SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 1/29/2020 Detroit Red Wings 1173034 Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie showed rust despite vs. 1173063 Finally healthy, Red Wings' 2017 first-rounder Michael Sharks Rasmussen aims for big second half 1173035 Which contracts could the Ducks eat at the 1173064 The Red Wings are flush with cap space. Where can they deadline? turn to make it an asset? Oilers 1173036 Arizona Coyotes know they need to be better down the 1173065 DeBrusk provides glimpse inside latest Oilers-Flames beef stretch 1173066 out for points, not blood, in Battle of 1173037 Jam-packed Pacific, Pt. II: Predicting the Coyotes’ playoff Alberta race 1173067 Lowetide: Why the Oilers are more likely to trade Adam Larsson than Kris Russell 1173068 Ahead of the next – 1173038 As Bruins prepare to resume play, here’s where things matchup, veterans weigh in on the feud stand with them 1173039 New line for David Krejci could be right balance for B’s 1173040 NHL rumors: Bruins reportedly interested in Sharks 1173069 As Panthers prepare to make push for playoffs, here’s a defenseman Brenden Dillon look at what went right and what went wrong so far 1173041 What career would Bruins have chosen if they weren't hockey players? Los Angeles Kings 1173042 Bruins at the Break: Charlie McAvoy hoping to rebound 1173070 Kings approach second half knowing change is coming from disappointing first half 1173071 Tyler Toffoli, subject of constant trade chatter, wants to prove his value to the Kings 1173072 DOUGHTY (DAY-TO-DAY) DOESN’T PRACTICE; 1173043 Linus Ullmark, a 'centerpiece' for Sabres, suffers non- RECORD CONSECUTIVE GAMES STREAK WOULD contact injury END 1173044 This Process is once again taking the Sabres on the road to nowhere Minnesota Wild 1173045 The Wraparound: Senators 5, Buffalo Sabres 2 1173073 2020 Wild Trade Value Rankings: From No. 27 to No. 1, 1173046 Sabres game day: Jeff Skinner returning at start of who’d bring best returns? important stretch 1173047 Sabres GM Jason Botterill says he's still in the market for forward help 1173074 Canadiens Notebook: Jonathan Drouin, Brendan Gallagher close to return BuffaloSabres 1173075 Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher discusses his concussion 1173048 ‘We can’t play like that at home’: Special teams are the and recovery difference in Sabres’ loss to the Senators 1173076 Reinforcements arrive, but Canadiens need a miracle to 1173049 Wheeler’s 2020 NHL prospect pool rankings: No. 16 reach playoffs Buffalo Sabres 1173077 Stu Cowan: Canadiens' Gallagher cleared for contact, but should he play? 1173050 Offence swells in Flames loss to St. Louis Blues 1173051 Flames' alumni pining for Battle of Alberta playoff series 1173078 Predators' Austin Watson upset John Hynes made him a 1173052 Flames call-up Robinson pumped for long-awaited return healthy scratch for 4 games, but has no ill will to big-league level 1173079 ‘Sometimes it’s really difficult’: Austin Watson grapples 1173053 Ahead of the next Matthew Tkachuk–Zack Kassian with criticism of his play and his past matchup, Battle of Alberta veterans weigh in on the feud 1173080 Devils’ P.K. Subban misses practice but Kyle Palmieri 1173054 The Hurricanes’ final 32 games: From Justin Williams’ returns to the ice presence to Brett Pesce’s fighting, 18 post-break rambli 1173081 The Devils’ shootout win over Senators was one for the record books 1173082 How the young NJ Devils' core is learning to show 1173055 Blackhawks’ quiet minor-league signing might hint at late-game resolve long-term goalie outlook 1173083 Buyer’s guide: What could the trade market for the Devils’ 1173056 Can the Chicago Blackhawks take another step next Sami Vatanen look like? season? 1173057 Rozner: Blackhawks' Dach only scratching the surface New York Islanders 1173058 To boo or not to boo Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton? 1173084 Islanders player poll: Who would you call when you’re in a jam? 1173059 Rick Bowness says Stars look to generate offense ‘any way we can get it’ 1173085 Kreider? Georgiev? Inside Rangers’ trade deadline 1173060 Former Dallas Stars goalie Ed Belfour arrested after possibilities ‘drunk and disorderly’ incident at Kentucky hotel 1173086 With the NHL trade deadline looming, let's size up the 1173061 20 years after a ‘$1 billion’ bribe, ex-Dallas Stars goalie Ed possibilities for the NY Rangers Belfour arrested again 1173087 As the Rangers wait for him to turn pro, Morgan Barron 1173062 LeBrun: Q&A with GM Jim Nill on Stars’ deadline plans, eyes an NCAA title for Cornell effects of parity and importance of managing people Vegas Golden Knights 1173088 Battered and bruised Borowiecki leads the way for 1173118 Golden Knights weigh options with trade deadline Senators approaching 1173089 'JUST ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS': Sens' Brady Tkachuk 1173119 Golden Knights hire Steve Spott as assistant coach not worried about clash with Devils' Subban 1173120 Young skater gets physical with Ryan Reaves — VIDEO 1173121 Golden Knights coach adds longtime assistant to staff 1173090 Flyers will meet with NHL in effort to reduce back-to-back games, improve schedule 1173122 With Braden Holtby back on track and Ilya Samsonov 1173091 Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov closing in on 300 holding steady, Capitals have net gains consecutive games 1173123 What makes Alex Ovechkin so hard to stop? 1173092 O’Connor’s Observations: Where does Sean Couturier really stand in his pursuit of the Selke? Websites 1173131 The Athletic / Who says no? NHL executives evaluate your trade proposals 1173093 Penguins sign defenseman Marcus Pettersson to contract 1173132 The Athletic / Mock expansion : What Seattle’s NHL extension team might look like and which player each team could 1173094 A look at Penguins depth on defense, trade mentality, 1173133 .ca / Maple Leafs get their 'conscience' back with goalies, competition Jake Muzzin's return 1173095 Penguins sign defenseman Marcus Pettersson to long- 1173134 Sportsnet.ca / How Chris Tanev has helped Quinn Hughes term deal settle into NHL life 1173096 With Penguins’ blue line locked in, what the Marcus 1173135 Sportsnet.ca / Flames still searching for missing piece on Pettersson signing signifies for the future top line as playoff push begins 1173136 Sportsnet.ca / Expect Oilers, Flames to avoid 80's-like San Jose Sharks violence in Battle of Alberta 1173097 recalls 2015 surge with the Hamburglar; Do 1173137 TSN.CA / Andersen hits reset, returns to all-star form after the Sharks have their own super-sized run left? break 1173098 Sharks 4, Ducks 2: Rejuvenated Patrick Marleau enjoys a 1173138 TSN.CA / There are plenty of reasons for concern in memorable night Winnipeg about the Jets 1173099 NHL rumors: Sharks' Brenden Dillon of interest to Bruins, 'half dozen' teams Winnipeg Jets 1173100 Why Patrick Marleau's goal song didn't play in Sharks' win 1173124 In address to fans, True North vows to cut food costs, limit over Ducks ticket-price increases and improve in-game promot 1173125 True North cuts concessions prices St Louis Blues 1173126 True North dropping prices for popular concession items 1173101 Blues best Flames in shootout 1173127 What the Jets could reasonably expect to receive if they 1173102 Blues snap losing streak with 5-4 shootout win over decide to trade Dustin Byfuglien Flames SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1173103 'Pretty good game' not good enough for Blues on the road 1173104 Blues notebook: Brouwer's options at age 34 — play in minors or retire 1173105 Preview: Blues at Calgary 1173106 Blues run into a hot goalie and fall to Canucks 3-1 1173107 Miller leads Canucks past Blues 3-1 for 9th straight at home 1173108 Which top-six forwards could the Blues be targeting in a trade? Here are 10 who might be on their list 1173109 Was the Lightning’s loss to Dallas rust or regression? Maple Leafs 1173110 , despite inconsistent playing time, needs just one more goal to match his total (eight) in each o 1173111 Former Leafs Ed Belfour arrested on charges of criminal mischief and public intoxication 1173112 Leafs winger Kasperi Kapanen practises Tuesday, should play Wednesday 1173113 Game Day: Maple Leafs at Stars 1173114 Many happy returns with Spezza in Dallas 1173115 Raising the bar with Leafs defenceman Sandin 1173116 ‘He couldn’t be a better locker room guy’: Why the Leafs love Jason Spezza 1173117 What the Jets could reasonably expect to receive if they decide to trade Dustin Byfuglien 1173128 Ben Kuzma: Is improving Virtanen the X factor for Canucks' playoff push? 1173129 Ed Willes: J.T. Miller settling into leadership role with Canucks 1173130 ‘I want to cherish every moment’: Why Brock Boeser put family first during the Canucks’ bye week 1173034 Anaheim Ducks Orange County Register: LOADED: 01.29.2020

Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie showed rust despite goal vs. Sharks

Silfverberg could return to Wednesday's lineup, two days after his wife delivered the couple's second child

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | PUBLISHED: January 28, 2020 at 3:20 pm | UPDATED: January 28, 2020 at 3:20 PM

The Ducks chipped as much rust off left wing Nick Ritchie as possible Monday, inserted him into their lineup and gave him plenty of ice time while slotting him onto a line with center Adam Henrique and right wing Devin Shore for their 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center.

Ritchie scored a third-period goal while the Ducks were on a power play, a well-placed that beat Sharks goaltender Aaron Dell with a little less than two minutes remaining. Overall, Ritchie was on the ice for 20 shifts over 17:53.

Of scoring his fourth goal of the season and first since Nov. 21, he said, “That was nice even though we came out on the wrong side of it (the final score). From a personal standpoint, to be out for close to two months and come back and get that going was good, too.”

Ritchie played for the first time since spraining his knee on a late and low hit by Radko Gudas of the Washington Capitals on Dec. 6 at Honda Center. Ritchie was sidelined for 19 games, and it showed at times during his return to the lineup Monday against the Sharks.

“Nick looked like he hadn’t played in five weeks,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “But it was good for him to get a goal late. I think that certainly helps. It goes back to, when you’re injured and you’re out a long time, it’s impossible to replicate playing. That’s why we have to be so diligent with our conditioning, with our commitment to being ready to play. So, at least that one is out of the way for him.”

THE SILFVERBERG FACTOR

Jakob Silfverberg rejoined the Ducks for their practice Tuesday, one day after missing their loss to the Sharks in order to be with his wife, Clara, for the birth Monday of the couple’s second child. He was expected to play in Wednesday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes at Honda Center.

It’s possible Silfverberg will skate on a line with Ritchie and Henrique against the Coyotes, replacing Shore.

To say Silfverberg has been central to the limited success the Ducks have achieved this season would be an understatement. He is their co- leader with 15 goals and is second with 29 points. Only Ryan Getzlaf, with 33 points, has more this season.

But the Ducks are 0-5-0 when Silfverberg has been sidelined by illness or injury or while on baby watch. The Ducks lost Dec. 22 to the Rangers when Silfverberg was ill, and dropped games Jan. 9 to the Stars, Jan. 11 to the Blackhawks and Jan. 13 to the Blues when he had an upper-body injury.

Then the Ducks lost Monday to the Sharks while he was by his wife’s side back home in Southern California.

Silfverberg, a right wing, was named to represent the Ducks at the All- Star Game last week in St. Louis, but withdrew in order to be with his expectant wife. Clara was due to deliver Jan. 22, but when she didn’t, labor was induced Monday and a daughter, Flora, was born.

BREAK OR BREAKDOWN?

The Ducks went into their nine-day layoff for their bye week and the All- Star break with rousing victories over the Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes. They exited the break with a clunker of a loss Monday to the Sharks, when they trailed 2-0 less than five minutes into the game.

“We went into the break playing two really good games, with two wins,” Eakins said. “That’s when you don’t want the break. I think you want the break if you had lost a whole bunch in a row and tried to come back fresh. This break did not benefit us as a team in any way.” 1173035 Anaheim Ducks Again, the big key is the asset, whether in the form of a young projectable NHL prospect or a high-round draft pick. Or both, if possible.

To play wannabe GM in the following exercise, let’s delve into some Which contracts could the Ducks eat at the trade deadline? teams Murray should be talking to.

Toronto Maple Leafs

By Eric Stephens Jan 28, 2020 If Freddie Andersen goes down with an injury, are they (or, better yet, Leafs Nation) going to be comfortable with Michael Hutchinson as their goalie in a playoff game? Not that Ryan Miller even wants to go Bob Murray will be busy at the upcoming NHL trade deadline. At least he anywhere, much less leave the L.A. area for a couple weeks or months should be. to serve as mere insurance, but you’d have to think Toronto GM has at least checked with Murray to see if the 39-year-old is open Some would say the Ducks’ longtime general manager better be. His to some short-term relocation for a run the city is expecting team is 19-25-5 after a 4-2 loss at San Jose in its first game following the to jump aboard. All-Star break. Anaheim’s 43 points are just two more than fellow California doormat Los Angeles, which is last in the Pacific Division and Otherwise, the Leafs are about as capped out as a team can get. The Western Conference. If there is a year that screams being a seller at the presence of LTIR allows Dubas to do some nifty cap gymnastics and the deadline, this is it. ceiling for 2020-21 may rise some but the fact is someone is going to be squeezed out eventually, especially if they hope to re-sign Jake Muzzin Now what will Murray do? And to what extent? As they stare at a second and Tyson Barrie along with giving promising RFA Pierre Engvall a new straight missed postseason — the first time that will happen since 2002 contract. The ascent of the 23-year-old Engvall seems to make either — this retool to incorporate the kids looks very much like a rebuild. Kasperi Kapanen ($3.2 million cap number through 2022) or Zach Maybe it can be a soft rebuild. Nonetheless, it’s a rebuild. Hyman ($2.25 million through 2021) expendable. Kapanen, 23, is (Say it with me in your best Aretha voice, folks. R-E-B-U-I-L-D. That’s probably the better long-term bet, but the dutiful Hyman, 27, fulfills the what it looks like to me.) useful quotient.

If there is any good news, it’s that Murray has apparently sent out the The Ducks and Leafs have a history of making deals (see Andersen, for signal as it is obvious he has significant work ahead to chart the correct example). Murray could certainly help Dubas out at the deadline by path back toward success. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the taking defenseman Cody Ceci off his hands. Ceci, 26, hasn’t lived up to Ducks are willing to use some of their available salary-cap space to take his first-round status, but all Anaheim would be responsible for is what’s on a contract from a cap-challenged team. The rub is it will cost you left of his $4.5 million owed on an expiring contract — roughly $1.04 “good young assets.” million. Unless you can convince Dubas to part with right-shot prospect Timothy Liljegren, you should beef up your forward corps with Kapanen That’s important as the Ducks have already brought up their best or Hyman and maybe send back the low-cost Nick Ritchie to his native prospects to Anaheim. We’ve seen that the adjustment to the NHL has . been tough for them, but it’d be unfair to say that this entire group isn’t going to live up to its promise. The result is the pipeline is drier these If Dubas wants Ondrej Kase in return, then Liljegren needs to be part of days. And there is a crying need for more higher-end talent, whether on the deal. If picks are part of this, the Leafs don’t have a first in this year’s the current roster or in the future. (Ducks Nation crosses its fingers for its draft, but they do have a second. You can ask for that, though the hoped-for savior Trevor Zegras and/or the lottery shining brightest on the counter is probably one of their two fourth-round selections. There’s also franchise for once). a third that originally belonged to Columbus.

The Athletic knows the salary-eating plan for future assets is very much a Pittsburgh Penguins possibility. Also, I spoke with an NHL executive who said he hadn’t heard Newly-inducted Hockey Hall of Fame GM Jim Rutherford is always on anything specific in terms of the type of contracts the Ducks would be the prowl when it comes to the trading game, and Murray has done willing to take on but added that it “sounds like Murph,” referring to the plenty of business with him. Rutherford got the better of him in the Anaheim GM’s nickname. Marcus Pettersson-Daniel Sprong swap — and it looks even worse now But they’ve got the space to do it. At the moment, Cap Friendly has the with the Penguins re-upping the defenseman for five more seasons Ducks with nearly $9.2 million available, a figure that includes Ryan Tuesday — but Murray did ease his cap concerns by taking Erik Kesler and Patrick Eaves being on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). The Gudbranson off his hands for some short-term assistance to a woefully Ducks confirmed that the two have that status, which will be the case for thin blue line. Maybe it’s time Rutherford does his Anaheim counterpart a the remainder of this season and likely through the end of their contracts. solid in return. Neither is expected to play again. For instance, Murray could take on Alex Galchenyuk and give the They’ve got a lot of players already committed for next season, and there enigmatic forward a test drive as our Pierre LeBrun suggested. is the Corey Perry buyout cap hit that jumps from $2.6 million to $6.6 Galchenyuk, 25, didn’t flourish in Arizona after Montreal dealt him for million for 2020-21. But they’ll also remove Eaves’ playing salary from Max Domi. He hasn’t fit in Pittsburgh. Yep, there’s some baggage. But their books. And their restricted free agents that need new deals don’t the commitment is just through this year — what’s owed is the remainder figure to command big raises. of $4.9 million before he goes UFA — and a third trade in three years might be the wake-up call the talented scorer needs. Emphasis on might. Add that up and Murray has money to play with. To what extent Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli allow him to spend what’s available is But the Penguins will have to send along an asset of some worth. always a factor, but there is plenty of flexibility going forward. The more Rutherford has never been shy about dealing his first-round pick and he critical need is talent, especially young, affordable talent for a cost- told our Josh Yohe that he very much remains in win-now mode. To get conscious club that must balance that with its existing high-salaried that, though, it means the likely cost is Kase. Pittsburgh’s prospect pool players. isn’t great and that is the flip-side of contending every year with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Co. However, right-shot defender Calen We can assume that once the word got out, Murray’s cell phone lit up Addison of the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes is an intriguing prospect. more than usual. Long averse to holding court in media scrums, it’s a given the low-profile executive won’t detail in public domain the teams he Second-round picks are often tossed around, but the Penguins don’t is talking to. But he is going to be busy over the next three weeks. He have one this year. They do have a third. Now it would be something if needs to be. Justin Schultz and his expiring deal ($6 million this season, but $1 million bonus is already paid) were thrown into this given the emergence of We have learned that the contracts the Ducks might be willing to take on rookie John Marino. But Schultz also has a 10-team no-trade list, been are not to the level of a David Backes or Brent Seabrook, expensive bugged by injury the last two seasons and, well, Ducks fans know all too veterans that still have plenty of term left but their effectiveness in today’s well the history of him throwing a Heisman-like stiff arm to Anaheim. NHL has waned dramatically. They’d want a useful player in return, but not one that would tie them down to that player for numerous seasons. Boston Bruins The Bruins were rumored to be hot and heavy for Jakob Silfverberg deals for core youngsters Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes are down around this time a year ago and they would probably be thrilled to add a the line but for flexibility now, Murray could ask for RHD prospect Jett player of his pedigree and experience for a playoff run. The cost for them Woo and their second or third pick in the June draft. Vancouver could would be greater this time around after Murray signed him to a five-year use a big body like Ritchie for when things get tough in the playoffs, extension but he and the Ducks have pointed to the no-maintenance especially if Ferland isn’t totally right. Swede as the kind of core player that would be the example for their young forwards to follow. Florida Panthers

Even with the willingness to take on a bad contract, it doesn’t seem as if The Panthers are not right up against the cap but they’re close. They’re the Ducks would go to the extreme and take on Backes even if the 35- also winners of six straight and right in the middle of a hot and heavy year-old’s actual salary is down to $4 million (which includes a $1 million race to lock down a playoff spot, which would be their first since 2016. bonus) for 2020-21 — the final year of his contract. They want someone They’re an exciting team and a postseason run could bring bandwagon they can use in the lineup. Sadly, Backes is present-day Ryan Kesler fans out to Sunrise. Hell, they’ve got Joel Quenneville as their coach. with a healthier hip. And GM Dale Tallon has been known to act rather than wait when it comes to making moves. But the Bruins will have to decide on Torey Krug, an upcoming UFA that’s going to be paid. Brandon Carlo’s deal is up in two years and he’ll Murray and Tallon have an association back to their days as teammates also get a sizable bump. Matt Grzelcyk, an RFA this summer, is another in Chicago. Why not rent out puck-moving righty defender in key piece of their blue line. And there is the question of how long ageless for the remainder of the year to see if he could be a blue-line fit for next Zdeno Chara will play. Maybe this is where the Ducks ask about left wing season or beyond? Pysyk, 28, isn’t a top-four guy but he could be an Danton Heinen, who has occasionally fallen out of favor in Beantown. upgrade over Korbinian Holzer or Michael Del Zotto on the third pairing. The 24-year-old left wing has a $2.8 million-cap hit and might need a You’d have to pay out what’s left of his $3.5 million this season (about fresh start. $810,000) but you could also move on from him.

Boston isn’t as cap-strapped as Toronto but losing Heinen’s salary would Tallon would be free of a $2.73-million cap hit. To benefit the Ducks, the assist in efforts to retain Krug if signing him long-term is the goal. Ritchie Panthers have four picks in the first three rounds. Or maybe you look at or Max Jones could be a piece heading back. Again, I’m not seeing forward prospect Owen Tippett, who is having a big AHL season. (Henrik taking on the financial commitment for Backes just to buy what would be Borgstrom, Troy Terry’s teammate at the University of Denver, appears a low first-round pick even if it adds to a possible top-five selection. And to have stalled). However, Florida’s real need is on defense. Putting Josh GM Don Sweeney will want something of value to part with his 2020 first Manson into a deal when they’re already thin on the right side would (or, say, Michigan center and 2019 first-rounder John Beecher), even if necessitate bigger pieces put into play. Or returning Gudbranson to the Bs are in Cup-seeking mode. where he started. He has done a decent job in Anaheim and his size lends well to heavier postseason play. Arizona Coyotes Buffalo Sabres When you add in the likes of and Taylor Hall (even at a more discounted rate with New Jersey retaining half his salary) to a team that On one level, the Sabres can surely use some cap flexibility at the has pricey veterans Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Alex Goligoski, Derek Stepan deadline. Putting Vladimir Sobotka and Matt Hunwick on LTIR allows and Niklas Hjalmarsson along with long-term commitments to Nick them to stay under. And there are some pricey salaries they’d love to Schmaltz, Jakob Chychrun and Christian Dvorak, you’ve suddenly got a unload if they could. Kyle Okposo. Zach Bogosian. Even forward Evan cap-strapped team. And that isn’t factoring in big extensions for Clayton Rodrigues ($2 million for two goals this season) is among a few that have Keller and goalie Darcy Kuemper that kick in next season. asked GM Jason Botterill for a new address.

General manager John Chayka can use a little assistance here as his And Buffalo has had an interest in Anaheim’s players going back to Cam team seeks to end its long postseason drought. Murray might be open to Fowler. Brandon Montour was a deadline acquisition last spring for helping out his Pacific Division counterpart but would Chayka be willing Brendan Guhle and a first-round pick. The Ducks could boost their blue to do so in return? For starters, it would be hard to see him parting with line with either Rasmus Ristolainen or, to a lesser extent, Colin Miller. But top prospects Barrett Hayton or Victor Soderstrom even if Murray were to would it make sense to put Kase in a hockey deal for Ristolainen? take on Stepan’s meaty contract. (The 29-year-old has 21 points for a Something like that is more likely because the Sabres don’t have to make deal that is $5 million in actual salary and $6.5-million cap hit through cap moves to address future years. 2021). Even with Montour and Sam Reinhart due new deals that could eat up Further complicating a possible deal is Arizona giving New Jersey its some cap space, Buffalo should still be pretty flush as only half its roster 2020 lottery-protected first (the Coyotes can transfer that pick to 2021 if it is under contract. But the Sabres are lagging behind several others in the were to land in the top three selections). The Coyotes also don’t have a Eastern Conference wild-card race and could be better off being deadline third. Taking on veteran Michael Grabner and his $3.35-million cap hit sellers, given they aren’t loaded with extra draft picks — which doesn’t might be more doable, but Arizona’s pool of higher-end prospects help the Ducks if they were to take a salary on. A roster reshaping appears to drop off significantly after Hayton and Soderstrom. However, around Jack Eichel could be in order. Again. Harvard center John Farinacci is having a strong freshman season and The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 could be a player in time.

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks are right in the thick of a ridiculously tight Pacific Division race. They’re a year ahead of schedule but they’ve got a huge opportunity to win the division and get into the postseason. And GM Jim Benning could probably use a little more cap flexibility to make a move that can get his team over the hump.

This could be where Murray extracts a good asset to further ease any of Benning’s cap concerns. The Canucks have buried disgruntled left wing Sven Baertschi in the minors and pushed veteran defender Jordie Benn to seventh man status. Baertschi makes $2.7 million in real salary this season — he’s already been paid a $1 million bonus — and $2.4 million next season. Benn has the remainder of $1.4 million for this year and $1.6 million next. Taking one of those could get a good prospect or draft pick.

Benning has Micheal Ferland on LTIR but he’ll have to insert his salary back into the cap mix if he returns from a concussion. He has future decisions to make on Jacob Markstrom (UFA), Chris Tanev (UFA), Troy Stecher and Jake Virtanen (both arbitration-eligible RFA). Big-money 1173036 Arizona Coyotes Nick Schmaltz (undisclosed) was a full participant at practice on Tuesday but is not a lock to play on Wednesday, according to a team source. Jordan Oesterle (lower body) is probable for Wednesday.

Arizona Coyotes know they need to be better down the stretch Up next

Coyotes at Anaheim Ducks, 8 p.m., Wednesday: The Coyotes return Richard Morin, Arizona Republic Published 5:36 p.m. MT Jan. 28, 2020 from the All-Star break to play the first game in a back-to-back set that culminates on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings at Gila River Arena. ... The Ducks (19-25-5) have lost five of seven and suffered a 4-2 defeat to the San Jose Sharks on Monday. ... This is the fourth and final The break is over. game between the two teams, with the Coyotes owning a 2-1 record in Players have returned from their vacations, laced up their skates and the first three games. shifted their minds back to hockey after a nine-day hiatus away from the Arizona Republic LOADED: 01.29.2020 ice. They didn't get a break from each other, however.

A group of around around a dozen Coyotes players and their respective wives and girlfriends traveled to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for a getaway. Given that the Coyotes hadn't been playing their best hockey prior to the break, there was a sense that a vacation was good medicine for a team that had hit recently hit a wall.

Now the Coyotes play three games in four nights, the first coming on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. After that, it's an overnight flight back to Phoenix to prep for a home game with the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. Finally, it's a Saturday bout with the Chicago Blackhawks at Gila River Arena to wrap up the stretch.

It will be a challenge right off the top for the Coyotes, who meet a Ducks team that has already seen game action post-break.

"I think we have to keep it simple and not over-complicate things early," Coyotes forward Nick Schmaltz said. "It takes a little bit for your hands and timing to get back, so you've got to keep your feet moving early and you'll get adjusted coming quick."

In an effort to ready for game action, the Coyotes practiced Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in the Valley before flying to Anaheim on Tuesday afternoon. The team will also have a morning skate prior to Wednesday's game.

The Coyotes know just how important these three games are. Despite the fact that each comes against teams currently outside the playoff picture, each carries immense wait in a February schedule that features 14 games in 29 days.

Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said it will be paramount for his team to keep perspective and not take unnecessary chances after slipping out of the Pacific Division's top three spots prior to the break.

"It's controlled emotion," Tocchet said. "Your energy level tank should be full now. We should he hungry and ready to play. For whatever reason, in the last two weeks, our energy level was low. As a coach I could feel it, and sometimes you feel helpless. ... I don't think we played smart some games. Even when our energy level was low, we were making mistakes. That's a lesson for us."

The simple truth is that the Coyotes haven't been good enough in recent weeks. They are just 1-4-1 in their last six games after a four game win streak from Dec. 31-Jan. 7. Perhaps the most surprising figure is that the Coyotes are just 7-8-1 since acquiring Taylor Hall.

Treading water will not yield the Coyotes their first playoff berth in seven years, yet that is exactly what the team has done over the last few weeks. If the Coyotes can take care of business against these lesser teams — something that has proved challenging at times this season — it will afford them a bit of slack against intra-division opponents in an air- tight race for the playoffs.

Injury updates

Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (lower body) traveled with the team to Anaheim but will not play; Antti Raanta will start in net against the Ducks, Tocchet said. Kuemper, who has not played since Dec. 19, has been practicing with team but has not yet been cleared for game action.

Brad Richardson (lower body) is also practicing with the team, but did so in a non-contact jersey on Tuesday, as did rookie Barrett Hayton (shoulder). Richardson traveled with the team but is unlikely to play on Wednesday. Hayton did not travel but could be cleared for contact soon, Tocchet said. 1173037 Arizona Coyotes The Coyotes making the playoffs will be in large part because of their depth. Arizona is relying on it and will need to continue to do so, particularly in net and at the forward position.

Jam-packed Pacific, Pt. II: Predicting the Coyotes’ playoff race The Calgary Flames miss the playoffs

The Flames have the second-best team save percentage in the division. BY MATT LAYMAN JANUARY 28, 2020 AT 12:07 PM Apart from that, the stats mostly aren’t pretty.

Their shots-for and shots-against per game are both within the worst half of the league. Their power play ranks 22nd (although their PK is eighth). The Arizona Coyotes are exiting the All-Star break in one of the most Their goal differential is the worst among Pacific Division teams who are tightly-contested division races in years. Last week, we gave you a within a stone’s throw of the race. Their best player, Johnny Gaudreau, is breakdown of every team in the race. Now it’s time to predict how the having a down year. The team’s shooting percentage is the second-worst race will go. in the division.

Images of Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet standing behind Calgary does have this going for it: The team is 14-7-1 since Geoff Ward the bench at the NHL All-Star weekend are in the rearview mirror now. took over as head coach earlier this season. But as previously There’s a stark juxtaposition of the fun exhibition games that took place mentioned, I see the Canucks, Coyotes and Golden Knights taking the in St. Louis on Saturday contrasted with the intense homestretch of division spots in some order. That leaves us with two Wild Card spots in regular season hockey left to play. the Western Conference…

Arizona has 31 games left. Given the way the Pacific Division playoff Winnipeg Jets make the playoffs race (and the Western Conference Wild Card race) has gone, there’s not a lot of margin for error. The Edmonton Oilers and the Central Division’s Winnipeg Jets will take the top two Wild Card spots in the Western Conference. The good news for them is that the parity in the division means no one team has ran away, out of reach for the Coyotes to chase down. It also I’m a sucker for good goaltending, and the Jets have it: Connor means that predicting it is difficult. We won’t let that stop us. Hellebuyck’s goals saved above average (GSAA) is elite. His .917 save percentage is the second-best in the NHL behind Dallas’ Ben Bishop (via. NHL.com) (qualifier: 30 games played). And he also leads the league in games played with 42. Here are a few predictions for the Pacific Division playoff race before Arizona plays its first post-All-Star game on Wednesday night at The Jets also have depth at forward: Four of the top 50 point-getters in Anaheim: the league play for Winnipeg (Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Patrik Laine, Blake Wheeler). Coyotes finish second in Pacific Division Some of the analytics say they’re in trouble, but in prediction land, The Coyotes have a better expected plus-minus of goals per 60 minutes anything goes. My predictions in the past have been spot-on, anyway. (xG+-/60) at 5-on-5 play than the Canucks and Oilers, but worse than the Golden Knights, Kings and Flames. Their actual plus-minus at 5-on-5 is Arizona Sports LOADED: 01.29.2020 the best in the division.

This discrepancy between expected results (based on shot data) and actual results might point to a regression, but there’s a large sample size to go off of; and part of the reason for that discrepancy is strong goaltending. Their save percentage as a team is the best in the Pacific Division.

That’s a good segue to this: With All-Star goalie Darcy Kuemper on his way back, Arizona will make the playoffs if it gets more of the same from its anchor in net. The Coyotes also have the 11th-ranked power play (fourth-best in division) and the 14th-ranked kill (fourth-best in division) in the NHL, the latter of which might see improvement as penalty-killing defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, who missed most of the first half with an injury, gets in more games.

First-place Vancouver has as good a chance as anyone to win the division if the Canucks keep up their division-best goal differential and get more strong goaltending (you see a theme here?) from All-Star Jacob Markstrom, who has the second-best goals saved above average in the division behind only Kuemper, per Evolving-Hockey.

I also like Vegas’ chances, mostly because they have the weapons, the experience and a few analytics all working their favor (although I really did not like the move to fire their head coach). Between Vancouver and Vegas, Arizona ought to beat out one of them — and I think those three teams will make up the top three in the division.

Arizona has goaltending, sharing the wealth to thank for playoff berth

It’s worth saying that if the Coyotes make the playoffs, it will be because of the contributions of many players. That’s in contrast to a team like the Edmonton Oilers, who would be lost without their stars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

In the absence of Kuemper, Antti Raanta and Adin Hill have stepped in. For a team with Phil Kessel, Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller, it’s the unlikely trio of Conor Garland, Christian Dvorak and Carl Soderberg who have led in goals with a combined 42. Spreading the wealth like that is good, because it leaves some margin for error when someone cools off.

As mentioned in a previous story, the Coyotes have one of the league’s highest numbers of players with double-digit goals this season. 1173038 Boston Bruins Meanwhile, the D corps desperately needs Kevan Miller’s moxie back there. Hobbled by a pair of knee fractures dating to last spring, he has yet to play this season. He was skating again before the break.

As Bruins prepare to resume play, here’s where things stand with them Do they ever need his size and toughness. The ex-UVM standout also is desperate to return; his contract is about to expire and he needs time on ice to burnish his UFA résumé prior to July 1. By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff,Updated January 28, 2020, 7:20 p.m. Also, hobbled since Dec. 29, Connor Clifton should return within the next two weeks. Cliffy can be a bit of a Route 2 rotary at rush hour (look out!), but his overall spunk and skill make for an interesting No. 2 pairing, Finally getting back on the ice for a Thursday morning workout, following particularly with the emerging offensive gifts of Matt Grzelcyk. their midseason siesta/bye, the Bruins (29-10-12) will return to work still atop the Atlantic Division. GOALIE

Job 1 over their final 31 games, beginning with Friday’s matchup in We’ll find out first thing at Wednesday’s workout if Tuukka Rask Winnipeg, will be to maintain that top spot, and pressure the Capitals for (concussed Jan. 14 in Columbus) is good to go. About to turn 33 on No. 1 in the East and perhaps the Presidents’ Trophy. The sweet March 10, the winningest goaltender in franchise history appeared seduction of home ice for the playoffs is unremitting. increasingly clear-headed, per Cassidy, within a week of his injury. Good sign for the Finnish Thin Man. All that sounds fine, maybe even comforting for the Black-and-Gold faithful, but it doesn’t mask the fact that the Bruins have teetered and If there’s a Cup to be had in June, it will be cradled to Causeway Street tottered along the last two months at an uninspired 9-7-7, unable to string by Rask’s stick, glove, and blocker. Jaro Halak went 2-2-0 upon taking together more than three wins. over for the injured Rask and looked adequate for a backup. Dandy. But he’s not the guy for an April-May-June run. There is also pressure from underneath, first and foremost from the Lightning, who’ve gone a blistering 12-2-1 since Dec. 23. The Bolts stand Provided Rask is good to go, and good to last, he should make some 20 as Boston’s biggest threat in the division (7 points back with two games starts over the final 31 games. The seven back-to-backs virtually in hand), which will make for an interesting first week of March when the guarantee he won’t start more than 24. Once back from a California road teams clash twice over the course of five days. trip that ends March 21 in San Jose, Cassidy can determine how much rest his No. 1 needs over the six games that remain the last two weeks of Here’s a look at the Bruins’ general state of things as the Sons of Bruce the regular season. Cassidy get ready to tug on their blades for the final push, with a gruesome load of seven back-to-back dates packaged into the schedule POWER PLAY leading to the playoffs. Ranked 1-2 overall much of the season, the man-up slipped of late, FORWARDS stymied (0 for 15) in four games (worst stretch of the season) into the break. We’re talking offense here, people, and the Bruins have barely held their own the last eight weeks, outscoring the opposition by one goal (68-67) It’s not broken. As of Tuesday morning, it still ranked No. 3 overall in the over that 9-7-7 stretch. league at 25.4 percent, behind the Oilers and Lightning (there they are again). But it needs some pep. In the early going, when they piled up a 20-3-5 mark by Dec. 3, they typically scored first, rarely trailed, and seven times scored five goals or Most of all, it needs Marchand to get his mojo back in tow. Marchand has more. but one PPG since Nov. 21.

That score-early-and-bury-’em formula has all but disappeared. The A positive note can be found in the oft-overlooked category of power-play Bruins reached the five-goal plateau only four times in the 23 games opportunities. The Bruins have been awarded 165 chances this season. leading to the break. That’s good. Through Monday night, only the Canucks (184), Avalanche (177), and Devils (170) had more. Two points of emphasis here: Teams rich in PP opps generally have been rewarded for their skating, 1. Brad Marchand connected for a mere three goals during the 9-7-7 run. their speed, and net aggressiveness, forcing other teams to commit a “He’s fighting it,” Cassidy said before the break. The Little Ball o’ Hate foul. This was long a troubling category for the Bruins. Example: Five also noted he has been dealing with injury. years ago (2014-15), they were next to last in the league with only 213 Linemates Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak can put pucks in the net PP chances. Even when they won the Stanley Cup in ’11, they were 27th even with Marchand delivering at Ray Oyler numbers, but the Primo Trio among 30 with only 265 opportunities. is what enables the Bruins to be a legit Stanley Cup contender. If PENALTY KILL Marchand remains colder than the corner of Portage and Main, the legit contender status goes in the can. All good here. Efficient legs and equal work ethic make for an effective kill. As of Tuesday morning, the Bruins ranked No. 5 with an 83.1 percent 2. Cassidy has yet to find a bona fide answer on David Krejci’s right wing. rub-out rate. The top three in the league: San Jose (87.3), Washington Stop reading right now if your eardrums just exploded. (84.5), and Tampa Bay (83.5). Yep, the Bolts. There they are again. In the last iteration (last Tuesday’s win over Vegas), Anders Bjork filled Boston Globe LOADED: 01.29.2020 the spot. He has the requisite speed, his touch on the rise. Karson Kuhlman, with more grit and more of a puck hound, might be the best option come the postseason.

As of Friday in Winnipeg, general manager Don Sweeney will have 24 days before the trade deadline to figure out if this remains a need. Guess: He makes a move.

DEFENSE

Torey Krug, the power-play quarterback, and Zdeno Chara, still a shutdown Svengali, remain the back end’s raison d’etre. That’s another way of saying Charlie McAvoy, still without a goal at 0-17—17, looks about 3 inches short of filling out the sleeves in that fine-tailored suit of franchise defenseman.

Yep, time for McAvoy to caffeinate his game, beginning with shooting more pucks and knocking more bodies. “Contact” should be the word he keeps front of mind for the stretch run. 1173039 Boston Bruins

New line for David Krejci could be right balance for B’s

By STEVE CONROY | PUBLISHED: January 28, 2020 at 5:11 pm | UPDATED: January 28, 2020 at 5:13 PM

The Bruins and their 30- and 40-something core of veterans should benefit greatly from their nine-day layoff, which ends mercifully on Friday in Winnipeg. The wear-and-tear, the mental kind as much as the physical, was starting to show.

But one drawback from the long break is that the B’s were not able to create any momentum with the formula they hit upon in their final game before the vacation that produced a solid 3-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. There were a few tweaks that worked well and we’d like to see if they have any staying power.

The first one was the Danton Heinen-David Krejci-Karson Kuhlman line.

With Krejci returning from a short-term upper body injury in the Vegas game, he was relegated to third line center duty (at least on the surface) while his regular left wing of the past two-plus seasons, Jake DeBrusk, and Anders Bjork skated with Charlie Coyle. That middle six, an area from which the B’s have had consistency issues much of the season, was on the ice for all three Bruin goals. For one game at least, the middle six mix did all the heavy lifting while the top line was given a breather.

Krejci had played with both Heinen and Kuhlman at various times, but never at the same time.

“They’re very smart,” said Krejci. “It’s fun to play with smart guys. They make plays. It doesn’t work all the time but the effort’s there. It always can be better, obviously, but overall I thought it was a good game.”

The breaking up of Krejci and DeBrusk (who each had a goal in the game) is an interesting route taken by coach Bruce Cassidy. The duo had not quite reached the level of simpatico that Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand have developed over the last nine years, but they did comprise a pairing that seemed to have an air of permanence. While Krejci’s played with many different wings over his long career, DeBrusk had pretty much had just one regular centerman since coming into the league two season ago and that’s been Krejci.

But while both Krejci and DeBrusk have managed to get their stats, the chemistry between the two hasn’t quite been the same this year. A changeup was due, maybe overdue, but we’ll have to wait and see if that lasts.

“It was a little bit different,” said DeBrusk after the Vegas game. “It was one of those things where he was coming back from injury and no one really knows. He had a great game. He’s the reason why we won. It was fun watching him out there. It was a little bit different, but we got the win so that’s all that matters.”

It will also be interesting to see if Jeremy Lauzon earned himself another look. While it may not be a perfect fit on the right side for the left-shooting Lauzon (even though he’s played on the right a lot in junior and down in Providence), Lauzon brought physicality and a certain instinctiveness to the game that the B’s have been missing in this their treading-water phase that began in early December. He may be evolving into more of defensive defenseman as a pro, but his quick-thinking shot that surprised Marc-Andre Fleury and got the B’s on the board was refreshing. At the very least, his competitiveness and battle level are NHL-ready.

The B’s also took a look at Anton Blidh in that last game before the break. He’s got a little sandpaper in him, though it’s not clear what else he brings to the table that would/should bump Joakim Nordstrom out of the lineup. Still, the club seems to be high on “Bleeder.” Their reluctance thus far to expose him to waivers in order to send him back to Providence makes one believe they think someone will scoop him up. If so, perhaps he could be another trade chip in a bigger package when the B’s inevitably dip their toes in the trade waters.

Whatever course ‘s management and Cassidy choose to take, the stretch run is nearly upon us. Things are about to get real.

Boston Herald LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173040 Boston Bruins

NHL rumors: Bruins reportedly interested in Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon

By NBC Sports Boston Staff January 28, 2020 10:23 PM

As the Bruins look to bolster their blue line, they are interested in trading for San Jose Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. Dillon is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and LeBrun notes that he's "going to be dealt" by the Sharks.

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Here's what LeBrun said about a possible Dillon-to-Boston deal:

He’s a No. 4 for some teams, a No. 5 for others. I can tell you half a dozen teams so far have shown interest – including, I’m told, the Boston Bruins. Obviously a rugged defensive-defenceman in Brenden Dillon would be a nice fit there in Boston.

Dillon, 29, has one goal and 11 assists playing on the Sharks' top defensive pairing alongside . He carries a $3,270,000 cap hit, but will become a UFA after the season.

The Bruins have struggled to find their physical game throughout the season. Our Bruins insider Joe Haggerty notes that Dillon would add exactly what Boston needs -- "physicality and snarl" to the blue line.

San Jose, sixth in the Pacific Division with 48 points, has a plus-38 advantage in shot attempts, a plus-15 in shots on goal and a plus-16 in scoring chances in 5-on-5 play when Dillon is on the ice, according to Haggerty. At that rate, Dillon could be worth pursuing if he came at the right price for Bruins general manager Don Sweeney.

Haggerty says that if Dillon can be had for strictly draft picks, then he's worth snagging. LeBrun noted that Dillon could be had for a second- round pick and possibly a prospect, likely an ideal price range for Sweeney.

While Boston could add defense, they'll also need to address their second-line right-wing situation. Adding Dillon and a legit winger for David Krejci's line could be a tall order for Sweeney ahead of the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173041 Boston Bruins

What career would Bruins have chosen if they weren't hockey players?

By NBC Sports Boston Staff January 28, 2020 3:58 PM

If members of the Boston Bruins didn't make it as professional hockey players, then what would they have done instead?

Well, the players themselves gave some insight into that alternate realm, and Zdeno Chara's back-up career path, in particular, is awesome.

LIVE stream the Celtics all season and get the latest news and analysis on all of your teams from NBC Sports Boston by downloading the My Teams App.

Defenseman John Moore could see Chara as a politician because of "how cerebral and professional he is," according to The Athletic's Joe McDonald. On the other hand, the does have his real estate license, so Brandon Carlo believes he would be a real estate agent.

It's pretty hard to believe that no one pictured Chara as a basketball player. The nearly seven-foot tall big man could've been just what the Boston Celtics needed -- we're kidding of course.

Brad Marchand and Kevan Miller's alternate reality couldn't be any more opposite than Chara's. Both Danton Heinen and Sean Kuraly noted that the pair would either have a hunting show or become hunters in general.

And as for Tuukka Rask? Well, Joakim Nordstrom believes the B's netminder would become a musician of some sort. After all, he did receive an awesome Metallica drum set in honor of his 500th NHL game.

Although they could've done any number of things, we're pretty glad they decided to sport black and gold sweaters.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173042 Boston Bruins Josi perform this season makes one realize just how far McAvoy is from reaching that level of play anytime soon.

There have also been some games like the one in Pittsburgh right before Bruins at the Break: Charlie McAvoy hoping to rebound from the All-Star break when he coughed up a puck to Evgeni Malkin behind disappointing first half the Boston net in the third period, and that directly led to the B’s losing the game. That particular defeat led to Bruce Cassidy sharply criticizing his defensemen overall with the specific message clearly intended for By Joe Haggerty January 28, 2020 1:47 PM McAvoy.

“We saw some poor defending, poor goaltending I think in Philly. [Against Pittsburgh] I thought it was more of the same to be honest with you,” said The “Bruins at the Break” is a five-part series this week with the B’s on a Cassidy. “Not so much on the goalie, they were good goals. But we get bye, and will examine the first half of the regular season and how it could beat off the wall on the first one. The last one I can’t tell you what potentially impact the remaining 31 games in the second half of the year. happened to be honest with you. It’s a rimmed puck [the] goalie needs to Today we look at the biggest disappointment prior to the All-Star break. get out and stop. The D need to communicate. The list of disappointments isn’t very long for the Boston Bruins through “You need to make a play. You can’t turn the puck over there. There’s the first 51 games of the regular season. too much of that going on. Guys that have offensive ability have to start They built up 70 points and hold a seven-point lead in the division, and playing to their strength a little more on our back end, or we have to many of their key players including David Pastrnak, Tuukka Rask, Brad seriously consider what type of D corps do we want? We are supposed Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo are enjoying to be mobile, we are supposed to be able to move the puck, break pucks excellent seasons. out and add to our offense. Right now that is a challenge for us.”

However, it hasn’t been all that great over the last six weeks, as the Given that it was an important game lost on McAvoy’s stick, it sure felt Bruins have battled a bit with their focus after getting out to a double-digit like that message was being sent to the youngster more than anybody points lead in the first half of the year, but on balance things have been else. good for the B’s. Haggerty: Intriguing to think of a potential Joe Thornton return LIVE stream the Celtics all season and get the latest news and analysis There are anticipated growing pains to be sure for a 22-year-old on all of your teams from NBC Sports Boston by downloading the My defenseman expected to spur offense and play in a shutdown role Teams App. against the other team’s best players on a nightly basis, and it sure feels There have been some individual disappointments, however, and the like we’re seeing them with McAvoy this season. play of young defenseman Charlie McAvoy has been the biggest one to “For me, it’s just playing hockey. Every night I’m lucky and I’m happy I date. get to take a lot of pride in the defensive side of the game lining up Fresh off a strong postseason run to the Stanley Cup Final and signing a against guys who are world class players. I really take pride in just three-year bridge contract that many thought was going to be for many shutting them down. [Chara] takes a lot of pride in that and he sets the more years and much more money, expectations were sky-high for the precedent in how we approach those things,” said McAvoy. “Then it’s 22-year-old defenseman entering his third full season. easy for me to follow his lead. Whatever the game presents is what I try and get [offensively]. I feel like I’m building my game right now. I’m trying After all, the third year at the NHL level is usually when young No. 1 to build it from the defensive zone out. defensemen really come into their own and really begin to dominate at both ends of the ice. Drew Doughty finished in the Top 10 in Norris “Things just happen and you’ve just got to play and have fun. At times if Trophy voting and got All-League consideration in his third season, P.K. I’m going through streaks where I’m not having much opportunity or Subban won a Norris Trophy in his third NHL season and Erik Karlsson chances, that’s when I look at it and say where I can start joining in more. scored 78 points and won his first Norris Trophy in his third NHL season But I feel like I’m getting these chances. Some of it is just shooting more, as well. and some of it maybe is just bounces. It’s been kind of new to me where it’s a streak like this. I know that if I build my game from the defense out Some other high-end D-men like Victor Hedman took longer to develop, and that I’m a defenseman first and foremost. If I can do the best I can of course, but the 6-foot-6 Hedman also entered the league at 18 years every night to keep the puck out of our net, hopefully when we get to the old with an incredibly raw offensive game in a shutdown defenseman’s other side of the net I can start helping put it in theirs.” body. Given the aging nature of Boston’s core group of players and the Haggerty: Bjork the B's biggest surprise so far this season massive role that McAvoy is expected to play for this team moving forward, it’s no understatement to say they need much more out of their McAvoy this season has done some good things, so it’s far from an out- 22-year-old D-man if they are going to do anything this season. They and-out disaster. He leads the Bruins with 23:14 of ice time per game in need to him to be more creative, more assertive and more effective when his 48 games played this season, and he’s remained relatively healthy the puck is on his stick and they need McAvoy to be a factor that after being plagued with injuries in his first couple of seasons. opponents have to account for on a nightly basis. McAvoy is blocking shots and playing the physical game most nights, While things like Norris Trophies and All-Star recognition are obviously and he’s taken some big, big hits from opponents including getting lined already off the board for him this season, the good news is that McAvoy up by T.J. Oshie in a message-sending game by the Capitals right before and the Bruins have 31 games left to find the youngster’s mojo before it Christmas. There are some nights he’s been excellent and simply playing really begins to matter once the playoffs get started. instinctively up to his skill level rather than showing the tentativeness that hurts his overall game. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.29.2020 "With Charlie, it’s just, he’s got to stay in the moment, that’s when he plays his best hockey. We’re not in there feeding him,” said Burce Cassidy. “It’s not information overload for that particular type of player. It’s protect the middle of the ice, be assertive with the puck when you see ice and make good decisions when to go.”

But the 22-year-old has seemingly regressed a bit offensively without a single goal in the first half of the season prior to the All-Star break, and is on pace for a very disappointing 28 points for the entire season.

To put it in perspective, Par Lindholm, David Backes, Jeremy Lauzon and Connor Clifton all have more goals than the offensively gifted McAvoy this year. That is not how anybody envisioned things going for a player in McAvoy who many tapped as a potential Norris Trophy candidate this season. Watching players like John Carlson and Roman 1173043 Buffalo Sabres was pulled with 2:34 remaining in regulation after facing only four shots, and the Sabres were unable to capitalize on the 6-on-4 power play. Borowiecki and Nikita Zaitsev both scored with the net Linus Ullmark, a 'centerpiece' for Sabres, suffers non-contact injury empty.

Buffalo only showed glimpses of what Krueger refers to as "Sabres hockey." It struggles to sustain pressure in the offensive zone and could By Lance Lysowski Published Tue, Jan 28, 2020|Updated Wed, Jan 29, not create enough quality scoring chances at 5 on 5. Eight of the Sabres' 2020 next nine games are in Buffalo, but they are running out of time to close the gap in the Atlantic Division.

"Maybe we overlooked this game," Eichel said. "Every game for us All Jack Eichel could do was watch as any hope of a comeback ended should be the most important game on our schedule." with a puck ricocheting off the left-wing boards and into the Buffalo Sabres' empty net Tuesday night in KeyBank Center. The Sabres' fate may rest on Hutton's shoulders. The 34-year-old posted back-to-back shutouts while winning his first six starts this season, only Rather than closing the gap in the Eastern Conference playoff chase, the to go 0-7-4 with an .866 save percentage in his last 11 appearances. If Sabres started a critical stretch of their schedule with a 5-2 loss to the Ullmark misses time, General Manager Jason Botterill likely will recall Senators, who lost 10 of their previous 11 and had won only five games either Andrew Hammond or Jonas Johansson from Rochester. away from Ottawa this season. Hammond, 31, has a .901 save percentage in Rochester, but he has not The result, which dropped Buffalo's record to 22-21-7 and kept it 10 appeared in more than six NHL games in a season since 2015-16. points out of a playoff spot, is potentially less devastating than what Johansson, a 24-year-old who underwent season-ending surgery last occurred midway through the third period. February, was selected to the AHL All-Star Classic after posting a .925 Linus Ullmark, a 26-year-old who established himself as the save percentage in 20 games with the Amerks. He spent the bulk of the unquestioned starting goalie, suffered a non-contact, lower-body injury past two seasons in Cincinnati and had only 17 games of AHL when his right knee buckled and he had to be helped to the bench by Jeff experience prior to October. Skinner and Brandon Montour. The Sabres will return to practice Wednesday in preparation for their While Ullmark's prognosis won't be revealed until Wednesday at the game Thursday night in KeyBank Center against Montreal. Each of the earliest, coach Ralph Krueger called the injury "painful to watch." three players who spoke to the media following this loss expressed optimism that a turnaround is possible, however, they did not downplay "There’s no question you have to see Linus as a centerpiece of what the significance of losing the man who has emerged as a possible we’ve been doing lately," Krueger said. "Again, that’s part of the game franchise goalie. and we have to deal with that. I think today more painful is the way we lost this game." "That’s tough to see a guy go down like that, especially a fluky play like that," Skinner, who played in his first game since suffering an upper-body Buffalo did not record a shot on goal for the first nine minutes of the injury Dec. 29, said. "Hopefully it’s not too bad. We’ll see. We’ll be game, and Ottawa scored on three of the Sabres' four offensive-zone thinking of him." penalties. Jack Eichel's career-best 29th goal of the season salvaged a second period in which Buffalo was out-shot, 18-7, and Mark Borowiecki Buffalo News LOADED: 01.29.2020 scored a shorthanded empty-net goal on a clearing attempt down the ice with 2:06 remaining.

To make matters worse, this was the second game of a back-to-back for Ottawa (18-23-9), which lost to New Jersey in a shootout, 4-3, Monday night. The Senators had a negative-34 goal differential this season. Buffalo's deficit would have been larger had it not been for Ullmark, who has started 17 of the Sabres' past 20 games.

Ullmark made a spectacular glove save on Anthony Duclair, when the Senators' leading scorer was left alone in the slot to one-time a centering pass late in the first period. Ullmark stopped a number of similar scoring chances.

Ottawa's first goal occurred at 3:59 into the game on a sequence in which Jean-Gabriel Pageau went uncovered in the slot. Ullmark stopped 17 shots during the second period, though ' shot from the left circle beat the Sabres goalie short side for a 2-1 lead at 4:52.

After Eichel tied the score by whacking at a loose puck in the crease during the second period, Ottawa defenseman Mike Reilly's slap shot through traffic beat Ullmark, who was screened by multiple Senators players.

"He’s been a huge part of our team," Eichel said of Ullmark. "You never want to see anyone get hurt, especially somebody who’s really kept us afloat here."

Ullmark, a pending restricted free agent, posted a .932 save percentage and 2.00 goals-against average while winning five of his previous seven games. His .924 save percentage in 23 games since Nov. 24 ranks third in the behind Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy and Pittsburgh's Tristan Jarry, both of whom represented their respective divisions at the All-Star Game.

As Sabres and Senators players converged on a loose puck behind Buffalo's net, Ullmark fell backward when his right knee buckled with 9:32 remaining in regulation. It appeared Ullmark was preparing to glide from the left to right post.

"He’s been unbelievable," Marcus Johansson said. "He’s been winning games for us. Hopefully it’s nothing too bad." 1173044 Buffalo Sabres All this against an Ottawa team that was 27th overall in the NHL and simply pathetic on the road, where it was 5-15-4 and had lost seven straight since a Dec. 4 win in Edmonton.

This Process is once again taking the Sabres on the road to nowhere "Obviously we can't play like that at home [against] a team coming off a back to back, we just had a break," said captain Jack Eichel. "It's not good enough. If we want to make playoffs, that's not a playoff-caliber By Mike Harrington Published Tue, Jan 28, 2020|Updated Tue, Jan 28, effort by us. You know that, I know that. Everyone in the room knows 2020 that."

Jeff Skinner's return featured one shot on goal and a selfish offensive zone interference penalty that led to a power-play goal from old friend It seems clear from the words and actions of Jason Botterill and Ralph Tyler Ennis. But when the Sabres had a power play looking for the tying Krueger – and thus, by extension, Terry and Kim Pegula – what is the goal in the final four minutes, their $72 million man was on the bench. mindset of the Buffalo Sabres. Krueger said he was worried about overuse in Skinner's first game back. Of course, they want to make the playoffs and snap the NHL's longest And he did run Skinner out there as the extra attacker when Carter postseason drought. But as impatient as the fan base is and as cranky as Hutton was pulled to create a 6-on-4. the media can be (slowly raising hand), the general manager and the coach are on the same wavelength in one key area. "I got out there at the end. It's a team sport," Skinner said diplomatically. "I'm here to help the team win. It's my first game back and those five You've already heard and read it elsewhere before. The Sabres want you guys have been working together for a while. I got out there as a sixth to Trust The Process. guy." They're out of their minds. As for the sixth guy, Krueger rendered the game moot when Ottawa This is corporate-speak borne out of desperation. It's ridiculous. They scored into an empty net with 2:06 left. Krueger should send the analytics want to act like there's no pressure here and that they're on a slow printouts to the moon telling him to pull the goalie with more than 2 1/2 rebuild. Krueger even used the actual word "process" in the aftermath of minutes left in a one-goal game on the power play. He's going for the 6- the utterly disgraceful 5-2 loss to lowly Ottawa. on-4 and ignoring the fact his team doesn't possess the puck well enough and opponents can fire it down the ice without worrying about icing. How many rebuilds does this organization need to figure things out? Krueger wins the press conferences every day far better than Dan Unless something drastically changes, it feels like this season ended Bylsma and Phil Housley. He isn't proving much better at winning games, Tuesday. With still 32 games left. This stinker was bad enough. Losing even with Eichel now establishing himself as a top-10 player in the goalie Linus Ullmark, finally established as a reliable NHL starter, on a league. fluky and terrible looking right leg injury, makes it even worse. Krueger dismissed the notion that this game should empty the fans' belief If the folks inside KeyBank Center are too deep in their bunker to know, meter. here's a message: There is no belief left in this town for this team this season. And, frankly, no belief left in this franchise as a whole. "If one game throws everything off kilter, we don't have much of a foundation," he said. "We feel a group that is truly bought in to a process. The lack of desperation around here smacks of ownership telling Botterill We had an off game coming off the break here." to not worry about his status, to simply do the best he can this season and then spend his money this summer. Sure did.

Do you trust Botterill to get that $35 million in cap space right? Repeating "Adversity is something you need to look in the eyes and you need to be this corner's long-held view: The GM should either be on a very hot seat strong about and you need to use it and that's what we'll do here," the or be assisted by a veteran hockey mind serving in the team president coach continued. "We've got two days to get ready for Montreal and we role. will be ready."

Botterill had an informal chat with the media Tuesday morning coming off At this point, does it even matter? There doesn't ever seem to be a real the All-Star break and gave the usual bromides about looking for help up plan for this franchise. It's always about next year. And next year never front. comes.

Then it was time to get to the crux of the situation here. When I asked Buffalo News LOADED: 01.29.2020 Botterill what the level of desperation is from ownership on down to make the postseason, he simply said, "I don't think our team is that much different than anywhere else."

Hold it right there. Your team is different. It has the longest current playoff drought in the NHL. If it doesn't make the playoffs this year or next year, it will equal the longest drought in NHL history. That's different.

"I think there's a difference between having that be your focus every day of playoffs-playoffs-playoffs vs. what we've realized with this group," Botterill said. "And what Ralph has realized with this group is if we keep the focus on the short-term goals, we seem to play better and we seem to focus better."

Botterill then doubled down on his crutch of the farm system.

"In our conversation, the goal is ultimately to get to the playoffs and we understand the importance of our young players gaining that experience," he said. "It's what we've tried to create in Rochester. It's what we've tried to create in Cincinnati: Players gaining experience in the playoffs in all situations."

No offense to the Ohioans with the great multi-way chili but I don't want my NHL GM ever talking about having success in the ECHL.

A few hours later, the Sabres looked like they might struggle against those Cincinnati Cyclones. They gave up the game's first seven shots on goal and didn't have one for nearly nine minutes. They got beat to pucks all night. They lost battles along the wall. Their penalty kill gave up three goals against the NHL's 31st-rated power play. 1173045 Buffalo Sabres when Michael Frolik was unable to get a clean shot off a 2-on-1 pass from Skinner.

Buffalo, which entered Tuesday with a plus-11 goal differential in the The Wraparound: Ottawa Senators 5, Buffalo Sabres 2 second period this season, controlled possession in the final moments, but it was unable to generate a high-danger scoring chance.

By Lance Lysowski Published Tue, Jan 28, 2020|Updated Tue, Jan 28, Scramble: Ottawa took a 3-2 lead at 8:43 into the second period on 2020 Reilly's shot that went past Ullmark, who was screened on the play.

Injury: Ullmark suffered a noncontact injury in what appeared to be an attempt to glide from the left to right post in preparation for a possible The goal wasn't a remarkable display of individual skill. Jack Eichel Ottawa wraparound with 9:32 remaining in the third period. The Sabres simply whacked at a loose puck in the crease until it crossed the goal line goalie was unable to put pressure on his right leg and was helped to the in the second period Tuesday night in KeyBank Center. bench by Skinner and Montour.

However, the individual effort helped Eichel achieve a significant All-Star: Rochester goalie Jonas Johansson stopped 11 of 17 shots in milestone. The 23-year-old captain set a new career high with 29 goals, two games at the AHL All-Star Classic, as the North Division failed to through only 49 games no less, to tie the score in the Buffalo Sabres' first reach the final Monday night in Ontario, Calif. game back from the All-Star break. Next: The Sabres are scheduled to practice Wednesday in preparation The goal became an afterthought when defenseman Mike Reilly scored a for their game Thursday night against the Montreal Canadiens in go-ahead power-play goal in the third period, and the Senators went on KeyBank Center. The host the Syracuse Crunch for a 5-2 win over Buffalo. The Sabres (22-21-7) had won three of their on Friday in Blue Cross Arena. previous four games and are amid a stretch in which they play nine of 10 games at home. Buffalo News LOADED: 01.29.2020

Linus Ullmark stopped 30 of 33 shots before leaving with an undisclosed injury at 10:28 into the third period. Reilly's goal at 8:43 into the third period and was the Senators' third on the power play. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Tyler Ennis also scored on the power play for Ottawa.

Mark Borowiecki added an empty-net goal with 2:06 remaining in regulation. Sam Reinhart scored on the power play in the first period, his 18th goal of the season. Ottawa (19-23-9) had lost 10 of its previous 11 games.

Rust: The Sabres endured another slow start Tuesday night, failing to record a shot on goal until 11:15 into the first period. They entered the game with a negative-15 goal differential in the first period of games this season.

Opening salvo: Ottawa took a 1-0 lead at 3:59 into the first period when Thomas Chabot spun to pass to the slot, where Pageau directed the puck into the net. Pageau had two goals in a 3-1 win over Buffalo on Dec. 23 in Ottawa.

Buffalo Sabres 2, Ottawa Senators 5

Return: Jeff Skinner played in his first game since suffering an upper- body injury against Boston on Dec. 29. The 27-year-old winger showed no ill effects from his 10-game absence, driving down the slot and ripped a wrist shot that went wide of the net approximately six minutes into the first period.

Response: The Sabres tied the game, 1-1, on the power play at 13:42 into the first period when Senators defenseman Ron Hainsey passed the puck to Reinhart, who scored his 18th goal of the season. Reinhart had 21 points in his previous 21 games, including at least one point in seven of his previous eight.

Bail out: Ullmark made a spectacular glove save on Anthony Duclair moments before the first intermission when the Senators forward one- timed a centering pass from the slot.

Frustration: Skinner was penalized for interference after retaliating against Ottawa defenseman Dylan DeMelo away from the puck, and the Senators scored a second power-play goal 49 seconds later to take a 2-1 lead.

The Sabres' penalty-killing unit was caught watching Drake Batherson's cross-ice pass reach Ennis in the left circle, where the former Buffalo forward beat Ullmark with a wrist shot at 4:52 into the second period.

Tracking: Eichel reached the milestone by capitalizing on a loose puck in the crease at 8:48 into the second period to tie the score, 2-2. The sequence began with Zemgus Girgensons deflecting Brandon Montour's shot from the right point.

Entering Tuesday, Eichel had 23 points in 15 career games against Ottawa. He has at least one point in 10 of his last 11 games dating back to Dec. 29.

Ottawa dominance: The Sabres were outshot, 17-7, during the second period, and, aside from Eichel's goal, their best scoring chance came 1173046 Buffalo Sabres Goalies: Linus Ullmark, who is finally being referred to by Krueger as the Sabres' starting goalie, will be in net Tuesday night against the Senators. Ullmark had a .932 save percentage while winning five of his last seven Sabres game day: Jeff Skinner returning at start of important stretch starts before the break.

Craig Anderson, who has not appeared in a game since Jan. 16, will start for Ottawa. Anderson has lost in six of his last seven appearances, but By Lance Lysowski Published Tue, Jan 28, 2020|Updated Tue, Jan 28, he has a .929 save percentage in 31 career games against Buffalo. 2020 Chaotic start: This is the second game of a back-to-back for Ottawa, which lost in a shootout, 4-3, to New Jersey on Monday night. The Senators scored twice in the third period to take the lead, only to allow Matchup: Buffalo Sabres (22-20-7) vs. Ottawa Senators (17-23-9) the tying goal with 3:21 remaining in regulation. Where: KeyBank Center It will be an important first period for Buffalo. The Sabres strung together When: 7 p.m. a few impressive performances prior to the break, but they've had slow starts at times this season, as illustrated by their negative-11 goal TV: MSG differential in the first period.

Radio: WGR 550 Buffalo had 44 shots on goal in a 3-1 loss at Ottawa on Dec. 23. The Sabres are 11-4-3 in their last 18 games against the Senators and have Skinner's return: The Sabres have their $72 million man back in the a 12-4-4 record in the teams’ last 20 meetings in Buffalo. lineup. Jeff Skinner, who missed the past 10 games with an upper-body injury, will play Tuesday night against Ottawa. The 27-year-old has 11 Special teams: Krueger has orchestrated an impressive turnaround with goals among 19 points with a minus-9 rating in 39 games this season. the Sabres' game at 5 on 5, but special teams could determine if they can re-enter the playoff race. They went 5-for-10 on the power play in Comparatively, Skinner had 26 goals among 39 points in his first 39 three games prior to the road trip, only to fail to score in five opportunities games with the Sabres in 2018-19. Though Skinner was showing in Dallas and Nashville. progress in his final 11 games before the injury, he was starting to generate scoring chances and improved defensively. The penalty kill, meanwhile, has a conversation rate of 85% this month and has benefited from the addition of Frolik. "To continue on the path he was on," coach Ralph Krueger said when asked what he wants to see from Skinner. "The last handful of games we Home stretch: Nine of the Sabres' next 10 games are at KeyBank Center, were really pleased with the way he was able to continue to create a critical stretch that could help them gain ground in the Eastern offense while taking care of the responsibilities without the puck that we Conference standings. Buffalo is 14-6-3 at home this season, though one need from everybody to be a competitive team here. We liked his regulation loss occurred in Stockholm during the NHL Global Series. involvement in the whole game in both directions. … He has a good spirit here, like everybody else. They came out of the break with energy and The Sabres are averaging 3.43 goals per game at home this season, on they need to put it into play here." pace for their best home scoring rate since 2006-07 (3.93).

Lineup: Fans won't see Skinner reuniting with Jack Eichel. Skinner The Sabres have a plus-15 goal differential at home, while their power skated Monday with Marcus Johansson and Michael Frolik, while play and penalty kill rank 17th and 15th in the league, respectively. Eichel Zemgus Girgensons remained on the Sabres' first line. Krueger will use has 20 goals among 38 points with a league-best plus-20 rating at home another seven-defensemen lineup, with Evan Rodrigues and Zach this season. His 18:10 average ice time in those games leads all NHL Bogosian scratched. forwards.

Krueger expressed hope that Skinner could develop instant chemistry Captain Jack: Eichel has been held without a point in just three of his last with his linemates. 30 games played. During that stretch, which began with a four-goal performance against Ottawa on Nov. 16, Eichel has 43 points in 30 "There was definitely a synergy in the lineup when Johansson, Skinner appearances. and Sobotka played together," Krueger said. "Frolik gives us a lot of that kind of hockey. You never want to compare two players exactly, but the Entering Monday, Eichel's 43 points during that span ranked third in the stability (Frolik) brings to any line he plays with. He's such a pro. He NHL behind Nathan MacKinnon and Artemi Panarin. makes the simple decisions and solidifies them to be able to be a little Buffalo News LOADED: 01.29.2020 more free to play offense.

"We did find that Johansson and Skinner, here and there, had some synergies in the 5-on-5 game, and we expect with Frolik, who's really been a good addition here to the group as far as playing within the framework we want him to play in, that they'll bring us a secondary threat all the time."

Visit by Senators opens long run at home that will determine Sabres' fate

Here's how the Sabres lined up in practice Monday:

#Sabres this morning. Didn't get Skinner with Eichel like they should do.

Girgensons-Eichel-Reinhart

Skinner-Johansson-Frolik

Vesey-Lazar-Okposo

Sheary-Larsson-Rodrigues

Pilut-Ristolainen

Dahlin-Montour

Miller-Jokiharju

McCabe-Bogosian

— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) January 27, 2020 1173047 Buffalo Sabres The Sabres entered Tuesday 10 points out of a playoff spot, a deficit that grew during their bye week before the NHL All-Star Game.

"I think Ralph has really focused a lot with our group about short-term Sabres GM Jason Botterill says he's still in the market for forward help goals and that’s great for our internal group," Botterill said. "From our standpoint, from a managerial perspective, we do have to take a little bit more from a longer-range perspective, and we’ll certainly see how things By Lance Lysowski Published Tue, Jan 28, 2020|Updated Tue, Jan 28, progress here. I think it’s exciting to have, what is it, eight of the next nine 2020 here at home. ... Now it’s important to – starting here tonight against Ottawa – try to get the results but continue to improve as a group."

Buffalo News LOADED: 01.29.2020 While Ralph Krueger and the Buffalo Sabres focus on short-term goals, General Manager Jason Botterill is forced to take a macro view of the franchise.

If the Sabres gain ground in the playoff race over the next three weeks, Botterill will push to add to the roster ahead of the Feb. 24 trade deadline. Selling could be an option if they fail to take advantage of having nine of their next 10 games at KeyBank Center.

One aspect of his long-term view that's clear: Botterill wants to add a forward with speed to complement a core that received reinforcements Tuesday with the return of Jeff Skinner.

"That’s what we’re trying to do, we’re trying to add to our group there," Botterill said Tuesday. "I think if we can add more to our offensive mix, we’re certainly looking for it. Also, too, whenever you can add to just our team speed up front, it’s another thing we can look at. We are excited tonight to get Jeff back in the lineup."

Regardless of short-term success, Botterill is working the phones to try to complete a trade. He acquired defenseman Brandon Montour from Anaheim ahead of the deadline last February, despite the Sabres having long odds at making the playoffs.

Botterill has already been aggressive on the trade front, dealing defenseman Marco Scandella to Montreal and acquiring forward Michael Frolik from Calgary on Jan. 2. The latter entered Tuesday with one goal and one assist in six games since joining the Sabres, but he's also buoyed their penalty kill and added another reliable defensive presence on the wing.

