SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 02/09/19 Anaheim Ducks 1129734 Hits keep coming for Ducks goalie John Gibson, who sits 1129765 Why the Avalanche won’t trade any of its top prospects or out Friday’s practice draft picks 1129735 Jakob Silfverberg on the Ducks and trade deadline 1129766 Five takeaways from the Avs ninth loss of the chatter: ‘I want to stay’ Coyotes 1129736 Who will be the first Coyotes player to 12 goals? Players, 1129767 Artemi Panarin says he'll test free agency fans give their votes 1129768 Blue Jackets: Artemi Panarin switches to Sergei 1129737 defenseman Kyle Capobianco done for Bobrovsky's agent season 1129769 Blue Jackets 4, Coyotes 2: Five takeways 1129738 Coyotes trade Dauphin, Helewka to Nashville for Emil 1129770 Artemi Panarin, in first English interview, smiles, jokes and Pettersson laughs through wide-ranging conversation 1129771 Artemi Panarin fires agent, hires Sergei Bobrovsky’s rep, Bruins Paul Theofanous 1129739 Artemi Panarin remains the big prize in trade talks 1129772 G53: With top line benched, Blue Jackets lean on Boone 1129740 Reshuffled Bruins lines gave food for Jenner for goals, grunt work thought 1129741 Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk works to find game, end drought 1129742 Bruins notebook: Team focuses on keeping lead 1129774 Stars placed on injured reserve, 1129743 Grzelcyk (lower body) missing from Bruins practice, will be eligible to play again in Florida expected out Saturday vs. Kings 1129775 The Dallas Stars' first moms trip is missing the woman 1129744 Play of Cehlarik giving the Bruins some options ahead of who had long lobbied for it. How the team is honoring h deadline 1129776 Sports Sturm’s Weekend Riffing: Cowboys offense, Mavs 1129745 Duhatschek Notebook: Some reasonable trade scenarios free agency, Stars trade deadline that benefit both sides 1129777 ‘We’re our own fraternity:’ How Stars coaching staff helped 1129746 Katie Guay keeps pushing skating boundaries in Red Bull welcome Jim Montgomery to the NHL Crashed Ice at Red Wings 1129778 will get some family time on weekend 1129747 , Phil Housley clarify comments from Sabres' road trip loss 1129779 Why this Detroit Red Wings rookie is such a menace 1129748 'Sandpaper guy' Doug Janik reflects on his unexpected 1129780 Red Wings embark on annual Fathers Trip playoff run with Sabres 1129781 Red Wings’ annual Fathers Trip provides change of pace 1129749 Sabres Notebook: Casey Nelson sent to Rochester for 1129782 Griffins trade first-year pro Trevor Yates conditioning 1129783 Red Wings aiming to sign some free agents before trade 1129750 In midst of up-and-down stretch, Sabres find a positive in deadline Evan Rodrigues’ scoring spike 1129784 Red Wings vanquished by Vegas, 4-3 1129751 ‘The learning’s over. You have to defend’: Frustrations 1129785 Digging into ’s career-best production pace mount as Sabres find themselves on wrong end of yet an 1129786 Worst wildcard race ever gives Edmonton Oilers reason to 1129752 Flames getting ready to fire up eSports NHL tournament believe 1129753 No hard feelings from Rittich after getting pulled early 1129787 Edmonton Oilers: Time to fire the arena? 1129754 Flames not overreacting to puck not going in against 1129788 MATHESON: Oscar Klefbom’s return has made things Sharks easier for Edmonton Oilers 1129789 ‘He’s got a bit of confidence going’: Talbot outduels Dubnyk in Oilers win over Wild 1129755 Hurricanes spoil Rangers’ Cup celebration with 3-0 victory 1129790 Lowetide: Is Ken Hitchcock helping Jesse Puljujarvi find 1129756 Teuvo Teravainen, ‘Turbo,’ hitting another gear for the his way as an NHL player? Canes since signing extension 1129757 Civian: Serious about winning? If you can’t see that with these Hurricanes, you’re not watching 1129791 This is the state of South Florida’s sports franchises. This is why it’s looking grim Blackhawks 1129792 Preview: Panthers at Capitals, 7 p.m., Saturday 1129758 Blackhawks' Dominik Kahun could become 1st NHL player to complete an 82-game season without a 1129759 'It's chemistry': Longtime pals and Alex 1129793 Kings' Dion Phaneuf not happy after first healthy scratch DeBrincat rekindle magic with the Blackhawks of his career 1129760 Maybe there's a wild card in the deck with the Blackhawks' 1129794 What we learned from Kings' 3-2 victory over the names on it after all Flyers 1129761 Why Blackhawks' McDonough has faith in Colliton, 1129795 Kings and Adrian Kempe are rolling on the road Bowman 1129796 Dion Phaneuf defiant after first healthy scratch of his 1129762 What's the ceiling for the surging Blackhawks? career: ‘I’ve got lots left’ 1129763 An improbable streak for the Blackhawks 1129797 AMIDST ROTATION, PHANEUF: “I’VE GOT MORE 1129764 The Blackhawks are in a legitimate playoff race. How the LEFT;” LUFF ASSIGNED; LEWIS COULD PLAY heck did this happen? 1129798 WAKING UP WITH THE KINGS: FEBRUARY 8 1129799 GOOD MORNING, BOSTON Minnesota Wild NHL 1129800 Wild-New Jersey game preview 1129835 The Goalie Is a Hired Gun, and He’s Yours for $50 a 1129801 Bruce Boudreau to move slumping winger Mikael Game Granlund to center 1129802 Mikko Koivu has surgery to repair injured right knee Senators 1129803 Missing Mikko: Boudreau calls some Wild players 'a shell' 1129836 WARREN: A surging penalty kill, in praise of the Jets skill, of themselves after loss who starts in and what about Paajarvi? 1129804 Whitecaps hockey team off to quick start in first NWHL 1129837 Before making decisions on the future, there's history for season Stone and Duchene to ponder 1129805 For Wild, making playoffs ‘an expectation,’ says Jason 1129838 Senators gameday versus Jets Zucker 1129839 Senators exec goes on offensive with spin that’s unfair to 1129806 Wild hope move to center sparks something in Mikael previous ownership Granlund 1129840 Analyzing the adjustments made by Logan Brown who is 1129807 Diagnosed with lung cancer, Wild’s Tom Kurvers prepares beginning to fulfill his draft promise for his toughest battle Canadiens 1129841 Flyers reportedly will recall Phil Myers from AHL’s 1129808 Leafs-Habs rivalry now more intense, Babcock says, as Phantoms Canadiens make surprising revival 1129842 Flyers’ Scott Laughton, snakebit in front of the net, 1129809 Canadiens Notebook: Some very high praise for centre contributes everywhere else Phillip Danault 1129843 Flyers goalie Carter Hart to be reunited with autistic boy 1129810 Stu Cowan: Bell Centre will be rockin' for Canadiens vs. who inspired him to wear No. 79 Leafs 1129844 Flyers-Kings observations: The reclamation of Ivan 1129811 Hickey On Hockey: snubbed as Hockey Day host Provorov continues for 19th time 1129845 Is Anthony Stolarz playing his way back into the Flyers’ 1129812 What the Puck: Back on the bandwagon — Canadiens are goalie plans? | Sam Donnellon the real deal 1129846 Flyers vs. Ducks: Live stream, storylines, game time and 1129813 Death by a million backchecks: the Canadiens’ road map more through this murderous stretch of games 1129847 fined $5,000 by NHL for high- 1129814 Melnick’s GBU: The Canadiens blanket job on the Jets will sticking Kings' Alec Martinez be needed against the Leafs 1129848 Why Flyers should tread carefully with Brian Elliott 1129815 Brown: Canadiens prospect Samuel Houde and the 1129849 Flyers 'lucky to get one ' as win streak comes to halt adjustments that would allow his awe-inspiring skill to 1129850 Did the bye week turn Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov’s shine season around? 1129851 Flyers 5 takeaways: Anthony Stolarz steals a point, but win streak ends 1129816 Could all-star game in Nashville set U.S. women's pro 1129852 Kings 3, Flyers 2: 10 things we learned from a deserved hockey attendance record on Sunday? end to the winning streak 1129817 ‘Let’s get it on!’ Devils will give away 'Seinfeld’ inspired 1129853 Mark Madden: Penguins need a 1-A type backup as David Puddy bobbleheads insurance for Matt Murray 1129818 Will Devils’ Taylor Hall play again this season? Injury 1129854 Scoring touch goes cold for Penguins' Patric Hornqvist updates on Joey Anderson, Miles Wood 1129855 As he sets Penguins' games played record, Sidney 1129819 NHL trade rumors: Top 35 targets before 2019 deadline | Crosby happy to stay in one place Artemi Panarin switches agents; Wayne Simmonds, Mark 1129856 Injured Penguins goalie Matt Murray could return as soon S as Saturday 1129820 Is Cory Schneider back? How Devils goalie found form in 1129857 Penguins' hopes injury doesn't prolong loss to Islanders: 6 observations | Blake Coleman, Kev slump 1129821 Devils waste a Cory Schneider gem in shootout loss to 1129858 reflects on reaching 's Islanders | Rapid reaction games-played record 1129822 Devils practice notes: Joey Anderson set to make return 1129859 Even while injured, Evgeni Malkin delivers a message to from injury, but with NJ? Penguins 1129823 'Vintage' Cory Schneider is biggest takeaway in NJ Devils' 1129860 The Penguins' scoring issues are concerning. They're also shootout loss fixable 1129861 Jared McCann on third-line center role: ‘I’m ready for that challenge’ 1129824 Trotz says Clutterbuck injury not serious 1129862 Marshall: What has led to the Penguins’ success on the penalty kill? 1129825 and 1994 Rangers bask in glory of winning 25 years ago 1129863 Watch out NHL, here comes after an 1129826 ‘There was only one’: Rangers pay tribute to fallen friend injury-plagued first half 1129827 Rangers’ Stanley Cup run hero opens up about former 1129864 Brent Burns garnering Norris Trophy buzz as Sharks demons streak out of break 1129828 Rangers get embarrassed in front of franchise’s last title 1129865 Sharks' depth on display in back-to-back impressive wins team over Flames, Jets 1129829 Rangers throw big party for 1994 Stanley Cup champions 1129830 Rangers’ 1994 architect mends fences amid tragedy 1129831 Rangers come up empty after Cup champs honored 1129832 25 years later, 1994 Rangers saluted at Garden 1129833 ‘Incredible memories’: Rangers celebrate 1994 Cup win, end evening in 2019 loss 1129834 As Rangers celebrate 25th anniversary of Cup win, former GM Neil Smith reflects on the trades that got them th St Louis Blues Websites 1129866 Berube warns Blues not to lose focus 1129897 The Athletic / Duhatschek Notebook: Some reasonable 1129867 Preview: Blues vs. Predators trade scenarios that benefit both sides 1129868 Strange but true: Schenn flourishing without Schwartz 1129898 The Athletic / Growing up Subban: Meet the matriarch of 1129869 Perron not ready to return to Blues lineup just yet one of hockey’s first families 1129899 The Athletic / DGB Grab Bag: Checking in on the remaining RFAs, a no-trade clause proposal and Rob Ray 1129870 Review: The Tampa Bay Lightning’s new black alternate fights jerseys 1129900 .ca / 6 Maple Leafs who could be traded to ease 1129871 The people you meet watching the Lightning at the beach the cap crunch 1129872 Lightning launches lifestyle line to accompany alternate 1129901 Sportsnet.ca / Blue Jackets' Panarin breaks silence on jersey free agency, potential trade 1129873 Lightning-Blues: Rewinding Tampa Bay’s first shutout of 1129902 Sportsnet.ca / The oral history of Team Canada's 1996 the season World Cup training camp 1129875 Tampa Bay Lightning’s highly anticipated alternate jersey 1129903 Sportsnet.ca / Bruce Boudreau says some Wild players a hit with younger demographic are 'a shell' of themselves 1129904 Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' defence trending in right direction at crucial point in season 1129876 Leafs-Habs rivalry now more intense, Babcock says, as 1129905 Sportsnet.ca / Truth By Numbers: Has Thomas Chabot Canadiens make surprising revival adequately replaced Erik Karlsson? 1129877 Hockey Day in Canada showcases key games Saturday 1129906 Sportsnet.ca / Black History Month: Jarome Iginla 'did for all seven Canadian NHL squads everything the right way' 1129878 Canadiens no pushovers if playoff dream date with Leafs 1129907 TSN.CA / Former diplomat says NHL should pause on plays out finalizing next games in China 1129879 Leafs’ defining road trip starts in Montreal 1129908 TSN.CA / Five Takeaways: Canucks vs Blackhawks 1129880 Leafs-Canadiens means something again, and Babcock 1129909 USA TODAY / Capitals' Tom Wilson destroys Avalanche's likes it Ian Cole in bloody fight after questionable hit 1129881 LeBrun Notebook: High price for rentals, Ilya Kovalchuk’s future and Leafs mulling their options Winnipeg Jets 1129889 Jets try to snap two-game winless streak against Senators 1129890 Jets head coach not ready to shuffle lines to get Patrik 1129895 Ed Willes: Canucks making puck pundits look out of touch Laine out of his scoring slump with playoffs in reach 1129891 Trouba, Morrissey take big strides at the top 1129896 Canucks lose 4-3 in overtime to Blackhawks as Toews 1129892 WIEBE: One off or cause for concern? Jets look to put scores winner stinker in rearview mirror 1129893 Morrissey eyes return: Jets D-man could play vs Senators 1129894 JETS GAME DAY: Jets look to rebound against Sens after 1129882 Golden Knights welcome chance to gain ground at home tough loss to Habs 1129883 Golden Knights’ Malcolm Subban off IR, Maxime Lagace demoted 1129884 Inside Las Vegas Sports Marketing: Why Businesses Pay SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 Golden Knights To Become A Sponsor Washington Capitals 1129885 Six and no five hole: How music helps Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby 1129886 Jonas Siegenthaler reassigned to Hershey signaling the likely return of Christian Djoos 1129887 Christian Djoos says he's ready to return, but coaches still need to 'talk it over' 1129888 Dreadful on faceoffs, Capitals focus on what to do after losing the draw 1129734 Anaheim Ducks never have enough of them. You look at the talent that’s out there, there’s some talented kids in the draft again. It’s so much fun to watch.”

Orange County Register: LOADED: 02.09.2019 Hits keep coming for Ducks goalie John Gibson, who sits out Friday’s practice

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | PUBLISHED: February 8, 2019 at 12:47 pm | UPDATED: February 8, 2019 at 12:47 PM

PHILADELPHIA — The struggle is real. Back when the Ducks were actually winning games with regularity and there was talk of a awaiting goaltender John Gibson at season’s end, there seemed to be little worry he would need a backup beyond a few spot starts from Ryan Miller.

Now that the season has gone haywire and the Ducks are spiraling toward the bottom of the NHL’s overall standings, it appears Gibson could use all the help he could get. He took another hit late in the second period of the Ducks’ loss Thursday to the .

This time, it was a literal hit.

Defenseman Jaycob Megna clobbered Gibson while trying to defend against Ottawa’s . Gibson played the remaining 1:52 of the middle period, but yielded to Chad Johnson to start the third period of an eventual 4-0 defeat, the Ducks’ sixth in a row and 18th in the past 20 games.

Johnson replaced Gibson in four consecutive starts, the first three in order to save the Ducks’ All-Star goalie from further damage from a 5-1 loss to the St. Louis, a 9-3 defeat to the Winnipeg Jets and a 6-1 thumping thumping at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Ducks claimed Johnson off waivers from the St. Louis Blues after Miller suffered a sprained knee in a Dec. 9 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Miller is drawing closer to a return to the lineup, which means Johnson could be out of a job soon.

Or maybe not.

Gibson didn’t join the Ducks for their practice Friday at the University of Pennsylvania and his status for Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers is uncertain. The Ducks said he suffered an unspecified upper-body injury when Megna leveled him Thursday.

Johnson could make his fourth start and eighth appearance in goal Saturday since the Ducks claimed him from the Blues on Dec. 11. Miller is on the five-game trip and has been skating with his teammates. However, he remained on injured reserve as of Friday afternoon.

WHO’S NEXT IN NET?

Gibson signed an eight-season, $51.2-million contract extension Aug. 4 that could keep him in the Ducks’ net through the 2026-27 season, when he’ll be 36. He’s inherited a baton carried by Guy Hebert, J-S Giguere, Jonas Hiller and Frederik Andersen.

The Ducks have planned for the unexpected, however. They have stockpiled talent in goal, drafting well in recent seasons on the theory that “you can never have enough of them.,” goaltending coach Sudarshan Maharaj said recently.

Lukas Dostal of the Czech Republic was the Ducks’ third-round pick (85th overall) in June’s draft. He was outstanding during the World Junior Championships last month in Vancouver, showing off the well-structured game that Maharaj praises. Dostal is playing in the Czech league this season.

“Lukas Dostal really put on a great performance at the world juniors,” Maharaj said. “He’s very organized in his approach to the game. He’s very structured. You talk about a young goalie, a mature young goaltender, he definitely matches that model.”

Roman Durny was the Ducks’ fifth-round pick (147th overall) in June out of Des Moines (Iowa) of the United States Hockey League. Olle Eriksson-Ek was the Ducks’ fifth-round pick (153rd overall) out of Sweden in 2017.

“For the future, we also have three very talented young goalies, and I’m trying to convince them to draft another one,” Maharaj said. “You can 1129735 Anaheim Ducks talking the same language. We’re just trying to figure out if a deal can be made.”

Epp said the hope is the next conversation will be toward finalizing a new Jakob Silfverberg on the Ducks and trade deadline chatter: ‘I want to deal. “And if we can, great,” he said. stay’ But the agent also added the proviso that it may not happen. And it is a virtual certainty that if the extension does not get hammered out, Murray By Eric Stephens Feb 8, 2019 will work toward getting the best deal that he can for a player he’s long lauded but also has interested playoff-bound suitors he can extract assets from. If Brian Boyle got New Jersey a second-round pick this year from Nashville, you’d have to figure Murray would push for a first-rounder OTTAWA — He has become a fixture with the Ducks — and it is easy to and possibly a prospect for a winger with a postseason pedigree that can forget that his career started elsewhere — but Jakob Silfverberg’s NHL play in all situations and be slotted in a team’s top six or top nine. beginnings came here in Canada’s national capital. Boston is among the teams rumored to have great interest. Vancouver In 2009, the Ottawa Senators made the 19-year-old Silfverberg a can use a definite upgrade on the wing as it’s now in a playoff push second-round selection in that summer’s draft. At the time, the young (though GM Jim Benning has told local media that he doesn’t want to winger had just begun to settle in with his hometown club, Brynas IF of deal his picks). Dallas is in the mix and GM Jim Nill may need a playoff the . There was no rush to come over to North berth to stay on, but the Stars also badly need scoring depth. Pittsburgh America, and Silfverberg would ultimately become the star captain and GM Jim Rutherford is always looking to boost the Penguins’ Cup SHL player of the year for Brynas on a championship 2011-12 club that chances. also featured current Nashville Predators Mattias Ekholm and Calle Jarnkrok. Epp knows teams are calling Murray and figures the pressure is more on the GM as the Feb. 25 trade deadline nears. Previously, Murray has said, But the NHL was going to be his eventual destination and Silfverberg “Silvy knows exactly where I’m at.” This is also a deal where Silfverberg was regarded so highly as a prospect with the Senators that they brought figures to try to maximize, if possible, given that the next contract will him into the 2012 Stanley Cup playoff mix after his SHL season ended. take him into his 30s. Murray will have to take great care how far into The next season — the 2012-13 lockout campaign that was shortened to those 30s he’d be willing to go, given that he’s pinched with big deals for 48 games — saw him entrenched in Ottawa’s lineup as the Senators the declining Big Money Three of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Ryan returned to the postseason and advanced to the second round. Kesler. (And he has given a similar extension to Adam Henrique, who’s The association with his original team would be brief. Memorable still. 29).

“It was a very quick year but obviously I did my fair share of summer Silfverberg knows his value to the Ducks but also recognizes he has camps here,” Silfverberg said. “I did four development camps and played value to them in what could be a significant re-tooling of the roster that a hockey season in Binghamton and a half season with Ottawa. We had may be necessary. “That’s the way you obviously got to look at it,” he a really good group of guys too. A pretty young team. Had a few Swedes said. too. Alfie (Daniel Alfredsson) was still playing and Erik Karlsson was Of the uncertainty and the team’s plummet that might have it be a seller here. Robin Lehner, the goalie, and Mika Zibanejad. at the deadline, Silfverberg said: “I know when things are going this way, ”It was a fun year,” Silfverberg said. “But for me at that time of my career, you know that things can change. But obviously I think as far as the you’re a kid and kind of just going with the flow. You didn’t really try to contract, I think both me and Bob know where I stand. I said it. I want to make too much of an impact. You were kind of just a passenger.” stay. I like it here. But at the same time, you got to respect the (decision) when things aren’t going our way. Silfverberg remembered those 2013 playoffs and Ottawa’s first-round win over Montreal, one of its main rivals — “That was a big deal,” he said — “So you never know. I guess we’ll find out in a week or two or however and called it a year where he learned a lot about the NHL, his time with long it is.” the Senators forming the base of a career that’s now seven seasons old. The Ducks haven’t been true sellers in a long time. They’ve traded “But it stopped at one year,” he said. players for draft picks (see Kyle Palmieri and Patrick Maroon), but those deals had more of a financial element that could impact their overall The foundation has been built in Anaheim after the Ducks got the up- budget and salary structure for others. Otherwise, the trade deadline has and-coming forward in the blockbuster Bobby Ryan deal. Over the last usually been about adding pieces. Now they’re facing moves needed in six years, Silfverberg has been an indispensable part of their lineup. Most order to bring more talent into the pipeline and ultimately replace their of that time was spent on the second line, and his heady play, defensive aging trio and augment their younger core and the skilled kids that are acumen, strong frame and quick wrist became a great two-way fit close to moving onto the roster full-time. with puck-possessive forwards Ryan Kesler and Andrew Cogliano to form a dependable, if not feared, shutdown line that was at the heart of It is a new feeling, but Getzlaf insists it doesn’t occupy their thoughts. their tremendous regular seasons, Pacific Division titles and Stanley Cup Makes some sense. They’re just trying to win a game now. contention over a five-year stretch. “Honestly, it hasn’t even been talked about in our locker room at all,” Now Silfverberg has arrived toward the end of his Ducks contract, one Getzlaf said. “We got our own stuff to worry about without worrying about that he signed in 2015. And there is uncertainty about his future in who’s coming or going. It’s about our team just going out and executing Anaheim. The 28-year-old can be an unrestricted free agent for the first and trying to play better.” time this offseason, but he would like to bypass that if there’s a meeting Silfverberg leads the Ducks with 12 goals, which is fine for him as a guy of the minds on his value going forward. The rub in this is the Ducks are that can touch 20 but not for a team that’s into Game 55 and dropped about as far from Cup contention as a team can be. that by a 4-0 score to the equally woeful Senators. It is that depressing Value can have different meanings. On Silfverberg’s side, it will certainly around the Ducks. Ottawa won both meetings of the season in which the be about money and the kind of term he is seeking. It is about that as teams had respective eight-game losing streaks and five-game droughts well for the Ducks and general manager Bob Murray. Agreement needs at the time. to be reached there. And there doesn’t seem to be a rush for the winger The winger has been playing commendably during Anaheim’s horrific run to get to UFA status, and Murray has expressed his desire to keep him, and through trade chatter that will only increase the longer an extension strongly feeling that Silfverberg isn’t part of the problem with the team hasn’t been agreed upon and announced. these days. “I think I’ve been doing a good job of managing it and not putting too Talks toward an extension are in an active stage. Murray has been on a much focus on it,” Silfverberg said. “I wouldn’t blame that on anything scouting trip overseas while the Ducks have been on the road, but that affected my game. At this point, I’m just taking it day by day and I’m Silfverberg’s agent, Kevin Epp, told The Athletic that more discussions trying to help this team improve and try to improve myself. I don’t put too are expected in the coming days. much thought on that contract stuff.” “I had a good conversation with Bob last week before he left for Europe,” Epp said. “We’ll reconvene when he gets back. It sounded like we’re Ottawa was the beginning for Silfverberg. Anaheim is the present for him didn’t miss too much hockey and I think that break gave me a mental – and, if it can be worked out, the future. break just to get away from the game. Really just focus on my hip and get that back to a good spot and get my hamstring back to where it’s “It was the start of my career, but I feel like the player that I am today has good.” developed more in Anaheim,” he said. Earlier this week, coach Randy Carlyle said, “Kes is a very competitive Surveying the Ice guy. If there’s one player in that dressing room that we don’t have to • There are many numbers that can describe the Ducks. Most are worry about ever coming on and being in a compete mode — he takes gruesome and unfathomable. that challenge personally. Whoever he’s going to play against, whoever they decide to play him up against, he’s going to compete.” Eighteen losses in 20 games. A 12-game losing streak interrupted by two wins before six more defeats. Just eight points (2-12-4) gained out of a • Patrick Eaves did not play as he is battling a flu bug. It has been a possible 40. Take away their 5-1-1 start to open the year and the 11-2-0 struggle for Eaves to either stay on the ice or do much when he has been run that vaulted them into playoff positioning in December and the Ducks in action. The winger was a healthy scratch in Montreal and doesn’t have are 5-22-8 otherwise. a point in his seven games this season. He has played in two of four games since becoming active again after missing two months of action That’s worst-in-the-NHL stuff. Which is what Anaheim is now. It gets only due to a rib fracture. more gruesome when you dig into a bone-dry offense. • John Gibson could be a question mark for Saturday’s matinee in Of their 55 games played, the Ducks scored one goal or fewer during Philadelphia to close the five-game road trip. Gibson did not play the third regulation or overtime in 20 of them. Twelve have come during this period after Ducks defenseman Jaycob Megna plowed into him as he embarrassing 20-game run, including four shutouts. Three goals is went back to defend against a goal scored by Senators center Matt usually a good dividing line between winners and losers. The Ducks have Duchene late in the second period. Carlyle said he was held out for scored three or more in 22 of them. But it means they’ve managed only precautionary reasons. two or fewer in the other 33. • Anaheim and Ottawa wore toques during the warm-up skate Thursday There’s a very real chance the Ducks will go without a 20-goal scorer in support of Bell Hockey Talks DIFD Youth Mental Health Awareness over a full 82-game season for the first time in franchise history. Arizona night at . DIFD is an acronym for Do It For Daron in is the only other team in real danger of not having one this season. reference to Daron Richardson, the daughter of former NHL defenseman Silfverberg would need a big burst down the stretch if he’s still with them. Luke Richardson and his wife, Stephanie. Daron committed suicide in Ondrej Kase is done for the year. Rickard Rakell still hasn’t made it to 2010. double digits. Getzlaf has 11, but he’s a passer, not a scorer. • The late Max McNab — father of longtime high-ranking Ducks executive And in the lineup on Thursday were these players and their career totals: David McNab — will be among the 2019 class that has earned induction Perry (366), Getzlaf (258), Kesler (257), Adam Henrique (151), Rakell into the Saskatchewan . The elder McNab not only (105) and Silfverberg (105). It isn’t as if the Ducks are bereft of players served as GM of the Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils but that have put the puck in the back of the net. also had a lengthy run as an executive in the with Vancouver before the Canucks were admitted into the NHL as well It isn’t just the forwards. The last goal scored by a defenseman was Josh as the San Francisco Seals and San Diego Gulls. McNab, who died in Mahura on Dec. 20. Mahura is back with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. 2007, will be honored at the induction dinner on July 2 in Saskatoon. Asked about their inability to produce offense with the kind of proven The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 scorers they have in the dressing room, Perry managed a sheepish smile and said, “Very interesting.” The Ducks put a season-high 45 shots on goal and threw 86 attempts toward a Senators team that’s the NHL’s worst at suppressing shots but couldn’t crack 6-foot-6 Ottawa goalie Anders Nilsson.

“Yeah, we had 40 shots or whatever it was, but did we have second opportunities?” Perry asked. “Were we inside trying to battle their (defensemen) and working for those second rebounds and third rebounds and hemming them in for periods of time? That’s where I think we’ve been a little lackadaisical on.

“If we can get back to being inside and playing a little bit harder down low and creating momentum that way. … You don’t have to go out and score every single shift. It’s not going to happen in this league. But you got to go out and create momentum. It’s all about rolling the lines over and keeping them hemmed in the zone for periods of time.”

Anaheim’s fewest goals over an 82-game schedule is 175 in 2001-02. It needs 54 goals — an average of 2.00 over the final 27 games — to escape that ignominy. But its current 2.22 average is 31st out of 31 teams.

• The offensive numbers have totally disappeared from his game, but Kesler does continue to suit up and do what his body allows him from a defensive standpoint.

Kesler has played in three straight games on the current road trip as he moved back into the lineup Monday in Toronto following a five-game absence because of a hamstring injury. It occurred Jan. 25 in Detroit and the Ducks immediately sent him back to Anaheim for re-evaluation.

The five games that were missed are the only ones since he sat out the first three as he continued to rehabilitate and strengthen his arthritic hip. Kesler still has fewer points (six) than Max Comtois (seven) — who was sent back to his junior team 2½ months ago — but has appeared in 47 of the 55 contests and is now just 12 away from the 1,000 milestone.

“I think you lean on your support system,” Kesler said. “You lean on medical staff. The strength coach and your friends and family. They help you get through it. The (All-Star) break for me came at a good time. I 1129736 Arizona Coyotes The 23-year-old was playing in just his third NHL game and his first at Gila River Arena. Tocchet had thrust Capobianco into first-unit duty on the Coyotes’ power play prior to the game.

Who will be the first Coyotes player to 12 goals? Players, fans give their Capobianco registered 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists) in 40 games votes with the (AHL) this season.

Other injury updates

Richard Morin, Arizona Republic Published 4:39 p.m. MT Feb. 8, 2019 | — Chychrun (knee) is a game-time decision for Saturday’s game after Updated 8:52 p.m. MT Feb. 8, 2019 sitting out the previous four games. The team is managing the pain in Chychrun’s knee, which is due to tendonitis related to his offseason ACL repair, a source said. Make no mistake: The Coyotes’ foremost concern is winning games. Entering play Friday just four points out of a playoff spot, it should be and — Michael Grabner (eye) skated with the Coyotes for the first time Friday is the only thing that matters to this team. in a yellow, non-contact sweater. A source said the team is still waiting for Grabner’s vision to fully clear before a timetable toward return is set. Still, it doesn’t mean the players can’t have a little fun betting for and against one another, albeit somewhat in a self-deprecating manner. — Christian Dvorak (torn pectoral) continues to skate with the Coyotes as a full participant in practices as the Coyotes attempt to get the With his 11th goal of the season in just his 27th game on Thursday, centerman back in game shape. The team has mentioned the possibility Coyotes rookie Conor Garland joined four other players (Clayton Keller, of an eventual rehab stint in Tucson should it be necessary. Derek Stepan, Christian Fischer and Brad Richardson) for a five-way tie atop the Coyotes’ goal leaderboard. Richard Morin covers the Coyotes and Diamondbacks for azcentral sports. He can be reached at [email protected] and by phone That Garland has accomplished the feat in exactly half of the games the at 480-316-2493. Follow him on Twitter @ramorin_azc. Coyotes have played this year is remarkable, but does it make him the best bet to break the seemingly everlasting stalemate? Saturday’s game

The 11-goal threshold has been held for over a calendar month, as Stars at Coyotes Richardson was the first to reach the mark on Jan. 2. Shortly after When: 2 p.m. Richardson suffered a hand fracture on Jan. 10, Fischer tied the mark on Jan. 16 before Keller joined the club on Jan. 20. Stepan followed with his Where: Gila River Arena. 11th goal on Tuesday and Garland made it a five-way tie on Thursday. TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7). The Coyotes are the only team in the NHL without a 12-goal scorer, so which Coyotes player will be the first to finally reach the evasive plateau? Outlook: The Arizona Coyotes (23-26-5) wrap up a two-game homestand That all depends on whom you ask. when they play host to the Dallas Stars (28-21-5) on Saturday at Gila River Arena. … The Coyotes and Stars played one another on Monday in A Twitter poll posted by this reporter garnered over 175 votes and 71 Dallas, with the Stars emerging with a 5-4 victory. … This is the third and percent of participants chose Garland to break the tie. Keller finished final meetings between the teams this season, with the Stars holding a 2- second with 16 percent, followed by Stepan (10 percent) and Fischer (3 0-0 advantage. … The Stars are led in offensive production by forwards percent). Richardson, who is currently out of the lineup, was not an Tyler Seguin (51 points), (43 points) and Jamie Benn option on the poll. (37 points). … Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (11-13-5, 2.78 GAA) will get the start in net for Arizona. INTERMISSION POLL: Who will be the first #Coyotes player to 12 goals? (All currently have 11 goals). Arizona Republic LOADED: 02.09.2019

— Richard Morin ⚾️ (@ramorin_azc) February 8, 2019

Garland was also the most popular choice in the locker room.

Both Nick Cousins and Fischer were among players surveyed after Friday’s practice and both said they’d put their money on Garland, although Fischer added his prediction that Keller would eventually take the lead in goals.

“I think the easy answer is ‘Kells’ (Keller),” Fischer said. “But ‘G’ (Garland) has the hot stick right now. So I’d say the first to 12 is going to be Garland, but for the end goal total I’ll go with ‘Kells.’”

When asked to give his vote, Garland was hesitant at first but eventually decided on Keller. went with Stepan. Ever the diplomat, first-year captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson declined to pick a winner.

“I don’t really care, to be honest with you,” Ekman-Larsson said politely. “Right now it’s about anyone scoring goals.”

Another one bites the dust

The Coyotes suffered yet another long-term injury when rookie defenseman Kyle Capobianco got his leg twisted in an awkward collision with the end-boards during Thursday’s game at Gila River Arena.

Capobianco, whom a source said suffered a torn ACL after Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno delivered the third-period hit, will require surgery and therefore miss the rest of the season. Capobianco is the sixth Coyotes player to deal with a knee injury this season, joining Jakob Chychrun, Jason Demers, Antti Raanta, Nick Schmaltz and Ekman- Larsson.

“I really feel bad for ‘Capo’ (Capobianco),” Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said. “I really didn’t mind him the last couple games. He was really coming. I honestly don’t know what to say. It’s another guy out for the year and a promising, young defenseman.” 1129737 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Kyle Capobianco done for season

BY MATT LAYMAN

FEBRUARY 8, 2019 AT 12:50 PM

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Arizona Coyotes defenseman Kyle Capobianco will miss the rest of the season with a lower-body injury, the team announced Friday.

He took a hard hit from Nick Foligno behind the Coyotes’ net in the third period on Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets and didn’t get up. Capobianco was helped up by a member of the Coyotes’ training staff and exited the ice immediately. He did not return.

“Didn’t look good,” head coach Rick Tocchet said after the game, when he did not have an immediate update. “We haven’t been getting any good news lately, so hopefully it’s good news.”

The tilt was Capobianco’s third NHL game. He had played 15:56 with a shot on goal at Nashville on Tuesday, and last year played 13:33 at Boston on Dec. 7, 2017.

Capobianco is only the latest Coyote to be bit by the injury bug. The team is already without goaltender Antti Raanta, centers Nick Schmaltz, Christian Dvorak and Brad Richardson, defensemen Jakob Chychrun and Jason Demers and winger Michael Grabner.

OTHER INJURY UPDATES

–Dvorak (upper-body) participated in practice on Friday.

–Grabner (eye) skated with the Coyotes on Friday wearing a non-contact jersey. Tocchet has said that Grabner’s vision needed to improve to the point where he could skate in and through traffic, so him participating with his teammates is an important development.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129738 Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes trade Dauphin, Helewka to Nashville for Emil Pettersson

BY MATT LAYMAN | FEBRUARY 8, 2019 AT 9:29 AM

UPDATED: FEBRUARY 8, 2019 AT 9:30 AM

The Arizona Coyotes announced Friday the acquisition of Nashville center Emil Pettersson in exchange for AHL forwards and Adam Helewka.

The latter two players were with the Tucson Roadrunners at the time of the deal, but Dauphin has spent some limited time with the Coyotes’ NHL roster over the past four seasons. Pettersson, meanwhile, has never played an NHL game but has 11 goals and 22 assists in 49 games with the (AHL) this year.

The move involves a swap of centers as Dauphin and Pettersson can both play the position, one where the Coyotes have been been decimated by injuries this season for Arizona. Centers Brad Richardson, Nick Schmaltz and Christian Dvorak are currently injured, and Alex Galchenyuk was a center at the start of the year but has since been moved to wing.

Pettersson was drafted in the sixth round (155th overall) in 2013.

Helewka scored 13-18-31 in 41 AHL games this year, while Dauphin scored 6-14-20 in 34 games.

Pettersson is waivers exempt and comes with a $742,500 cap hit, according to CapFriendly. His entry-level contract will expire at the conclusion of this season, making him a restricted free agent.

The Coyotes drafted Dauphin 39th overall in 2013 and traded him to the Blackhawks in the summer of 2017 before reacquiring him last season. Helewka came to the Coyotes from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Kyle Wood last summer.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129739 With captain Mikko Koivu (knee) out for the season, Minnesota could be more inclined to move center/wing Charlie Coyle (East Weymouth). Anaheim might want to get something for Jakob Silfverberg (UFA) and Artemi Panarin remains the big prize in trade talks may listen to offers for two-time 30-goal scorer Rickard Rakell, three years into a team-friendly six-year deal (AAV: $3.79 million). Both are right-shot wingers.

By Matt Porter Los Angeles, last in the West (23-27-4) but only 5 points out from a playoff spot, has intriguing wings like Tyler Toffoli (two years left at $4.6

million), rental Carl Hagelin and — heard of this guy? — Ilya Kovalchuk, Though his bosses keep him abreast of potential roster upgrades, Bruce who reportedly has made it clear he wants out after signing a three-year Cassidy is focused on the team in front of him. deal worth $6.25 million last summer. The Bruins were hot after him then, but preferred a two-year engagement. Would he have better numbers The Bruins coach readily admits, however, he’s eager to see who will be here than in SoCal (11-15—26 in 44 games)? We may never know. there after the trade deadline. Barring a move between press time and puck drop, the Bruins on “Of course, when I go home I’m thinking, ‘Hey, I wonder if we’re going to Saturday will still lack for balanced scoring. Heinen, whose defensive trade for [Artemi] Panarin tonight?’ ” Cassidy said Friday. “I’m human. game has grown as his offense has receded, will ride the top line with That’s it, and it’s gone, and I’m cooking burgers or something at home. . . Marchand and Bergeron. Heinen is not nearly as fast or skilled as their . I don’t concern myself with it a whole lot.” former linemate, Pastrnak, but he’s smart. The reconfigured unit should play responsibly, and perhaps that plum assignment can thaw Heinen’s Panarin, the dazzling winger from Columbus, is the prize rental of the hands. NHL’s trade market, which closes at 3 p.m. Feb. 25. Only three right-shot wingers have scored more goals over the last four seasons than his 108. With Pastrnak on Krejci’s line with another fresh face, Peter Cehlarik, One of them, David Pastrnak (115), plays for Boston. Another, Cam DeBrusk was dropped to the third line, with center Sean Kuraly (rookie Atkinson (115), is his Blue Jackets teammate. The other is Alex Ovechkin Trent Frederic will be scratched) and David Backes (returning to the (169). lineup after a night off). Cassidy hoped the move would kickstart DeBrusk’s game. The market for a star in such elite company is reportedly a first-round pick, a player, and a prospect. It is a high price, especially for someone “Maybe it frees him up a little bit,” Cassidy said. “We want to get his who could leave a team empty-handed on July 1. But the Bruins are attention. He hasn’t produced offensively like we’ve expected the last two interested, and they’re not alone. or three weeks. That happens. The other parts of his game can’t drop off, either. We’ve talked to him about that.” The most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. Shuffling parts is a coach’s job. Cassidy trusts Sweeney to do his. Name a team in contention — Nashville, Tampa, Toronto, Calgary, Winnipeg, the Islanders — and they’ve been linked to the 27-year-old “Listen, I like our team,” Cassidy said. “We just played Washington and Russian, who announced Friday he is changing agents (Dan Milstein is New York [Islanders] really well. I think we had a little bit of a letdown out, Paul Theofanous is in; the latter also represents Columbus third period against the Rangers. Tough first period but I don’t think it was goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky). Florida hopes everyone strikes out so terrible. I think it was a product of the schedule. they might convince both Panarin and Bobrovsky to sign as a package deal this summer. “There’s areas of course we could improve on. I don’t want to disrespect the players. We’re trying to make it work . . . We’re always going to have For what it’s worth, the Bruins do not have a rich history of Russian options. But again, if a better player came along that fits there, from players. Since 2006-07, only two have worn Black and Gold: nice-guy another organization, hey, I’ll be happy if he makes our team better.” backup netminder Anton Khudobin and winger Alexander Khokhlachev, who totaled zero points in nine games. will start in net against the Kings. Jaroslav Halak will face the Avalanche . . . Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (lower body) was absent Cassidy was using Panarin as an example, as he later noted while from practice and is unlikely to play Saturday. John Moore is likely to hoping to avoid a wrist slap for tampering. Indeed, Panarin is far from the skate with Brandon Carlo, with Torey Krug-Kevan Miller and Zdeno only addition that could make sense for the Bruins (29-17-8), who hold Chara-Charlie McAvoy filling the other pairs. the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot entering Saturday’s TD Garden matinee against the bottom-dwelling Los Angeles Kings (1 p.m., Boston Globe LOADED: 02.09.2019 NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub).

Boston, which finishes a run of four games in six days the following day against Colorado (3 p.m. Sunday), could use another scorer. It has seen a bunch of hopefuls regress. Jake DeBrusk, waylaid by a midseason concussion, has gone from 43 points as a rookie to 19. Danton Heinen, who scored 47 points as a rookie, has 16. Ryan Donato, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, and Anders Bjork (shoulder injury) are in the minors.

With those pups showing promise and pop last year, it was prudent for the Bruins to surrender a first-round pick, players, and prospects for deadline rental Rick Nash. Boston doesn’t seem to have similar momentum now with its young players, but the right addition could make a difference for a team with four outstanding forwards (, Brad Marchand, David Krejci and Pastrnak), and enough reserves in the bottom six, on defense, and in net to make a run.

The Bruins could add a physical winger like Carolina’s Micheal Ferland and Philadelphia’s Wayne Simmonds, both rentals who would command less than Panarin. The Rangers, a regular trading partner for Bruins GM , could flip UFA-to-be Kevin Hayes (Dorchester), who could fill a center or wing spot for Boston; wingers Jimmy Vesey (Reading) or Chris Kreider (Boxford) are also seemingly available.

With New Jersey in sell mode — the Devils on Wednesday wheeled ex- BC Eagle Brian Boyle to Nashville for a second-round pick — winger Kyle Palmieri would make sense for Boston (he lives here in the summer and has three years left on his deal at $4.65 million), but the Devils may be more inclined to dangle rental winger Marcus Johansson. 1129740 Boston Bruins Joining the Bruins would mean Hayes having to adjust his mind-set. He would not disrupt the Bergeron-Krejci 1-2 order at center and he would not be working with top-six wingers in a No. 3 pivot role.

Reshuffled Bruins lines gave Bruce Cassidy food for thought However, with Cassidy still hunting for answers on that second line, he could be a candidate to ride on Krejci’s wing.

By Kevin Paul Dupont ■ Marchand added two more assists, increasing his team-high mark to 42 (8 clicks ahead of Pastrnak).

The Li’l o’Hate now has 19 helpers over the last 20 games, more A few thoughts and shots high off the glass after the Bruins’ 4-3 shootout than double his goal output (9) in that stretch. As of Thursday morning, loss Wednesday night to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. only nine NHLers had more assists this season.

■ Perhaps a significant night for reordered line combinations. His Interesting glimpse with 4:18 to go in regulation: A trash-talking Tony offense listless in the first period (no goals, nine shots) coach Bruce DeAngelo reached up and appeared to pinch Marchand’s cheek during a Cassidy pulled apart his No. 1 trio, shifting All-Star right winger David stop in play. Marchand did not offer a physical response. Admirable. In Pastrnak to a Czech/Slovak trio with David Krejci and Peter Cehlarik. years past, he might have kissed, licked, or otherwise hickeyed the 23- year-old defenseman into oblivion. “Looked good for a while,” said Cassidy, duly chagrined over the loss, which had the Bruins blowing a 3-1 lead in the third. ■ The Bruins went seven deep on their shootout list, and none of them was named Bergeron. Cassidy would not commit to it, but it’s possible he’ll roll out his new combos Saturday when the Kings will be on Causeway Street for a 1 “We get our stats from Goalie Bob, he keeps track of it,” said Cassidy, p.m. matinee. The new look Wednesday had Danton Heinen riding in deferring to goalie coach Bob Essensa for the extra extra session. “No Pastrnak’s spot on the Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron line. one [on the bench] really looked behind me after five shooters.”

“I’m not going to say no,” said Cassidy, asked if he would return with the In other words, Cassidy was open to volunteerism after watching trios. “We’re going to look at it and see if that is the best way to go. I Alexandar Georgiev rub out Cehlarik, Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and didn’t mind them. I thought the balance was good. DeBrusk. Only Marchand scored among Boston’s first five shooters.

The most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. “Krech finally did,” said Cassidy, who used Heinen as the No. 6 shooter. “I said, ‘Hey, if anybody wants to go . . .’ “I’m not worried much about Krech, Pasta, Bergy, March, whoever they play with. It will be more about how does the third line look?” “It’s guesswork. We have Pasta and March who go a lot. Jake. Charlie’s had a certain level of success as a young guy. Cehlarik, I was told, in The third line, which began the night as Joakim Nordstrom-Trent Providence was very good, so we gave him a look [at leadoff]. Then after Frederic-Heinen, inherited Jake DeBrusk as a refugee from the second that, it was probably Krech, Bergy . . .” line after Cassidy redefined the offensive borders. DeBrusk hasn’t potted a puck since Jan. 8 and has but a lone assist over his last 11 games. So Bergy was likely to hit in the No. 8 hole, but the night ended when Krejci failed on his doorstep wrister. “Jake has been up in the lineup and hasn’t produced much lately,” noted Cassidy. “Heinen’s been working hard and got rewarded going to the net The whole exercise is a crapshoot. All things considered, Bergeron is the [tipping home a Matt Grzelcyk shot for the first goal]. Even though he’s club’s most important offensive weapon, and therefore a bona fide been out of the lineup, he is a good, responsible player. shootout candidate. But like Krejci, he is not a goal-mouth deke machine, which places him right there with the rest of the coin-flip crowd. “Jake moved down and maybe it forces him to earn his way back up a little bit. So there’s messages there. Just trying to win a hockey game by Your faithful pick chronicler’s strategy: Have Zdeno Chara hit leadoff and mixing them up. We got halfway there.” order him to uncork his 108 m.p.h. heater from 20 feet out in the slot. Then call in the medics to reassemble whatever pieces remain of the ■ His recent record fell to 1-4-2 with the loss, but Jaro Halak turned in goaltender. one of his better performances of late, snuffing out 36 of 39 shots, including a half-dozen in overtime. Boston Globe LOADED: 02.09.2019 He’ll get one of the two starts this weekend, with the Avalanche in town Sunday for a second matinee in two days (a Garden rarity).

Tuukka Rask, who is on an 8-0-2 run, hasn’t been dinged with a regulation L since a 5-3 loss in Carolina Dec. 23.

With only 28 games remaining on the regular-season schedule, Rask has played in 29. He could finish with fewer than 50, a featherweight workload for a guy accustomed to logging in the 60-65 range for most of his time as a No. 1.

“Yeah, it’s been great,” said Rask. “I think it’s important to have two good goalies, and I think we have a great tandem with Jaro.

“Both of us have played good, and I think it’s important for your team to have two goalies. Injuries happen, and you never know. You can’t have one guy play just four games all season and all of a sudden he has to carry the load.

“I think both of us feel fresh and comfortable out there.”

■ Dorchester’s Kevin Hayes, on target to be an unrestricted free agent July 1, cut the Boston lead to 3-2 in the third, with only his 12th goal this season.

Extended for only one season ($5.175 million cap hit) last July, the 26- year-old Hayes could be on the move prior to the Feb. 25 trade deadline. He’s big (6 feet 5 inches) and would fill the Bruins’ need for an effective third-line center, one who also could contribute on the power play. 1129741 Boston Bruins

Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk works to find game, end drought

By MARISA INGEMI | PUBLISHED: February 8, 2019 at 8:40 pm | UPDATED: February 8, 2019 at 9:55 PM

It’s been 11 games since Jake DeBrusk scored a goal, and he’s well aware of the drought.

“It’s a little more than a few,” he quipped.

Like almost everyone on the Bruins right now, DeBrusk is frustrated. Their secondary scoring has not improved this season, and they’ve blown leads in all of their past six losses.

With just 19 points this season, DeBrusk’s production is a far cry from his 43 a season ago.

“This year has been difficult,” he said. “I only have five or four assists and haven’t scored in 11 (games.) It’s been frustrating to say the least. But at the same time, I have a lot more to give. I’ve been taking steps back, especially in this stretch. Whether that’s getting in my head or things are affecting me, it’s something I went through last year. But I don’t remember the last time I went 11 games without a goal in any league.”

Line-shuffling has affected everyone on the team this season, and DeBrusk hasn’t been immune. Though he’s been playing on one of David Krejci’s wings for most of the season, he was bumped down to the third unit in Wednesday’s shootout loss to the Rangers.

Whether that’s affected his production, he’s trying to keep it out of his head. Some of that only comes from scoring, but also controlling what he can with the other parts of his game.

“One of the things that’s been hurting me is I’m thinking way too much out there,” DeBrusk said. “I look a little lost out there, and I am. Whether that has to do with different linemates, playing on the left side or right side, I’m not too sure yet. I think that’s another thing where you just try to find your rhythm.”

While DeBrusk said he has “no doubt” he’ll get hot again once he finally breaks the scoring spell, he’s had a lot to overcome this season. From head coach Bruce Cassidy calling for more from him, to a concussion, to just the typical changes that happen in the second season for any NHL player, there have been adjustments.

During the stretch run, he’s hoping to find a way to contribute, and with the type of player he is, that means finding the back of the net.

“This time of year is tough, and coming back from an injury,” he said. “In years past getting called out, I’ve responded with production right away, but this year it hasn’t happened. … It’s been frustrating me. Just the fact there hasn’t been production. We’ve had a lot of tight games, and I’ve had the opportunity to do stuff out there and haven’t gotten it done.”

It’s cliche, but typically once a player can find what clicks, he gets on a roll. That’s what DeBrusk is looking for, but it starts with enjoying being at the rink every day and finding ways to be productive.

Of course, winning hockey games helps, too.

“I just need to stop thinking and play hockey and have fun,” DeBrusk said. “It sounds kind of simple, but I’m not enjoying the game right now as much. When you lose, you don’t enjoy the game. When you win, it’s all good. It’s just about finding my game.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129742 Boston Bruins

Bruins notebook: Team focuses on keeping lead

By MARISA INGEMI | PUBLISHED: February 8, 2019 at 5:43 pm | UPDATED: February 8, 2019 at 10:00 PM

Each of the past six losses has a common theme: The Bruins have blown a lead. It happened again Wednesday night when they held a 3-1, third- period advantage against the Rangers only to fall in a shootout.

It nearly happened the night before at home against the Islanders, if not for New York’s potential game-tying goal being called back for offside on a coach’s challenge.

Six times isn’t a coincidence. It’s a concerning trend.

“It’s always disappointing when you have an opportunity to win a game,” defenseman Torey Krug said. “It might be more disappointing that we couldn’t respond after giving up a two-goal lead, we couldn’t get over the hump to get those two points. But those are things that happen over the course of the year. It’s February now where we can’t be giving up points. … We have to move on. There’s two big games this weekend.”

The Bruins have an opportunity to rack up points with home games against the struggling Avalanche, a Kings team with the fourth-fewest points in the NHL and the hot-but-rebuilding Blackhawks, then road games against the Kings and woeful Anaheim Ducks.

Beating up on bad teams hasn’t been the Bruins’ forte. They’re just 6-6-2 against non-playoff teams in the East. This is a stretch against the West, where the Bruins are 11-4-3.

Regardless of who they’re facing, taking a lead hasn’t been an issue for the Bruins, but they’ve struggled staying ahead.

“I think it’s pretty cliche, but we just have to stick to our game,” forward Jake DeBrusk said. “When you’re up in the third period and end up losing, it’s not something you want or predict. Staying with your game, that’s the biggest thing. Those games, the other team had a goal and we didn’t respond very well. Our goal as a team is after the initial goal, no matter what time of the game, but especially the third period, responding with a very good shift.”

Given the trying circumstances this season, and the amount of points the Bruins have left on the table, they’re still secure in a playoff spot. They are just three points behind Toronto for the second seed in the Atlantic — the second-place team in each division hosts a first-round series. Now is the time to get hot.

It’s a golden opportunity a stretch of schedule that also includes the NHL trade deadline. If the Bruins do go ahead in these games, it takes more than just scoring the first goal. They need to hold onto the lead.

Grzelcyk doubtful

Matt Grzelcyk is dealing with a lower-body injury despite finishing the game against the Rangers on Wednesday night. He likely will sit out today against the Kings, with John Moore slotting back in and playing on a pairing with Brandon Carlo.

Forward Trent Frederic will also sit, with David Backes and Noel Acciari staying in the lineup. Backes will skate alongside DeBrusk and Sean Kuraly.

Split duties

Tuukka Rask will start in net this afternoon agaist the Kings, and Jaroslav Halak will play tomorrow against the Avalanche.

Boston Herald LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129743 Boston Bruins

Grzelcyk (lower body) missing from Bruins practice, expected out Saturday vs. Kings

By Joe Haggerty February 08, 2019 4:50 PM

BRIGHTON, Mass – Second-year defenseman Matt Grzelcyk has been in and out of the lineup a bit since the Bruins regained full health on their back end six weeks ago and he’ll be out again for the Saturday matinee against the Los Angeles Kings.

Grzelcyk has a lower-body injury that he played through in the Thursday night loss to the Rangers, but the 25-year-old D-man was missing from Friday practice at .

It doesn’t sound serious and Grzelcyk hasn’t been ruled out for the Sunday matinee against the Colorado Avalanche, but it looks as if John Moore will get into the lineup and probably get a look with Charlie McAvoy on Saturday.

“Lower body injury. [Grzelcyk] got through the game in New York and it kind of lingered yesterday after the game,” said Bruce Cassidy. “I don’t think he’ll play tomorrow simply because he was off the ice today and John Moore is healthy. That’s how it’s trending, but that’s my guess how it will go.”

Otherwise, the Bruins are going to stick with their forward changes up from the Thursday loss with David Pastrnak skating with David Krejci and Peter Cehlarik on the second line, and Danton Heinen getting bumped up to the top line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.

Tuukka Rask will get the start in net vs. the Kings while a slumping Jaroslav Halak will get the call against the Avs on Sunday afternoon. Here are the projected line combos and D-pairings based on Friday practice:

Marchand-Bergeron-Heinen

Cehlarik-Krejci-Pastrnak

DeBrusk-Frederic-Backes

Acciari-Kuraly-Wagner

Chara-Carlo

Moore-McAvoy

Krug-Miller

Rask

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129744 Boston Bruins

Play of Cehlarik giving the Bruins some options ahead of deadline

By Joe Haggerty February 08, 2019 12:41 PM

BRIGHTON, Mass – It remains to be seen what needs the Bruins are going to fill at the NHL trade deadline, but the performance of some of their young players has at least given them some options. Relying on 23- year-old Peter Cehlarik to be the top-6 answer to the second line’s offensive problems certainly feels like a tall order, but perhaps he is exactly the right kind of fit if David Pastrnak is added to the right wing for a versatile line with a European flavor.

Cehlarik scored the game-winner earlier this week in the victory over the Islanders, and now has three goals, four points and a plus-5 rating in eight games since being promoted from Providence.

“I’ve been watching the games we played, as well. Sometimes we want the puck…we really want the puck, everyone really wants the puck and we’re kind of too tight,” said Cehlarik. “We want to give each other more space to work in the corners and stuff. I think we did just that tonight and I think we did pretty good [against the Islanders].”

Even better still Cehlarik has played up to his 6-foot-2, 202-pound frame while showing size, strength and power winning battles around the front of the net and along the boards. That as much as anything else fills a need for the Black and Gold provided Cehlarik can also continue to finish off plays when Krejci and Pastrnak set him up.

The goal vs. the Islanders was an encouraging one as he crashed the net, fanned on the first shot attempt and then showed the poise to reload and fire on a second chance that bounced off goalie Robin Lehner and then into the net.

It’s a small sample size for a young player that’s going to have consistency issues, but Cehlarik’s play has been encouraging, and it seems to start with playing on his strong side at left wing.

“I think some of Peter’s bug-a-boos here in the past when he played the right side, he tends to play on his backhand a little bit and make some plays in the neutral zone that came back at us. In this league, you can’t do it very often,” said Bruce Cassidy. “You can make some area passes there, but those little ones, soft ones…so we switched him back [to the left wing], pointed it out. Hopefully he learns from it going forward. I’m glad he got a goal. He was around the puck [against the Islanders] and so was that line.

“We need them, and they got one that paid off, started with a good point shot too. Something we’ve been preaching is to get a little more offense from our d. Some of that is just getting the shot through for a tip or rebound, and Kevan [Miller] was able to do that too.”

It remains to be seen how things are going to play out at the trade deadline and what role Cehlarik ends up with after that dust settles. Perhaps the Bruins can push more for a third line center at the deadline rather than going for broke with a top-6 goal-scorer that’s sure to cost a to. But the early returns have been promising for a young player that’s starting to carve out a little something with the Black and Gold, and that means Cehlarik is starting to give Don Sweeney and the B’s some options.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129745 Boston Bruins Stanley Cups and it could be argued that Lombardi’s move that year was as impactful as any trade-deadline transaction in history – right next to Butch Goring to the Islanders from the Kings in ’79, which is pretty much Duhatschek Notebook: Some reasonable trade scenarios that benefit the gold standard for a trade deadline acquisition and actually ushered in both sides the current trade-deadline mania that engulfs the NHL.

That’s really the goal here – to helpfully create scenarios that could unfold, in some fashion, at some point, in real life. By Eric Duhatschek Feb 8, 2019 Of course, every trade deadline presents its own unique complications and this year, one of the great challenges is separating the buyers from the sellers in the Western Conference, where the logjam in the middle of Last week I made a case for why teams should proceed cautiously when the standings has even teams that looked out of contention at Christmas, pondering whether to go all in at the NHL trading deadline. Some readers clinging to a faint hope that if things fall their way in the final third of the applauded my sober, measured argument, especially those who took the season, they might actually squeak into the playoffs. time to document every move Peter Chiarelli made as the Edmonton Oilers general manager and realized that if he had done nothing at all in This, by the way, is another area where you cannot get a consensus. three-and-three quarter years on the job, the team would be much farther ahead than they are now. Thank you for the positive reinforcement! Some people – even GMs – believe it is pointless to push for a playoff spot if you know you probably aren’t deep enough or strong enough to Most, however, thought I was being a killjoy – that the trading deadline is win four rounds. I’m going to put the Anaheim Ducks in that category. like a big circus and I was the meanie that snatched away their balloons and candy floss. Others believe that it doesn’t matter how you get in, or why you get in, only that you do get in – and cite the Nashville Predators, 2016-17, as an In the interest of keeping everybody happy (irony alert: In this business, example of what can happen if you qualify for post-season play. you learn early that you can never make everybody happy!), I’m going all Nashville was the 16th seed that year and gave the Pittsburgh Penguins in on rumor, gossip and speculation this week. By the way, as any of all they could handle in the Stanley Cup final. The next year, as a No. 1 your favorite NHL insiders – from Pierre LeBrun to , seed, the Predators didn’t fare nearly as well, exiting in the second Scott Burnside to Craig Custance – can attest, I am a positively crazy round. You never know what can happen – and if you’re St. Louis or man when it comes to making trades in fantasy hockey — never satisfied Chicago and you could actually salvage the year by squeezing into the and always looking for one final tweak. playoffs, maybe you don’t offer your UFAs to the highest bidder.

But in fantasy sport, your players only have to transfer from one There’s a little more clarity in the East, with a handful of teams such as spreadsheet to another. They’re like pieces on a chess board. Detroit wise enough to know that as far back as they are, and with as many teams as they would have to leapfrog to get in, the playoffs are a In real life, they’re people with families and kids in school, living in pipe dream for the spring of 2018-19. neighborhoods they like, with roots in their communities. Accordingly, when their lives are abruptly altered by an instant change in scenery, it But even with the Red Wings, it’s not going to be a complete fire sale can be a challenge to wrap their heads around the move – and attend to because within the context of the younger group, they’re developing and all the disruption and turmoil that arises. Historically, unsettling their they will need a handful of adults in the dressing room to teach the personal lives can also spill into and undermine on-ice performance. It is prospects how to conduct themselves at the NHL level. It means that not why teams nowadays like to make their moves early – to give players everyone you think might be available is – and some trade targets, such (and their families) time to settle into their new digs, so when the playoffs as veteran defenceman Nik Kronwall, who might look good as a rental, actually begin, the focus can strictly be on the hockey. actually have little desire to change teams at this late stage of their careers. Carter, another useful player who still has a handful of attractive But I get it: There’s no giddier feeling than trying to anticipate how the years remaining on his contract, probably falls into that category as well. team you follow might conjure up one final piece of a championship puzzle, via a smart trade-deadline acquisition. Years ago, at a previous All of which is a long preamble to the point that I am trying to make: I place of employ, I did an annual schtick that revolved around an understand the impulse to assist the teams you support in making the imaginary website I labelled NHLfaketrades.com. It was partly as a correct move on or before the Feb. 25 deadline. I did it myself in college response to all the tricksters on social media who would create false when a few of us hardcore hockey fans would concoct a series of brilliant Twitter accounts to mimic, as closely as possible, those of genuine transactions that would land the Maple Leafs the talent they needed to reporters – and then concoct phony deals to see who they might fool. win the Stanley Cup. Some of these transactions were ingenious because the manufactured trades had a whiff of possibility, which made you think, “well, maybe …” Just about every time, through a series of circuitous and complicated transactions, we’d find a way of turning Pat Boutette and Jerry Butler into One of my favorite moments during the time I was dreaming up this Steve Shutt and – and even had the good sense to laugh exercise occurred right around this point seven years ago, sitting in Dean about it afterward. We’d do in on the whiteboards in an empty Lombardi’s office, when he was still the Los Angeles Kings’ general Scarborough College classroom. manager. Lombardi used to enjoy long philosophical conversations that sometimes would last hours. This was the February before the Kings won Now, of course, there are online forums devoted specifically to pie-in-the- their first Stanley Cup and Lombardi was venting about all the sky trade talk. It tells me that the desire to assist the GM of the local misinformation that was circulating – not just on social media, but in all heroes knows no generational bounds. the gossipy forums that had developed online. So, let’s have at it.

His point was that it was getting harder and harder every day to separate There are 17 days remaining before the trade deadline. Let’s try to find fact from fiction – and that rampant trade speculation was making some homes for as many wayward potential UFAs as we possibly can – and players uneasy, forcing him to debunk some of the wilder theories maybe even try to complete a hockey deal or two while we’re at it. making the rounds to those involved. Remember, these were changing, evolving times in the industry. Analytics were just getting a foothold. After any trade, you always look for threads that exist between the two Twitter was booming, but not everyone understood all of its nuances. I teams. made the point to Lombardi – that it had just become too easy for a percentage of mischievous reasonably informed fans to play a game of When Minnesota picks up Pontus Aberg from Anaheim, you go “ah-ha” – connect-the-dots. that’s Wild GM Paul Fenton repatriating a player he originally drafted in his Nashville days. When Nashville acquires Brian Boyle from the New Then I cited his team as an example: That with the Kings’ relative surplus Jersey Devils for a second-round pick, you look at the two GMs involved on defence, any trade rumor involving Jack Johnson would have a ring of in the transaction and say, “ah-ha” – and are truth to it – and that no one would be surprised if Johnson ended up friends and spent years working together in the Predators organization. playing for either Philadelphia or Columbus prior to the deadline. It isn’t the only reason you do business, but it helps when there’s trust Lombardi visibly blanched – and sure enough, a few days later, Johnson from both side; as there is between Red Wings’ GM Ken Holland and his did get traded to Columbus (for , not Rick Nash, who was the former protégé Jim Nill, the Dallas GM. Nill, of course, knows Nyquist original ask) and the rest is history. The Kings won the first of their two better than most GMs because he was still working for Detroit back in 2008 when the Red Wings originally drafted him. Again, not the deciding It is hard to forecast how Edmonton, under interim GM Keith Gretzky, is factor, but a factor nonetheless. Nill would know Nyquist’s strengths and going to approach this trade deadline. Some think the Oilers will do very weaknesses but if the goal is to add scoring to a team that has all of its little and then wait until they hire a full-time GM before addressing their offensive eggs mostly in one basket, Nyquist could be a useful addition – various issues in the summer. for the rest of this year and possibly beyond, depending upon the fit. I believe Carolina will have interest in Talbot as a UFA next summer, and Dallas could potentially offer picks to land Nyquist, but I suspect the Red I always figure that if you are genuinely interested in signing a UFA, it Wings would rather have a warm body and Hintz, 49th overall in 2015, makes sense if you can to get him for the remainder of the season, so looks as if he’ll be an NHL regular; and could probably crack Detroit’s you can actually learn more about them first hand – who they are as NHL lineup next year. That would be a Red Wings’ organizational priority people; and what parts of their game might need to be repaired. My at the deadline and preferable to adding picks for players that could be guess is if they brought Talbot in, they’d like all of his intangibles and the three or more years away. only real issue is, he’s had so much trouble stopping the puck the last two years. Do you think you can get him back to the level he was at in And while we’re discussing Central Division teams that need more 2016-17? If so, then he might be your goaltending answer. scoring because they are top heavy on a single line, let’s look at the underachieving Avs, who’ve mostly been undermined by mediocre If anyone understands the value of try before you buy, it should be goaltending from both Semyon Varlamov and Phillipp Grubauer. Despite Carolina. that, they aren’t likely to do much about it at the deadline. The problem was, the last time the Hurricanes went shopping in the UFA Short-term, they need help up front but aren’t willing to part with either an goalie market, they ended up with Scott Darling and that was a fail. A-level prospect or presumably either of their first-round picks. Here’s an opportunity with Talbot to get a preview of what he might bring – and if you’re the Oilers and you’ve already turned your back on Talbot, GM is enough of a big-picture thinker that he can look beyond why not audition Mrazek in the final six weeks to see what you think of the 2019 playoff horizon and imagine a bright future that might even him, for all the same reasons why Carolina might want to get to know include Jack Hughes, which would enhance his scoring depth in due Talbot? Anyway, there’s some logic to the switch; it would be low risk, but time. But short term, someone like Zuccarello, or Nyquist, available for a the rewards – in the information department – could be invaluable. relatively modest acquisition cost, might be the answer for the rest of this season. This suggestion, which is far more likely to be considered in the summer than at the deadline, involves a few moving parts, the first of which If it wasn’t for the financial complication, part of me could see Kovalchuk presupposes that the Jackets can find a home for Sergei Bobrovsky at as a fit in San Jose, reunited with his former coach in New Jersey, Peter the deadline instead of losing him as a UFA for nothing in the summer. DeBoer, for whom he had an incredible playoff run when the two were together in 2012. Goalie moves usually require multiple dominoes to fall. If Bobrovsky does move at the deadline, most people have him going to Florida, where the Kovalchuk sounds as if he’d be willing to move from L.A. under the right Panthers could then sign him to an eight-year contract extension this circumstances. Furthermore, L.A. would love to shed what’s left of the summer (he would qualify only for a seven-year term if he relocates as a three-year, $18.75-million contract they signed him to last summer. And UFA). while the actual dollars shrink from year to year ($8.5 million this year, $6 million next year, $4.25 million in Year 3), Kovalchuk’s cap hit will stay at Does Florida want to part with the acquisition cost – for Bobrovsky and a pricey $6.25 million – too much for a lot of contenders, even if L.A. is even for Panarin – when they could potentially get them for only the cost willing to take some money back to make the deal happen. of their contracts on July 1? Tough to say – and it would obviously depend upon the price. But Columbus is a team in its window to Adding Kovalchuk would probably disqualify the Sharks from signing Erik compete, and if Bobrovsky is on the move, then someone such as Quick Karlsson to an extension next summer, which makes it even less likely. – who is playing well again and has four years to go at a reasonable cap Boston, on the other hand, is reasonably well-positioned cap-wise. I hit of $5.8 million – might be the answer, for this year and beyond. expect them to be casting the collective net far and wide – to Wayne Quick, of course, could also be a solution in Florida. Now, the asking Simmonds, Artemi Panarin and others, all of whom would command a price is said to be a first-round pick and a top prospect and that’s where hefty price. Kovalchuk’s saving grace is, he wouldn’t. He is playing better things get muddied. Quick is only one year removed from a Jennings lately, and the Kings visit the Bruins for a Saturday matinee, which would trophy, but he is 33 and his injury history will raise a red flag – the notion be a nice showcase opportunity. that his body is deteriorating after years of an uncommonly heavy I’m going to use Hagelin to make a point about the trade deadline that is workload is going to be an issue. often overlooked in hypotheticals such as these. Most of the time, you On the other hand, the biggest criticism of Bobrovsky in Columbus is that want to focus on the big names – which I’ll get to shortly. his postseason performance has never quite matched his work in the The reality is, half of the deals made, especially the ones made at the regular season. With Quick, that’s not a worry. He does, after all, have 11th hour, feature roster tweaks, where teams are trying to add depth two Stanley Cups – and one Conn Smythe trophy – on his resume. players for minimal costs. The Kings have two pending UFAs – Hagelin Matt Duchene to the Winnipeg Jets for a first-round pick (or a prospect and Nate Thompson – and you can almost guarantee both will be such as Kristian Vesalainen) heading out of town. The Jets are at a fascinating crossroads. They are the No. 1 team in the When the Kings acquired Hagelin from Pittsburgh in the first place, it was Central Division, a Stanley Cup semifinalist a year ago and a team that because he was on an expiring contract and they were happy to shed the when it has all-hands-on-deck has as good a chance as any to contend remaining two-and-a-half years of Tanner Pearson’s deal. Hagelin’s for a championship. contributions have been undermined by injury, but teams are going to look at his playoff pedigree – between 2012 and 2017, he played a total And not only this year but for several more to come. In Winnipeg, that’s of 112 NHL playoff games, and no fewer than 12 in any given season always the goal – finding that precarious balance between the future and during that span. He also has two Stanley Cups in that time and in 2016, the present; and in the upcoming summer, there is the very real playing for the Penguins, his line – with and Nick Bonino – challenge of signing two expensive RFAs, Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine, was spectacular in the playoffs, especially in the finals against the to extensions. Predators. Last year, they rented Paul Stastny for the playoffs and he was a decent Nashville signed Bonino as a free agent, partly as a result of that playoff fit; and now they are in exactly the same position, the only real glaring performance. Now that is finally back playing, the Predators need is for depth down the middle. Many people have connected Kevin will spend the next two weeks assessing where they’re at, and in the Hayes with the Jets here; ALSO: Derick Brassard, who is temporarily in meantime, integrating their two new faces into the lineup. Depending Florida, but was the other player they kicked the tires on last year before upon what they see between now and then, they may swing for the settling on Stastny. fences one more time for a Mark Stone, a Panarin or a Matt Duchene. But if you’re going to go all in, Duchene is the best option of the three as But they also might just make a middling deal – and the notion of a rental. They are familiar with him from his Central Division past; he is reuniting Hagelin with Bonino on their third or fourth line has to be versatile enough to play both centre and the wing and his speed afoot compelling. would mesh nicely with the Jets’ style of play. Duchene and Nik Ehlers would be fun to watch, going up the ice together.

Duchene said something interesting in the Ottawa dressing room this past week – that whatever decision he eventually makes, it won’t be determined by the money. To some, that probably sounded disingenuous.

To me, it made perfect sense. Ottawa works for him on a personal level, but he’s at the point in his career where it also has to work on a professional level – if not necessarily this year or next, soon after that. Because the money is going to be there for Duchene, no matter what he ultimately decides – go or stay.

If Duchene wants to defer the decision about his long-term future to the summer, which he might conceivably do, there is nothing to prevent the Sens from circling back with a contract offer on July 1. But they are almost certainly obliged to move Duchene and Stone if they can’t get them signed – and then the arm’s race is going to begin.

Where might they land? What might they cost? The Sens will almost certainly be asking for a prospect and a first-rounder for both Duchene and Stone – and then it becomes a game of chicken, playing potential suitors off against one another with the clock ticking. That’ll be a fascinating outcome.

Presumably, the Jets would be prepared to make the same offer for Duchene (or Hayes) that they made last year for Stastny, but might not be prepared to sweeten the deal any further. And while bringing back a Manitoban such as Stone makes perfect sense, short term the greater need is obviously at centre.

I’m throwing this out as a possibility only because I think Stone really, really tempts Calgary in the short term. Now, scoring hasn’t been an issue for them this year, and so they don’t actually need to bolster that part of their team. Furthermore, they hope to see James Neal find his stride in the next two months and if they brought in Stone, that would almost certainly limit his ice time and effectiveness.

But Stone is such a complete player and would probably be a relatively seamless fit (his brother Michael plays for the Flames, although he’s missed most of the season because of injury). But that family connection should provide a little intel as to what Mark might be thinking.

And if you’re Calgary, with unexpectedly the top record in the Western Conference, and if you can add a versatile player like Mark Stone – well, that’s a war-room call that’s worth pondering.

And of course, when it comes to ex-Brandon Wheat Kings, you never rule out the Vegas Golden Knights, where the organization’s No. 2, Kelly McCrimmon, still runs the show at arms-length and knows everybody that ever passed through there.

I’m not even going to try and find a destination for Panarin because any of Boston, Nashville, Dallas, Colorado, the New York Islanders or Florida all make sense on some level.

Why wouldn’t you want arguably the most dynamic scorer available? But at what price? I don’t know and I can’t say. About the only thing that interests me here is the timing – does Panarin linger on the trade board until right up to the deadline, or does Columbus get pro-active and move him sooner rather than later, with a view to flipping the assets they acquire in any deal for him to add reinforcements for a 2019 playoff push?

They’re all good questions. The answers will come soon.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129746 Boston Bruins will really open eyes and get more younger hockey players to think about officiating.”

Guay understands that officiating is a great way to stay involved in the Katie Guay keeps pushing skating boundaries in Red Bull Crashed Ice at game after one’s competitive days come to an end. Fenway Park “There have been so many amazing opportunities that the game has given me, and I’m hoping younger hockey players see the brighter side of By Joe McDonald Feb 8, 2019 the officiating ranks,” she said.

She currently works for the USA Hockey Foundation as the director of philanthropy. However, for a few days at Fenway Park, she will be a On Super Bowl Sunday, Katie Guay celebrated the New England Patriots skating daredevil, racing down a track at speeds far different from a winning their sixth Super Bowl championship by eating plenty of Carvel normal hockey game. ice cream cake. Only a few days later, she was skating down a 2,000- foot ice track at Fenway Park. “And here we are at Fenway Park. It’s certainly a whirlwind of a week,” she said. “That’s pretty much my training, but unfortunately it’s showing,” she said with a laugh. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019

Guay, 36, a native of Westfield, Mass., is competing in the Red Bull Crashed Ice event this weekend at the storied ballpark. It’s a wild event in which four skaters race down the seven-story track careening through hairpin turns and steep vertical drops at speeds reaching 50 miles per hour.

On Thursday, while still digesting Fudgie the Whale, she completed three training runs in preparation for Friday’s time trials. Afterward, she joked that she was laying on the ice more than skating on it.

“This is tough. It’s really tough,” said the former Brown University hockey player.

So far, it’s been an amazing week for Guay. On Monday, she became the first female official to work the men’s Beanpot at TD Garden. On Tuesday, she officiated the women’s Beanpot at Harvard’s Bright-Landry Hockey Center.

She’s been officiating for 12 years — she also calls men’s games in the Eastern College Athletic Conference — and this week she broke barriers in the hockey world — with plenty more to come.

“Anytime you can get in the Garden, it’s great to get on that ice,” she said, downplaying her accomplishments. “It’s always an honor to get on the ice for those Beanpot games.”

Guay fell in love with skating when she was 6 years old. As a youth hockey player, she played with the boys through ninth grade. After playing at Deerfield Academy, Guay skated at Brown. As a native of western , she never imagined one day being able to skate at Fenway Park. She’s now accomplished that feat three times.

After the Red Sox and Fenway Park hosted the 2010 NHL Winter Classic between the Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers, the ice remained on site for local high school and college games when she first laced ‘em up here as a linesman. She then officiated a Division 3 hockey game during the 2017 Frozen Fenway event.

“I’ve been on the ice at Fenway Park before, but nothing like this,” she said with a smile. “It’s crazy. I’ve seen a ton (of All Terrain Skate Cross) on TV, and that’s what got me into it originally. The athletes make it look so easy. And when you’re up there, it’s anything but easy.”

After seeing it on TV a few years ago, Guay was immediately hooked. In the fall, she heard it was coming to Fenway and inquired about competing. After completing a round of tryouts at Steriti Ice Rink in Boston’s North End, she advanced to the finals at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, N.H.

There was a 600-foot course there with only one jump, and it was fairly flat. What she experienced on Thursday was completely different with the hairpin turns and steep vertical drops along the 2,000-foot track.

During competition, skaters can reach speeds of 50 miles per hour. That wasn’t the case during the training session. Many of the amateurs competing in the events went slow in order to learn the course.

No matter the outcome of this weekend’s competition at Fenway, it’s been an incredible week for Guay. While women have already officiated in the NFL and NBA, it shouldn’t be too long before the NHL follows.

Guay, who has more than proved her ability on the ice, is rooting for that.

“I think it might happen in my lifetime,” she said. “I’m not sure when it will be, but I’m hoping the visibility that games like the Beanpot are bringing 1129747 Buffalo Sabres a loss like that. You want to say one thing and it comes out the other way. We’re all good."

The Sabres have won only three of their past 10 games and have Sam Reinhart, Phil Housley clarify comments from Sabres' loss allowed the second-most goals in the NHL during that span. They have surrendered four or more goals in eight of those games. Hutton has been pulled early in two of his past three starts, and Ullmark has an .871 save By Lance Lysowski|Published Fri, Feb 8, 2019|Updated Fri, Feb 8, 2019 percentage over his last five games.

Buffalo also has the fourth-fewest points in the NHL (23) since its 10- game winning streak ended in Tampa Bay on Nov. 29. While the Sabres' Instead of looking ahead to a Saturday matinee against the Detroit Red offense has surged over the past 10 games, their defense continues to Wings, the Buffalo Sabres spent Friday afternoon cleaning up the struggle. aftermath from a 6-5 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Entering Friday's lone NHL game, they had the fourth-most shots on goal Sam Reinhart and Phil Housley each arrived for practice knowing and 15th-most shots against during that span. Yet, this was only the reporters would ask them to clarify their postgame comments from second time since 1995 the Sabres allowed 45 goals over a 10-game Thursday, when Reinhart seemed to blame goaltending for the team's stretch. They are allowing too many quality chances around their goalies. struggles and Housley, in response to a Buffalo News reporter asking if the defensemen were good enough, said: "That's Jason's job," referring Those postgame comments from Reinhart and Housley were initially to General Manager Jason Botterill. perceived on social media as possible discord within the organization, yet the very idea seemed preposterous to defenseman Zach Bogosian. Reinhart and Housley backtracked on those remarks Friday. First, following a 30-minute practice in HarborCenter, Reinhart said he "People can say whatever to try to disrupt things, but we have a good misspoke at the beginning of his postgame interview and texted both grasp on our relationship in here and who we are as a group," Bogosian goalies – Linus Ullmark and Carter Hutton – to apologize. said. "The personal relationships we’ve built off the ice, those are bonds that will never be broken. I think we just have to do it for each other in Then, Housley addressed the elephant in the room before a reporter here. Make sure we’re playing the right way and go from there." could even ask a question. The Sabres have back-to-back matinee weekend games in KeyBank "For the record, I misunderstood a question yesterday," Housley said. "I Center, beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday against Detroit. Housley said took it as if there were any players coming up from Rochester and that’s Hutton and Ullmark will likely each receive a start, and there could be Jason’s job. ... Jason and I talk on a day-to-day basis about our team, but other lineup changes. The team met Friday morning and had an I have total faith in our D core that they can get the job done. They’ve extensive film session to review the breakdowns from the Carolina loss. proven it in the past. They’ve put us in this position, and we’re going to correct the mistakes." Housley said their focus was directed on the ice, rather than what was said to reporters. The scene inside the home dressing room was unusual Thursday night. Jack Eichel, whose failure to hit the net led to the eventual game-winning "The emotions run high," Housley continued. "There were things said in breakaway goal, was fuming and shouldered the blame. Evan Rodrigues, the locker room after the game that were positive towards that and what typically chipper no matter the result, was irritated. we need to do to get better. ... I think Sam did a great job calling our goalies and explaining what it meant. Sam, if you know him, he’s not that After all, the Sabres (26-20-7) were tied with Carolina in the Eastern type of person. Again, it was an emotional game. Sometimes those Conference standings and ended the night four points out of the second things come out the wrong way." wild-card playoff spot. Reinhart's comments received the most attention on social media. Buffalo News LOADED: 02.09.2019 The 23-year-old spoke glowingly of Ullmark and Hutton following a 5-4 shootout win over Minnesota on Tuesday night, and five of the Hurricanes' six goals were scored close to the net. Ullmark made a number of highlight-reel saves this week alone, including his Hasek- esque save against Carolina. So, it seemed unusual for a prominent player to point the finger at goaltending.

"Too many mistakes. We can't expect to win hockey games, 6-5, 7-6," Reinhart said following Thursday's loss. "We need more from our goalies and we need it from the start of hockey games. It's frustrating."

Just like the goals against, questions piling up for Sabres

Reinhart was sitting on his couch hours later when Chris Bandura, the team's vice president of media relations, informed him that the postgame answer was being perceived negatively on social media. Reinhart said it was not until he watched the interview again that he realized he misspoke.

"At first I was kind of rattled thinking that something I said was kind of taken the wrong way," Reinhart explained. "Then I watched it again and it came off the wrong way, so that’s on me. That’s not what I meant at all. ... I was trying to say we need more for our goalies. It doesn’t take a hockey genius to know those have been our two best guys all year. So I think that’s on me. I was lost in translation. I wasn’t trying to be hard on them at all. I was trying to be harder on the guys skating around the ice to come back and defend more."

Hutton and Ullmark said they were unaware of the situation until Reinhart texted them.

"He texted me or whatever. I didn’t really care," Hutton said. "He said it came out the way it wasn’t supposed to or something, but I’m not really too worried. I try to not worry about the Twitter eggs and whatever’s out there.”

"I don’t know how many times I accidentally misspoke when I’ve done interviews here or back home," Ullmark said. "It’s tough, especially after 1129748 Buffalo Sabres “Guys were playing a lot of minutes, where … had they been up in the NHL, they wouldn’t have been playing as big of a role,” Janik said.

But when many of those players graduated when the NHL resumed play 'Sandpaper guy' Doug Janik reflects on his unexpected playoff run with in 2005, Janik stayed in Rochester. Sabres left the blue line first, suffering a season-ending ankle injury two games into the Sabres’ second-round series against the Ottawa By Bill Hoppe|Published Fri, Feb 8, 2019|Updated Fri, Feb 8, 2019 Senators.

Rory Fitzpatrick slid into the lineup, leaving Janik as the top spare.

Longtime Sabres beat writer Bill Hoppe of BuffaloHockeyBeat.com will be Sabres defensemen kept dropping at an alarming rate. After Teppo writing about Sabres prospects, the and related Numminen suffered a hip flexor in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference topics this season. final, Janik played his first NHL game since Feb. 18, 2004.

Days before the Sabres began what would quickly become one of the broke an arm the next game, pressing , who most memorable Stanley Cup playoff runs in franchise history, they had played two regular-season NHL contests, into action. added depth to their blue line. “There was a group of us that put a lot of work in so that if we did have to On April 20, 2006, the Sabres recalled Doug Janik to practice as their step in and play after not playing for a few weeks, our conditioning was eighth defensemen after the Rochester Americans’ season ended. there, we were game sharp,” Janik said. “It’s just a matter of being mentally tough, having some confidence, belief in yourself that you could Only long-established Sabres fans probably knew much about Janik, who go in and play at that level.” will be inducted into the Amerks Hall of Fame on Friday along with forward Steve Langdon. Janik, meanwhile, was forming a solid tandem with Fitzpatrick as the heated series progressed. At that point, five seasons into his pro career, the former second-round pick had only played 10 NHL games, the last coming more than two “I remember how well those guys coming up were playing and helping us years earlier. out,” Briere said of the newcomers. “I mean, we’re in the conference final and they’re still giving us a chance. … You got to tip your hat for them to But 32 days after getting summoned, a stunning run of injuries forced be ready to play in that situation after barely playing during the regular Janik into regular duty during the Eastern Conference final. season with the big team. That was very impressive.”

Then, in Game 7 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Janik scored a critical Then, the day after the Sabres’ thrilling 2-1 overtime victory pushed the goal – his first in the NHL – in his last appearance with the Sabres. conference final back to Carolina for a decisive Game 7, word began spreading Jay McKee had suffered an infection in his leg, leaving Brian “Scored a huge goal,” said former Sabres defenseman Nathan Paetsch. Campbell and Toni Lydman as the only healthy regulars. “I mean, if we had won that game, it probably would’ve been one of the biggest goals in franchise history.” Paetsch, who had one game of NHL experience, would have to dress. The neophyte had been rehabbing from a high ankle sprain and hadn’t A nostalgic-sounding Janik kept rattling off names during a phone played in 62 days. conversation earlier this week. “It was bizarre, just one after another,” Paetsch said of the injuries. “, Danny Briere, Mike Grier,” said Janik, who’s in his third season as an assistant coach with his hometown Springfield Janik still vividly remembers the goal he scored with a trip to the Stanley Thunderbirds, the Amerks’ opponent Friday. Cup final on the line on June 1, 2006, in the raucous RBC Center.

Those players, of course, comprised some of the Sabres’ veteran core in With the Sabres trailing 1-0 late in the second period, Jochen Hecht won 2005-06. Janik grew up and developed with the younger group – Ryan an offensive-zone draw in the right circle on a four-on-four. Ales Kotalik Miller, Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek and others – that spent time backhanded the puck to Janik, who quickly unleashed a slap shot at the together in Rochester. near point.

“Amazing guy, well-loved by his teammates, tough player,” Briere said. A screened Cam Ward tried to spot the puck through traffic by looking to “He was one of those sandpaper guys that brings a lot of intangibles to his right, but it sailed by his left side at 15:50, tying the game. the table.” “I just kind of … took a slap shot and fortunately it went in,” Janik said. Some old friends from those days have reached out to Janik, who played five seasons and 396 games with the Amerks, to congratulate him on his Briere said he remembers laughing and “being ecstatic on the bench.” induction. “I still remember the way he picked up the puck and put it on net from the “All of us talk about how that’s some of the funnest times we’ve had in blue line,” Briere said. “I … thought that was a big-time play to come up our lives playing hockey,” Janik said of his time in Rochester. “We were like that.” all young kids who had come in within one, two, three years of each Four minutes later, Hecht put the Sabres up 2-1. other, kind of grew up together as people, young professionals. The rest of the story is well-known. The Sabres blew the lead, allowing “You remember the playoff runs, stuff like that. But more you remember three third-period goals and missing out on a date with the Edmonton the time in the locker room. I don’t think we had a practice day all year Oilers, who would lose to the Hurricanes in seven games. where somebody wasn’t playing a practical joke on someone.” If the Sabres had triumphed, Janik’s goal, one of four he scored over 196 The closeness that group developed transferred to Buffalo, where the NHL appearances, would probably be famous. upstart Sabres roared out of the lockout in 2005, morphing into one of the NHL’s slickest teams. “It was a heck of a first goal,” said Janik, who signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning weeks later. “It’s almost bittersweet because it’s your first NHL The genesis of the 2006 Cup run started years earlier in Rochester. By goal, but you’re one game away from the Stanley Cup finals and you late in the 2002-03 season, Janik said he knew the Sabres possessed a don’t get there. I think kind of the disappointment in the loss outweighs special bunch in the AHL. anything.”

In 2003-04, the Amerks reached the Western Conference final. Buffalo News LOADED: 02.09.2019 “That year and that playoff run, a lot of us really grew up as hockey players,” Janik said.

A year later during the NHL lockout, a loaded Amerks squad earned a league-high 112 points and won a playoff round. 1129749 Buffalo Sabres "You don't really think about it but as you're coming up to that number, you do realize the years are flying by when you're having fun and doing something you love," Scandella said. "Some of my friends were calling Sabres Notebook: Casey Nelson sent to Rochester for conditioning me the other day reminding me and one said, 'Do you realize what 500 games is? What it means?' It's pretty cool."

The Sabres will host the Red Wings on Saturday at 1 p.m. in KeyBank By Lance Lysowski|Published Fri, Feb 8, 2019|Updated Fri, Feb 8, 2019 Center. The Red Wings have the third-fewest points (49) in the Eastern Conference and had their three-game winning streak snapped with a 4-3

home loss to Vegas on Thursday night. Buffalo defeated Detroit in a Casey Nelson is one step closer to possibly returning to the Buffalo shootout, 3-2, at Little Caesars Arena to stretch its winning streak to nine Sabres' lineup. Nelson, a 26-year-old defenseman, began a conditioning on Nov. 24, and the Sabres lead the series, 6-3, over the past three assignment with Rochester on Friday. seasons.

Nelson, who has missed the past 24 games with an upper-body injury, "It’s hard to say how we’ll respond because tomorrow is not now," Linus was available to play for the Amerks Friday night against Springfield and Ullmark said Friday. "It’s a big game. It’s a conference game. We have to can appear in up to three AHL games before the Sabres must add him to be sharp." their active roster. The other option is to try to permanently send him to Red Wings winger Thomas Vanek, who played for the Sabres from 2005 Rochester, though Nelson would have to pass through waivers. to 2013, has a point in each of his last three games and nine points in his The Sabres will likely have nine healthy defensemen upon Nelson's last eight games. He ranks fifth in Sabres franchise history with 254 return, and they are unlikely to risk losing him to another team. After all, goals. Nelson is right-handed and was having a strong season prior to suffering Buffalo News LOADED: 02.09.2019 the injury in a loss to Toronto on Dec. 4.

Nelson had one goal among six points with a plus-6 rating in 22 games for the Sabres. He may have an opportunity to help them following this assignment given the team's defensive struggles. and Nathan Beaulieu, whom have been healthy scratches for much of the past month, could be back in the lineup in one of the two maintee weekend games.

The Sabres, like most teams around the NHL, are also low on right- handed defensemen. Hunwick, Beaulieu, Lawrence Pilut, Jake McCabe, Marco Scandella and Rasmus Dahlin are all left-handed. The exceptions are Nelson, Zach Bogosian and Rasmus Ristolainen. It is unlikely Nelson would go unclaimed on waivers.

Nelson began practicing with the Sabres following the All-Star break on Jan. 27, but he estimated that he had been skating for "weeks" with rehab and development coach Dennis Miller.

"Control what you can control. … You just keep your head down," Nelson said following his first practice with the team. "You just have to get better every day and when your name gets called you have to go out and play. That’s about all you can control."

Housley kept his forward lines the same during Friday's practice, with two exceptions.

Tage Thompson, who was a healthy scratch in Thursday's 6-5 overtime loss to Carolina, skated on the third line with C.J. Smith skating as the extra forward. Kyle Okposo was bumped down to the fourth line, and Vladimir Sobotka was elevated to play with Thompson and Evan Rodrigues.

Smith, who has two goals in his past three games with the Sabres, had one shot on goal in 10 minutes, one second against the Hurricanes.

#Sabres lines/pairings during practice:

Skinner-Eichel-Pominville

Sheary-Mittelstadt-Reinhart

Sobotka-Rodrigues-Thompson

Girgensons-Larsson-Okposo

Scandella-Ristolainen

Dahlin-Bogosian

Pilut-McCabe

Beaulieu-Hunwick

Smith is the extra forward

— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) February 8, 2019

The two men on the Sabres' new-look top defensive pairing are expected to each achieve a milestone Saturday against Detroit. Ristolainen and Scandella will be playing in their 400th and 500th career NHL games, respectively. The loss to Carolina was Bogosian's 600th career game. 1129750 Buffalo Sabres game, the way he’s attacking it through the neutral zone, even off the rush. It’s great to see him contribute.”

EROD DOES IT AGAIN In midst of up-and-down stretch, Sabres find a positive in Evan Rodrigues’ scoring spike 2-1 CAROLINA PIC.TWITTER.COM/HJ3KSJPJ6N

— BEN MATHEWSON (@BEN_MATHEWSON) FEBRUARY 8, 2019

By Joe Yerdon Feb 8, 2019 It’s not as if professional players need role models in the room, but a player who grinds like Rodrigues does certainly gets noticed.

“He works extremely hard, I think that’s pretty obvious to anyone that Making it to the NHL is hard. Turning it into a long-lasting career is even watches the game,” Thompson said. “You can just see how hard he harder, especially when a player isn’t drafted. Add to that an undersized works, he’s solid in the ‘D’ zone, he’s willing to block shots, he takes frame, and it’s impressive that Evan Rodrigues finding himself in a steady pride in the defensive side of the game. On the flip side of that, he’s got a role for the Sabres less than four years later. lot of skill and when he gets his opportunities he makes great plays and The 5-foot-10, 176-pound Toronto native may appear smaller than that great passes. He’s been hot lately and he’s feeling it right now.” on the ice, but after four years at Boston University, the last of which he Sam Reinhart is another player with a high hockey IQ. Even though was linemates with Sabres teammate and captain Jack Eichel, then- Rodrigues might not have the hardest shot or be the fastest skater on the Buffalo GM Tim Murray took a swing and signed him in April 2015. After team, having the know-how to make things work is an intangible that isn’t splitting time between Rochester and Buffalo two seasons ago and lost among his peers. struggling with an early-season injury last year, Rodrigues is sticking around Buffalo this season and even starting to thrive. “I think just the way he thinks the game; he does everything well, really. Every opportunity I get to play with him I really enjoy,” Reinhart said. “He “I think being undrafted you don’t really get the opportunities someone thinks the game so well, he’s got a good shot, he’s quick. He’s really got who is (drafted) gets, so you feel you continuously have to work yourself the whole package. up the lineup, work yourself starting in the ‘A’ and work yourself up the lineup there and finally get a shot and you’re playing fourth line,” “Obviously, you look at something like the player Jack is, and it’s Rodrigues said. “You just have to continuously prove yourself and unbelievable playing with him and playing with Roger it’s kind of got that continuously show people you have what it takes to be a productive feel as well. You don’t really need to change too much because, and I’m player in this league. It’s a grind, but it’s something I’ve embraced.” not comparing the two of them by any means, but just the way they think the game. It’s nice having that through the lineup for sure.” If effort were something that could be measured, Rodrigues would continually be at the top of the list. Being consistent is another thing Sam Reinhart owns up that’s helped him, and while he’s been a regular in the lineup, his linemates have varied throughout the season. In the past week, he’s After the 6-5 overtime loss to Carolina, Sam Reinhart, like most in the been the right wing on a line with Conor Sheary and Casey Mittelstadt as Sabres’ locker room, was frustrated about the loss and let his feelings get well as the center between C.J. Smith and Sam Reinhart or Kyle Okposo. the better of him. On Friday, he spoke up and clarified what he was trying He’ll likely center Vladimir Sobotka and Tage Thompson, but as with all to say in the heat of the moment. the lines, they’re subject to change. Those variations kept Rodrigues “At first, I was rattled thinking that something I said was kind of taken the ready for anything even when he felt his game wasn’t quite there. wrong way. Then I watched it again and it came off the wrong way, so “I think maybe earlier on in the year when I wasn’t scoring I tried to really that’s on me. That’s not what I meant at all,” Reinhart said. “I think if you focus in defensively. Maybe a little bit too much where I wasn’t making follow through the interview a little bit and – obviously, I was frustrated – the plays that I knew I could make because I didn’t want to make a but I think if you follow around in the interview near the end, I’m saying mistake,” Rodrigues said. “I felt like … my confidence wasn’t where I we all need to come back and defend more. I was trying to say we need needed it to be to be an effective player, and that started to come more for our goalies. It doesn’t take a hockey genius to know those have throughout the year. I’ve continuously told myself I not only have the been our two best guys all year. So I think that’s on me. I was lost in ability to not only play in this league but make an impact. It’s nice that translation. I wasn’t trying to be hard on them at all. I was trying to be things are finally starting to turn for me and I can finally be the player I harder on the guys skating around the ice to come back and defend know I can be.” more.”

When a player works as hard as Rodrigues has to get to this level, taking It’s not Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson in Tokyo, but the mea culpa a shift or two off could put him in the press box for an extended stay or from Reinhart helped lower the temperature around the team a bit. land him on waivers. Although he’s been in more games than not this Reinhart said he texted Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark last night to give season, he still found himself out of the lineup a few times. No player is them a heads-up about what he said and what might come their way immune from mistakes, but a player in Rodrigues’ situation knows the regarding his comments, but he made it clear he supports his miscues can’t happen often and he needs to shake them off when they teammates. do. “You look at Linus, and in my opinion he’s already one of the best in the “You know it’s a very fine line when you’re in that position,” Rodrigues world and sky’s still the limit for him,” Reinhart said. “I’m excited to see said. “It sucks. It sucks being there and down deep you know you’re what he does on a daily basis. I think we’ve set a record on backdoor better than you’re playing and you can produce more than what you’re saves this year already. And Hutts, I see him all day standing next to him, producing. You get a little frustrated because I knew I was better than so I’ll say it to his face if I need to.” what I was showing. But at the same time, you’ve got to stay in the lineup The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 or you’ll never get that chance so I tried to do all the little things right and be really good defensively. It’s nice that it finally turned for me.”

