn’t opened for Phase 2 and we put everyone through a seven-day quarantine off the ice,” Maurice said. “Because of that, we didn’t want to scrimmage in the first three or four days. We wanted to get them up to JETS SNAPSHOTS: Jets coach Maurice thankful to have nearly full speed. complement of players in camp amid COVID-19 testing “It’s also in conversation with the players. They all feel that scrimmages, at times, create as many bad habits, cause you can’t finish checks, you don’t block shots and you don’t do some of the other things that you Ted Wyman would see in a game. We don’t want to develop any bad habits.” Published:July 19, 2020 Maurice said there will be a couple of scrimmages scheduled this week Updated:July 19, 2020 4:20 PM CDT at the IcePlex, but they won’t look like Friday’s 40-minute mini-game. “We’ll be looking at 20 minutes of five-on-five and then we will add special teams into that,” he said. “We don’t have a pure day where we’re You can bet Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice counts himself coming out and scrimmaging. This week we’ll do as many even-strength lucky to be conducting a training camp in a city with some of the lowest — we call them battle drills — but they’re adversarial in that there’s no COVID-19 numbers on the continent. easy ice to play on. We’ll do quite a bit of that this week.”

All you have to do is look around the NHL and see how testing for the ROSIE ON THE RISE coronavirus is wreaking havoc on teams as they try to prepare of the league’s return to play in less than two weeks. Winger Jack Roslovic established new career highs for goals (12) and points (29) in 71 games this season and he’s eager to show he can carry The Boston Bruins, first overall in the NHL at the time of the pause, were that over into the playoffs. missing nine players on Sunday, including notables like David Pastrnak, Tuukaa Rask and David Krecji. “Yeah, I’d say it’s on the uphill,” Roslovic said of his career trajectory. “It’s really important to focus on helping that, keeping that going and trying to The defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues were missing nine bring that into the postseason here.” players as well. Roslovic is playing right wing on a checking line with centre Adam Lowry The Pittsburgh Penguins have been missing a bunch of players since the and left-winger Andrew Copp and he brings an element of offensive start of camp and, on Sunday, captain Sidney Crosby was among those danger to the trio. sitting out. They’re primary role is to shut down the opposition’s best, but providing Under NHL rules there’s no way of knowing if the absences are related to some secondary scoring from the bottom-six forward group is also the coronavirus, but given the way the virus is spreading uncontrolled in paramount to playoff success. the United States, there’s obviously speculation that it’s a primary reason. “I definitely think we could do that,” Roslovic said. “I think that could be a game-changer. Our line definitely has to be on point because our bottom In Winnipeg, the Jets have been missing defenceman Anthony Bitetto for six can really help propel us to the top of the leaderboards.” all of camp — reason unknown — but otherwise have their full complement of players after defenceman Logan Stanley skated for the Maurice compared Roslovic to Joel Armia, who was the “hands man” on first time Sunday. the line with Lowry and Copp two years ago when the Jets went deep into the playoffs. “Absolutely,” Maurice said, when asked if he’s grateful to have a full roster to work with as the playoffs approach. “It’s also a function of — “The hesitation that a young player has in the reads, eventually comes knock on wood and fingers crossed — having our hockey team in the out of their game,” Maurice said of how Roslovic has grown over the last best NHL city, for a lot of reason, but for health and safety. Manitoba has year. “When that comes out, you start to see their natural skill sets. He’s done a great job, Winnipeg’s done a great job of people adhering to a very, very quick player and he can make plays with the puck. A big sensible rules to stay safe. On our hockey club, we certainly encourage piece of being a real strong, defensive player is making plays, making that.” smart plays. There’s maybe a little bit different risk when you’re playing against the other team’s elite offensive players, so you make a safe play. Despite Manitoba’s relatively encouraging numbers — the province But he can make those plays. announced six new cases and 18 active cases on Sunday — the Jets are taking every precaution and doing everything they can to make sure “You go back to two years ago, there was a stretch of time when it was players take things seriously. Copp, Lowry and Armia and they played together against the other team’s best and generated a whole lot of offence. Joel had a good set of “You don’t get to see what goes on in our locker room down here, but it’s hands on him and so does Jack, so there’s some offence we think that extensive,” Maurice said over Zoom. “I don’t have a mask on (right now) line can create. It’s clearly will be different looking from the other two but when this camera goes off, my mask goes on and I’m wearing it lines but there’s offence there and Jack has the ability to finish.” 100% of the time as we move through the room. There are just a lot of things that we’ve done and I think that’s helped our players understand PACK LIGHT BOYS how serious it is. So, how exactly do the players plan to pack for their trip to Edmonton, His hope is that will pay off in the long run. where they’ll be in a secure zone for as long as the Jets continue on in the playoffs? “We kind of looked at it that we would take the hit, maybe, of losing a slight competitive advantage early by putting everybody through the They could be there for less than two weeks or as long as two months. quarantine, even if they weren’t coming from a high-risk area,” Maurice “I don’t know, to be honest with you,” Jets defenceman Dmitry Kulikov said. “Maybe we were a little bit behind it on Day 1 or 2, because the said. “Just pack some stuff. Whatever I have. I didn’t bring much with me health of this group — all these players coming in are coming in negative (to Winnipeg). There’s just a lot of uncertainty about this and packing the and they all understand they’re all negative — then we can have our clothes was the least of my worries.” whole group working the entire time. You don’t want to be off the ice right now.” The good news is the tournament will be played in the summer, so it’s easy for players to pack lightly, and the hotels inside the bubble have LIMITING SCRIMMAGES laundry services. After holding their first scrimmage on Friday, the Jets were back to just “The good thing is I don’t think we’re gonna be doing much in the bubble doing drills at practice on Sunday. so we can wear the same clothes quite a lot,” Jets winger Jansen While many other teams are scrimmaging every day, Maurice intends to Harkins said. limit the number of intra-squad games for his group. “It’s not gonna be too pretty, but it should work. “I brought a bag out from Vancouver when I flew out for camp so I’m kinda stuck with that for now. We’ll just have to see how it goes. It’s kind of tricky cause you’re packing for two weeks or two months.”

SURPRISE, SURPRISE

Kulikov is impressed with how the Jets have looked so far in training camp. The first week went smoothly, there don’t seem to be many nagging injuries and the veteran defenceman from Russia sees a team that should be able to start quickly when the playoffs start against Calgary on Aug. 1.

“To be honest with you, I’m surprised with how well everybody got ready for this camp,” Kulikov said. “The guys are looking sharp on the ice. There’s none of that summer rust, as you could call it. For me, personally, I just try to keep up with everybody.”

Maurice was surprised as well. After a four-month layoff and a pandemic situation during which some players had little or no access to ice, the first week of camp went off uneventfully.

“They’re in better shape than I thought they’d be,” Maurice said. “As we got closer to coming in, they were all committed, they were all working, but they weren’t working in the way they normally would.

“So there’s an uncertainty in my mind in what I’m going to get back on the ice. I thought that in the first two or three days, we purposely didn’t hammer them and it allowed the guys who hadn’t been on the ice a whole heck of a lot time to catch up to speed to the point that maybe the two or three guys who couldn’t find ice — they weren’t being lazy, they just couldn’t get ice in the locale they were in — they look good now. There are still a few guys who have a ways to go but we have time. But we’ve got a bunch of guys that are moving now and you can’t tell it’s not a normal regular season day for me. They’ll argue that their hands maybe aren’t right but their bodies are moving right.”

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.20.2020 1188799 Vancouver Canucks “I think I’ll be ready,” responded Ferland. ”I’m just talking this day by day and just trying to get going if they need me. I’ll be ready to step in.”

GAUDETTE GETS IT Ben Kuzma: Ferland finally tests fitness, health in Canucks scrimmage Adam Gaudette is a man in the middle and on a mission.

Long lauded for selling out on every shift, the centre hasn’t taken BEN KUZMA anything for granted in this camp. He’s a third-line fixture and doesn’t worry about revolving wingers. He is zoned in on his own evolving game. Published:July 19, 2020 “I thought I might be a little out of shape and not able to keep up, but I Updated:July 19, 2020 8:29 PM PDT grinded through the first week,” said Gaudette, 23, who had a career-high 33 points (12-21) in 59 games this season. “Things came back pretty

quick and I’m pretty confident in my game right now and I’m ready to go. Will have anything to celebrate in the postseason? “I feel like I’m a better player than when the season stopped. I added 'I’m feeling really good and looking forward to a couple of scrimmages speed and quickness, so my skating got better and I feel more and getting my cardio and game shape better. I’m ready to go. Moving comfortable and confident out there. Getting stronger and more powerful around and going at full speed. that’s what I need.' — Canucks winger is going to help because every time I touch the puck, I feel like I can Micheal Ferland. make a play.