The Sabres need someone capable of scoring at a higher rate. While Frolik proved to be a capable replacement, and possible upgrade, over injured forward Vladimir Sobotka, Buffalo has lost two potential top-six forward solutions: Tage Thompson and Casey Mittelstadt.

Thompson, a 22-year-old forward, will miss the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. He had six goals among 12 points in 16 games with Rochester at the start of the season, only to suffer the injury at Chicago on Nov. 17 in his first game after being recalled from the Amerks.

"I thought there was a disappointment with him coming out of training camp, but it didn't affect his game at all," Botterill said of Thompson. "He knew exactly what he had to work on, was excited about working on those skills and you look at, not just his stats, goals and assists in Rochester, but how much offense he was creating down there. How many chances he was creating down there. ... When we did face some injuries up here, you go, 'Well, that could have been a situation where Tage could have gotten more ice time,' so it's disappointing he didn't get that experience."

Additionally, Mittelstadt struggled after an impressive 10-game stretch with the Sabres at the start of the season and was sent to Rochester last month. The 21-year-old center has five goals among 10 points in 17 games since joining the Amerks.

Botterill, though, isn't in a rush to bring Mittelstadt back to Buffalo. The Sabres prefer the former seventh overall pick to thrive in the AHL, as opposed to treading water in the NHL.

A significant trade could be difficult for Botterill to swing. The Sabres are up against the salary cap and have been unable to deal Zach Bogosian or Evan Rodrigues, both of whom requested to be traded. The team's cap situation could force Botterill to trade an impact player off the NHL roster.

In addition to assessing short-term results, Botterill will monitor Skinner's production after returning from an upper-body injury. Skinner, who scored a career-high 40 goals last season, could help provide Buffalo with the secondary scoring it has lacked behind Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart. 1173048 BuffaloSabres Moving forward might prove difficult after seeing Linus Ullmark go down in the third period with a lower-body injury he sustained in a non-contact play. Ullmark made a simple move to go post to post, watching the ‘We can’t play like that at home’: Special teams are the difference in Senators handle the puck behind the net only to see his foot catch the ice Sabres’ loss to the Senators the wrong way, and he fell back with his leg folded up underneath him.

ULLMARK FALL REPLAY #SABRES50 #GOSENSGO PIC.TWITTER.COM/RVBS6MRFCU By Joe Yerdon Jan 28, 2020 — BUFFALO HOCKEY MOMENTS (@SABRESPLAYS) JANUARY 29, 2020

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The start of the second half of the season for the “He’s been a huge part of our team,” Eichel said. “You never want to see Sabres has to be virtually flawless for them to have an honest discussion anyone get hurt, especially someone who’s really kept us afloat here.” about making the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Unfortunately, the Sabres have flaws that have been apparent and showed up again in their “There’s no question you have to see Linus as a centerpiece to what first game of a crucial stretch in which they play nine of the next 10 we’ve been doing lately,” Krueger said. “That’s part of the game, and we games at home. have to deal with it. I think today, more painful, is the way we lost this game, what we did or didn’t do to get the points we desperately wanted The one impeccable part to this year’s team is and will continue to be here tonight.” Jack Eichel, and the captain could not hide his fury about a 5-2 loss to Ottawa on Tuesday in which the Senators scored once at even strength, Goaltending has been a mild issue for the Sabres this season, but in the and that came with the goalie pulled with six seconds left. past few games before the break, Ullmark caught fire. Now it could be up to Carter Hutton, Jonas Johansson or Andrew Hammond to take the “Obviously, we can’t play like that at home,” Eichel said. “A team coming reins if Ullmark is out for an extended period of time. off of a back-to-back, we just had a break, it’s not good enough. If you want to make the playoffs, that’s not a playoff-caliber effort by us. You We’ve talked a lot about Hutton’s struggles since his 6-0-0 start in know that, I know that, everyone in the room knows that.” October. Johansson has thrived in Rochester this season and is fresh off an appearance in the AHL All-Star Game. Hammond has cooled off after Everyone is aware of that, for sure. he got off to a good start with the Americans but has NHL experience from his time in Ottawa, where he steadied the ship for the Senators to The Senators, who had the NHL’s worst power play going into the game, get to the playoffs in 2015, when he went 20-1-2 to end the season. scored three times on the man advantage and had an empty-net short- They’ll need someone to turn into the Hamburglar to get them into the handed goal late. Even though the Sabres scored a power-play goal in playoff discussion regardless. the first when Sam Reinhart was gifted an opportunity by Senators defenseman Ron Hainsey, special teams foiled Buffalo’s effort to get the The Sabres have been learning lessons all season, and learning is hard. second half off to a good start. This Sabres team has been good about picking up lessons as it’s gone along this year. They’ve been very good about taking the bad away from “That’s glaring now — the statistics show that,” coach Ralph Krueger said a loss and using it as a motivating factor in the following games, but the regarding his team’s penalty kill. “We get three goals on four penalty kills inconsistent play has meant that when one problem is solved, another — that’s unacceptable. There’s no excuse for it. It is what it is now, and one jumps up like a game of Whac-A-Mole, and now the clock is ticking the only thing we can do with that is look at how it evolved, how it down on this round of it. happened, and we need to improve. It’s unacceptable that it went that way, and it’s, in the end, the difference in the game tonight.” “We come in here every day, and we hear how many points we’re out and what we need to do to get to the playoffs,” Eichel said. “It’s important That special teams were the difference in the game once again burned at to keep it small, and if you overlook things, (it’ll) bite you in the ass. Kind Eichel saying the power play and short-handed failures are “the story of of like it did tonight. I think we overlooked this game. Every game for us the year,” and he’s not wrong. If the Sabres were in a better position, an should be the most important one on the schedule.” off night could be shrugged off as just being the first game after a long layoff, but it’s the repeated occurrences that stick out. The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 Buffalo’s power-play setup in this game showed it misses Victor Olofsson, who has a couple of weeks left to go in his recovery from a lower-body injury. Although we’ve seen Reinhart have success with his shot from the faceoff circle of late, Marcus Johansson had a trying effort in getting his shots through, and during a power play late in the game with the goalie pulled, one of his efforts was blocked by Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki, who then banked it off the glass and into the vacated cage to ice the game.

“It’s frustrating. I could’ve had, maybe, a couple goals,” Johansson said. “In the end there, I had a few shots. It’s always frustrating when you don’t win and you feel like you should do more, and I know I can do more. It’s always frustrating when you lose.”

The return of Jeff Skinner to the lineup for the first time since Dec. 27 wasn’t enough to spark the offense. He had three shot attempts, one on goal, and took a poor offensive-zone interference penalty that led to one of Ottawa’s goals. Although Krueger did give him a couple of shifts with Eichel and Reinhart, he spent the majority of the game with Johansson and Michael Frolik. Skinner and Frolik had one of the more dangerous chances in the game in the second period when Skinner threaded a pass to Frolik on a two-on-one only to see Craig Anderson stop the shot with his shoulder.

Even though it was a positive game for Skinner in regard to shot attempts (he was on-ice for 13 attempts for, eight against, notching a 61.9 Corsi For percent via Natural Stat Trick), it was another game without a goal, his 12th straight.

“It’s not a good loss. We’ve got to move on,” Skinner said. “We’ve still got a good opportunity here in a pretty big homestand. We’ll learn some things from it and move forward.” 1173049 BuffaloSabres Luukkonen has put together a good first year of pro for a 20-year-old. He’s huge, even relative to other goalies who are 6-foot-4, with broad shoulders and a bulky build. That can work against some goalies, who Wheeler’s 2020 NHL prospect pool rankings: No. 16 Buffalo Sabres tend to be leaner these days, but he moves well in his net. He makes most saves along the ice and does a good job getting into his butterfly or pokechecking to avoid getting beat five-hole. He’s also got solid rebound control, pushing low hard shots to the corners and swallowing most By Scott Wheeler Jan 28, 2020 medium danger shots up high. If I were to complain about one area of his game, it would probably be his reflexes on high danger opportunities in the slot. He can freeze when he’s challenged by NHL-level shooters. Welcome to Scott Wheeler’s 2020 rankings of every NHL organization’s prospects. You can find the complete ranking and more information on 3. Erik Portillo, G, 19 (Dubuque Fighting Saints) the criteria here, as we count down daily from No. 31 to No. 1. The You can count on one hand the number of NHL teams that have two series, which includes evaluations and commentary from coaches and legitimate goalie prospects. You can also count on one hand the number staff on more than 500 prospects, runs from Jan. 13 to Feb. 11. of goalies prospects I’d be willing to rank this high in a system. I tend to This is an interesting moment in the course of the series because the be cautious with my goalie projections, in part because I haven’t played Sabres represent a shift into a new class of prospect pool. There are a the position but also because of the volatility of the position. But when a few clear divisions throughout the ranking, where one cluster of teams goalie is 6-foot-6, he’s not slow in the net and he’s got a track record of breaks apart from another. For me, it broke down into five tiers of standout numbers, it’s hard to ignore him. He also doesn’t play an overly prospect pools. They are: 1-5, 6-16, 17-22, 23-26 and 27-31. aggressive style, which means he doesn’t box himself into having to make too many scramble saves. He’s a calm, deep-in-his net goalie who You’ll notice that one of those groups (this new one we’re beginning has worked to condense how active he is in the crease (something that today) is not like the others. There are four tiers there with just handful of every goalie his size needs to work on). When he’s on, he can steal teams and another that runs 11 organizations deep. games. And when he’s not on, he rarely has a stinker (he has given up more than four goals just once this season). I’ve seen him let in some So while it may look like the Sabres are in the bottom half of the league soft goals but that’s not uncommon for a young goalie with his size (they as a prospect pool, I don’t view it that way. They’re much closer to a few often look awkward technically at times). Between Portillo and teams in the top 10 than they are to any of the teams in the bottom 10. Luukkonen, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Sabres have their future starter. The problem the Sabres face with their prospect pool relative to the 4. Rasmus Asplund, C, 22 (Rochester Americans) teams ahead of them is a problem depth, not of the strength of their top prospect. Most of the teams we’ll see in the days that follow boast pools Asplund is a bit of a throwback in that he’s the kind of player every team that run upwards of 20 prospects deep. Buffalo’s doesn’t. used to prefer over the slick, come-and-go playmakers. He’s the hard- working, diligent, puck-pressure forward who finishes his checks, 1. Dylan Cozens, C, 18 (Lethbridge Hurricanes) endears himself to coaches and plays fast. He’s not a pest type, but he’s One of the interesting internal debates I’ve had with myself in the last always on the puck, working to win it back and making smart, low-risk couple of month centres around hockey’s top prospect. When I put plays. That isn’t to say there’s no talent there, or that he can’t make plays together my annual top 50 drafted prospects rankings every summer, the through seams. His passing is actually his strength offensively, he does a top few players are easily identified. Last summer, Jack Hughes, Kaapo good job getting the puck to teammates in dangerous areas. But he’s not Kakko, Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes were in a stratosphere of their a dynamic offensive threat, nor is his shot particularly dangerous. He’s own. Spoiler alert: Alexis Lafreniere is going to be No. 1 when I do it all the kind of player who has always had the tools to drive a third line or over again in July. But what happens when those players graduate? complement a second line. And though he probably projects closer to Then things get murky. If I were to put together a midseason list (which that third line role than the second line one, I like his versatility. He goes I’m not, sorry!), there’s more than half a dozen players I’d probably to the quote-unquote dirty areas (a term I usually hate but fits the bill). consider for the top of the ranking. Coincidentally, none of those players 5. Ryan Johnson, LHD, 18 (University of Minnesota) belonged to teams 31-17. Enter Cozens, who would be in that conversation. Johnson was definitely a bit of a reach for my liking at the end of the first round and he hasn’t followed it up all that well either. But he has also My fourth-ranked prospect ahead of the 2019 draft, Cozens has turned a been asked, on a team filled with lefties, to play his off-side, on a second shortened summer due to injury into an excellent first half, with his 19th pairing, as a true freshman. It’s not hard to understand why the Sabres birthday around the corner in February. He’s a rare blend of size, speed, liked him. His skating grades at A, if not A-plus, not only forwards as he’s hands, playmaking ability and finishing touch. He can fly north-south, escaping pressure to make a pass but backwards in transition as he he’s always going to be a major factor as a forechecker and backchecker gaps and side-to-side on light, fluid crossovers and sidesteps. Though and because his decision-making can keep up with his feet, he’s he’s not the type to hang onto the puck and weave through the neutral extremely dangerous off the rush. If I have one concern with his toolkit, zone or attack behind the goal line as a carrier, he can make plays when it’s that his shot isn’t a major threat. I’ve been particularly impressed by he has to. I’m not entirely sure what he might look like in the NHL the development of his creativity this season. Cozens has begun to make because I don’t think there’s much power play upside to his game but I more plays below the goal line and off the cycle both by surprising do think he has more to offer and will blossom into a dangerous college defenders with a slick pass through their feet or with a quick cut through player over time. He’ll have to rely on his mobility to continue to elevate traffic. as a defender, driving possession by closing on players quick and He was in good spirits throughout the world juniors — and looked moving the puck in transition. confident on the ice. 6. Arttu Ruotsalainen, C/LW, 22 (Ilves) “It was disappointing getting hurt at development camp and having to Ruotsalainen could end up being one of those players that makes the miss a lot of my summer training. The big thing my injury helped me with Sabres scouting department look really good. And if he doesn’t work out, was just my lower body strength. I wasn’t really able to work on my upper there was little-to-no risk in the decision to sign him in the first place. He body so it was just all focussed on explosiveness and power down low has become one of Liiga’s most consistently-dangerous players this and I think it helped a lot. You’ve got to take the positives out of the season. After missing more than a month with an upper-body injury, he negatives and I think I did,” Cozens said. has also played the best hockey of his career since returning, with 11 Keep an eye on his Hurricanes because they currently are fifth in the 22- points in his last seven games. The big concern — and the reason he team WHL and this could be his last year in the league. went undrafted in the first place — has always been his size (he’s 5-foot- 8). But he just keeps producing and he’s stronger on his feet than he “I want to win. I think we have a team that can go all the way so my goal looks, which is enough to make him intriguing as a potential middle-six is to win the whole league and then hopefully go to the creator at the next level. On the year, his 1.03 points per game now leads and win there. We’re not looking at anything less than that,” Cozens said. all under-23 Liiga players, just ahead of Jesse Puljujarvi (0.97).

2. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, 20 (Cincinnati Cyclones/Rochester Note: He’s No. 22 in green in the clips below. All of these plays are also Americans) from that recent stretch I talked about, rather than hand-picked across his career. His shot is lethal when he has the time and space to lean into it, which level you’d expect of him in the OHL recently, after a trade from Barrie to you don’t often see in players his size (another indication of that Sudbury. So my positive take on him has definitely begun to sour a little. aforementioned strength): 11. Marcus Davidsson, C, 21 (Växjö Lakers HC) He’s also got a nice touch with the puck and a knack for making plays under pressure. After two impressive seasons relative to his age and league with Djurgardens, Davidsson hasn’t had the same impact with Växjö this year. And then there’s a skill level that you can’t teach … He has always been a relied upon defensive player because he anticipates the play well, he tracks the puck aggressively, he’s strong on His skating does need some work, though. He’s quick from a standstill his feet and he’s not going to burn his team with a turnover in a bad area but his top speed is average. That’s because his feet splay backwards, of the ice. There’s some offence to his game, too, though. He’s not the rather than out and through his stride, a pretty ineffective mechanic. fastest player on the ice but he plays quickly, he’s got decent top speed Watch for it here: and if — or when — he decides to give Rochester a try I suspect he’ll (Smart play defensively there with his stick, too.) quickly become a contributor who has depth upside at the NHL level. He’s not going to be a point producer if he ends up with the Sabres in the There will also be questions when (or if) he comes over to play in North next couple of years but I could see him as one piece of a good fourth America as to his position. He still plays centre in Liiga but I wouldn’t be line. surprised in the Sabres view him as a winger. 12. Casey Fitzgerald, RHD, 22 (Rochester Americans) 7. Linus Weissbach, LW/RW, 21 (University of Wisconsin) After a good — though not great — college career, Fitzgerald began his Like Ruotsalainen, Weissbach is a 5-foot-8 forward who has always pro career with a lower-body injury. He’s having a decent year, all things produced but still faces the same, tired questions of size. He dominated considered. Fitzgerald’s four-way skating ability is always going to make SuperElit and then the USHL and now he’s in his third year as a standout him a fine player at just about any level. His defensive game, which in college, where he leads the Badgers in assists. His skating is his includes a physical element, is also good for a 5-foot-11 defender. biggest asset. He can push tempo with the puck, win races without it, Though his offensive game never really took the steps forward some dart in and out of traffic, change directions and make a lot of small area expected after a standout freshman and sophomore year, part of that plays to his teammates. He lacks the finishing ability of Ruotsalainen but was also driven by the tougher minutes he was asked to play after he he’s more evasive. There’s a boom or bust element to his game, if only was named BC’s captain. I still don’t think he’s skilled enough to be a top because of his size and the fact that’s he’s not much of a scorer, which four guy but I could definitely imagine him playing a modern, smooth role could limit the kind of role he can play at the pro level. as a No. 5-7 at some point in the next couple of years.

8. Mattias Samuelsson, LHD, 19 (Western Michigan University) 13. Jacob Bryson, LHD, 22 (Rochester Americans)

Samuelsson, like Johnson, is a player I felt the Sabres reached on. I also Bryson isn’t what you might expect out of a 5-foot-9 defenceman. It’s expected more out of him at the world juniors, too. But as with Johnson, easy to look at his size from afar and think “he’s probably dynamic it’s not hard to understand why they did. He’s huge, he’s got a meanness offensively” but “he probably struggles defensively.” The reverse is and physicality to his game that is still coveted — even if it’s less actually true. Bryson has shown yet again in the AHL this year that he valuable than it used to be — and he’s an adequate skater. All of those can defend at a high level, particularly off the rush (though he’s good with things help him cover a lot of ice and force opposing forwards to get rid of his stick along the boards too). He’s not going to take over a game pucks instead of trying to go through him. But he also seems stilted when offensively, though, or pull you out of your seat with his shot or his hands. he has the puck and his ability to make plays beyond powering shots He is, however, a smooth skater who can pull away from pressure with through traffic isn’t really there. He’s not bad with the puck, at least not his feet, carry it through the neutral zone, walk the blue line laterally or enough to say “this kid doesn’t have the skill to make it” but I do believe stretch the ice with a pass. he’s going to struggle to execute on breakouts and entries once pace of play picks up at the pro level. He may become a fine shutdown player 14. Lukas Rousek, RW/LW, 20 (HC Sparta Praha) who can kill penalties and give a group of six defencemen a bit of a Rousek has progressed nicely over the last couple of years, going from a different element, but I wouldn’t expect him to drive possession and he’ll dominant junior player who didn’t belong to a dangerous offensive threat probably need a partner he can defer to with short passes. in the Czech Republic second division and now to the top tier, where he 9. Oskari Laaksonen, RHD, 20 (Ilves) has continued to prove he can contribute against pros. He’s a slight 5- foot-11 winger who slows the game down to make his plays, can execute Laaksonen has made waves in the last couple of years, following up in transition and does a good job jumping around pressure while hanging some strong showings with Finland at the under-20 level with a breakout onto the puck. He can fade in and out of shifts, though, and I question year as a 19-year-old in Liiga. Though he lacks weight on his 6-foot-2 whether he’s talented enough to be more than a PP2 guy. He also hasn’t frame (which can show up in man-on-man battles despite a willingness to been a particularly dominant player on the international circuit, which engage physically), Laaksonen has a lot of interesting qualities. Chief gives me pause. He’s putting up good numbers in Extraliga for his age among them is an ability to both identify and execute east-west plays that but I’d like to see him in North America before I draw any hard most defencemen can’t: conclusions on his upside.

And while he doesn’t have a hard wrist shot, he can blast his slap shot 15. Brett Murray, LW, 21 (Rochester Americans) thanks to good technique and follow-through, as well as strong footwork: Murray has followed a weird progression, going from dominant CCHL Even when the wrist shot isn’t falling, he’s also not afraid to activate into forward at 17 to good USHL player and bad college player at 18, open space and use it. Watch here the way he pushes through the ineffective college player at 19, a return to predictable dominance in the neutral zone to make himself available for the pass (I spy with my little USHL last year during a gap year move to Miami (one he never made) eye a Ruotsalainen too): and he’s now, against my better judgment, having a decent rookie season in the AHL. Some of the concerns with his game that played out His challenge is that defensively he’s just fine — and he needs to bulk up in college remain evident, though. While he has good touch with the puck to turn a smooth stride into a powerful one, or hold his own on smaller ice for a 6-foot-4 winger, which he was able to show off against weaker in a more physical style of game. I think there’s enough offence in his competition, he doesn’t skate well enough to be able to get to the net and game to progress to the NHL if the rest can catch up. make those plays when the pace is ratcheted up. There may be a fourth- 10. Matej Pekar, C/LW, 19 () line player in there somewhere but I have my doubts.

For a long time, I thought Pekar projected relatively safely as a potential Aaron Huglen, RW, 18 (Fargo Force) third-line forward. He can be a pain in the ass, he’s got decent speed, he After losing his summer to a back injury, Huglen has yet to play a game plays a north-south, net-driven style and though he’s not a scorer or a for the Force this season. He gets a mention because of his skill level, dynamic playmaker he can do a little bit of both — maybe enough to get even if there are some lingering unknowns at this point. He was a terror by at the next level in time. But when he’s not engaged he can get lost in on the Minnesota high school circuit last season, showing off A-level games. He was one of the bigger disappointments of the world juniors, a hands and creativity with the puck. Before that, he also did this: tournament he began on the top line and he only began to produce at the ALL THE ANGLES OF AARON HUGLEN'S LAX GOAL FOR #USA AGAINST IN THE , GOAL OF THE SUMMER FOR SURE PIC.TWITTER.COM/C1SOPVDSFH

— CJ FOGLER (@CJZERO) AUGUST 11, 2018

The Tiers

Each of my prospect pool rankings will be broken down into team-specific tiers in order to give you a better sense of the talent proximity from one player to the next (a gap which is sometimes minute and in other cases quite pronounced).

If the Sabres’ prospect tiers highlight anything, it’s the drop-off after Cozens. As good as Luukkonen and Portillo are, goalies are extremely hard to project and there’s major risk there. After that, you’ve got a couple of little forwards with major skill, a couple of big forwards that lack it and low-upside players like Samuelsson and Asplund who look like they’ll be NHLers but likely won’t play high in a lineup. A lost season for Huglen doesn’t help, either.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173050 Calgary Flames ICE CHIPS

This being Super Bowl week, Flames interim coach Geoff Ward served up a timely reference when asked after Tuesday’s morning skate about Offence swells in Flames loss to St. Louis Blues the Stanley Cup champs. “The one thing with St. Louis is they don’t beat themselves,” Ward warned. “They’re almost like the old Green Bay Packers — you know exactly what they’re going to do, but you have to Wes Gilbertson stop it” . . . Recently arrived from the AHL’s Stockton Heat, right-winger Buddy Robinson logged his debut in the Flaming C. The 28-year-old

Robinson, in his first NHL appearance since December of 2016, recorded Mark Jankowski is officially on a scoring spree. two shots, two hits and was promoted to skate on a line with Gaudreau and Monahan. The new guy in No. 53 was put to work on the penalty-kill, Jankowski’s second goal of the season — and his second in as many too . . . The Flames paid tribute to Kobe Bryant with a pre-game ‘moment games — proved to be crucial as the Calgary Flames managed a single of applause,’ with players on both benches banging their sticks on the point Tuesday in a showdown with the St. Louis Blues, returning from the boards and the fans rising for a standing ovation for the NBA legend who bye/all-star break with a 5-4 shootout loss to the defending Stanley Cup died Sunday in a helicopter crash. champions at the Saddledome. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.29.2020 The Flames’ usual go-to guys led the charge against the Western Conference-leading Blues, with Sean Monahan potting a pair, Matthew Tkachuk contributing a goal and an assist and Johnny Gaudreau and Mark Giordano each collecting a pair of helpers.

Jankowski’s contribution came as more of a surprise.

The 25-year-old centre is on a relatively long list of Flames who hasn’t produced at the same clip as last season.

Thing is, he hadn’t been scoring at all.

Jankowski finally ended a 38-game dry spell in the last outing before a week-long vacation, a mostly meaningless marker except for the fact that it provided a much-needed injection of confidence.

With the Flames and Blues tied as they approached the midway mark of Tuesday’s second period, Sam Bennett plattered a beauty pass for Jankowski from behind the net, and No. 77 fired just inside the post on the blocker-side.

The out-of-towners evened up early in the third, with Zach Sanford picking the top shelf just moments after Andrew Mangiapane clanked the post at the other end, and 65 minutes was ultimately not enough to solve anything.

The Flames did catch a heck of a break after Sanford’s tying tally.

Cam Talbot sprung a leak on what would have been David Perron’s second of the night, but Ryan O’Reilly was offside on the sequence and the hosts were successful on a challenge.

Perron and O’Reilly both earned a sliver of revenge by sniping in the shootout.

There was all sorts of offence in Tuesday’s opening stanza at the Saddledome.

The locals seemed to be establishing the early momentum but that changed in a blink after an ugly giveaway by blue-liner Oliver Kylington, whose outlet pass wound up on the blade of Alex Steen. Moments later, after Robert Thomas returned a feed to Steen, it was 1-0.

The Flames turned the tables with a pair of power-play tallies.

Fresh off his first all-star appearance, Tkachuk snapped out of a 10- game goal-scoring funk with a blast that glanced off the back of a defender.

Next, Monahan cashed from the slot to hit the 400-point plateau.

The Blues were back in the lead before the intermission, with David Perron banging in a rebound and then Jaden Schwartz ripping a one- timer for a PP goal of his own after Travis Hamonic was busted for cross- checking.

The Flames continued their man-advantage magic in the second. After Gaudreau’s slapper was blocked, Monahan claimed the loose puck and zipped a low shot for his second of the evening.

The hosts were perfect on the power-play until failing to capitalize on an opportunity during overtime.

You’ve probably heard what’s next for the Flames — Tkachuk & Co. are headed north for Wednesday’s much-anticipated instalment of the Battle of Alberta at Rogers Place (8 p.m. MT, /Sportsnet 960 The Fan). 1173051 Calgary Flames Both played in the glory days of the Battle of Alberta, when a double- minor for roughing would have barely raised an eyebrow.

There are famous stories about the Flames and Oilers of yesteryear Flames' alumni pining for Battle of Alberta playoff series sending star-studded delegations to charity golf tournaments in Red Deer and having to be seated at separate sides of the clubhouse at dinner.

Wes Gilbertson “Especially during the season, you didn’t even want to make eye contact,” McDonald said. “You would walk by each other in the hall and maybe if you were that close, you had to nod your head. But there was no conversation going on, I can guarantee you. That has changed quite a It’s been years, decades actually, since there was this much hype — and bit these days because so many of those guys train together. Back when this much hate — in the lead-up to an instalment of the NHL’s Battle of we played, you basically only trained with your own team when you came Alberta. back from the summer. You can thank Matthew Tkachuk and Zack Kassian for that. “But all of a sudden when things happened with Kassian and Tkachuk, it And what’s especially tantalizing is that the Calgary Flames and ramps up the rivalry big-time.” Edmonton Oilers will clash not once but twice this week — Wednesday’s You’ll never see some of the shenanigans of the 80s and early-90s, and whistle-wetter at Rogers Place and Saturday’s rematch at the that goes for any on-ice rivalry, but a bit of bad blood isn’t a bad thing. Saddledome. “There were very few Edmonton-Calgary games that I played in that “Hopefully, it’s a foreshadowing for the first round of playoffs, or the weren’t violent and brutal and nasty,” Fleury said. “Maybe towards the second round,” said Flames’ all-timer Theoren Fleury. “Because that’s end when both teams were struggling, but before that, it was war. when the rivalry will be back, when they meet each other in the playoffs.” “You’d go stand in front of the net on the power-play and they would be Imagine that … a possibility of seven straight spring showdowns between breaking those double-fiberglass Kohos over your back. There would be these provincial foes. toothpicks everywhere, and no penalty. I loved that the refs just let us “Oh my god, would people love that or what?” said fellow Flames legend play, too. They kind of knew what the game was going to be like, and Lanny McDonald. “That would be a match made in hockey heaven, I can they let us play and beat the crap out of each other, which was fun. guarantee. “(George) Parros would be busy if it got back to that level.” “Bragging rights in the regular season is one thing. But bragging rights in Parros, a former fighter and now the head of the NHL’s disciplinary the playoffs? That is another whole other climb up the mountaintop.” department, will be in attendance Wednesday at Rogers Place. For the longest time, bragging rights has been just about all there was at Word is, he’s planning to spend Saturday night at the Saddledome. stake between the Flames and Oilers. If the Flames and Oilers meet in their first playoff series since 1991, he Suddenly, finally, a head-to-head playoff series doesn’t seem so far- might need to book an extended stay in Alberta. fetched. As Fleury put it: “You’d have to put on your big-boy pants, I’m sure, to The Alberta-based clubs hit the all-star break in a Wild Rose Wash, play in that one.” deadlocked with 57 points apiece in the Pacific Division standings. (The Flames had a chance to pull ahead in Tuesday’s late date with the St. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.29.2020 Louis Blues, but the Oilers now have two games in hand.)

Most of their meetings have been fairly friendly in recent years, but the Tkachuk-Kassian feud could change that.

After all, a good rivalry needs a villain.

Or better yet, two.

Every hockey fan from Stony Plain to Strathmore, from Bruderheim to Balzac, on either side of the enemy line in Red Deer, was screaming at their flat-screen TV during a Jan. 11 edition at the Saddledome — it’s just a matter of whothey were yelling at.

Ticked at Tkachuk, who didn’t miss an opportunity to take a run at the Oilers’ winger, with some former NHLers characterizing a couple of those thumps as dangerous or dirty hits?

Or cranky with Kassian, who wailed on the Flames’ all-star forward despite the fact that he wasn’t willing to drop his gloves?

A war of words followed.

Kassian was slapped with a two-game suspension.

Billboard-space was suddenly a hot commodity.

“The best line of this whole thing is when Tkachuk said to Kassian, ‘I don’t fight fourth-liners,’ and then Kassian says, ‘Well, I have 13 goals this year,’ ” Fleury said with a chuckle. “I’m thinking, ‘Man, if I was playing with McDavid … and I’m 50 years old … I would have at least 20 by now. And I can’t even skate anymore.

“I wouldn’t be bragging about having 13 goals playing with the best player in the world.”

Certainly, there’s no question what side Theo is on.

Lanny’s allegiances remain firm, too.

Both have experienced seven-game spring slugfests against the boys from a few hours north. 1173052 Calgary Flames Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.29.2020

Flames call-up Robinson pumped for long-awaited return to big-league level

Wes Gilbertson

For Calgary Flames call-up Buddy Robinson, this was a long time coming — a waiting game that spanned three-plus years, a grand total of 1,143 days and 269 outings at the level.

On Tuesday, the 28-year-old right-winger was finally rewarded with another nibble of NHL action.

“Being a competitor, you never want to settle for being in a league below,” Robinson said prior to a battle with the St. Louis Blues at the Saddledome, his first big-league look since December 2016. “You always want to be the best and you always want to compete at the best level, so you just want to go out and prove that you can stick here.

“Because anytime you’re in the National League and you’re an athlete playing at the highest level, there is really no beating that.”

You couldn’t wipe the smile off Robinson’s mug after Tuesday’s morning skate.

Johnny Gaudreau was wearing more of a game-face, but he too was tickled.

After all, the superstar left-winger worked to convince his close pal and fellow New Jersey native to sign with the Flames as a free agent in 2018.

They wound up skating on the same line for the latter stages of a shootout loss to the defending Stanley Cup champs.

“Obviously, a life-long friend,” Gaudreau said of Robinson, his high- school teammate with the Gloucester Catholic Rams. “Most of the American League teams that he’s been on, the NHL teams have been really good so he’s been struggling for call-ups throughout his career. It’s great to see him get a chance.

“He’s excited that he’s getting an opportunity tonight, and he deserves it.”

He earned it with a team-leading 16 goals so far this season with the Flames’ affiliate in Stockton, Calif.

Prior to Tuesday’s tilt, Robinson had totalled seven nights of NHL know- how, each of those on behalf of the Ottawa Senators in 2016.

His resume also includes stints as a farmhand for the Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks.

“We like a lot of things that he brings to the table,” said Flames interim coach Geoff Ward of Robinson. “He’s a big, rangy body. He plays hard. He can skate. He’s defensively responsible. And he does a good job around the opposition’s net and in the slot.

“So we think there’s something he can add.”

In his quest to stick at the Saddledome, Robinson has a couple things going for him.

He isn’t a thumper but at 6-foot-6 and 225 lb., he brings some size to Calgary’s cast.

He’s also a right-handed shot, and those are in short supply. (Besides Elias Lindholm and Derek Ryan, the rest of the Flames’ forward regulars are lefties.)

Wearing No. 53, Robinson made a positive first impression with two shots and two hits in 15:31 of icetime against the Blues. He also sprung his pal on a breakaway, but Gaudreau was stopped.

“It’s still a dream of mine, since I was a kid, to be a full-time National League player and I don’t think I’m ever going to give that up,” Robinson said after Tuesday’s morning skate. “To be able to get a shot like this, this late in my career, it’s pretty special to me. I’m pretty excited. I’ll get the butterflies out in warm-ups and then just go out and play hockey, like I know how to.

“I’ll just do my best to fly around tonight and make an impression.” 1173053 Calgary Flames Once upon a time, it had been an all-in affair. Which is what Berezan, a native of Edmonton, discovered when he hopped into the Battle of Alberta in 1985.

Ahead of the next Matthew Tkachuk–Zack Kassian matchup, Battle of “You get a sense right away that it’s the general manager, the ownership, Alberta veterans weigh in on the feud the coaches, right down to the , with a hatred for each other,” said Berezan. “In this case, it’s coming from one player who’s poking the other. Nobody else is really involved. The coaches aren’t saying anything By Scott Cruickshank Jan 28, 2020 bad about each other, right?”

Recalling the tiffs between Glen Sather and Bob Johnson, he chuckles. “Badger wanted to poke the bear, poke the bear, every single time. And It’s been years since he whispered sweet nothings into the ear-hole of a he reinvented it constantly to piss Slats off.” certain eggshell Jofa, since he taunted hockey’s snarliest enforcers with winks and smirks and spiced the provincial spat like few others. For matches in Edmonton, Johnson would purposely submit his starting lineup, predictably peopled with heavies, as late as possible, then But Neil Sheehy recognizes a pot when he sees one — and the man still excitedly wait to hear from NHL officials about Sather’s reaction. What knows how to give it a stir. did he say? What did he say? “Badger loved it,” said Berezan. “It was the “Matthew Tkachuk … I don’t know why they’re upset. I mean, he pulled coaches instigating … the poking of the other side was really important.” up on the guy,” Sheehy is saying the other day. “It wasn’t as if he just ran The night of the Jan. 11 kerfuffle, Flames coach Geoff Ward told him over. He turned his body and kind of went with his butt. It wasn’t as if reporters that he wished that linesmen had stopped Kassian’s flurry of he tried to hurt this guy. He didn’t even get a penalty on it. blows a little earlier, while counterpart Dave Tippett mentioned that “You have to answer the bell over time if you’re taking cheap shots, but, perhaps his winger should’ve simply taken a number. by no means, did Tkachuk ever take a cheap shot.” No, not exactly the to-and-fro friction presented by the Slats & Badger Sheehy, as a Calgary Flames blueliner in the 1980s, made a living out of Show. pestering Wayne Gretzky and riling up the Edmonton Oilers’ cast of Hope, however, is not lost. The grudge’s resurrection may not be far meanies. And, like everybody in the hockey world, he’s formed an away, said one of the Flames’ former defenders. opinion on the pulse-raising commotion of Jan. 11. “The focus is on those two guys, but it won’t take much to get other guys A Minnesota-based agent, Sheehy watched Tkachuk rock Zack Kassian. involved, too,” said Steve Konroyd. “You know what? They’re brothers Incensed, the Oilers forward grabbed Tkachuk and threw wild punches at and that’s the way we looked at it — ‘Hey, listen. You punch my brother, his covered-up combatant. I’m going to get you back.’ It is a band of brothers and you do stick up for “You know what? It was a great hit — I thought he went easy on him,” each other.” stoked Sheehy. “I’m not saying what Kassian did was wrong — you get That mentality led to a decade’s worth of Hatfield and McCoy hostility. up, you’re sour, you go after the guy. But I also look at it and say, ‘I don’t Reflecting, Jim Peplinski, longtime hard-liner of the Flames, is blunt. think Tkachuk had to fight in that situation.'” “I’m still amazed that somebody didn’t die in those battles. That sounds Which is certainly one take on the flare-up. The other is that Tkachuk, like a silly thing to say. Like, seriously? Die in a hockey game?” he said. following the heavy check, was obliged to engage. He refused, to the “But they were, at a minimum, competitive contests — and, most of the frustration of at least half of the province. time, vicious. That’s just the way it was. They had all the different Feel free to rip Tkachuk, but his behaviour has put a charge into a long- elements of theatre. dormant quarrel. It’s still far from the 1980s hotbox of hate, but well “So why do people get excited when Tkachuk runs over Kassian? beyond the nothingness of recent meetings. And a role, like the one Because you remember those things and you’re hoping to have that Tkachuk is embracing, is vital to the revival of the Battle of Alberta, which rekindled. And as long as nobody gets killed, maybe it’s OK.” resumes Wednesday in Edmonton. Dislike did not start with NHL squabbles. “It needs a villain,” said Perry Berezan. “Without a villain there is nothing.” Well before the Oilers joined up in 1979 and the Flames moved from Atlanta in 1980, there was genuine animosity between Edmonton and One of the very best, according to the former Flames forward, was Tim Calgary, which extended to their representatives. Junior. Senior. WHA. Hunter, especially on the sleepy nights of a long season. CFL. Whatever was handy. “I can remember him reaching over and punching one of the Jets — on But this — bad blood on hockey’s brightest stage — proved to be the the bench. Just because,” said Berezan. “Huntsy was calculated, which perfect storm of belligerence and bragging rights, an emotional jackpot. allowed him, as a middleweight, to be able to fight heavyweights.” The Battle of Alberta’s first of 240 installments took place Oct. 22, 1980, But that No. 19 and this No. 19 — decidedly different skill sets. But at Northlands Coliseum, a 5-3 triumph for the hosts. Berezan insists there is a “ton of parallels” between Hunter and Tkachuk. It had been a relatively tame evening — until Peplinski dropped his mitts “As far as the getting under the skin,” he said. “When you look at some of with another 19-year-old. “I didn’t know who Mark Messier was when I those brawls, it would start with Huntsy going, ‘Oh, the goaltender’s out got into a fight with him,” he said. “It didn’t last that long. We both got a of the net. I’m going to bump him just enough to bring the cavalry.’ He couple of licks in.” knew when to fight people, when to give a cheap shot. He was a master at it. A super smart guy. Peplinski would go on to skate in another 66 regular season dates against the Oilers, piling up more than 300 penalty minutes. “And there “I think for Tkachuk, after watching him and seeing all his gifts, his wasn’t a lot of hooking and holding in there,” he said, chuckling. “Those biggest gift is between the ears. Positionally, situationally, he does so were the days when the three worst words in the game were, ‘Let ’em many smart things.” go.’ And lots of times, with the way the Oilers operated, it wasn’t a fight Including, at the tender age of 22, understanding how to infuriate against one guy, you were fighting three of them. opponents to his advantage. Kassian is just one in a growing line of the “They had the most skilled guys in the game and they also had the aggrieved. mentality of Sather that built that frickin’ wolf pack. It made it incredibly “Which makes this thing intriguing as hell because Tkachuk knows where scary. You had to be courageous to go in there because if you weren’t the line is and he’s pushing it,” Berezan said. “I love that. I think it’s afraid, you were stupid or fearless — and I don’t know if there’s much awesome what’s happened. difference between the two of those.

“But if it’s just those two players? It’ll die. That’s what has been lost — “I look back on the memory of it as fond, but I’m glad I got out alive.” there’s been no reason to hate the Oilers, except because they’re the In Round 2 — Dec. 30 in front of 7,243 witnesses at the Stampede Corral Oilers. There’s been no other reason.” — the teams combined for 13 minors, three majors, a dozen 10-minute misconducts, one game misconduct … before the first intermission. In both get ejected. A great trade-off for the Flames. Punches flew and into the 5-3 win, Willi Plett collected a hat trick and 12 penalty minutes. the penalty box they went.

Game on. “The ref came over — looked at me, looked at Mark, and said, ‘Give those assholes two minutes for roughing,'” said Peplinski. “I remember Yet, winter after winter, it hadn’t been solely bloodlust propelling the feeling the inside of my mouth with my tongue — my mouth was all cut Flames. It was the pooling of incredible talent up the highway — Gretzky, up. I looked over at Mess and he had this huge bump where I’d drilled Messier, Kurri, Anderson, Coffey, Lowe, Fuhr — that had them him on the forehead. We looked at each other and kind of smirked, ‘Well, scrambling for solutions. They knew they were not going to escape the whatever.’ Two minutes didn’t seem like much for what just happened Smythe Division without learning how to overcome their northern there. nemeses. “But you either showed up or you disappeared. It was hard and it was Violence aside, it was a set of circumstances that produced terrific vicious.” competition. And not easily forgotten. “Not only were guys finishing their checks and trying to hurt each other, they were trying to win,” said Konroyd. “And when you’re trying to win, Patterson, even after his playing days, never enjoyed going north for you’re trying to score goals, you’re trying to make plays. Everything’s business. “I swear to you, I hated going there — because I hated amped up because of the rivalry. Edmonton. Obviously, over time that goes away. But it’s quite interesting how that sits in you for quite a long time.” “It was good hockey. It wasn’t all goonery.” For Sheehy, running into the Oilers a few years after retirement, was Nevertheless, nights against the Oilers — with Ed Whalen and Peter never pleasant. More awkward than anything. “We’d turn the other way,” Maher providing the descriptions for fans at home — often took turns into he said. “We wouldn’t talk.” brutality. Especially if the score got lopsided. Eventually, though, that sentiment shifted. “Then you knew it was going to get stupid,” said Konroyd. “You tightened up your helmet, you put a little Vaseline on your face, and you knew if Suddenly — and unthinkably — there became something resembling a someone looked at you the wrong way the gloves were coming off.” bond between the 1980s relics.

Because this was no hollow hype, no media creation, no fan-fuelled “I’d talk to Dave Semenko. I’d talk to Kevin Lowe, Kevin McClelland,” said projection. Sheehy. “It was almost like we were innate friends because we had gone through the battles … we’d shared an experience that we thought was “It was all legit,” said Konroyd. “All the on-ice hatred, it wasn’t a show, it pretty special. Then you started to talk to one another.” wasn’t put on. It was for real. They didn’t like us. We didn’t like them.” Even to Gretzky? Yes, even to Gretzky. “Now that we’re all retired he can The NHL, in the summer of 1987, passed a rule to curb brawls. Players extend the olive branch,” said Sheehy. “But when you were playing you who left the bench to fight would be hit with 10-game suspensions and never wanted to give the edge to anybody.” $10,000 fines. Colin Patterson remembers only two clubs complaining. Yup, Flames and Oilers. “Each team was really mad,” he said, laughing. Semenko — who, during one of those free-for-alls, had twice kneed Konroyd in the face, splitting him open — went out of his way one day to Ramping up the nastiness was the sheer number of times the teams make his peace with the defenceman. “He said, ‘There’s one thing I clashed — two or three or even four times in the preseason, eight times regret in my career in fighting and that was when I brought the knee up in regular season, then as many as seven more times in the postseason. on you,'” said Konroyd. “I said, ‘Don’t even worry about it. Heat of the And every meeting felt critical. moment.'”

Making two rinks the scenes of never-ending score-settling — “All kinds Peplinski speaks now of Messier in the highest regard, as a player, as a of different little stories within the big picture,” is how Rich Kromm puts it man. Further, he points out that the cities of Edmonton and Calgary — — and, occasionally, random menace. and their respective NHL clubs — did a wonderful job of co-hosting the One night, Kromm had paired off with Paul Coffey, but the Oilers 2012 world junior tourney. rearguard wasn’t his only concern. “I remember (Dave) Semenko — he But don’t dare to think there was ever a soft centre to this rivalry. was on the loose somehow — and he came across and popped me on the side of the head.” There was not.

Another time Berezan happened to run into Gretzky, an accidental Berezan played junior for the AJHL St. Albert Saints, coached by collision, but No. 99 hit the deck. Messier’s dad, Doug. So he knew Mark.

“I was told I was going to die,” said Berezan. “You take all the cheap Cool story. The night Messier bagged his 50th goal in 1981-82, he drove shots after that. Your brain gets thinking, ‘What are they going to do? around looking for the Saints’ bus — which was making a late return from What are they going to do?’ I watch a guy like Tkachuk — he’s oblivious a road trip — so he could celebrate with his father. He caught up to the to it. team on St. Albert Trail. “Mark parked in front of the bus and jumped on the windshield, screaming, ‘Dad! Dad! Where’s Dad?'” recalled Berezan. “And Neil Sheehy was oblivious to it when he would pick on Wayne, “But Doug was usually in one of the parents’ vehicles. But Mark came on because he was told they were going to kill him, constantly. He didn’t and high-fived everybody.” care. He kept going after Wayne. He knew how to get paid.” As it turned out, being an acquaintance of Messier counted for nothing. In fact, Sheehy appeared to take great delight in upsetting the Great One. Nudging him against the boards, nattering at him, blowing kisses in In the spring of 1988, Messier spied Berezan coming around the Flames his direction. net and left him in an unconscious heap.

He laughs. “My best shifts were after the whistle blew. But you had to “Mark knew me. But he didn’t give a shit. He didn’t care,” Berezan said. have your eyes wide open otherwise you might have your head taken off. “He came to knock me out. He didn’t come for any other purpose. The You had to have extreme awareness.” Another laugh. “I still have all my puck was in front of me. He could’ve just taken it. The force of it … it was teeth.” targetted to put me out — and he did.

Peplinski remembers grabbing hold of Dave Hunter during a line brawl. “When Mark was really intense, you knew that there were no Not far away was teammate Paul Baxter, who about to tussle with Kevin boundaries.” McClelland. While hopes persist that the Battle of Alberta recovers some of its former “Paul looked at me and said, ‘Do you want to trade?'” said Peplinski. “We pizzazz, it’ll never look the same as it did in the 1980s. kind of shuffled over and I ended up with McClelland and he ended up with Hunter. I think about that now and I think, ‘My gosh.'” Rules, for starters, would never permit it.

Then there was the time Peplinski and Messier were ready to go at it — Just as well, according to Peplinski. with the Flames forward fully aware that, as the secondary scrap, they’d “Think of the melees we had,” he said. “Go back and look at some of those things. It’s just ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. But now the teams have an opportunity to shine in the pure parts of the game. I think that is absolutely wonderful.

“Today you have to recognize how the game has changed. What would get the next Battle of Alberta going is to have Connor McDavid going end to end with a great save, then Johnny Gaudreau going end to end with another great save.

“You are just not going to have the ingredients that we had. And, frankly … it’s much better to get lifted out of your chair by incredible speed and great goals and great goaltending and the odd great hit, but, more so, the beauty of the game.”

One requirement of a rip-snorting rivalry is quality of opposition. Back in the day, the Oilers were the NHL benchmark, and the Flames convinced themselves that they were never far behind.

In the years that followed, the teams had their moments — Calgary to the 2004 Stanley Cup final, Edmonton to the 2006 Stanley Cup final — but it’s been forever since they were relevant at the same time.

Meaning? “There’s a whole group of fans, the younger fans, who have heard lots of talk about it, but have never truly seen the Battle of Alberta,” said Patterson, adding that upside is obvious. “You want intensity. You want hits and plays. The games are going to be better. The fans are into it. The games mean something.

“I mean, that race is so tight right now, a victory for either side …”

Could mean nailing down a playoff berth.

Which brings up something not so far-fetched — a best-of-seven series featuring the provincial foes. Had the postseason opened Monday, the Flames and the Oilers would have squared off.

“That would be a dream for everybody,” Kromm said.

And an immeasurable jolt to one of hockey’s most fierce feuds.

“Oh my goodness, yes,” said Patterson. “It would be crazy in both cities. That would be the best thing for Alberta hockey, for sure, but also for hockey in Canada and even the NHL.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173054 Carolina Hurricanes NHL experience and even produced eight goals and 19 assists during that time. He’s got 6-11—17 and a plus-14 through 43 games in Charlotte, and the sense is he’s been strong on D and a great option for The Hurricanes’ final 32 games: From Justin Williams’ presence to Brett a seventh defenseman who could rotate in and surprise people. Pesce’s fighting, 18 post-break ramblings 2. There’s a decent chance the Canes will make a trade before the deadline.

By Sara Civian Jan 28, 2020 As colleague Pierre LeBrun reported in his monster trade deadline primer, the Hurricanes have been sniffing around for help on the blue line since before the Hamilton injury. Obviously the question becomes: “Who’s the odd man out?” Justin Williams played two NHL games in his return to the Hurricanes before he jumped right into another break. He logged modest time on ice To tell you the truth, there doesn’t appear to be any set decision on that in both — 13:06 in his debut against the Islanders, then 11:45 in a yet, and there are so many options. Do the Canes pull from their wealthy playoff-like tilt with the Jets — but he managed a shootout game-winner, prospect pool? Do they trade one of the odd men out now that Williams is then a near hat trick. back? Deal one of the enticing prospects from the fire-hot Checkers?

He was (jokingly) asked if he was sure he wanted to take a break. It’s a tough call. The eventual answer will tell us a lot about where the front office thinks the team is. “Listen,” he said. “I jokingly joke about it, but hey? Breaks are good for everybody. Maybe even guys who have only played two games.” 3. Of course Slavin showed up to an event he wasn’t even invited to and won. The truth is, he wasn’t hanging out on a beach (who cares if he was, anyway?). He was at a luxurious vacation destination of his own — a That’s So Raven, but That’s So Slavin. You’re welcome. youth hockey tournament in western New York to watch his son, Jaxon. This reminds me that Rod Brind’Amour was at Quinnipiac University, 4. Could the Hurricanes trade Erik Haula? where he finally watched his son play college hockey live for the first People are obviously curious about why Haula was a healthy scratch time. headed into All-Star break.

I asked him on Jan. 20 if he was doing anything fun for the break. Full disclosure: It seems like it was a multi-faceted decision and you need “Ehhh. I don’t know what (you’d consider fun),” he laughed. “Yeah. I am. to take all speculation with a grain of salt. I’m gonna go watch my son play (college) hockey for the first time. I’m That said … really looking forward to that, actually.” Haula’s ice time went from 17:14 against the Kings on Jan. 11 to 13:45 Quinnipiac Men's next game against the Caps on Jan. 13 and hasn’t significantly increased ✔ since. Of course he was not happy with that as a competitive guy at heart — and a pending free agent trying to prove his hot start was legit. To be @QU_MIH fair to him, his hot start was absolutely legit.

Thank you to @Canes head coach Rod Brind'Amour for stopping by and But on a team trying to contend for the Cup, you worry about load speaking with the team before practice today! #BobcatNation management and making sure your assets are ready to go when the time comes. The Canes don’t want to take any chances with Haula View image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on TwitterView considering his injury history and his recent bout of something that was image on Twitter non-structural but still affecting his knee. The Canes are also coached by 710 a man who was one of the most “team-first” NHL players ever.

3:46 PM - Jan 23, 2020 Also, it was just one scratch.

Twitter Ads info and privacy It’s a tough situation that probably cooled off during the break.

60 people are talking about this 5. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Petr Mrazek’s contract.

Teuvo Teravainen was snubbed from the All-Star Game, but he got to I feel like we’re so quick to make our minds up with goaltenders when the take a trip he’d planned to see family back in Finland. Jaccob Slavin position is so complex and dependent on the performance of the rest of showed up to St. Louis as a replacement for Dougie Hamilton and ended the team. That said, Mrazek has been inconsistent at times this season up winning his event. But more importantly, he and his wife Kylie got to but is one of the hottest goalies in the league as of late: see family in the Midwest. Sean Tierney

NHL players are human beings, and this week bore a devastating @ChartingHockey reminder that spending as much time with loved ones as we possibly can is far more important than a game. I’m sure we all spent some time Hottest goaltenders heading into the break: thinking about that during the break. I’m grateful this break came exactly Elvis when it did. Vasilevskiy It’d been an emotional few weeks for the Canes as it was, with the loss of Hamilton and return of Williams. Their recent 7-6-1 run was a mixed bag Mrazek of concerning losses and convincing wins. Colleague Dom (Who is hockey’s Madonna and Oprah combined, so we don’t have to spell his Price last name) has the Canes as a bubble playoff team, with a 69.1 percent Samsonov chance of squeezing in a tough Eastern Conference race. View image on Twitter Here are 18-or-so ramblings about the Carolina Hurricanes before the final 32 games of their regular season. 56

1. There’s a good chance the Canes will call up a defenseman in the 8:42 AM - Jan 24, 2020 pipeline. Twitter Ads info and privacy And there’s a good chance his name is either Jake Bean or Gustav Forsling. Bean has been tearing it up in the AHL, rounding into the form See Sean Tierney's other Tweets Hurricanes brass thought he would when they took him 13th overall in He’s got a 1.80 GAA and a .927 save percentage over his past five 2016. I overlooked Forsling in that post and in retrospect that was a games. He has a history of going on tears, so there’s a good chance he’ll mistake. In this household, we take our “Ls”. Forsling has 122 games of build on this into the playoffs. Who knows if he keeps it up or not, but you gotta love that two-year, 9:35 PM - Jan 21, 2020 $6.25 million contract he signed over the summer. Worst case the Canes come out unscathed without wasting prime years from Teravainen, Twitter Ads info and privacy Andrei Svechnikov, Martin Necas, Sebastian Aho, the list goes on. Best 50 people are talking about this case he goes on an extended aforementioned tear and the Canes re-sign him for big term and/or bucks with more confidence. Bradlee Pesce

6. And how about James Reimer? @bradleepesce

It hasn’t been all sunshine and roses by any means, but Reimer’s been Don't fuck with my brother outstanding lately. Overall, his .921 save percentage ranks No. 11 for 1,113 goalies with at least 1,000 minutes (roughly 19 games) played. Unrelated, it’s hard not to root for the guy if you’ve ever met him. He’s 9:27 PM - Jan 21, 2020 been a great addition to the locker room and has replaced Curtis McElhinney as the resident chill, dad-vibe exuding goalie shockingly well. Twitter Ads info and privacy

7. I think something would have to go horribly wrong for an extended 138 people are talking about this Alex Nedeljkovic NHL appearance this season. A source that once did the Storm Surge in the stands after the It’s funny; it seems like every time we’re about to ask ourselves if it’s time Hurricanes won at Madison Square Garden told me Pesce used to fight for Nedeljkovic to become the “goalie of the future” former Checkers as a kid and stopped. He was clearly too talented, “but when buttons are coach Mike Vellucci once told me he was, the Hurricanes goalie tandem pushed …” posts a back-to-back shutout, or something. When buttons are pushed he is apparently 1-0. That’s probably less funny for Nedeljkovic, who is finding his way after 10. The Hurricanes have a tough road ahead. the whole Checkers crew struggled to start the season. Nedeljkovic won the Top Goaltender Award at the AHL All-Star Game over the weekend, The Canes are on the road more often than not in February and the for whatever that’s worth. Y’all always ask me when it’s going to be Ned beginning of March, and most of the opponents are going to give them time, but if I’m thinking like the Hurricanes brass, I think the start of the hell. This is exactly when you need Justin Williams. Like Pesce recently season was too shaky to call him up at the moment, barring an said, he makes you feel like “losing is not an option.” emergency. An emergency could entail a longer stretch of incompetency than we’ve seen from either goaltender or an unfortunate injury. It’s hard to discuss Williams without sounding corny, but you just trust the guy to get it done — not necessarily by himself, or on his own This might be unfair to Nedeljkovic based on what he’s proven in the performance, but by the way he elevates everyone around him. AHL, so maybe a trade isn’t off the table. We’ll have to see. 11. Williams 8. Speaking of the AHL All-Star Game … … after his shootout game-winner: “I’m just happy to be back in this It was in a place called “Ontario, CA” as in “California,” not “Canada”. locker room talking to you guys, is all. I love these cameras in my face.”

Are you kidding me? Me after his two-goal performance: “Do you still miss us?”

I’m almost positive I would’ve accidentally booked a flight to the middle of Him: “Of course. Of course.” nowhere. 12. More Williams 9. Brett Pesce used to dabble in fighting, actually. Williams went out of his way to compliment the noted healthy scratch The Hurricanes’ collective reaction to Pesce’s first NHL fight was Haula in that postgame presser. He was asked about his own ability to hilarious. Pesce took down an Extremely Not Mad Mark Scheifele after “get to the right spot,” which contributed to his two goals. Scheifele tried Svechnikov in the final game before the break. Hurricanes TV host Mike Maniscalco tried to ask Necas about it and Necas started He said: giggling. He then asked Teravainen who taught Pesce how to fight, and “You have to be in the right spot but you have to have your body position Teravainen said: “Not me.” in the right spot. Erik Haula, we’ve got a couple of guys who do it really Williams: “That shows the Hurricanes aren’t going away, and they aren’t well.” going to be pushed around.” Don’t think for a second that was accidental. Pesce’s own reaction had me cackling: 13. Martin Necas is simply not getting enough attention around the Carolina Hurricanes league right now.

✔ Fifth in points with 27. Fourth in goals with 12. Forty-second overall in average time on ice at 14:00 even. @Canes Talk about him, you cowards. Rod's last speech before the break was nothing short of amazing 14. My feud with The Athletic Vancouver lives on. Embedded video My late, great hero Jason Botchford was absolutely livid when a local 1,592 Hurricanes reporter wrote last season that maybe Svechnikov should be considered for the Calder. I did not agree with that take, for the record. 10:29 PM - Jan 21, 2020 My take was “Who cares about The Calder, and Elias Pettersson should Twitter Ads info and privacy win it,” but Botch would send me Svechnikov’s empty netter stats whenever I tweeted about him regardless. 193 people are talking about this I loved it. He had the perfect flair for dunking on you while making sure We can’t forget reactions from one of the best hockey families in the you knew it wasn’t malicious. NHL: I also love colleague Harman Dayal, and hell, I love Quinn Hughes. I Brian pesce used to cover Big Ten hockey and was floored with Hughes’ skating the moment I saw him. @Brianpesce2 But the complete dismissal of Svechnikov here has me wanting to write a Mrs Pesce mad at me cause I’m jumping up n down. Went into bedroom Pusha T caliber diss track. and slammed the door; NIGHT ALYSSA:) I don’t think Boy Genius is hiding a child, but it’s on once again, VanCity. 580 15. Am I allowed to love the power play?

I have a secret: I love the Hurricanes power play these days, even when it isn’t getting on the scoreboard. So many bang-bang passes. So much puck movement. So much behind-the-net action and that’s hilarious because you know some goalies are thinking Svechnikov’s going to try The Michigan.

16. Am I allowed to think Dougie Hamilton was on pace to win the Norris Trophy?

He came in third behind Washington’s John Carlson and Nashville’s Roman Josi during our PHWA Midseason Awards, but I voted for him to win.

Take it away, MaDOMma.

17. Brind’Amour’s comments about Hamilton were sort of jarring.

I keep thinking about Rod Brind’Amour saying Hamilton is his “Number 1 guy on everything.”

How did we get from everyone typecasting Dougie into a certain role, to coaches deploying him in that role, to maybe him starting to believe it, to museums being bad or something, to Power Play One, to penalty kill minutes, to him breaking his leg while playing hard?

After Brind’Amour said what he said, I asked him if he thought that would ever be the case when the Canes acquired Dougie.

“I don’t think we …” he hesitated. “Well, I shouldn’t say that. We had hoped that, for sure. When you see a guy who can do all the things he can do — and he was able to do right out of the gate, you’re always hoping ‘OK, there’s another level,’ and you’re hoping you can tap into that then you got something really special. I give him a lot of credit — he dug in and he molded his game.”

Maybe that’s how. Dougie found home. Luckily a break like this usually means he’s good as new when he returns, but this still stinks.

18. Are the Hurricanes going to make the playoffs?

They have to. They’re all aware that this fan base deserves success spanning more than one Cinderella run every decade. They’re all aware they have the talent. They’re all aware how tough the division is, too, but they’re also aware of how that can’t matter. The fans are back and anything less than a return to the playoffs is a disappointment.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173055 Chicago Blackhawks Hawks will sign Gravel or just keep an eye on his development while betting no other team swoops in remains unclear, but he’s another variable to consider.)

Blackhawks’ quiet minor-league signing might hint at long-term goalie Regardless, Bowman won’t be — and Lehner’s, Crawford’s and outlook Lankinen’s agents now know he won’t be — facing any CBA-mandated Last week, the Hawks signed third-string Rockford goalie Matt Tomkins deadline in his negotiations with the three goalies. to a two-year, two-way NHL contract. That transaction gives them more That flexibility might become relevant in the weeks before the deadline, flexibility in their negotiations with pending free agents Robin Lehner, too. Corey Crawford and Kevin Lankinen. Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.29.2020

By Ben Pope Jan 28, 2020, 6:55am CST

Robin Lehner has been fantastic for the Blackhawks this season, but the focus will soon shift toward his contract situation. Getty

The Blackhawks quietly made a small transaction deep in their minor- league system last week to ensure they’ll have the widest range of options with their complicated goalie situation moving forward.

Matt Tomkins, 25, was a seventh-round draft pick in 2012 who spent his full four years at Ohio State before moving on to the Hawks’ two minor- league affiliates — the ECHL’s Indy Fuel and the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs — the last three seasons.

He had been playing on an AHL contract. On Thursday, however, the Hawks ‘‘signed’’ — or, more accurately but less officially, converted — Tomkins’ contract into a two-year, two-way NHL deal.

The signing isn’t undeserved. Tomkins improved from his first season to his second with the Fuel, then moved up this season to the IceHogs. He leads the team with a .916 save percentage despite making only nine appearances so far.

But Tomkins is unlikely to become a relevant NHL player and still sits fifth on the Hawks’ goalie depth chart behind Robin Lehner, Corey Crawford, Kevin Lankinen and Collin Delia.

Moving him to an NHL contract, however, likely has something to do with three things: Lehner and Crawford are pending unrestricted free agents this summer; Lankinen is a pending restricted free agent; and the trade deadline Feb. 24 is less than a month away.

Matt Tomkins, seen here at the Hawks’ 2017 development camp, was “signed” to an NHL contract last week in the midst of a solid yet sparse AHL campaign. Brian Jackson/For the Sun-Times

It has been obvious for a while that Lehner or Crawford might be traded before the deadline so that the Hawks can recoup some assets instead of risking one walking away for nothing in July.

General manager Stan Bowman would like to keep both players, but each has gone public in recent weeks about not being interested in taking a ‘‘hometown discount’’ from the cash-strapped Hawks to keep the twosome in place.

Crawford also suggested he’s not inclined to sign into a designated backup role, which he clearly is filling right now behind Lehner.

Furthermore, Bowman and Lehner’s agent, Craig Oster, allegedly have begun discussing Lehner’s expectations for a new contract, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported Friday. LeBrun also said the Hawks haven’t indicated they’re interested in trading Lehner, but the Hurricanes — seeking an upgrade from their shaky tandem of Petr Mrazek and James Reimer — are one team explicitly interested.

The Hawks probably won’t make a move until they fall out of the playoff race or are forced to make a decision by the deadline, but both scenarios could arise within weeks.

So the dominoes are being lined up, even though none has fallen yet.

The Tomkins news indicates the Hawks aren’t playing around, either. The NHL’s collective-bargaining agreement requires all teams to have at least three goalies under contract at all times. The Hawks entered last week with only Delia certain to remain under contract come July. Tomkins increases that number to two.

Prospect goalie Alexis Gravel, who impressed at development camp and in the prospects tournament last offseason and whose draft rights expire this summer unless he is signed, could make it three. (Whether the 1173056 Chicago Blackhawks Melissa Nides, Glenview

A: No chance. Players that retire do not get paid, so if they're not healthy enough to play, they will simply go on long-term injured reserve. Can the Chicago Blackhawks take another step next season? Q: With Dylan Sikura going on 25 and now seemingly younger and more talented players on the way, do you see the Hawks moving him this John Dietz summer?

Bill Reimnitz, Chicago

Welcome to Part II of our Blackhawks reader Q&A. Let's get right to it. A: As my dad always says, everything's for sale. So maybe the Hawks pull off one of those change-of-scenery deals, much like they did last Q: Even if the Hawks make the playoffs, is it possible for them to take a season with John Quenneville and John Hayden. step forward next season? I'm not sure that the further development of Kirby Dach/Adam Boqvist and the addition of Ian Mitchell will be enough Sikura is 24 years old, but only in his second full pro season, though, so to offset imminent departures and raises throughout the lineup. it's probably better if they remain patient.

@lukestanberry on Twitter Q: Will Stan Bowman be GM next season if Blackhawks don't make playoffs this year? A: The Hawks can absolutely take another step next season. Jeff Greer, Glendale AZ Assuming they come to terms with Robin Lehner, Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik, this team would feature: A: Yes. Blackhawks President and CEO John McDonough believes in Bowman, and he's going to give him at least one or two more seasons to • A top-five goalie in Lehner. see if all these moves over the past few years pay off.

• An elite-level scorer and playmaker in Patrick Kane. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.29.2020 • One of the sport's best leaders in Jonathan Toews.

• Talented scorers in Alex DeBrincat, Brandon Saad and Kubalik.

• An improving set of young players in Dach, Boqvist and Mitchell.

That's a good start, but what about the injured Andrew Shaw, Calvin de Haan and Brent Seabrook? Those three take up a whopping $15.325 million worth of cap space. Are they coming back next season?

If they are -- and they're effective -- that's another good sign for the Hawks. If not, it's a problem.

Stan Bowman has made a truckload of moves over the past few years. Unless something too good to pass up falls into his lap, maybe it's time to just stop and let this team develop.

The best way for the Hawks to take a giant leap is for Dach and Boqvist to turn into stars next season. Imagine if a bigger, stronger Dach scores 25-30 goals and dishes out 40-45 assists, and Boqvist becomes the puck-moving, offensive threat he's supposed to be.

Add all that up, and it's completely plausible that the Hawks not only take another step but also start to make some noise again in the West.

Q: What players do you think are traded to be able to free cap space to get Robin Lehnar, Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik signed?

Jennifer Katrein-Bennett, Ottawa

A: According to capfriendly.com, the Hawks have $70.1 million committed to 16 players next season. The salary cap can figures to rise to about $83 million to $85 million, which obviously puts GM Stan Bowman in a bit of a pickle.

I see one of three things happening:

• Bowman trades Brandon Saad, who carries a $6 million cap hit through next season.

• He trades Zack Smith ($3.25M) or Olli Maatta ($4.083M) -- or buys one of them out. Buying out Smith would cost the Hawks $1.083 million in 2021-22 and 2022-23; Maatta would cost about $671,000 against the cap for the next four seasons.

• He asks Brent Seabrook and/or Duncan Keith to waive their no- movement clauses. This seems like a longshot, but it's worth throwing in as a possibility. Bowman would certainly be asked to eat a portion of Seabrook's contract, and he'd have to give up a significant talent as well.

• He could also look to move Andrew Shaw or Calvin de Haan, but what general manager wants to take on players with that much injury risk?

Unless Bowman trades Strome or Kubalik, my money's on Options A and/or B.

Q: What are the chances Brent Seabrook and/or Andrew Shaw decide to hang it up? 1173057 Chicago Blackhawks Dach has clearly become more comfortable on the ice as the game has started to slow down for him half a season into his NHL career.

But when it was suggested that perhaps he's thinking before reacting at Rozner: Blackhawks' Dach only scratching the surface times, Dach shook his head.

"It's natural for me," Dach said. "I've always been a thinker when it comes Barry Rozner to my game. I like to think my plays through and make sure I'm seeing plays ahead of time before I get the puck so I know where to go with it.

"(In juniors), I kind of already knew what to expect and how to play that Good luck getting Kirby Dach to talk about himself. game and I was successful at that level. I knew who I was playing against and the matchups every night. Here, the game's a little faster and Seriously, ask him a question about his style and he talks about winning. it's new matchups. Ask him about adjusting to the NHL and he talks about his teammates. "There was a little bit of an adjustment period, not knowing what the pace Ask him about shooting the puck more and he says he must concentrate of play is going to be like. You're going through a lot of things in your on it if he's going to help the Blackhawks make the playoffs. head before the game to make sure you're in the right position.

And it doesn't sound prerecorded. "The last month, I've felt pretty comfortable playing the games. But I've been getting a lot of help and advice from my teammates. That's been Dach looks you in the eye and speaks with maturity, suggesting an huge." understanding of where he is and where he wants to be that is unusual for anyone his age. As for finding the stat sheet more often, Dach doesn't seem to care as long as the Hawks are playing well. But he's an NHL player who turned 19 a week ago, drafted third overall only last summer, and professional athletes that young -- and selected "We're all here for one thing and that's to win the Stanley Cup," Dach that high -- tend to believe that making it to this level is a foregone said. "So as long as the team's winning, I'm happy. conclusion. "You want to do anything you can to help the team. You want to Dach, however, has shown a responsibility that belies his years, and in contribute in any way you can. For me it's about being a factor every part explains his comfort in the Hawks' dressing room. night and helping the team win."

"I felt like I've belonged out there all year," Dach explained. "Obviously, To watch him play is to think Kirby Dach has barely scratched the surface there's been some low points. of his talent, that there will be much more to his game once he gains weight and confidence. "You want to contribute offensively every night and help the team win, but in my case I'm trying to improve my game every night and become a But to listen to him speak is to realize victory is his one goal. better player and a better person. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.29.2020 "I've learned so much in this short amount of time. I feel like I've used the time well to develop. I look forward to the rest of this season and I look forward to finding a way to keep winning games."

Dach has 7 goals and 7 assists in 45 games, and the points have come in bunches. He had points in back-to-back games early in the season, a stretch in November with 7 in 5 games, and a couple long stretches with no production, before 3 points in the last 2 games heading into the break.

That included 2 points in the loss to Florida, one on a brilliant backhand off the rush on which he did not hesitate to shoot.

"I need to shoot more. There's times when I'm passing up opportunities," Dach said. "At the same time, I need to round out my 200-foot game and continue to be a more complete player in a team game.

"I've always kind of been a passer. I've always played with a lot of shooters, but I need to find a way to help the team more by becoming that dual-threat player.

"Look at (Patrick Kane). He was known as a pass-first player, but he scores 30 or 40 goals a year because he shoots the puck and creates opportunities for himself that way.

"So I have to find a way to get more pucks to the net."

Late in the Florida game he made a sweet pass through the slot to Kane -- who scored -- after drawing four Panthers and the goaltender to the puck.

"He's so confident with the puck," said Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton. "He's so heavy with his stick, he comes out of battles with the puck. He just turned 19 and he gets through the neutral zone and shrugs guys off, fights through checks, carries guys on his back through zones like it's nothing."

And at 6-foot-4 and 197 pounds, it's easy to see what another offseason and 20 pounds is going to mean for him.

"He's making a big difference for us," Colliton said. "I understand the production hasn't been there that maybe people expect, but when I look at his game it's extremely positive the progression he's making as the year goes on.