In the past eight games, Rodrigues has six goals and an assist. After putting up 25 points in 48 games last season, he has 20 points in 47 already this year. The scoring isn’t at the prolific level it was at BU, but on a team that’s desperately needed scoring from players not named Eichel, Reinhart or Jeff Skinner, it’s been a big help even if the wins haven’t come.

“I think anytime you get on a little bit of a run your confidence runs high, and his confidence is at an all-time high right now,” coach Phil Housley said. “He’s just very poised with the puck. You look at the power-play goal (against Carolina), he could’ve shot that right way and he just corrals it and puts it in the net. I really like the speed he’s bringing to the 1129751 Buffalo Sabres Since the 10-game winning streak in late November, the Sabres are 9- 14-5, giving them fewer points (23) than everyone but Colorado (19), Ottawa and Anaheim (22 each). They’re allowing 3.46 goals per game ‘The learning’s over. You have to defend’: Frustrations mount as Sabres after allowing 2.75 through the opening 24 outings. find themselves on wrong end of yet another high-scoring game “It’s unacceptable, and you’re not going to win games playing defense like that,” Rodrigues said.

By John Vogl Feb 8, 2019 The system has gone off the rails during the past 10 games, in which the Sabres have gone 3-6-1. Though Buffalo is 15th in that time frame in scoring chances against, it’s third in goals allowed on scoring chances (28). Ullmark and Hutton have a scoring-chance save percentage of a BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Sabres are wilting in the heat of their first playoff measly .788, worst in the NHL. race. It’s led to a scorching take. Part of it is because they aren’t making the huge save, and part of it is “We can’t expect to win hockey games 6-5, 7-6,” right wing Sam Reinhart because there’s no way anyone could make the save. Scorers are just said Thursday. “We need more from our goalies, and we need it from the left alone in front. start of hockey games. It’s frustrating.” “It’s a choice you’ve got to make, right?” Housley said. “Protecting your OK, so the Vezina Trophy won’t be coming to Buffalo. The goals against own net, having a respect for it. You look at the game, five of the six are piling up – the 6-5 overtime loss to Carolina bumped it to 45 in 10 goals come right in front of our net. That’s an area that players from our games – but it’s certainly not all on goalies Linus Ullmark and Carter opposition should be very wary of going into. Hutton. Not even close. “No. 1, we’ve got be tougher to play against. We’ve got to start pushing The only thing close is the opponents to the net. They’re tapping home guys, guys out, have a fear that if something gets into that area, pucks with impunity. Here’s where the Hurricanes’ goals came from on a there’s not going to be the looks that this team had tonight.” Natural Stat Trick heat map. Is that the personnel? Zach Bogosian and Nathan Beaulieu are the most It wasn’t the first time (and certainly won’t be the last). Why? physical members of the defense corps, and Beaulieu has been “No clue,” forward Evan Rodrigues said. “It’s 50 games in. The learning’s scratched in 16 of 20 games. Rasmus Ristolainen is often tougher after over. You have to defend. You’re not going to win games giving up six the whistle than during play. For smaller guys such as Lawrence Pilut, goals. Again, we’re scoring enough to win; we’re not defending. It’s as Jake McCabe and rookie Rasmus Dahlin, it’s all about positioning. simple as that.” The defensemen need help from the forwards, too. Left wing Jeff Skinner Alas, nothing comes simply in Buffalo. They’ve been talking about let Justin Faulk skate past him for the opening goal just 4:04 into the checking detail for weeks, yet the D keeps chasing its tail. game.

“It’s a respect for your own net,” coach Phil Housley said. “It’s something FAULK GOAL that this team is going to learn.” 1-0 CAROLINA PIC.TWITTER.COM/HWBX6GJA8Y But is it? The lessons are shown daily on the ice and in the video room. — BEN MATHEWSON (@BEN_MATHEWSON) FEBRUARY 8, 2019 Either the players aren’t grasping it or the coaching staff isn’t showing the right way to defend. “It’s tough to win giving up that much,” Skinner said. “The first one is 100 percent on me, but I don’t know, I think we gave up too much. “We’re going to show it to them again,” Housley said. “We’re going to review it. I think it’s important that they see it just so they can hear what “There’s going to be breakdowns. You just have to limit the amount and we’re talking about because to me those things are very fixable. The limit the danger of them. We just have to keep working at it, keep defensive part of our game, for the most part, our checking detail coming correcting some of the mistakes in our game and try and build on the back into our zone is very good. But again, it’s just in and around our net positives and realize that this time of year you have to tighten up if you that we’ve got to take care of.” want to win.”

They didn’t take care of anything Thursday, including Ullmark. Instead of tightening up, the Sabres are seizing up. The 17-6-2 start is long gone, replaced by a team on its way to an eighth straight playoff MCKEG GOAL miss. With 29 games left, there’s still plenty of time to turn it around. 3-2 CAROLINA PIC.TWITTER.COM/JSM8TPD8AL There are just few signs they will.

— BEN MATHEWSON (@BEN_MATHEWSON) FEBRUARY 8, 2019 The personnel isn’t good enough, and general manager Jason Botterill has made almost no in-season adjustments after overhauling the roster 4-3 CAROLINA PIC.TWITTER.COM/WFAM08CXRT in the offseason. It’s led to costly mistakes and painful losses.

— BEN MATHEWSON (@BEN_MATHEWSON) FEBRUARY 8, 2019 “We should win that game,” Rodrigues said. “We gave them easy ones — five easy ones. It’s a mentality. It’s a will to want to defend. If we want CANES PULL AHEAD BY TWO, 5-3. #SABRES #TAKEWARNING to want to make the playoffs, if we want to win games, that’s what we PIC.TWITTER.COM/GEI9KVQQYH have to do. There’s no questions about it.” — BUFFALO SABRES PLAYS AND GOALS (@SABRESPLAYS) The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 FEBRUARY 8, 2019

The repeated burns dropped Buffalo to 10th in the Eastern Conference and moved Carolina to ninth.

“That’s a team we were tied with going into the night,” Reinhart said. “That’s who we’re fighting, so I think we need more fight from the start from a lot of people in this room. That’s got to change very soon here.

“We all need to realize that we’ve got guys who are capable of making plays when we need to offensively. And with that being said, we need more respect for our own end. We need to all come back and pick up guys. If your shift calls for defending their guys, their top guys, that’s what you’re expected to do, and we need more out of everyone in that regard.”

Reinhart was the last player to speak before the dressing room closed, so any response from the had to wait until Friday’s practice. But it’s clear everyone needs to be better. 1129752 Calgary Flames

Flames getting ready to fire up eSports NHL tournament

Zach Laing

Updated: February 8, 2019

The Calgary Flames are preparing to host their first eSports tournament, as video gaming grows among pro sports teams.

The tournament, Feb. 16 at Scotiabank Saddledome, will feature 64 players of NHL 19 vying for a shot at a grand prize of a $2,500 Visions gift card and a Calgary Flames jersey.

The Flames organizers will pick 64 participants out of about 250 signups, said Travis Girard, who works for the team in game presentation and events.

“We’re going to put those registrants through a random generator,” he said. “It’s been a great response so far.”

Prizes totalling over $5,000 will be handed out to the top eight competitors as games will be played on Xbox.

Girard said other teams, like the Washington Capitals, have their tournament ongoing now.

“Their format is a little different. They’re doing online qualifiers and flying those winners in to play,” he said, adding the team is hopeful for more similar events in the future.

“It’s very exciting. eSports in general across the world is becoming more and more popular and the Calgary Flames would love to be a part of that.”

The event, driven by the NHL as a whole, is a part of an initiative for organizations to better engage with their markets.

“We’ve been happy to see many of our clubs activate in their local markets in an effort to test and learn this season,” the league said in a statement.

“This will give the clubs an opportunity to understand the ecosystem of esports a little more, learn who their local players are, and learn how to program compelling content to a different audience. The clubs share in the league’s objectives around esports which is to offer another touchpoint to fans through gaming, and expand our reach as we look to grow our game.”

Players must be 14 years old and those who are selected will pay a $75 registration fee. They’ll walk away with a “Chel” showdown jersey with their name on the back, free food and more.

Registration for the event closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.

Those looking to throw their name in the hat can register at www.calgaryflames.com/chel.

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129753 Calgary Flames

No hard feelings from Rittich after getting pulled early

Daniel Austin

David Rittich and Bill Peters had a chat Friday morning.

They just didn’t talk about what happened the night before. Apparently, they didn’t need to.

On Thursday night, Peters – the Calgary Flames head coach — made the decision to pull his starting goalie less than 14 minutes into the opening period of his team’s 5-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks.

Rittich had allowed two goals in just over a minute, with the first one coming on a stoppable shot from Evander Kane and the second coming after the Flames goalie had fired a clearing attempt directly into Sharks defenceman Brent Burns.

While no goalie wants to get pulled, Rittich insisted he was OK with his coach’s decision when he held court with the media on Friday afternoon.

“It’s part of my job and part of hockey,” Rittich said. “You’ve never had a bad day at work? It’s the same as me. I had a bad night last night so I just want to move on, be better next time and be more prepared for the game.”

Rittich seemed to be taking Peters’ decision to yank him from Thursday’s game in stride, but as mentioned earlier in this story, the two did take a little time to chat before Friday’s practice at the Saddledome.

But the topic of conversation had nothing to do with Thursday’s game.

“We had a great talk today, Tomas (Rittich’s brother) is going to come back again in the second half,” Peters said. “His brother loves Harvey the Hound, so that’ll be awesome to get his family back here at some point. They’re definitely coming back, (but) I think they’re waiting until it warms up. We had a good chat.

“(We talked) just about family. We never even got talking about hockey, we ran out of time.”

For his part, Rittich – who really didn’t seem upset about Peters’ decision – confirmed Peters’ account of their conversation.

“Yeah, we just had a talk about what’s going on and family and if everyone is healthy and everything,” Rittich said. “It was great to talk with Billy and I enjoyed it.”

BACK AT IT

The Flames had a scare in the final couple minutes of Thursday’s loss to the Sharks when Travis Hamonic went to the dressing room after seemingly getting hit in the hand by the puck.

On Friday, though, Hamonic was back on the ice skating with his teammates and seems to have avoided any serious injury.

“He’s a tough guy, he’s a real tough guy,” Peters said. “I was a little worried about him. In the second period he got hurt and was a little sore, a little ginger, but he wants to be ready for tomorrow (against the Vancouver Canucks) and knew if he wanted to be ready for tomorrow he had to skate today.

“(Hamonic) took one off the hand late, as everyone’s seen, but plays right through it. He’s a tough kid.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129754 Calgary Flames But don’t expect the Flames to try to reinvent the wheel offensively just because a couple pucks didn’t find the back of the net against the Sharks. These Flames have scored 199 goals this season, after all, Flames not overreacting to puck not going in against Sharks second-most in the league.

“I think sometimes you get into trouble when you don’t score and you try to force things,” Giordano said. “We just have to do the same things and Daniel Austin it’s going to come.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 02.09.2019 There were times Thursday night when the Calgary Flames just couldn’t seem to buy a goal.

Pucks ricocheted off the San Jose Sharks’ goal post, were stopped by leaping defencemen and just seemed to bounce an inch or two over the Flames’ sticks as they tried to fire shots at a wide-open net.

It was frustrating in the moment, to be sure, especially because it was against the Sharks, whose 5-2 win on Thursday at the Scotiabank Saddledome pulled them to within two points of the Flames (34-15-5) in the race for first-place in the Pacific Division.

But after having a night to sleep on the result and reflect on the way their tilt with the Sharks went down, the Flames weren’t beating themselves up too badly.

Yes, they struggled to score against the Sharks, and sure, actually putting the puck in the back of the net is obviously important, but with the way the Flames have been racking up goals this season, it’s probably not something they really have to worry about.

“I think our powerplay, we scored one on the PP and I honestly thought we could have had three or four with the looks we had,” said Flames captain Mark Giordano. “It’s just funny, (there were) weird things, I think their goalie didn’t even stop some of them, it was their d-men who were making saves and, honestly, if we keep getting looks like that we’re going to score goals, so we’ve got to stick with our structure on the powerplay.”

Ultimately, the Flames lost on Thursday night and when you’re locked in a fight for playoff seeding, that’s what matters.

Nobody in the Flames dressing room was trying to sugarcoat that on Friday morning as they wrapped up their last practice in Calgary before heading to Vancouver for the first test of a four-game road trip that takes them through Florida for games against the Lightning and Panthers before wrapping up in Pittsburgh for a tilt against the Penguins.

But with the benefit of hindsight, the Flames were able to put their tough loss in perspective and acknowledge that while the scoreline against the Sharks left a lot to be desired, the performance itself wasn’t all that bad – at least on the offensive end. There were definitely defensive lapses that need fixing.

“I think if you look back at the game, we were dominating probably most of the play,” said Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk. “I would say, it comes down to we have to bury our chances. We had a lot and we’ve got to find a way to put those in. I could have had a couple (goals) and if I just bear down, they go in.

“The games that are more frustrating are games, like, I can think back to a game earlier this year where we played in Vegas and got shut out and didn’t have many scoring chances at all. Those are the games that are frustrating. Last night, it sucks that we didn’t get the win, but it was right there for us to grab so we’ll be better for it.”

To be clear, this isn’t a situation where the Flames are throwing their hands in the air and saying, ‘You win some, you lose some,’ and chalking their defeat up to bad luck.

But when they watched the tape from Thursday’s game, the Flames could see they didn’t get skated off the ice by a dominant Sharks team, and there were a couple of key moments where a little luck might have changed the direction of the game.

“The two looks we looked at this morning that were the turning point for us (were) when it was 4-2 early in the third,” said Flames head coach Bill Peters. “(Elias) Lindholm had a chance on the powerplay, I think one of their d-men might have slid and got it and then he hit a post on a 2-on-1 a couple minutes later. You get one of those and it’s a one-goal game with 13 or 15 minutes to go, I think it changes things.”

At the end of the day, the puck didn’t go in for the Flames and the race for first place in the Pacific Division has gotten significantly tighter. 1129755 Carolina Hurricanes Haydn Fleury was scratched for Carolina. Center Brett Howden and defenseman Neal Pionk were scratched by the Rangers.

UP NEXT: Hurricanes spoil Rangers’ Cup celebration with 3-0 victory Hurricanes: At the Devils on Sunday in the fourth game of a five-game road trip. BY SIMMI BUTTAR AP SPORTS WRITER Rangers: Host Toronto on Sunday to close out a five-game homestand. FEBRUARY 09, 2019 12:08 AM News Observer LOADED: 02.09.2019

Petr Mrazek and the Carolina Hurricanes had a reason to enjoy themselves, too, on Friday night. Mrazek made 27 saves and the Hurricanes spoiled a celebration at Madison Square Garden that honored the last Rangers team to win the Stanley Cup, blanking New York 3-0. Warren Foegele scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period as the Hurricanes ended a 16-game losing streak at the Garden. He took a pass from Saku Maenalanen in the slot and wristed a shot past at 6:43. “It was nice to get rewarded there,” Foegele said. “It was a great play by (Kegger) Greg McKegg to enter the zone with speed and then a beautiful pass by Saku.” Rookie Andrei Svechnikov and Brock McGinn added empty-net goals as Carolina won its third in a row. It was Carolina’s first win at MSG since a 4-3 victory on Oct. 29, 2010. In a 45-minute pregame ceremony, Mark Messier, and the players and coaches from the Rangers’ 1994 Stanley Cup team were introduced. They were seated at center ice as a sellout crowd cheered the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of that championship. To honor that club, Lundqvist wore a goaltender’s similar to Mike Richter’s with the Statue of Liberty prominently displayed on the front. Lundqvist’s mask also has “1994” painted on the right side with a picture of Richter, his name and number. “Unbelievable. It’s a humbling thing. What a great statement by him,” Richter said before the game. “(He) didn’t have to do it. It’s very classy. I was shocked. ... Coming from him, look at the career the man has put together. He’s been nothing but consistent from the day he arrived. He’s had just a remarkable career, so it means a lot coming from him.” Rangers coach was disappointed in his team’s effort in the game. “There was definitely a lack of urgency which was surprising,” he said. “It certainly was set up to be a special night. We just didn’t capitalize on it.” Carolina, which is 13-4-1 in its past 18 games, climbed within a point of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference. “I think we know where we are in the standings and how important each game is,” Foegele said. “We need wins and it’s important we got two points there.” These Rangers are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. After a tightly played opening period, both teams had better scoring chances in the second. Kevin Hayes took a pass from Jimmy Vesey and faked Mrazek and attempted to stuff the puck into the net, but Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin swept it out from the crease. “That was a big save by him,” Mrazek said. “Hayes did a nice job holding the puck for a little bit, I get out and a great save by Slavin.” Mrazek closed the second period by making a stellar stick-side save on Mika Zibanejad with the Rangers on the power play. Lundqvist kept the game scoreless late in the opening period as he stopped Nino Niederreiter on a breakaway. He finished with 30 saves. “We definitely had our looks, especially in the second period,” Lundqvist said. “It came down to one play. Unfortunately we were on the wrong end. We had our opportunities. But they defended really well the whole game.” NOTES: For the national anthem, the Garden replayed John Amirante’s version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that he performed during the ‘94 Cup Final. ... The Rangers are 1-2-1 on their homestand. ... Defenseman 1129756 Carolina Hurricanes “I was pretty tired but I figured I gotta go myself,” he said. “I got lucky.” Buffalo goalie Linus Ullmark might disagree. Teravainen made a quick, decisive move, first making the goalie commit to his backhand feint, then Teuvo Teravainen, ‘Turbo,’ hitting another gear for the Canes since beating him with the forehand. signing extension The Canes (27-21-6), having won the second game of their five-game road trip, improved to 7-2-1 in their past 10 road games and 12-4-1 in BY CHIP ALEXANDER their past 17 games overall. Teravainen has 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in the 17 games. FEBRUARY 08, 2019 10:32 AM When Teravainen was traded to the Canes in June 2016, he had no say in the matter. The Helsinki native was a first-round draft pick by the Blackhawks in 2012 and had a Stanley Cup ring, yet was made a part of Teuvo Teravainen said he was tiring, the legs burning, but he had the the deal that also brought forward Bryan Bickell to Carolina as Chicago game on his stick, open ice and two points in sight. looked to free up salary-cup space. Fake the backhand, go forehand, and it was over. Teravainen had scored At first, it was a shock to his system. and the Carolina Hurricanes had beaten the Buffalo Sabres 6-5 on Thursday, in overtime, moving up in the standings, moving on. “It was new team, new staff, city, everything,” Teravainen said. “It took a little while and now I’m pretty comfortable around here and enjoy my time Teravainen had enough energy left to let out a big yell after the winner. here. I feel like we’re going in the right direction. Then, another one before being swarmed by teammates. “We haven’t been in the playoffs in a long time but everything we’re Teravainen’s game production: two goals, one assist. Add in any number building is to be there. It takes some time but when we get there we’re of smart stick plays and responsible defense and other slick passes and going to stay there for a while. That’s our goal, to stay there for many it was quite the game for the Finnish forward, enough for him to be years and win something.” named the game’s first star. News Observer LOADED: 02.09.2019 The Canes recently made a sizable commitment to Teravainen, signing him to a five-year contract extension that bumps his salary up to an average of $5.4 million a season. Teravainen, in turn, has made a commitment -- to taking more ownership of a team that didn’t draft him but traded for him, that brought him to Raleigh from the in 2016. “It’s of course a good feeling and I’m excited about it,” Teravainen said in an interview this week. “I believe in this team a lot. I feel like we have a lot of good, young players and can be really good in the near future and I want to be part of that. “Signing takes some stress away for me. But there’s a little more pressure on me to make a difference, I feel like. I have to be one of the guys who is good every night and help the team every night. That’s a lot of responsibility for me but I’m pretty excited about it. It’s a good challenge for me.” PENALTY KILLING Teravainen, 24, signed the extension Jan. 21. In the six games since pen went to paper, the guy his teammates call “Turbo” has four goals and five assists, pushing his season totals to 14 goals and 34 assists. “Since he signed he’s been one of our best players for sure, so that’s great to see,” Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Maybe it’s taking some of the pressure off. Just let him go play. “All year, he’s been solid. There are a lot of things you don’t notice about the way he plays. You see the high-skill things he does but there another level he’s been at this year, which is the defensive side of things He’s been really aware and we’ve upped his role because of it.” Brind’Amour, looking to improve the Canes’ penalty killing, began using Teravainen and Sebastian Aho in shorthanded situations. Good move, too. Both are adept at getting sticks on pucks, anticipate well, break up passes, throw off the rhythm of the other team’s power play. Added aggressiveness rubbed off on Teravainen, became more noticeable at even strength, all over the ice. His plus-19 rating after the Buffalo game tied defenseman Brett Pesce as the team high in plus/minus. “He’s so damn smart,” Canes general manager Don Waddell said. “He’s a got a great stick. His hockey sense is so good. We always think of him as an offensive player but he’s a very reliable defensive player and he’s showing it now. There’s a lot to like.” Jeffrey T. Barnes AP Against Buffalo at the Key Bank Center, Teravainen gave the Canes a 2- 0 lead in the second period, snaring the puck after it banged off the crossbar and then slinging it into the net. In the third, a nice setup pass led to a Nino Niederreiter power-play goal and 5-3 lead. “He has that elite talent. That’s what he can do for us,” Brind’Amour said. ‘I GOT LUCKY’ Then, the overtime. Teravainen found himself alone with the puck on the right wing. 1129757 Carolina Hurricanes “Everyone needs to buy in,” Brind’Amour often says. I don’t know if it’s crazier that they’ve actually bought in or that it’s working, but here we are. The Canes lead the league in goals scored in Civian: Serious about winning? If you can’t see that with these 2019 (58). What’s more telling about their character is how they kept Hurricanes, you’re not watching pushing with the same relentless forecheck when pucks weren’t going in. How could anyone imply these people aren’t serious about winning? By Sara Civian Feb 8, 2019 You must be glossing over Nino Niederreiter’s six goals and one assist in eight games since joining the team where offense allegedly goes to die. Doesn’t seem like 45 seconds of Duck, Duck, Goose threw a wrench in BUFFALO, N.Y. — From the moment the Hurricanes first Storm Surged any of his plans. (is that a verb?), I have wanted to stay out of it. The Hurricanes’ mistakes are as routine as they are brutal, their lack of The idea that anybody should care what The Media thinks about a post- talent is glaring, yet somehow an outright refusal to give up despite either game celebration always seemed way too self-important. of those realities has been taking over these days. Doesn’t that say more about how hard they work than two minutes of fan love after wins? It’s not for us. It has nothing to do with us. I want nothing to do with evaluating it. “I love this group. I’ve been saying it all year. They’ve been kicked down a lot and had a lot of bad things happen, and they keep bouncing back,” The first time someone asked me about it I distinctly remember laughing Brind’Amour said after the win Thursday. “Even tonight, the game should at the idea of a “Storm Surge Expert” lower third graphic popping up on have been over and we let them back in. That could have easily been a the evening news or something. way to just look the other way, but they found a way. I appreciate the effort this group gives every night.” Anyway, it seemed like all of the riveting discourse was finally dying down until Duck, Duck, Goose really pissed off some of the more There have been plenty of instances where you couldn’t exactly blame traditional folks. this group stacked against the odds for giving up. Excuses are there if they want them. But like Storm Surge ringleader and three-time Stanley It’s one thing to dislike a non-traditional hockey market’s silly new ritual. Cup champion Justin Williams says, “excuses are for losers.” (Again, I think it’s weird for the media to care either way — but you do you.) It’s another thing entirely to imply this team doesn’t work hard These Hurricanes deserve to enjoy each win. Those who are actually enough, isn’t legit or doesn’t take winning seriously because the players watching know they don’t come easily. clap a few times and smile after home wins. You don’t have to like the Storm Surge, but if the Hurricanes are putting That was a new flavor of Storm Surge criticism after Duck, Duck, in enough effort for Rod Brind’Amour of all people, maybe sit this one Goosegate. out. For some reason, it was all I could think about after the 6-5 overtime win The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 at Buffalo on Thursday that kept the Hurricanes within reach of the playoffs. “We were talking before the game (about how) this was going to be a big one and we needed to win this,” overtime hero Teuvo Teravainen refreshingly admitted. “… it was the biggest game of the year.” So they won it the hard way, via total team effort, which is pretty much how they have to win these things. Maybe those concerned with the Hurricanes’ effort level just don’t see it like I do. Or as blunt head coach Rod Brind’Amour pointed out in response to out-of-town media a few weeks ago, maybe “no one really watches us.” I’m leaning toward the latter because if you actually watched the 2018-19 Carolina Hurricanes you’d see a whole lot more than a post-game celebration. First, you’d notice Sebastian Aho growing into stardom. He reached his career-high in assists with his 37th in Buffalo, but his overtime game- saver showcased the hard work that is, for some reason, in question. “To be honest, you don’t think too much out there,” he told me postgame. “You just play. You just try to win those first (overtime) faceoffs and get the puck. You try to build off it and get the first scoring chance.” But when he doesn’t, he doesn’t give up. If you watched these Canes, eventually you’d realize the journeymen are having career years, like goaltender Curtis McElhinney standing sharp as ever at 35 years old. You’d see Greg McKegg, the 26-year-old center several franchises have given up on perhaps a bit too soon, getting his minutes and running with them on his career-high Hurricanes stint. Of course, there are the glue guys like Brock McGinn, who absorbs shots with virtually every body part so that the skill guys can do their thing. Jordan Martinook qualifies too, though he’s another one having a pleasantly surprising career scoring year with 12 goals. Two of them came right after the birth of his son, Chase, and his new contract extension. “If I can keep scoring like this while he’s alive then we’re going to be a pretty happy family for the foreseeable future,” he said in Pittsburgh. Surely you wouldn’t question the Hurricanes’ drive if you’ve ever seen their penalty kill, where the skill guys log serious minutes right next to the glue guys. Everyone does everything. Look at this roster, for crying out loud. They have to. 1129758 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks' Dominik Kahun could become 1st NHL player to complete an 82-game season without a penalty

Jimmy Greenfield

Every time Dominik Kahun takes the ice, he’s risking his chance at making NHL history. The 23-year-old rookie has played in each of the Blackhawks’ 55 games and has not committed a penalty. If that continues, Kahun would become the first player to play in every game of an 82-game season without any penalty minutes. In 1973-74, the Sabres’ Craig Ramsay didn’t commit any penalties, but the NHL schedule was 78 games then. The Islanders’ Butch Goring played 78 games without a penalty in 1980-81 but missed two games of the 80-game schedule. The NHL went to an 82-game schedule in 1995-96. Kahun rarely went to the penalty box during four seasons in Germany’s top league. In 157 regular-season games with EHC Red Bull Munich, Kahun had 16 penalty minutes, including just two last season. “I just try to skate as much as possible so I don’t need to hook somebody or trip somebody,” Kahun explained. “Sometimes if it happens, it’s just because there’s no other way. I never do much penalties.” Kahun has company in his bid to set the record. The Avalanche’s Sam Girard is the only other player who has played in all of his team’s games this season without committing a penalty. “It’s impressive he hasn’t taken any penalties,” Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton said of Kahun. “When you’re a rookie, a lot of times they’ll let a veteran get away with something, but then you do it and you’re in the box.” With 27 games remaining, Kahun has a ways to go to set the mark. But he is on the verge of setting the Hawks record for most games to start a season without a penalty. He trails only Gerry Melnyk, who went 62 games in 1961-62 before committing his first penalty. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129759 Chicago Blackhawks

'It's chemistry': Longtime pals Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat rekindle magic with the Blackhawks

Jimmy Greenfield

The puck arrived on Dylan Strome’s stick in such a way that he had to turn from the play, seeming to end any hope of finding an open teammate. Instead, Strome kept his body rotating and sent a backhand pass across the slot that found Alex DeBrincat for a one-timer and a vital goal in the Blackhawks’ 4-3 overtime win over the Canucks on Thursday. Eyes in the back of his head? Nah. “It’s chemistry,” Strome explained. “He’s usually over there.” Despite each being only 21, Strome and DeBrincat already have a long history together. They were teammates for three years with the Hockey League’s , where they established themselves as major NHL prospects. Strome was drafted by the Coyotes, DeBrincat by the Hawks, and their careers diverged until November, when the Hawks acquired Strome in the trade that sent Nick Schmaltz to the Coyotes. The duo have played 31 games together since the deal, but despite playing on a line together in most of those games, one had the primary assist on the other’s goals only twice each before Thursday. That changed against the Canucks with Strome’s no-look assist as well as another primary assist on DeBrincat’s first goal of the game. “We’ve had a couple of close ones where we didn’t really click on it but it felt good,” Strome said. “We felt good before the game, and for whatever reason it just worked out today.” Aside from Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, nobody has been more important to the Hawks’ season-altering six-game winning streak than Strome and DeBrincat. Each has 11 points in the six victories, one behind Toews and three behind Kane. Strome has kept a positive attitude even when he was part of 13 consecutive losses this season. The Coyotes were on a five-game losing streak immediately before he was traded, and upon his arrival in Chicago, the Hawks immediately began an eight-game losing streak. It has been a trying season, but the tide is turning. “I’m having fun again playing hockey,” Strome said. “The whole team is now. Six in a row and we’re feeling good, we’re confident. I don’t think it was our best game (Thursday), but at the end of the day we got two points and we move forward.” Chicago Tribune LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129760 Chicago Blackhawks But now? Ask any player what has changed, and the word “confidence” will come quickly. As Colliton puts it, there’s more “steel in their spines.”

“We’ve got a great group,” he said. “We’ve got some excellent Maybe there's a wild card in the deck with the Blackhawks' names on it leadership. We’re getting great performances up and down the lineup. after all We’re all in this together, and I’m just excited to see where it leads.” To the playoffs? That’s the big idea. By Steve Greenberg If they don’t believe there’s a wild card in the deck with their names on it, who will? Collin Delia didn’t even realize he was staring down the barrel of the Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 02.09.2019 highest-percentage shooter in the NHL. Maybe that’s why the Blackhawks’ rookie goaltender was able to get a on a breakaway attempt in overtime by All-Star that nearly won Thursday’s game for the visiting Canucks. Then again, Delia, who saved 40 shots in the Hawks’ clutch 4-3 victory, has demonstrated time and again since being promoted from the AHL in December that he isn’t the type who cracks easily. Even had he known it was Pettersson arriving like a lightning bolt at his doorstep, he would’ve been up for a good challenge. “I don’t really care who’s coming down,” he said. “If you’re worried about who’s coming down, that’s one more thing you’ve got to put on your plate. Just keep it simple and try to make a save.” Two minutes later, he watched as Jonathan Toews skated a teasing loop around the Canucks zone before lifting the puck above goalie Jacob Markstrom’s shoulder for the upstart Hawks’ sixth consecutive victory, their longest winning streak since February of 2017. “I just couldn’t contain myself,” Delia said. “I was jumping in the air, so happy that he scored. He made an amazing play. To see that puck go in the back of the net, and all the fans cheering, it was pretty cool.” It was better than that. It — Delia’s game-saver, followed by Toews’ game-winner — was the most important sequence of the Hawks’ season. As winter began, the Hawks were inarguably in the running for worst team in the NHL. The standings confirmed this, but the evidence on the ice was plain to see and too hideous to miss. So much over the last seven weeks has changed — nothing more so than the hottest power play in the league — that talk of the postseason has taken hold. Yes, the Hawks — 22-24-9 with 27 games to go — find themselves a scant two points out of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. But more than that: They’ve come to actually resemble a playoff team. Well, they’ve come appetizingly close, anyway. Undoubtedly, there are those who would debate that in strong terms. But why let the negative know-it-alls spoil what’s turning into a pretty good time? “We know we’re not even close to [our] ceiling yet,” Toews said. Like Delia, the Hawks choose not to worry about who’s coming for them — or who’s in their way. And it can’t be easy to tune out the loud clutter of the West standings beyond the top six. The Wild (57 points), Blues (55), Canucks (55), Avalanche (53) and Oilers (53) all have at least as many points as the Hawks (53), and all those teams, save for the Canucks, have at least one more game in hand on the Hawks. Not even the Coyotes and Ducks at 51 points each, or the Kings at 50, can be laughed at for holding on to wild-card hopes like grim death. Nine teams fighting for two spots? No wonder hockey-reference.com gives the Hawks only an 11 percent shot to make the playoffs. But here’s a simpler, and perhaps much better, way to look at it: If the Hawks truly are good enough, they’ll get there. That’s the belief they’ll take with them into a six-game stretch against Eastern Conference opponents that begins Sunday at home against the Red Wings. “It’s a lot more fun to come to the rink when you’re in a race and playing big games,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “For me, it’s a lot easier to come in and get excited. We want to keep that going. Everyone wants to play big games. The better job we do, the more we’ll play.” Before the Hawks embarked on this 12-5-3 stretch that’s allowing them to think big, they were, collectively, a shell of their current selves. Early deficits routinely gave way to insurmountable ones. The only thing worse than the team’s bumbling defense was its unimaginably useless special- teams play. The faraway looks in players’ eyes after games were straight out of a standard-issue war flick. 1129761 Chicago Blackhawks Q: The Hawks won three times out of Jeremy's first 17 games. Did you ever second-guess yourself?

A: No. Not once. Because a lot of time went into making this decision. Why Blackhawks' McDonough has faith in Colliton, Bowman There was a sense from the get-go that this could get worse before it gets better. There's going to be an acclimation period. We did go through a really challenging -- really challenging -- period where for eight or nine John Dietz games you're down two or three goals. But it was one of the most interesting learning experiences I've ever had. We started the Cubs season in 1997 we were 0-14. This was challenging Challenging, yet optimistic. because there was a pattern -- you'd see the same thing night after night. With more ups and downs than any roller coaster you've ever been on. But when you believe in somebody, you've got to stick by them -- high tide, low tide -- and they've got to feel that love. They've got to feel you That's how the Blackhawks' John McDonough summed up a 2018-19 really, really support them. I knew he felt that from me. He felt that from campaign that has looked nothing like the previous 11 during his tenure Stan. There was no panic here at all. as President and CEO. I would like to think when we make these decisions they are extremely After all, it's not every day you fire a three-time Stanley Cup-winning well though out. This franchise has been about continuity. But, no, there coach destined for the Hall of Fame and replace him with a 33-year-old was no second-guessing. no-name. Q: You've stood by Stan through all of this. In your opinion, what makes A bevy of losses -- many of them extremely ugly -- followed. Then came him a good general manager? another concussion to Corey Crawford. Seven more defeats in eight games to start this calendar year. A: Very smart. Tireless worker. Understands the task at hand, understands the urgency, yet understands the big picture. And no A playoff berth -- something McDonough expected before the season -- general manager is going to get everything right. But there's never a seemed completely out of reach. point in time where he's walked in here and said, "If we don't have this But just as it appeared the free-falling Hawks would unceremoniously done by 4 o'clock today, we've got to make a decision on it." thud into the Western Conference basement, coach Jeremy Colliton's He's very thorough. Nobody is going to outwork him. He always has the squad started winning, and now sit just 2 points out of the final wild-card best interest of the franchise in mind. I'm proud he's our general spot with 27 games remaining. manager. McDonough, who called firing Joel Quenneville "the most difficult Q: This was his first chance to hire a head coach. Is it safe to say his decision I've ever been a part of in 38 years," heaped praise upon leash is long and he has the ability to shape this roster in the coming Colliton for his steady hand in helping guide the Hawks to this point. years? "When you have seven or eight games where you hit a bit of a bumpy A: Of course. This was the first head coach he hired. … It's not about the patch, you find out a lot about people," McDonough said during a lengthy leash. We're cognizant of the fact that not every trade works. Body of interview Thursday. "But we got through it. We weathered it. Proud of the work has been exceptional. way he handled it. We've won three Stanley Cups, almost four. A lot of people get the credit "We put him in a tough situation. He didn't really have any of his own for that. There were people who predated us. I think Stan has played a assistants at the time. But composed, measured, up for the task and primary role in the reason that we've won. excited about our future." Q: Corey Crawford has had two major concussions in the last 14 months. McDonough and I hit on many subjects, including how long of a leash A lot of people wonder, why risk further injury? Why risk your long-term GM Stan Bowman has, what else impresses him about Colliton, whether health? How do you guys determine his future? he second-guessed the decision to fire Quenneville, and his thoughts about Crawford. A: We leave it up to him. Corey's going to be ready to come back when Corey's ready on his timetable. There's no urgency, there's no rush. Q: Did you have sleepless nights in the day or two before you decided to When he's ready to play, arms wide open from a Blackhawks standpoint. make the seismic change to the organization? What was going through your mind? But when you go through that, only you know when you're ready. So I care about him as a person, I care about him professionally. I want it to A: This was made over a period of time, and I don't want to recount all of be the right time and he would know. We really miss him, but I look at the it because it's not pleasant to recall. There were sleepless nights. You big picture and I just want him to be happy, I want him to be healthy, I want us to succeed. You want (Joel) to succeed. He's a terrific person want him to be a part of the Blackhawks. When the time is right to come and a major reason we won three Stanley Cups. … Very candid (and) back … that's when he'll come back. direct conversations. But we made the decision to move on. Q: Would you understand it if he came to you and said, "My long-term Q: Did you believe deep down that making a coaching change could lead health is more important. I'm going to retire." you to a playoff berth? A: Well, I haven't even contemplated that. I haven't thought about that. A: Yeah. Or I wouldn't have said that. I believe in this roster. And here we Again, we go back to the fact I'm concerned about Corey personally and I sit (Thursday), we're 3 points out, but we would have to hurdle five just want to make sure when he comes back he's ready. Jeremy's had teams. It's possible. I don't know the probability, but my expectations are experience with (concussions) and he's answered it the same way. for this to be a perennial playoff team. You're going to know when you know. You can't encourage somebody to I have faith in Jeremy. There's a learning curve. I watched how he get back quicker. They're ready when they're ready. We miss him, but his handled extremely challenging times and I'm watching how he's handling health is of paramount importance. a five-game (winning) streak -- and winning and losing looks the same. As for the health of the franchise, it seems to be heading in the right I'm very impressed by that. direction once again. And in the end, that's all McDonough cares about. Q: What led you to believe he was the right coach at this time? Thirty- "Plans change. Process doesn't," McDonough said. "So if you've got a three years old. No NHL experience. Four years overseas. Barely over a really good process in place -- which we do here on decision-making and year at Rockford. And Stan comes to you and says, "This is the guy not knee-jerking and really distilling things through and making sure that we're going to hire." a lot of voices are heard -- you've got a better chance of getting it right." A: I had a chance to spend a fair amount of time with him in Rockford Daily Herald Times LOADED: 02.09.2019 and he would come here periodically. He's very impressive. He's got the right makeup to be a head coach. He's very, very bright. He understands the importance of coaching younger players. He understands the importance of analytics. He's personable. He's engaging. He's a very good listener. It wasn't really about, "OK, can a 33-year-old fit in?" It was about, "Is he capable of doing this right now?" I thought he was and so did Stan. 1129762 Chicago Blackhawks

What's the ceiling for the surging Blackhawks?

By Charlie Roumeliotis February 08, 2019 5:00 PM

It took a while, but the Blackhawks are finally playing their best hockey of the season. And fortunately because of a subpar Western Conference, playoff talks are actually realistic in Chicago. After a 4-3 overtime victory on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks, the Blackhawks’ winning streak was extended to six games. They hadn’t won more than three in a row all season before this stretch. And yet they're only two points out of the final ward card spot despite their points percentage (.482) ranking fourth-worst. The most notable reason why they're having so much success is the power play, which is converting at an astonishing 39.1 percent clip since Dec. 18. But their 5-on-5 success has been strong, too. The Blackhawks have a plus-6 goal goal differential at 5-on-5 during their six-game winning streak and a PDO — a metric that combines on-ice shooting percentage and save percentage to measure luck factor — of 104.8, which ranks second-best since Jan. 20, according to naturalstattrick.com. In their previous 49 games, they had a minus-21 differential and PDO of 99.4 (the mean is usually 100). Most importantly, they're finding ways to win when they don't play their best. Like Thursday. "It's part of why we're winning games right now," Jonathan Toews said following the win. "Whether we're on our A game or not, tonight we had spurts where we were making mistakes and I think collectively we know we could be better in those areas, as far as managing the puck and managing our shifts and playing with a bit more energy if we keep them short. The fact that we can hang in there — it's unfortunate to give up a late goal, but we're finding ways to win right now even if we're not playing our best hockey." Why is that? "It just shows that everyone’s raising their game, everyone’s playing better hockey and we’re all committed to doing the right thing and at least being on the same page no matter what the situation is," Toews said. "When, across the board, we’re getting consistent efforts, we’re getting good starts, we’re getting smart changes, four lines rolling, everyone playing with energy, conserving their energy by not extending themselves, things just fall into place. "Our power play’s confident right now, we know that we’re not taking anything for granted. You gotta go out there and work hard and out-work the PK. Same goes with our 5-on-5 play. When you work hard and you stick to your team game and all five guys know what each other is doing out there, it’s just easier to play the game. You rely on your teammates and it’s much more fun to play out there when you have purpose and you’re getting rewarded for it, too." Before Thursday's game, Toews said the Blackhawks haven't reached their ceiling yet. Not even close. So what is the ceiling for this team? The answer, and part of what makes this stretch fun: nobody knows, including their head coach. "I don't know,” Jeremy Colliton admitted. “But I agree, we're not there yet. There's many things we can do better, but I think that's every team. The teams that get to play when it's the most fun, they continue to improve as the year goes on, and I think we've had a good stretch where we have taken some steps forward. Today was a step back, but in a way it wasn't cause we won. That's what teams who get to move on, they find ways to do that and that's a good sign." Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129763 Chicago Blackhawks During the duration of this winning streak, they have scored 31 goals. Nine of them have come with the man advantage, with the power play converting at a 42.9% clip, which is surprisingly not first in the NHL over An improbable streak for the Blackhawks that span (the Flyers are 7 for 16 - 43.8% - just a bit better), but excellent regardless. How good has the power play been compared to earlier this season? They have nine power play goals over the last six games. They had nine power play goals through the first 27 games of the By Chris Kamka February 08, 2019 3:29 PM season. The stars have come to play The Blackhawks have gone on a six-game winning streak; a most Over the course of the winning streak (January 20-present), Only 11 unexpected development. players have scored at least 10 points. Only five players have scored at least 11 points. Four of those five wear Blackhawks sweaters. Consider that: Most points in NHL (January 20-present) GP Six wins is equal to 37.5% of their season win total (16 – out of 49 G A Pts games) entering the streak. Patrick Kane BLACKHAWKS 6 The winning streak comes on the heels of a fivegame losing streak. 5 9 14 Their previous long winning streak this season had been three games Jonathan Toews BLACKHAWKS 6 (Dec 1821) 6 6 12 Regardless, here we are. And not surprisingly, the six game streak is the Sebastian Aho Hurricanes 7 longest current winning streak in the NHL. They now stand at 53 points, 3 8 11 tied with the Oilers & Avalanche, though those teams have played one and two games fewer, respectively. Here are the current Wild Card Alex DeBrincat BLACKHAWKS 6 standings. 4 7 11 Current Western Conference Wild Card Standings Dylan Strome BLACKHAWKS 6 3 8 11 GP Pts OK, now how exactly have they done it? If you knew these things, you Wild 54 57 wouldn’t think they could possibly be on a streak like this: Blues 52 55 Penalty kill Canucks 55 55 The excellence of the power play has even overshadowed the fact that Avalanche 53 53 their penalty kill hasn’t been very good. Over the six-game win streak they have only killed off 75% of penalties, which is tied for 20th in the Oilers 54 53 league over that span. They have allowed at least one power play goal in each of the last 4 games. BLACKHAWKS 55 53 So many shots against! Coyotes 54 51 The Blackhawks have allowed 36.5 shots per game during this 6-game Ducks 55 51 win streak… and that’s even higher than their 34.9 average this season Kings 54 50 entering the streak. However, they are getting off 33.2 per game, compared to 31.2 entering the streak. A much improved save percentage The top two teams get in. However, while they’re two points away from certainly hasn’t hurt - .918 over the past six games, compared to .894 the second Wild Card spot, they’re three points away from last in the over the first 49 games of the season. conference. It’s a log jam. But consider how much ground they have made up. Look at how the Conference has done during the Blackhawks Regardless, the Blackhawks are indeed on a six-game winning streak streak: and making a late push for the playoffs. And this despite two separate winless streaks of eight games earlier this season. Has a team ever Western Conference made the playoffs despite a pair of eight-game winless streaks during the season? The answer is yes, and the last teams to do it were the Oilers & January 20-present Coyotes. They each had a 10-game and an 8-game winless streak in GP W-L-OTL Pts 1997-98 (thanks to the Elias Sports Bureau for this note). With the Blackhawks stars doing what they’re capable of, it’s tough to count them Blackhawks 6 6-0-0 12 out. Predators 6 5-1-0 10 Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 Stars 5 4-0-1 9 Kings 5 4-1-0 8 Sharks 5 4-1-0 8 Blues 5 4-1-0 8 Jets 6 3-2-1 7 Wild 6 2-2-2 6 Coyotes 7 2-4-1 5 Canucks 6 2-3-1 5 Flames 4 2-2-0 4 Oilers 6 1-3-2 4 Golden Knights 6 2-4-0 4 Avalanche 5 0-4-1 1 Ducks 6 0-6-0 0 How have they done it? Two things come to mind. Power play 1129764 Chicago Blackhawks speech like that might have sounded corny or come across as trying too hard just a month or two ago. Not now.

Is this a Stanley Cup contender of a team? No. Let’s not get silly here, The Blackhawks are in a legitimate playoff race. How the heck did this even in hockey, where just about anything truly can happen in the happen? playoffs. But despite its flaws — the glaring defensive deficiencies, the almost complete lack of depth scoring, the continued absence of Corey Crawford — this is certainly a better team than it was earlier in the By Mark Lazerus Feb 8, 2019 season. Not just on paper (Dylan Strome, Connor Murphy, Drake Caggiula, Carl Dahlstrom) but on the ice, too.

On Thursday night against the Canucks, in the first bona fide “big” game Back in the dark times, when the playoffs seemed like an unattainable of the season, the Blackhawks saw a 2-0 lead slip away in less than pipe dream for a team universally regarded as one of the very worst in three minutes in the second period. Earlier in the season, that surely the league — you know, 18 days ago — Patrick Kane clung to hope. would have broken a team that fairly deemed “fragile.” But Stubbornly. Maybe even foolishly. these Blackhawks responded twice — with Alex DeBrincat’s go-ahead goal after the first equalizer, then with Toews’ jaw-dropping game-winner “We’re thinking about making the playoffs,” he said on Jan. 21. “We’re in overtime after the Canucks tied it again in the final two minutes of probably going to have to go on a couple 10-game win streaks or regulation. something to get ourselves there.” The Blackhawks did not play particularly well. But they won. You know, Yeah. Or something. that used to happen all the time around here. How in the world did this happen? What just happened? How did the “That’s a good sign,” Colliton said. “We were far from our best, but guys dead-men walking Blackhawks suddenly get within two points of a playoff made some plays and we got some saves and found a way to get two spot? How did the gang that couldn’t shoot straight with a man- points. Obviously, we would have loved if (the Canucks) wouldn’t have advantage suddenly become the hottest power play in recent memory? gotten any, but if we just keep putting wins together, then we’ll be where How did this most dreadful of seasons suddenly become so darn fun? we want to be in the end. … We have a much stronger spine as a team, Well, hockey’s weird like that. And the Western Conference is bad like and (Thursday) was an example.” that. That goes back to the “winning culture” Kane has talked about a lot over First of all, let’s not pretend that the Blackhawks have morphed into the the past 12 months since things went sideways last February. Whether 2013 version of themselves overnight. This is still a very flawed team, a the Blackhawks make the playoffs or land Jack Hughes in the draft or fall team that has won just 22 of 55 games, a team that still has the eighth- somewhere in that terrible purgatory in between, there’s value in playing worst Corsi in the league (46.73 percent) during this six-game win streak, important games this time of year, and in a young team learning how to a team that’s giving up 36.5 shots per game during the streak, a team snatch victories from the jaws of defeat. These aren’t the unkillable, that — as Kane himself immediately pointed out Thursday morning — is unflappable Blackhawks of yesteryear. But why can’t they be down the still just three points out of dead last in the conference. The Blackhawks road? That mentality has to be learned and earned. are riding the PDO train right up the Western Conference standings, with “I mean, now’s the time, right?” Kane said. a ludicrous power play (42.9 percent during the streak) and excellent goaltending (.917 save percentage) complementing the truly absurd Why not? Nobody reasonably expected the Blackhawks to have anything production of Kane (five goals and eight assists during the win streak, at to play for these last couple months of the season. And the bottom very least an assist in 13 straight games, and 37 points in his last 19 games). well could still fall out again, the power play could regress to the mean, a few teams could start to pull away in the race. In this strangest of And their rivals are giving them a lot of help. The once-mighty Western seasons, anything can happen. Conference is now a total mess beyond the top handful of teams, with all 15 teams either in a playoff spot or within five points of one. While the Hell, it already has. Blackhawks have surged, everyone else has stumbled. The Wild and Canucks have won four of their last 10 games. The Oilers and Coyotes The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 have won three of their last 10. The Avalanche and Ducks have won two of their last 10. Only the Blues, Kings and Blackhawks — the three dinosaurs, the toppled titans — have been winning in the meantime. The Blues, left for dead, are now in a wild-card spot with games in hand on everybody. The Kings, a putrid outfit for much of the season, are just five points out (despite being in dead last). And the rebuilding Blackhawks are right in the mix, surrounded by a bunch of teams that, let’s face it, don’t scare anyone. In barely two weeks, everything changed. “That’s the way it is this season,” Brendan Perlini shrugged. “It’s like, you lose a few games and you’re out of it. You win a few games and you’re back in it. We knew that could happen.” Sure, it could happen. But nobody actually thought it would, that the entire conference would come crashing down at the same time. Most pundits had pegged 95 or 96 points as the bar to clear to get a playoff berth. Now it’s looking more like 87 or so. That’s doable. “Everyone’s kind of bunched together at the bottom of the standings,” Kane said. “You look at the West, you can say it’s very top-heavy this year. It’s really anyone’s game. Whoever puts together a good run over the last 28 games — you never know what happens.” Said Jeremy Colliton: “Obviously, you can’t control the other results, but there’s been a bunch of nights where we’ve gotten some help, and we’ve taken care of our part of the equation, too. Now it gets a little more fun.” Fun. That’s a word that hasn’t been thrown around much this season. But here’s Jonathan Toews, talking about how exciting it is to scoreboard- watch every night, and cracking familiar jokes about having to answer questions about how great Kane is. Here’s a postgame dressing room with music blaring and guys hootin’ and hollerin’ after another big win. Here’s Colliton, telling his players after a practice to “work like dogs” and having it fall not on deaf and jaded ears, but excited ones. A quick 1129765 Colorado Avalanche

Why the Avalanche won’t trade any of its top prospects or draft picks

By MIKE CHAMBERS | PUBLISHED: February 8, 2019 at 6:00 pm | UPDATED: February 8, 2019 at 6:11 PM

Suddenly, the Avalanche isn’t so young and its salary structure isn’t so simple. With a projected team payroll of nearly $68 million, which is third lowest in the 31-team NHL, Avs general manager Joe Sakic and his staff are bracing for their busiest offseason yet. On July 1, 25 organizational player contracts expire, including eight pending restricted free agents coming out of their modest entry-level contracts (ELC) that carry cap hits of less than $1 million. Colorado’s payroll is destined to grow, and potentially approach the $79.9 million ceiling depending on several factors, beginning with how much it will take to resign All-Star right winger Mikko Rantanen. Rantanen, who figures to make $8 million or more annually, is one of the RFAs coming out of his ELC along with forwards Alex Kerfoot, J.T. Compher, Sheldon Dries, A.J. Greer and and defensemen Anton Lindholm. Forward Sven Andrighetto and defenseman Nikita Zadorov also are pending RFAs while four others are pending unrestricted free agents (forwards Colin Wilson and Gabriel Bourque, defenseman Patrik Nemeth, goalie Semyon Varlamov). Sakic won’t re-sign all those players, partly because he must replace the guys coming out of their ELCs with other ELCs; those cap-friendly contracts makes the big deals doable. Forward Tyson Jost and defenseman Sam Girard, both 20, are the only regular Avalanche players who will take their ELCs into next season. But chances are good they’ll be joined on the big club next season by defensemen and Conor Timmins and forwards Logan O’Connor and Martin Kaut, among others. Makar, a sophomore at the University of Massachusetts, is unsigned while Timmins, O’Connor and Kaut are with the Avs’ affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Which brings us to the upcoming NHL trade deadline and why the Avs won’t move any of the aforementioned youngsters or their two 2019 first- round draft picks. The untouchables include unsigned forwards Shane Bowers of Boston University and Sampo Ranta of the . “We’d love to make the playoffs but you don’t want to slow down the building process. I will not give up top picks and top prospects because we’re going to need them,” Sakic said. “We’re in a salary-cap era and you’re going to need those players coming into your system. If there’s something that’s going to help us get us in the playoffs, we’ll do that, but it won’t be at the cost of some of our top prospects and high picks.” Colorado, in addition to its own first-, second- and third-round picks in the upcoming draft, owns Ottawa’s first- and third-rounders as part of the 2017 Matt Duchene trade. Since the Senators have a league-low 43 points, the Avs are in draft-lottery position and have the best chance at No. 1 and select forward Jack Hughes, who turns 18 in May. The first overall pick is almost always NHL-ready, so in this possible scenario, Hughes would help Sakic fill another ELC need. That’s the best-case scenario for a team that already has an excellent young cast of prospects. Denver Post: LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129766 Colorado Avalanche

Five takeaways from the Avs ninth overtime loss of the season

By Evan Rawal - February 8, 2019

The Avalanche battled back from a two goal deficit in the third period, but the overtime struggles that have lingered all season emerged again. Colorado lost in overtime to the Washington Capitals by a score of 4-3. What did we learn from this game? At this point, the Avs should just spot the opposing teams a one goal lead when the game starts. They can’t seem to get out of their own way in the first period, and were lucky a quick whistle from the refs saved them an early two goal deficit. When you’re losing, you only make it harder on yourself getting behind early in every game. Semyon Varlamov actually played very well Thursday night. He bailed out some big time defensive breakdowns and at least kept it close in the third period. The third Washington goal, however, was nightmare fuel for Avs fans, as he knocked a shot that appeared to be going high into his own net. He at least recovered afterwards to give the Avs a shot at the road point. Matt Calvert was lost and found. Calvert completely lost his man on the opening goal of the game, but he did hustle back and make a great play to break up a 2 on 1 chance just prior to Colin Wilson’s game tying goal. He managed to pick up an assist when he played the puck from his belly. Ian Cole is extremely lucky the Avs were able to at least pick up a point. While it’s tough to tell how hard he actually hit Evgeni Kuznetsov in the third period, the intent was pretty clear from the replays. He was skating ahead of Kuznetsov, and clearly slowed down and flared out his elbow to hit him. He then proceeded to get the beating of a lifetime at the fists of Tom Wilson. He’s taken a lot of penalties of late but that one was very selfish. Nathan MacKinnon needs to play a full 65 minutes. MacKinnon is the teams best player, but he has to be smarter than he was in overtime. His final shift clocked in at 1:58. He had several chances to change but just chose not to in hopes of getting the game winner. Instead, he let a guy behind him, was too tired to even get close to him and the game was over soon after. That’s not the type of shift that will get this team into the playoffs. The Avalanche continue this road trip when they had to New York to take on the Islanders on Saturday. The game starts at 11 AM MST. milehighsports.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129767 Columbus Blue Jackets Which team, though? General manager Jarmo Kekalainen reportedly is listening to offers for Panarin, the shiniest jewel on the rental market. That means there is a Artemi Panarin says he'll test free agency decent chance Panarin will finish the season elsewhere, which he is prepared to handle. Brian Hedger “If Jarmo trade me, it’s ‘get working,’ that’s it,” Panarin said, citing his own path to Columbus in a June 2017 trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. “I understand his business, because (Blackhawks general manager) Stan Bowman didn’t ask me. He just traded me. After free LAS VEGAS — It looked like he had run away, escaping to the security agency, I will have a new position, no trades, you know, because I of the player’s lounge in the visitor’s locker room at T-Mobile Arena. control the situation. Right now, I don’t control it and I’m still just a hockey player.” After being approached Friday by reporters looking to talk about his surprising decision to change agents, Artemi Panarin initially declined. A hockey player with a new agent, after parting ways with Milstein with a The Blue Jackets’ leading scorer and arguably the most talented player phone call Thursday before the Jackets’ 4-2 victory at the Arizona in franchise history simply exited stage left — walking into the lounge Coyotes. wearing half his gear, including skates. Theofanous, meanwhile, now has two of the Blue Jackets’ biggest stars If that had been it, without Panarin re-emerging later with his cellphone as his clients. Will ‘Bob’ and ‘Bread’ become a package deal? extended, it would have been a fitting departure — for his shocking decision to fire agent Dan Milstein this week, his reluctance to negotiate “Interesting situation,” said Panarin, who cited Theofanous’ experience with the Blue Jackets on a contract extension, his resistance to with NHL general managers as the primary reason he switched. “I really interviews in English, and, really, for his entire four-year NHL career. like (Bobrovsky) and we’re big friends right now, but we have two different lives.” The “Breadman” has always been hard to corral, on and off the ice. He is a hard read sometimes, and this was one of those times. They share the same locker room, though. For now. Rather than hiding behind an agent or the statement displayed on his Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 02.09.2019 phone about the reason he swapped Milstein for Paul Theofanous (Sergei Bobrovsky’s agent), Panarin finally agreed to his first English interview. Roughly 10 minutes later, two things were clear. First, his English is pretty darn good, which anybody who had spoken with Panarin privately the past couple of years already knew. (Some of his quotes are lightly edited for grammar in this story, but Panarin had no trouble getting his points across.) Secondly, he almost certainly is bound for unrestricted free agency July 1 — regardless of whether the Blue Jackets keep him past the NHL’s Feb. 25 trade deadline or spin him off to a team that Panarin might seemingly want to sign with long term. In that regard, Columbus, it’s not you. It’s him. “It’s not hard because (my) teammates support me and say to me, ‘We understand you,’” Panarin said, when asked how difficult it has been to juggle his contract situation this season. “That’s it, just, I’m OK with that and everybody is OK with that. Everybody understands me. It’s one life, one chance for free agency and I want to test free agency.” He said that multiple times, even citing the potential length of his next contract as a percentage of his life. That answer was to a question about the billboard campaign around Columbus to entice him to stay, starting with an offer of “Free High Bank for life” offered by High Bank Distillery. “It’s amazing,” Panarin said. “I feel really good after that. I say it’s harder for me to keep talking about my free agency because I see how people want me to stay in Columbus, and it’s harder, but it’s my life.” It’s not you, Columbus. It’s him. And there was more to that answer coming. “We only have one life and I want to, like ... it’s 10 percent of my life, seven or eight years, you know?” Panarin said. “I want to stay happy every day and I want to see more options.” Options. Plural. As in the reports of Panarin already having a new team and city picked out might be greatly exaggerated. “Not right now, no,” he said, when asked if a specific team had his attention. “Seriously, guys, I don’t have a team, not one team where I want to go. But I have many teams. We’ll see what happens in the summer, but right now I don’t know what I want.” Judging by his reaction when asked whether the Blue Jackets still have a chance, though, it sounds like Panarin may know what he doesn’t want — at least long term. After an awkward laugh and a pause, Panarin answered, “Yeah, but ... ” before another awkward laugh. Asked whether he already had eliminated the Blue Jackets, the focus came back to this season. “I don’t know,” Panarin said. “Yeah, (they) have a chance, but we’ll see what happens in the summer. I want to still (consider) the season and help the team win the Stanley Cup.” 1129768 Columbus Blue Jackets high of 19 goals last season. He also is on doorstep of a 20-goal plateau that all young forwards eye as a goal.

“It’s definitely a goal of mine to get to 20,” Anderson said. “I could’ve had Blue Jackets: Artemi Panarin switches to Sergei Bobrovsky's agent (the 19th in Arizona) if it didn’t curve too much left, but that’s the way things go. I’ve still got (29) games here to get there, so it should be fine.” Brian Hedger Foligno doesn’t practice Posted Feb 8, 2019 at 1:39 PM Updated Feb 8, 2019 at 9:44 PM Captain Nick Foligno was the only player on the trip who didn’t practice. Asked after the 20-minute workout, coach John Tortorella said Foligno had a maintenance day. That usually means a player is expected to play LAS VEGAS — The news broke Friday morning and it was a shock to in the next game. read. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 02.09.2019 Artemi Panarin had not only fired his friend and agent, Dan Milstein, with a phone call before the Blue Jackets’ 4-2 victory Thursday at the Arizona Coyotes, but he also hired Paul Theofanous as his new agent — who also represents Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Panarin and Bobrovsky each are in the final year of their contracts and could become unrestricted free agents. Neither was expected to sign with the Blue Jackets before Panarin parting ways with Milstein, but it was certainly a fascinating turn of events. “Interesting situation,” is how Panarin put it Friday after practice, in his first all-English interview without help from an interpreter. Indeed, it is. Panarin didn’t mince words, though, when asked why he decided to make the switch in representation. “I left for Paul, because Paul has been working in this league for years,” Panarin said. “Lots of time (as an agent). He knows more how the league works, how general managers are thinking.” It wasn’t the first time Panarin has changed agents. Tom Lynn first represented the Russian star when he came over from the Kontinental Hockey League in 2015 and remained Panarin’s agent into the left wing’s second season with the Chicago Blackhawks. He dropped Lynn in the late fall of the 2016-17 season and joined Milstein’s stable of talent, which includes Tampa Bay Lightning star forward among other Russian players. Milstein completed Panarin’s current contract with Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman in December 2016, and Bowman then traded Panarin to the Blue Jackets in June 2017 before the NHL draft held in Chicago. Since then, Milstein fielded numerous media inquiries the past seven months about Panarin’s unresolved contract situation — including his release of a statement last month on Twitter saying Panarin’s future wouldn’t be discussed until the offseason. “Not easy,” Panarin said, when asked whether the phone call to drop Milstein was difficult to make. “But I live in the U.S. I’m more (of a) businessman now. I was friends with him and never thinking about this business. Right now, I’m thinking about this as a business.” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is too. He would like to sign Panarin to a long-term contract, but Panarin said Friday that he wants to test free agency. “Our approach is going to be the same,” Kekalainen said of the agent switch. “We’ve told his representation the same story and we will tell his new representation the same story again.” Road warriors The Blue Jackets’ 2-0-0 start to a key road trip should come as a surprise to no one who follows this team. After victories against the Colorado Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes to begin this trip, Columbus has a 16-9-1 road record going into the finale Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights. That’s two wins better than the Jackets’ 14-11-2 home record. “It’s hard to say why, but on the road we’ve kind of played simple and maybe that’s the way we need to play at home too,” defenseman David Savard said. “I think we’ve just done a really good job lately, the last four periods, to get it going (on the road) and we know it’s going to pay off if we keep playing like that.” Almost there After scoring the winning goals Tuesday at the Colorado Avalanche and Thursday in Arizona, Josh Anderson is one goal from tying his career- 1129769 Columbus Blue Jackets the midst of that (five-game) losing streak, there wasn’t many forechecking opportunities. They played well tonight.”

4) Eight and counting Blue Jackets 4, Coyotes 2: Five takeways Jenner’s goal was his 10th of the season, which gave the Blue Jackets their eighth player to reach double-digits in goals this season. He was Brian Hedger also the second player to score his 10th goal in the past two games, after Oliver Bjorkstrand did it Tuesday in a 6-3 win at the Colorado Avalanche. Posted Feb 8, 2019 at 6:00 AM Updated Feb 8, 2019 at 6:00 AM The Blue Jackets are one of eight teams in the NHL with at least eight players in double-digits for goals – and all eight are holding playoff spots. GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Blue Jackets are steadily clawing their way out “It’s so important now,” said Foligno, who had four shots, eight attempts of a pit. and a plus-2 plus/minus rating. “Everyone tightens up defensively this time of year, so it’s even more important when your top lines get checked It hasn’t been a smooth climb, but they’re making progress after dropping more – and a little more focused on – that your other guys can come up five straight games in regulation in a season-high losing streak. big for you.” Columbus had fallen into the second wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. 5) Bobrovsky sharp again Extended losing streaks don’t go well with plans to qualify for the Stanley Sergei Bobrovsky looks ready to carry the load. Cup Playoffs – not to mention the goal of winning at least a round. After using the Jackets’ extended break last month to recharge, he looks Things are too close to be losing consecutively, too bunched up with the rested, focused and more like a two-time winner of the Vezina Trophy as top four teams in the division. The Jackets were in danger of slipping out the NHL’s top goalie. of that mix, but responded with two wins to begin a key three-game road trip, including a 4-2 triumph Thursday night against the Arizona Coyotes. Two days after making a key save late in the second period of a 6-3 win against Colorado, the Russian star has put together back-to-back wins in That “identity” coach John Tortorella wants them to establish is steadily strong outings. starting to materialize again, after succumbing to some apparent nervous anxiety during the skid – something they’re still trying to erase. Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 30 shots against the Avalanche and made 29 saves on 31 shots against Arizona. “It’s coming,” said Josh Anderson, who scored his second straight winner and 18th goal of the season. “We’ve still got a little bit more to go to get “You don’t win consistently in this league unless you have really good to where we want to be, but we’re heading in the right direction.” goaltending,” Tortorella said. “Bob’s game has been a little inconsistent this year. I think he’s beginning to find himself here. His last few starts, Here are five takeaways from another impressive road win for the Blue he’s played very well ... we’re fortunate to have that guy.” Jackets: Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 02.09.2019 1) What it meant This was Game No. 53, which means the Blue Jackets dipped under 30 games left in the regular season. The win pushed their point total up to 63, which moved them back into third place in the Metro by way of the NHL’s regulation/overtime wins (ROW) tiebreaker. Columbus has 30 in the ROW category to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 27, which dropped the Penguins back into the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Seven Metro teams played Thursday, including the New York Islanders winning, 2-1, in a shootout at the New Jersey Devils to increase their point total to 68 and protect their three-point lead in the division over the Washington Capitals – who defeated the Colorado Avalanche, 4-3, in overtime at Capital One Arena. 2) Top line benched They each have scored more than 20 goals, log a lot of minutes and have carried the bulk of scoring responsibilities for the Blue Jackets most of the season. Tuesday night against the Coyotes, Tortorella went against the grain and benched his top trio of forwards – Artemi Panarin, center Pierre-Luc Dubois and Cam Atkinson – for the final 11-plus minutes of the game. “It was a no-brainer for me,” Tortorella said. “Once I sat (them) in the third, I thought our third period took off. (I’m) not going to make a big deal out of it. I went with the three lines that were playing the best tonight and I thought we played a really good second half of that third period.” Panarin (16:11), Dubois (14:36) and Atkinson (14:13) each logged season-low ice times. 3) Other guys came through After talking about needing more than one consistent scoring line of forwards, Tortorella’s team answered the challenge by winning with impressive efforts from all but the top line. The second line of Nick Foligno, Boone Jenner and Josh Anderson was effective again, hounding the Coyotes on the forecheck in the third period. Anderson got his second straight winner to cap a power play in the second for a 3-2 lead, and his line’s 5-on-5 play was impressive in the third. Jenner and Anderson each finished with a goal and assist, while Foligno had a plus-2 and put four shots on goal. ″(It was) not just scoring goals, but they did a lot of the grunt work tonight too,” Tortorella said. “We’re trying to forecheck more. When we were in 1129770 Columbus Blue Jackets “I leave for Paul because Paul has been working in this league for years, lots of time,” Panarin said. “He knows more how the league works, how general managers are thinking. Artemi Panarin, in first English interview, smiles, jokes and laughs “I’ve known (Paul) for a couple of years. Met him in Colorado before my through wide-ranging conversation first training camp with Chicago (2015). He’s a good guy. He never spoke to me about this. This is my choice. After Colorado, we never talked with Paul more than a couple times. This is my idea. I didn’t ask Bob. I felt like By Aaron Portzline Feb 8, 2019 (Paul) is a good guy, very professional.” Theofanous met with Kekalainen and Blue Jackets assistant GM Bill Zito on Thursday in Glendale, Ariz., where he informed them he was now LAS VEGAS — The NHL’s most sought-after player at the upcoming representing Panarin. trade deadline finally broke his silence Friday after the Blue Jackets practiced in T-Mobile Arena. Earlier in the day, Panarin phoned Milstein to tell him of his decision. Artemi Panarin, after being pressed by reporters, agreed to do his first- “Not easy,” Panarin said. “But I live in the U.S. four years now. I’m more ever interview in English, fielding a wide range of questions. Before of a businessman now. I was friends with (Milstein) and never thinking Friday, Panarin had only spoken to reporters on rare occasions and about this business. Right now I’m thinking about this as a business.” always with the help of an interpreter, declining several media requests along the way. When asked to clarify which day Panarin called Milstein, he cracked another joke. But on Friday, he sat for questions, including ones about his desire to hit free agency on July 1, the likelihood of him re-signing with the Blue “Before Arizona,” he said. “Before the game where I didn’t play last 10 Jackets, the outpouring of support aimed at keeping him in Columbus, minutes. Maybe Torts more like Dan, didn’t like Paul … (laughing) … and the decision to fire his agent, Daniel Milstein. that’s a joke.” Panarin was lighthearted throughout, laughing and cracking jokes about Panarin shot down the suggestion that Bobrovsky and Panarin — now topics that most other players would have considered serious matters. working with the same agent — would be a package deal as free agents this coming summer. For instance, the suggestion that Panarin could circle back and re-sign with the Blue Jackets this summer via free agency prompted Panarin to “Interesting situation,” Panarin said. “I really like (Bobrovsky) and we’re grin, and then laugh. big friends right now. But we have two different lives.” “Yeah, but … ” he said. And then he laughed again awkwardly. There was one question during his 10-minute interview that caused Panarin to stop joking and turn pensive. “Ahh, I don’t know. I don’t know. Yeah, (the Blue Jackets) have a chance, but … we’ll see what happens in the summer. I still want to consider the The Columbus community, in an attempt to sway Panarin into staying, season and help the team win the Stanley Cup.” has stepped up with generous offers — free liquor, free dentistry and more. He’s also heard from fans, too. Panarin has been unwilling to negotiate a contract extension with the Blue Jackets, and that doesn’t appear to have changed under new agent “It’s amazing,” Panarin said. “I feel really good after that. I say it’s harder Paul Theofanous. It’s been surmised that Panarin wants to play in a big for me to keep talking about my free agency because I see how people market, like New York, or a “destination” area, like South Florida. want me to stay in Columbus, and it’s harder. But it’s my life. Asked if he felt he could win a Stanley Cup in Columbus, and whether “We only have one life and I want to, like … it’s 10 percent of my life, that would be a motivating factor in his decision, Panarin again went for a seven or eight years, you know? I want to stay happy every day and I joke. want to see more options.” “We’re a good team, good organization,” Panarin said, “and I think The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 Columbus has a good chance for Stanley Cup. But if I leave …” Then Panarin started laughing again, adding, “Just kidding.” Panarin seems intent on testing free agency, allowing select teams to court him when the NHL’s window opens up in late June. He insisted he hadn’t decided on his next team yet. “It’s my once chance for … I want to see what happens in the summer, and if I have better options,” Panarin said. “I’m ready for that situation. I know in the summer how hard that will be for me. I’m ready. Still positive. “It’s not hard, because (my) teammates support me and say to me, ‘We understand you.’ That’s it. I’m OK with that, and everybody’s OK with that. Everybody understands me. It’s one life, once chance for free agent and I want to test (free agency). “Seriously guys, I don’t have a team. Not one team where I want to go. But I have many teams. We’ll see what happens in the summer, but right now I don’t know what I want.” Panarin does not have a no-move or no-trade clause in his contract, and there’s a chance he’s traded by the Blue Jackets ahead of the Feb. 25 deadline. Jarmo Kekalainen has said he’d keep Panarin, however, if the trade market does not generate the desired return by Feb. 25. “If Jarmo trades me, it’s ‘get working!’ ” Panarin said. “That’s it. I understand his business, because (Chicago GM) Stan Bowman didn’t ask me (in 2017), he just trade me. Right now, I’m not in control, I’m still just hockey player. “That’s not my job. That’s for Jarmo, but if he still keeps me I play hard. That’s it.” On Friday morning, NHL Networks’ reported that Panarin had fired his agent, replacing him with Theofanous, Panarin’s third agent in barely two years. Theofanous also represents Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who is also a pending unrestricted free agent and unlikely to resign with Columbus. 1129771 Columbus Blue Jackets

Artemi Panarin fires agent, hires Sergei Bobrovsky’s rep, Paul Theofanous

By Aaron Portzline Feb 8, 2019

LAS VEGAS — The saga surrounding Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin took another sharp turn Friday when it became known that Panarin has fired his agent, Daniel Milstein. The move may change the dynamics around Panarin’s future — he’s an unrestricted free agent on July 1 — but it does not improve the chances of Panarin staying in Columbus. If anything, it makes Panarin’s departure even more certain, although it already seemed a fait accompli — either before the Feb. 25 NHL trade deadline or this summer as a free agent. Panarin’s new agent is Paul Theofanous, the longtime agent of Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who also is embroiled in a nasty contract standoff with the Jackets. Theofanous met with Jarmo Kekalainen and other Blue Jackets executives on Thursday in Glendale, Ariz., where the Jackets were preparing to play the Arizona Coyotes. The Blue Jackets have always had a contentious relationship with Theofanous, dating back to the first contract they signed with Bobrovsky after his first season in Columbus (2012-13). Sources told The Athletic that Panarin fired Milstein earlier this week, switching to his third agent in barely two years. Panarin was closing in on a contract extension with the Chicago Blackhawks in the fall of 2017 when he fired agent Tom Lynn to join forces with Milstein and his Gold Star Hockey agency. Said one agent: “Milstein got Milstein-ed.” It’s quite possible that Friday’s news — first reported by NHL Network’s Kevin Weekes, also a Theofanous client — changes absolutely nothing for the Blue Jackets. Kekalainen has been weighing whether to trade Bobrovsky and/or Panarin in advance of the trade deadline or hold on to them to enhance the Blue Jackets’ chances in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Bobrovsky has a no-move clause and, thus, can control where or if he’s traded. Panarin has no such protection, which greatly increases the chances that he is moved. “It doesn’t change anything,” Kekalainen told The Athletic. “We approach every player and every situation the same way, no matter who the agent is.” The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129772 Columbus Blue Jackets “All that matters is we won the game. These points are so huge for us. It’s good to see a lot of guys contributing and playing well.”

The Jenner line was very good. Jenner (1-1-2), Anderson (1-1-2) and G53: With top line benched, Blue Jackets lean on Boone Jenner for Nick Foligno were all plus-2. Jenner won 18 of 27 faceoffs (67 percent), goals, grunt work had a game-high eight hits and scored on his only shot on goal. “They scored the winning goal in Colorado (on Tuesday), too,” Tortorella By Aaron Portzline Feb 8, 2019 said. “But it’s not just scoring goals. They did a lot of the grunt work. We’re trying to forecheck more.

“When we were in the midst of our (five-game) losing streak, there PHOENIX — With the Blue Jackets clinging to a 3-2 lead in the third weren’t very many forechecking opportunities. But (on Thursday) they period on Thursday, coach John Tortorella benched an entire line of played simple, they played straight ahead.” players when they failed on two early shifts to get the puck out of the Columbus zone cleanly. Notebook It wasn’t Alexander Wennberg’s line with Anthony Duclair and Oliver • Forward Brandon Dubinsky returned to Columbus to have an MRI on Bjorkstrand, all three of whom have spent time in the doghouse this one of his hips, the Blue Jackets announced. He missed Thursday’s season. game versus Phoenix and he won’t play Saturday versus Las Vegas. The Blue Jackets did not have results from his test but said he was still Nope, it was the Blue Jackets’ first line — the line that’s carried them all considered day-to-day. season, the line that’s statistically one of the most powerful in the NHL — that was stapled to the bench in Gila River Arena for most of the final • Murray missed Tuesday’s game in Denver and was a game-time period of a 4-2 win over Arizona. decision Thursday, but he drew into the lineup next to Seth Jones on the No. 1 pair. He also played a game-high 24:44. Artemi Panarin, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Cam Atkinson barely needed postgame showers. • The Coyotes ended the game with five defensemen after Kyle Copabianco’s right leg gave way on what appeared to be a fairly typical “It was a no-brainer for me,” Tortorella said. “Once I sat them in the third check by Foligno. It was gruesome to witness. Copabianco was down, period, I thought our third period took off. writhing in pain before trainers got to him. A minute or so later, he was helped off the ice with a Coyotes trainer on each arm. “I’m not going to make a big deal out of it. I went with the three lines that I thought were playing best tonight. I thought we played a really good • Here’s Tortorella on Jenner’s line: “It’s a line that creates an identity for second half of that third period.” us. That’s more of the way we want to play.” Tortorella is right — it’s not a big deal. But it sure was interesting to • Jenner’s 18 faceoff wins got me thinking, which is always dangerous. watch the Blue Jackets roll Boone Jenner’s line out for the prime starts What’s the most faceoffs ever won by a Blue Jackets player in a regular- and follow it with regular shifts for Wennberg’s line and Riley Nash’s season game? Many of you won’t like the answer: Jeff Carter won 24 fourth line. draws on Oct. 7, 2011, in Nashville. This is incredible: There have been 24 instances when a Blue Jackets player won 20-plus faceoffs in a game; Jenner scored a classic Jenner goal, diving to split two Arizona Mike Sillinger was only in Columbus for two seasons, but he did it 10 defenders and swatting the puck past Coyotes goaltender Darcy times. Kuemper at 13:52 for the 4-2 goal. • With his two points Thursday, Jenner has 186 points with the Blue Lukas Sedlak, David Savard and Josh Anderson also scored for the Blue Jackets (96-90-186) and has passed Fedor Tyutin for eighth on the Jackets, while goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had 29 saves. franchise points list. Here’s a stat: Since Panarin, Dubois and Atkinson joined forces a little • Sedlak scored his third goal of the season only 3:02 into the game. It more than a year ago, this marked only the second time the Blue Jackets was a classic fourth-line goal. Sedlak took the initial shot, a scramble have won and scored four-plus goals without one of those top-liners ensued, and he circled around to the other side for the put-back. The line putting their name on the scoresheet. also had some heavy shifts deep in the Coyotes zone in the third period to settle things down. The other occurrence was Nov. 1, 2018, a 4-1 win in San Jose. • Here’s Tortorella: “They gave us a big lift in the third period, as far as “I should go ride the bike or something,” Atkinson said. “I wasn’t even their forechecking and just hounding the puck. They scored the first goal sweating. I felt good … it is what it is. I’m not going to get into an and I think the third period was probably the best period they’ve played argument with (Tortorella) right now.” all year long.” Atkinson finished with 14:13 of ice time, his lowest since Dec. 8, 2017, in • The Blue Jackets are 4 of 10 on the power play since the break, which New Jersey. He played 2:23 in the third period, including 1:14 on a coincides with the arrival of special teams consultant Martin St. Louis. penalty kill. Anderson redirected a Jones slap shot at 10:24 of the second to give the Panarin, who nearly hit 26 minutes a week ago in Winnipeg, played his Jackets a 3-2 lead. It was a stop-the-bleeding goal because the Jackets fewest minutes all season (16:11) and the fifth-fewest minutes since he saw a 2-0 lead evaporate in the first minutes of the second. joined the Blue Jackets before the 2017-18 season. He played just 2:09 • Jones doesn’t have a power-play goal this season, but he was initially in the third. credited with one Thursday. Replays showed Anderson redirecting it at Dubois had his second-fewest minutes of the season, playing 14:36, close range. including only 2:02 in the third. • Bobrovsky is now 7-2-1 versus Arizona. The three players who accounted for 41.4 percent of the Blue Jackets’ • After the game, two Arizona players made their way down the hallway goal-scoring coming into the game didn’t touch the ice in the final 11:07 to deliver hellos to Tortorella: Derek Stepan, who played three seasons of the game. under Tortorella with the New York Rangers, and former Blue Jackets “It happens,” Dubois said. “We weren’t playing our best hockey, and, I defenseman Kevin Connauton, who played only briefly under Tortorella don’t know … it happens. in Columbus during the 2015-16 season. “Yeah, it felt weird. It felt like my first 12 games last year (as a rookie). It Analytically speaking is what it is. Torts makes the decisions he thinks will benefit the team and The Athletic’s hockey data analyst Alison Lukan provided these insights you just have to encourage your teammates and be a good team player.” into the Blue Jackets’ win: Tortorella has always been regarded as a coach who doesn’t play • It was an earned win in Arizona for the Jackets. Interestingly, according favorites. And while he didn’t give the players an explanation for the to naturalstattrick.com, the Jackets did not hold the advantage when it benching, Atkinson sounded pretty sure he knew the reasons behind it. came to shot share (44.23 percent), or scoring chances (48.84 percent) “He was just mad at the fact we couldn’t get the puck out or get chances mainly due to a weak second period. But, on the whole, when in the third,” Atkinson said. “I think that was the final straw. He didn’t say considering shot quality, the expected goal total was 3.12 to 2.3 in favor anything to us. of Columbus, according to Corsica.hockey. • Bobrovsky’s play in net was solid. His save percentage of 93.5 was just .4 percent off expectations, while Kuemper allowed .7 more goals than average with a save percentage that was 2.1 percent worse than expected based on the shots he faced. • In a game in which ice time was distributed differently among the lines, different trios had the opportunity to shine in different ways. The line of Duclair, Wennberg and Bjorkstrand led all combinations in overall shot- share advantage (plus-2) and scoring chances (plus-3). Sedlak, Nash and Markus Hannikainen terrorized their main defensive match (Kevin Connauton and Jordan Oesterle), gaining a plus-4 shot advantage and plus-3 scoring-chance advantage. • In terms of single-game productivity, the Jackets’ game-score leaders were Anderson (1.6), Jones (1.4), Wennberg and Jenner (both 1.2). Alison Lukan contributed to this report. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129773 Dallas Stars

Matthew DeFranks answers Stars questions at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15; ask yours now

Matthew DeFranks

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Stars goaltender Ben Bishop will miss his second straight game Saturday due to an upper-body injury, and the team preserved a roster spot by placing him on injured reserve retroactive to Feb. 4. The roster move allows the Stars to keep Landon Bow in the NHL to back up Anton Khudobin against the Coyotes on Saturday. Bow also backed up Khudobin during Dallas' 3-2 overtime loss in Nashville on Thursday, but did so under a temporary roster exemption. Bishop would be eligible to return for the Stars' next game Tuesday against the Panthers in Florida. "He's not ready, so we're going to put him on IR, and he should be ready by Tuesday," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "We just don't want to take a chance, and it's not fair to him to back up and not feel 100 percent." Bishop did not practice with the rest of the team Friday afternoon in Scottsdale, but did work on the ice with goaltending coach Jeff Reese. Bishop and Khudobin have formed one of the league's best goaltending tandems this season, and the Stars' cumulative .918 save percentage ranks second in the NHL. Both Bishop and Khudobin are in the top six in both save percentage and goals-against average among goalies with at least 20 games played. Same lineup: Montgomery said the Stars would use the same lineup against Arizona on Saturday afternoon, marking the third straight game Dallas hasn't changed its lineup. It is the longest such streak this season. It also means defensemen Connor Carrick and Julius Honka will be healthy scratches for the sixth consecutive game following the acquisition of Jamie Oleksiak. Carrick hasn't played since Jan. 19 against Winnipeg, and Honka hasn't played since Jan. 15 against Tampa Bay. Montgomery said the coaching staff tries to push them during practice to keep Honka and Carrick sharp. "On the ice, we try to make sure that they get more reps than other people, especially in a practice like today, so they're handling 2-on-1s and getting their feet moving," Montgomery said. "The onus is upon them to be good pros, and that when we call upon them, they can come in and add to us." Here is the expected lineup against Arizona: Jamie Benn - Radek Faksa - Blake Comeau Mattias Janmark - Tyler Seguin - Alexander Radulov Andrew Cogliano - Jason Dickinson - Jason Spezza Denis Gurianov - Roope Hintz - Brett Ritchie Esa Lindell - John Klingberg Miro Heiskanen - Roman Polak Jamie Oleksiak - Taylor Fedun Anton Khudobin Landon Bow More finish: During Friday's practice, the Stars worked on their finishing ability during a drill that placed the goals on the circle at center ice and forced three players per side to quickly move the puck and shoot. If a player puck-handled too much, a penalty shot was awarded to the other team. "Being ready to shoot pucks, knowing what you're going to do with the puck before you get it, and being able to one-touch pucks," Montgomery said. "We stick-handle the puck too much in general on the power play and 5-on-5 play. If you stick-handled, you gave up a penalty shot." By scoring 2.59 goals per game, the Stars have the third-worst offense in the league. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129774 Dallas Stars

Stars goaltender Ben Bishop placed on injured reserve, will be eligible to play again in Florida