Seeing is believing. “At the beginning of last year and the year before, I was a little hesitant and didn’t always want the puck and was a little nervous. I want to make For everything Micheal Ferland has talked about and hoped for in a an impact out there.” season shortened by concussions, the Vancouver Canucks winger couldn’t wait to see what a Sunday night scrimmage at Rogers Arena THE DEPTH ‘D’ DEBATE would bring. Jordie Benn’s absence to be with pregnant fiancee Jessica Kohout in After being deemed “unfit to play” by an NHL no-tell edict when camp Dallas — their baby is due Friday — has ramped up the left-shot, depth opened July 13 that raised speculation — either an injury, concussion- defence battle. like symptoms, a positive test or secondary exposure to the novel Olli Juolevi, Ashton Sautner, Guillaume Brisebois were left-shots on coronavirus pandemic — moving into the main group was significant. scrimmage display Sunday, while right-shots Brogan Rafferty and Jalen The next step for Ferland was to get his heart rate elevated and show no Chatfield also figure into the curiosity mix for constant camp competition. effects from a heightened pace or while delivering or absorbing a hit. In their qualifying series opener with the Minnesota Wild on Aug. 2, the In the scrimmage, he skated freely and had some early jump on a line Canucks could ice the pairings of Alex Edler-Tyler Myers, Quinn Hughes- with Tyler Graovac and Justin Bailey and took a cornerboards hit from Chris Tanev and Oscar Fantenberg-Troy Stecher. Jay Beagle. OVERTIME — Team Blue prevailed 2-0 in the scrimmage. Zack “I’m feeling really good and looking forward to a couple of scrimmages MacEwen buried a second-period, cross-ice feed from Elias Pettersson and getting my cardio and game shape better,” Ferland said, following past Thatcher Demko with a one-timer, while Gaudette deposited a first- the morning prep. ”It’s obviously different in practice, but I’m ready to go. period jam-job goal at the side of the net. Jake Virtanen was stopped on It’s just the stimulation. Seeing a bunch of bodies moving around and a partial breakaway in the first period by Team Blue stopper Jacob going at full speed. That’s what I need. Markstrom, who was sharp all night. He also denied Beagle in tight and two forays by Hughes to the net. The starter then thwarted Brock Boeser “I need to re-wire my vestibular system and get out there with full pace with the goalie pulled for an extra attacker. Post-game punishment for and contact.” Team White was a prolonged skate. Brandon Sutter and Myers did not play. The vestibular sensory system controls motion and motor functions. It provides the brain with information about motion, head position and Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.20.2020 orientation. It also affects functions for balance and stability of the head and body.

Ferland, 28, was limited to 14 NHL games this season by two concussions — one in an Oct. 30 fight and another on Dec. 10 when when he delivered a jarring hit. He then lasted one period Feb. 14 after suffering concussion-like symptoms in a conditioning assignment with the AHL affiliate .

The concussions and his five points (1-4) are a far cry from what the Canucks projected from the left winger. He was signed to a four-year, US$14 million free-agent deal on July 10 to provide bite, push and production for a club with playoff aspirations.

“I’m excited,” added Ferland. “Obviously, it wasn’t the year I wanted and it was unfortunate. I got myself into the best shape I’ve every been in and felt really good coming into camp. It’s just been tough. I kept getting symptoms coming back and it took a lot longer than prior ones (concussions). But I haven’t had any problem. “Once games start rolling, and if the coach needs me, I’ll be good to go and I’ll continue to play my game.”

Assuming the top-six mix stays intact, Ferland would be an interesting fit on the third line, although coach Travis Green has several slotting options in the bottom six. “If he’s ready to go, it’s another body we have to take into consideration,” said Green. “We’re going to have to make some hard decisions. The next couple of weeks are going to be important for a lot of guys, It’s no secret we signed Ferly for these type of games (postseason) when things get heated. His physical presence is well known.” 1188800 Vancouver Canucks tournament and that could have a detrimental impact on the game’s growth. Since the Olympics went to best-on-best in 1998, there are also precedents which suggest that will be the case for China.

Willes' Musings: Canucks trio of Hughes, Pettersson and Boeser are In 1998, there was genuine excitement the Japanese men’s team — making history coached by Dave King and featuring several Canadians with Japanese ancestry — would spark a boom in the game. Suffice to say the boom never materialized. It was a similar story with the Italian team in Turino in 2006. ED WILLES The point is it’s incredibly difficult for minnow nations to compete with Published:July 19, 2020 hockey powers and the potential for embarrassment is there. Updated:July 19, 2020 5:34 PM PDT That isn’t good for anyone.

Former B.C. Lions running back Sean Millington. Ian Smith / Vancouver OPINION: In the NHL’s post-expansion era — that would be from 1967 Sun on — the Canucks are the first team to have Calder finalists in three • Former B.C. Lions running back Sean Millington was again passed over consecutive years. by CFL Hall of Fame voters this year and that remains an injustice. There are now three certainties in life: death taxes and Zoom meetings. Millington’s numbers don’t exactly jump off page — he had just one, While we wait for the next session, here are the Monday morning 1,000-yard season — but that doesn’t tell the whole story. He was a musings and meditations on the world of sports feature back in just four of his seasons and he averaged 855 rushing • A quick history lesson. yards in those years. His 5.4 yards average per carry compares favourably with other Hall of Famers (Mike Pringle is 5.5, George Reed is When Quinn Hughes was named a Calder Trophy finalist this season, it 5.0, Johnny Bright is 5.5). His 75 career rushing touchdown places him marked the third straight season a member of the Vancouver Canucks fifth on the all-time list and here’s the kicker from CFL historian Steve was so honoured. Elias Pettersson, of course, won the award in 2018-19 Daniel. and Brock Boeser was a finalist the year before. Millington is fourth on the all-time special teams tackles list. That’s a notable achievement. But you have to take a deep dive into the NHL record book to understand just how rare it is. Millington also played a starring role on two Grey Cup teams — the 1994 and 2000 Lions, blocked like a fiend and averaged over 10 yards a catch. In the NHL’s post-expansion era — that would be from 1967 on — the Canucks are the first team to have Calder finalists in three consecutive In short, dude was a baller. He was the CFL’s best Canadian-born years. And if Hughes wins the award they’ll be the first team to have running back between Ronnie Stewart in the ‘60s and Jon Cornish and back-to-back winners since the Boston Bruins of 1967 () and Andrew Harris in the 2010s. He belongs in the Hall. 1968 (Derek Sanderson). • And finally, it never should have reached their desk but the federal What that means is open to interpretation but, you have to admit, it gets government made the only decision it could make when it shut down your attention, particularly when some of the great rookie classes over Major League Baseball in Toronto. the last 50 years are considered. In so doing, the feds also exposed the sheer lunacy of MLB’s return to Colorado, for example, had Calder winners Nathan MacKinnon in 2013- play plan even if the game remains committed to this folly. To recap, the 14 and Gabriel Landeskog two years before that. Jays were going to play host to Tampa and the Florida Marlins, two teams from the state with the highest infection rate in America. There The 2007-08 Blackhawks featured Calder winner Patrick Kane and were also going to host teams from Georgia, Maryland and finalist Jonathan Toews. And Kris Versteeg was a finalist the next year. Pennsylvania, which have all been hit hard by COVID-19.

In 2005-06, Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby finished second to Alex Ovechkin This after Canadians had made great sacrifices to fight this insidious foe in Calder voting before Evgeni Malkin won the award the next season and they were going to open the borders for baseball? and fellow Penguin Jordan Staal finished third. Please. won the 1977-78 Calder with the Islanders, Bryan Trottier won it two seasons before Bossy and Denis Potvin won it two seasons That threat has been removed from Toronto, at least, but the return to before Trottier. play plan staggers the imagination. MLB teams are still going to be traipsing all over America — teams from Florida, from California, from Now, we’re not saying it’s a given Hughes, Pettersson and Boeser will all Texas, from any number of hot spots — for the sake of a 60-game turn into megastars and eventually form the core of a championship season in a country with the worst COVID numbers on our planet. quality team. You can, in fact, go through the Calder over the years and find some notable busts in the top three. How is this going to end well? But here’s the larger take-away. That list includes many of the game’s You’d hope the game’s stewards will come to their senses but the best and if you were looking for a leading indicator to identify greatness schedule is set to start in three more days. We got off lucky in Canada. If in a young player, the Calder voting isn’t a bad place to start. our neighbours can say the same thing when this is all over it will be a bloody miracle. • Had an interesting email exchange with Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini, who initially agreed to an interview before reconsidering. That’s Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.20.2020 understandable. He has a complicated relationship with the media and this writer specifically.

But I also think Canucks fans want to connect with this ownership group and hear about their vision for the team. I believe they’d react favourably to an honest assessment of the franchise, the challenges presented by the pandemic and ownership’s commitment going forward. The problem is the fan base has never really heard from ownership on these and other matters. They need a reason to form that connection.

• Wrote a piece over the weekend on the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and the difficult position for the Chinese men’s hockey team. Mark Simon, a Montrealer whose been involved in Chinese hockey since 2007, says the host nation will be overmatched in the Olympic hockey 1188801 Vancouver Canucks get on 100 per cent. It’s difficult when I do not get the same trust that I received from all the other coaches I had during my career.