"He can be a big part of -- hopefully -- our success in the second half." 1173058 Chicago Blackhawks I asked some objective league sources for their opinions on Colliton. One mentioned how he thought Colliton’s coaching performance was poor over the first 20 or so games and how he’s improved greatly over the last To boo or not to boo Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton? few months. The source was impressed the Blackhawks seemed to be in nearly every game these days.

It’s also not like last season, when positive results were driven by a wildly By Scott Powers Jan 28, 2020 successful power play. The Blackhawks’ power play has largely been subpar all season; that’s probably where Colliton’s next big adjustment is

needed. Instead, the Blackhawks are actually playing good hockey. The Jeremy Colliton could have easily been fired earlier this season. wins and underlying numbers concur.

The Blackhawks front office could have pulled the plug and admitted Patrick Kane, who is often pretty honest about such things, said it, too. through gritted teeth they had hired the wrong person for the job. “I think we have a pretty dangerous team to be honest with you,” Kane So much had been made of how the 2019-20 Blackhawks would be said during All-Star weekend. “Some teams might look at us and think different. For them to come out of the gate with a 4-7-3 record and that we’re easy to play against, but we’re kind of changing that. We’re playing so similarly to last season, Stan Bowman and John McDonough playing a more controlled game and a better team game lately, and we would have been justified to let Colliton go. Other coaches around the have a lot of guys that have a lot of experience. Obviously we haven’t league have been fired for less. made the playoffs for a little bit, so it’d be nice to get back there and feel that pressure of playing some meaningful games and playoff hockey. If you booed Colliton then, as many did, I can’t blame you. The That’d be huge for our team.” Blackhawks were objectively bad, and any hope fans had to begin the season was decimated with those early struggles. No one wanted to hear The Blackhawks’ surge has resurrected their playoff hopes. Their playoff Colliton or anyone else say the Blackhawks would get better. Their percentage dropped to as low as 7 percent in Dom Luszczyszyn’s model. situation hadn’t improved, and there was little evidence it would with time. They stood at 35 percent entering this week.

But the front office stuck with Colliton. You can theorize a number of Which brings a decision for fans. Blackhawks games will continue to reasons why that have nothing to do with the team’s results, but let’s matter, at least for now. Do you want Colliton to succeed or fail? Do you focus on what we know. The Blackhawks kept the faith — Colliton was want the Blackhawks to make the playoffs or not? either going to steer the ship into the ground or save the day. It’s time to choose, because booing Colliton while the Blackhawks are in The Blackhawks’ horrid start tested Colliton in a way he hadn’t ever the playoff hunt, as fans did during Joel Quenneville’s return last week experienced as a coach. He endured some struggles early on coaching and have done throughout the season, doesn’t make much sense unless in Sweden — and had to live within a small, hockey-enthused community you want him, and essentially the team, to fail. If you do, that’s fine. I’m while doing so — but that was expected. While he was an inexperienced not going to tell you how to be a fan. If you want Colliton and his bosses NHL coach this time around, he was fairly certain he was doing the right to lose their jobs, then you probably want the Blackhawks to miss the things to correct the Blackhawks’ issues. playoffs. Everyone’s job security will be in question with another playoff absence. Colliton spent the offseason evaluating what the Blackhawks were and what they needed to be, helped Bowman make roster decisions based It would’ve been difficult for anyone to follow Quenneville. Colliton on those evaluations, hired new staff and then utilized a full training camp couldn’t be more different than his predecessor. He’s not yelling “peanut to implement his system and get everyone was on the same page. He butter” on the bench after goals, telling people to fuck off and bouncing believed he had checked every box. around the halls after wins. Quenneville can easily crack a joke, as he did several times last week. Colliton has a sense of humor, though drier, and So the rough start was a blow to Colliton. He wasn’t oblivious to some of he’s obviously much more reserved. He is also well-read, has political his roster holes — he understood they lacked an abundance of two-way views and would probably be more liked if he revealed more of himself, forwards and their defensemen had some limitations — but he was but such things aren’t often encouraged in hockey. confident he could hide those deficiencies by structuring them to be more defensive. That would fix the number of high-danger scoring chances the What Colliton also doesn’t have going for him is he was hired by this front Blackhawks allowed. When he positioned another forward low in the office. There’s anger toward Bowman, McDonough and the organization defensive zone, it helped the Blackhawks defend better in some ways, for firing Quenneville and the team’s decline. Fans have still filled the but it also crippled their offense and led to more defensive zone time. United Center, so booing has become one of their few vehicles to express their displeasure. Colliton is caught in the middle. Colliton eventually came to grips with the fact that his system wasn’t working. In the end, it was his decision to alter the way they played and Colliton has never let on that the boos affect him. He’s continued to go open up the offense again, but it wasn’t easy. about his business, something another league source commended.

Since then, it’s been a season of adjustments for Colliton — line “You have to appreciate the way he has handled the journey,” the source combinations, playing time decisions, his goalie use and his system. To said. “He doesn’t seem to waver during tough times and has stayed his credit, when those decisions haven’t worked, he’s shown a grounded during the climb back into the race. For me that is one of the willingness to try something different. Yes, he’s occasionally been toughest areas for a young coach to handle — the rollercoaster.” defensive — especially about his line combinations and the 7D/11F As I’ve written, Colliton isn’t perfect. He’s made mistakes. You can point game — but he doesn’t appear too proud to do what’s ultimately best for to him as a reason why Henri Jokiharju was traded. His strategies have the team. backfired at times. Going with seven defensemen for a night didn’t give Some examples: He’s given more opportunities to Kirby Dach and Adam the Blackhawks the best chance to win. Erik Gustafsson probably Boqvist, who are now on the top power-play unit. He sat Brent Seabrook shouldn’t be the lone defenseman out on the power play with a late lead. multiple times despite the effect that could have inside the room. He’s But over time, Colliton has learned how to better protect leads in the benched nearly all of his defensemen at one time or another. He’s tried NHL. They’ve won their last eight games in regulation after leading after an assortment of AHL players. It’s taken him time in some instances, but two periods. Prior to that, they were among the worst teams with a 9-1-3 he’s landed on line combinations and defense pairings that jell. Jonathan record in those situations. Toews playing with Dominik Kubalik and Olli Maatta with Slater Colliton has been open about having to adapt throughout this season. As Koekkoek have been influential changes as of late. Colliton has been much as some fans assume Colliton thinks he knows everything, that’s riding the hot hand in Robin Lehner. He’s made morning skates optional not the case. He’s risen the ranks faster than most and already has 118 because it was favored by players. NHL games under his belt at 35, but he understands he still has a lot to Since losing to the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 on Dec. 18, the Blackhawks learn. have a 12-6-0 record. Aside from the mind-boggling 7-1 loss to the New “You got to keep getting better,” Colliton said. “We have to adapt. Every Jersey Devils and a 5-2 loss to the Nashville Predators, the Blackhawks situation you go into is different. Take the information that comes in and have been in every game and won most of them. make the best call. I think that’s the one thing as you get more experience it’s important you have to trust your instincts. There’s a lot of input that comes in, and, of course, together with the staff, there’s lots of people to talk to and throw ideas around with, but ultimately you got to do what you think is right. I think in the end that’s how you get success.”

Lately, Colliton has proven himself right on the ice. The Blackhawks are winning more games. They’re pushing for a playoff spot. They’re playing solid hockey. There is still work to be done, but Colliton finally has the Blackhawks moving in the right direction. Fans just have to decide whether they’re willing to move in that direction with him.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173059 Dallas Stars If Hintz and Cogliano are unable to play, Bowness said the Stars might ice 11 forwards and seven defensemen since Dallas does not have any roster space to recall a forward from AHL affiliate Texas.

Rick Bowness says Stars look to generate offense ‘any way we can get Dallas Morning News LOADED: 01.29.2020 it’

Dallas wants to create scoring chances off both odd-man rushes and time in the zone.

By Matthew DeFranks 8:28 PM on Jan 28, 2020

FRISCO — When it comes to offense, the Stars will take it any way they can get it.

On Monday night, during a 3-2 overtime win over Tampa Bay, it came mostly on the rush and off Lightning turnovers rather than from forechecking or cycling in the offensive zone. It resulted in double-digit chances in transition, including four breakaways, in the first game back from the break.

It’s part of who the Stars want to be as a team: a unit that can play well defensively and have good defense (forcing turnovers, clean breakouts) lead to good offense (odd-man rushes and offensive zone time). Is there a balance for Stars interim head coach Rick Bowness as to how much offense he wants off the rush and how much he wants in zone?

“We want to create offense any way we can get it,” Bowness said after practice Tuesday. “We did a good job on our breakouts last night. That gave us the opportunities on the rush. If we forecheck like we can and we did last night, we’re going to create opportunities from that as well. I don’t look at that as a balance. I think you have to get both.

“A lot of that depends on how the opposition is playing you. If they’re stacked up in the neutral zone, you’ve got to dump it in and create more on the forecheck. Last night, we broke out very well and moved the puck quickly and were able to create more on the rush.”

Former Stars coach Jim Montgomery maintained that creating chances off the rush would lead to more in-zone time and more opportunities to cycle. Even if you missed the initial shot, you had more players down the ice, and a better chance of retrieving the puck and going to work. Bowness feels similarly.

“When you’re on the attack, you want to pursue the puck, you want to work hard to get it back and spend some time on the cycling and get your defense involved,” Bowness said.

Both of the Stars’ goals during regulation Monday came off the rush, first when Denis Gurianov sped through the neutral zone and shot between Andrei Vasilevskiy’s legs and later when Jamie Benn turned a giveaway at the blue line into a pretty finish on a breakaway. Blake Comeau, Mattias Janmark and Tyler Seguin each had their own breakaway chances, as well.

The Stars were off to the races last night against the Lightning. Clean exits, clean entries, rush scoring chances. pic.twitter.com/lHKSTzMnYD

— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) January 29, 2020

Day to day: Injured forwards Roope Hintz (upper-body) and Andrew Cogliano (lower-body) were classified as day to day by Bowness on Tuesday afternoon. He said the team was hopeful they could be options to play against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday night, but it would depend on how they felt when they arrived at the arena in the morning.

Hintz played one shift in the first period Monday night, absorbing two hits and leaving the ice after just 20 seconds. Cogliano fell awkwardly into the boards during the second period and did not return as the Stars played with 10 forwards the rest of the game.

During practice on Tuesday, Jason Dickinson was elevated to the second line, centering Gurianov and Joe Pavelski in a spot Hintz had been occupying. Bowness said Dickinson was the team’s best forward against the Lightning.

“I thought he was strong on the puck all over the ice, very good on the forecheck, great job on the penalty kill,” Bowness said. “Left wing, center, he filled in a lot of spots last night. I thought he was our best forward. … Dicky deserves a lot of credit for that win last night as well. I thought he was outstanding.” 1173060 Dallas Stars

Former Dallas Stars goalie Ed Belfour arrested after ‘drunk and disorderly’ incident at Kentucky hotel

By Tom Steele 2:52 PM on Jan 28, 2020 — Updated at 3:58 PM on Jan 28, 2020

Edward John Belfour(Bowling Green Police Department)

Belfour, 54, who lives in McKinney, was arraigned Tuesday morning on charges of criminal mischief and public intoxication, court records show. It was unclear whether he has a lawyer.

According to a citation, police in Bowling Green were called to the Kentucky Grand Hotel and Spa about 1 a.m. because an intoxicated man was damaging hotel property.

An officer reported finding the man — who was later identified as Belfour — lying on the floor near a second-floor elevator, “clutching a curtain rod that had been ripped out of the drywall” and kicking the door to the spa.

According to the 911 caller, who had been locked in the spa, Belfour had been drinking at the hotel and tried to start a fight with a bar manager, then angrily hit a window.

Belfour could barely stand up, had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes and smelled strongly of alcohol, police said.

The arresting officer wrote in the citation that Belfour “was manifestly under the influence of alcohol to a point he was a danger to himself and others."

Belfour played for the Stars for five seasons in the late 1990s and early 2000s, helping to lead the team to its only Stanley Cup title in 1999. He was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in 2011.

He has had previous alcohol-related run-ins with the law.

In March 2000, Belfour was arrested on misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and assault after an incident at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek.

Police wrote in a report that a hotel clerk said Belfour was intoxicated and was groping a woman who’d accompanied him to the hotel.

After the woman left, Belfour became angry and threw a security guard into a wall, police said. When officers arrived, Belfour had the 50-year-old man in a headlock and refused to let go of him, according to authorities, and an officer used pepper spray before the goalie was taken into custody.

According to an affidavit, Belfour begged the officers not to take him to jail, “offering $100,000 and then progressing to $1 billion.” He also kicked and spat at officers, they said.

Then with the Florida Panthers, Ed Belfour was arrested in 2007 after an incident at a Miami Beach bar.

Belfour later pleaded guilty to the resisting-arrest charge and was given two years of probation, during which he had to twice visit local high schools to tell students about the dangers of alcohol abuse.

He was arrested again at a Miami Beach bar in April 2007, when he was playing for the Florida Panthers. Security guards had asked police to make Belfour leave, and he shoved an officer and tried to avoid being apprehended, officials said.

Belfour, who officers said appeared to be drunk, was arrested on charges of resisting an officer and disorderly intoxication. He was given 20 hours of community service as part of a plea deal.

Last year, Belfour and his son Dayn launched Belfour Spirits, a line of whiskeys. One limited-edition rye is topped with a sterling-silver replica Stanley Cup in a nod to the goalie’s championship with the Stars.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173061 Dallas Stars

20 years after a ‘$1 billion’ bribe, ex-Dallas Stars goalie Ed Belfour arrested again

BY MAC ENGEL AND MIKE STUNSON JANUARY 28, 2020 12:23 PM

Twenty years after he offered a Dallas cop a “one-billion dollar” bribe, The Eagle flies again for the wrong reasons.

Looking at the former Dallas Stars goalie Ed Belfour latest mug shot is amusing, only until you realize this is not an aberration but a pattern.

Belfour was arrested on charges of criminal mischief, and public intoxication at 1:20 a.m. Tuesday at the Kentucky Grand Hotel and Spa in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

According to the arrest report, “[Belfour] was laying on the floor clutching a curtain rod that had been ripped out of the dry wall above a window next to him. The subject was kicking the spa door while he was laying on the ground.

“Belfour had a slow slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, he could barely stand up, and he had the strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Belfour was not being compliant with officers as we tried to put hand cuffs on him.”

The person who called the police said, “Belfour had tried to fight another manager in the bar. The caller stated Belfour was hitting a glass window downstairs in anger. Belfour was manifestly under the influence of alcohol to a point where he was a danger to himself and others.”

This is not exactly new behavior for Ed Belfour, now 54. He had success on the ice, having led the Stars to a Stanley Cup title in 1999, but he has continued to struggle outside of the arena.

In March of 2000, he was arrested on a charge of unruly behavior at a high-end Dallas hotel. He famously offered the Dallas cops who arrested him a $1 billion bribe to let him go. The “$1 billion” line was taken straight from the movie, “Austin Powers.”

In 2007, when Belfour was in his final NHL season and playing with the Florida Panthers, he was arrested on a charge of disorderly intoxication.

Of all of the great players on those Stars’ teams, The Eagle was the biggest concern then, and now.

He retired after the 2007 season, and he was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.

Belfour lives in the DFW area, and in his post-playing career he launched his own line of, you can’t make this up, whiskey. It obviously works.

Star-Telegram LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173062 Dallas Stars was very good defensive structure. And Scotty Bowman, that was his sticking point every day, was that we needed to be better defensively. Like you said, you’re going to get into tight games (in the playoffs), you LeBrun: Q&A with GM Jim Nill on Stars’ deadline plans, effects of parity have to be able to defend and survive in those games. The biggest thing and importance of managing people when I talk to other GMs and other guys, we’re always talking philosophies, and where the game is headed and that, our league has almost become: you’ve got to be skilled enough to get in the playoffs, but you’ve got to be structured enough, heavy enough, hard enough, to By Pierre LeBrun Jan 28, 2020 survive in the playoffs. And it’s a fine line. You got to have enough skill to get in the playoffs because it’s an 82-game grind. Some nights, third game in four days, you’re tired, you don’t have it, but your skill has to win The world could use more Jim Nill’s. you games. The goaltending, the power play, one of your high-end offensive players makes an unbelievable play in a 3-3 game to win it, I have come across a lot of good people covering the NHL over the past you’ve got to have that. But I know this much, when you get into the 25 years, but few are better than the longtime hockey executive and playoffs, it is a grind. There’s a will that goes with that. And there’s a way former NHL player. you’ve got to play in the playoffs to make it. That’s no secret. Ken Holland played junior with Nill and of course, spent 20-plus seasons This might be a tough question to answer, but your player stats aren’t working together in the Detroit Red Wings front office. very high. Are your higher-paid guys like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn “Professionally, he’s a tremendous talent evaluator, he’s got a somewhat limited offensively by the way the team plays or is there room tremendous work ethic, he’s got great people skills, he’s got really good for them down the stretch to do more offensively? If you know what I communication skills,’’ Holland began on Monday when asked to mean. describe his pal. “Personally, he’s loyal, he’s got lots and lots of friends in Right, is the system restricting them or is there more … I think there’s the industry because he treats people with respect. He’s a wonderful more to give yet. I truly believe. Our power play really struggled early, family man. He raised a wonderful family. He’s a great husband. And now it’s gotten going a bit more lately. Power play is the freedom for everybody in the industry looks upon Jim Nill as one of the great people these players to do (things offensively). Our power play has been subpar, in our business. Friendly, talks to everyone, respectful; just a quality, you look at our players’ stats, and say what you want, that’s a big part of quality, quality human being. I feel very fortunate to consider Jimmy a goal scoring. It’s hard to score in this league and if you’re not on the very close friend.’’ power play, you’re not getting a lot of goals. That’s just a fact. I think This is Nill’s seventh season as GM of the Dallas Stars, his club having there’s more for high-end players to give there … And even our support made the playoffs in three of the previous six years, winning two playoff players, I think there’s more to give there, too. I think we can be a more rounds and are currently sitting in a playoff spot. determined team in the offensive zone, possession time and all that. … I think we can still be more of a possession team in the offensive zone and They came oh-so-close to reaching the Western Conference final last I think that’s where our game will change a little bit. spring, losing in overtime of Game 7 to the eventual Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues in the second round. I see a deep Stars blue line. In fact, you’ve got eight healthy D now with the return of Stephen Johns. Your goalie tandem is top-notch. So it This year’s Stars have the best defensive record in the league as they leaves me down one path, is there a way for you to go into the market begin the stretch run, but they continue to struggle offensively. They before Feb. 24 and add a forward? Or are you down on the ability to add need more from their big boys. Can the trade deadline bring some help an impact player at this time of year; in other words, is there a player up front? available that can come in and have that kind of impact for you guys?

We got into that and more on Monday, with Jim Nill being the latest to We’re open, every day we come to work we’re trying to make changes, join me for a series of Q&A interviews with NHL GMs: how do we get better? We’ll continue to do that. This is the healthiest we’ve been in probably two years. We finally have a healthy team other As the stretch run begins, defensively you can’t ask for more, and yet than Martin Hanzal, whose career is over due to a back injury. So it’s offensively, you’re no doubt hoping for more (28th in NHL in goals per nice to see. We’ve got that depth now. I like our depth. We’ve got four to game). How would you characterize the team? five kids who can come up and play different roles at forward and in the Yeah, I think you’re dead-on about the defensive side, that’s our identity, defensive group. I’m going to sit back and analyze the next two to three we’re built like probably six to seven other teams in the league, the St. weeks and see where we are. Things can change quickly. We’re going to Louis’, the Islanders, the Boston’s, the Vegas’, those type of teams; real see what’s out there. The biggest question is what’s the price of sound defensive teams, heavier teams, I guess is a way to put it. That’s acquisition? There’s a balancing act there. Draft picks are becoming our identity. When we get away from that, the games get away from us. more and more valuable in today’s game. That’s what we got to balance. We know that now. We started to understand that last year. Now the … Yes we’ll be looking, is there something that fits, if the price is the right other side of it as you mentioned, the offensive side, we need to find that price, we’re always looking to add. There’s a short-term risk/reward to fine balance. That kind of comes and goes in spurts. We’ve had good that and a long-term risk/reward that we always have to balance between stretches of 10 games where we have scored three goals per game, and the cap, the draft picks, that’s what we’ve got to balance. We’ve got a lot then we’ll dry up. But the biggest thing for us is to remember who we are. of young guys’ contracts coming up. We have to balance that also. So And that’s every team. Every team has an identity. When you get good at we’ll see once we get closer, there’s going to be some teams that start to that, that’s why the St. Louis Blues are Stanley Cup champions. They climb, some teams will start to drop off and that’ll change the market found their identity, they stuck with it and they did a good job keeping place. who they are. That’s where we’ve got to get to. I remember being at the Board of Governors’ meeting when the news Your defensive stats reminded me of a conversation I had maybe 20 came down you announced a coaching change with Jim Montgomery let years ago with Lou Lamoriello and nervously asking him about the Devils go and Rick Bowness taking over. How tough was that for you, both not scoring a whole lot of goals. But at the time they were first or second personally and professionally, to handle that given the circumstances? It in goals against. I’ll never forget his response, “Pierre, it’s not about how wasn’t a normal hockey transaction. many goals you score but how many goals you score more than you let Yeah, it’s a situation you never want to be in. But the situation was there, in.” (laughter, both of us). It always stuck with me. You mention the Blues we had to make the right decision and we know we did that. So I guess I and we’ve seen a certain style win out the last couple of years. I keep was at peace with that. It’s unfortunate for Monty and for his family, what saying this but for all their high-end skill, I believe Washington finally won happened; but in the end, I was very comfortable knowing what I had to because they became an all-round team, better defensively, physical, do, we had to do it. We did the right thing. It’s just something that had to they had it all. Do you feel in many ways that the identity of your team is be done. better served for spring hockey than perhaps for the 82-game journey on the way there? Since then more coaches have been fired around the league, there are some interesting candidates out there. I believe you’ve since come out Well, that’s a fine balance. I even go back to my days back in Detroit. As and confirmed that Rick would be your head coach for the rest of the much as people might have perceived the Detroit Red Wings and the season. Is that still the case? Colorado Avalanche in those days and all the high-end offense, there Yes. Our coaching staff, most of them have been together for two years of people. And I think that’s the biggest thing to understand is that you ago. They know the players well, they know the system well, Monty when have to manage people. That’s your coaches, that’s your ownership, he was part of it, they all did a good job putting that in place. We haven’t that’s the media, that’s your players, that’s your scouting staff; that’s the changed from that. I think you have to be careful, you can’t be making biggest part of the business. That’s maybe what’s changed a little bit. I changes every two months to key personnel decision-makers in the look at the successful general managers, I was fortunate I worked under organization. I’m very comfortable. That was the one thing when we had Ken Holland, you look at Lou Lamoriello, David Poile, those guys are to make these changes, if I would have had to go outside the good men that care about people and manage people the right way. And organization, it would have been a tough call when this happened at that that’s the most important part. time. But knowing that I’ve really got four head coaches on my staff; Derek Laxdal (promoted from AHL on Dec. 10) has been a head coach Last question, Jim, and thanks again, a question I like asking the GMs for for a long time down in the minors, done a great job. … Rick Bowness this series, the most influential book you’ve read over the years? A book and John Stevens have both been head coaches. And Todd Nelson. that’s helped your career or in life? That was probably the part of it for us in making this change — I knew we My faith comes into play. I enjoy reading the Bible. I’m at the age now, had four guys who had all been head coaches. The biggest thing for I’m old in life, I’ve got grandchildren now, I just think it’s important to have them was coming together as a group and they’ve figured that all out and a foundation of life. And I really find that the Bible has really given me they’ve done a good job of that. So I’m very comfortable with where we that. And after that, I’ve read a bunch of books that have meant different are at with the coaching staff. things; I’ve read a lot of Tony Dungy’s books. I’ve met him. His books Your goalie tandem has been outstanding again this year. Do you believe deal with team situations and dealing with people on and off the field. I’ve in the science of goalie load management? You see it in Boston really enjoyed reading his books. Another book I have enjoyed is “Half obviously, St. Louis to some degree, Long Island, it’s certainly been the Time” by Bob Buford: True story of life experiences focusing on turning 1a and 1b situation for you guys between Ben Bishop and Anton success, to tragedy, to significance. Khudobin. How important has that been to keep Ben in a place where The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 once you get to the playoffs, he hasn’t been overburdened?

I think it’s very important. We actually started to look at this when I came on board six years ago. I came from Detroit where we had tough travel (when the Wings were in the West). It was always an issue. And once I got down to Dallas, I knew the travel was going to be tougher. Between the travel, the back-to-back games, getting in at three in the morning all the time (from road games), I’m going back to the pre-Bishop, pre- Khudobin days, we were starting to look at that, trying to figure that out. We wanted to rectify that. Because it is a concern. It’s a grind. And I think now, moving even forward from six years ago, the intensity of the game, the parity in the league, the pressure that’s on these goaltenders every night to perform, I think they need a little breather every once in a while. … So to know you have a goalie that can go in there and support your No. 1 is very important. I think you’ve seen that in the league now, you’ve got to have that.

You mentioned when you came on board as GM in Dallas. I had to look it up because my memory is not as good as it was. It was April 2013. While you’ve had some good teams, they’ve fallen short of what every team wants (to win a Cup). But it’s such a close league. You guys were with the Blues in the second round, Game 7 and overtime. Every GM I’ve talked to for this interview series has pretty much said the same thing, it’s just about getting in and after that, who knows. Do you feel that way as well?

Well, yes, the league is so close. I really believe that there’s 20 to 22 teams that have the opportunity to win the Cup. Trouble is, only 16 get in. There’s going to be some good teams who don’t make it. And there’s so many factors that come into play. I know the regular fan just sees who made it, who didn’t and wins and losses. But you get a key injury to the wrong person on your team, it can change your whole season. I tell our players at the start of the year, it’s one win a month. It’s three-four-five wins during a season that will dictate whether you’re in the playoffs or not. That’s a small margin. You go on a losing streak of three or four games, that can change your whole season. Because you have to make those games up. But the parity in the league, the league has never been better. There’s not an easy game any night. If the goalie is not playing well or you’re not on top of your game, you’re probably not winning. It’s good for the sport.

Seven years is a healthy run to be in charge of a team, you come from Detroit where Ken Holland did it much longer in one place, and there are a few long-tenured GMs. But wouldn’t you say there’s more and more pressure today due to parity? I wonder what it’s like for today’s GM in terms of pressure. I believe there’s more pressure on managers and coaches than ever before.

Well, I think that comes with parity. It makes it that every night is a grind. But I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve got good owners in Tom and Bob Gaglardi and their family had been great supporters of myself, my vision, our organization’s vision. They’ve given us all the tools. They understand the game. I think that’s the biggest part now of the business is the relationship between the coaches, management, ownership; knowing where you’re at. And I don’t know if patience is the right word but I think it’s the manager’s job now is to manage those situations. You come into the business as a hockey guy, but you become less and less hockey, the back end of the word `general manager,’ you are a manager, a manager 1173063 Detroit Red Wings Rasmussen, arguably, was one of the Wings’ best players during training camp and exhibition season, showing little rust while switching back to center.

Finally healthy, Red Wings' 2017 first-rounder Michael Rasmussen aims The disappointment of being sent down to Grand Rapids was there, for big second half although Rasmussen was intent on not letting it linger.

“Being a competitor, you’re a little bit disappointed,” Rasmussen said of not making the Wings’ roster. “It took a couple of hours of being upset, Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News Published 3:00 p.m. ET Jan. 28, 2020 | and then just moving on. I came down here with a smile on my face and Updated 5:30 a.m. ET Jan. 29, 2020 tried to help the team win, and that’s been the biggest priority for me.”

Having a good training camp gave Rasmussen a sense of self- satisfaction, and belief this could be a good season for himself. Grand Rapids — Michael Rasmussen has had a good, productive season for the Grand Rapids Griffins when he’s been healthy and in the “For that stuff (sense of what more could he have done) comes in your lineup. mind, but more than anything else I was proud of myself that I had a good camp and showed well,” Rasmussen said. “I didn’t take it But therein lies the issue. personally or anything, I just focused on having a good camp and good Rasmussen hasn’t always been healthy, missed two months of playing start to the year and now I have to keep it going and continue working time with an undisclosed injury, and has only played 18 games for Grand hard.” Rapids. The Wings envision Rasmussen as being a big, rugged shutdown center An injury has limited forward Michael Rasmussen to 18 games this who also can be an effective net-front presence in the offensive end. season for the Grand Rapids Griffins. Rasmussen showed glimpses of being that type of players at the NHL The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Rasmussen has 14 points (four goals, 10 level, and has looked the part in Grand Rapids as well. assists) in those games, and has looked promising. “We want him to develop as a center, and it’s a tough position to play in But it’s just the two months Rasmussen missed until returning Jan. 10 the NHL,” Simon said. “There aren’t many 6-foot-6 centers that can skate that’s been frustrating, along with getting back into game mode. (the way Rasmussen can).

“Definitely being out that long, it was tough coming back and just getting “He missed a significant amount of time, and he’s just getting his feet back into the swing of things,” said Rasmussen, who has two goals and back underneath him. He’s making strides, learning the position, learning three assists in eight games since returning. “But it’s been all good, to stay below the puck in the defensive zone.” everything is going well.” Rasmussen’s strengths right now are carrying the puck around the net, Rasmussen, 20, probably would have been in Grand Rapids last season. protecting the puck, and getting to the net front. He understands how to But because of his age last season he couldn’t be sent to the Griffins, use his size. and the Wings felt Rasmussen had nothing left to prove in junior hockey, Going back to center this season hasn’t been a huge adjustment, so Rasmussen was left playing in the NHL all season. Rasmussen said. In 62 games, Rasmussen totaled 18 points (eight goals) with the Wings “Not really, it’s just getting back into the routine and mindset of getting while playing mostly wing — an unnatural position for him — and not back quicker and going down low and helping the defense and being an seeing huge playing time. option in the defensive zone,” Rasmussen said. “Being responsible and The plan pretty much heading into this season was for Rasmussen, the taking faceoffs, and that’s pretty much to it.” Wings' first-round pick in 2017, to play in Grand Rapids, readjust to There are those people who wonder how much the NHL season helped, playing center, which he mainly played in junior hockey, and regain his or hurt, Rasmussen. But he insists it was a huge benefit, although not confidence and play much more than he did last year. easy, by any means. Rasmussen had five points in his first three games this season, and “It was definitely hard at times,” Rasmussen said. “It’s a big jump for sure appeared headed for a monster season, before getting hurt in mid- (from junior hockey) and it was hard, but then again, it was good for me. November. A real good year of experience and a lot of learning and just being “It was a good start to the year,” Rasmussen said. “They’re (statistics) around those guys around those guys and being around pro hockey. still good now. It’s tough being out that long, and coming back, but it’s “I was thankful for last year and I enjoyed it. It’s a totally different level been good. I’m happy to be down here. It’s a good group of guys, good and lifestyle with different expectations. You have to get adjusted and coaches and training staff. learn to adapt.” “Both are very competitive leagues with great hockey players. You have How long before Rasmussen returns to the Wings, or when, remains to be ready to play every night.” undetermined. Rasmussen’s injury, coach Jeff Blashill said several In 62 games with the Red Wings last season, Michael Rasmussen weeks ago, could somewhat slow Rasmussen’s return to the NHL. totaled 18 points (eight goals) while playing mostly wing — an unnatural “The fact he’s been out as much as he’s been out, hurts,” Blashill said. “It position for him. hurts the timeline of development. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it will For any player, young or old, it’s never fun to be sent down to the minor hurt his development long-term, but the timeline, the quickness which he leagues. would be potentially ready to be an NHL player, is hurt.”

But, particularly in Rasmussen’s case, it’s difficult to head to the AHL Rasmussen, though, is determined to accelerate that timeline, while after spending your entire first year in the NHL — and essentially going helping the Griffins to continued success and a playoff berth. backward. “That’s what I’m focused on every day, trying to get ready and prepare to Still, coach Ben Simon liked the approach Rasmussen has had with the stay up the next time I’m up there (NHL),” Rasmussen said. “But the Griffins. biggest thing for me is focus on the thing you can focus on and go from there.” “He came down with the right frame of mind,” Simon said. “You didn’t see the pouting. He competed and worked and had a real good first half of Detroit News LOADED: 01.29.2020 the season before he got hurt.

“Anytime you get hurt, now you have to hit the reset button, but he’s worked his tail off to get back.” 1173064 Detroit Red Wings the AHL, the money in this case is a bit lower than Marleau’s was. (Though Marleau was also more productive last season than Backes has been in limited action this season.)

The Red Wings are flush with cap space. Where can they turn to make it But even if the Bruins aren’t willing to match the Marleau return or include an asset? one of their top three prospects (Jack Studnicka, John Beecher and Urho Vaakanainen) in a deal, they still have nearly every pick over the next three seasons (except their 2020 fourth-rounder) as trade options.

By Max Bultman Jan 28, 2020 Likewise, though, the Red Wings might be wise to hold a minimum standard of return in these kinds of deals, especially if they intend to try

them multiple times over the next couple seasons. The Bruins’ system For as much as the Red Wings’ most obvious trade assets have isn’t considered very deep beyond that top trio of prospects. Would a stumbled this season — whether due to injury, performance or some second-tier prospect or pick really be worth it for the Red Wings? combination — there is at least one thing Detroit can sell to contenders Toronto: Cody Ceci (D), $4.5 million through 2020 as confidently as ever, both now and this summer: its cap space. Here’s a very short-term one, and arguably an option that breaks one of Don’t get it twisted: Steve Yzerman won’t be looking to do other general the rules listed above. Ceci’s playing more than 20 minutes a night for managers a favor by housing their financial mistakes on his cap sheet. the Maple Leafs right now, so calling him a “problem” on a deal that But for the Red Wings, solving another team’s cap problem in exchange expires after this season is a bit of a stretch. for either a draft pick or a prospect is exactly the kind of move that can help a rebuild without substantially straining the future. That said, the Leafs would need to free up some cap space if they wanted to “buy” in any meaningful way. And James Mirtle has already Detroit is operating with nearly $13 million in cap space, according to listed Ceci as the Leaf most likely to be dealt at the deadline. CapFriendly.com, which is plenty of room to take on just about any contract it could want. And when the offseason arrives and the Red Because of the short term remaining on his contract, this deal would not Wings shed the contracts of Mike Green, Trevor Daley, Jonathan be as lucrative as taking on one with a year or two left might be. But it Ericsson and Jimmy Howard, that number’s going to get even bigger. would also be virtually painless for the Red Wings. The actual salary, by There are some significant pending RFAs that Yzerman will still need to that point, is relatively minor, and the cap hit would be inconsequential for sign at that point, and Detroit will of course have to fill out its roster with Detroit. With how banged up and porous the Red Wings’ blue line has so many defensemen departing, but the Red Wings could conceivably looked at times this season, Ceci’s defending would even arguably be an enter the offseason with only about half of their salary cap committed for upgrade over some of Detroit’s regulars. next season (excluding Henrik Zetterberg’s $6.083 million LTIR contract). Even after all the necessary signings, there figures to be plenty of room As for a return, Toronto’s prospect pool ranks a bit higher than Boston’s, left over, especially if the salary cap increases at all. so prospects could be an option. Would a mid-round pick (Toronto has two fourth- rounders, for example) be a fair, if unspectacular, return for So, if the right opportunity arises, Detroit can easily be another team’s life what would ultimately amount to very little hardship for the Red Wings? It raft out of cap trouble, either before the Feb. 24 trade deadline or in the might depend on how badly the Leafs need the cap room. offseason. The question, as always, is whether the right fit is out there to make it happen. Because no matter when this kind of move takes place, Vancouver: Sven Baertschi (F), $3.366 million cap hit through 2021 any salary-shedding deal would likely need to check a few boxes. (buried at $2.29 million), or Loui Eriksson (F), $6 million cap hit through 2022 First, a team has to actually be in cap trouble, to the point where it can’t easily execute a move it would otherwise make. Usually, that also means The Canucks are one of the more interesting teams here because they the pool is limited to contenders, since they’re the ones looking to shell have come on strong as a budding contender this season. They have the out future assets to better position themselves to win now. The contract elite cornerstones, some scoring depth and good goaltending. also has to be enough of a drag that the team can’t reasonably just play it Considering how young their core is, that should mean patience is a out and deal with a suboptimal performance. Bonus points, then, if the perfectly realistic option at this deadline. player has recently been dropped down to the fourth line or has been At the same time, the Canucks haven’t made the playoffs since 2015. waived altogether. Sitting at first place in the Pacific, they have to at least consider the Naturally, that limits the pool for the Red Wings. Because while you can possibility of adding, either at the trade deadline or this offseason. And find plenty of contracts around the league that are a bit bloated, not all of both Baertschi and Eriksson have contracts that would be obstacles to them are problems. And if a team wants to pull a worthwhile asset, it has meaningfully doing so. to be willing to solve someone else’s problem. Or, rather, take on that Baertschi, who cleared waivers in December, has a cap hit at under $2.5 problem itself. million in the AHL, which isn’t prohibitive but might be the easiest way to Here are a few situations the Red Wings could look to at the trade create some minor wiggle room. His contract runs through 2020-21, so at deadline or in the offseason if they want to take a cap hit on the chin to that price, it would again likely fall in the more middling asset range. add another prospect or pick. Eriksson, meanwhile, is more complicated. Paying him for two additional Boston: David Backes (F), $6 million cap hit through 2021 (buried at seasons at a $6 million AAV, when he has just 9 points in 31 games, is $4.925 million) not ideal. But again, Vancouver would need the contract to be more than just an inconvenience to give up something substantial to move him. As The most timely (and maybe highest-profile) name who fits this mold is of Monday, Eriksson was playing on Bo Horvat’s wing, part of a line that Backes, who Boston waived just a couple weeks ago. In the short term, turned in a strong showing (at least by shot share and expected goals) in that has already lowered his financial burden on the team as a “buried” a win over defending champ St. Louis. He’s been worth 1.4 goals above contract in the AHL, and, in theory, Backes could even opt to retire, either replacement (GAR) this season, according to Evolving Hockey. That’s … soon or after the season. That alone would take the Bruins off the hook not actually all that dire a situation, all things considered. and render the rest of this section moot, as could Backes’ modified no- trade clause. His contract certainly still looks like a problem, though, especially since he’s already 34. Harman Dayal has also explored the incentive for But if he doesn’t, and if the Bruins were to make a big move during this Vancouver to be out from under the Eriksson deal by 2021, when he will season (or become sufficiently convinced Backes is going to stick out his have one year remaining at $6 million and Elias Pettersson and Quinn deal to its conclusion), then there’d be some motivation for Boston — as Hughes will need new contracts. So there could certainly come a time a clear Cup contender squarely within its window — to shop around and when this contract is in the spotlight. (Though Eriksson also has a no- see how much it would cost to shed his cap hit. trade clause.)

The most recent example of this kind of deal came at last summer’s draft, But if Eriksson is treading water in Vancouver’s top nine right now, it’s where Carolina picked up a protected first-round pick in exchange for hard to expect too much urgency out of Vancouver. This might be an taking Patrick Marleau’s $6.25 million cap hit off Toronto’s books. option better explored in the offseason, if the Canucks opt for a bigger Toronto did have the Mitch Marner contract saga looming in the push and need the cap space sooner rather than later. background at the time, though, and, with Backes’ deal already buried in Nashville: Kyle Turris (C), $6 million cap hit through 2024

This one is a whopper of a contract. Turris, whose star has fallen since putting up 64 points in 2014-15, has four more seasons remaining on his deal after this one. The Predators are playing him just 14 minutes a night, and that’s after scratching him for a stretch earlier this season. Not a great sign for a player you owe that much money for that many years, and especially for one who will be 31 this summer.

So this is a problem for Nashville. In fact, it’s one that extends long enough that it could conceivably stretch into the Red Wings’ next competitive era. That raises its own host of problems. But the worse the contract, the better the asset a team can reasonably ask for in return. And if you’re the Red Wings, and this struggling Nashville team is willing to come over the top with either a high pick, a top prospect or some blend to get Turris’ full salary and cap hit off its books? You’d have to consider it.

Partly because, if you forget the money (OK, and the term) for a second, Turris still could prove to be an adequate NHL player. For as much as Turris’ Nashville experiment has gone awry, he’s still producing around a half point a game — which is nowhere near good enough for a $6 million player, but at the same time could be enough to potentially make him the Red Wings’ second-line center for a season or two. Turris’ 0.6 GAR this season would rank him seventh among all Red Wings, for example.

That says more about Detroit’s season than Turris’ game, to be sure, but especially after Turris and Anthony Mantha showed chemistry for Team Canada at last year’s World Championship, it’s at least worth noting that the Red Wings could give him a low-stakes fresh start.

Still, the Red Wings aren’t taking this contract and all its salary without a juicy incentive. Because after the next year or two, it’s entirely plausible Turris’ situation would mirror the one Detroit finds itself in with Frans Nielsen, who has two more years at $5.25 million left after what’s turning out to be a disastrous 2019-20 campaign. And when you weigh that possibility with the idea Detroit could actually need that roster and cap space by 2023 … look, it’s a huge undertaking.

In a move like this, Yzerman would have to do two things he’s avoided as Red Wings GM so far: take on both high-dollar and long-term cap commitments. That’s why it would all have to come down to the compensation. If taking on Turris’ deal could get Detroit one of Nashville’s top prospects or a first-round pick in the next few seasons (with how Nashville’s season has gone, this year’s pick might be difficult to pry), Yzerman would have to at least think about it.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173065 Edmonton Oilers Oilers defenceman will be Calgary on Wednesday, St. Louis on Friday and Calgary again on Saturday.

So much for easing his way back into the swing of things. DeBrusk provides glimpse inside latest Oilers-Flames beef “You grow up playing hockey for games like this, it gets the adrenaline going,” he said, adding he has no problem with jumping right into a Battle of Alberta. Robert Tychkowski “I’m just happy to be back. I played in some physical games in (AHL) Bakersfield (during his three-game conditioning stint). I thought I was going to have to fight in my first game. There was a late scrum, two guys Louie DeBrusk has played this game many times. on me. After 401 NHL games and 1,161 penalty minutes, most of them in the “But I like that stuff, it’s exciting for me. I don’t shy away from it. I am who Battle of Alberta, the former tough guy and current SportsNet analyst I am as a player. I’m not changing that just because I had an injury.” knows as much about bad blood, long-standing grudges and highly- anticipated rematches than anyone. REMEMBER US?

And even he doesn’t know what to expect when the Edmonton Oilers and It’s been a looong time since the Oilers last played a hockey game (Jan. Calgary Flames resume their rivalry Wednesday night at Rogers Place. 18, to be exact), so head coach Dave Tippett is understandably concerned about how much rust his team will need to knock off in the “I don’t know which way it’s going to go,” said the former Oiler and early stages of the Calgary game. Arizona Coyote. “It could just be a hockey game with a little chippiness, or it could be an all out brawl. “We were going pretty good before the break (6-1-1) so you’re always concerned coming off it,” he said. “We’ve had some good talks with our “Back in the day they would have called up a tough guy or two, had them team, we’ve had three good skates now, so hopefully we’re ready. in the starting lineup and got it settled right out of the gate. Let the dust settle and play a hockey game. “But you never know. (Bye week) is a different animal. It’s not getting a couple of days off and guys are all in town with their families. Guys were “But the game has changed a lot over the years. Today, hockey is first. I all over the globe for five days. But it is what it is.” truly believe that. I know we talk this up and beef it up and want it to boil over, but at the same time there are two points on the board that are very Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.29.2020 important. So it will be very interesting to see how this goes.”

DeBrusk says the Oilers-Flames situation is much more than media hype, though. He believes these are two teams with legitimate axes to grind. That doesn’t mean they have to do it right now, but the beefs are real.

“I think there’s definitely substance to it, there’s no question,” he said. “Players know when something’s happened and they know when they’ve been wronged.”

And in this case, both sides feel they’ve been wronged. The Flames are upset because a well-versed fighter jumped one of their young stars and beat him to the ground. The Oilers are upset because their guy got suspended for trying to establish that you can’t be a predatory hitter one minute and a turtle the next.

So call it even and move on? Maybe.

“Typically, it would be somebody coming after a guy who just whaled on a 22-year-old up and coming all star,” said DeBrusk. “But Matthew is no saint; he’s the one who brings it upon himself with the robust game he plays. His teammates know that.

“So both teams have an argument that they were wronged, which could make it interesting. It’s whichever team wants to come out and push that button, make a point of saying we’re not happy with the way it went.”

What impact will George Parros being in attendance and the eyes of the league have on this game? DeBrusk recalls being under double secret probation many times in his career and says it usually forgotten a few shifts after the puck drops.

“Having Player Safety sitting in the stands saying ‘We’re going to be watching you and we don’t want this to go overboard,’ can make a difference, but sometimes when you get on the ice in the heat of battle, you don’t care who’s watching.

“The fact that there are lots of eyes (around the league) on the game can also work in a negative way. Guys are thinking, ‘Everybody is watching to see what’s going to happen, I better do something.’ As a tough guy, there would have been that pressure on me to get in one tonight because it’s such a blown up big game.

“It should be interesting. They’re battling for points, the teams are close in the standings, there’s been some chippiness and wrong-doing on both sides — that’s a recipe for a good hockey game.”

INTO THE FIRE

Matt Benning will be thrown straight into the Flames in his return to action after missing two months with a concussion. The first three games for the 1173066 Edmonton Oilers hockey was knee-deep in passion and anger, and says the league needs more of it.

“That’s what sports is all about, to get the fans talking. The Edmonton Edmonton Oilers out for points, not blood, in Battle of Alberta fans are on my side and the Calgary fans are on his side. He’ll get booed here, I’ll get booed there. That’s good for the game, it’s fun for the game.

“It’s about time we got a little passion and fire. There’s nothing wrong Robert Tychkowski with that. People are making it sound like it’s bad for hockey. I think it’s good for hockey.

“It’s gotten a little dull over the years.” For the life of them, the guys at the centre of the Oilers-Flames media storm don’t know what all the fuss is about. Whichever way this one goes, between the lines playoff intensity or straight to the back alley — it shouldn’t be dull. Somebody got bowled over by a couple of iffy hits, somebody got slapped around a little bit, what’s the big deal? “Obviously we don’t like each other,” said Kassian. “Obviously if Tkachuk has the puck and I can hit him clean, I’m not going to pass on it. But It probably illustrates just how much kinder and gentler the NHL has that’s the game of hockey. I don’t think anyone is going to pass on a hit, become when an incident like Zack Kassian versus Matt Tkachuk (also especially in the Battle of Alberta.” known by the secret documentary’s working title: Grouching Tiger-Hidden Turtle) becomes a lead story across the country. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.29.2020 Twenty years ago, when Oilers and Flames were line-brawling, cheap- shotting, shredding each other’s sweaters in the penalty box and throwing amnesia-induced spears, a skirmish like that would have barely registered.

It certainly wouldn’t be the talk of the towns two weeks later.

But here we are, in a time and place where Wednesday night’s rematch has captured the attention of an entire league, sent the NHL’s ironically- named head of Player Safety scrambling to Edmonton and evoked a bloodlust that spills far beyond the Alberta borders.

So now what?

What can we expect when the puck drops? Do the gloves hit the ice a few seconds later? Will there be the kind of mayhem and chaos some fans are expecting, if not hoping for?

Or are we getting too worked up over the potential for a bit of the old ultra-violence and missing the bigger picture — these are two of five teams separated by three points in the standings and this game could be the difference between home-ice advantage in a first round playoff series or missing the post-season altogether?

The Oilers are nowhere near the middle of the road on this one.

“These are two teams that don’t like each other, that’s what rivalries are, but we’re playing to win the game,” said defenceman Darnell Nurse. “That’s the only thing that really matters, the end result.”

Head coach Dave Tippett says settling scores or getting pounds of flesh has never been part of any discussion in Edmonton’s room.

“If this was the first game of the playoffs, would you be out there to settle scores?” he asked. “It’s about winning. The importance of the game trumps everything. That’s where we’re at.

“You recognize who you’re playing against and all the emotion in the game, but what I think is going to happen is it’s going to get blown up by the media and I think each team is going to play hard to try and get the two points.”

He’s right, More often than not in these cases, nothing much happens. There’s a lot of talk right after the last game, and a lot of hype right before the next one, and when they meet again for the fight, a hockey game breaks out.

As one of the central figures in this story, Kassian has a major say in how things go and says despite what everyone wants to believe, there isn’t much carry over from last game

“I’ve been hit before,” he said. “I took matters into my own hands, I did what I had to do and now I’m moving forward. I got punishment (two- game suspension) and that’s that. Honestly, I don’t even look at this as a really big deal.

“I didn’t mind the hits. I think they were a little offside, but he’s a passionate guy and he hit me and I just thought what I did was right, too. There are two sides to every story.”

But Kassian is also the first admit that the buzz around this game is highly entertaining. He, like many others, harkens back to a time when 1173067 Edmonton Oilers defensive only, meaning he is one dimensional in a world that values a complete skill set.

Darnell Nurse has speed, Bear can pass the puck with aplomb, Klefbom Lowetide: Why the Oilers are more likely to trade Adam Larsson than has the complete range of skills (although his speed has been dashed by Kris Russell injuries this season). Among the top four defencemen, Larsson is the throwback.

Adding Bouchard to the top four has to be the plan, perhaps Benning as By Allan Mitchell Jan 28, 2020 insurance and a backup option. If Holland is looking to exorcise the slower skaters out of the lineup, Larsson would be the likely candidate

despite his considerable defensive gifts. The realities of the cap world plus the quality and quantity of the What does it all mean? Edmonton Oilers defensive depth chart suggests we’re going to see an incumbent traded in the coming months. We can describe the outgoing Let me state I’m a fan of shutdown defencemen going all the way back to defenceman: Veteran, making $4 million or close and a free agent in the Don Awrey and Terry Harper, so this isn’t my style preference. However, summer of 2021. if the Oilers under Holland are going to run a state of the art defensive group, it will need speed, passing ability and smart decisions under What we can not do is be certain of the name of said player, because two pressure. If the club decides to run the blue in 2020-21 like this … men qualify for the description. In Adam Larsson and Kris Russell, Edmonton has two veteran shutdown defencemen in a world that covets Darnell Nurse—Ethan Bear speed, a complete range of skills and bargain contracts. Oscar Klefbom—Evan Bouchard Which defenceman is more likely to be dealt? Kris Russell—Matt Benning Ask an Oilers fan and chances are the answer is Russell, who plays on the third pair and makes a pile of money doing it. I can’t agree. The more Caleb Jones I look at this situation, the more I’m inclined to believe it’s Larsson who … then it may be prudent to consider dealing Larsson over Russell. A will be heading out of town, and here’s why. deadline trade is possible, but with the Pacific Division standings so tight Larsson’s replacement is here and defence being so important to winning, making such a major move in the heat of a playoff race seems reckless. Edmonton needs these In each of Larsson’s first three Oilers seasons, he averaged over 20 playoffs. Is a scorer for McDavid’s line more important than a top-four minutes per game. This season? Fewer than 19 minutes, and there’s shutdown defender? more. Puck IQ breaks down his quality of opposition, with Larsson facing elites over 35 percent of the time in those three seasons. He faced more The bottom line on the Oilers defence is that someone making $4 million elite opposition in those three years as a percentage of overall 5-on-5 or so is very likely heading out. I see a Russell trade as being a player for minutes than any Edmonton rearguard. In 2019-20? Different story. pick type deal, and that’s a deadline trade for a seller. The Oilers aren’t likely to be in that mode, so will be looking to add a scoring winger or a This season, Ethan Bear (36.4 percent) has surpassed Larsson (34.1 two-way centre (or both). percent) in terms of overall minutes against elite competition. Although Bear is a rookie, his 49 games this season have been a revelation. Bear Holland isn’t going to deal Bouchard or Broberg and isn’t leaning toward is younger, less expensive and his skills match the modern puck-moving trading the 2020 first-round selection. Trading a veteran defenceman game more closely than Larsson. That makes Larsson’s role on the top allows him to make room for the department of youth from the pairing unnecessary, as Bear can do the same job for less money, and , save cap money for summer and possibly add a will be around longer. substantial forward for the future.

All of this sets up a dilemma for general manager Ken Holland. Can he Dealing Larsson makes sense if the Oilers can find a suitable return, and afford to run Larsson on the second pair? Is that a wise use of cap room? it’s possible we see a deadline deal. Summer is the safer play. How does Larsson perform against mid-level competition? The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 Edmonton’s lack of puck movers beyond Klefbom and Bear is reflected here, although we have to be aware of small sample sizes. Larsson has the puck heading in a good direction against mid-level competition, but the Oilers may be wise to bet on Evan Bouchard filling the second pairing role in the fall (behind Bear). Benning could play on the third pair and act as Bouchard insurance, with Russell also available to move over from the left side.

Larsson over Russell

Trading Russell is complicated. He has a partial no-trade list (10 teams currently, increases to 15 in the summer). Russell doesn’t play as much against elites (26 percent) while also having less success (DFF: 38.70 percent) against the league’s best. He does have value, but at $4 million and being best suited to third-pairing duty, Russell’s trade value isn’t close to Larsson’s.

There’s also the matter of handedness. Larsson’s value as an established top-four right-handed defenceman gives him across the league appeal, and a team like the is in the market for this player type right now. I think you can make a strong case for Larsson’s value being so great that contemplating a trade makes sense for Holland and the Oilers. The return justifies the transaction.

Possibly.

Speed and passing the puck

I go back to the first major transaction made by Holland after joining the Oilers: Drafting Philip Broberg, who is a fast train. The modern NHL defence involves tight coverage, tracking back quickly, passing the puck expertly, foot speed and pinching at the offensive blue line. Larsson’s major skills, stopping the cycle and defending the high-danger zones, are 1173068 Edmonton Oilers Once upon a time, it had been an all-in affair. Which is what Berezan, a native of Edmonton, discovered when he hopped into the Battle of Alberta in 1985.

Ahead of the next Matthew Tkachuk–Zack Kassian matchup, Battle of “You get a sense right away that it’s the general manager, the ownership, Alberta veterans weigh in on the feud the coaches, right down to the goaltenders, with a hatred for each other,” said Berezan. “In this case, it’s coming from one player who’s poking the other. Nobody else is really involved. The coaches aren’t saying anything bad about each other, right?” By Scott Cruickshank Jan 28, 2020 Recalling the tiffs between Glen Sather and Bob Johnson, he chuckles.

“Badger wanted to poke the bear, poke the bear, every single time. And It’s been years since he whispered sweet nothings into the ear-hole of a he reinvented it constantly to piss Slats off.” certain eggshell Jofa, since he taunted hockey’s snarliest enforcers with For matches in Edmonton, Johnson would purposely submit his starting winks and smirks and spiced the provincial spat like few others. lineup, predictably peopled with heavies, as late as possible, then But Neil Sheehy recognizes a pot when he sees one — and the man still excitedly wait to hear from NHL officials about Sather’s reaction. What knows how to give it a stir. did he say? What did he say? “Badger loved it,” said Berezan. “It was the coaches instigating … the poking of the other side was really important.” “Matthew Tkachuk … I don’t know why they’re upset. I mean, he pulled up on the guy,” Sheehy is saying the other day. “It wasn’t as if he just ran The night of the Jan. 11 kerfuffle, Flames coach Geoff Ward told him over. He turned his body and kind of went with his butt. It wasn’t as if reporters that he wished that linesmen had stopped Kassian’s flurry of he tried to hurt this guy. He didn’t even get a penalty on it. blows a little earlier, while counterpart Dave Tippett mentioned that perhaps his winger should’ve simply taken a number. “You have to answer the bell over time if you’re taking cheap shots, but, by no means, did Tkachuk ever take a cheap shot.” No, not exactly the to-and-fro friction presented by the Slats & Badger Show. Sheehy, as a Calgary Flames blueliner in the 1980s, made a living out of pestering Wayne Gretzky and riling up the Edmonton Oilers’ cast of Hope, however, is not lost. The grudge’s resurrection may not be far meanies. And, like everybody in the hockey world, he’s formed an away, said one of the Flames’ former defenders. opinion on the pulse-raising commotion of Jan. 11. “The focus is on those two guys, but it won’t take much to get other guys A Minnesota-based agent, Sheehy watched Tkachuk rock Zack Kassian. involved, too,” said Steve Konroyd. “You know what? They’re brothers Incensed, the Oilers forward grabbed Tkachuk and threw wild punches at and that’s the way we looked at it — ‘Hey, listen. You punch my brother, his covered-up combatant. I’m going to get you back.’ It is a band of brothers and you do stick up for each other.” “You know what? It was a great hit — I thought he went easy on him,” stoked Sheehy. “I’m not saying what Kassian did was wrong — you get That mentality led to a decade’s worth of Hatfield and McCoy hostility. up, you’re sour, you go after the guy. But I also look at it and say, ‘I don’t Reflecting, Jim Peplinski, longtime hard-liner of the Flames, is blunt. think Tkachuk had to fight in that situation.'” “I’m still amazed that somebody didn’t die in those battles. That sounds Which is certainly one take on the flare-up. The other is that Tkachuk, like a silly thing to say. Like, seriously? Die in a hockey game?” he said. following the heavy check, was obliged to engage. He refused, to the “But they were, at a minimum, competitive contests — and, most of the frustration of at least half of the province. time, vicious. That’s just the way it was. They had all the different elements of theatre. Feel free to rip Tkachuk, but his behaviour has put a charge into a long- dormant quarrel. It’s still far from the 1980s hotbox of hate, but well “So why do people get excited when Tkachuk runs over Kassian? beyond the nothingness of recent meetings. And a role, like the one Because you remember those things and you’re hoping to have that Tkachuk is embracing, is vital to the revival of the Battle of Alberta, which rekindled. And as long as nobody gets killed, maybe it’s OK.” resumes Wednesday in Edmonton. Dislike did not start with NHL squabbles. “It needs a villain,” said Perry Berezan. “Without a villain there is Well before the Oilers joined up in 1979 and the Flames moved from nothing.” Atlanta in 1980, there was genuine animosity between Edmonton and One of the very best, according to the former Flames forward, was Tim Calgary, which extended to their representatives. Junior. Senior. WHA. Hunter, especially on the sleepy nights of a long season. CFL. Whatever was handy.

“I can remember him reaching over and punching one of the Jets — on But this — bad blood on hockey’s brightest stage — proved to be the the bench. Just because,” said Berezan. “Huntsy was calculated, which perfect storm of belligerence and bragging rights, an emotional jackpot. allowed him, as a middleweight, to be able to fight heavyweights.” The Battle of Alberta’s first of 240 installments took place Oct. 22, 1980, But that No. 19 and this No. 19 — decidedly different skill sets. But at Northlands Coliseum, a 5-3 triumph for the hosts. Berezan insists there is a “ton of parallels” between Hunter and Tkachuk. It had been a relatively tame evening — until Peplinski dropped his mitts “As far as the getting under the skin,” he said. “When you look at some of with another 19-year-old. “I didn’t know who Mark Messier was when I those brawls, it would start with Huntsy going, ‘Oh, the goaltender’s out got into a fight with him,” he said. “It didn’t last that long. We both got a of the net. I’m going to bump him just enough to bring the cavalry.’ He couple of licks in.” knew when to fight people, when to give a cheap shot. He was a master Peplinski would go on to skate in another 66 regular season dates at it. A super smart guy. against the Oilers, piling up more than 300 penalty minutes. “And there “I think for Tkachuk, after watching him and seeing all his gifts, his wasn’t a lot of hooking and holding in there,” he said, chuckling. “Those biggest gift is between the ears. Positionally, situationally, he does so were the days when the three worst words in the game were, ‘Let ’em many smart things.” go.’ And lots of times, with the way the Oilers operated, it wasn’t a fight against one guy, you were fighting three of them. Including, at the tender age of 22, understanding how to infuriate opponents to his advantage. Kassian is just one in a growing line of the “They had the most skilled guys in the game and they also had the aggrieved. mentality of Sather that built that frickin’ wolf pack. It made it incredibly scary. You had to be courageous to go in there because if you weren’t “Which makes this thing intriguing as hell because Tkachuk knows where afraid, you were stupid or fearless — and I don’t know if there’s much the line is and he’s pushing it,” Berezan said. “I love that. I think it’s difference between the two of those. awesome what’s happened. “I look back on the memory of it as fond, but I’m glad I got out alive.” “But if it’s just those two players? It’ll die. That’s what has been lost — there’s been no reason to hate the Oilers, except because they’re the In Round 2 — Dec. 30 in front of 7,243 witnesses at the Stampede Corral Oilers. There’s been no other reason.” — the teams combined for 13 minors, three majors, a dozen 10-minute misconducts, one game misconduct … before the first intermission. In both get ejected. A great trade-off for the Flames. Punches flew and into the 5-3 win, Willi Plett collected a hat trick and 12 penalty minutes. the penalty box they went.

Game on. “The ref came over — looked at me, looked at Mark, and said, ‘Give those assholes two minutes for roughing,'” said Peplinski. “I remember Yet, winter after winter, it hadn’t been solely bloodlust propelling the feeling the inside of my mouth with my tongue — my mouth was all cut Flames. It was the pooling of incredible talent up the highway — Gretzky, up. I looked over at Mess and he had this huge bump where I’d drilled Messier, Kurri, Anderson, Coffey, Lowe, Fuhr — that had them him on the forehead. We looked at each other and kind of smirked, ‘Well, scrambling for solutions. They knew they were not going to escape the whatever.’ Two minutes didn’t seem like much for what just happened Smythe Division without learning how to overcome their northern there. nemeses. “But you either showed up or you disappeared. It was hard and it was Violence aside, it was a set of circumstances that produced terrific vicious.” competition. And not easily forgotten. “Not only were guys finishing their checks and trying to hurt each other, they were trying to win,” said Konroyd. “And when you’re trying to win, Patterson, even after his playing days, never enjoyed going north for you’re trying to score goals, you’re trying to make plays. Everything’s business. “I swear to you, I hated going there — because I hated amped up because of the rivalry. Edmonton. Obviously, over time that goes away. But it’s quite interesting how that sits in you for quite a long time.” “It was good hockey. It wasn’t all goonery.” For Sheehy, running into the Oilers a few years after retirement, was Nevertheless, nights against the Oilers — with Ed Whalen and Peter never pleasant. More awkward than anything. “We’d turn the other way,” Maher providing the descriptions for fans at home — often took turns into he said. “We wouldn’t talk.” brutality. Especially if the score got lopsided. Eventually, though, that sentiment shifted. “Then you knew it was going to get stupid,” said Konroyd. “You tightened up your helmet, you put a little Vaseline on your face, and you knew if Suddenly — and unthinkably — there became something resembling a someone looked at you the wrong way the gloves were coming off.” bond between the 1980s relics.

Because this was no hollow hype, no media creation, no fan-fuelled “I’d talk to Dave Semenko. I’d talk to Kevin Lowe, Kevin McClelland,” said projection. Sheehy. “It was almost like we were innate friends because we had gone through the battles … we’d shared an experience that we thought was “It was all legit,” said Konroyd. “All the on-ice hatred, it wasn’t a show, it pretty special. Then you started to talk to one another.” wasn’t put on. It was for real. They didn’t like us. We didn’t like them.” Even to Gretzky? Yes, even to Gretzky. “Now that we’re all retired he can The NHL, in the summer of 1987, passed a rule to curb brawls. Players extend the olive branch,” said Sheehy. “But when you were playing you who left the bench to fight would be hit with 10-game suspensions and never wanted to give the edge to anybody.” $10,000 fines. Colin Patterson remembers only two clubs complaining. Yup, Flames and Oilers. “Each team was really mad,” he said, laughing. Semenko — who, during one of those free-for-alls, had twice kneed Konroyd in the face, splitting him open — went out of his way one day to Ramping up the nastiness was the sheer number of times the teams make his peace with the defenceman. “He said, ‘There’s one thing I clashed — two or three or even four times in the preseason, eight times regret in my career in fighting and that was when I brought the knee up in regular season, then as many as seven more times in the postseason. on you,'” said Konroyd. “I said, ‘Don’t even worry about it. Heat of the And every meeting felt critical. moment.'”

Making two rinks the scenes of never-ending score-settling — “All kinds Peplinski speaks now of Messier in the highest regard, as a player, as a of different little stories within the big picture,” is how Rich Kromm puts it man. Further, he points out that the cities of Edmonton and Calgary — — and, occasionally, random menace. and their respective NHL clubs — did a wonderful job of co-hosting the One night, Kromm had paired off with Paul Coffey, but the Oilers 2012 world junior tourney. rearguard wasn’t his only concern. “I remember (Dave) Semenko — he But don’t dare to think there was ever a soft centre to this rivalry. was on the loose somehow — and he came across and popped me on the side of the head.” There was not.

Another time Berezan happened to run into Gretzky, an accidental Berezan played junior for the AJHL St. Albert Saints, coached by collision, but No. 99 hit the deck. Messier’s dad, Doug. So he knew Mark.

“I was told I was going to die,” said Berezan. “You take all the cheap Cool story. The night Messier bagged his 50th goal in 1981-82, he drove shots after that. Your brain gets thinking, ‘What are they going to do? around looking for the Saints’ bus — which was making a late return from What are they going to do?’ I watch a guy like Tkachuk — he’s oblivious a road trip — so he could celebrate with his father. He caught up to the to it. team on St. Albert Trail. “Mark parked in front of the bus and jumped on the windshield, screaming, ‘Dad! Dad! Where’s Dad?'” recalled Berezan. “And Neil Sheehy was oblivious to it when he would pick on Wayne, “But Doug was usually in one of the parents’ vehicles. But Mark came on because he was told they were going to kill him, constantly. He didn’t and high-fived everybody.” care. He kept going after Wayne. He knew how to get paid.” As it turned out, being an acquaintance of Messier counted for nothing. In fact, Sheehy appeared to take great delight in upsetting the Great One. Nudging him against the boards, nattering at him, blowing kisses in In the spring of 1988, Messier spied Berezan coming around the Flames his direction. net and left him in an unconscious heap.

He laughs. “My best shifts were after the whistle blew. But you had to “Mark knew me. But he didn’t give a shit. He didn’t care,” Berezan said. have your eyes wide open otherwise you might have your head taken off. “He came to knock me out. He didn’t come for any other purpose. The You had to have extreme awareness.” Another laugh. “I still have all my puck was in front of me. He could’ve just taken it. The force of it … it was teeth.” targetted to put me out — and he did.

Peplinski remembers grabbing hold of Dave Hunter during a line brawl. “When Mark was really intense, you knew that there were no Not far away was teammate Paul Baxter, who about to tussle with Kevin boundaries.” McClelland. While hopes persist that the Battle of Alberta recovers some of its former “Paul looked at me and said, ‘Do you want to trade?'” said Peplinski. “We pizzazz, it’ll never look the same as it did in the 1980s. kind of shuffled over and I ended up with McClelland and he ended up with Hunter. I think about that now and I think, ‘My gosh.'” Rules, for starters, would never permit it.

Then there was the time Peplinski and Messier were ready to go at it — Just as well, according to Peplinski. with the Flames forward fully aware that, as the secondary scrap, they’d “Think of the melees we had,” he said. “Go back and look at some of those things. It’s just ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. But now the teams have an opportunity to shine in the pure parts of the game. I think that is absolutely wonderful.

“Today you have to recognize how the game has changed. What would get the next Battle of Alberta going is to have Connor McDavid going end to end with a great save, then Johnny Gaudreau going end to end with another great save.

“You are just not going to have the ingredients that we had. And, frankly … it’s much better to get lifted out of your chair by incredible speed and great goals and great goaltending and the odd great hit, but, more so, the beauty of the game.”

One requirement of a rip-snorting rivalry is quality of opposition. Back in the day, the Oilers were the NHL benchmark, and the Flames convinced themselves that they were never far behind.

In the years that followed, the teams had their moments — Calgary to the 2004 Stanley Cup final, Edmonton to the 2006 Stanley Cup final — but it’s been forever since they were relevant at the same time.

Meaning? “There’s a whole group of fans, the younger fans, who have heard lots of talk about it, but have never truly seen the Battle of Alberta,” said Patterson, adding that upside is obvious. “You want intensity. You want hits and plays. The games are going to be better. The fans are into it. The games mean something.

“I mean, that race is so tight right now, a victory for either side …”

Could mean nailing down a playoff berth.

Which brings up something not so far-fetched — a best-of-seven series featuring the provincial foes. Had the postseason opened Monday, the Flames and the Oilers would have squared off.

“That would be a dream for everybody,” Kromm said.

And an immeasurable jolt to one of hockey’s most fierce feuds.

“Oh my goodness, yes,” said Patterson. “It would be crazy in both cities. That would be the best thing for Alberta hockey, for sure, but also for hockey in Canada and even the NHL.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173069 Florida Panthers when they resume the season on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens.

Bobrovsky struggles As Panthers prepare to make push for playoffs, here’s a look at what While there were plenty of positives, the Panthers also experienced their went right and what went wrong so far share of struggles —specifically in net.

Signed to a seven-year, $70 million contract in July, Sergei Bobrovsky’s By WELLS DUSENBURY SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL |JAN 28, numbers have failed to reach his lofty career averages so far. In 37 2020 | 4:58 PM games, he’s posted a 3.24 goals-against average — the highest among goalies with at least 30 appearances. His .898 save percentage is the fourth-worst among goalies that same group.

After a scorching finish to the first half of the season, the Florida A two-time Vezina Trophy winner — awarded to the league’s best Panthers find themselves in solid shape as they rest during the NHL All- goaltender — the 31-year-old goalie has tallied a .919 save percentage Star Break. and 2.46 GAA in his eight previous seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers and . Bobrovsky has only once recorded a goals- Under coach Joel Quenneville, the Panthers are 28-16-5 (61 points) and against average higher than 2.75, which came during his second NHL sit third in the Atlantic Division heading into Tuesday night’s games, season (3.02). which would give them a playoff berth if the regular season ended today. Last year, Florida struggled to a 20-21-8 record before the All-Star break Defense fails to keep pace with offense in Bob Boughner’s final season as coach. Overall, the team’s defensive performance has been well below league Looking for their first postseason appearance since 2016, and just their average. The Panthers are 25th out of 31 teams in goals allowed per third in the past 20 seasons, the Panthers successfully navigated the first game (3.27). While that’s slightly down from last season (3.41), that still half, avoiding the dreaded slow start that’s defined the team over the past ranks in the bottom 20 percent of the league. In addition, the team’s few years. penalty kill has also struggled, ranking 23rd with a 78.1 percent kill rate.

So what went right during the first half? What needs to be improved Sun Sentinel LOADED: 01.29.2020 upon? Here’s a first half breakdown of the Panthers’ season:

Huberdeau excels

One of Florida’s most consistent players since making his NHL debut in 2012, Huberdeau has elevated his game to another level this season. The 26-year-old forward, who posted a career-best 92 points last season, is on pace to surpass those numbers and hit the 100-point mark. Huberdeau is currently sixth in the NHL in points (65), tallying 18 goals, 47 assists.

The veteran forward earned his first All-Star bid, scoring two goals, one assist in Saturday’s showcase. Huberdeau also secured his place in Panthers’ history, becoming the franchise’s career points leader. With 424 points, he surpassed Olli Jokinen’s previous mark of 419.

Offense scores at rapid pace

It wasn’t just Huberdeau who lit the lamp for the Panthers. Through the midway point of the season, Florida leads the NHL with 180 points. Averaging 3.67 goals per game, the Panthers have increased their scoring output from 2019 when the team averaged 3.26 goals per game.