Matthew DeFranks

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Stars goaltender Ben Bishop will miss his second straight game Saturday due to an upper-body injury, and the team preserved a roster spot by placing him on injured reserve retroactive to Feb. 4. The roster move allows the Stars to keep Landon Bow in the NHL to back up Anton Khudobin against the Coyotes on Saturday. Bow also backed up Khudobin during Dallas' 3-2 overtime loss in Nashville on Thursday, but did so under a temporary roster exemption. Bishop would be eligible to return for the Stars' next game Tuesday against the Panthers in Florida. "He's not ready, so we're going to put him on IR, and he should be ready by Tuesday," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "We just don't want to take a chance, and it's not fair to him to back up and not feel 100 percent." Bishop did not practice with the rest of the team Friday afternoon in Scottsdale, but did work on the ice with goaltending coach Jeff Reese. Bishop and Khudobin have formed one of the league's best goaltending tandems this season, and the Stars' cumulative .918 save percentage ranks second in the NHL. Both Bishop and Khudobin are in the top six in both save percentage and goals-against average among goalies with at least 20 games played. Same lineup: Montgomery said the Stars would use the same lineup against Arizona on Saturday afternoon, marking the third straight game Dallas hasn't changed its lineup. It is the longest such streak this season. It also means defensemen Connor Carrick and Julius Honka will be healthy scratches for the sixth consecutive game following the acquisition of Jamie Oleksiak. Carrick hasn't played since Jan. 19 against Winnipeg, and Honka hasn't played since Jan. 15 against Tampa Bay. Montgomery said the coaching staff tries to push them during practice to keep Honka and Carrick sharp. "On the ice, we try to make sure that they get more reps than other people, especially in a practice like today, so they're handling 2-on-1s and getting their feet moving," Montgomery said. "The onus is upon them to be good pros, and that when we call upon them, they can come in and add to us." Here is the expected lineup against Arizona: Jamie Benn - Radek Faksa - Blake Comeau Mattias Janmark - Tyler Seguin - Alexander Radulov Andrew Cogliano - Jason Dickinson - Jason Spezza Denis Gurianov - Roope Hintz - Brett Ritchie Esa Lindell - John Klingberg Miro Heiskanen - Roman Polak Jamie Oleksiak - Taylor Fedun Anton Khudobin Landon Bow More finish: During Friday's practice, the Stars worked on their finishing ability during a drill that placed the goals on the circle at center ice and forced three players per side to quickly move the puck and shoot. If a player puck-handled too much, a penalty shot was awarded to the other team. "Being ready to shoot pucks, knowing what you're going to do with the puck before you get it, and being able to one-touch pucks," Montgomery said. "We stick-handle the puck too much in general on the power play and 5-on-5 play. If you stick-handled, you gave up a penalty shot." By scoring 2.59 goals per game, the Stars have the third-worst offense in the league. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129775 Dallas Stars Nill said, "We had that big game in Vancouver, and the players wanted to make that a point that that was a game for her. Kelly is a big part of our team, and his mom, she was there fighting all the time. It's a special trip The Dallas Stars' first moms trip is missing the woman who had long in her memory." lobbied for it. How the team is honoring her memory. The trip includes 16 players' moms and five of other coaches and staff members. They went to dinner Wednesday night in Nashville, and watched morning skate and the game Thursday. Some arrived in Matthew DeFranks America early to spend time with their son, before returning to Europe. And they'll do it all in honor of Arlene. GLENDALE, Ariz. -- In August, a couple of months before the Stars' "She showed me a lot," Kelly said. "She showed me you can have an season began, Arlene Forbes told her son Kelly, Dallas' video coach, impact just through love and kindness. I never heard a complaint from about three events she had circled on her calendar. her. She touched so many people just through kindness." There was Opening Night in Dallas, when the Stars would host Arizona. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 02.09.2019 There was a December visit to Vancouver, close to Forbes' hometown of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. And then there was the current two-game road trip through Nashville and Phoenix, when the Stars would hold the team's first moms trip. Arlene had long lobbied for the moms trip to be added to the Stars' itinerary. The dads had their chances to travel with their sons, to live the NHL life and to again be a hockey parent at practices and games. It was time for the moms. Arlene did not make the trip. She died of cancer in January, a few weeks shy of the trip she envisioned joining Kelly and the Stars on. "We all wish she was here with us now, but she's here," Kelly said. "She's with us. I really do believe that." To honor Arlene during the moms trip, the Stars are wearing decals on their that featured a white "AF" on top of the Stars logo. Coaches, management, broadcasters and other staff members pinned white buttons on their suits that read "AEF" above a pink ribbon. Everywhere the Stars went in Nashville, and everywhere they will go in Arizona, Arlene Elizabeth Forbes -- and tributes to her -- will follow. "It means a lot," Kelly said. "This trip, she was looking forward to it. She had it circled on her calendar. It's special, she touched a lot of people over the years, and for the team, and the players and the organization to honor her, it means a lot to me and my family. I knew she was already here, [but] for them to put the stickers on, the buttons for us, it truly means a lot to us." Arlene was a real estate agent in Nanaimo, part of the Forbes family profession in realty. Kelly's brother Scott and father Randy are also real estate agents, and Kelly joked that he was the "the only one who strayed" from the industry. She made a few trips to Dallas a year, and forged a bond with Rebecca Nill, general manager Jim Nill's wife. Both women battled cancer, and "They got to know each other and had a relationship that way," Jim said. "She was a special person, a good person." Kelly remembers his mother as an unfailingly positive person, and the most selfless person he ever met. "She treated people the right way, not for any reason, just because that's the right thing to do," Kelly said. "It was genuine, her love of life, how she treated people, how she brought light to a room. Other people would come up to me, and say how much she brought light and happiness whenever she walked into a room. Just smiled, and said hi to everybody. "She lit up a room. She really did." So when she pitched the idea of a moms trip to Nill, it was an easy sell. "We'd have those [dads] trips," Nill said. "She'd be hearing about how much fun the dads had, so she'd come along and say, 'We'll get one of these mothers trips.' I said 'You're right, you do.' Unfortunately, she wasn't able to make this trip. She was really looking forward to this. Unfortunately, she couldn't do it. I know that she's there with us. She's been here the whole time." In December, the Forbes family attended the Stars' game against the Canucks in Vancouver, painting a section green with Stars gear. The Stars trailed by a goal entering the third period, and coach Jim Montgomery asked the players to play for Arlene in the third period. Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov scored to lift the Stars, and the team dedicated the victory to Arlene. After the game, the team awarded the postgame cowboy hat typically reserved for the player of the game to Kelly and Arlene. "For her and the team to have that night in Vancouver," Kelly said, "I'll remember it forever because it was really special." 1129776 Dallas Stars what they might need most around them. Shooting? Definitely. Defense, rebounds, and the ability to withstand periods of time where only two of the three are available? Also important. Can they all fit seamlessly Sports Sturm’s Weekend Riffing: Cowboys offense, Mavs free agency, together and in pairs? Stars trade deadline This offseason will be extremely interesting. My man Sean Shapiro wrote a really nice piece on that earlier this week. By Bob Sturm Feb 8, 2019 I think the Stars need to be aggressive and take full advantage of a team that is in the mix right now and in its prime to make the post-season. Once they’re in, it’s up to them to punch Nashville right in the face for seven games and see what happens. In other words, the time has come Five days since Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta, 18 days more until the NHL to pull the trigger. Trade Deadline, only 49 Days until the Rangers Opening Day, and a mere 77 days until the 2019 NFL Draft… The Stars have a nice team but they lack offense and have lacked offense for several years; three straight, by my count. It is time to fix the We have finally moved the NFL into offseason mode which will certainly “2C” spot in their lineup as quickly as possible. Jason Spezza was that keep us busy, but my weekly schedule must adjust because there are no solution until he wasn’t anymore, and with his deal coming off the books awesome games to enjoy every weekend. This, of course, makes us all and Tyler Seguin’s extension being a bargain ($9.8 million) the Stars sad, but many can cope with something we call “other sports” in our lives. need to pair their best center with a real difference-maker moving forward. When Jim Nill signed Spezza to a four-year, $30 million deal in I am guilty as charged of being a hockey addict and fanatic. 2015, the Stars had $13.25 million committed per year between Spezza Additionally, I pretty much fill the void in my life with every sport you can and Seguin when the cap sat at $69 million. That’s roughly 20%. Now conceive of. (Soccer, anyone?) that the cap has risen to a projected $83 million for next season, 20% for With that in mind, I wanted to make our “Friday Riffing” benchmark a bit your top two centers would total $16.6 million. Some simple math more broad in its scope and more interactive than I am able to allow suggests that you then have nearly $7 million per season to stick on a during the season. When the Cowboys have games to look forward to, center to line up behind Seguin. we are working so hard on our pieces and preparation and computations I am ready to throw down on a key center that this organization must that I lose touch with the outside world. It is what it is. From February acquire. They have tried to play with a substandard second pivot for too through August, however, let’s open up the floodgates and answer your long and I understand the Spezza deal was a simple miss, but now it has questions. We will effort to keep the topics to the DFW teams in some to be fixed. Brayden Schenn and Matt Duchene must be the two best related manner, but who knows where this goes. Let’s have fun and hope options, as centers around 27 years old that might fit in that $7 million it yields some worthy weekend reading. neighborhood and might be attainable. I just doubt Duchene would sign I’m locked and loaded, so let’s see what you have on your sports minds. that without trying to do better in free agency, so the price of his rental might not make any sense. This, of course, is the most pressing issue in the Mavericks offices right now. They have already accomplished the unthinkable; in less than a One way or another, that is the move: Find a second center. The Stars year, they retooled their entire future. Because they struck such solid must fix their offense, and this would go a long way toward doing so. gold with Luka Doncic, everything else has fallen into place. I think they First, for those who might have missed it, here are my Annual NFL probably had a three-year incubation period earmarked for Luka, but he Franchise Rankings. The first season with an NFL salary cap was 1994. knocked it so far out of the park in the first 50 games that they moved the In a related issue, the first year of free agency in its present form was schedule up and decided to start winning in 2019-20. 1993. You could argue that the effects of the salary cap and free agency To then pull off the Kristaps Porzingis trade was a stroke of genius. None were the biggest changes of the modern NFL and you could also argue of us know for sure how his recovery will look, but we have to trust that a the ramifications needed years to take hold. 23-year old can stay healthy despite last year’s ACL injury and that the There will always be an issue with arbitrary sample sizes when we do Mavericks medical staff can deliver on its excellent reputation. To acquire this sort of thing, and we could either start right when the system began KP, however, they had to take on some contracts that restricted their or use the symmetry of Super Bowl 30 as the dividing point. If we do that, movement moving forward with the all-important third piece to of course, we absolutely bisect the Cowboys’ success and failures right complement Luka and Kristaps. down the middle. That is what made Wednesday’s trade so remarkable and important. Before I show you the results, allow me to admit that it is unfair to stop Harrison Barnes had that last slot all booked up with his player option for after Super Bowl 30. But let’s do it anyway. Here is the list if we rank the next year, one which he would certainly take. For the Mavericks to flip first 30 Super Bowls: him for an expiring contract and Justin Jackson was beyond my wildest dreams on the heels of the Knicks trade, but they pulled it off. And now RANKINGS – SUPER BOWL 1-30 Dallas can bid on players this summer. Rank Franchise SB 1-30 SB 31-53 Total Points They have to get the next move right. This type of investment is one the Mavericks cannot afford to miss, so they need to pick a third piece that 1 Dallas Cowboys 101 10 111 fits properly and one that is actually attainable. They have done the toughest part, acquiring two stars with their entire primes ahead of them. 2 San Francisco 49ers 78 18 96 Now they just need to find a piece that either fits in a super-triangle of 3 Pittsburgh Steelers 68 46 114 equal lengths, or can complement the other two pieces, serving as Robin to Doncic and Porzingis’ dual Batman roles. (I know, this is tough to 4 Oakland Raiders 68 10 78 articulate even for people who are supposed to be good at articulation). 5 Washington Redskins 53 5 58 I hear many people point to Orlando’s Nikola Vucevic as an option, but his age doesn’t excite me. I would really like a player in his mid-20’s 6 Miami Dolphins 52 7 59 more than one near 30. He is an option, but I would like to shoot higher. 7 38 19 57 Boogie Cousins is in that same range, but I actually am not as opposed 8 Los Angeles Rams 32 25 57 to his fit. I think Cousins has a more robust skill set than Vucevic and for some reason, the wildcard of his personality doesn’t bother me as much 9 Buffalo Bills 31 4 35 now that I know it is not “his team.” 10 29 46 75 Klay Thompson would be the ideal fit from an Xs-and-Os perspective, but there seems to be almost no chance he would leave California. Another 11 Denver Broncos 28 48 76 option of Klay’s basic playing type, maybe, would be Milwaukee’s Khris 12 NY Giants 27 33 60 Middleton. I think Middleton is a pretty big step down from Klay, but his age (27) might fit this group better and he supplies much-needed 13 27 11 38 offense. 14 Indy / Baltimore Colts 26 34 60 Basically, that is the short-list: Vucevic, Cousins, Middleton, and maybe Tobias Harris or Julius Randle. I know I am all over the road here, but I 15 24 11 35 wanted to give you enough names to chew on as we try to imagine this 16 Cleveland Browns 23 1 24 organization’s architects looking at how Luka and KP fit together and 17 NY Jets 19 13 32 30 Houston Texans 0 5 5 18 18 13 31 31 Buffalo Bills 31 4 35 19 San Diego Chargers 15 9 24 32 Cleveland Browns 23 1 24 20 Cincinnati Bengals 15 7 22 Wow! The Cowboys dropped from first to 23rd. Look at how many traditional powers stopped being powerful when the salary cap began; 21 13 35 48 Dallas, Oakland, Miami and Washington were all powers in the 1970s 22 New England Patriots 10 103 113 and 1980s and all four fell off substantially. 23 9 5 14 Of course, New England, Denver, and even Green Bay (after Lombardi in Super Bowl 2) were not competitive without free agency or a salary cap 24 Seattle Seahawks 6 31 37 but suddenly became powerful when that massive change took place. 25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5 19 24 I feel as optimistic as I can about Moore, partly because we have no choice but to assume the people making decisions want a real 26 Atlanta Falcons 5 21 26 improvement and feel the urgency of this situation. I feel like Moore and Jon Kitna are wasting no time figuring out how to make this offense more 27 4 22 26 effective moving forward. First, we must remember that the Cowboys 28 Arizona Cardinals 3 11 14 offense was not great at all in 2018, but they also were much better when they improved their personnel. In November, they added a real NFL wide 29 Baltimore Ravens 0 35 35 receiver and in December they appeared to finally have a tight end capable of regular receptions. They must now figure out if Cole Beasley, 30 Carolina Panthers 0 20 20 Tavon Austin, or some other party is going to be the slot receiver moving 31 Jacksonville Jaguars 0 13 13 forward. Once that is in place, though, they need try to do fewer things well. The Cowboys have an expansive menu of personnel groupings that 32 Houston Texans 0 5 5 allows them to play a fullback, multiple tight ends, and most detrimentally, too many different wide receivers. This reached a point As you can see above, the Cowboys are No. 1 and leading by a mile in where Dak Prescott complained that things only got better when the the first three decades of the Super Bowl era. offense allowed a few players to win roles. Here is what happens if we rank the teams from Super Bowl 31 until the Dallas needs creativity and simplicity at the same time. That sounds like present day. a contradiction, but it isn’t. It is, however, a complex trick to pull off. To RANKINGS – SUPER BOWL 31-53 answer your question, Chris, I really want to believe that the Cowboys will allow Kellen Moore to put his stamp on the offense because, from all Rank Franchise SB 1-30 SB 31-53 Total Points indications, every person ever in contact with him knows he has a wealth of information and plans in his head. I don’t want him just running out his 1 New England Patriots 10 103 113 version of Jason Garrett’s ideas. 2 Denver Broncos 28 48 76 Almost every leak in sports comes from agents. If you ever hear something that got out that wasn’t supposed to, it came from agents. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers 68 46 114 Sure, it occasionally comes from the teams, but most often, they are 4 Green Bay Packers 29 46 75 trying to close the fences around their organization to protect their secrets and anyone found leaking things get fired. An agent has no real 5 Philadelphia Eagles 13 35 48 boss, so he can act on his own and often does. Agents leak information to let other teams know that a player is available. It is also how they can 6 Baltimore Ravens 0 35 35 get their clients’ messages out while giving them deniability. I didn’t know 7 Indy / Baltimore Colts 26 34 60 this when I got in the business, but I have definitely learned it in time. Almost every leak comes from agents. 8 NY Giants 27 33 60 The Cowboys are the closest to contention, partly because nobody else 9 Seattle Seahawks 6 31 37 is terribly close. But that last step or two can be tough to reach. Especially since they have not demonstrated they can play two good 10 Los Angeles Rams 32 25 57 years in a row in quite some time. 11 New Orleans Saints 4 22 26 The Dallas Mavericks have made some enormous strides, but we will 12 Atlanta Falcons 5 21 26 need to see quite a few more before we start talking championship. They’re on the right path for sure, but many things need to happen, 13 Carolina Panthers 0 20 20 including the current powers aging out. 14 Minnesota Vikings 38 19 57 The Stars seem to have almost enough top talent to compete for a title but have never been close since their Game 7 loss in the spring of 2016 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5 19 24 in the second round of the playoffs. It is impossible to sell one on this 16 San Francisco 49ers 78 18 96 team making the big stride until we see it. 17 NY Jets 19 13 32 Neither the Rangers nor FC Dallas seem to think they can compete for a title right now. They are trying to find their next wave, and it could take a 18 Tennessee Titans 18 13 31 few years. 19 Jacksonville Jaguars 0 13 13 The franchise most likely to next win the next title would have to be the Mavericks, but I’d imagine that’s not until at least 2022. I would love to be 20 Kansas City Chiefs 27 11 38 wrong and see this city go on a Boston-like run at any moment. Make it so. 21 Chicago Bears 24 11 35 They are both wonderful defensemen and are both having phenomenal 22 Arizona Cardinals 3 11 14 years. Let’s start there. If you had to choose who is having the better 23 Dallas Cowboys 101 10 111 year, however, you would probably give Dahlin a slight edge. It is possible that slight edge is merely a matter of the power-play roles that 24 Oakland Raiders 68 10 78 Dahlin is given in Buffalo versus what Miro gets in Dallas, a distinction present partly because John Klingberg exists. Dahlin has played 50 more 25 San Diego Chargers 15 9 24 power-play minutes than Heiskanen, and that explains almost the entire 26 Miami Dolphins 52 7 59 point difference between the two. 27 Cincinnati Bengals 15 7 22 I don’t think Buffalo would trade their guy for Dallas’ guy and I don’t think Jim Nill would make that deal either. The Stars have a star in Miro and I 28 Washington Redskins 53 5 58 believe they think he will be their best player very soon. 29 Detroit Lions 9 5 14 I was wondering when Bob Stoops would come up in a question! Stoops has taken a job coaching in Arlington, Texas. That has been a rumored destination for over a decade, but this, of course, does not involve the Dallas Cowboys. It is for the new XFL venture, which is set to begin in 2020. Stoops is the head coach and general manager of Arlington’s new franchise and we can only assume that this will cause his name to be brought up every single time the Cowboys hit some tough times in any way, shape, or form. Instead of hearing about Sean Payton for the next year, Stoops may take over Cowboys coaching conversations. Heck, maybe both will be discussed. One way or another, I can tell you the Jones family has been interested in Stoops off and on for years, just as they’ve been intrigued by Payton. If things don’t go really well for Jason Garrett, it’s easy to suggest he will reach the end of this road in 2019. Onto the actual question: Let’s rank the coaches. Rick Carlisle is on his own, as a title-winning coach with serious postseason skins. Jason Garrett is the only other coach who has been here for more than 12 months, because Jim Montgomery, Chris Woodward, and Luchi Gonzalez are not only new hires but new “head men” in their leagues. So Bob Stoops doesn’t have too many to jump if he wants back in the game. Stoops is 58 years old, by the way, if you are trying to figure out how long he wants to coach and how serious he is about things. I assume if he is serious enough to be in the XFL, he must want back into the big stage. It will be interesting to see if he ever coaches a game for that new franchise or if he is hired away before Spring 2020 ever hits. Lawrence is not only the bigger priority of the two but the biggest priority of any kind for the Cowboys. They simply must figure out a way to get this deal done, but because they have dragged their feet so much, they now have almost no leverage and will end up paying him over $100 million. I don’t believe in stringing along a player of his caliber because the price gets more and more expensive the more you want him to “prove it.” Lawrence “proved it” in 2017 and had an equally impressive 2018 campaign. The Cowboys can franchise tag him again (for even more money), allow him to test free agency (and possibly never see him again), or give him the five-year deal that would put this to bed once and for all. The trouble now, of course, is that the time for discounts is long gone. They’ll need to commit to a deal likely greater than $100 million, and that is pretty close to QB money. Aaron Donald and have set the market, and while Lawrence may not get that high, he certainly is in the next tier. Cooper’s extension can wait a year, but the Cowboys then risk the same lesson from him if he has a huge year, which he demonstrated he has the ability to pull off. Have a great weekend! I will start working on next week’s projects shortly. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129777 Dallas Stars “Right now, things are working, things are clicking,” Reese said. “When there comes a time they aren’t, obviously I’m here for them to talk to and to vent. Other than that, I’ve got the pom-poms out and I’m cheering ‘We’re our own fraternity:’ How Stars coaching staff helped welcome Jim them as hard as anybody.” Montgomery to the NHL After serving as an assistant coach in Dallas from 2008 to 2011, Barnes rejoined the team in the same role in 2017. Some of his biggest impact on the ice has been his work with the 5-on-5 pre-scout. He presents the By Saad Yousuf Feb 8, 2019 coaching staff’s intel to the players. In many ways, though, Barnes is The Monty Whisperer. Montgomery has juggled plenty, from managing on-ice concepts to getting players to buy into his process. Barnes, who has an extra year under his belt dealing with much of the roster, has been a As the head coach of an NHL franchise, credit and blame both come in valuable advisor. excess. When the going is good, it’s all about the secret sauce. When the tables turn, it’s chaos. “Stu Barnes has been instrumental in understanding the players, the players that returned, what makes them tick,” Montgomery said. “He’s Throw in being an NHL head coach for the first time, taking over for a helped [me] understand the culture of how it’s been here and what he coach who brought a city its only Stanley Cup and catering to a fanbase believes needs to change.” that has seen its team underachieve time and time again. A lot of Barnes’ job is teeing things up for Montgomery and other Those are the cards Jim Montgomery was dealt last summer. He’s coaches. Barnes basically takes a load of information at his disposal and embraced the challenges, instilled his own formula in the form of a simplifies it for the other coaches, as well as players. specific process and picked up pointers from other NHL head coaches along the way. Players enjoy playing for him and despite arguably the “He has a really firm grasp of what he wants and how he wants to play largest front office distraction in the last year, Montgomery has the Dallas and things like that but what makes him great as well is he’s open to Stars in the playoff picture. suggestions and talking,” Barnes said. “Usually we end up having debates on how to move forward and suggestions with the team, not Well, sort of. even on the ice but off the ice sometimes too.” Yes, the Stars are in a good spot. But Montgomery is among the first to Montgomery values the input, not just from Barnes but the rest of the point out that it’s not he that has them to this point, but his entire team of staff, because he has confidence in the people he has hired. coaches. “I’ve been a person that always wants feedback,” Montgomery said. “I “I’ve realized that when you go to different levels, you have to listen even believe you hire people more intelligent than you so they can make you more,” Montgomery said. “You have to have a more inclusive regime.” better and, in turn, makes the players better and makes our team better. I That nature of the beast bodes well for Montgomery, who is more about want feedback and ultimately, I have no problem making final decisions.” getting the job done than who gets credit for the job getting done. On the topic of hiring smart coaches, Barnes joked that may be one area “What I really like about Monty is there’s really not a lot of ego,” Montgomery failed at because he’s the smartest coach. Still, goaltending coach Jeff Reese said. “He takes responsibility when things Montgomery values different perspectives and any hockey decision he are going bad. That’s what I really like about Monty, he’ll step up and makes, even if it goes against Barnes’ advice, doesn’t linger into his take responsibility. I think all of us are kind of like that.” personal interactions, where he also maintains a good relationship. When Montgomery walked past Barnes during our interview, he overheard The coaching staff consists of Reese, Stu Barnes, Rick Bowness and Barnes complimenting his intellect and let out a sarcastic remark that Todd Nelson. Kelly Forbes and Sean Andrake serve as the video drew a hearty laugh. coaches while Vern Fiddler and Stan Tugulukov help out as well. “We knew coming in what a smart guy Monty was and what a good While there is a lot of hockey experience throughout the staff, it’s a pretty coach he was,” Barnes said. “I think that the staff that he’s put together I young regime as far as time in Dallas. Reese, in his third season with the think has been a great combination of a little bit of everything… it’s been Stars, is the longest-tenured coach between Barnes, Bowness, Nelson a really good mix. We’ve gotten along really, really well and it seems to and himself and he’s in charge of overlooking what’s been the most be working.” consistent strength of the team all season long. Part of that mix is Bowness, who brings a plethora of coaching “Jeff Reese has been incredibly helpful as far as how to handle the experience to the staff. As Montgomery adjusts to the NHL schedule, goalies,” Montgomery said. “His work with the goalies, I mean — hey, it’s Bowness has been instrumental as a mentor. been great — but his understanding of when to communicate to goalies when they’re starting, and also his video work with them has been “Him understanding the league and understanding when to push the instrumental in our staff’s success.” team and when to pull back has been very helpful for me in my first year,” Montgomery said. “Just understanding how to balance everything, how to Reese has been through a proverbial whirlwind during his time in Dallas. listen and how to hold players accountable. A huge piece he’s been, with He’s coached on three different regimes and seen significant changes to his experience.” personnel. Ben Bishop was acquired less than two years ago and Anton Khudobin is playing his first year in Dallas. There have been ups and Bowness is the person that decides when the Stars should practice and downs for Reese but everything about this season qualifies as an “up.” what the approach should be. A big part of his job is anticipating how the players will respond. He isn’t surprised by Montgomery’s success in his “It’s been a great experience for me,” Reese said. “I wasn’t sure what to first year because of the head coach’s track record. The hockey part is expect going in but it’s been a great experience.” something he believes carries over but there’s still a transition in other areas. While he has great confidence in his coaching abilities, Reese’s approach to Bishop and Khudobin has been relaxed. “The biggest adjustment is dealing with our schedule, the travel and the players,” Bowness said. “You’re dealing with a different animal now. “Sometimes less is more,” Reese said. “They’re two veteran guys and I’m When you’re used to dealing with kids in college or kids in juniors and just kind of staying out of their way and letting them do their thing. We’re now you’re coming to deal with men with guaranteed money, guaranteed all in this together and I’m just there to help them, whether it be through contracts, then you have to adjust and learn how to deal with them. He’s video or getting on the ice early, muscle memory or whatever, there’s not done a very good job of that.” a lot of changes to their game we’ve made. Montgomery gives a lot of that credit to Bowness but he hasn’t just been “If it was a younger guy here, it would be a little bit different. We’d be important with logistics. He works a lot on the penalty kill and with the doing more video, more structure and more teaching, but I’ve got two defensemen, where he helped get through a period where injuries were veteran guys and I’m having a blast with them both.” rampant. The results have been wide-ranging. Bowness has taken an Reese takes a different approach with Bishop than he does with extraordinary talent in Miro Heiskanen and helped him realize his All-Star Khudobin because of the different styles they play with, but both have potential. On the other end of the , he’s coached a new player been stellar in their own right. Some coaches mold players into their own with low expectations in Roman Polak and helped him become a staple system, other coaches adjust their system to the player. Reese qualifies in the lineup. Overall, the foursome of Heiskanen, Polak, John Klingberg as the latter. When Bishop and Khudobin go to him for answers, he and Esa Lindell has made up the strongest part of the team aside from its provides them with his logic. Otherwise, he’s allowing them to do goalies. whatever works for them and in turn, the team. Whether at the podium or in practice on the ice, Montgomery has a strong, firm way of carrying himself. That’s why it’s important to have somebody like Nelson on his staff, who is very much the opposite. “Todd Nelson has been a really good balance because he’s very laid back and very cerebral and he’s a deep thinker,” Montgomery said. “When he speaks, it’s very intelligent.” The Stars have had an interesting relationship with the power play this season and while Montgomery did his part in changing some of the pieces when it was struggling, Nelson helped a lot in it getting back on track. “His patience with the power play has benefited the power play,” Montgomery said. “I would not have had that patience that he’s had.” Nelson is a calming presence and he believes Montgomery’s receptiveness to input, combined with his ability to make a strong final decision, has served him well. He says it’s also helped the dynamic between the entire coaching staff. “We all have different opinions and input but at the end of the day, we leave the room on the same page,” Nelson said. “Monty asks for input from us and some stuff he takes, some stuff he doesn’t. At the end of the day, he’s the head coach and makes the final call. But there’s good interaction.” The relatively overlooked part of the coaching machine is Forbes, who has helped Montgomery in several tough in-game situations. Among coaches that have at least two challenges this season, Montgomery has an 80-percent success rate on five challenges, second in the NHL behind Nashville Predators head coach . While the percentage is next to Montgomery’s name, Forbes deserves a lot of the credit. “His communication skills are elite,” Montgomery said. “His system with Stu on the headset, I mean, they’re on top of it and they’re always telling me what we should be doing or shouldn’t be doing as far as challenges and stuff.” While Forbes is in his ninth season with the Stars as the video coach, Andrake is just in his first season as the assistant video coach. Andrake has allowed Forbes to focus on his strengths and also did an admirable job stepping in when Forbes tended to his mother’s health, making good on his lone challenge. While it doesn’t cause a lot of buzz, Forbes’ aptitude is another little advantage for Montgomery. “He’s elite at his job,” Montgomery said. “He’s a team-first guy so he and I automatically get along there because everything is about making the Dallas Stars best.” Montgomery’s support system is crucial, given how the Stars season has gone so far. He’s been tested in a variety of ways, from the injuries of key players like Alexander Radulov and John Klingberg to benching one of those key players in Radulov. Oh, and there was the Jim Lites fiasco. Through it all, Montgomery has been as transparent as possible. “As a player, most guys just want to know where you stand,” Barnes said. “Honesty. I think that’s one of Monty’s positive traits, that he’s able to relay a message and be honest about where players or staff stand and then from there you can improve, as a player or a staff member.” Montgomery meets with his staff every game day and full practice day and they also text or talk on off nights while watching other games from around the league when they see things that stand out. “It’s never-ending that we’re in communication,” Montgomery said. “We’re our own fraternity, our own little family.” The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019

1129778 Detroit Red Wings Daley inches closer to return

Defenseman Trevor Daley won't play this weekend but he could be back next week. Daley, who hasn't played since Dec. 29 due to a broken foot, Detroit Red Wings will get some family time on weekend road trip practiced on Friday.

"I'm feeling better every day," he said. "Still not where I'd like to be but Dana Gauruder every day is progress. I wanted to play awhile ago. I was hoping it wouldn't take this long but I want to make sure I'm good and ready and 5:51 p.m. ET Feb. 8, 2019 strong when I come back."

Daley, 35, has been limited to 31 games this season. Daley will remain sidelined until at least Tuesday, according to Blashill, when the Wings Dennis Cholowski brought along a special guest when the Detroit Red play at Nashville. Wings departed for a weekend road trip. Left wing Tyler Bertuzzi, who has missed the last three games with an His father John, who lives in Langley, British Columbia, joined the rookie upper body ailment, is doubtful to play this weekend. defenseman as the team headed to Buffalo for a Saturday afternoon game. The team allows fathers and mentors to take one trip each season Detroit Free Press LOADED: 02.09.2019 and chose this one, which includes a stop in Chicago on Sunday for another afternoon game.

"He's been asking me about it all the time," Cholowski said. "We'll kind of just go with the flow and have fun."

The annual fathers trip is always memorable but especially for first-timers like the Cholowskis. As Wings coach Jeff Blashill noted, it "breaks up the monotony" of a long season.

John stayed with his son for a few weeks earlier this season and now, like the other fathers on the team, will get to experience how the players prepare for a back-to-back.

"I've only heard good things about it from the other guys, so I'm super excited, just to be able to hang out with him," said Dennis, who turns 21 on Feb. 15. "Having him watch me play is really special for me."

Niklas Kronwall said the key to this annual get-together is to not let it become a distraction.

"We have to keep our focus on what we need to do on the ice," he said. "There's a little bit of pressure that comes with that. You want to try to make them proud by playing hard each and every time."

Blashill's brother, Tim, will meet up with the team in Chicago. These trips can be tricky for a head coach, who wants to give every father who makes the trip a chance to see their son play while still using the best possible lineup.

There's also a subject he tries to avoid.

"I think they'd love to talk about ice time but I try to stay away from that," Blashill said with a grin.

Blashill irked by 'easy goals'

The Wings created more scoring chances than Vegas in their 4-3 loss on Thursday, which snapped Detroit's three-game winning streak.

Blashill was irritated by defensive breakdowns in the second period, when the Golden Knights scored three times. The Knights scored on a 2- on-1 break when Paul Stastny exited the penalty box and fed William Karlsson for their second goal. The next goal came seconds after Vegas won a faceoff in its own zone.

"I didn't like the easy goals," Blashill said. "Some nonsensical plays by us."

Detroit Red Wings' Dylan Larkin tries to avoid the defense of the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period at Little Caesars Arena on Feb. 7, 2019 in Detroit.

Larkin 'feels it a little bit still'

Dylan Larkin contributed two assists after missing one game with a mild oblique strain but Blashill said he believes Larkin was affected by the injury.

"I don't think he was quite as dominant as he's been at times this year but that just might be a game where he wasn't quite as dominant. I don't know if it had anything to do with the injury," Blashill said. "I know he feels it a little bit still. The talk I usually have with players is lots of times you don't feel 100 percent but you need to look like you're 100 percent on the ice."

Larkin practiced on Friday and is expected to play this weekend, barring a setback. 1129779 Detroit Red Wings “He’s got a real willingness to go to the net. He’s a big, big man so he really can screen but he’s also hard to move out of the way, and he’s got good hands in tight and he’s a good tipper.”

Why this Detroit Red Wings rookie is such a menace Detroit Free Press LOADED: 02.09.2019

Helene St. James

9:23 a.m. ET Feb. 8, 2019

At just 19, in his first season of pro hockey, Michael Rasmussen is hinting at how much impact he can have as the Detroit Red Wings rebuild.

He contributed a goal and an assist in Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at Little Caesars Arena, leading all players with seven shots on net.

“He looked great,” Jimmy Howard said. “He played with a lot of confidence and that’s great to see.

“He’s found his niche here in the NHL. He’s got to use that big body to create havoc in front and just get his stick on pucks or bang home rebounds.”

Rasmussen hadn’t played for the Wings since Jan. 4, sidelined by a nagging hamstring. He’d just resumed practicing when the Wings went into their All-Star/bye-week break. That long of a layoff prompted a decision to send Rasmussen to Grand Rapids for a three-game conditioning stint.

“Going down to GR helped me,” Rasmussen said. “It’s never easy coming back from injury but I felt OK.”

Rasmussen played Wednesday for the Griffins, then rejoined the Wings and responded by standing out nearly every shift.

“I thought that was the best game he’s played all year for us,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “He had the puck more on his stick and was way more confident.

“He’s a menace around the net. He’s probably going to score 20-plus in the league eventually because he is real good around the net. But I also thought he carried the puck and did a lot of other things. He played real well.”

Rasmussen almost scored during a second-period power play when he got the puck at the net, but Marc-Andre Fleury answered with a huge save. Rasmussen came through on a power play in the third period when he took a pass from Frans Nielsen and scored on a backhand sweep.

“It was a great pass from Frans and I just tried to reach around him and put it in,” Rasmussen said.

Four of Rasmussen’s seven goals have come during man advantages. If not maneuvering the puck in tight spaces, Rasmussen uses his 6-foot-6 body to screen while poised for potential tips. While speed is crucial to today’s NHL, so is having a net-front presence.

“That’s one of the things he does so well, uses his body to his strength,” Niklas Kronwall said. “And not just on the power play but 5-on-5. I thought he had some monster shifts all through the game, really. It was nice to see him come back here with confidence and play a real good game.”

Rasmussen credits practice with improving his net-front savvy at the NHL level, saying “I work hard to master moves or get better in that area. It’s definitely getting better.”

Much like when the Wings had Tomas Holmstrom patrolling opponents’ nets, Rasmussen’s effectiveness is tied into whether teammates can deliver the puck to him at the crease. But Rasmussen is showing if he gets the puck, he can make things happen with it. He was just outside the crease when he tipped Dylan Larkin’s shot in the waning seconds of the game and ended up assisting on Thomas Vanek’s goal.

It’s a credit to Rasmussen he was on the ice and not on the bench at such a key moment.

“Even as a 19-year-old, I think he is an elite net-front guy,” Blashill said. “He’d earned that ice time. 1129780 Detroit Red Wings “He’ll be a roomie, we’ll have fun,” Cholowski said. “But like any roommate, there’s obviously differences.”

The major pet peeve? When Cholowski is napping, dad is infamous for Red Wings embark on annual Fathers Trip getting up, watching television, doing anything but napping.

“Always moving around,” Cholowski said. “But it works out.”

Ted Kulfan Business at hand

8:59 p.m. ET Feb. 8, 2019 While the dads are around, there’s still business to attend to for the Wings.

Jonathan Ericsson said his dad is looking forward to the Father Sons Road games in Buffalo, Chicago and Nashville, three usually difficult and Trip: “He was heading back to Sweden and before he even got home, he noisy rinks, aren’t going to be easy. called me and said, ‘Just so you know, I’m available next year. He “We have to keep focus on what we need to do on the ice,” Kronwall doesn’t want to miss these events.” said. “

Detroit — Jonathan Ericsson remembers the first Fathers-Sons trip the Generally speaking, the Wings have played well on these trips, and lack Red Wings had, and how much his father Sven enjoyed it. of effort is never a problem.

“He was heading back to Sweden and before he even got home, he “You want to put on a good show and good effort, you just want to make called me and said, ‘Just so you know, I’m available next year,’” Ericsson them proud,” Bernier said. “Give a little extra for sure.” said, a big smile crossing his face. “He doesn’t want to miss these events.” Ice chips

It’s become one of the more popular parts of the schedule, players The dads who watched Friday’s practice didn’t get to see an entirely crisp bringing along a father, mentor, in-law, brother, maybe a former coach. workout.

That person gets to spend several days getting to see life behind the “We weren’t good enough,” Blashill said. “I don’t know why. We had a scenes in the NHL. Flying on the team plane. Attending the meetings and little slow start, maybe it was a bad practice design, but our attention to team meals. Time in the locker room. detail and execution wasn’t good enough.”

“They get to share, basically, a few days of our lives, not just how we … Trevor Daley (foot) and Tyler Bertuzzi (upper body) will make the road compete on the ice but how we basically live our lives, how we go about trip, but only Daley appears to have a slight chance of playing, maybe our lives,” defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. “How we travel, we get in Tuesday in Nashville. some late nights, that’s something hard to understand by hearing. Red Wings at Sabres “Now you get to live it and understand it.” Faceoff: 1 p.m., Saturday, KeyBank Center. For rookie defenseman Dennis Cholowski, this will be his first such trip, with his father John. TV/radio: FSD/97.1

“He’s been asking me about it all the time, and it’s my first one, so I don’t Outlook: Buffalo (26-20-7) has slumped after a terrific start. … The know what’s going on,” Cholowski said. “But he’s asking questions all the Sabres have won three of their last 10 (3-6-1) and are slipped out of the time. We’re just going to go with the flow and have fun. playoff picture. … C Jack Eichel (40 assists, 57 points) and LW Jeff Skinner (33 goals) have been consistent offensive forces. “I’ve only heard good things from the other guys about it. I’m super excited just to hang out with him, and watching a few games. Going out Detroit News LOADED: 02.09.2019 for dinner and hanging out. It’ll be real special.”

Coach Jeff Blashill will have his brother Tim, a head coach at Big Rapids, on the trip.

“My dad lost the battle to my brother,” Blashill said. “He’s a high school coach and he’s going to join us in Chicago (Sunday). Generally they’d be playing this weekend but the way the schedule worked out, he wasn’t playing and we decided that was the best route.

“He’s looking forward to it, and it’ll be awesome to spend time together.”

During a long season of seemingly endless road trips, a three-game trip like this one with mentors is a unique break in the schedule.

“No doubt it’s unique, and it certainly breaks up the monotony,” Blashill said. “Guys really enjoy it and I know the father and mentors really enjoy it. It becomes a great event. The dads, one of the first things my dad asks me every year is when it is and I’m sure a lot of the fathers are the same.

“It’s awesome for the guys to be around, and it’s a good reminder to our players the sacrifices so many of the mentors and fathers made for them.”

One of the big decisions on any of these trips is deciding whether to room together, or getting Dad a separate room.

There were varying decisions, for varying reasons.

Goaltender Jonathan Bernier decided to get his father, Alain, a room of his own.

“He snores a lot,” Bernier said.

But Cholowski, maybe in a rookie sort of decision, decided to be roommates with his dad. His dad has been here at different points of the season, at one point spending a month with Cholowski. 1129781 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings’ annual Fathers Trip provides change of pace

February 8, 2019 at 6:14 PM

Ansar Khan

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings’ annual Fathers/Mentors Trip provides a welcomed change of pace, especially during the dog days of February.

“It’s unique and it certainly breaks up the monotony and I think the guys really enjoy it and I know the fathers and mentors really enjoy it,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “It becomes a great event. I know this is one of the first things my dad asks me every year when it is and I’m sure a lot of these fathers are the same.

“It’s a good reminder to our players of the sacrifices that so many of these mentors and fathers made for them.”

After taking his dad on several of these trips, Blashill will be accompanied this time by his brother, Tim, a high school hockey coach in Big Rapids. He’ll join the team Sunday in Chicago, after Saturday’s game in Buffalo (1 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). The trip wraps up Tuesday in Nashville.

Jonathan Bernier’s father, Alain, has been on many dads’ trips with various teams.

“They have a blast, just seeing the routine we go through every day and seeing how hard it is to prepare yourself for each game,” Bernier said. “The fun part about going on the plane, having great meals, nice hotels, that’s the perks, but I think it’s good for them to see the other side. They deserve it with all the hard work they put in when we were young, bringing us to the rink in the morning and things like that. It’s a nice reward for them.”

Bernier’s father, retired from the construction business, might have difficulty communicating with most of the dads.

“We’re from north of Montreal, his English is not great, so he’ll probably hang out more with (Anthony) Mantha’s dad,” Bernier said.

Jonathan Ericsson estimates his father, Sven, has been on eight or nine of these trips.

“I remember after the first one he was at, he landed back in Sweden and before he ever got home, he called me and he’s like, ‘Just so you know, I’m available for next year,’ ” Ericsson said.

“They see the meetings, they basically go through everything we do before the game starts. And then they’re sitting up there together and having fun. Just to see them having such a good time, it’s fun for us, too.”

Rookie Dennis Cholowski’s father, John, a mechanical engineer from Langley, British Columbia, is on the trip.

“I’ve only ever heard good things from the other guys about it so I’m super excited just to be able to hang out with him and to watch a few games,” Cholowski said. “Just going out to dinner and hanging out and having him watch me play is really special for me.”

Jacob de la Rose’s dad, Anders, an engineer in the heat pump business, traveled from Sweden to take part in his first trip to this kind.

“He usually comes here two or three times a year to watch some games,” de la Rose said. “If he’s not here, he’s watching every game at home on TV.

“For sure he’s excited. First time he gets to see how it is for me over here and get to experience that, so I think he’s super-pumped to go on the trip.”

Injury updates: Trevor Daley (broken foot) has been skating for several days and will be on the trip. There is a chance he’ll return Tuesday in Nashville.

Tyler Bertuzzi (neck) also will travel but hasn’t resumed practicing and isn’t expected to play on the trip.

Michigan Live LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129782 Detroit Red Wings

Griffins trade first-year pro Trevor Yates

February 8, 2019 at 2:19 PM

Peter J. Wallner

Center Trevor Yates, who appears in two games this season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, was traded Friday to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The deal was in exchange for future considerations.

The 23-year-oldYates had no points and four penalty minutes with the Griffins in his first full professional season. He played 27 games with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye with seven points (2-5-7) and eight PIM.

Yates made his pro debut with the Griffins at the end of 2017-18, playing in two games and logging his first pro point on an assist.

Hewas undrafted after a standout four-year career at at Cornell University from 2014-18.The Central Division-leading Griffins are home 7 p.m. Saturday against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, but don’t expect Yates to square off against his former team. He was assigned to ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers.

Michigan Live LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129783 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings aiming to sign some free agents before trade deadline

February 8, 2019 at 6:00 AM

Ansar Khan

DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland plans to increase dialogue with some of the team’s unrestricted free agents over the next few days in an effort to sign them by the Feb. 25 trade deadline.

The Red Wings have seven pending UFAs, three of whom they would like to sign – goaltender Jimmy Howard, forward Gustav Nyquist and defenseman Nick Jensen.

If Holland doesn’t at least have the parameters in place for deals with any of these three, then he might be inclined to move them rather than risk losing them for nothing on July 1.

All three have spent their entire NHL careers in Detroit and have expressed a desire to stay. But it’s still business.

“We’ve had exploratory talks,” Holland said, without identifying which players he’s trying to re-sign. “I’ve got to, here in the next few days, crank it up to another level.

“I’d like to think before the deadline that we’re either signing them or close, where we sort of have the makings of a deal and you’re hanging onto the player. It would be the very worst-case scenario if I don’t trade somebody and then that player we have interest in re-signing leaves on July 1.”

The Red Wings decided early in the season that they want to retain Howard. A two-year deal in the neighborhood of his current cap hit ($5.3 million) or less seems possible.

The club is pleased with Howard’s play this season. None of the organization’s goaltending prospects is close to being NHL-ready and Howard is better than anyone in Grand Rapids.

Nyquist has 13 goals and 46 points, well on pace to surpass his career high of 54 points. He’s in his final year at a $4.75 million cap hit.

The Red Wings want to re-sign the right-handed Jensen because they value his skating and penalty-killing ability. He is third among the team’s defensemen in average ice time and wouldn’t cost a lot to re-sign.

Their other unrestricted free agents are Niklas Kronwall, who is expected to retire after the season, Thomas Vanek, Martin Frk and Luke Witkowski.

It’s possible the Red Wings don’t trade anybody by the deadline.

“There’s not going to be a marketplace for all seven,” Holland said. “There’s only so many buyers, and we’re not going to re-sign all seven because we got some kids that we got to make room for in ’19-20. Those are all the things that as we make the decisions leading up to Feb. 25 that affect the decision-making. Certainly, I don’t want to get to Feb. 25 and don’t trade a player that’s got value on the marketplace and then we don’t get him signed. That would be a very bad job by me.”

Holland is hoping the trade deadline adds urgency to both sides.

“The best deals are made when there’s pressure on both sides and one side doesn’t have more leverage than the other,” Holland said. “Certainly, if you get by Feb. 25 and I don’t have the parameters (of deals) or an idea of what it’s going to take, then shame on me.”

Michigan Live LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129784 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings vanquished by Vegas, 4-3

NOAH TRISTER

Feb 7, 2019

DETROIT (AP) — Jonathan Marchessault scored twice in a three-goal second period for Vegas, and the Golden Knights beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on Thursday night.

William Karlsson and Brayden McNabb also scored to help Vegas snap Detroit's three-game winning streak. Gustav Nyquist, Michael Rasmussen and Thomas Vanek scored for the Red Wings.

Vegas snapped a four-game losing streak with a shootout win over NHL- leading Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, and now the Golden Knights have back-to-back wins to their credit.

Dylan Larkin returned for the Red Wings after missing a game with an oblique injury, and he had two assists, including a secondary one on the game's first goal. Justin Abdelkader's backhander in the first period was stopped by Marc-Andre Fleury, but the goalie left the puck loose behind him, and Nyquist converted for his 13th goal of the season.

Marchessault tied it in the second when he knocked in a rebound on the power play, then Karlsson put the Golden Knights ahead immediately after the end of a Detroit man advantage. Paul Stastny came out of the penalty box just in time to create a 2-on-1 with Karlsson. The puck went from Karlsson to Stastny and back to Karlsson, who took the return pass and easily stuffed it into an open net.

Marchessault's 19th goal of the season came on another rebound to make it 3-1.

Rasmussen pulled Detroit within one when he had space in front of the net on a power play and beat Fleury with 15:19 remaining in the third, but the Golden Knights picked up an insurance goal with 8:53 to play. McNabb flipped a backhander toward the net, and it appeared to take a deflection before slipping past Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard. Oscar Lindberg was creating traffic in front for Vegas, but the goal was credited to McNabb.

Vanek's goal came with 2.7 seconds left in the game.

NOTES

It was the 300th game for Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill. ... Detroit was coming off a four-day layoff, and the Red Wings looked sharp early, outshooting Vegas 14-7 in the first.

UP NEXT

Golden Knights: Host Columbus on Saturday night.

Red Wings: At Buffalo on Saturday.

Macomb Daily LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129785 Detroit Red Wings That’s why, if his current pace holds, Nyquist could have a chance at 50 assists and 70 points — which is exactly what he extrapolates to as of Friday morning. So while those numbers do likely speak to naturally Digging into Gustav Nyquist’s career-best production pace occurring positive regression, they also underscore exactly what Nyquist was talking about learning through his career: staying locked in amid variance, and reaping the benefits.

Max Bultman It’s not that last year he wasn’t doing that, but rather that sometimes results are out of a player’s control. Sticking with an effort level in spite of Feb 8, 2019 tough luck can sometimes be the only way the numbers will eventually come around.

Jeff Blashill was right — mostly. Earlier this week, as the Red Wings And for Nyquist, it certainly sounds like that shoe fits here. coach formulated an explanation for Gustav Nyquist’s career-best “The one thing I’d say is on a consistent basis, I think, his compete level’s production pace, he hearkened back to a proclamation he recalled been real high. And like any player it can ebb and flow a little bit, (but) it’s making nearly a year ago. stayed at a real high level almost all season long,” Blashill said. “It hasn’t “If he gets the same chances a year from now, is what I said last year, been perfect; the first period the other night he wasn’t good enough, but he’ll produce at a way higher rate,” Blashill said. “I thought he did lots of man, he was real good the second and third period. And that part of it, good stuff last year and just didn’t get rewarded.” that consistency, and just that compete on a night-in, night-(out) basis has been real good. And I think when it’s real good he’s a real good After a quick scouring of the internet, we found that Blashill did, in fact, player.” make a similar declaration at the end of the 2017-18 season, at the team’s locker clean-out. He said at that time that if Nyquist were to get Even absent the score sheet, though, the underlying impact Nyquist is the same chances this season, he’d score about 25 or 26 goals instead having is stark. of the 21 he finished last year with. If you wanted to nitpick, you could Here’s what the Red Wings’ shot creation has looked like with and point out that with 13 goals through 54 games, Nyquist is in fact on pace without Nyquist this year, via Micah Blake McCurdy’s excellent website to finish with exactly 20 goals this time around. But the larger point, it hockeyviz.com. seems, was pretty spot on. Nyquist is on pace to race past his career bests in total production, needing just nine more points to surpass his That is a drastic difference, especially in high-danger areas. Nyquist’s career-high 54. relative CF% is the highest it’s ever been at 6.2.

His true best season was really probably 2013-14, when he notched 48 It certainly doesn’t hurt, for these purposes, that Nyquist has been paired points in 57 games in his first “full” NHL campaign. But even then, if he with Larkin — no doubt a driver of many such chances himself. His gets two points in his next three games Nyquist could match that, too. In charts, as you’d expect, are even more eye-popping. that season, he actually finished 16th in Hart Trophy voting, getting more votes than and Alex Ovechkin. This visualization from McCurdy indicates that neither player is as good without the other, but the impact does appear larger on Nyquist. Obviously, this season is not in that same class, especially when it comes to goal scoring. It may, however, be two other things: the latest Regardless, this doesn’t necessarily mean Nyquist’s boom year won’t still confirmation of the role variance plays in scoring numbers, and, perhaps, end up an outlier in the context of his career — another important a sign of Nyquist’s ability to navigate those swings without altering his question in itself, as the Red Wings ultimately weigh whether to game. potentially trade or re-sign the pending UFA winger — but it does look like the player is finally getting rewarded for something he’s been doing When asked what was behind this year’s surge, Nyquist couldn’t put a anyway. finger on any one thing. He didn’t make any major changes this summer, and he felt like he’d been confident in past years, too. That’s important in ways big and small, as the Red Wings groom their next generation of talent. They have no shortage of skilled offensive But when prompted to think about the ways he’d grown since his first players who have, at times, seemed to ride the emotional wave of forays into the league, an answer did seem to emerge, relating to that production. consistency through the ups and downs of a season. It matters to have the presence of a player who by all accounts is simply “I think that’s something I’ve become better at,” Nyquist said. “When sticking with his game and is getting rewarded. He can be walking, you’re young, pucks not going in or the team’s losing or something like scoring evidence. He’s also just helped keep the Red Wings in games, at that, you get frustrated. And I think that’s something I’ve become better at times, this year. to not let that frustration take over and just keep working hard. If you keep doing the right things it’ll come eventually so just trusting in that and So regardless of whether, or how long, the pace holds up, much of the believing in that because it’s a long season.” payoff seems to have already vested.

This year, it would appear, may simply be a case in point in that. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019

When Nyquist looks back on that torrid 2013-14 season, he remembers the goals, of course, but he can also admit, in retrospect, that the rate at which he was finding twine was “hard to keep up.”

“But in general I’ve always seen myself as more of a passer, I think,” he said. And that’s really where the numbers have shot up this season. With 33 assists, this is probably the true area where simply sticking with what he’s doing has translated to the score sheet for Nyquist.

He’s on a new line — playing with Dylan Larkin for the better part of the season — but going from Henrik Zetterberg to Larkin shouldn’t account for such a difference, either.

Instead, it’s better to look to his on-ice shooting percentages from one year to the next, which tell the story about as completely as you could want. As Nyquist said, simply, “maybe the puck’s going in a little easier.”

Last year, when Nyquist was on the ice at 5-on-5, the Red Wings shot just 7.4 percent, the lowest mark of his career (for seasons in which he played at least 30 games). This year, it’s up to 10.2 — the second highest of his career, despite the fact that Nyquist’s personal percentage is actually slightly down from a year ago. 1129786 Edmonton Oilers MAKING IT RIGHT

All’s well that ends well and Talbot’s makeup game with the Minnesota Wild ended with 35 saves and a 4-1 win. It was a perfect script after the Worst wildcard race ever gives Edmonton Oilers reason to believe awkward events of two nights earlier, when Hitchcock yanked a furious Talbot five minutes into the third period against Chicago.

Robert Tychkowski “Cam played the last game because the players and the coaches let him down and I felt we owned him something,” said Hitchcock, who liked the way the Oilers rallied around their goalie. “I don’t care which guy plays, we have to play FOR them. If you have that attitude, the front of your net The standings don’t lie. becomes a battle zone and you don’t give up quality chances. A team might think it’s making progress, but if it’s 15 teams deep when “Winning one-on-ones and not getting beat back to the net become really people click on the standings, that’s pretty much the end of the important and if those things become important you become harder to discussion. play against.” It works the other way, too. A team can lose five or six in a row, fire its The Oilers, who had some pretty bad defensive lapses during their six- coach and general manager a few months apart and struggle mightily at game winless streak, knew that Talbot had been hung out to dry in recent home, but if the standings say it’s right in the hunt, that’s all that matters. starts and made a pointed effort to play harder and smarter in front of It’s certainly all that matters to the Edmonton Oilers. Despite all that’s him. The results spoke for themselves. gone wrong for them this season they are two points out of playoff spot. “Everybody knew what was at stake,” Talbot said of needing to catch They shouldn’t be. They probably don’t deserve to be. But they are. And Minnesota for one of the wildcard spots. “I was trying to rally behind them they make no apologies for the reprieve being granted by the slowest as much as they were trying to rally behind me. That’s what makes a wildcard race ever. good team.” “It’s crazy,” said goaltender . “In most other years we Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 02.09.2019 probably wouldn’t be in this position. We’re lucky that we still have a chance here and we have to take advantage of it.”

Being this close to a wildcard spot makes it easy to forget a few blown leads, some unbalanced scoring and a six-game winless skid. Instead of being down on themselves, the Oilers are buoyed by this rare opportunity to make everything right.

“By looking at the spot we’re in it can give you a little bit more motivation, push you a little more,” said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing at this point to look at the standings.

“It can put more fire under you knowing that we need to start stringing some together here.”

They know they dodged a few bullets, but with 28 games to go things are nowhere near as bad as they seem. Just ask the standings.

“It’s crazy to look at,” said Leon Draisaitl. “We’re three or four points from last place and two points from a wildcard spot. It’s very, very tight. We have to keep pushing, keep moving forward, bank as many points as we can right now.”

LEON ON FIRE

Draisaitl is supposed to be a set-up man, not the third-leading goal scorer in the NHL, but who says people can’t change?

It’s been a scoring rampage for the Oilers forward lately as he’s potted nine goals in the last nine games to break his career high (29 two years ago) and move onto the top page of the goal scoring leaderboard with 32, just five back of Alex Ovechkin.

“The guys have been setting me up pretty nicely lately, there’s not much to it,” said the 23-year-old winger. “Some really nice plays by those guys and I’m trying to convert on them.”

Breaking his career high with almost a third of the season to play is pretty heady stuff, though. If he stays hot he’ll have an outside shot at 50, something nobody ever expected from his style of game.

“I knew that I know how to score goals,” he said. “I’ve scored before. I’m more of a passer than anything, probably, but I try and be unpredictable. I try and shoot more and use my shot to my advantage and lately it’s been working.”

Lately he’s been finding the soft spot in the defence and unleashing a pretty good one-timer.

“He has a great ability to hide outside the coverage, in quiet spaces on the ice where people are caught staring at the puck and he’s wide open,” said head coach Ken Hitchcock. “You can practice that and teach that your whole life and guys don’t get it.

“He knows where to go and where people are improperly positioned and he finds those spots and hammers it from there. It’s a very unique quality, not many players in the league have that.” 1129787 Edmonton Oilers “I’d like to see us play with more grit in the right areas than try to hit home runs. The one thing we do on the road really well is not try to hit home runs. At home we’re trying to do that and it gets away on us sometimes.”

Edmonton Oilers: Time to fire the arena? It doesn’t help matters that San Jose is here Saturday. The Sharks aren’t the first team anyone wants knocking on the door when they’re trying to figure things out at home, but that’s who’s coming. Robert Tychkowski “The team we’re playing Saturday is as good as there is in the NHL and they’re probably playing as well as anyone in the NHL right now,” said Hitchcock. “We have our work cut out for us just to be competitive.” Fire the arena? Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 02.09.2019 In a season that’s already been strange enough — they canned their head coach the morning of a game and skidded their GM during a second intermission — the Edmonton Oilers might have to complete the hat-trick by pink-slipping .

Call the $480 million underachiever into CEO Bob Nicholson’s office for a sit down and break the news.

“Listen, you tried your best, but it’s just not working out. We have more home-ice losses than any other team in the NHL. Even Calgary is better at home and their building looks like a saddle. Plus you’re colder than a meat locker. And we can’t fire 23 players, so we’re letting you go. Don’t let your door hit you on your way out.”

Unless there is some drastic home improvement scheduled for this month, that might be the only way to keep Edmonton alive in the hunt for a wild card spot that nobody else in the Western Conference seems to want.

“I don’t know,” said winger Leon Draisaitl, when asked if he had any idea why things have turned so sour for them on home ice. “We’ve had some good games at home this year, but obviously lately we haven’t been good at home.”

It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense that a team with a 6-3-3 record in its last 12 road games is 2-10-0 in its last 12 at home.

How can the same group of players who’ve compiled more regulation losses on home ice (14) than any other team in the league have the fifth fewest regulation road losses (11 in 27 games) in their conference?

If you’re a fan of the team, you have to be thinking half a billion dollars is a lot of money to spend on a place where people go to be disappointed. It would have been a lot cheaper to build a theatre and show movies with Ronda Rousey in them.

“You don’t want to say you have to bring your road game home, but I think we get caught up in being something that we’re not at home,” said head coach Ken Hitchcock. “We have to figure that out.”

A simple .500 at home over their last 12 at home and the Oilers would be locked into the top wildcard spot, with six points worth of breathing room.

So, yes, figuring this thing out is kind of important. They delivered a perfect formula in beating Minnesota 4-1 on Thursday, but that was in Minnesota. Now they have to execute that game plan at home against, ugh, San Jose.

“The big thing at home is the start, establishing momentum and taking control of the game right from the get go,” said centre Ryan Nugent- Hopkins, well aware that Edmonton often waits to see what the other team is going to do instead of dictating the pace themselves.

“You want to make it tough for teams to come into your building to play and that starts right off the bat and gets the fans into it. We can rally behind each other from there.”

Some have suggested it’s the pressure of playing in a market that places too much importance on its hockey team, and that Edmonton is a tough place to play when you’re trying to break out of a slump.

But Canadian pressure doesn’t seem to be bothering anyone else. Winnipeg is tied for the best home record in the NHL (20-6-3). Toronto and Montreal are tied with the third most home ice wins in the east (17). Calgary (17-5-5) is tied for the second fewest regulation losses on home ice in the NHL.

Even the hapless Ottawa Senators have made better use of home ice advantage (13-11-4) and their arena isn’t anywhere near Ottawa.

“We play a different game on the road,” said Hitchcock. “We get impatient at home and don’t stay on task at times and it hurts us. 1129788 Edmonton Oilers early and ran with it. Rattie works well with McDavid and Draisaitl, or with his childhood friend Nugent-Hopkins.

The coach is right when he says the right-winger doesn’t always move MATHESON: Oscar Klefbom’s return has made things easier for his feet, or has to skate as hard from the red-line back as the other way, Edmonton Oilers but he’s not alone there. There’s no way he should be healthy scratched as he’s been 14 times.

Jim Matheson McDavid likes playing with him, likes how he thinks the game offensively. So does Nugent-Hopkins.

Keep Rattie playing and not on a fourth line. Stick with him even if he When opposing players are interrogated about Edmonton Oilers, their makes a mistake. response is always the same. He’s not lighting it up but has one more point (10-9) than Jesse Puljujarvi “Lots of skill, fast, they can score.” in 10 fewer games, and Puljujarvi has played every single game since Nov. 25, 32 in a row. Rattie is minus-1, Puljujarvi is minus-13. It’s like name, rank and serial number. Rote reply. Which, of course, brings us to Jesse… Not sure what Oilers team they’ve been watching, but take away those 96 goals from Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Alex Chiasson and Ryan DOESN’T PULJUJARVI BELONG IN BAKERSFIELD? Nugent-Hopkins, and nobody else scores. Oilers coach Ken Hitchcock says the consistency of scoring on the left side has “fallen off a cliff,” This is baffling stuff. He was playing right-wing with Colby Cave and which is why Draisaitl was on left-wing with McDavid in Minnesota Tobias Rieder in the win over Minnesota. He got 8 and-a-half minutes, Thursday. missing some time when he got a stick in the face. Hitchcock pushed hard to bring him up from Bakersfield when he was hired in mid- The real story is this: the coach knows he has to get his team out of what November, but Puljujarvi has played on the fourth line for weeks now. they think they are into what they really are … a team that has to check and play determined to win hockey games. They had both covered in That would be fine for, say, Jack Roslovic, another first-round pick, in Minnesota and they won for fun. They do not have a lot of skill, they can’t Winnipeg, because the Jets have a juggernaut roster and that’s where he get into a track meet with San Jose Sharks on Saturday because they’ll fits, for now.Roslovic’s outgrown the AHL. get kicked in the shins. They tried that the last two games and how did Puljujarvi has not done that in Bakersfield in two trips there. they work out? 7-4, 7-2 drubbing. It’s like he’s skipped elementary school. So, while we should be applauding the Oilers work in Minnesota on Thursday from first to last shift, Wild coach Bruce Boudreau was There are precious few shifts where he takes over and you go “wow.” He apoplectic at their lack of will and skill losing 4-1 to Edmonton. works and steals passes with his long reach, but there’s no offensive juice in his limited ice-time. Hitchcock says he’s trying to keep his One of their core guys, Mikael Granlund, has two goals in his last 37 minutes to 10-12 a night in the NHL because he feels the kid runs out of games. Fans would like to run him out of town. energy after that, which seems odd for somebody who is 20, not 35. But The real test will be agianst the Sharks, who have just beaten Winnipeg the coach is trying to manage the asset. We get that and Calgary on the road. Hitchcock says they can’t dance with the The numbers scream at you, though. Sharks, and he’s right. Puljujarvi has three goals in 34 shots in the last 32 games. But let’s take a look at three other things: Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 02.09.2019 OSCAR IS NO SLOUCH

Klefbom is the second most indispensable player after McDavid, with apologies to Draisaitl and those 32 goals (eight in the last six games) and 66 points. When he was out for those 21 games and two months with a busted finger the Oilers were 6-15. His partner Adam Larsson looked as lost as a husband trying to buy shoes for his wife. He was minus-12 over that stretch and fully admitted he was a shadow of his usual sturdy, shutdown self.

To hear Hitchcock talk about Klefbom when he was out, you’d you’d have thought he was talking about Drew Doughty meets Victor Hedman, which seemed a bit of a reach. But Klefbom was getting some love to be on Sweden’s World Cup 2020 defence before they cancelled that. He’s the guy who would be playing against McDavid if on different teams.

He played a rocking chair 24-plus minutes against the Wild, closing fast on puck-carriers, getting to lose pucks and and moving it north, and he still has one of the most effective, heavy sticks in the league when he’s checking. He’s made Larsson whole again, and his return has allowed the head coach to not overwork Darnell Nurse (nine games of 28 or more minutes) and Kris Russell where extra ice was meaning extra mistakes because they were playing above their station.

Klefbom isn’t yet a true No. 1 D in this league — there’s only about 12-15 of those — but he’s close.

RATTIE COULD BE FIRST-LINE WINGER

Ty Rattie has a shorter leash with Hitchcock than other players because the coach had him in St Louis and Rattie teased with his offensive ability but not on a regular-basis. He kept wanting more and Rattie found himself more on the fourth than the first or second line or sitting out, and fact is when he played briefly in Carolina after that, he couldn’t do it either.

But, no more doghouse. On an OilerS team with so little natural offence, he deserves a nightly shot with the big boys just as Alex Chiasson got his 1129789 Edmonton Oilers care that Mikko Koskinen got a three-year, $13.5 million deal just before Peter Chiarelli was fired, which seemed to leave the UFA Talbot adrift.

“People talk about next year, but I’m only concerned about the next day,” ‘He’s got a bit of confidence going’: Talbot outduels Dubnyk in Oilers win said Hitchcock. over Wild “Whatever goalie gives us the best chance to win, that’s who we’re going with. If one guy gets on a roll, I don’t care who it is. He’s playing.”

Jim Matheson In the morning, Dubnyk, who had a 9-3 record and a 1.59 average and .937 save percentage in 12 games against his old team prior to this one, had empathized for what Talbot’s been going through. ST. PAUL, Minn — As Cam Talbot hurriedly packed his equipment bag for the trip home — pads, check, mask, check, skates, check — “I guess he would know,” said Talbot, appreciating the gesture. something else was under the pile of gear, something he hadn’t seen “If you see him, thank him for saying it.” much of. ON THE BENCH — Jesse Puljujarvi, once again playing right-wing on The motorcycle that goes to the best Edmonton Oiler player. the fourth line, took a stick in the face and had to go the dressing room “You’re not wearing that for us?” a reporter asked the goalie. for repairs. He only played two shifts in the third period, just 8:27 in all…Hitchcock really didn’t use his fourth line—Tobias Rieder got 6:29 “Nah, maybe later,” said Talbot, who stopped 35 of 36 Minnesota Wild and Colby Cave 5:51…Brad Malone did a nice, safe job as the third-line shots Thursday, his best statistical game since a 39-save shutout in C, with 12 1/2 minutes. Anaheim about a month earlier. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 02.09.2019 Talbot, who got the hook in the 6-2 loss to the Hawks when his collapsed around him after a very strong first 40 minutes, came into the game with a 3.39 average and an .892 save percentage. But, he looked like the solid, calm, old Talbot in this one — in a game the Oilers absolutely had to have.

He had help, of course. The Oilers weren’t the neighbourhood Welcome Wagon around their net as they had been in their previous six losses, where they gave up a stinking 30 goals. They played hard, taking the dirt road to move people so Talbot could see shots.

They won the battles all over the ice, really. Playing for each other.

But mostly for Talbot because their coach Ken Hitchcock had challenged them to do so after he was pulled against the Hawks when it wasn’t his fault. The coach wanted a response, a pulse defensively for a full 60, and he got it, especially from their returning blueliner Oscar Klefbom, resoundingly terrific in 24 minutes.

They scored early 135 seconds in on a shot that Devan Dubnyk whiffed on as Darnell Nurse unloaded an unscreened 45-footer, they got one on their PP (Leon Draisaitl), killed all three of Minnesota’s PPs and didn’t give them a single shot on any of them. And Zack Kassian was the poster boy for the foot-soldiers up front with an empty-netter, an assist on Nurse’s goal, and a big-time wall-paper job on Zach Parise, who got caught in the train-tracks in the third.

But, Talbot was mostly unflappable, beaten only by Joel Eriksson Ek’s bullet as the Oilers crazy run to a wild-card playoff spot continued. Minnesota holds down the first WC at 57 points with St. Louis and Vancouver at 55 for the second WC. The Oilers, Colorado and Chicago have 53 points.

Now, the San Jose Sharks will be a much tougher kettle of fish Saturday afternoon at Rogers Place than the Wild, but a win is a win is a win, especially after six straight L’s.

“We did such a good job of clearing pucks…there were a few scrambles early but our guys were dialed in, boxing people out. Really, one of the best defensive games we’ve had all year,” said Talbot. ”They made it 2-1 but getting the big power play goal right afterwards was huge. We hadn’t been able to hold leads in the third but the goal by them didn’t faze us.”

“I wanted a good start tonight, make the saves early to settle us down. That Minnesota team sifts pucks through (defencemen) and they always have two guys converging (for loose change). There weren’t too many shots I couldn’t see from the point, which tells you how good the guys in front of me played,” said Talbot, who has started three of the last four games now.

“I would love to keep the net. This is the first time I’ve played two in a row, maybe back to before the break when I played four straight,” said Talbot. “Thought I played well in Philly, even if it sounds stupid when you give up five, then against Chicago I made a lot of good saves.”

Hitchcock liked Talbot’s play, a lot.

“I thought the guys played hard for Cam and he played hard for them…he’s got a bit of confidence going,” said Hitchcock, who doesn’t 1129790 Edmonton Oilers Is he scoring enough? Since Hitchcock took over Nov. 20, Puljujarvi has scored three goals and six points in 360 minutes and 28 seconds. That’s 0.5 goals per 60 and 1.00 points per 60 (all at 5-on-5). Using the entire Lowetide: Is Ken Hitchcock helping Jesse Puljujarvi find his way as an NHL forward group as a pool, and including only those who have played NHL player? 200 or more minutes since Nov. 20, we gather a pool of exactly 372 players via Natural Stat Trick. That gives us exactly 12 forwards per 31 teams (12×31=372).

Allan Mitchell It stands to reason first-line forwards would total the first 93, second line would populate spots 94-186 and on it goes. Where do the Oilers rank? Feb 8, 2019 Is Puljujarvi a top-nine forward?

No. 19 Connor McDavid (2.94 points per 60 at 5-on-5) In the days after Ken Hitchcock was named head coach by the No. 37 Leon Draisaitl (2.57) Edmonton Oilers, he took advantage of the team’s West Coast trip (the Oilers played in San Jose on Nov. 20) to skip over to Bakersfield and No. 91 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (1.93) have a look at Jesse Puljujarvi. The youngster had struggled over two seasons and the beginning of another under Todd McLellan, and was Edmonton has three men who can be considered first-line forwards playing for the Condors at the time of Hitchcock’s hire. With his usual based purely on math, as shown here. This is Nov. 20 through Feb. 6 (it larger than life flair, Hitch convinced general manager Peter Chiarelli to doesn’t include Thursday’s Minnesota game). The Oilers have no bring him to the NHL right away, saying “when you see something that second-line players based on this quick math look, but there are three good, and that much (of it), as a coach you want to take responsibility for Oilers scoring at a third-line clip: the growth of the player. You don’t want to sit there and watch him play in No. 199 Jujhar Khaira (1.57) the American Hockey League.” No. 248 Zack Kassian (1.33) Thirty games later Puljujarvi is lining up on the fourth line and playing depth minutes. Has the new coach found a way to unlock Puljujarvi and No. 261 Ty Rattie (1.29) deploy him as a productive NHL player? Is Puljujarvi contributing more to the team’s offence? Is the puck heading in a good direction? The Oilers have six top-nine forwards in the games Nov. 20 through Feb. 6 and that’s a problem. The fourth-liners run forever: Jesse Puljujarvi’s 2018-19 season No. 288 Alex Chiasson (1.19) The numbers show an increase in 5-on-5 and power-play offence, although Puljujarvi remains shy of acceptable levels for an NHL skill No. 318 Jesse Puljujarvi (1.00) winger. There’s a slight increase in playing time and a better shooting No. 330 Ryan Spooner (0.90) percentage. On the other hand, the possession (Corsi) numbers are down markedly under Hitchcock. No. 362 Kyle Brodziak (0.67)

Usage: McLellan and Puljujarvi No. 366 Tobias Rieder (0.54)

Under Todd McLellan, in the first 20 games of the season, Puljujarvi When the post-mortem is delivered to the 2018-19 Oilers, one of the played just 11 contests and was eventually sent to the minors. For this main stories is going to surround terrible bets made on wingers and the section, I’m going to use Natural Stat Trick’s line tool per game. The disappointing offence delivered. Chiasson’s fast start faded, Spooner beauty of the line tool is that we get to see deployment by the coach, with didn’t help at all and free agents Brodziak and Rieder were largely superfluous ice time (overlap of shifts, et cetera) taken out of the ineffective with the puck on their stick. conversation. When we drill down strictly on line usage by each coach, Puljujarvi’s audition under Hitchcock it’s easy to see how McLellan was deploying the young winger in the early days of the season. Jesse Puljujarvi’s promise is enormous and the Oilers need to find a way to unlock him. I have wondered since his draft day about Puljujarvi’s The one 5-on-5 goal Puljujarvi scored while McLellan was coach came offence and those questions remain. Hitchcock’s usage has the young during a sequence where Connor McDavid jumped on the ice, passed man in the NHL and pushing and that’s something we’re likely to see for the puck to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who sent a dart to Puljujarvi for a the rest of this season and beyond. goal. As much as that goal showed skill from all three forwards, JP spent 57 seconds with Nuge and 1:39 with McDavid 5-on-5 during the game The Finn’s entry-level contract will expire this summer and he won’t clear Oct. 16 against the Winnipeg Jets. waivers in 2019-20 so trips to the farm will be unavailable as an option. In just over 230 minutes with Nuge as his centre, Puljujarvi is producing at The McLellan usage chart shows the coach was interested in finding a 1.55 points per 60. Based on usage, it appears Hitchcock believes that is spot in the lineup where the youngster could be protected and the team the best spot in the order for Edmonton’s struggling phenom. But the would have less exposure. The trading of Strome, who played about one question today is the same one we had on draft day: Is it enough? hour with the big Finn at 5-on-5 while maintaining a strong possession number, put Puljujarvi’s future path in some doubt. It also explains the The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 demotion to Bakersfield.

Usage: Hitchcock and Puljujarvi

Hitchcock didn’t have Strome as an option, so the usage comparison isn’t perfect. However, I do think it is clear that the new coach used Puljujarvi as more of a feature player than McLellan did in the season’s first 20 games. The increased offence (1.00 points per 60 at 5-on-5) came at the expense of possession, and JP was a drag on Nugent-Hopkins over almost 175 minutes. That isn’t a good trade for the Oilers, although it should be mentioned there aren’t a large number of replacement level players in the organization at this time.

Puljujarvi as an NHL player under Ken Hitchcock

During the NHL games Puljujarvi has played with Hitchcock as his coach, he has averaged 11:37 at 5-on-5, plus 17 seconds on the power play and two seconds on the penalty kill per game. The big part of Puljujarvi’s game is 5-on-5 and he needs to score enough to remain in the lineup. The exercise above suggests (based on quality of centre) his 5-on-5 minutes are something close to a feature role, a top-nine forward deployment. 1129791 Florida Panthers put alongside young keepers like Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Bam Adebayo.

▪ Marlins: With FanFest on Saturday and spring training beginning next This is the state of South Florida’s sports franchises. This is why it’s week, the 2019 Marlins season officially has begun. And, if there were looking grim any doubt, we were reminded again of the Derek Jeter plan — the pain of losing now, long-term gain later — with this week’s trade of all-star J.T. Realmuto to NL East mate Philadelphia. GREG COTE To the ground-up rebuild the Fish add the Phillies’ No. 1 prospect in FEBRUARY 08, 2019 04:06 PM pitcher Sixto Sanchez, a starting catcher in Jorge Alfaro, a third prospect plus international spending money. Praising or condemning the deal now

is pointless. If Sanchez, 20, becomes the electrifying No. 1 ace starter This is our annual State of the Franchise report for Greater Miami’s five they think he can be — another Jose Fernandez — then it was a great major professional teams. trade. If he disappoints, then it wasn’t.

I could cut to the chase and put it all under the following umbrella: We Miami didn’t get much from the Yankees except salary relief for Giancarlo stink! But that would not be entirely fair, so let’s expand a bit and go Stanton. Didn’t get nearly enough from the Brewers for Christian Yelich team-by-team, including the Big Hope for each: unless bust-so-far Lewis Brinson finds the light switch. Did a little better with the Cardinals for Marcell Ozuna. The whole start-over approach is a ▪ Dolphins: Coming off a 7-9 season that felt worse, the Fins hired a new dubious gamble for Jeter and the new ownership, but one with little risk. head coach, Brian Flores, who’s a rookie at the job. They’ll soon part with Ryan Tannehill and step into the Great Unknown at quarterback. The If the buoyed farm system (augmented this offseason by Cuban top rebuild is on, with tanking talk a swirl, so little is expected in 2019. Recent prospect Victor Victor Mesa) pans out and the Marlins are playoff consensus of an ESPN experts panel was that Miami would be among contenders in a few years, Jeter can smile smugly. If not, he’s still league’s worst teams next season. Some Vegas sportsbooks have set laughing all the way to the bank with a profit margin engorged by low Dolphins with the longest odds of anybody to win the Super Bowl Miami player payrolls. Meanwhile poor Marlins fans brace for more losing while will be hosting. they wait (and wait) to find out.

The good news? I believe Flores will prove a strong hire. Moving on from Current state: D-minus. Intrigue factor: B-plus. Optimism factor: D-plus. roster-builder Mike Tannenbaum was needed. Moving on from Tannehill Short-term outlook: D. is needed. And it’s hard to argue Stephen Ross’ plan: To trade a rough The Big Hope: Newly arrived Sixto Sanchez blossoms like they hope, season or two for the draft capital to (presumably) get good and escape Sandy Alcantara grows the promise he showed last season and, along the years of mediocrity. with guys like Jose Urena and Caleb Smith — voila — the Marlins have There are promising pieces to build around (Xavien Howard, Minkah the makings of a young, really good starting rotation. Fitzpatrick, Laremy Tunsil), and Miami must continue to get younger, quit Marlins CEO Derek Jeter talks to the media. signing aging free agents, and part with graying players like (sorry, fellas) Cam Wake and Frank Gore. MATIAS J. OCNER [email protected]▪ Panthers: Save a miracle finish, Florida will be an NHL playoff spectator for the 20th time in Of course a promising QB who’ll be your guy for the next 10 years is the 25 seasons. Expectations were much higher, but a terrible start, raging one imperative. inconsistency and generally poor defense have thwarted the Cats and Current state: D. Intrigue factor: B. Optimism factor: C-plus. Short-term coach Bob Boughner, who may be headed for thin ice if not already outlook: c-minus. skating on it.

The Big Hope: Make a priority of a quarterback. Draft your future. And For years now the Panthers have boasted a promising young core led by don’t gamble on getting lucky in the 2020 draft. If your guy is there at No. Aleksander Barkov and and seemed poised for a 13 this coming April, grab him. Um, Kyler Murray, anyone? breakout season but ultimately disappointed. General manager Dale Tallon must find a way to finish what he started. The Cats lack a big goal- ▪ Heat: Miami is stuck in the middle. They’re average. Slightly below .500 scorer. One also wonders if the end is near for goalie , at and on on the edge of playoff contention. Worse, one wonders what the age 39 and with numbers (3.11 goals-against average, .897 saves end-game is? In an NBA hierarchy now run by teams collecting multiple percentage) that rank 41st in the league. superstars — something the Heat brought to fashion in 2010 — what is Miami’s path to competing? Does Pat Riley have another whale-signing Florida’s weekend trade with Pittsburgh was notable. Dealing Nick (or two) in him? Bjugstad (once a cornerstone) and Jared McCann was a concession by Tallon to what’s next, since the draft picks acquired and the $5 million in That Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem are playing their final season cap space saved were more important to the Cats moving forward than before retiring underlines the Heat’s fall from the superstar-fronted the two players received.. champions of the Big 3 era to a roster with maybe a couple of semi-stars but mostly spare parts. Brilliant Erik Spoelstra can only do so much with Current state: C-minus. Intrigue factor: C. Optimism factor: C-plus. Short- depth, hard work and a reliance on “culture” to make up for the shortfall term outlook: C. on difference-making talent. The Big Hope: Florida now has the money to be a player in a trade or Miami this week traded Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington to Phoenix free agency, and needs to hit big, preferably with a dynamic goal-scorer. for journeyman power forward Ryan Anderson, but the deal was more Barkov, 23, is a budding superstar, but unless you give him the help to about business than basketball. Johnson’s awful contract was one of the get him to the Stanley Cup playoffs, you are wasting what could be a reasons the Heat landed in luxury-tax hell (along with the dubious deals generational player. given Hassan Whiteside, Dion Waiters and James Johnson). Ellington ▪ Inter Miami: The city’s spankin’ new Major League soccer club will was added also as a money saving matter. Meanwhile Anderson arrives begin play in 2020, meaning David Beckham’s finally realized team will as a largely unnecessary piece, just another guy on a long bench who’ll be playing preseason games less than one year from today. They’ll play be fighting for minutes. in a temporary home (likely FIU’s campus stadium) for the first season or Of our five major pro teams only the Heat have a recent track record for perhaps two) before their own new stadium is built on the current winning and therefore enjoy more benefit of doubt. Still, as Wade waves Melreese site near the airport, a location contentiously negotiated slowly goodbye and ends an era, he leaves the Heat to navigate a most and not ideal. uncertain future. It has taken longer than expected for Beckham’s dream to become real Current state: C. Intrigue factor: B. Optimism factor: C. Short-term (it started in 2013) and his original vision for a downtown waterfront outlook: C. stadium failed to happen. Still, Beckham out front gives the whole operation a very-Miami sex appeal, the ownership group is rock solid and The Big Hope: Very unlikely, but Whiteside and Goran Dragic both opt MLS is booming. Excitement is building -- but then so is the pressure on out of their contracts after this season, become free agents and save Miami to hit big fast and win over a tough-to-crack and tougher-to-please Miami 35 percent of its cap-space money so Riley can go get a whale to sports market. Thank Atlanta United for that pressure. They won the MLS Cup title in only their second season last year, drawing a league-record 73,019 to the championship match.

Miami

Not coincidentally, Inter Miami swooped in and hired away Paul McDonough, the personnel chief who assembled that United roster, as its new “sporting director,” soccer-ese for general manager. A brilliant first hire, at least on paper.

Current state: Incomplete. Intrigue factor: A. Optimism factor: B. Short- term outlook: C-Plus.

The Big Hope: The Beckham cache’, lure of South Beach and proximity to South America help make Inter Miami an instant attractive destination for top players and for a big-time coach.

One final big hope: That one of two of these teams is contending for a championship within the next three years. OK, let’s not get greedy. One team will do.

Miami Herald LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129792 Florida Panthers

Preview: Panthers at Capitals, 7 p.m., Saturday

Wells Dusenbury

Panthers at Capitals

When/where: 7 p.m./BB&T Center, Washington D.C.

TV: Fox Sports Florida; Radio: 560-AM; 640-AM (Palm Beach)

Scouting report: The Panthers are coming off a 3-2 overtime win versus the Penguins. … Florida will return home on Sunday and play the first of seven straight games at the BB&T Center. … The Panthers (22-22-8) are 11 points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. … The Capitals have won three out of their past four games. … Washington is coming off a 4-3 overtime win against the Colorado Avalanche. … Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals with 60 points (37 goals, 23 assists), while Nicklas Backstrom has 53 points (13 goals, 40 assists).

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129793 Los Angeles Kings Desjardins said he didn’t know where Lewis would slot into the lines, but all parties are eager to integrate Lewis back smoothly.

“Obviously it’s been a while, but I’ve been on the ice for a long time Kings' Dion Phaneuf not happy after first healthy scratch of his career getting back,” Lewis said. “I feel pretty good, and I’ll be ready to go, for sure.”

CURTIS ZUPKE Etc.

FEB 08, 2019 | 4:35 PM Jeff Carter (lower-body injury) skated before practice but Desjardins said “it was a short skate, so to me, that wouldn’t be a great sign. I would think if he stayed out a long time, it would be a better sign. I haven’t talked to him. I have no sense” about his return … BOSTON Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk was fined $5,000 for high sticking Kings' Dion Phaneuf not happy after first healthy scratch of his career Alec Martinez on Thursday. No penalty was called. Dion Phaneuf never went through an apprenticeship on his way to the UP NEXT NHL. AT BOSTON Unlike most players who learn the pro game in the minors, Phaneuf went straight from the to the Calgary Flames after the 2004- When: Saturday, 10 a.m. PST. 05 lockout and he has been an every-game NHL player since. On the air: TV: FSW; Radio: iHeartRadio (LA Kings Audio Network) He highlighted that fact when asked if he’s ever been a healthy scratch before in his NHL career. Update: David Pastrnak leads the NHL with 15 power-play goals and has 31 overall. Tuukka Rask passed Tiny Thompson last Sunday for the most “Never,” Phaneuf said. “Does that answer your question?” wins in Bruins history and has 254. The Kings visit TD Garden for the first time since Tyler Toffoli’s goal with 0.4 seconds left in overtime last Phaneuf is prideful about that track record. His first public comments season. about that run ending were stubborn and bordered on defiance, after interim coach Willie Desjardins sat the longtime defenseman Thursday LA Times: LOADED: 02.09.2019 against the Philadelphia Flyers for the first time in a career that’s spanned more than 1,000 games.

“I talked to Willie,” Phaneuf said. “[It’s] Willie’s decision. I talked to [general manager] Rob [Blake]. For me, I’ve got a job to do. I come to work every day. It’s obviously something that I wasn’t happy about. But I respect the decision. I respect our team. I respect my teammates. It’s all about winning games.”

Desjardins said he needs to evaluate younger defensemen such as Sean Walker and called it a rotation on the back end of the defense. Phaneuf will go back into the lineup, and Paul LaDue will come out, when the Kings play the Boston Bruins on Saturday, according Desjardins.

But it still made for an awkward episode to scratch Phaneuf, a one-time Norris Trophy finalist. He scored his first goal of the season Tuesday.

“That’s tough,” Desjardins said. “That’s a tough thing to do, especially when it’s never happened before. I appreciate his character and his leadership. That’s the worst part of coaching.”

Desjardins said Phaneuf “went and got his workout gear and worked out right away” upon getting word of his benching. That professionalism is a trademark of Phaneuf, and it’s made an impression on players like Walker, who, coincidentally, was first paired with Phaneuf when he came up with the Kings.

“Dion’s been huge,” Walker said. “He talked to me tons right off the bat, and made sure I felt comfortable and made sure I knew everything that was going on. He was awesome.”

Phaneuf dutifully sets the example for others but he scoffed when asked about a mentor role. He turns 34 in April, and sitting out, regardless of the reason, was a reminder of the direction the Kings are headed.

By his own admission, Phaneuf has graded himself low this season. His goal Tuesday was his first since he scored three times in his first four games with the Kings a year ago. But with two more seasons remaining on his $5.25 million annual contract, he still sees himself as a contributor, not a mentor.

“I’m not that old. I will say that, and I’ve got lots left,” he said. “Mentor, whatever you want to call it, but I’ve got a job to do as well. I feel good, and I know I’ve played a long time, and I’ve got more left. Right now, it’s about working to get back in the lineup and then when you get back in, you want to do your job.”

Lewis close

Trevor Lewis is on the verge of returning from a broken foot. The Kings re-assigned Matt Luff, which opens a roster spot for Lewis to come off injured reserve. 1129794 Los Angeles Kings

What we learned from Kings' 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers

CURTIS ZUPKE

FEB 08, 2019 | 5:35 AM

PHILADELPHIA

What we learned from Kings' 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers

In the spirit of the Philadelphia-based film “Rocky,” the Kings took some punches and kept on fighting.

They shrugged off a score-tying goal allowed in the final minute and what first appeared to be a game-ending shootout miss by Adrian Kempe before they emerged from six rounds of a shootout with a 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night.

It was a hard-earned way to two points, given the Flyers had won eight straight and the Kings were on their fourth game in six nights.

Here’s what we learned:

Tyler Toffoli picked a good time for his first shootout goal. It’s difficult to believe that Toffoli was scoreless in the format, but he was 0-for-10 in his career prior to Thursday. Toffoli skated in from the left side, made a quick stick handle and beat goalie Anthony Stolarz with a snap shot to end the game and his drought.

“I kind of just did the move I usually do when I get breakaways, and obviously it worked this time,” Toffoli said in a television interview.

Even though it was a shootout goal, it was in keeping with Toffoli’s sudden burst of production — four goals in five games — to give him 11 goals in 54 games.

The confidence is picking up. Three wins in the first four games on the East Coast will do that. The Kings have won four of five dating from Jan. 21, and their more confident demeanor is showing in their play, even without veterans Jeff Carter and Dion Phaneuf.

Granted, the past three wins have come against the bottom teams in the , and perhaps a one-two finish against the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals will be a truer test. But they did just defeat one of the hottest teams in the league, in their opponents’ building, without a power play (it was just the fifth time in Flyers history that they had no penalties in a game).

“When you win, you get a little bit more confidence, and I think everybody on the team’s playing really good on this road trip so far,” Kempe said. “You can feel the team game is really there now.”

If this is tanking, the Kings aren’t doing it right. The popular decry, “Lose For Hughes,” in reference to the expected top pick in next year’s draft, Jack Hughes, has lost some steam during this run. If the Kings want to have good odds at securing that No.1 pick, winning isn’t going to get them there.

But don’t ask them about so-called tanking. They remain in last place in the Western Conference with 50 points, but they’re only five points out of the last playoff berth as of Friday morning, with the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues occupying the final two spots in a logjam of eight teams separated by five points.

“We can kind of smell it a little,” Drew Doughty said of the playoffs.

LA Times: LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129795 Los Angeles Kings

Kings and Adrian Kempe are rolling on the road

The 22-year-old forward has four goals in the past three games, all victories for the Kings

ROBERT MORALES

February 8, 2019 at 11:56 am

Adrian Kempe has loads of talent. But like many young hockey players, he struggles with consistency. That could be changing.

The 22-year-old forward has scored goals in three consecutive games for the Kings. He had two in Monday’s 4-3 overtime win at the New York Rangers and one each in Tuesday’s 5-1 win at New Jersey and Thursday’s 3-2 shootout win at Philadelphia.

Kings interim coach Willie Desjardins talked about Kempe’s surge postgame Thursday, when asked if he’s seeing a difference in Kempe’s play.

“A little bit,” Desjardins said. “But it’s funny, when you start scoring you get confidence, and when nothing is going in you wonder if you should shoot. And it starts going, and now you’re looking to shoot.

“The big part of our game is confidence and I think he has a little more confidence right now and I don’t think he changed his game. I just think things started to go for him and as a result he got more confident.”

After losing on the first stop of this six-game road trip, the Kings have won three in a row going into Saturday’s 10 a.m. game at Boston. To Kempe, the entire team is brimming with determination.

“Yeah, obviously, when you win you get a little more confidence and I think everybody on the team has been playing really good on this road trip so far,” said Kempe, who has nine goals and nine assists on the season after tallying 16 goals and 21 assists a season ago.

“You can feel the team game is really there right now and that’s what we need right now. We need everybody to be going.”

The winning streak has the Kings (23-27-4, 50 points) within five points of the Western Conference’s final playoff berth.

Scouting the Bruins

Boston (29-17-8, 66 points) currently resides in the No. 1 wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins have won two of their past three, but before that went 1-2-3 over a six-game span.

Boston is led offensively by forward David Pastrnak, who has 31 goals and 34 assists for a team-high 65 points. Linemates Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron have 61 and 47 points, respectively.

KINGS AT BRUINS

When: 10 a.m. Saturday

Where: TD Garden

Records: Kings 23-27-4 (50 points), Bruins 29-17-8 (66 points)

TV: Fox Sports West

Radio: L.A. Kings Audio Network (iHeart)

Orange County Register: LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129796 Los Angeles Kings “It doesn’t matter how I word it. That’s a tough conversation,” Desjardins said. “The thing we’ve done, we have started a bit of rotation with three guys. When we take them out, it’s not that I’m telling any of those guys, ‘I Dion Phaneuf defiant after first healthy scratch of his career: ‘I’ve got lots don’t think you can play.’ left’ “And that’s the same with Dion. It’s not like I’m saying, ‘Hey, you’re not good enough to play.’ That’s not true. He is good enough to play. I need to look at some guys, I just do. Lisa Dillman “We have guys we’ve got to evaluate and find out exactly where they’re Feb 8, 2019 at. That makes for a tough decision.”

Ordinarily, scratching a third-pair defenseman would normally not get much attention. But Phaneuf is quite an expensive sixth or seventh BOSTON — Defenseman Dion Phaneuf handled news of his one-game defenseman. exile the only way he knew how. His salary cap hit is $7 million per year and his salary is $8.5 million Phaneuf went back to work after Kings interim coach Willie Desjardins remaining for the next two years. Some of this is mitigated by the fact told him he would be a healthy scratch against the Philadelphia Flyers on that the Ottawa Senators are retaining 25 percent of his salary, meaning Thursday for the first time in his 1,027-game NHL career. Ottawa is charged $1.75 million per year the next two years. “The thing I’ll say about Dion — he’s such a good pro,” Desjardins said Jordan Samuels-Thomas of The Athletic reviewed some of Phaneuf’s Friday. The coach later added Phaneuf will play Saturday against the games and thought he has been a steadying influence and played well in Boston Bruins. the Kings’ recent run of wins. They’ve won three of four games since “Once he found out he wasn’t going, for sure, you’d have to be upset,” Jake Muzzin was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, with Phaneuf Desjardins said. “But he went and got his workout gear and worked out playing in two of the three victories. right away. It’s like, ‘OK, I’m not going. Now I’ll go work out and get But Desjardins will continue to need to evaluate the youngsters. Also, myself ready.’ ” there is a glimmer of hope as the Kings are only five points out of the On Thursday, Phaneuf stayed on the ice with the extras at Wells Fargo second wild-card spot in the wild and wacky Western Conference race. Arena in Philadelphia after the morning skate. These sessions aren’t “Ultimately, with the loss of Muzzin, there’s a void needing to be filled for short ones for the extras, so the wait for Phaneuf was a long one. a steady two-way defenseman with likely more emphasis on the Phaneuf politely declined an interview request afterward and assured me offensive/transition side,” Samuels-Thomas said. “Dion missing a game he would talk the next day in Boston. He is a consummate professional, and the attention around it has everything to do with his cap hit. and he did speak on Friday to a larger group with the two traveling beat “A guy making $5 million plus should never be in that position. He would reporters and the Kings’ in-house contingent. have been perfect in L.A. five years ago, but with the current state of the Indeed, it was the first time Phaneuf had been a healthy scratch. NHL and where it’s going, I don’t believe his skill set matches that price tag. Good leader, fierce competitor, all the cliche stuff, but the game has “Never … that help you answer it?” he said. changed.”

Clearly, Phaneuf was unhappy by the turn of developments. This season, Desjardins talked about the changing nature of the game when he was he is a minus-16, has three points in 46 games and is averaging 14:37 asked to evaluate Walker. minutes of ice time, the lowest of his career. Last month, Phaneuf told Josh Cooper of The Athletic that he was “disappointed in my year “I liked Walker. I think he’s good,” Desjardins said of the 24-year-old. “I personally.” think he moves his feet well. The way he plays is the way the game is evolving. I think he still needs to get better.” The healthy scratch came, in fact, after Phaneuf scored against the New Jersey Devils, his first goal in 68 games. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019

“I talked to Willie — and it’s Willie’s decision — and I talked to (Kings general manager) Rob (Blake),” Phaneuf said. “For me, I’ve got a job to do. I come to work every day. It’s obviously something I wasn’t happy about.

“But I respect the decision. I respect our team and I respect my teammates. It’s all about winning games. … They (Desjardins and Blake) were all very open and honest with me about it. I come to work today and whenever I get in again, I want to work as hard as I can for my teammates.”

Later, there was a note of defiance in response to a fairly routine question about mentoring the younger players.

“I’m not that old. So I will say that,” said Phaneuf, who will turn 34 on April 10.

“I’ve got lots left. Mentor, whatever you want to call it, I’ve got a job to do as well. I feel good. I know I’ve played a long time. I’ve got more left. Right now, it’s about working to get back in the lineup. When you get back in, you want to do your job.

“Besides that, I’ve got nothing more to say.”

There is a Kings player older than Phaneuf — 35-year-old forward Ilya Kovalchuk. Nate Thompson, who was traded to the Kings from Ottawa with Phaneuf last season, turns 34 in October.

Desjardins said that those moments are the “worst part of coaching,” notifying a respected and well-liked veteran that he will have to sit out a game. But he wanted to get rookie defenseman Sean Walker into the lineup in Philadelphia and planned on taking defenseman Paul LaDue out against the Bruins. 1129797 Los Angeles Kings Phaneuf came out of the lineup on Thursday, marking the first time in his career he’d ever been withheld from a game while healthy. This is a delicate situation, and for such a prideful player who has given so much AMIDST ROTATION, PHANEUF: “I’VE GOT MORE LEFT;” LUFF to the game, it’s not easy for him to enter into this arrangement. Phaneuf ASSIGNED; LEWIS COULD PLAY has been nothing short of an excellent teammate and competitor and has an approach and work ethic that serve as a model for young players. But the discussion of Phaneuf as a “mentor” ended dead on arrival. He’s not a player/coach, he’s still someone working his absolute hardest to earn JON ROSEN his minutes and help his team win. FEBRUARY 8, 2019 “I’m not that old. I will say that – that I’ve got lots left,” he said. “‘Mentor,’ or whatever you want to call it, but I’ve got a job to do as well, and I feel good and I know I’ve played a long time, but I’ve got more left. Right now, INJURIES ROSTER MOVES it’s about working to get back in the lineup, and then when you get back in, you want to do your job.” The LA Kings assembled on the TD Garden ice some 14 hours after Rajon Rondo’s buzzer beater, which continued so spark very complex Likewise, it is difficult for Desjardins to broach this conversation with a emotions that as a Lakers fan I find difficult to properly describe. I saw 1,027-game veteran. “That’s a tough thing to do, especially when it’s the Lakers lose to the Timberwolves (clad in purple Prince-themed never happened before,” he said. “So, I appreciate his character and his jerseys) over the bye week, and as Minnesota got into the bonus and leadership. It’s something that’s the worst part of coaching.” But was sent back to the foul line in a 13-point game, Rondo was whistled for Desjardins also made the difficult decision to drop Ilya Kovalchuk down in an infraction that has pretty much always been a technical foul in the lineup and is now presented a challenge of working in Phaneuf, who basketball: he tossed a towel along the baseline, clearly timing it with Taj scored his first goal of the season in Tuesday’s 5-1 win at New Jersey Gibson’s free throw in an attempt to distract the shooter. (Gibson made and has three points through 46 games, alongside a pair of younger the free throw, and the Lakers lost by 15.) defensemen with higher production rates who won’t benefit by sitting out.

On one hand, that’s funny! It was also amusing that it was met with a stiff “It doesn’t matter how I word it, that’s a tough conversation,” Desjardins and immediate rebuke by the officials, and who cares, the game was said. “And the thing with them, we’ve started a bit of a rotation with three already out of hand. On another hand, that’s Rajon Rondo, who will have guys, so when I take them out, it’s not that I’m telling any of those guys ‘I to go to farther lengths than others to endear himself to the Lakers don’t think you can play,’ and that’s the same with Dion. It’s not like I’m fanbase, given his history with the Celtics, and hey, these are very saying, ‘hey, you’re not good enough to play.’ That’s not true. He is good Rondo-like antics. And then on some sort of third hand or appendage, he enough to play. But I need to look at some guys, I just do. We have guys just returned to Boston and won an important game in a massive rivalry who we’ve got to evaluate and find out exactly where they’re at, and so with a shot at the buzzer. Whatever feelings are summoned here likely that makes for a tough decision. The thing I’ll say about Dion is he’s such require eight or nine syllables in German to properly convey. a good pro. Once he found out he wasn’t going, for sure he’d have to be upset, but he went and got his workout gear and went and worked out Notes! right away. It’s like, ‘ok, I’m not going, then I’ll go work out and get myself –Before getting into the nitty , some updates: Jeff Carter (lower- ready,’ and that’s how he prepares.” body) skated on his own before the team’s practice. Willie Desjardins “It doesn’t mean those guys can’t get out of that rotation, good or bad, cautioned that he hadn’t talked to the trainers yet but also indicated that a but for right now it’s a chance. I wanted to see Walker. I needed to get potential return on this trip would be unlikely. “I know it was a short skate, Walker in the lineup. Who do you pull out? All the guys are playing hard, so that to me wouldn’t be a great sign. I would think if he stayed out a so it makes it tough, but I needed to see Walker. That’s what you have to long time it would be a better sign,” he said. Jonny Brodzinski skated and do. And we’re going to have those same decisions up front. Like, we’re was not clad in a non-contact color. going to have some tough decisions up front, too.” –Matt Luff was assigned to AHL-Ontario. Luff has appeared in only two For the time being, the point is moot. Phaneuf will re-enter the lineup games since January 3 and has logged more than 10 minutes only once Saturday afternoon and the season will continue with an attempt to win a since December 18. Luff does have seven goals and 10 points in 30 fourth straight game. The communication of the current rotation has games, but there had been a dip in his play, and since his last goal, the happened, and Phaneuf did his best to put his best foot forward in the team has yielded an extreme number of scoring chances while he has working arrangement. been on the ice. He’ll fly back home and get into Reign home games tonight and on Sunday, and then we’ll recalibrate when the Kings return “I talked to Willie. It’s Willie’s decision. I talked to Rob. For me, I’ve got a home next week. job to do,” he said. “I come to work every day. It’s obviously something that I wasn’t happy about, but I respect the decision, I respect our team, I The NHL is not a developmental league, and Desjardins has imparted respect my teammates, and it’s all about winning games. I respect the onto Luff multiple times that he believes he’s an NHL player. “I think he decision that was made, and they were very open and honest with me needs to get a little bit more consistent in his game. But that’s a hard about it, and I come to work today, and whenever I get in again I want to thing at the NHL level. Everybody wants to play,” he said. Trevor Lewis is work as hard as I can for my teammates. That’s what it’s all about. It’s about to come off injured reserve, and with a crush in numbers up front, about being a professional, it’s about doing your job, it’s about respecting “it’s better to send him down and get him playing.” the game. I’ve been around long enough that I know it’s part of the –Lewis is probable to play Saturday but is not a lock. Decisions will be business. You never want to be put in that position, but it happens. It’s made this afternoon, and the adage that it’s not easy to change a winning part of the business, and I accept their decision.” lineup applies. But all signs point to Lewis getting back in for the first time –Rise and shine: LA Kings Live starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning. since suffering a foot fracture when blocking a shot at a morning skate at Matt Grzelcyk is out and Tukka Rask will start in goal, per Joe Haggerty the United Center on November 13. Should he return to face the Bruins, of NBC Sports Boston. Patrice Bergeron will be presented with his silver it will be his first game after a 37-game absence. “It wasn’t even a hard stick for playing in his 1,000th NHL game, which should provide some shot that hit me, it just hit me in the right spot,” he said. excellent pageantry at an center. Per Haggerty, we could see “It sucks. It was a fluky injury, it’s frustrating. I had a little setback too forward groupings of Marchand-Bergeron-Heinen, Cehlarik-Krejci- there,” he said, referencing an injury that took some extra time to heal. “It Pastrnak, DeBrusk-Frederic-Backes and Acciari-Kuraly-Wagner with wasn’t fun. It’s never fun watching, especially when you think you can be defensive pairings of Chara-Carlo, Moore-McAvoy and Krug-Miller. out there helping the team. There’s an end in sight now, so it’s nice to be Jonathan Quick was the first goalie off the ice for the LA Kings at today’s back on the road with the guys and be around everybody and be in practice and should be projected to start in goal against Boston. meetings again. I’m starting to feel good, too.” LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 02.09.2019 –The Kings did not hold actual line rushes, so no hands were tipped towards tomorrow’s lineup. Never mind that! Desjardins confirmed that Dion Phaneuf will re-enter the lineup in place of Paul LaDue, and that Phaneuf, LaDue and Sean Walker are in a rotation in which two of them will play on any given night until the need arises for that to change. 1129798 Los Angeles Kings

WAKING UP WITH THE KINGS: FEBRUARY 8

JON ROSEN

FEBRUARY 8, 2019

GAME STORY

So, let’s get this straight: the LA Kings, all of a sudden winners of three straight, went into Philadelphia, winners of eight straight, pushed the direction and pace of play and registered 12 of the game’s 15 high- danger scoring chances (via Natural Stat Trick)? Sure, why not. In the latest road demonstration of a healthy team game, the Kings banked on a solid 50 minutes of action between some Flyers bookends and a younger lineup to skate to a deserved 3-2 shootout victory that pointed them towards at least serving as an afterthought in the playoff race. It must be incredibly difficult for Willie Desjardins to scratch a player like Dion Phaneuf, who until Thursday night had never been a healthy scratch and earlier this year skated in his 1,000th game. But there will be a transition towards loosening the reins on many younger players, a push that should continue when several UFA-bound players and perhaps one or two others are moved in advance of the trade deadline. But Sean Walker was a plus-two with an assist, and over 16:04 of ice time was a positive possession influence. He won’t perform like that every game, but this is a good development for a young-ish late-bloomer whose play will dictate how much late-season opportunity he receives.

Len Redkoles/NHLI

Ditto for Austin Wagner, who has dug into a lineup spot and has played in seven consecutive games. Some tangible and perhaps unexpected chemistry has developed between him and Kyle Clifford, and with Michael Amadio skating between the two wings, the three furthered the line’s recent penchant of working in the offensive zone and generating good, hard, accountable minutes. The key for a fourth line is often to provide energy and not get scored upon, a notion reinforced by Desjardins three days ago when he said that his ideal fourth line is one “that’s hungry, plays hard and gives you a working shift every time they’re on the ice.” It’s beneficial that Wagner’s speed factors into this combination, because third and fourth lines are increasingly dependent on speed and skill across the league, and aren’t as much representative of the “checking” or “shutdown” lines of yore. While securing a high lottery pick is best for the long-term health of the organization, it’s also important that the younger players show some upward trajectory individually, and that’s been happening to a wider degree recently.

Len Redkoles/NHLI

Objects in the rearview mirror are not as close as they appear, so there’s little use in talking playoffs. By winning three straight and four of five, the Kings have now reached the probability stage of “winning a playoff series they trailed 3-0.” (I also acknowledge the irony of typing this in a building where a team lost a series it led 3-0 while covering another team that erased a 3-0 deficit.) The league thrives on this perceived parity through negligible increases in television ratings and perhaps a small spike in ticket sales, but keep in mind that it’s not the five-point deficit that you should be keying on, but rather the seven teams they have to leapfrog. Though it may feel good for Kings fans to be rooting against the Ducks during this ghastly stretch of theirs, in reality it would help L.A. out more if Anaheim started winning some games and didn’t rock the boat in the lottery sweepstakes. If the Kings win seven in a row, they’ll insert themselves into the playoff race. If they win nine in a row, they’ll give themselves some good footing. While we’re nowhere near that, it’s still a positive that we’re seeing some development and return from younger players who will be handled with some loosened reins over the remaining months.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129799 Los Angeles Kings

GOOD MORNING, BOSTON

JON ROSEN

FEBRUARY 8, 2019

Good morning, Boston, and good morning, Insiders.

The traveling party hopped over the Tri-State megalopolis on a 44-minute flight from Philadelphia to Boston and, because of the late Flyers goal followed by a six-round shootout, pulled up adjacent to Boston Common at 1:00 a.m. As we arrived, lurkers in Lakers jerseys tiredly returning from Rajon Rondo’s buzzer beater and a night out on the town received a second wind when seeing the players, coaches and broadcasters in the hotel lobby. The Los Angeles-Boston crossover week continues with tomorrow’s games between the Kings and Bruins and, later at night, the Celtics and Clippers.

And so this is where we’ll be holed up for the next two and a half days. The Kings won’t depart until Sunday afternoon, at which point they’ll have practiced twice and played a matinee in Boston. There are worse places to spend a weekend, and fortunately there’s a quasi-local on our traveling party. , who attended college in Boston and lived in the city for several years, is our go-to Bay State fun-time coordinator. For those wondering, the Beanpot final will pit his Northeastern Huskies against a familiarly young Boston College squad.

Anyone opposed to growing college hockey on the west coast? It’s not cheap, but there would be an appetite for it, especially in the Los Angeles area and in the Pacific Northwest, where USC, UCLA and the University of Washington have traditionally had very good club teams. Even Arizona State, which is enjoying a very good season as an NCAA Division I independent, maintains a very competitive club team in Tempe.