“Of course, it’s tough on that front.” Ben Kuzma: Eriksson vows to play on, push hard for Canucks' post- Loui Eriksson of the Vancouver Canucks warms up prior to action against season spot the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 29, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 4-2. Claus Andersen / PNG BEN KUZMA Asked where the relationship is today, Eriksson sang a different tune. Published:July 19, 2020 “It’s been good,” he said. “We’ve been talking a little bit more. That thing Updated:July 19, 2020 3:14 PM PDT last summer, we already talked about it and got it sorted out. Right now, I know where I am and Travis knows that, too. And it’s been a good

relationship.” 'I love to play and have being doing this my whole life — so I’ll never quit. Green agreed, but where Eriksson fits into the post-season plan is far I’m a pretty good two-way player and can play up the lineup and the from set. He got into the lineup this season when injuries struck and went penalty killing has been good for me.' — Loui Eriksson. seven- and nine-game stretches without playing. Loui Eriksson is always the talk of the town. A strong camp by right winger Zack MacEwen pushed Jake Virtanen out Whether it’s little return on his significant salary, a crowded lineup for of an alignment with Adam Gaudette and Antoine Roussel. With Eriksson post-season play, trading his contract or dumping it to ease a salary-cap and Brandon Sutter natural considerations on a fourth line with Jay crunch, or the fact he turned 35 on Friday, the Vancouver Canucks Beagle and Tyler Motte because of shutdown and penalty kill experience, winger isn’t saying enough is enough. where does that leave Virtanen?

If you’re expecting Eriksson to retire and walk away with two years What should he take from that? remaining on his six-year, US$36 million deal and take up a hobby, don’t “He can take whatever he wants,” said Green. “We’ve had lots of hold your breath. He has every intention of playing and not parting with conversations and it’s more what Zack did. He came in great shape and $4 million annually in actual pay. And that $6 million cap hit in each of the has chemistry with Gauds and Roussel and that’s a line I have to next two seasons is not his problem. consider. You might see different lines after the scrimmage (Sunday) and “I love to play and have being doing this my whole life — so I’ll never you might not.” quit,” Eriksson said Sunday before a camp scrimmage. “I’m a pretty good Eriksson believes he has a leg up after the season was paused March two-way player and can play up the lineup and the penalty killing has 12. He spent a week at his home in Dallas before jetting to his native been good for me. I’ll do all I can to help the team as much as possible Sweden to start skating because the COVID-19 pandemic safety — if there’s a chance. measurements were not at stringent. Still, this post-season is the great “I’ve been feeling good. I’ve just been trying to work hard every day and unknown. that’s been the situation here for a while. I can only really do is what’s Eriksson did the mandatory 14-day quarantine when he returned from best for my own thing.” Sweden and can only imagine what bubble life will be like in Edmonton. And that’s the thing with Eriksson. His 970 regular season and 34 post-season games aren’t prep for the COVD-19 world. It’s what he might bring now as opposed to what the Canucks can attempt to do with him later. His contract is front-loaded with bonuses “Hard to know what’s going to happen,” he admitted. “This is a big thing that count toward a buyout, so that option isn’t viable. Neither is a going around and you have to be careful who you spend time with. formula that would mean a $4.9 million cap hit if he was demoted to the Everyone has to be careful.” Utica Comets next season. Whether they’re in the lineup or not. NEXT GAME Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.20.2020 Exhibition

Wednesday, July 29

Vancouver Canucks vs. Winnipeg Jets

7:30 p.m., Rogers Place, SNET 650 AM

All that is a problem for general manager and not coach Travis Green.

In a qualifying series with the Minnesota Wild that starts Aug. 2 in Edmonton, the challenge is to ice the best lineup. And in a best-of-five series with little margin for error. Play without the puck will be as imperative as the play with it. That might be Eriksson’s ticket.

Far removed from 20- and 30-goal seasons with the Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins — the free-agent acquisition has but 27 goals in 245 games here over four seasons — there has always been a defensive awareness. Eriksson can play a fourth-line shutdown role. He can kill penalties.

“Lui is a quiet guy, but also a veteran who has been in the league a long time,” said Green. “And usually with those guys, you don’t have to have a lot of conversations about their games. They usually know where they stand.”

Eriksson seldom offers something of stop-the-press significance. He goes about his business, sticks to clichés and then slips into the shadows. However, he did drop a verbal bomb after last season during a Swedish hockey website interview. He said: ‘The coach and I don’t really 1188802 Vancouver Canucks Hanlon, the former Canucks netminder, is from Brandon. Evason grew up there as well.

Hanlon, oddly enough, has done two stints with the Giants since then, Steve Ewen: Evason's old allies excited about his new opportunity with first as an assistant coach and then later as general manager. He’s Minnesota Wild getting ready to coach this coming season in Germany after running the bench for a Slovakian team last year.

“I felt like I wanted to put together a good team within the team with the STEVE EWEN coaching staff, and you wanted guys who had good team skills when they were playing,” explained Hanlon, 63, of bringing Evason into the Published:July 19, 2020 Washington fold. “I never played with Dean-O, but you talked to guys Updated:July 19, 2020 2:41 PM PDT who did and you always heard what a good teammate he was. “He’s a guy who has developed his skills. He got on the buses in the WHL and did his work and went from there. Dean Evason’s first post-season series win as a WHL head coach came for a Vancouver team. He’s aiming for his first NHL one to come against “You knew it was just a matter of time that something like this happened a Vancouver team. for him. In fact, I didn’t think he’d have to wait this long.”

Evason, 55, is prepping the Minnesota Wild to face the Vancouver Evason spent seven seasons as a Capitals assistant, working under Canucks in the best-of-five play-in round in Edmonton beginning Aug. 2, three head coaches. He was hired to be bench boss of the Admirals in fresh off being promoted from interim head coach to full-time bench boss 2012-13 and did that for six seasons, before being hired as a Wild by the club last week and receiving a contract extension through 2021-22 assistant for the 2018-19 season. season. Evason, a centre, played pro for 15 seasons, including 13 seasons and The Wild had gone 8-4 when Evason was moved up from assistant 803 regular season games in the NHL. He was a dominant WHLer before coach and given the reins on a then temporary basis in February after that, piling up 141 goals and 377 points in 171 regular season games the firing of Bruce Boudreau. over two and a half seasons with the Kamloops Junior Oilers.

It’s Evason’s first NHL head job. After retiring as a player, he got into the Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.20.2020 coaching game in 1998-99 as a Calgary Hitmen assistant and his stops behind benches since then have included a two-season stint guiding the Vancouver Giants.

Vancouver’s second-ever head coach when he signed on in 2002-03 after a three-year run at the helm of the WHL rival Kamloops Blazers, Evason led the Giants’ to their inaugural playoff series victory the next season with a first-round win over those Blazers.

The Giants lost to the Everett Silvertips in the following round, and they didn’t renew Evason’s contract that off-season, opting instead to hire Don Hay. Evason’s three Blazer teams and his first Giants side all lost in the opening round.

“He’s paid his dues at every level. He just needed a chance,” said Craig Bonner, 48, Evason’s assistant coach with the Giants and with the Blazers before that, and now a pro scout with the Dallas Stars. “I watched Minnesota play two or three times after he took over and you could see they were improving.

“I think with today’s hockey player and today’s world, it’s so much about managing people and personalities and Dean is excellent at that. Even back then, he had a good feel on how players needed to be a pushed. He figured out personalities quite well.” Triston Grant played for Evason for those two seasons with the Giants and also for him in 2014-15 with the Milwaukee Admirals, the AHL farm club of the Nashville Predators.

Grant, 36, was a burly, physical winger who followed up his five seasons in the WHL with 13 more in pro hockey, including an 11-game NHL foray. That’s a lot of coaches.

“I think there are ones who get caught up in trying to be the boss rather than trying to be a leader. I think there are coaches who get lost in the power that they have,” explained Grant, who is living Grand Rapids, Mich., these days, selling life insurance and working in construction some.

“That would never happen to Dean. He’s too good a human being. He has too much love for his players and too much love for the game.

“He’s brutally honest when he has to be, and I think you grow to appreciate that. You can get a lot of smoke blown at you. You can get coaches who just want to do damage control when a player isn’t happy. Dean’s a guy who tells you what’s going to happen and what he needs from you.” Evason shared head coaching duties in 2004-05 with the Hitmen with Kelly Kisio, and the following year he was hired as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals, working under Glen Hanlon. 1188803 Vancouver Canucks He’d been on the losing end of three consecutive scrimmages. He had a particularly tough outing in Thursday evening’s scrimmage during which he was beaten for six goals.

Sunday scrimmage: 5 key observations from the Canucks’ second game With Markstrom though, a bounce-back performance was expected. simulation Early in the first half of Sunday’s scrimmage, Tyler Motte stole the puck from Olli Juolevi along the wall and hit Bo Horvat with a pass in the slot. Horvat sent a deft backhand pass through traffic to Loui Eriksson, who By Harman Dayal and Thomas Drance Jul 19, 2020 was alone on the backdoor staring at the yawning cage.