In addition to Huberdeau, the Panthers have four other players who have scored at least 39 points this season — Aleksander Barkov (54), Evgenii Dadonov (40), Mike Hoffman (40) and Keith Yandle (39). Free-agent acquisitions Brett Connolly (16 goals, 13 assists) and Noel Acciari (18 goals, 3 assists) have helped breathe life into the team’s second line, giving the Panthers a well-rounded scoring attack. With 21 points, Acciari is on pace to shatter his previous career high of 14 points, which he notched last season with the Boston Bruins.

Florida has also taken advantage of its power-play opportunities, posting a 24.5 percent conversion rate — fifth-best in the NHL.

Finishing strong

While the Panthers spent the majority of the season teetering on the edge of postseason eligibility — hovering between being the last team in and the first team out — Florida kicked it into high gear over the past two weeks, winning six consecutive games.

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For the Panthers, that’s the team’s longest winning streak since the 2017-18 season when Florida also won six in a row. In its current streak, Florida has scored at least four goals in each contest, highlighted by an 8-4 win over the division rival Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 12. The victories were also well-balanced with three coming at home and three on the road. The Panthers will aim to extend that winning streak to seven 1173070 Los Angeles Kings the record held by Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara of 108.8 mph at the 2012 NHL All-Star Skills Competition.

Tampa Bay at Kings Kings approach second half knowing change is coming When: 7 p.m. Wednesday Kings emerge from the All-Star break last in the Western Conference and Where: Staples Center cognizant of the Feb. 24 trade deadline TV/Radio: Fox Sports West/iHeartRadio/KWKW 1330 AM (Spanish)

Kings at Arizona By ANDREW KNOLL |PUBLISHED: January 28, 2020 at 9:59 am | UPDATED: January 28, 2020 at 11:52 am When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Ariz.

While they may be in the basement, the Kings still feel they are moving TV/Radio: Fox Sports West/iHeartRadio upward this season. Orange County Register: LOADED: 01.29.2020 Heading into 10 days without a game, the Kings sat last in the Western Conference and lagged a bit behind their pace from last season, which saw them bring up the rear as well.

Yet they have been in 18 one-goal games, the sixth-highest total in the NHL. On the downside, they’ve lost nine games by a single score, more than any other team but the Montreal Canadiens, who have split their 20 one-goal games.

“Even though the results are not there, you’re seeing a different team than it was last year. We’re in games,” team captain Anze Kopitar told reporters during the All-Star weekend. “Last year, there were many blowouts where we just rolled over and didn’t do anything.”

Next up, the Kings face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, a team that has picked up 25 out of a possible 30 points in their past 15 games – for a 12-2-1 record – and has shown of late why it has been among the preseason favorites to win the Stanley Cup in recent years. Then the Kings travel to Arizona for a Thursday meeting with the Coyotes, one of four teams sitting one point out of first place in the Pacific Division.

With the Feb. 24 trade deadline less a month away, the Kings will likely be sellers as they have seven pending unrestricted free agents in their organization. They have also veered toward the acquisition of futures for their ongoing rebuild.

“Everybody realizes that there’s going to be changes up until the deadline, that there’s going to be some stuff that’s going to be moved around,” Kopitar told reporters. “But at the same time, you’ve just got to keep your head down and work towards our common goal, which is turning this thing around.”

That turnaround will begin with a game against the Lightning, who burgeon with depth. The usual suspects – right wing Nikita Kucherov, center Steven Stamkos, defenseman Victor Hedman, goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy and center Brayden Point – have rounded into peak form.

Meanwhile, defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk has experienced a resurgence after a messy split with his hometown New York Rangers. Two younger Bolts, center Anthony Cirelli and defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, have taken steps toward joining the Lightning’s core.

The Kings then have a quick turnaround with a bit of travel, facing a Coyotes team that has been hermetic defensively for stretches this season, ranking fifth in goals-against-average. While the Coyotes have lacked scoring punch for what seems like forever, they have addressed it with two prominent trades.

First they acquired Phil Kessel from Pittsburgh over the summer, and during the season they plied 2018 Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall from New Jersey. Kessel has not yet found his stride, producing a middling 31 points while struggling defensively, as evidenced by his negative-20 plus- minus rating. Hall, on the other hand, has produced 15 points in 16 games as a Coyote, and he has notched 50 points in 46 games.

Notables

Kings defenseman Drew Doughty was named to the NHL’s All-Decade team. He joined Duncan Keith on the blue line, with forwards Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane and Alex Ovechkin and Marc-Andre Fleury in goal, on the first team.

Martin Frk, who has three goals in four games for the Kings this year, won the American Hockey League’s hardest shot competition with a record 109.2 mile-per-hour slap shot. The Ontario Reign forward broke 1173071 Los Angeles Kings For Toffoli, there was a bittersweet aspect to the Kings’ recently completed road trip. Many of the players’ fathers and brothers were on hand for games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. Toffoli’s dad, Rob, and Frank Martinez, the father of Alec, bypassed an Tyler Toffoli, subject of constant trade chatter, wants to prove his value to excursion and opted to attend the morning skate at Florida. With Tyler the Kings and Alec as prime trade targets, it might have been their final fathers/sons trip with the Kings. Rob Toffoli was so inspired by the Kings’

win in 2014, he celebrated by getting a tattoo of the Stanley Cup on his By Lisa Dillman Jan 28, 2020 upper arm.

“Dad loves it,” Toffoli said. “The one day the dads went out on the fishing trip he said, ‘I’d rather come to the morning skate and hang out.’ He EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Tyler Toffoli, if you listen to the trade rumors thinks it is super cool being around the guys. He knows all the guys now. swirling around the NHL these days, is going everywhere. “But I remember his first fathers’ trip, he wanted to bring his camera so To a team on the East Coast. To a team on the West Coast. he could take photos with all the guys. So I had to kibosh that one right away.” To a team in the division. Maybe even a return to his native Canada? Speaking generally about the impact of trade rumors on a team as the Toffoli’s name has been near the top of the trade boards this season, deadline approaches, McLellan on Sunday said: largely for two reasons. One, the Kings are not playoff contenders and thus need to explore options for their most tradeable commodities. Two, “It’s hard for just about everybody involved – young and old, Toffoli is on an expiring contract for modest dollars and would fit the bill management and coaching staff. There are rumors out there. The one for any team looking for a top-six forward who plays on the right side. thing that I’ve learned is, the game doesn’t owe you anything. The human element exists in it. There are families. There are emotions. There is all In today’s NHL, it’s virtually impossible to block out the noise when the that type of stuff. But the game goes on. It just goes on. I learned it the annual trade deadline – which this year falls on Feb. 24 – approaches. hard way last year. You get fired and nobody stops the league and says, But Toffoli says his preference is to stay in Los Angeles, now and in the ‘Hey we can’t play anymore.’ It goes on. future. “Whether you’re young or old, once you get to this level, you get it – or “It definitely bothers me because I feel like I put a lot into the you better get that. You better know what’s going on. Really, nobody organization,” Toffoli told The Athletic on Monday. “At the end of the day, feels sorry for you. So if you can deal with that and slide the rumors to it’s a business. If they decide to move on from me, then that’s the way it the side and just come and play and take what comes your way, you’re is. I definitely want to stay here and be part of what their plan is and I feel better off for it. If you go home and lament at night and toss and turn, it like I’d be a really good person to be involved in that.” probably gets worse. Toffoli, who has 12 goals and 27 points in 49 games this season, will be “But that’s easier said than done.” an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Unlike many prospective rentals, Toffoli isn’t old, in hockey terms. He turns 28 on April 24 and is in the Is it harder for younger players who may not understand the business or heart of his career. Plus, he has a Stanley Cup championship (2014) on the industry of hockey to come to terms with trade speculation? his resume, which also makes him attractive to a contending team. “A lot of them eventually get it,” McLellan answered. “When you’re young, Toffoli has watched some of his closest friends get traded: goaltender I call it being in diapers, you belong to one family. That’s all you ever Martin Jones in 2015, linemate Tanner Pearson last season and know. You just know this family. You don’t even think about belonging to defenseman Jake Muzzin, to the Toronto Maple Leafs, last Jan. 28. someone else. Once you move from team to team once, or you sign somewhere else, or you get traded, then you realize, it’s a business – “Obviously when Joner got traded that was a completely different and that’s a little bit of a jolt to a lot of players, but it does happen. circumstance,” Toffoli said. “With Muzz going and Tanner getting traded, it definitely puts things into a realization that anything can happen.” “Quite frankly, for me, dealing with players for all these years, I think it’s harder to leave the league than it is to enter the league. I just firmly When Dustin Brown missed four games after the Christmas break, Kings believe that. It’s hard to break into the NHL; there are so many people coach Todd McLellan promoted Toffoli to the top line, where he’s had a fighting for your job. But once you’re here and you’ve played for 10 or 12 chance to play alongside Anze Kopitar for most of January. years, and you’re at the back end of it, it’s hard to leave the league. In that time, Toffoli has seen an uptick in his offensive production. More You’re the last one that admits it’s time to go. Often, it’s a little bit late. than anything, Toffoli is trying to illustrate to the Kings that he could be a And you don’t want to accept the reality of it. And there’s nothing wrong valuable member of the organization going forward. And to that end, he with that. It’s actually a great attitude to have. But it’s hard to be the guy said his primary goal right now is to “keep working and prove to them that leaving the league. It’s so hard.” you want to be here.” McLellan said on Monday that Kings general manager Rob Blake has Toffoli was a healthy scratch on Oct. 30 against the Vancouver Canucks made sure there is close organizational collaboration when it comes to and responded with two assists against the Chicago Blackhawks when potential trades. The two had an opportunity to attend an Ontario Reign he returned to the lineup for the next game. game together during the bye week, on Jan. 20 against visiting Bakersfield. “I think I have done a good job this year,” he said. “It’s been tough. Todd has been hard on me, personally. I feel like I’ve responded well, took it “Any good organization includes everybody, and Blakey is doing that. and grown as a person and a player. We’re involved with where the team is, where it’s going, the plan, the transition into the future, and that’s been part of the process since I’ve “I feel like I’m a good professional. Obviously when it happened, I wasn’t arrived in every way, shape or form,” McLellan said. “We spend a lot of happy when I wasn’t in the lineup. I came back the next game and had a time together and it’s not just Rob and Todd. It’s Rob’s team and it’s our really good game and I feel like my game has been pretty consistent coaching staff. We all get input and say. since then.” “Now, do we sit on the phone when Blakey’s making phone calls and For most of January, he played on the top line with Kopitar and Alex analyzing? No, we give them summaries of what we think. He gives us Iafallo and saw some increase in his power-play usage. summaries of what’s happening. We’re not discussing it every time we “You want to play with (Kopitar),” said Toffoli. “He’s the best player on our meet, but we do keep each other up to date.” team and you want to play with the best. When you play with him you’ve The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 got to take it and run with it. It’s definitely a lot of fun. You make more plays and have a better chance to creating scoring chances for yourself and the rest of the guys on the ice.”

Even the most-experienced players can be unnerved when they constantly see their names on trade boards. Toffoli is No. 2 on The Athletic’s trade-target list and defenseman Alec Martinez is No. 3. 1173072 Los Angeles Kings 28-to-30 minutes gets distributed around, and if somebody’s playing a little better, they might get a few more minutes, and vice-versa.

McLellan, on whether he plans to manage minutes within the three-in- DOUGHTY (DAY-TO-DAY) DOESN’T PRACTICE; RECORD four: CONSECUTIVE GAMES STREAK WOULD END Yeah, probably game-by-game because it’s a unique situation. We’re going into a game where we haven’t played in 10 days. Yes, we got practice time, which we’re thankful for. But the other team is a pretty JON ROSEN JANUARY 28, 2020 damn good team. They’ve had opportunity to get one under their belt, so there’s always concern when you enter that. We’ll worry about the

following day when we get to it and the games that follow after that, I The LA Kings are shaping up to face a formidable foe Wednesday think on Saturday or whatever it is, that feels like it’s so far away right without their most high-mileage player. Drew Doughty, who left Sunday’s now that we’ll worry about it when we get to it. practice early with an undisclosed injury and didn’t practice on Monday or McLellan, on Derek Forbort (back): Tuesday, appears set to miss his first regular season game since a shoulder injury sidelined him for the final four games of the 2013-14 Today was better, and I haven’t gotten a report after practice of how he’s regular season. Los Angeles faces Tampa Bay Wednesday night in their feeling, but his issue that he has, health-wise and make sure he’s ready first Staples Center appearance in three weeks and the building’s first to go. In fairness to him, he’s just trying to catch up, and every time he sporting event since the tragic deaths of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, catches up we have a break or something happens and he gets slowed Gianna, and seven others. down. But he’s very committed to getting his game back and he’s had some good games and he’s had a couple rough ones. Kind of normal On Monday, McLellan shared that Doughty – and Derek Forbort, who expectations from a player that hasn’t participated all year until recently. returned to practice – would be “very questionable” for the Lightning game without a good skate Tuesday, and he confirmed that assertion LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 01.29.2020 today while noting Doughty’s “day-to-day” status.

With 460 consecutive games played, Doughty is the LA Kings’ franchise leader and ranks fifth among active NHL players, trailing Keith Yandle (846), Patrick Marleau (835), Phil Kessel (825) and Brent Burns (522). Should he miss Wednesday’s game, the team’s consecutive games played leader would be Alex Iafallo with 132, followed by Anze Kopitar with 125. Kopitar held the franchise’s previous consecutive games streak, appearing in 330 straight games between March 21, 2007 and March 26, 2011.

“It’s special for players to do that because there are so many factors that go into it,” Todd McLellan said Tuesday. “We think of ‘catastrophic-type injury’ that takes somebody out of the lineup. But there are so many bumps and bruises that are so hard, hard to play through. And everybody’s pain tolerance is a bit different. There’s the sniffles and the flu and everything else that happens, and there’s also personal issues that go on – babies, and unfortunately funerals and stuff like that that the real world has, and so do hockey players and athletes. To have the longevity that he has had to this point has been a really good reflection of his ability to play through all that.”

When he was injured in San Jose by awkwardly applying a hit on Tyler Kennedy in the first period of the teams’ April 3, 2014 meeting, Doughty had played in 199 consecutive games, giving him 659 games played out of a possible total of 660, dating back to October 29, 2011. Over the last four seasons, his 26:52 average leads all active players, and his 26:03 average ranks second this season.

Doughty was suspended for one game for an illegal check to William Carrier’s head during the first round of the 2018 . He has appeared in 902 regular season games since debuting in the NHL two months shy of his 19th birthday in October, 2008. Doughty missed four games in 2013-14 because of a shoulder injury, five in 2011-12 because of an upper-body injury, six in 2010-11 because of a concussion and one in 2008-09 because of a thigh injury. The thigh injury remains the only stand-alone regular season game he’s ever missed. Los Angeles is 9-5-2 in the 16 games Doughty has missed in his career.

In 50 games this season, Doughty has six goals, 27 points, a minus-11 rating and a 50.0% Corsi-for percentage that accounts to a -5.3 CF%Rel. Including playoffs, he’s appeared in 986 NHL games.

Todd McLellan, on whether the injury is “serious”:

If he misses it a game, I would consider it a serious injury. When we lose a guy that can play 30 minutes a night for us in every situation, it’s serious enough that he’s out of the lineup. Is it career-ending? By no means. So, it’s a day-to-day thing, and the sooner he can get back, the better it is. But right now, it’s how we’re treating him.

McLellan, on how the minutes will be assigned:

Just by feel and play. There are some veteran players that have logged that type of ice time. It’s a good thing that Marty’s up and running now and has been able to get his feet wet after a long break. So he can take more minutes on, and the rest of them, everybody has to step up and his 1173073 Minnesota Wild 25. Mats Zuccarello (Last year: NR) Position: Winger

Age: 32 2020 Wild Trade Value Rankings: From No. 27 to No. 1, who’d bring best returns? Cap hit: $6M

Stats: 46 GP, 13 G, 15 A

By Tony Abbott Jan 28, 2020 Free agency: UFA 2024

Zuccarello was signed this offseason to replace the playmaking of Mikael Granlund, and after putting a slow start behind him, he’s mostly met After a year in which the organization changed general managers and expectations. He’s been a staple of the Wild’s first line and power play, had massive roster upheaval, you’d think that for better or worse, and has been reasonably productive, though not quite up to his career everything would be different for the Minnesota Wild. standards. And yet, the Wild are almost in the exact same spot they were last year. Despite being able to help a team, it’s unlikely anyone would want to take Last season, Minnesota looked a little more promising after 50 games — on Zuccarello’s contract. Signing a free agent usually means you paid in third place in the Central — but then finished last in the division with 83 more than anyone else was willing to pay them, and the Wild are only six points. This season? Minnesota is sixth in the Central at the 50-game months removed from outbidding the NHL for Zuccarello’s services. mark, on pace for only 85 points and another last-place finish. Between that and a full no-move clause, Zuccarello is here to stay. The Wild are languishing in the standings. They’re not looking anything 24. Greg Pateryn (Last year: 14) like a Stanley Cup contender even in their better stretches. There’s not enough youth and skill in the organization. And once again, a rookie GM Position: Defenseman is approaching the trade deadline with the latitude and willingness to sell. Age: 29 So, since the Wild are striking a familiar tone from last year, we’ll do the same here with our second annual Minnesota Wild Trade Value Cap hit: $2.25M Rankings. With the trade deadline a month away, we’ll take stock of the Stats: 5 GP, 0 G, 0A entire Wild roster and give you an idea as to who could be in demand. Remember — this is not speculation over who will be traded, only a look Free agency: UFA 2021 at the roster in terms of the returns players figure to bring back in any potential deals. Pateryn had a solid season as a third-pairing defenseman last season but has been an afterthought so far this season. Not only has an injury What pieces can general manager get a haul for? Let’s find kept him out for the first half of the year, Minnesota has replaced Pateryn out. quite easily. Both Brad Hunt and Carson Soucy have performed well, which means Pateryn will have an uphill battle to force his way into the 27. Zach Parise (Last year: 26) lineup.

Position: Left wing Pateryn’s cap hit isn’t exactly hefty, but it is a tad expensive for a third- Age: 35 pairing defenseman that has missed most of the season. Perhaps Minnesota will find a taker, but that team will not give up any asset of Cap hit: $7.54M significance to acquire him.

Stats: 50 GP, 19 G, 13 A 23. Victor Rask (Last year: 24)

Free agency: UFA 2025 Position: Center

Parise, despite being on pace for a 31-goal season, finishes dead last in Age: 26 our trade value rankings this season. His contract is the culprit. Were Parise a pending UFA, he would certainly garner interest as a productive, Cap hit: $4M playoff-tested veteran. But Parise’s contract extends for another five Stats: 39 GP, 4 G, 7 A years after this season, carrying an onerous $7.5 million cap hit. Free agency: UFA 2022 While we previously thought Parise’s contract was a poison pill that made him impossible to move, that might not be the case. Last offseason, our It became apparent very quickly after the trade that sent Rask to own Michael Russo reported that there was at least one offer made to Minnesota last year that his trade value was radioactive. After a dismal Minnesota on Parise. But it never got anywhere. It’s hard to believe that season that saw him become a symbol of Paul Fenton’s struggles at Parise, a year older and on pace for fewer points than last season, would home and league-wide, Fenton tried to move his contract last offseason, attract more value today. to no avail.

26. Ryan Suter (Last year: 25) In one of the team’s better stories this year, Rask has been quietly productive in limited minutes. He has 1.7 points per hour at 5-on-5, Position: Defenseman paired with solid underlying numbers. His contract is a tad too long — Age: 35 any team trading for him would be on the hook for two more years — and a tad too expensive for him to be an attractive trade chip, but he’s no Cap hit: $7.54M longer impossible to move.

Stats: 50 GP, 7 G, 28 A 22. Nick Seeler (Last year: 13)

Free agency: UFA 2025 Position: Defenseman

Two years removed from a devastating ankle injury that threatened his Age: 26 career, Suter is back to full health. He’s on track for a career-high in both goals and points, and his defense has been much more solid than it was Cap hit: $725K last season. Suter has shown himself to be indestructible and ageless. Stats: 6 GP, 0 G, 0 A

Like Parise, Suter’s trade value is destroyed by his contract and his Free agency: UFA 2021 contract alone. Though that is perhaps a moot point, as Suter has never been believed to be willing to waive his no-move clause. But his status as Seeler has been a victim of the Wild’s depth and Soucy’s emergence. a top-pairing caliber defenseman makes him slightly more moveable than Initially, the plan was to have a rotation where Seeler, Hunt, and Soucy Parise in a hypothetical world where Suter would allow himself to be alternated into the bottom pairing. But with Soucy and Hunt playing so traded. well, Seeler has been banished to the press box on a nightly basis. Currently, Seeler is in Iowa on a conditioning assignment to get game Given some opportunity, Mayhew has a chance to be at least a fine time. bottom-six scorer in the NHL. But his age means he is going to be valued less like a prospect and more like a career AHL player by the league. He But just because Minnesota seems to have little use for Seeler doesn’t deserves a shot somewhere, though, and a team looking for a small mean he wouldn’t have a place on another team. Seeler is a defenseman move to boost their depth could look at the AHL All-Star. who can clear the net and has snarl. A team looking for a blueliner to fill a defensive role would be smart to buy low on Seeler. 17. Brennan Menell (Last year: NR)

21. Devan Dubnyk (Last year: 6) Position: Defenseman

Position: Goalie Age: 22

Age: 33 Cap hit: $717K

Cap hit: $4.3M Stats: 5 GP, 0 G, 0 A

Stats: 24 GP, 9-12-2, .893 Sv% Free agency: RFA 2020

Free agency: UFA 2021 Menell is another AHL All-Star for Iowa, tied for the third-best point total (32 in 40 games) among his position as a 22-year-old. He looked solid It’s been a year from hell for Dubnyk, with poor play being compounded while filling in a third-pairing role while Jared Spurgeon was injured, but by injuries, and his wife suffering from a major illness. This ranking has gone back to Des Moines as Minnesota has gotten healthier. certainly isn’t to kick him while he’s down, but his cap hit is fairly hefty, and he has been in decline over the past two seasons. That all might be Menell was unheralded coming up, going undrafted before signing in moot, regardless, as Dubnyk has a 10-team no-trade clause and it would Iowa. Maybe a GM sees Minnesota’s logjam at defense and makes an feel cruel to uproot Dubnyk’s life at such a vulnerable time for him and his offer to pry Menell away, but with the way Menell is developing, he may family. be more valuable than whatever they could trade for him.

20. Kaapo Kahkonen (Last year: NR) 16. Nico Sturm (Last year: NR)

Position: Goalie Position: Center

Age: 23 Age: 24

Cap hit: $768K Cap hit: $874K

Stats: 5 GP, 3-1-1, .913 Sv% Stats: 6 GP, 0 G, 2 A

Free agency: RFA 2020 Free agency: RFA 2020

A fourth-round pick in 2014, Kahkonen finally made his NHL debut this Nico Sturm was one of the biggest college free-agent signings last year. season, posting a respectable .913 save percentage in a five-game cup Sturm was a late-bloomer who looked like a fairly sure bet to be a of coffee. Despite the good showing, Kahkonen has yet to get on the defensive center. Guerin has been content to let Sturm develop in Iowa, radar as a high-end goalie prospect, and currently has a .909 career and he’s been productive, scoring 10 goals and 23 points. As he is with save percentage in the AHL. Until he establishes himself as more of a Menell, Guerin is not likely in any hurry to trade Sturm, and there could sure thing, he’s unlikely to be in-demand. be a variety of spots open for him to step into as trade season goes on.

19. Alex Stalock (Last year: 23) 15. Brad Hunt (Last year: 18)

Position: Goalie Position: Defenseman

Age: 32 Age: 31

Cap hit: $785K Cap hit: $700K

Stats: 25 GP, 11-8-3, .903 Sv% Stats: 44 GP, 7 G, 8 A

Free agency: UFA 2022 Free agency: UFA 2021

Stalock has been pressed into duty much more often this season, just Hunt found his way over to Minnesota last year, with Fenton acquiring three starts away from setting a career-high. These opportunities have him for a fifth-round pick. Hunt impressed the Wild with some power-play been created due to Dubnyk’s unfortunate year, but credit to Stalock, acumen, was re-signed to a two-year deal and has rewarded Minnesota’s he’s earned some trust from Bruce Boudreau after having some solid faith, putting together a solid season. Up until Pateryn’s return from stretches for Minnesota. injury, he had a third-pairing spot locked down. He’s also reprised his role as a power-play guy, spending a lot of time on the second unit. Hunt is There are several teams with playoff expectations that have been now one away from tying his career-high in games (45), has a career- struggling in net — San Jose, Florida, Philadelphia, Edmonton and high seven goals, and is likely to set another career-high in points (18 is Vegas, to name a few. If any of those teams are looking for a low-cost his best). His play, combined with his cheap deal and a league-wide option to stabilize them in goal, Stalock’s low cap hit and performance need for defensive depth, means he likely could be traded for more than might merit a look. the fifth-rounder it took to acquire him.

18. Gerry Mayhew (Last year: NR) 14. Ryan Hartman (Last year: NR)

Position: Left wing Position: Right wing

Age: 27 Age: 25

Cap hit: $700K Cap hit: $1.9M

Stats: 7 GP, 2 G, 0 A Stats: 50 GP, 6 G, 7 A

Free agency: UFA 2021 Free agency: RFA 2021

Mayhew has followed up a 27-goal year in Iowa with a blistering start. Despite being young and having a solid track record as a bottom-six guy, Through 38 games, Mayhew has exceeded that total with 30 goals, few teams seemed to want Hartman as of late. The former first-rounder adding 17 assists. In his stints in the NHL however, Mayhew hasn’t yet was a throw-in at last year’s trade deadline deal that sent Wayne earned Boudreau’s trust to show St. Paul what #GerryTime looks like, Simmonds from Philadelphia to Nashville. Then in the summer, the averaging fewer than 10 minutes a night over seven games. Flyers traded the restricted free agent to Dallas, who let him walk and become an unrestricted free agent. Minnesota scooped him up for a reasonable two-year deal to add some all sitting in the AHL, and their top prospects (Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, grit and scoring to its third or fourth line. And while Hartman hasn’t been Alexander Khovanov) all being forwards, it’s unlikely all four will be in the a great scorer, he drives play in the right direction, plays good defense, Wild’s plans long-term. Guerin has watched each of them play 40-plus and draws penalties. Teams may not want to take on his cap hit for next games. Is that enough for him to make a decision on them? Will he keep year — like with Zuccarello, Minnesota was presumably the highest this young core together, as former GM Chuck Fletcher did in the early- bidder for Hartman this summer. But he’s got youth, speed, and would be to-mid 2010s? Or will he attempt to try trading one or more of them while an upgrade in the bottom-six of many teams. the rest of the league still sees them as prospects?

13. Mikko Koivu (Last year: 27) Thanks to an opportunity to step up in the lineup, Donato has rehabbed his value after a dreadful start had Minnesota rumored to be shopping Position: Center him. Donato’s counting stats aren’t great, but he’s been one of the more Age: 36 productive players on the team on a per-minute basis. Still, he’s finding himself outside of the lineup, with him being healthy scratched once last Cap hit: $5.5M week, and requiring two divine interventions to avoid two additional trips to the press box. Stats: 36 GP, 2 G, 11 A In 67 games in a Wild sweater, Donato has 13 goals and 31 points — Free agency: UFA 2020 respectable for a 23-year-old. But teams can see that he’s been prone to On the bottom of last year’s list due to his ACL injury, Koivu is perhaps being scratched and they know that he’s been made available to the rest the toughest player on the team to gauge this time around. On one hand, of the league. Whether it’s fair or not, teams have to wonder why two he brings strong defense, face-off acumen, and veteran leadership at the teams would be willing to part with the 23-year-old Donato in the span of center position. In most years, that alone is worth a second-round pick. a year, bumping his trade value to the bottom of this group. On the other, the Koivu we’re seeing isn’t the Koivu of two years ago. 10. Jordan Greenway (Last year: 5) He’s still one of the stronger defensive players on the team, but he’s not the top-5 defender he used to be. That would be less of an issue if his Position: Left wing offense had not slipped so dramatically. Of the 311 forwards with 400- plus 5-on-5 minutes as of this writing, Koivu ranks dead last with 0.27 Age: 22 points per hour. Cap hit: $917K

His play might warrant him being lower, but the name-brand recognition Stats: 48 GP, 6 G, 13 A Koivu offers lands him at 13. His being a UFA at the end of the year also helps his trade value, as teams could trade for him as a rental with no Free agency: RFA 2020 risk beyond this year. That being said, Koivu has a full no-move clause, and there’s been little indication from reporters that he’d waive it. Those This time last year, Greenway was a rookie who flashed potential en lamenting the opportunity cost lost here should know there are several route to a 12-goal, 24-point season. The Wild had hoped he would build more attractive trade chips to be moved. on that and establish himself as a winger that could use his size and skill to take over games. Greenway is progressing (on pace for a 32-point 12. Carson Soucy (Last year: NR) season), but not as fast as the Wild had hoped.

Position: Defenseman Is it too early to explore his trade value? Could be. The flashes of potential remain, and on a good day, you can see the 6-foot-6 Greenway Age: 25 becoming the skilled, physical power forward he was drafted to be. But Cap hit: $750K now Greenway has 130-plus NHL games under his belt, as opposed to last year’s trade deadline when he had closer to 70. We’re getting closer Stats: 47 GP, 6 G, 5 A to finding out who Greenway is, and if he doesn’t take the leap by next season, his trade value will go down further. But, of course, if Guerin Free agency: RFA 2020 decides to trade him now, he could pull an Alex Tuch and make As we documented earlier this season at The Athletic, Soucy is enjoying Minnesota regret making a decision on him too soon. Tread carefully. quite the breakout season. Since then, Soucy’s role has diminished 9. Luke Kunin (Last year: 10) (thanks to Spurgeon’s return) and the offensive tear he was on has gone away (one point in the last 11 games). Still, Soucy is a top-30 Position: Right wing defenseman in Wins Above Replacement, and he’s still passing the eye test despite not scoring as much. Age: 22

A 25-year-old mobile defenseman that stands 6-foot-4 is something that Cap hit: $925K would ordinarily get a lot of attention around the league. But there’s Stats: 49 GP, 12 G, 12 A Soucy’s track record to consider. He got solid reviews defensively in the AHL, but his career-high in points there was 15 — which was also Free agency: RFA 2020 Soucy’s career-high at Minnesota-Duluth. So any inquiring teams are going to have to ask themselves whether this offensive breakout by Kunin was the Wild’s first-round pick in 2016 and is now settling into his Soucy is for real, or if he’s just been playing out of his mind for 47 games. first full season with Minnesota. As of now, he’s on pace for 40 points, which doesn’t sound like much, but would be the most points for an It’s a tricky position to be in. There’s risk and reward to both keeping and under-23 Wild player since Granlund in 2013-14. And even before trading Soucy. But if Guerin and company believe this breakout is for Granlund, only Marian Gaborik, Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Brent Burns real, they might be best-served trading someone else to make room for had accomplished that. Soucy to step into a second-pairing role. But like Donato and Greenway, Kunin was expected to show he can 11. Ryan Donato (Last year: NR) become a featured player in the Wild lineup. And even though he’s the best out of this group in terms of points, the jury is still out. Despite the Position: Left wing scoring, Kunin has rated as one of the worst forwards in the NHL in Wins Age: 23 Above Replacement.

Cap hit: $1.9M Like the other young players in this group, deciding Kunin isn’t a part of the organization’s future and trading him carries quite a bit of risk. Maybe Stats: 45 GP, 9 G, 6 A even more so with Kunin, given that he’s younger than this entire quartet. At age 22, Granlund looked like he’d never fulfill his potential and was on Free agency: RFA 2021 the trade block. At 22, Charlie Coyle was an 11-goal forward. Jason The next four players on this list will be fascinating to watch at the Zucker was splitting time between Iowa and the Wild’s fourth-line. For deadline. All of them are former top prospects, all of them are young, and each player, they’d get to another level. all of them are playing in the NHL without having broken out. Between But if the Wild are convinced Kunin won’t be the player he was drafted to having so many forwards on the roster, Mayhew, Sturm, and Sam Anas be, Minnesota could get some value for him. He’s a former first-round pick with some production behind him, a history of goal-scoring in the Stats: 40 GP, 9 G, 11 A NCAA and AHL and has a great reputation for character and leadership. Free agency: UFA 2021 8. Joel Eriksson Ek (Last year: 12) If we were ranking players that raised their individual stock over the past Position: Center year, Foligno would top this list. Last year, he was widely thought to be a fine fourth-liner, but one who neither played (12 minutes a night) or Age: Turns 23 on Wednesday produced (19 points in 82 games) enough to justify his cap hit. Since Cap hit: $1.49M then, two things have happened. People around the league started paying attention to his elite defensive metrics, which coincided with Stats: 43 GP, 4 G, 17 A Boudreau trusting Foligno with a bigger role in the lineup. And in this bigger role, Foligno has gone on a tear offensively, crashing the net for Free agency: RFA 2021 goals and even making some flashy-looking assists. His 2.53 points per Like Donato, Eriksson Ek was a player who was rumored to be heavily hour at 5-on-5 is 23rd in the NHL (among those with 400+ minutes), in shopped at the beginning of this season. Eriksson Ek was coming off two the neighborhood of Steven Stamkos (2.6), Patrick Kane (2.49) and seasons under his belt where he could not generate any offense at all (2.4). (30 points in 133 games). Initially touted as the successor to Koivu, Suddenly, that cap hit isn’t a hindrance to his trade value — it’s a selling Eriksson Ek instead carried the weight of being The Guy Minnesota Took point. Even as the league has gotten smaller and faster, the power Instead of Brock Boeser. forward is one of the most coveted players in the game. So Foligno — But after a slow start (two points in his first 10 games), Eriksson Ek finally who is elite defensively, throws devastating hits while taking few found a role to flourish in. As the team’s third-line center, he’s continued penalties, is producing offensively, and is on an affordable contract that to develop his defensive game to the point where he’s been trusted by lasts until the end of next year — has to have GMs drooling. Bruce Boudreau in tough minutes, even in crunch time. Offensively, he’s Trading a player who is becoming a fan favorite and a key cog in a newly starting to grow as well. He already has a career-high 21 points, without harmonious Wild locker room has to give Guerin some pause. But the benefit of power-play time and largely confined to a checking-line Foligno’s next contract will take him into his 30s, and his value has never role. Nineteen of those points are at 5-on-5, which ties him for fourth on been higher. It might be painful, but selling high on Foligno would make the team. Guerin’s job of constructing the next great Wild team a lot easier. Even with Koivu’s above-mentioned struggles, the Wild’s approach to 5. Kevin Fiala (Last year: NR) Eriksson Ek has been to keep him on the third line. While there is merit into sticking with what works, it leaves the team unable to gauge whether Position: Winger he’s capable of handling more offensive responsibility. If the Wild don’t believe in Eriksson Ek’s ability to develop further, there should be other Age: 23 teams who come calling on him. Young centers don’t grow on trees, and Cap hit: $3M Eriksson Ek isn’t just performing well, he’s 23rd among forwards in Wins Above Replacement this year as of this writing. We’re pegging him as the Stats: 45 GP, 9 G, 19 A most “sure thing” of the quartet, and that combined with his position makes the player with the highest value of the group. Free agency: RFA 2021

7. Jared Spurgeon (Last year: 1) At the beginning of the season, Fiala would have been much lower in these rankings. He struggled after being sent to Minnesota in a trade Position: Defenseman deadline swap last year, and was off to an abysmal start to this season, earning a big drop in time on ice and a couple of healthy scratches. Also Age: 30 consider that his biggest fan, the GM that moved heaven and earth to Cap hit: $5.19M acquire him, was let go over the summer.

Stats: 43 GP, 5 G, 16 A The rumor mill was loud and clear back in October: Fiala could be had. But Fiala has turned it around, notching 27 points in his last 37 games Free agency: UFA 2027 and looking like the player Fenton touted him as a year ago. Fiala is fast, with a good shot and the ability to stickhandle around defenders. Even Spurgeon’s placement on this list is another really tricky decision to more encouraging for the Wild, he’s also been much tougher on the make. After all, he signed a seven-year, $53 million dollar contract puck, willing to go into the corners and even take a hit if necessary to complete with a full no-move clause (which protects him from being maintain possession. traded today, even before his new contract begins). Unless something absolutely weird happens, he’s not being traded. Given his age and progress, it’d be normal to expect Fiala to stay put in Minnesota. But given the Wild’s need for draft picks and prospects and But while the Wild’s other long-term, no-move-clause players — Parise, their forward depth at the NHL level, a Fiala trade could still be in play. Suter, and Zuccarello — have contracts that would be difficult to move, Not many forwards as young and cheap as Fiala make it on the trade even if they were open to going anywhere, Spurgeon would be in market, and even fewer are available in the middle of a good season. demand if he suddenly wanted out (which again, is extremely unlikely to Perhaps a contending team decides they’d prefer having a young forward happen). Yes, his contract is long and expensive, but with how hard it is that helps them now as opposed to picks and prospects that won’t be to find a top-pairing defenseman in the NHL, quite a few teams would ready for another three seasons. Just another interesting question for sign him to that deal on the open market. Guerin to tangle with as the deadline approaches. Given the long-term money and commitment involved in this hypothetical 4. Matt Dumba (Last year: 9) where Spurgeon is on the trade block, Spurgeon would almost certainly not go for futures. Instead, Minnesota would probably look to take on a Position: Defenseman similarly long-term, big-money deal in a “hockey trade.” But unlike, say, if Parise were traded today, any player returning for Spurgeon would be a Age: 25 valuable piece. Cap hit: $6M

Let’s say this one final time, though: There’s a huge difference between Stats: 50 GP, 3 G, 13 A Spurgeon having value and Spurgeon being even remotely likely to be traded. Free agency: UFA 2023

6. Marcus Foligno (Last year: 11) Last year, Dumba’s trade value was hampered by the injury that would take him out of the lineup for the remainder of the season. This season, Position: Left wing Dumba’s been back, playing in all 50 games. But has he been back? Age: 28 After scoring 12 goals and 22 points in 32 games before his injury last season, Dumba is on pace for just five goals and 26 points in a full 82- Cap hit: $2.88M game stretch in 2019-20. His woes have also extended to his own end, where he’s taken a step back defensively. Not a great first impression for should be able to find a couple of playoff teams looking to add his scoring the new general manager. and playoff experience down the middle.

So why is Dumba fourth on this list if he’s doing so poorly? Right-shot 1. Jonas Brodin (Last year: 7) defensemen are so rare and in-demand, always. The fact that a team handed out a five-year, $30 million deal to a much older Tyler Myers this Position: Defenseman summer shows that. Dumba is a young former 50-point defenseman with Age: 26 an affordable contract for the next three years. Even while struggling, he would be in-demand. Cap hit: $4.17M

But make no mistake, trading Dumba now would be selling him at the Stats: 50 GP, 1 G, 19 A lowest point in his career. While Guerin should be able to get back a Free agency: UFA 2021 return of consequence in such a trade, it wouldn’t compare to what a confident, productive Dumba would get. Fortunately, if Guerin has Brodin is in the middle of a career year, on track to hit 33 points — which determined Dumba won’t be part of the next good Wild team, he has the would shatter his career-high of 25. He’s looking more confident in the luxury of time. With Dumba under contract for the next three years, there transition game than ever, entering the zone with ease and even looking will be more opportune times to execute such a trade. to make plays offensively. And all of this is happening without lessening his defensive impact one iota — Evolving Hockey has his even-strength 3. Jason Zucker (Last year: 8) defense rated as second-best in the league. Position: Left wing Brodin’s lack of numbers has hurt his trade value in the past. But as Age: 28 analytics are becoming more advanced — and teams are embracing them more and more — Brodin’s play is becoming easier and easier to Cap hit: $5.5M quantify. And most signs point to Brodin being a top-pairing defenseman Stats: 40 GP, 14 G, 14 A in the NHL. In three of the past four seasons, Brodin has been a top-30 defenseman in Wins Above Replacement (19th this season, ninth in Free agency: UFA 2023 2017-18, 29th in 2016-17). Cumulatively, he’s 12th among all defensemen in that span with 6.9 total WAR. It’s impossible to dismiss Like Dumba, Zucker is under contract for the next three years, meaning him because of his low scoring — the data is there, and it shows that there’s similarly little urgency to trade him at the deadline. But unlike Brodin is as valuable as they come. And the smartest front offices know Dumba, Zucker’s stock is relatively high. He’s back to form after last it. year’s sluggish 42-point season, now on pace to finish with 25 goals and 50 points despite missing 10 games. It’s not just his performance that makes him an attractive trade asset, though. It’s also his contract. He’s got a year and a half left at a very Zucker was on the trade block for pretty much the entire Fenton era, affordable deal that should be manageable for most teams. In a world three times being connected with specific teams and players in nearly where Jacob Trouba (4.2 WAR in the last four years) is making $8 million completed deals. Being shopped so aggressively seemed to bring down against the cap, and Justin Faulk (0.1 WAR in the last four years) is his value as time went on. But not only is there a new GM in Minnesota, making $6.5 million, Brodin’s cap hit is a bargain. that GM knows precisely what he has in Zucker. As the assistant GM in Pittsburgh, Guerin was part of a front office that almost swiped Zucker At the deadline last year, Jake Muzzin (5 WAR in the last four years) was this summer for (essentially) a declining Phil Kessel. Zucker could well be flipped to Toronto in exchange for a first and two prospects. Rental Nick moved, but it’s hard to see a rival GM pulling a fast one on Guerin after Jensen (4.5 WAR) went to Washington for a second and a young player. he was among the sharks circling Zucker last year. Speaking of Trouba, he forced his way out of Winnipeg to the New York Rangers, and even under those circumstances, Trouba fetched a first Let’s compare Zucker to Chris Kreider, one of the hotter names on the and a young player. Brodin should fetch a price comparable to these trade market. Over the last 4 years, Kreider has averaged 28 goals, 55 trades, bringing in two or perhaps even three assets into the Wild points, and 2.3 Wins Above Replacement per 82 games. Zucker has organization. averaged 26 goals, 53 points, and 3.2 Wins Above Replacement per 82 games. Similar point totals, with the advanced stats suggesting Zucker The one thing that’s different from last year’s trade deadline is that the offers more in the realm of defense and drawing penalties. For cap- Wild are sitting on several assets that are near the peak of their value. strapped teams, Kreider (a UFA at the end of the season) might make Instead of trying to trade, say, the Niederreiters, Coyles, and Zuckers at a more sense. But teams able to take on a contract have the opportunity to low point, Minnesota is in a position of strength, not weakness. get a player who is at least Kreider’s peer and keep him in the fold for the next three seasons. How can one say that Zucker shouldn’t command an Guerin indicated to Michael Russo in an interview last week that he’s not equivalent return? looking to conduct a “fire sale.” It’s possible that’s GM Speak to maintain leverage with his colleagues. If it’s unfiltered honesty, his hesitation to 2. Eric Staal (Last year: 3) pull the plug on the season with the Wild technically still in a playoff race is understandable. But the mandate in Minnesota is no longer to just Position: Center make the postseason. It’s to build a winner that delivers not just Age: 35 consistent playoff appearances, but playoff runs.

Cap hit: $3.25M The best path to that goal might start with trades. The table is set. Now we wait to see which way Guerin will go. Stats: 50 GP, 17 G, 21 A The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 Free agency: UFA 2021

Last year at the trade deadline, Staal was almost traded to Boston. Instead, Staal indicated his preference to stay in Minnesota and signed a very team-friendly two-year deal with Minnesota on deadline day. Could Minnesota generate even more interest for Staal today? One would certainly think so. With the possibility of adding Staal to your roster at an obscenely low cap hit for this season and next, that should automatically add value. And with him back on a 60-plus point pace, Staal has beaten back any notions of decline that may have come from last season’s depressed point total.

Staal has a no-trade clause that eliminates 10 potential suitors. But centers are in short supply at every trade deadline, and this year is no exception. It’s hard to think of even one center of Staal’s caliber that might be available at the deadline, leaving Minnesota in a good spot. Even if Staal doesn’t waive his no-movement clause, a motivated Guerin 1173074 Montreal Canadiens “It’s easy to watch the hockey on TV and say you could make that play there,” Drouin said. “But as long as you’re not on the ice and you’re not feeling what the game is like it’s hard to really comment and say we lost this game because of this or that. It’s really hard when you’re sitting out Canadiens Notebook: Jonathan Drouin, Brendan Gallagher close to and you’re not on the ice, you don’t really contribute to anything. You return don’t have a say or an action you could do to make a difference. We had some streaks where we lost a lot of games and it’s hard to sit there and Both players cleared for contact and take part in full practice, but their watch and not be able to do anything. But we got to come back to just the status remains uncertain for Thursday's game in Buffalo. way we were playing. Skating and when we’re playing well we’re not sitting back, we’re usually around that puck and we’re chasing the game.”

STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: January 28, 2020 … Gally aussi! 珞

…so is @BGALLY17!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/yU9373fl9B— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 28, 2020 The Canadiens’ Jonathan Drouin and Brendan Gallagher would both love to return to the lineup against the Sabres Thursday in Buffalo (7 p.m., Trade winds starting to blow TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM) but that remains uncertain. The NHL trade deadline is Feb. 24, so there will be a lot of talk Drouin and Gallagher took part in the Canadiens’ full practice Tuesday concerning what Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin will or won’t do before morning in Brossard and they are no longer wearing no-contact jerseys. then. Drouin hasn’t played since having wrist surgery on Nov. 18, while Gallagher has missed 10 of the last 11 games since suffering a There are three Canadiens on TSN’s Trade Bait list of 20 players. Ilya concussion. Kovalchuk is listed at No. 3, behind New York Rangers left-winger Kris Kreider and Los Angeles Kings defenceman Alec Martinez, while Marco “I don’t know,” Drouin said when asked if he could play Thursday. “We’ll Scandella is No. 18 and Jeff Petry is No. 20. Tomas Tatar is another see how it goes and figure that out.” name being mentioned in trade speculation.

When Gallagher was asked the same question, he answered: “I can’t Dale Weise has been traded three times during his career before the really give you guys an answer. I’m sure Thursday morning I’ll be able to NHL trade deadline and said the speculation can be very hard on the take pregame skate and maybe a decision will be made then. But until players’ families. then it’s really day-by-day and just go from there.” “It’s easier for you because you get traded, you instantly got 20 friends,” Drouin had 7-8-15 totals in 19 games before he was injured, while Weise said after Monday’s morning skate. “Hockey culture is so easy. Gallagher has 15-17-32 totals in 41 games. You go to a new team, it’s kind of the same routine and you got 20 new guys that are your friends instantly. It’s a lot harder for kids leaving their The Canadiens have a 22-22-7 record following Monday night’s 4-2 loss friends and having to go in and be the new kid. It’s hard for your wife … to the Washington Capitals at the Bell Centre and their playoff hopes are you leave and you live in a hotel for a little bit. It’s not a fun time. Very all but gone with 31 games left in the season. The Canadiens have had stressful. It’s a tough time of year for that.” 13 player injuries this season and have lost 130 man games as a result. Last season, they had 22 player injuries and 160 man games were lost. Weise added that the key for players is to try and tune out the noise surrounding the trade deadline. Max Domi (flu), Artturi Lehkonen (flu), Marco Scandella (therapy day) and Carey Price (off-ice workout) didn’t take part in Tuesday’s practice. “Don’t read social media, don’t watch TV,” he said. “Don’t watch all the experts on TV because let’s call a spade a spade. People get on TV and “It’s been a while since we’ve really been healthy all together,” Gallagher want to say things that actually sell and people want to watch. Do your said. “It’s a hard situation here. We need all the bodies we can get. So best to not read stuff like that and just try to stay in the moment. As a hopefully Jo’s getting closer and closer, the sick guys get healthy and young guy it’s kind of hard to do that but as an older guy you just kind of then we can see what we’re capable of. Obviously, on paper it looks like appreciate every moment. Just speaking for myself, you appreciate every you could be a special group, but it’s just on paper. I think you got to see moment in the NHL. It’s a great lifestyle. We get to do a lot of great things results. For us I think you put that pressure on ourselves to go out there that a lot of people don’t get to experience.” and get the job done and prove everyone right who’s saying that.” Weise, 31, played in his 500th career NHL regular-season game Monday Drouin is excited to play with his hockey idol.#GoHabsGo night against the Capitals and scored his first goal of the season in 10 pic.twitter.com/Z7pXili17S— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) games with the Canadiens. January 28, 2020 One of the best teammates I’ve ever had. Prepared to do anything to One-goal losses hurt help the team win. No one as positive or as hard working as you bud. Seventeen of the Canadiens losses this season have been by one goal, Pleasure to play with you. Cheers to 500 more Weiser!  including seven in overtime or shootouts. https://t.co/kHKYpYI63T— Max Domi (@max_domi) January 28, 2020

“It’s tough,” Gallagher said. “All these one-goal games, it’s just one of The lines those things where it’s really easy to sit here and say we got to find a Here’s how the forward lines and defence pairings looked at Tuesday’s way to win them. But finding those solutions in the game is the hard part practice: and that’s a challenge that our group has. Little differences in games, these little things, these little details in your game can make a huge Tatar – Danault – Gallagher difference going forward and I think right now we’re just finding ourselves on the wrong end of these tight games. Kovalchuk – Suzuki – Armia

“You can say you’re doing some good things and doing some bad Drouin – Kotkaniemi – Cousins things,” Gallagher added. “It just seems like right now guys were on a Poehling – Thompson – Weise/Weal little bit of a streak there, but going forward here the rest of the year we just got to find ways to win these tight games and do a little bit more and Chiarot – Weber a little bit extra and find a way to be on the other side of these things.” Kulak – Petry Gallagher looks back at his last game.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/sBj4tkRqVy— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) Mete – Fleury January 28, 2020 With Price skipping practice, the Canadiens called goalie Karel St. Tough to watch Laurent to take his place. St. Laurent played in the QMJHL and with the McGill Redmen and now plays for the Jonquière Marquis in the LNAH. Drouin has spent more time watching the Canadiens on TV than playing this season, which hasn’t been easy. Double arrêt de Kovy.  Double stop by Kovy.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/K0cheOQBkx— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 28, 2020

What’s next?

The Canadiens will practise 10:45 a.m. Wednesday in Brossard before travelling to Buffalo to face the Sabres Thursday night (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM). Friday will be a day off for the Canadiens before their annual Super Bowl weekend matinee games at the Bell Centre against the Florida Panthers on Saturday (2 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM) and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday (2 p.m., SN1, SNE, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

Next week, the Canadiens will play the Devils in New Jersey on Tuesday (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM) before back-to-back home games against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM) and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday (7 p.m., CBC, SN1, SNE, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173075 Montreal Canadiens When asked how he felt in the game he played after returning from his concussion:

“I felt good. That’s the thing. You don’t really know what’s really going on. Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher discusses his concussion and recovery But I felt good throughout the game. There’s nothing that really stood out to me in terms of things I needed to relay to the training staff. Played the "When I come back, I’m healthy, I’m going to play like I always have. game, felt all right as that game went on. Felt more and more There’s no fear," he says during long Q&A session with media. comfortable. But then it was just kind of the next morning where you woke up and knew something just wasn’t right. So you communicate that

to the trainers and then they were obviously real cautious with me and STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: January 28, 2020 making sure that health comes first and they took care of my head that way.”

Gallagher looks back at his last game.#GoHabsGo The Canadiens’ Brendan Gallagher has missed 10 of the last 11 games pic.twitter.com/sBj4tkRqVy— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) since suffering a concussion during a game in Carolina on New Year’s January 28, 2020 Eve, but he’s not worried about any long-term health issues. When asked how long he plans to keep wearing a tinted visor: Gallagher missed four games after suffering the concussion, played one game against the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 9, and then was shut down “I’m not sure. Depending on how it feels in games I might play with it the again after experiencing headaches. He was given the green light for rest of the year, I might keep it on for the rest of my career. I’m not sure. contact before the Canadiens practised Tuesday morning in Brossard It’s just something that for the time being I find it helps, so keep it on for and hopes to be able to play Thursday in Buffalo against the Sabres (7 now. The only way I can describe it, it’s the same as when you’re playing p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM). golf and you put on sunglasses, you’re not squinting. You’re able to see the ball a little bit. It’s a little bit of a difference, but you find it helps.” After practice, Gallagher said it was the third concussion he has suffered, including one during his junior career and one during his rookie season When asked about sensitivity to light as a concussion symptom: with the Canadiens in 2013. “That’s the thing about concussions. There’s all these symptoms are “It’s not concern,” Gallagher said when asked about his concussion things that are related to concussions but they’re related to other things. I history and long-term health. “It’s part of the game. When I come back, had my last concussion, I guess it would be seven years ago, and in the I’m healthy, I’m going to play like I always have. There’s no fear. That summer the sensitivity to light is still there. So it’s just something that was probably the reason why I told the trainers the next morning (after these things just kind of become the new normal. That’s part of playing against the Oilers) that I was still dealing with a little bit of understanding when you fill out these forms at the start of the year and something because I don’t want to play the game with fear. When you you write down your symptoms on the symptom sheet that they give you, play with fear I can’t be myself and when I come back I want to be able to some of these things you already have. So it’s really your baseline and do all the things that I’m always able to do for my teammates and for the my baseline is a little bit of sensitivity to light, which I think we all are. But team. You don’t want to have anything in your back of mind that’s it’s just something that you can kind of feel when it goes back to the new lingering. normal.”

“Every time I put on that jersey, you put every injury that you’ve ever had When asked if he had watched video of the play in which he suffered the behind you and you just go play,” Gallagher added. “The risk is concussion: something we all sign up for, but I think there’s enough people here (with “I saw it. I took a pretty big shot. That was probably the biggest thing the Canadiens’ medical staff) that are doing the right things and put your about it. Anyone that’s kind of dealt with concussions, anyone that knows health first where it’s not really too much of a concern for me. a lot of the headaches seem to stem from neck pain or jaw pain and “There’s no doubt in my mind that when I come back it’s just going to be there’s usually something that’s kind of leading to it and it’s not always the same old. You let it heal, you let it recover and then once you’re back the brain, but you kind of treat it like it is the brain. I took a pretty good it’s kind of in the past and you move on and play the game.” shot on the jaw and then just getting that fixed up, getting your neck fixed up. Those little things that you’re able to do seem to relieve the Gallagher spoke with the media for more than 16 minutes while standing headaches and kind of take care of those things. The guys here (on the in front of his locker-room stall after Tuesday’s practice and here’s some medical staff) have been working pretty hard. It’s just kind of something of the other things he had to say. I’m taking in stride because it’s something that I haven’t really had to go through before. My other concussions were really quick recoveries and On the headaches he suffered after returning from his concussion: this one kind of lingered a little bit. Take it in stride and learn from it.” “These things, I think they’re getting better at them, but there’s still so When asked what makes him sure he’s doing the right thing now trying to much to learn about these concussions. That said, I know even less than come back: anyone else. You’re just going through it … you go through your normal rehab. Leading up to the first game everything was going well, no real “There’s so much that gets said to us about health down the road and symptoms, and then you play a game and you wake up in the middle of that stuff’s in the back of your mind. You kind of just want to have all the the night you have these headache-like symptoms. You got to pretty information, you want to have a clear head. Me, being someone who’s much treat it like a concussion. They lingered for a few days. During the not really knowledgable, you just want to talk to people that have a better bye week I was able to kind of go home (to British Columbia) and take understanding of the situation and a clear mind and having all that care of those things and I came back. information helps. Just relaying the information, maybe they would have told me it was nothing and you could play and then you could put it “There’s a certain point there where it just kind of clicked, where behind you. But, obviously, (the medical staff) take precaution. I think everything was kind of feeling good again and since then I’ve been able they do a pretty good job of educating us to the point where if you do to go like normal. You just follow the steps. Each day they tell you to do have something going on you’re going to say it because the only reason different things, handle it well and you move on to the next step.” you want to play is to help the team. And if I continued to play at that When asked how many days has he been headache-free now: stage with that little bit of doubt in your mind I wouldn’t have been able to help the team.” “I don’t know. Sometime during the bye week. It’s been a little while now. There were a couple of days there the headaches were there for a few When asked about working with the team’s medical staff making sure days and then after a couple of days they would kind of come and go, he’s ready to return: come and go. But they’ve been gone for good, I don’t know, since early “Their job is to obviously get me healthy so I can go out and do my job on in the bye week.” and the hardest thing for them is they need me to be honest every … Gally aussi! 珞 morning with how I’m feeling. You know, I was. I came in every day, I told them how I was feeling. Pretty much a couple of days after the original hit …so is @BGALLY17!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/yU9373fl9B— in Carolina I felt fine, so I didn’t report any symptoms to them. I felt good. Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 28, 2020 I was able to go through my workouts, go through my skates and there were no alarming issues that I noticed anyways with myself. After the game was really the first time I had to report something. So they can only work with what I’m reporting back to them. They didn’t have anything to go off of, so you put no blame on them. Obviously, they’re going to let me play. If I go back I’d probably say the same thing because I felt ready to play.

“We all want to play, we all want to get back in the lineup. But you want to help the team and if you don’t have a healthy brain you’re not able to help the team very much. So hopefully I can put all that behind me now and kind of get back to doing my job.”

When asked about his streak of playing in 229 consecutive games, which came to an end after his concussion:

“The last couple of years I take a lot or pride in playing the full 82-game schedule. I know how tough it is. You’re going to have to deal with injuries and that’s what it is. It’s an injury. You trust that when you’re back in the lineup you’re healthy and when I’m on the ice you put all that behind you. It’s not in the back of your head. You’re thinking about what you need to do to help your team win a hockey game. I’m looking forward to getting back to that.”

When asked about former teammate Andrew Shaw, who has a history of concussions and hasn’t played since suffering another one on Nov. 30 with the Chicago Blackhawks:

“You know what, Shawzy has really accomplished everything you could accomplish as a hockey player. I think he’s taking a year off to get healthy and I think that’s important for him. If he decides to come back that’s going to be a decision that he’s going to think about. If he decides not to I think he can be really proud of the career that he’s had. But he loves the game. He loves being in the locker room and being around the guys, competing, and he was a teammate that everyone respected. So it’s whatever he decides. I think both ways, regardless, I think everyone’s going to respect it and understand his decision.”

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173076 Montreal Canadiens

Reinforcements arrive, but Canadiens need a miracle to reach playoffs

While oddsmakers give Montreal a 1.1-per-cent chance of reaching the post-season, Brendan Gallagher and Jonathan Drouin still have hope.

PAT HICKEY, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: January 28, 2020

Faith will be butting up against reality as the Canadiens pursue a playoff spot during the final third of the season.

There was some good news at practice Tuesday as Brendan Gallagher and Jonathan Drouin shed their non-contact jerseys, a sign they could be back in the lineup as early as Thursday’s game in Buffalo (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

While the prevailing wisdom says the Canadiens are out of the playoff hunt — the oddsmakers at sportsclubstats.com give Montreal a 1.1-per- cent chance of qualifying for the post-season — Gallagher and Drouin see a glimmer of hope.

“I don’t care what kind of odds you give us, we’re going to keep on fighting,” said Gallagher, who has missed 10 games with a concussion. “No one was supposed to be here. The chances of making the NHL are very slim and each one of us has dealt with doubt. People are going to doubt us but, as long as you have that chance, we’re going to fight.”

Drouin, whose career-best start — seven goals and 15 points in 19 games — was derailed by a wrist injury that has sidelined him for 32 games, pointed to a team that defied the odds last season.

“You look at St. Louis last year as an example,” Drouin said in reference to the Blues, who won the Stanley Cup after starting 2019 last in the standings.

Considering the way this season has gone, it would be remarkable if the Canadiens (22-22-7) went 21-10 down the stretch, but even that would probably leave them short of a playoff spot with 93 points. Last season, they collected 96 points and missed the post-season by two points.

Simple arithmetic says the Canadiens are still alive. They are 10 points behind third-place Florida in the Atlantic Division and 10 points behind Carolina in the hunt for the final wild-card spot. A Montreal winning streak and a collapse by some of the teams ahead of them and the picture changes, or so the Canadiens hope.

The problem is that the Canadiens have lost more games than they’ve won and their longest win streak has been three games. Florida and Carolina hold games in hand on Montreal and the Canadiens also have to pass three non-playoff teams — Philadelphia, Toronto and Buffalo.

Seventeen of the Canadiens’ remaining 31 games are on the road which, for most teams, would be a disadvantage, but the Canadiens have a losing record at home (10-13-4) and are 12-9-3 on the road.

On the plus side, goaltender Carey Price is playing better and the return of Gallagher, Drouin and will give a lift to an underperforming offence.

Head coach Claude Julien has enough healthy bodies up front that he can employ four quality lines and his juggling skills will come in handy because, if the lines at practice Monday are any indication, Drouin could be returning on the third line.

There’s an urgency connected to the playoff push because the trade deadline is less than a month away. If the Canadiens haven’t closed the gap on their rivals, general manager Marc Bergevin will be open for business.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173077 Montreal Canadiens Gallagher wore a tinted visor when he played against the Oilers and he still had it on for practice Tuesday.

“I’ve had a couple of concussions before and I think since the first one I Stu Cowan: Canadiens' Gallagher cleared for contact, but should he kind of noticed I was pretty sensitive to light,” he explained. “Each play? concussion, normally or naturally it’s just kind of always been there. That was something I told the trainers, so the tinted visor just kind of takes With the Habs having a 22-22-7 record and their playoff hopes all but care of that. It sounds weird, but it does make a little bit of a difference. gone, the feisty winger would be wise to take things cautiously. It’s probably something I’ll keep on for a bit.”

Gallagher had played in 229 consecutive games, dating back to Feb. 11, 2017, before suffering his concussion. He is proud of the fact he was STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: January 28, 2020 able to play the full 82-game schedule in each of the last two seasons with his gritty style and refusal to back down from anyone or anything while surpassing the 30-goal mark both years. He’s a warrior who was on After suffering a concussion during a New Year’s Eve game in Carolina, pace for another 30-goal season before his concussion and he wants to the Canadiens’ Brendan Gallagher received a text message the next day play. from former teammate Andrew Shaw. But with the Canadiens having a 22-22-7 record and their playoff hopes “He’s someone who dealt with (concussions) and he told me not to be all but gone, Gallagher would be wise to listen to Shaw’s earlier advice: stupid, not to come back early,” Gallagher said after practising with his Don’t be stupid and come back too early. teammates Tuesday morning in Brossard. “I told him I wouldn’t. And then he texted me after the first time and he called me an idiot. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.29.2020

“So, it’s good to see that he hasn’t changed,” Gallagher added with a chuckle.

Shaw and Gallagher both have good senses of humour, but concussions are no laughing matter and they know that. One of the reasons the Canadiens traded Shaw to Chicago last summer was his history of concussions and he suffered another one this season. Shaw hasn’t played since Nov. 30 and the Blackhawks have placed him on long-term injured reserve. Last season, Shaw said he didn’t know how many concussions he had suffered during his hockey career, but figured he had three or four in the NHL.

Gallagher said his latest concussion was his third, after having one in junior and one during his rookie season with the Canadiens. Gallagher missed four games after being concussed in Carolina, returned to play one game against the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 9 at the Bell Centre and then started suffering headaches. Gallagher has now missed the last five games, but is hoping to play Thursday against the Sabres in Buffalo (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM) with his headaches gone and after being cleared for contact before Tuesday’s practice. Jonathan Drouin, who hasn’t played since having wrist surgery on Nov. 18, was also cleared for contact at Tuesday’s practice and could possibly return to action Thursday.

Gallagher was asked after practice if he had returned too soon after his concussion.

“I’d like to talk about that for a bit,” he said. “In no way do I put any blame on anyone. It’s one of those things where everyone followed the proper protocol. I went through the NHL concussion program, I did everything I needed to do. There’s just no test for a game-like atmosphere and you don’t know really what triggered (the headaches). Obviously, you don’t really get your heart rate up to what it’s like in a game. There’s a lot of noise, there’s a lot of light, there’s a lot of emotion and adrenalin going through your body and these things can trigger it. You can’t really test that until you play a game.

“I went through the proper steps,” Gallagher added. “(The medical staff) did everything they needed to do to clear me. I passed those tests … I passed my concussion test. Everything was fine and then you deal with these things. I took it in stride. Every concussion’s a little bit different. I think mine was probably pretty unique. But I’m happy to hopefully put it behind me now.

“There’s nothing I would do differently because I felt I was ready to play and I felt I was ready to go out and try and help the team win a game. These things only happened after the game.”

Gallagher said he didn’t have any headaches after suffering the concussion in Carolina when he was checked hard by the Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal and while falling down was accidentally kneed in the head by teammate Ben Chiarot before hitting the back of his head on the ice. Gallagher did have some memory loss and didn’t remember much about that day in Carolina.

“But I woke up the next morning and really felt good,” he said. “The symptoms didn’t really come until I played this game (against the Oilers) and then there were headaches.” 1173078 Nashville Predators "I would never want a player that was OK with it. But it's really how they go about handling it."

Tennessean LOADED: 01.29.2020 Predators' Austin Watson upset John Hynes made him a healthy scratch for 4 games, but has no ill will

Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean Published 7:00 a.m. CT Jan. 28, 2020 | Updated 6:29 p.m. CT Jan. 28, 2020

Austin Watson was unhappy and he knew it.

John Hynes did too, because Watson wasn't afraid to show it when the new Predators coach made him a healthy scratch four games in a row.

Hynes was happy, in a way, though, that Watson was "angry, (ticked off)," as the forward put it when asked about his reaction to wearing a suit and rather than a sweater for that long.

"At the same time, there's only so much as a player you can control," Watson said. "That's where you talk about that response that the coach wants to see or that you expect from yourself and your teammates expect from you.

"I'm not a guy that's going to pout. I'm not going to whine and complain. I'm going to come to work every day. ... I'm not overly pleased about it. ... All I can do is take an opportunity when I get it."

Hynes gets that. He gets that Watson is upset. He also told Watson why he benched him. The reason was simple: He thought other players were playing better than Watson, so he played them.

He also promised Watson, who earlier this season signed a three-year, $4.5 million contract, he would get his chance before the All-Star break. And so he did, going from healthy scratch to top-line wing with Ryan Johansen and Calle Jarnkrok in a victory against the Sabres last week.

He found himself there again on Monday during a 5-2 loss to the Maple Leafs. Though it was top-line billing on paper, the three really served as a third or fourth line considering Johansen played a team-low 10:28, the least he's played in a game during which he wasn't injured or ejected since his rookie season in 2011-12 and more than seven minutes fewer than his average ice time.

Watson said he appreciated Hynes' honesty when the two met to talk about why Watson was being scratched, even if he didn't like the result.

That's mostly because Watson felt like his chance to make headway with the new guy was hampered.

"A tough one for me because John had just come in and I felt like I really hadn't had an opportunity to play under him," Watson said. "It's a feeling- out process."

For awhile, Watson felt left out. Yakov Trenin was playing well in his place. Colin Blackwell earned some ice time.

But Watson knows all about second chances. He just wanted a first chance with Hynes.

Watson was one of the odd men out after playing just 9:52 in Hynes' first game before his extended break. Watson had seven goals and nine assists during his abbreviated 37-game season last year, when he was suspended twice.

He has six goals and seven assists in 42 games this season, though his ice time is down nearly 2:30 per game.

"When you look at some of the roles and what type of player he is, I thought some of the guys had played better prior to me getting here, so we're going to continue to give those guys an opportunity," Hynes said. "It's an opportunity for him to reset."

Hynes said Watson has to "move his feet, play physical," pay attention to defensive detail and be an effective penalty killer, something the Predators have struggled with as a whole this season. They are third- worst at 74%.

"You'd expect every player is not happy to come out of the lineup," Hynes said. "Sometimes they understand why they did, say, 'I understand my performance isn't good enough.' That motivating factor usually has them work harder when they're out. 1173079 Nashville Predators he was going to get back in before we went on break. I needed to give him an opportunity as a new coach. He’s got to move his feet. He’s got to play physical. He’s got to be hard on the puck. He’s got to get to the net- front. He’s got to be a good penalty killer, and then his attention to detail ‘Sometimes it’s really difficult’: Austin Watson grapples with criticism of defensively has to be strong. … If he can bring that type of a game, that’s his play and his past his identity. He’s got to be consistent with it.”

As Watson has struggled with alcoholism, anxiety and depression since his teenage years, he has developed coping mechanisms to combat By Adam Vingan Jan 28, 2020 negative thoughts. They are important at times like these.

“When you’ve been through some of the stuff that’s happened with me Austin Watson is aware of the criticism. He knows people were happy to over the past year, you can’t hide from that social-media stuff,” said see him scratched for four games before the Predators’ bye week and Watson, who spent close to two months in the league’s Substance Abuse that those same people flipped out when he returned alongside Ryan and Behavioral Health Program last year after he had an alcohol-related Johansen. relapse. “It’s tough to hear things like ‘wife-beater’ and shit like that on social media when that’s not the case, but there’s nothing really I can say More than any player on the team, Watson is tuned into the Predators’ or do to change that narrative. All I can do is go about my business, but fan base. He isn’t on Twitter, where the negative comments are most when that transfers over to the hockey side of it and people are overly prevalent, but he doesn’t have to look hard to find the harsh words critical of my play because they have an unfounded, (untrue) opinion of directed toward him there and elsewhere. who I am as a person, sometimes those things are tough.

“Sometimes it’s really difficult,” Watson said. “I think last year was more “I’ve learned over the years that I’ve got to have a good support system difficult just with everything that happened in the summer. Coming back in place with everything. Hockey’s no different than that, so sometimes from suspension, I was uncomfortable with how I was being perceived you’ve just got to talk it out. You’ve got to yell at the wall a little bit and and the assumptions that were getting made, and they transferred over get back to work.” to the hockey game. It’s not a good feeling when people want you out or you feel like you’ve been represented in a way that’s not indicative of The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 who you are or to the facts. More then than now, but it’s definitely, for any of us, not a good feeling when people are just overly critical at times.”

To be clear, Watson isn’t looking for sympathy, and he’s aware that he’s probably not going to get any. He’s resigned to the fact that his arrest for domestic assault in June 2018, which stemmed from an argument that he had with his girlfriend in public and led to an 18-game suspension from the NHL, will be the first thing associated with him for the rest of his career.

Watson has no problem accepting criticism of his play, which, like most of his teammates, has been subpar this season. The Predators rely on Watson to shut down their opponents’ top forwards and be responsible defensively, neither of which he has done.

In 42 games, Watson has a 37.79 goal percentage and 38.41 expected goal percentage at five-on-five, according to Evolving Hockey. Granted, he starts 54.26 percent of his shifts in the defensive zone, which puts him at a disadvantage. But there’s no way to spin his season as anything other than a disappointment.

On Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Watson, Johansen and Calle Jarnkrok, who began the Predators’ 5-2 loss matched against Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Zach Hyman, were shelled at five- on-five, surrendering two goals and six high-danger shot attempts in under seven minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick.

What bothers Watson is when people pile on him by dredging up his past.

“Trust me, I know when I make bad plays out there,” said Watson, who signed a three-year, $4.5 million contract in October 2019. “We all make mistakes during the game. At times, because of the off-ice stuff, I feel like it’s a little bit translated to how people see me on the ice, which I think is false. But it is what it is.

“For the role that I’m asked to play, to be physical, to go out there and stick up for my teammates, I don’t enjoy going out there and getting punched in the face or punching people in the face, but I do it because I’m going to stand up for my teammates. Offensively, I play under 12, 11 minutes a night. I have 13 points, six goals. Those aren’t numbers that are poor numbers inside of my role. It’s up to me to go out there and continue to just play well.”

The Predators have been outscored 26-16 at five-on-five when Austin Watson has been on the ice. (Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today)

Watson was the first regular member of the Predators’ lineup to be scratched by John Hynes, providing the first glimpse into how the new coach manages those situations.