The Kings are scheduled to practice at TD Garden at 12:30 p.m. LAKI will be there, computer and voice recorder at the ready. Thank you as always for reading, Insiders. Let’s talk soon.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129800 Minnesota Wild

Wild-New Jersey game preview

FEBRUARY 8, 2019 — 9:46PM Rachel Blount

Noon at New Jersey • FSN, 100.3-FM Back-to-back vs. worst, best Preview: In back-to-back matinees this weekend, the Wild will face the best and the worst of the Metropolitan Division. The set starts Saturday at last-place New Jersey, which dropped an overtime decision Thursday to the New York Islanders — the Wild’s Sunday opponent — to fall to 2- 5-1 in its past eight games. The Wild has yet to win since its bye week, going 0-2-2, but it has points in seven of its past 10 road games (6-3-1). Players to WATCH: Wild G Devan Dubnyk is 6-2-1 in his past nine starts on the road, with a goals-against average of 2.52 and save percentage of .919. Devils F Kyle Palmieri, who represented his team at the All-Star Game, leads it in goals (23), points (40) and power-play goals (nine). Numbers: Since the 2014-15 season, the Devils are 3-1-0 against the Wild at home and have won six of eight games in the series. The Wild’s Bruce Boudreau is set to coach his 900th career game Saturday. Injuries: Wild F Mikko Koivu (knee surgery), F Pontus Aberg (lower-body injury) and D Matt Dumba (torn pectoral muscle) are out. Devils D Sami Vatanen (concussion) and Fs Joey Anderson (broken ankle), Taylor Hall (lower-body injury) and Stefan Noesen (lower-body injury) are out. Star Tribune LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129801 Minnesota Wild

Bruce Boudreau to move slumping winger Mikael Granlund to center Zero goals since Jan. 7 prompts Boudreau to make bold switch.

Rachel Blount FEBRUARY 9, 2019 — 12:58AM

Exasperated by another quiet performance from Mikael Granlund, Wild coach Bruce Boudreau summoned a “Seinfeld’’ reference Thursday night. Though he constantly reminds Granlund to shoot more, the message is not getting through — and Boudreau isn’t sure how else to say it. “I can’t go out there and hang on his back and follow him up like a close- talker and say, ‘Hey! Shoot the puck!’ ’’ Boudreau groused, after a 4-1 loss to Edmonton. “He’s a smart enough player. The last two years, he was one of, I thought, the top 10 players in the league. And now he’s got two goals in [37] games.’’ A phrase from a ’90s TV show might not resonate with a 26-year-old Finn, and getting nose to nose with Granlund — like the close-talker in “Seinfeld’’ — isn’t likely to work, anyway. So Boudreau chose a different route to get the forward’s attention. In Friday’s practice, he moved Granlund from wing to center, hoping a position change might spark his dormant scoring touch. Boudreau tried out some other new looks, too, as the floundering Wild prepared for Saturday’s game at New Jersey and Sunday’s contest at the New York Islanders. Center Victor Rask was dropped to the fourth line, with Eric Fehr, usually the fourth-line center, at right wing. Charlie Coyle moved from right wing to center, where he has played well this season, on a line with Zach Parise and Granlund. A look at the NHL standings by division, conference and wild card races. The other practice trios had Eric Staal centering Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker, and Joel Eriksson Ek between Marcus Foligno and Luke Kunin. With the Wild mired in an 0-2-2 slump, and center Mikko Koivu out for the rest of the season following knee surgery Friday, Boudreau plans to keep shuffling his personnel until he finds groupings that click — and igniting Granlund is his top priority. “To me, the No. 1 thing we have to do is get Granlund playing the way he’s capable of playing,’’ Boudreau said. “He’s sort of the straw that stirs the stick up front. When he’s going, everybody else is going. “We’ve got to find a way. And if we have to move him around to find the right combination, we just hope it’s not too late.’’ By shifting Granlund to center, where he played exclusively until turning pro, Boudreau hopes to free him up from wall battles and give him more space to skate and move the puck. With 12 goals in 54 games, Granlund is on pace for his lowest goal total since the 2015-16 season. He scored 21 last season and 26 in 2016-17. Though he has five assists in his past five games, Granlund hasn’t scored a goal since Jan. 7, a 13-game dry spell. It’s a sharp reversal since the first six weeks of the season, when Granlund potted 10 goals in the Wild’s first 17 games. He is putting 2.3 shots on goal per game, fewer than last season, and he is connecting on 9.7 percent, his poorest rate in three seasons. As Boudreau noted, when Granlund isn’t producing, the Wild offense suffers as a whole. During those first 17 games — when Granlund was hot and injured defenseman Matt Dumba was lending a scoring boost from the blue line — the Wild was ranked 12th in the NHL with 54 goals. Since Dec. 16, with Dumba on injured reserve and Granlund slumping, the Wild has scored 49 goals — third-fewest in the league. Granlund said the move to center is “not a big deal,’’ since he has plenty of experience and enjoys the position. “Having a chance to play with two really good players should be fun,’’ he said. “[Playing center] maybe gets you skating a little bit more. You can kind of move around and make plays, try to get some free ice, try to find those two other guys on the wing. “I haven’t been scoring a lot lately. But at the beginning of the season, it felt like every single puck was going in. Hopefully, it’s going to turn around at some point.’’ Star Tribune LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129802 Minnesota Wild

Mikko Koivu has surgery to repair injured right knee

Sarah McLellan FEBRUARY 8, 2019 — 2:53PM

Wild captain Mikko Koivu had surgery Friday to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee. The operation was by Dr. Joel Boyd at TRIA Orthopaedic Center. The team said a timeline for Koivu's return to play will be provided this summer. Koivu was injured in a collision with Sabres forward Tage Thompson during a game in Buffalo on Tuesday. Star Tribune LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129803 Minnesota Wild “I can’t go out there and hang on his back and follow him up like a close- talker and say, ‘Hey, shoot the puck,’ ” Boudreau said. “He’s a smart enough player.” Missing Mikko: Boudreau calls some Wild players 'a shell' of themselves Boudreau is left to wonder where his players went. after loss “There’s some guys there that just are a shell of the players that I’ve Losing skid hits four in team's first game without injured captain Mikko known for 2½ years,” he said. Koivu Star Tribune LOADED: 02.09.2019

Sarah McLellan FEBRUARY 8, 2019 — 6:51AM

The Wild picked up its pursuit of a playoff spot after an eight-day break propped up by the cushion from a three-game win streak, but since the team resumed playing, all it’s done is lose. And after dropping its fourth straight, a horde of clubs are now nipping at its heels — pressure that will be difficult to hold off if the Wild continues to sleepwalk through games like it did Thursday at Xcel Energy Center in a listless 4-1 loss to the Oilers. “It’s either find your sense of urgency and do what you have to do to win,” coach Bruce Boudreau said, “or bad things are going to happen.” The Wild holds the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference, but five teams chasing the Wild grabbed at least a point on the same night the team sagged against one of those challengers. That trimmed its cushion to just two points only hours after General Manager Paul Fenton made it clear he’s still evaluating the roster’s play to determine his course of action ahead of the NHL trade deadline this month. “Everyone wants to be here in this room and win,” winger Marcus Foligno said. “But if we keep putting up efforts like this, it’s pretty easy for the GM to make a phone call.” It was also a poor first impression of what the rest of the Wild’s season could look like without captain Mikko Koivu, who missed his first game since he tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee. “Whenever you hear about our leader going down, it’s a little bit of a lull,” Foligno said. “But you’d think in that sense you’d pick yourself up with the character you have in this room and want to play for Mikko.” A look at the NHL standings by division, conference and wild card races. Instead, the Wild looked flat most of the night — especially early, when the Oilers capitalized 2 minutes, 15 seconds into the first period on their first shot, a windup from defenseman Darnell Nurse. “It seems our mental toughness is a little weak right now after the first goal [goes] in,” Foligno said. The Wild didn’t register its first shot on net until almost 10 minutes had expired. Edmonton went ahead by two when winger Ty Rattie buried a pass from center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on a 2-on-1 rush at 4:32 of the second, a period in which the Wild blanked on 15 shots. Not until the third did it finally get one by goalie Cam Talbot, a one-timer from center Joel Eriksson Ek at 2:50. The youngster was promoted from the minors to the Wild’s top nine amid Koivu’s injury, and his five shots tied for the most in the game. An interference penalty later in the period by winger Jason Zucker, who checked defenseman Kris Russell into Edmonton’s net, drained the Wild’s momentum. On the ensuing power play, the Oilers reinstated their two-goal cushion on a finish by winger Leon Draisaitl at 5:35. Winger Zack Kassian added an empty-netter with 1:20 to go. “I think the whole arena was asleep tonight after that effort,” Foligno said. “It was pretty embarrassing.” VideoVideo (00:50): Sarah McLellan recaps the 4-1 loss to the Oilers in her Wild wrap-up. The Oilers went 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Wild didn’t even get a shot on net on its two looks. A retooled top line featuring center Eric Staal with wingers Jordan Greenway and Mikael Granlund combined for just five shots; only two belonged to Granlund, who’s scored twice in his past 37 games. 1129804 Minnesota Wild

Whitecaps hockey team off to quick start in first NWHL season

Betsy Helfand February 8, 2019 at 6:36 PM

When the were established in 2004, they were part of the Western Women’s Hockey League. Ronda Curtin Engelhardt, a member of some of those first teams, remembers the long bus rides to Saskatchewan at a time when players had to pay their own way or find someone to sponsor them. The Whitecaps eventually became independent, often playing against college teams. Now, the Whitecaps, who have endured all this time, have found a home in the National Women’s Hockey League, and as the league’s all-star game rolls around Sunday, the Whitecaps are situated atop the standings in their first season in the league. “It just shows the passion Minnesota has for hockey,” said Engelhardt, the team’s co-head coach. “It’s just cool to see it get to this point because who knew back then that it would actually get to this point. You never know, you always hope, but you just never know, and so it’s great to be a part of it.” Some of the players on the team, like Winny Brodt Brown, whose father Jack Brown, is the other co-head coach, have been there from the beginning. That core is joined by a younger group, some of whom recently played for the Gophers and some who have become Olympians, like and . “Joining those two groups, I think it’s really good mix of veterans and rookies, but we’re all playing a very similar style of hockey and it came together actually really quickly,” Stecklein said. Stecklein is one of eight Whitecaps who will be playing in the NWHL All- Star Game this weekend in Nashville, captaining Team Stecklein, which includes teammates Jonna Curtis, Kate Schipper, Allie Thunstrom, and Brandt. Teammates Amanda Boulier and will be on the other end of the ice. Other events include a skills challenge, the Play Like a Girl Leadership Summit, at which Stecklein will speak, and a youth clinic. When the Whitecaps return to action in early March, they have just two more regular-season games left. To this point, they are 10-4 with 20 points, tops in the league though they’ve played one more game than the rest of the teams. “We have a talented group of women, and I think from the start, from day one, there was this extra energy and just excitement to be a part of this and to help grow the game,” Engelhardt said. They’ve had success off the ice, too, packing TRIA Rink, the Wild’s practice facility, and inspiring a younger generation of players. “There’s just a fan base here of young girls who love to play hockey and love to watch hockey and want to be in our shoes one day, and it’s so cool to be able to play in front of a sold-out crowd and to look up into the stands and to see so many young females watching you play and then to talk with them after in the autograph line and to hear them say ‘I want to be a Whitecap one day,’ ” said Leveille, a former Gophers goalie. The 25 greatest players in Minnesota girls high school hockey so far: Nos. 6-10 Most of the roster either hails from Minnesota or played college hockey in the state. The Whitecaps have drawn top talent and affords them the opportunity to keep playing professionally close to home, as opposed to out east where there rest of the league is based. “The Whitecaps as an organization has been around for long enough that it’s somewhere I always wanted to play, but now that it’s a part of a professional organization, it’s just a whole other step up, and we’re excited to keep it moving forward,” Stecklein said. Pioneer Press LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129805 Minnesota Wild Devan Dubnyk played Thursday, and backup Alex Stalock has given up seven goals on 39 shots in his past two appearances. “I haven’t figured that out,” Boudreau said. “If we win the first game and the goalie plays For Wild, making playoffs ‘an expectation,’ says Jason Zucker great, he just might go in again.” … Center Mikko Koivu had what the Wild called successful surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee on Friday. The team said it will provide a timeline for Koivu’s return this summer; he is under contract John Shipley next season for $5.5 million. February 8, 2019 at 6:32 PM Pioneer Press LOADED: 02.09.2019

When Wild players talk about the playoffs, they talk about being ready for them, not simply making them. Never mind the four-game winless streak since returning from the mid- winter break. Never mind the fact that there are only nine games before the Feb. 25 trade deadline. Minnesota players intend to be among the Western Conference’s eight playoff teams when the postseason starts in April. “It’s an expectation,” winger Jason Zucker said. And why not? The Wild haven’t won a ton of playoff games the past several years, but they’ve been in the postseason each of the past six seasons — a run that started in Zucker’s first real NHL season. “We expect to be there every year, and we have a much better team, I feel, than my first year,” he said. “Now, obviously the league is a little bit different, and we feel our division is the best in hockey, top to bottom, so that adds a wrinkle. But we have a damn good team.” The Wild didn’t look like it on Thursday, coming out slow and finally becoming overwhelmed in a 4-1 loss to Edmonton at Xcel Energy Center. In fact, since returning from their eight-day break, the Wild have nailed down only two of a potential eight points in four games (0-2-2). That’s part of an 82-game season, Zucker said. “I just laugh every time someone’s talking about, you know, are we going to be sellers at the deadline?” he said. “That means we’re not making the playoffs, and to us, that’s not an option. To us, we’ll do whatever we can to make sure we win.” BOO-BYE The Wild were sent on to their upcoming two games in New Jersey and New York by boos on Thursday night. There weren’t many fans left at Xcel Energy Center by the time the buzzer ended their loss to the Oilers, but the ones still there made their feelings clear. “We listened to the fans last night after the game, so we know how they felt,” coach Bruce Boudreau said Friday. “We felt the same way, believe me. So, there’s nothing we want to do more than win a game. Then you win two and hopefully it snowballs. That’s what our plan is.” The Wild fell behind 1-0 within the first 2 minutes, 15 seconds and trailed the rest of the game on Thursday, ultimately surrendering an open-net goal in the final seconds. “We love it when they’re loud. We love it when they’re behind us,” forward Charlie Coyle said. “But we need to give them a reason to get behind us.” SLOW START After a brief promotion to the second line on Thursday, Victor Rask practiced with the fourth line on Friday. He has a goal and an assist in seven games since being acquired in a trade that sent Nino Niederreiter to Carolina on Jan. 17. In eight games with the Hurricanes, Neiderreiter has six goals and an assist. Asked what Rask needs to get better, Boudreau said, “I think he just has to get stronger on the puck more than anything else. I don’t know how much he played in Carolina. Maybe he has to pick up half a step somewhere. Those are a couple of things.” Rask, 25, had one goal and four assists in 26 games in Carolina. “It’s not all him; he’s got the puck, he’s making plays,” Boudreau added. “But we tend to look at the new guys and say if they’re not getting a lot of points that it’s their fault, but it’s a lot of combinations out there that aren’t working.” BRIEFLY Boudreau said he was unsure how he would use his goalies this weekend, which starts with a 1 p.m. game at New Jersey on Saturday and ends against the Islanders on Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn. Starter 1129806 Minnesota Wild

Wild hope move to center sparks something in Mikael Granlund

John Shipley February 8, 2019 at 6:26 PM

The Minnesota Wild eased into their eight-game, mid-winter break on a three-game winning streak that included consecutive road wins and victories over good teams from Vegas and Columbus. Since then, it’s been something of a disaster. The Wild fly east for weekend games in New Jersey and Brooklyn on a string of four consecutive losses (0-2-2) and knowing they’ll be without veteran center Mikko Koivu for the rest of the season after surgery to repair his right knee on Friday. So, there is a lot that needs to change for a team that fully expects to make the NHL postseason for the seventh consecutive season. Foremost among them, coach Bruce Boudreau said Friday, is getting forward Mikael Granlund back on track. “To me, the No. 1 thing we have to do is get Granlund playing the way he’s capable of playing, because he’s sort of the straw that stirs the drink up front,” Boudreau said after a spirited practice Friday at TRIA Rink. “When he’s going, everybody else is going.” To that end, Granlund was moved to center between wingers Charlie Coyle and Zach Parise, where he’ll play in a 1 p.m. puck drop against the Devils at Prudential Center on Saturday. “We’ve got to find a way, and if we have to move him around to find the right combination, we just hope it’s not too late,” Boudreau said. The Wild have nine games before the Feb. 25 trade deadline and would like to convince general manager Paul Fenton they’re worth an addition or two for a postseason run. They woke up Friday in possession of the seventh Western Conference playoff spot despite their recent skid, although they have squandered whatever cushion they had. Minnesota is two points ahead of the two closest teams in pursuit, and seven ahead of last-place Los Angeles. Before they break, the Wild had won six of their previous road games, including victories against Winnipeg, Toronto and Vegas. But they have dropped their past two, at Dallas and Buffalo — where they also lost Koivu to a torn ligament and meniscus in his right knee. “Whether it’s road or home, we’ve got to get going,” Boudreau said. They’ll likely need help from Granlund, who finished with 69 and 67 points the past two seasons, respectively, with a combined 47 goals. But he has cooled off after a hot start. Between Oct. 13 and Nov. 11, Granlund scored 10 goals among 18 points in 14 games, and the Wild were 10-3-1 in those games. Since then, Granlund has two goals and 24 assist in 37 games. In Thursday night’s 4-1 loss to Edmonton at Xcel Energy Center, he had no points, took two shots and was on the ice for two goals. “Honestly, I haven’t been scoring a lot lately, but at the beginning of the season it felt like every single puck was going in,” Granlund said Friday. “So, hopefully it’s going to turn around at some point again.” Boudreau is hoping playing center will allow Granlund to use his speed and playmaking abilities. “He’s a natural center,” the coach said. “He played center his whole life until he turned pro, and he can move the puck either way — left, right — and it gives him a little more freedom where he doesn’t have to battle on the wall as much. So, hopefully that’s a good situation.” That works for Granlund. “Maybe it gets you skating a little bit more, you know,” he said. “You kind of move around and keep skating and making plays and try to get some free ice and try to find those two other guys from the wing. That’s a fun position to play.” Pioneer Press LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129807 Minnesota Wild “That night was tough. A no-sleep night. Your mind races. Plenty of dark thoughts. Not all bad. It’s hard to explain. Your brain just starts moving around and you can’t catch up to it.” Diagnosed with lung cancer, Wild’s Tom Kurvers prepares for his Tom Kurvers toughest battle The next morning, Kurvers had an appointment with an oncologist. A PET scan was ordered for Jan. 23. The specialist who conducted the test Michael Russo looked at his CT scan and was on the fence whether he actually had cancer. The PET scan results ended up showing a 30 percent chance for Feb 8, 2019 cancer. But still, it was not a definite read. Kurvers then underwent a biopsy Jan. 28. Two days later, the results confirmed cancer. It was Monday afternoon, and Tom Kurvers took a bite of his ham and cheese omelette. Kurvers was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a type of non-small cell lung cancer that is most often found in current and former smokers. But The former NHL defenseman and Minnesota hockey star gently placed it’s also the most common type of lung cancer for non-smokers like his fork on his plate, then suddenly slammed his left index finger onto the Kurvers. The cancer has spread into the lymph nodes in his sternum but back of his iPhone. not beyond there. Kurvers, tired and stressed, looked up, and his eyes welled. For now though, it’s inoperable. “I have too many things going on in my head right now,” the Wild’s One of the first people he reached out to is one of his best friends, Todd assistant general manager said, his voice shaking. “I can’t keep up with Walsh, the longtime Arizona Coyotes and Diamondbacks Fox Sports medical information, and I’ve got a phone full of loving and caring notes Arizona reporter. from friends and hockey people. It’s going to take me a month to get back to everyone. Anybody that’s ever talked about the hockey “It was numbing,” Walsh said. “His mom (Julie) suffered through a five- community has undersold it by a mile because this is living proof of how year battle with cancer and died a horrible death last year. It was painful overwhelming it is to the good and how they rally around their own. and hard to watch, and he was pretty adamant that, ‘I don’t want to go through that.’ But a day later, he was like, I’m ready to fight. And I told “I’ve felt it since we started telling people Friday. Conversations are him, ‘Your very nature is going to help you through this.’” wicked hard … and really good.” On Jan. 31, Kurvers informed his four children — Madison, 24, and “But,” Kurvers, struggling to get the words out, added … with a touch of Rose, 18, from his first marriage, and Weston, 12, and Roman, 10, from guilt, “I don’t have the time and energy to talk to everybody I’d like to talk his second marriage. to. I just can’t. You run out of fuel … and you run out of tears.” “They’re resilient,” Kurvers said. “My boys, they’re doing OK, I think. They With one phone call late last month from the Wild’s team doctor, Kurvers’ can read tone. You can sense them sizing things up.” life has been turned upside down a mere seven months after ending his 10-year run with the Tampa Bay Lightning to excitedly take a job in his In fact, since the diagnosis, Kurvers has coincidentally gone through a hometown as first-year Wild GM Paul Fenton’s right-hand man. big, dusty bin of old hockey memorabilia and pictures with his two boys. They were blown away by all the stuff their dad has accomplished in his The father of four takes care of himself. hockey career, and for Kurvers, the trip down memory lane has been therapeutic. He keeps himself in exceptional shape. He eats healthy food. He has never smoked. He looks way younger than his 56 years on this planet. His wife, Kurvers says, “she’s been so strong.” Despite all of this, Kurvers says, “I was chosen for the fight.” Throughout the ordeal, he has leaned on good friends like Walsh and Chicago Blackhawks assistant GM Norm Maciver, his college roommate, “So,” he says, with a smile, “I’m going to fight. I’m living with cancer now.” teammate and one of his closest friends. Sadly, Maciver’s dad died of Back in November, Kurvers, who once helped bring Bloomington- lung cancer, so Kurvers instantly called his friend to ask questions and Jefferson High School to its first state hockey tournament and four years have a shoulder to cry on. later at the University of Minnesota Duluth won the Hobey Baker Award And, one of his first calls was of course to his father, Jim, in Arizona. Jim as the best player in college hockey, developed a cough. is who Tom, a three-sport athlete in high school, got his sports DNA from. He didn’t think anything of it. Jim Kurvers played 110 rounds of golf last year. He was an all-state But to this day, it hasn’t gone away. football player and played football at North Dakota State. He was on one of the state’s great high school basketball teams of all-time at Hopkins, On Dec. 4, after having a little pinch at the end of a deep breath the week winning state championships in 1952 and 1953. He was a four-letter before, Kurvers was “feeling kind of crummy.” He thought it was his winner in . heart, went to see the Wild physicians, took a chest X-ray, and everything checked out clean. Knowing his dad had already dealt with the deterioration and loss of his wife, Tom was worried about his father’s reaction. But he never got better. “It was hard, but he’s a tough dude,” Kurvers said. “I still remember it was Five weeks later, before a Wild game against Winnipeg, Kurvers went around Thanksgiving a year ago when my mother was really fading. I down to the locker room and told one of the team doctors that he wasn’t brought my daughters down to Arizona to see her. She was having a bad getting worse but definitely not getting better. Along with the rest of the day and didn’t want visitors. My dad came down, and it’s the first time front office, Kurvers was leaving in a few days to Florida for hockey ops I’ve really saw him break down. He just said, ‘I’m sorry, she can’t catch a meetings. He traveled south and had a rough week. break.’ He’s just a strong guy. He handles life, and he’s handling this.” After returning to Minnesota, Kurvers went down to the locker room After making sure his entire family knew last Thursday, Kurvers called before the Jan. 19 game against Columbus to see Wild doctor Sheldon Fenton and broke the news to him. Burns. It was obvious Friday morning at the Wild’s morning skate in Dallas that “I said, ‘It’s getting worse. I’m not feeling good,” Kurvers recalled. Fenton was pretty rattled. He has known Kurvers since the 1983 Winter Olympic tryouts. Pneumonia was suspected. A CT scan was ordered two mornings later. Instead of pneumonia, doctors discovered what they feared was a nodule “For somebody that is as healthy as he is and the way he takes care of on the right upper lobe of his lung. himself and conducts himself with professionalism every day, it’s very difficult for us to watch,” said Fenton, who informed his staff of the news Kurvers received the shocking call on the night of the 21st. last Friday. “But he’s always so upbeat. Everybody’s giving him as much “Dr. Burns said, ‘Tom, I’ve got some very bad news. There’s indications space as he possibly can have. Now that he knows what it is, we’re going of cancer in your right lung, and I’m very worried,’” Kurvers said. “I spoke to see the guy we all know, the guy that will fight to make everything to him for a few minutes. You can’t process it. I don’t even know what I right.” said. I remember handing my phone to my wife (Heather). And she wrote That was evident two days ago — two days after Kurvers’ first sitdown some stuff down. with The Athletic. He received some outstanding news Wednesday. The stories are plentiful. Lots of laughs are shared. Sometimes it’s three or four people who show up, sometimes it’s nine or 10. Kurvers initially thought there would be only two options for treatment: immunotherapy drugs or chemotherapy on a three-week interval that was The constants are guys like Maciver, New Jersey Devils scout Jim Mill, supposed to start this upcoming Monday. Wild scout Brian Hunter and Lightning scout John Rosso. But every who’s-who in Minnesota hockey shows up at some point, from people “All the while, you’re buying time for more drugs for a cure, which like Paul Ranheim and Dave Maley, to agent and former Gophers player provides hope,” Kurvers said. Ben Hankinson. But earlier this week, Kurvers was approved for Tagrisso, a pill-form “It’s a corny, little thing that brings guys together, and everybody walks medication used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. away sober,” Kurvers said, laughing. “We’re all part of this hockey thing, “There was a five-percent chance to match this targeted therapy drug, and it’s astounding how strong and swift and loving and caring everyone and we hit it, we nailed it,” Kurvers said. “It’s a far more aggressive is. The amount of calls I’ve gotten, from guys like and cancer killer with far less side effects than chemotherapy, so it was a Chris Chelios to people that I barely know like Jamie Langenbrunner, it’s gigantic win. It was so overwhelming when I found out, I was mentally been flooring.” wiped out.” Said Walsh, “He does things for people when no one is looking a lot, and Wife Heather, his brother, Mike, and his sister, Kathy, are acting as his I think he’s getting a lot of that back in spades. In typical Tom fashion, medical advocates. he’s turning around to all these people reaching out and telling them what they mean to him.” “The doctors are really reluctant to give a prognosis,” Kurvers said. “They’re saying it’s Stage 3, but I got this very hopeful news now and Well, this past Tuesday was pretty emotional when Kurvers revealed at they say I should start feeling better in about a week. The idea with this his weekly coffee jaunt with his friends what was going on. drug is that it goes in and targets the cancer cells and bombs them out. “If Kurvs hadn’t broken it up, if he didn’t get up and finally say, ‘Alright The results have been great. It’s not 100 percent. Chances are it doesn’t boys, let’s go about our day now,’ I think we would still all be sitting work at all, but it’s way up there that they can knock out a bunch of this. there,” said Mill, a former member of the Wild’s front office. “I mean, this The doctor even said that maybe we can get it down to that one tumor guy was at our house Christmas Eve out skating with his boys in the and then we can possibly go in and get the tumor out. backyard. And now this? But he’s got a great attitude, and a good “That’s mind-boggling that he would say that to me after what sounds so approach. And as he told us, that’s half the battle.” grim a week ago. The hope is the drug is good enough where it allows a In order to fight this battle, Kurvers will step back from some of his duties quality of life that this is just something you have and you live and you with the Wild. deal with it. So it was quite the day (Wednesday). My wife was in tears of joy. She had done her homework and knew what the options were and He doubles as Iowa’s GM, and over the past few weeks, he has been what the percentages were and she started weeping with a big smile on slowly sweeping lots of tasks and responsibilities off his desk. her face. I was kind of in the dark and like, What’s going on here? “Right now, I don’t get the sense going hard on the road like I have for 21 “But she knew that the doctor was talking about the best option there is years is going to be a real part of the equation,” Kurvers said, at the moment.” sarcastically. For the last two decades, Kurvers has scouted or worked in management Since being blindsided, Kurvers’ new normal, officially, is nine days old. for the Coyotes, Lightning and Wild, so he has friends everywhere. He has met with the Wild’s team psychologist to learn techniques to better balance the down times of handling his diagnosis. One of the hardest parts of the past week has been informing his friends amongst the scouting brethren in the Wild press box. “I’d rather talk about it than sit around alone and think about it. That’s hard,” Kurvers said. “Talking about it, I’m getting better at that. I’m going Throughout history, there’s a competitiveness and spy game almost with to invent something: I want to get rid of the tissue and invent a crying the amateur scouts. But there’s a brotherhood amongst pro scouts. They towel, like a Shammy, because tissues aren’t working. travel together, are usually assigned to the same territories, you’ve usually played with or against them. “I was talking to (former NHLer) (Thursday). We played together. He has two older children, then remarried and has two younger There’s a really good fraternity. children, so we’ve lived parallel lives, kind of. He said, ‘I can’t imagine In order to get a distraction from all that’s been going on, Kurvers has taking this phone call.’ And I said, ‘I can’t imagine taking it about my wife attended the past two home games. or children.’ And he instantly understood. There have been hugs and tears shed, especially with former “Nobody can be ready for this phone call. But at least it’s not … them.” Philadelphia Flyers assistant GM Chris Pryor last Saturday night. Pryor Friday, Kurvers received his first 30-day supply of Tagrisso. was also part of that 1983 Olympic tryout, played a few games with Kurvers in the New York Islanders’ system and has been on the same Tagrisso Tommy Kurvers scouting path with Kurvers for 22 years. In a text to The Athletic, Kurvers sent a picture of the bottle and wrote, Kurvers, who had an emotional moment with the coaching staff just prior “Treatment has begun.” to the Wild’s game against Chicago, intentionally waited until gametime to come up to the press box so he wouldn’t see any of his friends. But “Everybody has a story,” Kurvers said. “This is now part of my story. I during the first intermission, scouts, many of whom had started to get hope it’s a happy ending. I plan on it being so.” word, came up to him. Tom Kurvers does have an incredible story. He has been in the Tom Kurvers crosshairs of so many big events, from being the unenviable guy traded to Toronto for the draft pick that wound up being Scott Niedermayer, to “I handled it pretty well the first few times, but I don’t know why, Chris being unknowingly in the potential way of history when Mario Lemieux Pryor is a hard guy with a big heart,” Kurvers said. “It was his two-year- scored a goal all five ways possible (even-strength, power play, old grandchild’s birthday party, but his wife told him, ‘You can’t be here. shorthanded, penalty shot and empty-net), to being one of the first — if Go down there and see Tom.’ I broke down because he broke down. not the first — NHLers to lose his job after the teardown of the Iron He’s been a good friend for a long time. Curtain because of Slava Fetisov’s arrival in the NHL. He has so many stories to tell. This is the first in a series of features on Kurvers. “You make good friends and then you move on in this business. You’re Throughout his battle with lung cancer, The Athletic will be there to tell teammates, and then you’re traded. But they’re still your good friends. his story. You just don’t spend as much time together anymore.” The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 This is one big reason three years ago Kurvers organized a weekly get- together at a local Caribou Coffee for many in the Minnesota hockey community, especially scouts. Every Tuesday at 9 a.m., Kurvers and a handful of others meet to talk about life and hockey. “He was a captain in college and he’s been the captain of all his friends for a long time,” Walsh said. 1129808 over the next two months, with the last one coming in the regular-season finale in Montreal, promise to be an exciting part of the playoff fight. A lot of fans on both sides are now rubbing their hands at the thought of a Leafs-Habs rivalry now more intense, Babcock says, as Canadiens make Leafs-Canadiens series in the first round of the playoffs. surprising revival This, of course, creates a lot of talk that the remaining three games in the regular-season series are playoff games in disguise. But Babcock isn’t so sure. DAVID SHOALTS “We say that every year, ‘Hey, this could be a playoff game,’ but none of FEBRUARY 8, 2019 them compare to playoff games,” Babcock said. “It’s just impossible. Playoffs are different.

“In saying that, they’re a team that’s doing well, we’re a team that’s doing Mike Babcock is in his fourth season as head coach of the Toronto Maple well. We’d both like to be higher in the standings. They’re a good hockey Leafs but only now is he getting into this rivalry thing with the Montreal club, we’re a good hockey club. Something has to give.” Canadiens. Babcock also made it clear that while he hasn’t been enthused about the This is not because of any ignorance of the oldest rivalry in the NHL. rivalry until now, there has never been any doubt about his favourite Babcock spent the mid-1980s in Montreal playing defence for McGill place to play on the road. University. “My favourite rink in the to go into is Montreal No, it’s just that until this season, the games against the Canadiens were just because of the pageantry, the history, the pride, the fans,” he said. not any more special than those against other opponents in Babcock’s “It’s a great, great place to play. Just like I think Toronto is spectacular eyes. because of the fan-base and the love of the game. It should be a lot of fun.” “I just think it’s the next game we’re playing so it’s the most important game of the year,” Babcock said of the Leafs-Habs game Saturday in Globe And Mail LOADED: 02.09.2019 Montreal. “Obviously the Montreal-Toronto thing, I haven’t been involved in for a long time. “Part of it since I’ve been here is both teams haven’t been good. This is the first year both teams look like real hockey clubs.” 'This is the first year both teams look like real hockey clubs,' says Leafs coach Mike Babcock. When the season started, hardly any of the usual pundits (cough, cough) thought the Canadiens were ready to challenge the Leafs, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins for one of the top three places in the Atlantic Division. However, head coach Claude Julien has the Habs playing a punishing fore-checking game at one end of the ice and a sound defensive game at the other. Throw in winger Jonathan Drouin taking a big step forward this season (46 points in 55 games), Max Domi (47 points in 55 games) thriving after a trade from the Phoenix Coyotes, the return of superstar defenceman Shea Weber from a long battle with injuries and, of course, the presence of goaltender , and the Canadiens are one of the biggest surprises in the NHL this season. Second place in the Atlantic Division will be at stake on Saturday night as the Canadiens took over third from the Bruins in recent weeks. They also took advantage of the Leafs’ long funk through December and January to move one point behind them with 68 points in 55 games, although the Leafs have two games in hand. This game marks the start of a 11-day, six-game road trip for the Leafs, their longest of the season. While the Leafs righted themselves by winning four of their past five games and go into the trip on a three-game winning streak, the Canadiens, who also have a three-game winning streak going, are in peak form. This was punctuated by the Habs’ dominance of the Winnipeg Jets, perhaps the top Stanley Cup contender among the seven Canadian teams, in a 5-2 win on Thursday night. “I like their team,” Babcock said. “They’ve got a good feeling going right now. That one line is absolutely on fire so we should be aware and understand that. “Saying that, we’ve got good players too. We’re going to put good players on the ice. They’re going to have to worry about defending us as well. Ideally, if we play right and play fast, it turns into a heck of a hockey game.” “That one line” is centre Phillip Danault with Drouin and Brendan Gallagher on the wings. During the Habs’ three-game win streak, the line produced 20 points with Drouin clicking for nine. Julien has that line, plus the other three, playing a strong defensive game that features a lot of support for the defenceman in the Canadiens zone that leads to the offensive flow that results in all those points. Both Drouin and Danault had four points in the win over the Jets, with Gallgaher getting two. “There’s no question Gallagher and Drouin [Thursday] night were on fire,” Babcock said. “I like their lineup one right through four. They are playing with good structure, playing with good speed, they are above the puck, they’re fore-checking well, playing well in the d-zone.” Saturday’s game is just the second of the season between the Leafs and the Canadiens. The Leafs won the season-opener 3-2 in Toronto back in October. But thanks to the Canadiens ascendance, the last three games 1129809 Montreal Canadiens “I think that’s where he should have been,” Shaw said about Drouin playing on the wing. “I think he’s a great, great winger. He’s got the skill, the speed. If you get him the puck with speed, he’s going to make things Canadiens Notebook: Some very high praise for centre Phillip Danault happen. As a centreman, you’re kind of worried about your defensive zone a little bit more. You kind of get caught behind the play instead of "I think he’s our best player just because he’s so reliable," Andrew Shaw ahead of the play. I think he likes being ahead of the play with the puck. says about teammate who reminds him of Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews. That one-on-one mindset, he’s unbelievable at it.” Tatar still recovering from flu STU COWAN After missing Tuesday night’s 4-1 win over the Ducks because of the flu, Tatar returned to the lineup Thursday night against the Jets but still February 8, 2019 wasn’t at 100 per cent, going pointless and minus-1 in 15:56 of ice time. “I had very low energy,” Tatar said after taking part in Friday’s optional practice. “I was just trying to have quick shifts, not too long, just to try to The Canadiens’ Phillip Danault is known best for being a solid, two-way help as much as I can. It was tough and that’s why I’m here today. I was centre, but he has been on quite a roll offensively as of late. trying to get the energy back and I finally feel a little better. Danault had a goal and three assists in Thursday night’s 5-2 win over the “I think we played great,” he added about Thursday’s win over the Jets. Winnipeg Jets at the Bell Centre, extending his point streak to four “It was a lot of fun. I was really happy I could be part of that game. It was games, during which he has 3-4-7 totals. For the season, Danault has a great game for sure.” 11-29-40 totals to rank third in team scoring behind Max Domi (17-30-47) and Jonathan Drouin (19-29-46) and Danault’s plus-22 is the best on the Tatar is looking forward to facing the Leafs Saturday night for the first Canadiens and ranks 12th in the NHL. Danault is also the Canadiens time since the season opener on Oct. 3 in Toronto when the Canadiens best faceoff man, winning 53.5 per cent of his draws. lost 3-2 in overtime. While going up against one of the best lines in the NHL Thursday night “It was a lot of fun that game,” Tatar said despite the loss. “You could feel — Mark Scheifele between Kyle Connor and — Danault the energy from the fans. Those games are always fun. I think everybody had four points and was plus-4 while going 12-9 in the faceoff circle (57 wants to play these games. Those are the best games you can play and per cent). we’re really looking forward for tomorrow.” General manager Marc Bergevin’s decision to sign the 25-year-old Kotkaniemi on scoring streak Danault to a three-year, US$9.25-million contract last summer with an annual salary-cap hit of $3.083 million is looking very good right now. Canadiens rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi has scored goals in each of the last four games and now has 10-17-27 totals for the season. All 10 of his After being one of nine players to take part in an optional practice Friday goals have come at the Bell Centre and five of them have come in the in Brossard, Andrew Shaw had some very high praise for his teammate last 10 games overall. Danault. Kotkaniemi’s goal Thursday night was his first on the power play and “Realistically, I think he’s our best player just because he’s so reliable,” came on a beautiful one-timer. Julien was asked Friday if he’s noticed an Shaw said. “He’s out there against top lines every night, plays PKs, and improvement in the 18-year-old’s shot since the start of the season. he still puts up points. He’s so smart. If you watch him, he’s dedicated to playing the systems the right way, he’s dedicated to playing a team “He’s had a good shot since the beginning of the year,” the coach said. “I game. He gets a lot of defensive-zone draws. can answer to you on that is the fact that this guy has been improving all year long. So whether it’s his defensive game, whether it’s managing the “I was around a guy like Jonathan Toews (while winning two Stanley puck, whether it’s scoring goals and taking pucks at the net, I think this is Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks), who had to do that, and it takes a an 18-year-old that just continues to grow and is hungry to learn. He toll on you physically and mentally,” Shaw added. “Hockey players like to listens to the coaching staff, he listens to his teammates, he really wants score goals, but every time you’re touching the ice if you’re in the D zone to be a better player and he’s got the right attitude. So I think you’re it’s going to be tough to get in the offensive zone, but he seems to be going to continue to ask me questions about certain parts of his play doing quite well. I compare him to Jonathan Toews, for sure. He’s so because he is improving in all those areas and that’s a good thing. composed and focused and determined that there’s a lot of things that I saw as qualities of Jonathan Toews as well, and he’s still young. I bet “But he’s had a good shot, in my estimation anyways, since the you … I know he’s going to get better and better every year.” beginning of the year and it’s like anything else,” Julien added. “How much does he use it? When does he use it? I think that’s what he’s Shaw hopes to face Leafs learning to do is he’s doing those things at the right time. When you see a guy practising those one-timers it’s because he wants to get better, Canadiens coach Claude Julien said Friday that Shaw remains listed as we’ve asked him to get better and to work on those things. And when you day-to-day with a neck injury that has sidelined him for the last 15 score a goal like last night, you have to say: Well, it’s paying off.” games, but added there’s a chance Shaw could play Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., CBC, SN1, Shaw said Kotkaniemi has been fantastic both on and off the ice. CITY, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio) if he gets clearance from the team’s medical staff. “He’s awesome, man,” Shaw said. “He’s a kid he’s having fun and he makes the room a little bit lighter just by smiling and being himself. He’s The Canadiens (31-18-6) are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and are in third got a crush on my (7-month-old) daughter, Andy, right now. He said he place in the Atlantic Division, one point behind the Leafs (33-17-3), who scored that goal for her last night. He’s awesome.” hold two games in hand. Youth movement Shaw was hoping to return to the lineup last Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks and has been practising with full contact this week. The Heading into this season the Canadiens were the second-youngest team Canadiens are being careful with Shaw because his neck injury, suffered in the NHL, which is one of the reasons why their performance has been during a game on New Year’s Eve in Dallas, gave him headaches and he so surprising. has a history of concussions. “I know I keep repeating it, I see growth,” Julien said. “When you’re The other players who joined Shaw on the ice for Friday’s optional young, that’s what you have to focus on because they only get better with practice were goalie Antti Niemi, forwards Nicolas Deslauriers, Kenny experience and they only get better if you keep working with them. Agostino, Michael Chaput, Tomas Tatar, Matthew Peca and Charles Sometimes you have to be patient, sometimes you have to be hard, Hudon, along with defenceman Karl Alzner. sometimes you got to be stern and you do it in different ways. A lot of it is one-on-one with coaches. With Jo (Drouin) and all the other players, we Drouin on a roll do a lot of one-on-one, we do a lot of D meetings, we’ll do power-play and penalty-kill meetings. So you work in different ways, but what you’re Drouin was named the first star Thursday night after scoring two goals trying to do is you’re trying to help this team get better. and adding two assists while extending his point streak to three games, during which he has 3-6-9 totals. “Kotkaniemi has the best example is that he’s an 18-year-old that really looked around at the beginning of the year and seeing all these guys he’s With 46 points in 55 games, Drouin has already matched his output from watched for years, he’s playing against them,” the coach added. “He’s 77 games last season when he had 13-33-46 totals. Drouin finished really gotten past that stage where it’s like: ‘Hey, I’m playing for myself minus-23 last season when he played centre and is plus-3 this season as and my team and it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side. I’m not a left-winger. intimidated. I just go out and do that.’ How does he get to that point? With experience and I think that’s where our team’s gained some experience throughout the year and it’s continuing to grow. The other part, too, is the excitement of our group wanting to get better. Not having to get better, but wanting to get better. I know I say that a lot. I think that’s a real key word when it comes to that kind of stuff is that they see the results and they want more. So our attitude’s been great and because of that there’s some good things happening.” Reload and fire If you listen to Julien’s news conferences, you’ll often hear him talk about the importance of his forwards “reloading” in the system he wants the Canadiens to play as a five-man unit. On Friday, Arpon Basu of The Athletic asked Julien: “Often this season when the team has played well, you’ve mentioned reloads — forwards reloading and D being able to stand up in the neutral zone. When your team is doing that as well as it did last night, and maybe in October and certain parts of the season, what is the tangible effect on the other team’s attack?” Responded Julien: “I would say yesterday was probably the perfect example of what you’re asking here. I thought our Ds did a great job of playing tight last night and having a tight gap. As much as they did a good job of that, I think the other part of the credit has to go to the forwards that they were coming back and gave them that confidence. That’s why we talk about: How do you shut down top lines, top players? And when you hear me say it’s a five-man unit that’s out there on the ice, that’s what I mean. If your forwards are back-checking, your Ds can play them tighter. If forwards aren’t reloading and your Ds backing off a little bit more, giving them more space … l think those are the important things here that we see in our play as a team. When we do it right, like last night, what kind of an impact? It frustrates the other team. They got no room and they can’t move forward because the Ds are up on them. They can’t make plays to the second wave because they got the forwards right on their butts, if you want to use that term. That’s what it does for our hockey club and that’s why we like the fact that we’re a good skating team and we’re able to do that.” What’s next? The Canadiens have a morning skate scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Brossard before facing the Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., CBC, SN1, CITY, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio). The Canadiens will have the day off Sunday, then practice Monday (11 a.m.), Tuesday (11 a.m.) and Wednesday (10:45 a.m.) in Brossard before hitting the road for games against the Nashville Predators Thursday (8 p.m., TSN2, RDS), the Tampa Bay Lightning next Saturday (7 p.m., SNE, CITY, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio) and the Florida Panthers next Sunday (7 p.m., SN, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). Montreal Gazette LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129810 Montreal Canadiens If we can stay hungry and get excited about doing the right things that’s going to pay off.

“I think tomorrow’s going to be an exciting game, not just for the fact of Stu Cowan: Bell Centre will be rockin' for Canadiens vs. Leafs the history, but there’s a point between the two teams,” Julien added. Surprising Habs can move ahead of Toronto in the Atlantic Division “We realize they have two games in hand, but it doesn’t matter. You go standings with a regulation-time victory on . out there and you try and win a hockey game and try and keep plugging away like we’ve been doing all year.”

One thing is certain about Saturday night: The place’ll be rockin’. STU COWAN Montreal Gazette LOADED: 02.09.2019 February 8, 2019

The Place’ll Be Rockin’ ‘Cause It’s Saturday Night is the title of the song that used to be performed by Michael Zweig of the Toronto rock band Carpet Frogs at the beginning of Hockey Night in Canada telecasts. The Bell Centre will definitely be rockin’ this Saturday when the Canadiens and Maple Leafs square off (7 p.m., CBC, SN1, CITY, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio). It’s been a long time since Montreal hockey fans have been this excited about their team. The Canadiens are coming off a very impressive 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets Thursday and are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, sitting in third place in the Atlantic Division. More importantly, the Canadiens (31- 18-6) are only one point behind the Maple Leafs (33-17-3) — who hold two games in hand — and can move ahead of them with a regulation- time victory. This will be only the second meeting between these teams this season after the Leafs beat the Canadiens 3-2 in OT on opening night Oct. 3 in Toronto. There’s a ton of hockey on TV these days, but there’s still something special about Hockey Night in Canada — even more so when it’s Canadiens vs. Leafs. The way things are going, there’s also a chance these teams could meet in the playoffs for the first time since 1979, when the Canadiens swept the Leafs in the quarter-finals en route to winning the Stanley Cup. It’s hard to believe anyone would have predicted that scenario before this season started, with the Leafs considered to be Stanley Cup contenders and the Canadiens not expected to make the playoffs after finishing 28th in the overall NHL standings last season. The Canadiens’ Andrew Shaw, who has missed the last 15 games with a neck injury, is chomping at the bit to get back in the lineup and hopes to get medical clearance to face the Maple Leafs. Shaw, who grew up in Belleville, Ont., has fond memories of watching Hockey Night in Canada with his family and then pretending to be in that situation while playing road hockey. But the Shaw family wasn’t cheering for the Canadiens or Leafs. “I was a Sabres fan,” Shaw said. “Weird team to cheer for considering where I lived. My dad was a Bruins fan, so he hated Montreal and the Leafs, so he wouldn’t let me like them. So I went with Buffalo. They had (Chris) Drury, (Daniel) Brière, (Derek) Roy, a bunch of guys I liked watching play. Smaller guys.” Canadiens head coach Claude Julien grew up as a Canadiens fan in the Ottawa suburb of Orléans, but his brother was a Maple Leafs fans, which created quite a rivalry when they played road hockey. “Growing up as a kid — I hate to date myself — but there was basically six teams,” the 58-year-old coach said. “In street hockey, I was a Montreal fan and I know at the time — he’s not anymore, he’s a Montreal fan — but at the time my brother was a Leafs fan. So we had the jerseys and we played street hockey. Those were two teams back in those days that had great teams, so those things I remember vividly and that the competition between my brother and I was always there.” This Canadiens team has surprised a lot of people this season — including me — and nothing was more surprising than the way they dominated the Jets Thursday, outshooting a team that sits third in the overall NHL standings 53-34 in a game that easily could have been 7-2 or 8-2 instead of the 5-2 final. “We just had a good game and we’ve had a few of those kind of games this year as well,” Julien said. “So it’s not like the first time we’ve really played well. But I think there was a big buildup about the Winnipeg team coming in here and they’re one of the best teams in the West and the firepower and everything that came with it. “I think people were kind of interested seeing how we would react and we played a good game and we won a hockey game. I liked the way we played. What am I happy about? Our team play last night. But nobody’s guaranteed us we’re going to play like that tomorrow. We’ve got to go out there and make it happen and that’s what we’re trying to do with this team here is making guys understand that you got to start all over again. 1129811 Montreal Canadiens Losing streak continues for Schneider: The good news for New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider is that he looked good Thursday as he stopped 27 of 28 shots in his return from an abdominal strain that had Hickey On Hockey: Quebec snubbed as Hockey Day host for 19th time sidelined him since Dec. 14. The bad news is that it wasn’t good enough to produce a win as the New York Islanders beat the Devils 2-1 in a Since the first Hockey Day, the organizers have emphasized the shootout. Schneider, who is in the fourth season of a seven-year deal grassroots, and that's why would be an ideal host. with an annual cap hit of US$6 million, hasn’t won a regular-season game since Dec. 27, 2017.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 02.09.2019 PAT HICKEY February 8, 2019

The Canadiens will host the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night and the game will be telecast across Canada on CBC as part of the annual Hockey Day in the Rest of Canada celebrations. This is the 19th Hockey Day and it marks the 19th time the host city for the event is not in Quebec. Nine of the 10 provinces and two of Canada’s three territories have served as the host for the event, which this year will be based in Swift Current, Sask. Ontario has hosted the event four times, beginning with the first Hockey Day in Toronto in 2000. This is Saskatchewan’s third kick at the can while Alberta, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland-Labrador and British Columbia have all hosted two events. It would be understandable if Quebec hadn’t played an important role in the history of hockey, but this is the epicentre of the Canadian experience. While the debate over the origins of the game is ongoing, Montreal has a strong claim as the birthplace of hockey. The other claimant is Windsor, N.S., which was accorded the honour of hosting the third Hockey Day in 2002. Stanley Cup? We all know that the Canadiens hold the record with 24 victories, but the province can claim ownership of 55 Stanley Cup victories. The Montreal Maroons won the Cup in 1926 and an assortment of teams — the Wanderers, the Montreal Hockey Club, the Shamrocks, the Victorias, the Canadiens and the Quebec Bulldogs — combined for 31 Cup wins in the pre-NHL era. Since the first Hockey Day, the organizers have steered away from the NHL and emphasized the grassroots, and that’s why Quebec City would be an ideal host. Think of it as a consolation prize for building the Vidéotron Centre and then being jerked around by the NHL. The city has served as the training ground for Jean Béliveau and Guy Lafleur, while and Patrice Bergeron came out of the city’s minor hockey programs. I’m not sure why Quebec has been snubbed. Maybe it’s because and Ron MacLean can’t stomach the idea of spending four days in Quebec. Maybe there’s an appeal to spending the weekend in Swift Current, which is currently under an extreme cold weather warning. Whatever the reason, Quebec has reason to feel left out. Women get some exposure: Rogers has thrown the local market a bone by parachuting a reporter into Montreal to do some interviews during Saturday’s Canadian Women’s Hockey League game between Les Canadiennes and the Toronto Furies. Les Canadiennes are fighting for first place in the CWHL. They have 35 points after 23 games and are two points behind the first-place Calgary Inferno. The Montreal team features the CWHL’s top two scorers, Marie- Philip Poulin and Ann-Sophie Bettez. The Furies are a distant fifth in the standings and need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. They are led by Olympians Natalie Spooner and Sarah Nurse. Game time is 2 p.m. at the Étienne-Desmarteau complex’s Caroline Ouellette rink, which was renamed in honour of the Les Canadiennes coach in 2010. The arena is located at 3430 Bellechasse St. Kotkaniemi climbs in EA ratings: When EA Sports released its ratings for NHL19 in August, Canadiens rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi was given a 66 rating and wasn’t among the top-10 rookies in the virtual world. But the 18-year-old Finn’s on-ice performance has been recognized by the gaming community and his current rating has risen to 81. Telling it like it is: Here’s the way Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice summed up Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Canadiens: “You don’t have a game too often, fortunately, where the coach was no good, the players were no good, the food was no good. You just hope the plane works.” 1129812 Montreal Canadiens line with Weber. Lindholm might cost a draft pick and possibly Nick Suzuki or Victor Mete, but he’s worth it — especially because Lindholm is not a rental. The 25-year-old has another three years left on his What the Puck: Back on the bandwagon — Canadiens are the real deal contract, which has an annual cap hit of US$5.206 million. The Habs dominated an elite Jets squad at every level and advanced a And there are other options out there. I’m not saying empty the farm debate: What should GM Marc Bergevin do ahead of the trade deadline? system, but the Habs are on a roll and Bergevin should capitalize on it. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 02.09.2019 BRENDAN KELLY February 8, 2019

The time has come for all of us to re-evaluate this Montreal Canadiens team. Me. You. Claude Julien. Marc Bergevin. Geoff Molson. Bergevin loves to use the word “reset” rather than “rebuild.” Well, guess what? That was one heck of a reset Thursday night. The Winnipeg Jets, as good a team as there is in the NHL, strode into town ready to duel with the surging Habs and Julien’s squad just crushed them as if they were the basement-dwelling Los Angeles Kings and not possibly the strongest team in the Western Conference. Wow. I, like every other Habs fan, watched that game in a state of (pleasant) shock. There are no shortage of folks insisting on social media they knew all along the Canadiens were this good and I understand why they’re chirping on Twitter, Facebook and Reddit. But that’s enjoying the benefit of 20/20 hindsight. Flash back to last summer and you’ll find that the majority view — from the fans and media experts — was the Canadiens would likely finish near the bottom of the standings and even the rose-coloured-glasses set was talking only about possibly slinking into the playoffs. No one was predicting what we saw Thursday — a Montreal team dominating an elite Jets squad at every level. The Habs look like they are in a zone where they can beat any team in the league. And few of you suggested that was to be expected this season. These Habs are the real deal and not just because of Thursday’s game. Take a look at the standings. Montreal is in third place in the Atlantic Division, only one point behind the Toronto Maple Leafs, the same Leafs anointed Stanley Cup finalists in October by the Toronto hockey media mob. Who imagined this? All of a sudden, on a Saturday night in February, Montreal is set to face off against the Leafs at the Bell Centre and if the good guys come out victorious, Montreal will be sitting pretty ahead of Toronto in second place in the division. This is not an illusion. Two-thirds of the way through the season, the Canadiens appear to be getting stronger just as the games toughen up, as they always do after Christmas. After a shaky start, Carey Price is playing like the old Carey Price and, better yet, the team doesn’t even have to use him as a crutch like they used to because they can actually score. The hero of the hour is Jonathan Drouin, who has been en feu since he scored that jaw-dropping goal in overtime Sunday against the Edmonton Oilers. His second goal Thursday was almost as exciting, but the real hero should be the coach who finally created a real first line, with Phillip Danault flanked by Drouin and Brendan Gallagher. This trio makes so much sense because Danault and Gally are superb defensively and also thrive on grinding it out, which frees up Drouin to do his fancy-pants stuff. Now, the debate heats up. What should Bergevin do ahead of the NHL trade deadline at 3 p.m. on Feb. 25? Many argue he should simply push ahead with what he has and hope for the best, that it was never about winning this year. Others, like me, think you can’t pass up the opportunity. Bergevin said he wasn’t going to mortgage the future and give up any prospects, but who knows what the future holds. What if the prospects mature just as Price and Shea Weber are nearing retirement? Weber is playing like a monster, Price is right and the kids — Drouin, Max Domi and Jesperi Kotkaniemi — are rocking. And the slightly older guys — Danault, Gallagher, Jeff Petry — are looking pretty darn good, too. So Bergevin should reach out for some help before the trade deadline because otherwise this team is unlikely to win even one playoff series. That’s what being a good GM is all about, rethinking a plan. Bergevin said he wouldn’t be a buyer, but times change. And the fact is what the Canadiens need is on the market: Anaheim Ducks defenceman Hampus Lindholm would look just perfect on the blue 1129813 Montreal Canadiens something’s going to happen, if it looks like they’re going to be able to get behind our D or something to be able to get back. I mean, it’s part of our makeup, it’s something we really stress.” Death by a million backchecks: the Canadiens’ road map through this Here’s a case of Peca doing just that Thursday. murderous stretch of games This was a perfect example of what Julien is talking about it, a reload giving the defencemen confidence to be aggressive. Let’s go through it Arpon Basu step by step. Feb 8, 2019 First, with Patrik Laine navigating the neutral zone with the puck, Mike Reilly (top of the screen) knows Peca (bottom of the screen) is coming back hard to the defensive zone. This allows Reilly to step up on Laine, forcing a dump in rather than a controlled entry. That’s win No. 1 for the Claude Julien, when addressing his Canadiens players leading up to the Canadiens on this play. first of four games against four of the best teams in the NHL, made it a very simple challenge. Basically, it is the Canadiens system against the Because Peca is there to cover for him, Jeff Petry is now free to go elite talent on the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville recover the puck that was just dumped in because Reilly stepped up in Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning. the neutral zone, and he easily gets to that puck first. This is win No. 2. The Canadiens don’t have a Mark Scheifele or an Auston Matthews or Petry quickly moves the puck up the boards where it is met by Tomas the defence in Nashville or a Nikita Kucherov. Jonathan Drouin has been Tatar, who was also “reloading” hard, and he is being supported by Max on fire of late, but the Canadiens simply didn’t match up on paper with Domi. This is win No. 3. Of note, all five Canadiens are visible on the any of the four teams they were about to face. That didn’t mean they screen at this point, with Peca curling around his own net to gain speed didn’t match up, however, and the great equalizer was going to be team going the other way as Reilly gets back in position. play, cohesiveness and will. Domi gets the puck from Tatar as Peca is now flying up the middle of the It was going to be the Canadiens system. ice and Tatar is also getting on his horse to join the rush. The three Jets players deep in the Canadiens zone are very suddenly chasing the play. “The way you play as a team, if the players respect the system and also Win No. 4. believe in the system we put in place, that helps a lot,” Julien said Friday. “When everyone plays the same way it becomes much easier to read off This is the result of that effort, Domi carrying the puck with Peca each other than it is when you have five players on the ice doing their supporting him and the Jets chasing them. A perfect chain reaction of own thing.” events that all began with Peca skating as hard as he could to get back to the defensive zone. On Thursday against the Jets, the Canadiens proved it. They played as a team, they respected the system and executed it perfectly. But executing “I think the way we play should be the same formula every game,” Peca this system is not easy. It takes a lot of energy, it takes four forward lines said. “We’ve got to be good at reloading and play with speed and work and three defence pairs playing at a high level and it takes good hard.” circumstances, namely playing with a lead or tied, allowing Julien to use the full extent of his bench. That hard work also takes place in the offensive end, which is what makes the reloading that much more difficult for the forwards. Because Want an idea of what that looks like, what the Canadiens can do when the first step is actually forechecking effectively enough to avoid a reload they play their system the way it is meant to be played? It looks kind of altogether, which is something the Canadiens did the whole game like this. Thursday. Here are a few examples. Those clips are from October and they demonstrate a key tenet of the All those turnovers in the Jets offensive zone came in the first 12 minutes Canadiens’ system, which is the reload, basically a fancy term for of the game. The Jets were credited with 13 giveaways in the first period, backchecking. What you see in each of those clips is defencemen something that gave Paul Maurice a case of acute nausea, but looking aggressively stepping up on opposing forwards in the neutral zone over the video showed several others that went unnoticed by the official because they know they have forwards coming back hard. It gives them scorers, such as this one. the confidence to take a risk, with the reward being at the very least a snuffed out entry attempt, or at best a turnover and transition opportunity Some of those giveaways were the Jets being careless, but the pursuit of for the Canadiens. the Canadiens forwards on the puck carrier, like Artturi Lehkonen in that last one, definitely played a part. It’s something that will have to continue Now here’s a clip from Thursday night against Winnipeg. if the Canadiens want to get through these upcoming games relatively unscathed. That’s Brett Kulak hanging around the red line to bat a clearing attempt out of the air because he sees both Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Artturi Julien turned Friday’s practice into an optional, and it’s not difficult to see Lehkonen coming back hard. If it fails, Kulak has some backup on the why. He will need legs to get past the Maple Leafs. There’s a long break way, thus mitigating the risk he is taking. before the Canadiens go to Nashville and then Tampa, but Julien will need legs then too. “When we talk about how do you shut down top lines, top players and you hear me say it’s a five-man unit that’s out there on the ice, that’s But the most important players in this equation are the ones who were on what I mean,” Julien said. “If your forwards are backchecking, your Ds the ice Friday. The five players who make up the rotation on Julien’s can play (the opposing forwards) tighter. If the forwards aren’t reloading, fourth line, something he has fretted over all season, were all there then your Ds are backing off, giving them more space. I think those are skating, because bubble lineup players get on the ice when it’s an the important things we see here in our play as a team. optional skate. But Julien’s ability to trust these guys to eat up minutes and provide rest for the top-9 is an integral part of the system being “When we do it right, like (Thursday) night, what kind of an impact? It executed to its full potential, and is therefore an integral part of the frustrates the other team. They’ve got no room, they can’t move forward Canadiens’ ability to win these games in which they appear because the Ds are up on them and they can’t make plays to the second overmatched. wave because they’ve got the forwards right on their butts. That’s what it does for our hockey club and that’s why we like the fact that we’re a good “The only way we can play like that is basically by playing with four lines,” skating team because we’re able to do that.” Julien said Thursday after the win against the Jets. “We want to play a fast game, we want to be on teams. If you shorten your bench you can The thing is, it’s not easy for forwards to keep doing that every night. As never keep that momentum and that pace going. That’s where you have we saw in the first video, they were doing it very consistently early in the to credit everybody for doing that. We knew this team was extremely season, then it was less consistent, for a time it was nonexistent, and good offensively, we had to try and get on these guys and quick and try now it’s coming back. to take some of their offence away and play in their end a little bit more.” It comes down to will, and during the grind of an NHL season it’s hard to Point being, it’s a team effort. These next games will show if the sum of maintain that will at the level necessary to do things like this on every the Canadiens’ parts can outmatch the star power they will face. And it shift. But this is an important stretch of games to the Canadiens, games could show just how tough of an out this team might be in the playoffs if against four legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, so the will returned for this is the type of game they bring every night. one night. We’ll have to see how long it lasts, but the presence of that will provides the Canadiens with their best chance for success. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 “I don’t think it’s energy, I think it’s a willingness to be in the right spot, to be one step ahead of the play,” Matthew Peca said. “If it looks like 1129814 Montreal Canadiens Yet, there was no hint of that. Especially once Drouin put the puck on Shea Weber’s stick and the Montreal captain blasted a perfectly placed shot past Connor Hellebuyck barely four minutes into the period. Until Melnick’s GBU: The Canadiens blanket job on the Jets will be needed then, Hellebuyck had turned into a circus act in an attempt to keep his against the Leafs team in the game. And if there were still any doubts about the outcome, the Habs put those to rest as well with an exclamation point when Gallagher and Danault Mitch Melnick combined to score Montreal’s first 4-on-4 goal of the season after Drouin and a frustrated Scheifele, who had just received a subtle Weber glove to Feb 8, 2019 the face to break up his rush, exchanged swats in front of the benches. So instead of heading into Saturday night’s match up against the Toronto Maple Leafs with a bit of a hangover, the Habs appear ready to keep the If Jonathan Drouin played a better game in the NHL, I must have missed party going. it. Thursday’s shellacking of one of the premier teams in the NHL reminds Maybe in a couple of weeks we’ll wonder where the spark went, but what us of a couple of pre-season questions we keep returning to the deeper we’ve seen from Drouin, almost from the moment after he peeled away into the season we go – can a return to left wing and the presence of from the play in his own end that led to a game-tying goal and ultimately Dominique Ducharme, who coached Drouin in the Q in Halifax, bring out a win by the New Jersey Devils last Saturday at the Bell Centre, is what the best in him? And, did Claude Julien really mean it when he said, fans in the Q were treated to on an almost nightly basis back when he “We’re in the entertainment business”? played for the Halifax Mooseheads. With 27 games to play – or one third of the season so a lot can still The sick combination of skill, speed, playmaking and finish – which is happen – what we can safely say is that in just five months time the Habs precisely what led to him being selected third overall in the 2013 NHL have provided more answers than questions. draft – has been on display for three consecutive games. We just haven’t seen that level of skill and production around here since, well, I’m not THE GOOD going to say it. · Victor Mete: Overshadowed by Drouin, Danault and Gallagher who JONATHAN DROUIN’S BEST GAME AS A HAB. LOOKED LIKE A combined for 10 points, and Weber, who had a two-point night, the 20- SUPERSTAR. year-old defenceman, while still in search of his first career goal, might have also played the best game of his brief NHL career. AND, BEST GAME HABS HAVE PLAYED IN A LONG, LONG TIME. THEY LOOKED LIKE THE 1976 CANADIENS DE MONTRÉAL · Jesperi Kotkaniemi: It was a perfect way to finnish (sorry) the scoring. The Habs connecting on a late power play when Drouin (who else?) fed — TONY MARINARO (@TONYMARINARO) FEBRUARY 8, 2019 Kotkaniemi for a one-timer high over Hellebuyck’s glove to the short side. What I will say is the last time the Montreal Canadiens had a forward with The Habs put the teenager there on the first power play unit to do just so much obvious raw talent was the very brief Pierre Turgeon era of the that. And while he might not have looked elegant in scoring, as he mid 90s. stumbled to the ice while connecting, his tenth goal of the season and fourth in four games, did put an impressive looking bow on Montreal’s It’s one thing to give credit to Drouin for scoring and picking up points most enjoyable and important win of the season. against defensively challenged and slow teams like Edmonton and Anaheim, respectively. But when a legit Stanley Cup contender like · Joel Armia: He didn’t hit the score sheet but in his first game against the Winnipeg shows up at the Bell Centre and is so utterly dominated by Jets since they traded him to Montreal, Armia looked better than any of Drouin and his linemates, it’s almost a revelation. his former teammates. Be honest. You thought the Habs might get steamrolled by the Jets. · Carey Price: Ho hum. Seven straight wins. And he keeps climbing the Especially after Mark Scheifele finished off a 2-on-1 with Kyle Connor NHL goalie stats ladder. after a terrible Montreal line change to open the scoring less than five SO, THE TOP 5 GOALIES BY SV% (30+ GP) IS REALLY minutes into the game. INTERESTING RIGHT NOW. PIC.TWITTER.COM/PFJG0RQDRQ But Phillip Danault, Brendan Gallagher and Drouin were just getting — PAUL CAMPBELL (@WAYTOGOPAUL) FEBRUARY 6, 2019 started. They almost opened the scoring on the shift just prior to the Jets’ goal. And when Drouin started and finished the play that tied the game · Brad Watson and Tim Nowak: The Veteran officials will soon be retiring. less than three minutes after Montreal fell behind, it marked the They both worked their final game in Montreal. The 57-year old Watson beginning of one of the best performances by a Canadian trio in Montreal has refereed over 1,370 games and eight Stanley Cup Finals. Linesman since Rush’s R40 tour hit the Bell Centre four years ago. Nowak, who is 53, has worked over 1,700 games. This was a very cool and classy moment provided by the Canadiens. Drouin’s career high four-point night and nine shots on goal (!) gave him nine points in his last three games. That takes him to 46 points for the THE BAD season, just one shy of team leader Max Domi. It also equals Drouin’s output for all of last season. Danault’s four-point night gives him 40 for · Brendan Lemieux goal: It came in garbage time and in front of his father the season, equaling his career high set two seasons ago. Claude who was in the crowd. But it did little to make the Jets feel any better. It seems so long since Price allowed a stinker. Best to do so when Maybe, as Stu Cowan of The Gazette put it to Claude Julien on Super it means nothing, other than perhaps a tick in his save percentage. Bowl Sunday, there is “something special” going on. THE UGLY Yes, the Danault line and the Habs took advantage of an obviously rusty Dustin Byfuglien, who missed Winnipeg’s previous 15 games with an · Gord Miller: One of hockey’s best voices and a member of the injury. But if there was any steamrolling that went down on the ice it was International Federation Hall of Fame – in large part because by the Habs, and specifically the Danault line, whenever the Scheifele of his work during the annual World Junior Hockey Championships – is trio was on the ice. In fact, the only time the Scheifele-Connor-Blake understandably sensitive on the topic of properly developing 18-year-old Wheeler threesome looked dangerous again was during the second draft picks. Gord has suggested, on several occasions, that Kotkaniemi period when Winnipeg had a short change and Paul Maurice was able to, would have been better served by playing this season in Finland. But, if on a couple of occasions, get them away from the Danault line. not for Elias Petterson in Vancouver, where would Kotkaniemi rank in the race for the Calder trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year? After This wasn’t just a shutdown operation by Montreal. They blanketed the becoming the youngest NHL player ever to score goals in four Jets’ best players and packed them into a box. consecutive games, even Gord seems to be coming around, ever so slowly. Sorry Gord. As Maurice said during a mid-game chat with of RDS, “We’re fooling around with the puck (too much).” Post-game Maurice was more The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 precise. “When I say we were no good, the coach is in on that too. We were all horseshit tonight. Big time.” But as impressive as the Habs looked in grabbing a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes while racking up 36 shots on goal, there was still a strong sense that the Jets would come back. Winnipeg is, after all, the best third period team in the National Hockey League. 1129815 Montreal Canadiens Second, the best players at gaining the zone don’t try to barge up the ice solo all the time like Houde. They recognize that the best scoring opportunities often come from using your teammates and off-the-puck Brown: Canadiens prospect Samuel Houde and the adjustments that skating. Once again, Houde has done this, as he showed in the goal would allow his awe-inspiring skill to shine below. Third, sometimes, you just have to shoot. While dangling around a player and getting a point-blank shot is nice, if the attacker hasn’t properly set Mitch Brown up the dangle by attacking on an arc, that move will result in a turnover more often than not. So, shoot Houde! Watch what he does in the clips Feb 8, 2019 below. He doesn’t have an angle on the defender, so he makes the simple play and shoots.

Those three remedies are plays that Houde has already done, but now About once or twice a game, Samuel Houde makes a play that leaves it’s about changing those rushes from outliers into patterns. Houde’s you in awe. The type of eye-catching play he makes is varied. newfound speed has definitely caused some of this straight-line play. Sometimes it’s a perfectly placed wrister just under the crossbar, or it’s a Integrating more crossovers into his open-ice skating will keep him agile one-touch dangle through a defender, or maybe even a 70-foot lob pass and efficient. It will create confusion among opposing defenders and add that lands perfectly for a teammate to rush up the ice. more diversity to his rush patterns. If you looked solely at these plays, you’d think Houde would be sitting The second inhibitor of Houde’s production is his shooting decisions. near the top of the QMJHL’s scoring race. But he’s not. In fact, you have With just 2.27 shots on goal per game (99th in the QMJHL), it’s clear that to scroll a really long time, past the the top-100, before finally stopping at Houde needs to shoot more. As mentioned earlier, it starts with shooting No. 106 to find the Canadiens 2018 fifth-round draft pick sitting with 29 more off the rush instead of trying to dangle, but it applies in all points in 48 games. situations. So how does a prospect with so much skill wind up with so few points? Here are two examples of Houde’s shooting ability. First, he skates to the At the junior level, there are a myriad of reasons why a skilled player top of the circle in a relatively relaxed stance. Then, in a quarter-second, doesn’t score. Maybe it’s because he’s skilled in a way that doesn’t he shifts his weight to his outside leg and wrists a powerful shot off the translate into points, such as being a great stickhandler but lacking crossbar and in. He doesn’t even have to draw the puck behind his shooting or passing ability. Or it can be a particularly bad level of effort. skates to maximize power. It’s just a laser beam. But neither of these are the case with Houde. Second, Houde dangles around a defender and releases a quick wrister Then perhaps it’s the team? Or his ice time? Nope; is 10th in in stride. Shooting in stride like Houde does here is deceptive because the QMJHL in goals scored, and he’s likely the team’s most used centre. most players spread their feet before shooting. Basically, he skips a step in the shooting process, making the shot more dangerous because it is Sometimes the answer is bad luck. Houde’s 11.9 shooting percentage is less predictable. slightly above league average, but it’s below average for players with his level of point production (the disparity in shooting talent in the QMJHL is There are only a handful of players in the QMJHL who can shoot like huge). Still, the extra couple of goals wouldn’t shift his production much. that, and almost all of them are near the top of the goal-scoring race. But Houde doesn’t have the shot volume and, as a result, the goals those The answer includes a combination of elements. Yes, he could get a bit other players have. luckier at times, but he lacks the details that players of equivalent skill have. Let’s focus on that. From a skill standpoint, Houde has a tendency to bobble passes, which leads to him missing out on shooting opportunities. I’m not sure if he’s Houde is technically gifted with 1-on-1 moves, varied passing skills and a just getting ahead of himself or if it’s related to his stick choice, but powerful and precise shot. Those raw skills give him NHL upside. finding a solution would be a big benefit. He also has a high ceiling for growth. In hockey speak, Houde is raw, or, While Houde has a variety of shots and releases, his shot selection is in other words, he hasn’t figured out how to maximize his skills. problematic. He’ll try to beat goaltenders with a quick release in a situation where maximizing power should be a priority, or he will hang His development will be integral from here on, but the early returns have onto the puck too long trying to make a flashy play rather than taking the been positive despite his lack of production. initial, high-quality look. Houde’s skating has improved from below NHL average to average in a He could also do a better job timing movements to the slot and picking up single off-season. That’s rare. However, he lacks the secondary skills, rebounds, like fellow Canadiens prospect Allan McShane has done this the layers, of other prospects with a similar skill level. year to great effect. So, what are those secondary skills and how can he improve them? A third limiter of Houde’s production is his passing decisions. Houde is a With just 15 of his 29 points coming at 5-on-5, hockey’s most common technically skilled passer, completing passes on both the forehand and situation is where Houde has the most room to grow. Improvement will backhand after adjusting his reach and also executing saucer passes. have to start with the way he attacks off the rush. The main issue is that Houde needs to be more willing to pass, and I’m not convinced he has the vision to match his skill. Houde is Chicoutimi’s most important puck carrier, leading the team with 16 controlled entries per 60 minutes of ice time in a 12-game tracking Paradoxically, Houde needs to shoot less. That’s right, after just saying sample. He’s also among the most efficient puck carriers on his team, he needs to shoot more, I said he also needs to shoot less. Houde often preferring controlled offensive zone entries 71 percent of the time (2nd gets in this mindset of dangle or shoot, with no pass considered, despite on Chicoutimi) and successfully gaining the zone with those controlled a passing opportunity being present. So it’s a matter of making the right entries 85 percent of the time (3rd on Chicoutimi). decision at the right time. The issues lie in how Houde gains the offensive zone and what he does Here are two examples. In both clips, Houde has the option to make a once he gets there because not all entries are created equal. Too often slick pass to a teammate in a scoring location. Instead, in this clip he tries Houde rushes straight up the middle of the ice, taking on groups of a low percentage wraparound instead of hitting his teammate on the defenders instead of resetting in the neutral zone and maintaining other side of the net, with his teammate carrying a shooting percentage possession. These attempts often fail and result in turnovers (defined as of over 23 percent in this situation if Houde can get him the puck. a rush without a shot created). These are typical examples of Houde’s In the second clip, Houde could sneak a pass down to his teammate rush patterns, the way he most often gains the offensive zone. moving behind the defence without much hassle for a scoring chance. Houde, however, has the skills to improve and diversify his rush patterns. Instead, he looks off in the other direction and takes a shot on goal. I’ve identified three ways he can improve them. Now watch Houde in a similar situation. This time, he looks and sees his First, the best stickhandlers set up dekes by attacking on an arc, rather teammate in a better position to get a scoring chance. than in a straight line like Houde did in the clips above. Attacking from the Did you notice how Houde entered the offensive zone? Rather than side increases the rate of success because it forces defenders to respect trying to dangle through the defender or skate down the outside, he the threat of a pass, shot, or cut. That triple threat in turn makes immediately cuts across the top. That’s an example of a smart rush defenders susceptible to moving their feet in the wrong direction. Houde pattern by Houde and the interconnectedness of the three elements has shown the ability to do this. we’ve discussed: Rush patterns, shooting, and passing. Houde’s rush patterns will become more diverse once he starts shooting more; his goal totals will increase once his rush patterns become more varied; the assists will pile up if he starts looking for his teammates once he gains the zone in a higher variety of ways. And, of course, getting stronger and faster will allow him to develop more offensive layers. Houde is not the first prospect in the organization to be in this situation. Ryan Poehling, the Canadiens’ first-round pick in 2017, had similar issues, although he has a better base of skills. He spent his draft year attacking in straight lines and making poor shooting and passing decisions, but he’s improved significantly in a short period of time, and now looks like he could be a top-six centre in the NHL. The reality is that not every skilled prospect will put it together. No matter how simple some solutions may appear, they are always complex and require coaching and training. Houde could easily become just another skilled player who failed to add layers to his skill, like Canadiens prospects Sebastian Collberg, Daniel Audette and Olivier Archambault before him. The Canadiens selected Houde in the fifth round with the hope he’d refine his skills. So far, he’s made moderate improvements, but it’s now up to Houde and the Canadiens development staff to really maximize his enticing potential. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129816 Nashville Predators "It's great what they're doing for little girls. I saw a post saying some girl, like 3 or 4 years old, watched (Schofield at the NHL skills event) and was like, 'I want to play hockey.' I think they're doing an awesome job being Could all-star game in Nashville set U.S. women's pro hockey attendance role models and examples." record on Sunday? The NWHL has five franchises scattered from Minnesota to Buffalo. Rylan reached out to the Predators and found them receptive to bringing the all-star game to the South for the first time. Tommy Deas "Nashville was on our short list," the commissioner said. "It actually didn't 3:01 p.m. CT Feb. 8, 2019 take much selling. The Predators have been amazing to work with and actually see the value in bringing the NWHL all-stars to town."

Tennessean LOADED: 02.09.2019 Rocco Grimaldi wasn't surprised when Kendall Coyne Schofield placed seventh in the speed skate competition last month at NHL All-Star Weekend. The Predators center has worked in the offseason with Monique Lamoureux-Morando and Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, twin sisters who helped the U.S. win women's hockey gold at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics last year. "I've trained with them for the last couple of summers," Grimaldi said. "They had specifically talked about Kendall and her speed. "Could I take her in a speed skating race? I don't know. She beat my time last year — I fell, though." Schofield will be among the players competing during the National Women's Hockey League All-Star Weekend. She will be part of the skills competition Saturday at Ford Ice Center and in the NWHL All-Star Game that will take place Sunday at Bridgestone Arena following the Predators' game against the St. Louis Blues. The skills competition is already sold out. Those who attend the Predators' game can stay to watch the 2:45 p.m. all-star game — which will consist of two 25-minute halves — at no additional cost. Tickets, priced at $20, are also on sale through Ticketmaster and at the door. The NWHL hopes to have a record crowd at the all-star event. "The is actually our first all-star game on NHL ice, so it's an opportunity to set an attendance record for professional women's hockey in the United States," said Dani Rylan, the league's commissioner. "Around 2,700 would be our current record. "Our sport made huge gains in San Jose at the NHL All-Star Game. Now we have our stage in Nashville and it's our time to shine again, and we want to prove that these moments exist beyond 14 seconds of Kendall Coyne skating around the rink." All-Star goalie Katie Burt practiced Friday with the Predators at Centennial Sportsplex. She found herself in goal behind 6-foot-6 Brian Boyle for one period. "That was awesome," she said. "Obviously when I was younger there was no women's professional league so we dreamed of winning cups and playing in the NHL, so to get on the ice here with those guys was awesome. "Just the guys, they were so welcoming. They welcomed me right in. I went in the video room and introduced myself, they call came up and shook my hand. That was an experience that was something special to me." Said Boyle, "I think I scored on one deflection in the beginning and then she saved every single one after that. She went to (Boston College), I went to (Boston College). I'm from Mass, she's from Mass. We were chatting a little bit. It's cool just to have that competitiveness on the ice. She got me this time. If I see her in the offseason I'll try to get the better of her in the matchup." On Saturday, the league will host a Play Like a Girl Leadership Summit at 11 a.m. at Ford Ice Center, a learn-to-play clinic for girls at 3 p.m. and a Black Girl Hockey Club meet-up at noon at Bridgestone Arena. Last year's all-star game in Minnesota was seen by more than 500,000 people via live stream on Twitter. This year's event will be the best collection of women's hockey talent on the ice at one time outside of the Olympics. "In the all-star game we'll have 10 Olympians from the U.S. national team and a Canadian Olympian in ," Rylan said. "We will play four-on-four, fast-paced hockey. It's the best sampling of professional women's hockey and it should be a great time." Grimaldi doesn't need to be sold. "They're the best girls from around the world," he said. "They can play: good skaters, they can shoot. They can do everything just like we can. 1129817 New Jersey Devils

‘Let’s get it on!’ Devils will give away 'Seinfeld’ inspired David Puddy bobbleheads

February 8, 2019 at 4:12 PM Chris Ryan

If you support the team like David Puddy, you’ll be able to take home part of his iconic “Seinfeld” character. The Devils will give away Puddy-inspired bobbleheads to the first 9,000 fans at a home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, part of the team’s 1990s theme night. The bobblehead will feature Patrick Warburton’s character in his trademark Devils face paint, used to support his favorite team in the 1995 episode called “The Face Painter,” where Puddy geared up for a playoff game against the Rangers.

Yea that’s right #devils #njdevils ⁦@NJDevils⁩ pic.twitter.com/eQVYw2c6gW — patrick warburton (@paddywarbucks) February 7, 2019 Warburton, a Paterson native, recreated his ensemble during the Devils’ 2018 playoff appearance against the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he joined the crowd at The Rock to support the team in Game 4. Clips from Warburton’s appearance still make routine cameos at current Devils games, and his scene from the episode, which aired more than 20 years ago, is featured at road games each season. Star Ledger LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129818 New Jersey Devils

Will Devils’ Taylor Hall play again this season? Injury updates on Joey Anderson, Miles Wood

February 8, 2019 at 2:50 PM Chris Ryan

Coach John Hynes fully expects forward Taylor Hall to play again this season. The Devils forward hasn’t played since Dec. 23, missing the team’s past 18 games while dealing with a nagging a lower body injury that popped up in early December. He has missed 20 games total this season. Hynes didn’t put a percentage on the odds of Hall returning to the lineup, but he remained steadfast in his assertion that the reigning Hart Trophy winner will be able to suit up in the coming two months. “As of now, we are planning on him coming back and playing,” Hynes said Friday. “He is on a progression plan to play, and we’re anticipating that. Right now there’s no plans of him not playing this year.” Is Schneider back after strong outing? Hall’s rehab work has remained primarily off the ice, though he has skated on occasion in recent weeks. At this point, Hynes said the Devils are going to take every step to ensure is 100 percent healthy when he returns to the lineup. “He wants to play. Any player that comes into the NHL wants to play,” Hynes said. “I know he’s been frustrated with his injury and coming back and trying to make it work. But he’s also very conscious of when he does come back, he’s truly ready to come back and play and get his game back and work to get better as a player.” Forward Joey Anderson is expected to make his return to the lineup when the Devils host the Minnesota Wild at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark. Anderson has not played since breaking his ankle on Nov. 21 and undergoing surgery eight days later. Anderson will take Miles Wood’s spot in the lineup. Wood won’t play Saturday after leaving Thursday’s 2-1 shootout loss to the New York Islanders after hitting the ice hard in the second period. The Devils called him day-to-day with an upper body injury. Wood’s status helped make the decision on Anderson’s next step. The Devils toyed with the idea of giving Anderson a game in the AHL over the weekend before having him join the NHL team on its three-game road trip next week. But with Wood out, Hynes was comfortable with Anderson’s work and progress in practice to put him right back into the NHL lineup. “He’s been here, he’s played well. He was a big part of our team when he got hurt,” Hynes said. “So we’ll give him a chance and see how he does here first.” The Devils’ lineup on Saturday should look the same other than the swap of Wood and Anderson. The Devils also play the Carolina Hurricanes at 3 p.m. on Sunday, and Hynes said goalies Cory Schneider and Keith Kinkaid will both get one start in the back-to-back. The decision on the order will come down to how Schneider felt physically after Friday’s practice. Star Ledger LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129819 New Jersey Devils Position: LW/RW Age: 27 NHL trade rumors: Top 35 targets before 2019 deadline | Artemi Panarin 2018-19 stats: 50 GP, 10 G, 12 A, 22 P switches agents; Wayne Simmonds, Mark Stone available Contract after 2018-19: UFA

Panik has been traded twice since 2016, and with the Coyotes not in Chris Ryan contention this season, he's a candidate to move again. Courtesy of the Toronto Marlies The 2018-19 NHL season is approaching the trade deadline, where 31-Kasperi Kapanen contending teams around the league will turn into buyers, looking to add key players for the end of the regular season and the Stanley Cup Current team: Toronto Maple Leafs Playoffs. Position: RW Teams out of postseason contention will be selling some strong pieces, Age: 22 and some good players could be on the move prior to the Feb. 25 trade deadline. 2018-19 stats: 52 GP, 15 G, 15 A, 30 P Columbus Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin ranks among the top Contract after 2018-19: RFA players potentially available, and he fired agent Dan Milstein in early February, according to multiple reports, to switch to Paul Theofanous. Kapanen will be coming off his entry level contract this summer, so he Under Milstein, Paranin said he would not negotiate a contract extension has years of team control in front of him. If the Leafs are looking to in Columbus during the season. bolster their roster for a Stanley Cup run, using Kapanen to do so is a possibility. Goalie and fellow Blue Jacket Sergei Bobrovsky is also represented by Theofanous. Bobrovsky is another potential trade target, and both 30-Cam Fowler players will be unrestricted free agents this summer. Current team: Anaheim Ducks Ottawa Senators forwards Mark Stone and Matt Duchene, New York Position: D Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello and Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard are also some of the names to watch in the coming weeks. The Age: 27 New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers and other could be among the teams looking to move players. 2018-19 stats: 31 GP, 3 G, 8 A, 11 P Here's a look at 35 of the top targets potentially on the trade market Contract after 2018-19: 7 years, $6.5 million AAV approaching the deadline. The idea of moving a player with that much term left on a contract might 35-Michael Raffl sound crazy, but things are strange in Anaheim right now. Outside of John Gibson, the team has struggled for most of the season, and their Current team: Philadelphia Flyers recent run has them outside of the playoff picture. If the team wants to blow everything up, trading Fowler to another team looking to rebuild its Position: LW blue line could make sense. 2018-19 stats: 39 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 P 29-Eric Fehr Contract after 2018-19: Unrestricted Free Agent Current team: Minnesota Wild Raffl's not a big scorer, but he brings some bottom-six and penalty kill Position: C stability for a team looking for an extra piece. With new management in place in Philly with GM , the team could look to move the Age: 33 pending free agent, even if the Flyers' hot streak continues. 2018-19 stats: 43 GP, 5 G, 5 A, 10 P 34-Adam McQuaid Contract after 2018-19: UFA 34-Adam McQuaid Fehr was traded prior to the 2018 deadline, going from the Maple Leafs Current team: New York Rangers to the Sharks, and he signed a one-year deal with the Wild last summer. If the Wild sell, he's another option to move this month. Position: D 28-Jeff Carter Age: 32 Current team: Los Angeles Kings 2018-19 stats: 28 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 P Position: C Contract after 2018-19: UFA Age: 34 McQuaid was traded during training camp in September, joining the Rangers after spending his entire career with the Bruins. The pending 2018-19 stats: 51 GP, 10 G, 15 A, 25 P free agent could fetch something from a contender looking for a cheap defensive addition. Contract after 2018-19: 3 years, $5,272,727 AAV 33-Ryan Dzingel Carter still has a lot of term left on his contract, but considering the Kings have already started shedding some of their older talent, he could also Current team: Ottawa Senators be a player the team looks to move this month. If he stays, a summer deal is always an option, too. Position: LW Chris Ryan Age: 26 27-Eric Staal 2018-19 stats: 50 GP, 20 G, 19 A, 39 P Current team: Minnesota Wild Contract after 2018-19: UFA Position: C In a lost season for Ottawa, Dzingel has been a bright spot. His numbers have increased in each of his four NHL seasons. Since he's just 26, he is Age: 34 someone the Senators could look to lock up long term, but he could bring back a decent return if the team tried to move him. 2018-19 stats: 52 GP, 17 G, 20 A, 37 P 32-Richard Panik Contract after 2018-19: UFA Current team: Arizona Coyotes The Wild are very much in contention for the postseason in the Western Position: G Conference, so they're a team that could look to add rather than sell at the deadline. But considering the front office changed hands last Age: 29 summer, new GM Paul Fenton could few Staal as an asset to sell before 2018-19 stats: 36 GP, 14-15-6, 3.12 GAA, .893 save percentage his deal expires. Considering he has 87 goals and 91 assists since signing a three-year deal with the Wild, his $3.5 million AAV is a steal. Contract after 2018-19: UFA 26-Cam Talbot Kinkaid is in the final year of his contract, and with the presence of Cory Schneider on a long-term deal and the emergence of Mackenzie Current team: Edmonton Oilers Blackwood in New Jersey, the Devils could have the opening to trade Position: G him before the deadline. Kinkaid hasn't posted the same numbers as last season, but he's still had strong outings and has shown he can win Age: 31 2 consistently in the NHL. 018-19 stats: 28 GP, 9-13-3, 3.34 GAA, .893 save percentage 20-Chris Kreider Contract after 2018-19: UFA Current team: New York Rangers The Oilers already gave a three-year contract extension to goalie Mikko Position: LW Koskinen, who has played one more game than Talbot this season. If the Oilers have the chance to move Talbot, they'll likely take it. Age: 27 25-Alex Edler 2018-19 stats: 52 GP, 24 G, 16 A, 40 P Current team: Vancouver Canucks Contract after 2018-19: 1 year, $4.625 million AAV Position: D The Rangers have two forwards in the final years of their respective contracts — both will be mentioned soon — so they're not in a spot Age: 32 where they have to deal Kreider. But the team hasn't shied away from trading players with term on their contracts over the past two seasons, so 2018-19 stats: 38 GP, 5 G, 15 A, 20 P he will be an option if the Rangers sell. Contract after 2018-19: UFA 19-Jakub Silfverberg Edler has spent his entire career in Vancouver, but if the Canucks fall out Current team: Anaheim Ducks of the race approaching the trade deadline, he's a name to keep an eye on. He is currently sidelined with a concussion. Position: RW 24-Jamie McGinn Age: 28 Current team: Florida Panthers 2018-19 stats: 45 GP, 12 G, 8 A, 20 P Position: LW/RW Contract after 2018-19: UFA Age: 30 With the Ducks trending away from the postseason picture, Silfverberg could be one of the players the team moves ahead of the deadline before 2018-19 stats: 0 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P his current contract expires on July 1. Contract after 2018-19: UFA Star Ledger LOADED: 02.09.2019 McGinn hasn't played an NHL game this season while dealing with a back injury, but he recently made his first AHL appearance after clearing waivers. If he gets going in the next few weeks at either level, he's a possible gamble for a team looking for forward depth. Ilya Kovalchuck scores to cap off dreadful 3rd period for Devils in loss to Kings | Rapid reaction 23-Cody Ceci Current team: Ottawa Senators Position: D Age: 25 2018-19 stats: 48 GP, 5 G, 10 A, 15 P Contract after 2018-19: Restricted Free Agent Ceci still has one season of restricted free agency left before he's eligible to hit the open market as early as the summer of 2020. So if the rebuilding Senators get the right package, Ceci could be another trade option for a selling team. 22-Carl Hagelin Current team: Los Angeles Kings Position: LW Age: 30 2018-19 stats: 31 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 P Contract after 2018-19: UFA Hagelin has already been traded once this season, going from the Penguins to the Kings. With the Kings set to sell, Hagelin is a natural option to move. His stats this season aren't overwhelming, but he has the experience of 121 postseason games. 21-Keith Kinkaid Current team: New Jersey Devils 1129820 New Jersey Devils As much as Schneider feels the pressure to win his first regular-season game since Dec. 27, 2017, his teammates around him are certainly sharing the burden. Is Cory Schneider back? How Devils goalie found form in loss to They may not be actively thinking about it in the middle of games, but the Islanders: 6 observations | Blake Coleman, Kevin Rooney, more skaters want to lift the weight of the drought as much as the goalie. "You dig in and try to get it for him. You don’t change anything that you’re Chris Ryan trying to do, but I don’t want to say we’re playing harder just because it’s him," Greene said. "It’s just, it’s tough that we didn’t get to reward him tonight. Over all the games over the last whatever, that was the one we should have gotten for him." The Devils aren't in the business of moral victories. However, Cory Schneider's performance on Thursday gave the team plenty of reason for Outside of a mental miscue that lead to Mathew Barzal's breakaway goal optimism about the goalie. in the first period, the Devils didn't make many mistakes in front of Schneider, giving him the best chance to make his 27 saves. In his first start since Dec. 14, Schneider made 27 saves on 28 shots in regulation and overtime, and after stopping three straight shots to start The Devils also matched the physicality of an Islanders team that the shootout, Josh Bailey eventually beat him in the fourth round to cap controlled both ends of the ice in the teams' previous meeting. off a 2-1 New York Islanders win at Prudential Center in Newark. “We came prepared to play. It was a real strong game for us, and we Short of actually winning, Schneider did everything in his power to get the didn’t find a way to get two points," Hynes said. "Cory, he’s a well-liked Devils two points, even though his 13-month regular-season winless and well-respected member of our team and a big part of the drought stayed in tact. brotherhood. he’s a leader. He’s a guy that’s gone through a lot of adversity, but I think when he’s going though that himself, he’s never Here's what the goalie and the Devils saw in arguably his best been in a situation where it became about him. It’s always been about performance during that stretch, plus more on the loss to the Islanders. the team first." What Cory Schneider's best outing of the season means And as much as the Devils want Schneider to get back in the win column, teammates and coaches don't doubt it's coming. For all the goalie's The biggest difference defenseman Andy Greene noticed came on struggles this season, they still trust Schneider is capable of playing at a rebounds. When shots reached Schneider earlier this season, some high level. rebounds got loose in the crease or got out of control, leading to scrambling and some second opportunities. "All those questions came from outside the locker room," Hynes said. "They didn’t come from inside the locker room, they didn’t come from our When most shots hit Schneider on Thursday, if they weren't deflected management, they didn’t come from our ownership, they didn’t come cleanly to the corners, the play died right in front of the goalie. from the teammates, they didn’t come from the coaches. They came from "Every puck hit him, and it stopped or laid right there," the Devils captain everybody else that has opinions outside the room. So no one in that said. "The rebounds are right there. He was gobbling them. He sucked locker room or in our organization is surprised by that." them in, whereas before some were leaking through or a little out of Coaches will talk to Coleman about penalties reach for him. It seemed like tonight they were all perfect. I don’t think you could change anything he did." Blake Coleman took a pair of minor penalties on Thursday, giving him six total for 12 penalty minutes over his past four games. In 23 games prior Throughout his last week at practice, Schneider said he felt more to that stretch, Coleman had 10 penalty minutes. comfortable in every aspect of his game, and that confidence rolled over into Thursday's action. The forward's game involves the tenacity and aggression that requires toeing the line between physical plays and penalties, so it's possible this He didn't do anything drastically different from his games earlier this small stretch is just a case of Coleman going a tad too far. season, but a little more refinement and trust made a big difference. But considering Coleman is one of the team's top penalty killers, "Sometimes it just comes down to competing on pucks a little bit harder," alongside Travis Zajac, having him in the box takes away from one of the Schneider said. "You think you’re doing it, but until you get to that level, team's strengths. there’s a difference there. But I felt just a little more fluid, a little more athletic, just able to explode and move around the net a little bit better. "I’m going to sit down and talk with Blake. Really his last three games, we need better from him," Hynes said. "We need more, we need him a little "Getting better pushes, getting to my spots sooner, which sets you up for bit more focused, back to what his identity is, We don’t need him in the the next shot or the next pass, instead of sitting back and reacting and penalty box. He’s one of our bet penalty killers and he’s such an being late to the puck in the zone. Doesn’t sound like much, but you important player for us the I think there needs to be a little bit a of mental know it when you feel it, and it makes a big difference.” rest for him, and we’ll discuss that with him, and we’ll look for a better Those subtleties can be make evaluating goalie play difficult, and often Blake Coleman against the Wild." times it takes a fine-tooth comb for coaches to identify and pinpoint One of Coleman's penalties was offset by a Barzal roughing call, so the things in a net minder's play to find improvement. Devils needed to kill just one penalty with Coleman in the box. But on a But just watching Thursday's game live, Devils coach John Hynes didn't night where Zajac briefly left after getting hit in the head with a puck and need a detailed video review to detect a different level to Schneider's the Devils were playing without Brian Boyle for the first time, the penalty play. kill depth passed a test. "You could see he was square, particularly early in the game. There were Fourth line actively involved a couple chances in the first period where he had to make some point- As the home team, the Devils got the chance to pick their starting lineup blank saves. He looked much more confident in the net," Hynes said. "He after the Islanders, so when Hynes saw Barry Trotz trot out his fourth line wasn’t guessing. He looked more of what Cory is. Really strong to start the game, he did the same. positional goalie. Squared up to the shots. He was good on his rebounds, and the other thing, I thought he did a really good job of fighting to find That trio of Kurtis Gabriel, Kevin Rooney and Brett Seney went on to pucks through traffic. " have a big night. The win still evaded Schneider, who oddly enough, lost a shootout to the Rooney connected for the Devils' lone goal, taking a Gabriel pass and Islanders in his last start against them in January of 2018. racing into the offensive zone before snapping a shot home from the inside of the left circle. The big step for him came when his practice play made it's way into an NHL game, and replicating that performance will produce winning results. Physically, all three were hard on the boards and in front of both nets. They caused turnovers on the forecheck and caused some havoc. “I was confident that I could come out tonight and play a good game, just as a I got into it more and more, it just felt more natural and got into the Even if they didn't score the goal, it would have been a successful night. rhythm of the game," Schneider said. "It’s only one, it’d be nice to get a win, but if I’m able to repeat how I felt and my technique and all that stuff Gabriel in particular had his most efficient game in a Devils uniform. going forward, then hopefully sooner than later." "When you look at the energy he brings, he’s a physical presence," Are Devils feeling pressure to get Schneider a win? Hynes said. "He’s a guy that know how to play. he’s got better hands than I think people give him credit for. He’s a smart player. He’s defensively responsible when he’s in the D-zone. He’s a tough kid. He’s physical. He does’t pass cup checks and he brings a lot of energy to the room." How PK played without Brian Boyle Even when the Devils were at full strength and had their pick of players for the PK, Hynes called Rooney one the organization's best on the ice shorthanded. Now with the opportunity there, Hynes won't hesitate to give him the ice time. Rooney played 3:58 of penalty kill time on Thursday, ranking him second on the team behind just Greene, who leads the NHL in shorthanded time. "A real positive tonight, even over the last few games, has been Kevin Rooney," Hynes said. "He’s a guy we felt coming in (to training camp) could be a guy that could elevate the team. I think when you see his physicality that he’s playing with, his speed, he’s got good size. You can tell he’s a lot more comfortable and I think now, he’s has multiple opportunities to become an NHL regular. Now you’re starting to see an identity with him, and he’s an excellent penalty killer." It's also worth mentioning on Greene that only three players since the 2012-13 season have averaged more shorthanded ice time per game for a full season than his current 3:58 per game clip. One of those players was Greene himself, who averaged 3:59 during the 2014-15 campaign. Thursday was an identity game for Devils From almost every aspect, Thursday was a difficult day for the Devils. They played a game just 24 hours after trading away one of the key figures in their locker room in Brian Boyle, and then playing against the Metropolitan Division's leading team, they had Zajac and Miles Wood leave the game with injuries. Zajac returned, but Wood did not after suffering what Hynes called an upper body injury from falling hard to the ice. Despite that, they came within a Jesper Bratt double doink in overtime — where he hit the post and crossbar with a shot — or one conversion on three shootout chances from winning the game. "Being in an adverse situation today, where you’ve got a key member of our team gets traded," Hynes said. "We’ve got a lot of guys stepping up into the lineup. We had injuries during the game. It was a strong culture game, a brotherhood game from that perspective." Star Ledger LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129821 New Jersey Devils

Devils waste a Cory Schneider gem in shootout loss to Islanders | Rapid reaction

Feb 8, 12:25 PM Chris Ryan

Cory Schneider did everything possible to end his personal losing streak. It still wasn’t enough. Despite making several difficult saves on dangerous shots over the course of the night, the Devils couldn’t muster enough offense to win in regulation or overtime, and the New York Islanders got the deciding goal from Josh Bailey in a shootout for a 2-1 victory on Thursday at Prudential Center in Newark. Schneider stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced in regulation, surrendering his only goal on a Mathew Barzal uncontested breakaway in the first period. He then stopped all four shots he faced in overtime, including a glove save on Bailey from the slot. The Devils nearly ended the game in OT when Jesper Brett drilled the crossbar on a rush. Brian Boyle was a member of the New Jersey Devils for less than two seasons, but he left a distinct mark on his teammates and the organization prior to his trade to the Nashville Predators on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 (2/6/19). Scoring plays Kevin Rooney got the scoring going for the Devils with a quick strike at 5:32 of the first period when he raced over the blue line and into the left side of the slot, where he snapped a shot past Thomas Greiss for his second goal of the season. Schneider avoided the early-game goals that plagued him earlier this season, but a Barzal breakaway got the Islanders on the board before the first intermission. Barzal took a pass from Ryan Pulock after emerging from the penalty box, giving him a clear path to net. He went to his backhand and flipped a shot past Schneider at the left post at 13:42 of the first. The Islanders got another breakaway later in the period when Valtteri Filppula took a pass while emerging from the box. Schneider stopped his shot, but Ben Lovejoy took a tripping penalty while in pursuit. The Devils successfully killed that power play during a 4-for-4 night on the PK. One of those kills came early in the third period when the Islanders put the Devils under siege, pinning them in the defensive zone for a majority of the opening minutes. Schneider stayed strong in those moments, making a sliding save on a close shot at the crease before gloving a shot from the point was heading to the left post through traffic. Miles Wood leaves early Miles Wood hit the ice hard during the second period while battling with an Islanders defender in the offensive zone, and he skated to the bench in pain. He took his next shift, but he then returned to the bench and went down the tunnel. He did not return to the game. Devils coach John Hynes called it an upper body injury, but he did not have any further update on Wood. Next up The Devils will end their four-game home stand with back-to-back games over the weekend. They host the Minnesota Wild at 1 p.m. on Saturday before welcoming the Carolina Hurricanes to Prudential Center at 3 p.m. on Sunday. They will go on a three-game road trip next week, starting with a Tuesday game against the St. Louis Blues, and they will also have stops to play the Chicago Blackhawks and Wild. Star Ledger LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129822 New Jersey Devils morning with the coaches waiting to see how Schneider’s body responds to practice and the treatment he received Friday.