Markstrom sprawled and managed to — somehow — get his glove on the puck when Eriksson lifted it. It was a vintage act of grand larceny and The Vancouver Canucks’ summer training camp is like nothing we’ve it drew cheers from the other end, as Markstrom’s platoon mate, really seen before in hockey. Thatcher Demko, cheered the save from 200 feet away. In a standard-issue September NHL training camp, if a key player Every player on the ice, every coach on the bench, every executive in the struggles a bit, you have time to let him play his way out of it. stands knows how vital Markstrom is to this club’s chances in the 24- There’s none of that grace period here. NHL players competing in this team playoff format. return-to-play scenario are sacrificing a lot, agreeing to spend weeks or The save against Eriksson, as it turns out, was just the start for even months away from their families. They’re taking on very real health Markstrom. risks. Markstrom’s team may have led throughout, but Team Blue didn’t play They’re doing it to compete in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and with a wider particularly well, especially in the first half, which was 25 minutes. Team camera lens, to help preserve the solidity of the NHL business model. White — led by Brock Boeser and Quinn Hughes — peppered Markstrom The stakes are as high as it gets. for chance after chance. And though he benefitted from a couple of favourable whistles, officially he stopped every shot he faced. This camp is different, but it’s also incredibly straightforward: The best 18 skaters will play. The guys in the best shape, who are best prepared and Markstrom stoned a Jake Virtanen backhand on the breakaway. He who can do the most to help you advance into the Stanley Cup playoffs, robbed Jay Beagle from in tight. He blocked a really tough Quinn Hughes those are the guys who’ll play. backhand chance from point-blank range. He somehow got a glove on a Bo Horvat chance, when he was efforting on a goal-mouth scramble. On Sunday night at Rogers Arena, in their second evening-game simulation scrimmage of the club’s Phase 3 training camp, Canucks’ And on the saves that weren’t spectacular, and this is the key, he was a Team Blue defeated Canucks’ Team White 2-0. model of relaxed efficiency. There was no loose change, everything he could catch was promptly frozen. Here’s Team Blue’s roster, for reference: He was dialled in. TEAM BLUE #CANUCKS Boeser, probably Vancouver’s best skater other than Zack MacEwen, MILLER-PETTERSSON-TOFFOLI probably did bank a puck in off Markstrom as the first-half buzzer sounded (on-ice official Manny Malhotra waved the goal off). He also ROUSSEL-GAUDETTE-MACEWEN might have beat him in the second frame with a shot that hit iron and FERLAND-GRAOVAC-BAILEY bounced out. It’s tough to tell without replay, but it sounded like it was the back bar and not the crossbar. EDLER-STECHER Even so, on Sunday, Markstrom served up a reminder of what he’s JUOLEVI-RAFFERTY capable of, not that anyone in the building needed it.

CHATFIELD Zack MacEwen continues to impress

MARKSTROM Zack MacEwen came into training camp on the outside looking in for a — BRENDAN BATCHELOR (@BATCHHOCKEY) JULY 20, 2020 roster spot, but there’s no way you could leave him out of the lineup if Game 1 was Monday. And Team White: His game has matured tremendously over the past 12 months, and he’s TEAM WHITE #CANUCKS come into these scrimmages looking extremely polished.

PEARSON-HORVAT-BOESER The 24-year-old has been a puck-recovery machine in all three zones, stripping players of possession on the forecheck, in the defensive zone MOTTE-BEAGLE-ERIKSSON and using his speed to chase down loose pucks in the corners and along VIRTANEN-LIND the boards. MacEwen just seems to be around the puck all the time, and it’s a credit to how refined his positioning is and how well he’s anticipating HUGHES-TANEV how the play is going to develop.

FANTENBERG-BRISEBOIS Travis Green has always stressed the importance of attention to detail, and these are the crucial subtleties that MacEwen is nailing down. SAUTNER A prime example of that came in the opening frame when Brogan DEMKO Rafferty made an aggressive pinch in the offensive zone. Vancouver has — BRENDAN BATCHELOR (@BATCHHOCKEY) JULY 20, 2020 been burned on multiple occasions this season when the team doesn’t have a forward dropping back to cover for that defenceman, but in this Here’s everything you need to know about the scrimmage, including five situation, MacEwen was the F3 and came rushing back as support key takeaways: before hunting down a loose puck later in the sequence.

Markstrom’s bounce-back shutout That same anticipation served him offensively too, as he got himself open at the left circle and hollered for the puck from Elias Pettersson Jacob Markstrom is Vancouver’s most important player. before sniping a one-time goal. The two-time reigning team MVP was lights out this past season, but until It wasn’t just MacEwen though, it was that entire line with Adam Sunday, he’d yet to find his fastball at Vancouver’s Phase 3 training Gaudette and Antoine Roussel that dominated Sunday night. The three camp. players just kept using their wheels to chip pucks into the offensive end and because of their high work rate, they created a ton of zone time off the forecheck. They honestly seemed incapable of losing a puck battle Lind generated a couple of chances, but what was most impressive was and continuously intercepted breakout attempts. how strong he looked on his skates. He won a couple of battles in the neutral zone against Alex Edler, no small feat, and managed to maintain Roussel, in particular, was flying around the ice and when you’re half a position at the net front with impressive regularity. stride quicker, it becomes a whole lot easier to pin the opposition. Then there was Juolevi, whose performance Sunday night was by far the The trio was ultimately rewarded for its hard work with a greasy goal. best I’ve seen him play live.

Roussel-Gaudette-MacEwen looked solid for the club in the trio’s final He read the play superbly, timing pinches effectively in the offensive end. game before the shutdown and the line is making a strong case to be He bested Virtanen soundly in a couple of battles at the net front. When reunited for Game 1 if the group can continue this form. Boeser came at Juolevi on the rush and tried to go right through him, Of course, this isn’t exactly good news for Jake Virtanen, who’s similarly Juolevi just took the body and snuffed out the attack. vying for a bottom-six role. The former sixth overall pick had a relatively On two occasions, a Virtanen breakaway and a race to beat out an icing, quiet night on Sunday and though it’s good that he at least didn’t stand Juolevi narrowly lost foot races to Virtanen but kept up with him step for out for the wrong reasons — as he did in the first scrimmage — he’s step. For a player whose feet haven’t looked close to NHL level as he’s going to need to be more noticeable to dislodge someone like MacEwen worked his way back from major knee surgery last spring, Sunday’s of a spot. performance was a tremendously positive step. Micheal Ferland’s return That Juolevi also flashed some of the individual skills he’s always had — After a number of false starts and setbacks in his recovery from an effectively making sure his shots got past the first defender, making October concussion, it’s great news that Micheal Ferland was able to some really difficult passes look easy — elevated this from a nice play through an entire 50-minute scrimmage. performance, into something of a statement scrimmage.

In breaking down his actual performance, the showing was quiet, but a In this environment, Vancouver’s least experienced black aces managed step in the right direction. Ferland looked light on his feet and showed a the precise sort of response any organization wants to see from its young high compete level, but you could also tell that his conditioning just players. Even if none of these players will directly factor into the club’s wasn’t there yet. He played a simple game, keeping his shifts short and return-to-play lineups, Canucks management should be thrilled. threw a couple of sizable hits. His touches with the puck were decent, Having taken a shot to the mouth on Thursday, Lind, Juolevi and Rafferty and he made a nifty neutral-zone pass around the four-minute mark in showed on Sunday that they can all take a punch and keep standing. So the first period that created an offensive-zone entry. now we know: There are no glass jaws at the Canucks’ Phase 3 training Ferland’s energy was there in spurts, but he looked a little unsure in the camp. defensive zone on rotations and wore down pretty quickly on shifts where The Athletic LOADED: 07.20.2020 his line got pinned. None of this should be a surprise, however, for a player who hasn’t seen proper game action in months.

The 28-year-old will need time to work up to game shape, but if he can come out of this scrimmage where he was fully engaged physically with zero symptoms, it’ll be a massive development in his recovery.

Brock Boeser continues to be the Canucks’ best forward Elias Pettersson has shown flashes of brilliance over the past two scrimmages. J.T. Miller has looked good for stretches and so has Bo Horvat.

But for as often as we’ve sung Boeser’s praises over the past week or so, he continues to stand out as the Canucks’ best forward.

Boeser just dictates the control of play whenever he steps over the boards. No player has been more consistent and dangerous in creating quality chances. He didn’t technically hit the scoresheet during Sunday’s scrimmage, but proper video review probably would have shown that this snipe hit the back bar of the net and not the crossbar: And of course, there was the first-period buzzer-beater off a rebound that beat Markstrom, but it was waved off.

It wasn’t just those opportunities, though. Boeser was all over the offensive zone, finding time and space in and around the slot to unleash his shot, which looks to be carrying a ton of zip. He’s making excellent decisions with the puck off the rush, and there’s a certain sense of flair to his game right now.