“When you look at some of the roles and what type of player he is, I thought some other guys played better, and they had played better prior to me getting here, so we were going to continue to give those guys an opportunity,” Hynes said. “It was an opportunity for him to reset. I told him 1173080 New Jersey Devils

Devils’ P.K. Subban misses practice but Kyle Palmieri returns to the ice

By Chris Ryan

Illness forced defenseman P.K. Subban missed the Devils’ practice on Tuesday at Prudential Center in Newark.

Subban played 20:14 during Monday’s 4-3 shootout win over the Ottawa Senators at in Ottawa, and he was on the ice following the end of the game.

Connor Carrick took his place during line rushes at Tuesday’s practice, marking the only line change made following Monday’s game.

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Kyle Palmieri practiced in full on Tuesday despite leaving the ice in pain during overtime of Monday’s game.

After breaking up a Senators rush in the extra frame, Palmieri went halfway down the tunnel toward the Devils’ locker room, where he talked to a team trainer while in clear discomfort. Devils interim head coach Alain Nasreddine said after the game that it was only a tweak, and he expected Palmieri to be fine.

Here’s how the Devils lined up at Tuesday’s practice:

FORWARDS

Jesper Bratt - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri

Blake Coleman - Travis Zajac - Nikita Gusev

Pavel Zacha - Jack Hughes - Wayne Simmonds

Miles Wood - Kevin Rooney - John Hayden/Ben Street

DEFENSEMEN

Andy Greene - Connor Carrick

Damon Severson - Sami Vatanen

Will Butcher - Mirco Mueller

GOALIES

Mackenzie Blackwood/Louis Domingue

OUT

D P.K. Subban (illness)

Star Ledger LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173081 New Jersey Devils

The Devils’ shootout win over Senators was one for the record books

By Chris Ryan

To find the last time the Devils finished a game with 53 or more shots on goal in a single game, you’d have to scroll all the way back to the last millennium.

Their 53 shots in a 4-3 shootout win over the Ottawa Senators on Monday at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa was the most the Devils recorded in a single game since they set a franchise record with 57 shots against the New York Islanders on April 12, 1999.

“You can get 53 shots if they’re all on the outside, they’re no good, but I felt tonight we attacked the net, we played to the inside, we had quality chances," Devils interim coach Alain Nasreddine said. "I felt that we could have had a lot more than three goals. Their goalie played well, but the finishing touch wasn’t there for us.”

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Jack Hughes, who provided the winning goal in the shootout, didn’t score in regulation or overtime but led all skaters with eight shots on goal. Damon Severson finished with six, while Blake Coleman had five.

The Devils also hit three posts in the third period, which don’t factor into their final shot total.

Entering the bye week and All-Star break, which ended with Monday’s game, Nasreddine said he wasn’t worried about where the Devils were offensively. Since Dec. 23, the Devils have finished with 40-plus shots in five games.

But as Hughes has quickly learned in the NHL, the shots only matter if you make something of them.

“Same thing in Columbus (last Saturday). I think we had 50 shots there and guy had a shutout on us," Hughes said. "Speaks to how good the goalies are in this league. You need to be dialed in, ready to score when you get the puck. That guy played really well tonight. Lucky we got three on him, and in the shootout, we capitalized, too.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173082 New Jersey Devils Hughes has been somewhat snake-bitten lately with just one point in his last five games coming into this one. The last goal he scored came Dec. 29 in Ottawa and before that it was right before the Christmas break in Chicago, so it's not as if he hasn't been producing. How the young NJ Devils' core is learning to show late-game resolve The goals have not exactly come in bunches as he or the team has hoped but it hasn't done anything to really diminish his confidence.

Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer Published 6:00 a.m. ET Jan. 28, 2020 "He's a guy who puts a lot of pressure on himself and he wants to be a difference-maker every game," Nasreddine said. "For a guy of his caliber

to have that mindset is excellent." OTTAWA — The world kept turning one night after it felt like it stopped Hey, Devils fan — stay on top of breaking news, scores and analysis with for one of the greatest sports tragedies in recent history. Kobe Bryant our Fire & Ice app — find it on the App Store & Google Play. may not have played hockey but his influence was felt as far north as Ottawa when the New Jersey Devils faced the Senators in their first Hughes downplayed the numbers. He's playing well and contributing in game following the NHL All-Star Break. other ways, so there's no worry coming from the rookie center.

P.K. Subban gave a heartfelt tribute to his friend after the morning skate "I had eight shots tonight, so the puck is just not going in for me right and the Canadian Tire Center honored the fallen NBA star with a now," he said. "But if I keep shooting I'll start to score more." moment of silence before the anthems. The crowd was sparse but the atmosphere heavy. What’s next

But the show must go on, so it did. Former coach John Hynes will return to New Jersey as the coach of the Nashville Predators on Thursday night. Jack Hughes scored the shooter winner, Damon Severson, Kevin Rooney and Kyle Palmieri scored goals and Mackenzie Blackwood made Bergen Record LOADED: 01.29.2020 35 saves in the Devils 4-3 shootout win Monday night.

The Devils overcame a hot goalie and pair of shorthanded goals in the third period, showing the young core is learning how to handle adversity.

"We've talked about resiliency for a while now and at 3-2, it wasn't a good way to go down," interim coach Alain Nasreddine said. "But the guys found a way to tie it and get the two points."

How they won

Marcus Hogberg kept the Senators in a tight game. The Devils threw 53 shots on net and Hogberg was rewarded for his efforts when former Ranger Vladislav Namestnikov and Chris Tierney scored shorthanded breakaways just 35 seconds apart in the third period to give the Sens the edge with 10:19 left to play.

"That shouldn't happen," forward Nico Hischier said. "It's tough when they replayed it on the bench, but our head was still in the game. We didn't show any frustration and we kept battling and got rewarded."

This came after it looked as though the New Jersey power play had been making progress. There was good puck movement all night with the man- advantage and the second unit scored its first goal of the season in the first period when Hogberg failed to corral a puck Severson hit off the post off of the post and put it in after a strong sequence led by Nikita Gusev.

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Tyler Ennis scored later in the first but Rooney managed to break a 1-1 tie 4:28 into the second period by batting a wraparound past Hogberg for his second goal of the season.

The Devils threw everything they had at Hogberg in the third period. They hit two posts and forced him to make athletic saves, but Blackwood could do little with the odd-man rushes.

Palmieri buried a rebound off a shot by Nico Hischier with 3:21 left to tie the game up and put it into overtime but left the game during the bonus period after diving to block a shot. It was his first game back after missing four with a foot injury from a blocked shot.

However, Nasreddine said the injury was not serious.

New Jersey's fortunes turned during the shootout when Gusev and Hughes both scored on Hogberg. Hughes wasn't sure he had a shot after Hogberg robbed him of what would have been a top-shelf highlight-reel goal on a rebound earlier in the game

"Not really, that guy played really good tonight," Hughes said. "It speaks to how good the goalies are in this league. You need to be dialed in and ready to score when you get the puck."

Hughes' handles 1173083 New Jersey Devils because of their depth at the position. DeAngelo has had an offensively productive year, and could become a top target for teams that want more than two months of control. Other defensemen who have term left on their contract that could crowd the market with Vatanen include Alec Buyer’s guide: What could the trade market for the Devils’ Sami Vatanen Martinez and, maybe, Rasmus Ristolainen. look like? Still, Fitzgerald and the Devils should have a coveted player on their hands. New Jersey also has the ability to retain up to half of Vatanen’s cap hit, and making him available at a prorated cost of $2.438 million By Corey Masisak Jan 28, 2020 could draw additional suitors and improve their offers.

With the help of some of The Athletic’s vast network of NHL writers, here The NHL trade deadline is now less than four weeks away, and the is a look at which teams are not likely to be interested and which ones Devils might be in an enviable position. could be in the mix for Vatanen’s services.

Sami Vatanen could be the best player available at a position that is The non-playoff contenders often coveted at this time of year. Interim general manager Tom Red Wings, Kings, Senators, Ducks, Sharks Fitzgerald is going to be plenty busy fielding calls in the next month, and having arguably the best best defenseman to shop around should only These are the only teams that are definitely out of the playoff chase make him more so. (thanks, three-point games). None of them are trading for a rental defenseman. A couple of them could be interested in Vatanen on July 1, First, though, Fitzgerald could try to sign Vatanen to a new contract. He though. turns 29 in June and is finishing up a four-year contract worth $4.875 million per season. While Vatanen could be the top defenseman on the The not-really playoff contenders trade market, it is partly because there are others who are also pending unrestricted free agents currently playing for playoff contenders. Even if a Rangers, Sabres, Canadiens, Wild few of those guys reach July 1 without a new contract, Vatanen would be The Canadiens, Sabres and the Rangers are all 10-plus points back in one of the top free agent targets and likely in line to secure a raise and the East and have a less than four percent chance of making the long-term deal. playoffs, per The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn. Maybe if one of those What type of player is Vatanen, and what sort of impact should teams rips off eight or nine wins in a row, they could get caught up in the prospective buyers expect? Listed at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Vatanen wave and make a last-minute addition before the deadline, but they’re all was a diminutive player at his position when he broke into the NHL with more likely to be sellers than buyers. the Ducks in 2013, but the league average for height and weight has The Wild are closer to the second wild-card spot in the West, but also drawn closer with his. have a first-year GM and a roster in desperate need of younger talent. Vatanen stands out for his ability to move the puck and log heavy They’ll be sellers. minutes when needed. He doesn’t possess a particularly hard shot, but “I don’t see the Rangers being in the rental business — they’ll be selling he’s usually able to keep it low for deflections and chances for rebounds. again — and if they go shopping, unless it’s a young, first-pair shutdown He makes up for his size at the defensive end with a tenacious style of ‘D’ with a good contract, it won’t be happening. Plus their pipeline is play, which might be part of the reason he’s had durability trouble. stacked with defense prospects. If anything they’ll be looking to add In short, Vatanen does a lot of things well, but few things great. He young forwards in trades that they make, I believe.” — Rick Carpiniello moves the puck well, but his possession numbers at even strength have “I have to believe the last thing the Sabres are looking to do is add rarely stood out, either overall or relative to his teammates. another defenseman to the mix. They have eight on the roster now and He’s shown a propensity for keeping pucks in the offensive zone while one of them (Zach Bogosian) wants to go elsewhere and another (Colin quarterbacking the power play and distributing it well from the top of the Miller) has sat out a lot already, as they sort through how to deal with 1-3-1 formation, but the Devils have also struggled mightily with the man having so many defensemen. Would he be a good addition otherwise? advantage. They produce significantly more shots and chances on the Sure, and Jason Botterill does love having as many defensemen as power play with Vatanen than they do with their other options at the top possible in the organization (there are 10 more in Rochester and three of the formation. His per-60 minutes numbers on the penalty kill this more in Cincinnati on AHL deals). But the Sabres need forward help and season are positive, but he’s also typically on the club’s second PK not another defenseman who needs to play unless it’s part of a multi- pairing. player deal.” — Joe Yerdon

His offensive production does not stand out, but he’s in the top 75 among Contenders, not likely interested defensemen in points over the past three seasons. He’s also one of 50 Blue Jackets defensemen to average at least 22 minutes per game in that span. His two best offensive seasons came with the Ducks in 2014-15 and 2015- “The Blue Jackets would not be interested in Sami Vatanen, but that has 16, when he played more than 21 minutes a night for one of the best nothing to do with Vatanen. The Blue Jackets are flush with defensemen teams in the league. and may be looking to unload their own defenseman.” — Aaron Portzline

He is approaching 450 games in the NHL, and yet Vatanen is a player Islanders who will likely cause some dissension when clubs gather their pro scouts and management teams together this month. Vatanen’s best fit is “The Isles are in the market for a D, but almost surely a left-handed one probably on a second pairing for a playoff team. He’d slot in well as a No. — they’re currently playing four righties and (Barry) Trotz isn’t 4 defenseman on a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, but his ability and comfortable with it. Vatanen being a rental does fit for the Isles. I doubt experience in all situations would also make him an option on the top they’re looking for more than a cheap, stay-at-home, 30-something lefty pairing for a club with defensive depth issues. — possibly a different Devils defenseman.” — Arthur Staple

So what could the market look like for Vatanen, assuming the Devils Penguins make him available? The top UFA defensemen are Alex Pietrangelo, Jim Rutherford told The Athletic’s Josh Yohe that he intends to pursue a Torey Krug and Justin Schultz, with Vatanen part of a second tier that top-six forward. The Penguins, assuming Brian Dumoulin has no includes Jake Muzzin, Tyson Barrie, a resurgent Kevin Shattenkirk and a complications in his return from December ankle surgery, are not likely to couple of players known more for their work without the puck like Travis be interested in a defenseman. Hamonic and Brendan Dillon. Of all those defensemen, Dillon looks like the only strong bet to be available this month. Flyers

Chicago’s Erik Gustafsson is the only other rental defenseman whose Philadelphia is another team short on salary cap space and also more offensive production this season compares to Vatanen, but the interested in adding a forward than a defenseman. Blackhawks are still hanging onto the playoff race and may end up not selling by the deadline. Tony DeAngelo is a pending restricted free agent, Bruins but there have been reports that the Rangers might consider moving him “Can Vatanen play right wing? If not, he would be a luxury in Boston. Deadline cap space: $3.077 million Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo are an excellent 1-2 right-side combination. Connor Clifton and Kevan Miller are injured, but perhaps “The Caps will absolutely be in the market for a defenseman. Brian they could recover in time to reinforce the No. 3 pairing. But if NJ wants MacLellan has added at least one at the deadline every year that he’s to make Kyle Palmieri available …” — Fluto Shinzawa been GM, dating to 2015. And, yes, because of the cap situation, it would need to be a money-retained situation. The blue line hasn’t been a Panthers problem (heck, not much has been a problem), but it’s certainly an area they’d like to bolster. Nick Jensen hasn’t been consistent and they’ve “When the trade deadline comes in a few weeks, the Panthers will likely only got six on the roster right now. Christian Djoos is in the minors and be looking for defensive help. Although Florida went into its break the would be a last resort. They’ve also got a couple of hotshot first-year pros highest-scoring team in the league, it ranks in the bottom third in goals in Hershey — Martin Fehervary and Alex Alexeyev — but who knows to against. When it comes to Sami Vatanen, the Panthers probably just what extent they’d contribute in the NHL playoffs? Fehervary has played cannot afford him whether the Devils eat some of the salary or not. To three NHL games and Alexeyev hasn’t made his debut yet.” — Tarik El- make any moves at the deadline, Florida will have to shed some money Bashir and I think they make a few minor moves like adding an affordable, defensive-defenseman; perhaps bring on a veteran bottom-six forward.” Hurricanes — George Richards Current cap space: $3.27 million Lightning Projected cap space: $5.56 million Tampa Bay does actually have some cap space to work with, but the Lighting are also pretty set on defense, especially since Shattenkirk has Carolina recently lost its No. 1 defenseman, Dougie Hamilton, to a revitalized his career since joining the club. They are loaded up front, too, season-ending injury. The Hurricanes also just added Justin Williams to but could fit another forward more easily. bolster a deep group of forwards. They are good enough to make a deep playoff run, and Hamilton’s injury would allow them to dip into long-term The Athletic’s Craig Custance recently explored fan-proposed trades, injured reserve relief to absorb Vatanen’s contract if needed. including one involving Vatanen for Vancouver’s first-round pick (from the J.T. Miller trade) that both he and an NHL executive don’t hate. But, on Maple Leafs top of what we laid out about the roster, if the Canucks miss the playoffs, Current cap space: $2.897 million (the Leafs are using LTIR relief) that pick moves to 2021. And if the Canucks do make the playoffs, the pick could still end up in the 16-20 range. If — and it’s a big “if” — the Projected cap space: $2.897 million Lightning did see Vatanen as the final piece of a Cup run, maybe they’d Toronto has significant salary cap issues, but could also use another part with a first-round pick. But it’s far more likely to be their own, or even defenseman for a serious Cup run. There’s no way for the Leafs to add a conditional first so the Lightning get to choose which of the two they without sending money the other way, and that’s led to a lot of trade want to yield. speculation involving players like Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Blackhawks Johansson. It seems unlikely that the Devils could fetch one of them for Vatanen — a young, potential top-six forward on a reasonable contract Chicago is three points out of the second wild-card spot, but the — but there could be a way for the two clubs to get creative. Blackhawks are one of several teams that isn’t yet sure if it’s going to be a buyer. Even if the Blackhawks stay in the playoff hunt, they aren’t good The Devils could agree to take Cody Ceci (and the draft pick/prospect enough to be in the same “screw it, let’s go for it” mode that other teams assets they actually want) back for Vatanen. They could also retain half with aging cores like the Capitals and Penguins are. And they’re already of Vatanen’s cap hit, which would open up about $2 million in space for missing a 2020 second-round pick, which seems like a logical starting the Maple Leafs to make another depth move and possibly get Toronto to point for any team’s offer. sweeten the deal.

Stars Ceci, like Vatanen, is a pending UFA and counts $4.5 million against the cap. If this isn’t an 11th-hour deadline move, the Devils could also try to “The Stars could have been in the market for a defenseman, but with flip Ceci for another asset. Stephen Johns making his return from more than 22 months away from hockey right before the bye week, it’s more of a surplus than a need for Avalanche Dallas. The Stars could actually be trying to trade a defenseman at the Current cap space: $18.569 million deadline to create a roster spot if needed.” — Sean Shapiro Projected cap space: $31.567 million Blues “The Avalanche have the room to make something happen. It is St. Louis could have cap space to make a big move … if Vladimir understood the front office would like to add another defenseman to Tarasenko can’t return until the playoffs. If the Blues think he could return strengthen their corps over the final months of the regular season and before then, they probably can’t risk adding a sizable contract before the into the playoffs. Vatanen has a puck-moving element to his game and deadline. And if they are in the market for anything, the defending can eat minutes. He could also be used on an Avalanche penalty-killing champs will probably look for an impact forward first. unit that has certainly had its issues throughout the season, as evidenced Coyotes by the fact they are 20th in the NHL in that department at the time of the All-Star break. It is just a matter of price, and if the Avalanche are ready “I don’t think the Coyotes are a fit between cap space, the complexion of to invest in a rental. The Avalanche have developed one of the stronger their blue line and what I have been told they might add at the deadline.” prospect bases and fully intend to use as many of those players down — Craig Morgan the line. Or, is there a possibility Avs general manager Joe Sakic and his Oilers staff could feel it is time to start mortgaging some of that future by trading away certain picks to get a deal done? Another thing they would want to “Another top-four defenseman would be a nice luxury for the Oilers, examine is the long-term financial implication of keeping Vatanen if he especially on the right side. However, the Oilers are tight to the cap, so proves to be an asset they want to retain. Then, it’s a matter of sorting the Devils would probably have to take back a contract like Sam who stays and who leaves in what would already be a crowded blue-line Gagner’s or Brandon Manning’s in return. Their first-round pick is unlikely dynamic.” — Ryan S. Clark in play, too.” — Daniel Nugent-Bowman Predators Canucks Current cap space: $6.205 million “The Canucks are pretty set on the right side until the summer. I’d be surprised if they seriously pursued Sami Vatanen.” — Harman Dayal Projected cap space: $10.549 million

Contenders, maybe interested “John Hynes coached Vatanen for parts of three seasons with the Devils, so he is familiar with his offensive skill set. The Predators, who returned Capitals from their bye week in last place in the Central Division, are not in a position to trade away significant assets, as they are in serious risk of Current cap space: $1.81 million missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. But they could use a The market for defensemen leading into the trade deadline is typically veteran defenseman to pair with Mattias Ekholm, which would allow them active, but returns for sellers can fluctuate, from year to year and from to put rookie Dante Fabbro back on the third pair. With Vatanen among the start to the end of a single deadline based on team needs, injuries the most notable defensemen expected to be available at the deadline, and other factors. Here’s a collection of recent trades for a rental the cost to acquire him might be too rich for the Predators, who need to defenseman within a month of the deadline. replenish their farm system. They have extra second- and third-round draft picks this summer — the second-rounder came from the Devils in We’re not going to include deals for defensemen with term left on their the P.K. Subban trade — but those should be more valuable to them contract. Those trades, for players like Jake Muzzin and Ryan when considering their place in the standings. McDonagh, often yield a significantly better return.

“Also, Vatanen, according to Micah Blake McCurdy, does not offer much 2019 on either end at five-on-five. He can help on the power play, which Ben Lovejoy for a 2019 third and Connor Carrick continues to be a struggle for the Predators, but there figure to be cheaper alternatives on the trade market that can have a more positive Nick Jensen and a 2019 fifth for a 2020 second and Madison Bowey impact at even strength or on the penalty kill.” — Adam Vingan Last year was not a robust market for defensemen. That’s probably why Jets the Devils got a third-round pick and Carrick for Lovejoy. The others were minor deals. Current cap space: $14.329 million 2018 Projected cap space: $24.359 million Michal Kempny for a 2018 third “What Winnipeg needs most, on the ice, is a right-shot defenseman who can fend off tough competition for long enough to help its beleaguered Brandon Davidson for a 2019 third blue line push the puck up ice. The Jets have struggled mightily in their Ian Cole for Nick Moutrey and a 2020 third own zone at 5-on-5 and the penalty kill and, as the injuries and absences continue to pile up, the playoffs are at stake and team needs help. Kempny became a great supporting player on Washington’s Cup-winning team, but this is another year where the rental market was pretty meh. “What Winnipeg needs before it can even begin to address its on-ice need is clarity about Dustin Byfuglien — incidentally a right-shot D-man 2017 who can play against good players and push the puck up ice. Byfuglien’s suspension was challenged by the NHLPA and the NHL’s independent Mark Streit for a bad contract (Valtteri Filppula), a 2017 fourth and a arbitration process has yet to resolve its validity. That said, even if the conditional 2017 seventh suspension is upheld, as I believe it will be, Byfuglien then needs to Mark Streit for a 2018 fourth rehab from ankle surgery and make his intentions for his Jets career clear to everyone involved. Kyle Quincey for Dalton Prout

“If Winnipeg and Byfuglien decide to part ways — or, if Kevin Brendan Smith for a 2017 third and a 2018 second Cheveldayoff suddenly panics in the name of fighting for a wild card spot — then the Jets will be able to look at additions like Vatanen. I’m sure Kevin Shattenkirk and Pheonix Copley for a 2017 first, a 2019 conditional they’d appreciate his power play gifts and it seems that more Finns are second, Zach Sanford and Brad Malone always a good thing in this city. Still, it’s difficult to imagine Vatanen Ron Hainsey for a 2017 second and Danny Kristo solving the Jets’ issues at 5-on-5 and on the PK and his point production is still so good, I imagine a meaningful price would need to be paid to Michael Stone for a 2017 third and a conditional 2018 fifth trade for him. There were many rental defensemen changing hands this year. Vatanen “I don’t think Winnipeg is a legitimate contender for Vatanen — nor is probably the best one available since Shattenkirk, a premium deadline should they be, in my opinion. Still, there have been reports that addition who didn’t really work out. Smith, before stumbling with the Cheveldayoff is looking to ‘reward’ his players for their resiliency this Rangers, provides a good Vatanen comparison as someone who played season and, if that truly is the case, all bets are off.” — Murat Ates a lot and seemed suited for a second-paring role on a contender.

Flames 2016

Current cap space: $4.090 million Kris Russell for a 2016 conditional second, Jyrki Jokipakka and Brett Pollock Projected cap space: $4.090 million John Michael-Liles for a 2016 third and a 2017 fifth “If, in their quest for right-wing help, the Flames have to pawn a couple of their defenders, I could see them being in the market for Vatanen.” — Justin Schultz for a 2016 third Scott Cruickshank Mike Weber for a 2017 third Contenders, potential front runners The Oilers mishandled/undervalued Schultz, and Michael-Liles was Golden Knights aging, so not a lot to glean from this year.

Current cap space: $1.987 million 2015

Projected cap space: $3.379 million Jeff Petry for a 2015 second and a conditional 2015 fifth

The Golden Knights need an offensive-minded, puck-moving Marek Zidlicky for a conditional 2016 third defenseman in the worst way. Aside from Shea Theodore, Vegas’ blue line consists of stay-at-home defensemen who have struggled to Kimmo Timonen for a 2015 second and a conditional 2016 fourth transition the puck up the ice without turning it over this season, and Andrei Sekera for a 2015 or 2016 first and Roland McKeown Vatanen would be a great fit for exactly what the Golden Knights need. According to CapFriendly, Vegas is projected to have the equivalent of Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli for a 2015 first, Olli Jokinen and $3.38 million in cap space at the deadline, so the Golden Knights would Brandon Leipsic need to either send some salary back to New Jersey or the Devils would need to retain some of Vatanen’s $4.875 million cap hit. GM Kelly Ah, the good old days when the arms race in the wild West was really McCrimmon has said multiple times the team doesn’t want to trade cooking. The Blackhawks added Timonen, who helped them win teir third another first-round pick, after unloading a handful of them over the last championship in six years (though, as it turns out, trusting a young Nick couple seasons, but Vegas still has five second-round picks over the next Leddy a little more could have helped keep the title window open longer). two drafts that it could package with a prospect. The Kings and Predators both gave up first-round picks for rentals trying to keep pace with Chicago, and that didn’t work out for either of them What it might cost to land Vatanen (those picks became All-Star Travis Konecny and legit prospect Julien Gauthier). And the Oilers mishandled/undervalued a defenseman who blossomed elsewhere.

So, what did we learn here? There has only been one first-round pick traded for a rental defenseman in the past four years.

A safe bet on the starting point for trade negotiations involving Vatanen is a second-round pick and another asset. If several teams start there, the quality of the second piece will likely determine who wins the bidding. If the Devils could find one desperate/extra-motivated team, a first could be possible but unlikely.

Sifting through the potential landing spots for Vatanen, the reasons Jesse Granger laid out for Vegas as a suitor make a lot of sense. The Golden Knights have a defined need, the draft capital to make it happen and motivation to do so as a team that might be one player away from a Cup run.

The team Vegas played in the 2018 Final, Washington has added a rental defenseman at the deadline each of the past four seasons. The Capitals might be the one team with enough motivation to yield a first- round pick, in part because they can’t start an offer with a 2020 second (they don’t have it). Winning one title made them legends in D.C., but winning two in three years moves them into a different category in NHL history. That said, the GM could still feel burned by giving up a first for Shattenkirk and look for a lesser deal.

Nashville is another intriguing club, if they can win enough to feel motivated to buy. They have New Jersey’s second-round pick, which would be the most valuable second anyone can offer. It could end up in the No. 33-35 range overall.

On a related note, the Golden Knights have New Jersey’s 2020 third and 2021 second from the Nikita Gusev trade. The Devils used the draft picks they received for Jaromir Jagr to land Kyle Palmieri. What if the Golden Knights did the same with Gusev and Vatanen?

The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173084 New York Islanders As for that 22nd vote for Lamoriello? “He’s seen it all, been through it all and I don’t think he’d hold anything against me if I called him,” that player said.

Islanders player poll: Who would you call when you’re in a jam? The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020

By Arthur Staple Jan 28, 2020

In our quest to bring you as close to the players as possible, The Athletic conducted our annual NHL player poll. The aggregate results and anonymous answers to 10 questions were released last week.

Here on the Islanders beat, we added five team-specific questions that were a bit more lighthearted. Still anonymous so as to guarantee the most honest answers, we asked 22 Islanders players to pick a teammate who best fits each question and we’ve turned the answers into short stories complete with supporting quotes from various teammates and the winners themselves.

Today’s question: You’re in a jam. You can only make one call or one text and it has to be to a teammate. Who’s your guy?

The results:

Johnny Boychuk — 7 votes

Anders Lee — 4

Ross Johnston — 3

Matt Martin — 2

Cal Clutterbuck — 1

Josh Bailey — 1

Casey Cizikas — 1

Adam Pelech — 1

Scott Mayfield — 1

“I’d call Lou (Lamoriello)” — 1

Boychuk is in his 16th pro season, so there’s a chance that he’s gotten that call or that text late at night to help out a buddy.

“No … Really, no, I haven’t,” he said, though the gleam in his eyes said otherwise. “Sorry, can’t help you there.”

Boychuk has already imparted Lesson No. 1 in being the teammate you most want to help you out of a bad situation: Secrecy.

“The most important thing would be not telling anyone so the guy doesn’t get in trouble,” Boychuk said. “You get that call or that text and you just head right over — don’t tell anyone.”

Boychuk’s role as Isles Team Dad — Maybe Team Big Brother, since the whole secrecy thing doesn’t scream good parenting — was cemented during the polling process, though a couple of other multiple-vote getters in Lee and Johnston earned high marks.

“JB has been around a while,” one Islander said. “I feel like he’d know what to do no matter what the problem.”

“Anders is our captain. It’s kind of automatic you’d call him,” another said.

“Are we talking a problem where you need a little muscle? Ross is my guy, no doubt,” said another. Players definitely interpreted the question in different ways.

“Johnny would be there real quick and just say, ‘Yeah, whatever, let’s fix it,'” said a teammate.

We wondered what would be in Boychuk’s Teammate Emergency Kit.

“Well, a change of clothes, first off,” he said. “Just some sweats, something that would fit anyone. I’d have to guess there’d be a need for a few bottles of water, maybe a few Alka-Seltzers … I don’t really need a GPS, everyone lives near me and I know what all the cars and houses are like. But speed is really the most important thing, just to be able to drop everything and go. Then maybe bring them back to my house, get them set up for a bit and let things cool off.” 1173085 New York Rangers The numbers have been great (12 goals and 31 assists through 48 games), but how many executives will think that is a direct result of skating next to Artemi Panarin? Yet given a bigger role back at his natural center position, Strome has shown he can hang with the big guys Kreider? Georgiev? Inside Rangers’ trade deadline possibilities — but how many teams in playoff contention need a top-six center?

His market might come down to any big injuries, but his versatility to move back to wing could bolster the talent up top for Vancouver, and By Brett Cyrgalis January 29, 2020 | 12:14am same for Calgary. If Arizona misses on Kreider, they might look to Strome, who might consider re-signing there, too.

So much can happen between now and the Feb. 24 trade deadline, but New York Post LOADED: 01.29.2020 one thing is for certain — Jeff Gorton’s phone will be ringing off the hook.

As the Rangers’ general manager and his team continued their bye- week, which followed All-Star weekend in St. Louis, they remained focused on the future rather than the present. That, of course, does not change the mindset of the current players and coach, who are striving to make a postseason run. But the club has a handful of obvious trade pieces that will be talked about constantly from now until the deadline, so let’s look at each and concoct some possible landing spots if they do get dealt:

LW Chris Kreider, 28 | Unrestricted free agent

He is the third-longest tenured Ranger, behind Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Staal, and has become one of the most respected voices in the locker room. But with a big payday coming up this summer — say, six years at $7 million per — fitting Kreider under the salary cap going forward would require some fancy accounting from Gorton & Co.

He is also arguably the best available forward on the rental market, which makes the possible return of a first-round pick (plus) hard to resist. This past weekend, Kreider was already asked about going home to Boston, where maybe Danton Heinen and a pick would get it done. Colorado should be interested, as well, to add some size. Arizona could also be in the mix, reuniting Kreider with Derek Stepan, and Vegas could use a boost up-front, too.

G Alexandar Georgiev, 23 | RFA with arbitration rights

Hard to think about more ink being spilled over a netminder with 66 games of NHL experience and with what many would consider to be middling career numbers — at least the 3.02 goals-against average, not the .913 save percentage. But watching Georgiev the past two seasons has shown a goalie who has managed to mostly play well while be bombarded by chances, and who has dealt with the shadow of Lundqvist — and now the encroachment of Igor Shesterkin — with professional aplomb.

But Gorton is not giving him away, nor have the doors been blown off by an offer. Of course the Maple Leafs make sense, but what makes sense in return for the Rangers? Again, Colorado could use some help in nets, as could the Sharks (which would be more of a long-term solution than just for this year). And Florida could use someone to help limit the Sergei Bobrovsky implosion.

D Tony DeAngelo, 24 | RFA with arbitration rights

The mercurial defenseman has heard the cash register ringing all season, compiling the seventh-most points among defenseman (12 goals and 25 assists through 48 games). His type of offensive talents are rare, and shiny new toys are always attractive to contending clubs this time of year (rather than focusing on any defensive deficiencies).

He would certainly fit in Toronto, where they are desperate for help on their back end. If the Rangers wanted a haul in return, maybe Georgiev and DeAngelo could pull it off. Winnipeg could also use some help back there if they want to make a run. Would Carolina consider it now that Dougie Hamilton is out with his horrid leg injury?

RW Jesper Fast, 28 | UFA

Just the type of player who would be a great addition to a bottom-six and penalty kill for a top-end contender. He is not the flashiest guy, but he is beloved by his teammates, and his game is made for the postseason.

Might be a great fit for Pittsburgh as GM Jim Rutherford readies for another deep run. Fast could supplement all the high-end talent in Tampa Bay, as he would in St. Louis or Dallas, as well. Really, any playoff team can find a spot for a player like Fast.

F Ryan Strome, 26 | RFA with arbitration rights 1173086 New York Rangers spots on the roster. (They need a minimum of 20 players, with the max at 23.) If the cap rises to $83.5 million, they're looking at $19,430,200 in money they can spend.

With the NHL trade deadline looming, let's size up the possibilities for the It's probably safe to assume two of those vacant spots go to goalie Igor NY Rangers Shesterkin and forward Vitali Kravtsov (or another low-paid forward in the system). Both are due to make $925,000 next season.

So, for the sake of this exercise, let's add those two salaries and say Vincent Z. Mercogliano, NHL writer Published 6:00 a.m. ET Jan. 28, Rangers have around $16.5 million left to fill the final five to eight roster 2020 | Updated 9:44 a.m. ET Jan. 28, 2020 spots.

The case for trading Chris Kreider

With the NHL trade deadline less than a month away, the chatter The first decision the Rangers have to make is what to do with Kreider. surrounding the New York Rangers has been focused on which players might go. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and if they don't intend to resign him, it would be wise to get what they can for him now. The team has 13 games until Feb. 24 to convince management not to be sellers for the third year in a row. But the truth is that no matter what Several teams are reportedly interested and the return could be a first- happens in the next few weeks, Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton is round pick, if not more. likely to be active. By trading Kreider, the Rangers could collect a valuable asset or two The real question he’s probably asking himself isn’t which players should while freeing up money to pay their restricted free agents. go — it’s which players he wants to keep. Georgiev's situation is unique because of the Rangers' goalie logjam. Rumors have been swirling around soon-to-be free agent Chris Kreider, They'll be listening to offers for him, regardless of what happens with who’s the biggest trade chip at Gorton's disposal. But if he decides he Kreider. wants to keep the Rangers' longest-tenured forward, there are other As far as the other three notable RFAs are concerned, making the routes he can go. decision to move on from Kreider would provide the flexibility to afford It’s not impossible to hold on to Kreider beyond this season. But it isn’t them. feasible to keep Kreider and Jesper Fast (another unrestricted free Strome is making $3.1 million this season, with DeAngelo and Lemieux agent), along with a quartet of restricted free agents who will be due for both at $925,000. They'll each be arbitration eligible and due for raises — significant raises — goalie Alexandar Georgiev, defenseman Tony especially Strome and DeAngelo, who are having career years. DeAngelo and forwards Ryan Strome and Brendan Lemieux. My educated guess is that it'll require a total of between $9 million and They can keep some, not all. $12 million to sign all three, which the Rangers would have room for So, who will they prioritize? based on our projected $16.5 million in cap space. Then they would still have enough space to consider resigning Fast (or another UFA in his To fully understand the difficult decisions facing Gorton and team price range), which gets them up to 11 forwards, and fill out the final president John Davidson, it’s important to look ahead — both at the fourth-line forward spot with a sub-$1 million player like Boo Nieves, salary cap situation and the depth at each position. Steven Fogarty or Tim Gettinger.

AHL HARTFORD: Updates on Vinni Lettieri, Yegor Rykov and more Essentially, trading Kreider would make it possible to keep DeAngelo, prospects Strome, Lemieux and Fast.

KRIS KNOBLAUCH: New Hartford coach balances wins with The case for keeping Kreider development An important consideration is the lack of alternatives if Kreider is dealt. Salary cap scenarios for 2020-21 The Rangers have significant depth with their goalies and defensemen, The decisions facing the Rangers are much more about what their roster but there aren't many forward prospects who project as top-six options will look like in 2020-21 — and beyond — than they are about the next season. remainder of this season. This realization adds to the likelihood of the Rangers retaining Strome Yes, they're still holding out hope that they can contend for a playoff spot and Lemieux. this year. (Despite sitting 10 points out of the final wild card spot in the crowded Eastern Conference entering the all-star break.) But the Strome ranks second on the team in points and is the only viable option importance of making a playoff push will be heightened next season. they have at center after Zibanejad and Chytil. And Lemieux brings an edge the Rangers otherwise lack, plus he figures to be the cheapest of The tricky part will be navigating a tight salary cap situation. the quartet of RFAs we've mentioned.

The Rangers will have to work around nearly $7.5 million in dead cap Even with those two back next season, without Kreider or a trade that space, with more than $6 million the result of last offseason's Kevin brings back a high-end forward, the Rangers would have Panarin as their Shattenkirk buyout. best winger, followed by some combination of Buchnevich, Kakko and... Fast? Lemieux? Kravtsov? They have 13 active NHL players who are under contract for next season: When you look at it that way, maybe it isn't a no-brainer to deal Kreider. He's clearly their second-best winger, along with being a valuable leader Forwards (7): Artemi Panarin ($11.642 million), Mika Zibanejad ($5.35 in the locker room. million), Brendan Smith ($4.35 million), Pavel Buchnevich ($3.25 million), Kaapo Kakko ($925,000), Filip Chytil ($894,000) and Brett Howden Here's an alternative: What if instead of trading him, they found takers for ($863,000) Georgiev and DeAngelo? Would a forward-rich team like the Toronto Maple Leafs take the bait and send back a quality player or two at the Defensemen (5): Jacob Trouba ($8 million), Marc Staal ($5.7 million), Rangers' position of need? Brady Skjei ($5.25 million), Adam Fox ($925,000) and Ryan Lindgren ($925,000) DeAngelo was tied for seventh in points among NHL defensemen heading into Monday's games and could be seen as a valuable Goalies (1): Henrik Lundqvist ($8.5 million) commodity. And while his loss would sting, the Rangers have Those contracts, along with the dead buyout money, adds up to a cap hit defensemen like Joey Keane, Libor Hájek and Yegor Rykov knocking on of $64,069,800. the door with AHL Hartford, plus prospects such as Nils Lundkvist, K'Andre Miller and Matthew Robertson on the way. If the current $81.5 million salary cap rises to $82.5 million, that would leave the Rangers with $18,430,200 in space to fill the final seven to 10 There's an argument to be made that the Rangers are better-equipped to replace DeAngelo than they are to replace Kreider.

We know that DeAngelo reluctantly accepted his $925,000 salary after a brief holdout during training camp, and after this kind of season — and with his arbitration rights kicking in — he could drive a hard bargain this summer. They'd likely save $3 million to $5 million by trading him and a similar amount by declining to resign Fast.

That money could be thrown at Kreider. The Rangers are understandably reluctant to give him seven or eight years, but as far as the average annual value goes, they could conceivably offer him $7 million or so with enough left over to keep Strome and Lemieux. (Remember the $16.5 million in projected cap space?)

Would Kreider stay in New York for a six-year, $42 million deal? It's a question worth asking.

The expected vs. the unexpected

It still feels like the most-likely outcome is that Kreider gets traded before the deadline, Georgiev gets moved either next month or during the offseason, and the Rangers hold on to their other key players.

But the point is, they have options. There is no foregone conclusion.

The behind-closed-doors conversation most likely revolves around which players they prioritize keeping, with the main six in question being Kreider, Fast, Georgiev, DeAngelo, Strome and Lemieux. Each will have to be paid or offloaded by the summer.

Of course, there's the potential for a curveball.

The biggest would be Lundqvist waiving his no-move clause, but that seems very far-fetched. Somewhat less shocking would be the Rangers finding a team willing to take a chance on a player like Skjei, which would be a big help with the salary cap crunch, or give them an intriguing prospect in exchange for floundering former first-round pick Lias Andersson.

The possibilities are wide-ranging, which will make for a very interesting February.

Bergen Record LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173087 New York Rangers playoffs and NCAA tournament time and all that good stuff. Those are the games I’m really looking forward to.”

IT'S ALMOST TIME TO SLIDE INTO A WEEKEND SERIES WITH As the Rangers wait for him to turn pro, Morgan Barron eyes an NCAA COLGATE FOR @CUBIGREDHOCKEY … title for Cornell ( DAVE BURBANK/CORNELL ATHLETICS) PIC.TWITTER.COM/6Y5J5Z7XOP

By Rick Carpiniello Jan 28, 2020 — CORNELL BIG RED (@CORNELLSPORTS) JANUARY 24, 2019

125 While coaches love the players who are on the right side of the puck, as Barron is, they love offense too. With Cornell, it’s defense first. The Big After his Cornell men’s hockey team had beaten Boston University 2-0 in Red just gives opponents nothing and has allowed more than two goals a late November showdown at Madison Square Garden, longtime Big once in 19 games – a 3-3 tie at Union. Red coach Mike Schafer looked around the arena’s corridors and said, “I hope the Rangers aren’t paying too much attention.” “I think here at Cornell we play a game where we try to work from our end out in the sense that we don’t like giving up chances,” Barron said. He was kidding, of course. “But there’s a ton of emphasis on being able to produce offensively and The Rangers are paying very much attention, in particular, to a big, well- being able to bury your chances and create as much as possible. So I rounded junior winger named Morgan Barron. In fact, Rangers GM Jeff think I’ve seen pretty steady improvement in my own production Gorton and coach David Quinn (who was there rooting on his alma throughout my three years here, and the team as well. We’ve been lucky mater) happened to stop by postgame to say hello to Barron. enough to really improve our offensive production throughout the years and I think we’re trending in the right direction right now to hopefully go The Rangers selected Barron in the sixth round (No. 174 overall) of the on a deep run and be a team that can really play well on offense and 2017 NHL entry draft. If that draft were redone today, Barron would defense.” certainly go much higher than that, likely in the second round, perhaps the top of the third. That is what Schafer likes about Barron’s game too.

His draft position is moot now and the Rangers patiently are awaiting his “I call him a throwback,” Schafer said. “As a kid, he’ll do anything, as a decision to turn pro, though it sure seems like he’ll be signing after this coach, that you’ll ask. He’s a coach’s dream. What I mean by that is he season and NCAA tournament are over. wants constructive things. He wants to work on things as a player. He’s very cerebral. But what I mean by a throwback is he’s not distracted by “You see it once in a while,” Gorton said about late picks that blossom all the noise. He’s not distracted by wanting to get to that next level. He (the Rangers having a certain Hall of Fame-bound goalie they plucked in just stays in the present, works hard with his teammates, works hard at the seventh round once upon a time). his game. He’ll block shots in practice and not think anything of it. He’s a coach’s dream. That kind of leadership, that drops down to everybody “Teams have had success with those guys. You always like to think you else. Other guys are looking at, when one of the better players on your can when you’re at the draft table and your name is coming around. You team has that kind of mentality it’s infectious. He’s humble, he works like to think your fifth, sixth, seventh round, you’re going to hit on one of hard, he’s a gamer, a good teammate. I think that’s what makes him an them. Yeah, it’s difficult. Obviously it’s a hard league to make. But kudos outstanding prospect.” to our scouts who watched him basically in high school and throughout and felt the need to draft him and push for him. So far it’s turned out CONGRATS ALSO GO OUT TO @M_BARRON1998 ON HIS FIRST pretty well.” CAREER HAT TRICK IN A BIG RED JERSEY! 梨梨梨 PIC.TWITTER.COM/FMBRBCLQHL Sometimes you swing and miss in the first round. Sometimes you hit a home run later. You hope to have fewer misses, naturally, but you also — CORNELL HOCKEY (@CUBIGREDHOCKEY) NOVEMBER 10, 2019 hope they more than even out. The Rangers aren’t prodding Barron’s decision, and he insists he hasn’t Barron could, the Rangers hope, turn out to be a steal at No. 174. They yet made it. Nor is there any reason for him to have done so at this point. are also in a situation where they need some of their forwards to blossom. The rebuilt cupboard is stocked with defensemen who are here “No, I haven’t,” Barron said. “That’s something we talked about a little bit or on the way – Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren, Libor Hajek, Nils Lundkvist, with my coaches at the start of the year. There’s a mutual agreement that K’Andre Miller, Yegor Rykov, Matthew Robertson, Joey Keane, Tarmo we both wanted to wait until the end of the year to start thinking about Reunanen, Zachary Jones, Hunter Skinner, Nico Gross among them – those things because, obviously, that can have quite a big distraction for and the Rangers also have vets Jacob Trouba, Brady Skjei and Marc both myself and the team. So I wouldn’t expect to have a decision made Staal presently. until our season’s over.

Even among the forwards the Rangers have in New York and in the “I think (the Rangers) are pretty much on the same page as me and the pipeline – Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil, Vitali Kravtsov, Brett Howden, Lauri coaching staff here at Cornell in that they don’t want any of that stuff Pajuniemi, Karl Henriksson, perhaps Lias Andersson if they can settle about next year to influence my season in any way. They’re just letting some differences – they sure could use one who is big and strong and me play my hockey here and we’ll figure that all out after.” plays a complete game. Gorton echoed that. Of course, the Rangers would love to have him Barron, one of Cornell’s tri-captains, goes 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds and come out after his junior year. But they can wait, too. Given what has leads Big Red – the No. 1-ranked team in college hockey – in goals happened with the development of some of their forwards in particular (nine) and points (21) through 19 games (a 14-1-4 record). Rangers this season, it’s more than likely Barron’s pro career would start in the coaches and fans might also appreciate this: he also leads the team in AHL. shots on goal (69). Schafer attended the Rangers’ prospects camp in Stamford, Conn., in “It’s been awesome so far,” Barron said before Cornell beat Dartmouth 3- June and had that conversation with Gorton and his staff. 2 and tied Harvard 1-1 over the weekend in Ithaca. “I think our team is “Our plan is to basically leave him alone, let him play there and then we’ll going along pretty well. We only have one loss so far, so if we keep talk to him at the right time,” Gorton said. “He’s focused on having a great winning – and personally I feel like I’ve made some big strides, obviously year, he’s had a great start, and really what we like to do there is just had a really good start, a quick start, in terms of the scoring. I’ve been leave him alone and let him play.” able to hold up pretty well throughout the course of the season. I think one of the biggest goals coming into the season was to compete At that level, Barron is developing just fine. The Rangers keep an eye on consistently and be the best player on the ice as consistently as possible. him and know he’s getting better as the season goes on. His stock has So far I’ve been really happy with that. I feel like, aside from maybe one risen where it matters most – in their eyes. or two games, I’ve been really happy with my performance in just about all of them. So it’s been really successful so far, but there’s definitely a “He’s gotten better every year since we drafted him, so that’s big emphasis this year on being able to finish it at the end of the year, encouraging, any time you get a player who does that,” Gorton said. “But, listen, he’s a guy that puts in his work in the offseason. He’s done everything that way. He’s a great athlete, a big boy, obviously.

“I think it’s a nice blend of skill and power. He can shoot and he goes to the net. He’s a guy that wins his battles, and a guy that’s really improved his skating, over time, for a big guy. He’s had a lot of success on the wing, he’s played center in his past, and he’s a real versatile guy. As you look at him going forward he should be a guy that could be a power-play guy, could be a penalty killer, can play in kind of all situations and looks like he can go up and down a lineup.”

A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Barron expects to soon be joined by his younger brother, Justin, as an NHL prospect.

Justin Barron, a big, mobile right-handed defenseman, plays for Halifax in the QMJHL and could be a first rounder (he was ranked 15th among skaters from the Canadian junior leagues in the latest Central Scouting draft rankings for 2020). Justin made his way to Ithaca to see his big brother play over the weekend.

Morgan Barron said the obvious about himself, that he projects as a power forward who uses his size in all areas of the ice – to protect pucks, retrieve pucks, play along the walls and in front of the net. He has worked hard in the summers since his draft year, putting on 15-20 pounds of muscle while improving his skating and working on the nuances of his game.

“When you get drafted that’s the start of the journey for just about every player,” Barron said. “Once you do get picked, it’s pretty much a clean slate within the organization. I don’t think, especially the Rangers, care too much whether you’re a first-rounder (or) a seventh-rounder. Everybody gets the same opportunities at development camp and that’s what I’ve kind of tried to run with. I’ve been happy with my development so far here at Cornell. I’ve loved it. I feel like I’ve made some good steps, for sure.”

As important, the Rangers have drafted – they and Schafer believe – a kid with big-time character.

“It’s hard to draft and know a kid’s character, what makes him tick,” Schafer said. “He came out kind of a late bloomer. He was a true freshman and put on 15 pounds. But his determination, his staying-in- the-present mentality of working on his game – he wanted to get a little bit quicker, he wanted to add a little more endurance, and he’s done that. He’ll do what he needs to do. What he does down the road – coming back or going (pro) – it’s Morgan’s decision and he’ll make the best decision for himself. But he’s just an outstanding kid.”

Wearing one of the three C’s for Big Red is something he takes to heart.

“We vote on it here,” Barron said. “We have for my three years. So any time your peers can appoint you to a position like that, I don’t think it’s something to be taken lightly. It’s been a fun experience for me to try to learn how to be a leader, in the locker room and on the ice. It’s been fun so far.”

And yes, the Rangers are watching.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173088 Ottawa Senators On Monday against the Devils, the Senators yielded 53 shots, running the three-game total to 138. For those who aren’t math majors, that’s an average of 46 per contest.

Battered and bruised Borowiecki leads the way for Senators While Monday was a heavy workload for goaltender Marcus Hogberg, Smith said that count was a tad misleading considering the Devils took shots from here, there and everywhere.

Ken Warren For Smith, the concern is cutting down on what legitimate scoring chances closer to the net. That number, he acknowledged, has been far January 28, 2020 11:25 PM EST too high.

Entering Tuesday’s game with a 1-5-5 record in their previous 11 games, BUFFALO — The price of victory was written all over Mark Borowiecki’s the Senators were hardly panicking about trying to find some kind of right eye and right leg late Tuesday night. winning formula that will keep spirits up.

Moments after Borowiecki cemented the Ottawa Senators’ 5-2 win over It’s a different story for the Sabres. General manager Jason Botterill is the Buffalo Sabres by scoring into an empty net, he limped in front of the facing plenty of heat for the fact Buffalo hasn’t made the playoffs since microphones with a large bag of ice over the knee, five stitches under the 2011, the longest such drought in the NHL. eye and a “touch of glue” above the badly swollen eye. Going into Tuesday’s game, the Sabres were 10 points and three teams Over two nights, he has been a magnet for punishment from sticks, out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. pucks and errant skate blades, but somehow he kept on ticking. Accordingly, it has become now or never time. The Sabres are a much “Just getting old, general malaise,” Borowiecki said. “I’m all right. The stronger team at home (14-7-3), and Tuesday’s matchup with the knee is just a little stiff. Honestly, the only thing that’s bothering me right Senators kicked off a stretch of nine out of 10 games at KeyBank Center. now is the eye a little bit.” If they fall any further out of the race, trades are inevitable in advance of It was a well-deserved victory for the Senators, who scored three power- the Feb. 24 trade deadline. play goals in a game for the first time this season. The third, by Mike That, coupled with the fact the Senators will soon begin shipping out any Reilly at 8:43 of the third period — his first goal since joining the Senators number of pending unrestricted free agents, meant there were 25 scouts — was the winner. for NHL teams checking this game out. “One thing I was told when I was traded here (from Montreal) is that I Because the Senators played Monday, they appeared to have an would get a chance on the power play,” Reilly said. “It was a good advantage against a rusty Sabres squad that had been idle since Jan. opportunity for me, and it feels like something where we’ve been clicking 18. of late and being able to make plays.” A mere 3:59 into the game, Pageau opened the scoring, finishing off a Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Tyler Ennis also scored on the power play, and dazzling cross-slot pass from Thomas Chabot. Nikita Zaitsev salted away the game by also scoring into an empty net with the Sabres netminder on the bench in favour of an extra attacker in The Sabres got that one back 10 minutes later, thanks to a gift from the the final seconds. Goaltender Craig Anderson made 28 saves for the Senators’ Ron Hainsey. He was behind the goal line when his attempted victory. Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel scored for the Sabres. pass to the front of the net was intercepted by Reinhart, who quickly snapped the puck by Anderson. Without question, the excitement in the room was focused on Borowiecki. In a 4-3 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils at home on Monday, he narrowly avoided major eye damage after an errant Blake Coleman struck him near the eye. Bloody and bruised, he returned and finished Ottawa Sun LOADED: 01.29.2020 that game.

In the third period against Buffalo, he was helped off the ice after being slew-footed by Sabres forward Kyle Okposo. Again, though, Borowiecki returned. With the Senators leading 3-2 and the Sabres on a power play, he blocked two shots and, after stopping the second, banked a shot off the boards in the neutral zone and into the empty net.

“My favourite goal was Boro’s goal,” said Pageau, who hit the 20-goal mark for the first time in his National Hockey League. “He’s the kind of guy who is showing up, day in and day out, being a good pro, always bringing his 100 per cent. Seeing him score that goal after the two blocked shots, I would love to see the camera on our bench. Everyone was just so pumped.”

Borowiecki’s injury wasn’t the only bizarre twist in the third period. Sabres starting goaltender Linas Ullmark also needed help off the ice after falling on his own leg in the crease. Carter Hutton finished the game.

The Borowiecki warrior story aside, the Senators have found something special on special teams of late. Mired in 31st place in a 31-team league on the power play all season long, they’ve scored six goals with the man advantage in their past four games, including at least one in each game. Borowiecki’s goal was also the Senators’ third short-handed score in the past two games.

“Our special teams over the last little bit have been really good,” Senators head coach D.J. Smith said. “Certainly, when you score three on the power play, the likelihood is that you’re going to win the game. We had to wait until the end to pull it off, but I really liked our effort.”

Indeed, while the Senators outshot the Sabres 30-15 through the first two periods, the game was tied 2-2.

Ennis, following a fabulous pass from Drake Batherson, and Eichel exchanged second-period goals. 1173089 Ottawa Senators RUSHED TOO QUICKLY? Lazar, who turns 25 on Super Bowl Sunday, has had plenty of time to reflect on how his career has evolved. He made the Senators as a 19-year-old, but lost his hold on a roster spot two seasons later, when Guy Boucher became the team’s head coach. 'JUST ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS': Sens' Brady Tkachuk not worried Ultimately, Lazar was traded to the Calgary Flames for Jyrki Jokipakka about clash with Devils' Subban and a second-round draft pick that turned into Belleville prospect Alex Formenton. Since then, Lazar has been trying to battle his way out of the

AHL and back into a full-time role in the NHL. Ken Warren Looking back, he acknowledges that maybe he wasn’t best served by January 28, 2020 11:24 PM EST being in the big leagues so soon.

When he a raw rookie, the Senators’ options were to keep Lazar or send him back to Edmonton of the , where he had BUFFALO — Those watching the gritty, head-to-head physical battle already won the Memorial Cup. between Ottawa Senators winger Brady Tkachuk and New Jersey Devils defenceman P.K. Subban in New Jersey’s 4-3 win on Monday probably “My first nine games, I fit and I belonged and that’s why (former Senators figured there was something in their past that inspired all the fun and general manager) Bryan Murray called me into his office and said, ‘You games. can stay,’” Lazar remembered.

Not so, Tkachuk says. “But you lose your path sometimes. It’s the best league in the world. Nothing is going to come easy. But, looking back, it probably would have “I guess it was just one of those nights where there was no backing been good for me to start in the American League and build that way, down,” Tkachuk said before the Senators returned to action Tuesday rather than the whole up and down thing. People start wondering, ‘Is he against the Buffalo Sabres. “One thing led to another. I guess we were done?’ and ‘What’s going on?’ and everything like that. But any kid, at both involved in the game. It was a fun one for the fans.” 19, you’re not going to turn down the NHL.”

Battered and bruised Borowiecki leads the way for Senators After a six-game stint early in the season, Sabres general manager Jason Botterill sent Lazar back to Rochester, asking him to focus on Tkachuk said he wanted to re-establish himself as quickly as possible improving his work in the faceoff circle and in penalty-killing. Lazar took it coming out of the National Hockey League’s All-Star Game break. He to heart. Since the latest recall, his ice time has steadily increased and certainly delivered Monday with a fight against Subban, three hits and a he went into Tuesday’s game against the Senators with one goal and pretty assist on a Tyler Ennis power-play goal. Fortunately for Tkachuk, three assists in the previous four games. With a 51.5 per cent success Vladislav Namestnikov and Chris Tierney scored shorthanded goals rate in the faceoff circle, he was only one of two Sabres in positive while he was serving a third-period penalty for high-sticking. territory during that time frame. Following the game, Tierney dubbed Tkachuk a natural leader for so “I’ve really hit my stride as of late and think I’m really coming into my often playing on the edge. own,” he said. “It feels good. I’m a sixth-year pro and, for things to finally “I think the way I play want to lead by example and work and be physical translate, it’s a good feeling and I’m really finding a niche here. The game and do the right things,” Tkachuk said. is finally starting to slow down for me. Playing centre again is huge. I haven’t really done that since my first year in Ottawa.” FAMILY FEUDS: On the topic of Tkachuks and their growing list of head- to-head battles, Brady allowed himself to laugh. Brother Matthew and the Calgary Flames meet the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday in their first Ottawa Sun LOADED: 01.29.2020 matchup since his tête-à-téte with rugged Oilers winger Zack Kassian a couple of weeks back. “With Matthew, he brings it every single game,” Brady said. “A lot of guys get upset with him, but he’s going to give it his all.”

SURVIVING THE SCARE: A night after avoiding a potentially devastating eye injury by only centimetres after Blake Coleman’s errant stick sliced into his face, defenceman Mark Borowiecki was back in the Senators lineup.

That shouldn’t have been too much of a surprise, considering he only missed a couple of minutes of action before returning to Monday’s contest.

“It was very scary, but, when you see Nail Gun come back and look unfazed, that just speaks about leadership,” Tkachuk said. “That’s awesome. It speaks to toughness and how much he cares for his teammates and how much he wants to win. That’s a guy you want to have on your team.”

Borowiecki might want to think about bringing Tkachuk in for discussions as the Senators ponder whether to re-sign him or trade him before the Feb. 24 NHL trade deadline.

LAZAR AND PHILLIPS: When it comes to short-term goals, former Senators first-round pick Curtis Lazar is desperately hoping he’ll still be in the Sabres lineup on Feb. 18, when Chris Phillips’ No. 4 is to be retired before the game at Canadian Tire Centre.

When Lazar was a Senators rookie in 2014-15, Phillips, his wife, Erin, and their three children effectively adopted him, opening up their home to him. Phillips and Lazar routinely drove together to the arena.

“That’s a good goal, to still be up with Buffalo so I can be part of that night,” said Lazar, who appears to have found a role as a checking centre after being recalled from Rochester of the American Hockey League on Dec. 21. “I’m real close with that family. They’re coming to my wedding in the summer. That should be a lot of fun. Erin and the kids (Ben, Zoe and Niomi) … they’ve been huge for me.” 1173090 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers will meet with NHL in effort to reduce back-to-back games, improve schedule

by Sam Carchidi

Several members of the Flyers’ front office will meet Wednesday with an NHL official, trying to work with the league to reduce the amount of back- to-back games the team plays next season and improve its overall schedule.

The meeting will take place at the team’s Voorhees practice facility, and Flyers chairman Dave Scott, general manager Chuck Fletcher, and assistant general manager Barry Hanrahan will be among the executives conferring with Steve Hatze Petros, the NHL’s long-time schedule maker.

The Flyers will play the most back-to-back games (17 sets) in the league this season and, according to mathematician Micah Blake McCurdy, play more “tired” games (eight, based on back-to backs or three games in four nights) against rested opponents than any NHL team.

“We’ve got to get it right,” Scott said during an interview Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Center “One of the challenges with this building is that it has so much activity between the Flyers,the Sixers, 59 or so concerts and Disney on Ice.”

For years, Disney on Ice has forced the Flyers to play on the road after the holidays, usually in California. The Flyers are 3-15-4 in their last five holiday road trips, including 1-4-1 this season.

Disney on Ice has a long-term deal with the Wells Fargo Center. Scott wouldn’t say the length of the contract, but that it runs at least through 2020.

“It’s got to be Flyers first, whether its the family shows, the concerts and Sixers,” Scott said of the Wells Fargo Center scheduling. “I’m not sure exactly what we’re going to do, but I’m committed to do whatever we need to do to make it easier on hockey operations.”

The Flyers started this season in the Czech Republic, returned for their home opener against New Jersey, then headed the Western Canada for three games. The brutal schedule was underway.

“We’re trying to find out what we need to do from the league,” Fletcher said recently. “Are we not giving them the right dates? What do they need from us to create a better schedule or create some situations that are a little less onerous on our players. There’s probably things we need to do better in terms of date submission. It’s a little bit more difficult because we share the building with the 76ers."

Scott said Fletcher has “collected a lot of data” to present to the league Wednesday, demonstrating the team’s scheduling woes. “There’s nothing like good facts,” he said. “We don’t want to just look at this year but the last three years; there have been a lot of back-to-backs.”

Scott, who doesn’t expect the league to make any quick decisions, said the Flyers may have to alter their home schedule to avoid playing so many back-to-back games. One possibility, he said, is to play more Monday games at the Wells Fargo Center in the future if it prevents having so many contests on consecutive nights.

“The good news,” Scott said, “is the travel gets a little easier” over the Flyers’ last 32 games this season.

Next season’s schedule will be released in June.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173091 Philadelphia Flyers reliable player who plays a lot of minutes in a lot of situations. He’s a guy we rely on a lot.”

Provorov’s development is far from complete. He’s better this season Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov closing in on 300 consecutive games than last, but he’s not infallible. At his position, especially, one mistake can change games quickly.

But his ceiling has yet to be established, too. During a recent murderous by Ed Barkowitz stretch of games against Washington, Tampa Bay, Boston, St. Louis and Pittsburgh, Provorov averaged more than 26 minutes and was a

cumulative plus-3. Then there’s that goal he scored in overtime at Ivan Provorov cried at the end of his only NHL playoff series. It was in Montreal in November. Joe Watson told Inquirer sports writer Sam 2018, and the Flyers had just been ousted by the Penguins in six games. Carchidi that he never saw make such a move. Watson had played with and against Orr. It was later reported that Provorov had played the final game with a Grade 3 separated shoulder, which he injured crashing into the boards Arizona coach Rick Tocchet called Provorov “one of the best young late in Game 5. Had it been the regular season, Provorov might have defensemen in the league.” missed two months. “He plays with an edge in the sense that he doesn’t play safe. He’s up "As long as my arm was attached to me,” he said, “I was playing.” the ice. He’s not scared the way he plays,” Tocchet said. “He’s trying to win the game. As a young guy, he wants to be in those spots. When I It can be debated whether Provorov’s heroism actually was detrimental to watch him, he wants the puck. I love kids like that. They’re not scared.” the Flyers that particular night, but there is no question that being out there every game and in all situations is important to the 23-year-old According to his actual coach, there’s still room for Provorov to grow. defenseman. And to the Flyers. “He can be more consistent,” said Alain Vigneault, who was a “It means a lot. I want to be there,” said Provorov, who is 6-foot-1 and defenseman for his 42-game NHL career with St. Louis in the early 201 pounds. “I want to make a difference, and I want to help the team 1980s. “I think offensively, knowing when to jump up and when to use his win in any way possible: PK [penalty kill], power play, even-strength. It good shot: Those are elements of his game that as he gets more means a lot.” experience, he’s going to improve.”

Provorov has led the Flyers in ice time in each of his four seasons. He is Most consecutive games/Flyers history eighth in the NHL this season at the break at a shade less than 25 Started Ended Reason Games minutes per game, and his six power-play goals lead all defensemen. 1. Rod Brind’Amour Feb. 24, 1993 April 18, 1999 Broken Here are the NHL leaders in ice time. All are defensemen. foot 484 Age Minutes Avg. Plus/minus 2. John LeClair April 22, 1995 March 9, 1999 Bruised 1. Thomas Chabot, Ott. 23 1270 26:27 -18 hip 317

2. Drew Doughty, L.A. 30 1303 26:03 -11 t3. Ivan Provorov Oct. 14, 2016 Active -- 296

3. Roman Josi, Nash. 29 1218 25:54 +23 t3. Claude Giroux Oct. 14, 2016 Active -- 296

4. Kris Letang, Pit. 32 1080 25:43 +8 5. Rick MacLeish Oct. 7, 1972 Feb. 5, 1976 Knee injury 287 5. Oscar Klefbom, Edm. 26 1258 25:41 -14 t6. Jake Voracek March 13, 2012 Feb. 25, 2016 Foot 6. Seth Jones, CBJ 25 1294 25:22 +9 injury 286

7. Ryan Suter, Min. 35 1247 24:56 -10 t6. Jeff Carter Dec. 19, 2006 March 21, 2010 Broken foot 286 8. Ivan Provorov, Flyers 23 1245 24:54 +1 8. Ross Lonsberry Oct. 17, 1973 Jan. 27, 1977 Eye 9. John Carlson, Wash. 30 1213 24:45 +17 injury 284 10. Brent Burns, SJ 34 1236 24:43 -23 9. Bobby Clarke Jan. 2, 1971 April 4, 1974 Rest for Other Flyers defensemen postseason 276

57. Matt Niskanen 33 1069 21:49 -4 10. Brian Propp Jan. 31, 1981 Feb. 23, 1984 Grandmother’s funeral 250 108. Travis Sanheim 23 1007 20:09 -2 It’s been 20 years since a Flyers defenseman was named to one of the 200. Shayne Gostisbehere 26 734 18:21 -2 two postseason all-star teams selected by the Professional Hockey 252. Justin Braun 32 771 17:31 -9 Writers Association. That was Eric Desjardins. In the 1980s, Mark Howe was selected first-team All-NHL three times. Barry Ashbee was second- 301. Phil Myers 23 536 16:45 +16 team in 1974. That’s it. Those are the only Flyers defensemen to make those teams, which are the equivalent of being named NFL All-Pro. 391. Robert Hagg 24 482 15:34 +5 It already can be argued that Provorov is the best defenseman the Flyers Provorov, the No. 7 overall draft pick in 2015, has never missed an NHL have drafted since Jimmy Watson — especially since Shayne game. He is at 296 consecutive regular-season contests at the break, the Gostisbehere’s play has slipped since he finished second in Rookie of most ever for a Flyers defenseman and the most for any Flyer to start his the Year voting in 2016. Stud Flyers defensemen Howe, Desjardins and career. Kimmo Timonen started elsewhere.

“I think I get it from my dad,” Provorov said with a laugh. “I don’t Joni Pitkanen (No. 4 in 2002) and Behn Wilson (No. 6 in 1978) were the remember the last time my dad got sick. It definitely comes from him.” only defensemen drafted higher by the Flyers than Provorov.

The Flyers’ record for consecutive games is 484, set by Rod Brind’Amour “You expect to have some growing pains, especially playing D,” said from 1993 to ’99. That mark is safe until at least March 2022. But John Flyers veteran forward James van Riemsdyk, the No. 2 overall pick in LeClair, who is second at 317, is in line to be passed this March — 2007. “That’s a tough position to come in and play at 19 years old. He’s March 15, to be precise. rock-solid back there. I think he takes a lot of pride in the toughness and “He’s been great since the first game he played for us,” said Claude the grind of playing big minutes and being someone the team can rely Giroux, who also is on a run of 296 consecutive games played. “He’s a upon. It’s definitely an impressive streak.” Provorov is the only player whose career started in 2016-17 who has never missed a game. Among Flyers with consecutive-games streaks, he’s the only defenseman in the top 10.

“He’s a force for us. He plays big minutes against the other team’s top lines," Vigneault said. "He plays on our power play. He kills penalties. I still think he hasn’t peaked yet. There’s a lot more there. He’s an excellent player right now with still some upside to go.”

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173092 Philadelphia Flyers below — candidates usually need to be solid scorers to gain support. Couturier passes that test — his 43 points are tied for the team lead, and he’s the 20th-most efficient even-strength point producer in the league this season (2.66 points/60 minutes). O’Connor’s Observations: Where does Sean Couturier really stand in his pursuit of the Selke? Sure, he’s way behind top scorers Connor McDavid (76 points) and Leon Draisaitl (75), but neither is viewed as a realistic Selke contender due to their overwhelming offensive focus. As far as likely competition, only Aleksander Barkov (not in the top three of the midseason Selke balloting) By Charlie O'Connor is significantly ahead of Couturier by raw points (54). Players like Mark Jan 28, 2020 Stone (46), Jonathan Toews (44), Ryan O’Reilly (43) and Bergeron (41) are in Couturier’s range.

This doesn’t necessarily mean Couturier is the most deserving candidate. Thirty more games to go. And three more days to wait before the final But his two-way dominance is very real. He absolutely warrants inclusion sprint to the Stanley Cup playoffs begins. in the conversation.