Bergen Record LOADED: 02.09.2019 Devils practice notes: Joey Anderson set to make return from injury, but with NJ?

Abbey Mastracco 5:26 p.m. ET Feb. 8, 2019

NEWARK – Sometimes playing time has a way of working itself out. That’s exactly what happened with Joey Anderson and why he’ll be remaining in Newark with Devils this weekend instead of heading to Binghamton to play with the team’s American Hockey League affiliate. An unfortunate collision with the net left Anderson needing surgery on his right ankle on Nov. 21. Even more unfortunate, his parents and girlfriend were in attendance, having come to New Jersey from Minnesota for the Thanksgiving week and to watch him play as an NHL pro for the first time. Devils’ brass debated sending Anderson back to Binghamton for a few games to test the ankle and get his legs back underneath him, but Miles Wood will be unable to play Saturday against the Minnesota Wild. The upper-body injury he suffered in the second period of Thursday’s 2-1 shootout loss against the Islanders won’t land him on injured reserve but it is serious enough to force him out of at least one, possibly two games this weekend, opening up a spot for Anderson. New Jersey Devils right wing Joey Anderson (49) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. “Joey has looked really good in practice and we really debated that yesterday afternoon, just what’s the best thing for him,” coach John Hynes said Friday after practice at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House. “Maybe have him go down and play a few games in Binghamton and then come up with us for the road trip. But with Miles going down, we feel like he’s been here, he’s played well and he was a big part of our team before he went down.” The 20-year-old Anderson, a product of Minnesota-Duluth, had just scored his first NHL goal a few days before the injury. But Anderson isn’t exactly an offensive force, what he does well is the things the Devils have not been doing well: He plays hard on pucks, on the forecheck and he’s a physical, yet deceptively speedy forward who can match up with heavier teams. “I want to keep showing the intangible things that have gotten me where I am in hockey,” Anderson said. “Winning puck battles, being smart on the puck, being in good spots, winning battles. The biggest thing is being hard to play against, being heavy and playing a fast game.” Taylor on track Nov 23, 2018; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Taylor Hall (9) skates with the puck against New York Islanders right wing Leo Komarov (47) during the second period at Prudential Center. The Devils have yet to update or upgrade the status of Taylor Hall, who has been on IR with a lower-body injury since New Year's Day. He has been on the ice but not consistently and he does not appear to be anywhere close to a return. With the playoffs out of reach and the team already selling off assets it seems unreasonable to bring back the reigning Hart Trophy winner and risk further injury but Hynes insists it’s important to Hall to play again this season and the trainers currently have him on a progression that will lead to him playing again. “I know he’s been frustrated with his injury and coming back and trying to make it work,” Hynes said. “But he’s also conscious that when he does come back, he is truly ready to come back and play. He wants to get his game back and work and continue to get better as a player. That’s what we’re anticipating.” Hall’s agent, Darren Ferris, shed little light on the injury during an interview with Sirius/XM Radio earlier this week but he did say Hall is still happy in New Jersey and he’s confident a deal will get done to extend his contract this summer. Weekend split Cory Schneider will get another start this weekend against either the Wild or the Carolina Hurricanes. The decision will be made by Saturday 1129823 New Jersey Devils Bergen Record LOADED: 02.09.2019

'Vintage' Cory Schneider is biggest takeaway in NJ Devils' shootout loss

Abbey Mastracco 8:13 a.m. ET Feb. 8, 2019

NEWARK – A lot of noise has surrounded Cory Schneider this season, and I don’t mean the sound of pucks ringing off the posts of his net. The Devils’ goalie hasn’t had a ton of help from the iron. Many in hockey wondered if he would ever be able to return to his old form after he posted the worst stats of his career through the first nine games of the season. Between the hip surgery last spring and the GAA over 4.50, many wondered if he was done. Coach John Hynes would like to remind everyone that that narrative was never one within the organization, but the only person who could truly answer that question was Schneider himself. Based on what he did Thursday night at Prudential Center in the Devils’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Islanders, the answer is no, he’s not done. “I don’t want to say vintage, but yeah, that’s the Cory I know and we know and it’s good to see it,” captain Andy Greene said. “Now let’s build on it.” Feb 7, 2019; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider (35) makes a glove save during the third period against the New York Islanders at Prudential Center. Schneider knows he’ll need to show more than just one 27-save shootout performance before everyone stops asking. “It might be nice to get a win,” Schneider said. "But if I’m able to repeat how I felt and my technique and all of that stuff moving forward then it might be sooner rather than later." Here are three takeaways from the loss. Schneider bounced back Goaltending has been the Devils’ Achilles heel all season but it didn’t look like there were many weaknesses in his game. He stopped 27 of 28 shots faced and three of the Islanders’ four shooters in the shootout. “He looked more of what Cory is,” Hynes said. “A really strong positional goalie who squares up to the shots.” Why he bounced back The Devils gave Schneider good defense in front of his net but he was certainly challenged. The Islanders had more high-danger scoring chances than the Devils and Schneider used his athleticism to cut down angles and get to his spots. He also showed good rebound control and vision through traffic. “I was competing on pucks harder,” Schneider said. “I felt more fluid, more athletic, able to explode and move around the net a little bit better and get to my spot sooner. I was getting stronger pushes and that sets you up for the next shot or the next pass instead of sitting back and reacting. “Just a couple things. It doesn’t sound like much but you know it when you feel it.” ‘Fight and focus’ What Hynes liked the most from the skaters in front of Schneider was the increased physicality and decreased mental lapses. They outshot the Islanders 31-28, out-hit them 31-23 and blocked key shots to help Schneider out. “Coming into the game, we talked about the fight and the focus,” he said. “The fight is winning your 1-on-1s, it’s second-efforts, it’s playing hard in the hard areas of the game, the net-fronts, the board play.” The focus part has been particularly difficult for the Devils in recent games but they were able to adjust when things didn’t go their way against the Islanders. “When you look at the focus part, that’s what’s kind of undone us a few times,” Hynes said. “We’ve missed some assignments, we’ve made some mistakes. We talked about guys doing their job and understanding getting into the game, you can compete but you can’t beat yourself. I thought you saw that focus a lot.” 1129824 New York Islanders

Trotz says Clutterbuck injury not serious

Brian Heyman February 9, 2019 12:26 AM

Fourteen Islanders stepped out on the ice at Friday’s optional practice, none of whom were named Cal Clutterbuck. The valuable fourth-line right wing departed in the second period of the Islanders’ 2-1 shootout win over the Devils on Thursday night. The specific problem wasn’t revealed, but Clutterbuck flexed his left knee moments after bumping legs with Nico Hischier. The injury isn’t serious, according to coach Barry Trotz. “I wouldn’t even say he’s day-to-day,” he said at Northwell Health Ice Center. “He’s today. We’re not playing; he’s not in.” Clutterbuck was feeling a little better, according to Trotz, who will see how he’s feeling Saturday. The Islanders have a weekend back-to-back against Colorado and Minnesota at Barclays Center. Ross Johnston and Tom Kuhnhackl are the candidates to replace Clutterbuck if need be. He has only six goals and eight assists but has done his fair share, along with linemates Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin, to lift the Metropolitan Division leaders. Clutterbuck also contributes on both special teams. “He’s a good all-around player,” Martin said. “Obviously, it’s good that it’s not a serious injury. I don’t know whether he can play or not [Saturday], but it’s not a long-term thing. He’ll be back sooner [rather] than later, which is a big positive for us.” The hard-working fourth line, reunited when Martin was reacquired in July after two seasons with Toronto, has been a big positive. Trotz has started the trio since New Year’s Eve. “Obviously, I have a lot of respect because I do start them every game,” he said. “I have trust in them. As a coach, that’s all you want from a line is that they can be predictable and you can trust them. “Obviously, Marty’s the biggest body and he’s probably the most physical body because when he does hit you, he can put a hurt on you. Obviously, Casey’s the guy who does a little bit of everything, but he’s got a lot of speed on that line. And Cal’s in between. He’s that middle weight, agitating, has a good skill level and shoots the puck pretty good. “When you put all those pieces together, they’re a good line . . . They’re responsible on both sides of the puck and they’ve been pretty productive.” They’ve been pretty appreciative about starting. “We enjoy it, for sure,” Martin said. “Generally, teams start their top lines, and then we’re going out there against them. Barry and his staff trusts us to go out there and shut them down and try to get games off to the right start.” Notes & quotes: Thomas Hickey (upper body) last played Dec. 17, but the defenseman has practiced fully this week. “He’s getting real close,” Trotz said. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129825 New York Rangers "I remember saying we should have won this series four straight," Messier said. "Coming back and losing Game 5 and 6 and then we're back in another Game 7." Mark Messier and 1994 Rangers bask in glory of winning Stanley Cup 25 Then, Messier came through again, giving the Rangers a two-goal lead years ago that stood as the winner to deliver the franchise and the city the long- awaited title he had been brought in to get. Staff Writer "When Mark came across the ice to celebrate the Stanley Cup victory and handed it to me and I looked it over, the first thing that came to my FEB 08, 2019 | 10:45 PM mind is I can't believe how difficult this trophy is to win," said Keenan, who said he is doing well after his treatment for prostate cancer last year. "As now time passes, 25 years later, that endorsement of how difficult it is stands even more in my mind." From the moment Mark Messier came to the Rangers in 1991, he knew he was expected to lead the team to its first Stanley Cup championship in Difficult indeed, as the championship in 1994 remains the Rangers' only more than 50 years. title in the last 79 years. "There was no escaping the pressure of 1940," Messier said about the New York Daily News LOADED: 02.09.2019 last year the Rangers had won the Cup. "Coming here and understanding what the Original Six franchise was and this history, there was no escaping it. The pressure was real, from the fans, the organization." Messier accomplished the task in 1994 as the Rangers ended their 54- year title drought by outlasting the Vancouver Canucks in seven games in the Stanley Cup Final. Honored with a parade in the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan that June, the players from that team were back at Madison Square Garden on Friday night to celebrate the 25-year anniversary. "When you are in New York, not a day goes by that you don't run into someone that you get reminded, get smiles," Adam Graves said before the ceremony that preceded the Rangers' 3-0 loss to Carolina. "Back then you never thought you'd be impacting the way we have been, it is very special." From general manager Neil Smith, coach , to stars Messier, Brian Leetch, Mike Richter, Craig MacTavish and Stephane Matteau, each was introduced one by one to a rousing ovation. The only absences from the group were , who was killed along with most of the KHL Lokomotiv team in a plane crash in 2011, and Brian Noonan, who was said to have a prior commitment. Messier said he's been approached by countless people ever since who thanked him and claimed to have witnessed the Game 7 win in New York. "I didn't realize Madison Square Garden holds 2 million people," he joked, "because I've talked to 2 million people over 25 years that were here that night. That's been interesting. It never gets old ... never get tired of speaking with people on the street or in the subway or trains, or taxi drivers that recognize the guys or myself and thank us for the Cup." Messier is also remembered for his famous declaration before Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against New Jersey when, with the Rangers trailing 3-2 in the series, he guaranteed the team would win Game 6. Messier said he was simply trying to let his teammates know he believed in the team. "I really felt we could go into New Jersey and win, and I wanted the guys to know it," he said. "The papers the next day were what they were. It wasn't going to motivate New Jersey any more." Leetch said the team chuckled when they saw Messier's Game 6 guarantee in the papers, and it didn't change anything about their preparation for that game. "Just was kind of a light-hearted thing to remember that we're in New York, everything gets magnified," Leetch said. "One comment gets turned into a guarantee. It was something for a little bit that we had a laugh about". Messier then backed up his words with a hat trick in the third period to rally the Rangers to a 4-2 win. "He's always done things his whole career," Leetch said. "He's been a part of a lot of big moments and rises to occasions in big games, but the fact he did that here in New York when it was on the front and back pages, we still shake our heads at it that he was the guy to do it in that game." The Rangers then won Game 7 on Matteau's goal in double-overtime. They lost the opening game in the championship series against the Canucks despite having a big advantage on shots, then won three straight to get to the cusp of ending their long drought before being forced to the deciding game. 1129826 New York Rangers

‘There was only one’: Rangers pay tribute to fallen friend

Peter Botte February 9, 2019 | 1:09am

One member of the 1993-94 Rangers was sadly missed at the team’s 25th anniversary celebration of the franchise’s most recent Stanley Cup championship. Alexander Karpovtsev, a rookie and one of three Russian players on that historic Blueshirts squad, was among those killed in the plane crash in that claimed most of the Kontinental Hockey League team Lokomotiv in 2011. “We were all sickened to see the loss of life in that tragedy when the plane went down, but he was a wonderful friend and family guy and a huge component of this team,” former Rangers goalie Mike Richter said. “There was only one Potsie. He had a great personality and just was who he was. “We shared an incredible couple of years together and he had an incredible career. His life unfortunately was cut short, so you really think about him at times like this. There’s definitely a hollow spot there without him here.” Karpovtsev, whose wife and daughter attended the ceremony and were introduced to the crowd before Friday’s game against Carolina, played 12 seasons in the NHL and was an assistant coach on at the time of the crash. “It’s definitely sad. I miss him as a friend and a player,” said , who now coaches in China in the KHL. “I was actually going through some pictures today at home, and I had a lot of pictures with him. It was really sad for me to see them. His wife is here with us today, but it’s definitely not easy that he’s not here. He meant so much to our team.” Former Rangers coach Mike Keenan said he’s “doing well” since undergoing treatment following a prostate cancer diagnosis in May of 2018. “I went two weeks ago and things were aces,” Keenan said. “I couldn’t do much for about six months, but the doctors said, ‘You’re good to go, do whatever you want.’ So I’m back on the horse and away we go … I don’t mind speaking about it, because it build awareness for all of us.” Richter appreciated Henrik Lundqvist honoring him with his goalie mask for Friday’s game: “I learned about that [Thursday] and it’s unbelievable, a humbling thing, what a great statement by him. He didn’t have to do it and it’s very classy. … Coming from him, look at the career the man’s put together. He’s been nothing but consistent from the day he arrived. He’s had just a remarkable career. So it means a lot coming from him.” New York Post LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129827 New York Rangers

Rangers’ Stanley Cup run hero opens up about former demons

Peter Botte February 9, 2019 | 12:36am

Stephane Matteau thought it was time to reveal what truly was the biggest goal of his life. More than 17 years after his last drink in 2001, Matteau went public with his struggles with depression and alcohol Friday, first in a published report and later in a conversation with The Post ahead of the Rangers’ celebration of their 1994 championship team at the Garden. “I’m not ashamed of it, and it’s something that I’ve learned through going through all the meetings is the best way to help yourself is to help another human being,” said Matteau, whose double-overtime goal in Game 7 of the 1994 Eastern Conference final over the Devils vaulted the Rangers into the Stanley Cup Finals. “We all have someone in our families who struggle with it, and you hear all these stories. “The timing to come out now, I’m very grateful for it because the timing, it’s never too late. I know I’m going to help a lot of people. People put us on this pedestal, but I wanted to let them know that it’s not always great and that I’ve struggled, too. “It’s been 17 years for me. It’s not the amount of drinks that I’ve had. It’s the mistakes that I made when I drank, and finding excuses every single time, to me, could not be an excuse anymore. I wanted to save myself and my family, most of all.” Matteau, now 49, was acquired by Rangers general manager Neil Smith, along with fellow forward Brian Noonan, from Chicago at the trade deadline in March 1994, one of several key acquisitions that keyed the Blueshirts’ run to their first title in 54 years. The 24-year-old left wing netted six goals during that postseason, including another double-OT score against the Devils in Game 3 of that conference finals series, which ended with Howie Rose’s famed radio call of “Matteau, Matteau, Matteau!” Still, he was dealt to St. Louis — reuniting with former Rangers coach Mike Keenan — during the 1995-96 campaign and played seven more NHL seasons with the Blues, San Jose and Florida before retiring in 2003. Just before the end of his career, Matteau stopped drinking. Now, the father of two mentors children in New York, Pennsylvania and in his hometown of Montreal. “A lot of my teammates came up to me today and they were surprised, they were not even aware of my problems,” Matteau said. “It was something that I used to be ashamed and I felt guilty about. When you go through some dark times, you disliked yourself, it’s not a secret. But I came out now and I was a little uncomfortable about it, at first, but I’m proud that I did it. You have to move on in life, it’s one step at a time, and I’m not ashamed of it.” New York Post LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129828 New York Rangers

Rangers get embarrassed in front of franchise’s last title team

Peter Botte February 9, 2019 | 12:03am

Even having Mark Messier and his fabled teammates address them in the locker room before the game couldn’t serve as enough inspiration Friday night for the Rangers. After the 1994 Stanley Cup winners honored in a 25th anniversary pregame ceremony at center ice, the Blueshirts came up empty in a 3-0 loss to the Hurricanes at the Garden. They had won their previous 16 home games against Carolina since 2011, the longest such streak against one opponent in franchise history. “I thought it was a great opportunity for our guys to be around something we’re all inspired to do, win a Cup here in New York,” Rangers coach David Quinn said after his team fell to 2-3-1 in its past six games to remain nine points below the playoff cutoff in the Eastern Conference. “It’s disappointing in a lot of ways.” Indeed, with Messier, Mike Richter, Brian Leetch, coach Mike Keenan and the rest of the ’94 squad in attendance, Henrik Lundqvist (30 saves) was vying for his first shutout of the season until Carolina winger Warren Foegele snapped a scoreless tie 6:43 into the final period. Andrei Svechnikov and Brock McGinn added empty-net goals in the final 1:15 to seal it for the Hurricanes (28-21-6). “Tough one. Going into the game, I think we all felt really inspired and excited to play,” said Lundqvist, who donned a Statue of Liberty mask for this game to honor Richter. “Unfortunately we didn’t get the win.” When told a few players lamented the team playing with a “lack of urgency,” despite the presence of the ’94 team, Quinn replied: “They would be correct. There was definitely a lack of urgency, which is surprising. It certainly set up to be a special night, we just didn’t capitalize on it.” Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek stopped all 27 shots he faced as the Rangers were blanked for the fifth time this season. They trailed 1-0 when they earned their second power-play opportunity with 5:40 remaining, but they did nothing with it to prompt groans and boos from a crowd that had been cheering heartily just a few hours earlier, mostly for nostalgic reasons. “For us to have them here, it’s annoying that we couldn’t put on a better show,” Mats Zuccarello said. “It was a good day for that, but hockey- wise, we were not good enough.” Defenseman Neal Pionk was a healthy scratch for the second straight game. New York Post LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129829 New York Rangers “I would say when you’re in New York, there’s not a day that goes by that you don’t run into someone or be reminded about it,” Adam Graves said. “Back then you’d never think that we could have been impacted the way Rangers throw big party for 1994 Stanley Cup champions we have been. It’s special and we’re been very fortunate to be a part of it.”

New York Post LOADED: 02.09.2019 Peter Botte February 8, 2019 | 11:27PM

The aura and accomplishment of what 1994 means to the Rangers and their fan base somehow may only have grown in stature over the past quarter-century. At least it sounded that way for those who broke the franchise’s 1940 hex by finally hoisting the Stanley Cup that June, and for those in attendance at the Garden on Friday night for the 25th anniversary celebration while awaiting what would be just the Blueshirts’ second championship in nearly eight decades. “For me, I didn’t realize that Madison Square Garden holds 2 million people. I’ve talked to 2 million different people the last 25 years that were there that night. It never gets old,” former Rangers captain Mark Messier joked of June 14, 1994. “It’s incredible. The memories, you never get tired of people in the street or the subway or the train or the taxi drivers, that recognize the guys or myself and thank us for the Cup. I don’t think it ever gets old. “Maybe it is growing even bigger now because it was such an amazing accomplishment, and the way we won, with the kind of character guys that we won with and the relationship we had with our fan base and the city. All that combined, and ending a 54-year-old drought, I think the fans were really proud of our team and there was a good relationship there and they celebrated with us.” Messier received the most thunderous applause when introduced during the 45-minute pregame ceremony ahead of Friday’s game against Carolina. The Captain generated several more ovations as the lone member of that team to address the crowd when he mentioned the deaths of former teammate Alexander Karpovtsev, NYPD officer Steven McDonald and Viktor Smith, the son of former general manager Neil Smith, who shared with The Post’s Larry Brooks on Friday that his son had taken his own life in September. “We were not a group, we were not a team, we were a family,” Messier told the crowd. Indeed, that unmistakably was the relationship the ’94 Rangers fostered with each other and the city throughout that spring — which featured a sweep of the rival Islanders, a seven-game vanquishing of the Devils culminated by Stephane Matteau’s double-overtime goal and another Game 7 victory over Vancouver in the Finals. Messier had been obtained in 1991 from Edmonton, where he already had won five Stanley Cup titles, ostensibly to end the title drought. The Rangers stumbled and missed the playoffs in 1993, but Mike Keenan replaced the fired Roger Neilson as head coach and Smith made several key acquisitions at the trade deadline — including Matteau — to fortify the roster en route to securing the organization’s elusive title. “I think for me there was no escaping the pressure of 1940,” Messier said. “Coming here and understanding what an Original Six franchise was and all the history, there was no escaping it. The pressure was real — from the fans and the organization — and I felt it, for sure.” Hall of Fame defenseman Brian Leetch, who was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as postseason MVP, and goalie Mike Richter said they never had thought of the drought in those terms until Messier and several other former Oilers arrived in New York. “I think Kevin Lowe said it really well at one point, he came in from Edmonton and said, ‘Look at the upside,’ ” Richter said. “Somewhere along that year, it started feeling like we were thinking more about the upside than adding another year to it. It was a whole different perspective that guys who’d been through it brought.” During training camp, Keenan and assistant coach Colin Campbell had shown a compilation of other New York teams and various other celebrities riding in parades up the Canyon of Heroes. The team used that as motivation all season, according to Richter. “It’s amazing because that’s exactly where we ended up at the end of the year, the Canyon of Heroes,” Richter said. “As crazy as it looked on film, it was even more wild in real life.” Twenty five years later, the Rangers and their fans are waiting to experience that feeling again. 1129830 New York Rangers And Smith is the only man alive to have ever built a Rangers Stanley Cup championship team.

“It’s the mentality of the city,” the GM said. “Go outside. Drivers are Rangers’ 1994 architect Neil Smith mends fences amid tragedy blasting horns. ‘Come on, hurry up, let’s go, what’s going on, why haven’t you gone yet?’ It’s not a place for a lot of patience and that makes it difficult to build a hockey team. Larry Brooks “But I get it. I got it. We did as an organization. That represented a great deal of our strength in ’94, the way the organization and the team were all in on winning. We embraced the city’s challenge. And we fulfilled the Cheers for the architect of the Rangers’ only Stanley Cup-winning team mandate.” since 1940 washed over Neil Smith as the 1994 champions were introduced Friday night to an adoring Garden audience that 25 years Twenty-five years later, the ’94 Rangers still stand alone. The hope is — later still cannot thank them enough. the prayer is — that Neil Smith does not. This was a hearty welcome back for the general manager, who has New York Post LOADED: 02.09.2019 generally been an outcast around these parts since his dismissal in March 2000. On Thursday, Garden CEO Jim Dolan and Smith had a long, warm conversation at a dinner at a Manhattan restaurant for the players, staff and their families to kick off this 25th anniversary celebration. The freeze that had marked the relationship between Smith and the organization appears to have thawed. This weekend could represent the former GM’s port of re-entry into the family. “I pray that it would,” Smith told The Post hours before the on-ice ceremony preceding the Rangers-Hurricanes match. “I hope that it would. I am just so happy to be here.” This is a special weekend in the life of the ’94 Rangers and in the lives of the citizens of Rangerstown as the organization celebrates this once-in- a-lifetime achievement that has grown more mystical by the decade, if not the year. And it is a weekend that might produce moments of respite, if not solace, for Smith, who is in desperate need of it following the loss of his beloved son, Viktor, who took his own life in September at the age of 21. “You never get away from the pain. It’s there 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Smith said, talking publicly for the first time about the tragedy. “There’s never a second that he is not on my mind. “He was going to be here with me this weekend. That was the plan. So I’m here, enjoying this, talking about the Cup, talking about memories, but it’s always with me. It’s like I kind of talk above it, but it’s always with me. There is a pain that never goes away. “You keep going on in life with this brutal pain. You keep going.” Before Four Horsemen Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Mike Richter and Adam Graves addressed the press from a dais, Smith and Mike Keenan took questions from the assembled audience. The one-time antagonists appeared so copacetic that it seemed only a matter of time before the GM would reach into his pocket and hand the coach that $208,000 bonus payment that was mysteriously delayed in the weeks following the parade up the Canyon of Heroes. “You know, it’s funny, all the stuff that went on between myself and Mike, I don’t think the players gave a crap about it,” Smith said. “I don’t think that caused any tension within the room. If there was tension, it would be because the players never knew what to expect with Mike. That was his methodology. “And honestly, there wasn’t that much going on between us most of the year. I looked at my job as trying to give him what he needed.” Part of what Keenan needed was for Smith to trade Tony Amonte, the 23-year-old sniper who’d recorded 68 goals his first two seasons on Broadway but to whom the coach never took a shine. Amonte eventually was traded to Chicago at the deadline in the deal that brought Stephane Matteau and Brian Noonan to New York. “Did I like that Mike didn’t like Tony? No, I didn’t. Did I want to trade Tony? No, I didn’t,” Smith said. “But I did agree that we had a mandate to win that year, and I could see that the trade could make us stronger for the playoff run, so we made the trade and it obviously worked for everyone. “But I’ll say this. When we made that deal, along with some of the others, I was thinking that if we didn’t win that year, we’d be screwed. I’d used all my chips.” Ah, but the Rangers cashed in. Every championship team is special. Each is unique. All have their own stories that bind. But this group. These 1994 Blueshirts. They stand alone. The only Ranger Cup championship team in the modern era of the NHL. The only Ranger Cup championship team since 1940. 1129831 New York Rangers

Rangers come up empty after Cup champs honored

Colin Stephenson

Having to play a game after watching the members of the 1994 Stanley Cup championship team thrill the Madison Square Garden crowd by just walking on the ice couldn’t have been easy for the present-day Rangers. Their opponent, Carolina, had lost 16 straight games in the building dating to January 2011. But the Hurricanes were in no mood to play patsy this time, spoiling the festivities with three third-period goals and beating the Rangers, 3-0, on Friday night. Warren Foegele scored at 6:43 of the third period before Andrei Svechnikov and Brock McGinn added empty-netters at 18:45 and 19:31 to puff up the score. Petr Mrazek had 27 saves to earn the shutout for Carolina. “It came down to one play, and it was a tough one],’’ said Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who played the game wearing a new mask that was a replica of the one Mike Richter wore in 1993-94. “Because, going into the game here, I think we all felt inspired and excited to play. It’s great to see all these guys come in here. You really get inspired to see what they went through and accomplished. I think we all want to do the same, experience the same feelings and emotions. So I was really excited to play the game and get going, but unfortunately, we couldn’t get the win.’’ Lundqvist made 30 saves, but he couldn’t see Foegele’s shot until the last instant because he was screened by defenseman Brady Skjei, who dropped down in front of him in an attempt to block it. The Rangers (23-23-8) are 1-2-1 on a five-game homestand that will end Sunday when John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs come to town. The Blueshirts have been shut out twice in the last seven games. After Foegele’s goal, Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin was penalized for holding Pavel Buchnevich with 5:50 left, giving the Rangers their second power play of the game. But they failed to take advantage, and coach David Quinn said the power play “killed us’’ all night. “There was certainly a lack of urgency, which is surprising,’’ he said. “It was certainly set up to be a special night. We just didn’t capitalize on it. Still, it’s 1-0 and we get a power play and we just really didn’t do anything with it.’’ Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129832 New York Rangers

25 years later, 1994 Rangers saluted at Garden

Colin Stephenson

Say one thing about the folks who run Madison Square Garden: When it’s time to do celebrations and tributes and that sort of thing, they put on a first-class show. The Garden celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Rangers’ 1994 Stanley Cup triumph Friday night before the current team took on the Carolina Hurricanes, and everything came off perfectly. “Twenty-five years ago, we stood right here and raised the Stanley Cup,’’ Mark Messier, the indomitable captain of the 1993-94 Rangers, told the crowd in the on-ice ceremony that recognized the players and others who made it happen. “A lot of people thought it would never happen. But this group of guys behind me made it happen.’’ Messier, defenseman Brian Leetch, goaltender Mike Richter, left wing Adam Graves and the other members of the championship team were present for the ceremony — everyone except forward Brian Noonan and the late Alexander Karpovtsev, who died in 2011 in the plane crash in Russia that wiped out the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl KHL team, for which he was an assistant coach. General manager Neil Smith and coach Mike Keenan, who did not get along that season, sat together at the podium in the pre-ceremony news conference at the Garden. Former PR man and emcee Barry Watkins looked at them and said, “You two together? It should be interesting.’’ When asked how much the specter of 1940 — the last time the Rangers had won the Stanley Cup before 1994 — hung over the team, Messier said, “I think for me, there was no escaping the pressure of 1940. Coming here [in 1991] and understanding what an Original Six franchise was, and this history, there was no escaping it. It was real. From the fans, from the organization, I felt it, for sure. And I’m sure everybody in that dressing room that year felt it.’’ The on-ice ceremony was but a small part of the weekend for the former Rangers. The bigger thing, according to Richter, was everybody reuniting. “I’m just blown away by seeing these guys,’’ said the goalie, who now sports a full beard with a touch of gray in it. “[Almost] every single guy made it back, of course, unfortunately except for ‘Karpie,’ who was in that horrible plane crash. These guys haven’t changed. They’re amazing people and great friends and picking up conversations we had 20 years ago.’’ Smith, who was the architect of the team, said the 1994 championship has grown in significance the past 25 years. The Rangers, who had the best record in the league in 1991-92, Messier’s first season with the team, were eliminated by the eventual champion Pittsburgh Penguins that spring and managed to win only that one title in 1994. All of the players who spoke at the podium — Messier, Richter, Graves and Leetch — talked about how people still thank them for delivering that one championship that, in the words of TV play-by-play man , “will last a lifetime.’’ “Even for me, I’m like, ‘How the heck did we do that?’ ’’ Smith said. “Because when you think about it, all this time has passed, and I think as time goes on, at least to me, it seems that people are more appreciative and respectful of what a great job these guys did. And Mike [Keenan] and the players, it’s the impossible dream . . . “I think it’s grown. It’s just great to have that memory to live with.’’ Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129833 New York Rangers such an amazing accomplishment, but the way we won, with the character guys and the relationship we had with our fan base and the city. All of that combined with the 54-year drought. I think the fans were ‘Incredible memories’: Rangers celebrate 1994 Cup win, end evening in really proud of our team and they celebrated it with us.” 2019 loss Thoughts 1) The Rangers do these things right, boy. Right down to bringing out the Rick Carpiniello video of the anthem from ’94 by the late John Amirante. They had the wife and daughter of the late Alexander Karpovtsev, a defenseman in Feb 8, 2019 ’94, at the ceremony — Karpovtsev perished in a 2011 crash of a plane carrying the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team of the KHL, of which he was an assistant coach. They remembered other staff members who had since passed away, including equipment man Joe Murphy, the great ex-police NEW YORK — A lot changes in 25 years. Well, maybe not Mark chief and security man Dennis Ryan, and officer Steven McDonald (his Messier. wife and son were in attendance). And they invited every single member The Captain was the lone speaker during a superb pregame ceremony of the staff from that team, plus broadcasters John Davidson, Sal honoring the 25th anniversary of the 1994 Stanley Cup champs at the Messina and Howie Rose. Brian Noonan was the only other player from Garden on Friday. the championship team to miss the ceremony, but Noonan did come to New York for the team’s dinner the night before. He then had to return to So typical Messier. Jobs to be done, do them. People to be included, Boston, where he’s coaching high school hockey, for a game. include them. (Courtesy of the New York Rangers) He even mentioned the late Benny Petrizzi, who was a 90-something clubhouse guy in ’93-’94, a guy who just loved being around the team, 2) Mike Richter was blown away by Henrik Lundqvist’s helmet tribute. who would do their laundry and shine shoes. When the team got its Cup “I learned about that yesterday,” Richter said. “Unbelievable. It’s a rings, Messier delivered Petrizzi’s ring personally, with the entire team humbling thing. What a great statement by him. He didn’t have to do it surrounding him and cheering. And Messier cried. Of course. and it’s very classy. I was kind of shocked. … Coming from him. I mean, THE VIDEO TRIBUTE TO THE #NYR 1994 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM look at the career the man’s had. He’s been nothing but consistent from THAT PLAYED @THEGARDEN FOR TONIGHT’S CELEBRATION the day he arrived. He’s had just a remarkable career, so it means a lot PRESENTED BY @CHASE. PIC.TWITTER.COM/KZIOSOFEXM coming from him. Just a very classy thing to do and a humbling thing to see.” — NEW YORK RANGERS (@NYRANGERS) FEBRUARY 8, 2019 The two goalies spoke before the ceremony, when the ’94 Rangers met Before the ceremony, Messier talked about how every person involved the current team in the locker room. had to be invested to win that championship. “He just appreciated the mask and the things I had to say about him “You can only win if nothing’s left on the table from everybody,” he said. (Thursday),” Lundqvist said. “I really meant it, though. It’s been great to “It requires that much attention and it’s that difficult. So when you see get to know him over the years — all the guys, but obviously as a goalie that kind of focus and discipline and buy-in for the sheer betterment of you feel a little extra for Mike and what he accomplished for this the team from every player, that the only thing they care about is winning organization. Like I said the other day, the first time I met him (at age 18) the game, and they’re going to sacrifice everything, that’s hard to forget. was a great experience and I’m happy to have those guys around. It’s It’s gratifying that they were able to do that, were able to do that for each always an inspiration for all of us.” other, and those kinds of experiences are what bond teams that do go on and win, and bond relationships, when you’ve seen someone give 3) When Neil Smith and Mike Keenan stepped onto a podium together, it everything they have for the team. was similar to the one where Keenan was introduced as coach in the spring of ’93. “To me, it was everything. This team, this family, as brothers, we did that for each other. That in my estimation is why we were able to overcome “Where’s your leather jacket?” Smith asked. some of the hurdles in the regular season and in the playoffs and being “It was stolen,” Keenan said, quite seriously. down to the Devils. We really had that undeniable belief in each other that we could get it done when the chips were against us. … Looking Barry Watkins, who was the team’s PR man in ’94, quipped, “You two back at these guys and what they sacrificed, it’s amazing.” guys? This should be interesting.” ICYMI: Former Rangers GM Neil Smith reflects on the trade deadline It was interesting, Smith saying that he sometimes wonders, “How the deals that got them to the Cup. heck did we do that?” It was a unique team, a one-time champ — the only time in 79 years for 4) Alexei Kovalev snuck into the news conference and took the the franchise — that had to overcome immense drama, self-inflicted in microphone, and asked Keenan, “Why would you leave me 7 1/2 some cases, over the entire season and the last two rounds of the minutes?” referring to the game against Boston when Keenan made playoffs. Kovalev stay on the ice as a lesson for his habit of taking long shifts. The payoff was immense. Kovalev still gets a big kick out of it because he thought at the time that Keenan was joking around with him, and that when he finally got back to “When you’re in New York, not a day goes by when you don’t run into the bench his teammates told him how mad Keenan actually had been … someone that you get a reminder, with a smile,” Adam Graves said. at least at the start of the shift. “Back then you’d never think we’d have the impact the way we have.” “We were trying to teach this young player that the quality of ice time “There’s a lot of reminders of how special it was for people,” Brian Leetch could be enhanced with the intensity and the vigorousness of a shorter added. “You run into people in New York who have memories and say shift,” Keenan answered. “So as he came over and as time lapsed we ‘thank you.’ That’s kind of a reminder all the time what it meant to a lot of started to laugh. I said, ‘He’s going to try to climb over the (bench). Don’t people.” let him climb in.’ First he tried to come in through the door and they Those guys probably haven’t paid for many drinks in New York the last wouldn’t open the door. Then he tried to climb in and they said, ‘Nyet.’ 25 years. The joke was on us though. He scored a goal at the end of that shift. When the period was over, I said to Mark, ‘Look after him for me, will ya?’ THE BLUESHIRT FAMILY COMES TOGETHER BEFORE THE GAME. ” NEW EPISODE OF #NYR @CHASE UNLOCKED COMING SOON. Kovalev said he scored a goal and drew two penalties during that shift. PIC.TWITTER.COM/7IWSYSG8VQ I’m not sure about that. — NEW YORK RANGERS (@NYRANGERS) FEBRUARY 9, 2019 Of all the Rangers, Kovalev looked the most as if he could toss on the equipment right now and play. Messier too. “I didn’t realize that Madison Square Garden holds 2 million people, because I’ve talked to 2 million different people in the last 25 years who MUSIC TO ANY #NYR FANS' EARS. were here that night,” Messier said. “It never gets old. Incredible memories. I never get tired of speaking to people on subways or the MATTEAU MATTEAU MATTEAU  street or taxi drivers who recognize the guys or myself and thank us for PIC.TWITTER.COM/PJK9J31DHB the Cup. Maybe it is getting even bigger now not just because it was — MSG NETWORKS (@MSGNETWORKS) FEBRUARY 7, 2019 5) Keenan — who is battling prostate cancer — was asked which current game is so complete otherwise, and possesses a fair amount of skill and Rangers could play on that ’94 team. speed, has such a hard time scoring. “I’d like to see Richter and Lundqvist go at it, and (Glenn) Healy,” Keenan 21) Was good to see Craig Patrick, now scouting for Pittsburgh, who as said. To which Healy, from the back of the room, yelled, “I’d be willing to Rangers GM gave the ’94 team draft picks Leetch and Richter, plus the go to the minors, no worries.” players they used indirectly (, Tomas Sandstrom) to get Messier. 6) And, yes, there was a game against Carolina to play — a 3-0 Rangers loss, by the way. But the current Rangers sure soaked up the 22) Quinn Bin: Neal Pionk remained the lone inhabitant. opportunity. THE PLAY SIMPLY KNOWN AS "THE SAVE" “It was, I thought, a great opportunity for our guys to be around something we’re all aspiring to do — win a Cup in New York,” Rangers RICHTER AND HIS #NYR TEAMMATES ARE BACK @THEGARDEN coach David Quinn said. “This date was certainly circled on our schedule. TONIGHT FOR THE 1994 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION We thought it would be a great opportunity for our guys to mingle with PRESENTED BY @CHASE! PIC.TWITTER.COM/ADGZQ6WVET those guys a little bit and get a taste, or a feel, of what it would be like — NEW YORK RANGERS (@NYRANGERS) FEBRUARY 8, 2019 and what it would take to win a Stanley Cup in New York.” My Three Rangers Stars 7) The game itself was kind of sloppy and blah. The Rangers lost a 16- game home winning streak against the Hurricanes. Quinn said it was 1. Henrik Lundqvist “disappointing in a lot of ways. … I thought we were reckless from an offensive perspective. We were playing like it was 3-0 and we abandoned 2. Jimmy Vesey any type of responsibility. All of a sudden we look up and there’s odd- 3. Marc Staal man rushes. … We also passed up a lot of chances to shoot the puck. I mean, you spend nine minutes in the offensive zone in the second period The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 and you come out with nine shots. We’ve got to have more of a shooting mentality. We’ve got to get inside the hashmarks. We can be too perimeter offensively.” 8) Daily Zucc-O-Meter: Mats Zuccarello reverted to wish-pass mode. But he most certainly, absolutely, was not alone. Once again, when his line, with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Krieder, doesn’t score, the Rangers don’t do much offensively. 9) A little kerfuffle ensued when Brady Skjei leaped to glove a puck near the glass, only to be decked by Saku Maenalanen. Ryan Strome took exception, and they got two each for roughing. During the four-on-four, and off a Kevin Hayes faceoff win, goalie Petr Mrazek got a toe on Jimmy Vesey’s backhander. 10) Late in the first, Lundqvist, in his Richter mask, stopped Nino Niederreiter on a breakaway after Kevin Shattenkirk was stripped of the puck by Sebastian Aho at the offensive blue line. 11) Early second, Vesey led a three-on-two and dropped it to Hayes coming down the slot. Hayes faked the shot, got Mrazek out of his net, then tried to stuff it into the empty net, only to have defenseman Jaccob Slavin sweep it off the goal line. 12) Later Andrei Svechnikov, the 18-year-old first-rounder, on a three-on- two, ripped one off the goalpost behind Lundqvist, the second ringer of the game for the Hurricanes. 13) The game, by then, had opened up considerably, loaded with odd- man rushes and wish-passing. The racetrack hockey continued, and Lundqvist robbed Jordan Martinook alone in front. 14) Our fine, fine NHL officials completely missed it when Warren Foegele crosschecked Vlad Namestnikov across the face. Play on. In the final minute of the second, with the Rangers on the power play, Mrazek turned away Zibanejad’s back-hander, alone in front, and Chris Kreider’s deflection went just wide at the buzzer. 15) Uncontested Goal of the Night (still without a sponsor): 6:43 into the third, on the rush, Foegele stepped between Brady Skjei and Adam McQuaid into the slot, took a pass from Maenalanen, and ripped a shot past Lundqvist. 1-0. 16) The Rangers had a power play and a chance to take the lead early, and another chance to tie late, but did absolutely nothing with either, before Svechnikov scored an empty-netter. Brock McGinn added another one, from about 180 feet. 17) “Our power play just hurt us,” Quinn said. “You don’t expect to score every power play, but you certainly want to gain some momentum off the power play. The complete opposite happened tonight. We got demoralized off our power play and I thought they fed off that kill to start the third.” 18) Filip Chytil got a scare when he was bloodied by a skate to the nose, though he got mended on the bench and returned. 19) When did Marc Staal turn into Jeff Beukeboom? Staal, for the second game in a row, was outstanding, especially on a pair of first-period penalty kills. Maybe I should look at the charts before making a declaration like that? 20) Hard to believe that a guy as relatively small as Namestnikov plays such a physical game every night. Also hard to believe a guy whose 1129834 New York Rangers So Smith knew what he was getting into with Keenan, and though they’d eventually have the ultimate success together, it could not have been more rocky. As Rangers celebrate 25th anniversary of Cup win, former GM Neil Smith Keenan quickly determined which players he loved and which ones he’d reflects on the trades that got them there have no use for. He also decided early on, and throughout the season, that the Rangers needed more size and grit in order to win their first Cup since 1940, despite having gritty, rugged players like Messier, Graves, Rick Carpiniello Beukeboom, Kocur, Kevin Lowe, Esa Tikkanen and a couple of his former Blackhawks in Greg Gilbert and Mike Hudson. Feb 8, 2019 In November of that season, Smith pulled off a three-way deal with Chicago and Hartford to acquire Blackhawks legend Steve Larmer, a complete player and Keenan favorite. He also added for Neil Smith had earned – and kind of cherished – his nickname at the long-time Rangers James Patrick and Darren Turcotte, both of whom time. Keenan wanted gone. More grit. Big Deal Neil. “I thought at training camp, with the right amount of tweaks, we had a But what transpired on the NHL’s trade deadline day on March 21, 1994, team that could win,” Smith said. “You make tweaks every year. Larmer considering the 54-year-old dragon the Rangers’ president and general was a bonus that we got in a tweak.” manager was attempting to slay, took the moniker to a new level. Keenan continued his demands though. Those Rangers headed to that deadline 180 degrees from the current “As the season was going on he was making it clear that he wanted Rangers, who will be selling for a second year in a row. Those 1994 these guys from Chicago,” Smith said. “He didn’t particularly like Tony Rangers were buyers, as they almost always were in those days. With no Amonte for whatever reason. And he really wanted (Stephane) Matteau. salary cap, “buyers” had a whole different connotation because Madison He kept saying to me all year, ‘Amonte for Matteau, Amonte for Matteau.’ Square Garden’s piggybank had no bottom. I told Mike, ‘I know Stephane Matteau from junior. I’m not trading Tony Still, it took the courage of a burglar to push the chips to the middle of the Amonte straight up for Stephane Matteau.’ This was going on for most of table the way Smith did that day. the year.” The Rangers had the best record in the league at 44-22-6 (yes, those are In the month or so leading up to the deadline, Keenan was also down on ties on the right side, and yes, the trade deadline was much later in those Gartner, a Hall of Famer who still had a lot of game left, to the point days, so there were only 12 games remaining in the 84-game season). where Keenan told Smith he would just not play Gartner if he remained with the team. “Trades back then were done more at the 11th hour than they are today because so many guys do pre-deadline deals now,” Smith said this And Smith saw a need, with Tikkanen playing out of position in the week. “There wasn’t as much as trade now-for-future back then as there middle most of the season, for a legit center. Preferably a penalty killer is now. Teams concede now.” with faceoff skills. Preferably also with a Stanley Cup pedigree. He targeted yet another Edmonton Oiler, Craig MacTavish. Well, some concede and sell, some go all-in and buy. A lot has changed in 25 years. The Oilers’ dynasty was over and Smith began “bugging (Oilers GM Glen) Sather for a long time to get MacT from him.” Smith, now 65, will join the Rangers’ 1994 championship team in an anniversary ceremony at the Garden on Friday celebrating their lone “I knew that was sort of the lay of the land for our team, that we had to Stanley Cup championship since 1940. While it’ll be his first visit to the make some changes to turn the regular-season team into a playoff team, arena in 10 years due to some sort of spat with company higher-ups – he because there’s a difference between a team that does well in the regular hadn’t been invited back since 2009, when he attended Adam Graves’ season and a team that can do well in the playoffs,” Smith said. “I think jersey retirement ceremony, as he had done for the ones honoring Mike that’s the reason so many Presidents’ Trophy teams get knocked out, Richter, Brian Leetch and Mark Messier – he admits the joyous nature of because they don’t realize the playoffs is going to be a different format. the event will be overshadowed by the grief and loss he’s felt since the It’s a tournament. It’s not the way you play during the regular season.” sudden death of his 21-year-old son Viktor in September. The Rangers went to Calgary, where they would play the night after the “I wish he was with me,” Smith said of his only child, who was born deadline. From his hotel, in one day, Smith re-made the best team in the several years after the team’s Cup win. “He was supposed to come with league with five trades. me for all of this.” He got MacTavish from Edmonton for speedy center and U.S. Olympian Certainly, whatever disagreement Smith had with the Garden hardly Todd Marchant, turning down Sather’s request for gigantic defenseman registers among his chief concerns these days. Eric Cairns (that type was all the rage in the early ‘90s). “I’m cautiously excited like anybody is when you go back to a reunion,” He traded Gartner to Toronto for free agent-to-be Glenn Anderson, who Smith said. “You get a little bit nervous. I don’t feel nervous about the had won five Cups with Messier and Lowe in Edmonton. The Gartner fans in the building. I’m excited about that. I’ve never been to the Garden trade was the only one that had come together that day. The rest had since it’s been renovated. So I’m excited to see that.” been long-term projects. Though they had the best record in the NHL on deadline day in 1994, the “I knew Mike didn’t want to be traded and I felt like shit trading him,” Rangers were only two points up on New Jersey in the race for the Smith said. Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL regular-season champ. Smith also relieved a glut of a roster, which had regular scratches such Smith had been making big trades in his time as GM, having replaced as and Mike Hudson, by dealing winger Phil Bourque to volume-dealer “Trader Phil” Esposito in the summer of 1989. He got Joey Ottawa for future considerations and defenseman Peter Andersson to Kocur in a controversial but eventually successful trade from Detroit at Florida for a late-round draft pick. the deadline in 1991 after prying Mike Gartner from Minnesota a year “So you’re working with (Chicago GM and former Keenan foil) Bob earlier, as well as the big Bernie Nicholls trade (for Tony Granato and Pulford on Matteau, and I said to Pulford, ‘I’m not trading Amonte for Tomas Sandstrom) at the 1990 All-Star Game. Matteau straight-up,’” Smith said. “I’ve told you all year I won’t do it. Then Smith made the pair of franchise-altering “deals” when he signed You’ve got to give me somebody else. That’s where we came up with Graves (with Troy Mallette going to Edmonton as compensation) prior to Brian Noonan. He was a good player and Mike liked him.” the 1991-92 season, then the mega-deal of Nicholls, Louie DeBrusk and The trade was Amonte and college winger Matt Oates (who would go on to Edmonton for Messier after the first game of that season to become a player agent and currently represents ex-Ranger Derek – a deal that included the future considerations that turned out to be Stepan) for Matteau and Noonan. for Jeff Beukeboom. “Even then I didn’t feel great about doing it, but I felt I had to give He was Big Deal Neil. He made a huge splash, too, when he hired Mike (Keenan) everything I could so that we could have a chance to win,” Keenan to coach after the crash-and-burn season of 1992-93. Keenan Smith said. “I didn’t want an excuse that ‘You didn’t get me the right had always been demanding and difficult for his bosses and was most players.’ So we pulled that one off, much to my chagrin, by the way.” recently fired as GM by Chicago, having been forced to give up his coaching duties there (replaced by Darryl Sutter) to focus on being GM Smith’s background was in scouting, with Detroit and the Islanders, for after leading the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Final in 1992. whom he worked during the two middle years of their four-year Cup dynasty. It hurt him to give up Amonte, who had 35 and 33 goals the previous two seasons and would go on to score 416 in a 15-year NHL career, 268 of those for Chicago. But for a chance at a Cup and for a piece the coach felt he needed, Smith made the trade. “For me, the Marchant-MacTavish one wasn’t hard at all because we dealt a player that really wasn’t playing for us. So it’s like adding MacTavish and not even realizing what you lost ’til down the road. To trade Amonte, I felt like I was doing him a favor because of the way he’d been treated and the way he was going to get treated. I didn’t feel that he had been a key to why we were winning the Presidents’ Trophy and why we were the No. 1 team. So that one, I hated it as a talent evaluator. I hated the trade because of what Amonte was going to be in the future. My whole career was about the future, it was never about today. So I hated it. “The one that I was worried about now, that would we be as good, was Gartner, because Gartner was a star in the league still. He was a huge part of our teams the whole time he was there. … I thought I was doing him a favor as well.” Now the whole hockey world thought maybe the Rangers were Cup favorites, not just a good team having a good year. That added some pressure to the 1940 Curse. “But was I worried about the team not being as good going into the playoffs because of all these trades?” Smith asked. “Yeah, you always worry about that. I basically had put all the pressure on the coach, like, ‘OK, you got what you want.’ “I was a deadline guy, but I never expected to do that much at the deadline. So when I watched the team play in Calgary a night later, I thought, ‘Boy oh boy, we might have it. We might have what we need.’” The result is well known. Matteau scored two double-overtime goals in the Eastern Conference Final, including the winner in Game 7, perhaps the most famous goal in Rangers history. Noonan swiped at it and may have actually scored the Cup-winning goal in Game 7 against Vancouver, his stick blade arriving at the same time as that of Messier, who was credited forever with that goal. Anderson played a big role, scoring goals in Games 2 and 3 of the Cup Final, after the Rangers lost Game 1, including a short-handed game-winner in Game 2. MacTavish – though he added a ton of solid play and character and leadership – will be forever remembered as winning the final faceoff to clinch the Cup in the last seconds of Game 7 against Vancouver. “Was I going for broke?” Smith said. “Oh yeah. Did I think I’d get fired if I didn’t win the Cup? I didn’t think that way. But I knew if we didn’t win it that I would never be able to sleep with that Amonte trade. It still drives me nuts. That’s what I enjoyed – young guys becoming stars. I loved that. And here I was, doing the opposite of what I enjoyed doing. Giving away a guy I knew was going to be a star.” The prize made it worthwhile though. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129835 NHL Cardy set up a business in which his goalies used pagers to check in for work. The money he scratched out wasn’t worth it, though, and Cardy, now 61, got out. The Goalie Is a Hired Gun, and He’s Yours for $50 a Game Goalies Unlimited was one of the first agencies to match games with In Toronto, a surplus of amateur hockey teams has led to a thriving goalies, in the mid-1990s. Since then, online competitors have marketplace for that most sought-after of necessities: someone willing to proliferated, with names like Book a Goalie, MyPuck, Goalies to Go, play goalie. Puck App, Rent a Goalie and Get a Goalie, which serves Buffalo and Chicago. Most of the agencies are run by current or former goaltenders.

Ian Peters, 44, started his operation in New York after growing tired of Curtis Rush paying a $35 Uber fare each way to play goal in pickup games. He made a proposal three years ago to Ron Bursey, 37, who runs the Canadian Feb. 8, 2019 operation Book a Goalie, and a New York tab was added to the Toronto- based website.

“It started like wildfire and the business blew up,” said Peters, who has TORONTO — Keith Hamilton carried himself like an N.H.L. goaltender about 70 goalies serving New Jersey, Connecticut and New York. “I do it even before he made his first save in a pickup game at Moss Park Arena. all from my phone. There was resistance in the beginning, because New Standing 6 feet tall — and looking much bigger in skates — he made the Yorkers weren’t used to paying for this service.” net behind him appear to shrink. Peters charges clients $70 a game, and a goalie gets $25 for his first five But this was hardly the N.H.L. Hamilton, 39, was guarding the cage bookings and $30 for his next five. A goalie’s pay maxes out at $35. against a team of middle-age men from an Ontario public utility. He wore a replica Colorado Avalanche jersey. Every other player was In Canada, rental agencies tend to take about 15 dollars in commission differentiated by tones more than colors, turning the sessions into light from the typical rate of $50 a game. Goalies like Hamilton, with eight versus dark, a hockey version of shirts and skins. years experience, can negotiate a lower commission. Sometimes, the business keeps it all. After an hourlong scrimmage, Hamilton cut a lonely figure as he skated off the ice. There were no handshakes, no fist bumps. He collected the Daniel Smith, 57, a former high-level hockey player who became a cash he was promised — the going rate is about 50 Canadian dollars per jockey, runs Goalies Unlimited. He likes to play four times a week, and game — changed out of his gear and drove off to the next arena. This as a rental goalie, he collects the full $50 fee each time. was his third game of the day. He had two to go. Puck App, which Sawni founded three years ago, markets itself as the Hamilton is a hockey mercenary, one of the estimated 150 to 200 hired Uber of the goalie-rental business. With a smartphone app, it can guns in Toronto’s recreation leagues who are in demand as much for undercut other services by charging a top rate of 45 dollars in Toronto, their position — goaltender — as for their skills. With 143 indoor publicly and even less in other cities. owned arenas in the Toronto metropolitan area, there are many more teams than there are available goalies. Sawni has a database of 8,000 users across Canada, both goalies looking for paid work (about 5,000 so far) and clients looking for help in Teams can do without one of their skaters. There are plenty of them. But net. if the goalie can’t make it, a game could be forfeited, which can feel like a puck to the mouth when ice time costs more than 400 dollars an hour. On Puck App, a team can specify the site, the game’s starting time and the level of play. The offer is sent to all of the goalies in the database “It’s not like soccer, where a player can just go in net,” said Niki Sawni, who match the criteria. 27, who runs a goalie-rental service called Puck App. Patrick Herman, the owner of the MyPuck agency, has a roster of over By various estimates, there are as many as 8,000 rental-goalie orders 300 goaltenders and fills orders for 15 to 20 games a day. The business every year in the Toronto area, which suggests there is a sizable can be cutthroat, he said, and he has little time for teams who try to play marketplace for the kind of person willing to play the bull’s-eye in a game one service off another to get a better deal. of target practice. “If you want a pizza tonight, it’s not like you call Pizza Hut and Domino’s “I’ve got a screw loose, sure,” said Mark Philipps, 46, who still tends goal and tell them, ‘The first delivery driver that gets to my door gets my but not so much as a rental goalie anymore. “It takes a special type of money,’” Herman said. person to want to get a puck in the head.” Some teams try to make side deals with players they like, but the “You’ll run into some crazy ones,” said John McLeod, 55, a film actor who agencies discourage goalies from disclosing their personal contact picks up work as a rental goalie in his off hours. “Very unusual information to clients. characters, and I worry that I may be one of them, too.” Occasionally, the client is a fascinating character. In Toronto, rental goalies — a cohort of mostly men and a few women — generally range in age from 18 to 65 and come from all walks of life: Joe Vercillo, 37, once got a late request to work for a certain Canadian engineering, acting, education, policing, the trades. superstar in the music industry. Some even try to make itinerant goaltending their profession. Hamilton is “I got a call around 12:30 at night,” said Vercillo, who is in charge of one of those. acquisitions for a small publishing company. “It woke me up. My agent said: ‘Drake has rented the ice. Can you get over in 10 minutes?’” A musician who plays the vibraphone in a six-person folk band called Beams, Hamilton said he makes more money being a rental goalie than Vercillo thought it was a prank because no one was inside the arena playing music in clubs. when he turned up. But soon Drake and his associates arrived, and Vercillo suited up for about 45 minutes of work. He averages 10 games a week and keeps 40 Canadian dollars per game, paying 10 dollars in commission to a rental agency. His cut works “They gave me 80 or 100 bucks for that,” Vercillo said. out to about 1,600 Canadian dollars, or $1,220 in United States currency, a month. By his estimate, he has made well over 100,000 dollars in eight A representative for another well-known singer-songwriter called years as a rental goalie. And, yes, he said, he declares all of his income Bursey’s agency in December 2017, requesting two goalies. Justin on his taxes. Bieber wanted to put together a game with some friends at a Toronto arena. “It’s not enough for a mortgage and kids’ education, but it’s just enough to get by,” he said. “There’s certainly more taxing ways to make a living. “Bieber had his own entire dressing room,” Bursey said, adding that one But I sweat and I come home with bruises.” of the goalies had told him that by the end of the game, “Teenage girls were all over the rink watching.” The rent-a-goalie concept has been around since at least 1985, when Doug Cardy, a former top junior goalie for the Toronto Marlboros, got As at every level of the sport, some goaltenders are better than others. tired of people “bugging me” to fill in on teams five or six times a week Daniel Altshuller, 24, a third-round draft pick of the N.H.L.’s Carolina while he juggled a full-time job. Hurricanes in 2012, became a rental goalie last year to stay sharp after “I started telling them, ‘I want some money,’” said Cardy, a short-haul taking a season off. trucker. “And I started with a little cardboard sign in one of the arenas “I had moved to Toronto and I didn’t know anybody,” Altshuller said. “I with my phone number.” was just doing it mostly to find somewhere to play hockey.” Others enter the marketplace for decidedly less professional reasons. Dan Madeiros, a commercial airline pilot, advertises his services at $40 an hour in the online classified forum Kijiji because, he said, he just likes to play. “I have a job that pays me well,” said Madeiros, 42. “So I look at it that it’s paid exercise.” New York Times LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129836 Ottawa Senators They boast a sense of humour, too. After Thursday’s loss in Montreal, Jets coach Paul Maurice said, “the coaches were no good, the players were no good, the food was no good, hopefully the plane works.” WARREN: A surging penalty kill, in praise of the Jets skill, who starts in THE BELLEVILLE SHUTTLE goal and what about Paajarvi? With defencemen Christian Jaros and Ben Harpur healthy enough to practice Friday (and likely play Saturday), Cody Goloubef was returned to Ken Warren Belleville of the AHL after making his Senators debut against the Ducks. Goloubef was quietly effective, blocking four shots and delivering three Published:February 8, 2019 hits in 13:20 of ice time … Jack Rodewald, who was also called up from Belleville this week, suffered a lower-body injury and played only 3:22 Updated:February 8, 2019 7:53 PM EST against the Ducks. The Senators were expected to call up another forward from Belleville, following the B-Sens game against Laval …

Considering the recent inspired play of Magnus Paajarvi, is it possible a With the group of grumpy, but highly talented Winnipeg Jets coming to team or two would be interested in him as a depth player for a playoff town Saturday afternoon, the Ottawa Senators might have preferred to run? Paajarvi was a presence again Thursday against the Ducks, firing keep quiet about the major turnaround in their penalty-killing record in the five shots on goal. He scored twice in Wednesday’s 5-4 loss to Toronto past month. … If you’re going to live in Canada, you’ve got to love Hockey Day in Canada, a time for us to embrace our weather and culture to stay inside After being shut out with the man advantage for the past two games, to watch the world’s greatest sport from the comfort of our couches, for including allowing 53 shots to the Montreal Canadiens in Thursday’s 5-2 hours upon hours. loss, the Jets are certainly overdue to cash in. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 02.09.2019 But it is hard to overlook the recent success of the once much-maligned Senators penalty-killing teams. They’ve gone seven games without allowing a goal, shutting down opponents on their past 13 opportunities, including all three in Thursday’s 4-0 win over the Ducks. In their past 18 games, they’ve killed off 33-of-38 chances — an 86.7% success rate. You’ll recall that back in the first month of the season, the Senators were only killing off two out of every three opposition chances. “I don’t think I really made the big difference,” said Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who has been a central part of the story since returning from injury 12 games ago. “We changed our system a little bit on the PK and we needed to change it. It wasn’t working. Everyone seems to have adjusted pretty well.” Senators coach Guy Boucher says the fundamental system change came on Nov. 14, a move designed to take pressure off the team’s overwhelmed young defence. We’ll trust Boucher, who is fond of crunching numbers, when he says the Senators have been the league’s seventh-best penalty killing team since then. But they’ve been ever better since Pageau’s return, stopping 21-of-24 chances. “Having added Pageau there, again, it has to do with personnel, it always has to do with personnel,” Boucher said. “The minute you add on some expertise to whatever you’re doing, you’re efficiency is good. Adding Pageau is huge.” FREEING UP STONE The added bonus to having Pageau back to kill penalties is that Boucher isn’t relying on Mark Stone as often in shorthanded situations, giving him more “juice” to contribute at even-strength and on power-play opportunities. IN ANDERS(ON) THEY TRUST Following Friday’s workout, Boucher was still mulling over who to start in goal against the Jets. Craig Anderson was the club’s MVP in the first three months of the season, but Anders Nilsson has turned countless heads while winning five of his past seven starts. His 45-save shutout against the Ducks was his first since October 2017. “A guy that size, I think he knows his strengths,” Stone said of the 6-foot- 6 Nilsson. “Which is being big and he’s athletic when he needs to make the saves. He’s got a lot of combinations that help him be successful.” SLOWING DOWN THE JETS Stone and Boucher were running out of superlatives Friday in describing the Jets’ strengths. “They’re outstanding,” said Boucher, who skipped skipped the quick 27- minute skate in order to focus on watching video of the Jets. “It’s one of the most impressive teams in the league, for sure. They’ve got everything: Goaltending, size, speed, skill. That’s a team that’s going to be good for many, many years, so it’s an intimidating team in that respect because they come at you with everything.” 1129837 Ottawa Senators Yes, there are future prospects and draft picks coming in the Karlsson deal, including promising centre Josh Norris, a former San Jose first- round pick. In the short term, though, Karlsson’s $7.5-million salary this Before making decisions on the future, there's history for Stone and season was replaced by the combined $3.8 million that Chris Tierney and Duchene to ponder Dylan DeMelo earn. Meanwhile, the $5.65 million due to Hoffman this season and next has been replaced by Mikkel Boedker’s $4-million salary for this season and Ken Warren next. Published:February 8, 2019 The above number-crunching is only a snapshot of what has occurred here in the past few years and there are countless other issues involved Updated:February 8, 2019 7:40 PM EST for Stone and Duchene as they digest the full picture before making their decisions on whether to sign.

If they don’t commit here, the Senators will have no choice but to trade The everyday questions pitched to Mark Stone and Matt Duchene about them. Accordingly, as the Feb. 25 trade deadline fast approaches, every whether they’ll re-sign long-term extensions with the Ottawa Senators are game could potentially be the last one either one plays in a Senators routinely fouled off, unanswered, over and over again. uniform. “Everything I do is going to be between myself, (my agents) and the Ottawa Sun LOADED: 02.09.2019 team,” Stone said again Friday when pressed about the tense negotiations with the hard deadlines closing in fast. After scoring twice in Thursday’s 4-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks, Duchene said he was “digesting” any and all background information he could, including the latest controversial comments from Senators owner . We’ll get to a refresher course on some of the recent history of signings, trades and salaries that Duchene is chewing on in a moment. In case you somehow missed the Wednesday statement from Melnyk — which has only further added to the angst among Senators fans — he pledged to spend “close” to the salary cap beginning in 2021, when the youngsters of today are hopefully skating into their prime years. By and large, the Senators’ drafting record has been good, including the Thomas Chabot home run, and the current crop of young talent is among the NHL’s best. At the same time, though, the promises of keeping the kids down the road is a deflection from how the Senators have painted themselves into their current corner. It doesn’t take a CSI: Ottawa investigative team to realize that it’s the recent ownership commitments and attitudes towards keeping stars and attracting new ones that are weighing so heavily on Stone and Duchene. If Stone stays, he will become the Senators next captain. But Stone has also grown up in the organization, seeing first-hand what has happened with previous three captains Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson, along with former alternate captain Kyle Turris. All of them either walked out or were pushed out the dressing-room door amid squabbles with ownership about the financial commitment towards winning, as their own unrestricted free agency loomed in the background. The most recent contract the Senators handed out to a star pending unrestricted free agent was the seven-year, $50.75-million deal signed by Bobby Ryan in Oct. 2014. The Senators have made some medium-term investments in depth players who could have left as free agents, including a four-year extension to defenceman Marc Methot in 2016 and to forward Zack Smith in 2017, but the most recent impact outside unrestricted free agent signed by the Senators was Clarke MacArthur back in 2013. Tied into all of the above, trading has also become a tricky dance for general manager . In the majority of big trades in the past few years, the Senators have either shed salary or dealt away players who were due for significant pay raises. Take, for instance, the July 2016 deal that saw Mika Zibanejad go to the New York Rangers for Derick Brassard. Brassard made $3 million in 2016-17 and $3.5 million in 2017-18. Zibanejad earned $3.25 million in 2016-17, but he was also due a big raise as a restricted free agent following the season. Eventually, he signed his current five-year, $26.75- million deal with the Rangers in July 2017. When the Senators lost their way last season, Brassard was traded to Pittsburgh for goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson, currently developing with Belleville in the American Hockey League. While the Senators took on an additional $2 million in salary in the three- way trade that brought in Duchene and sent Turris to Nashville in November 2017, a significant reason for the deal was the Senators inability to sign Turris — a pending unrestricted free agent — to an extension. At the time, of course, Duchene had one year remaining on his existing contract. Then came the turmoil of last summer, when the Senators traded away both Karlsson and Hoffman to the San Jose Sharks. 1129838 Ottawa Senators Ben Chariot-Dustin Byfuglien Dmitry Kulikov-Tyler Myers Senators gameday versus Jets Goaltending Connor Hellebuyck Ken Warren Laurent Brossoit Published:February 9, 2019 Sick Bay Updated:February 9, 2019 12:18 AM EST Nikolai Ehlers, Josh Morrissey THE BIG MATCH-UP Ottawa Sun Sports Hockey Ottawa Senators Blake Wheeler versus Matt Duchene: Winnipeg Jets at Ottawa Senators Wheeler is the most productive set-up man in the NHL these days, with 54 assists in 54 games, to go along with 11 goals. He’s a big part of the Saturday, 2 p.m., Canadian Tire Centre. powerhouse Jets offence, which will be motivated following Thursday’s 5- TV: CBC, TVA. Radio: TSN 1200-AM, Unique 94,5-FM 2 loss in Montreal. Five Keys To The Game: Duchene, meanwhile, pocketed a pair of goals in Thursday’s 4-0 whitewash of the Anaheim Ducks, giving him 11 goals and five assists in Maintaining momentum: The Senators didn’t get down on themselves, his past 16 games and 100 points in a Senators uniform. It’s also career knowing a win was close before dumping the Anaheim Ducks 4-0 game number 700 for Duchene, who is facing the distinct possibility that Thursday. Staying positive is a primary goal in a season that will end every game could be his last one in an Ottawa uniform. without a playoff berth. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 02.09.2019 Yesterday is gone: By the same token, the Senators can’t get too high, knowing that the Stanley Cup contending Jets will also be looking to put behind them Thursday’s ugly 5-2 loss in Montreal. Eliminating the big errors: The Senators did allow 45 shots against the goal-starved Ducks. Do that against the highly-talented Jets and they risk being blown out of their own building. Return of strong penalty killing: The Senators have gone a season-high seven games without allowing a power play goal, successfully killing off 24 opportunities in that span. Shutting down Scheifele: The Jets are a pick-your-poison kind of squad, with numerous potential game-breakers. But chances do improve if you can find an answer for number one centre Mark Scheifele, who leads the team with 27 goals. Special Teams Senators: PP: 20.7 (16th), PK: 77.1 (25th) Jets: PP: 26.5 (4th), PK: 80.4 (14th) Senators Gameday Lines Brady Tkachuk-Colin White-Mark Stone Ryan Dzingel-Matt Duchene-Bobby Ryan Zack Smith-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Magnus Paajarvi Rudolfs Balcers-Chris Tierney Defence Max Lajoie-Cody Ceci Thomas Chabot-Dylan DeMelo Mark Borowiecki-Christian Jaros Ben Harpur Goalies Craig Anderson Anders Nilsson Sick Bay Marian Gaborik Jets Gameday Lines Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler Patrick Laine-Bryan Little-Jack Roslovic Mathieu Perreault-Adam Lowry-Brandon Tanev Brendan Lemieux-Andrew Copp-Mason Appleton Defence Joe Morrow-Jacob Trouba 1129839 Ottawa Senators use the wins that were a result of the foundation put down by his predecessor as evidence Melnyk’s ownership has been better.

It’s an unfair comparison. Senators exec goes on offensive with spin that’s unfair to previous ownership On the issue of re-signing potential free agents Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel, Ruszkowksi said it is the Senators priority to get them signed, but if it winds up that doesn’t happen, there is life on the By Chris Stevenson Feb 8, 2019 other side. TSN 1200 host Ian Mendes suggested not signing Stone, in particular, would be “the last straw” for some Senators fans.

While emphasizing signing the trio to contract extensions is the Senators While working on the TSN 1200 Senators pre-game show Thursday, I priority right now, Ruszowski added: had the chance to ask a couple of questions of Senators chief operating officer Nicolas Ruszkowski. “I would encourage people not to look at that as the final straw but to look at that as opportunity in the context of the rebuild. He joined us about 23 hours after the Senators put out a press release summarizing comments owner Eugene Melnyk had made to business “The reason I say that is very simple. Whatever we do we have to stay at types at the Hockey Hall of Fame on Tuesday, which I wrote about here. the bottom of the salary cap at a minimum. So any transaction that puts us below that requires us to get back either an equivalent return in the Ruszkowski’s job is to advance the Senators’ agenda. He is going to form of a roster player or to make an equivalent investment in free bridge, parry and pivot and that’s what he did when I asked why Senators agency. fans should believe Melnyk is going to spend close to the salary cap’s upper limit starting in 2021. My point was we’ve seen this team flip flop “If you look at this a little bit dispassionately, you can do the job of on its team-building strategy in the past 16 months, so why believe it understanding how important the leadership, the character, the integrity now? of a guy like Stone is to the team while at the same doing the exercise of trying to take a broader look at modern life economics in the NHL and In November 2017, they went all in with the deal to acquire Matt understanding that one setback is not permanent. There is a land of Duchene. A little more than a month later, Melnyk was on Parliament Hill opportunity beyond those decisions and it’s our job to be ready for every before the outdoor game warning of cuts to player payroll if attendance eventuality.” didn’t pick up. “We have a duty because of collective bargaining to be at a certain level By February, the team was entertaining trade offers for generational based on salary cap rules. We can’t be below that.” defenceman Erik Karlsson and was shifting into full rebuild mode. That’s a pretty big U-turn in the space of four months. Right now, the Senators have 14 players on their current roster under contract for next season with a cap hit of about $48 million. That doesn’t In answering the question about the owner’s lack of credibility with the include injured players Marian Gaborik, Clarke MacArthur and goaltender Senators fanbase, Ruszkowski asked fans to take a broader perspective Mike Condon, which could add about another $11 million. of Melnyk’s ownership, but I think that doesn’t help Melnyk’s cause, at least in the way Ruszkowksi chose to frame it. Add players like forwards Drake Batherson, Alex Formenton and Filip Chlapik and defenceman Christian Wolanin (who needs a new contract) From Ruszkowski: who could all reasonably be expected to make the team next season in a rebuild at a cost of another $4 million or so. “I understand how frustrating certain elements of the last 16 months have been. We hear their concerns loud and clear. That being said what I Centre Colin White can be restricted free agent and needs a new deal would like to say is yes, you have a right to be concerned about what’s which would bring the Senators to 20 players at a cost of about $63 happened in the last 16 months. million, roughly speaking, which is right around where the cap floor is expected to be. “But it is also reasonable for us to ask if we’re asking ourselves by what actions are you measuring the credibility of this team to look at the 16- Making the big assumption the Senators don’t sign Stone, Duchene and year track record of this owner and this team and remember very well Dzingel, a projected Senators roster for 2019-20 could look like this: that we are about 10 percent better in terms of the number of wins that we have as a percentage of games played under Eugene Melnyk than Forwards (11) we were under the previous ownership structure. Rudolfs Balcers “1992 to 2003 was a period in time where we won less than 40 percent of Drake Batherson the games that we played. In the last 16 years, we’ve won roughly 50 percent of the games that we’ve played, on the heels, I might add, on the Mikkel Boedker heels of the last five years of inconsistency. So what we are trying to address are those last five years inconsistency with a rebuild that, yes, is Filip Chlapik going to take a few years to get to its peak performance window. But Alex Formenton when that happens, as any good investor would, the owner is going to open his wallet and make that five-year commitment to actually make it Jean-Gabriel Pageau happen. Bobby Ryan “You can also judge him by his business track record which has been pretty good by the standards of most of us who aspire to be Zack Smith entrepreneurs at some point in our life.” Chris Tierney I have two big issues with comparing Melnyk’s run as Senators owner Brady Tkachuk with that of Bruce Firestone and then Rod Bryden. Colin White The first is the Senators and the Tampa Bay Lightning were saddled with perhaps the worst expansion rules ever for their $50 million expansion Defence (7) fees. It took a combined 14 seasons before either the Senators or the Lightning had a season of at least 40 wins (the Senators had their Mark Borowiecki breakthrough 44-23-15 season in 1998-99). Thomas Chabot Those horrendous seasons were the fault of their fellow NHL owners rather than the owners of the Senators or the Lightning. Ben Harpur My second point: When Bryden lost his grip on the under-capitalized Dylan DeMelo Senators in 2003, Melnyk swooped in and got himself a bargain. His deal Christian Jaros to buy the Senators and the Corel Centre closed in August, three months after the Senators lost in the 2003 Eastern Conference final. Maxime Lajoie So Melnyk benefited greatly from the work of president Roy Mlakar and Christian Wolanin the work of general managers Pierre Gauthier, Rick Dudley and Marshall Johnston. He bought a ready-made contender, so I don’t think it’s fair to Goaltenders (2) Craig Anderson Mike Condon Injured – Marian Gaborik, Clarke MacArthur Retained salary – Dion Phaneuf Even saying good-bye to Stone, Duchene, Dzingel and potentially defenceman Cody Ceci, the Senators already look like they could be around the salary floor. They could fill out the roster with some (relatively) cheap free agents or the players potentially returned in deals for Stone, Duchene and Dzingel if they are not signed to contract extensions. That doesn’t sound like much of a land of opportunity, at least for next season. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129840 Ottawa Senators In recent weeks, that wavering defensive effort hasn’t been an issue–he’s been as consistent without the puck as he’s been on the score sheet. He’s been a puck thief, keeping his feet moving and using his reach to Analyzing the adjustments made by Logan Brown who is beginning to intercept passes and tie up attackers. fulfill his draft promise On the forecheck, he’s exceptional at turning those steals directly into offence. Below is an example. Brown starts off the play by missing the puck, but ties up his man to allow the puck to slide to a teammate. Then, By Mitch Brown Feb 8, 2019 he sets up a teammate in the slot from behind the goal line. Utica recovers the puck, but Brown tracks it and steals it right back, setting up a point-blank chance on a redirection. To finish the shift off, he pressures the opposition into a failed clearance. Logan Brown is one of the hockey’s most polarizing prospects. Selected by the Ottawa Senators 11th overall in 2016, one thing that is not Playmaking is, undeniably, Brown’s best trait. That same patience that debatable is Brown’s skill. He has high-end vision, soft hands and an makes him dangerous on the powerplay applies on 5-on-5, too. Brown underused shot that can beat NHL goaltenders, all packed into a 6-foot-6 loves to maintain possession around the perimeter to wait for the perfect frame. opportunity to find a teammate in the slot. Despite his unique skill set, the draft day concerns were numerous. With Brown’s top speed is average and his acceleration is below-average. those skills, critics say, Brown should be a dominating presence both on Instead of forcing a play, Brown passes in situations that other players and off the puck. But he isn’t. For all the skill that he has, he goes would separate with their feet. He plays within his strengths, an through stretches of limited impact. His skating has shown limited admirable trait for a young player. improvement and he often plays at a slow pace. And compounding all these concerns is a lengthy injury history. While passes like those are great examples of Brown’s vision and skill, they also highlight an issue with Brown beyond skating. He gets stuck in For most of the two seasons since being drafted, Brown’s development this loop of gaining the zone to the outside and slowing down; attacking flat-lined. But that has changed these past couple months. Since joining without pace is predictable. If a player attacks with little pace all the time, the , Brown is producing a point per game over his last they are forced to rely on fighting through contact and winning battles 17 contests. He’s arguably been Belleville’s best player in the last month. and that’s not where Brown is at his best. Too often he’s too easily funneled to the outside as he avoids leaning on defenders to gain the There are numerous reasons for his recent success, perhaps none more inside. This hasn’t just been evident in transition, but also when he influential than his performance on the powerplay. There’s this extra avoids taking the puck to the net deep in the zone. assertiveness that he has on the man advantage; a glimpse into what he could become with the same mindset at even strength. The extra ice That’s starting to change. And sure, cutting to the inside to jockey for Brown’s lack of three-step acceleration and he takes full position is never going to be Brown’s defining trait, but he’s adding more advantage of the extra space. layers to his game. And more layers means more ways to score. And more ways to score means a higher chance of bringing offence to the That mindset is most evident through the way that his pass-first mentality NHL. dissipates and he becomes a balanced offensive threat. He’s so dangerous as a shooter from the left circle as a left shot. He often It’s evident in this goal, from Dec. 7, that came before his recent surge. casually strolls into the circle. The opposition expects a shot, but they He passes to the slot and immediately heads towards the net. Because don’t expect this: both Brown and the defender are left shots, and Brown’s a huge guy, there’s no way the defender can tie Brown up. It’s a tap-in for Brown. That patient, unassuming movement is actually Brown locating a hole in the goaltender and waiting for the opportunity to fire a perfectly placed This past month the positive examples have started to pile up. On Jan. 9, shot. Goaltenders and defenders know a shot is coming, but they don’t he recognized open space in the slot and attacked it. Brown has often know when. He enters the shot with his skates pointing towards the passed up those opportunities to set up behind the net, but in this goal corner or even the weak-side boards, instead of towards the net like most and many other plays, he takes the puck right to the net. That he took the players. As he drags the puck behind his feet to maximize the shot’s puck to the slot, rather than wrap it around, is a clever play too–it’s a power, he cuts on the outside foot towards goal and fires. That better scoring opportunity. unassuming stance suddenly becomes weight shift and the speed of his release is what allows that shot to beat goaltenders cleanly. On Feb. 5, he boxed out a defender with his frame to leave the loose puck for Nick Paul, who immediately scored. That’s a great example of Brown’s ability to set up teammates around the goal makes him a what Brown is starting to do better: Using contact to create. multidimensional threat on the powerplay. He’s an avid user of the shot- pass, a hard shot along the ice usually created with a fake wind up that’s These might not seem like significant plays, but attention to these details really meant for a one-timer or redirection around the goal. It’s a turn skilled prospects into scoring NHLers. These are details that will deceptive play that’s particularly dangerous when facing wedge penalty allow Brown to use those nifty handles or long passes in the NHL. kill formations, like what the Marlies employed below. From the dual power-play threat, to the long-range shooting ability, to the When you put both the shooting and passing skills together, you get deft playmaking–these are skills of one of hockey’s most talented stretches of powerplay dominance. He’s imaginative, diverse and a prospects. But these skills coupled with a wavering on-ice work ethic and controller of the pace. Take the sequence below, for example. Brown lack of pace also make Brown one of hockey’s most polarizing prospects. starts the play with a powerful shot from the top of the slot. Then, he sets up a shot by drawing the puck and using a slip pass to move the puck Now, Brown is looking like the prospect the Senators expected when under a defender’s stick. Brown stays active, moves back up to the point they drafted him: A potential top-six centre. He still has flaws to fix, such and then back down. He takes the cross-ice feed from Batherson and as attacking off the rush with more pace, but he’s trending up. uses the same shot we discussed earlier–unassuming stances with If Brown’s performance in the last month is indicative of what’s to come, it skates pointed towards the boards, only to use that stance to shift his won’t be long before he showcases those talents in the NHL. weight into a powerful shot. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 Brown could probably help the Senators’ 14th-ranked powerplay right now. He might’ve been able to two years ago. But most of the game is played at 5-on-5, and Brown’s 5-on-5 play has often been a point of contention. Aside from 2016-2017, he’s historically been a top point producer at 5-on-5. Last season, he was fifth in the OHL (1.03). This season, Brown is fifth among under-21 AHL skaters with 0.55 5-on-5 points per game, ahead of a number of players from his class like Luke Kunin, Michael McLeod and Alex Nylander. It’s Brown’s play away from the puck that has always been a question mark at 5-on-5. It’s not that he’s mediocre defensively–it’s that rarely do you know what type of effort Brown will give. Despite his large frame, he’s not going to be some huge hitter and that’s OK. But, he loses more battles that you’d think given his stature and he’s particularly susceptible to losing battles on a second effort from the opposition due his lack of separation speed. 1129841 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers reportedly will recall Phil Myers from AHL’s Phantoms by Sam Carchidi,

Highly touted defenseman Phil Myers will reportedly make his NHL debut for the Flyers when they host Anaheim on Saturday afternoon. According to InsideAHLHockey, Myers will join the Flyers on Saturday. Flyers goalie Carter Hart to be reunited with autistic boy who inspired him to wear No. 79 BREAKING: It looks like Phil Myers will be called up to #Flyers and make his NHL debut tomorrow vs. Anaheim. I guess we'll see in the morning. I've got a 188-mile drive back to @InsideAHLHockey HQ from Utica, NY ahead of me. — Tony Androckitis (@TonyAndrock) February 9, 2019 Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher did not respond to a text message about Myers being promoted. Myers, 22, scored a goal in the Phantoms’ 5-2 loss Friday in Utica. For the season, the 6-foot-5, 202-pound defenseman has nine goals and 29 points in 48 games. The Flyers have allowed 44, 42 and 39 shots, respectively, in each of their last three games. The defensive duo of Shayne Gostisbehere and Andrew MacDonald struggled in Thursday’s 3-2 shootout loss to Los Angeles, ending the Flyers’ eight-game winning streak. In the Phantoms’ game Friday, Mike McKenna (28 saves) was the losing goalie and former Flyer (25 saves) was the winner. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129842 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers’ Scott Laughton, snakebit in front of the net, contributes everywhere else by Sam Donnellon,

The last time Scott Laughton recalls being this mad at his stick, he put it over his knee. Big mistake. ``I charley-horsed myself,’’ the 24-year-old Flyers forward said. ``[Valtteri] Filppula was laughing at me so …’’ So, so much for the uncharacteristic histrionics. That’s not his style. Laughton’s demeanor is more suited for a career in aeronautics than one in hockey. He’s the soothing voice in the cabin during turbulence, the guy most likely to figure out the spaceship is going to miss the moon and make the appropriate corrections. ``He takes faceoffs,’’ Flyers interim coach Scott Gordon was saying. ``He kills penalties. When the game’s on the line, you want to have two centermen. He’s a guy you can put out there.’’ And out there. And out there. As the Flyers’ eight-game winning streak grew, Laughton saw his ice time grow, too. Used to protect the Flyers’ 2-1 lead against Vancouver on Monday night, he logged nearly 21 minutes of ice time, more than even . Protecting slim leads needs slim margins of error, and the only place where that is lacking in Laughton’s game right now is when he lines up a shot. He’s, well, a bit snakebit. He has missed open nets, partially covered nets. Laughton hasn’t found the back of the net with a puck since Dec. 15, and before that, it was early November. Early Thursday night in the Flyers’ shootout loss to the Kings, a deflected puck found its way to his stick with nothing but an open net in front of him. It hopped over. Later, he redirected a puck heading wide of the net … wide of the net. ``I would say so,’’ he said when asked if he was frustrated. ``Here and there, I’m getting chances. I think at the start of the year I was getting a ton of chances especially shorthanded and things like that. I still think I’m playing good hockey. And I never really get down on myself. Just trying to work to get better and to get those opportunities. When I do get them, I’m going to keep trying to bury them.’’ It’s not as if he’s been ineffective on offense. Both Nolan Patrick and Wayne Simmonds have found their offense playing alongside Laughton during the Flyers’ nine-game points streak. And Laughton has been a key figure in the second-half curing of the Flyers penalty kill. Said Gordon: ``He’s frustrated that he hasn’t scored in a while. But like I told him, that’s going to come if you keep doing the right things. The biggest thing is somebody needs to do what you’re doing when you’re not scoring. Because we have other guys who can score. "We need that reliability to have those shifts that you can get in and establish that forecheck. You make good decisions on your entries or you chase down your own chips and whether it’s to eat the clock or change momentum, that’s an important part to any hockey team to have players who can do that.’’ Laughton gets that. It’s one reason he hasn’t snapped his stick. Yet. But if inclined, he has an improved plan for it. ``You’ve got to break them not over the rubber of the bench,’’ he quipped. ``You’ve got to break them over the plastic.’’ Breakaways James van Riemsdyk was fined the maximum $5,000 by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for high-sticking Kings defensemen Alec Martinez early in Thursday’s game. JVR did not receive a penalty on the play... Nolan Patrick was given the day off from practice but is expected in the lineup Saturday against Anaheim. Patrick took a puck off his foot in Thursday’s game. ... With a victory Saturday, Carter Hart would tie Jocelyn Thibault’s NHL record for consecutive victories by a rookie goaltender younger than 21 to begin a career. Game time is 1 p.m. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129843 Philadelphia Flyers “I went down there and just made the most of every opportunity,” he said. “My goal was to come back here as fast as I can. I wanted to be here every single day I was down there, and I kept that in mind and that’s what Flyers goalie Carter Hart to be reunited with autistic boy who inspired him I always worked on. But at the same time, I was just worrying about to wear No. 79 everything I was doing there — and being more consistent and not taking any days off — and not worrying about being up here.”

Now he’s here for the long haul, exhilarated by a No. 79 jersey that gives by Sam Carchidi, him inspiration every time he puts it on. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 02.09.2019 Carter Hart seems almost too good to be true. He looks destined to be the Flyers’ best goalie in three decades. Combine that with his boyish enthusiasm and genuineness and you can understand why he has quickly become the fans’ most popular player. At 20 years old. When they announced the starting lineups for Monday’s game against Vancouver at the Wells Fargo Center, there was a loud roar from the fans for Flyers captain Claude Giroux, a likely Hockey Hall of Famer some day. One player got a louder roar: the Whiz Kid Goalie who is the only Flyer to ever wear No. 79. Hart selected that number because he didn’t want to disappoint an autistic boy named Connor Parkilla, who devotedly watched the goaltender’s home games when he played in the Western Hockey League for the Everett (Wash.) Silvertips. In 2016, Hart had just gone back to Everett from the Flyers’ development camp in Voorhees. He wore No. 79 at camp, but he would get a lower number, he figured, when he eventually made the Flyers. But his plans changed — and his heart melted — when he saw Connor at a Silvertips home game wearing a No. 79 Flyers jersey with Hart’s name on the back of it. Which is why Hart, who has taken the league by storm and become a rookie-of-the-year contender even though he has been with the Flyers less than two months, decided to keep the number when he reached the NHL. “I didn’t want to disappoint him, and that’s the first Flyers jersey I ever saw anyone wear with my name on the back," Hart said the other day. “I was like, ‘Maybe I should just stick with 79. I don’t want his parents to be too mad and have to buy him another jersey if I switched numbers.’ I wanted to just honor that.” Hart and the little boy will soon be reunited. The goalie has arranged for Connor and his parents to be his guests at home games Feb. 16 against Detroit and Feb. 19 against Tampa Bay. “It’s going to be pretty cool,” said Hart, who, during the season, receives video messages from Connor that are sent by his parents. “Connor is a big fan, and you have to honor the fans.” It’s easy for professional athletes to get jaded by the fame and the fortune. There seems little danger of that happening with the oh-so- grounded Hart, who went out of his way to spend extra time with blind students and a man battling ALS as they visited the Flyers’ practice facility this past week. “We’re put in the spotlight a lot as NHL players,” Hart said. “I know for myself growing up, I looked up to a lot of professional hockey players and professional athletes in general. We’re kind of put in the public eye a lot and you need to make sure you’re doing the right thing 100 percent of the time. We’re kind of role models for young kids, and it’s important you set a good example for them." Hart will take a personal seven-game winning streak into Saturday’s game against visiting Anaheim. During that span, he has a 2.26 goals- against average and .934 save percentage. But don’t think for one minute Hart would have been this dominating if he didn’t get his feet wet in the AHL, where he struggled mightily at the start of this season. “Just to go through everything was [helpful],” Hart said. “It’s completely different when you’re living on your own and you’re with a new group of teammates that you don’t know very well. It’s a huge adjustment on and off the ice, and I think it takes a little bit of time and there are some growing pains you have to go through — like any other things in life.” After a strong training camp with the Flyers this season, Hart was disappointed he was sent to the Phantoms. 1129844 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers-Kings observations: The reclamation of Ivan Provorov continues by Sam Donnellon,

Observations from the Flyers’ 3-2 shootout loss to Los Angeles on Thursday: Flawlessly flawed For the fifth time in their history, the Flyers finished a game without committing a penalty. Two have come this season. They did not commit a penalty in a Nov. 24 game in Toronto. They were shut out in that game, 6-0. This does not seem to be their formula for success. Better and better The reclamation of Ivan Provorov continued Thursday as the Flyers defenseman logged 28:02 of ice time, broke up a slew of dangerous looking entries and even led the Flyers in shots on goal with five — his season high. If there’s been some breakthrough, he’s not telling. Gordon has joked that a bye-week sunburn in which he "peeled some skin" is responsible, and maybe he’s speaking figuratively. Hard to believe a week off could do so much for someone. Then again, he plays almost half of most games, and they are, to quote his ex-head coach, “heavy minutes.” Jonathan be nimble, Jonathan be … quick The Flyers did something against Jonathan Quick that they rarely do: score a second goal. It was just the second time in 14 career games against them that the Flyers have scored twice. They have never scored three times. He has won his last five starts against them. Taking the bait before the game Flyers coach Scott Gordon had warned his team about playing into Los Angeles “lullabye” trap, but that’s precisely what they did anyway in the first period. “They kind of invited us, baited us, to go in to the middle and then they converge on us in the middle,” said Shayne Gostisbehere. “I mean, that’s their style. They want you to make plays at the offensive blue line, they force turnovers to come down.” "They pretty much played to get four guys between the red and the blue line and if you’re coming pace and you’re ideally trying to play above their second layer," said Gordon. "It makes it harder for them to defend and we didn’t do enough of that consistently. "We didn’t identify the opportunities to advance to the puck before they could even get set up into their forecheck, and as a result a lot of times we were looking up and we didn’t have the support. So if we passed the puck up to where he deflected it in the guy was supposed to go in on the forecheck was too far away from the puck where it went it. There were a lot of things, but you fall into that mode sometimes thinking you’ve got a lot of time because they don’t pressure down the ice as much as maybe some other teams, and it’s not that it’s impossible to penetrate that situation, but you’ve got to be smarter and not beat yourself with it." Sticking it to ‘em A true sign of how much duress Antony Stolarz was under, especially early, was how often his flailing stick had to be retrieved from the corner and behind his net. With his 6-6 wing span, Stolarz uses his stick as a sort of extra defenseman when opponents try to emerge from behind his net. He even had one of his twigs snapped when a Kings player cut it in half on an unsuccessful skate out. "That’s part of my game," he said. "More times than not it helps me." One time it did not was on Adrien Kempe’s shootout goal. Stolarz tried to surprise him but missed with the poke. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129845 Philadelphia Flyers If he has an ace, it’s in how he has played in these two games. The Flyers can ill afford to allow Elliott, two months away from 34, to play himself into shape the way he tried to at the end of last year. Stolarz, Is Anthony Stolarz playing his way back into the Flyers’ goalie plans? | right now at least, has a big advantage to hold that second spot. And he Sam Donnellon is quite aware of why. "I’ve been forced into some situations where guys have been hurt in the past," he said. "I’ve kind of gotten used to coming in cold. It’s part of the by Sam Donnellon job if you want to be a goalie, whether it’s a starter or a backup. To come in and kind of shut the door and give the team a chance to stay in the game and get a point or two." There were 15 seconds left in overtime in the Flyers’ 3-2 shootout loss A chance to stay in town, too? Somebody’s got to back up Hart next Thursday, when Anthony Stolarz guaranteed his spot on SportsCenter. year. Stolarz is making it hard to believe he’s not that option. To that point, he had merely been spectacular, stopping a bunch of Los “Next year, to stay here would be amazing,” he said. “This is the only Angeles Kings breakaways and 17 first-period shots while the rest of his team I’ve played for. I love it here. Love the guys, love the proximity to Flyers team was caught in traffic. To that point, he had stopped 37 shots my home … . If I just continue to focus on what I need to do to get better and stolen only a point -- not the narrative about Carter Hart’s and prove to Chuck that I’m a gamer and I’m ready to go, that’s the only superpowers. thing I can focus on. And if not, if they decide to go another way, there’s 30 other teams out there … .” But then a puck slid through a stack of players from left to right, slid right onto the stick of Kings forward Adrian Kempe 12 feet out, with nothing Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 02.09.2019 but open net to shoot at. Three nights before, faced with a similar dilemma going the other way, rookie goaltending-sensation Carter Hart dove, hands and stick extended, and the puck deflected, somehow, off his right arm. Anything you can do, I can do … Except Stolarz had lost his stick. “Just trying to get across,” he said after he punt-blocked Kempe’s shot with the full extent of his 6-6 wing span. "Just trying to throw anything I can out there to get a piece of the puck. Sometimes, it doesn’t always look the prettiest, but, at the end of the day, if you’re making saves. You look at . The guy played 18 years, and he was a difference-maker despite not being your typical butterfly goalie. Not saying I want to play like him. But, at the end of the day, my job is to stop the puck. “Whether I stop it with my arm, my pad, my glove, my face — it doesn’t matter.”