Boeser’s a streaky scorer who feeds off his confidence. If he can get on the scoresheet early in the series, watch out.

The young black aces stand tall

This is a uniquely rough environment for young players. On Thursday, Vancouver’s youngest black aces — Kole Lind, Olli Juolevi, Brogan Rafferty — were tested time and again by their veteran teammates. As Canucks skaters probed each other’s teams for weaknesses, the vets often went directly at the least experienced skaters on the ice. On Sunday, Vancouver’s least experienced black aces responded.

Rafferty had a couple of excellent sequences, particularly a long 110-foot backhand stretch pass that hit Tyler Graovac in stride on a partial change to send him in for a breakaway. 1188804 Websites Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what they think about it.

Sportsnet.ca / Oilers Notebook: Tippett still searching for best fit with Anniversary of Neal-Lucic trade Anthanasiou One year ago Sunday, on July 19, 2019, the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers swapped wingers Milan Lucic and James Neal. Mark Spector | July 19, 2020, 6:04 PM Clearly, both players needed a change of scenery, and each team did too. The Oilers and Flames each wanted to look at someone other than the free-agent bust each player has become.

EDMONTON — Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland acquired three At the time it was accepted that Neal’s contract was superior from a buy- players at the Feb. 24 trade deadline, buttressing his lineup for a playoff out perspective. But really, for both clubs, it was about getting some run. But when he brought in defenceman Mike Green, speedy winger production out of a pair of contracts that had become anchors. Andreas Athanasiou and veteran Tyler Ennis, the intent was not for the Ennis to be the most impactful of the imports. Remember this quote from Ken Holland?

Well, the best laid plans…. “The Guide and Record Book says that James Neal scores goals,” he said. “I know, he had a bad year last year. What’s the Guide and Record Mike Green cost Holland a fourth round pick in 2020. He played two Book going to say four years from now? I don’t know.” games for Edmonton before getting injured, then opted out of the playoffs. Green is an unrestricted free agent after this season. The numbers: Ennis, a pending UFA, came to Edmonton from Ottawa for a fifth-round Lucic — 68 Flames games, eight goals, 20 points. pick. Athanasiou, a pending RFA, cost the Oilers the pricey sum of two Neal — 55 Oilers games, 19 goals, 31 points. second-round picks. Both teams would tell you they like the deal, and they’d make it again. Livestream the Oilers in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers, plus every game of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sportsnet NOW. Oilers not impacted by flood at Rogers Place

So far, Athanasiou has not panned out. He flamed out next to Connor Edmonton mayor Don Iveson was speaking the other day about the dire McDavid upon arrival, and after spending the first week of Phase 3 on financial straits his city is in. He could have been the mayor of any city in Leon Draisaitl’s left wing, Athanasiou lost his spot to Ennis at Sunday’s the country, as economies struggle amid a pandemic. scrimmage. Edmonton has a projected $172 million budget shortfall in 2020, amid Ennis is “a veteran player who’s been around the league a long time,” rising debts and plummeting revenues. He expects a $60 million shortfall head coach Dave Tippett said after Sunday’s scrimmage. “He’s played in the transit budget, mostly due to cleaning costs and depleted ridership with and against good players and he’s not intimidated. He’s a smart levels. player. Plays the game efficiently. He knows when to make the right play, and when you have to move on and try something simpler. And then last week, some pipes burst at Rogers Place, flooding the centrepiece of the NHL’s Western Conference bubble. Here is the money quote, where Ennis and Athanasiou are concerned: “(Ennis) plays off people very well, reads off people, and has good skill. “I was at (Adam) Larsson’s place,” said Oscar Klefbom. “We saw the Top players like to play with guys like that because they’re good tweets and the videos… We thought it was a sign: First COVID, and now compliment players.” this. We just want to finish the season. I think we have a really good chance to go all the way.” Athanasiou hasn’t been around for long — just two points in nine games for Edmonton — and Tippett still doesn’t have a sense of what the Ironically, it turns out that the damaged areas would have affected where player’s strengths are or where he fits into his lineup. fans enter the building. That won’t be a problem this summer.

“You’re right. We’re still trying to find exactly where the best fit for him is,” “The whole team was relieved when we walked into the rink today,” Tippett said. “You can tell he has speed, he has skill. But you’re trying to Klefbom said the day after the flood. “We’re not as affected as I thought find that niche for him in the lineup, or that chemistry with somebody. we would be.:” That’s still a work in progress.” The Oilers insurance is expected to cover the costs of the clean-up. Translation: Athanasiou had two separate stints next to a world-class Iveson said the city will not incur the bill. centreman — McDavid before the pause, and Draisaitl after — and did McDavid finding another gear not impress upon anyone that he fit in a top-six role. He doesn’t work well off the cycle, and doesn’t trade pucks well with two elite centremen who Connor McDavid has flown through the first week of camp. “It almost have specific needs in their wingers. And although Athanasiou increases looked like he’s gained a step during this whole time,” said Riley your overall team speed, he still needs to find a role where he can make Sheahan. the team better. Here is a video of McDavid scoring a goal on Sunday: There is a special pressure playing in the top-six of an NHL team, one that is even more intense when your centreman’s name is McDavid or How good could McDavid be in these playoffs? I look at it like this: Draisaitl. Nearly every player we’ve ever covered who suffers a serious injury, like “There are no ifs, and or buts: There’s pressure,” Zack Kassian said, the PCL tear that McDavid spent the entire summer rehabbing a year referring to himself on McDavid’s right wing. “When you’re playing on the ago, struggles somewhat upon his return. The first season back is almost first line of a hockey club, you have to produce. Top lines are meant to never as good as the second season back. produce.” Well, McDavid surprised most everyone by finishing second in league Athanasiou is an RFA after the season and must be qualified at $3 scoring with 34 goals and 97 points in 64 games. Now, he’s had four million. At this point, there is absolutely no chance Holland will offer months off —akin to a normal offseason. He will return in August like the Athanasiou $3 million, even if he has to swallow hard, having given player in his second season after a serious injury. Detroit two second-round picks. But he’ll likely try to re-sign the winger He has dominated at camp this week, and seems uber-focused about for less and see if he can find a home for Athanasiou in Edmonton, kind leading a charge into these playoffs for Edmonton. of the way Just Schultz did in Pittsburgh, where his salary fell from $3.9 million, to a one-year deal at $1.4 million, before signing a three-year “On the ice, nothing feels different at all,” he said of camp. “We’re all out pact that averaged $5.5 million with the Penguins. there, playing having a good time, working hard together. That hasn’t changed, and isn’t going to change. It’s more the off-ice stuff. Wearing masks, keeping your distance, taking your temperature… All the stuff we need to do to make each other safe, but all the stuff that isn’t in our normal day to day (routine).” His teammates continue to marvel at the things he does on the ice. “We were saying on the bench,” Ennis said, “it looks like he got faster over the break.”

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188805 Websites A few of his shifts were alarmingly short, and Ferland did not look particularly good — although he did appear to get better as the scrimmage progressed and was confident enough to finish checks on Quinn Hughes and Brock Boeser. The important thing is Ferland played Sportsnet.ca / Canucks' Ferland taking return from complex health scare the full scrimmage. He has played one full game in eight months. 'day by day' We’ll see if he’s back on the ice for practice this week, but Ferland plans to give Green another lineup option when the Canucks open their playoff qualifying series against the Minnesota Wild in Edmonton on Aug. 2. Iain MacIntyre July 20, 2020, 1:16 AM “It’s been a long process for him,” Green said Sunday morning during the

Canucks’ only media availability of the day. “We’re going to have to make VANCOUVER – In the middle of his first Zoom call of training camp, some hard decisions on our lineup. The next couple of weeks here are long-lost winger Micheal Ferland dropped “vestibular system” into an going to be important for a lot of guys. When we signed Ferly, there was answer about preparing to play his first scrimmage with the Vancouver no secret that we signed him for this type of game and this type of Canucks on Sunday night. scenario. When things get heated in the playoffs, his physical presence is well known.” It passed largely without notice and totally without a follow-up. Barring injury or illness to others, there are only one of two lineup spots Ferland may have been talking about coach Travis Green’s summer that look remotely available to Ferland and one of those may be tinkering with the way the Canucks play. (The National Hockey League’s disappearing with Zack MacEwen’s ongoing impressive play. The four-month shutdown for the novel coronavirus gave coaching staffs a lot physical rookie looked excellent again Sunday on a line with Adam of time to think about systems). Gaudette and Antoine Roussel. The trio produced both goals and was easily the most effective line of the scrimmage. It was only upon transcription of Ferland’s video conference that “vestibular system” really popped out. “I think I’ll be ready,” Ferland said. “I’m just taking this day by day. I’m just “Just the stimulation, seeing a bunch of bodies moving around, going at trying to get going here and if Greener needs me. …I want to give myself the best opportunity to play at my best.” full speed, getting my heart rate up — that’s what I need,” Ferland told reporters. “I just need to rewire my vestibular system. I haven’t had many The Canucks cancelled Monday’s practice after Sunday’s scrimmage. symptoms, but I just need to continue to get out there with more bodies, and full pace and contact.” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.20.2020 Thank goodness vestibular is spelled phonetically, and there was time to Google it between when Ferland said it and when the Canucks’ Blues beat the Whites 2-0 Sunday night at Rogers Arena. Livestream the Canucks in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers, plus every game of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sportsnet NOW.