The Flyers remain in the heart of their bye week, and won’t take the ice 3. The ‘two-way’ vs. ‘defensive forward’ argument again until Friday against the Penguins. But while the pursuit of a playoff spot remains the team’s most important goal, individual awards also The second half of 2019-20 will be filled with endless debate — both provide an opportunity for glory. online and off — about possible award winners, and the Selke is no exception. Most of the conversation will likely center on the usual To that end, this week’s column turns the spotlight to player awards, suspects: Bergeron, O’Reilly and, increasingly, Couturier. However, which are announced in June just prior to draft day. The Flyers may not some pundits take an entirely different path in choosing their Selke have a frontrunner for every award, but with the season more than candidates, and given the legitimate basis of their stance, they shouldn’t halfway complete, at least one of the major trophies could very well end be ignored. up in the hands of a member of the Orange & Black. Let’s call them “strict-definition” voters. 1. Couturier the midseason Selke Trophy favorite Their stance is that the consensus of the Selke recognizing the best “two- Could this be the year Sean Couturier nabs his first Selke Trophy? Based way” forward is fatally flawed. Their reasoning? The definition of the on the Pro Hockey Writers’ Association midseason ballot, it’s a real award, per the NHL’s website, states it goes “to the forward who best possibility. excels in the defensive aspects of the game.” There’s nothing about point production or offense. Based on this line of thinking, a Selke winner could Starting in 2017-18, the PHWA resurrected the practice of giving its plausibly be a 20-point fourth-line center, if a strong enough case can be members a chance to vote for their preferred end of season award made his defensive impact reigned supreme over all other forwards. candidates at the All-Star break. The goal? Give the hockey community a general idea of the “favorites” for each award at the midseason mark, In the past, very few league-wide metrics isolated defensive ability, so courtesy of the voters themselves. logically, writers largely defaulted to “forward who best controls play against top competition” as their key criteria in picking the Selke. Now, Couturier checked in at No. 1 for the Selke, which is given to the NHL’s however, models like RAPM attempt to present a neat and tidy ranking of best defensive/two-way forward. defensive results. Now, Couturier’s first-place finish — the PHWA doesn’t release Those who believe offense shouldn’t factor into the Selke and who trust midseason vote counts — is no guarantee he’ll come away with metrics like RAPM can accurately judge defensive ability independent of hardware. The January vote isn’t binding; writers can (and do) change usage effects (such as quality of competition), end up presenting their opinions between now and April, when ballots are due. seemingly off-the-wall candidates like Pittsburgh’s Zach Aston-Reese That said, during the past two seasons, the PHWA’s midseason results and Columbus’ Riley Nash (each has only 11 points) as their choices. have often aligned with the final balloting. Of the five awards included in Couturier isn’t viewed as a terrible pick by models like RAPM, but he’s far the poll that the writers vote on in April — it also includes the Vezina and from leading the way in defensive impact. Barring a monster statistical Adams trophies even though writers don’t vote on either — the second half, he won’t be the top choice of those who lean toward the midseason “winner” has claimed the actual award six of 10 times. In purely defensive voting philosophy. addition, 63.3 percent of the All-Star break “nominees” (19 of 30) finished My view is simple. While the “defense-only” interpretation of the Selke is in the top three in final results. technically correct, almost no one in the game views the award that way Couturier’s presence at the top of the midseason poll makes it a solid bet anymore, if they ever did. It’s clearly morphed into a best two-way he’ll remain in the Selke mix this spring — five of six Selke midseason forward award in the minds of the media and, more importantly, the nominees ultimately received an invite to the awards ceremony. But players and coaches. I would recommend the NHL adjust the official Patrice Bergeron was the “predicted” winner in each of the past two award definition to better reflect the current reality of the Selke. But while seasons, and he finished third both years. Couturier still has work to do I acknowledge the viability of the strict interpretation — and don’t to lock down the award. dismiss public advanced stats — it’s a bridge too far for me to treat the Selke as if it’s not an award for the best two-way forward. 2. Couturier having another fantastic two-way season 4. Couturier dominating top-tier opponents Couturier’s case for the Selke does not rest solely on reputation. He’s having another fantastic two-way season by the numbers as well. It’s no secret the Flyers use Couturier as much as possible against teams’ top players. The goal? Have Couturier essentially nullify the As usual, the Flyers have comfortably won the even-strength shot and opponent’s most dangerous weapon. chance battles with Couturier on the ice — his 55.62 percent Corsi For and 55.41 percent expected goals share both rank in the top 50 among Befitting a Selke favorite, Couturier hasn’t merely held his own against forwards with at least 400 minutes this season. And if anything, his stellar elite players. He’s dominated them. raw percentages undersell Couturier’s impact in helping the Flyers In a completely unscientific (but very entertaining) example of binning, control territorial play. here’s how Couturier has performed at 5-on-5 this season against three Evolving Hockey’s Regularized-Adjusted Plus/Minus (or RAPM) model subsections of opposing forwards: those who finished in the top 10 in takes raw shot and xG differential, and then accounts for everything from Hart Trophy voting at least once over the past four seasons, forwards competition quality to teammate impact to extreme defensive usage. By currently in the top 20 in scoring, and centers who were included in the RAPM, Couturier ranks fifth among forwards in play-driving ability by NHL Network’s Top 20 Centers list last summer. (Couturier, of course, Corsi, and 13th in his ability to help win the xG battle. Per the fanciest of was snubbed.) stats, Couturier has been his typically excellent self. So how has he done against the big guns? Pretty, pretty good. And while it’s reasonable to argue that offensive production shouldn’t Is there some overlap here within groups? Of course (Edmonton and play a major role in determining the Selke winner — more on that debate Washington’s star forwards, for example). Should the above chart be viewed as unimpeachable evidence of Couturier being the best Selke Konecny’s breakout year has been great, but not enough to get him into candidate? Nah. Does it show Couturier has regularly taken apart players realistic MVP contention when the league leader in points has 33 more like Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, Elias Pettersson and Taylor than Konecny. None of Philadelphia’s Calder Trophy-eligible youngsters Hall? Absolutely. And that truth can’t hurt his case. — Philippe Myers, Joel Farabee, Nicolas Aubé-Kubel — are remotely on the level of Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes. 5. Top Selke competition for Couturier? But what about Ivan Provorov and the Norris Trophy? Couturier certainly won’t cruise to the Selke. In the midseason poll, three- time winner Bergeron nabbed second place, and defending champion Provorov is in the process of delivering an under-the-radar fantastic O’Reilly slotted third — and those formidable names could be Couturier’s season. He’s on pace for 15 goals and 41 points, which would basically fiercest competition in April as well. Their stat resumes are sound and replicate his production from a stellar 2017-18 campaign. His underlying both have sterling two-way reputations. Assuming Bergeron and O’Reilly numbers at even strength are finally as strong as his reputation would stay healthy, they’ll be in the race until the end. hint they should be. And he’s doing it despite playing 24:54 per game — the eighth-largest workload in hockey. It’s been an objectively great first Beyond those two chalk picks, Barkov cannot be ignored, especially 50 games for Provorov. because he’s also viewed as a “Selke-winner-in-waiting,” and he’s outproducing Couturier offensively, even if his play-driving metrics don’t Unfortunately for Provorov and the Flyers, “objectively great” doesn’t quite compare. And Stone, last year’s runner-up, is still the same equal “one of the three best defensemen in hockey,” at least not this dominant two-way winger in Vegas that he was with Ottawa. season. John Carlson is somehow on pace for 100 points. Roman Josi and Alex Pietrangelo are playing the best hockey of their careers. Out of the other forwards with Selke-level reputations, those five seem (Dougie Hamilton was as well, before his fractured fibula.) Victor Hedman like the ones most likely to receive widespread support among voters. is still Victor Hedman. Makar and Hughes are excelling in sheltered 6. My midseason Selke ballot usage. On the list of Norris contenders, Provorov falls in behind all of them, at the very least. As a member of the PHWA, I participated in the midseason vote and (spoiler alert) placed Couturier at the top of my Selke ballot. But even But if Provorov keeps it up, it wouldn’t be ridiculous for the writers to toss though I considered including Bergeron and O’Reilly, neither made my him a small number of fourth- or fifth-place votes. But in a year of list, as voters were told to rank only three choices. monster performances at the position, a mere “very good” one isn’t going to win over most voters. Instead, I went with Tampa Bay’s Anthony Cirelli as my second-place vote and Stone in third. The latter is self-explanatory — Stone is hockey’s 9. What about Alain Vigneault? premier play-driving wing and essentially functions as a second center on The PHWA votes on the Jack Adams Trophy for top head coach at his lines. Cirelli, on the other hand, is lesser-known, but deserves to be in midseason, but the writers don’t make the final selection — that honor the mix. His metrics are stellar, despite the Lightning increasingly using goes to the National Hockey League Broadcasters Association. So even him to match up with top lines to lighten the load for their higher-profile if Mike Sullivan (Pittsburgh), John Tortorella (Columbus) and Craig stars. Most likely, Cirelli’s lack of name recognition and merely decent Berube (St. Louis) ranked 1-2-3 in PHWA’s ballots, that doesn’t offensive production will keep him out of serious contention for the necessarily mean the order is predictive of the final tally. So could Alain award, but if he holds to this career trajectory, he’ll soon enter the mix as Vigneault slip into the mix? his reputation catches up to his results. Sullivan is the runaway favorite, assuming the Penguins continue to Beyond Couturier, Cirelli and Stone, I strongly considered Bergeron, cruise to a top-half-of-the-Eastern-Conference playoff berth despite all of O’Reilly and Montreal’s Phillip Danault. In the final vote, writers select their injuries. Beyond his likely place at the top, however, the Adams race their top-five candidates, and in that scenario, Bergeron would have been is wholly dependent on the final ten weeks of the season. my odd man out, primarily because his two-way dominance came over a smaller sample (he missed nine games this season). Generally, Adams voters tend to lean toward coaches of teams that exceed preseason expectations. In the East, that could mean the Flyers, 7. Do the Flyers have to make the playoffs for Couturier to win? if they comfortably nab a playoff spot, but the Panthers (Joel In 2017-18, Couturier finished a close second to Anze Kopitar in Selke Quenneville) and the Blue Jackets (Tortorella) could also qualify. The voting. In 2018-19, he was a distant sixth. Now, he leads the midseason West has more than a few teams who fit the bill, too — Edmonton (Dave balloting. Did No. 14 have a down year in 2018-19? Tippett), Arizona (Rick Tocchet) and Vancouver (Travis Green) are all plausible candidates. The numbers say no — in his sixth-place season, Couturier was actually more efficient offensively in terms of points per game and better For Vigneault to have a realistic shot at the top three, the Flyers need to defensively per the RAPM model as compared to his runner-up year. So make the playoffs. Then, they’d also have to make their late-season push what was the difference? It’s not difficult to theorize the big change: The more impressive than those of other “unexpected” playoff teams. Not Flyers made the playoffs in 2017-18, and missed the big dance last exactly a straightforward path to recognition. season. 10. The Masterton and how it works

As an individual award, the Selke shouldn’t be influenced by team One award the PHWA did not vote on for the midseason poll, but does success. It’s not even a “value-based” award like MVP. That said, only determine at the end of the season, is the Masterton Trophy, given to the twice in the 41-year history of the Selke has a player won it on a team player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, that failed to make the playoffs. sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.” Each PHWA chapter That doesn’t rule out the possibility of a Selke winner coming from a non- (essentially, all of the writers covering a team) nominates one player from playoff team. After all, there’s a logical correlation between “teams that their local team, and then the PHWA as a whole makes a selection from make the playoffs” and “teams that have one guy playing well enough to the pool of 31 candidates. win a major award” — but it doesn’t make the former an implicit The Masterton is always a difficult vote, since the winner of the award requirement for the latter. In addition, both Rod Brind’Amour (2006-07) tends to be a player who has overcome some type of personal hardship and Bergeron (2014-15) won the Selke on teams that missed out on to play hockey to the best of his abilities — Robin Lehner was recognized playoff berths. It has happened before. last year in a nod to his struggles with bipolar disorder and substance Still, it’s tough to imagine Couturier as the frontrunner if the Flyers sag in abuse prior to his career season in 2018-19. Presumably, Nolan Patrick the second half. The 2006-07 Hurricanes and 2014-15 Bruins stayed in and (especially) Oskar Lindblom will be discussed in connection with the playoff contention throughout the season, and both Brind’Amour and trophy — even though, in an ideal world, both would be on the ice now. Bergeron benefitted from past Selke wins prior to their playoff-less victories. Couturier still needs to break down the clubhouse door, and he’ll need all of the outside momentum he can get to do so. The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020

8. Does Provorov have a Norris case?

Unsurprisingly, no other Flyers ended up in the PHWA midseason results. Claude Giroux is having a down offensive season. Travis 1173093 Pittsburgh Penguins year-old rookie defenseman John Marino since veteran blue liner Justin Schultz left the lineup with an undisclosed injury Dec. 17.

“I put a lot of that credit into the organization,” Pettersson said. “As soon Penguins sign defenseman Marcus Pettersson to contract extension as I got here, I felt like I could really, really develop. With the core group and the mentality, both in our room and the whole organization, that I’ve grown a lot. I’ve been playing more and more. Obviously, with some injuries to our key guys, it opens up some opportunities. SETH RORABAUGH “But as soon as I got here, they were not afraid to see what I could do Tuesday, January 28, 2020 10:31 a.m. and put faith in me out on the ice. I think that’s something that boosts confidence in me. I feel like they believe in me and they believe that I can be out there and (be a) difference. I feel like I’ve grown multiple steps Marcus Pettersson was pragmatic about his situation as an unrestricted since I’ve got here. It’s only been 14 months. I feel like I can grow a lot free agent in September. more here.”

As training camp approached, Pettersson acknowledged he wasn’t of the Recently on a radio show with team broadcaster Josh Getzoff, same ilk of All-Stars such as Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine or Rutherford suggested Pettersson and Marino could mature into a top pair Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner and several other high- and play with the organization for more than a decade. profile restricted free agents who remained unsigned throughout the summer and had threatened holdouts. “(Pettersson’s) a really good player,” Rutherford said Wednesday. “He’s tall. He’s got a long reach. He can skate. He’s got hockey sense. He can With the Penguins facing a salary cap crunch, Pettersson signed a move the puck. My point about them being here 10 years is because of modest — by the prosperous standards of professional hockey salaries their age now. I’m not going to say that about a guy that’s 33. I’m talking — one-year contract worth $874,125 just to avoid missing any time in about a guy that’s 23. training camp. “Yeah, we’re really pleased with Marcus’ play. He’s a terrific team guy “I feel like, as long as I’m here, I’m in the place I want to be,” Pettersson and a terrific young player. We really liked him when we were making said Sept. 13. “In Pittsburgh. I’m glad to be here.” that trade. And he’s just continued to improve. What’s it’s really done is it’s helped structure our core of getting some young defensemen into our Presumably, he will remain elated for the next half decade. top six. Now, we have him and Marino which is not only good for now but On Tuesday, the Penguins signed the 23-year-old Pettersson to a five- good for the future.” year contract extension that begins at the start of the 2020-21 season. Pettersson feels he is not close to approaching his ceiling with the The deal will carry a salary cap hit of just over $4.025 million. Penguins. “I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity,” Pettersson said Tuesday in “I still want to be stronger and put more weight on,” he said. “That’s a conference. “I said before as soon as I got to Pittsburgh, this is a place something that always has been something I want to do. From a playing you want to be. With the history they have and the winning mentality and standpoint, continue to grow as a player and a person too. the core group still being here, I felt this was by far the best option. I haven’t really thought about anything else but being here a long time. I’m “With this year being so different and with all the injuries that we’ve had, glad it worked out.” it’s allowed me to put myself in opportunities to play in big moments and play against some of the top lines from the other teams. It’s something The framework of such a lucrative deal had been in place since the that I feel like I for sure want to keep doing and grow in that aspect. summer. That’s the kind of defenseman I want to be too.” “Well, we had an agreement with Marcus and his agent (Peter Wallen) in Notes: training camp,” general manager Jim Rutherford said by phone. “It didn’t work out because we didn’t have the cap space. At that time, Marcus • Rutherford declined to comment on the status of any potential contract was good enough to work with us and sign his one-year agreement, and negotiations with other pending restricted free agents including we said at the earliest time that we can extend this agreement, we will. goaltender Matt Murray. And that was Jan. 1, and that’s when we started talking to him and got it done.” • Rutherford did not offer any updates on Schultz or other injured players such as defenseman Brian Dumoulin or Dominik Kahun. Having that agreement made it easier for Pettersson to accept the one- year deal he signed in September. • The Penguins are in the midst of their bye from the NHL schedule and will not have any team activities until they practice on Thursday in “I trust the organization and I wanted to do something that was good for Cranberry. the team,” Pettersson said. “I wanted to play as well. Me and my agent put a lot of trust (in the team) and rightfully so. This is an organization that is trustworthy and everything like that. We didn’t want to be in the Tribune Review LOADED: 01.29.2020 situation that we were in, but it was a unique situation. It was big trust there.

“We didn’t have any details per se. It was more of a handshake. The situation we were in the summer with the cap being what it was, it just was not possible. They were pretty clear from the beginning that they believe in me and I wanted to lay that same trust in them. It worked out well. No details we had but came to a handshake (agreement). Jim said as soon as we can, we can start looking over the next deal and work from there. That put a lot encouraging thoughts in my head. I just wanted to do the best I can over the year this year and prove that they still wanted me for the long term.”

Acquired in a trade that sent tantalizing but ultimately unappetizing forward prospect Daniel Sprong to the Anaheim Ducks in December 2018, Pettersson has become one of the team’s top-four defensemen over the past 14 months.

One of five members of the team who have played in all 50 games this season, Pettersson has 15 points (one goal, 14 assists).

Averaging a career-best of 19 minutes, 22 seconds of ice time this season, the 6-foot-3, 177-pound Pettersson has been paired with 22- 1173094 Pittsburgh Penguins

A look at Penguins depth on defense, trade mentality, goalies, competition

TIM BENZ

Tuesday, January 28, 2020 6:28 a.m.

A week off for the Penguins doesn’t mean a week off for Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network. He joins us for his weekly hockey chat even though the Penguins are continuing their break until Friday.

Brian gives us his thoughts on the All-Star weekend and breakout media star Alex Letang.

He also has some predictions about which teams will emerge hot after the break.

We look at some of the long-term issues facing the team once they resume play against Philadelphia. One of them is how the defense gets realigned when — or if — the entire blueline ever gets healthy at the same time.

The goalie rotation will be interesting to watch once the puck drops again, especially with so many crucial games against Eastern Conference foes.

We’ll have our eyes on the trade market over the next few weeks. There may be extra benefits to acquiring a winger beyond just replacing Jake Guentzel. We dive deeper into that theory.

And we debate the merits of Fraggle Rock, Cobra Kai, and Elisabeth Shue.

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173095 Pittsburgh Penguins One of the intriguing aspects about Pettersson is that he’s still young. He’s only 23 years old and has played in just 156 NHL games. That means he probably still hasn’t reached his ceiling yet.

Penguins sign defenseman Marcus Pettersson to long-term deal Pettersson said that he’d like to continue to add weight and strength to 6- foot-3 frame. Coach Mike Sullivan said he sees ways that Pettersson’s offensive game can continue to evolve.

MIKE DEFABO “We’re trying to help him continue to grow his offensive game because we think he’s capable,” Sullivan said a few weeks back. “He’s still a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette young defenseman in this league. He’s continuing to learn and grow in JAN 28, 2020 3:34 PM some of the added responsibilities that we’re giving him. We think Marcus is a terrific defenseman and he’s good on both sides of the puck.”

Time will tell what Pettersson’s deal means for the rest of the Penguins’ The Penguins took a step to lock down their defensive future on Tuesday defensive corps. This offseason, Pittsburgh will have to make at least when they agreed to a five-year contract extension with 23-year-old one big decision, when Shultz becomes an unrestricted free agent. He’s Marcus Pettersson. currently playing out the last year on his deal with an average annual value of $5.5 million. Juuso Riikola, who has added depth during this The deal doesn’t kick in until the beginning of the 2020-21 season, injury-plagued season, becomes a restricted free agent at season’s end. meaning it won’t impact salary cap space for the rest of this campaign. Once it goes into effect, the new deal will carry an average annual value Elsewhere on the defense, Kris Letang is signed through 2021-22 and of $4,025,175 and run through the 2024-25 season. carries an average annual value of $7.25 million. Brian Dumoulin is signed through 2023-24 with an average annual value of $6 million. Jack “I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity,” Pettersson said on a Johnson is signed through 2022-23 with a $3.25 average annual value. conference call with local reporters on Tuesday afternoon. “As soon as I Marino makes $925,000 and is under contract through 2020-21. Chad got to Pittsburgh, this is a place you want to be. With the history they Ruhwedel is signed through 2020-21 and carries a $700,000 cap hit. have and the winning mentality and the core group still being here, I felt like this was by far the best option.”

The Penguins initially acquired Pettersson from Anaheim on Dec. 3, 2018 Post Gazette LOADED: 01.29.2020 in exchange for Daniel Sprong. They quickly identified him as a defenseman with upside whom they wanted to keep in Pittsburgh longer term.

A general view of the 2020 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Enterprise Center in St. Louis.

It’s no secret that Pettersson’s representatives and the Penguins had hoped to sign the 6-foot-3, left-handed defenseman to a multi-year deal before this season. However, because the Penguins were pressed right up against the upper limit of the salary cap, both sides decided to find a short-term solution.

On the eve of preseason training camp, Pettersson inked a team-friendly, one-way contract with the NHL squad that carries an average annual value of $874,125. The deal was made with the understanding from both sides that they would revisit the contract situation when the rules permitted.

“I wanted to do something that was good for the team and I wanted to play, as well,” Pettersson said. “Me and my agent put a lot of trust, and rightfully so. This is an organization that is trustworthy.

“We didn’t want to be in the situation we were in. It was a unique situation. For sure, there was big trust there.”

Per NHL rules, once Pettersson signed that deal, the two sides weren’t allowed to negotiate a long-term contract until Jan. 1. But once the ball dropped, the window was back open to make a deal. The Penguins rewarded Pettersson for the trust he put into the organization.

“They were pretty clear from the beginning that they believed in me,” Pettersson said. “I wanted to lay that same trust in them.”

Since Pettersson was acquired 14 months ago, he has the second-most points and third-highest plus-minus (plus-17) among Penguins defensemen. During a season in which injuries have ravaged the Pittsburgh roster, Pettersson is also one of just five Penguins — and the only defenseman — who has played in all 50 games.

Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry speaks Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, at NHL All-Star media day in St. Louis.

For most of the season, Pettersson has worked his way into a top-four role on the blue line. With Brian Dumoulin and Justin Schultz injured, he’s currently playing on the second pairing with rookie John Marino.

“In just over a year, Marcus has had a significant impact on our defensive group,” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement. “He is young, reliable and smart, which is important in today’s game. Marcus is part of our young core and it was important to get him signed long-term.” 1173096 Pittsburgh Penguins Pettersson has generally been a model of consistency for the Penguins this season. However, it could be argued that his overall performance has dipped slightly in recent weeks. He admitted this before the Penguins’ game in Philadelphia last week. With Penguins’ blue line locked in, what the Marcus Pettersson signing signifies for the future The native of Sweden was eager to sign a deal before the season started but, because of the Penguins’ murky salary cap situation, was forced to be patient.

By Josh Yohe “You try to ignore it, especially when you’re playing in games,” he said. “Games are the priority, always. But yeah, it’s something that’s been Jan 28, 2020 there. I’ve just tried not to think about it, but you’re human, so it’s there.”

He doesn’t have to think about it anymore. Marcus Pettersson has displayed plenty of promise since the day he Thinking about a future alongside of Marino is far more appealing. arrived in Pittsburgh more than a year ago. “He’s had a great season and it’s a lot of fun playing with him,” Jim Rutherford made him a promise before the 2019-20 season started. Pettersson said. “He’s a good one. Me and Johnny have been seeing Both have been realized. more ice against the other team’s top players. I feel good playing with him, really good. I’m battling every night out there.” Rutherford assured Pettersson before the season started that a long term deal would get done, and it was completed on Tuesday morning when There is a final element to Pettersson’s game, he insists. The stay-at- the Penguins announced a five-year contract extension for Pettersson home defenseman still wants to score more goals and help an already that is worth slightly more than $4 million annually. potent offense get better.

“This guy is a good player,” Rutherford said on Monday. “He and (John) That chapter of his career is still being written, but Pettersson is Marino give us a very good, young pairing.” determined.

Those two figure to play together for quite some time because of this “Oh, I think there’s another level to my game,” he said. “I really do. contract. Production-wise, offensively, I think I can be a lot better and I really want to get there. Now, I can’t force it. I know I can’t force it. With me, it’s The Penguins now have contractual rights to Kris Letang, Brian always going to be about playing defense first. And I’m happy with that. Dumoulin, Marino and Pettersson through the 2021-22 season. These It’s who I am. But I still want to be a guy who helps out in the offensive are the players they have identified as their top-four defensemen by next zone, and I’m going to keep working until I make that happen.” season at the latest, if not now, as they believe Marino and Pettersson have quickly graduated to those respective roles, while Letang and Pettersson and the Penguins return to practice on Thursday following Dumoulin are expected to remain the team’s top pairing for the their bye week and return to game action on Friday at PPG Paints Arena foreseeable future. against the Flyers.

Letang, 32, is under contract through the 2021-22 season. Marino, 22, is Finally with a new contract in hand, Pettersson can go back to focusing under contract through the 2020-21 season but will only be eligible for exclusively on hockey. restricted free agency at that point, if the Penguins haven’t decided by “I feel pretty good about the season that I’ve had but I’m always, always then to lock him up to a long term deal. trying to get better,” he said. “That’s the thing with me. I want to put the Dumoulin, 28, is under contract through 2022-23 season and work in and to keep getting better. I have more to give.” Pettersson’s contract — not to mention his playing style — mirrors The Penguins are banking on it. Dumoulin. Pettersson is a stay-at-home defenseman whose slick puck skills make him a natural to play with a talented defense partner, and now he’ll make just a hair less than Dumoulin while playing a similar role. The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 Pettersson, 23, credits Dumoulin for much of his success.

“I learn from him so much,” Pettersson said. “I learn from that guy every single day. I’d say our styles are pretty similar. So I’m always watching him, listening.”

Pettersson has one goal and 15 points while playing in all 50 of the Penguins’ games so far this season. He is a plus-4 and has skated with a variety of defense partners this season.

This signing signifies a number of things:

• The Penguins consider Pettersson to be a top-four defenseman now and into the future, as he’s now the fourth highest paid defensemen on the roster.

• Justin Schultz almost certainly won’t be with the Penguins next season. Letang, Dumoulin, Pettersson and Jack Johnson will account for almost $19 million against next season’s salary cap. Given the raises that pending restricted free agents Jared McCann, Tristan Jarry and Matt Murray figure to receive this summer, it’s wildly unlikely at this point that Schultz will return.

• Don’t expect much in the way of movement on the Penguins’ blue line. Rutherford said Monday that he isn’t looking to add a defenseman at the upcoming NHL trade deadline. The Penguins are delighted with the idea of this as their top four, are pleased with the progress Jack Johnson has made this season and like the depth that Juuso Riikola and Chad Ruhwedel are providing.

• Their two finest prospects on the blue line, Calen Addison annd Pierre- Olivier Joseph, will have ample time to develop. 1173097 San Jose Sharks four scoring chances, scored on two of them and he didn’t let in any goals. He made some spectacular saves.”

The Sharks, like Karlsson said, aren’t going to rely on one player, or one Erik Karlsson recalls 2015 surge with the Hamburglar; Do the Sharks goalie, to carry them the rest of the way. have their own super-sized run left? Interim coach Bob Boughner will start Martin Jones in net Wednesday for the Sharks in their game with the Vancouver Canucks. He plans on using both goalies on more of a rotating basis than he did before the NHL all- By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay star break, when Aaron Dell started seven of nine games from Jan. 2-18. Area News Group The Sharks finish their homestand Saturday against Tampa Bay. For the PUBLISHED: January 28, 2020 at 2:57 pm | UPDATED: January 28, rest of February, they play eight of 12 games on the road. Of all the 2020 at 3:03 PM Sharks games remaining between now and the end of February, eight are against teams that were in a playoff spot as of Tuesday morning.

Realistically, the Sharks need to earn at least 44 points, and possibly SAN JOSE — Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson can remember most of more, in their last 31 games to have a shot at making the playoffs. the details as he thinks back to the remarkable post-all star game run the Ottawa Senators went on in 2015. It’s an unfavorable situation, to be sure. But at least Karlsson can say he’s been there before and come out on the right side. That Ottawa team had Mark Stone and Kyle Turris as their top scorers, but also an unknown goalie in Andrew Hammond, a.k.a. “The “We need to find a way to win games even when we’re not playing our Hamburglar,” who would become the talk of the NHL. With Karlsson on best,” said Karlsson, now the Sharks’ leader with 37 points. “We’ve done his way to winning his second Norris Trophy, the Senators did just that in the past and I think we can do it again. We just have to find a way enough over the final two months of the season to squeak into the to get that good feeling back more than once in a while. playoffs. “There should be no lack of motivation from anybody in here right now, “It’s something like that we’re going to need,” Karlsson said of the coming back from the break. We have 31 games left. We know what we Sharks’ present-day predicament. “I don’t think we’re completely in the have to do to give ourselves a chance, and then get some luck from situation that we were in at that time. We don’t need that kind of a heroic other teams. The most important part is we need to take care of our performance from anybody in here.” business.”

No one’s kidding themselves about the Sharks’ remote chances of making the playoffs this season. They entered Tuesday in 13th place in the Western Conference, nine points back of the second wild card spot in San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 01.29.2020 the Western Conference.

The Feb. 24 NHL trade deadline, where the Sharks are expected to be sellers, is looming, and they’ll likely have to spend all or most of that time between now and then without injured captain Logan Couture.

Hope and belief are all the Sharks have right now. But that may been all the Senators possessed five years ago, as well.

The Senators were coming off a 6-3 loss to Carolina on Feb. 16, 2015, dropping their record to a pedestrian 22-23-10. Not only were they 10 points back of a playoff spot and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, but both of their top two goalies — Robin Lehner and Craig Anderson — were injured.

Hammond had come on in relief of Lehner against the Hurricanes and stopped three of five shots in just over one period. He was a relative unknown who had just turned 27 and had played in only one other NHL game.

“Hamburglar came in, kind of out of nowhere,” Karlsson said. “All we knew about him was that he was a great guy, a fun guy to be around. Didn’t know much else.”

Hammond would get the start, the first of his NHL career, against the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 18. He wore a mask with the McDonald’s character Hamburglar painted on one side, getting the nickname from a teammate at Bowling Green for he way he was always “eating up pucks.”

Karlsson recalled before that game that Hammond, “had a shaky warm up and we weren’t having a particularly good year, so we were preparing for the worst.”

Hammond, though, made 29 saves in the first two periods and finished with 42 in a 4-2 Senators win.

From there, the Senators, riding the hot hand in Hammond, took off. Hammond started 23 of Ottawa’s final 27 games, going an unreal 20-1-2 in the process with a .943 save percentage.

With the Senators needing one point to secure a playoff spot in their regular season finale, Hammond stopped 34 of 35 shots in a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Ottawa finished with a 43-26-13 record, good enough for the first wild card spot in the East.

“He made about 10 or 15 unbelievable saves and we won that game (against Montreal), and that’s kind of how it went the rest of the way,” Karlsson said. “We won every game 2-1. We probably created three or 1173098 San Jose Sharks Without question, the week-long break gave Marleau a little extra spring in his step. His first goal, at the 4:35 mark of the first period, marked his 1,100th point as a Shark and gave San Jose a 2-0 lead.

Sharks 4, Ducks 2: Rejuvenated Patrick Marleau enjoys a memorable Marleau picked up a loose puck in the corner the left of Gibson and tried night to send it to the front of the net. Larsson stopped the puck, but Marleau corralled it tapped it past Gibson.

“It’s always good to get a milestone or pass somebody in a win,” Marleau By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay said. “It was important that we got those two points tonight.” Area News Group Marleau said Sunday that he’s not thinking about the possibility of being PUBLISHED: January 28, 2020 at 5:05 am | UPDATED: January 28, traded to another team, as his focus right now is helping the Sharks get 2020 at 12:32 PM to the postseason.

There’s been no indication, at least so far, that general manager Doug Wilson would entertain the idea. SAN JOSE — Fans at SAP Center might have held their breath for a split second when Patrick Marleau had the puck on his stick in a prime Certainly, though, Marleau checks a few boxes on what playoff-bound scoring area. teams might be looking for in a late-season addition. He’s still skates at an elite level, is responsible on the defensive end, is a respected leader With an opportunity to pick up his ninth career hat trick Monday night, and comes with a salary that every team should be able to make work Marleau took a pass from Marcus Sorensen late in the third period and under the cap. had his first shot from between the faceoff dots blocked by Anaheim Ducks defenseman Korbinian Holzer. The bouncing puck came back to “I know Patty scored twice, but it was the work away from the puck,” Marleau, who didn’t get all of his second shot attempt before it was Boughner said. “He won a lot of foot races. He won a lot of battles. He’s smothered by goalie John Gibson. a guy that keeps himself ready and keeps himself in shape.

“Almost had another one there for the third at the end,” said Sharks “It was nice to see him come out and have a big night for us like that.” defenseman Brenden Dillon, who helped set up the scoring chance with a pinch along the wall. “Which would have been nice for him. It’s always nice seeing when guys work hard, they get rewarded.” San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 01.29.2020 Most in attendance still gave Marleau a hearty ovation after the whistle blew, and they again cheered when he was named the game’s first star after he and Stefan Noesen both scored two goals in the Sharks’ 4-2 win.

No one quite knows how many games, or years, Marleau has left, although he said himself Sunday that he believes he’s capable of playing at least one more season after this one.

Marleau now has 69 career multi-goal games, including two this season.

Still, nights like Monday are more the exception than the rule these days. When they do happen, Sharks fans know to take a few moments and show their appreciation.

“He’s all-world,” Noesen said of Marleau. “That’s a guy that comes to the rink, day-in, day-out. Does his job. Someone that a lot of the guys in the league look up to, maybe in a quieter way.

“But it’s an honor to play with somebody of that caliber.”

Marleau’s second goal, especially, showed what he’s still capable of, even at the age of 40.

At the end of a long shift, Marleau saw the puck get past Ducks defenseman Jacob Larsson at the Sharks’ blue line. He was still able to find another gear, as he skated to pick up the loose puck at the Ducks blue line, pulled away from everyone behind him and snapped a shot past goalie Gibson at the 15:32 mark of the second period.

The goal gave Marleau 561 for his career, as he moved past Guy Lafleur (560) and tied Mike Modano for 25th on the NHL’s all-time goal scoring list. Marleau is also now 50th all time in points with 1,185, as he moved past Rod Brind’Amour (1,184).

Most importantly for the Sharks on Monday, it gave them a 3-1 lead after the Ducks had started to make a push.

“I knew it was going to be a footrace, and I believe he was sort of at the end of his shift, as well,” Sharks interim coach Bob Boughner said. “That’s his biggest weapon. We always talk about how he can skate. It was shown there, and it was a huge goal for us.”

Marleau has now scored at least 10 goals in each of his 22 NHL seasons, an accomplishment only bettered by Gordie Howe (25), Mark Messier (24) Ron Francis (23), and Jaromir Jagr (23).

“What can’t you say about Patty Marleau,” Dillon said. “Whether it’s every practice, every game, those tough situations where you’ve had a bit time off and the legs might be a little heavy, or your stick might be a little rusty, he finds a way.” 1173099 San Jose Sharks

NHL rumors: Sharks' Brenden Dillon of interest to Bruins, 'half dozen' teams

By Brian Witt

January 28, 2020 4:59 PM

The market for Brenden Dillon is heating up. It's sounding like more of a "when" rather than an "if" the Sharks' defenseman will be moved.

In a season where very little has gone right for San Jose, Dillon has been one of the few, consistent bright spots. He has appeared in every game while averaging over 19 minutes of ice time, and he leads all Sharks' defensemen in plus-minus. According to TSN Insiders Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun, the closer the NHL gets to the trade deadline, the more teams reportedly are inquiring about the blue-liner who is on pace to lead the Sharks in hits for the fourth straight season.

"Most definitely the Winnipeg Jets are in the market for a specific top-four defenseman," Dreger reported Tuesday. "Now, it could be a rental player, it could be a player with some term. They're not ruling out anything at this point."

Dillon is in the final year of his contract and is due to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, so he would fall into the rental category. Given the price Dillon is likely to command, that might not be ideal for Winnipeg, but Dreger noted that the Dustin Byfuglien situation -- as well as Bryan Little and Adam Lowry's respective recoveries from injury -- could force the Jets' hand.

LeBrun agreed that Dillon would make plenty of sense for Winnipeg, but didn't stop there.

"I don't think he would be on the top of their list, but certainly on the list of players that the Jets would have compiled already, I think Brenden Dillon would be on there somewhere," LeBrun said. "Pending UFA, he's a defenseman that's going to be dealt by the San Jose Sharks. He's a No. 4 for some teams, a No. 5 for others. I can tell you half-a-dozen teams so far have shown interest, including, I'm told, the Boston Bruins. Obviously a rugged, defensive defenseman in Brenden Dillon would be a nice fit there in Boston. Carolina Hurricanes, who just lost Dougie Hamilton, have also been among the teams that have shown interest."

"It will not be an issue moving Brenden Dillon," LeBrun summarized. "The question is what can San Jose get out of it? I think it's probably going to be a second-round pick, and maybe a prospect."

The Sharks are still holding out hope for a playoff push, but whether or not they are successful in that pursuit, Dillon might be of more value to them elsewhere.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173100 San Jose Sharks

Why Patrick Marleau's goal song didn't play in Sharks' win over Ducks

By Brian Witt

January 27, 2020 11:19 PM

SAN JOSE -- The Sharks are ready to spice up their goal celebrations. In a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night, San Jose brought the heat, but the SAP Center DJ failed to bring the expected flavor.

It wasn't his or her fault, though. It's sort of hard to play the right song when there is no song to be played.

Before being robbed of a much-deserved All-Star Game MVP award over the weekend in St. Louis, Tomas Hertl broke the news to Sharks fans that he and his fellow teammates would each have their own goal songs when the team returned from the All-Star break. Each player's song was supposed to be kept a surprise until they scored a goal, so when Stefan Noesen lit the lamp less than two minutes into the game Monday night, it came as a surprise to many -- Noesen included -- when the team's default goal song came on over the loudspeakers.

A few minutes later, Patrick Marleau scored to make it 2-0 San Jose. Again, 2 Unlimited's "Get Ready for This" played. In the second period, Marleau scored his second goal of the night. Same thing. So what gave?

It turns out that it was part operator error, part old-fashioned procrastination.

Noesen had actually picked a song out, and lucky for the Sharks, the SAP Center crowd would get to hear it before the night was over. Marleau, on the other hand, is still deliberating.

"Still working it out to see what it is," Marleau said of his yet-to-be- decided goal song after San Jose's win. "Probably leave it up to my family. They'll pick it."

Last week, Marleau's wife took to Twitter to ask Sharks fans for suggestions as to what his goal song should be. Apparently, none were to his liking, but his better half won't allow him to go without one for much longer.

After he scored his first goal of the night, Marleau's wife threatened to choose "Wheels on the Bus" on his behalf if he didn't figure one out soon. The couple has four boys between the ages of 5 and 13 so one would imagine Marleau has heard plenty of that song over the last decade.

Chances are, he has heard plenty of Noesen's song, too.

Early in the third period, Noesen ripped a slapshot from the slot into the back of Anaheim's net after receiving what he called an "all-world" pass from Erik Karlsson. The goal increased San Jose's lead to 4-1, and as fans rose out of their seats to celebrate the goal that put the game out of reach, their ears were greeted by the unmistakable sounds of "Hakuna Matata."

"I had something else picked out and then somebody else was watching 'The Lion King,' and I thought that would be kind of funny to put on and maybe get a little reaction from the crowd, too," Noesen said of his song choice. "And they seemed to enjoy it. It was fun."

While Marleau still needs to come to a decision, Noesen plans to stick with his.

"Yeah, unless someone tells me otherwise," he said with a laugh following his first two-goal game with San Jose. "I thought it was good. They messed it up on the first one, and I wasn't sure if I'd ever have another chance to hear it.

"It was a good thing I got that nice pass."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173101 St Louis Blues A five-goal first period featured two power-play scores by Calgary countered by three scores by Blues veterans: Steen, Perron and Jaden Schwartz.

Blues best Flames in shootout Steen played in his 745th game for the Blues, passing Brett Hull for fourth on the team’s career list. He is just two games away from his 1000th overall NHL game which would come Saturday in Winnipeg, his hometown. Jim Thomas But that’s now in jeopardy because Steen didn't play in the third period

because of a lower-body injury. The severity of the injury? Berube replied CALGARY, Alberta _ In recent trips to this city near the Canadian with the standard: “We’ll re-evaluate him tomorrow.” Rockies, the Blues have all but strangled the life out of Calgary with Calgary turned a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 lead in the second period. relentless checking and tight defensive play. Monahan’s second goal of the night gave the Flames _ who entered the That wasn’t the case Tuesday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Blues night a lowly 22nd in the NHL on the power play (18.5 percent) _ three were loose on defense, porous on the penalty kill and got caught up in power play goals on three attempts. what was as much track meet as hockey game. Definitely not their “We need to do better, we know that,” Pietrangelo said. “Simple as that. preferred style of play. Our routes were a bit off, clears weren’t great. As bad as it was in 5-on-4, But in a back-and-forth game that was both entertaining and frustrating we found a way 4-on-3 to help us win the game there. So we stepped from a Blues standpoint, St. Louis overcame deficits of 2-1 and 4-3, and that up at the end.” survived a penalty against David Perron during 3-on-3 overtime play. But not before Mark Jankowski’s goal midway through the second gave We should also mention that they had a go-ahead goal taken away in the Calgary a 4-3 lead and Zach Sanford’s sixth goal of the season for the third period on a successful offside challenge by Calgary. The Blues 51 seconds into the third period tied it at 4-all. perpetrator? Ryan O’Reilly, believe it or not. It looked like the Blues had taken a 5-4 lead when Perron scored 3 ½ They also played the entire third period and extra time without alternate minutes into the third, only to be negated by the offside challenge. captain Alexander Steen because of a lower-body injury. “It was very close,” O’Reilly said. “But that’s a mental error by me. . . .It’s When all was said and done, they pulled out a 5-4 shootout win on a little embarrassing. I feel bad for ‘DP’ (Perron) because obviously it was O’Reilly’s shot past Flames goalie Cam Talbot. a great shot. But I’m better than that. I know for sure that was a dumb play that cost us the regulation win.” “I just kinda wanted to open him up,” O’Reilly said. “I feel previously in shootouts I’m kind of rushing it a little bit too much and not really trying to They had to settle for two points the really hard way, via the shootout fake and sell the shot. I really tried to come in with a good amount of victory. But not before they escaped that 4-on-3 power play by the speed, sell the shot and try to open him up and find something 5-hole. Flames when Perron was called for holding St. Louisan Matthew Tkachuk with 2:04 left in OT. “It’s about time I scored in a shootout.” To say Perron was unhappy with the call would be understatement. O’Reilly, who had two shootout winners late last season, had missed all three shootout attempts this season. As a team, the Blues were a “I don’t know what to say. It’s a battle that’s one-on-one,” Perron said. meager 1-for-12 on shootouts this season in shootout losses to “Yeah. I’ll just stop cause I’m gonna put myself in trouble.” Vancouver, Arizona and Nashville. When the Blues needed it most, they were able to kill off a penalty and But Perron, who scored once in regulation and had another taken away send the game to a shootout. on the offside challenge, scored on the first shootout attempt for the “Great job by the (PK) guys,” Perron said. “We’ve come to expect that. Blues. It’s happened a few times already _ 4-on-3, 5-on-3s. We got guys that “I kind of had a feeling I had to shoot that one, the way the ice was for have a lot of experience that go out there and take care of business and me,” Perron. “I didn’t feel comfortable making too much of a move and it it was great to see.” went in.”

And that was that. Perron and O’Reilly for the Blues’ first shootout win in St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.29.2020 four tries this season. Sean Monahan, who scored twice in regulation, and St. Louisan Mathew Tkachuk, who scored once, both missed their shootout attempts against Jordan Binnington. (Monahan hit the post.)

So the Blues ended a three-game winless streak (0-2-1) and a five-game road winless streak (0-4-1) by sweeping the three-game season series with the Flames. They are 31-12-8, good for 70 points, remaining atop the Central Division and the Western Conference.

But from the comments and body language of coach Craig Berube postgame, you would have thought the Blues had lost again. He was not happy _ period _ with the Blues’ play Tuesday.

“There’s not much to say. It was a bad hockey game,” Berube said. “We came out with two points though, that’s all that matters. What did you guys (reporters) think?”

Well, you got two points.

“Exactly. That’s about it,” Berube said. “That’s not the way we play. Good third period. (But) just way too loose and a lot of things that just weren’t right.”

The Blues got caught up in Calgary’s free-wheeling style and almost got burnt several times by the Flames.

“Yeah, we just kind of played into it,” Alex Pietrangelo said. “Especially that second period _ with the way that they want to play.

“We know what we didn’t do. We know what we have to do to in order to be successful.” 1173102 St Louis Blues with 9:22 to go in the period. Tkachuk had gone 10 games without a goal and got his 16th of the season.

Ten seconds into another power play -- this time when Ryan O'Reillly Blues snap losing streak with 5-4 shootout win over Flames went off for holding -- Monahan scored from the slot to make it 2-1.

The Blues weren't gone. Perron scored when he redirected a pass from Sanford under goalie David Rittich's pads And then 46 seconds later, Tom Timmermann Jaden Schwartz redirected in a pass from Brayden Schenn. Perron has 22 goals this season, Schwartz has 17.

The Blues are playing without forward Oskar Sundqvist, who suffered a Jordan Binnington picked up where he left off at the All-Star Skills lower body injury in the Vancouver game. Sammy Blais, just off the competition, stopping both shots he faced in a shootout while Ryan injured reserve list, is making his return to the lineup. Blais, playing on O'Reilly and David Perron scored in the shootout to give the Blues a 5-4 the fourth line, had no shot attempts in the game but four hits. win over the Flames in Calgary.

Binnington won the shootout competition at the skills competition, and he put that to good use, stopping Sean Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk, St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.29.2020 who he had faced in the Friday event. The Blues came into the game 0-3 on shootouts this season, having scored on only 1 of 11 shots while Calgary was 5-0.

The Blues had lost three in a row overall and were 0-4-1 in their past five road games.

"Not much to say, bad hockey game," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "Two points, all that matters. ... That's not the way we play. Good third period. ... We were way too loose. There were a lot of things that just weren't right. You're not going to have your best all the time."

“I don’t think we played defensively the way we wanted," captain Alex Pietrangelo said, "but I say it about our group all the time, we find a way to win.”

“I’m happy we found a way to win the game," Perron said. "It doesn’t matter (how).”

After two late goals in the first put the Blues ahead, the scoring swung back the other way in the second period as two goals put the Flames up 4-3 on the Blues after two periods.

Special teams were the order of the day. Calgary got three of its goals on the power play and the Blues got one. Monahan got his second goal of the game, again on a power play, to tie the game and a goal by Mark Jankowski with 10:13 to go in the period put the Flames back on top.

The Blues tied the game just 51 seconds into the third period on a goal by Zach Sanford, his second in as many nights. He had the puck on a two-on-one, kept it and shot and scored. The goal came right after Calgary had put a puck off the post at the other end that would have given them a two-goal lead.

It looked a short while later like Perron had scored to put the Blues ahead, but Calgary challenged and the replay confirmed that O'Reilly was in the zone before the puck and the goal was wiped out on offside.

The game went to overtime, where a late penalty on Perron forced the Blues to kill a Calgary power play, which they were able to do for the first time to send the game to a shootout. Binnington saved four shots in overtime.

The Flames had a bunch of odd-man rushes in the second, forcing Jordan Binnington into extra work. For the first time in his career, Binnington has given up four goals in three consecutive games.

The Blues came out on top of a topsy-turvy first period, scoring three times to take a 3-2 lead over the Flames.

The Flames took a 2-1 lead on two power-play goals before the Blues scored twice in 46 seconds in the final two minutes of the period to take the lead.

Alexander Steen got his fifth goal of the season, all since Jan. 9, on a precision pass by Robert Thomas that Steen, driving to the net, quickly shot in. The goal came 5:45 into the game.

Steen left the game in the third period with a lower-body injury and did not finish the game. Berube said he wold be evaluated on Wednesday, though with the Blues likely having a day off, an update may not come until Thursday.

A goal by Tkachuk on a power play got the Flames even. Sanford was in the box after somehow flicking the puck into the stands from basically right next to it. Forty-eight seconds into the power play, Tkachuk got bad wood on the puck but his offspeed blooper crossed up Jordan Binnington 1173103 St Louis Blues It extended their home winning streak to nine games, dating back to Dec. 19, and the longest active streak in the league.

“They've got a good team, particularly in this building,” said Allen, who 'Pretty good game' not good enough for Blues on the road stopped 23 of 25 shots. “Our game built as the game went on. We possessed the puck well. We spent a lot of time in their zone. We had some chances. But it definitely wasn’t our sharpest-executed game.”

Jim Thomas Both of Miller’s goals came in the second period — the first on a coverage breakdown when he was left alone in the slot and beat Allen

with a quick spin-and-shoot move. VANCOUVER, B.C. — Sometimes it’s not that complicated. Backup “Honestly, I didn’t even see the release on the first goal,” Allen said. Thatcher Demko was superb in goal for Vancouver. J.T. Miller made the Blues pay — twice — for mistakes. Not colossal mistakes, but mistakes Miller’s second goal, and 19th of the season, came on an odd-man rush nonetheless. sparked when Miller blocked a Justin Faulk shot from near the blue line.

The Blues expended a lot of effort, sent tons of rubber at the Canucks “I was (upset), I should have had the second goal,” Allen said. “It was a net, and didn’t play poorly by any stretch of the imagination. Just wasn’t bad goal. That should be a save.” their night. It came backside, after Allen had to creep out a little on Jake Virtanen The Blues came out of their bye/all-star break a year ago with 10 straight who was wide open in the slot. victories en route to a franchise-record 11-game winning streak. That won’t happen this year, not after a 3-1 loss Monday to Vancouver before “Usually I just hold my feet and I can get across there, stay deep,” Allen 18,871 at Rogers Arena. said. “I actually got a piece of it. I think he missed the shot a little bit and that’s why it went in. I expect a lot out of myself so I expected that save.” “We played a pretty good game,” coach Craig Berube said. “We were aggressive. We were strong. We had the puck most of the game. I don’t As to the mistake on this play, Berube said: “That (Faulk) shot’s got to know. Sometimes it goes that way.” get through. But on the other side of things, someone’s gotta back up our ‘D’ that’s engaged around the net. We didn’t, and they ended up The Blues outshot the Canucks 37-26, and the possession time was capitalizing on a partial 3-on-2.” even more lopsided than that. Throw in 23 blocked shots by Vancouver, and 14 more Blues shots that missed the net, and St. Louis had 74 total The Miller goals wiped out a 1-0 first period lead for St. Louis on Zach shot attempts. Sanford’s fifth goal of the season, set up by David Perron after a Quinn Hughes turnover. So this marked the first time all season the Blues lost in That’s high volume — the second-highest number of overall attempts and regulation after scoring the game’s first goal. They had been 21-0-6 in as well as the second-most shots blocked by the opposition this season. such games — the last team in the league without a regulation loss after Totals exceeded only by the 75 total attempts and 26 shots blocked, both scoring first. against Dallas in a 3-1 Blues road win on Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, they’re winless (0-4-1) in their last five road games — their longest road drought of the season. And are winless (0-2-1) in their last “Obviously, we had lots of chances tonight,” Brayden Schenn said. three games, period. “(Robert) Thomas had one there at the end. I had lots of chances. We had plenty of chances. At the end of the day, their goalie played good “So gotta get back to winning hockey games, and getting our ground tonight, made some saves.” back (atop the Western Conference) that we built so far throughout the season,” Schenn said. Speaking of those chances, none was better than Jaden Schwartz’s backside tap-in attempt with 6 ½ minutes to play off a net-front pass from They can start on that Tuesday night in Calgary. Schenn.

“Sunny (Oskar Sundqvist) made a good play over to me, had some St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.29.2020 speed — kind of a mini 2-on-1,” Schenn said. “Schwartzy obviously would love to have that one back. He scores those nine times out of 10.”

The shot appeared to reach the goal line, but not cross it, before it disappeared under Demko.

Less than three minutes later, a strange sequence occurred when Schenn was penalized for high-sticking. First off, the officiating crew headed by referees Chris Schlenker and Ian Walsh sent off the wrong Blue.

“No, it wasn’t me,” Schenn said. “It was Schwartz. . . .They didn’t know who it was. They thought it was me, so I went with it. And at the end of the day it didn’t matter.”

In terms of the penalty kill, which was successful for the Blues, it didn’t matter because neither Schenn nor Schwartz play on the PK. But it appeared as if Schwartz’s stick never struck Elias Pettersson, who may have gotten away with embellishment.

“It killed some clock but other than that it wasn’t a big outcome in the game,” Schenn said, adding that he didn’t see a replay.

“I gotta look at it again to be honest with you,” Berube said. “I didn’t really look at it at the time that closely. Just was thinking about killing it and what we were gonna do after with the goalie out.”

The end result of pulling Jake Allen, who got the start Monday, was an empty net goal by Bo Horvat with one second left. Otherwise, it would’ve been another one-goal finish — the last three games between these teams have been decided by overtime or shootout.

In a battle of division leaders, the Blues of the Central fell to 30-12-8, staying at 68 points. The Pacific-leading Canucks improved to 28-18-4 for at 60 points, looking very much like and up-and-coming team. 1173104 St Louis Blues • With Colton Paryako returning to the lineup after missing seven games because of an upper-body injury, it was back to the bench for fellow defenseman Carl Gunnarsson. In part because of an arm injury, Gunnarsson has played only one game since Dec. 12. Parayko was Blues notebook: Brouwer's options at age 34 — play in minors or retire removed from IR on Monday.

• Forward Mackenzie MacEachern was a injury scratch against the Canucks. He suffered a lower-body injury Jan. 18 against Colorado, the Jim Thomas Blues’ last game before the break, and isn’t healthy enough yet to play.

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Veteran forward Troy Brouwer, who spent the St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.29.2020 past two months on the Blues’ roster before being waived Sunday, cleared waivers Monday and has been assigned to the team’s American Hockey League affiliate in San Antonio.

Brouwer now must decide, at age 34, if he wants to play for San Antonio or retire.

“I talked to Troy today,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said Monday. “I told him that I would give him this week to consider his options, and when he and I got back into town we would have a conversation. But he’s officially assigned to the American Hockey League today.”

When the Blues signed Brouwer on Nov. 20, they were minus forwards Vladimir Tarasenko, Sammy Blais and Alexander Steen because of injuries. A week later, Oskar Sundqvist went down with an ankle injury that cost him six games, and Zach Sanford missed a couple games in the second week of December while in the concussion protocol.

“Obviously, our health improved,” Armstrong said. “Blais is very close to playing. . . . I didn’t feel it was fair to bring Troy out here and then do this on the road, knowing that we had extra players now.”

Brouwer appeared in 10 games for the Blues, scoring one goal. But he was a healthy scratch in 15 of the Blues’ 16 games leading into the bye/All-Star break, including the last 13 games in a row.

“Everybody gets back and you have a lot of guys on the roster,” coach Craig Berube said. “That’s tough. You feel for him. Great veteran guy. We really enjoyed him, and we’ll see what happens. He was a great presence in the locker room and still knows how to play the game.”

No Blais

After missing 10 weeks following wrist surgery, Blais is on the cusp of returning to action. But after giving some thought to a return against the Canucks on Monday night, he was held out of the lineup.

“Not quite ready,” Berube said. “He’s gotta just make the decision — both of us. I just want to make sure he’s 100 percent ready. I don’t want to get him in there if he’s not quite sure.”

Faceoff showdown

In Ryan O’Reilly of the Blues and Bo Horvat of the Canucks, Monday’s contest featured two of the best faceoff men in the NHL. In fact, in terms of total faceoffs won, it was a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup.

Coming out of the break, O’Reilly was first in the NHL in faceoff wins (612), while Horvat was second (599).

“He’s so strong,” O’Reilly said of Horvat. “He’s just bears down so hard on every draw. There’s never an easy draw against him. You can see obviously why he’s the best because he has power and is strong.”

‘That’s St. Louis’

Ivan Barbashev was impressed, but not really surprised to hear that the waiting time to see the Stanley Cup was more than five hours at times during the Fan Fair at Union Station during the NHL All-Star weekend.

“Well, that’s St. Louis,” Barbashev said. “That’s the fans, they’ve been great. It’s been great to play in front of them. For them to see the Stanley Cup once again, it’s big. Because from what we did last year, it’s been amazing. I guess everybody just wants to see it one more time. So that’s a good thing.”

Blue notes

• Steen played in his 744th game Monday, tying him for third on the Blues’ career list with Brett Hull. Steen is scheduled to play his 1,000th game overall in the NHL on Saturday, in Winnipeg. 1173105 St Louis Blues

Preview: Blues at Calgary

Jim Thomas

BLUES VS. FLAMES

When, where: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary.

TV, radio: FSM, WXOS (101.1 FM).

About the Flames: Of the 16 NHL teams currently in playoff position, Calgary is the only one that’s on the negative side of goal differential. The Flames are minus-12, having scored 135 times but with 147 goals allowed. Offense continues to be an issue, a surprising development considering the firepower on the roster. The Flames are 25th in scoring at 2.60 goals per game.

St. Louisan and NHL All-Star Matthew Tkachuk shares the Flames' scoring lead with Johnny Gaudreau — with 38 points. In comparison, the Blues have five players with 40 points or more. Elias Lindholm leads Calgary with 20 goals.

The Flames (26-19-5) have won six of their last eight, but lost their last game before the bye/All-Star break — 5-2 at Ottawa on Jan. 18. Calgary has struggled coming out of the break the past couple of years, including losing five of its first six last season.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173106 St Louis Blues St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.29.2020

Blues run into a hot goalie and fall to Canucks 3-1

Tom Timmermann

Jan 27, 2020

Despite a fairly dominant effort that saw them have the puck for extremely long times in the Canucks zone and outshoot their opponent 37-24, the Blues ran into red-hot goalie Thatcher Demko, who made a collection of game-saving saves as the Blues dropped their third in a row, falling to the Canucks 3-1 on Monday night in Vancouver.

It was a 2-1 game until the Canucks scored an empty-netter with less than a second to play.

It was the first this season the Blues had lost in regulation after scoring the first goal of the game. They were the last team in the league to be undefeated in that category.

A three-game losing streak has been fairly standard for the Blues this season. They've lost nine games in the past two months, all of them now in three sets of three. The Blues play in Calgary on Tuesday.

The Blues had plenty of chances as they turned the pressure on high in the third period. Demko made a great save to stop Jaden Schwartz on the doorstep in the latter half of the period. For the game, the Blues had 74 shot attempts, to 50 for the Canucks. The Blues went 0 for 3 on the power play, snapping a run of five straight games with a power-play goal.

Two goals by J.T. Miller in the second period turned the game around as the Canucks opened up a 2-1 lead on the Blues after two periods. Bo Horvat scored into an empty net.

The Blues, resuming play after their bye week and the All-Star break, had taken a 1-0 lead in the first on a goal by Zach Sanford.

Miller evened the game for Vancouver 2:16 into the second, snapping a shot just over Jake Allen's pad and just inside the post. He got his second with 8:48 to go in the period when, after some extended zone time for the Blues and some good chances, Justin Faulk had a shot blocked that sprung the Canucks on a three-on-one break, that ended with Jake Virtanen feeding the open Miller on the right wing.

The Blues got a scare in the second period when All-Star defenseman Alex Pietrangelo had a puck hit him in the left wrist that left him pain as he left the ice.

A shot by Vancouver's Oscar Fantenberg was deflected upward and caught Pietrangelo in the wrist or hand. He stayed on the ice until the puck was cleared out of the zone, and then went to the bench in obvious pain and immediately in the tunnel to the dressing room, dropping to his knees once he got a few feet down the tunnel.

But he wasn't gone long and within minutes was back on the ice.

The Blues outshot Vancouver 16-8 in the second period. The Blues had a late power play that will carry over 23 seconds into the third period.

Sanford, who went to Boston College with Demko, scored on a delayed penalty 3:06 into the game to put the Blues up 1-0. The goal happened before the Blues could get an extra skater on the ice, but it set up the goal anyway since Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes got his stick stuck under David Perron's arm and lost it. Perron took the puck behind the net and passed to an open Sanford in front for a tap in. It was the fifth goal for Sanford -- who has five points in his past five games -- and 29th assist for Perron. Perron has had more assists only twice in his career. He had 35 in his second season in the league and he had 50 two seasons ago with Vegas.

The Blues also had a power play but had only one shot on goal in the two minutes.

Colton Parayko is back in the lineup after missing seven games to injury. Jordan Kyrou is back in the lineup and Mackenzie MacEachern is out because of a lower-body injury suffered in the Blues' final game before the break.

Jake Allen is in goal for the Blues. 1173107 St Louis Blues Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 01.29.2020

Miller leads Canucks past Blues 3-1 for 9th straight at home

Staff Report

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JANUARY 28, 2020 01:37 AM

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

J.T. Miller scored twice in the second period to help the Vancouver Canucks rally from an early deficit to beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 Monday night.

Bo Horvat also scored as the Canucks won their ninth straight at home, and 12 in the last 15 overall. Jake Virtanen and Chris Tanev each had two assists.

Thatcher Demko, making his second straight start, and fourth in the last 20 games, stopped 36 shots. He credited his teammates for the 23 shots they blocked.

“The amount of blocks we had were pretty crazy,” he said. “Those are man blocks. Guys are winding up with slap shots and one-timers and guys are going down.

“Huge kudos to those guys.”

Miller has 48 points (19 goals, 29 assists) in 50 games this season, topping the 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists) he had in 75 games with Tampa Bay last year.

Zach Sanford scored for the Blues, who have lost three straight (0-2-1). Jake Allen made 22 saves.

The Canucks remained first in the Pacific Division with 60 points, three more than Edmonton, Calgary, Arizona and Vegas.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Blues lead the Western Conference with 68 points.

With the Blues pushing for the tying goal in the third, Demko made a huge left pad save on Jaden Schwartz.

“I saw the play was kind of developing,” Demko said. “I threw my left leg over. I got a piece of it. I wasn’t sure how much I got of it.”

He later blocked Sanford on the short side.

“Everyone had chances, everyone was cycling, everyone put up a solid effort,” the Blues’ Brayden Schenn said. “We had plenty of chances and at the end of the day their goalie played good and made some saves.”

Ten of Vancouver’s blocked shots came in the third period.

“Everybody was throwing their bodies in front of pucks,” Horvat said. “There were so many guys sacrificing third bodies and that’s what we need going forward.”

Miller’s first goal tied the score 1-1 at 2:16 of the second. Virtanen won a puck battle along the boards, then passed to Tanev, who fed an open Miller in the slot for a low, hard shot.

Vancouver went ahead 2-1 at 11:12 on a 3-on-1 break. Elias Pettersson carried the puck into the St. Louis zone, passed it to Virtanen, who then sent it to Miller for a shot from the faceoff circle.

“I actually thought on the second one my stick was broken,” Miller said. “I didn’t want to push too hard and I actually fanned on it. I got a little lucky.”

The Blues took advantage of a turnover to open the scoring at 3:06 of the first after rookie defenseman Quinn Hughes coughed up the puck in his own zone. David Perron took it, swooped behind the net, then passed to Sanford who scored his fifth of the season.

Vancouver had a couple of good chances to tie it. Horvat forced a turnover, then had a breakaway but was stopped by Allen. Virtanen had the crowd buzzing after ringing a shot off the post. 1173108 St Louis Blues With that established, let’s take a look at who fits that description and could be available for the Blues at the trade deadline. We’ll focus on wingers, though the team has many versatile centers who could make adding another one a possibility. We’ll also zero in on unrestricted free Which top-six forwards could the Blues be targeting in a trade? Here are agents because salary-cap space will be at a premium next season, and 10 who might be on their list if the Blues wish to re-sign pending UFA Alex Pietrangelo, they won’t be able to take on any term unless they’re moving term.

With Scott Wheeler’s 2020 prospect pool in hand, in case there are any By Jeremy Rutherford of those players the Blues might have to include in a deal, here’s our list Jan 28, 2020 of 10 possible trade targets, in no particular order …

Chris Kreider, New York Rangers

A week ago, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong appeared on The Age: 28 Athletic’s “Two-Man Advantage” podcast, hosted by Pierre LeBrun and Position: Left wing Scott Burnside, and confirmed what many suspected: that his club could be in the market for a top-six forward. 2019-20 statistics: 17 goals, 32 points, 48 games

The key words are could be. Contract status: Final year of contract ($4.6 million cap hit), pending UFA

That’s due to the fact that the Blues aren’t sure when Vladimir Tarasenko How he could help: Kreider is not a star, but he’s a multitool player with will be healthy enough to return after having shoulder surgery on Oct. 29. size (6-foot-3, 217 pounds) and playoff experience (23 goals, 37 points, The club said he’d be reevaluated in five months, which will be late 77 games). He would fit perfectly on the left side of the Blues’ line with March, leaving about a week left in the regular season. But Armstrong O’Reilly and Perron. reiterated on the podcast that’s an estimated timetable. What it would cost: It’s not a guarantee he’ll be traded, but if the Rangers “We hope to have Vladi back as soon as possible,” he said. “It would be deal him, they’ll likely want a first-round pick or a package of conditional great if he was ready by the middle of March to give him a couple of picks who could turn into a first. They’re also in need of young forwards weeks to get ready for the playoffs. But there’s a chance he might not be who are close to being NHL-ready. back until the middle of May. He has an injury that’s obviously month by month. We’re going to need to sit down with Vladi, our trainer and our Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings doctor probably Feb. 15 and really hone in on where he’s at in his rehab Age: 27 and how it’s going to look.” Position: Right wing That date, Feb. 15, is key because nine days later, Feb. 24, is the NHL trade deadline. The Blues will need to know Tarasenko’s timeline to 2019-20 statistics: 12 goals, 27 points, 49 games properly prepare depth-chart-wise and salary-cap-wise for the deadline. He has resumed skating, and if he’s ready to return on time, he’ll Contract status: Final year of contract ($4.6 million cap hit), pending UFA automatically be inserted into the top line with Jaden Schwartz and How he could help: Toffoli won a Stanley Cup with L.A. in 2014, and Brayden Schenn. while the Kings are a shell of that team these days, he’s playing right “We’re a better team with Vladi in there,” Armstrong said. “We’re not wing on their top line with Anze Kopitar. He could be a good fit with going to trade for a player that can have the impact that Vladi can have Schwartz and Schenn. for us, so if that’s the case, we’ll get him up on our team as quick as What it would cost: Toffoli isn’t expected to garner a first-round pick but possible.” possibly a second-rounder and a prospect. The problem is the Blues’ But if, if Tarasenko won’t be ready for the playoffs, NHL rules allow the second-rounder could be too late for L.A.’s liking, so it might take a better Blues to go over the cap as much as the pro-rated portion left on his $7.5 prospect. The Kings are looking for forwards in the age range of 22-26, million contract and not have to shed that salary because there’s no cap where they have a hole. in the postseason. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ottawa Senators

It happened in 2014-15 when Chicago’s Patrick Kane fractured his Age: 27 collarbone on Feb. 24 and missed 12 weeks after undergoing surgery but returned at the start of the playoffs. Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman used Position: Center Kane’s salary to add Antoine Vermette, Kimmo Timonen and Andrew Desjardins, who along with Kane helped the Hawks win the Stanley Cup. 2019-20 statistics: 20 goals, 31 points, 48 games

“It’s not an injury where you’re fudging with it,” Armstrong said. “Like, we Contract status: Final year of contract ($3.1 million cap hit), pending UFA didn’t have this master plan, ‘Let’s have Vladi sit out for (72) games.’ But How he could help: Pageau might be re-signed by Ottawa before the the cap, under the way it’s structured now, it goes unlimited in the deadline, and admittedly, this doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Blues playoffs. The rules are the rules, and like the Blackhawks were able to unless they consider moving Schenn to the wing. But Pageau has 2o take advantage of them, you do that also.” goals on a bottom-feeding Senators roster, and he’s got playoff If the Blues do expect Tarasenko back before the postseason, then a experience (34 games). team near the salary-cap ceiling won’t be able to add. So their plans What it would cost: The center position is projected to be thin at the hinge on the health of Tarasenko and, to a lesser extent, Sammy Blais, deadline, so the Senators might have enough leverage to ask for a first- who returned to the lineup Tuesday in Calgary after missing 28 games round pick and a prospect. The Blues do have their first-rounder in 2020 with a wrist injury that required surgery. The club won’t be adding depth, and six selections in the first five rounds, but this doesn’t seem like a according to Armstrong, in exchange for draft picks. situation in which they would spend those.

“If there’s a player out there that can fit into our top echelon, we can take Josh Anderson, Columbus Blue Jackets a look at that because, quite honestly, Vladi, we’re not sure where he’s going to be,” he said. “But other than that … we’re comfortable with this Age: 25 group. So anything that we do, I think will be to add a certain player, and again, it’s probably just because Tarasenko, we’re unsure when he’ll be Position: Right wing able to play again. 2019-20 statistics: 1 goal, 4 points, 26 games

“(Blues coach Craig Berube) likes to work in pairs like most coaches, and Contract status: Final year of contract ($1.9 cap hit), pending RFA his pairs are Schwartz and Schenn or (David) Perron and (Ryan) O’Reilly, and they’ve been fluctuating wings on both of those. So maybe How he could help: Anderson has size (6-3, 222), he’s powerful and he if we can find a player that plays on one of those sides … but Blais is had 27 goals and 47 points at age 24 last season. He’s missed a lot of going to go in there, and Tarasenko goes in there when healthy.” games this year and went on injured reserve with a shoulder injury on and had 30 goals and 54 points in 76 games last season, so there’s Jan. 19, but he’s expected back in early February. talent there.

What it would cost: Columbus needs help at center with Boone Jenner What it would cost: Athanasiou will be an RFA next season, so the club currently No. 2 on the depth chart. But with the Blues Jackets still in the controls his rights, but he’ll be one of eight RFAs, and the team might not playoff picture and Anderson an RFA after the season, they’d be selling want to bring them all back. The rebuilding Red Wings have five draft low on him, so this seems like a long shot. picks in the first three rounds, but Athanasiou might still fetch a first- rounder. If not, the team will want a good, young defensive prospect. Taylor Hall, Arizona Coyotes Vladislav Namestnikov, Ottawa Senators Age: 28 Age: 27 Position: Left wing Position: Left wing, center, right wing 2019-20 statistics: 13 goals, 40 points, 46 games 2019-20 statistics: 11 goals, 22 points, 46 games Contract status: Final year of contract ($6 million cap hit), pending UFA Contract status: Final year of contract ($4 million cap hit), pending UFA How he could help: The Blues had interest in Hall for obvious reasons earlier this season before New Jersey moved him to Arizona for a first- How he could help: As we get to the bottom of the list, the players are round pick, a conditional third-round pick and a package of prospects. He admittedly less attractive and perhaps aren’t even what Armstrong would would have given the Blues skill and game-breaking speed in December, be looking for in terms of a top-six fill-in. But Namestnikov is a solid two- and he’d give them that now, too. way player, like Berube covets, and he’s solid on the PK with three short- handed goals. What it would cost: The Coyotes are currently tied for third in the Pacific Division (57 points), and it would be difficult to see them fall out of the What it would cost: The Senators are expected to move most of their race in their final 14 games before the deadline. If they’re in striking UFAs, including Tyler Ennis, who could also be an option. Considering distance, Hall isn’t going anywhere. But you never know, and perhaps the Sens acquired Namestnikov and a fourth-round pick from the New the Blues could put together the best package the second time around. York Rangers, he could probably be had for a fourth-rounder. Again, Armstrong said he wasn’t going to trade picks for depth, but plans can Ilya Kovalchuk, Montreal Canadiens change.

Age: 36 Erik Haula

Position: Left wing, right wing Age: 28

2019-20 statistics: 7 goals, 17 points, 26 games Position: Left wing, center

Contract status: Final year of contract ($700,000), pending UFA 2019-20 statistics: 11 goals, 19 points, 30 games

How he could help: A month ago, the answer would have been “not Contract status: Final year of contract ($2.7 million), pending UFA much,” as the last half of Kovalchuk’s three-year, $18.7 million contract with L.A. was terminated by the team. But since signing with Montreal, he How he could help: Haula has produced some points, but with Carolina has four goals and eight points in nine games while averaging 19:47 of being his third team in four seasons, there are questions about his ice time per game. If he can still play, and it looks like he can, his character. He certainly wouldn’t be one of the Blues’ first choices; experience would be attractive. however, depending on Tarasenko’s status and the availability of the others, their options might be limited. What it would cost: Again, the answer is “not much.” The Canadiens are 10 points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and Kovalchuk What it would cost: Haula has been banged up this season and even sat likely won’t be back next season. If the Habs could get a third-round pick out as a healthy scratch. The Hurricanes are in the playoff picture, so for him, that would be a good asset return for signing the veteran whose they might not want to move him. But he doesn’t appear to be in their NHL career looked to be over. future plans, so perhaps a pick or low-level prospect would be enough.

Mikael Granlund, Nashville Predators

Age: 27 The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020

Position: Right wing

2019-20 statistics: 9 goals, 17 points, 42 games

Contract status: Final year of contract ($5.7 million cap hit), pending UFA

How he could help: Granlund might not be the answer, but he has 339 career points in 519 career games, so the idea is nothing to sneeze at. He’s playing on Nashville’s second line with Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene.