勞勞勞勞#LAKvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/i2Rq8kgUgz — Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 8, 2019 The Flyers have a bunch of expiring contracts they know what to do with. Jori Lehtera and Dale Weise are already down in Lehigh Valley. The inertia that has long defined the contract discussions with Wayne Simmonds and his agent strongly suggests that he will not be a part of the next edition of this team. Brian Elliott and Michael Neuvirth are almost certain not to be back. There is intrigue, though, when it comes to another goalie with an expiring deal: 25-year-old Stolarz. A restricted free agent after this season, Stolarz has been injured so often and so extensively over the last two years that any discussion of his mettle in the nets invariably leads to one about his mettle away from it. Two consecutive meniscus tears to the same knee cascaded him from prospect to forgotten man. He began this season as a third wheel in Lehigh Valley, buried so deep on the depth chart that only a pile of injuries offered him any chance of reclamation. Well, we all know that happened. And we all know what happened when Stolarz got his chance in mid-December. The Flyers played him in three games over four nights and broke him again, this time to one of those intrigue-laden lower-body injuries. “Obviously, that injury setback stinks,” he said. “But I worked my ass off to get back to this opportunity. There’s a spot right now. I just want to focus on myself and continue to keep putting forth a good effort and let the team try to win some games.” He has done that. He stole a game in New York last week, shutting out the team he grew up watching. He tried to steal Thursday’s too, swatting, flopping, and hacking away at pucks and Kings as they circled his net like bees. Yes, it’s a small sample size. It’s all he has right now. The Flyers have played themselves into a sort of hockey limbo, clouding what the directive for their new general manager Chuck Fletcher should be as we approach the Feb. 28 trade deadline. The departure of Lehtera and Weise have opened up things for young players. Elliott is close to returning, potentially landing Stolarz in limbo, too. 1129846 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers vs. Ducks: Live stream, storylines, game time and more

By Jordan Hall February 08, 2019 4:30 PM

The win streak is over but the point streak is not. The Flyers (24-23-7) on Saturday will try to earn at least a point for the 10th straight game when they host the Ducks (21-25-9). Let's look at the essentials: • When: 1 p.m. ET with Flyers Pregame Live at 12:30 p.m. • Where: Wells Fargo Center • Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia • Live stream: NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com and the NBC Sports MyTeams app • The Flyers' 3-2 shootout loss Thursday to the Kings was doubly frustrating because they didn't play their best against the Western Conference's worst team and the eight-game win streak was ultimately decided by a skills competition. However, the Flyers need to quickly refocus and realize they still have two more games left on a five-game homestand that can be highly successful if it's punctuated. That will be the newest test for the Flyers, who tend to play in streaks. • Saturday is a busy day in the NHL as 28 teams play. The Flyers will want to take advantage of their matchup. The Ducks have lost 18 of their last 20 games by a combined score of 76-32. They're currently on a six-game losing streak in which they've been outscored 31-6. Meanwhile, two teams the Flyers are chasing have difficult road matchups Saturday as the Blue Jackets visit the Golden Knights and the Penguins play the NHL-best Lightning. A good chance for the Flyers to gain some ground (see standings). • It's back to the kid for the Flyers as Carter Hart returns to the net. Before receiving a night off Thursday, the 20-year-old had started nine of the Flyers' last 10 games. Hart, of course, is rolling as he's 8-2-1 with a 2.36 goals-against average and .933 save percentage since Jan. 5. He has won seven straight games and with a victory Saturday, he would match Jocelyn Thibault's NHL record of most consecutive wins by a goalie before his 21st birthday. • Sean Couturier has put up at least a point in 11 of his last 12 games, a stretch in which he's been a plus-12 with seven goals and nine assists. Since Oct. 30, the 26-year-old center has 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 41 games. Projected lineup Forwards James van Riemsdyk-Claude Giroux-Travis Konecny Oskar Lindblom-Sean Couturier-Jakub Voracek Scott Laughton-Nolan Patrick-Wayne Simmonds Michael Raffl-Mikhail Vorobyev-Phil Varone Defensemen Ivan Provorov-Travis Sanheim Andrew MacDonald-Shayne Gostisbehere Robert Hagg-Radko Gudas Goalies Carter Hart Anthony Stolarz Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129847 Philadelphia Flyers

James van Riemsdyk fined $5,000 by NHL for high-sticking Kings' Alec Martinez

By John Boruk February 08, 2019 4:46 PM

The refs didn’t catch it, but video review finally caught up with James van Riemsdyk. The NHL fined the Flyers winger $5,000 on Friday for his high stick to Kings defenseman Alec Martinez, the maximum allowable amount in accordance with the CBA. The incident occurred just 1:04 into the game as van Riemsdyk swung his stick after Martinez checked him into the boards. The Kings defenseman missed several shifts before returning later in the first period. van Riemsdyk wasn’t assessed a penalty on the play. In fact, the Flyers didn’t commit a single penalty during the entire 65 minutes of regulation and overtime. As for the Flyers left winger, he has gone nine straight games without committing a penalty. All player fines go directly to the Players Emergency Assistance Fund. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129848 Philadelphia Flyers

Why Flyers should tread carefully with Brian Elliott

By John Boruk February 08, 2019 3:12 PM

There’s a nursery rhyme aspect to the Flyers' goaltending position this season. Something resembling Humpty Dumpty where (until recently) no matter who’s sitting atop that wall, it’s just a matter of time before they endure a great fall. Brian Elliott is now attempting to climb back up that wall with a bandaged eggshell following another core muscle injury he suffered in a game against the Devils on Nov. 15. The 33-year-old goaltender has ramped up his activity level to where he’s a full participant in practice, and on Thursday, head coach Scott Gordon said there’s a possibility that Elliott could see game action next week — more than likely with the Phantoms. “There’s a lot of things that factor into it,” Gordon said, “To me, there’s no right or wrong. it’s just a feel and what feels right for the situation.” Elliott is an unrestricted free agent and doesn’t appear to factor into next season’s plans, but on a personal level, he’s looking for employment beyond this season while proving he can be a serviceable goaltender for a team looking for help. “I’m confident enough that I could step in,” Elliott said. “With how the team is rolling, it would be nice to get a feel for games. It’s a thing we’re talking about right now. I definitely want to be sure to take the necessary precautions to be ready and eventually help the team win some games games down the stretch here.” Unfortunately for Elliott, the timing for him couldn’t be any worse. The Flyers have been playing their best hockey utilizing the tandem of Carter Hart and Anthony Stolarz. That duo has combined for an unthinkable .940 save percentage over their last 11 games (9-1-1), helping the Flyers cut their playoff deficit from 15 point back in mid-January to just eight points as of Friday morning. NBC analyst and former Flyers goaltender has been part of a similar three-way timeshare, and firmly believes that if it’s not broke, why fix it, or even touch it. “To me, you’re chipping away at valuable NHL experience, so I would continue to play those guys (Hart and Stolarz). That’s your future, that’s what you’re looking at,” Boucher said after watching Friday’s practice at the SkateZone. “If you want to send Elliott for a game or two in the minors to see how he responds, you can do that.” Unless the Flyers package someone in a trade before the deadline, the team is expected keep three goaltenders on the active roster for the remainder of the regular season. It’s not ideal, but that’s the reality of a goaltending situation that has been unsettling for most of this season. When the Flyers' braintrust ultimately chooses to give Elliott a start will not be an easy decision, and certainly not one that will be met with a favorable response. The fans have generated a buzz at the Wells Fargo Center recently, and feel a lifeline to the future of Flyers goaltending. The perfect scenario would be to get Elliott that first start somewhere on the road, and more importantly, at a time in the schedule that wouldn’t disrupt the Flyers' current playoff push. Otherwise, it could feel like walking on eggshells. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129849 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers 'lucky to get one point' as win streak comes to halt

By John Boruk February 08, 2019 1:40 AM

You can live on borrowed time for only so long. The Flyers' eight-game winning streak was anything but perfect. In two of their last three games, the Flyers put themselves in position to fight back and tie the game in the third period. And in three of those eight games, they had to rally from two-goal deficits. Against the Kings Thursday night, the Flyers were forced to play catch-up once again, and it eventually caught up to them in a 3-2 shootout loss (see observations). Jakub Voracek snapped a shot over Jonathan Quick’s shoulder with 18 seconds remaining to force overtime, which gave the appearance the Flyers could mask their blemishes from the previous 59 minutes, especially the opening 20. The Flyers were actually celebrating a ninth straight win until video review conclusively determined that Adrian Kempe's shootout attempt hit the back of the net and not the crossbar. #HockeyOps explains video review of Adrian Kempe’s goal in the shootout in the @LAKings/@NHLFlyers game. https://t.co/n2lAOYrKHd #LAKvsPHI — NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 8, 2019 “To be honest with you, I don’t think we even deserved a point,” Voracek said. “I think it was our luckiest game out of those last nine. We were lucky to get one point.” Which is truly unfortunate. The Kings came into this game as the worst team in the West and an organization that had just traded one of its best defensemen to Toronto a week earlier. Los Angeles was also playing its third game in four nights, and yet the Flyers appeared like the tired team in the first period. “I think it was about us only,” Voracek said. “I think we were reaching for the pucks instead of just taking one more step, and just swinging at pucks and turning them over instead of taking one more step and making a hard play.” Which is why the Flyers were outshot, 31-20, after two periods and were heavily outnumbered in scoring chances, 23-10. Throughout the eight- game winning streak, the numbers had been working against the Flyers, except for the final score. They had been outshot by an average of 37- 28. Still, the one constant over this stretch of hockey has been the impressive degree of consistency in goal. With Carter Hart receiving a rare night off, Anthony Stolarz turned in another outstanding effort with 37 saves, coming off a 1-0 shutout over the Rangers on Jan. 29. “We weren’t sharp on details, but whatever the score was, Stolie gave us a chance,” Sean Couturier said. “He made us believe and we battled back to get a big point. Down the road, it might be huge.” Considering the depth of the hole they dug throughout the first half of the season, the Flyers can’t begin to squander any more points. They all matter, including the one that slipped away in the shootout as the Flyers now find themselves eight points back of the Penguins for that final wild-card spot. The streak may be over, but we’ll discover soon if all that confidence can be carried over. “Hopefully, it’s a lesson learned,” interim head coach Scott Gordon said. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129850 Philadelphia Flyers players are the ones who get paid top dollar. Toronto’s Auston Matthews, the No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft, inked a five-year, $58.17 million deal just this week. Did the bye week turn Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov’s season Provorov probably would have been in line for a maximum eight-year around? extension after his first two seasons, but the first half of this season may have changed the equation to the point where he gets the traditional “bridge deal” for two or three years first. Dave Isaac, NHL writer Published 4:19 p.m. ET Feb. 8, 2019 “I’m aware of what’s going on, but it doesn’t affect me,” Provorov said when asked if he wanted to be part of the negotiating process. “I love hockey for the game it is. It’s not like I love it for the paychecks. I’ve been VOORHEES — A little time off can do wonders and for third-year Flyers playing the game since I was 5 and there’s nothing I wanted to do more defenseman Ivan Provorov, the bye week may have rolled his season since I was 5 than just to play hockey. I love the game and I’m gonna back on track. Ever since he returned from the Turks and Caicos Islands, continue to get better and try to improve and hopefully become one of the the 22-year-old has been a new man. best players to play the game.” “Since the break he’s come back and his feet have been moving, more Dave Isaac jumping up, being more aggressive but not being too risky,” said Travis Sanheim, Provorov’s defense partner. “I would say he’s being aggressive Courier-Post LOADED: 02.09.2019 at the right time and taking the right chances. I can definitely see in his game that the offensive side has been a lot better and back to where he was last season.” For the first couple months of the season, Provorov seemed like a different player than the impressive youngster who became the team’s No. 1 defenseman only 20 games into his rookie season. He was fumbling the puck, missing coverages and trying to carry the team on his back and it just wasn’t working. He’s been hesitant to acknowledge the difference between how he was playing earlier in the season and since the bye week, but it’s undeniable. “Obviously he’s playing more on his toes,” interim coach Scott Gordon said. “He’s skating more with the puck. He looks faster. It’s good to see because he has the ability to do that. I want all our D to get in the play, but especially someone like Ivan who’s got the skill level and the pace to do it consistently. “(With) all of our D I talk about that but when I’ve talked to Ivan specifically, I’ve talked about not standing still and waiting for something to open up as opposed to find your options while you’re skating.” Whatever he’s changed appears to be working and it seems to be a combination of things. He’s racking up huge minutes and has been excellent both with and without the puck. Provorov said that while he didn’t need the physical break, he sure appreciated the mental one that the bye week provided. Some fans on social media have also wondered if he’s changed his stick, which he confirmed Friday. “I used one stick my first year then I changed it in the middle of the first year, cut my stick down,” Provorov said. “Last year I used a completely different stick compared to my first year and that’s what I started the season with this year. The stick itself didn’t feel as good as it felt last year. I switched (sometime before the Flyers’ trip to Western Canada in December) and went back to what I used the first year.” That was also the time that Sanheim and Provorov were paired together. They were matched up by assistant coach Rick Wilson in the third period of the Edmonton game on Dec. 14. The next day in Vancouver they were still together and have been ever since. It took some time for the chemistry to build for two defensemen who can both play up-ice with the puck. It’s not always perfect. Thursday night, both defensemen were up leading a 3-on-2 into the Los Angeles Kings’ zone and forwards didn’t immediately cover for both of them. “I think as a team we have the puck more, I have the puck more on my stick,” Provorov said. “I’m creating more offensively but for me the game dictates. You can’t force the play when you don’t have the puck. Lately we’ve been playing so much better than we were earlier in the year. Everyone looks better, especially myself. I’ve felt great the last nine games skating, moving, creating offensively. I’m gonna continue to do that and hopefully we keep getting points and winning games.” There’s one more problem as it relates to Provorov and it likely won’t get worked out until the summer. Provorov is a restricted free agent who doesn’t have a contract for next season yet. His agent, Mark Gandler, wasn’t able to make much headway with then-general manager Ron Hextall last summer. Hextall’s successor, Chuck Fletcher, recently said he’s been in touch with Gandler but didn’t want to get into potential negotiations. There are several high-profile restricted free agents around the league up for new deals this summer — Toronto’s Mitch Marner, Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen, Carolina’s Sebastian Aho and Tampa’s Brayden Point just to name a few — and the league is moving in a direction where the young 1129851 Philadelphia Flyers Gordon even reinstated a line of Couturier, Voracek and Claude Giroux, something he’s done a lot of recently when he’s searching for offense, and that didn’t work much either. Flyers 5 takeaways: Anthony Stolarz steals a point, but win streak ends “I’d say they invited us, baited us, to go into the middle and then converged on us in the middle,” Gostisbehere said. “That’s kind of their style. They want you to make plays at the offensive blue line that force Dave Isaac, NHL writer Published 11:20 p.m. ET Feb. 7, 2019 turnovers and come down, so I think for us a simple game, getting pucks deep and going to work, worked for us there in the third.

“I don’t know if you could say a month or so ago if we go down a goal PHILADELPHIA — For a fleeting second the Flyers thought they might that we’re climbing back in it like that. it’s good to see even when we extend their win streak despite not starting the game on time. didn’t have our best tonight.” Goalie Anthony Stolarz had faced several breakaways and odd-man Return of Provorov rushes, been bailed out by the posts a few times too. He heard the sound Adrian Kempe’s shot made in the third round of a shootout with the Los Since the bye week, Ivan Provorov has seemingly been a different Angeles Kings and didn’t know if he should celebrate or not. His player. Gordon joked that, “I think he went to Turks and Caicos and got teammates gathered around him. sunburned. Peeled off a layer of skin.” “It made a weird sound so I kind of had some skepticism,” he said, “but I In a night when the Flyers’ defense didn’t play particularly well, Provorov didn’t see it so I was just hoping for the best there.” did. He led the team with five shots on goal, had a whopping 28:02 of ice time and made several key defensive stops that nearly added to the list The NHL’s “situation room” called in from Toronto and indeed Kempe’s of breakaways. shot went in, so the Los Angeles Kings stayed alive and three shooters later Tyler Toffoli ended the game 3-2 and the Flyers’ streak at eight Loose Pucks games. • In not taking a penalty, the Flyers did something they have only done Stolarz made 37 saves, 17 of them in the first period alone to help the four other times in franchise history. The last time they ended with no Flyers at least get a point. penalty minutes at home was nine years ago against the Coyotes. “To be honest with you I don’t even think we deserved a point today,” • Thursday marked the first shutout loss of the season. The Flyers were said Jake Voracek, who tied the game with 18 seconds left in regulation. previously 2-0. The fewest shootouts they’ve had in a season since the “I think it was our weakest game out of the last nine. We are lucky to get skills competition was implemented in 2005 is seven. the one point.” • Quick has won his last five games against the Flyers and his numbers “I don’t think anyone liked the first period, obviously,” interim coach Scott are ridiculous. In 14 career games against Philly he’s allowed more than Gordon added. “I thought the first half of it was OK. And then the last half two goals only twice and he’s never allowed more than three. we started playing slow, we didn’t advance the puck, we didn’t get any puck pursuit in the offensive zone. Just real sloppy play. Second period Courier-Post LOADED: 02.09.2019 was a little better, but I think we can be more like we were in the third period with some easy adjustments of just identifying the open guy, skating when there’s opportunity to skate with the puck.” Stolarz made his first appearance since a shutout of the New York Rangers on Jan. 29. Gordon said he nearly went with Stolarz on Monday against Vancouver but thought better of it because it was a long layoff for Stolarz and there was no practice Sunday. Instead he went with Carter Hart, who has won each of his last seven games. Hart, 20, is certainly the top goalie these days and will likely start Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks. Stolarz, who has battled injuries the past couple seasons, is fighting for his career and made one stop in overtime that was just as good as Hart’s diving stop on Nikolay Goldobin Monday night.

勞勞勞勞#LAKvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyerspic.twitter.com/i2Rq8kgUgz

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 8, 2019 “Obviously Stolie had a great game, made that huge save in overtime and obviously we know how well Carter’s played,” Gordon said. “Stolie’s always done the best with his opportunity and we’re obviously happy with the way he’s performed. Carter’s done a great job, too.” Here are four more takeaways from Thursday night’s game… Mistakes catch up In a long winning streak, rarely are the games all perfect and that certainly isn’t something the Flyers can claim either. Their goalies, mostly Hart, were tested recently because of some sloppy play in the defensive zone. With the result being a loss Thursday, those mistakes show up a little more glaring. “I feel our last two or three games we’ve given up some chances that we maybe weren’t before,” said Sean Couturier, who has goals in each of the last three games. “We definitely need to be sharper but once again the goalie gave us a chance to win and we got a big point. Now we just gotta be better next game and focus on Saturday.” “Stolie really kept us in the game,” Shayne Gostisbehere confirmed. “He cleaned up a lot of our mistakes back there. Defensively we really took for granted their trap up there and tried to make plays up the wall. I think the simple plays for us works for us. We just have to get back to that.” What the Kings did well With a late rush in the third period and overtime, the Flyers put 32 shots on Jonathan Quick. That number looks deceiving considering how much of the night they simply couldn’t get a forecheck going. 1129852 Philadelphia Flyers 2: Breakout the biggest problem Gordon was candid after the defeat when asked to identify the cause of his team’s 5-on-5 struggles. “Offensively, in the sense of our attack Kings 3, Flyers 2: 10 things we learned from a deserved end to the coming out of our zone, that part of it,” he explained, noting that the winning streak Flyers failed to create offense because all too often, they were unable to efficiently move the puck up ice into the offensive zone in the first place. By Charlie O'Connor Feb 8, 2019 On Thursday morning, Gordon noted that the Kings’ neutral zone forecheck occasionally could resemble almost a 1-4 structure (it’s technically a variation of the 1-1-3), meaning that four players essentially line up across the middle of the ice between the red line and the Kings’ The Philadelphia Flyers weren’t going to keep winning games forever. own blueline, attempting to suck an opponent in before halting their That being said, it was fair for fans to hope that they might be able to pull advance at the line. The Flyers had trouble dealing with that tactic, out a victory over the worst team in the Western Conference on Thursday despite the fact that Gordon and the rest of the coaches clearly tried to night to extend their streak to nine games. Unfortunately, for the team prepare the players for it. “I’d say (the Kings) kind of invited us, baited us, and the home crowd at the Wells Fargo Center, they came up just short. to go in to the middle and then they’d converge on us in the middle,” Shayne Gostisbehere acknowledged after the game. After trailing for the majority of the game, the Flyers tied the score with 18 seconds left in regulation due to a clutch Jakub Voracek goal, forcing In Gordon’s mind, the problem was a lack of urgency when it came to overtime and eventually a shootout. Briefly, the Flyers and the fans moving the puck up ice more than anything else. “I think we out-waited thought they had earned a victory, but Adrian Kempe’s third-round ourselves,” he said. “Sometimes it happens on (line) changes, where you shootout attempt was deemed upon video review to have hit the post have to wait, but there were other times I thought we had an open guy running down the center of the net (past the goal line) rather than one of and we just elected not to pass. We’d do multiple D-to-D (passes), and the outer pipes. Three rounds later, Tyler Toffoli gave the Kings the 3-2 then your forwards are getting to the point where, “Are we gonna stay out victory, halting Philadelphia’s season-long winning streak at eight. here, or change? When’s the puck going to be moved?” So you get to a point where there’s nothing happening, and you’re basically just killing Voracek and Sean Couturier scored for the Flyers, while Austin Wagner the clock. And then when you finally do make a play, they’ve adjusted, and Kempe provided the offense in regulation for the Kings. Anthony and they’ve gotten set up, and you’ve created a wall that makes it hard Stolarz was the tough-luck loser, stopping 37 of 39 shots in regulation for you to get through.” and overtime, before keeping three Los Angeles shootout attempts out of the net. Jonathan Quick matched his counterpart with a strong To my eyes, that wasn’t the only problem; even when the Flyers did try to performance, making 30 saves in regulation and overtime and then one move up ice quickly and with pace, their passes were often inaccurate, more stop than Stolarz during the skills competition. serving to slow the advance. But to be sure, part of the problem was mentality. “We didn’t identify the opportunities to advance to the puck Note: This article will reference advanced hockey stats. If you’re looking before they could even get set up into their forecheck, and as a result, a to better understand any of the referenced metrics, please read this lot of times we were looking up and we didn’t have the support,” Gordon primer, which explains the concepts behind them. continued. “There’s a lot of things, but you fall into that mode sometimes 1: Winning streak ends for simple reason — it deserved to end thinking you’ve got a lot of time because they don’t pressure down the ice as much as maybe some other teams, and it’s not that it’s impossible to You can always count on Jakub Voracek to provide necessary bluntness penetrate that situation, but you’ve got to be smarter and not beat after a game. “To be honest with you, I don’t think we even deserved a yourself with it.” On this night, the Flyers absolutely did beat themselves. point today,” he frankly stated after the 3-2 shootout loss that ended the Flyers’ eight-game winning streak. “I think it was our weakest game out 3: Stolarz shines in start of our last nine or whatever. We got lucky to get one point to be honest With Carter Hart rolling into Calder Trophy contention, it was fair to come with you.” away a bit surprised when Anthony Stolarz received the nod in net with Voracek wasn’t wrong. Particularly over the first two periods, Philadelphia the team’s eight-game win streak on the line. Gordon, however, held to was crushed from a puck possession standpoint, trailing by a wide his belief that Hart — as good as he is — is still just 20 years old and margin by all of the available advanced metrics. “I don’t think anyone can’t be run into the ground. liked the first period,” head coach Scott Gordon acknowledged. “I thought “You look at the schedule, and see, what’s the right thing here?” Gordon the first half of it was OK, and then the last half we started playing slow, posed to the media on Thursday morning, walking through his thought we didn’t advance the puck, we didn’t get any puck pursuit in the process. “I was thinking about playing (Stolarz) on Monday, and then I offensive zone, just real sloppy play. Second period, I think it was a little said, that probably isn’t fair to him, because we didn’t practice on Sunday better, but I think we can be more like we were in the third period by (in full), we’re not practicing on Tuesday, so let’s give him the opportunity some easy adjustments of just identifying the open guy, skating when to have pre-game skate on Monday, practice Wednesday, pre-game there’s opportunity to skate with the puck.” skate today. And at the same time, it also gives Carter a chance to reset To the Flyers’ credit, they did indeed pick things up in the third period, a the batteries, knowing that we’ve got a Thursday-Saturday-Monday- push that eventually led to Voracek’s game-tying tally with the extra Tuesday setup coming.” attacker. But even in the “better” final stanza of regulation, Philadelphia But Stolarz didn’t merely function as a battery charge for Hart on managed a mere 13-9 shot-attempts edge at 5-on-5 and were largely Thursday. He delivered his second straight standout performance, kept out of the netfront and low-slot areas (only one high-danger scoring stopping 37 of 39 shots (0.949 save percentage, +0.37 Goals Saved chance). This wasn’t a game that gave the Flyers much to hang their Above Average) and giving his team numerous chances to win in the hats upon. shootout. His best save, of course, came late in overtime, when he So how did they take the game to overtime, and very nearly win it in a lunged across the crease to stop an opportunity for Kempe, drawing shootout? For starters, the Kings aren’t a very good team — they’re short comparisons to Hart’s save on Monday night versus Vancouver. on high-end offensive talent, which was obvious in the way they missed It’s important to note that Stolarz delivered for the Flyers despite the fact on many of the various opportunities that the Flyers granted them. “First that this was just his second appearance of the 2019 calendar year. The half of the game, I thought we gave away a lot of breakaways and odd- layoffs and gaps between starts don’t seem to be fazing him, though. man rushes. We weren’t sharp on details,” Couturier noted. But “For me, I take a lot of pride in that,” Stolarz said. “I’ve been forced into continued strong goaltending — this time from Stolarz — along with the some unfortunate situations, where guys have been hurt in the past, timely scoring that helped drive the team’s improbable winning streak, Mase once or twice and the incident with Neuvy here, so you kind of get nearly allowed the Flyers to overcome another poor all-around showing used to coming in cold. It’s part of the job; if you want to be a goalie, and secure a win anyway. whether it’s a starter or backup, you’ve got to be able to come in and shut In the grand scheme of things, a loss might not be the worst thing for the the door, and give the team a chance to stay in the game and get a point Flyers right now, especially because they still earned a loser point in or two.” Voracek noted that Stolarz did just that. “He gave us that one defeat. Bad habits were creeping into their play, and it’s not like the point today so kudos to him,” the team’s star winger said, clearly Flyers were dominating by shot and chance metrics during the streak impressed with the play of the 24-year-old in net. despite the deluge of wins. A stark reminder that their mistakes do have 4: A rough game for Ghost consequences could potentially result in improved all-around play. Gordon seemed to endorse the sentiment. “Hopefully it’s a lesson When asked for his view of the recent play of Gostisbehere on Thursday learned,” he said. We’ll find out during the team’s upcoming three- morning, Gordon provided an unusually brief endorsement. “I thought games-in-four-days stretch if that proves to be the case. he’s played with pretty good energy, I thought he’s done a really good job of distributing the puck, getting shots off from the point when they’ve been there, hasn’t forced things,” he said. “For the most part, I’ve liked year than the latter. But that shouldn’t relegate a standout showing from the way he’s played.” Perhaps the short nature of his answer was due to the captain too far down the list. More than any other player on the the fact that it came at the end of the scrum, but it stuck out that the Flyers, Giroux is blessed with truly elite hockey talent, and it was on usually loquacious Gordon didn’t have a ton to say about Gostisbehere display all game long on Thursday evening. when given the chance to praise him. His first primary assist was a classic example of a play that would be Gostisbehere’s work on Thursday night justified Gordon’s decision to not viewed as a mere unintentional fluke if any other forward made it; it might be too effusive with his praise. He proved a prime culprit on both goals have truly been good fortune. But when it’s Claude Giroux diving to send against — first giving up too much space on entry leading to Wagner’s a slap pass in the general direction of Couturier and putting it right on the tally, and then pinching deep into the offensive zone leading to Kempe’s tape, it’s fair to wonder if it was less a case of a player simply trying to goal. Granted, Gordon explained after the game that the second goal keep a loose puck alive and more an example of Giroux seeing three was more on Mikhail Vorobyev — who due to a bad route also ended up steps ahead of everyone on the ice. There was no such uncertainty getting trapped behind the counter-rush, rather than properly covering for surrounding his second primary helper, though — that was merely a Gostisbehere’s pinch — but that doesn’t absolve Gostisbehere for an all- perfect cross-slot pass to set up Voracek for the tying goal. Giroux even around uninspiring game. The numbers back up the eyes — Ghost’s nearly added a third primary, setting up Couturier with a below-the-red- 25.30% xG For Percentage at 5-on-5 was third-worst among Flyers line pass that he buried just as the second period ended. The captain’s players. playmaking ability was on point in this one. It certainly looks like Gostisbehere is pressing on the ice, trying to hard to And in case you needed any additional evidence of Giroux’s abilities, he make something happen with the puck while playing a bit too passive provided one more example in the skills competition. The video, simply without it. He’s in need of a few plays to break his way, a goal off a put, speaks for itself. fortunate bounce or an end-to-end rush that turns into a highlight-reel tally. For an emotional player like Ghost, a few big plays might be just 8: Giroux receiving extended power play time? enough to break him out of this current funk. For now, however, last night The only reason why Giroux was able to set up that just-after-the-buzzer served as a reminder that he remains mired in it. power play tally at the conclusion of the second period was because he 5: MacDonald struggles as well remained on the ice even as most of the other members of PP1 had retreated to the bench for a line change. With the intermission In Gostisbehere’s defense, he wasn’t receiving much help from his forthcoming, the easy interpretation of that move was that Gordon and regular partner. Andrew MacDonald, who actually has performed quite Kris Knoblauch figured they could empty Giroux’s tank a bit by giving him well by advanced 5-on-5 metrics in 2018-19 when factoring out the first a two-plus minute shift before getting a quarter of an hour to catch his five games of the season (when he really shouldn’t have been playing), breath. That made sense — until the Flyers went to the same well a struggled just as much as Gostisbehere on Thursday night. Not only did second time early in the third period. he have his own fair share of gaffes — he put very little pressure on Kyle Clifford leading to the Kings’ first goal and then fell on a transition rush The Philadelphia second PP unit has been ineffective for years, and the shortly thereafter, leading to a breakaway — but MacDonald’s stats were idea of essentially using Giroux on both units as is also actually worse than Ghost’s: a poor 40.74% Corsi For Percentage deployed by the Washington Capitals has been brought up by fans in the and flat-out ghastly 12.12% performance by xG. past. But Ovechkin simply stands in one spot and shoots; Giroux is the main facilitator on the PP, in addition to playing a driving role in zone At this point, I do wonder if the Flyers would be best served moving entries. The assumption was that those responsibilities would drain him Gudas back up to play with Gostisbehere. Gudas tends to hog the too much for double-shifting to be a viable scenario. Yet suddenly, it offensive zone shot volume on a pairing, but it’s not like Ghost’s shots seems like the Flyers are going down that road. are getting through anyway. And while the idea of a Hagg-MacDonald third pair isn’t especially enticing, the current Hagg-Gudas pairing isn’t Gordon’s media availability did not last long enough to bring up the PP exactly working out well, either. With a loss now finally in the books, it will usage. But he was asked about Giroux’s ice time as a whole — he be interesting to see if Gordon and the coaching staff stick with their skated for 26:41 on Thursday — and the head coach explained that the current lines and pairings, or look to shake things up a bit for Saturday. heavy minutes didn’t come without a plan behind them. “He’s in phenomenal shape. And the other piece to that is that we’re very 6: Provorov, on the other hand, was stellar conscious of rest, too,” Gordon said. He elaborated that the relatively light practice schedule this week (optional on Sunday, off on Tuesday, Just before last night’s game, Chris Nichols was kind enough to release a optional on Thursday) made him more willing to lean upon Giroux during transcribed version of the legendary Bob McKenzie’s thoughts on Ivan game action. Whether he’ll continue to get an extra 20-30 seconds with Provorov’s down year from his Bobcast podcast and what it means for the second unit remains to be seen, but it’s clearly not an option entirely Provorov’s ultimate upside as a player. McKenzie remains on team off the table. Provy, arguing that player development is not linear and noting that he still believes in the high-end No. 1 defenseman ceiling that seemed to be 9: Laughton’s role, recently expanded a given for Provorov before this disappointing 2018-19 season. One of McKenzie’s (many) justifications? Since the All-Star break, he’s heard While Scott Laughton did not see heavy ice time in this game — primarily from quite a few scouts who have told him that Provorov has looked due to the fact that the Flyers took zero penalties on Thursday — on the more like his old self in recent contests. whole, the 24-year-old forward’s usage has been on the upswing. Monday saw Laughton on the ice for 20:54, and he had received more That argument bore out on Thursday night. While most of the Flyers than 16 minutes each of the preceding six contests, after clearing that scuttled through the first 40 minutes of the contest, Provorov was sharp threshold only six times in the first 46 games of 2018-19. Even last night, from start-to-finish. Aside from a couple minor issues with the puck on he still ranked sixth among Philadelphia forwards in 5-on-5 ice time, the power play (and at this point, there’s little reason for Provorov to be ahead of Nolan Patrick, Oskar Lindblom and Wayne Simmonds. on PP2 over Travis Sanheim anyway, so I less blame him than the coaches for keeping him there), Provorov’s game was completely sound. But what exactly is Laughton’s role on this team? Famously, his night- Of particular note: How many times Provorov needed to make a perfect over-night place in lineup has been in a seemingly constant state of flux, play on the puck or else the Kings would have an easy transition rush or as he’s jumped between center and wing, scoring lines and checking quality scoring chance, and he was able to do just that, with his best lines, and even getting time at both wing positions. His role might be moment coming late in the third period to give the Flyers the chance to increasing in terms of minutes, but what are the expectations that tie the game two minutes later. accompany such a promotion? What does Gordon see as Laughton’s nightly “job,” anyway? Provorov also shined by advanced metrics, posting a defense-high 54.35 percent Corsi For in a whopping 24:35 at 5-on-5, and holding a +13.93 “I think every line should have a guy – I put on my dry erase board in percent xG Relative to his teammates on the night as well. I’m not sure I Lehigh in my office: ‘Who gets the puck?’ He’s one of those guys,” agree with McKenzie’s scouts that Provorov has been truly back to his Gordon explained. “Whether it’s him dumping it in for himself, or if it’s his old self since returning from the break; he’s had a couple clunkers. But linemates who are putting it in a space for him to go get it, his ability to his good games have been closer to great since the All-Star game, forecheck, to finish a check, win a 1-on-1 battle, retrieve pucks and make whereas before the break, a “good” Provorov game mostly just meant a play – those types of players are critical for the success of any line. that he avoided the glaring errors that have plagued him all season. Last “If you can have one of those guys on all of your lines, that’s just going to night, he delivered a good game that was truly, consistently impactful in a help your skill guys even that much more, and obviously you have to positive way. have an element of skill to play with the skilled guys. But when you 7: Giroux stood out as well wonder why the three best, highly skilled offensive players don’t have chemistry together, sometimes it comes down to, ‘Who’s going to get the Provorov’s strong performance is more notable than a stellar game from puck?’ So that’s an important part of his role, his ability to block shots, do Claude Giroux, simply because the former has delivered far fewer this the right things defensively, get pucks out, win 1-on-1 battles, playing on a secondary line that we’d consider a shutdown line, that’s something he’s capable of (too).” 10: Lehtera waived, assigned to Phantoms During the Dale Weise saga, the regular question that was asked — not necessarily in defense of Weise, but just out of confusion regarding the situation as a whole — was if Weise was worthy of being jettisoned from the roster, why did an even-more-underwhelming veteran forward like Jori Lehtera remain? The Flyers provided an answer on Wednesday and Thursday, first exposing Lehtera to waivers, and then demoting him to the after he unsurprisingly was not poached by any of the other 30 NHL teams. Lehtera deserved to be removed from the roster. Setting aside his legal issues, this is a forward who ranks 391st in 5-on-5 Points per 60 out of 395 NHL forwards with at least 600 minutes played since the start of the 2017-18 season. While he did provide some defensive value, he just could no longer score at a level acceptable for a regular NHL forward. Lehtera is a lock to be allowed to leave this summer when his contract expires, and my guess is that he’ll return to Europe, because it seems highly unlikely his services will be in demand at this level once he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The move may have been warranted, but why make it now? Why, after months of keeping Lehtera on the NHL roster despite minimal production, did general manager Chuck Fletcher finally choose to demote the 31- year-old? Most likely, it has to do with the various players on the verge of returning from injury. With Lehtera in the NHL, the Flyers had a full 23- man roster, since Mike McKenna remains with the Flyers on paper during his conditioning stint. In other words, without removing another player from the roster, Fletcher would not have been able to activate any of Brian Elliott, Samuel Morin or Corban Knight — all of whom are closing in on returning. Most likely, all three will require conditioning stints prior to returning to NHL action, like the one that McKenna is currently receiving. But in order to give a player a conditioning stint, he must be on the active NHL roster. Demoting Lehtera clears up one needed spot, and if talk from both Gordon and Elliott on Thursday morning was any indication, Elliott could be the candidate to fill that spot, as the goalie said that he felt a rehab start or two would be beneficial before getting into game action with the Flyers, and Gordon notably did not rule out Elliott factoring into the NHL netminding mix next week. In the short term, the Flyers will roll with just 12 forwards, since they are in the midst of a homestand and could make a late recall if necessary. Finally, this is another case of Fletcher — on the heels of the Jordan Weal and Taylor Leier trades, in addition to the removal of Weise from the roster — cutting ties with a bottom-of-the-depth-chart player he did not view as part of the future of the organization. In comparison to former GM Ron Hextall, Fletcher seems more willing to pull the plug early on players who just lack a long-term fit, whether due to lack of ability or lack of room, rather than wait until a contract expires. Even though his club has pushed its way back into the outskirts of contention, Fletcher has remained committed to cutting the fat from his roster. It’s a welcome shift. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129853 Pittsburgh Penguins Dominik Simon has one goal in 13 games. Sullivan’s attempt to make Simon into a top-six forward is failing.

Whenever the foe scores, Jack Johnson is frequently in close proximity. Mark Madden: Penguins need a 1-A type backup as insurance for Matt The defenseman is minus-8, and his fancy stats are extremely damning. Murray The new guys from Florida are just as mediocre as the old guys the Penguins sent to Florida. (Although, mercifully, neither Bjugstad nor MARK MADDEN | Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, 6:54 p.m. McCann trips over his lower lip like Derick Brassard did.) It’s easy to assume the Penguins will kick it into gear when they need to. But they had better kick it into gear now, or they could wind up on the Penguins GM Jim Rutherford might be done dealing after acquiring outside looking in. forwards Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann from Florida on Feb 1. Murray could be the Penguins’ savior when he returns. His But he probably isn’t. December/January hot streak occurred immediately upon coming back from injury. Tweaking the roster is in Rutherford’s blood. He’s changed a quarter of his team since season’s start. But if the Penguins are to yet maximize their season, Murray needs to stay healthy. The only ability Murray too often lacks is availability. A That’s no complaint. The results speak for themselves. It’s not about stronger backup provides peace of mind, at the very least. winning every trade. It’s about building your team. Rutherford corrects his mistakes. The ego of many GMs doesn’t allow for that. Tribune Review LOADED: 02.09.2019 So as the Feb. 25 NHL trade deadline races closer, here’s a suggestion for Rutherford: Get another goalie. Detroit’s Jimmy Howard leaps to mind. Perhaps Chicago’s Cam Ward. Each would be a rental. That’s no knock on incumbent Matt Murray. He’s got a champion’s resume. Murray has been streaky this season, but when he’s on, he’s brilliant. Witness just 10 goals conceded in eight games Dec. 15-Jan. 8, with eight wins and two shutouts. His lifetime playoff save percentage is .923, his playoff goals-against average 2.08. Marc-Andre Fleury’s popularity in Pittsburgh makes the debate constant, but Rutherford did right when he kept Murray and let Fleury go to Vegas in the 2017 expansion draft. That’s taking into account Fleury’s legit Vezina candidacy this season. Murray can do it all … except stay healthy. He’s too often hurt. Murray’s most recent knock (unspecified upper body, not a concussion) marks the 10th time he has been injured since making his NHL debut in December 2015. That’s an amazing figure. Murray has been concussed three times. Murray is (and should remain) the Penguins’ No. 1 goaltender. But the Penguins need — next season, if not immediately — a No. 1-A. They need a goalie who can assume a No. 1’s workload if Murray is hurt, especially in the playoffs. Casey DeSmith doesn’t fit that description. The Penguins need a setup like Boston’s: Tuukka Rask is the No. 1, and Jaroslav Halak is close behind. Each has played half the games. Each has performed well. But the Penguins like DeSmith. Goaltending coach Mike Buckley worked with DeSmith at the University of New Hampshire. The Penguins rewarded DeSmith’s solid play with a three-year, $3.75 million contract extension in January. DeSmith is a capable backup, a No. 2. But is he a 1-A? Can DeSmith win a bunch of games in a row during the playoffs? Can he beat Washington in a best-of-seven? Perhaps that’s an unfair request. Murray lost that second-round series to Washington last year, and any goalie acquired would offer no guarantees. Perhaps the point will be moot. Perhaps the Penguins will miss the playoffs. A glance at their roster says they shouldn’t. A glance at the standings says they might. There isn’t one major thing wrong with the Penguins. But looking impotent and lethargic in three straight losses doesn’t lie, nor does their record: 28 wins and 26 losses. (Overtime/shootout defeats are still just that, defeats.) The Penguins rarely look like their talent dictates they should. Evgeni Malkin is hurt but hasn’t played near his full capabilities since October. Patric Hornqvist doesn’t have a point in seven games. Maybe coach Mike Sullivan’s attempt to make Hornqvist into a third-liner finally has succeeded. 1129854 Pittsburgh Penguins

Scoring touch goes cold for Penguins' Patric Hornqvist

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, 4:26 p.m.

Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist watches as a shot from Penguins center Sidney Crosby, not shown, beats Maple Leafs goaltender Garret Sparks for the first goal of the game during the first period Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, in Toronto. TAMPA, Fla. – When it comes to the fickle nature of goal scoring in the NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins winger Patric Hornqvist has lived at both ends of the spectrum this season. Remember his natural hat trick in the third period of a 6-3 Penguins win over Colorado on Dec. 4? The net must have looked the size of a garage door to him that night. Nowadays, though, the cage looks smaller than Sidney Crosby’s mom’s dryer. Since returning from a concussion Jan. 19, Hornqvist has gone without a point over his last seven games. Hornqvist said the concussion has not lingered or disrupted his timing. He’s getting his shots – 22 of them over the past seven games. He has no explanation for the drought other than his scoring touch going cold. “It’s just the puck doesn’t go in for me right now,” Hornqvist said Friday. “Everyone goes through these kinds of stretches. You just have to stay with it and stick with it. There’s a reason why you’re playing here. You’ve been scoring goals before. You just have to stay with it and don’t get frustrated.” Hornqvist is one of the more consistent scorers in the NHL, having recorded five straight 20-goal seasons. Coach Mike Sullivan expressed no desire to see Hornqvist change his game in any way in an effort to end the slump. ‘Horny tends to be a streak guy offensively,” Sullivan said. “If one can go in the net for him, they tend to come in bunches with him. He tends to be that type of a player. He’s just got to play his game. He’s got to get in on the forecheck. He’s got to wreak havoc in front of the net. That’s when Horny’s at his best. He’s a bull in a china closet.” Tribune Review LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129855 Pittsburgh Penguins

As he sets Penguins' games played record, Sidney Crosby happy to stay in one place

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, 4:08 p.m.

TAMPA, Fla. — When Sidney Crosby tied Mario Lemieux for the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise record with 915 career games played Thursday night, it was a bit of a bittersweet occasion. On one hand, it was a moment for Penguins fans to savor. They’ve been able to witness each and every game played by two of the greatest talents the game has ever known. “I’m happy that I’ve been in Pittsburgh this long,” Crosby said Friday. “You never know when you’re drafted by a team and there’s high expectations. You want to be part of it for your career, but you never know how it’s going to work out. The fact that I went to Pittsburgh, I think I just appreciate that. The fact that I’ve been able to share a lot of those games with a core group of guys, too, that’s nice to be able to share that with them. “Just want to play as many as I can.” On the other hand, it conjures up visions of what might have been. How many championships could have been won and scoring records shattered if both superstars had remained relatively healthy throughout their careers? Lemieux didn’t hit 915 games until age 40. “He did so much in not even close to the amount of games he could have played,” Crosby said. Crosby has missed 171 games in his career, mostly because of concussion-related problems at the start of this decade. “I feel like it could have been that high number of games at this point,” the 31-year-old Crosby said. “I look at it both ways, but I think you definitely gain an appreciation for playing the game and all that comes with it.” The durability Crosby has shown since overcoming the concussion issues is probably one of the more underrated parts of his game. Since the start of the 2013-14 season, he has missed only 19 games, an average of about three per year. “It’s a testament to his fitness level,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “It’s not like he plays on the perimeter. He’s a guy that plays in the traffic and the dirty areas as much as anyone in the league. He’s great at it. I think that’s where he plays his best hockey. He creates so many opportunities in the traffic. “I’ve never been around a guy that takes care of himself and prides himself on his off-ice training and how he lives his life. He’s just a driven athlete, and he controls all those controllables off the ice. I think that’s what allows him to play the game he can play. He’s obviously a gifted player. He’s an elite player in that regard, but when you combine that with his work ethic and his willingness to go the extra mile to do certain things that most players quite honestly aren’t willing to do, I think that’s what separates Sid from others.” Tribune Review LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129856 Pittsburgh Penguins

Injured Penguins goalie Matt Murray could return as soon as Saturday

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, 3:41 p.m.

TAMPA, Fla. – Among a handful of players fighting through injuries at Pittsburgh Penguins practice on Friday, goalie Matt Murray might have received the best news. Murray, who missed Thursday night’s game in Florida with an upper- body injury, was a full participant in practice and didn’t rule out playing Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. “You just take it one step at a time,” Murray said. “You wake up, see how you feel and go from there. I felt good today.” Murray’s current injury is the third that has caused him to miss time this season, joining a concussion that kept him out 10 days and a lower-body injury that sidelined him for a month. He said there’s no use getting frustrated about his frequent trips to the trainer’s room. “It is what it is. It’s part of the game. It’s a fast game out there and things happen,” Murray said. “I don’t think it’s worth getting frustrated over. I’m just trying to stop the puck. I’m trying to do whatever I can to do that. Sometimes it might go a little too far and get injured. Something unlucky might happen. You might get a weird bounce, a shot off the head, something like that. Stuff happens.” Justin Schultz, out since Oct. 13 with a broken leg, was also a full participant in practice Friday, but he didn’t sound as optimistic about his chances of playing Saturday night. “I don’t want to rush this and come back too soon,” Schultz said. “Just trying to feel better every day and get back to 100 percent.” Evgeni Malkin (upper body) and Zach Aston-Reese (hand) joined the team for practice for the first time since suffering their injuries, albeit in red, no-contact jerseys. Aston-Reese said his injury didn’t occur on a punch when he fought Florida’s Colton Sceviour on Jan. 8. Doctors told him it probably happened when he fell to the ice, but Aston-Reese speculated it occurred while grabbing Sceviour’s jersey. Kris Letang, meanwhile, did not practice Friday. Coach Mike Sullivan said he had the day off for maintenance. Tribune Review LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129857 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins' Evgeni Malkin hopes injury doesn't prolong slump

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, 3:24 p.m.

TAMPA, Fla. — Evgeni Malkin is a little bit nervous. It’s not a condition that plagues him often, as his Conn Smythe Trophy and three Stanley Cup rings can attest, but that’s the emotion he felt as he sat in his locker stall after the Pittsburgh Penguins practiced Friday afternoon at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Malkin is in the midst of a trying season. After a typically superb start, a prolonged slump that began in early November has lasted through much of the winter. Last Wednesday, it looked like Malkin’s season had reached a turning point. He was a force in a 4-2 Penguins victory over Tampa Bay, playing with emotion and physicality, recording two assists and fighting Steven Stamkos in a memorable bout of superstar-on-superstar violence. Then he woke up the next morning in considerable pain. He hasn’t played since, which is why he’s nervous. He’s not worried he’s going to miss too much more time because of his upper-body injury. He participated in a full team practice Friday, albeit in a red, noncontact jersey, and said his condition slowly is improving. He said he might be back as soon as Monday’s game in Philadelphia, though that’s probably a little optimistic. What he’s worried about is the momentum of the Tampa Bay game being gone and the dark days of his long slump returning. “Step forward if I play next game, but I missed four games,” Malkin said. “I’m a little bit nervous now again. Yeah, I have a great game. We win 4- 2. I look forward. (But) it’s life. We have injuries. We have problems sometimes. I’m working back to do my best. I remember I played good against Tampa, but we’ll see what’s going on.” Malkin would love to say he’s turned a corner. He’d like to vow that as soon as he’s healthy, he’ll be back to playing the dominant game he’s accustomed to. But he didn’t do that Friday, mostly because he knows talk is cheap. “If I say right now yes, and I’m back and not playing great, it’s nothing,” Malkin said. “We can talk about my game every day. We’ll see when I’m back. Of course I’m trying to do my best. Of course I have great motivation right now.” One part of that motivation: Malkin is 15 points shy of 1,000 for his career. “I want it this year,” he said. Another part: The desire for a fourth Stanley Cup ring still burns inside him. “We want, together, to play in playoffs,” Malkin said. “We want to be a great team. We want the Cup back. It’s not a secret. We’re hungry.” Malkin’s injury, for what it’s worth, didn’t happen during the Stamkos fight, he said. It occurred on a hard open-ice hit delivered by Dan Girardi earlier in the game. “It’s a tough game, and we battle hard,” Malkin said. “Doctor gave me pain pills after the first period. It’s a little bit help to me. Always when you play, you don’t feel it. Worse pain is the next morning, the next day. I feel all right after the hit. Next day, I feel so bad. I knew I have something wrong. I go see doctor and a little bit of trouble.” Malkin only can hope that soon, all his troubles will be behind him. “I want to play,” Malkin said. “I’m hungry. I do my best and work hard every day. It’s a little bit slow, but I hope I’m back soon.” Tribune Review LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129858 Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby reflects on reaching Mario Lemieux's games-played record

February 8, 2019 4:30 PM By Jason Mackey / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux have both played 915 NHL games, tied for the most in Penguins history. They’ve both missed a lot of time because of injury and illness. That was one of the things on Crosby’s mind as he reflected on the mark after practice. “He did so much,” Crosby said of Lemieux. “Not even close to the amount of games he could have played. He fought through a lot of injuries and battled cancer. It all worked out. He got through it.” Crosby said one of the things he’s most thankful for is that, like Lemieux, all of his games have come in Pittsburgh, and he’ll never play for another team. “The fact that I’ve stayed in Pittsburgh, I appreciate that,” Crosby said. “The fact that I’ve been able to share a lot of those games with a core group of guys, that’s nice to be able to share that with them. I want to play as many as I can.” “When you go through [so many injuries], you definitely gain a different perspective,” Crosby said. “On the flip side, you feel like it could have been a higher number of games at this point, too. You can look at it both ways. I think you definitely gain an appreciation for playing the game and all that comes with it.” Post Gazette LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129859 Pittsburgh Penguins It was good to get back to team activities, Aston-Reese said. For a variety of reasons, too.

“It’s always a little weird kinda doing one-on-one skates and skill stuff; Even while injured, Evgeni Malkin delivers a message to Penguins that’s not really my game,” Aston-Reese said, adding that he basically did nothing but suicides while trying to stay in shape for the first couple weeks after getting hurt. February 8, 2019 3:53 PM Which, by the way, occurred when Sceviour fell on him, Aston-Reese By Jason Mackey / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said. Post Gazette LOADED: 02.09.2019 TAMPA, Fla. — Like a few of his teammates, Evgeni Malkin has been injured. He suffered an upper-body injury Jan. 30 against the Tampa Bay Lightning and hasn’t played since, although Malkin did practice in a non- contact capacity Friday at Amalie Arena. Unlike many of his teammates, however, Malkin can often become the Penguins’ conscience, occasionally making bold predictions in the playoffs and also ripping the group whenever it underperforms. Malkin’s return from injury and the pulpit he sometimes possesses were linked Friday, as the Russian center discussed his ongoing return and also what needs to happen once he does suit up again. “We want to play in the playoffs. We want to be a great team. We want the Stanley Cup back,” Malkin said. “It’s not a secret. We’re hungry. We have a great team. We work every day to be the best. I hope [Justin Schultz] comes back, I’m back, no injuries before playoffs, we show our best game.” Malkin clarified that his injury did not occur in his fight against Steven Stamkos but rather on a hit from Lighting defenseman Dan Girardi in the first couple minutes of the game, a 4-2 Penguins win at PPG Paints Arena. “I felt pain right away,” Malkin said. “It’s a tough game. We battle hard. Doctor gave me pain pills after the first period. It’s a little bit tough for me. When you play, you don’t always feel it. Worst pain is the next morning and the next day. The next day I felt so bad. I knew I had something wrong. I went and saw the doctor.” Although he was back with the team Friday, Malkin wore a red, non- contact sweater and ruled himself out of Saturday’s rematch against Tampa. He said he hopes to play Monday in Philadelphia. That Jan. 30 game was one of Malkin’s best this season. He was physically and emotionally engaged and wound up producing two assists. That was a big step forward for Malkin, although he’s “nervous” such momentum might not stretch over the five games he will have missed by Monday. With his struggles to produce offense this season, Malkin said he’s taking a cautiously optimistic approach to returning. “If I say right now, yes, then I’m back and I don’t play great, it’s nothing,” Malkin said of the idea of being even more motivated when he gets back. “We can’t talk about my game every day. We’ll see when I’m back. Of course I try to do my best. Of course I have great motivation. I look at my 1,000 points [he has 985]. Huge point, in my opinion. I want to finish this year [strong].” Other injuries Here’s what we know about the other injured guys: • Matt Murray was a full participant at Friday’s practice and appears likely to play against the Lightning. He’s also not concerned about the amount of injuries he’s suffered in his career. “It is what it is,” Murray said. “It’s part of the game. It’s a fast game out there. Things happen. I don’t think it’s worth getting frustrated over. I’m just trying to stop the puck. I do whatever I can to do that.” • Justin Schultz was also full-go in his return from a broken left leg, although if he’s planning on playing Saturday, he did a solid job downplaying his potential return. “You don’t want to rush this and come back too soon,” Schultz said. “It’s a pretty serious injury. Just trying to feel better every day and get to 100 percent.” Remember that exactly four months — Schultz’s given timeline — doesn’t hit until next Wednesday. Against, of all teams, the Edmonton Oilers, Schultz’s former employer. • Zach Aston-Reese was back with the group Friday after injuring his left hand in a fight with Florida’s Colton Sceviour on Jan. 8. He wore a red, non-contact sweater, as well. 1129860 Pittsburgh Penguins Such passivity has been an especially large issue on the power play, where the Penguins are 1 for their past 18.

"As I said to the guys [Friday] morning, we’re trying to pass it in the net," The Penguins' scoring issues are concerning. They're also fixable Sullivan said. "I think we have to shoot it in the net. If it doesn’t go in, at least it gives us a chance to bang a rebound in.” February 8, 2019 11:39 AM • While Pearson has gone cold lately, he did produce eight goals in the 25 games before this current slide. A larger problem has been Dominik By Jason Mackey / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Simon’s lack of production. In his past 31 games, Simon has just three goals and 11 points despite seeing plenty of time in the Penguins’ top-six. TAMPA, Fla. — After most games, Tanner Pearson will sneak a peek at his stats, wondering how many shots he attempted and how many went And while someone like Rust — who has been one of the Penguins’ on goal. better forwards lately — can add value on a variety of lines, Simon has rarely given the Penguins much when deployed in the bottom-six. Lately, the results haven’t been pretty. OK, so now what? Pearson has just 11 shots on goal over his past 10 games and no goals during that stretch. Furthermore, he has just 22 shot attempts (all Besides shooting more, there are a couple things the Penguins can do. situations) and one assist over his last 10, and the results seem to be getting worse. One, put Hornqvist back with Crosby and see if that works. There’s certainly a history of Jake Guentzel, Crosby and Hornqvist being very “Over the last three games [before Thursday], I think I had two attempts good together, most recently in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. and one on net,” Pearson said, nailing his exact numbers. “That’s not going to cut it.” Second, shift Nick Bjugstad back to center, at least until Malkin returns. That was the original plan, before it was suddenly scrapped after No, it’s most certainly not, especially considering Pearson hasn’t Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to the Hurricanes. attempted a shot in three of the Penguins’ past five games and has enjoyed a total of zero scoring chances — again, all situations — during Matt Cullen can do a lot of things to help the Penguins, but he looked that same period. overmatched as their second-line center between Kessel and Rust on Thursday, forcing Sullivan to go a couple different directions in the third “I think he has to bring a little bit more urgency to his game,” Penguins period. coach Mike Sullivan said of Pearson. “He has to be harder on pucks. He’s got to hang on to pucks in the offensive zone. He’s got to go to the Bjugstad and Kessel actually had some chemistry together, and it might net when we have possession.” not be the worst thing to see if Pearson can fit into that dynamic. Deploying Pearson on your fourth line is ... well, less than ideal. But the good news, at least — if you want to call it that — is that Pearson’s hardly alone. Four of the Penguins’ eight wingers right now That would put Rust on a blue-collar third line with Jared McCann and need jump-started in some way, shape or form. Simon, which may not be the worst thing, either. Here’s a look at the others who are scuffling a bit at the moment: Simon could play his natural side. Rust, too. All three can skate, Simon excels at finding guys in tight areas, and Rust can use his speed and • Since returning from a concussion — his fifth since November 2014 — tenacity to slip into those tiny creases. Patric Hornqvist doesn’t have a point over the past seven games. There’s no guarantee any of that will happen, of course. The Penguins That’s his longest run of zeros since an 11-game stretch in 2011-12 and didn’t do line rushes at Friday’s practice, and it could change at the drop similar to a couple of dry spells he had in 2015-16 — an assist in nine of a hat anyway. games to start, no points in 11 of 12 later in the year. But at this point, the Penguins have far too many passengers up front. We’ll get to actual solutions here in a bit, but it goes without saying the They need to find a way to get those guys going. Penguins need more from Hornqvist … and typically they’ve gotten it. Post Gazette LOADED: 02.09.2019 Despite the dry spells, we’re talking about a player who has averaged 25 goals and 49 points in the eight NHL seasons in which he’s played the majority of games. “The puck isn’t going in for me right now,” Hornqvist said. “Everyone goes through these stretches. You just have to stick with it. “That’s the reason why you’re playing here, and you’ve been scoring goals before. You just have to stick with it and not get frustrated. It’s hard.” Few players this side of Bryan Rust are as streaky as Hornqvist, and it’s likely he’s only a fortuitous bounce away from getting hot. "If one can go in the net," Sullivan said, "they tend to come in bunches for him.” • Although he has gone three consecutive games without a point, Phil Kessel has produced offense most nights. The problem has been shots on goal; Kessel isn’t getting nearly enough of them. Despite possessing one of the league’s most lethal shots, Kessel, for whatever reason, has decided against using it. He’s currently on pace for 210 shots on goal, which would be his lowest season total since his rookie year (2006-07). Kessel, to his credit, has a shooting percentage of 15.2, but he’s simply not getting enough on net, with just a single shot on goal in seven of his past 10. The issue of not shooting enough, though, is hardly confined to one player. Sullivan said the Penguins’ video session Friday morning consisted almost entirely of drilling home a simple point: Shoot the [darn] puck already, would you? 1129861 Pittsburgh Penguins “Listen, he has a ton of skill,” Trocheck said. “He can skate. Phenomenal shot. I mean, it’s phenomenal. He can score a lot of goals in this league. Good hands, too. All the skill in the world. He just needs to accept the Jared McCann on third-line center role: ‘I’m ready for that challenge’ role and to keep believing in himself. If he does that, he’ll be a perfect third line center to play behind Sid (Sidney Crosby) and Geno (Evgeni Malkin).” By Josh Yohe Feb 8, 2019 McCann scored his first goal with the Penguins on Thursday, a short- handed beauty against his former team. So far, Sullivan is impressed with what he has seen. TAMPA, Fla. — It isn’t easy being the third-line center for the Penguins. The Penguins consider playing Bjugstad on the wing as ideal. Thus, the Just ask Derick Brassard. pressure is on McCann to be the third-line center the Penguins need. The Penguins ask much of their third-line center. Dealing with a high “We think he’s capable of playing that role,” Sullivan said. “I think he’s percentage of defensive zone draws is a given. So, too, is playing heavy getting more comfortable every day that he’s with us.” minutes on the penalty kill while receiving precious little power-play time. Also, it’s preferred that you play a gritty game while also possibly McCann grinned when he was asked about his new surroundings. He meshing with the antithesis of grit, Phil Kessel. looked over his shoulder and saw Crosby and Malkin’s lockers. At 22, Jared McCann only has 216 career games on his NHL resume. “It’s different here being with these guys,” he said. “It just motivates you The challenge facing him seems rather daunting, but confidence doesn’t even more. I want to be good here.” appear to be an issue for the 24th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. Practice tidbits “I’m actually excited about the opportunity, to be honest,” McCann said. “I’m ready for that challenge.” Penguins goaltender Matt Murray has missed 11 games this season due to various injuries. (Candice Ward/USA Today) The Penguins seem to agree. One week removed from the trade between the Penguins and Florida Panthers, it has become increasingly • Matt Murray took part in a full practice on Friday and sounded fairly clear that McCann was a central figure in this deal. Yes, the Penguins confident that he’ll be able to play against the Lightning. I asked him wanted to acquire Nick Bjugstad and they believe he can become a about his penchant for suffering minor injuries, but he didn’t seem upset productive goal-scorer in their system. by this trend. However, the deal wouldn’t have been completed without McCann’s “It’s not worth getting frustrated about,” he said. inclusion. The Panthers didn’t want to lose McCann in the deal, but Jim • Evgeni Malkin also participated in practice on Friday though he wore a Rutherford wouldn’t budge. Finally, Dale Tallon gave in. no-contact jersey. Malkin said he will not play against the Lightning on The Penguins have big plans for McCann and think he can immediately Saturday but that he would like to play on Monday in Philadelphia. He become an effective third-line center for them. was frustrated when the injury took place against Tampa Bay last week — he said a Dan Girardi hit hurt him more than his fight with Steven “We do,” Mike Sullivan said. “We think he’s capable. He can really skate. Stamkos — because he played well that night against the Lightning. Sound defensive game. He’s a good penalty killer, which is an indication of his defensive awareness.” “I’m a little nervous now again,” Malkin said. “I had a great game. We win, 4-2. That’s life. We have injuries, problems sometimes. I’m just He also played that role at times this season for the Florida Panthers. working back, doing my best. I played well against Tampa Bay. We’ll see Vince Trocheck believes he is capable of thriving in Pittsburgh if his what’s going to happen.” attitude is correct. • Two other players, Justin Schultz and Zach Aston-Reese, practiced on Some players — Brassard is a fine example — aren’t really willing to play Friday. Both seem very close to making a return to the lineup, though I’d the role that is asked of a Penguins’ third-line center. suggest Schultz is closer to returning than Aston-Reese. McCann says he wants to embrace this role. • Patric Hornqvist hasn’t scored a point in the seven games since he returned from a concussion. This is the longest such streak of his “He did it here, and he did pretty well,” Trocheck said. “With him, it’s a Penguins’ career without a point. He confirmed that he is fine physically. confidence thing. And also, I think he just needs to be accepting of the fact that he’s going to be a third-line center there. And you know what? • Kris Letang was given a “maintenance day” from practice on Friday but There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a third-line center in this is expected to play against the Lightning on Saturday. league, especially in Pittsburgh. You’re playing down the middle behind two of the best players in the world. I actually think it’s a great opportunity • Malkin gave quite an answer when he was asked about how motivated for him and I think he could do great. I hope he embraces it.” he is given the season that he’s endured: “We can’t talk about my game every day. We’ll see when I’m back. Of course, I’m trying to do my best. I McCann says that won’t be a problem. want my thousand (career) points. (He’s at 985.) We want the Cup back. It’s not a secret. We’re hungry. We have a great team. We work every “I feel like my defensive work has improved a lot lately and it’s something day to be the best. I hope Schultzy gets back. I’m back. No injuries I take a lot of pride in as a hockey player,” he said. “I want that role for before the playoffs. And we show our best.” myself. Playing defense is something that I take so much more seriously now. I wasn’t all that good at it during my first couple of years in the The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 league, in all honesty. I’m different now. It’s something that’s a huge focus for me.” Sometimes former first-round picks fancy themselves as top-six players and nothing else. If that was an issue for McCann in the early stages of his career, he insists it’s not at this point. “I’ll play wherever they want to play me,” he said. “But I’m excited about this role, and I’m going to work as hard as I can to be good at it.” Trocheck witnessed a transformation in McCann’s game this season. The Panthers started relying more heavily on McCann in all facets of the game this season, and he responded favorably. “He’s a smarter player now than when he came here,” Trocheck said. “I could see it in every game. He’s so much more responsible in the (defensive) zone. He’s actually really good defensively now, much better than when we got him. He’s a pain defensively.” McCann also offers plenty of offensive attributes that theoretically make him a fit in the role the Penguins have been trying to adequately fill since Nick Bonino’s departure. 1129862 Pittsburgh Penguins In evaluating where opposing teams generate shots against the Penguins, heat maps from HockeyViz can once again assist us in painting a picture of what’s happening on the ice. Marshall: What has led to the Penguins’ success on the penalty kill? To assist with reading this chart, the areas of dark green represent areas where the Penguins prevent shots better than the league average. The areas of dense purple highlight areas where the Penguins allow shots in By Jesse Marshall Feb 8, 2019 excess of league average. This map tells us that opponents are generating a large number of shots from the left circle on the power play. This makes some sense from two The Penguins’ penalty kill has flown under the radar as a top-ten unit for perspectives. On one hand, we just highlighted that Johnson allows more the majority of the year. Clicking at an 82.2 percent success rate this shots and scoring chances than any defenseman with over 50 minutes of season, the Penguins are boasting underlying metrics that justify their time on the penalty kill this season. This area of dense purple is centric to place among the league’s top penalty kill units. While it’s never been their his area of responsibility. strong suit in Mike Sullivan’s tenure as head coach, it’s never been an eye-sore, either. Dating back to the beginning of Sullivan’s career in Additionally, I mentioned the Penguins shell up and protect the middle December of 2015, the Penguins are 13th in overall penalty kill of the ice in their structure. The area of dense green denotes how well performance across the league at 84.4 percent. they protect that area and how many shots they prevent relative to league average from that same zone. This area of net-front protection In large part, the Penguins’ penalty kill features a strategy that has the also leaves them vulnerable to allowing shots from the highlighted purple same backbone of their quick attack and heavy forecheck. The Penguins areas. utilize a strategy called a puck-side overload. In short, the focal point of the penalty kill falls on flooding the puck-side of the ice with as many If nothing else, this bolsters Letang’s claim at the Norris Trophy this year. bodies as possible to disrupt the opposing power play and creating a Not only is Letang posting dominant numbers at even-strength and on high-pressure environment that leads to turnovers and prevents long the power-play, but his penalty kill prowess has followed suit. possessions. The Penguins’ hopes for another visit to center ice with a Stanley Cup If a team does establish a long possession, the Penguins will collapse on this summer are bolstered by both of their special teams units being in the slot and force teams to generate looks from the outside, limiting the the top ten of the league. If their short-handed unit can get more available space to work the puck to the middle of the ice. consistent performances from their defensemen and continue to be mindful of backdoor plays, it will go a long way towards keeping their While these strategies work more often than not, they do have a penalty kill in the top third of the league. tendency to make the Penguins vulnerable from behind the play. With so much focus put on the puck-side of the ice, players can easily sneak in The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 behind the play and make themselves available without the Penguins’ penalty killers noticing. This was on display for the first goal in the Penguins’ 3-2 overtime loss to Florida on Thursday night. Even though this goal was a result of a bounce off of the glass, Florida’s Evgeni Dadonov is as open as he is on this sequence because the Penguins are completely honed into the puck-side of the ice. They are unaware of the threat located behind them. This system requires that you have your head on a swivel. When the Penguins get caught, it’s usually in situations just like this. Despite this bit of vulnerability, the Penguins do well in overall success rate and peripherally in other on-ice metrics as well. Sean Tierney has a great visualization that shows where the Penguins slot in among the rest of the league when shorthanded. This chart tracks shot-attempts against per sixty minutes on the penalty- kill and shot-quality data in the form of expected goals to visualize where teams fall in their ability to limit shots and scoring chances. The Penguins are firmly supplanted among the “good” category of teams. Their success rate on the penalty kill is married to their behaviors on ice in limiting the opponents’ offense. Being 10th overall in the league isn’t by accident. When discussions occur about the impact players on the penalty-kill from a defensive perspective, conversations often turn to Jack Johnson or Brian Dumoulin as being the centerpieces of the Penguins’ short-handed unit. The more defensive defensemen always seem to be touted as the champions of the penalty kill and develop reputations as being shutdown players who can quell a good power-play. But in a year that has been marked by the resurgence of Kris Letang, a closer look at the on-ice numbers paint a picture that is much different than the narrative of the defensive behemoths being the saviors of the penalty-kill. (Data obtained via Corsica and HockeyViz) Looking at shot-attempts against, unblocked shot-attempts against, expected goals-against, and Micah Blake McCurdy’s Threat statistic (where a lower number is better) a picture is clearly painted of Letang being the teams most elite penalty killer. Perhaps that isn’t surprising when you consider Letang’s ability to handle the puck, and ability to skate the puck out of danger when he finds himself in troublesome positions. This isn’t a situation where the quality of competition totals are unevenly distributed across the defensive corps. In judging the quality of competition faced by Letang and Johnson this season by their competitor’s puck possession percentages, Letang and Johnson have faced almost identical opponents, and are within one percentage point of having played the exact same level of competition. From a teammates perspective, the majority of Letang’s minutes have come alongside Dumoulin while Johnson has primarily played with Olli Maatta. 1129863 San Jose Sharks guy. But I still think there is some health improvement coming that will help his game.”

Thornton’s resilience in the face of injury over the last 22 months is Watch out NHL, here comes Joe Thornton after an injury-plagued first paying off in other intangible ways. He’s a source of inspiration to a group half that feeds off his determination. “He just won’t take no for an answer. He’ll get on the ice some way, By Paul Gackle | [email protected] | Bay Area News some how,” Kevin Labanc said. “You want to be like that. You strive to be Group like that, so you try to do the things you see him do.” PUBLISHED: February 8, 2019 at 3:18 pm | UPDATED: February 8, Justin Braun expressed a similar sentiment. 2019 at 8:04 PM “Those rehabs have to be an absolute grind. Some guys might have just hung them up after a couple of those injuries,” the Sharks defenseman said. “But he’s back to his old ways and we just want to live up to what he EDMONTON, Alberta — The NHL is being put on notice: Joe Thornton is expects from himself and from us.” getting healthy and he’s starting to give the Sharks a serious-matchup edge in the depth of the lineup. As Thornton returns to health, he’s also embracing the new role he’s playing in the depth of the Sharks lineup. After spending his entire career On opening night, Sharks coach Pete DeBoer preached about the matching up against the game’s best forwards, Thornton is now getting importance of finding a dominant third line that can tip the scale similar to the opportunity to exploit matchups against less experienced and skilled the mismatches created by the Pittsburgh Penguins vaunted “HBK” line players. during their Stanley Cup runs in 2016 and 2017. He’s experimented with a handful of different combinations in search of that dynamic, auditioning “I love it,” Thornton said. “We think pretty highly of ourselves being a top- Evander Kane, Tomas Hertl and Thornton in the role that Phil Kessel end third line. I think that you can put our line against any line in the played to near-perfection with the Penguins. league.” Now, in the wake of a 10-day break, Thornton is finally recovering from a Only 9 #SJSharks skating at practice in Edmonton today. Of course, Joe series of nagging injuries that plagued him throughout the first half, Thornton is among them. He’s been looking pretty darn good with 9 pts in turning DeBoer’s vision into reality. his last 12 games pic.twitter.com/9CzCoywvY1 “A healthy Joe Thornton creates mismatches. He turns depth players into — Paul Gackle (@GackleReport) February 8, 2019 very-good players,” DeBoer said. “That’s a key to success in this league.” Though younger players, such as Logan Couture, Evander Kane and Through all of the line tinkering, DeBoer’s received his best third line Tomas Hertl, might be leading the Sharks offensive charge these days, performances this season when he’s partnered Thornton up with Marcus Thornton’s role continues to be important because playoff series are Sorensen, who’s blossomed under the future Hall of Famer’s tutelage. often won and lost on the third line. Again, take a look at the role that the Thornton recorded 25 points in 43 games before All-Star Weekend, line of Kessel, Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin played in the Penguins Sorensen scored a career-high 10 goals and the duo seemed to tilt the championships. ice on a near-nightly basis. “In the playoffs, your top two lines usually cancel each other out,” Still, Thornton looked more like Thornton Lite as he played through a Thornton said. “It’s up to your seventh forward or your 11th forward to get string of injuries over the first fourth months of the season. He flashed it done, and hopefully, have a mismatch. That’s what we’re hoping here.” glimpses of the player who racked up 937 points in his first 914 games With that in mind, the big question heading down the stretch is whether with the Sharks before he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral Thornton can stay relatively healthy for another 27 games plus playoffs. ligaments in his left knee on April 2, 2017. Most of the time, though, he Are his recent ailments the type of things that all hockey players battle looked more like a better-than-average depth player, which isn’t bad for a through or are those nagging injuries inevitable when you’re 39-year-old 39-year-old coming off two major-knee surgeries just nine months apart. and trying to rebound from a pair of knee surgeries? Thornton’s health problems flared up just two games into the season At this point, Thornton insists that the knee issues and the collateral when he left the team during an East Coast road trip to deal with an injuries are in the rearview mirror. infection in the right knee that required surgery last season. At some point after he returned on Nov. 1, he broke a toe while blocking a shot “I’m past them,” he said. “Sometimes you take a shot and you break a and also suffered an ankle injury. Regardless, he played through it, toe. It just happens. It’s hockey. You break a finger or whatever. But I’m giving the Sharks quality minutes in the depth of the lineup. over them now and moving forward.” “It was a bastard,” Thornton said. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 02.09.2019 But Thornton is feeling rejuvenated after catching sun in Hawaii during the Sharks’ 10-day break for All-Star Weekend and the bye week. He’s picked up two points in three games, including his 1,000th point as a member of the Sharks off a vintage bank pass through the neutral zone that set up Evander Kane’s first goal on Thursday. More importantly, he’s giving the Sharks that third line mismatch that DeBoer’s looking for, doing so this week in a pair of road wins over the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames, the Western Conference’s top two teams. It’s a good sign for Sharks fans who are sizing up potential playoff matchups down the road. “Finally,” Thornton said after the Sharks win in Calgary on Thursday. “The first half I was just battling this, battling that. Now, after the break, I feel healthy. “Seven days without putting on skates. My feet needed it, to be honest with you.” Thornton said his health is “close” to where it was last winter when he recorded 26 points in 28 games before suffering a right-knee injury that ended his season. DeBoer sees it, as well. “I do. I think the break really helped him,” the Sharks coach said. “This is around the time that he started to look back to normal after his first-knee injury. He’s creating a goal for us a night right now. “If he plays the way he’s playing right now, he can help us even if he only improves one percent over the next three months. He’s still an impact 1129864 San Jose Sharks

Brent Burns garnering Norris Trophy buzz as Sharks streak out of break

By Chelena Goldman February 08, 2019 2:25 PM

With the 2018-19 NHL season more than halfway over, it’s approaching that time when everyone watching the game begins taking a good look at contenders for the end-of-year awards. As far as the Sharks are concerned, there is already buzz that defenseman Brent Burns should be in the discussion for the Norris Trophy. Given his body of work this season, especially over the last month or so, it’s hard to disagree with that. The buzz around Burns has gained some momentum after the All-Star break, particularly with San Jose getting big victories over the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames this past week. Burns tallied his 50th assist of the season against the Flames, becoming just the seventh blueliner in NHL history to do so in 55 or fewer games, and the first since in the 1993-94 season. While many will look strictly at how many goals Burns has scored this season and see he’s in a four-way tie for fourth place with 11, that high assist total cannot be overlooked. Sure, scoring goals is a big part of the conversation, but Burns’ work as the setup guy cannot be ignored. Plus, that high number of apples is in part due to how often his shots from the point are deflected in by his teammates. (Anyone who has watched a handful of Sharks’ games this season knows captain Joe Pavelski is a master when it comes to redirecting Burns’ slapshots.) Looking at the campaign as a whole, No. 88 currently leads all defensemen in the league with a whopping 61 points. Calgary’s Mark Giordano -- potentially also in the Norris conversation -- trails him in second place with 54 points. Keep in mind, Burns is achieving all of this while doing a lot of the heavy lifting for the blue line. With the injury bug biting multiple members of San Jose’s d-corps over the last month and a half, Burns has been averaging close to 30 minutes of ice time almost every night. With Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Justin Braun, Radim Simek, and Erik Karlsson all being sidelined at some point during the month of January, Burns was tasked with keeping things in order. While having Vlasic now back in the lineup and healthy has aided in distributing some of the blue line’s duties, Burns still logged a little over 27 minutes in Tuesday’s game over the Jets with Karlsson remaining sidelined. The fact Burns keeps racking up points while maintaining the heavy workload is nothing short of admirable. Burns doesn’t look to be slowing down, either. As one of three Sharks who participated in the All-Star festivities a couple weekends ago, Burns didn’t get the extended time off most of his teammates got between the All-Star break and the bye week. Nevertheless, he continues to contribute to San Jose’s cause, registering multiple points in all three games since the team returned from break. Sure, there’s plenty of hockey left and there are a few defensemen who deserve to be in the Norris Trophy conversation at this juncture of the season. There’s no denying, though, that Brent Burns is a candidate everyone should be talking about. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129865 San Jose Sharks

Sharks' depth on display in back-to-back impressive wins over Flames, Jets

By Chelena Goldman February 07, 2019 10:07 PM

Evander Kane probably said it best after Thursday’s game in Calgary: “You like to think that you can rise to the occasion as a group. I think we did that tonight.” The Sharks certainly had an occasion to rise to, as they faced the Flames for the first time since getting smacked down in a physical and emotional loss on New Year’s Eve. San Jose responded in a big way, getting contributions on offense, defense, and between the pipes to defeat the Flames 5-2 and move within two points of first place in the Pacific Division standings. “We knew to win in here we needed everybody tonight,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer told the media after the game. “We got contributions from a lot of guys. A couple big performances.” Of course, scoring three goals in 85 seconds to overcome a 1-0 deficit early in the game was a huge help. Kane got the offense started with a nice wrister passed netminder David Rittich. That opened up the floodgates, leading to Brent Burns’ nifty short-handed goal and Tomas Hertl’s tip-in of fellow countryman Radim Simek’s shot. Suddenly, San Jose was up 3-1 going into the first intermission despite Calgary’s constant pushback. But San Jose’s defensive front deserves a lot of credit as well, particularly when it came to Martin Jones. The starting netminder put on what was probably his best performance of the season, stopping 36 of 38 shots fired at him. He was especially strong on the penalty kill -- which got plenty of work on Thursday night as the Sharks went to the sin bin seven times. Jones had two huge saves on Flames’ top scorer Johnny Gaudreau that easily could have put the momentum back in Calgary’s favor, including one on a penalty kill late in the third frame. “Five-on-five he looked great, but five-on-four he looked spectacular,” Joe Thornton gushed about Jones after the game. “Their power play looked really dangerous and he probably made six or seven quality saves that probably saved us the game. Big night for him.” You really have to hand it to the Sharks for keeping their emotions in check as a group. Thursday’s game was expected to turn into a fighting frenzy given the poor terms San Jose and Calgary left things on after their last meeting. “We definitely wanted to answer the bell physically, but I thought we stayed focused and got the job done,” Kane told the press, explaining the goal was to get the points in the standings over having a brawl. “Those points are so valuable. It’s a four-point game against a team we’re chasing.” It definitely has to give the Sharks an extra boost of confidence looking at their wins against both the Flames on Thursday and the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday evening. Through two wins against tough teams, they’ve gotten contributions from up and down the lineup. “We’re so deep,” Thornton said. “It’s just a different line every night and that’s the luxury of being a deep team. Last game it was Pav, this game it was Kaner, next game it’s going to be Logan. That’s just the way it works around here.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129866 St Louis Blues St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 02.09.2019

Berube warns Blues not to lose focus

By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch 5 hrs ago

This is the month of February, where things are going to move very fast for the Blues. It’s a month where the times when the Blues have a game only every other day are considered the light parts of the schedule. So after getting home from their uber-successful trip in early hours of Friday morning and finally climbing into a playoff spot, the Blues had a meeting around noon Friday before an optional skate where coach Craig Berube gave them a reminder: Keep your focus. “Why wait till tomorrow?” Berube said Friday. The Blues play Nashville, which sits in second in the Central Division and has the fifth-most points in the league, Saturday at Enterprise Center and again Sunday in Nashville. It’s part of a very formidable stretch where the Blues have three games in four days against two of the top five teams in the league. The Blues’ win over Tampa Bay moved them into the second wild-card spot in the West. They’re two points behind Minnesota, in the first wild- card spot, and tied with Vancouver, though they have the tiebreaker edge now because they have played three fewer games. But the Blues have by no means pulled clear of anyone. In addition to being tied with Vancouver, the Blues are two points up on Colorado, Edmonton and Chicago (and have played one, two and three games fewer, respectively) and are four points up on Arizona and Anaheim. Even the Kings are only five points back. Plus, the Blues have 30 games left to play. There is a lot of hockey to be played, so while the Blues have finally climbed back into the playoff picture, they can’t afford to start taking things for granted. What they have achieved now could be gone in a few days if they’re not careful. “It’s always a tough thing,” Berube said. “It’s about talking about it, which we did already. I think our guys know the situation we’re in. There’s a lot of teams right around there. We have to keep winning the games. That’s the bottom line. We know that. It’s about going out and executing and getting it done.” “We’re a confident group, feeling good,” forward Brayden Schenn said, “but we have to put that road trip behind us and worry about a tough weekend with Nashville. We know they play us really well, they play us hard and they’re tough to play against. They’re a completely different hockey team between Nashville and Tampa.” “You have to prepare yourself for a heavy game,” Berube said. “They’re a physical team, they come on the forecheck hard. A lot like us. There’s not a lot of difference between the two teams the way they play. So that’s the kind of game you have to prepare for.” STILL NO PERRON At the Blues’ optional skate, David Perron was on the ice with teammates for the first time since he was hurt Jan. 17. With only half the team on the ice, it wasn’t a hard workout for Perron, and Berube said the winger isn’t quite ready to return. “He’s actually getting better,” Berube said. “He’s not available (Saturday), but he’s getting better. He’s improving and hopefully … soon.” Berube said there was a chance he could play Sunday. “I wouldn’t count that out,” he said. The other injured Blue, defenseman Carl Gunnarsson, also didn’t skate and saw a doctor Friday after missing Thursday’s game with an upper- body injury. Berube said Gunnarsson was doubtful for Saturday. “He’s played really well when he’s got in there,” Berube said. “It’s unfortunate, but we’ll see what the doc says.” BLUENOTES With his shutout win Thursday, Jordan Binnington became the 31st goalie in NHL history to win eight of his first 10 starts. He’s the first goalie since Ottawa’s Andrew Hammond in 2014-15 to do it and the third Blue, following and Jake Allen. … This will be the seventh set of back-to-back games for the Blues. They’re 5-0-1 in the first game, 0-5-1 in the second so far. … Thursday also marked three weeks since Allen last played. He figures to get one of the two games this weekend. 1129867 St Louis Blues

Preview: Blues vs. Predators

By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch 5 hrs ago

BLUES VS. PREDATORS When, where • 1 p.m. Saturday, Enterprise Center TV, radio • Fox Sports Midwest, KMOX (1120 AM) About the Predators • You never know where the next goal is coming from against Nashville, which has eight players with 10 or more goals, headed by Viktor Arvidsson (22). Just below that group, Kevin Fiala and Ryan Hartman have nine goals apiece. Kyle Turris returned to the lineup in Thursday’s win over Dallas after missing 17 games with a lower-body injury. Veteran Brian Boyle will play his second game as a Predator following Wednesday’s trade with New Jersey. Nashville has the NHL’s second-ranked defense, allowing 2.54 goals a game. Goalie Pekka Rinne has lots of experience — and success — playing the Blues. He’s 24-16-4 with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage against them over his career. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129868 St Louis Blues “It comes down to guys playing together,” Schenn said. “Guys playing for one another. Buying into their roles. Playing hard for one another, getting great goaltending.” Strange but true: Schenn flourishing without Schwartz Right now, it’s all clicking. Particularly for the Schenn-O’Reilly-Tarasenko line. By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch 6 hrs ago “It’s been very effective,” O’Reilly said. “We’ve generated a lot of offense. With the way (Schenn) works, it just generates. We’re getting tons of pucks back and making plays from it.” Over the last season and a half, Brayden Schenn spent so much ice time With just 10 goals so far, Schenn is down noticeably from last season, with Jaden Schwartz, it just didn’t seem right when that wasn’t the case. when he scored a career-high 28 times and was an All-Star. The OT score in Tampa was his first in exactly a month, since Jan. 7 in So when interim coach Craig Berube placed Schenn on a line with Ryan Philadelphia, encompassing an 11-game dry spell. O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko four games ago, it was like a trial separation. But he does lead the Blues in game-winning goals (four), and even before the switch to the O’Reilly line, Schenn was contributing with “I absolutely miss him,” Schenn said during the Blues’ just-completed assists. He has seven in his last seven games. road trip. “This (new line) is one of those things, too, where who knows how long it lasts. Whether we play together a couple more or maybe “I feel like the points have been coming lately; the goals haven’t been longer than we expect. coming lately, though,” Schenn said. “I owe these guys some goals. Gotta score some goals down the stretch here in order to help the team “But at the end of the day, I’m sure I’ll play with (Schwartz) again. and hopefully (Thursday’s goal) is a step in the right direction.” Sometimes it’s good to get away from each other a little bit, reset. Makes us more hungry to play with one another in the future. In addition, Schenn’s physical play is an underrated part of his game. Schenn led the Blues with a season-high seven hits Jan. 17 in Boston “It’s working right now, we’re winning hockey games, and as long as and shared the team-lead with four hits Jan. 23 against Anaheim. For the we’re winning everyone’s happy.” season, he’s second on the team with 92 hits, trailing only defenseman Joel Edmundson (95). By that measuring stick, there has been nothing but happiness lately. The Blues are 4-0 since the line switch, and Schenn, O’Reilly and “He’s like a power forward for me,” said Berube, who coached Schenn in Tarasenko have been piling up the points. Philly and used him at forward then. “When he’s on the forecheck and he’s physical and getting to the net and being around the net, he’s a Members of that line accounted for at least one goal in each of those four really good player. That’s what he’s doing right now.” games — victories over Anaheim, Columbus, Florida and Tampa Bay. The composite scoresheet for Schenn, O’Reilly and Tarasenko in those St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 02.09.2019 contests: five goals and 11 assists for 16 points. Tarasenko had the game-winning goal against Columbus, while Schenn had the game-winner in Thursday’s 1-0 overtime win over the Lightning. O’Reilly’s having the kind of season where he makes everyone around him look better, but he’s quick to credit Schenn for the line’s instant chemistry. “He’s a playmaker. He’s physical. He has great speed,” O’Reilly said. “I think he’s just kinda that Swiss Army knife guy. “We’ve been able to generate a lot just from the way we’ve been working as a line. We forecheck hard. We get pucks back. I feel like all three of us can make plays and we’re just moving and working. Myself, it’s nice to have another center out there, too.” In that sense, Schenn’s presence on the wing takes some pressure off O’Reilly, because Schenn also can work low and grind out puck possession and create chances. But truth be told, Schenn would rather be playing center. “It’s an adjustment,” Schenn said. “It’s a change. But when you play with a good centerman like O’Reilly, it makes it easy on you. I still feel like the natural position for me is center. But at the end of the day, I’ll do what it takes to win hockey games and ultimately make the playoffs with this hockey team.” It has been a season of adjustment for Schenn. Most notably, he had been on the second power-play unit all season until just recently. Keep in mind, one of the main attractions in the Blues’ trading for Schenn two summers ago with Philadelphia was his power-play acumen. Last season, Schenn led the Blues with eight power-play goals and over the past four seasons, he has averaged nearly 11 power-play goals a season. Putting him on the second unit, where you might get a minute or two less time a game depending on the number of penalties called, limits opportunities. “Obviously, you want to be out there with the first power-play unit,” Schenn said. “It’s no different for me or Schwartzy, or whoever. “We have a lot of good pieces. The thing is, a lot of our guys are lefthanded shots, so you gotta switch up — left and righties — and that’s what we’ve gone with. At the end of the day, when your number’s called, when you’re out there, you gotta make the best of your power-play time.” Schenn is one of those lefties. In a sense, Schenn’s situation is a microcosm of the Blues’ season as a whole. It has been a year of adjustment for many, and it has taken awhile to settle into roles, longer than anyone expected. 1129869 St Louis Blues

Perron not ready to return to Blues lineup just yet

By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch 13 hrs ago

Blues forward David Perron, who last played on Jan. 17, skated with the team in practice on Friday but coach Craig Berube said Perron won't play Saturday against Nashville. He didn't, however, rule out Perron playing in the return game on Sunday in Nashville. "He's actually getting better," Berube said. "He's not available (Saturday), but he's getting better. He's improving and hopefully … soon." As for Sunday: "I don't know about that. I wouldn't count that out." The Blues had an optional skate on Friday after an early morning return from their three-game trip on which they went 3-0 and capped it with a win over league-leading Tampa Bay. The Blues now play back-to-back games with Nashville, which is in second in the Central Division and the fifth-most points in the league. Perron was on the ice in the skate, the first time he has skated with the team since his injury, though with only 13 players on the ice, there was no contact and limited drills. Perron had points in 13 consecutive games before leaving the lineup on Jan. 19. The Nashville game on Saturday will be the seventh game he will miss. His streak, which under league rules ended when he missed a game, was the fifth longest in the NHL this season. The only update Berube had on defenseman Carl Gunnarsson, who missed the Tampa Bay game with an upper-body injury was that he was doubtful for Saturday. "He's played really well when he's got in there," Berube said. "It's unfortuante, but we'll see what the doc says." St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129870 Tampa Bay Lightning

Review: The Tampa Bay Lightning’s new black alternate jerseys Well, they’re not the worst things we’ve ever seen. (Looking at you, Buccaneers.)

By Thomas Bassinger

So on Thursday night, the Tampa Bay Lightning finally unveiled their new alternate jersey. The black is back. But so is the gradient concept we thought died with the Devil Rays. By Tampa Bay sports standards, the jerseys aren’t horrible. By best- team-in-hockey standards, they’re a missed opportunity. Oh, the team will sell a bunch of them, so in that sense, no one in the organization has retreated to an Amalie Arena restroom to sob uncontrollably. A Stanley Cup contender, however, deserves a jersey that is several degrees better than one that looks like a sweatshirt you might find on a department-store clearance rack. Indeed, the sweaters, which start at $130 at shop..com, have a few things going for them. Among those things: • The Lightning didn’t take a perfectly good look and butcher it like the Buccaneers did. #FixTheBucsUnis #ForTheChildren • They’re black — excuse me, “midnight black” — the same color the 2004 Stanley Cup champions wore. You can’t go wrong by leaning into nostalgia. • Making the crest and numbers iridescent is a sharp idea, even if the effect is lost on television. It’s a gimmick, of course, but it’s a gimmick that actually has a purpose — to mimic flashes of lightning. On those elements alone, the Adidas design team had the makings of a solid jersey. However, the person who suggested incorporating a gradient pattern on the sleeves should have been cross-checked. The sublimated “raindrop” pattern on the crest and numbers is fine — and better up-close — but the sleeves resemble TV static. Apparently no one told these guys that we’ve already tried the gradient thing. Back in the late ’90s. When it was cool. And it still didn’t work. Granted, the expansion Devil Rays tried to use every color in the rainbow and the Lightning is using only black and gray. Even so, name one team in professional (or collegiate) sports that has ever pulled off a gradient pattern. It hasn’t worked, and it will never work. The only people who think gradients are a good idea are people who like to make text fly during PowerPoint presentations. Give credit to the Lightning and Adidas for pushing the design and opening themselves to criticism. They could have taken the home uniforms and swapped out the blue for black and called it a day. Let’s hope, though, that this design is just a start and that it will evolve in the next season or two, especially to correct the lack of contrast between the base of the jersey and the name and numbers. In the meantime, the Lightning has a more important uniform upgrade on which to focus: adding a Stanley Cup Final patch. It will wear the jersey six more times during the regular season: Saturday (vs. the Penguins), Feb. 16 (vs. the Canadiens), March 2 (vs. the Senators), March 9 (vs. the Red Wings), March 16 (vs. the Capitals) and March 30 (vs. the Capitals). Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129871 Tampa Bay Lightning The 50-year-old Indiana native who started as a St. Louis Blues fan finds Amalie Arena one of the coolest places she’s ever been. Bly finds no negatives with the organization. The people you meet watching the Lightning at the beach Bly’s friends Mike and Melissa were also converted Lightning fans, but you couldn’t tell with their respective Lightning jerseys and glow-up foam sticks. By Mari Faiello The Sweks, originally from Detroit, were Red Wings fans before Bly convinced them to switch over. ST. PETE BEACH – Hockey on the beach. When Melissa found out you could watch games on the beach, she didn’t need much more convincing. It’s one of her favorite parts. It’s a foreign concept to most of the NHL — that is unless, you’re a Lightning fan. Opposites attract, at least it did for this hockey couple. The sand between your toes. A night under the stars. The waves Sitting side-by-side Keesee donned a blue Lightning jersey while Nicolosi crashing on the shore as Lightning players crash opponents into the stood out from the crowd in his Rangers gear. boards. “I love the beach, and he’s a Rangers fan so we had to come to this It’s definitely a unique experience, and one likely to draw a crowd again game,” Keesee said. to the TradeWinds Resort Sunday on St. Pete Beach. The team will stage its last scheduled beach watch party of the season as the Lightning It was Keesee’s first watch party on the beach, and Nicolosi’s first watch take on the Panthers in Sunrise. party in general. He was impressed with the crowd and energy on the beachfront. About 350 people gathered at the TradeWinds on Feb. 2 to watch the Lightning finish out its road trip in New York against the Rangers. Many “I love the atmosphere despite the score,” he said as the Rangers were lounged while watching the sunset a couple of hours before the game. down 2-1 at the second intermission. Most, though, showed up in the 30 minutes before the 8 p.m. puck drop, While the New York native loves his Rangers, he admitted the Lightning just in time for the good stuff. are his second favorite team. “If I don’t root for the Rangers, I’m rooting The resort dotted the white sands with about 200 tan lounge chairs, while for the Lightning,” he chuckled. “But when we play each other, it’s always others brought the kind of lawn seats favored by soccer parents. The fun.” screen, large enough to rival a Mayflower moving truck, proved visible Rickey Barber and his friend Scott Freed from any vantage point and the audio easily reached the ears of everyone following the action. Two red sirens on each side of the screen Barber and Freed have been friends for years. Barber took Freed to his flashed and a horn sounded each time the Lightning scored. first Lightning game six years ago. Yet it’s not as much the what as it is the who that make the watch parties The two have their own little game traditions, and they started a new one special. People choose to leave the comfort of their homes to embrace that Saturday night when Barber brought his new gift onto the sand. the sense of community the gatherings have offered fans for years. The 52-year-old’s son gave his father a specially made bell, a refurbished Get to know some of the friendly folks that come to the parties. fire extinguisher that painted in tie-dye Lightning colors. When Dipallina woke up Saturday morning she didn’t realize just how Every time the Lightning scored, Barber and Freed ran down the middle “big” her 89th birthday would be. aisle, ringing the bell in front of hundreds of people. The sound even stood out amidst the cheers and goal horns. Despite not knowing the team existed before this day, Dipallina quickly got in the spirit with a silver and pink plastic birthday crown and silver and “I would think this gets the crowd amped up,” Barber said. “It’s the first blue pom-poms. time we’ve brought it out but people seem to enjoy it.” Odom, a fan for the last eight years, convinced Dipallina to celebrate with Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 02.09.2019 the Lightning. “My favorite part is just being on the beach, having fun and being able to meet people,” Odom said. Odom used to be a Carolina Hurricanes fan. But she adopted the Lighting upon moving to Florida and has attended watch parties for the last year. “They (the Hurricanes) didn’t have things like this,” Odom said. “I think this is awesome because it really brings in the community. It brings it in to keep it alive and going in people’s minds.” Bob and Laurel McVaugh The McVaughs have been hockey fans for more than 40 years and Lightning fans since the couple moved to the area in 2007. Their 23-year-old daughter Kelsey is an intern with the Rolling Thunder, the organization that helps put on the watch parties. They’ve attended almost every one since she started her role. They love the energy and the excitement of the games, but also how the community comes together. The couple says it would attend if if the team wasn’t winning. “It’s all community,” Bob said. “I mean it’s nice that they’re winning, but it’s all community. Bob’s novelty suit jacket, Lightning blue coat covered in the team’s white circle bolt logos, stood out in the crowd. He got it as a Christmas present from his family and has worn it multiple times since. “They don’t have this in Philadelphia,” the 62-year-old former Philadelphian chuckled. Tammy Bly is another transplant who adopted the Lightning. “Tampa does it well,” she said. “I mean they make everyone feel welcome and tons of (freaking) spirit. No, it’s amazing.” 1129872 Tampa Bay Lightning Jon Cooper and put in their requests for new hats on Friday.