After the 28-year-old suffered a concussion last Oct. 30, 12 games into his four-year, $14-million-US free-agent contract with the Canucks, the rest of Ferland’s season consisted of four periods of NHL hockey in December and one in the minors in February when concern for Ferland’s health jumped the barrier between sports and real life.

His problem, however, is not a concussion but his vestibular system, which is complicated. It is the inner-ear sensory system responsible for providing our brain with information about balance, eye movement and spatial awareness from neurotransmitters — which carry messages to the brain about the body’s functions. It is what allows us to stand and move. And it can be short-circuited by trauma. Former NHL defenceman Bryce Salvador wrote about his debilitating vestibular problems a few years ago in an article for the Players’ Tribune. The system can be re-trained, which presumably is what Ferland has been trying to do the last few months while working out and skating near home in Brandon, Man.

“Obviously, it wasn’t the year I wanted,” Ferland said of his one-goal, 14- game regular season. “It’s unfortunate [because] I got myself in the best shape I’ve probably ever been in. I felt really good coming into camp. It’s obviously just been tough. I kept getting symptoms coming back and it was a lot longer than my prior [concussions]. I’m feeling good now. I’m just trying to get into game shape.”

Given how badly Ferland’s two comeback attempts went after he was injured fighting Kyle Clifford in Los Angeles, the surprise on the first day of the Canucks’ summer camp wasn’t that Ferland was kept off the ice, but that he was in town at all.

His attempt to work his way back to the NHL lineup during a conditioning assignment in the American Hockey League in February lasted only a few shifts for the Utica Comets. And that was after more than two months of preparation. Ferland just seemed done.

But he got back on the ice during the shutdown, and felt encouraged enough to drive back to Vancouver to join teammates to prepare for the NHL’s extraordinary Stanley Cup tournament this summer.

The Canucks were not allowed to explain Ferland’s absence at the start of camp last Monday, but he practised the rest of the week and on Sunday skated in the scrimmage on a line with minor-league callups Tyler Graovac and Justin Bailey. 1188806 Websites up at the rink to work hard and going through practice, and then trying to take care of my body after. Obviously, there are times at home I think about things. It has just been a blessing to be at the rink. That’s where my dad and I were happiest together – when we were at the rink.” Sportsnet.ca / 'My darkest nightmare': Canucks' Stecher opens up about father's death Stecher said his father coached him at Richmond Minor Hockey until he was nine, but also taught him how to play baseball and other sports. His parents separated when he was in high school, shortly before Troy went off to play Junior-A in Penticton, B.C., where as an under-sized Iain MacIntyre | July 19, 2020, 12:18 PM defenceman he eventually earned a scholarship to the University of North Dakota.

VANCOUVER — Peter Stecher wrote a letter to his son that he never After three years at college and a national championship with Vancouver sent. teammate Brock Boeser, Stecher signed with the Canucks as an undrafted free agent in 2016, and since then has spent all but four games Why he didn’t mail the letter doesn’t matter. What is important is that he of his professional career in the NHL. Peter Stecher’s letter is four years kept it, so that before the Vancouver Canucks summer camp began last old. week, Troy Stecher discovered the letter and was able to feel again the love of the dad he lost suddenly four weeks ago, on Father’s Day. Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, “My brother and I went there to clean out his apartment, and I actually they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover found a letter he wrote in my rookie year but never gave to me,” Stecher, Canada’s most beloved game. the 26-year-old defenceman, said Saturday. “He was telling me how proud he was that I made the NHL. And how there’s no straight road in Troy’s dedication to his craft and work ethic are relentless, exemplified by this world. There are always going to be bumps and bruises and you just him literally skating hard enough to vomit on the first day of every training keep going through it. (He wrote) I’ve faced a lot of obstacles already and camp he has attended. He finally broke his puking streak last Monday I’ve overcome a lot, but now is not the time to stop. when the Canucks began practising for the NHL’s summer Stanley Cup tournament. “When I found that letter, I definitely broke down. That’s something I’ll hold and probably frame and keep with me the rest of my life.” “You want the secret? I took two Gravol before the skate,” Stecher said. “I took two of the non-drowsy ones. I might be doing that come training It is the final gift of a father who, Troy said, gave him everything. camp next year.”

“He was my first coach and my favourite coach,” Stecher said. “He was Stecher has looked sharp in this camp, something he attributes partly to my best friend. My dad was always hard on me as a player. He wasn’t an remaining in Vancouver and skating through most of hockey’s four-month asshole or anything, but my dad expected me to work hard and he wasn’t shutdown. He got right back on the ice after his dad died. going to sugar-coat anything. He was going to tell me the way it was, and I’m thankful for that.” “When I got off the ice, I bawled for about 40 minutes in my car,” he said. “(The rink) was where we were happiest. It’s where he taught me to love Peter Stecher, who raised his three kids in Richmond, B.C., before the game. Some of my greatest memories are at the rink, so I just have settling in Surrey, died suddenly on June 21 from complications of nothing but good thoughts coming to the rink now. I want to be here. diabetes. He was 65 years old. “I’m flooded with happy and amazing memories. Unfortunately, that’s all I “My darkest nightmare you could ever imagine,” Troy said. have now.”

The coronavirus pandemic has made most of us more human, more And a letter too precious for words. vulnerable but also more aware. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.20.2020 The Canucks are a poignant reminder of the joy and sorrow the circle of life offers.

Stecher is the third Vancouver player to lose his father this season. Zack MacEwen lost his dad, Craig, in May after a massive stroke at home on . Goaltender Jacob Markstrom’s father, Anders, died in Sweden last November after battling cancer.

But the NHL shutdown also saw Canucks Bo Horvat and Antoine Roussel welcome new babies. And on Saturday, as Stecher was promoted to the top-four on defence and practised alongside Alex Edler at Rogers Arena, depth defenceman Jordie Benn returned home to Texas for the birth of his child.

“It’s a crazy thing, the unexpectedness of life,” MacEwen said Saturday. “I think both of us (he and Stecher) took away from that you just never know and nothing is a given. You’ve just got to keep pushing forward and kind of lean on each other and use the people around you.” Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what they think about it.

Stecher said it helps that he is back among teammates. He said both Markstrom and MacEwen sent him long text messages when his dad died.

“Sending their condolences and just telling me a little bit about how they handled it, understanding that you’re going to face a wave of emotions and to just accept them and try not to fight it,” Stecher said. “There are going to be times you break down, and that’s fine. There are times you have good memories, and that’s fine. Every day is a new day. It was nice for them to reach out, and not just them but the amount of support I got from people was just amazing. “On a personal level, it’s been a blessing to have the guys back and I can get on a schedule that will occupy my mind throughout the day: showing 1188807 Websites The Islanders are pretty much devoid of any ‘wow’ factor, but underestimate Barry Trotz’s bunch at your peril. For the second straight post-John Tavares year, the Isles — who swept the Penguins in the first round last year — were in the thick of the playoff hunt coming down the Sportsnet.ca / Where the East's American play-in teams stand ahead of home stretch. NHL restart The Islanders’ shot metrics aren’t pretty, though they manage to suppress high-danger scoring chances just fine. That effort will get a boost with the return of defenceman Adam Pelech, who sustained an Ryan Dixon | July 19, 2020, 8:41 AM Achilles’ tendon injury in January. New York struggles to find the net, so it really needs its top two centres — leading point-getting Mathew Barzal and top goal-scorer Brock Nelson — to come through versus the Florida The cornucopia of NHL hockey that’s less than two weeks away from Panthers. landing on your screen figures to be a viewing experience similar to the early stages of NCAA basketball’s March Madness, with staggered No. 9 seed: Columbus Blue Jackets games filling entire days. Anyone out there especially curious about this club? And, best of all, we’re actually getting two ‘Sweet 16s.’ The Toronto Maple Leafs’ preliminary round opponent was quietly one of As is always the case, the official four-round NHL playoff format will the best stories in the NHL this season, competing for a playoff spot all feature eight teams per conference hitting the ice with one championship year and defying doomsday predictions after Artemi Panarin, Sergei goal. Before we get there, though, our appetizer is a preliminary round Bobrovsky and Matt Duchene all skated away as free agents from featuring 16 squads all hoping to advance to the main draw. Columbus 12 months ago. Six of those teams are based in Canada and Sportsnet correspondents On top of that, the Jackets endured serious injury blows in the second throughout the country have been reporting on their every stop and start half of the season, as defenceman Seth Jones went out with a broken during training camp 2.0. But what about the 10 teams coming north from ankle in early February, just weeks before Oliver Bjorkstrand was felled the United States to hub cities Toronto and Edmonton for best-of-five by the same injury. The loss of those players contributed to a 3-6-6 mark preliminary-round series? in the lead up to the hiatus, but both Jones and Bjorkstrand are ready to go. Bjorkstrand scored at a 35-goal pace this year, so his return is a huge In case you’ve lost track, here’s a quick refresher on what was up with boost to a club that netted fewer goals-per-game (2.57) than every club those clubs when the hiatus hit and what’s front of mind as they embark still playing and all but three in the league. on their series. The key for Columbus against the Leafs will be playing a stingy structure We’ll start with the Eastern Conference today and examine the Western under Jack Adams-nominated coach John Tortorella and getting big clubs Monday. saves from Elvis Merzlikins or Joonas Korpisalo. From the Stanley Cup Qualifiers to the Stanley Cup Final, livestream No. 10 seed: Florida Panthers. every game of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, blackout-free, on Sportsnet NOW. This counts as a real playoff appearance, right?