What it would cost: The former Minnesota Wild forward hasn’t been a good fit with the Predators after coming over for Kevin Fiala. He has 22 points in 58 games with the Preds, but with the Wild six points out of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference (and slipping), they could be ready to unload his big cap hit for a second- or third-round pick.

Andreas Athanasiou, Detroit Red Wings

Age: 25

Position: Left wing, right wing

2019-20 statistics: 5 goals, 19 points, 36 games

Contract status: Final year of contract ($3 million), pending RFA

How he could help: Detroit has had a very difficult season, and the number of many players are down. Athanasiou is currently out of the lineup with a lower-body injury. But the bottom line is he is 25 years old 1173109 Tampa Bay Lightning

Was the Lightning’s loss to Dallas rust or regression?

By Diana C. Nearhos

Published Yesterday

DALLAS — The post-game comments sounded familiar. Jon Cooper called Monday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Dallas a winnable game. He said the players’ brains weren’t in it.

A month ago, he called another overtime loss to Dallas winnable. In a shootout win over Los Angeles two weeks ago, he said the Lightning were playing against the Kings and themselves.

This Texas-California redemption road trip didn’t start off well.

The Lightning played their worst game of the past month Monday. They turned the puck over repeatedly, including on both of Jamie Benn’s goals, and gave up odd-man or one-on-one rushes, like Denis Gurianov’s goal.

Those are issues they had cleaned up while winning 12 of 14 games before the recent nine-day All-Star break.

“It was all on us,” Cooper said. “We were our own worst enemy. They have a good team out there, don’t get me wrong. Good teams are going to make you pay. It’s a good league and if you give team’s chances like that, eventually they are going to burn you.”

That’s what happened to the Lightning back in November and the beginning of December. Their mistakes turned into goals all too often.

There’s something to coming out of an extended rest, but an elite team should be able to shake that off. Dallas had a rough first period, then settled in.

“You can use it as an excuse, that you haven’t played for a while,” Lightning forward Brayden Point said. “It’s for sure in your mind, but as the game goes on, I still feel we’re making mistakes. So, I don’t think it was a rust thing.”

If it’s not rust, that points to a bigger, recurring problem. On Oct. 5, Cooper referred to “fixable mistakes” in a loss to Florida. On Dec. 19, the Lightning “deserved a better fate” in the overtime loss to Dallas. They lost a “winnable game” to Dallas on Monday.

Does one loss mean the team is regressing? The Lightning do need to guard against complacency.

Some of Monday’s turnovers came off high-risk plays. The Lightning have said the focus is on eliminating those plays and the potential turnovers that can lead to.

Point owned up to exactly that on Benn’s overtime game winner. He tried to chip the puck to the middle of the ice, which could have created a two- on-one for the Lightning. Instead, Benn knocked the puck down and ended up with a two-on-one against the sprawling Point.

“We’re just maybe trying to make a little bit of high-risk plays,” he said “and we were playing smart before, and that’s why we were having success.”

“Now we just got to get our minds into it and play the right way,” Cooper said. “I’m confident they will. They’ve been doing it a long time this year. We get this one out of the way, now it’s back to the trenches against L.A..”

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173110 Toronto Maple Leafs “Expectations? I’m not sure what they were coming in. I just knew I could be used in different roles and was prepared for anything.”

Spezza contributes more than just ice time, Keefe said. Jason Spezza, despite inconsistent playing time, needs just one more “(It’s) the value of having someone like that on your bench, first of all, just goal to match his total (eight) in each of the last two seasons in Dallas. to speak to your team, have the confidence to be vocal and talk … And then he’s contributed for us as a player as well. We’ve had injuries and we’ve had to move him up and move them around the lineup and he’s By Kevin McGran Sports Reporter dealt with that. He’s helped us on the power play. He’s been a very serviceable player for us in many ways.” Tues., Jan. 28, 2020 There might not be a more likeable player in hockey than Spezza, in part

because he knows how to treat people. DALLAS—In some ways, Jason Spezza figures Wednesday night’s “It’s just important to treat people as people,” he said. “That’s always return to Dallas, where he spent five seasons before joining the Maple been something that I’ve been cognizant of. I can get into it with the ref Leafs, is going to be a lot easier than his initial return to Ottawa, where sometimes, but I think there’s a human element to it, too. I understand he spent his first 11. that, and those guys work extremely hard, they travel, they go through a “Going back to Ottawa the first time, there was a lot of uneasiness,” the grind. And I respect that. Usually those guys love the game. That’s why 36-year-old forward said. “I’d been there for a long time and was really they’re doing it. So you try to have a good relationship.” emotionally attached to the city and the team. So going back was different. Toronto Star LOADED: 01.29.2020 “This is more ... I’m looking forward to seeing people. I had a great time in Dallas.”

Spezza was the last of the Leafs to address the media after their practice on Tuesday. Always a good talker and reminiscer, Spezza wouldn’t reveal what his plans for the night before the game were other than catching up with some old “teammates and friends. Nothing special.”

But he has fond memories of his time with the Stars, mentioning forward Jamie Benn and GM Jim Nill as some of his favourite people.

“It’s really a cool sport city,” Spezza said. “I was a Cowboys fan before I went to Dallas and to be able to be around that Cowboys fever was kind of cool. The daily sports talk on the Cowboys, I indulged in quite a bit. So it was a fun place to play.”

His time in Dallas didn’t always go smoothly. Spezza started out as the team’s No. 1 centre and ended up on the fourth line. That’s a product of getting older, and of different coaching philosophies over the years.

“It was just where I’m at in my career,” he said. “When I got to Dallas, we were a team looking to make a step … (the Stars) hadn’t had any playoff success. They were trying to build a team to have a chance to win, and we did. We won the Western Conference in the regular season. We went to the second round (last spring) and we had probably two good looks at having a good chance to win.”

The Stars took the St. Louis Blues to double overtime in Game 7 of the second round before losing to the eventual Stanley Cup winners. Benn’s wraparound in the second overtime was denied, by inches, by Blues goalie Jordan Binnington. It’s a loss that still stings.

“As you get older, you realize there’s less and less chances to win, so they stick with you a little more,” said Spezza, whose Senators lost the Stanley Cup final in 2007 to Anaheim. “When you’re 25, you think that you’re gonna have a crack every yea. And when you’re 36, you realize that the chances become few and far between so, yeah, they sting a little more.”

Which brings us to Toronto, which he believes has a chance to win the Stanley Cup despite being outside of a playoff spot at the moment.

“We’re in a great spot,” Spezza said. “We’re in a position where we’ve played good hockey since Sheldon (Keefe) has come on to coach. We’ve had a bump in the road. I think it’s better to go through that now than it is to go through that in April.”

Spezza’s start in Toronto was rocky, with now fired coach Mike Babcock scratching him for the home opener. But he has his legs under him now and is a valued contributor who can play up or down the lineup, on the wing or at centre. He scored his seventh goal of the season in the Leafs’ 5-2 win over Nashville on Monday. He had eight in each of his last two seasons in Dallas.

“My game is in a really good place,” he said. “(Keefe) has done a good job of telling me what my role is. I’m just trying to execute that, and stay sharp within games. Sometimes I play more, sometimes I play less. It’s important to be versatile and help the team out that way. 1173111 Toronto Maple Leafs

Former Leafs goaltender Ed Belfour arrested on charges of criminal mischief and public intoxication

By Jacob Lorinc Staff Reporter

Tues., Jan. 28, 2020

Former Maple Leafs goaltender Ed Belfour was arrested and charged with criminal mischief and public intoxication in Kentucky on Tuesday, according a regional correctional facility.

The Hall of Famer, whose lengthy career earned him a Stanley Cup ring and an Olympic gold medal, was arrested at a hotel in Bowling Green, Kentucky, around 3 a.m. on Tuesday morning, according to the Warren County Regional Jail.

Police arrived at the hotel after receiving reports of a drunk and disorderly man who tried to fight a hotel employee and who struck a glass window.

Authorities told a local news outlet the man was found lying on the floor of the hotel’s spa room “clutching a curtain rod that had been ripped out of the drywall above a window next to him.”

Belfour, 54, is pictured grinning in a mug shot released by the correctional facility. He was released later that day.

This wasn’t Belfour’s first alcohol-related run-in. He was arrested on misdemeanour charges of resisting arrest and assault after an incident at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas in 2000. Belfour was playing with the Dallas Stars at the time.

Police found Belfour holding a hotel security guard in a headlock in that incident and, according to authorities, an officer used pepper spray on him when he refused to let go. Belfour reportedly offered police up to $1 billion later if they would let him go. He eventually received 24 months probation and was fined $3,000 (U.S.).

He was also arrested at a Miami bar in 2007 on charges of resisting an officer and disorderly intoxication. He was with the Florida Panthers at the time.

Belfour played for five teams during a 17-year NHL career, winning 484 games, fourth all-time, and two Vezina trophies as the league’s top goaltender. He won the Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999 and Olympic gold with Canada in 2002.

He spent three seasons with the Leafs, from 2002-03 to 2005-06, late in his career.

Toronto Star LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173112 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs winger Kasperi Kapanen practises Tuesday, should play Wednesday

By Kevin McGranSports Reporter

Tues., Jan. 28, 2020

DALLAS—It looks like winger Kasperi Kapanen has avoided that injury bug that has been plaguing the Maple Leafs.

Kapanen practised in full on Tuesday, a day after he left the game after the first period after hurting his elbow.

“It was my second shift and I tried to hit the guy (and missed). My elbow caught the (boards) or something,” said Kapanen. “Nothing severe. Just in that area that gets a little bruised up. It shut down my whole arm and I didn’t have any power. So we just called it after the first period, but we’re hopeful for (Wednesday).”

He said he felt OK Tuesday.

“I felt good in practice. I wasn’t trying to shoot too many pucks or shoot too hard.”

Injuries have hit the Leafs hard this year, especially wingers, with Zach Hyman, Mitch Marner, Andreas Johnsson, Trevor Moore and Ilya Mikheyev all missing significant time. But Kapanen won’t be among them.

“I’m optimistic both in watching him and talking to him that he seems like he’s recovered well,” Leafs coach said. “He’s got more mobility strength and got through practice with no issues.”

Toronto Star LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173113 Toronto Maple Leafs

Game Day: Maple Leafs at Stars

Lance Hornby

January 28, 2020 11:52 PM EST

THE BIG MATCH-UP

RW/C Jason Spezza vs. LW Jamie Benn

Two close friends — from Spezza’s Dallas days — might not see a lot of each other head-to-head in this game, but the veteran Leaf will have a good book on Benn for the others. Big Benn will give smaller Toronto defenders a lot to handle. Spezza’s goal in Nashville gets him close to 20 points in his new fourth-line role.

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

Rolling thunder

Both clubs had inspiring post-break starts with wins that underlined their strengths, Toronto’s on offence and in goal, Dallas with its size and overall defensive game plan that did the Leafs a huge favour in cooling off the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Stars have allowed the fewest goals in the league, 122 through 49 games, while the Leafs are on a run of at least four goals in seven straight road games, last accomplished early in the 1983-84 season.

Star power

The Leafs have had a good measure of success at AAC, with four wins the past five games, many of them with plenty of offence. They also have Jake Muzzin, Alexander Kerfoot and Tyson Barrie with a good amount of experience in here from Western Conference rivalries.

Fred in the red

This is not one of Frederik Andersen’s favourite teams to face, with a .894 save percentage. But his 34 stops on Monday in Nashville was a good sign for the Leafs’ final 32 games of the season. The soonest that backup Michael Hutchinson gets in again is the end of next week when the Leafs play three in four nights.

Bowness situation

For the second straight game, the Leafs play a club that like themselves, sacked its headmaster earlier in the season. Rick Bowness taking over from Jim Montgomery after non-professional conduct matters were raised. Bowness is no newcomer, having first coached against the Leafs more than 30 years ago with the original Winnipeg Jets and later, a few rounds in the Battle Of Ontario.

High five for Willy?

Toronto’s William Nylander will be going for a fifth straight game with at least a goal to extend his personal best streak.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173114 Toronto Maple Leafs with her best friend. It’s gone from ‘we really miss Dallas’ to ‘we’re happy we were there’. The first month of school they really miss their friends. Now they’ve made friends in Toronto. It’s shifted.”

Many happy returns with Spezza in Dallas WANNA BE A COWBOY

DALLAS — The Cowboys let coach Jason Garrett go, but Jason Spezza remains a loyal supporter of America’s Team. Lance Hornby “I’m a Cowboys fan before I went to Dallas and to be around that type of January 28, 2020 8:36 PM EST Cowboys fever was kind of cool,” Spezza said. “The daily sports talk on the Cowboys I indulged in quite a bit. It was a fun place to play.

“The Cowboys built a brand new practice facility a few years ago (near DALLAS — Playing hockey in Texas fit Jason Spezza as comfortably as the Stars’ training base) and it made the relationship significantly better. a 10-gallon cowboy hat. I’d go down and watch practice, go for a tour and they were really good That’s why he couldn’t wait to get on the plane from Nashville, warming to us.” up to play his former team with a goal on Monday and a renewed sense Many Cowboys were also guest of the Stars on game night at American of pride in his five years with the Stars before he prepares to ride into the Airlines Center. sunset with the Maple Leafs.

“I had a great time, with a lot of people I care about,” Spezza said ahead of Wednesday’s reunion. “It’s nice to get a couple of days there. I think Toronto Sun LOADED: 01.29.2020 going back to Ottawa the first time (the Senators were his first NHL home for 11 years) there was a lot more uneasiness. I’d been there a long time and was really emotionally attached to the city and the team.

“This time, I’m more looking forward to seeing the people. I had a great time in Dallas, I enjoyed the organization, enjoyed living there. The organization was really good. Jim Nill runs a great operation, the trainers were guys I got along with really well and Jamie Benn has become one of my best buddies.”

Spezza wanted to hoist a Stanley Cup at American Airlines Center, brought in as a top-six forward in 2015-16 to help get Dallas through the wild Western Conference in some of its most competitive days. His first- year impact was 33 goals and 13 playoff points in as many games, third in points behind Benn and Tyler Seguin.

“We were a team looking to make a step. They hadn’t had any playoff success and were trying to build a team that had a chance to win. And we did, won the conference in the regular season, went to the second round. We probably had two good looks at having a good chance to win.”

They were halted twice in a Game 7 by the St. Louis Blues, last year in double overtime as the Blues went on to their Cup parade.

“The first time we lost, they didn’t go on to win, but we felt we might have gone through,” Spezza said of the spring of 2016.

In the years Ottawa made the playoffs, Spezza made it to one Cup final in the loss to Anaheim.

“As you get older, you realize you have less and less chances to win. (Playoff elimination) sticks with you a little more. You’re 25, you think you’ll have a crack every year and when you’re 36 you realize the chances become few and far between. They sting a little more.”

Last summer, Spezza was no longer in high demand in Dallas or around the NHL. A huge Leafs fan as a kid in the GTA, with a massive list of friends and relatives, he found a willing taker in a Toronto club that was gathering many minimum wage depth players to function just under the salary cap. Spezza took the pay cut from seven to six figures to be the Leafs’ Everyman as opposed to an everyday player.

After some awkwardness with how former coach Mike Babcock deployed him, capped by an opening-night benching, Spezza and Sheldon Keefe are hitting it off and he’s playing more than expected. Spezza is part of the coach’s senior leadership group with , Jake Muzzin, Morgan Rielly and Frederik Andersen. When not at centre, he slides to right wing and is the second power-play unit’s centre.

“His voice and his experience is important for us,” Keefe said. “Obviously, Jake has a more prominent role in terms of responsibility of his role with the team, but I’ve talked many times that Spezza’s voice is important to us as well.”

The second-hardest part of pulling up stakes in Texas was taking his four daughters, ranging in ages from 3 1/2 to 9, away from their friends.

“My 7-year-old was pretty resilient, pretty tough. She was fine with the move. My oldest probably had the hardest time initially. Now after a few months in Toronto, Dallas is just good memories for her, not missing friends and stuff. We still try to let her help keep in touch with Face Time 1173115 Toronto Maple Leafs “You know as a fourth line when you lose a guy mid-game you’re going to get put with different combinations and play all three positions,” Spezza said. “You can be all over the map. You have to stay sharp.”

Raising the bar with Leafs defenceman Sandin LOOSE LEAFS

Defenceman Jake Muzzin was given the MVP basketball in Nashville. After a one-game stint with the Marlies, the veteran was getting teased Lance Hornby whether his name would be added to a Leaf logo on the ring of farm team grads at ice level at Coca-Cola Coliseum … Andersen liked how the January 28, 2020 7:06 PM EST Leafs recovered from a scrambled first period. “We weren’t forcing things too much, just trying to slow things down and not turn the puck over in crucial spots” … The Marlies’ Jeremy Bracco had two goals and four DALLAS — Count on Rasmus Sandin staying with the Maple Leafs assists for the Northern Division at the AHL all-star game in Ontario, Cal., awhile. on Monday night. It’s a 3-on-3 tournament similar to the NHL game, won by the Pacific Division. With his 10th game of the season in the books Monday, the Swedish defenceman activated the first year of his entry-level contract making it worth a club investment to have him around, if not in the lineup every night with 32 games remaining. Toronto Sun LOADED: 01.29.2020

If he keeps playing with the polish of a veteran as best demonstrated Monday in Nashville with his first NHL goal, plus an assist, it will make for a tough roster call once Morgan Rielly returns from a broken foot and pushes others down towards the third defence pairing.

For now, Sandin is on the team after his first attempt to stick in October saw him sent back to the Marlies. He did well and went to the world juniors to help Sweden reach the semifinals, being named the tournament’s top defenceman.

“I think I’m a more complete player, especially with confidence,” he said after the Nashville game. “Now I know all the guys up on the team, how the team works and the league. I’m working on small details in my game, on video and working in the gym.”

The superlatives about Sandin came fast after Monday’s game. The goal on Pekka Rinne was a nice shot, but his opening lob pass, calculated to find William Nylander at just the right moment, was the much better play.

“With Sandy, what jumps off the page for me is hockey sense,” centre Jason Spezza said. “His skills are good, but his hockey sense is his best quality. He sees the game well; if you’re open, he gets you the puck, if you’re not, he hangs on to it that extra second.

“That’s stuff you can’t teach a guy and, at that age, it shows great promise. Physically, he’ll get stronger and more confident.”

MILESTONE MEN

In addition to being the first Leaf born in the 2000s to score a goal, Sandin became one of the youngest defencemen in Leafs history to record a game winner. William Nylander scooped the puck for his young countryman, admitting he was more worried Sandin was going to decapitate him with the high drive. And Nylander said he actually didn’t know the significance of the goal until teammates at the bench shouted and pointed at the net for him to get the disc.

Monday’s milestone watch also saw Nylander reach a career-high 23 goals on Sandin’s pass. It was pointed out to Nylander that he’s now just three goals away from the ‘family record,’ father Michael’s 26 with the Rangers in 2006-07.

“Really?,” Nylander said. “I’ve got step on it here.”

NHL Stats says Auston Matthews’ empty-netter in Nashville made him the first Leaf to score 35 or more goals through his first 50 games of a season since 1993-94 when Dave Andreychuk had 39 in 50 and Wendel Clark 37 in 50. And Monday’s win finally gave Frederik Andersen 130 as a Leaf, putting him past Mike Palmateer for fifth in team history. Next up is Curtis Joseph at 138.

KAPANEN SURVIVES

There was relief in Dallas on Tuesday when winger Kasperi Kapanen was back practising.

He missed with a check in Monday’s first period and went hard into the glass, unable to continue with a sore arm. Spezza said Kapanen’s absence helped jolt the Leafs to the task at hand as he and fourth liners Trevor Moore and Frederik Gauthier saw their responsibilities increase. That added ice time after the break helped. 1173116 Toronto Maple Leafs “I remember his curve and everything is like crazy,” Nylander said. He’s not sure where the stick came from and thinks it might be stuffed in

a storage locker in one of the cities his dad Michael once played. ‘He couldn’t be a better locker room guy’: Why the Leafs love Jason Nylander remembers watching his father compete against Spezza. Spezza Now, the two of them are teammates.

He was thinking about retrieving the stick, wherever it was, to have By Jonas Siegel Spezza sign it.

Jan 28, 2020 It’s gear that unites Spezza with Matthews, one a former second overall pick in 2001, the other the top pick at the draft 15 years later. Matthews said they like to talk about “guys’ sticks and patterns.”

DALLAS — For a while, Jason Spezza was doing everything he could to “He’s a guy that pays quite a bit of attention to his gear,” Spezza said of get his teammates fired up for “Ford v Ferrari.” Matthews. “I noticed that right away about him and I appreciate it, because I think it just shows that he takes his game very seriously. He They finally saw the racing car flick together in Edmonton. might not always come across maybe that way to people, but I’ve really Auston Matthews said it was “unbelievable — we loved it.” grown to respect him for how serious he takes his game.”

Following a New Year’s Day practice in Winnipeg earlier this month, Spezza is known to be a hockey fanatic himself. Spezza was pushing the movie “Knives Out.” The plan to see it that It’s why he was willing to slide from star all the way to the fourth line just afternoon was scrapped when the afternoon showing was sold out. They to keep playing the game in this, his 17th NHL season. You can see it in took in the latest “Star Wars” movie instead. how long he hangs around practice after it’s done. How he sits at his stall “I’m not a big (film) buff,” said Spezza, “but I don’t get to watch movies at and talks shop with teammates. home because I’m busy, so when we get on the road I’m making sure He’s a good reminder for younger players like Kapanen, who sits a we’re going to the movies I want to see.” couple stalls from Spezza at the Leafs practice facility dressing room. He For two seasons, the Leafs grew fond of Patrick Marleau, the quiet, mild- brought up Spezza unprompted one day, raving about him. mannered veteran who came to the team from San Jose. He’s gone now. “I think just having a guy like Spezza on our team this year is huge for Replacing him has been Spezza, who joined the Leafs last summer to us,” the 23-year-old said, “because we have a lot of young guys and we wind down his NHL career and hopefully, chase a Stanley Cup. Spezza need some guidance.” is more outgoing, but like Marleau is also a professional, old-school type of player. A first round pick and son of an NHLer, Kapanen stressed that he was lucky to have this job playing hockey for a living, and Spezza’s presence And the Leafs love him, too. seemed to remind him of that — that it won’t last forever. “Playing with, hopefully, a fucking future Hall of Famer, it’s pretty special,” “He still loves the game more than anybody,” Kapanen said. “He knows Kasperi Kapanen said of Spezza. “We had Patty Marleau here a while it’s winding down for him. That’s what it’s all about.” ago and now we have Spezz, it’s awesome.” Zach Hyman sits next to Spezza in the Leafs dressing room at In addition to his role as movie guide and booster on road trips, Spezza . is also mentor, storyteller, fountain of wisdom, hockey encyclopedia and reminder that this hockey thing won’t last forever. What he’s looking for from Spezza is a little different.

Some of his teammates call him “Vintage,” while others use “Spezz,” the For one thing, Hyman likes to do his own thing at the movies. While most 36-year-old has also managed to make himself important on the ice. saw “Ford v Ferrari”, the film starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale, After blasting a shot past Pekka Rinne in Nashville on Monday night, he’s Hyman and teammate Mitch Marner opted to see the latest “Jumanji” up to seven goals and 19 points in 38 games — a 41-point pace over 82 movie. games — and he’s done it while grabbing the fewest minutes (about 11 per game) of his career. Hyman said that while the roles they play are similar, it’s a slightly different dynamic with Spezza than it was with Marleau, who’s back He’s notably outscored Corey Perry (13 points in 37 games), who playing for the Shark again this season. received more than double ($1.5 million) Spezza’s salary ($700,000) to replace him with the Stars last summer. Spezza plays his first game back Like Nylander, Marner, Matthews and Kapanen, Hyman was fresh in the in Dallas on Wednesday night. league when Marleau came aboard, which made for “more of the dad kind of thing, kind of taking care of the younger guys.” While his depth production has been important obviously, it feels like the other role he’s inherited has been just as crucial — maybe more so. It’s a Spezza feels more like a colleague, albeit one who’s overflowing with big part of why Kyle Dubas signed him on the first day of free agency last stories, intel, and accomplishments. Nylander said Spezza will often point July. Dubas wanted players to have another role model, someone who out subtleties about the game on the bench, instructions even. had played on teams with high expectations and had even gone all the “Hey, maybe think of this,” said Nylander, of how Spezza imparts his way to the Stanley Cup final. advice. And it’s evident that Spezza, after a bumpy start under Mike Babcock, “He’s got a lot of experience, so he’s got a lot of tips and tricks because has been just what the Leafs general manager hoped he would be. he’s been around for so long,” Hyman said. “He’s seen the game change. Players, especially the young ones, seem to gravitate to him. They follow He’s played in different eras. I think he’s been in two lockouts right?” him around the ice after practice winds down and pepper him with Spezza, who was indeed around for the 2004-05 and 2012-13 lockouts, questions while he sheds his gear afterward. has become Hyman’s own personal hockeyDB.com. William Nylander looked over in his direction with a huge grin when “For instance, the other day I asked him, ‘Have you ever played against asked recently to talk about Spezza. Mush’s dad?'” Hyman said, referring to Mason Marchment and his father, “We go to dinner and stuff all the time on the road,” Nylander said. “He’s Bryan. “He’s like, ‘Oh yeah! That guy was dirty. He gave me some good got some good stories and it’s always a great time. And you know how shots.'” good of a hockey player he is. He teaches us a lot of stuff, just stuff to A Leafs fan from Toronto, a lot of Hyman’s queries end up coming back keep in mind when we’re playing.” to the rivalries of old between the teams he cheered for and Spezza’s old For many of them, Nylander included, it’s special to play with somebody Senators squads. Which players that he once rooted for were actually, they once admired from afar, as kids watching the game. Nylander even well, good? Which weren’t? has one of Spezza’s old, wooden Sherwood sticks somewhere. “I asked him about Jeff O’Neill and he said, Jeff O’Neill’s a good player,” Hyman recounted of one such conversation. “‘How is he?'” Hyman remembers asking when the O-Dog popped up on TV in his role as an analyst for TSN. “He’s like, ‘He’s actually really good. Soft hands.’ , he said he couldn’t get the puck off him. Just huge, strong, big man. You just ask him about all these different guys and he’s played with everybody.”

And unlike Marleau, who spent his career entirely in the Western Conference before he became a Leaf, Spezza played in the Eastern Conference with Ottawa for 11 seasons until he joined Dallas at age 31.

Hyman wasn’t watching the west as much growing up, but he saw all those teams in the east.

“I remember watching him, Alfie and Dany Heatley, so I asked him about that line,” Hyman said, referring to the Senators once-fearsome top line of Spezza, , and Heatley. “Growing up, I watched Spezz play a ton because he’s (in the) Ottawa-Toronto (rivalry). So I asked him about his Cup run, and they went to the finals against Anaheim (in 2007), and talked about that and how hard it was going all that way and then not finishing it off. He’s got so much experience, being able to go all the way and not getting it.”

Dubas wanted that knowledge rubbing off on his players and Spezza, quite clearly, is willing to share it.

“I think it’s just who he is and how open and welcoming he is,” Hyman said. “Whenever his hockey career’s done, I’m sure he’ll go into management or whatever he wants to do, he’ll be around hockey just because he loves it so much.”

And more one thing, Hyman added: “It’s also cool to see him go from star first line centre to transitioning into — playing in the league that long you gotta adapt, and his ability to adapt and play different roles, it says a lot about him.”

“He just loves the game of hockey,” Matthews said. “He’s been awesome for us to have around.”

Toronto is the second stop for Cody Ceci with Spezza.

“He couldn’t be a better locker room guy,” Ceci said.

The two of them stretch together during each and every pregame warmup and you can see that Spezza’s bond with former teammates endures. After the Leafs win in Nashville on Monday night, Spezza shared some time after the game with Kyle Turris, a former Senators mate, and Dan Hamhuis, a one-time teammate with the Stars.

Spezza remembers Alfredsson, Wade Redden and Bryan Smolinski looking out for him when he was a younster coming up with the Senators. It meant a lot to him. It’s why he believes it’s so important to continue the tradition today.

“I played one year with Dom Hasek,” Spezza recalled of the Hall of Fame netminder. “He was just a great guy to listen to stories. He was really passionate about the game. It’s just kinda the nature of the locker room. I think the young guys like to hear what the old guys have to say sometimes.”

He laughed that famous laugh.

“I’ve always loved the game, so I love to hear the old stories,” he went on. “That’s one of the reasons why I enjoy continuing to play is just the camaraderie. When you talk to guys that are outside the game, it’s the camaraderie that you miss the most. So, I don’t take that for granted and I try to be one of the guys, and even though there is a divide in age groups, at the rink, we’re all part of a team.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173117 Toronto Maple Leafs approximately $1.7 million from deadline day through to the end of this season and then $7.6 million in 2020-21.

As for what Winnipeg would ask for in return, their needs are clear for all What the Jets could reasonably expect to receive if they decide to trade to see. Dustin Byfuglien The Jets need a top-four defenceman and prospect help, particularly up front. If Cheveldayoff decided to part ways with Byfuglien, I expect that he would clone the Trouba trade in a heartbeat if he could. An affordable By Murat Ates top-four D-man like Pionk became plus the cap space to pursue pending 2020 UFA’s like Travis Hamonic, Jake Muzzin, Justin Braun or even Jan 28, 2020 Cody Ceci strikes me as altogether quite appealing after the season that’s been. Add a first-round pick to that? Suddenly it’s tempting to forget that the best-case scenario would be a healthy, happy Byfuglien in Dustin Byfuglien’s arbitration case has not yet happened. As of today, it Jets colours. has not even been scheduled. Still, the NHLPA’s grievance on Byfuglien’s behalf is expected to be heard, Byfuglien’s ankle is expected What could Winnipeg get in a Dustin Byfuglien trade? to heal and the Winnipeg Jets need to have a plan in place for their future For that answer, I turned to The Athletic’s roster of NHL reporters. I’ve — with or without him. sorted through their thoughts and, while I wanted to list the teams in The trade deadline is less than one month away. With that in mind, it’s order of the most intriguing trade packages, an alarming pattern time to explore one distinct possibility for Byfuglien’s future — that he and emerged. In an attempt to suss out the market for Byfuglien, results were the Jets decide to part ways. If he returns to health between now and the lukewarm. deadline on Feb. 24th and if he cannot work out the issues that are That healthy/happy qualifier I hang onto so much? Turns out there are keeping him from returning to the Jets dressing room, then it will be time some league-wide doubts. for Winnipeg to pursue a trade. Honestly, I think the Leafs are a tough fit for Byfuglien. While they need Make no mistake: a healthy and happy Byfuglien would be a tremendous an upgrade at RD, there’s so much uncertainty over his health, combined asset for whichever team he played for. with a high cap hit, that I find it hard to see a match in Toronto. Through his last three seasons, he’s produced offence at a rate of 55 What complicates things further is how Byfuglien’s contract would be points per 82 games — the NHL’s 10th best scoring rate among all accounted for under the cap this season. Because the Leafs are in LTIR, defencemen. His ability to rush the puck up ice, combined with above- they’re not accruing extra cap space and any deals they add before the average passing skills and an absolute bomb from the point make him a deadline won’t be prorated. That’s a big problem given Byfuglien’s full productive scorer at 5-on-5 and the power play, where the Jets AAV comes in at $7.6 million, with another year remaining on the deal to particularly miss him. Offensively, Byfuglien’s peers are Morgan Rielly, be accommodated. Roman Josi and Seth Jones. Defensively, he reduced shot attempts and expected goals against right through the end of last year. Add in the fact that he’s almost 35 years old and my guess is the Leafs look elsewhere to address their issue. Too many red flags for a capped- A healthy and happy Byfuglien is still one of the world’s best out team that’s trying to contend. defencemen. A healthy and happy Byfuglien, on deadline day, would be worth an impressive array of assets. Consider the deadline day returns Ates: It’s clear that the Maple Leafs, like the Jets, are in desperate need for other defencemen with one year left on their contracts in recent years: of a player of Byfuglien’s ilk. The problem comes with the unique salary cap gambit they’ve pursued this season — putting David Clarkson and To acquire one and a half years of Jake Muzzin in 2019, Toronto gave up Nathan Horton on LTIR before the season to protect themselves against a first-round draft pick and two prospects drafted in the second round the possibility of a Mitch Marner offer sheet. Toronto desperately needs a (Carl Grundström and Sean Durzi.) defenceman but they also desperately need to send a dollar out for every To acquire one and a half years of Ryan McDonagh (and J.T. Miller) in dollar in. 2018, Tampa Bay gave up Vladislav Namestnikov, a first-round pick, a Byfuglien checks pretty much all the boxes for the Golden Knights. He’s second-round pick, Brett Howden and prospect defenceman Libor Hájek an offensively-minded, puck-moving defenceman who plays on the right — selected in the second round of 2016. side, and is a physical presence in front of the net. All of that means that Closer to home but not on deadline day, Winnipeg received Neal Pionk if he returned to his previous form, he’d solve a lot of Vegas’ issues. and a first-round pick for one year of a prime-aged Jacob Trouba. However, Byfuglien’s $7.6 million cap hit may pose too big of a problem A healthy and happy Byfuglien plays hockey at a level that none of for the cap-strapped Golden Knights. Vegas doesn’t have nearly that Muzzin, McDonagh and Trouba can touch. much room and would have to move at least one piece to clear out space for Byfuglien. That’s something I’m not sure Kelly McCrimmon is willing to As such, it seems reasonable that the asking price for a healthy and do for a 34-year-old defenceman who hasn’t played hockey since last happy Byfuglien should begin at a first-round pick, a meaningful prospect April — and is coming off ankle surgery. and change. If you’re looking to kick-start Winnipeg’s retool — to give the Jets an additional $7.6 million in cap space next season while providing In the end, I think Vegas looks elsewhere to fix its defensive issues. the futures and near-futures that could reasonably push the Jets back Ates: In Vegas’ short NHL existence, the Golden Knights haven’t been into 2021 playoff contention, trading Byfuglien would seem like a great particularly kind to the Jets. Not only did they beat Winnipeg in the 2018 place to start. Western Conference finals but the Golden Knights followed that up by Three things stand in the way of such a reinvigorating trade. signing Paul Stastny that same July. Then they traded for good Winnipeg boy Mark Stone to add insult to, well, insult. To make matters more First, Byfuglien’s ankle may heal, his reasons for considering retirement complicated, Vegas is projected to finish the season with less than $1 dissipate and he and the Jets enjoy a spectacularly warm reunion this million in cap space to burn — a Byfuglien trade would require money spring. The organization clearly believes in Byfuglien, else Kevin going back to Winnipeg. Cheveldayoff wouldn’t have talked him out of outright retirement this fall (source: Elliotte Friedman.) That said, if the Jets were willing to absorb Jon Merrill or Nick Holden’s expiring contracts, the prospect pool in Vegas is deep. Winnipegger Second, he may never heal at all. Cody Glass and Winnipeg Ice top prospect Peyton Krebs are probably out of the question but Brandon’s Zach Whitecloud is a highly touted And, perhaps the most realistic of the three: it is distinctly possible that defenceman. Not only is there a lot to like but much of it has local Winnipeg attempts to shop Byfuglien around the NHL in search of a new connections. Most intriguing to me? Dylan Coghlan, a 21-year-old beginning but league-wide suitors are too risk-averse to pay the price defenceman with 56 points in 110 AHL games. that the Jets should rightfully demand. Edmonton’s defence is in a state of flux. The Oilers have a group of Most teams could realistically use a defenceman of Byfuglien’s quality emerging young players, a list which includes rookies Ethan Bear and and a number of them could afford his cap hit — prorated to Caleb Jones as well as first-round picks like Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg. What the team must endeavour to do now is transition Market by market, team by team, it goes on like this. Every club could responsibility from its current veterans to those young players. use someone of Byfuglien’s ability. Not everyone has the cap space, not everyone has the assets and only a very small number of teams who As interesting as it is to consider the possibility of Byfuglien as a stopgap, check both of those boxes are in a “win now” portion of their window. frankly it’s probably too much of a stretch. The Oilers already have Kris Russell and Adam Larsson signed through the summer of 2021, One team who has cap space, assets to burn, a need for quality defence matching Byfuglien’s remaining term. Byfuglien’s $7.6-million cap hit and a legitimately good chance at winning in the short term? The would be a difficult thing to fit in on a team tight to the salary cap. Colorado Avalanche. Even if Cale Makar, Tyson Jost and Samuel Girard Moreover, there’s the question of just how good Byfuglien would be at 34 hit all of their performance bonuses, Colorado is still projected to have and having missed a half-season already. more than enough room to add Byfuglien’s salary — both this season and next. The Avalanche are not rich in 2020 draft picks — they have a Yet it remains interesting because as home-run swings go, there’s a case pick in every round except the second — but between Makar, Girard and for it. Byfuglien was a 24-minute-per-game defenceman a year ago, with Bowen Byram, Colorado is one of the few teams with defensive 31 points in 42 games and brilliant shot metrics. The biggest weakness prospects to burn. Even the tier after that high-end trio boasts Conor on Edmonton’s blue line today is on the right side, where Larsson has Timmins, whose 15 points in 24 AHL games certainly impresses, and struggled with injuries for the last season and a half. If Byfuglien could Calle Rosen, who is approaching too-good-for-the-AHL status but, at 25 step into that role, and if the Jets were eager enough to shed his contract years old, may not have a high-end ceiling. to take equivalent money back (Russell and someone like Alex Chiasson would come close) it might allow the Oilers to trade Larsson for help at With less than a month to the trade deadline, no arbitration date set and forward while improving their defence overall. Byfuglien’s recovery an ongoing process, Winnipeg does not have a tremendous degree of clarity about the rearguard’s future. Still, the Jets There’s a long chain of ‘ifs’ there, and it would be a major risk, which need clarity about how to move forward as a team. Much could change makes it unlikely to happen. It’s intriguing all the same. between now and the eventual resolution — and the timeline is not Ates: The coup for Winnipeg if trading with Edmonton would be to pluck a established — but my expectation is that arbitration upholds Byfuglien’s meaningful prospect like Bear or Jones (I believe Bouchard would be on suspension, that he reports to the team and that Winnipeg can move Edmonton’s untouchables list) away from the Oilers while still managing forward with clarity after that. to make the dollars work. Taking back a meaningful contract would be a The best-case scenario remains a healthy and happy Byfuglien dressing necessity, given the Oilers are projected to finish the season with roughly for the Jets. With that scenario anything but guaranteed, Winnipeg needs $1 million in cap space to spare and Byfuglien will cost $1.7 million — to explore all of its options in great detail. this makes someone like Russell, as Willis suggests, a realistic possibility. Russell at $4 million through the end of next season is not an impact defender but he does throw hits and he does block shots — if the Jets were able to pry Bear, whose offence seems to have followed him The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 from the WHL to the NHL and/or meaningful draft picks, you can begin to see an enticing trade.

The Ducks can use a top-four defenceman in the worst way. Left shot, right shot, whatever. They’ve needed one even when Josh Manson was at his best and anyone that has watched him play this season can see he’s been anything but. If they could have a do-over for the expansion draft, they might not have traded Shea Theodore so Vegas would take Clayton Stoner’s contract off their hands and left Manson or Sami Vatanen exposed to the Golden Knights.

Erik Gudbranson was acquired to shore up a big hole on the blue line but there was a reason why general manager Bob Murray made attempts to sign Kevin Shattenkirk and trade for Justin Faulk. Which leads us to Byfuglien. Would he be an upgrade on their defence corps? Instantly. Is trying to acquire him a smart move? I’m surely no GM, but I wouldn’t.

I do not know Byfuglien and have no earthly idea what makes him tick. This is pure opinion voiced from afar, but I gather that he is someone who wants the right conditions to feel comfortable playing in. Is playing in California one of those? I don’t know, but outside of his native Minnesota, Winnipeg seemed like the best fit and he did deliver some good seasons for the Jets.

But I don’t see acquiring him as a wise move for the Ducks. If they were a playoff contender that needed a key top-four piece to push them into elite status, then that’s a trade to consider. At present, they’re nowhere close to that. They’ve started to shed themselves of aging, past-their- prime players. I’m not saying Byfuglien is done by any means but he’s 34 with a $7.6 million cap hit, even though his actual salary falls to $6 million in 2020-21. They need long-term solutions. They hoped Faulk would be that in offering him a six-year deal, but the Minnesota native chose to be on a Cup champion in the Midwest.

Bringing in Byfuglien wouldn’t tie them down to him for nearly that length of time. But with the youth movement well underway in Anaheim, it seems that would be a counterproductive measure to add an aging player that you have to make sure is eager to be all-in with your program.

Ates: Do you sense a pattern developing? Yet one more team, desperate for a high-end defenceman, may be more concerned about Byfuglien’s ability to make the necessary impact at this crossroads in his career than intrigued by his obvious ability, even at 34 years old. The one thing to like about Anaheim, however, is its abundance of cap space and mid-tier defensive prospects like Brendan Guhle, Josh Mahura, Jackson Lacombe and Henry Thrun. Like the Jets, Anaheim has just five of seven picks in the 2020 draft and may be reticent to trade futures for the present day. 1173118 Vegas Golden Knights Alec Martinez, Los Angeles: The 32-year-old has two Stanley Cups to his credit, and that experience could be valuable in the playoffs. He also has another year left on his contract with a manageable $4 million hit.

Golden Knights weigh options with trade deadline approaching Josh Anderson, Columbus: The rugged right wing has been out since Dec. 14 but scored a career-best 27 goals last season. If it’s clear the restricted free agent won’t sign a long-term deal this summer, the Blue Jackets could move the 25-year-old. By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal Kyle Palmieri, New Jersey: His name keeps being floated despite having January 28, 2020 - 4:54 PM an eight-team no-trade clause and being signed through 2021 at a $4.65 million cap hit. The 28-year-old scored 107 goals the previous four seasons. Jolt Cola made a minor comeback recently and still comes with “all the sugar and twice the caffeine.” The carbonated swamp juice might be the Craig Smith, Nashville: The right wing has 21 or more goals in five of the best way to wake up the sputtering Golden Knights. past six seasons and could plug-and-play on the third line. He’s two years older and slightly cheaper ($4.25 million cap hit) than Palmieri. Or a trade. Jason Zucker, Minnesota: Wild general manager Bill Guerin must decide And since the Feb. 24 deadline is fast approaching, that seems a more if he’s a seller. Zucker has been heavily linked with Pittsburgh and it likely course of action for general manager Kelly McCrimmon, who would require a major roster shake-up for the Knights to land the prefers coffee to toxic energy drinks anyway. Nevada-raised left wing.

The Knights (25-20-7) held the second wild card position and were three points out of first place in the Pacific Division entering Tuesday’s games. McCrimmon and president of hockey operations George McPhee LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.29.2020 showed they’re in win-now mode by bringing in Peter DeBoer as coach and won’t stand pat if the right deal presents itself.

With nearly $3.4 million in projected salary cap space at the deadline, according to CapFriendly.com, the Knights have room to be active once again, especially if they’re able to ship out a contract in a deal.

They’ve been sniffing around for a defenseman all winter to begin retooling a unit that has three pending unrestricted free agents.

Here are three directions the Knights could go should they look to swing a deadline deal for the third straight season:

This is the most obvious need for the Knights, who have struggled to retrieve pucks and break out of their own zone. But the cost is high.

Would the Knights be willing to go without a first-rounder for the second time in four years, especially with the potential to end up in the lottery if the final two months go sour?

Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia: A bit of a reclamation project on whom the Knights might be able to buy low. He is signed through 2022- 23 at a $4.5 million cap hit.

Erik Gustafsson, Chicago: His value has gone down since last season’s 60-point campaign. Gustafsson turns 28 in March and would be a rental as a pending unrestricted free agent.

Jeff Petry, Montreal: He checks the boxes. Right shot. Can run a power play. Signed through 2021 at $5.5 million. But he has a modified no-trade clause and his price tag could be similar to Jake Muzzin’s last season— a first-round pick and two prospects.

Damon Severson, New Jersey: The Devils have a new GM and might be open to moving the 25-year-old signed through 2022-23 ($4.166 million cap hit). Severson’s most important stat is “Born: Brandon, Manitoba.”

Sami Vatanen, New Jersey: He’s been frequently linked with the Knights and has 22 points in 45 games. Perhaps the Knights could send the Devils back their second-round pick from the Nikita Gusev trade for the rental.

It wouldn’t be a flashy move, but landing a cost-effective, stay-at-home defenseman might be the best alternative for McCrimmon.

The Knights allowed the eighth-most scoring chances and high-danger chances in the league at 5-on-5, according to NaturalStatTrick.com. Their surplus of second-round picks in 2020 and 2021 could be used to land someone that will clear the net in front of Marc-Andre Fleury.

Brenden Dillon, San Jose: The 6-foot-4-inch, 225-pound banger is eighth in the league with 158 hits but will be an unrestricted free agent. Dillon averaged more than 17 minutes per game under DeBoer.

Dylan DeMelo, Ottawa: He’s a cheap rental ($900,000 cap hit) and developed in a dependable right-side defender (20:08 per game) who can kill penalties. Like Dillon, he played for DeBoer in San Jose. Would a fourth-rounder be fair? 1173119 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights hire Steve Spott as assistant coach

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

January 28, 2020 - 4:06 PM

The Golden Knights hired Steve Spott as an assistant coach, the team announced Tuesday.

Spott, 51, and Knights coach Peter DeBoer have coached together at multiple stops, most recently with the San Jose Sharks from 2015 until December when both were fired.

Spott joined DeBoer’s staff with Plymouth of the in 1997 and spent four seasons as an assistant/associate coach for the major-junior club.

He and DeBoer were hired by Kitchener of the OHL in 2001, and Spott served as an assistant for seven seasons. The duo led the Rangers to the 2003 Memorial Cup, the top prize in Canadian junior hockey.

Spott took over as Kitchener’s head coach when DeBoer was hired by the Florida Panthers in 2008. In five seasons, he had a record of 187- 121-32 and twice reached the OHL Western Conference Final.

In San Jose, Spott ran the Sharks’ power play and handled the teams forwards until 2018 when he was put in charge of the defensemen. Spott returned to his previous duties when San Jose re-hired Bob Boughner as an assistant prior to this season.

San Jose’s power play ranked No. 3 (22.6 percent) in 2015-16 when the Sharks reached the Stanley Cup Final but slumped the following two seasons. The Sharks ranked sixth in the league at 23.6 percent last season.

The Knights power play, which is run by assistant coach Ryan Craig, is clicking at 22 percent and ranks eighth overall.

Spott coached the Toronto Maple Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate in 2013-14 and led the to a 45-25-2-4 record and North Division title. He was an assistant coach for the Maple Leafs in 2014-15 before rejoining DeBoer in San Jose.

In addition, Spott has extensive experience coaching with Team Canada.

He won a gold medal in 2008 as an assistant at the under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and served as an assistant on Canada’s World Junior team that took silver in 2010.

Spott was the head coach of Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and also was the head coach of Team Canada at the 2013 World Junior Hockey Championships, finishing fourth.

The Knights had one opening on their coaching staff following the dismissal of coach Gerard Gallant and assistant Mike Kelly on Jan. 15.

Spott will join the team following their bye week. The Knights practice Thursday and play Friday at Carolina.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173120 Vegas Golden Knights

Young skater gets physical with Ryan Reaves — VIDEO

By Marvin Clemons Las Vegas Review-Journal

January 28, 2020 - 11:20 am

Somebody has finally found a way to take down Golden Knights enforcer Ryan Reaves.

Seems like he lives or at least skates in Reno — and he’s about a third the size of No. 75.

A Twitter account called @LasVegasAgency originally posted a video Sunday from the Reavo 75 Youth Hockey Clinic in Reno. The video was later shared by @VGKMoms (who claim they are “two Vegas moms with unhealthy obsession with Ryan Reaves”).

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound veteran forward can be seen skating leisurely as youth players swirl around him. When he goes behind the net to get a loose puck, he gets taken down by a young player who chips Reaves, causing him to fall to the ice. The kid then clears the puck and comes back to chuckle at Reaves as he picks himself up.

“It got a little physical today at the @reavo7five Youth Hockey Clinic in Reno, but not from who you would expect. #vgk #ryanreaves #goknightsgo” says the tweet.

Reaves appeared uninjured.

The Golden Knights are on their bye week and have no games scheduled until Friday, when they play at the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4:30 p.m. contest.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173121 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights coach adds longtime assistant to staff

By Justin Emerson

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 | 4:15 p.m.

Peter DeBoer has made the first personnel decision as Golden Knights head coach.

The team announced today that Steve Spott has joined the organization as an assistant coach. DeBoer, who joined the Golden Knights on Jan. 15, and Spott have coached together for more than 20 years, most recently with the San Jose Sharks.

Spott was an assistant with the Sharks from the time DeBoer was hired as head coach in 2015 to when they were both fired in December.

They also coached together in Plymouth of the Ontario League starting in 1997. When DeBoer moved to OHL’s Kitchener four years later, Spott joined him and served as an assistant for seven years before taking over as head coach when DeBoer left for the NHL.

Before joining the Sharks staff, Spott was coach of AHL Toronto, where he helped the Marlies win the Northern Division title in 2013-14. He was also assistant coach for Team Canada at an under-18, helping the team win gold.

He played at Colgate University in Canada from 1986 to 1990.

Spott is expected to help man the power play in Vegas. He replaces Mike Kelly, who was fired with head coach Gerard Gallant earlier this month, and joins Ryan McGill and Ryan Craig behind the bench as Golden Knights assistant coaches.

LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173122 Washington Capitals challenge for him, and it was good to see for us that he could rise up to that,” Murray said.

Early in the season, he got a little too aggressive at times, moving too far With Braden Holtby back on track and Ilya Samsonov holding steady, outside his post, Murray said. He has since learned how to stay closer to Capitals have net gains home while also making adjustments.

As far as how many games Samsonov will play as the Capitals push toward the postseason, Murray said the goal remains to use him each By Samantha Pell week so the rookie remains sharp. Samsonov has earned those extra starts, Murray said. January 28, 2020 at 6:33 PM EST “He’s risen to those challenges,” Murray said. “Right now he’s built

confidence to where we aren’t afraid to throw him into any situation. We As Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby made save after save are excited. His goal is to keep getting better, keep developing, so he can in the third period of Monday night’s 4-2 victory at the Montreal continue to play his game and [develop] his habits in practice so when he Canadiens, the groans from the crowd at Bell Centre signaled something plays he is finding success easier and more consistently.” a little bit more to Holtby and the coaching staff.

In his team’s first game after its bye week, and in a challenging Washington Post LOADED: 01.29.2020 environment, Holtby delivered the kind of performance he and the Capitals had been waiting for. Notching his first win since Jan. 5, he turned away 14 of 15 shots in the final period to give the Capitals their fourth straight win.

Capitals goaltending coach Scott Murray acknowledged before the bye week that Holtby had been trying to fix his foundation. With Murray’s help, Holtby wanted to get his stance to a spot where he felt he could move more easily and use his skating to his advantage. Once that was established, everything else would come easier — getting into position, moving, adjusting and •making saves.

“There are always things that will be there mentally, but he is a great pro," Murray said. “When things aren’t going as well as he wants them to go, he puts his work boots on so he can work himself out of situations. And he is doing that now.”

Holtby had a similar dip in performance last season around the all-star break and was able to bounce back. Hoping to build on Monday’s performance, Coach Todd Reirden said Holtby will be in net again Wednesday night against Nashville at Capital One Arena. Ilya Samsonov will start Friday at Ottawa.

“I think it’s good to get a break,” Holtby said Monday night. “I feel like I had more energy and could do things a little easier, so I think it’s good for us all. It was one of those games you’ve got to battle through, and I think we won as a team."

Reirden applauded Holtby for his composure and consistency down the stretch. Asked whether he felt the game would be a confidence booster for Holtby, Reirden said: “Yeah, definitely. It’s a situation where he has proven time and time again that he can go through some adversity, and he always responds. It was a response game for me. It wasn’t an easy game for him at all. There were some good chances against and a lot of traffic, and they made a good push in the third.”

Holtby’s performance gives the Capitals some extra reassurance about their goalie tandem.

Samsonov has shined in his rookie season. He is 15-2-1, and his play Jan. 18 in the third period of a 6-4 victory against the New York Islanders after Holtby was pulled gave the Capitals a chance to complete an epic comeback in their last game before the break.

Reirden has said the coaching staff will continue to put the 22-year-old in challenging situations. Samsonov said he likes facing various opponents, with each leading him to take a different approach.

“It is interesting for me because I am playing different teams every [night],” he said. “One team you know is more combination; next team is more a lot of shots, so much more different situation in the game. Good for me, good for my skills, good for my mentality.”

Murray pointed to Samsonov’s Dec. 14 performance against Tampa Bay as a highlight. Not only does the Lightning have elite goal-scorers, it also comes out of the gates hard. But Samsonov was able to keep it scoreless long enough for Washington to gain momentum and ultimately earn a 5-2 win. It was also the first time Samsonov’s father saw him play an NHL game in person.

“That is a game where he is playing against [Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy], playing against a couple other Russian guys that he would look up to, and to kind of play the way he did that night, it was a good 1173123 Washington Capitals one-timer down to a T obviously. … It's just trying to eliminate them to a few a game. You look at a game sheet and he's got 14 shot attempts and two goals. A good player's going to find the net if they get that many chances, so try to eliminate the shot attempts and try to keep the puck What makes Alex Ovechkin so hard to stop? out of his hands.”

By J.J. Regan Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.29.2020 January 28, 2020 6:00 AM

With Alex Ovechkin’s one-game suspension over, the NHL now once again faces the seemingly impossible task of trying to find a way to stop the Great 8. Even at 34 years old, Ovechkin remains one of the top goal scorers in the NHL with 34 on the season. He is currently on pace for 56 goals which is almost unfathomable for a player of his age.

Many players in the NHL catch fire before defenses begin to figure them out or until Father Time catches up to them. Coaches and defenses figure out ways to keep star players in check. But not Ovechkin.

“You feel like you're covering him, but he always finds a way,” Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi said. “He needs just a tiny bit of room to score goals and that's why he has so many goals.”

Not only is Ovechkin the leading active scorer in the NHL by a wide margin -- he leads second place Patrick Marleau by 133 goals -- but he is such a prolific scorer that he could potentially make a run at the untouchable goal record held by Wayne Gretzky.

It is not as if Ovechkin is catching anyone by surprise at this point. Teams know what they are in for when they play the Caps and still they cannot find a way to slow down this grey-haired, 34-year-old veteran player.

It is not hard to figure out the biggest reason for Ovechkin's success: his shot. Once Ovechkin gets his shot off, it is hard for a goalie to get in front of it.

“He's not afraid to put anything on net,” Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck said. “He's got a really good release and if you give him space, he'll take it and he'll make you pay for it.”

“It kind of curves, changing direction every time so it's pretty hard to stop for a goalie,” Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy said. “Like knuckleball, right? So it's very hard to stop.”

Knowing that his shot is so lethal, the focus of a defense must be to prevent him from getting his shot away in the first place. Doing that, however, is easier said than done.

“It's always a challenge playing against him,” Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said. “He's got that mean streak to his game. When he's coming at full speed it's going to hurt. He gets physical, he gets into the game more. He's always going to get scoring changes, that's how good they are as a team and that's how good he is.”

“He just can score from anywhere inside the blue line so you've got to get up on him,” Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano said. “ It's been pretty impressive to watch him over the years. You sort of think teams would come up with a gameplan to stop him, but you can't.”

That’s a feeling Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy can relate to.

“[The power play] is where I think you have the biggest challenge with that group of five guys and how to frustrate him, maybe to taking that shot away,” Cassidy said. “Five-on-five, we'll play him like anybody else, try to get a body on him as much as possible.”

It is essentially accepted around the league that if you give Ovechkin an opportunity with the puck, he is going to be able to find a way to get his shot off and get on the scoresheet. He does not need much room to shoot and when he does, it's lethal.

There is only so much you can do when a power forward of Ovechkin's size comes barreling down on you. If you play him too tight, he can create space with his physicality. Play him too loose and he will fire shots from anywhere.

That leaves a defense with only a few strategies.

“Try to keep the puck out of his hand is one thing, stay out of the box is another thing,” Hedman said. “He's got that quick release, he's got that 1173124 Winnipeg Jets to have imposed a one-year freeze — especially since season ticket holders are now paying an average of 28 per cent more than 2011.

Donnelly told me holding steady "wasn't ever on the table." In address to fans, True North vows to cut food costs, limit ticket-price "We are amongst the lowest priced NHL tickets in the country, and I think increases and improve in-game promotions 2.1 per cent will be amongst the lowest increases you’ll see coming out this season. We want to remain a cap team, we want to remain a competitive team that’s always in contention for a Cup, and that comes at By: Mike McIntyre a price," he said.

Posted: 01/28/2020 7:00 PM True North cites their "intentional draft-and-develop process" as a root cause, noting player costs are currently (CDN)$109 million this season,

which is a 110-per-cent spike from the $52 million when the Thrashers There's an old motto in business: "The customer is always right." became the Jets 2.0 nine years ago.

It appears True North Sports & Entertainment is taking that to heart after I suppose the message is to blame Jets' general manager Kevin years of assuming having the NHL back in town would simply sell itself to Cheveldayoff and his staff for selecting Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine, fans willing to empty their wallets with no questions asked. Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey and Connor Hellebuyck. Still, with one of the richest owners in the league in David Thomson, I'd While that was true at one point, it's no longer the case now that the suggest holding the line on tickets would not have broken the bank. novelty has worn off. And the organization appears to acknowledge that in a letter sent Tuesday to an increasingly frustrated and vocal group of As for the game-night experience, the Jets will be adding on-ice Winnipeg Jets season ticket holders that reads like a promise to stop projection, which has become a staple at most NHL rinks and was taking them for granted, along with a plea to not abandon ship as all- something I called for in my recent column. True North had balked at the important ticket contract renewals are fast approaching. idea previously.

"We have become increasingly aware of a growing sentiment related to "It’s not an insignificant cost for us. But we do think as the technology ticket prices, the cost of food and beverages, mobile ticketing, elevated continues to improve, it's really a dramatic way to kick off your game security measures, and of course, team performance," they write, citing presentations, kick off the start of the intermissions. It’s something we’ll data from a "renewed focus on fan feedback through a series of ongoing be putting in over the summer months and it will be ready to go at the surveys and interacting with fans on the concourses." start of next season," Donnelly said.

Funny, I could have saved them the effort and simply pointed them to the I hope they go even further and look at some of the other bells and hundreds of online comments I received earlier this month after writing a whistles I've seen in my travels around the league, with live music being column outlining how the atmosphere inside Bell MTS Place has taken a at the top of the list. Donnelly said that idea, and others, will be noticeable nosedive this season. considered.

A red flag surfaced when an eight-year sellout streak ended on Oct. 15 I'd also suggest the brain trust make a concerted effort to get less with the Arizona Coyotes in town and just 14,764 officially on hand to weekday and more weekend games starting next year. A Tuesday night witness it. A second non-sellout happened two nights later against the clash, of which Winnipeg has plenty this year, doesn't exactly get the New York Islanders. There have been other games officially listed as full juices flowing quite like a Friday or Saturday night affair, of which the Jets houses, even though some of the 15,325 fans are disguised as empty have had very few. But it doesn't sound like that's about to change. seats. "I don’t think we’re ever going to get away from the quantity of weekday That may be because people who had a bidding war for available tickets games," said Donnelly. just a few years ago can barely give them away now. Ticket-sharing Overall, True North says they will invest $9 million in venue partnerships are falling apart, with members bowing out due to costs improvements this year, including concourse enhancements, the and/or lack of interest. The waiting list has quickly shrunk. And what once Budweiser King Club and a full makeover of The Exchange Restaurant. was the loudest, most raucous building in the NHL is now a shell of its They say $55 million has been invested in the rink over the previous former self. eight seasons. Of course, the Jets haven't given folks much to cheer about either, with And, no doubt, they hope the team itself can quickly return to similar form just 10 wins in 23 home games this season. That puts them on pace for of the past two seasons in which they made the playoffs and were their worst home-ice record in their nine seasons since re-locating from viewed as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. Atlanta. Fans deserve as much bang for their buck — especially when the on-ice All of which, no doubt, stepped up the urgency inside True North to make performance is underwhelming. Lowering some concessions and making some long-overdue changes in an attempt to bring back the buzz. an effort to improve the game-day experience are important first steps. "We’re looking to create value. We’re looking to keep the fan excited, True North would be wise to continue listening to feedback of all forms create a greater atmosphere in the building. And it’s not necessarily going forward, especially from a growing legion of clearly unsatisfied about selling more tickets or even selling more beer," Kevin Donnelly, customers who have been shouting "Give us a break" for some time. True North's senior vice president of venues and entertainment, said Because the alternative to anger is apathy, something this organization Tuesday at a news conference. and the NHL's smallest market can ill afford. That should have always been the priority, but as is often the case, profit over people can become hard to resist. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.29.2020 First up is what they're calling "fan favourite" pricing on their five most popular items, with beer ($7.50 for domestic draft, $7 for canned), fountain drinks ($4 for 24-ounce), bottled water ($3.50), popcorn ($4.50) and pizza ($5 per slice) all slashed by an average of 30 per cent, beginning this Friday when the Jets kick off a critical three-game homestand with a visit from the Boston Bruins.

That's following a similar trend from other big league sports teams, who've noticed an increase in concession profits when they've lowered prices. Go figure, people are apt to buying more if they don't feel like they're being gouged.

Next is a pledge to raise ticket prices by an average of 2.1 per cent next season, which they say is their lowest increase in six years. I'd argue that's still 2.1 per cent too high, as this would seem to be the perfect time 1173125 Winnipeg Jets

True North cuts concessions prices

Staff Report

Posted: 01/28/2020 12:22 PM

Changes are coming to Bell MTS Place, and hockey fans will spend less as a result.

True North Sports and Entertainment — which owns and operates the downtown arena as well as the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose teams — announced Tuesday morning it will be lowering the price of concessions items such as beer and popcorn by an average of 30 per cent.

For the 2020-21 season, True North will also introduce the lowest annual price increase on tickets in six seasons.

"We have become increasingly aware of a growing sentiment related to ticket prices, the cost of food and beverages, mobile ticketing, elevated security measures, and of course, team performance," an email sent to fans by True North states.

Going to Jets games has become more expensive since the team rejoined the NHL in 2011, the email noted. Player costs have increased by 110 per cent since then, and cumulative ticket prices have gone up by nearly 30 per cent.

To entice fans, the organization will immediately roll out "fan favourites" pricing that reduces the price of a pint of domestic draft beer to $7.50 and a 24-ounce fountain drink to $4.

The organization is also pledging to increase the average price of Jets tickets by 2.1 per cent, the lowest increase since 2014.

True North also has more than $9 million in renovations and venue improvements scheduled for this summer, including on-ice projection, concourse enhancements, and an extensive renovation of the arena's Exchange restaurant. Since the Jets' return, the organization has spent more than $55 million on the arena.

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.29.2020 1173126 Winnipeg Jets

True North dropping prices for popular concession items

Glen Dawkins

January 28, 2020 6:25 PM CST

Winnipeg Jets fans are in for a treat come Friday night’s game against the Boston Bruins at Bell MTS Place.

Fans will see the immediate adoption of Fan Favourites pricing, reducing the price on items like beer, fountain pop, water, popcorn and pizza by an average of 30%. The price drop will also apply for Manitoba Moose fans. The price of domestic draft beer will drop to $7.50 and $7.00 for domestic canned beer. Pop will fall to $4.00 with bottled water going for $3.50 while popcorn and pizza will go for $4.50 and $5.00 respectively.

As well, the Jets announced more than $9 million of venue improvements have been planned for this summer, highlighted by the addition of on-ice projection, and continuing concourse enhancements including an extensive renovation in the area that is currently The Exchange Restaurant. The team also announced that ticket prices would go up next season by 2.1%, the lowest increase in six years.

“It’s something that we’ve been hearing from our fans for a while and something that we’ve considered and looking at other models that teams have done to introduce either discounted food prices or strategies to help provide more value,” said True North Sports and Entertainment Senior Vice President Kevin Donnelly. “It’s something that we looked at some different examples from across the league and other leagues and thought it was a great time to do so now.”

Donnelly said they looked at the highest-selling items in deciding which items to discount. They also gained fan feedback through a series of surveys and interacting with fans on the concourses. The surveys made them increasingly aware of a growing sentiment related to ticket prices, the cost of food and beverages, mobile ticketing, and elevated security measures, as well as the team’s performance, he said.

“We thought that would be the way to touch the most people and provide the most value for people who come to this building as often as they do,” said Donnelly. “It’s really a gesture to thank the people that come to the Jets and the Moose and provide greater value for them.”

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.29.2020 1173127 Winnipeg Jets The Jets need a top-four defenceman and prospect help, particularly up front. If Cheveldayoff decided to part ways with Byfuglien, I expect that he would clone the Trouba trade in a heartbeat if he could. An affordable top-four D-man like Pionk became plus the cap space to pursue pending What the Jets could reasonably expect to receive if they decide to trade 2020 UFA’s like Travis Hamonic, Jake Muzzin, Justin Braun or even Dustin Byfuglien Cody Ceci strikes me as altogether quite appealing after the season that’s been. Add a first-round pick to that? Suddenly it’s tempting to

forget that the best-case scenario would be a healthy, happy Byfuglien in By Murat Ates Jets colours.

Jan 28, 2020 What could Winnipeg get in a Dustin Byfuglien trade?

For that answer, I turned to The Athletic’s roster of NHL reporters. I’ve sorted through their thoughts and, while I wanted to list the teams in Dustin Byfuglien’s arbitration case has not yet happened. As of today, it order of the most intriguing trade packages, an alarming pattern has not even been scheduled. Still, the NHLPA’s grievance on emerged. In an attempt to suss out the market for Byfuglien, results were Byfuglien’s behalf is expected to be heard, Byfuglien’s ankle is expected lukewarm. to heal and the Winnipeg Jets need to have a plan in place for their future — with or without him. That healthy/happy qualifier I hang onto so much? Turns out there are some league-wide doubts. The trade deadline is less than one month away. With that in mind, it’s time to explore one distinct possibility for Byfuglien’s future — that he and Toronto Maple Leafs — via James Mirtle the Jets decide to part ways. If he returns to health between now and the Honestly, I think the Leafs are a tough fit for Byfuglien. While they need deadline on Feb. 24th and if he cannot work out the issues that are an upgrade at RD, there’s so much uncertainty over his health, combined keeping him from returning to the Jets dressing room, then it will be time with a high cap hit, that I find it hard to see a match in Toronto. for Winnipeg to pursue a trade. What complicates things further is how Byfuglien’s contract would be Make no mistake: a healthy and happy Byfuglien would be a tremendous accounted for under the cap this season. Because the Leafs are in LTIR, asset for whichever team he played for. they’re not accruing extra cap space and any deals they add before the Through his last three seasons, he’s produced offence at a rate of 55 deadline won’t be prorated. That’s a big problem given Byfuglien’s full points per 82 games — the NHL’s 10th best scoring rate among all AAV comes in at $7.6 million, with another year remaining on the deal to defencemen. His ability to rush the puck up ice, combined with above- be accommodated. average passing skills and an absolute bomb from the point make him a Add in the fact that he’s almost 35 years old and my guess is the Leafs productive scorer at 5-on-5 and the power play, where the Jets look elsewhere to address their issue. Too many red flags for a capped- particularly miss him. Offensively, Byfuglien’s peers are Morgan Rielly, out team that’s trying to contend. Roman Josi and Seth Jones. Defensively, he reduced shot attempts and expected goals against right through the end of last year. Ates: It’s clear that the Maple Leafs, like the Jets, are in desperate need of a player of Byfuglien’s ilk. The problem comes with the unique salary A healthy and happy Byfuglien is still one of the world’s best cap gambit they’ve pursued this season — putting David Clarkson and defencemen. A healthy and happy Byfuglien, on deadline day, would be Nathan Horton on LTIR before the season to protect themselves against worth an impressive array of assets. Consider the deadline day returns the possibility of a Mitch Marner offer sheet. Toronto desperately needs a for other defencemen with one year left on their contracts in recent years: defenceman but they also desperately need to send a dollar out for every To acquire one and a half years of Jake Muzzin in 2019, Toronto gave up dollar in. a first-round draft pick and two prospects drafted in the second round Vegas Golden Knights — via Jesse Granger (Carl Grundström and Sean Durzi.) Byfuglien checks pretty much all the boxes for the Golden Knights. He’s To acquire one and a half years of Ryan McDonagh (and J.T. Miller) in an offensively-minded, puck-moving defenceman who plays on the right 2018, Tampa Bay gave up Vladislav Namestnikov, a first-round pick, a side, and is a physical presence in front of the net. All of that means that second-round pick, Brett Howden and prospect defenceman Libor Hájek if he returned to his previous form, he’d solve a lot of Vegas’ issues. — selected in the second round of 2016. However, Byfuglien’s $7.6 million cap hit may pose too big of a problem Closer to home but not on deadline day, Winnipeg received Neal Pionk for the cap-strapped Golden Knights. Vegas doesn’t have nearly that and a first-round pick for one year of a prime-aged Jacob Trouba. much room and would have to move at least one piece to clear out space A healthy and happy Byfuglien plays hockey at a level that none of for Byfuglien. That’s something I’m not sure Kelly McCrimmon is willing to Muzzin, McDonagh and Trouba can touch. do for a 34-year-old defenceman who hasn’t played hockey since last April — and is coming off ankle surgery. As such, it seems reasonable that the asking price for a healthy and happy Byfuglien should begin at a first-round pick, a meaningful prospect In the end, I think Vegas looks elsewhere to fix its defensive issues. and change. If you’re looking to kick-start Winnipeg’s retool — to give the Ates: In Vegas’ short NHL existence, the Golden Knights haven’t been Jets an additional $7.6 million in cap space next season while providing particularly kind to the Jets. Not only did they beat Winnipeg in the 2018 the futures and near-futures that could reasonably push the Jets back Western Conference finals but the Golden Knights followed that up by into 2021 playoff contention, trading Byfuglien would seem like a great signing Paul Stastny that same July. Then they traded for good Winnipeg place to start. boy Mark Stone to add insult to, well, insult. To make matters more Three things stand in the way of such a reinvigorating trade. complicated, Vegas is projected to finish the season with less than $1 million in cap space to burn — a Byfuglien trade would require money Second, he may never heal at all. going back to Winnipeg.

And, perhaps the most realistic of the three: it is distinctly possible that That said, if the Jets were willing to absorb Jon Merrill or Nick Holden’s Winnipeg attempts to shop Byfuglien around the NHL in search of a new expiring contracts, the prospect pool in Vegas is deep. Winnipegger beginning but league-wide suitors are too risk-averse to pay the price Cody Glass and Winnipeg Ice top prospect Peyton Krebs are probably that the Jets should rightfully demand. out of the question but Brandon’s Zach Whitecloud is a highly touted defenceman. Not only is there a lot to like but much of it has local Most teams could realistically use a defenceman of Byfuglien’s quality connections. Most intriguing to me? Dylan Coghlan, a 21-year-old and a number of them could afford his cap hit — prorated to defenceman with 56 points in 110 AHL games. approximately $1.7 million from deadline day through to the end of this season and then $7.6 million in 2020-21. Edmonton Oilers — via Jonathan Willis

As for what Winnipeg would ask for in return, their needs are clear for all Edmonton’s defence is in a state of flux. The Oilers have a group of to see. emerging young players, a list which includes rookies Ethan Bear and Caleb Jones as well as first-round picks like Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg. What the team must endeavour to do now is transition picks in the 2020 draft and may be reticent to trade futures for the responsibility from its current veterans to those young players. present day.