But what about the numbers? Fans watching Thursday’s game from Lightning launches lifestyle line to accompany alternate jersey home reported poor legibility of the numbers (dark grey, with a light grey border on the black background). By Diana C. Nearhos “We did our due diligence on TV testing,” Dillon said. “Not anything that had worried us previously. Last night, and getting some of the feedback overnight, it sounds like that’s something we need to take a look at.” TAMPA—A few years ago, when he first moved to the city, Kevin Preast For now, the numbers are what they are and Dillon isn’t sure what can be noticed his barista wearing a Lightning hat. Preast asked if he was a fan. changed, but it’s something they’ll look into. The response: No, it’s a cool hat. Here’s a close up of the actual uniform pic.twitter.com/k9F66kYxmH That’s what the Lightning senior vice president of event management — Diana C. Nearhos (@dianacnearhos) February 8, 2019 wants to achieve with the new line of apparel accompanying the debuted Thursday night. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 02.09.2019 Preast wants to see someone in the new gear next time he goes to Armature Works or Sparkman Wharf. “People are wearing our mark as a beacon of the Tampa Bay community, even if they aren’t a Tampa Bay Lightning fan,” he said at a launch event. “Very few marks represent a city so well. If you’ve seen the skyline in the middle of the summer with the lightning lighting it up, it really speaks to the Tampa Bay community.” A closer look at the new line of Lightning merch pic.twitter.com/gNhHgADKlq — Diana C. Nearhos (@dianacnearhos) February 8, 2019 He pointed to the Yankees’ interlocking NY, the Dodgers’ similar LA, the Red Sox’ B, and the Braves’ A as some others that stand alone even without their teams. The Eagles’ logo has become another, without literally standing for the city as the others’ initials do. The Lightning hopes for something similar from its new lifestyle line, which features the typical clothing and hats as well as drink tumblers, pop sockets and even a skateboard, all in shades of black and grey. The line intends to reach out to a younger demographic, particularly the under-30 fans, with a trendy jersey and attire for outside of the game. “When people put on their blue and white jerseys, they’re ready to go and be in pure fan zone,” Preast said. “This line gives them the opportunity to wear it to a cookout or wear it to a golf course and still fly the flag, but do it in a more casual way.”

In addition to adidas, the main partner and the one most publicized in the launch, the Lightning is also working with Lululemon, Columbia, Oakley and more on the alternate jersey line. The process started two years ago with a fan survey. Overwhelmingly, the responses requested a black jersey with gray and/or silver. So that became the obvious starting point. Over the next year and a half, the Lightning’s marketing and retail teams worked with the NHL and adidas on the design of the jersey and lifestyle line. They took the elements of the third jersey system, in particular the sublimation gradient effect, and worked them into athleisure and other items. The details, on both the jersey and the other gear, carry better up close. The bolt logo on the chest of the jersey has an almost iridescent effect to evoke the look of lightning flashing in the night sky, but it gets lost from afar. “To me, one of the most unique things about this system is the closer you get to it or the further away, your vantage point changes,” chief marketing and revenue officer Jarrod Dillon said. “It almost looks like a different jersey depending on where you are, which we thought was pretty unique.” The Lightning did its best to keep the jersey under wraps, but it did leak through the nhl.com’s international store back in November. The team wanted an element of surprise, a chance to #DisrupttheNight as the hashtag says. The team didn’t want to overlap with adidas’ all-star jersey announcement and had some restrictions from the NHL. Unveiling jerseys that will be worn on Saturdays on a Thursday gave the Lightning a chance to draw the excitement out over a couple of days. And there was excitement. On a typical night, the Lightning sells maybe 80 jerseys; on a good night, maybe 100. On Thursday, it sold over 500. 1129873 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning-Blues: Rewinding Tampa Bay’s first shutout of the season

By Diana C. Nearhos

TAMPA—Where has all the scoring gone? A month ago, the Lightning was consistently scoring four or more goals. Recently, it has been a different story. Tampa Bay has only reached that mark once (six against San Jose) in the last nine games. It has been held to two or fewer in seven. On Thursday, the Lightning was shut out for the first time. “You score a bunch of goals and you give up a bunch of goals,” coach Jon Cooper said after the 1-0 loss. “Now we’re not scoring, but we’re not giving anything up. At some point, we have to find a happy medium.” Overall, Cooper likes the Lightning’s play recently. He’d like more goals, but he’s not necessarily worried. “You’re not going to score at the rate we’ve been scoring all year,” he said. “Sometimes you have to go through some of these trying times to see ultimately what doesn’t work. But in saying that, we’ve played a couple of 0-0 hockey games in the past week that have been outstanding.” Here are some odds and ends from the loss: Andrei Vasilevskiy did what? He made two saves in the span of a couple of seconds (with help from the post in between). First, Colton Parayko battled past Ryan McDonagh to put a shot on Vasilevskiy at the left post. Then Parayko grabbed his rebound and hit the post. Vasilevskiy lost his stick in the process of making the save and flipping to face the next one coming from the other side. Brayden Schenn shot low and the still- sprawled Vasilevskiy caught the puck in the upper chest. All of this happened in the span of two or three seconds. Vasilevskiy does not disappoint. pic.twitter.com/LKeLepW4bJ — NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) February 8, 2019 Vasilevskiy no longer perfect. Speaking of the goalie … Vasilevskiy had never lost to St. Louis … until Thursday. He is now 3-1 against the Blues. He came into the game with a .936 save percentage against St. Louis, having allowed seven goals on 109 shots. He also lost consecutive games for the first time; he had been 9-0 after a loss. 13 years old with a strong voice. Marissa Peddie sang a beautiful rendition of the national anthem before Thursday’s game. The 13-year- old was recognized before the game as a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with leukemia at age 8. A new opponent. Having now seen the Blues, there is only one team the Lightning has yet to play this season: Washington. The Capitals, who edged the Lightning in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, visit Tampa twice in a two-week span in March. Oh, and the Lightning travel to Washington, D.C. in between. Lineup. The forward situation may be more clear, but the defensemen are still rotating. On Thursday, it was Erik Cernak’s turn to sit out. The rookie, who scored his first goal two games ago against the Rangers, had not been scratched since the Lightning’s Jan. 15 game in Dallas. In that time Mikhail Sergachev and were each scratched twice, and Dan Girardi and Anton Stralman sat once each. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129874 Tampa Bay Lightning said. I remember handing my phone to my wife (Heather). And she wrote some stuff down.

“That night was tough. A no-sleep night. Your mind races. Plenty of dark Diagnosed with lung cancer, Wild’s Tom Kurvers prepares for his thoughts. Not all bad. It’s hard to explain. Your brain just starts moving toughest battle around and you can’t catch up to it.”

Tom Kurvers

Michael Russo Feb 8, 2019 43 The next morning, Kurvers had an appointment with an oncologist. A PET scan was ordered for Jan. 23. The specialist who conducted the test looked at his CT scan and was on the fence whether he actually had It was Monday afternoon, and Tom Kurvers took a bite of his ham and cancer. The PET scan results ended up showing a 30 percent chance for cheese omelette. cancer. But still, it was not a definite read.

The former NHL defenseman and Minnesota hockey star gently placed Kurvers then underwent a biopsy Jan. 28. Two days later, the results his fork on his plate, then suddenly slammed his left index finger onto the confirmed cancer. back of his iPhone. Kurvers was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a type of non-small cell Kurvers, tired and stressed, looked up, and his eyes welled. lung cancer that is most often found in current and former smokers. But it’s also the most common type of lung cancer for non-smokers like “I have too many things going on in my head right now,” the Wild’s Kurvers. The cancer has spread into the lymph nodes in his sternum but assistant general manager said, his voice shaking. “I can’t keep up with not beyond there. medical information, and I’ve got a phone full of loving and caring notes from friends and hockey people. It’s going to take me a month to get For now though, it’s inoperable. back to everyone. Anybody that’s ever talked about the hockey community has undersold it by a mile because this is living proof of how One of the first people he reached out to is one of his best friends, Todd overwhelming it is to the good and how they rally around their own. Walsh, the longtime Arizona Coyotes and Diamondbacks Fox Sports Arizona reporter. “I’ve felt it since we started telling people Friday. Conversations are wicked hard … and really good.” “It was numbing,” Walsh said. “His mom (Julie) suffered through a five- year battle with cancer and died a horrible death last year. It was painful “But,” Kurvers, struggling to get the words out, added … with a touch of and hard to watch, and he was pretty adamant that, ‘I don’t want to go guilt, “I don’t have the time and energy to talk to everybody I’d like to talk through that.’ But a day later, he was like, I’m ready to fight. And I told to. I just can’t. You run out of fuel … and you run out of tears.” him, ‘Your very nature is going to help you through this.’”

With one phone call late last month from the Wild’s team doctor, Kurvers’ On Jan. 31, Kurvers informed his four children — Madison, 24, and life has been turned upside down a mere seven months after ending his Rose, 18, from his first marriage, and Weston, 12, and Roman, 10, from 10-year run with the Tampa Bay Lightning to excitedly take a job in his his second marriage. hometown as first-year Wild GM Paul Fenton’s right-hand man. “They’re resilient,” Kurvers said. “My boys, they’re doing OK, I think. They The father of four takes care of himself. can read tone. You can sense them sizing things up.”

He keeps himself in exceptional shape. He eats healthy food. He has In fact, since the diagnosis, Kurvers has coincidentally gone through a never smoked. He looks way younger than his 56 years on this planet. big, dusty bin of old hockey memorabilia and pictures with his two boys. They were blown away by all the stuff their dad has accomplished in his Despite all of this, Kurvers says, “I was chosen for the fight.” hockey career, and for Kurvers, the trip down memory lane has been “So,” he says, with a smile, “I’m going to fight. I’m living with cancer now.” therapeutic.

Back in November, Kurvers, who once helped bring Bloomington- His wife, Kurvers says, “she’s been so strong.” Jefferson High School to its first state hockey tournament and four years Throughout the ordeal, he has leaned on good friends like Walsh and later at the University of Minnesota Duluth won the Hobey Baker Award Chicago Blackhawks assistant GM Norm Maciver, his college roommate, as the best player in college hockey, developed a cough. teammate and one of his closest friends. Sadly, Maciver’s dad died of He didn’t think anything of it. lung cancer, so Kurvers instantly called his friend to ask questions and have a shoulder to cry on. But to this day, it hasn’t gone away. And, one of his first calls was of course to his father, Jim, in Arizona. Jim On Dec. 4, after having a little pinch at the end of a deep breath the week is who Tom, a three-sport athlete in high school, got his sports DNA from. before, Kurvers was “feeling kind of crummy.” He thought it was his heart, went to see the Wild physicians, took a chest X-ray, and Jim Kurvers played 110 rounds of golf last year. He was an all-state everything checked out clean. football player and played football at North Dakota State. He was on one of the state’s great high school basketball teams of all-time at Hopkins, But he never got better. winning state championships in 1952 and 1953. He was a four-letter winner in baseball. Five weeks later, before a Wild game against Winnipeg, Kurvers went down to the locker room and told one of the team doctors that he wasn’t Knowing his dad had already dealt with the deterioration and loss of his getting worse but definitely not getting better. Along with the rest of the wife, Tom was worried about his father’s reaction. front office, Kurvers was leaving in a few days to Florida for hockey ops meetings. He traveled south and had a rough week. “It was hard, but he’s a tough dude,” Kurvers said. “I still remember it was around Thanksgiving a year ago when my mother was really fading. I After returning to Minnesota, Kurvers went down to the locker room brought my daughters down to Arizona to see her. She was having a bad before the Jan. 19 game against Columbus to see Wild doctor Sheldon day and didn’t want visitors. My dad came down, and it’s the first time Burns. I’ve really saw him break down. He just said, ‘I’m sorry, she can’t catch a break.’ He’s just a strong guy. He handles life, and he’s handling this.” “I said, ‘It’s getting worse. I’m not feeling good,” Kurvers recalled. After making sure his entire family knew last Thursday, Kurvers called Pneumonia was suspected. A CT scan was ordered two mornings later. Fenton and broke the news to him. Instead of pneumonia, doctors discovered what they feared was a nodule on the right upper lobe of his lung. It was obvious Friday morning at the Wild’s morning skate in Dallas that Fenton was pretty rattled. He has known Kurvers since the 1983 Winter Kurvers received the shocking call on the night of the 21st. Olympic tryouts. “Dr. Burns said, ‘Tom, I’ve got some very bad news. There’s indications “For somebody that is as healthy as he is and the way he takes care of of cancer in your right lung, and I’m very worried,’” Kurvers said. “I spoke himself and conducts himself with professionalism every day, it’s very to him for a few minutes. You can’t process it. I don’t even know what I difficult for us to watch,” said Fenton, who informed his staff of the news last Friday. “But he’s always so upbeat. Everybody’s giving him as much “You make good friends and then you move on in this business. You’re space as he possibly can have. Now that he knows what it is, we’re going teammates, and then you’re traded. But they’re still your good friends. to see the guy we all know, the guy that will fight to make everything You just don’t spend as much time together anymore.” right.” This is one big reason three years ago Kurvers organized a weekly get- That was evident two days ago — two days after Kurvers’ first sitdown together at a local Caribou Coffee for many in the Minnesota hockey with The Athletic. community, especially scouts.

He received some outstanding news Wednesday. Every Tuesday at 9 a.m., Kurvers and a handful of others meet to talk about life and hockey. Kurvers initially thought there would be only two options for treatment: immunotherapy drugs or chemotherapy on a three-week interval that was “He was a captain in college and he’s been the captain of all his friends supposed to start this upcoming Monday. for a long time,” Walsh said.

“All the while, you’re buying time for more drugs for a cure, which The stories are plentiful. Lots of laughs are shared. Sometimes it’s three provides hope,” Kurvers said. or four people who show up, sometimes it’s nine or 10.

But earlier this week, Kurvers was approved for Tagrisso, a pill-form The constants are guys like Maciver, New Jersey Devils scout Jim Mill, medication used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. Wild scout Brian Hunter and Lightning scout John Rosso. But every who’s-who in Minnesota hockey shows up at some point, from people “There was a five-percent chance to match this targeted therapy drug, like Paul Ranheim and Dave Maley, to agent and former Gophers player and we hit it, we nailed it,” Kurvers said. “It’s a far more aggressive Ben Hankinson. cancer killer with far less side effects than chemotherapy, so it was a gigantic win. It was so overwhelming when I found out, I was mentally “It’s a corny, little thing that brings guys together, and everybody walks wiped out.” away sober,” Kurvers said, laughing. “We’re all part of this hockey thing, and it’s astounding how strong and swift and loving and caring everyone Wife Heather, his brother, Mike, and his sister, Kathy, are acting as his is. The amount of calls I’ve gotten, from guys like Wayne Gretzky and medical advocates. Chris Chelios to people that I barely know like Jamie Langenbrunner, it’s “The doctors are really reluctant to give a prognosis,” Kurvers said. been flooring.” “They’re saying it’s Stage 3, but I got this very hopeful news now and Said Walsh, “He does things for people when no one is looking a lot, and they say I should start feeling better in about a week. The idea with this I think he’s getting a lot of that back in spades. In typical Tom fashion, drug is that it goes in and targets the cancer cells and bombs them out. he’s turning around to all these people reaching out and telling them what The results have been great. It’s not 100 percent. Chances are it doesn’t they mean to him.” work at all, but it’s way up there that they can knock out a bunch of this. The doctor even said that maybe we can get it down to that one tumor Well, this past Tuesday was pretty emotional when Kurvers revealed at and then we can possibly go in and get the tumor out. his weekly coffee jaunt with his friends what was going on.

“That’s mind-boggling that he would say that to me after what sounds so “If Kurvs hadn’t broken it up, if he didn’t get up and finally say, ‘Alright grim a week ago. The hope is the drug is good enough where it allows a boys, let’s go about our day now,’ I think we would still all be sitting quality of life that this is just something you have and you live and you there,” said Mill, a former member of the Wild’s front office. “I mean, this deal with it. So it was quite the day (Wednesday). My wife was in tears of guy was at our house Christmas Eve out skating with his boys in the joy. She had done her homework and knew what the options were and backyard. And now this? But he’s got a great attitude, and a good what the percentages were and she started weeping with a big smile on approach. And as he told us, that’s half the battle.” her face. I was kind of in the dark and like, What’s going on here? In order to fight this battle, Kurvers will step back from some of his duties “But she knew that the doctor was talking about the best option there is with the Wild. at the moment.” He doubles as Iowa’s GM, and over the past few weeks, he has been For the last two decades, Kurvers has scouted or worked in management slowly sweeping lots of tasks and responsibilities off his desk. for the Coyotes, Lightning and Wild, so he has friends everywhere. “Right now, I don’t get the sense going hard on the road like I have for 21 One of the hardest parts of the past week has been informing his friends years is going to be a real part of the equation,” Kurvers said, amongst the scouting brethren in the Wild press box. sarcastically.

Throughout history, there’s a competitiveness and spy game almost with Since being blindsided, Kurvers’ new normal, officially, is nine days old. the amateur scouts. But there’s a brotherhood amongst pro scouts. They He has met with the Wild’s team psychologist to learn techniques to travel together, are usually assigned to the same territories, you’ve better balance the down times of handling his diagnosis. usually played with or against them. “I’d rather talk about it than sit around alone and think about it. That’s There’s a really good fraternity. hard,” Kurvers said. “Talking about it, I’m getting better at that. I’m going to invent something: I want to get rid of the tissue and invent a crying In order to get a distraction from all that’s been going on, Kurvers has towel, like a Shammy, because tissues aren’t working. attended the past two home games. “I was talking to (former NHLer) Ray Ferraro (Thursday). We played There have been hugs and tears shed, especially with former together. He has two older children, then remarried and has two younger Philadelphia Flyers assistant GM Chris Pryor last Saturday night. Pryor children, so we’ve lived parallel lives, kind of. He said, ‘I can’t imagine was also part of that 1983 Olympic tryout, played a few games with taking this phone call.’ And I said, ‘I can’t imagine taking it about my wife Kurvers in the New York Islanders’ system and has been on the same or children.’ And he instantly understood. scouting path with Kurvers for 22 years. “Nobody can be ready for this phone call. But at least it’s not … them.” Kurvers, who had an emotional moment with the coaching staff just prior to the Wild’s game against Chicago, intentionally waited until gametime Friday, Kurvers received his first 30-day supply of Tagrisso. to come up to the press box so he wouldn’t see any of his friends. But during the first intermission, scouts, many of whom had started to get Tagrisso Tommy Kurvers word, came up to him. In a text to The Athletic, Kurvers sent a picture of the bottle and wrote, Tom Kurvers “Treatment has begun.”

“I handled it pretty well the first few times, but I don’t know why, Chris “Everybody has a story,” Kurvers said. “This is now part of my story. I Pryor is a hard guy with a big heart,” Kurvers said. “It was his two-year- hope it’s a happy ending. I plan on it being so.” old grandchild’s birthday party, but his wife told him, ‘You can’t be here. Tom Kurvers does have an incredible story. He has been in the Go down there and see Tom.’ I broke down because he broke down. crosshairs of so many big events, from being the unenviable guy traded He’s been a good friend for a long time. to Toronto for the draft pick that wound up being Scott Niedermayer, to being unknowingly in the potential way of history when Mario Lemieux scored a goal all five ways possible (even-strength, power play, shorthanded, penalty shot and empty-net), to being one of the first — if not the first — NHLers to lose his job after the teardown of the Iron Curtain because of Slava Fetisov’s arrival in the NHL. He has so many stories to tell. This is the first in a series of features on Kurvers. Throughout his battle with lung cancer, The Athletic will be there to tell his story.

The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129875 Tampa Bay Lightning “It was the most talked-about survey we ever did,” Blankenship said. “Every survey we do throughout the course of the year, all in-game surveys, did not add up to that. That’s exactly what we wanted. There’s Tampa Bay Lightning’s highly anticipated alternate jersey a hit with always some — trepidation and concern are too strong — but it’s almost younger demographic (like we have to) be careful what you ask for when you ask fans because you may not get (the kind of answer) you want. But third jerseys are for the fans, and we wanted to know what they wanted.”

By Joe Smith Feb 8, 2019 17 The results were pretty clear on two things. Seventy-five percent responded that they’d prefer it be a black jersey, an homage to the old

home jerseys they wore early in their history (including the 2004 Stanley TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning’s new alternate jerseys had Cup run). already been a home run in focus groups with their target audience — But the other salient point is that 85 percent of the fans wanted 13- to 25-year-olds — when they faced another significant litmus test last something very different from the previous alternate jersey that was black season. with “BOLTS” stitched across the front. Fans were also in favor of the Vice president of marketing Eric Blankenship and CEO Steve Griggs accent colors being silver, gray or white — not the traditional blue. invited then-Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman into Griggs’ office “Blue was actually one of the last ones,” Blankenship said. for the Hall of Famer’s first look at the sleek, edgy black sweater with a “rainy” gray gradient. The gradient

Blankenship said they both thought Yzerman would hate it. When the Lightning brass had their first Skype conference call with the Adidas group in Portland, Ore., they made it clear that they wanted Yzerman, now 53, played his entire career wearing the iconic, yet something new. Something outside the box. Something that would conservative winged wheel as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. This resonate with younger kids, teenagers and early 20s. Something they new design, inspired by an Adidas sneaker, surely wouldn’t pass muster. could build into an accompanying lifestyle line that fans could wear Yzerman adjusted his glasses, giving the jersey a discerning look. casually to the beach, restaurants and the riverwalk.

“I like it,” Yzerman told them. The ideas Adidas sent back for the Lightning to base their decisions on weren’t photos of hockey players on the ice. They were photos of hip-hop “What?” Blankenship asked, shocked. artists and a kid on a skateboard. There was a design element called Prime Knit, which can be seen a lot in Adidas . That gradient “Well, we’re trying to get a different demographic, right? Younger look: people?” Yzerman asked. “Well, I like it.” Among the five jersey systems they sent back, one included a small “We were like, ‘Wow!” Blankenship said. gradient on the shoulder. A closer look at the Lightning’s new alternate sweater. (Joe Smith / The “We did see some stuff from the World Cup (of Hockey in 2016) that had Athletic) different colors but not a gradient look,” Preast said. “When we sat down The Lightning unveiled their highly anticipated alternate jersey before with Adidas, we were like, ‘Can we do this? Can you manufacture those Thursday night’s game against the St. Louis Blues at Amalie Arena. and still be a jersey?’ They were like, ‘I don’t know. No one’s asked us that before.’ We said, ‘Well, we’re asking. We might want to go down this With the motto “Disrupt the Night,” the new duds did spark some diverse path.'” reactions. They flew off the shelves, with senior VP Kevin Preast saying 500 jerseys were sold Tuesday night, dwarfing a typical night of 80-100. Blankenship said he met with the Lightning’s in-house designers one “It was unprecedented,” he said. Friday night, pondering whether the one stripe of gradient on the shoulder in the Adidas prototype could be lengthened to go all the way There was a more critical review, however, from those who watched the down the arm. They envisioned it as looking like raindrops, which would game on television. Many viewers said they had a hard time reading the fit nicely with the Lightning’s fan motto of “Be the Thunder.” gray numbers on the back (more on that later). They did some mock-ups and showed them to focus groups of Lightning But as the Lightning launch their “lifestyle line,” featuring a new black and fans aged 21 to 28. gray theme with hats, shirts and even skateboards and (coming next year) paddleboards, they believe the look will resonate more with the Their first reaction, according to Blankenship, was, “‘This is interesting.’ next generation of fans. The team will wear the jerseys in six more Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. Just intrigued. Saturday games the rest of the season, starting Saturday against the “When we showed the jersey to 10- to 18-year-olds, the immediate Penguins. reaction was, ‘Awesome!'” Blankenship said. “They said, ‘I love it! You “We could have gone the safe route,” said Jarrod Dillon, Tampa Bay’s guys have to do that!’ We knew it was a home run in that demographic.” chief marketing and revenue officer. “We wanted to go with something The Lightning built two alternate-third prototypes, the innovative one with more innovative and unique. This was meant to appeal to a different gradient, and another “safer” black and gray option. demographic. It was meant to push the boundaries. The whole concept of ‘disrupting the night.’ The Lightning have disrupted hockey in a sense “We’re a conservative organization,” Blankenship said. “We have a very of being in a non-traditional market, and that’s because of our fans. We classic, simple, traditional blue and white home and away system that I felt this was the right way to continue that theme.” will argue is the most traditional, simple jersey in the league. I said, ‘If you want simple, we have that in our home and away jerseys.’ What went into the design? And why not go retro, like many other NHL teams have recently? What happened on television with the hard-to-see “We want something unique and different. We’re very much looking at numbers? We tackle these questions and more. diversity in terms of age, race, socio-economic diversity. When we looked at this jersey, it seemed to transcend a lot of it. We felt it’d be reflective of The origin a very diverse audience. The average NHL fan is a 45-year-old white When Dillon said Thursday was like “Christmas morning came early” for man that makes $120,000 and drives a $40,000 car. the staff, it was because this has been a labor of love. It took two years “That’s not what this is.” for this jersey to come together. The leak Once the organization decided it was going to make a pitch for an alternate jersey (not all of the 31 NHL teams unveiled one), they did their The Lightning planned to unveil the alternate jersey in February partly so research. In July 2017, the marketing team did a survey with Lightning they could get their accompanying lifestyle clothing line assembled and fans young and old, using email lists and text chains, social media and partly to avoid getting in the way of the NHL All-Star Game Adidas jersey their website. reveals. They were still tweaking the jersey throughout the season.

They got 30,000 responses. Then came a leak in early November from @icethetics: The reaction from Lightning fans on social media was — well — harsh. The jerseys were weird. They were ugly. They looked like pajamas. And on and on.

That didn’t deter the Lightning brass, nor did it make them go back to the drawing board. In fact, the leak actually built up interest and intrigue.

“(The leak) was of a replica women’s jersey that we felt, just by itself, didn’t tell the whole story,” Dillon said. “We thought, ‘This could be fun. Let this thing create a life of its own.’ For me, it was pretty fun. You look at the arena (Thursday night), all the store windows were blacked out until warmups. There was still momentum for it, and when the doors opened, the stores were mobbed.

“Would I have liked for (the release) to have gone differently? Sure. But it still worked out.”

Said Blankenship: “With social media, generally speaking, it has a way of overreacting — a vocal minority. There are Lightning games where we lose and I’ll go to social media and they’ll say ‘Fire (coach) Jon Cooper!’ or ‘Trade (Nikita Kucherov)!’ I can tell you, outside reaction for all third jerseys around the league, there hasn’t been a reaction of ‘This is the best thing ever.’ It’s mixed. It’s not going to please everybody.”

The TV issue

The excitement over the new jerseys was tempered by the reaction on TV.

Lightning executives admitted that there was some issue, from a broadcast point of view, seeing the numbers on the jerseys with the silver-gradient coloring. Dillon said these jerseys went through TV testing via Fox Sports and had no issues, so they were surprised by it.

Fans watching Thursday’s game on television complained that it was difficult to see the numbers on the backs of the Lightning uniforms. “The fact you had a hard time seeing the numbers is something we need to adjust,” said Lightning VP of marketing Eric Blankenship. (Kim Klement / USA Today)

They are looking into ways to remedy the problem. While you’re not going to see a whole new set of jerseys re-made for this season, it is possible we could see changes for next season. Blankenship said there are ways to change the arena lightning, which could help.

But, at the end of the day, the Lightning feel the TV-viewing issues are not the end of the world.

“It is absolutely harder to read,” Blankenship said. “But this is a jersey that is very much a marketing play, a retail play more than anything else. So it’s vastly important that people like the way the jersey looks and want to buy it. The fact you had a hard time seeing the numbers is something we need to adjust.

“But the jersey wasn’t designed for how it was going to look best on TV for those six games a year. It’s not No. 1 on our list. Not saying it’s not important, and we’ll look at it. The good news is we’re wearing it just six times.”

Time will tell how these alternate jerseys will be remembered. But so far, they’re a huge hit with at least one important member of their 13-to-25 demographic.

Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, 24, popped into the media room Friday before the promotional event for the new jerseys with one question.

“Can I get a hat?”

The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129876 Toronto Maple Leafs over the next two months, with the last one coming in the regular-season finale in Montreal, promise to be an exciting part of the playoff fight. A lot of fans on both sides are now rubbing their hands at the thought of a Leafs-Habs rivalry now more intense, Babcock says, as Canadiens make Leafs-Canadiens series in the first round of the playoffs. surprising revival This, of course, creates a lot of talk that the remaining three games in the regular-season series are playoff games in disguise. But Babcock isn’t so sure. DAVID SHOALTS “We say that every year, ‘Hey, this could be a playoff game,’ but none of UPDATED FEBRUARY 8, 2019 them compare to playoff games,” Babcock said. “It’s just impossible. Playoffs are different.

“In saying that, they’re a team that’s doing well, we’re a team that’s doing Mike Babcock is in his fourth season as head coach of the Toronto Maple well. We’d both like to be higher in the standings. They’re a good hockey Leafs but only now is he getting into this rivalry thing with the Montreal club, we’re a good hockey club. Something has to give.” Canadiens. Babcock also made it clear that while he hasn’t been enthused about the This is not because of any ignorance of the oldest rivalry in the NHL. rivalry until now, there has never been any doubt about his favourite Babcock spent the mid-1980s in Montreal playing defence for McGill place to play on the road. University. “My favourite rink in the National Hockey League to go into is Montreal No, it’s just that until this season, the games against the Canadiens were just because of the pageantry, the history, the pride, the fans,” he said. not any more special than those against other opponents in Babcock’s “It’s a great, great place to play. Just like I think Toronto is spectacular eyes. because of the fan-base and the love of the game. It should be a lot of fun.” “I just think it’s the next game we’re playing so it’s the most important game of the year,” Babcock said of the Leafs-Habs game Saturday in Globe And Mail LOADED: 02.09.2019 Montreal. “Obviously the Montreal-Toronto thing, I haven’t been involved in for a long time. “Part of it since I’ve been here is both teams haven’t been good. This is the first year both teams look like real hockey clubs.” 'This is the first year both teams look like real hockey clubs,' says Leafs coach Mike Babcock. hen the season started, hardly any of the usual pundits (cough, cough) thought the Canadiens were ready to challenge the Leafs, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins for one of the top three places in the Atlantic Division. However, head coach Claude Julien has the Habs playing a punishing fore-checking game at one end of the ice and a sound defensive game at the other. Throw in winger Jonathan Drouin taking a big step forward this season (46 points in 55 games), Max Domi (47 points in 55 games) thriving after a trade from the Phoenix Coyotes, the return of superstar defenceman Shea Weber from a long battle with injuries and, of course, the presence of goaltender Carey Price, and the Canadiens are one of the biggest surprises in the NHL this season. Second place in the Atlantic Division will be at stake on Saturday night as the Canadiens took over third from the Bruins in recent weeks. They also took advantage of the Leafs’ long funk through December and January to move one point behind them with 68 points in 55 games, although the Leafs have two games in hand. This game marks the start of a 11-day, six-game road trip for the Leafs, their longest of the season. While the Leafs righted themselves by winning four of their past five games and go into the trip on a three-game winning streak, the Canadiens, who also have a three-game winning streak going, are in peak form. This was punctuated by the Habs’ dominance of the Winnipeg Jets, perhaps the top Stanley Cup contender among the seven Canadian teams, in a 5-2 win on Thursday night. “I like their team,” Babcock said. “They’ve got a good feeling going right now. That one line is absolutely on fire so we should be aware and understand that. “Saying that, we’ve got good players too. We’re going to put good players on the ice. They’re going to have to worry about defending us as well. Ideally, if we play right and play fast, it turns into a heck of a hockey game.” “That one line” is centre Phillip Danault with Drouin and Brendan Gallagher on the wings. During the Habs’ three-game win streak, the line produced 20 points with Drouin clicking for nine. Julien has that line, plus the other three, playing a strong defensive game that features a lot of support for the defenceman in the Canadiens zone that leads to the offensive flow that results in all those points. Both Drouin and Danault had four points in the win over the Jets, with Gallgaher getting two. “There’s no question Gallagher and Drouin [Thursday] night were on fire,” Babcock said. “I like their lineup one right through four. They are playing with good structure, playing with good speed, they are above the puck, they’re fore-checking well, playing well in the d-zone.” Saturday’s game is just the second of the season between the Leafs and the Canadiens. The Leafs won the season-opener 3-2 in Toronto back in October. But thanks to the Canadiens ascendance, the last three games 1129877 Toronto Maple Leafs Still, the coach is confident going into Saturday’s game. “We’ve good players, too,” he said. “And we’re going to put good players on the ice and they’re going to have to worry about defending us as well. Hockey Day in Canada showcases key games Saturday for all seven Ideally we play right and we play fast and it turns into one heck of a Canadian NHL squads hockey game.” SHARKS AT OILERS GEMMA KARSTENS-SMITH The Oilers will be looking to build some momentum after beating the THE CANADIAN PRESS Minnesota Wild 4-1 on Thursday. “We’ve got a blueprint for success on the road and we’ve got to take our road game back home and not try to dance with other teams,” coach Ken An annual celebration of everything hockey will have extra implications Hitchcock said after the victory. for many Canadian NHL teams on Saturday. “We’re built a certain way right now and we’ve got to play this way to win Six of the country’s seven squads are still in the hunt for playoff spots, hockey games. We’re doing it on the road and I see no reason why we making each of this year’s Hockey Day in Canada matchups an can’t take it home and hopefully play the same way there.” opportunity to collect crucial points. Despite a season that can be described as patchy at best, Edmonton is This year’s event is based in Swift Current, Sask., but the highlight takes still in the hunt for a playoff position, sitting just two points out of a wild place in Montreal, where the Canadiens host the Toronto Maple Leafs in card spot with 53 points. a battle that could foreshadow a first-round playoff series. Meanwhile, San Jose is coming off a big 5-2 win over the Calgary Here’s a look at all four of the Hockey Day in Canada contests. Flames on Thursday and sits second in the Pacific Division with 71 points. JETS AT SENATORS They may be the only American team playing on the Hockey Day in Hockey Day in Canada has long been a big deal for Senators right- Canada schedule, but taking part in the tradition is still important for at winger Mark Stone. least one Sharks player. “I still remember when it was in Winnipeg and I was like seven- or eight- “Obviously, playing in the U.S., we don’t get as many opportunities as years-old and my dad was one of the guys who got to go on camera and you do in Canada, to play on Hockey Night in Canada. It’s something that ask Don Cherry a question,” he said Thursday. “And I remember thinking I know, as Canadians, you look forward to and it’s easy to get excited that was the coolest thing in the world.” for,” Vancouver native Evander Kane said. The event is an opportunity to recognize a big part of Canadian culture, FLAMES AT CANUCKS said Matt Duchene, a native of Haliburton, Ont. The Flames top the Pacific Division with 73 points, but they head into “It just makes you proud to be Canadian. I still love getting on the outdoor Vancouver following Thursday’s tough home loss to San Jose. rink,” the Ottawa centre said. “When I go home, I have a big bunch of buddies who get together and we’re always talking hockey and we have “It didn’t go our way tonight and we’ve got a big stretch of games coming a big group chat. It’s been really nice to be able to get home and enjoy up, big road trip starting in Vancouver, so we’ve got to shake with one off those moments.” and come back ready to play in Van,” Calgary centre Mark Jankowski said after the defeat. Stone, Duchene and the rest of the Sens will play the early game on Saturday, taking on the Winnipeg Jets in Ottawa. Expectations for the Canucks weren’t high coming into the season but Vancouver remains firmly in the playoff race. They were tied with the St. The Jets are coming off a tough 5-2 loss to the Canadiens on Thursday Louis Blues in points on Friday, but the Blues held control of the Western but still sit atop the Central Division with 71 points. Conference’s final playoff spot having played fewer games. They’ll have to play a different game to beat Ottawa, Brendan Lemieux Still, the Canucks are coming off a disappointing road swing that saw said. them take just three points from four games. “We just have to be better. And if we clean up our game, we can beat The trip also saw three players go down with injuries. Vancouver has yet anybody. But if we’re not sharp, this is the NHL and they’re getting paid, to disclose what happened to left-winger Sven Baertschi, but too, anybody can beat us,” the Jets left-winger said after the Montreal defenceman Alex Edler is expected to be out of the lineup for about a loss. week with a concussion and goalie Thatcher Demko will miss about 10 days with a knee sprain. Ottawa is lingering at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with just 45 points, but Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck said the team Star rookie Elias Pettersson forced overtime against the Chicago shouldn’t be underestimated. Blackhawks with a late power-play goal Thursday night, but Vancouver ultimately dropped a 4-3 decision. LEAFS AT CANADIENS “We’ve just got to get some practice in and make sure we’re all clicking If the hockey season ended today, these long-time rivals would meet in and on the same page and start from scratch and just kind of erase the the playoffs for the first time since 1967. past and start over,” Canucks right-winger Brock Boeser said after the Leafs coach Mike Babcock said this is the first time both Toronto and loss. Montreal are excelling since he joined the franchise in 2015. Globe And Mail LOADED: 02.09.2019 “They’re a team that’s doing well, we’re a team that’s doing well,” he said. “We’d both like to be higher in the standings. It’s an important game. They’re a good hockey club, we’re a good hockey club. Something’s got to give.” The Canadiens sit just a point behind the second-place Leafs in the Atlantic Division standings. Both teams are on three-game win streaks and neither has lost in regulation since Jan. 20. Facing the Leafs in Toronto will be another “playoff-type game,” Montreal centre Phillip Danault said. “We want to keep getting points to make the playoffs,” he said after the Canadiens’ win over Winnipeg. “We know it’s a really good team. They’re playing well, too. A lot of skill. It’s always been a big battle and rivalry against the Leafs. It’s going to be exciting.” Babcock was watching the Winnipeg-Montreal game and said he saw a Canadiens team that’s playing with good speed and some hot lines. 1129878 Toronto Maple Leafs The decision to shift the Leafs from the Wales Conference to the Campbell Conference in 1981 effectively eliminated any chance they would meet Montreal in the playoffs, at least until 1993 when the Leafs Canadiens no pushovers if playoff dream date with Leafs plays out came within one game of defeating Los Angeles and colliding with the Habs in the Cup final.

Since then, with the Leafs back in the same conference as Montreal By DAMIEN COX since 1998, there have been opportunities for a playoff matchup, but it hasn’t actually happened. For the most part, as Babcock pointed out on Sports Columnist Friday, the teams just haven’t been good at the same time. Fri., Feb. 8, 2019 Few thought they would be this season. But the Max Domi trade with Arizona has worked out exceptionally well for Montreal, rookie Jesperi

Kotkaniemi has helped and Brendan Gallagher is enjoying a second Of course it’s OK to get excited, to dream. straight season of good health and may top 30 goals again. The Maple Leafs and Canadiens, after all, haven’t met in the post-season The Leafs — with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, for 40 years. That’s a considerable walk in the wilderness by biblical William Nylander, Patrick Marleau and Morgan Rielly — have a bigger standards, and certainly by the historical standards of a hockey league payroll and more big names. But they haven’t been able to close the gap that still likes to tout the Montreal-Toronto rivalry as one of its most on first-place Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division, and the Habs have important. been creeping closer and closer for weeks. The acquisition of Max Domi from Arizona has been a major plus for the Freddie Andersen’s numbers are actually slightly better than Price’s, but Montreal Canadiens in a bounce-back campaign. few would rank him ahead of the esteemed Montreal goalie. The Leafs score more goals than Montreal and defend their own goal slightly better, So sure, it’s OK to imagine the possibilities if they finally run into each while Toronto’s specialty teams are both better than those of the other for a best-of-seven set this April. Or May. Canadiens, particularly on the power play where Montreal is second- worst in the league. But from a Toronto perspective, don’t get excited about that because you think this would be a considerably softer touch than other playoff So are the two teams really close in quality, or does it just seem that way matchups. in early February because the Habs have played two more games and have been hot of late? Saturday night will provide some answers. It’s You can no longer say with much conviction that’s the case. worth pointing out that Montreal still has not made a significant move to Leafs loyalists can fear Boston as a first-round opponent, and for good bolster its roster with the trade deadline coming up Feb. 25, and the reason, but it’s not clear at all that Montreal would be easier to deal with. Canadiens have lots of cap space to do so. The Leafs would be favoured against the Habs if they were to meet in the The Habs are crafting a nice story this season, better among all the playoffs, but not by much and not by nearly the extent most would have Canadian-based teams except Calgary. So far, it’s just a story, but one imagined back in October. that could grow in marquee value should a meeting with the Leafs in the The Leafs are basically as good as they were last season, perhaps playoffs this year finally be in the cards. slightly better because of their recent play and the impact of newly Toronto Star LOADED: 02.09.2019 acquired defenceman Jake Muzzin. During January, Mike Babcock’s crew struggled to find its footing, and it’s taken a series of home games — mostly against lesser opponents — to regain some momentum. While the Leafs may or may not be better than last season, the Habs are a lot better. Miles and miles better than last season when they managed only 71 points and were the third-worst team in the Eastern Conference. Montreal has almost matched that point total this season after only 55 games and has joined the Leafs, Flames and Jets as Canadian-based clubs ranked in the top eight of the 31-team NHL this season. The influx of elite stars to Canadian clubs through the draft in recent years has drastically improved the possibility that, some time in the very near future, the Stanley Cup drought in the Great White North will come to an end. But until the past month, the Canadiens would not have been considered among the likeliest teams to be the next Cup champion from Canada. Now? Well, with Shea Weber and Carey Price back playing at the level they once did, it’s hard to dismiss the Habs out of hand any more. The roster seems to be lacking in certain areas, but with only one regulation loss in their last 10 games, the surging Canadiens have found ways to make their strengths more meaningful than their weaknesses these days. The decision by Geoff Molson to retain GM Marc Bergevin and head coach Claude Julien in the interests of stability seems to have paid off. Unlike Edmonton, the Canadiens wholeheartedly embraced the new speed emphasis of the NHL and got notably faster over the off-season. When Montreal knocked off Edmonton in overtime last Sunday, it was because two of the three Habs on the ice at the decisive moment were much faster than two of the three Oilers. That said, without Weber — nine goals since returning Nov. 27 — and Price returning to form, all that improved team speed probably wouldn’t have worked out quite so well. We’ll find out Saturday night in Montreal exactly how close the Leafs and Habs have become competitively, one of the more noteworthy encounters between the two ancient franchises in years. It was way back in 1979 that the Habs and Leafs last met in the playoffs, with the Canadiens sweeping the series. The final two games were decided in double OT and OT, and while Montreal went on to with the Cup, that setback ended Roger Neilson’s tenure as head coach in Toronto and began a particularly dark period in which the Leafs did not post a winning record for 13 consecutive seasons. 1129879 Toronto Maple Leafs “It will be fun for us. My favourite rink to go into is Montreal, just because (of) the pageantry, the history, the pride, the fans. It’s a great place to play.” Leafs’ defining road trip starts in Montreal Toronto Star LOADED: 02.09.2019

By KEVIN MCGRAN Sports Reporter Fri., Feb. 8, 2019

On paper, it looks daunting: a six-game, two-week road trip by the Maple Leafs that will go a long way toward determining home-ice advantage for the playoffs, and ends a few days before the NHL trade deadline. And it starts Saturday at the Bell Centre against their historic rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, with second place in the Eastern Conference up for grabs. Max Domi and the Montreal Canadiens host ’s Maple Leafs on Saturday night. So, what does Morgan Rielly think of all this? “I’ve got to pack,” said the star defenceman. “That’s about it.” That’s the kind of approach preached by coach Mike Babcock — workmanlike, one day at a time, don’t get too far ahead of yourself — who blessed his team with an unscheduled day off Friday. “It’s a real good opportunity for our team,” Babcock said on a conference call. “We’ve got a lot of young guys. Getting on the road will be fun. We’re going to some nice spots and playing good teams. “It’s like anything: The next game you play is the important one. We’re playing Montreal. We have a back-to-back (Sunday in New York against the Rangers), but no sense worrying about that. You have to worry about the first one. That’s where our focus is. “We had the three-on-three (outdoor tournament at Nathan Phillips Square on Thursday). It would have been great to have an off day (Thursday) and practice (Friday). That’s not the way it worked out. We thought it was important to be as fresh as we could going into what we’re doing.” After Montreal and New York, the Leafs stop in Colorado, Vegas, Arizona and St. Louis. They lead each of those teams in the overall standings, albeit the edge on Montreal (one point) and Vegas (three) is negligible. But given the Leafs are 16-6-2 on the road, the second-best away record in the NHL, the team has to be confident. They’re also 4-0-1 in their last five. “It’s a different time of year,” Rielly said the other day. “These games are important. The points on the line are big. We’re motivated. We understand what’s at stake. We’re prepared. We feel good about where we’re at. We have confidence.” In Montreal, they’ll face a team that is 8-1-1 in its last 10 — led by a red hot Jonathan Drouin — and will have fans singing “Ole, Ole, Ole” from the rafters. It’s their second meeting of the season. The Leafs won the first, 3-2 in overtime to open the schedule. It could well be a playoff preview between teams that haven’t faced each other in the post-season since 1979. “We say that every year, that this could be a playoff game, but none of them compare to the playoff games because it’s impossible. The playoffs are different,” said Babcock. “In saying that, they’re a team that’s doing well, we’re a team that’s doing well. We’d both like to be higher in the standings. It’s an important game. We’re good hockey club, they’re a good hockey club. Something has to give.” It could be the most significant meeting since April 7, 2007, when the Leafs needed to win in regulation to keep their playoff hopes alive and managed to do it, 6-5 — eliminating the Habs. The Leafs’ hopes were dashed the next day when the Islanders beat the Devils to take the final playoff spot. “The Montreal-Toronto thing … both teams haven’t been good (at the same time),” Babcock said of his Leafs’ tenure. “This is the first time both teams look like real hockey clubs. I’m really impressed with Montreal — their structure, their speed. 1129880 Toronto Maple Leafs It’s thought the Leafs would like to add another right-handed defenceman and Carolina has several that could be of interest, including Brett Pesce, Justin Faulk and Dougie Hamilton. Leafs-Canadiens means something again, and Babcock likes it Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas will try to make improvements to the club where he sees fit. Terry Koshan Defenceman Jake Muzzin was a terrific acquisition, but we won’t be surprised if Dubas adds another piece or two in the coming weeks.

NO CALLS ON MATTHEWS Mike Babcock loves to visit his favourite Montreal deli for a smoked meat sandwich whenever the Maple Leafs visit. Proof of Auston Matthews’ above-average hockey intelligence (way, way above average) comes in many facets, whether he’s dangling through And for the first time in the Leafs coach’s tenure behind the Toronto opponents with ease or tracking the puck and getting it back quicker than bench, there is plenty of meat on the bone in the rivalry between the most in the NHL. Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens. We also see it in Matthews’ absence from the penalty box, as he has “Since I have been here (after being hired by the Leafs in 2015), both taken exactly one minor penalty in 2018-19, on Oct. 11 in Detroit against teams have not been good (at the same time),” Babcock said during a the Red Wings, when he was flagged for holding in the second period. conference call with media on Friday afternoon. “This is the first year both teams look like real hockey clubs.” It’s not as though Matthews has learned something new in his third season in the NHL. Never has he beaten a path the box, as he has a And with something real on the line. There’s plenty of hockey left and all total of 28 penalty minutes in 183 games. that — the Leafs have 29 regular-season games remaining, the Canadiens 27 — but the teams find themselves in a hard fight for second Still, as Matthews worked during games to get himself back in proper place in the Atlantic Division, with the Boston Bruins in focus as well. shape (more mental than physical) after missing 14 games with a shoulder injury, he never was out of position, or took shortcuts, to the Behind the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Leafs are second with 69 points, point that he was taking a penalty. the Canadiens are third with 68 and the Bruins, who play host to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon, have 66. Boston has 28 games to No hooking, no tripping, no interference, no anything else. play. It’s remarkable. What’s more, Matthews is staying clean often against the One of the Leafs, Canadiens or Bruins will open the first round at home best players the opponent has to offer. of the Stanley Cup playoffs against one of the others, while the third team As for getting frustrated, the next time Matthews vents on the ice or will settle for wild-card status. retaliates will be the first time. Nothing was going to get Babcock off the train of thought on Friday that “We expect him to be in good spots,” Babcock said. We don’t want only the next game is important. With that mind, the coach was anyone taking penalties. Usually (penalties are) a sign you’re reaching impressed with what he saw in the Canadiens on Thursday night as he instead of just moving your feet and being in good spots. watched on television when they dismantled the Central Division-leading Winnipeg Jets. “He draws real good players every single night, and he has to find a way to fight through and generate offence and be real good defensively at the “They are doing a real nice job,. They are playing with good structure, same time.” they are playing with good speed, they are above the puck, forecheck well, playing well in the defensive zone. I like their team,” Babcock said. Toronto Sun LOADED: 02.09.2019 “They have a good feeling going. That one line (Phillip Danault centring Jonathan Drouin and Brendan Gallagher) is absolutely on fire and we will be aware. “We’re going to have good players on the ice and they’re going to have to worry about defending us, as well. Ideally, it turns into a heck of a hockey game.” The significance of playing in Montreal isn’t lost on Babcock. The Leafs will visit the Canadiens on April 6 in the regular-season finale. “My favourite rink in the NHL to go into to play is Montreal just because of the pageantry, the history, the pride, the fans. I think it’s a great place to play,” Babcock said. “Just like I think Toronto is that spectacular because of the fan base and love of the game. It should be a lot of fun. We’re looking forward to the opportunity.” The match marks the start of a six-game trip for the Leafs, their longest of the season. TRADE CONSIDERATIONS Speculation will be rampant until the NHL trade deadline passes on Feb. 25, and the Leafs are being linked to a couple of teams for reasons that might sound familiar. The Leafs last year gave serious thought to acquiring centre Luke Glendening from the Detroit Red Wings, but wound up getting Tomas Plekanec from the Canadiens. TSN reports there is renewed Leafs interest in Glendening, a Babcock favourite from his days in Detroit. The 29-year-old is under contract through the 2020-21 season with an AAV of $1.8 million. The Carolina Hurricanes and the Leafs have been joined in speculation for much of the season, and the ’Canes had three scouts to watch the Leafs and Anaheim Ducks play on Monday night. Leafs assistant general manager Laurence Gilman was in Buffalo on Thursday night to watch the Hurricanes take on the Sabres. Gilman wasn’t there just to have a hot dog and some popcorn, and the Sabres aren’t selling. Forward Micheal Ferland would be a good fit for Toronto, and he’s in the last year of his contract. 1129881 Toronto Maple Leafs Hearing that the Blackhawks would move forward Artem Anisimov for the right price. His role has decreased in Chicago this season. I don’t get the

sense the ‘Hawks are actively shopping him, but for the right offer they LeBrun Notebook: High price for rentals, Ilya Kovalchuk’s future and would listen. Leafs mulling their options The 30-year-old Anisimov is not a rental, he’s got two more years on his deal after this season at a $4.55-million cap hit although the actual cash owed to him is $4 million next year and $3 million in the last season. By Pierre LeBrun Feb 8, 2019 113 Anisimov has a 10-team list of teams he would go to as part of his modified no-trade clause. So his camp has some say in how a potential deal would play out. The poker game is on. I wonder if Columbus wouldn’t be a fit in terms of re-acquiring him? The After making some calls around the league on Thursday, one resonating allure here would be that they know the player and that he’s signed past message came to the forefront: contending teams are frustrated that this year. If Columbus adds, I think the Jackets would like a player under prices remain too high for the more notable rental players. contract, especially if they ship out Panarin in a separate deal. Well you can bet it’s high on Artemi Panarin, although a source told The What I don’t know is whether Columbus is on Anisimov’s list of teams. Athletic on Thursday night that Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen is still in listening mode evaluating offers, which is to say he hasn’t set a fixed Kovalchuk’s future price just yet. The Los Angeles Kings lured Ilya Kovalchuk last summer under the Again, the Blue Jackets aren’t 100 percent dealing the pending UFA premise they would be playoff contenders and well, you know what they unless they feel they can get what they feel he’s worth. If they make him say about best-laid plans. their own rental, so be it for a Jackets team with a chance to make the playoffs yet again. And so the question now is what happens, if anything, with Kovalchuk moving forward. The 35-year-old winger has a full no-move clause so he My sense is that teams like Nashville and Boston are currently concerned decides his future, but my understanding of the situation is that he would with what it would cost to get Panarin, although I would still keep those waive it if the right fit presented itself, and that the Kings would try to two teams on watch for the Breadman, among other clubs. In a perfect accommodate him and perhaps even eat some of the salary in order to world, the top contenders like to make these type of additions as soon as make a deal work. possible and not wait until the deadline to give their new players the chance to adjust as much as possible. This is why Jim Rutherford The question is whether or not an opportunity will present itself. impresses me every year, the way the Penguins GM acts so early. Kovalchuk is in the first season of a three-year deal carrying a $6.25- million cap hit. It is also a 35-and-over contract which no doubt scares Right now though, the prices seem too high on many of the rentals. But some teams. there’s more than two weeks to go before the trade deadline. This is the dance at this time of year. The selling teams start high and as we get On the flip side, it’s a front-loaded deal in real money. In fact, by July 1 closer to Feb. 25, the prices should drop to some degree. this offseason, once a $5.3-million signing bonus is paid, he’ll have just under $5 million to be paid out in total for the final two seasons. So you’re They will certainly drop if Ottawa enters the market with Mark Stone getting Kovalchuk for $2.5 million a year in real money. I would think that and/or Matt Duchene next week. That will flood the market with high-end would interest some teams that don’t mind the high cap hit in exchange talent. As far as I could tell Thursday, there’s still no firm decision yet on for the lower cash payout. both those situations but I have to think by mid-week next week there has to be some more clarity. The question is whether any team comes calling before Feb. 25?

I think a team like Winnipeg, for example, is keenly waiting out the It’s not a great year to be trying to move an aging winger under contract Ottawa situation. The Jets would have interest in either Stone or when the rental market is loaded in forwards, though. Boston, Vegas and Duchene for sure. San Jose were among the teams that showed interest in Kovalchuk last summer but the Sharks aren’t sounding overly aggressive ahead of the Winnipeg’s issue is that it can really only acquire a rental player. Its deadline — their Erik Karlsson trade in September was their big trade salary cap situation moving forward will prevent it from signing rental deadline acquisition it would seem — while the B’s as far as I can tell are players to new deals. more focused on pending UFAs like Panarin and Wayne Simmonds, among others. I see Vegas being all over Stone if he becomes available. So if either Duchene or Stone are looking to sign extensions through the trade process, Winnipeg won’t be a great fit. Still, the Kovalchuk situation is something to keep an eye on closer to Feb. 25. If a team thinks the Russian veteran can help, he’s definitely Leafs scouting Carolina (again) available. It is misleading at times to try to figure out why teams have certain scouts Brisson/Dubas at certain games this time of year. Hearing that agent Pat Brisson met with Leafs GM Kyle Dubas after But this one on Thursday night caught my eye: Leafs AGM Laurence Wednesday’s Ottawa-Toronto game at Scotiabank Arena. Brisson Gilman taking in the Hurricanes-Sabres game. No question he was there represents John Tavares, Jake Gardiner and Patrick Marleau on the to scout Carolina, yet again. Two weeks ago he took in a Carolina game Leafs so it would make sense to catch up with the Leafs GM since he as well as two Charlotte (AHL) games. happened to be in town. What I don’t know for sure is why the Leafs keep monitoring the ‘Canes. The key player of interest, however, in that conversation would have Once they traded for Jake Muzzin one figured they were done scouting undoubtedly been Gardiner, the pending UFA blueliner whose future for blueline help, unless the Leafs still have interest in one of the ‘Canes remains undecided because of the Leafs’ salary cap headaches moving right-handed studs. Or, in the interest of adding more muscle and talent forward. But my sense is that the Leafs haven’t 100 percent closed the up front, are the Leafs monitoring winger Micheal Ferland? door on the idea of trying to re-sign Gardiner. Do I think it’s likely? No, As I wrote Monday, things aren’t quite as clear anymore when it comes to because Gardiner will be able to do much better on the open market whether Carolina will actually move Ferland now that the ‘Canes are in a come July 1 and the Leafs will have so little cap room left once they re- playoff race. It will really depend, I think, on how the ‘Canes fare in their sign Mitch Marner. games headed right to the Feb. 25 deadline and of course what kind of But the Leafs, both management and the coaching staff, really like offers they get. Gardiner. If there’s any way to move other players out this summer and It could be nothing, but I find it interesting the Leafs are still keeping an have time to make Gardiner an offer, I think they will. But it’s going to be eye on Carolina. very difficult.

Anisimov available? The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129882 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights welcome chance to gain ground at home

By Adam Hill / Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Golden Knights are comfortably in the playoffs about two-thirds through the season. Their hopes of repeating as Pacific Division champions largely hinge on how they get through a long stretch of home games that begins Saturday when the Columbus Blue Jackets visit T-Mobile Arena for a 7 p.m. game. Vegas (31-21-4) is seven points behind division leader Calgary and five behind San Jose. The Flames have two games in hand and the Sharks have played one fewer game than the Knights as the stretch run begins. The Knights are 11 points ahead of Vancouver for the third and final automatic qualifying spot in the Pacific. Their outlook might not be as rosy had they not rallied for a 3-2 shootout victory over league-leading Tampa Bay on Tuesday, then overcome an early 1-0 deficit for a 4-3 win Thursday at Detroit. Those victories have set up the Knights to make a run at the top of the division now that the schedule starts to get more favorable, at least in terms of travel. “Every game is important, and like I said, we’ve got eight of the next nine at home, and we’ve got to make sure we’re ready to play,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “We usually play real good in our building, so they’re real important and hopefully we can gain a lot of points over the next eight or nine games.” The Knights will start to reap the rewards of a hectic early-season travel schedule with 16 of the final 26 games at home, where they are 16-6-3. It starts with four straight home games, followed by a trip to Colorado before closing the month with four consecutive home games. The opposition isn’t as friendly. Six of the eight teams that will visit T- Mobile Arena the rest of the month are in playoff position, including the Blue Jackets. “We just need to play the right way, be ready for Columbus and take it one game at a time and get the energy off our crowd,” said Jonathan Marchessault, who had two goals in Thursday’s win. Saturday’s game will be the first time the Knights have played at home since a Jan. 23 loss to Nashville that came right before the All-Star break and the team’s bye week. The Predators visit again Feb. 16 in what figures to be an intense rematch after the last meeting included an alleged bite by Vegas’ Pierre- Edouard Bellemare on P.K. Subban’s finger. Neither Calgary nor San Jose is on the schedule the rest of the month, but the Knights play each team twice in March. While it’s too early for scoreboard watching, the Knights undoubtedly are keeping tabs on the Flames and Sharks. Should Calgary play .500 hockey and get 28 points in their final 28 games, the Knights would need 36 points in their final 26 games to finish ahead of them. That would represent a significant drop-off in play by the Flames, who are 34-15-5. The scenario also would assume the Sharks fall off their pace, which they have shown no sign of doing. San Jose is 11-3 since Jan. 1. A division title would mean much more than another banner. The first- place team would have home ice through at least the first two rounds of the playoffs and draw a wild-card team in the first round. The second- and third-place teams will play each other, so a second-place finish at least would ensure a Game 7 at home. “(Until) the end, I don’t see it loosening up,” goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury said. “We play a lot of games against our conference, so those are always important points. A lot of good teams, so we’ve got to bear down here. It’s good, though. Our schedule’s not too busy like it was earlier. Use the rest smartly and give a good push to get those points.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129883 Vegas Golden Knights The Knights announced Friday that they will be the title sponsor for the 2019 Chinese New Year in the Desert/Spring Festival Parade.

Mascot Chance and the team’s Drumbots will take part in a parade from Golden Knights’ Malcolm Subban off IR, Maxime Lagace demoted 11 a.m. to noon on Fremont Street. The Knights also will host a free youth hockey clinic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Downtown Container Park. By Ben Gotz / Las Vegas Review-Journal LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 02.09.2019

The Golden Knights are back to full strength at goaltender. The Knights activated backup Malcolm Subban off injured reserve Friday and sent Maxime Lagace to the American Hockey League. Subban was last active for a game Jan. 8 against the New York Rangers, and Lagace has been active every game since to provide depth behind Marc-Andre Fleury. Lagace made one appearance for the Knights, a 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 1 when he allowed four goals on 26 shots. The 26- year-old has a .899 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves this season after making his NHL debut last season. The @GoldenKnights sent Maxime Lagace back to the AHL. Malcolm Subban is no longer on IR, per the NHL's media site. — Ben Gotz (@BenSGotz) February 8, 2019 “(I need to) keep working hard,” Lagace said Thursday. “I’ve always preached work ethic, and it’s the same system as last year. It’s little details (I need to work on).” Subban, whose injury was undisclosed, joined the Knights halfway through their recent four-game trip and began skating with the team Monday. Subban, 25, has a .904 save percentage and 2.95 goals against average in 16 appearances with the Knights this season. Glass update Knights prospect Cody Glass has resumed skating as he recovers from a left knee injury, a spokesperson for his major junior team confirmed. Glass was a limited participant in the ’ practice Thursday and briefly skated with the team Wednesday. Update on injured Golden Knights prospect Cody Glass: A @pdxwinterhawks spokesperson confirmed that Glass was a limited participant in practice today (he left a bit early) and also briefly skated Wednesday as he recovers from a left knee injury suffered Jan. 26. #VegasBorn

— David Schoen  (@DavidSchoenLVRJ) February 8, 2019 Glass traveled with the team to Washington on Friday for its Western Hockey League games against Seattle and Everett but will not play. The Winterhawks do not have a timetable for his return. Glass was injured Jan. 26 against Seattle when he became tangled with Thunderbirds forward Tyler Carpendale. Glass’ left knee bore the majority of the additional weight and bent underneath his body, but an MRI showed no major structural damage. Glass, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 draft, has 64 points (13 goals, 51 assists) in 34 games with Portland. Zykov has the power When Valentin Zykov led the AHL with 33 goals last season, 17 came on the power play. The winger saw his first action on the Knights’ power-play unit during Thursday’s 4-3 win at Detroit. Zykov stepped into the spot previously occupied by Brandon Pirri, who was a healthy scratch against the Red Wings, and logged 1:36 of ice time on the Knights’ two power plays. Zykov almost scored on a 5-on-4 in the third period when he received a pass along the goal line and made a quick move to the front of the net. Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard made a glove save on the play. “He’s real dangerous in the offensive zone,” Knights coach Gerard Gallant said. “He made a couple bad mistakes in the defensive zone, but like I said, he put pucks to the net and he was good on the power play.” Chinese New Year 1129884 Vegas Golden Knights retainers aren’t visible outside of the mouth, kids are such huge fans that the novelty of having the logo on their retainer is special to them personally. In addition to the retainers, some patients request Vegas Inside Las Vegas Sports Marketing: Why Businesses Pay Golden Golden Knights colored rubber bands on their braces. This allows them Knights To Become A Sponsor to color coordinate with the Vegas Golden Knights apparel. *LVSB: Are there other Roseman items that carry the VGK logo? What was the patients’ reactions when they saw they could have a VGK logo February 8, 2019 on a retainer? Are sales going up because of the logo on the retainer? By ALAN SNEL JR: The Roseman University partnership with the Vegas Golden Knights is new, so this is the first use of the logo. The retainer was just introduced this week and it has created quite a buzz. This time of year we have a lot of patients having their braces removed and will be getting retainers, and It seems every type of business in Las Vegas wants a piece of the Vegas many have already expressed interest in the Vegas Golden Knights Golden Knights these days. We chatted with Brian Killingsworth, the VGK design. chief marketing officer, to find out about the logo and sponsor proliferation. *The Golden Knights return to T-Mobile Arena Saturday night when the VGK host the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7 p.m. LVSportsBiz.com will be But what about the business’ side? Why do dozens of businesses sign returning to the Top of the Escalator at 5:45 p.m. when the doors open. checks to become VGK sponsors. LVSportsBiz.com went Inside Sports Look for us on Facebook Live. And stop by and say hi at Top of the Marketing with Roseman University, the latest Golden Knights’ business Escalator. partner. We posed five questions to Jason Roth, vice president of communications at Roseman University of Health Services. LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 LVSB: There are dozens of Las Vegas area businesses that are sponsors of the Vegas Golden Knights. How does Roseman plan to use its business partnership with the VGK to advance its goals and not be lost in the high number of Golden Knights sponsors? JR: We are currently the only higher education institution to partner with the Vegas Golden Knights. We plan to use the new partnership as a way to engage hockey fans from southern Nevada and throughout North America who are also looking at future educational and career opportunities. We attract and enroll students from Nevada and from states across the country into our pharmacy, nursing and dental medicine programs. The partnership allows us to share the educational benefits unique to Roseman’s Six-Point Mastery Learning Model and the experiential learning and clinical training opportunities available in our communities that help them to enter the workforce as competent healthcare professionals. Further, the partnership creates opportunities to promote the many services Roseman University offers in southern Nevada, such as dental and orthodontic care through our College of Dental Medicine Roseman Dental clinics in Henderson, primary care and other specialties through our College of Medicine Roseman Medical Group in Spring Valley, and free health screenings and education offered by student organizations at community events throughout the region. Finally, we are working with the Vegas Golden Knights to collaborate and create a student experiential program with the team’s medical staff, creating new learning opportunities for our students. *LVSB: What first attracted Roseman to becoming a sponsor and how did you work out the deal? And how many years is the agreement? JR: First and foremost, a large number of Roseman University employees, students and alumni are Vegas Golden Knights fans. Roseman University also shares in the spirit of #VegasBorn. Founded in Henderson in 1999, Roseman University is a private, non-profit institution, and is the only such institution created in southern Nevada, and one of only two in the state. Like the Vegas Golden Knights, many thought our founders were doing something that was impossible. As we kick off our yearlong 20th Anniversary celebrations this fall, we have an opportunity to share our story of reimagining the impossible and our track record of success in educating our pharmacists, nurses, and dental professionals, and serving our communities. While I can’t share specifics of the partnership, Roseman University’s partnership with the Vegas Golden Knights is multi-year and we look forward to the opportunities it creates. *LVSB: I believe the Golden Knights have a dental sponsor. How does Roseman feel about having another sponsor in the dental category with the VGK? JR: Roseman University is multi-faceted with academic programs and healthcare services, such a dental, that support the learning of our students and residents. This partnership will allow us to promote all aspects of the university. *LVSB: How did Roseman arrive at putting the VGK logo and colors on a dental retainer? If the dental retainer is in the mouth of the Roseman dental patient, how will people see the VGK logo? JR: The dental retainer was born from an idea by College of Dental Medicine orthodontic faculty and residents. A very larger number of patients – mostly youth – are Vegas Golden Knights fans. While the 1129885 Washington Capitals 73 games that season, the first he established himself as the team’s top option in net. After Holtby signed his five-year, $30.5 million contract extension in 2015, his agent bought him a small guitar for the road, and it Six strings and no five hole: How music helps Capitals goaltender Braden travels with Holtby for even the team’s shortest trips. Holtby When his mother’s band had a reunion this summer, Holtby performed, too — “when everyone was not worried about how the music sounded,” he joked. By Isabelle Khurshudyan February 8 at 4:05 PM “He got up and played his guitar, and of course, to my bandmates who knew him as a young boy, they’re just all amazed at how he’s self-taught himself to play guitar and that he can sing,” said Tami, adding that he There were maybe 10 other people at the bar, so Braden Holtby plays the guitar better than she can. assumed he was safe. He was incorrect. What started as a hobby became a relaxing release when last season felt The Washington Capitals had just wrapped up a long day of team- chaotic. As much as Holtby values routine and stability, the Capitals’ building activities in Whistler, B.C., during their trip to western Canada in roster turnover before last season threw him for a loop. Defenseman Karl October, so players ended the night with a visit to the Dubh Linn Gate. Alzner, who had played with Holtby since their days in the American As always, Holtby had his guitar with him, so when the Irish pub’s live- Hockey League, signed with the Montreal Canadiens, and defenseman music act needed a break, Holtby took the stage to serenade his Nate Schmidt, Holtby’s close friend and seatmate on the team plane, was teammates and the handful of patrons. swiped in the Vegas expansion draft. It didn’t take long for video of Holtby singing “Keep The Wolves Away” by Mitch Korn, the goaltending coach who played a large part in Holtby Uncle Lucius to make the rounds on social media, much to Holtby’s joining the NHL’s elite class of netminders, was still with the team, but no chagrin. longer in an on-ice capacity. Then it bothered Holtby to watch blue-liner Taylor Chorney be scratched every night before he was eventually “I kind of just thought there was no chance it would get out,” he said. “It’s waived in February. completely different playing with a microphone; it sounds completely weird.” “Last year was a difficult one because there was a lot going on outside of just goaltending that affected me,” Holtby said. “It was just a change from Braden Holtby played a set in Whistler at The Dubh Linn Gate last night the year before. You lose a lot of good friends. Seeing one of the best while Ovechkin & his teammates cheered him on... #NHL #StanleyCup teammates I’ve ever had sit on the bench for a year was tough. You’re a pic.twitter.com/z7ZLZ2nt5o family as a hockey team, and when you lose guys to different teams or — Bob Crook (@CrookBob) October 25, 2018 even staff members, it changes things and it just wears on you a bit.” Holtby’s concerts tend to be more private, from playing his guitar in an With the Capitals playing porous defense in front of him, Holtby’s game in office at the Capitals’ practice facility every game day to learning a new the second half of the season deteriorated to the point that he was song in his hotel room when there’s time to kill on the road. It has temporarily usurped as the team’s top goaltender. He was frustrated that, become part of his routine in the same way his pregame visualization while he felt like he was playing the same way, the results were techniques are, and that routine is what grounds him — when things are drastically different, culminating in the worst statistical season of his erratic in front of him or his own play is suffering, he approaches every career. Philipp Grubauer was tabbed the starter for the playoffs, but day the same way. Holtby shortly thereafter reclaimed his role and backstopped Washington to its first Stanley Cup with a 2.16 goals against average and .922 save It’s part of the reason he has been one of the most consistent percentage. Grubauer was traded to the Colorado Avalanche during the goaltenders in the NHL over the past five seasons, selected to the All- summer, reaffirming the organization’s confidence in Holtby. Star Game four straight years and being named a Vezina Trophy finalist twice, winning the award in 2015-16. But as the past two seasons have “I think the play in front of him, too, sometimes creates a little tested him with roster changes that caused some of his closest friends to inconsistency,” General Manager Brian MacLellan said. “You can’t just leave the team and a more wide-open style of play around the league say our goaltending has been inconsistent. I mean, the way we play in leading to more scoring — and not just against him — he has had more front of him can also assist how he is, how he plays.” highs and lows than a song. One of the few constants through all of that Last season’s experience proved valuable when he again struggled has been his reliance on music. some last month; in eight January games, he had a .880 save “It’s therapeutic,” Holtby said, who added he’s a fan of folk and country, percentage with a 4.11 goals against average. He didn’t overreact to the listing Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell and Colter Wall, a singer-songwriter poor results, accepting that even the few things he could’ve tweaked from Holtby’s native Saskatchewan, among his favorite performers. “It probably wouldn’t make much of a difference in the games the Capitals takes your mind off things. That’s kind of why I feel it helps me on game lost with him in net. days. To play a little bit, you kind of forget about all that. Whether you’re Since the Capitals’ bye week after the All-Star Game, Holtby has allowed in a good or bad mood, it doesn’t matter; you kind of come back to six goals in three games, stopping 95 of the 101 shots he has faced for a square one. Music controls your mood, different types of music, and it’s .941 save percentage. The most important thing was trusting his just one of those things I do to get into the same mind frame every day.” approach — another trait he got from his mother. Some of Holtby’s most colorful childhood memories are of falling asleep “When he started playing hockey competitively, we did talk a bit about under a bar table or a stage as his mother’s voice fills the room. Tami the parallels between entertaining in music and entertaining in sports,” Holtby was the lead singer in a country band, Tami Hunter and Walkin’ Tami said. “Your preparation is not the same, but along the same lines — After Midnight, that toured western Canada. Braden and his older sister, the practice that nobody sees, the preparation before you step on that Taryn, often tagged along for practices and concerts as kids. stage to not have too many jitters, but just the right amount of jitters and “I didn’t appreciate it as much as I would now, how good they were and to be able to focus the whole night, to be able to continue to entertain.” how cool it was to be around that,” he said. Washington Post LOADED: 02.09.2019 While Braden followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a goaltender, Tami could see her influence in the way her son would rhythmically tap his fingers or play air guitar. “Every day there was live music in our house,” she said. Holtby took some piano lessons, but the guitar was his real love. He tried teaching himself how to play during his last season in Canadian major junior hockey with the Saskatoon Blades, but he was frustrated with his lack of progress and put the instrument aside for a couple of years as he concentrated on moving up the Capitals’ depth chart. Then, during the 2014-15 season, a guitar arrived at the team’s practice facility, and since no one else knew what to do with it, Holtby strummed for a couple of hours before he was due in net. The Capitals won that night, so Holtby had another guitar session on the day of his next start. Washington went on a hot streak, and a new wrinkle was added to his carefully structured routine. He played in a career-high 1129886 Washington Capitals

Jonas Siegenthaler reassigned to Hershey signaling the likely return of Christian Djoos

By J.J. Regan February 08, 2019 5:25 PM

ARLINGTON – Defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler has been reassigned to the Hershey Bears, the Capitals announced Friday, just hours after Christian Djoos was officially recalled to Washington. The move paves the way for Djoos’ return to the roster and signals his almost certain return to the lineup on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. Djoos suffered an injury to his thigh in a game on Dec. 11. He underwent surgery for compartment syndrome and has been out ever since. He was reassigned to Hershey for a conditioning stint on Sunday and played in two games with the Bears in his first game action since the injury. “I felt good,” Djoos said Friday after participating in Caps’ practice. “Fun to play again.” When asked if he could play Saturday, Djoos said, “I’m ready.” Head coach Todd Reirden, however, was noncommittal about Djoos’ return. “We're going to talk it over, just the coaches and management, and just make sure we're on the same page here before moving forward,” he said. “But he looked good today and his response to playing in games was a real positive one down in Hershey.” But the assignment of Siegenthaler is a clear sign that Djoos’ will likely be in the lineup on Saturday. The Caps were already carrying the maximum of 23 players on the active roster with Djoos on long-term injured reserve. Activating him off LTIR required a roster move. With Siegenthaler being the only waiver exempt player on the roster, he found himself to be on the odd-man out. That does not mean, however, that Siegenthaler is not in Washington’s long-term plans for the rest of the season. Siegenthaler played in 25 games since he was recalled in November and was becoming a regular on the team’s third pairing in Djoos’ absence. He seemed to pass Madison Bowey on the depth chart and the Caps even told him to get an apartment in the area. The move likely has more to do with the fact that Siegenthaler is waiver exempt than anything to do with his performance. He was the only player the team could move with no risk of losing him. He also may not be in Hershey for very long. The 23-player maximum is only in effect until the trade deadline. After that, teams can have as many players as they want so long as they remain cap compliant. The Caps are very close to the cap ceiling and it is unclear if they will have enough space to bring him back. If so, they almost certainly will. If not, whether he returns in the regular season may depend on what moves general manager Brian MacLellan makes before the deadline, if any. If the Caps can’t bring him back before the end of the regular season, however, he will almost certainly return for the playoffs where both the salary cap and roster limits no longer apply. The Caps play the Florida Panthers on Saturday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NBC Sports Washington. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129887 Washington Capitals

Christian Djoos says he's ready to return, but coaches still need to 'talk it over'

By J.J. Regan February 08, 2019 1:47 PM

ARLINGTON – The Capitals may get a boost to their defense for Saturday’s game against the Florida Panthers with the possible return of defenseman Christian Djoos. Djoos was officially recalled by the Capitals on Friday after a short conditioning stint in Hershey. It was his first game action since he suffered a thigh injury on Dec. 11 with the Caps. Djoos underwent surgery for compression syndrome and has not played since. After two games in Hershey, however, Djoos says he is ready to return for the Caps. “I felt good,” Djoos said Friday after participating in practice. “Fun to play again.” When asked if he could play Saturday, Djoos said, “I’m ready.” Head coach Todd Reirden, however, was not yet sure if Djoos would be in the lineup. “We're going to talk it over, just the coaches and management, and just make sure we're on the same page here before moving forward,” he said. “But he looked good today and his response to playing in games was a real positive one down in Hershey.” The decision will come from both the team and management because of the roster implications his return would have. Djoos is currently on LTIR and the Caps are already carrying the maximum of 23 players on the active roster. Once he is activated off IR, it will mean making a roster move to free up a spot for him. You can read more on the team’s options for grabbing an extra roster spot here. Despite the roster implications, you can bet that once the team determines Djoos is ready to go, he will quickly be thrown back into the lineup. During the team’s seven-game losing streak, defense was a major issue. Adding a skilled puck-mover who played a major role in the team’s run last season could be a major boon for a Caps team trying to reassert itself in the division race. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129888 Washington Capitals their centerman or their second defenseman in grabs the puck and makes the play and they are out of the zone.”

So what makes for a good puck-retrieving forecheck? Dreadful on faceoffs, Capitals focus on what to do after losing the draw “It’s reading and being aware of what they like to do, what shots they have, what tendencies they have with what side they’re going out and By Chris Kuc Feb 8, 2019 just trying to read the play and getting in there and get your feet moving as quick as possible,” Wilson said. “A lot of time in the D-zone (opponents) are trying to make a quick play so if you lose a draw you have to get there right away to try and rush them and create a turnover. Throughout the NHL, battle lines have been drawn between faceoff Those are huge. You see lots of goals happen after a ‘D’ has to rush his believers and faceoff deniers. play and he puts it right up the middle on our guy’s tape. It’s just a mentality and you have a lot of guys who focus on it. It’s a little detail in Some contend that draws are vital, while others are of the opinion that the game that is important.” what happens in the moments after them that is of more importance. Teammate Lars Eller said the first order of business is to keep the puck About the only thing everyone can agree on is that it’s better to have out of the goaltender’s hands, especially if he is adept at playing it. possession of the puck than to be chasing it. “No. 2 is having a second and third guy in there quick because a lot of “I want to start with the puck,” Capitals coach Todd Reirden said. “If not, I times the first guy can only do so much,” Eller said. “Best-case scenario want to have a plan to get it back as fast as possible.” is he’s going to force the opposition to make a bad play and then the That last part has been Reirden’s mantra with the Capitals this season second forward has to be there to take advantage of that. If F2 is a foot and for good reason: The defending Stanley Cup champions are awful at or two feet too late than (the opponent) has another half-second to make faceoffs. a play and that’s what makes a difference a lot of times. It’s all three guys working together, being close and supporting and being quick.” Like dead-last in the NHL awful at a dismal 46.1 percent. Winger Chandler Stephenson agreed that a successful forecheck There is an argument to be had on the relevancy of faceoffs and certainly involves the forwards working in unison. about how the Capitals can improve in the circle, but those can wait for another day. “A big part of it is three guys being on the same page,” he said. “There are a lot of teams with a solid D-corps now that if you give them time and Instead, the focus here is on what the Capitals are trying to do after space they are going to make a play and it’s back down in your end. The losing faceoffs — seeing as that’s what happens more often than not — biggest thing is try to get down-ice and disrupt as much as you can, but particularly in the offensive zone. at the same time, it can’t be just one guy, it has to be all three guys working together. One guy getting the puck, the second guy coming in for The Capitals are an equal opportunity failure in each zone, ranking 28th support and the third guy also supporting.” in the NHL at defensive zone faceoffs at 47.3 percent, 30th in the league in neutral zone draws at 46.0 percent and last in the offensive zone at In the end, it often comes down to simply winning puck battles. 45.0 percent. “If I can beat my guy to help the center win the draw, our team starts with It is that last figure that has at times helped stagnate the Capitals’ the puck and it is possession, and if you do lose it, a lot of times it’s the normally high-flying offense, and it is one of the focal points of Reirden’s wingers’ job to jump and try to retrieve the puck or get on them,” Wilson video sessions and pregame strategy meetings. said. “You want to start with the puck but there are ways that you can help each other out if you don’t win it.” While it may not always look like it, the Capitals have multiple systems in place for what to do after faceoffs — win or lose. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 “Off every faceoff every guy has a job,” winger Tom Wilson said. “If you lose it, you know what we’re doing, and if you win it, you know what we’re doing. Your first job if it’s a 50-50 puck is try to get that puck back. What’s made us good over the past couple of years is our faceoff details have been really good. It’s a little thing but it’s a big part of the game.” To get an idea of what Reirden & Co. are preaching about life after a lost offensive zone faceoff, the coach gave a (semi-)quick synopsis following the Capitals’ morning skate in advance of Thursday night’s game against the Avalanche. “On a loss, we want to push as hard as we can from the wall initially and then the middle of the ice is the second push spot,” Reirden said. “Then the center is the guy who becomes the third man in the situation. Center needs to stay above center and then both of our wingers will be jumping on either side of the net depending upon the pre-scout that we’ve done against the opposition in terms of what we think they’re going to do. Whether they want to use the back of the net to break pucks out or some teams will turn it up the strong side. We have a little bit of different strategy that goes with it there. “Hopefully, that gives you an answer of how it works.” It’s a start. When it comes to retrieving a puck off a lost draw in the offensive zone, much of the responsibility is on the three forwards, often referred to as F1, F2 and F3, to execute a strong forecheck. Generally, the F3 is the forward who hangs back in the offensive zone and reacts to what the other two forwards are doing. F3 will become F1 when the puck leaves the offensive zone and heads toward the defensive zone. “We’re a layered team where one guy goes in, the second guy goes in with him and then sometimes the third guy will go in and help out,” center Nic Dowd said. “You have to have numbers on the puck and then you have to know where your releases are too, where your defensemen are going to be and where your F3 is going to be. I put a lot of onus personally on the F1 and F2. “F1 and F2 have to be connected. Lately, we haven’t been getting stops because maybe our F1 does his job and our F2 isn’t close enough so 1129889 Winnipeg Jets The Jets looked unusually slow against the Canadiens Thursday, which was a surprise given how much team speed Winnipeg has.

"Playing quick is not just how fast your feet move. It’s how fast you Jets try to snap two-game winless streak against Senators process things, how fast you move the puck, your anticipation, your puck support. A lot of those things (the Canadiens) did really well and we didn’t. So, you look up and down that lineup, they’ve got a bunch of little Mike McIntyre jitter bugs, for sure. But we feel like for every quick guy that they have, we’re just as quick in terms of physically moving our feet. But we didn’t Posted: 02/8/2019 9:00 PM play fast," said Copp. "We didn’t think quick enough and we weren’t engaged enough in the game, we didn’t anticipate and there was no puck support. With that, OTTAWA — The NHL schedule makers have served up the Ottawa talking on the ice helps with knowing where each other are and all of that. Senators on a platter to a team that should be hungry for redemption. That helps the anticipation and we didn’t do that very well last night." But it remains to be seen whether it will be feast, or famine, when the Ottawa may be dead last, but they do have some weapons including a Winnipeg Jets take on the league’s worst squad Saturday afternoon and pair of players pending unrestricted free agents who may be on the move try to bounce-back from perhaps their most foul-tasting effort of the prior to the trade deadline in Matt Duchene and Mark Stone. They’re also season. coming off a 4-0 win over Anaheim Thursday. Laurent Brossoit will make his 13th start of the season against the "They’ve got some highly skilled forwards in their top-six that are capable Senators in Ottawa, Saturday. of putting the puck in the net at any point, for sure. (Thomas) Chabot was Laurent Brossoit will make his 13th start of the season against the their All-Star and he’s been fantastic since (Erik) Karlsson was traded. Senators in Ottawa, Saturday. He’s kind of in that role too, as an offensive guy that loves to skate," said Copp. Winnipeg held an optional practice Friday in which only a handful of players who participated in Thursday night’s ugly 5-2 loss in Montreal "It’s going to be about taking away their time and space. It’s going to be a skated. But there was plenty of video to digest as the Jets try to snap out similar type of game. Their forwards are a little differently skilled than of a two-game winless funk against the lowly Senators. Montreal’s, but it’s going to be a stiff test for us and we’ve got to be ready to go." "After that meeting, you kind of flush it out of your system and just think about what is going to make us successful," said centre Andrew Copp. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 02.09.2019 "We’ve been generally consistent, I think. That’s been something over the last two years that we’ve done a good job of. There are going to be nights here and there where we don’t have it. But over the course of 82, you’re going to have a game or two like that. It’s about how you respond that is going to be the tell-tale of how our team is." Backup goalie Laurent Brossoit will make his 13th start of the year as the Jets kick off back-to-back matinee games on the road. They’ll fly to Buffalo following the game and face the Sabres on Sunday afternoon. The Jets should get a boost to their lineup with the expected return of top-pairing defenceman Josh Morrissey. He missed Thursday’s game after being felled by a blocked shot early in Tuesday’s eventual 3-2 overtime loss to San Jose. "I said after the game to Mark (Scheifele) that there is nothing worse than sitting out, especially with an injury and not being able to play. It’s something that no player likes to do. But obviously, it was a tough night for us but we’ll look forward to a big weekend here against two fast teams that we have to be ready for," Morrissey said Friday. "We talk about it in our room and you look around the league at teams that do well, even over the entire history of the league, you don’t want to have two bad games in a row. And the old saying is that you don’t want to lose two games in a row ever, so we’ve responded well to some tough nights and to losses this year. That’s part of showing some maturity from our team and we’re going to have to do that again." Ottawa is 20-29-5, which puts them 31st in the NHL standings. Despite a couple recent stumbles, Winnipeg is still in good shape at 34-17-3, which has them on top of the Central Division and third-overall in the league. However, the Nashville Predators have now closed to within a point. Coach Paul Maurice said Friday was all about getting the mind, and body, back to a good place. "We went right through it. And then you want to make that your one in 82. Everybody’s got one. You take a look around the league. Calgary had 9- 1 (loss to Pittsburgh in October). Everybody’s got one. What you don’t want it to be is a trend. You want to make it exactly what that was," said Maurice. "We’ve been pretty good at being able to get our focus back on what makes us good. We got a real good lesson from Montreal, really their game is what we’re good at, and we didn’t have it on display. And they had it on full display. I think we have a fairly clean idea of what our game identity is. So we don’t have to search for it too long. So that’s the test (Saturday)." Dustin Byfuglien returned to action Thursday after missing 15 games with an ankle injury, and a healthy Morrissey could give the Jets their full blue- line for the first time in more than a month. However, Maurice said the status of another defenceman may be in question, without providing further details. 1129890 Winnipeg Jets some interesting insight into the coach’s mindset, especially towards young players.

"So I don’t want to move too too much around when you’re presently in Jets head coach not ready to shuffle lines to get Patrik Laine out of his first in the Central, to try and get a player going. I want him to go through scoring slump this process. To feel what the pressure’s like when things don’t go well. To develop a tool box," Maurice replied. Mike McIntyre Translation: No pain, no gain. Posted: 02/8/2019 7:00 PM And there’s the rub. Winning can mask a lot of issues, and you can’t dispute the Jets have been piling up the points this season, even if it doesn’t always look pretty. He explained how that seems to have worked well for Hellebuyck, who was given some tough love treatment a couple OTTAWA — So, Paul Maurice. Your team just got embarrassed on the years ago only to bounce-back last season with a Vezina Trophy road, your top line got caved in and your superstar sniper is still stuck in nomination. the worst slump of his life. "The struggles, the adversity, aren’t something you need as a coach to Maybe it’s time to try a little outside the box thinking and change things try and fix right away. If you’re in a playoff series, you’ve got to make up? I mean, what’s the worst thing that could happen? those adjustments really fast. Get the guys going out there, make your adjustment. Right now we want to be a little patient, let some players find I put the suggestion to the Winnipeg Jets bench boss Friday afternoon their way," said Maurice. during his team’s optional practice here in the nation’s capital, figuring maybe Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler could use the change of As for Scheifele and Wheeler, Maurice apparently doesn’t share any scenery as much as Patrik Laine could after what can only be described concerns about their recent play. as a rough day at the office. "This was an entire group effort (Thursday) night. We dealt with it, is the As a sports columnist, I’d apparently make a lousy coach. Because best way I can say. But one game doesn’t take away the other 53 or Maurice rejected the idea pretty much as soon as it left my mouth, whatever the number we’d say is some really fine hockey by our leaders. drawing on a very small sample size of work that he’s seen from the trio So there’s no panicked meeting today, grabbing those two guys and over the past two and-a-half seasons. saying ‘Hey, you can’t have a night like last night.’ That’s not their best, clearly, but they were equal amongst their peers," said Maurice. "The numbers don’t look good when they play together," the veteran of now 1,502 regular-season games and counting told me, referring to the And so the status quo, it seems, is here to stay. I tried, folks. I really tried. internal analytics the team tracks. Translation: McIntyre, stick to your day job! Translation: McIntyre, you dummy. Don’t you know anything?! Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 02.09.2019 "We are doing two things on our team. We’re trying to win and develop at the same time. Mark and Blake draw the ‘A’ units from the other team. So we’ve got to respect that," Maurice added. Translation: McIntyre, you idiot. That would only make things worse! But would it really? The numbers sure didn’t look very good Thursday night, when the Jets gave up a season-high 53 shots and were pounded 5-2 by Montreal in a score that absolutely flattered the visitors. The Canadiens would have been toying with double-digits had Connor Hellebuyck not stood on his head most of the night. Maurice described his team’s performance as "horses—-t." While I may not be qualified to work behind an NHL bench, I do know a mess when I see one. And what was served up Thursday night at the Bell Centre was, indeed, a big ol’ heaping of animal excrement. It would be unfair to pin this all on the top line, but it’s worth noting Wheeler and Connor had a birds-eye view of four of the Montreal goals, considering they were on the ice at the time the red light went on. Scheifele was on with them for three. Montreal’s top line had a field day against them, with Jonathan Drouin, Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher combining for 10 points and a plus-11 rating. Truth be told, they’ve had a few rough outings as of late, perhaps a sign of fatigue given that Scheifele and Wheeler are both leaned on heavily and among the NHL leaders in average ice time among forwards. Laine, meanwhile, had three shots on goal and five shot attempts. But he’s now gone nine games since his last goal and has just one in his last 16. With Bryan Little as his centre and pal Nikolaj Ehlers out of the lineup for the past month with injury, there’s just not a lot happening these days when Laine is out there. He’s even been demoted from the top power play unit, which certainly isn’t going to help restore his already fragile confidence or improve his chances of breaking the drought. Jack Roslovic has taken his place, leaving Laine on the second unit that barely sees the ice. It feels like the team’s best potential weapon is being wasted right now. And, I would argue, not exactly being put in the best position to succeed. Maurice is on record as saying the left-wing spot with Scheifele and Wheeler is the most coveted on the team, one that almost surely produces results and every player would love to occupy. It’s working well for Connor, and it helped get Ehlers going earlier this season before he got hurt. Why not Laine then, who has only played a couple of periods all season with that duo? I pressed Maurice a bit further on the issue, and it led to 1129891 Winnipeg Jets This is one stat that shows Byfuglien can get caught running around a little bit, but it’s worth noting that, after Trouba and Morrissey, he ranks third on the Jets in the percentage of passes he can get to that are Trouba, Morrissey take big strides at the top blocked. Morrissey is a bit better at blocking passes, while Trouba is the one who usually gets to the ensuing loose puck, leading all Jets defencemen in Andrew Berkshire defensive-zone loose-puck recoveries. The pair form a versatile combination when exiting the defensive zone, as well. Posted: 02/8/2019 7:00 PM Trouba is the Jets’ most adept defensive-zone puck-mover, leading the team in outlet passes and stretch passes by a wide margin. Morrissey leads the defence in skating the puck out of the defensive zone. Dustin Byfuglien is finally back in the Winnipeg Jets lineup, and back in the spotlight, after missing more than a month to injury. In his absence, They can lean on each other when pressured too much by opposing the blue-line pairing of Josh Morrissey and Jacob Trouba rose to the forechecks, and find each other efficiently with D2D passes, both occasion. boasting a team-high 84 per cent completion rate. Morrissey’s low turnover rates in dangerous areas are a sign of his The complimentary skills and chemistry they’ve developed have taken defensive growth, and the pair’s ascension has been key in reducing them from a strong second pairing last season, to a strong first pairing Byfuglien’s ice time in 2018-19, allowing the veteran to stay fresh and put this season — and they only seem to be getting better. up career-high point-per-game numbers. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 02.09.2019 Trouba and Morrissey have been a constant, a stabilizing force on an NHL team that has struggled a bit defensively compared to where it was at this point last season, playing tough minutes against the best lines opponents can muster and carrying the play. The change for the Jets when the top pairing is on the ice and when it’s off is glaring — which only increased in focus while Byfuglien was hurt. Looking at the differentials the Jets put up while Trouba and Morrissey are on the ice compared to when they’re on the bench gives us an idea of their impact on a game. Affected most is high-danger chances, an area in which the Jets have struggled this season compared to last, with the duo pushing the needle by about five per cent. The shot and shot-attempt differentials are similarly strong, however their impact on passes to the slot appears to be weak. Context is everything though: when it comes to shot location, pretty much any player with the will to take a bit of punishment can stand in front of the net and generate a few high-danger scoring chances. The talent level in getting to the dangerous areas across the NHL is one where parity is strong. That isn’t true of high-end playmaking; like passing to the slot. The average fourth-liner can get to dangerous areas and shoot the puck; they just don’t have the skill of the average first-liner to actually beat goalies. Quality of competition has a strong influence on passes to the slot, and it’s common for top-pairing defenders to be on the ice for more passes to the slot against than second- or third-pairing defencemen. While the Jets’ control of passes to the slot is lessened when Morrissey and Trouba are on the ice, they still control about 53.4 per cent. The Jets are one of the strongest teams in the NHL at making and defending those plays, so keep in mind that, despite the relative statistics, the overall differential remains positive. The top pairing’s influence hasn’t been limited to defensive play either. For example, Morrissey and Trouba have been on the ice together for more than 30 per cent of Winnipeg’s total time spent at 5-on-5, and in that time, 37.5 per cent of Winnipeg’s 5-on-5 goals and 40.2 per cent of their high-danger chances have occurred — an exceptional impact on offence for a defensive pair. Both are involved in 2.86 scoring chances created per 20 minutes of ice time — third- and fourth-best on the team — instead playing more of a supporting role to keep plays in the offensive zone, and transition the puck up the ice in order to get more offensive-zone time. They stand out in creating offence is passes to the slot, an area where defencemen can often have trouble. Trouba and Morrissey are tied for the 34th-most passes to the slot per 20 minutes among defencemen at 0.77. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s an area where the average defenceman chips in less than 0.5 every 20 minutes. On the defensive side, Trouba and Morrissey excel at getting in the way of opposing offences. When looking at pass blocks, there are a few elements to consider: how often is the player getting into lanes where they have an opportunity to block passes? How often do they let those passes get through them? Jets blue-liner Dmitry Kulikov plays a style that keeps him in passing lanes more often than most. However, he’s been less effective at blocking those passes than Trouba and Morrissey, who risk more by playing less safe but make up for it by being more efficient in their block attempts, and more talented in recovering and moving the puck forward once a pass is interrupted. 1129892 Winnipeg Jets “We’ve been pretty good at being able to get our focus back on what makes us good,” said Maurice. “We got a real good lesson from Montreal, really their game is what we’re good at, and we didn’t have it WIEBE: One off or cause for concern? Jets look to put stinker in rearview on display. And they had it on full display. We have a fairly clean idea of mirror what our game identity is. So, we don’t have to search for it too long. So that’s the test.”