No. 5 seed: Pittsburgh Penguins If Columbus was the sneaky good story of the year, on the sly, Florida had to be one of the worst. After poaching Bobrovsky on the open The Penguins were reeling when play halted, having posted just three market, it was the same ol’ stinky stuff in South Florida for most of the wins in their final 11 outings. That allowed in-state rivals Philadelphia to year. The Cats went 7-10-3 in February and March, so it’s not like they leapfrog them and pushed the Pens down into this pesky preliminary were pouring it on in pursuit of a playoff spot. business. Still, Bobrovsky was a completely different goalie in the second season The good news for Pittsburgh is the fact Jake Guentzel — who had versus the regular season last year with the Jackets, improving his save shoulder surgery right after Christmas and did not expect to return this percentage by 25 points to .925 in 10 games versus the Tampa Bay season — is back skating on Sidney Crosby’s line. Guentzel was on a Lightning and Boston Bruins. 42-goal pace when he went under the knife, so his presence is a huge injection into the lineup. Speaking of which, don’t forget trade-deadline Whether it’s with better play from the crease or more attention to detail addition Jason Zucker had 12 points in 15 games with Pittsburgh after from the five-man units, the Panthers have to find a way to cut down on coming over from Minnesota. goals-against. Florida surrendered 3.25 goals per game this year, worse than all but three teams in the NHL. That completely undermined the The big Black and Yellow question, though, remains whether playoff- work of studs Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau — and a tested Matt Murray or breakout star Tristan Jarry will get the Game 1 pretty good forward crew top to bottom — up front. start versus Montreal. While Jarry was performing like a Vezina candidate in the 2019 portion of the schedule, his play flattened out in the No. 11 seed: New York Rangers New Year. Both goalies started 15 games in 2020, with Jarry posting a A lot of things went right for the Rangers this year. Panarin turned in an .901 save percentage and Murray coming in at .905. MVP-calibre debut season, Mika Zibanejad led the league in goals per No. 6 seed: Carolina Hurricanes game (I swear, look it up), Adam Fox showed all kinds of promise as a freshman blue-liner and two goalies — Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar The Canes are another outfit returning a monster player from injury. Star Georgiev — demonstrated long-term promise. defenceman Dougie Hamilton broke his leg in January, but he’s back on the top pair with all-world partner Jaccob Slavin. Hamilton might not be Of course, the Rangers also have a third goalie in the mix named Henrik operating at 100 per cent, but it’s hard to imagine he can’t help this team Lundqvist. Had the season played out under normal circumstances, score some goals. Lundqvist would have seen his share of the crease, even if he was the third-best goalie on the team. (Shesterkin also sustained a rib fracture COVID-19 has a way of making everything that happened before early stemming from a car accident right before the trade deadline, so there March disappear from our brains, but who could forget the image of 42- was some crease time up for grabs). year-old emergency goalie David Ayres stepping in on a Saturday night in Toronto and guiding the Canes to a 3-2 win? That outrageous evening As it stands, there’s a good chance we’ve seen Lundqvist make his last happened on Feb. 22 and came about because both members of teams’ stop for New York. And if Shesterkin — who posted a .932 save battery — Petr Mrazek and James Reimer — had been sidelined with percentage in the only 12 games of his NHL career this season — can injuries. pick up where he left off, the Blueshirts could be a real wild card.

Ayres was one of five goalies the Canes were forced to use in the weeks Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.20.2020 before the hiatus, but both Mrazek and Reimer are good to go versus the New York Rangers now.

No. 7 seed: New York Islanders 1188808 Websites "Going into a playoff environment where you don't know what you're going to face, the opposition has it's challenges of course, the ups and downs of a playoff series, but then also injuries or any type of circumstances that might alter your lineup,” Keefe said. "We try to reduce TSN.CA / Toronto Maple Leafs experiment with 'All-Star Game line' as any sort of shock or doubt that that might bring by trying to create those intensity rises at camp situations as much as you can in a practice or scrimmage setting."

An injury to Zach Hyman created a greater opportunity for Keefe to shuffle the deck, but it appears the winger won't be out too long. Hyman Mark Masters missed the last two days of team skates after taking a Jason Spezza shot off his leg in special teams work on Friday. On Sunday, though, he skated on his own before the scrimmage. The intensity is rising at Maple Leafs training camp. On Sunday, for the first time, Toronto held a full 60-minute scrimmage. The previous Keefe was asked about his level of concern regarding Hyman's status. scrimmages had been 40 minutes. The players also wore their game "I would say low at this point. You never quite know. We're going to see sweaters. Previously they had worn practice jerseys. how this is ... I'm not too concerned." "The pace was a lot faster," said head coach Sheldon Keefe. "It was a lot Hyman had been skating with Nylander and Matthews prior to the injury. more competitive, every stride just had a little extra push to it. The puck was moving a lot quicker. We had a talk with the team and just told them — TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 19, 2020 that it's time that things really go up another level here." On Monday, Matthews called his conditioning "not great" and lamented Unlike on previous scrimmage days, the team didn't hold a practice prior the fact he was kept off the ice for more than two weeks due to a positive to the game so everyone was fresh. And three breaks were incorporated COVID-19 test in the run-up to camp. So, how's he feeling one week in? in each period to mimic television timeouts. Keefe also sent a jolt through the group with some creative line juggling. Most notably, he put John "Every day I've felt a bit better," Matthews said. "Things are progressing Tavares on left wing with centre Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. better and better every day, but obviously want to continue to take steps forward." "It's an All-Star Game line so that can't be fun to play against," observed defenceman Tyson Barrie, who sprung Matthews and Tavares for a 2-on- "He said he was feeling a bit sluggish [earlier in the week], but you never 0 rush in the second period. "It's fun to get out there with them and you really notice it with him," said Barrie. "He is such a special player and the can see the way they throw the puck around." way he controls the puck, the head and the hands is the great equalizer and he has those going. I think he looks pretty good right now." The highly-skilled trio did what you'd expect dominating possession and putting the puck in the net. Matthews potted a pair (one on the power Is Matthews satisfied with his progress? play) while Marner also scored a highlight-reel goal. "Hmm, I don't know, I think it's kind of a tough question. The way I felt the If the Leafs are trailing late in a game in the playoffs, don’t be surprised if last couple of days is a lot better but the timing, handling the puck [are a Tavares, Matthews and Marner are reunited. work in progress]. I think pace of play and things like that are starting to come back. Kind of figured that would take some time, but as far as "I've used them at different times in a game," said Keefe. "I suspect it's being happy, I always like to be better." something I would want to go back to at different times." On Saturday, Keefe noted that Matthews seemed to be holding back a bit "We're pretty familiar with each other," said Matthews. "We've played with his shot perhaps because he doesn't want to hurt any of his with each other sporadically throughout the season and on the power teammates. Matthews agreed that he's still looking to find the range on play ... I thought our first period wasn't bad, wasn't great. I thought the his shot. second and third we started to control the puck a lot better on the attack and started to hem the other team in their end a little bit. I thought those "I don't think I'd call it an issue, it's more like a thing," he said. “In a were positive signs. I'm not really sure what the lines will look like come training-camp scenario sometimes you are looking for the perfect play. I Tuesday when we're back on the ice, but obviously we were trying some think it's good kind of getting out of that habit and start shooting pucks new stuff out there today." more. Myself and JT and Mitch were talking about that on the bench about getting more pucks to the net and shooting. As far as myself, I'll Among the other line-up tweaks Keefe introduced on Sunday, William always have that shoot-first mentality and obviously you don't want to Nylander shifted to centre on a line with Ilya Mikheyev and Adam Brooks. hurt anybody, but I expect a lot out of myself and in certain situations I know I need to shoot the puck more. It's just getting my timing back and "He did well and had the puck a great deal offensively, coming up getting back into those game situations." through the middle of the ice," Keefe said of Nylander. "He's a lot more dangerous that way so we like that part of it. He and his line had the It’s a credit to Matthews that he continues to produce – three goals in the puck, they played on offence and didn't have to defend a great deal. Of last five periods – despite not really unleashing his shot yet. course that's something that would take the most time to be comfortable with. He's played centre before and it's not a big adjustment for him." "There's a lot of other benefits that Auston is getting in terms of handling the puck and feeling his way through traffic and finding ways to create In fact, Nylander played centre in last year's playoffs after Nazem Kadri and make plays," Keefe said. was suspended. So, in which scenarios would Keefe employ the Swede in the middle? Rasmus Sandin spent the first part of the pandemic in Sweden where relaxed regulations allowed facilities to remain open. So, Sandin was "In terms of what may have to happen for us to go to it a little more long- able to skate more than his teammates back home. term, I don't have that answer," the coach said. "I think that I'll just kind of react to what's happening. I think that we'll see him shift back to wing "My brother [Flyers prospect Linus Sandin] was at home as well so we here going forward, but it's nice to have that option." could skate together so I felt ready."