It shouldn’t take long to see if the Jets will pass the test or need to go Ken Wiebe back to the drawing board as they close out a three-game road trip on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 02.09.2019 KANATA – It’s a stretch to suggest the vultures are circling or that the rest of the NHL has finally found the formula to beat the Winnipeg Jets. When a team like the Jets is on the receiving end of a one-sided shellacking, like the 5-2 blowout that wasn’t as close as the score might suggest, the microscope is bound to come out. The Jets were thoroughly outplayed — and out-skated — by the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. That much was obvious. Only the brilliant play of Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck kept this one close until the Canadiens left the Jets in the dust during the third period. Jets head coach Paul Maurice and several players were quick to call it a one-off — and for good reason. Not a lot of teams make the Jets look slow and they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt during the past two seasons as they’ve blossomed into a contender. “Playing quick is not just how fast your feet move,” said Jets forward Andrew Copp. “It’s how fast you process things, how fast you move the puck, your anticipation, your puck support. A lot of those things (the Canadiens) did really well and we didn’t.” This wasn’t one of those cases where the video evidence was going to make Maurice feel better than he did after media the media on Thursday night — when the quotes were colourful and the wound was still fresh. “No, everything you need was right there,” said Maurice. “Lots of times you walk off the bench after losses and say we were better than I thought once you go through the video. And the opposite is true after a bunch of wins, we weren’t quite as good. That one felt like it should have after you walk off the bench. It looked exactly like that after you went through it.” Losses like that sting, but that doesn’t mean they have a lasting effect. The Jets have only lost consecutive games for the fourth time this season — and yes, this latest time includes an overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks where a point was earned. In the three prior occasions — which included consecutive defeats in regulation — the Jets responded by going 3-0 and outscoring their opponents by a 16-10 margin. “We talk about it in our room and you look around the league at teams that do well, even over the entire history of the league, you don’t want to have two bad games in a row,” said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey, who is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday after missing one game with a lower body injury he sustained after blocking a shot. “We’ve responded well to some tough nights and to losses this year. That’s part of showing some maturity from our team and we’re going to have to do that again.” What has allowed the Jets to be so good at regrouping from those occasional off nights? “It’s just flushing it, honestly. Just leaving that game where it was and try and not let those lost two points affect the next possible two,” said Copp. “It’s a clean slate. We’ve learned that over the course of the last couple of years and have been able to apply it pretty well. “We’ve been generally consistent. That’s been something over the last two years that we’ve done a good job of. There are going to be nights here and there where we don’t have it. But over the course of 82, you’re going to have a game or two like that. It’s about how you respond that is going to be the tell-tale of how our team is.” The Jets remain in top spot in the Central Division standings, while the Senators are currently 31st in the NHL (with 45 points) and might be on the verge of moving out several of their best players prior to the trade deadline. That doesn’t make them an easy target, nor does it have much impact on what the Jets plan to do as they continue this Eastern Canada swing. 1129893 Winnipeg Jets

Morrissey eyes return: Jets D-man could play vs Senators

Ken Wiebe

KANATA – Josh Morrissey is trending toward returning to the Winnipeg Jets lineup on Saturday afternoon against the Ottawa Senators. Although the Jets defenceman left a sliver of doubt, the likelihood of him being back after missing only one game with a lower-body injury remains a legitimate possibility. Morrissey was limited to just 3:45 of ice time in Tuesday’s game against the San Jose Sharks after blocking a shot from Kevin Labanc with his foot. “It’s funny. You have all of this protection and what not and sometimes the puck seems to find spots that are not covered up,” said Morrissey. “Obviously, whenever you block a shot, everyone that has done that before knows that the first couple of minutes are not very fun. But usually or hopefully, it settles down and you can keep going. It was one of those that stung a little bit more than the other ones do. It was unfortunate.” Jets head coach Paul Maurice is operating with the belief Morrissey should be good to go, provided there are so setbacks after Friday’s optional workout. “That’s the plan now,” said Maurice. “The idea is he’d be available.” Maurice didn’t provide any further details, but mentioned the Jets could have an additional question mark on the blue line for Saturday’s game aside from Morrissey’s availability. Jets backup Laurent Brossoit, who is 10-2-1 with a 2.09 goals-against average and .940 save %, will make his 13th start and 14th appearance of the season. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 02.09.2019 1129894 Winnipeg Jets Ben Chiarot-Dustin Byfuglien Dmitry Kulikov-Tyler Myers JETS GAME DAY: Jets look to rebound against Sens after tough loss to Goalies Habs Laurent Brossoit

Connor Hellebuyck Ken Wiebe Ottawa Senators

Forwards Winnipeg Jets (34-17-3) at Ottawa Senators (20-29-5) Ryan Dzingel-Matt Duchene-Bobby Ryan 1 p.m. CT, Canadian Tire Centre. TV: HNC, Sportsnet. Radio: TSN 1290 Brady Tkachuk-Colin White-Mark Stone THE BIG MATCHUP Zack Smith-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Magnus Paajarvi Jets top line vs Matt Duchene Ben Harpur-Chris Tierney-Jack Rodewald It was a rare tough night for the Jets’ top line on Thursday. Although Scheifele scored his team-leading 27th goal of the campaign, the trio that Defence includes Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor was on the ice for three even- Thomas Chabot-Dylan DeMelo strength goals against and essentially outscored 4-1 by the Canadiens first line when you include a four-on-four marker. Matt Duchene could be Maxime Lajoie-Cody Ceci on the move before Feb. 25 and he leads his team in goals (24), is second in points (51 in 45 games) and has been hot of late, with four Mark Borowiecki-Christian Jaros goals and five points during his past five games. Duchene also has 13 Goalies goals and 27 points in 27 career games against the Jets. Craig Anderson 5 keys to the game Anders Nilsson On the rebound Injuries The Jets were thoroughly disappointed with their collective effort against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday in a 5-2 loss. They didn’t have their Jets: LW Nikolaj Ehlers (upper body, IR) skating legs and were disorganized defensively, giving up a season-high 53 shots on goal – including 18 high-danger scoring chances, according Senators: F Mikkel Boedker (mid-body, IR), LW Marian Gaborik to natural stat trick. The Jets have lost consecutive games (0-1-1), but (herniated disc, IR) have yet to drop three in a row this season, so they’ll be looking for a much better effort in this Saturday matinee. POWER PLAY No Stone unturned Winnipeg: 26.5.% (4th) Although the Jets priority in a trade is likely a second-line centre, Ottawa: 20.7% (16th) Winnipegger Mark Stone is also on the radar as a possibility. The former PENALTY KILLING Brandon Wheat Kings right-winger is an excellent two-way player and could be on the move if he doesn’t sign an extension before Feb. 25. The Winnipeg 80.4% (14th) pending unrestricted free agent has 22 goals and 52 points in 53 games this season. Ottawa: 77.1% (25th) Brossoit is back Winnipeg Sun LOADED 02.09.2019 Jets backup Laurent Brossoit is expected to get the call between the pipes after Connor Hellebuyck made five consecutive starts. Brossoit is 10-2-1 this season with a .940 save % and 2.09 goals-against average. He’s coming off a rare regulation defeat after making 28 saves in a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in the first game after the Jets extended player break. Gone streaking Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba is riding a season-long four-game point streak and has chipped in six assists during that stretch. Averaging 22:38 of ice time through 53 games, Trouba is up to 30 points – which leaves him three points behind his career high, set in 60 games during the 2016- 17 season. Smooth Chabot Second-year blue-liner Thomas Chabot has been one of the bright spots for the Senators this season. He’s leading the team in average time on ice (24:01) and is third in scoring with 11 goals and 40 points. He’s a mobile puck-mover that isn’t afraid to join the rush. GAME DAY LINEUPS Winnipeg Jets Forwards Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler Patrik Laine-Bryan Little-Jack Roslovic Mathieu Perreault-Adam Lowry-Brandon Tanev Brendan Lemieux-Andrew Copp-Mason Appleton Defence Josh Morrissey-Jacob Trouba 1129895 Vancouver Canucks Beyond The Alien, there have been some other happy developments for the Canucks, most notably a standout season for netminder Jacob Markstrom. But looking up and down their lineup, it’s the collective that’s Ed Willes: Canucks making puck pundits look out of touch with playoffs in impressed more than any individual breakthrough. reach Ben Hutton, Troy Stecher, Jake Virtanen and Tyler Motte have all taken big steps this season that has made for a faster team game while improving four spots in the lineup and that’s, well, something. Ed Willes That something was also revealed during the four-game roadie that set up as a measuring stick for Travis Green’s team. Again, 1-2-1 doesn’t exactly overwhelm but over 12-plus periods, the Canucks had a bad first Beyond The Alien, there have been some other happy developments for period in Washington, a bad 10 minutes in Philadelphia and were the the Canucks, most notably a standout season for netminder Jacob better team everywhere else. Markstrom. But looking up and down their lineup, it’s the collective that’s impressed more than any individual breakthrough. In Chicago Thursday night, they recorded 43 shots on goal against the red-hot Blackhawks and had Pettersson in alone during overtime before There are as many opinions about the Vancouver Canucks as there are they lost in extra fun. stars in the sky but, as they head into the final two months of their NHL schedule, here’s the one thing we can say about this team without fear of Two nights before they had 27 shots over the final two periods against contradiction: the defending Stanley Cup champions in the second game of a back-to- back. The night before they had 42 shots in Philly but were beaten by They weren’t overburdened with the weight of expectations at the start of Carter Hart. this season. Look, we realize a lot of this registers as, “Isn’t this cool? The Canucks The Canucks, if you need reminding, were pegged for another dreary don’t suck as badly as we thought they would,” and any positivity about campaign by everyone who had a laptop and access to the internet. this season has to be measured against the laughably low expectations NHL.com, for example, posted predictions from 18 writers. Not one had under which they started 2018-19. the Canucks in the playoffs. The Sporting News picked the Canucks to finish last in the Western Conference and added this: But when you’re a fan of this team, you learn to survive on these morsels. The Canucks have Calgary at home Saturday night, followed by “The Canucks might be the only team in the Western Conference without San Jose on Monday, then a three-game California road swing before a case for the playoffs. Seriously.” they settle in for their final 21 games, 14 of which are at home. Over at The Hockey News, it was noted Vegas had set the over-under on You might not expect them to make the playoffs, but look at it this way: the Canucks’ point total at 77.5 and strongly advised to take the under. Four months ago, nobody expected them to have that chance. USA Today had the Canucks last in the Pacific. ESPN rated the Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.09.2019 Canucks’ forwards 31st in the NHL — and might have been lower, but there are only 31 teams — the blue-line 28th and goaltending 30th. I believe we’re making our point but, just to drive it home, here’s a few more items: In its season simulator, EA Sports predicted the Canucks would finish with 70 points and 30th overall, meaning they virtually had no chance in the virtual world. And Corsica — the analytics website, not the island off Italy — peered into the future and saw the Canucks finishing 27th overall and second last in the West. Now, before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s acknowledge there’s still a chance the oracles might be right about the locals. They have 27 games left in the regular season. Before Friday night’s games they sat ninth in the West but were part of a nine-team cluster within seven points of the wild-card berth. This season, you must know, can still go anywhere and, if history has taught us anything, it’s taught us to guard our sense of optimism with the Canucks because it just hurts less that way. That said, in watching this team perform on its recently concluded four- game road trip, there is — to quote the great Stephen Stills — something happening here. True, what it is ain’t exactly clear, but even the most hardened Canucks cynics have to be encouraged by what they’ve seen this season. And if they’re not, let’s look back at the way this season has unfolded. Back in October, your agent observed: “It’s possible to imagine a universe in which the Canucks are competitive. It just requires a great deal of effort,” then listed nine things that had to occur for this team to avoid another lost year. As noted at the time, the odds of all nine hitting weren’t great and this season hasn’t followed the script perfectly. But let’s look at their universe now: If you would have approached any member of the faithful before Game 1 and told them this is how their season would play out, they would have cheerfully offered up their favourite limb to make it happen. It starts, of course, with Elias Pettersson. At the start of the season, he was the consensus choice to win the Calder. But no one saw this coming. The Canucks now have a bona fide No. 1 centre whose numbers extrapolate to 47 goals and 90 points over 82 games. The best part is the Canucks haven’t had to wait for him. He’s just dropped into the lineup as a fully formed star and he’s changed everything for his franchise. 1129896 Vancouver Canucks The 19-year-old DiPietro, called up from the Ottawa 67s, tended net for Canada in the 2019 World Junior Championship. Canucks lose 4-3 in overtime to Blackhawks as Toews scores winner Globe And Mail LOADED: 02.09.2019

MATT CARLSON THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 8, 2019 UPDATED FEBRUARY 8, 2019

Jonathan Toews joked he was out of gas. He had at least one terrific play left in the tank. Toews scored 3:21 into overtime to lift the Chicago Blackhawks over the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 on Thursday night for their season-high sixth straight win. Alex DeBrincat scored twice before Toews ended it with his 24th goal to cap a flashy individual effort. Chicago’s captain skated in from the blue line, slipped past Christopher Tanev with a quick move and snapped a shot past goalie Jacob Markstrom. “I think maybe if everyone else was as tired as I was, (I wanted to) make one last play without it being too dangerous of a play,” Toews said. “I was able to anticipate their D-man throwing his stick in there and was able to get a shot. It was nice to see it go in.” Toews stuck out his tongue to feign exhaustion as he was mobbed by his teammates. Brandon Saad also scored and Dylan Strome had three assists for the Blackhawks, who have climbed back into the crowded fray for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Patrick Kane had an assist to extend his point streak to 13 games. The Blackhawks went 2 for 5 on the power play. Chicago has scored with the man advantage in 15 of 17 games and converted 23 of 57 chances during the stretch. “We feel every time we’re on the power play we’re a threat,” Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. DeBrincat has 28 goals, matching his total last season as rookie, and 10 goals in his last 12 games. The 21-year-old extended his point streak to seven games, with five goals and seven assists in the stretch. Strome has clicked with DeBrincat after coming to Chicago from Arizona in a trade on Nov. 25, 2018. The two starred together as junior players with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. “I think over time you just build a connection,” Strome said. “I usually know where he’s going to be. And he’s pretty good at putting it in the back of the net, so it works out pretty well.” Vancouver rookie Elias Pettersson scored a power-play goal with Markstrom pulled for an extra attacker to tie it with 1:52 left. Alex Biega and Josh Leivo scored for the Canucks, who have dropped three straight and finished a four-game trip at 1-2-1. Vancouver coach Travis Green said his team played better on the swing than the record suggests. “We could be sitting here with six or seven points on the trip,” Green said. Chicago’s Collin Delia made 40 saves, while Markstrom blocked 31 shots in his sixth straight start. Green maintained the Canucks were better than the Blackhawks at even strength. “It was a good point, a big point,” Green said. “5 on 5 we had a great game.” “They have a great power play. That was about the difference in this one.” NOTES: Blackhawks F David Kampf will be out three to four weeks with a right foot injury, the team announced Thursday morning. He left in the first period of Chicago’s 6-2 at Edmonton on Tuesday and didn’t return. … Canucks D Alexander Edler missed his second game with a concussion after falling to the ice Monday in Philadelphia. … Canucks G Michael DiPietro, backed up Markstrom for a second straight game on Thursday after Thatcher Demko sprained his knee Monday in warmups and returned to Vancouver. Demko is expected to miss seven to 10 days. 1129897 Websites That’s really the goal here – to helpfully create scenarios that could unfold, in some fashion, at some point, in real life.

Of course, every trade deadline presents its own unique complications The Athletic / Duhatschek Notebook: Some reasonable trade scenarios and this year, one of the great challenges is separating the buyers from that benefit both sides the sellers in the Western Conference, where the logjam in the middle of the standings has even teams that looked out of contention at Christmas, clinging to a faint hope that if things fall their way in the final third of the By Eric Duhatschek Feb 8, 2019 season, they might actually squeak into the playoffs. This, by the way, is another area where you cannot get a consensus. Last week I made a case for why teams should proceed cautiously when Some people – even GMs – believe it is pointless to push for a playoff pondering whether to go all in at the NHL trading deadline. Some readers spot if you know you probably aren’t deep enough or strong enough to applauded my sober, measured argument, especially those who took the win four rounds. I’m going to put the Anaheim Ducks in that category. time to document every move Peter Chiarelli made as the Edmonton Oilers general manager and realized that if he had done nothing at all in Others believe that it doesn’t matter how you get in, or why you get in, three-and-three quarter years on the job, the team would be much farther only that you do get in – and cite the Nashville Predators, 2016-17, as an ahead than they are now. Thank you for the positive reinforcement! example of what can happen if you qualify for post-season play. Nashville was the 16th seed that year and gave the Pittsburgh Penguins Most, however, thought I was being a killjoy – that the trading deadline is all they could handle in the Stanley Cup final. The next year, as a No. 1 like a big circus and I was the meanie that snatched away their balloons seed, the Predators didn’t fare nearly as well, exiting in the second and candy floss. round. You never know what can happen – and if you’re St. Louis or Chicago and you could actually salvage the year by squeezing into the In the interest of keeping everybody happy (irony alert: In this business, playoffs, maybe you don’t offer your UFAs to the highest bidder. you learn early that you can never make everybody happy!), I’m going all in on rumor, gossip and speculation this week. By the way, as any of There’s a little more clarity in the East, with a handful of teams such as your favorite NHL insiders – from Pierre LeBrun to Elliotte Friedman, Detroit wise enough to know that as far back as they are, and with as Scott Burnside to Craig Custance – can attest, I am a positively crazy many teams as they would have to leapfrog to get in, the playoffs are a man when it comes to making trades in fantasy hockey — never satisfied pipe dream for the spring of 2018-19. and always looking for one final tweak. But even with the Red Wings, it’s not going to be a complete fire sale But in fantasy sport, your players only have to transfer from one because within the context of the younger group, they’re developing and spreadsheet to another. They’re like pieces on a chess board. they will need a handful of adults in the dressing room to teach the prospects how to conduct themselves at the NHL level. It means that not In real life, they’re people with families and kids in school, living in everyone you think might be available is – and some trade targets, such neighborhoods they like, with roots in their communities. Accordingly, as veteran defenceman Nik Kronwall, who might look good as a rental, when their lives are abruptly altered by an instant change in scenery, it actually have little desire to change teams at this late stage of their can be a challenge to wrap their heads around the move – and attend to careers. Carter, another useful player who still has a handful of attractive all the disruption and turmoil that arises. Historically, unsettling their years remaining on his contract, probably falls into that category as well. personal lives can also spill into and undermine on-ice performance. It is why teams nowadays like to make their moves early – to give players All of which is a long preamble to the point that I am trying to make: I (and their families) time to settle into their new digs, so when the playoffs understand the impulse to assist the teams you support in making the actually begin, the focus can strictly be on the hockey. correct move on or before the Feb. 25 deadline. I did it myself in college when a few of us hardcore hockey fans would concoct a series of brilliant But I get it: There’s no giddier feeling than trying to anticipate how the transactions that would land the Maple Leafs the talent they needed to team you follow might conjure up one final piece of a championship win the Stanley Cup. puzzle, via a smart trade-deadline acquisition. Years ago, at a previous place of employ, I did an annual schtick that revolved around an Just about every time, through a series of circuitous and complicated imaginary website I labelled NHLfaketrades.com. It was partly as a transactions, we’d find a way of turning Pat Boutette and Jerry Butler into response to all the tricksters on social media who would create false Steve Shutt and Guy Lafleur – and even had the good sense to laugh Twitter accounts to mimic, as closely as possible, those of genuine about it afterward. We’d do in on the whiteboards in an empty reporters – and then concoct phony deals to see who they might fool. Scarborough College classroom. Some of these transactions were ingenious because the manufactured trades had a whiff of possibility, which made you think, “well, maybe …” Now, of course, there are online forums devoted specifically to pie-in-the- sky trade talk. It tells me that the desire to assist the GM of the local One of my favorite moments during the time I was dreaming up this heroes knows no generational bounds. exercise occurred right around this point seven years ago, sitting in Dean Lombardi’s office, when he was still the Los Angeles Kings’ general So, let’s have at it. manager. Lombardi used to enjoy long philosophical conversations that There are 17 days remaining before the trade deadline. Let’s try to find sometimes would last hours. This was the February before the Kings won homes for as many wayward potential UFAs as we possibly can – and their first Stanley Cup and Lombardi was venting about all the maybe even try to complete a hockey deal or two while we’re at it. misinformation that was circulating – not just on social media, but in all the gossipy forums that had developed online. Gustav Nyquist to the Dallas Stars for Roope Hintz His point was that it was getting harder and harder every day to separate After any trade, you always look for threads that exist between the two fact from fiction – and that rampant trade speculation was making some teams. players uneasy, forcing him to debunk some of the wilder theories making the rounds to those involved. Remember, these were changing, When Minnesota picks up Pontus Aberg from Anaheim, you go “ah-ha” – evolving times in the industry. Analytics were just getting a foothold. that’s Wild GM Paul Fenton repatriating a player he originally drafted in Twitter was booming, but not everyone understood all of its nuances. I his Nashville days. When Nashville acquires Brian Boyle from the New made the point to Lombardi – that it had just become too easy for a Jersey Devils for a second-round pick, you look at the two GMs involved percentage of mischievous reasonably informed fans to play a game of in the transaction and say, “ah-ha” – David Poile and Ray Shero are connect-the-dots. friends and spent years working together in the Predators organization. Then I cited his team as an example: That with the Kings’ relative surplus It isn’t the only reason you do business, but it helps when there’s trust on defence, any trade rumor involving Jack Johnson would have a ring of from both side; as there is between Red Wings’ GM Ken Holland and his truth to it – and that no one would be surprised if Johnson ended up former protégé Jim Nill, the Dallas GM. Nill, of course, knows Nyquist playing for either Philadelphia or Columbus prior to the deadline. better than most GMs because he was still working for Detroit back in 2008 when the Red Wings originally drafted him. Again, not the deciding Lombardi visibly blanched – and sure enough, a few days later, Johnson factor, but a factor nonetheless. Nill would know Nyquist’s strengths and did get traded to Columbus (for Jeff Carter, not Rick Nash, who was the weaknesses but if the goal is to add scoring to a team that has all of its original ask) and the rest is history. The Kings won the first of their two offensive eggs mostly in one basket, Nyquist could be a useful addition – Stanley Cups and it could be argued that Lombardi’s move that year was for the rest of this year and possibly beyond, depending upon the fit. as impactful as any trade-deadline transaction in history – right next to Butch Goring to the Islanders from the Kings in ’79, which is pretty much Dallas could potentially offer picks to land Nyquist, but I suspect the Red the gold standard for a trade deadline acquisition and actually ushered in Wings would rather have a warm body and Hintz, 49th overall in 2015, the current trade-deadline mania that engulfs the NHL. looks as if he’ll be an NHL regular; and could probably crack Detroit’s NHL lineup next year. That would be a Red Wings’ organizational priority makes sense if you can to get him for the remainder of the season, so at the deadline and preferable to adding picks for players that could be you can actually learn more about them first hand – who they are as three or more years away. people; and what parts of their game might need to be repaired. My guess is if they brought Talbot in, they’d like all of his intangibles and the Mats Zuccarello to the Colorado Avalanche for a second-round pick only real issue is, he’s had so much trouble stopping the puck the last And while we’re discussing Central Division teams that need more two years. Do you think you can get him back to the level he was at in scoring because they are top heavy on a single line, let’s look at the 2016-17? If so, then he might be your goaltending answer. underachieving Avs, who’ve mostly been undermined by mediocre If anyone understands the value of try before you buy, it should be goaltending from both Semyon Varlamov and Phillipp Grubauer. Despite Carolina. that, they aren’t likely to do much about it at the deadline. The problem was, the last time the Hurricanes went shopping in the UFA Short-term, they need help up front but aren’t willing to part with either an goalie market, they ended up with Scott Darling and that was a fail. A-level prospect or presumably either of their first-round picks. Here’s an opportunity with Talbot to get a preview of what he might bring GM Joe Sakic is enough of a big-picture thinker that he can look beyond – and if you’re the Oilers and you’ve already turned your back on Talbot, the 2019 playoff horizon and imagine a bright future that might even why not audition Mrazek in the final six weeks to see what you think of include Jack Hughes, which would enhance his scoring depth in due him, for all the same reasons why Carolina might want to get to know time. But short term, someone like Zuccarello, or Nyquist, available for a Talbot? Anyway, there’s some logic to the switch; it would be low risk, but relatively modest acquisition cost, might be the answer for the rest of this the rewards – in the information department – could be invaluable. season. Jonathan Quick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Sonny Milano and Ilya Kovalchuk to the Boston Bruins for future considerations Oliver Bjorkstrand If it wasn’t for the financial complication, part of me could see Kovalchuk This suggestion, which is far more likely to be considered in the summer as a fit in San Jose, reunited with his former coach in New Jersey, Peter than at the deadline, involves a few moving parts, the first of which DeBoer, for whom he had an incredible playoff run when the two were presupposes that the Jackets can find a home for Sergei Bobrovsky at together in 2012. the deadline instead of losing him as a UFA for nothing in the summer. Kovalchuk sounds as if he’d be willing to move from L.A. under the right Goalie moves usually require multiple dominoes to fall. If Bobrovsky does circumstances. Furthermore, L.A. would love to shed what’s left of the move at the deadline, most people have him going to Florida, where the three-year, $18.75-million contract they signed him to last summer. And Panthers could then sign him to an eight-year contract extension this while the actual dollars shrink from year to year ($8.5 million this year, $6 summer (he would qualify only for a seven-year term if he relocates as a million next year, $4.25 million in Year 3), Kovalchuk’s cap hit will stay at UFA). a pricey $6.25 million – too much for a lot of contenders, even if L.A. is Does Florida want to part with the acquisition cost – for Bobrovsky and willing to take some money back to make the deal happen. even for Panarin – when they could potentially get them for only the cost Adding Kovalchuk would probably disqualify the Sharks from signing Erik of their contracts on July 1? Tough to say – and it would obviously Karlsson to an extension next summer, which makes it even less likely. depend upon the price. But Columbus is a team in its window to compete, and if Bobrovsky is on the move, then someone such as Quick Boston, on the other hand, is reasonably well-positioned cap-wise. I – who is playing well again and has four years to go at a reasonable cap expect them to be casting the collective net far and wide – to Wayne hit of $5.8 million – might be the answer, for this year and beyond. Simmonds, Artemi Panarin and others, all of whom would command a hefty price. Kovalchuk’s saving grace is, he wouldn’t. He is playing better Quick, of course, could also be a solution in Florida. Now, the asking lately, and the Kings visit the Bruins for a Saturday matinee, which would price is said to be a first-round pick and a top prospect and that’s where be a nice showcase opportunity. things get muddied. Quick is only one year removed from a Jennings trophy, but he is 33 and his injury history will raise a red flag – the notion Carl Hagelin to the Nashville Predators for a 2020 fourth-round pick that his body is deteriorating after years of an uncommonly heavy workload is going to be an issue. I’m going to use Hagelin to make a point about the trade deadline that is often overlooked in hypotheticals such as these. Most of the time, you On the other hand, the biggest criticism of Bobrovsky in Columbus is that want to focus on the big names – which I’ll get to shortly. his postseason performance has never quite matched his work in the regular season. With Quick, that’s not a worry. He does, after all, have The reality is, half of the deals made, especially the ones made at the two Stanley Cups – and one Conn Smythe trophy – on his resume. 11th hour, feature roster tweaks, where teams are trying to add depth players for minimal costs. The Kings have two pending UFAs – Hagelin Matt Duchene to the Winnipeg Jets for a first-round pick (or a prospect and Nate Thompson – and you can almost guarantee both will be such as Kristian Vesalainen) heading out of town. The Jets are at a fascinating crossroads. They are the No. 1 team in the When the Kings acquired Hagelin from Pittsburgh in the first place, it was Central Division, a Stanley Cup semifinalist a year ago and a team that because he was on an expiring contract and they were happy to shed the when it has all-hands-on-deck has as good a chance as any to contend remaining two-and-a-half years of Tanner Pearson’s deal. Hagelin’s for a championship. contributions have been undermined by injury, but teams are going to look at his playoff pedigree – between 2012 and 2017, he played a total And not only this year but for several more to come. In Winnipeg, that’s of 112 NHL playoff games, and no fewer than 12 in any given season always the goal – finding that precarious balance between the future and during that span. He also has two Stanley Cups in that time and in 2016, the present; and in the upcoming summer, there is the very real playing for the Penguins, his line – with Phil Kessel and Nick Bonino – challenge of signing two expensive RFAs, Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine, was spectacular in the playoffs, especially in the finals against the to extensions. Predators. Last year, they rented Paul Stastny for the playoffs and he was a decent Nashville signed Bonino as a free agent, partly as a result of that playoff fit; and now they are in exactly the same position, the only real glaring performance. Now that Kyle Turris is finally back playing, the Predators need is for depth down the middle. Many people have connected Kevin will spend the next two weeks assessing where they’re at, and in the Hayes with the Jets here; ALSO: Derick Brassard, who is temporarily in meantime, integrating their two new faces into the lineup. Depending Florida, but was the other player they kicked the tires on last year before upon what they see between now and then, they may swing for the settling on Stastny. fences one more time for a Mark Stone, a Panarin or a Matt Duchene. But if you’re going to go all in, Duchene is the best option of the three as But they also might just make a middling deal – and the notion of a rental. They are familiar with him from his Central Division past; he is reuniting Hagelin with Bonino on their third or fourth line has to be versatile enough to play both centre and the wing and his speed afoot compelling. would mesh nicely with the Jets’ style of play. Duchene and Nik Ehlers would be fun to watch, going up the ice together. Cam Talbot to the Carolina Hurricanes for Petr Mrazek Duchene said something interesting in the Ottawa dressing room this It is hard to forecast how Edmonton, under interim GM Keith Gretzky, is past week – that whatever decision he eventually makes, it won’t be going to approach this trade deadline. Some think the Oilers will do very determined by the money. To some, that probably sounded little and then wait until they hire a full-time GM before addressing their disingenuous. various issues in the summer. To me, it made perfect sense. Ottawa works for him on a personal level, I believe Carolina will have interest in Talbot as a UFA next summer, and but he’s at the point in his career where it also has to work on a I always figure that if you are genuinely interested in signing a UFA, it professional level – if not necessarily this year or next, soon after that. Because the money is going to be there for Duchene, no matter what he ultimately decides – go or stay. If Duchene wants to defer the decision about his long-term future to the summer, which he might conceivably do, there is nothing to prevent the Sens from circling back with a contract offer on July 1. But they are almost certainly obliged to move Duchene and Stone if they can’t get them signed – and then the arm’s race is going to begin. Where might they land? What might they cost? The Sens will almost certainly be asking for a prospect and a first-rounder for both Duchene and Stone – and then it becomes a game of chicken, playing potential suitors off against one another with the clock ticking. That’ll be a fascinating outcome. Presumably, the Jets would be prepared to make the same offer for Duchene (or Hayes) that they made last year for Stastny, but might not be prepared to sweeten the deal any further. And while bringing back a Manitoban such as Stone makes perfect sense, short term the greater need is obviously at centre. Stone to the Calgary Flames for a first-round pick I’m throwing this out as a possibility only because I think Stone really, really tempts Calgary in the short term. Now, scoring hasn’t been an issue for them this year, and so they don’t actually need to bolster that part of their team. Furthermore, they hope to see James Neal find his stride in the next two months and if they brought in Stone, that would almost certainly limit his ice time and effectiveness. But Stone is such a complete player and would probably be a relatively seamless fit (his brother Michael plays for the Flames, although he’s missed most of the season because of injury). But that family connection should provide a little intel as to what Mark might be thinking. And if you’re Calgary, with unexpectedly the top record in the Western Conference, and if you can add a versatile player like Mark Stone – well, that’s a war-room call that’s worth pondering. And of course, when it comes to ex-Brandon Wheat Kings, you never rule out the Vegas Golden Knights, where the organization’s No. 2, Kelly McCrimmon, still runs the show at arms-length and knows everybody that ever passed through there. Panarin to … whomever I’m not even going to try and find a destination for Panarin because any of Boston, Nashville, Dallas, Colorado, the New York Islanders or Florida all make sense on some level. Why wouldn’t you want arguably the most dynamic scorer available? But at what price? I don’t know and I can’t say. About the only thing that interests me here is the timing – does Panarin linger on the trade board until right up to the deadline, or does Columbus get pro-active and move him sooner rather than later, with a view to flipping the assets they acquire in any deal for him to add reinforcements for a 2019 playoff push? They’re all good questions. The answers will come soon. The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129898 Websites and two working parents; Karl was a school principal and Maria worked in a bank. Discipline was key for Maria, who served four years in the army in the Royal Regiment of Canada; she was a corporal by the time The Athletic / Growing up Subban: Meet the matriarch of one of hockey’s she left her service. first families The house was bursting with activity and full of what Maria described as “very happy kids.” Natasha, the second oldest, said there was always a game of mini-sticks taking place in the hallway and that a house guest Katie Strang Feb 8, 2019 would’ve had trouble hearing over the racket — she and P.K., who were natural rivals and also extremely close, were constantly fighting over the television (“P.K. was always an annoying brother, so we’d be going at it,” Natasha joked). By now, you may have seen the video, which went viral courtesy of NBC’s NHL Twitter account. The 45-second clip shows Maria Subban Jordan was the baby of the family, and, according to Natasha, Maria’s dialed in while watching son P.K. Subban during a recent game. “favorite.” He was also the one with the shortest fuse, which prompted his older siblings to provoke him. There was a lot of good-natured rough- With each zone entry and scoring chance, Maria is transfixed, grimacing, housing and a constant cacophony of activity. shaking her head, and guffawing with such zeal that the video is spliced with the now-famous clip of Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman’s mom Maria was always there putting out fires when needed. She was doctor, watching her uneven bar routine at the 2012 London Olympic Games. nurse, accountant, teacher and confidant to whichever child needed her that day. She’d wake up early each morning before heading off to her job In less than a minute, Maria urges on P.K. (“Take him right there, at a bank at 6 a.m. and make dinner so that Natasha and P.K. would buddy!”), chirping opponents (“Too bad, Johnny!”), and vehemently have something warm to eat when they arrived home from school — arguing with a call, turning to her husband for backup (“That’s out! It’s greek salads, lasagna, Shepherd’s Pie, chicken fried rice, the whole nine out! Wasn’t that out?”). The clip culminates with one particularly yards. humorous barb: “We never ate leftovers,” Natasha said. “I don’t even know what that is “Get it, Number 38. What are you waiting for? Christmas?!” unless it’s Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving.” .@PKSUBBAN1'S MOM IS GOALS  ❤️ But while Maria was both doting and a nurturer (“We are her baby cubs A NEW EPISODE OF THE P.K. PROJECT DROPS THIS WEDNESDAY. and no one is coming close to us,” Natasha said. “She is that protector.”), WATCH MORE EPISODES HERE → HTTPS://T.CO/J1F4U42XGU she was not someone to be underestimated. PIC.TWITTER.COM/LH6RCZNGE8 “She wouldn’t put up with most stuff,” Malcolm said. “She wasn’t a — NHL ON NBC (@NHLONNBCSPORTS) JANUARY 28, 2019 pushover.” It is a rare glimpse into the woman behind one of the NHL’s biggest stars She had a few non-negotiable rules, one of which her children still groan — one who is known for his joyful demeanor, philanthropic efforts, and about to this day — they couldn’t leave the house without clean shoes. captivating playing style. So perhaps it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that When Maria was in the army, her major insisted on seeing his reflection the 29-year-old defenseman’s mom has a personality to match. in her shoes, and this was something she carried over to her own home. “Of course I get a little wacky,” Maria said in a recent interview with The “Oh man,” P.K. says with a laugh. “To this day, she always looks at my Athletic. “I’m just a happy mom.” shoes first.” And if anyone thinks that was Maria putting on a show for the cameras, She was also emphatic about guiding her children to find what they love P.K. is quick to dispel any such notion: “Anyone that thinks that was a and pursue that passion with vigor. She wanted her kids to feel fabrication should go check every single one of my (childhood) hockey emboldened to chase after what they wanted with a singular focus. tapes,” Subban said in a telephone conversation this week. Her message? While Subban’s ascent to fame within the NHL is well documented, less “You can’t do ten things. Do that one thing and master it. Don’t try to do is known about his mother, Maria. Many articles describing Subban’s 20 things and be the master of nothing.” upbringing focus on the efforts of his father, Karl, who even wrote a book called “How We Did It: The Subban Plan for Success in Hockey, School Maria was a budding track athlete back home in Montserrat, where and Life,” but few go into detail about Maria’s influence on Subban and summer sports were king. She continued her sprinting career in high his four siblings. school in Canada where she said she once beat Angella Issajenko (who went on to earn a silver medal in the 1984 Olympics for Canada) and Subban’s two brothers are also rising professional hockey players; was recruited by renowned coach Charlie Francis to join the Malcom, 25, is a goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights; Jordan is a Scarborough running club. She had little interest in Francis’ overtures. 23-year-old defenseman who plays for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Maria thought of it as fun, but had little desire to take her athletic career Subban’s two sisters — Natassia a former basketball standout and beyond that. Natasha, who was gifted in the arts — are educators. Maria’s influence on each child was a pivotal one, even if she has received little by way of Regardless, athletics came easily to Maria, so it’s no huge surprise that accolades. her kids showed an eagerness and aptitude for sports — P.K., Malcolm and Jordan for hockey, and Natassia and Natasha for basketball “She’s the backbone of our family,” P.K. said. “I don’t think any of us (Natassia played in university; Natasha pursued a career in visual arts). would have the type of success we’ve had in life — not just professionally, but in life — without our mom. Everyone talks about our P.K. was always a good skater — something his parents recognized at dad, but ask anyone in our family and mom is the backbone for what she an early age. He learned the game easily and excelled at an early age, does every day. She’s a mother but she’s also your best friend.” impressing power skating coaches with his smooth skating and others with a slapshot that, at age five, was already well-honed. Once he So who is the woman behind it all? reached the age of 13, approaching the Triple-A ranks, Maria sat him Maria Subban immigrated to Canada in 1970 at age 11 from Montserrat, down to gauge just how serious he was about the sport. Taking his a tiny Caribbean island (11 miles long, 7 miles wide) of approximately hockey training to the next level would require the family to sacrifice a 5,000 residents that is part of the Lesser Antilles chain in the West great deal financially, so Maria wanted to interpret his intentions. Indies. She came over with her siblings after both of her parents passed Do you want to play hockey professionally? Or just for fun? Because away and found Canada to be a stark change from her native country. from here on out, Dad and I need to provide a lot of funds to keep you “It was so very hard. It was tough to make adjustments, having friends,” here. Maria said. “Coming to a strange place that was strange and cold — Oh By now, it’s obvious what Subban chose. Some 16 years later, he is the my God. Trust me, after time, I adjusted. (Back home in Montserrat), I face of the Nashville Predators franchise (following a trade from the had no parents to go back to.” Montreal Canadiens in 2016), and boasts a Norris Trophy (2013), an Just as she clung close to her own siblings during that transition, she has Olympic Gold Medal and several All-Star nods. But Maria will correct encouraged her children to do the same. Above all else, she’d stress, anyone that suggests P.K. prospered because of some preternatural gift. stick together. His success, she said, is all attributed to his hard work — hours playing shinny at night, practicing his shot, continuing to fine-tune his skating. Maria ran a household that may have been short on serenity but was abundant with love. The Subban home was a bustling one, with five kids “The more you practice, the better you become. I’m not going to say he’s a special hockey player. If he didn’t work hard enough (he wouldn’t be where he is),” she said. “People think he’s gifted; he’s not. He works hard “Hockey players should damn well dress and look good,” Maria said. at everything he does. Every trophy he’s ever been awarded, he worked “They’re making enough money.” hard for. He never took anything for granted.” There has also been speculation that the criticism directed toward Jordan, the youngest of the five, is now 23 years old. Like P.K., Malcolm Subban — whether it be for his demeanor, sense of flair, etc — is also began as a defenseman (Maria said he was actually a better skater heightened because he is one of the few black players in a league with than P.K., “very smooth, very quiet”) but kept gravitating toward playing very little cultural diversity. Maria said her children were not immune to goal. His parents weren’t thrilled, particularly at the exorbitant costs of racial taunts and abusive language, but that she taught them to identify goaltending gear, but eventually they relented when he remained what she felt to be the true root behind that vitriol. adamant. “Whatever my kids wanted to do. I let them do it,” said Maria. They’re going to call you names and make it look like racism, Maria Malcolm is quieter in nature, a born introvert, whereas younger brother would tell her kids. But nobody says a thing about a player who is just Jordan is a bit more like his older brother, a go-getter who works hard average. Recognize why they are singling you out, she’d tell them. and is currently playing in the AHL where he has two goals and 11 points for the Marlies. “It’s jealousy because you’re better,” she said. Maria has told both Malcolm and Jordan that the difference from where With her kids, Maria always reinforced the idea that they shouldn’t aim to they are now and where they want to be is simply hard work. She says be like anyone else, but rather distinctly themselves. That is what makes they’ve got a healthy perspective on that and don’t dabble in comparing Maria feel best about watching all of her kids now. themselves too much to P.K. It’s not the highlight-reel goals or saves, or the fame or even the financial “They all have their own style and their own way,” Maria said. “They’re security. excited about their big brother, but we shaped them to be their own “What makes me proud is they’re doing what they love to do,” she said. person, and want to be successful.” “They’re not doing it because they were told to, it’s what they chose.” And while P.K. may be Maria’s most famous offspring, her mother’s pride And as each kid has made their way into adulthood, they’ve all taken doesn’t discriminate among her five children, all of whom have followed their own bits of wisdom and advice from their mother. Ask them what separate paths into adulthood. And she doesn’t favor her sons, just they have come to appreciate the most and there are indeed individual because of their athletic achievements and lucrative careers. differences. When Natasha decided to pursue her interest in the visual arts, her mom Natassia and Natasha, both of whom have children of their own, have co- was wholly supportive. Natasha gained entry into a prestigious — albeit opted many of the values they learned from their mother when it comes expensive — satellite art program in Florence, Italy through the Ontario to rearing their own kids. College of Arts and Design. Malcolm marvels at her resilience — how she turned a difficult juncture in She was hesitant to apply, because she knew the expense it would incur her own childhood into something that has shaped the way she raised and that she was far from flush with cash. Regardless, Maria encouraged her own children. Natasha to pursue the opportunity, pulling money out of her own savings account to pay for the first installment of her studies overseas. “She wants to give us the love that she didn’t have (after her parents passed away) and that’s just be the best parent she could be could be. “It was really my mom who enabled me to get there,” said Natasha. We couldn’t ask for more,” Malcolm said. If it was Maria’s encouragement that was vital toward her children “I couldn’t imagine going to a new country at a young age, especially reaching their goals, it was also her guidance that has helped them make after losing both parents at a young age and starting a brand new life for an impact with their platform. And P.K., who has his own series with NBC yourself. It’s not easy, but mental toughness was one of things she Sports, the recently-released “PK Project,” has certainly done the very instilled in us. She’s incredibly strong and what she did nothing short of most to capitalize on his. amazing,” P.K. has what some find to be a polarizing personality but few can argue P.K. said that his mom has always emboldened his individuality, allowing the sincerity of his devoted philanthropic efforts, like the $10 million him to explore what that meant without meddling and micro-managing pledge he made to the Montreal Children’s Hospital in 2015. Maria could like a typical stage parent. Having matured and transitioned into have predicted this from an early age even before life experiences like a adulthood, that’s what he thinks he loves most about both of his parents. trip to the earthquake-ravened Haiti shaped his worldview. “They know when to let go,” P.K. said of his parents. “They never tried to As a kid, P.K. would often come home from school starving, perplexing shelter me. They never tried to lock me down. They’ve allowed me to his mom. When she’d ask why he was famished, he’d sheepishly admit mold into my own person and shape my own life, develop my business he had given his lunch away to other kids who had nothing to eat. She’d and my career on my own. They support me and they’ll be there when give him lunch money only to see it disappear so quickly, knowing the they need to be (and that’s) the sign of a great parent.” likely culprit; it would have been more aggravating had Maria not understood the motivation behind it. For Jordan, she has set an example of the type of person he’d like to be. “He was always a very giving person,” Maria said. “My mom is very caring, very passionate, very loving and she’s everything we could hope for in a mom and a best friend,” Jordan said. But P.K.’s magnetic personality and willingness to use his platform has “The best way I can say it is: If I can grow older and become half the prompted some of the old hockey establishment conformists bristle. He person she was, I know once I move on, people will remember me as a doesn’t slink away from the spotlight, but rather embraces it. pretty good person.” Do people hold that against Subban? The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 “Even if they did, he wouldn’t care,” Maria said. “He doesn’t care … he wants to be who he is and that’s who he is. He’s not going to change himself. That’s not him. P.K. does things because that’s who he is. The game has to adapt to him.” Beyond P.K.’s personality and philanthropy, his penchant for dressing with flair has also become one of his calling cards; he is a collaborator for a suiting line Canadian retailer RW&CO. Maria will take credit for that fashion sense — an homage to her own grandmother, whose motto used to be: If you can’t look good when leaving the house, don’t bother. This was no laughing matter. Malcolm emerged one morning with a pair of trendy Dickies-brand pants that his mom didn’t like. She let him wear the pants to school, but not before ripping the tags off the pants entirely. Maria’s style may be a bit more subdued than her son’s — she doesn’t particularly like wearing fur, for one — but she gravitates toward “beautiful, lovely things” and cites Liz Claiborne as her favorite designer. She takes pride in how her son dresses and encourages more players to do the same. 1129899 Websites The first star: Elias Lindholm – He’s celebrating a win so this is the GREATEST THING EVER and is SO SUPER FUN and if you don’t like it more than anything then you are an OLD MAN YELLING AT A CLOUD. The Athletic / DGB Grab Bag: Checking in on the remaining RFAs, a no- (Am I doing this right, Hurricanes fans?) trade clause proposal and Rob Ray fights a fan Be It Resolved It’s trade deadline season, which means it’s no-trade clause season, and By Sean McIndoe Feb 8, 2019 earlier in the week I saw this: THE NO-TRADE LISTS THAT PLAYERS SUBMIT REALLY SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC. I WANT THE BURN BOOK. GIVE IT TO ME. This week’s big news was Auston Matthews’ new contract, which will see the young star carry a cap hit north of $11.6 million for the next five — PETE BLACKBURN (@PETEBLACKBURN) FEBRUARY 2, 2019 seasons. It’s a big chunk of change, to be sure. But it also locks up an Pete’s a funny guy who you should be following and I’m 80 percent sure elite young star who was just months away from restricted free agency. he’s joking here, but I don’t care because this is brilliant. Yes, the NHL That said, there’s still a ton of young talent around the league that will should absolutely do this. Show us the lists. need new deals. So today, let’s check in on some of the biggest RFA Well, not the specific lists. I can understand why individual players would names left in the class of 2019 and see how those negotiations are want their lists to be kept private. Nobody’s going to want to make shaping up. enemies, or get booed every time they visit a city on their list, or create Brayden Point, Lightning: Given the other salaries already locked in for an awkward situation if they wind up playing for a team down the road. teammates like Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman, That all makes sense. any long-term commitment will need to factor in the increased risk of a So no, don’t show us the individual lists. Just the aggregate. As in, the serious shoulder injury from lifting Stanley Cups every damn year. league keeps track of every NTC list a player submits over the course of Mikko Rantanen, Avalanche: Can take advantage of the front office’s the year, and at the end of the season they tell us how often each team recent history by reminding them of how Nathan MacKinnon and his showed up. agent negotiated his last deal and then telling them that he obviously Why not, right? There would always be enough deniability built into the wants to do the exact opposite of that. system that nobody could trace any answer back to a specific player, Jacob Trouba, Jets: Will at some point have to sit down with his agent with the exception of the rare case where one team showed up on 100 and family and figure out whether he’d prefer a short-term, medium-term percent of the lists and I think we can all agree that would be hilarious. or long-term holdout. So let’s do it. Matthew Tkachuk, Flames: Look, we can speculate all we want about The only legitimate argument against the idea that I can think of is that it how much he’s worth and his true value to the team, but we all know he’s would be depressing to find out that your favorite team was showing up going to try to sign for exactly one dollar more than Drew Doughty just to on most of the “do not want” lists. But while it absolutely would be be a prick. depressing, it’s also useful information to have. No fan wants to find out that their team is capped out, or has a lousy prospect pipeline, or is last Brock Boeser, Canucks: Has probably met Elias Pettersson, so that’s got in the league in attendance. But they still want to know, because it’s to be worth a few million right there. worth knowing. Patrick Laine, Jets: Is starting to get a sinking feeling that when his agent And it can help manage expectations. Think of the small-market GM said they should be focused on one goal and one goal only, he was who’s constantly getting roasted for not pulling off trades. Now imagine probably referring to getting a new contract done and not to his offensive you find out his team is always ruled out of every big name before the production for 2019. bidding even starts. That changes things, right? And it would be fascinating to see how a team’s number changed over the years, as William Karlsson, Golden Knights: Is going to want a deal that comes rebuilds and new coaches and deep playoff runs changed perceptions. front-loaded with a big signing bonus, since he’ll need that money to build Our own Craig Custance has occasionally given us an informal look the time machine he uses to go back and sign a long-term deal last behind the curtain over the years; the NHL should take the next step and summer when he was good. make it official. Timo Meier, Sharks: Should also be on this list, we guess. It goes without saying that the league will never actually do any of this, because they hate giving their fans useful information. Just getting teams Mitch Marner, Maple Leafs: Has deftly executed a long-game strategy of to reveal basic contract terms has been a years-long battle that we’re biding this time and letting his teammates all sign their big contracts first only recently starting to win. Remember when the Department of Player until there’s no more cap room left, so let’s see how that works out for Safety insisted on tweeting out suspensions without telling us how many him. games they were for? And heaven help you if you’d like to know what the Kyle Connor, Jets: Should be just fine as long as he’s not like the third conditions on a conditional draft pick look like. Or, you know, you want a Winnipeg player on this list. website with functional stats. Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes: Has been hearing the words “offer sheet” So no, this isn’t ever going to happen. But it should. So be it resolved that whispered by other teams quite a bit lately, although come to think of it the NHL pretend like its fans are paying customers and give us the they’re always preceded by “We’re wimpy NHL GMs so we’re never information we want to see. going to” and that last word might not actually be “sheet.” Obscure former player of the week The week’s of comedy Earlier this week, I set out to determine which trade was the second most The third star: Jose Mourinho – Should this clip even qualify? On the one important in NHL history. My personal pick ended up being the 1957 deal hand, Mourinho is a soccer guy and this clip is from the KHL, not the that sent and Glenn Hall from Detroit to Chicago, breaking NHL. On the other hand, well, it’s a guy wiping out on a red carpet. up the Red Wings’ dynasty and paving the way for what would be the Hawks’ last Cup for almost 50 years. JOSE MOURINHO WAS A SPECIAL GUEST AT THE SKA – AVANGARD GAME. SOMETHING WENT REALLY WRONG AT THE As an added bonus, that trade also gives me a chance to mention one of OPENING FACE-OFF. SAVED THE SPECIAL ONE my favorite obscure players: feisty forward Forbes Kennedy. PIC.TWITTER.COM/I6SBRPOBXI Despite being small even by the standards of the day, Kennedy made his — IGOR ERONKO (@IGORERONKO) FEBRUARY 4, 2019 reputation as a take-no-prisoners power forward in the Quebec junior league in the mid-1950s before signing with Chicago in 1956. He played The second star: The Maple Leafs – Look, I like just about every move one year there, scoring 21 points, before being included in the four-player they’ve made in recent years up to and including the Jake Muzzin trade package heading to Detroit in the Lindsay/Hall blockbuster. He’d get two and Matthews signing, but after seeing this I can say I have zero full seasons in Detroit and parts of two more before being dealt to the confidence going forward in the Leafs front office. Bruins, then spend four years in Boston and one in the minors before heading to the Flyers in the 1967 expansion draft. He’d last most of two WHAT THE HELL IS THIS LMAO PIC.TWITTER.COM/QANAJXYMPJ seasons in Philadelphia before being traded to the Maple Leafs late in — FLINTOR (@THEFLINTOR) FEBRUARY 3, 2019 the 1968-69 season. By that point, Kennedy was 33 years old and had almost 600 NHL games The last minute of the clip might be my favorite, as we go around the to his name. But while he didn’t play much with the Leafs, he may have league to get reactions from other players. First up is Adam Graves, who had the most memorable game of his career in the blue and white. In a mentions that there are some fans who occasionally don’t like him. If you playoff game on April 2, 1969, Leafs blueliner Pat Quinn caught Bobby think it’s bad now, Adam, wait until you see what happens next month. Orr with his head down and delivered one of the most famous checks of the era, knocking the Bruins star out cold. When a brawl broke out shortly Ken Baumgartner is next, wearing the sort of smirk that tells us he after, Kennedy took on just about all of Boston: he fought goaltender desperately wishes he’d been in Ray’s place. He also adds that “It wasn’t , Johnny Bucyk, Cheevers again, and John McKenzie, all exactly self-defense after the first 10 punches.” The Bomber was the while absorbing punches from Bruins fans leaning over the glass. In all, best. he received four separate fighting majors for one brawl. “I don’t want to see that happen ever again. I don’t know who’s at fault … Unfortunately for Kennedy, he also landed a punch on one more you just want to put it behind you and really, hopefully, it will never opponent during the brawl: linesman George Ashley. That earned him a happen again.” – Don Sweeney, discussing either the Rob Ray fan suspension that spelled the end of his NHL career. He’d spend one more incident or the first round of the Bruins’ 2015 draft, I’m not sure. Maybe year in the AHL, but never made it back to the big leagues. He’d finish both. with 603 NHL games, 70 goals, 178 points and 888 PIM in the regular We move on to Montreal and Denis Savard says he saw a player “hitting season – and quite a few more in that one memorable playoff game. on the fans,” which is not quite the same thing and nowhere near as Classic YouTube clip breakdown unusual. He’s followed by Brian Skrudland, who will be your supply teacher for fourth period math class and is definitely not taking any crap It’s been a rough few months for the Buffalo Sabres. After an early- from you kids today. season win streak pushed them to the top of the overall standings by the end of November, they’ve struggled badly ever since and have fallen out “Give the fan credit, he hung in there for 15 good ones anyway.” Well, of a playoff spot. In fact, if you’re a Sabres fan, you may be trying to yes, technically that’s true. He did hang in there, in the sense that four remember what it’s like to see this team beat anybody. guys were dangling him a foot off the ground while he got pummeled. Fair point there. Today we’re going to refresh your memory, as we look back on one of the most one-sided beatings the Sabres ever handed out. Ultimately, no charges were filed and Ray wasn’t suspended, although he was apparently fined. Years later, Ray’s old pal Tie Domi would find It’s April 1992, and our friends at TSN are recapping one of the week’s himself in a similar situation and reacted with surprising restraint, so biggest stories. Our clip joins Paul Romanuk in mid-sentence, and at first maybe the message was delivered. he seems to be describing a relatively run-of-the-mill incident in which somebody got thrown to the ice, then got up and tried to engage the And that’s it. To this day, the incident is remembered as one of the most Sabres’ bench. Pretty standard stuff for the early ’90s, really. unique and one-of-a-kind moments in the history of the NHL, something we’d never seen before and almost certainly will never see again: That Our first clue that something’s up is when Romanuk gets serious and time that Rob Ray got into a fight and wasn’t creepily half-naked at the makes a reference to someone “getting what was coming to him.” He end of it. then reveals the twist on our story: he’s not talking about a player, but a fan. Specifically, a fan who just tried to fight Rob Ray. If this strikes you The Athletic LOADED: 02.09.2019 as a bad idea, well, it will also strike the fan that way. And so will Rob Ray’s fists. Repeatedly. We’ll get there. “I mean the fan has no more business being on the ice or near the bench then a player would have scaling the glass to take after a fan.” Wait, would that be bad? Asking for a friend and/or terrible future GM. We cut to the footage, and yeah, it’s pretty much exactly what you’d think. A fan is over by the Sabres bench, and he’s getting speed-bagged by Ray and friends. And look, this is a serious incident and I know we’re all focused on how many punches this poor guy is absorbing. But can we all take a moment to appreciate the undisputed hero of this clip: the cop who comes flying in like an extra from a Benny Hill chase scene? Seriously, this guy is fantastic. He sprints in, jumps for no reason, runs in place on the ice for a few seconds like Fred Flintstone and then fixes his hat while failing to help the situation even a little bit. This guy is the best, and I want to hang out with him. God bless the first responders. Ray is interviewed and lays out a pretty reasonable rationale for what we just saw: The fan came onto the playing surface, the players didn’t know who he was or what he might be looking to do and their first attempt to get him away from them hadn’t worked. “We started putting it to him pretty good and then threw him back out onto the ice.” And he doesn’t regret it. All of which, if we’re being honest, sounds pretty reasonable. So here’s the background. The incident had come at the end of a chippy game between the Sabres and Nordiques in Quebec City. There had been a minor incident late in the third between Sabres goalie and Nords tough guy Tony Twist, and that had led to Quebec’s Herb Raglan running Malarchuk in the final minute. A scrum breaks out, and as all eyes are on the ice, the fan scales the glass near the Sabres bench and sits there. (He’d later claim that he was trying to win a bet.) Sabres coach John Muckler apparently grabbed a stick and tried to swat him back into the stands, at which point he dropped down into the Buffalo bench like a spider you miss with the first newspaper swat. If you watch the clip carefully, you can actually see Muckler jabbing the guy with the stick while Ray pummels him. When an old man wildly pitchforking you in the ribs isn’t even remotely in the running for the worst thing happening to you at a given moment, you’re having a bad day. We learn that the fan isn’t likely to press charges, but that Ray may be punished by the league. Remember, this happened about three years after another case of a fan jumping onto the ice, this time in Boston. We broke that clip down here, and it’s worth rewatching from time to time as a reminder that Ron Asselstine will straight-up eat your soul if you anger him. 1129900 Websites Among those listed here, we believe Nylander holds the longest odds of being traded — this autumn’s epic contract saga would be a heck of a battle to endure for a player you don’t want, and the Swede is back to Sportsnet.ca / 6 Maple Leafs who could be traded to ease the cap crunch buzzing again — but starting July 2, there’d certainly be interest. Patrick Marleau, $6.25 million cap hit through 2020 Luke Fox | February 8, 2019, 8:40 AM It’s not the player; it’s the term. From the day Marleau signed in Toronto, all concerns zeroed in on that third year, when he’ll be 40 years old and the Matthews and Marner raises kick in. TORONTO – Mitchell Marner stood at the north end of the Toronto Maple On paper, this is the cap hit that will cost an emerging Leafs winger his Leafs dressing room the morning after Auston Matthews was guaranteed job by September. $58.17 million and surveyed the banks of name plates. The deal is virtually buyout-proof: Once Marleau collects his $3 million “It’s a great contract for him. I’m very happy for him. It’s great for this signing bonus on July 1, he’ll only be owed $1.25 million in salary over team as well,” Marner said. “We all want, including myself, to be a Leaf the course of the 2019-20 schedule. So while we still believe there’s an for a long time — and I’m sure that’ll happen.” outside chance Marleau ends his career back in San Jose, any waiving of his no-movement clause would be the player’s choice. We can’t see Despite this week’s agent-fuelled drama, we’re certain Marner will re-sign Marleau — adoptive father of the franchise’s fresh faces and the most in Toronto. universally beloved member of the dressing room — getting the Robidas Island treatment. But with Toronto likely carrying three star forwards with eight-digit AAVs — Matthews, Marner and John Tavares — into 2019-20 and beyond, Plus, he’s still a useful player on and off the ice, even as he trends from a something’s gotta give. top-line to third-line threat. The Matthews deal, coach Mike Babcock says, “allows us to understand “There’s ebbs and flows. If you look at Patty’s career, he’s been like that where we’re at and then you know what you can do.” a bit too. He’s had some moments where it wasn’t going as good,” Babcock defends. Celebrating heroes of the game, Sportsnet and Scotiabank unite to bring a 4-day hockey festival to Swift Current, Sask., and a 12-hour national “When you’re 25 and it doesn’t go as good, everyone says, ‘No big deal.’ NHL broadcast to Canadian fans coast-to-coast on Feb. 9. When you start getting higher, they always say, ‘Oh, the wheels are off, you’re done.’ The wheels ain’t off. He ain’t done.” The Leafs’ trickle-down economics will push one or two middle-class residents out of the room this summer and put an even greater emphasis Kasperi Kapanen, $863,333 cap hit through 2019 on the importance of cheap, role-playing labour provided this season by the likes of Par Lindholm ($975,000) and Tyler Ennis ($650,000), both of Kapanen has been absolutely soaring this season, the 22-year-old’s first whom will deserve modest raises of their own come July 1. full one at the NHL level. After starting on the fourth line, he made the most of his opportunity to leap into the top six during Nylander’s Fourth-line centre Frederik Gauthier ($675,000) and winger Trevor Moore stalemate. He’s on pace for a 47-point campaign, despite being used ($775,000), who don’t have a guaranteed spot on the current roster when significantly more on the penalty kill than the power play. everyone’s at full health, are expected to become regulars in 2019-20 – valued for their bargain-basement price points but also because, at 23 His trade value is high, but the team loves the trajectory of his years old, both forwards are projecting upwards in their development. development. The push will be to keep him under $3 million. Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson are precisely the types of player susceptible to a Unless Jake Gardiner wants to win here so badly that he’s willing to take mid-level offer sheet because the cost would be low and Dubas is in a — what, $2 million? — less to remain a Leaf, this is last spring in blue bind. and white. “Those are relatively both rookies, so both getting their feet wet in the Igor Ozhiganov (RFA) and Ron Hainsey (UFA) have tumbled down or out league, and they’ve developed well under Mike and his staff this year of the lineup since Jake Muzzin crashed the party, and there’s no after graduating from the Marlies last year, so we’re just continuing to see guarantee either returns next season. them grow and mature,” Dubas said. Righty Ozhiganov, 26, did not leave the KHL to join the Marlies. “We know they need contracts as well, but we’ll continue to let the season play out and let that sample size grow. We’ll begin having some We suspect Babcock would appreciate Hainsey’s leadership and stability discussions with their people probably after the trade deadline.” on his third pairing again, and the American did move his family here two years ago, but he’ll be 38 when the puck drops on the 2019-20 season, Andreas Johnsson, $787,500 cap hit through 2019 and Dubas hasn’t given a major-league contract to anyone over the age of 29 since he got the gig. The 24-year-old, late-blooming support player was sluggish this fall in following up his Calder Cup MVP performance, but his confidence and Like Moore, expect 25-year-old defenceman Calle Rosen ($750,000 cap production have exploded of late, despite being limited to fourth-line hit through 2021) to get promoted for a similar reason. Maybe Justin Holl status. ($650,000) finally gets a legitimate shot, too. On Monday, Johnsson became the first Leaf since Kyle Wellwood (2005) The decisions up front will be even more difficult. And that’s where the to rack up four points in less than 12 minutes, and he sniped again on trade speculation will swirl. Wednesday. Fearless on the forecheck, he meshes Connor Brown’s work ethic with sharper offensive instincts. So, let’s look, in brief, at the candidates Dubas could move, ordered from least to most desirable. “He’s making a case,” Babcock said. “The great thing about him is, he hasn’t sat there and said, ‘I’m not getting any minutes.’ He just decided to It’s a business, and it can be harsh. They won’t all be lifelong Leafs. produce and see if the coach is smart enough to get it figured out.” Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, Like Kapanen, the Leafs like the player but won’t like what he’ll cost blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown them. Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts Elliotte Friedman and . New episodes every Thursday. William Nylander, $6.96 million cap hit through 2024 Connor Brown, $2.1 million cap hit through 2020 The $12 million in salary the Leafs are paying Nylander this season and the juicy $8.3 million signing bonus cheque they’ll cut him on July 1 helps Poor Brown. As a 20-goal rookie and giddy-to-be-here local guy, Brown the player with cash up front, but such a structure also makes the conceded to a very team-friendly bridge extension in 2017 that could well contract more transferrable. see him ousted in 2019. This means the dynamic, versatile forward will only cost his club $6 Sliding to the bottom six, the 24-year-old has become more dispensable million in real money from 2020-21 through 2023-24. Nylander has said than Babcock favourite Zach Hyman and his goal total is about to drop that Dubas assured him he won’t be dealt, but no formal trade protection for the second consecutive year. kicks in until 2023. How he’s currently deployed on a deep Toronto club makes him a candidate to be replaced with entry-level labour, but Brown would excel elsewhere. He kills penalties, is responsible defensively (plus-11), doesn’t miss games and does the dirty work pure-skill guys appreciate. Some baseless speculation: old Erie pal Connor McDavid would love Brown’s character and relentlessness in Edmonton. Nikita Zaitsev, $4.5 million cap hit through 2024 Hard to think the Maple Leafs would want to allocate less money to their blue line, or rid themselves of their only regular right shot, but Zaitsev has not lived up to the $31.5-million contract Lou Lamoriello (not Dubas) handed him. He’s 27. Despite getting top-four minutes, his production is set to decline for the second year, and there are too many nights he struggles in his own end. Would Dubas eat some salary to facilitate a move? How worrisome would it be to see Holl shoot to the right-shot depth chart? Will either Timothy Liljegren or Rasmus Sandin (who both battled injury this season) be ready to make the jump in 2019-20? The Leafs’ D depth is in for a shock once Gardiner walks. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129901 Websites “Interesting situation. I really like (Bobrovsky) and we’re big friends right now. But we have two different lives.”

The Blue Jackets still have more than two weeks before they have to Sportsnet.ca / Blue Jackets' Panarin breaks silence on free agency, make a decision. However, significant trades have already started to potential trade drop in the East, with rivals like Toronto and Pittsburgh recently dealing to try to beef up their squads — moves that likely put pressure on Columbus to decide sooner rather than later whether they have a strong Sportsnet Staff | February 8, 2019, 8:03 PM enough chance at a run to roll the dice on keeping Panarin. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.09.2019 With the NHL’s Feb. 25 trade deadline only weeks away, the biggest potential name floating above the frenzy remains in limbo. Fifty-one games into his second season in Columbus, Artemi Panarin has the Blue Jackets faithful on edge, as questions remain about whether the club will keep their star winger or ship him out at the deadline if it becomes clear he won’t sign an extension. Panarin opened up about the situation to reporters in Columbus Friday, shedding light on his perspective going into the season’s home stretch and reiterating his desire to test free agency. “I want to see what happens in the summer, and if I have better options,” Panarin said, according to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. “I’m ready for that situation. I know in the summer how hard that will be for me. I’m ready. Still positive.” The 27-year-old seemed hesitant when asked if he’d consider signing a new deal with the Blue Jackets in the off-season. Wrote Portzline of the exchange: …the suggestion that Panarin could circle back and re-sign with the Blue Jackets this summer via free agency prompted Panarin to grin, and then laugh. “Yeah, but … ” he said. And then he laughed again awkwardly. “Ahh, I don’t know. I don’t know. Yeah, (the Blue Jackets) have a chance, but … we’ll see what happens in the summer. I still want to consider the season and help the team win the Stanley Cup.” While it’s unclear where Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen stands in regards to wanting to keep Panarin in the fold, others in the city have made it more clear, particularly by way of a billboard aimed at wooing the winger into staying. Though Panarin said he appreciates the city’s support, he’s still interested in trying to find the best long-term fit for next season and beyond. “It’s amazing. I feel really good after that. I say it’s harder for me to keep talking about my free agency because I see how people want me to stay in Columbus, and it’s harder.” Panarin said. “But it’s my life. We only have one life and I want to, like … it’s 10 per cent of my life, seven or eight years, you know? I want to stay happy every day and I want to see more options.” Far and away the biggest star among the Blue Jackets’ forward corps — Panarin currently leads the club in scoring with 60 points through 51 games, and did so last season with a career-best 82-point effort — conventional wisdom suggests the club would be unwise to continue the rest of the season with Panarin on the roster and possibly lose him for nothing in the off-season. However, with Columbus currently sitting third in the Metropolitan Division, there’s also the option of keeping him in the fold to try to make one last run at a deep playoff run. For his part, Panarin said he’s open to either option, but the decision doesn’t rest with him. “If Jarmo trades me, it’s, ‘Get working!’” Panarin said, according to Portzline. “That’s it. I understand his business, because (Chicago GM) Stan Bowman didn’t ask me (in 2017), he just trade me. Right now, I’m not in control, I’m still just hockey player. That’s not my job. That’s for Jarmo, but if he still keeps me I play hard. That’s it.” While much speculation has circulated about where Panarin wants to be in 2019-20, the winger said he doesn’t have any specific destinations in mind. “Seriously guys, I don’t have a team. Not one team where I want to go. But I have many teams. We’ll see what happens in the summer, but right now I don’t know what I want,” he said. After firing agent Daniel Milstein Friday and bringing in Paul Theofanous — agent for fellow Blue Jackets impending UFA Sergei Bobrovsky — some wondered if Panarin is looking to either sign somewhere alongside his countryman, or angle for a trade to the same club. Panarin said that isn’t part of the plan. 1129902 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / The oral history of Team Canada's 1996 World Cup training camp by Luke Fox

The community of Whistler, B.C., might have felt the stinging loss more than any other. A deep connection was forged when Team Canada, led by head coach Glen Sather, descended on the resort municipality on Aug. 14, 1996, and spent seven days tuning up for the battle ahead. No, the end result of the World Cup wasn’t what Canada envisioned, but it didn’t sour memories of the camp that left an enduring mark on everyone from players and coaches to residents and security staff. “It was a sh—y ending to a great start,” says Fleury. The following is an oral history of the 1996 camp, told by several people who were there. BILL BARRATT, former director of parks and recreation for Whistler It was all set up because of our connection to the Vancouver Canucks. Pat Quinn had been to Whistler with the Canucks for training camp. So, they came by, based on Quinn’s recommendation. BOB NICHOLSON, then vice president of Hockey Canada Glen Sather and Pat Quinn had a real strong relationship, so Glen would have been talking to Pat, and Pat recommending all the various venues that Glen would use. It started with those two and their great relationship. BILL BARRATT They liked what Whistler brought to the table. The facility, Meadow Park Sports Centre, was a big part of it, for sure. But what they loved about it was all the restaurants and golf courses. It was the complete package. And the players were treated pretty good. THEO FLEURY, right winger Back in those days, training camp wasn’t necessarily as intense as it is nowadays. I just remember having lots of fun and enjoying being around all these amazing hockey players. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.09.2019 1129903 Websites It’s true. The Wild have 10 games the rest of February with an even home-road split. Each of their next four games are against Eastern Conference teams — two versus New Jersey and one each against Sportsnet.ca / Bruce Boudreau says some Wild players are 'a shell' of Philadelphia and the New York Islanders. After that, the Wild play the themselves hard-charging St. Louis Blues on back-to-back Sundays at the end of the month and have three very winnable games against Anaheim, Detroit and the New York Rangers in between. Rory Boylen February 8, 2019, 12:43 PM After that, the road gets very difficult. The Wild finish February with a road game in Winnipeg then play at Calgary, followed by a home-and- home with Nashville and a matchup in Tampa Bay. If they’re still trending the wrong direction at that point, it’s a stretch that could bury Minnesota’s As the Western Conference’s snail race for the final two wild card berths playoff hopes and maybe even transform them into a deadline seller on continues, the Minnesota Wild are the latest team to grind to a halt. Feb. 25. Since returning from all-star weekend and their bye week, the Wild have Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.09.2019 lost four games in a row, three of which were to teams right around Minnesota in the standings. The latest, a 4-1 loss to the also-struggling Edmonton Oilers, was close to rock bottom. You could hear it in the lack of spirit from the usually raucous hometown crowd and in coach Bruce Boudreau’s post-game conference. “Yep, this was the quietest I’ve heard (Xcel Energy Center) in the first period ever,” Boudreau noted about his team’s six-shot opening frame. “But we didn’t do anything to excite them either.” What on one side was a step in the right direction that breathed some “much-needed oxygen” into Edmonton’s playoff hopes was, on the other, a lacklustre effort that further opened the door and invited the lineup of wild card hopefuls in. "There was 55 minutes left in the game. If you’re going to give up or get so down after five minutes because you’re down a goal, then we’re in bigger trouble than we think.” — Bruce Boudreau after #EDMvsMIN pic.twitter.com/3WhEvjSvuD — Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) February 8, 2019 The Wild has scored nine goals in their four post-bye games and the stretch is a continuation of some underwhelming offensive performances from some of the players who were expected to carry the load. Eric Staal, well off the 40-goal pace he reached last season, was heating up before the break but has just one assist in the past four games. The long-awaited Jason Zucker breakout happened last season to the tune of 33 goals, but he has just four since Christmas and may not hit 20 this season. And Mikael Granlund, who has nearly hit 70 points the last two seasons, has just one goal since the end of November on just 67 shots. “I can’t go out there and hang on his back and follow him up like a close talker and say ‘hey shoot the puck,’ Boudreau said of Granlund. “He’s a smart enough player. The last two years he was one of the top, I thought, top 10 players in the league. And now he’s got two goals in 38 games. “If I had the magic button to make them play…” Boudreau said of all his struggling players, “I can put the systems together and play the way you want to play, but I mean everything else comes from within.” The Wild’s offence ranks 26th in the league on the season and although they still hold the first wild card spot, they have played more games than most of the teams around them and are just two points clear of ninth in the West. Celebrating heroes of the game, Sportsnet and Scotiabank unite to bring a 4-day hockey festival to Swift Current, Sask., and a 12-hour national NHL broadcast to Canadian fans coast-to-coast on Feb. 9. When Paul Fenton was officially hired as GM last summer, owner Craig Leipold made it clear the expectation was that this team would challenge for the Stanley Cup and Fenton agreed that the roster as currently constructed was in a good place. Some bad luck has been a factor: Matt Dumba was the NHL’s leading defence goal scorer when injury cut his season short in December, and elite two-way pivot Mikko Koivu had a season-ending injury of his own just this week. But every team deals with injuries — just look at where Nashville sits — and now in Minnesota you have a coach who is bewildered at what’s happened to some of his key players as the team has fallen back to the pack. “There’s some guys there that are just a shell of the players I’ve known for two-and-a-half years,” Boudreau said. “This was sort of the last straw. Everybody now has caught us or within a point. So it’s either find your sense of urgency and do what you have to do to win or bad things are going to happen. If you look at our schedule starting at the end of the month this is the time you have to be successful.” 1129904 Websites It’s a hard game, but that’s what’s necessary if you want to collect points at this time of year.”

If it’s a 3-2 league, and it is, Hitchcock knows his team can get to three Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' defence trending in right direction at crucial point in most nights. Especially with a powerplay that has scored five times in its season past 11 attempts. It’s keeping the other guys to two that has been the problem. Mark Spector | February 8, 2019, 7:45 PM “Our power play, if I’m the opposition, looks like it can score all the time. Like it’s going to get quality chances,” he said. “But we can’t make our power play try to save us … because we’ve let in too many chances. We have to cut down on the working chances at the net. There have been EDMONTON — Even as the Edmonton Oilers sport the only two 30-plus too many games where we’ve lost the red zone battles at both ends of goal men on the same team in the National Hockey League, the fallacy is the rink, and we’re trying to take the next step. that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl should carry a team to the playoffs. “(Thursday), at least we broken even.” “How can a team with the best player in the world miss the playoffs?” Can the Edmonton Oilers keep the puck out, and at least go even in goal differential through to Game 82? Tell us you haven’t heard someone say that in reference to the Oilers? Or that you haven’t said it yourself? If they do, they’ll have a chance to advance. Then you watch them play, and you see the minus-22 goal differential. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.09.2019 And it brings us back to the Taylor Hall years, when they’d draft an offensive superstar first overall and then force him to spend most of every night playing his own end. Look at McDavid: He has 80 points, one back of Nikita Kucherov prior to Friday’s games in the race for the Art Ross Trophy. Yet, he had just a plus-3 defensive rating. Draisatil had 66 points and was also plus-3. In Tampa, Kucherov was plus-13, Brayden Point (66 points) is plus-16. In Calgary, Mikael Backlund — who has 50 points less than McDavid — is plus-27. I get it — plus-minus is an antiquated stat that doesn’t tell the whole story. In this case, it doesn’t tell us that McDavid is derelict defensively. Not at all. It tells us that you can be right in the hunt for your third straight Art Ross Trophy, but the team you are on lets in so many pucks that McDavid can be one bad game away from being a minus player. “Obviously we’ve been getting scored on way too much — it’s no secret,” said Draisaitl. “We’ve got to find ways to keep the puck out of our net, and find ways to put it into their net. That’s actually all hockey really is. You try and keep the puck out of your net, and try and put it into their net.” Ah, wisdom dropped. The fact that a team with a minus-22 goal differential sits two points removed from a wild-card spot is testament to what has happened to the Western Conference this season. Remember, when Edmonton last made the playoffs, two springs ago, they were plus-35, and allowed just 212 goals against. This season they are on pace to let in 271 — but that’s a big picture stat. With 28 games to play, and siting right in the playoff hunt, what matters is how they play defensively from here on in. And after a solid defensive effort in a 4-1 win at Minnesota Thursday, and with No. 1 defenceman Oscar Klefbom back in the lineup, perhaps the Oilers have the makings of a team than can allow two or less more often than not. “That is the level we need to stay at and play for the remaining 28 games here,” said centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. “Since the break we’ve done a real good job at that — for two periods every night. Last night it was good to see 60 full minutes of defending the right way.” Yes, imploding in the third period tends to undo any good work accomplished in the opening 40. But does that change with Klefbom back in? It did Thursday in Minnesota, the second game for Klefbom after missing 21 with a busted finger. With their lead dog back in the lineup, everyone’s minutes returned to where they should be versus the Wild. Here was the ice time among Oilers defencemen in a 4-1 win on Thursday: Klefbom – 23:55; Darnell Nurse – 22:16; Adam Larsson – 21:13; Kris Russell – 19:52; Matt Benning – 16:04; Brandon Manning – 13:54. When your third pairing plays around the 15-minute range, and your top pair no more than 22 or 23 minutes, traditional hockey logic says everyone can be expected to carry their portion of the load. That no one is being asked to do too much. Head coach Ken Hitchcock saw something Thursday, when it comes to the defensive game the Oilers will need to play down the stretch. “The start of it, yes,” he said. “We were harder on pucks in our own zone, harder at our net harder on the forecheck… A step in the right direction. 1129905 Websites Senators’ slot pass differential by an insane 11.1 per cent while he’s on the ice, is a testament to the quality of player Chabot is.

Obviously the Senators would be a better team if they had both players, Sportsnet.ca / Truth By Numbers: Has Thomas Chabot adequately so it’s not exactly a confirmation that they didn’t need Karlsson at all, but replaced Erik Karlsson? their faith in Chabot seems to be well placed early in his career. Offensively, Chabot has a ways to go before equaling Karlsson’s 5.39 Andrew Berkshire February 8, 2019, 10:56 AM scoring chances created per 20 minutes at 5-on-5. He’s creating 3.8 right now, but his on-ice impact has been undeniable.

Chabot is a player worth watching among the next generation of future You may not realize it, but Nashville’s Viktor Arvidsson is one of the elite Norris contenders. goal scorers in the game today, especially at 5-on-5, which is exactly what his team needs. In the East, when the Ottawa Senators traded Erik BUY OR SELL Karlsson to San Jose it marked the end of an era and opened up a whole • With the big numbers attached to Auston Matthews’ contract and the bunch of questions about the future of their blue line — but with Thomas rumours of what Mitch Marner will come in at, you have to wonder how Chabot scoring at nearly a point per game pace, how well is he replacing Tampa Bay is going to deal with Brayden Point’s contract negotiations Karlsson? this summer. He’s currently their cheapest player at a cap hit of only That plus notes on Brayden Point, James Neal and more in this week’s $686,000, but is seventh in league scoring. Next season Nikita column. Kucherov’s salary basically doubles as well, while Yanni Gourde will get an extra $4 million. Expect some big names to be moved out around the Celebrating heroes of the game, Sportsnet and Scotiabank unite to bring draft. Even with the Florida tax advantage, there’s not enough money to a 4-day hockey festival to Swift Current, Sask., and a 12-hour national go around. It wouldn’t surprise me if Point gets the same contract as NHL broadcast to Canadian fans coast-to-coast on Feb. 9. Steven Stamkos ($8.5 million). For the past two seasons, Viktor Arvidsson has made good on the • Derick Brassard can blame less ice time for his production drop this promise he showed in his rookie season as a high-volume shooter. In season, but what he did with the ice time he got suggests he didn’t 2016-17 and 2017-18 Arvidsson scored 31 and 29 goals respectively, but deserve more in Pittsburgh. Last season he created the 60th-most this year his totals were in question for a bit when injuries took him out of scoring chances for his teammates in the NHL among forwards, but this the lineup a few times. In the games he’s managed to play, though, year that has dropped to 189th. He has the talent to rebound, but this Arvidsson has been scoring like a man possessed, already at 22 goals in could be signs of decline at age 31. 32 games played, including 13 in 16 games since the calendar turned to 2019. • Last season Erik Gustafsson was the only Blackhawks defenceman to finish with a positive high danger scoring chance differential, a hint of No one has scored more than Arvidsson over that time, and he’s being capable of taking on a bigger role. This year only Duncan Keith has managed to get it done without any power play goals as Nashville’s man more ice time on the Hawks, and while no one on Chicago’s disaster advantage continues to struggle. defence has positive scoring chance differentials, Gustafsson is staying positive in shot attempts. Plus, his 10.4 scoring chances created per 20 In fact, over the past three seasons, only Auston Matthews and Jeff minutes on the power play leads all Blackhawks defenders and ranks Skinner have scored more 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes of ice time than 24th in the NHL among all blueliners. Arvidsson’s 1.27, and no one is scoring more per 60 minutes than he is this season. Arvidsson averages 2.17 goals for every 60 minutes of 5-on- • James Neal’s shot rates have been in decline for a while, but going 5 action. from 25 goals in 71 games last year to on pace for just eight goals total this year is absurd. He’s producing about a scoring chance less per 20 For the Predators, who lack offensive depth up front and need 5-on-5 minutes of ice time than he did last season at 5-on-5, but he’s putting scoring to compensate for a terrible power play, this is great news as we chances on net at almost the same rate as Elias Lindholm and Matthew get closer to the playoffs, but Arvidsson is shooting at 19.1 per cent this Tkachuk. Neal just can’t catch a break. It would be a nice surprise for the season, way up from 11.7 per cent last season and 12.6 per cent the Flames if his fortunes changed in the playoffs. season before. Has he changed something up, or is he due to regress a bit? Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.09.2019 Well…yeah. As good of a scorer as Arvidsson has been in his career, he’s been unbelievable this season in creating scoring chances for himself, shooting from better areas, incorporating more chances off the rush and pouncing on to mistakes generated by forechecks more often. A great season from Ryan Johansen has also given Arvidsson the opportunity to get more scoring chances preceded by passes as well. Only Brady Tkachuk, Paul Byron, and William Carrier are getting more high danger chances per minute than Arvidsson, only Brendan Gallagher and Timo Meier are getting more scoring chances total, and no one is getting as many scoring chances on net. Clearly, Arvidsson has found an extra gear this season, and this level of goal scoring might be more sustainable than you think. Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen go deep on pucks with a mix of facts and fun, leaning on a varied group of hockey voices to give their take on the country’s most beloved game. THE QUESTION After watching the Ottawa Senators push his Toronto Maple Leafs all season despite being really bad, Steve Dangle is confused about what’s going on, but he’s been really impressed by one player: Thomas Chabot. So Steve asks a controversial question: “Has Thomas Chabot adequately replaced Erik Karlsson in Ottawa?” Wow Steve, can’t believe you’d suggest that. Glad I had nothing to do with framing that question so angry Senators fans can’t yell at me. Let’s look into it though. We’ll use on-ice statistics relative to teammates to avoid the noise of how bad Ottawa is compared to the Sharks. Obviously Karlsson and Chabot are playing very different minutes on two very different teams, but it’s actually pretty shocking — to me at least — how well Chabot has been able to keep the Senators afloat while he’s on the ice. Having an impact similar to Karlsson, including improving the 1129906 Websites brought him up right. He took pride in that. I don’t think he ever wanted to let them down or embarrass them.

It wasn’t like he would turn it on — Jarome was a true gentleman. Until Sportsnet.ca / Black History Month: Jarome Iginla 'did everything the right he put on the equipment. Then, he was a true, fierce competitor. He did way' everything the right way. He always lived a respectful life and that started right from the time he woke up, driving to the rink and then when he went home. He never deviated from that. David Singh | February 8, 2019, 10:48 AM In your time with Iginla, did the topic of race ever come up in closed-door conversations? Jarome Iginla was forced early in his hockey-playing life to confront the It’s funny because on the ice, with him being the competitor he is, I was fact that things were just going to be different for him. He’s relayed the always wondering [if he heard racial taunts]. I never really heard anything story several times: Other kids were always quick to tell him there were when I was out there playing right next to him. I asked him once, “Does no black players in the NHL. They were wrong, of course, and the young anything ever come up as far as race?” He said, “Guys at the NHL level Iginla assuredly countered with several examples: Grant Fuhr, Claude maybe did that before, Craig, but now everything has been changing.” It Vilgrain, Tony McKegney. Their names carried power for Iginla, as well really wasn’t an issue for him. He would say, “I would tell you if they said as proof that his dreams could become reality. something.” It got heated a lot, too, though. He trash-talked with the best of them. But I never saw that line crossed or heard it on my own. Iginla was born in Edmonton to a black Nigerian father and a white American mother. He eventually grew to become an Art Ross winner, a Do you think he had more on his shoulders than other captains you’ve revered captain and a six-time all-star. He was the most prominent black seen in the NHL? hockey player of his generation and one of the most prominent black athletes in Canadian history. I don’t know if race played a factor in it, but yes, definitely being in a Canadian market with the pressures that go along with it. I was the Craig Conroy played with Iginla for parts of nine seasons with the [Flames] captain prior [to Iginla] and there’s a lot. For him, being the best Calgary Flames and had a front-row seat during the peak of No. 12’s player with everything that goes along with it, he had the pressure, but he career. The teammates developed a close friendship, sharing many loved that pressure. That’s what made him a special player. He wanted hours, meals, plane rides and private conversations. We caught up with more pressure. In the last minutes of the game, he wanted to be the guy Conroy, now an assistant general manager with the Flames, to discuss to score the goal. He wanted to always be in that position. He wouldn’t his friend’s life and impact. want it another way. He doesn’t want it to be easy. He wanted it to be the hard way. It all started with him and finished with him, as far as that team Sportsnet: Jarome Iginla was the most prominent black player in the NHL went. He definitely had lots of pressure on him by being the star, being when you played with him. When you guys were in Calgary, or on the young and being on that team. road, what kind of responsibility came with that? It wasn’t always about race. But that was part of who he was. He knew Conroy: He always set the tone for the whole team. He always went that. above and beyond, outside the rink, more than any player I have ever seen. If we walked out of the hotel in Toronto — and there’s a lot of Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.09.2019 people in Toronto — there might be 100 to 150 people and he would sign [autographs] for everybody. It used to drive the coaches crazy because they knew if there were 20 kids out there, Jarome was going to do it. He always took time if people wanted to talk to him. That’s one thing about Jarome: He’s so respectful, and if people would say, “You’re my favourite player,” he would always stop and talk. He’s a true ambassador for the sport. At the [2002] Olympics, when he saw Canadian [fans] down in and they didn’t have hotels and tickets to the game, he made sure to try and help them, behind the scenes. He would never say anything like that [publicly], but that’s the type of person he was. As hard a competitor and as tough as he was on the ice, off the ice he was always in the spotlight, but he always carried himself with the dignity that his parents instilled in him. You couldn’t have a better leader for your team. I think he brought more and more [fans] into the game. It just wasn’t the same hockey people. He kind of diversified everything that he did and he was proud of that. Do you recall the types of conversations fans who were people of colour would have with him? He said, “Hey, wherever you come from, whatever you do in this life, you have to have dreams and you have to work hard and believe you can do it and you can succeed.” No matter race; no matter anything. He always had that positive message: Don’t let there be any barriers for you. That’s the No. 1 thing. You said in your speech at his retirement announcement that Iginla was very involved in the community. Do you think his background played a role in the commitment level he had for that? He always took pride in his background. He wanted to make a statement. When he saw Willie O’Ree, he would say, “Hey, look how much he’s done for me. I’m going to do as much for the next person.” He was about paying it forward. I do think that was part of it. Deep down, though, he would have done that no matter what. He was that type of person. But I do think he felt that responsibility. At the time, there were [other black] players, but he was the most high-profile guy in the league and he took pride in that. He wanted to be that guy. He never shied away from it and that’s what made him so special. It comes from his family and upbringing — his grandparents, especially. You would see when he was with his family, just the respect that, I think, they instilled in him. How to be a good person, how to be humble, respectful, hardworking and that really comes from his parents and his grandparents. He would be the first to give them credit because they 1129907 Websites The league staged its first game in China in Shanghai in September 2017. The official attendance for a game between the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings was reported to be 10,088 in an arena TSN.CA / Former diplomat says NHL should pause on finalizing next that holds more than 18,000. games in China Still, the NHL and its teams are slowly learning to do business in China. During the 2013-14 season, the state broadcaster CCTV began showing Rick Westhead four live NHL games every week. At the time, NHL games broadcast on the weekend in China attracted an average 800,000 households while airing at 7 a.m. local time. A former Canadian diplomat says the National Hockey League should William Hurst, a political science professor who teaches Chinese foreign hold off finalizing plans to hold two preseason games in China this fall. policy at Northwestern University, said even if the Chinese government signs off on the NHL games now, it wouldn’t commit the country to the David Mulroney, who was Canada’s ambassador in Beijing from 2009 games. to 2012, says the league and its players are taking a chance by pursuing games in China at a particularly sensitive time. “If China decided that relations with either the U.S. or Canada or both are bad, they could pull the plug, even a week or days before the games are “There’s a great deal of reputation risks for the NHL and, given where supposed to happen,” Hurst said. we are, there’s no need to rush forward,” Mulroney said in an interview with TSN. Another development that could affect the games is the current trade negotiation between the U.S. and China, he said. Leaders of the world’s Mulroney’s warning comes as the NHL has already started talks with two largest economies have been talking since U.S. President Donald ORG Packaging, the Chinese company that was the presenting sponsor Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a 90-day truce in a of a pair of preseason games in the cities of Shenzhen and Beijing trade war in December. between the Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames last September. The U.S. has threatened to start imposing 25 per cent tariffs on $200 At the same time, officials with the NHL and NHL Players’ Association billion (U.S.) worth of imports from China on Mar. 1 if a deal cannot be are discussing how a percolating diplomatic crisis could affect the reached to help provide U.S. companies with better access to the important series in an emerging market, which, according to a source Chinese market. familiar with the matter, generates more than $5 million in annual revenue for the NHL and NHLPA. In September, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told CNBC that the trade war could affect the league’s efforts in China. “While we are monitoring international developments, discussions regarding China for potential exhibition games next September are “While we currently don’t anticipate [the trade war] hampering our ongoing with the NHL,” NHLPA spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon wrote continuing efforts to grow hockey in China, we also recognize there may in an emailed statement. be certain matters that are beyond our control,” Daly said. According to an announcement posted on NHL.com in September, the TSN.CA LOADED: 02.09.2019 league has a contract to stage games in China in six of the next eight years, although the specific terms of that contract are unclear. An NHL spokesman did not respond to an email seeking comment. The political backdrop casting a shadow on the negotiations between the NHL and ORG involves deteriorating relations between China and the United States and Canada. The Chinese government has detained several Canadians and sentenced another to death since the Canadian government arrested Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese tech company Huawei, in Vancouver on Dec. 1. Meng is charged in the U.S. with helping her company dodge sanctions on Iran. The American government has requested her extradition from Canada. Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor were arrested in December over charges they had endangered China’s national security. After Meng’s arrest, the Chinese government also ordered a retrial for Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, a Canadian who had been sentenced to 15 years in prison for smuggling methamphetamines in China. During his retrial, a judge sentenced him to death. The arrests of Kovrig and Spavor and the prospective death sentence of Schellenberg have been widely described by political experts and the Canadian government as retribution for Meng’s arrest. The Canadian government has issued a travel advisory for China, urging Canadians to “exercise a high degree of caution in China due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Mulroney said completing negotiations on games in China now “would be a big gamble.” “We’re looking forward to a protracted and very messy extradition and it’s a very tense time,” he said, referring to the situation with the detained Huawei executive. “I’d hold off until there’s a determination about Ms. Meng and that could take some time. I know that’s frustrating, but China has a long memory. … In China, you don’t want to be the person who is cozying up to Canada at a time when the patriotic Chinese are supposed to be mad at Canada.” A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada declined to comment. For both the NHL and players’ union, games in China represent an opportunity to further develop relationships in a market the NHL considers important. 1129908 Websites 5) From the moment Michael DiPietro was recalled on an emergency basis people have wondered if he would get the chance to see NHL action. For a few moments in the first period, it looked like he might. With TSN.CA / Five Takeaways: Canucks vs Blackhawks the Canucks on a power play, Jonathan Toews fired a rising slap shot off left wing that caught Jacob Markstrom up around the collarbone. It felled the big Canucks netminder who stayed down on all fours to collect himself as play moved up ice. Markstrom struggled to his feet and stayed Jeff Paterson in the game until the next whistle at which point he skated to the Canucks bench to get checked over by athletic therapist Jon Sanderson.

Markstrom returned to the net and finished the game so DiPietro's 1) After leaving Philadelphia and Washington empty-handed earlier in the moment will have to wait, but it drove home the point that DiPietro is just week, the Canucks at least salvaged something from their stop in one Markstrom injury away from being thrust into the spotlight. Chicago. After being down 2-0 in the first period and trailing 3-2 with Markstrom has now made six straight starts and has been in net for 12 of under two minutes to play in the third period, it looked like they were the Canucks last 13 games since the start of January. He's surely going headed to their third consecutive one-goal loss in regulation time. to get the starts against Calgary and San Jose at home on Saturday and Instead, they lost by a goal, but at least got the game to overtime and Monday, but you do have to wonder if he'll require a break by the time picked up a single point for the efforts. The Canucks finished their road the Canucks go out on the road again and start a three-game in four trip 1-2-1 picking up three of a possible eight points along the way. They night California road trip in Anaheim next Wednesday night. By then it will had two terrific chances to win the game in overtime -- first a Jake be eight straight starts and 14 of 15 games in net. The games in Virtanen rebound skipped over the stick of a snakebitten Bo Horvat and Washington and Chicago are just the second time since the start of later Elias Pettersson walked in all alone after taking a headman pass December that Markstrom has surrendered more than two goals in back from goalie Jacob Markstrom. The Canucks couldn't convert at the to back outings. Chicago end and the Hawks made them pay when Jonathan Toews TSN.CA LOADED: 02.09.2019 walked past Chris Tanev and beat Markstrom for the winner 3:21 into the extra session. After starting the season 3-0 in games settled in OT, the Canucks have won just two of their last six trips to the 3-on-3 session. Overtime is about creating chances and finishing them. The Canucks had their opportunities, but it was the Blackhawks who capitalized on theirs and in the process ran their win streak to six straight. 2) Chris Tanev played too much in overtime. He played three of five shifts totalling 1:52 of the 3:21 extra period. And it wasn't that he was fatigued on the game winner. That's not the suggestion about his workload. It's just the idea of Chris Tanev as the workhorse in a session that is about time and space and speed and skill doesn't make a lot of sense. At least it gives the appearance -- one we've seen in the past -- of the Canucks being too conservative in overtime. Both Ben Hutton and Troy Stecher push the pace and, frankly, even Derrick Pouliot represents the idea of offense more than Tanev does. Overtime should be about trying to win the game rather than preserve the tie and hope for a shootout (where the Canucks are 1-3 on the season). Usually, Alex Edler would eat up the most minutes in OT, but he's not in the line-up and so the Canucks turned, instead, to Tanev. And further to the conservative approach, Elias Pettersson and Brandon Sutter had the same number of shifts in overtime (one each). Had Pettersson and Brock Boeser started OT, they would likely have a second shift and another chance to win the game. Instead, Pettersson only saw the ice once in overtime and that wasn't enough. 3) Pettersson earned his team the single point with his power play blast with 1:52 remaining and Jacob Markstrom on the bench giving the Canucks a 6-on-4 advantage. It's been a while since he has been able to pull the trigger with the big shot from the right-wing face-off dot. His last power play goal was a similar looking blast in Ottawa on January 2nd when he scored his first NHL hattrick. It's a goal Pettersson scored earlier in the season from the same spot against Montreal and Winnipeg. With the power play showing very little power at all over the past month, the Canucks have to do whatever they can to find Pettersson in his spot. If he gets his shot away cleanly, he's a threat to score every time. And even if he doesn't score, that shot can -- and will -- produce rebounds. It looked for much of the night Thursday like a lifeless power play was again going to be one of the key takeaways from the hockey game. The Hawks won the special teams battle and the game, but Pettersson offered up hope that the Canucks power play can still be productive. They just have to work on their puck movement to free him up in his spot to get that lethal one-timer away far more often. 4) The Canucks were well-aware coming into the game that the Blackhawks had the best power in the league since Christmas. The players and head coach Travis Green talked about it after the morning skate. So it was far from ideal to spot the Hawks a two-man advantage for 37 seconds in the opening period and another for 1:15 midway through the second period. The first one had veterans -- and key penalty killers -- Jay Beagle and Brandon Sutter in the box. Predictably, the Hawks cashed in on both ends of the power play to grab a 2-0 lead. Chicago was active with players and the puck in constant motion drawing the Canucks out of their defensive positions. And they shot the puck -- finishing the night with 11 power play shots on goal. The Canucks managed to survive the second two-man advantage, but still walked away from the game giving up a pair of goals as the Hawks finished the night 2/5 with the man-advantage which is about their average (40%) since the holiday break. It was a dangerous way for the Canucks to play and they got torched by a confident power play that is giving the Hawks all sorts of momentum in hockey games. 1129909 Websites

USA TODAY / Capitals' Tom Wilson destroys Avalanche's Ian Cole in bloody fight after questionable hit

Adam Woodard, USA TODAY Published 8:42 a.m. ET Feb. 8, 2019

There's no other way to say it: Tom Wilson absolutely destroyed Ian Cole Thursday night. Midway through the third period of the Capitals' 4-3 overtime win against the Avalanche, Cole laid a questionable hit on Washington forward Evgeny Kuznetsov right in front of his teammate Wilson. And if there's one person you don't want to take a cheap shot in front of, it's definitely Wilson. The Capitals winger immediately dropped his gloves and unleashed a fury of punches on Cole. While it's tough to give credit to a human punching bag, Cole somehow stayed on his feet despite the countless punches. Kuznetsov would return to the game, ultimately scoring the deciding goal in the closing minute of overtime. After signing a six-year, $31.02 million contract in the offseason, Wilson was suspended for 20 regular season games for an illegal hit to an opponents head earlier this season. The suspension was reduced two appeals later, leading to Wilson sitting for 16 games. The 24-year-old has 14 goals, 11 assists and five fights in 35 games this season. USA TODAY LOADED: 02.09.2019