Among other new looks on Sunday, Travis Dermott switched to the right Off-seasons are important for young players, but Sandin pointed out the side on a pairing with Morgan Rielly. The duo had skated together during four-month break was far from a traditional summer experience and he part of the Phase 2 workouts. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Nick Robertson wasn't able to do as much development work. skated alongside Alex Kerfoot and Kasperi Kapanen. "It was kind of tough," he said. "You didn't really know too much about "I don't think I'll ever want to be too locked in to anything and I like to whether the season was going to start or not or what was going to keep our players on their toes as well," Keefe explained. "All of that kind happen. It was tough, because you didn't know whether to go really hard of stuff gives us additional options to remain flexible." in the gym or get stronger and heavier or if just you wanted to stay in game shape and be ready and fast." While predecessor Mike Babcock seemed reluctant to shuffle lines even in practices, Keefe sees value in testing out different combinations even Perhaps that's why Keefe feels the 20-year-old wasn't at his best early in in a truncated training camp with the playoffs just around the corner. camp. “He's finding his way here," Keefe said. "Despite the fact that he was skating and all those things, for all of the European players when they came over here they had to quarantine and couldn't do much of anything. So, in that process you probably lose most of what you've gained. It's amazing how quickly some of that stuff will go away but he's finding his way back here. I find every day he's seems to be getting more and more comfortable and I thought today he looked really good in terms of how he was moving the puck and all those things. The more he has the puck and is playing with his head up, finding forwards and launching our attack is a pretty good indication that he’s coming around and today was the most I saw of that.”

Frederik Andersen has been in net for all 11 goals scored by Team Matthews over the last two days, but Keefe isn’t concerned about the confidence of his No. 1 goalie.

"You'd like to see it not go in as much," Keefe acknowledged. "On a day like today, Fred's an experienced and smart enough guy to know that there's a number of those that he's got no chance on. I actually thought what was really great was he stood tall and made what might have been the save of the game late so for him to stay in the game and stay focused, to be able to make such a save was a really good sign for us. I'm not too concerned about anything that is happening in these scrimmages. Whether it’s the goalie or any of our players, they’ve got enough mental toughness and intelligence to be able to shrug these things off and move forward with their preparation."

Lines in Leafs scrimmage:

TEAM MATTHEWS

Goals: Matthews (2), Mikheyev (2), Marner

Tavares - Matthews - Marner

Mikheyev - Nylander - Brooks

Agostino - Gaudet - Hollowell

Sandin - Ceci

Marincin - Barrie

Kivihalme Campbell

TEAM ANDERSEN Robertson - Kerfoot - Kapanen

Clifford - Gauthier - Spezza

Engvall - Petan - Korshkov Muzzin - Holl

Rielly - Dermott

Rosen Andersen

Team Matthews leads series 2-1, Game 4 is on Wednesday. Monday is a full day off for the team.

TSN.CA LOADED: 07.20.2020 1188809 Websites “It's an All-Star Game line,” added Barrie. “That can't be fun to play against. But it's fun to get out there with them and you can see the way they throw the puck around. They kind of know where each other are going to be.” TSN.CA / Auston Matthews aiming to shoot more as Toronto Maple Leafs camp ramps up The Leafs still have two weeks to go before their first scheduled game of the NHL’s prospective Phase 4, where a 24-team playoff tournament would pit Toronto against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a best-of-five qualifying round series opening August 2. With that kind of time to plan, Kristen Shilton Keefe’s only commitment is to keeping his options open.

“They're obviously three very good players,” Keefe said. “I’ve used them TORONTO — Auston Matthews is known for having one of the National [together] at different times in a game. I suspect it's something that I Hockey League’s most lethal shots, but lately he’s been hesitant to would want to go back to at different times, so here now was a chance unleash it during the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Return To Play training camp. for us to get them some reps. Between the three of them playing together and getting [Tavares] some time on the wing, that will help us. And then “A lot of times in these kind of scenarios, you're almost just looking for we also get a look at Nylander in the middle at the same time so I the perfect play and I think it's good to get out of that habit and start thought [those changes] served [their] purpose.” shooting pucks more,” Matthews said on a Zoom call with reporters from Ford Performance Centre on Sunday. “I don't think I'd really call it an Ideally, the Leafs also got something out of Sunday’s overall format. It issue, but [for me], I'm always going to have that shoot-first mentality. I was their first day of on-ice sessions that did not include a practice, so expect a lot out of myself and in certain situations I know I need to shoot that players could act as if they were preparing for a real playoff game the puck more and I think that's just getting my timing and getting my feet that started at 12 p.m. Once the NHL postseason gets going, the Leafs back under me.” could see puck drop at noon, 4 p.m., or 8 p.m., and will need to adjust their usual routines accordingly. Toronto’s top centreman touched on the topic after Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe mentioned on Saturday that he thought Matthews was But even for an inter-squad scrimmage, that’s not always easy. holding back for fear of injuring a teammate with his forceful blast. “You’re just trying to remember everything,” Matthews said of his game- Matthews acknowledged that “obviously, you never want to hurt day rituals. “Because I think I'm reminded every year when we get going anybody” but he’s also been preoccupied with more aspects of his game again that there's a lot of things that each guy kind of goes through and than just getting pucks off. remembering it sometimes is a bit of an issue. But I think for the most Sunday marked the sixth day of on-ice work the Leafs have had since part, you’re just trying to simulate your preparation and everything as if it Phase 3 of the NHL’s Return To Play plan began on July 13, over which were a real game, regardless of the situation, and go from there.” time Matthews has skated in five practices and three scrimmages. When Toronto will have its first full day off from camp on Monday, giving players camp began, Matthews was still getting his conditioning back after a time to assess and regroup before the stretch run into Phase 4. COVID-19 diagnosis hampered his preparation for Phase 3, and that Matthews isn’t sure exactly what to expect when the Leafs transition to work is still well underway. the NHL’s “bubble” and the postseason tournament begins, but he’s “I think the way I felt the last couple days is a lot better,” Matthews said. enjoying the process of getting there. “But the timing [is still coming], and just handling the puck and feeling the “I'm just trying to take it day-by-day and do everything that I can to get way you [usually] do halfway through the season, when you've been myself prepared for the ice sessions and get back to [my] regular routine playing games and you're used to it. Just the pace of play and everything from during the season,” he said. “Obviously it isn't easy coming off a is starting to come back to me. But I figured that would take a little bit of couple months of not playing and then jumping right back into games. time. As far as being happy [with my game], I'd always like to be better.” But the coaching staff has done a pretty good job of lining stuff up for us The 22-year-old may be his own harshest critic, but Matthews’ like this that's more game-like, so when you do step back into game play, teammates haven’t noticed any drop-off in his performance since camp we’re as ready as we can be.” started. TSN.CA LOADED: 07.20.2020 “He said he was feeling a bit sluggish [in the beginning], but you never really notice it with him,” said Tyson Barrie. “He’s such a special player and the way that he controls the puck, I think the head and the hands [are] the great equalizer and he certainly has those going and I think he looks pretty good right now.” Keefe gave Matthews an opportunity to really open things up during the Leafs’ Sunday scrimmage. It was the third of five games planned throughout camp that pit Team Matthews versus Team Andersen, but the first that was a full three periods long and replete with scheduled “TV timeouts” and brief intermissions that mimic game conditions. Matthews started camp with his regular linemates William Nylander and Zach Hyman, but when Hyman was drilled in the leg by a shot in Friday’s practice and deemed “unfit to play” ever since, Keefe decided to get creative.

On Sunday, he tried moving Nylander to centre, and had John Tavares and Mitch Marner flanking Matthews. Keefe had loaded up that trio sporadically in the regular season and they performed well, with an edge in scoring chances (23-14) and goals-for (3-0) over 30:10 total ice time, but he never stuck with it for long.

The adjustments worked out nicely once again for Matthews’ team, though. In their 5-0 defeat of Team Andersen, Marner scored once and Matthews lit the lamp twice.

“I think we're pretty familiar with each other. They are two special players and fun guys to play with,” Matthews said. “I thought our first period, it wasn't bad. In the second and third we started to control the puck a lot better and had more time on the attack and we started to hem the other team in there, and I think those are always positive signs. It's nice to have a lot of really good players on this team to play with.”