As interesting as it is to consider the possibility of Byfuglien as a stopgap, Market by market, team by team, it goes on like this. Every club could frankly it’s probably too much of a stretch. The Oilers already have Kris use someone of Byfuglien’s ability. Not everyone has the cap space, not Russell and Adam Larsson signed through the summer of 2021, everyone has the assets and only a very small number of teams who matching Byfuglien’s remaining term. Byfuglien’s $7.6-million cap hit check both of those boxes are in a “win now” portion of their window. would be a difficult thing to fit in on a team tight to the salary cap. Moreover, there’s the question of just how good Byfuglien would be at 34 One team who has cap space, assets to burn, a need for quality defence and having missed a half-season already. and a legitimately good chance at winning in the short term? The Colorado Avalanche. Even if Cale Makar, Tyson Jost and Samuel Girard Yet it remains interesting because as home-run swings go, there’s a case hit all of their performance bonuses, Colorado is still projected to have for it. Byfuglien was a 24-minute-per-game defenceman a year ago, with more than enough room to add Byfuglien’s salary — both this season 31 points in 42 games and brilliant shot metrics. The biggest weakness and next. The Avalanche are not rich in 2020 draft picks — they have a on Edmonton’s blue line today is on the right side, where Larsson has pick in every round except the second — but between Makar, Girard and struggled with injuries for the last season and a half. If Byfuglien could Bowen Byram, Colorado is one of the few teams with defensive step into that role, and if the Jets were eager enough to shed his contract prospects to burn. Even the tier after that high-end trio boasts Conor to take equivalent money back (Russell and someone like Alex Chiasson Timmins, whose 15 points in 24 AHL games certainly impresses, and would come close) it might allow the Oilers to trade Larsson for help at Calle Rosen, who is approaching too-good-for-the-AHL status but, at 25 forward while improving their defence overall. years old, may not have a high-end ceiling.

There’s a long chain of ‘ifs’ there, and it would be a major risk, which With less than a month to the trade deadline, no arbitration date set and makes it unlikely to happen. It’s intriguing all the same. Byfuglien’s recovery an ongoing process, Winnipeg does not have a tremendous degree of clarity about the rearguard’s future. Still, the Jets Ates: The coup for Winnipeg if trading with Edmonton would be to pluck a need clarity about how to move forward as a team. Much could change meaningful prospect like Bear or Jones (I believe Bouchard would be on between now and the eventual resolution — and the timeline is not Edmonton’s untouchables list) away from the Oilers while still managing established — but my expectation is that arbitration upholds Byfuglien’s to make the dollars work. Taking back a meaningful contract would be a suspension, that he reports to the team and that Winnipeg can move necessity, given the Oilers are projected to finish the season with roughly forward with clarity after that. $1 million in cap space to spare and Byfuglien will cost $1.7 million — this makes someone like Russell, as Willis suggests, a realistic The best-case scenario remains a healthy and happy Byfuglien dressing possibility. Russell at $4 million through the end of next season is not an for the Jets. With that scenario anything but guaranteed, Winnipeg needs impact defender but he does throw hits and he does block shots — if the to explore all of its options in great detail. Jets were able to pry Bear, whose offence seems to have followed him from the WHL to the NHL and/or meaningful draft picks, you can begin to see an enticing trade. The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 Anaheim Ducks — via Eric Stephens

The Ducks can use a top-four defenceman in the worst way. Left shot, right shot, whatever. They’ve needed one even when Josh Manson was at his best and anyone that has watched him play this season can see he’s been anything but. If they could have a do-over for the expansion draft, they might not have traded Shea Theodore so Vegas would take Clayton Stoner’s contract off their hands and left Manson or Sami Vatanen exposed to the Golden Knights.

Erik Gudbranson was acquired to shore up a big hole on the blue line but there was a reason why general manager Bob Murray made attempts to sign Kevin Shattenkirk and trade for Justin Faulk. Which leads us to Byfuglien. Would he be an upgrade on their defence corps? Instantly. Is trying to acquire him a smart move? I’m surely no GM, but I wouldn’t.

I do not know Byfuglien and have no earthly idea what makes him tick. This is pure opinion voiced from afar, but I gather that he is someone who wants the right conditions to feel comfortable playing in. Is playing in California one of those? I don’t know, but outside of his native Minnesota, Winnipeg seemed like the best fit and he did deliver some good seasons for the Jets.

But I don’t see acquiring him as a wise move for the Ducks. If they were a playoff contender that needed a key top-four piece to push them into elite status, then that’s a trade to consider. At present, they’re nowhere close to that. They’ve started to shed themselves of aging, past-their- prime players. I’m not saying Byfuglien is done by any means but he’s 34 with a $7.6 million cap hit, even though his actual salary falls to $6 million in 2020-21. They need long-term solutions. They hoped Faulk would be that in offering him a six-year deal, but the Minnesota native chose to be on a Cup champion in the Midwest.

Bringing in Byfuglien wouldn’t tie them down to him for nearly that length of time. But with the youth movement well underway in Anaheim, it seems that would be a counterproductive measure to add an aging player that you have to make sure is eager to be all-in with your program.

Ates: Do you sense a pattern developing? Yet one more team, desperate for a high-end defenceman, may be more concerned about Byfuglien’s ability to make the necessary impact at this crossroads in his career than intrigued by his obvious ability, even at 34 years old. The one thing to like about Anaheim, however, is its abundance of cap space and mid-tier defensive prospects like Brendan Guhle, Josh Mahura, Jackson Lacombe and Henry Thrun. Like the Jets, Anaheim has just five of seven 1173128 Vancouver Canucks “He said, ‘You’re like me when I was young,’” said Virtanen. “We always talk about that. He’s fun to be around and enjoys himself, but when it’s time to get down to business, he gets down to business.

Ben Kuzma: Is improving Virtanen the X factor for Canucks' playoff “He’ll point out things that we don’t see. I was watching my shifts and push? he’s watching next to me. He says, ‘Hey, what if we do this?’ The communication between him and me is non-stop and we sit together on the plane too. Sometimes, that gets annoying, but it’s good.

BEN KUZMA “We do talk shop a lot, especially after games, but he never stops. He’s a chatterbox.” January 28, 2020 5:23 PM PST Said Miller: “He’s getting older and he understands what it takes to be

consistent. As long as we keep it simple, we play better. That’s when Jake Virtanen is better at getting to the net and making the right play. plays will open up and you don’t have to force it to make a play.”

It’s not just the recent spurt of points — five in the last three games — There was considerable training-camp chatter when Virtanen was in the but also the pace, playmaking and presence that the winger is displaying third group — usually stocked with minor-leaguers — on Day 1 in that's significant. Victoria. There were fitness goals Green wanted the winger to reach and it created a buzz that could have sidetracked Virtanen. Jake Virtanen sounds sick. His throat is sore, his voice is hoarse. “We went to Calgary with a depleted lineup in an exhibition game and Virt However, the improved Vancouver Canucks winger was well enough scored the tying goal and the winner in OT,” recalled defenceman Troy Tuesday morning to talk about the night before and the quick chemistry Stecher. “I was playing in that game and I was just so pumped and proud he has developed since being aligned with Elias Pettersson and J.T. of him in that moment. Miller. And, clearly, there is a lot to talk about. “He’s so big and strong and skates so well, you really don’t want to limit It’s not just the recent spurt of points — five in the last three games — or hamper his strengths. It’s a treat to watch right now. When he scores but the pace, playmaking and presence that Virtanen is displaying on or makes a nice pass, the whole bench gets excited. nearly every shift is significant. He’s skating freely. He’s playing on instinct. He’s holding onto pucks longer. He’s even making saucer “And when Virt is having success, more often than not, we’re having passes instead of just deferring to a harmless shot on net from long success.” range. And he’s getting to the net.

“When you come into the league, you always want to make sure you’re Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.29.2020 not screwing up or making mistakes,” said Virtanen. “But as of late, if I do make a mistake, I make sure I don’t make it twice. I’m learning a lot quicker than I used to. I know if it’s a tight game, and we’re at the end of a shift, to not force it.

“It’s the little details and I’ve done a good job with that.”

This is head-scratching stuff.

Virtanen has often played like something was lacking — fitness, consistency, finish. And whether it’s having a mentor he can really relate to — Miller and Virtanen are first-round picks who endured NHL growing pains and spent considerable time in the AHL — or the simple summation of preparation meeting opportunity, there’s an obvious curiosity about what this all means.

Is this a blazing comet briefly streaking across the sky before burning out, or can Virtanen be what every team needs down the stretch — an X factor?

Virtanen has already hit career highs for assists (16) and points (30) through 50 games and is one goal shy of a career high (15) set last season. His 21 points (8-13) in the last 25 games speaks to continuing maturation even before he supplanted Brock Boeser on the Pettersson line.

“It’s funny what confidence does for a player,” said Canucks coach Travis Green, whose foundation of tough love has helped Virtanen evolve. “He’s making some plays he hasn’t made in the past. I don’t know if that’s playing with these guys or confidence.

“He’s got some more poise in his game and a lot of these plays last year, he just would have shot the puck. He’s got a great shot and we still want him to use it, but he’s made some nice plays, for sure.”

In the game within the game, Virtanen is more than holding his own. He’s third on the club in hits and takeaways and 12th in giveaways in 12:41 of average ice time, which included a season-high 18:06 on Jan. 14 in Winnipeg where he had five shots.

This all bodes well for a restricted free agent on an expiring contract who also has arbitration rights. But what might really be happening for the 23- year-old New Westminster native, who spent a dozen years in Langley before relocating to Abbotsford, is being in the right place at the right time with the right linemate.

Miller has been a welcome mentor. He sees a lot. And he talks a lot, in the room, on the ice, on the bench, in the club lounge and beside Virtanen on the team charter. 1173129 Vancouver Canucks was his ice time. In 2017-18, he averaged just over 18 minutes a game in Tampa after he came over from the Rangers in a big deadline deal.

Last year, he was down to 14:40 per game. Ed Willes: J.T. Miller settling into leadership role with Canucks “Obviously I’m playing way more here and have more of an opportunity, but I don’t think I had a bad year last year,” Miller said. “Maybe I didn’t score as many goals as I wanted, but it was only eight or nine points less ED WILLES than the year before in a reduced role.

January 28, 2020 3:49 PM PST “I don’t think production per minute is that far off.”

Maybe not far off, but it’s still off. Miller is on pace for 31 goals and 79 points this season. Coupled with the other assets he brings to the table, Here’s a precis of J.T. Miller’s eventful night’s work in the Canucks’ 3-1 Miller is a frontline player. win over the defending Stanley Cup champs from St. Louis. That’s also the role Miller sought with the Canucks when general First off, there were two five-on-five goals that kind of played a prominent manager Jim Benning made the trade on the second day of the NHL role in the game’s outcome. There was also 19 minutes of ice time and a draft. In meetings with Benning and Green, the 26-year-old Pittsburgh- plus-two rating along with two key penalty-killing shifts late in the second area product was told he’d be given every opportunity with his new team period and midway through the third, three blocked shots and a 73-per- but he had to, in Green’s words, “walk the walk.” cent success rate in the faceoff circle. “He’s really embraced a new role,” Green said. “We talked in the summer Oh, and one other thing. In addition to his two goals, he almost scored a and I think he was looking forward to being more of a leader on a team.” third into his own net when his overly ambitious pass from behind the Canucks’ net ricocheted off the Blues’ Brayden Schenn and forced Funny, that’s exactly what Miller said. Thatcher Demko into a big, if somewhat unnecessary, save. “I think it’s something I’ve embraced this year. I try to lead by example. I “My bad there,” Miller said to the Canucks’ goalie as they crossed paths think that’s the most effective way.” in the dressing room after their media stints. “Sorry, Demmer.” It’s helped, of course, that he’s stepped into that role on a new team that All part of the fun, said the Canucks’ goalie. required a veteran presence at the top of its lineup. But it’s also helped that Miller went through the necessary training, absorbing the many ups “Guys were giving him a couple of jabs at the intermission, but he scored and downs the game delivers, learning each step of the way while being two tonight so we can’t hold it against him. shaped into a fully formed professional. “Weird things happen. The game’s unpredictable.” “He wants to win badly,” Green said. “Everyone says they want to win, Just ask Miller. but it’s hard to win. Do you really play like that? He’s one of those guys who does.” Now with his third team in less than two seasons, the former Ranger and former Lightning has found a home on the West Coast and the West And that’s helped drive the turnaround with this franchise. Coast has found him. Fifty games into his Canucks career, he’s on pace “This year seems fresh and exciting for a lot of guys,” Miller said. to register career highs in goals and points and has already produced more in both categories than he did last season in Tampa. Some more than others.

But that’s just part of Miller’s story. His sturdy 200-foot game has gone a long way towards redefining a team in search of an identity. There’s a significant element of skill in that game. But there are equal parts will and Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.29.2020 determination that make Miller an indispensable piece of the Canucks’ rebuilding program.

“To win in this league, your top guys have to do those things,” coach Travis Green said. “It’s expected but when (established players) do it, I think it shows younger guys it should be expected of them, too.

“No matter who you are, you have to play a certain way to win and when I say win, I mean big games that matter late in the season.”

And to think there were any number of opinion-makers who were certain the Canucks overpaid to land Miller. In the interests of full disclosure, this space was one of them.

“I was really excited when they made that trade,” said Jay Beagle, the former Capital whose history with Miller goes back to the Eastern Conference. “He’s perfect for our style of hockey. It’s hard to find guys like that who are gritty but have skill.”

But that price, a first- and a third-round draft pick, with the first-rounder potentially being a lottery pick?

“I was like, he should have cost more,” Beagle said.

Beagle can say that now. Hell, we can all say that now. But back in June it was unclear what the Canucks were getting in Miller.

After back-to-back 56- and 58-point seasons between 2016 and 2018, he registered as a productive second-liner before his career took a sharp lefthand turn into bottom-sixville with Tampa last year.

Miller disputes the perception it was a down season, but the plain fact is he was bumped out of a feature role on a stacked Lightning team by the emergence of Brayden Point and Yanni Gourde as offensive producers.

Miller finished the season with 13 goals, his lowest total since his rookie year with the Rangers, and 47 points. But the more revealing number 1173130 Vancouver Canucks Perhaps the most underrated moment during the week off for Boeser was one that occurred over 500 miles away. Boeser watched from home as frequent linemate and close friend Elias Pettersson stood at the offensive blue line of the Enterprise Center, getting set as the only ‘I want to cherish every moment’: Why Brock Boeser put family first forward to compete in the Hardest Shot competition. The 176-pound during the Canucks’ bye week Pettersson ripped a slapshot that even he mused at with an impressed look — clocking in at 102.6 miles per hour and then following it up with a

second attempt of 100.3. By Harman Dayal By eclipsing 100 miles per hour on both shots, he earned $10,000 for a Jan 28, 2020 charity of his choice. Boeser couldn’t help but smile in his living room when the broadcaster announced that Pettersson was splitting his winnings between the Parkinson Society of British Columbia and the Minnesota chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association in Brock Boeser stepped out of the dressing room at UBC’s Doug Mitchell honour of Duke. Thunderbird Sports Centre after practice sporting a heavy gray coat and a black toque hugging his golden flow. “I was kind of shocked when I heard it on the TV,” Boeser said. “I was just thrown off. I was like, ‘Did they mess that up or something?’ But then The outfit was overkill for the mild Vancouver climate but up until a day I asked him after and he said he picked it for my dad. ago, it was certainly weather-appropriate. “It just shows the type of person he is and why he’s one of my best While most of his teammates dashed for palm trees and beaches in friends. He’s a caring kid and for him to do that, it means a lot to me and Mexico or headed to St. Louis for NHL All-Star weekend, Boeser was all my family.” too pleased to retreat to the winter wonderland known as Burnsville. Players tend not to go home during the bye week but after another scare with his father’s health in the summer — the latest one leaving Brock wondering if his dad, Duke, would survive — it was a no-brainer to go The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 back to Minnesota.

“You look at what happened with Kobe, you never know what can happen in life,” Boeser said, whose father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010 and has endured many health complications since. “When we played in Minnesota (earlier in January) we didn’t have much time, we were on a back-to-back.

“Going back (home last week), it’s not just about spending that extra time — I want to cherish every moment.”

Savouring every memorable outing with close friends and family is a lesson Boeser had to learn the hard way — the story of one of his closest friends, Ty Alyea, passing away in a car accident in 2014 well documented.

“You’ve got to live each day like it’s your last and so I think just really enjoying that time with those people that you love, really being dialled into the moment when you’re with them is important because it’s something you can’t get back if something ever happens,” Boeser said.

“During the bye week, to be able to go home and not feel rushed and to take time with my dad, my mom and my sister and everyone else, it’s sweet. We go out to dinner, I help out in any way I can in the house and see all my friends too. It was great.

“Just cherishing the moment with each and every individual that’s important to you in life goes a long way.”

Brock’s trip home included a day playing outdoor hockey, lots of outings for dinners and most memorably, a trip out to the country club to go swimming as a family.

“Just for my dad,” Boeser said of going out swimming. “I think it helps once we started getting him in the pool. I’m sure it can help him get back to feeling better.”

The good news is that Duke is starting to feel better each day.

“He’s doing all right,” Boeser said. “When he goes to the (country) club, it’s good. He’s getting good sleep and slowly getting better.

“He’s got a good attitude through it all and he’s still cracking jokes and stuff so it was good to see.”

Another nice bonus is that the break did wonders for Boeser in helping alleviate the mental toll of a grinding 82-game season.

“It’s huge. When you’re in the grind, you’re thinking about hockey all the time, that’s all that runs through your mind,” Boeser said. “To spend a week away from the game and not think too much about it and not let it bother you and stuff, it’s an awesome reset.

“After that, you’re for sure itching to get back. After a while there’s not really much to do, you start to get bored and you’re excited to get back at it.” 1173131 Websites I don’t hate this. I think Kreider is going to ultimately get the Rangers a first-round pick. At worst, a conditional first. But there are some people who aren’t convinced, in part because he isn’t a center. So, because we’re also including a guy drafted No. 10 overall in 2016, this seems The Athletic / Who says no? NHL executives evaluate your trade steep for the Avs. proposals Exec: “Colorado says no. This seems to be modeled on the Kevin Hayes deal, and the comparison is reasonable. So this isn’t a firm no, but I’d be surprised if a rental fetched that much.” By Craig Custance 5. Edmonton sends Jesse Puljujarvi and a third-round pick to Ottawa for Jan 28, 2020 Jean-Gabriel Pageau

I’m not sure this works for either team. I love Pageau as a fit for the This time of year, I have two guilty pleasures. One is looking at the list of Oilers. He’d be great for them. But that’s a lot for a player who can walk NHL scouts at games and trying to guess why they’re in the building. in a few months. And there’s no guarantee the Oilers even make the Then imagining super complex trade scenarios that led to them showing playoffs, so they could be losing a prospect and pick for nothing. And if up at a Tuesday night game when the answer is probably pretty simple. you’re the Senators, wouldn’t you rather try and get a first-round pick for Like, there was a nearby AHL game the night before and it’s been Pageau? He’s a center with playoff experience. Teams tend to like those planned for months. players at the deadline.

The second? Coming up with “Who Says No?” trade scenarios. Writers Exec: “Oilers say no. You’re giving the Senators a prospect they have next to me in the press box have to hear the worst ones. A few days ago, (contractual control over) for a while. They’re already giving up a third to I asked one executive, who isn’t yet a GM, whether or not his colleagues Calgary for James Neal. I think Ottawa is going to ask for a mint for do the same thing. He laughed and said, yeah. Sometimes. Pageau. He’s having such a good year. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to re-sign him. They have to have players at some point. You “The real question is, ‘Does it go to your GM?’ What ideas actually get can’t keep trading everyone.” taken to your GM?” he said. “You don’t want to look like you’re trying to trade your players all the time.” 6. The New York Rangers send goalie Alexandar Georgiev and a third- round pick to Toronto for Kasperi Kapanen and a second-round pick Based on questions posed from subscribers, hockey fans enjoy this exercise, too. So, last week, I reached out to all of you to see who could As James Mirtle has reported, the Maple Leafs have inquired about come up with the most interesting trade proposals that I could then pitch Georgiev. He makes a ton of sense for them. But if you’re trading to people in the league and have them evaluate. Kapanen, you might want to get a defenseman back instead of a backup goalie. Let’s just say that many, if not most, of the suggestions, fell along these lines: Exec: “Toronto says no. I don’t know why people think the Rangers are going to get a massive windfall for Georgiev. He has mediocre numbers, But a few were at least interesting. Or funny. And didn’t involve Connor a mediocre record, and having three goalies erodes any leverage they McDavid. So as promised, I shared them with a couple of NHL team have.” execs to get an answer: Who says no? It was fun. Thanks for the assist. Let’s dive in. 7. Minnesota sends Jason Zucker to Pittsburgh for Nick Bjugstad, a 2020 first-round pick and Casey DeSmith Who says no? It almost seems like an inevitability that Zucker ends up in Pittsburgh, 1. Edmonton sends Darnell Nurse to Winnipeg for Nikolaj Ehlers doesn’t it? You know GM Jim Rutherford likes him. He makes a ton of sense for the Penguins. If I’m Bill Guerin, I’m less interested in Bjugstad At some point, you have to assume that Kevin Cheveldayoff will address and more in another young asset to restock the system in Minnesota. the Winnipeg defense. My guess is that he does it without subtracting Ehlers. And if the Oilers want to spin their depth on defense into a Exec: “Minnesota says no. If they want to trade Zucker, they can get a winger, the match may actually be better with some of the wingers in first for him without eating Bjugstad’s cap hit.” Toronto. 8. The New York Rangers trade Chris Kreider to Boston for Danton Exec: “Winnipeg says no. I understand the concept, but if Winnipeg Heinen, a first-round pick and Jakub Zboril wants to add a defenseman, they can do it for cheaper than that. And they would also wait until the summer for a deal like this when there is That’s a bit steep for a pure rental. more roster flexibility and more potential trade partners to shop the player Exec: “Boston says no. This is similar to the Colorado proposal earlier, to.” maybe I am just wrong about what teams will do, but that seems like a lot 2. Detroit sends Anthony Mantha to Montreal for a 2020 first-round pick for a rental who is a good player but not a star.” and defenseman prospect Alexander Romanov 9. San Jose sends Martin Jones to Vegas for a sack of pucks Mantha has developed into a strong offensive player for the Red Wings. Maybe if that sack of pucks also includes a horrible contract that He was at nearly a point-per-game pace before getting injured. He’s a balances out Jones’. good player. But I spoke with one GM who was at the world juniors and he said Romanov was the best defenseman in the tournament. Better Exec: “Vegas says no. Maybe San Jose could afford to just go buy some than Detroit’s best prospect Moritz Seider. And Montreal’s first-round pick pucks if they hadn’t given Jones all that money.” could be pretty high. It’s a Canadiens no for me. 10. New Jersey sends Sami Vatanen to Tampa Bay for Vancouver’s first- Exec: “Montreal says no. Expecting to get a first-round pick and a good round pick (acquired in JT Miller deal) prospect in return for a player who’s never had 50 points is optimistic.” Lightning GM Julien BriseBois has made it clear that he doesn’t like the 3. Minnesota trades defenseman Matt Dumba and a 2021 fourth-round rental market. But maybe he’s protesting TOO much. Maybe it’s all just a pick to Toronto for William Nylander smokescreen to keep prices reasonable. In this case, the Lightning would be filling a need with a good player. I don’t hate this trade. That doesn’t get it done for Nylander, who has been great this season. We’ll get more into Dumba in a minute. Exec: “Maybe!”

Exec: “Toronto says no. Good rule of thumb for people making these 11. Detroit sends Dylan Larkin and Andreas Athanasiou to Colorado for proposals: If you’re throwing a 2021 fourth-round pick into the deal, it’s Bowen Byram, Shane Bowers and a 2020 first-round pick because you aren’t offering anywhere near enough, and you know it. That 2021 fourth isn’t going to change that.” We might be moving well beyond the realm of reality here but this is a fun one to consider. Imagine the Avalanche with Larkin and Nathan 4. Colorado trades Tyson Jost and a 2020 first-round pick to the New MacKinnon down the middle. It’d be hard for teams to keep up. And the York Rangers for Chris Kreider Red Wings definitely need another high-end defenseman in the system. But Larkin is a legitimate top center. Those are hard to find in a rebuild. If you’re trading one, you want an absolute guarantee that you’re getting an equivalent player back, kind of like Columbus got for Seth Jones in the Ryan Johansen trade. This is a Detroit no for me.

Exec: “Colorado is getting an offensive star in Larkin and a really good player, another speedy player in Athanasiou. They aren’t giving that much up in Bowers. Byram would be a big piece to give up. I would say that Detroit would say no to that. Larkin is their team. I don’t think they’d have a big issue getting rid of Athanasiou but they can get a first-rounder at the deadline for Athanasiou with a year left in RFA. Then it becomes a Larkin versus Byram thing. That ends up being the debate.”

12. Toronto sends forward William Nylander to Carolina for Brett Pesce

A lot of these proposals include Nylander. He’s been really good. I don’t think the Leafs are moving him.

Exec: “I think Nylander is worth more than Brett Pesce. But the contract might even that one out a bit. Leafs need cap space. That gives them a good defenseman and saves them $3 million. Who would say no? The Leafs would say no, they would want a better defenseman even it cost them a little more money.”

13. Vegas sends forward Alex Tuch, a first-round pick and a second- round pick to Columbus for Zach Werenski

The Blue Jackets have the defensive depth to trade a defenseman for a forward and you can bet they’ll try. Ryan Murray continues to be the most likely candidate. It’d have to be a monster deal to get Werenski out of there.

Exec: “I don’t think Columbus would do that. I would also say that if they got the right player they might move (Werenski). I don’t think Alex Tuch is the right player. I think they would want a top-two line center if they’re going to move Werenski, although that would have been more likely last summer, especially now that they’ve got Werenski in a (salary cap) number that is reasonable too. I think Columbus says no but they’d have to talk about it. I think Werenski has too much upside without getting a big need back.”

14. Buffalo trades Casey Mittelstadt to San Jose for Tomas Hertl

No from San Jose. Doug Wilson is ready to deal but I don’t think he’s looking to trade young players who are going to be a big part of the next phase of success for San Jose.

Exec: “San Jose would say no to that. I don’t think our guys love Mittelstadt. Not quite sure what he’s going to become. That’s an easy one.”

15. Vancouver sends Brock Boeser to Minnesota for defenseman Matt Dumba

My guess is that Matt Dumba isn’t as easy to trade as some Minnesota fans might think simply because of his contract. There aren’t a lot of teams looking to add right now who can afford to pick up someone making $6 million through 2022-23.

Exec: “Vancouver would say no to that. I’m a big Dumba fan. I think if you could get him it’d be a steal because I think his stock is down right now. But Boeser is going to be a 30-goal guy. I would consider it. I’m a huge Dumba fan but I don’t think (Vancouver) would.”

16. Edmonton sends defenseman Adam Larsson and a 2021 third-round pick to Toronto for Andreas Johnsson and Jeremy Bracco.

From a pure optics perspective, can the main piece coming back in an Adam Larsson trade really be Andreas Johnsson? That messes up the trade tree. I think Oilers say no but I also think there’s a deal to be done eventually between these two teams.

Exec: “Either team could say no. It’s not an unreasonable ask. It would come down to what they think of Bracco. If you strip it back to the two main players in the deal, it’s a pretty fair deal. Larsson for one of their wingers. I like Johnsson. I think he’d be a good fit for Edmonton. They might prefer to get Kapanen.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173132 Websites A quick reminder: Expansion rules are the same for Seattle as they were for Vegas.

A team can either protect seven forwards, three defensemen and a The Athletic / Mock expansion draft: What Seattle’s NHL team might look goalie or eight skaters and a goalie. There are exemptions for first- and like and which player each team could lose second-year pros and last time out, a list of long-term injured players were also made exempt. ALSO: Teams are obliged to protect players with no-move clauses in their contracts, unless those players specifically waive them. By Eric Duhatschek In this, the third version of this exercise, we thought we’d try to answer Jan 28, 2020 the questions that teams are asking themselves internally right now.

Two of the main discussion points are: It’s time for everybody’s favorite post-All Star tradition, The Athletic’s 1. Which players can be reasonably expected to waive their no-move Seattle challenge, otherwise known as Seattle Mock Draft 3.0. clauses? When we first attempted this exercise just a little over a year ago, we 2. Can teams risk exposing high-end, but aging players on expensive acknowledged it as an impossible task since Seattle’s actual expansion contracts, on the expectation that Seattle will give most of them a pass? draft was still 30 months away. All we were trying to do was gain familiarity with the formula and posit which, among the successful The first may require a little persuasion. gambits used by the Vegas Golden Knights in their expansion season, might work for Seattle too. The second, a good crystal ball.

George McPhee, then the Golden Knights’ general manager, helpfully The expansion rules also oblige teams to make players of a certain provided his assistance, noting that mock drafts had a genuine benefit for experience level available – and currently, almost no teams meet the his team because it enabled them to refine their scouting searches ahead expansion criteria in goal. The next 18 months will see some jockeying at of the real thing. that position, and others.

Seattle was expected to conduct the first of its own mock drafts in By rule, Seattle is obliged to select 14 forwards, nine defensemen and January, which would be about nine months sooner than when Vegas three goaltenders, with four additional “wild-card” options to fill out the started doing theirs. According to McPhee, the Golden Knights then roster. Vegas used all four of the extra spots to select defensemen and repeated the exercise about half-a-dozen times before they actually then moved a bunch of them along for draft choices before they ever selected their team — and from the start of the process to the end, less started playing. We anticipate most teams will opt for the 7-3-1 protection than 20 percent of the names they anticipated could end up on their model but a few are going to go to 8-1 because of their blue line depth. roster actually landed in Vegas. Some teams are really boxed in, with tough calls to make, especially the In a salary-cap era, the best asset an expansion team has is its blank ones with two viable goaltending options – one older, the other less financial slate. NHL expansion draft rules will require Seattle to spend at experienced, but ready to step into a larger role. Teams have enough a minimal threshold (to be determined once the cap for their first season time to sort that out between now and June 2021, but strength in goal is in place), but that will also provide them with one of their greatest was so critical to Vegas’s early success and strength in goal looks as if it opportunities – to assist teams in salary cap purgatory with their payroll will be available to Seattle as well. It certainly would be if the draft were issues; in exchange for player or draft choice consideration or both. conducted today.

There is a school of thought that suggests current NHL general The value of doing this exercise again now is that another year has managers will have learned from their mistakes in helping the Golden clicked off the calendar, so they’re getting closer to the actual expansion Knights become so competitive so soon. That’s the once-burned, twice- starting line. shy mentality and sure sounds good in theory. Seattle 3.0 is like a popular quiz show. Not everyone has all the answers. In practice, however, two things aren’t going to change. The good news here is, unlike “Jeopardy!,” we don’t penalize for incorrect responses. One: If a team needs to dump a contract and Seattle is willing to absorb it and the asking price makes sense, those types of deals will still go Without further preamble, here’s the revised Seattle 3.0: forward. If anything, the salary cap appears to be flattening in the next As noted above, the goaltending decisions in Pittsburgh (Matt Murray or few years – and thus, there may be even more teams turning to Seattle Tristan Jarry), Vancouver (Thatcher Demko or pending UFA Jacob for help than there were in 2017 for Vegas and McPhee. Markstrom) and Washington (Ilya Samsonov or pending UFA Braden Two: There will still likely be teams who would prefer to make a side deal Holtby) are delicious complications, and maybe the most critical part of with Seattle to solve a protection issue – and once again, that may assist the Seattle equation. Vegas doesn’t accomplish what it did in its Seattle in getting a few more contributing bodies. Right now, at least inaugural season without Marc-Andre Fleury’s goaltending. For Seattle to three teams – the Penguins, Canucks and Capitals – would have to get out of the gate quickly, they’ll need something similar to occur. make seriously hard choices when it comes to the sorting out their One other completely random thought before we get into a team-by-team goaltending options. For a price, Seattle might be willing to assist. breakdown. If Seattle wanted to create a strong leadership group, they Here, we can also add a third factor: The ability and willingness of Seattle could do worse than recruiting one or two or even all three Staal brothers to use its copious salary cap space to lure free agents. (Eric, Jordan and Marc) who could all be available, depending upon whether Jordan would waive his no-move clause. Is it probable? No. Is it Nowadays, veteran players approaching – or in their 30s – don’t possible? At this stage of the proceedings, it would be silly to rule necessarily have the same allure as free agents that they once did, not anything out (and there is a connection there to current Seattle general with so many teams committing financial resources to lock up younger A- manager Ron Francis). list players emerging from their entry-level contracts. Now here’s a team-by team-breakdown for all 30 clubs, projecting their Moreover, there was a time when in-their-prime players might have protected lists, and the formulas they’ll use (either 7-3-1 or 8-1); and then turned their collective backs on an expansion team, because it seemed briefly weighing in on the most attractive candidates available. (Note: like such a long road to competitiveness – and that would be a hard way Vegas is exempt; they don’t lose a player, but they also don’t share in the to play out the latter stages of your career, on a team destined to lose expansion fee that Seattle is paying to enter the league. ALSO: Not every more than they win. player that qualifies as exempt* is listed here, only our view of the most prominent). But Vegas changed that thinking too. Seattle is an attractive city, will have a state-of-the-art rink and will let everyone know in the next 18 *Exempt players and players on NMC courtesy of CapFriendly. months that everything about the operation is going to be first-class all the way, including the budget. Anaheim Ducks (7-3-1) F: Ryan Getzlaf, Rickard Rakell, Jakob Silfverberg, Ondrej Kase, Sam runs out in 2021. Skinner has a no-move clause but Kyle Okposo does Steel, Troy Terry, Isaac Lundstrom not. With three years remaining at $6 million, the Sabres will almost certainly expose Okposo, knowing that Seattle will likely look to one of D: Hampus Lindholm, Cam Fowler, Josh Manson their defensemen to draft. Montour will be an RFA then; he may be the G: John Gibson most attractive candidate. Miller will still have a year left on his contract and Jake McCabe will be UFA. Plucking a defenseman from among that Potentially available: Adam Henrique, Nick Ritchie, Max Jones, Brendan trio would appear to be Seattle’s best option. Guhle Calgary Flames (7-3-1) Exempt: Max Comtois F: Matthew Tkachuk, Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, Sean Monahan, Injury exempt (likely): Patrick Eaves, Ryan Kesler Mikael Backlund, Andrew Mangiapane, Dillon Dube

The last time around, the Ducks made a pre-arranged deal with Vegas, D: Noah Hanifin, Juuso Valimaki, Rasmus Andersson sending the Golden Knights a top defensive prospect – Shea Theodore – to protect other assets. It’s unlikely they’ll do the same this time around. G: David Rittich For one, their depth on defense isn’t what it once was. For another, they Potentially available: Mark Giordano, Sam Bennett, Mark Jankowski, are in a transition phase now, slowly trying to feed some of the young Oliver Kylington, Derek Ryan, T.J. Brodie, Travis Hamonic forwards that apprenticed under Dallas Eakins in San Diego into their NHL lineup. Most of their key young pieces will be either protected or Exempt: Jakob Pelletier exempt. In theory, they could leave Getzlaf exposed, thinking that Seattle would rather have a younger player. But Henrique is a versatile has a no-move clause, but the expectation is that he will serviceable NHL forward, able to play center or the wing, who could waive, knowing that Seattle will have better options. The pivotal figure provide veteran stability to the Seattle mix – and has a contract that here will be Bennett, the fourth overall pick in the 2014 draft, who hasn’t Anaheim might like to see go away. found his NHL footing in Calgary and could be moved between now and the actual expansion draft. If he does find a regular home in the lineup, Arizona Coyotes (7-3-1) then there’s a dilemma up front, because they’ll want to keep both Mangiapane and Dube and thus might be obliged to expose Backlund. F: Phil Kessel, Taylor Hall, Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Christian On defense, Giordano is the reigning Norris Trophy winner, but he is 36 Dvorak, Lawson Crouse, Conor Garland and they will likely gamble that Seattle will turn elsewhere to select from D: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jacob Chychrun, Kyle Capobianco a relatively deep lineup. Brodie and Hamonic are UFAs at the end of this season, and there is a good chance that one but not both will be signed G: Darcy Kuemper to contract extensions, further muddling the picture on the blue line. Kylington is also a good option – good skater, good puck handler, Potentially available: Antti Raanta, Adin Hill, Derek Stepan, Carl potentially someone that can run a power play. Soderberg, Christian Fischer, Vinnie Hinostroza, Michael Grabner Carolina Hurricanes (8-1) Exempt: Barrett Hayton F: Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal, Teuvo Teravainen, Andrei Svechnikov Kessel has a no-move clause (even though he’s already moved twice since signing that contract). For Arizona, the wild card will be Hall, who D: Dougie Hamilton, Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Haydn Fleury was acquired from New Jersey last month and is set to become a UFA this coming summer. Publicly, the Coyotes have said they want to sign G: Petr Mrazek Hall to an extension and assuming they do, that would still leave Seattle Potentially available: Jake Bean, Nino Niederreiter, Erik Haula, Jake with a couple of decent options to ponder up front. Fischer’s age may Gardiner, Warren Foegele, Ryan Dzingel, Lucas Wallmark make him attractive. But this could also be a good place for Seattle to shop for a goaltender – Hill, currently No. 3 on the depth chart, or if he’s Exempt: Martin Necas still in Arizona, Raanta, who has dropped down the depth chart behind Kuemper and is UFA in 2021. Hamilton will be UFA at the end of 2021, but given how well he’s fit in Carolina, it is expected they will get him signed to an extension. Staal Boston Bruins (7-3-1) has a no-move clause and could be asked to waive it so the Hurricanes could protect Foegele, who might be the most attractive available forward F: Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Jake DeBrusk, on their roster that we couldn’t find room for on the protected list. Haula, Charlie Coyle, Anders Bjork, Danton Heinen Joel Edmundson and Trevor van Riemsdyk are on contracts that expire D: Torey Krug, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo this year, while Dzingel, Brock McGinn and Jordan Martinook are all UFAs in 2021. Francis, the Seattle GM, used to run Carolina, and thus G: Tuukka Rask has a deep knowledge of their prospect pool and could opt for Bean, whom he drafted 13th overall in 2016. Bean’s entry-level contract slid Potentially available: David Krejci, Matt Grzelcyk, Sean Kuraly twice since he was signed and thus, he will only be coming out of entry- Krejci will be UFA at the end of the 2020-21 season, which means his level by the time Seattle drafts. A good low-cost option. $7.25 million salary will come off the books. He’ll be 35 at that point and Chicago Blackhawks (7-3-1) thus it would probably be safe to leave him unprotected, assuming that if he plays on, he’ll stay with Boston on a short-term contract for fewer F: Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, dollars. For Seattle, Grzelcyk would be the most attractive commodity – Alexander Nylander, Brandon Saad, David Kampf just 25 and a reliable 19-minutes per night defender. All of this assumes Krug re-signs with the Bruins. He is UFA at the end of this season. D: Duncan Keith, Connor Murphy, Erik Gustafsson

Buffalo Sabres (7-3-1) G: Robin Lehner

F: Jack Eichel, Jeff Skinner, Sam Reinhart, Victor Olofsson, Casey Potentially available: Olli Maatta, Andrew Shaw, Ryan Carpenter, Zack Mittelstadt, Rasmus Asplund, Tage Thompson Smith, Calvin de Haan, Drake Caggiula, Slater Koekkoek

D: Rasmus Dahlin, Rasmus Ristolainen, Henri Jokiharju Exempt: Kirby Dach, Dominik Kubalik, Adam Boqvist

G: Linus Ullmark The Blackhawks are second in the league in no-move clauses, with four players – Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook – all granted that protection. Potentially available: Brandon Montour, Colin Miller, Kyle Okposo, Kane, Toews and Keith are in no danger, but the Blackhawks will likely Marcus Johansson, Conor Sheary, Zemgus Girgensons, Jimmy Vesey ask Seabrook to waive and given his injury history, he may not even be playing anymore by 2021. That would free up a spot on the blue line. The Exempt: Dylan Cozens best news in Chicago is that they have three current NHLers (Dach, Buffalo is one of the hardest teams to get a proper read on because a Boqvist and Kubalik) exempt because of their ages. Gustafsson is UFA half-a-dozen of their current forwards are on contracts that expire this this summer and Saad next summer. Overall, it’ll be slim pickings for year (including Vesey, Sheary and Girgensons) and Johansson’s deal Seattle here; Maatta likely will be the best option because of his age and the fact that he’s signed until 2021-22, which could make him a trade The Red Wings are the worst team in the NHL this season and the only chip at Seattle’s first trade deadline. Or they could opt for a minor-leaguer saving grace there is they won’t get beat up too badly in the expansion or fringe NHLer to keep costs down. draft. Jimmy Howard, Mike Green, Jonathan Ericsson and Trevor Daley are all UFAs this summer, while Jonathan Bernier, Darren Helm, Valtteri Colorado Avalanche (8-1) Filppula and Luke Glendening are all up the year after that – which F: Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog, Nazem means, it’ll be out with the old and in with the new over the next 18 Kadri months in Detroit. Probably, the Red Wings would love to have Seattle select either Nielsen’s or Abdelkader’s pricey contracts, but they’ll have D: Erik Johnson, Cale Makar, Samuel Girard, Nikita Zadorov their cap issues well under control by then, so there won’t be any urgency to surrender a meaningful asset just to get them off the payroll. G: Philipp Grubauer A player on the fringes of their roster is probably all Seattle can expect to Potentially available: Ryan Graves, Tyson Jost, Andre Burakovsky, J.T. get here. Compher, Joonas Donskoi, Ian Cole, Vladislav Kamenev Edmonton Oilers (7-3-1) Exempt: Connor Timmins, Bowen Byram F: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jesse Erik Johnson has a no-move clause, which he could potentially waive, Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto, Tyler Benson, Cooper Marody but even if he doesn’t, the Avalanche are likely resigned to losing a good D: Oscar Klefbom, Darnell Nurse, Ethan Bear player – and the only question is, at which position, forward, defense or goal (assuming Pavel Francouz, a pending UFA, re-signs in Colorado)? G: Mikko Koskinen Graves has been a revelation this year, but it would be hard to protect him over Zadorov, which creates the issue on defense. It’s why Colorado Potentially available: Adam Larsson, Zack Kassian, Caleb Jones, Alex could protect four defensemen and four forwards and allow Seattle to Chiasson, James Neal, Jujhar Khaira, Markus Granlund, Kris Russell take its pick from among a lot of forwards with a variety of skill sets. Their Exempt: Evan Bouchard, Philip Broberg youth would make either Jost or Compher the two most attractive candidates. Edmonton is another team that could potentially be undergoing a massive transition at the bottom of their NHL roster, with seven current Columbus Blue Jackets (7-3-1) forwards, plus goalie Mike Smith, on expiring contracts. The Oilers’ core F: Pierre-Luc Dubois, Gustav Nyquist, Cam Atkinson, Josh Anderson, pieces are easy to define – McDavid and Draisaitl. Puljujarvi has asset Oliver Bjorkstrand, Nick Foligno, Boone Jenner value so he’d be protected if the expansion draft were tomorrow, and chances are, if and when Puljujarvi does get traded, the player(s) coming D: Seth Jones, Zach Werenski, Vladislav Gavrikov in would take his place on the protected list. Larsson will be UFA after the 2021 season, which makes it likelier that he will be exposed rather than G: Joonas Korpisalo Ethan Bear, who is having a quality rookie season. Kassian is the most Potentially available: Alexander Wennberg, Sonny Milano, Ryan Murray, prominent pending UFA up front and depending upon how that David Savard, Dean Kukan, Markus Nutivaara negotiation resolves itself, he could move onto the protected list and bump off one of the younger, up-and-coming forwards that are there at Exempt: Alexandre Texier, Emil Bemstrom, Liam Foudy, Elvis Merzlikins the moment. Since Bouchard and Broberg are likely to be NHL-ready – or close to NHL-ready – by 2021, the Oilers could probably survive the Seattle may be hoping to find the next William Karlsson on Columbus’s loss of a Larsson or a Jones to Seattle. unprotected list, a depth forward that blossomed in a No. 1 role. If there’s a player here who might be that guy, it’s Wennberg, who has been a Florida Panthers (7-3-1) maddeningly inconsistent performer since his breakout 59-point season in 2017. Still, he’s only 25. Both Ryan Murray and David Savard are F: Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Vincent Trocheck, Evgenii UFAs on the blue line and could also attract some interest, but a safer Dadonov, Mike Hoffman, Denis Malgin, Henrik Borgstrom defensive bet might be Nutivaara, who is also just 25 and signed until the D: Aaron Ekblad, Keith Yandle, Mike Matheson end of 2021-22 for a modest $2.7 million. G: Sergei Bobrovsky Dallas Stars (7-3-1) Potentially available: MacKenzie Weegar, Frank Vatrano, Anton F: Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Alexander Radulov, Roope Hintz, Radek Stralman, Brett Connolly, Colton Sceviour, Mark Pysyk Faksa, Denis Gurianov, Jason Dickinson Bobrovsky, Huberdeau and Yandle all have no-move clauses, but that D: Miro Heiskanen, John Klingberg, Esa Lindell likely wouldn’t be an issue anyway, given how important they are to the G: Ben Bishop here-and-now in Florida. Aside from Yandle, Ekblad is the other keeper on the blue line, where they likely have to decide who to protect between Potentially available: Julius Honka, Joe Pavelski, Jamie Oleksiak, an expensive Mike Matheson and a relatively cheaper MacKenzie Stephen Johns, Mattias Janmark Weegar. Both are 25, but Matheson is a pricey $4.85 million and signed through 2026. That may be a place where the Panthers want to roll the The Stars have four players on no-move clauses (Bishop, Seguin, Benn dice and protect the cheaper financial option. Hoffman and Dadonov are and Radulov) but Pavelski’s NMC expires before the expansion draft. If both protected here, but they are pending UFAs after this season, and so they choose to protect Pavelski it might mean they have to expose the Florida’s collection of protected forwards could shift depending on where versatile Dickinson. Janmark, Corey Perry, Roman Polak and Andrej they ultimately land – or if they sign extensions to stay on. Sekera are all on expiring contracts this year, while Andrew Cogliano, Jamie Oleksiak and Blake Comeau are up after next year, leaving fairly Los Angeles Kings (8-1) thin offerings. Depending upon what happens with Julius Honka, who is playing in Europe this year, he could be the most attractive player F: Anze Kopitar, Alex Iafallo, Blake Lizotte, Adrian Kempe available to Seattle. D: Drew Doughty, Sean Walker, Matt Roy, Kale Clague Detroit Red Wings (7-3-1) G: Cal Petersen F: Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Tyler Bertuzzi, Andreas Athanasiou, Potentially available: Jonathan Quick, Jack Campbell, Dustin Brown, Jeff Michael Rasmussen, Robby Fabbri, Taro Hirose Carter, Tyler Toffoli, Alec Martinez, Matt Luff, Michael Amadio D: Filip Hronek, Dennis Cholowski, Danny DeKeyser Exempt: Tobias Bjornfot, Samuel Fagemo, Akil Thomas, Rasmus Kupari, G: Jonathan Bernier Alex Turcotte, Gabe Vilardi, Nikolai Prokhorkin, Jaret-Anderson Dolan, Mikey Anderson, Sean Durzi Potentially available: Adam Erne, Justin Abdelkader, Frans Nielsen, Madison Bowey, Luke Glendening, Patrick Nemeth, Brendan Perlini If you could roll the clock back five years, there’d be some dynamic expansion options available here. But sadly, this is 2020, and the Kings Exempt: Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno, Filip Larsson are six years and counting removed from the last Cup win. Their expansion exempt list perfectly illustrates the organizational path forward – lots of youth that they hope to integrate into their lineup over the next Granlund, Smith and Grimaldi are all UFAs in 2020 and Bonino is UFA in two or three years. Because of age or contract status or both, it means 2021, and so the available list could change dramatically in the months the Kings can freely expose older veterans such as Dustin Brown, Jeff ahead. Josi negotiated a no-move clause in the new contract that kicks in Carter and Jonathan Quick. If Seattle wanted to absorb one of those next year, and with Fabbro’s emergence this year, Nashville will almost contracts, great! Doughty is the only Kings’ player with a no-move clause, certainly protect four defensemen again this time around. Among the but Kopitar could just as easily have one. He’s not going anywhere available forwards, Jarnkrok is easily the most attractive value – a $2 either. Toffoli, Kyle Clifford and Trevor Lewis are on expiring contracts million contract, signed through 2022 and currently playing a top-six role. and will likely be made available as rentals at this year’s trade deadline, The more intriguing scenario here revolves around Turris – signed until with Toffoli the most likely to move for a meaningful asset. Overall, the 2024 to an albatross of a contract. On a team that will likely need to keep pickings are mighty slim here, though there could be interest in a Luff, an freeing up cap space, they represent one organization that could try and Amadio — or for any team that’s looking for leadership and winning incentivize Seattle to take on Turris and the three years that will remain pedigree on the blue line, Alec Martinez might fit the bill. He’s UFA in on his contract in exchange for a prospect or a future draft choice. 2021, but that didn’t stop Vegas, in a similar scenario, from plucking Deryk Engelland from Calgary’s list. New Jersey Devils (7-3-1)

Ryan Donato F: Nico Hischier, Kyle Palmieri, Jesper Bratt, Blake Coleman, Miles Wood, Pavel Zacha, Michael McLeod Minnesota Wild (7-3-1) D: Will Butcher, Damon Severson, Colton White F: Zach Parise, Mats Zuccarello, Jason Zucker, Kevin Fiala, Jordan Greenway, Luke Kunin, Joel Eriksson Ek G: MacKenzie Blackwood

D: Ryan Suter, Matt Dumba, Jared Spurgeon Potentially available: P.K. Subban, Sami Vatanen, Travis Zajac, Wayne Simmonds, Cory Schneider, Joey Anderson G: Kaapo Kahkonen Exempt: Jack Hughes, Nikita Gusev, Jesper Boqvist Potentially available: Ryan Donato, Ryan Hartman, Jonas Brodin, Eric Staal, Mikko Koivu, Ryan Hartman, Marcus Foligno, Carson Soucy Among players on the current Devils’ roster, three regulars – Hughes, Gusev and Boqvist – are exempt. Hall’s departure in the trade to Arizona Suter, Parise, Spurgeon and Zuccarello all have no-move clauses, opens up another protected spot in the forward ranks, but the reality is though the Wild could ask Suter and Parise to waive, because their New Jersey will have no issues unless they use up all their salary cap contracts, which run until 2025, make them virtually impossible to move space this summer to sign expensive free agents. Simmonds and at their ages – even if both are still producing a viable level of hockey in Vatanen are UFAs this summer, while Palmieri, Coleman and Zajac are their mid-30s. It’ll be an interesting internal organizational dialogue led by UFAs in 2021. If Palmieri doesn’t sign an extension, he will likely go the new GM Bill Guerin. But the Wild may just decide – unlike last time out, same way that Hall did. Subban represents probably the most intriguing under different leadership – to bite the bullet and simply allow Seattle to question mark. He is 30, has a $9 million cap hit and his contract expires select a depth player and be done with it. Koivu and Soucy are UFAs this in 2022, which means there’d be a year left when Seattle is pondering its summer, while Brodin and Staal are UFAs in 2021. Eriksson Ek’s choices. Subban has underperformed offensively this year, but he still improved play of late made him our seventh forward choice, meaning the leads the team in TOI and he does bring a big personality to whichever best Seattle option might be one of the Ryans, Donato or Hartman. team he happens to play for. Could the Devils protect him? Easily. Could they leave him off the protected list, just to see if Seattle might be Montreal Canadiens (7-3-1) interested? An equally plausible outcome.

F: Max Domi, Jonathan Drouin, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Artturi Lehkonen, New York Islanders (7-3-1) Brendan Gallagher, Phillip Danault, Joel Armia F: Mathew Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, Anders Lee, Josh Bailey, Brock D: Shea Weber, Jeff Petry, Cale Fleury Nelson, Jordan Eberle, Kieffer Bellows

G: Carey Price D: Devon Toews, Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech

Potentially available: Victor Mete, Tomas Tatar, Brett Kulak, Nick G: Semyon Varlamov Cousins Potentially available: Thomas Greiss, Sebastian Aho, Michael Dal Colle, Exempt: Nick Suzuki, Ryan Poehling, Cayden Primeau Casey Cizikas, Nick Leddy, Johnny Boychuk, Scott Mayfield, Cal The Canadiens present one of the more challenging protection scenarios Clutterbuck, Leo Komarov, Andrew Ladd to forecast because they have multiple issues to address, beginning with Exempt: Noah Dobson, Oliver Wahlstrom Weber, who doesn’t have no-move protection, is 34 and signed until 2026 to a contract with a $7.857 million AAV. Seattle wouldn’t commit to Isles GM Lou Lamoriello has a history of making onerous contracts go those kind of dollars and that term to an aging superstar, would they? away, but if Andrew Ladd’s seven-year, $38.5 million deal, which doesn’t Well, they might if he were available – given that Weber is from B.C. and expire officially until 2023 is still lingering on the books, he may well try to would then be able to finish his career closer to home. Odds are while strike a deal with Seattle to take it away. It’s a $5.5 million AAV that’s other teams, with other aging expensive players on their rosters, might currently buried alongside Thomas Hickey’s $2.5 million AAV in the be prepared to take that risk — Montreal won’t. Petry is UFA in 2021, and minors. Otherwise, the Islanders aren’t in bad shape. Dobson and if he remains unsigned, will likely be left unprotected. If he does agree to Wahlstrom, two top prospects, are exempt. The most attractive player an extension, and thus gets protected, then the Habs face the prospect under contract may well be Leddy, who is 28 and signed through the end of losing either Mete or Fleury. Either one would represent a value option of 2022 at $5.5 million. Or if not Leddy, then defenseman Sebastian Aho to Seattle. In goal, Price has a no-move. Up front, Domi, Drouin and (not to be confused by the star Carolina forward of the same name). Kotkaniemi are almost guaranteed to be protected, and you can add Greiss is UFA this summer and Cizikas is UFA next summer. If Cizikas Gallagher to the list, assuming he signs a contract extension because he ultimately signs an extension, that could bump Bellows – a 2016 first- is UFA in 2021 – as are Tatar, Danault and Armia. Any of those three, if round draft choice – off the protected list. they do sign new deals, would almost certainly get protected. In our scenario, someone has to slip through the cracks to get down to seven New York Rangers (7-3-1) protected forwards and so we chose Tatar. F: Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Pavel Buchnevich, Ryan Strome, Filip Nashville Predators (8-1) Chytil, Lias Andersson, Brett Howden

F: Matt Duchene, Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson D: Jacob Trouba, Brady Skjei, Tony DeAngelo

D: Roman Josi, , Mattias Ekholm, Dante Fabbro G: Alexandar Georgiev

G: Juuse Saros Potentially available: Libor Hajek, Ryan Lindgren, Jesper Fast, Chris Kreider, Brendan Lemieux, Brendan Smith, Henrik Lundqvist Potentially available: Pekka Rinne, Kyle Turris, Craig Smith, Calle Jarnkrok, Mikael Granlund, Nick Bonino, Rocco Grimaldi Exempt: Adam Fox, Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov, Igor Shesterkin Trouba, Panarin and Zibanejad all have no-move clauses, and thus G: Tristan Jarry aren’t going anywhere. Fox, Kakko and Kravstov are all exempt. Fast and Kreider are UFAs this summer and probably not long for New York Potentially available: Matt Murray, Nick Bjugstad, Justin Schultz, Patric either. Ultimately, the hardest decision for New York might be what to do Hornqvist, Alex Galchenyuk, Teddy Blueger, Zach Aston-Reese, Sam with Skjei, who is only 25, but signed to a $5.25 million contract through Lafferty 2025 – pricey, for what he brings to the mix. Would it make more sense Just as with Philadelphia, you might need a book – not a blurb – to to protect a younger cheaper asset (Hajek and Lindgren are both playing examine all of the scenarios that Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford will have in the NHL this season, averaging in the 16-minute range)? Maybe. If to puzzle out between now and the real expansion draft, but let’s Skjei came available, that would likely be Seattle’s choice. If he was examine the most delicious one currently at hand: What to do – again! – protected, Hajek would be the next best available option. Marc Staal is in goal. The emergence of Tristan Jarry who, for the moment anyway, UFA in 2021 and while it likely isn’t going to happen, there is a part of me has wrestled the No. 1 job away from Matt Murray would – if the that would like to see Seattle recruit all three Staal brothers to play in expansion draft were conducted today – put Pittsburgh in the same place Seattle. As noted before, there are scenarios in which all could be made they were with Vegas and the decision of who to choose from between available and if the goal is to provide leadership and role models for a Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury. Wouldn’t it be something if Murray now brand-new organization, you could do worse. ended up as the odd man out and landed in Seattle? Of course, Jarry Ottawa Senators (7-3-1) could falter or Murray surge in the second half, and the equation could be flipped on its ear at any point next year as well. In the end, if the F: Brady Tkachuk, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Anthony Duclair, Connor Penguins truly believe Jarry is the way forward, a more likely scenario Brown, Colin White, Logan Brown, Drake Batherson would be to see them trade Murray, so they could get value back, instead of losing him for nothing. Happily, for Pittsburgh, that decision doesn’t D: Thomas Chabot, Dylan DeMelo, Maxime Lajoie have to be made today. It has time to play out. If the Penguins do trade G: Marcus Hogberg their way out of their goaltending quandary, then the next best option would be whichever one of a handful of young forwards that Pittsburgh Potentially available: Chris Tierney, Nikita Zaitsev, Mark Borowiecki, Nick chooses not to protect. Blueger looks good as a depth forward. Crosby, Paul, Bobby Ryan, Artem Anisimov, Vladislav Namestnikov, Tyler Ennis, Malkin and Letang all have no-move clauses and Schultz is UFA this Anders Nilsson summer.

Exempt: Erik Brannstrom, Alex Formenton San Jose Sharks (7-3-1)

Considering they are still in the early stages of a rebuild, Ottawa’s F: Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl, Timo Meier, Evander Kane, Marcus expansion scenario is surprisingly complex. It starts with whatever Sorenson, Kevin Labanc, Dylan Gambrell decision they make on Pageau, who is UFA this summer and in the midst of a career season. If they move him as a rental at the deadline, that’ll D: Brent Burns, Erik Karlsson, Marc-Edouard Vlasic free up an extra spot up front for the likes of a Tierney or a Paul. Other G: Martin Jones useful pieces approaching UFA this summer: DeMelo, Borowiecki, Ennis and Namestnikov. Considering what a good year Borowiecki is having Potentially available: Barclay Goodrow, Brenden Dillon, Radim Simek, and what he means to the organization in a leadership position, it’s hard Lukas Radil, Antti Suomela to imagine him moving on. If he signs, that might bump DeMelo or Lajoie off the protected list. In goal, Nilsson is UFA in 2021, and with Craig There may be no slimmer pickings for Seattle anywhere than with the Anderson aging out and Hogberg being groomed as his possible Sharks, where Karlsson and Vlasic have no-move clauses and Burns successor, the Senators could potentially be in the market for a pre- isn’t going anywhere either. Up front, the Sharks can protect every core expansion draft trade with one of Vancouver, Washington or Pittsburgh to forward that they imagine being in their future. Dillon is UFA in 2020 and bolster its netminding. But for now, there are still lots of moving parts in expected to be traded at the deadline. Simek and Radil also have their Ottawa. contracts coming up this year, and they’ve been useful fill-ins. Goodrow’s role has increased incrementally this season, but he is UFA in 2021. Joe Philadelphia Flyers (7-3-1) Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Melker Karlsson are among the players on expiring contracts this summer. In the last expansion draft, Vegas F: Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux, Travis Konecny, Kevin Hayes, Nolan plucked minor-leaguers off the rosters of three teams because the NHL Patrick, Oskar Lindblom, Jakub Voracek options were so unappealing. It’s hard not to imagine a similar situation D: Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Philippe Myers developing here with the suddenly paper-thin Sharks.

G: Carter Hart St. Louis Blues (7-3-1)

Potentially available: James van Riemsdyk, Shayne Gostisbehere, Matt F: Ryan O’Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, Brayden Schenn, Jaden Schwartz, Niskanen, Michael Raffl, Robert Hagg, Brian Elliott David Perron, Robert Thomas, Sammy Blais

Exempt: Joel Farabee, Morgan Frost D: Alex Pietrangelo, Justin Faulk, Colton Parayko

Seattle could well spend more time scrutinizing their options with G: Jordan Binnington Philadelphia than with any other team because the Flyers could Potentially available: Jake Allen, Ville Husso, Jordan Kyrou, Ivan potentially make available Voracek or van Riemsdyk, or both because of Barbashev, Oskar Sundqvist, Zach Sanford, Tyler Bozak, Vince Dunn, financial reasons. Both players are 30 and making a bundle: Voracek Alexander Steen ($8.25 million and signed until 2024); van Riemsdyk ($7 million and signed through 2023). Valuable players, both, but probably not producing Exempt: Klim Kostin to the level of those contracts. To further confuse matters, you could probably add the slick Gostisbehere to the mix as well. Once among the There’ll be lots of moving pieces in St. Louis in the next little while, NHL’s highest-scoring defensemen, Gostisbehere’s role has greatly been beginning with how the Alex Pietrangelo matter resolves itself. diminished this year, with the emergence of Provorov and Sanheim. Pietrangelo is on an expiring contract and if he gets to unrestricted free Signed for $4.5 million through 2023, the Flyers might opt for the cheaper agency, he could command one of the largest salaries this side of John option in Myers, who is RFA this summer. And if Gostisbehere were Tavares. If Pietrangelo opts to stay in St. Louis, that would make Vince available and maybe the best option for power-play QB (next to Subban), Dunn an intriguing blue line option. They could also gamble and leave then Seattle could go in that direction. Or, on a team that figures to be Faulk unprotected, thinking Seattle wouldn’t touch him because of the desperately short of natural scorers, select Voracek or van Riemsdyk. money or the term. On the other hand, Faulk did play for Francis in Tough call today – though there could be further clarity by June 2021. Carolina so there’s a history. A dilemma there that’ll need sorting out. Both Binnington and Allen are currently set to become UFAs in 2021; the Pittsburgh Penguins (7-3-1) most likely scenario is Binnington re-signing and Allen being on the available list alongside goalie prospect Ville Husso. More than likely, F: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, Brandon however, the Blues will lose a useful player up front. Schwartz, Steen, Tanev, Jared McCann, Dominik Kahun Bozak and Carl Gunnarsson are all UFAs in 2021, though it’s hard to D: Kris Letang, Brian Dumoulin, Marcus Pettersson imagine any scenario under which Schwartz leaves the Blues. If he signs, he’ll be protected and then one of Thomas, Blais or Kyrou will have to be left exposed. If, for whatever reason, they can’t get a deal overall pick in 2016. Tanev is also UFA this summer and depending on done with Schwartz, then they’ll be able to cover all three. how that situation resolves itself, he could bump Edler off the protected list, given that Edler is UFA in 2021. Tampa Bay Lightning (7-3-1) Washington Capitals (7-3-1) F: Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli, Mathieu Joseph, Alex Killorn, Ondrej Palat F: Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson, Jakub Vrana, T.J. Oshie, Lars Eller D: Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev, Erik Cernak D: John Carlson, Dmitry Orlov, Michal Kempny G: Andrei Vasilevskiy G: Ilya Samsonov Potentially available: Cal Foote, Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan McDonagh, Yanni Gourde, Tyler Johnson, Cedric Paquette Potentially available: Braden Holtby, Radko Gudas, Garnet Hathaway, Carl Hagelin, Jonas Siegenthaler, Nick Jensen Exempt: Nolan Foote Exempt: Connor McMichael Kucherov, Stamkos and Hedman all have no-move clauses. Nolan Foote is exempt, but Cal Foote is not. If the Lightning opt for the more As do Pittsburgh and Vancouver, Washington has a goalie issue to traditional 7-3-1 protected strategy, they have a decision to make resolve between now and the expansion draft, but it will most likely play between Cal Foote and the underrated Erik Cernak, who is doing a lot of itself out this summer because Holtby is a UFA and presumably heavy defensive lifting for them now. In theory, they could opt to protect understands that the 22-year-old Samsonov is the Caps’ goalie of the just four forwards – Point and either Cirelli or Joseph would then be the future. At age 30, Holtby could probably cash in far bigger elsewhere, but fourth, which would allow Seattle to take its pick of forwards that are, on he may not get as many chances to win more Stanley Cups if he leaves some levels, fairly interchangeable – signed long-term, but to contracts Washington. Finding the cash to sign Holtby was going to be difficult, that they wouldn’t mind seeing walk out the door. It’s long been even before Backstrom signed his own contract extension earlier in speculated that Tyler Johnson might be Seattle’s preferred choice, just January that took him off the UFA market and will bump his AAV from because of his ties to the Pacific Northwest – Johnson was born in $6.7 million to $9.2 million. Meanwhile, the rough-and-tumble Gudas is Spokane and played four years for the WHL Chiefs. Scoring figures to be also on an expiring contract. It may well be that Washington could lose the greatest challenge for expansion Seattle, but if a young defenseman the 22-year-old Siegenthaler to Seattle, which can only hope and dream were available here, that’s an equally intriguing option. Theoretically, that he becomes another Nate Schmidt. Seattle could also choose to swallow hard and take on McDonagh’s $6.75 million annual cap hit, for a contract that runs through 2026, but Winnipeg Jets (7-3-1) that seems a less likely possibility unless there’s a financial incentive F: Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, Nikolaj offered to do so. Ehlers, Jack Roslovic, Adam Lowry

Toronto Maple Leafs (7-3-1) D: Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk, Sami Niku

F: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, William Nylander, G: Connor Hellebuyck Andreas Johnsson, Zach Hyman, Kasperi Kapanen Potentially available: Andrew Copp, Tucker Poolman, Mason Appleton, D: Morgan Rielly, Travis Dermott, Jake Muzzin Mathieu Perreault, Bryan Little, Dmitry Kulikov, Nathan Beaulieu

G: Frederik Andersen Exempt: Ville Heinola, Kristian Vesalainen, David Gustafsson

Potentially available: Alexander Kerfoot, Pierre Engvall, Jeremy Bracco, Wheeler has a no-move clause and Lowry is on an expiring contract in Trevor Moore, Frederik Gauthier, Tyson Barrie 2021. If they haven’t got Lowry signed to an extension by then and face Exempt: Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren, Ilya Mikheyev losing him as a free agent, they might then opt to protect Copp instead. The Jets probably understand they’re going to lose one or the other, There are too many moving pieces on the Leaf blue line to get an which is why Gustafsson is already being groomed for a bottom-six accurate reading on how Toronto’s list will ultimately play out, given that center role. Little’s contract ($5.29 million AAV, running through 2024) Tyson Barrie, Jake Muzzin and Cody Ceci are all on expiring contracts weighs heavily on the payroll and the Jets may well try to negotiate some and thus UFAs this summer. For the cap-challenged Leafs, the key going sort of side deal that would convince Seattle to select him as a veteran forward will be the NHL readiness of Sandin and Liljegren, both of whom leader-type, in exchange for a draft choice, or other considerations. are exempt from the expansion draft and probably playing in Toronto Kulikov, Beaulieu and Luca Sbisa are all UFAs this summer and next season. Up front, things are far less complicated. Tavares has a no- Perreault is UFA next summer. move clause, and Hyman is UFA in 2021, but he seems too valuable to let go, unless the price point on a possible extension becomes too high. So here’s how it breaks down team-by-team: Ultimately, it leaves Kerfoot as the attractive asset, or perhaps a younger A few final thoughts in summary, and then we invite you to offer your player such as Engvall or Bracco, who are pending RFAs this summer. thoughts in the comments section below.

Vancouver Canucks (7-3-1). No matter what changes between now and June 2021, when Seattle is F: Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Bo Horvat, J.T. Miller, Adam officially on the clock, probably two-thirds of the players in the NHL will Gaudette, Tanner Pearson, Jake Virtanen be as untouchable then as they are today. But that still leaves a vast player pool to ponder and narrow down. D: Tyler Myers, Alex Edler, Olli Juolevi Internally, to the best of my knowledge, every NHL team has already G: Jacob Markstrom done a version of this exercise – to put a tentative expansion protection plan in place. The final few questions will ultimately be answered by Potentially available: Thatcher Demko, Chris Tanev, Troy Stecher, either the upward arc of a young’s player career or the possible Brandon Sutter, Micheal Ferland, Jay Beagle, Loui Eriksson downward spiral of an older player.

Exempt: Quinn Hughes, Jett Woo In the last wave of expansion before Vegas – when the NHL added four Everything in Vancouver hinges on what happens with Markstrom in teams in a three-year span between 1998 and 2000 – the NHL made it goal. He is a pending UFA, but made the 2020 NHL All-Star Game as a so easy for existing teams to protect all of their key players that the new replacement for Marc-Andre Fleury and has provided the Canucks with teams in Columbus, Minnesota, Atlanta and Nashville got little in the way the sort of consistent goaltending that suggests his next contract will cost of contributing players. them a bundle. The expectation is that Markstrom will sign and then the The Vegas expansion changed that. Canucks will likely start listening to offers for Demko, rather than lose him for essentially nothing in the expansion draft. Or theoretically, the Vegas made the Stanley Cup final in its inaugural season, took a small Canucks could offer a sweetener to Seattle to keep their hands off both step back in Year 2 and this season, despite a few first-half bumps, goalies, and maybe make a prospect such as Juolevi available, who has probably has the strongest iteration of its team yet. Vegas developed its another 18 months to show some of the promise that made him the fifth model on the fly – trying to capitalize on their early success by pushing all their chips into the middle. Three years in, Vegas finally has the first of its drafted players, Cody Glass, in the lineup. Two other first-rounders, (Nick Suzuki and Erik Brannstrom) were used to acquire Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone. But Vegas was Vegas and this is Seattle and while they may borrow some tenets from the Golden Knights’ model, they are also likely to develop a few fresh ideas of their own.

Let the guessing games begin.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173133 Websites Fast forward 12 months and Muzzin is hoping to hammer out a contract extension with Toronto that will keep him from testing unrestricted free agency this summer. There is mutual interest in trying to find a solution on that front, although the cap-challenged Leafs have to be careful with Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs get their 'conscience' back with Jake Muzzin's every financial commitment they make. return At least there is trust and comfort built into the relationship between player and team.

Chris Johnston | @reporterchris “The organization, the way they look after us, the guys here, the city,” said Muzzin, when asked what he likes about being a Leaf. “The buzz in January 28, 2020, 5:46 PM the city about hockey is huge. Being close to home is always a nice touch, especially with a little one around now, so there’s lots of good things here and I’d love to stay.” DALLAS — You never get any B.S. from Jake Muzzin. There’s a case to be built for keeping him around. He is a speaker of unvarnished truth. Owner of a shiny Stanley Cup ring who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. A steadying we-before-me Muzzin is arguably the steadiest defensive presence on the Leafs blue- presence. line and he’s a throwback to boot. He’ll block a shot or step into a rushing opponent to keep him honest. And when something needs said behind And, for a brief time last week, Muzzin was a well-paid member of the closed doors he’s quick to lend his voice to the difficult conversations. Toronto Marlies — returning to the American Hockey League more than seven years and 600 NHL games after he last stepped foot in the minors. “He’s an emotional guy and we need more emotion in our game sometimes,” said veteran Jason Spezza. That came on a conditioning stint to help ease his return from a broken foot. Incredibly rare is the established veteran who will consent to that “He just does so many things well in all three zones,” said captain John return-to-play routine — the Leafs have had others decline the option in Tavares. “Just sets a great tone for us with the fire that he plays with, the past — but the 30-year-old Muzzin had no reservations about taking how competitive he is and just knowing what it takes, especially when the bus ride to Cleveland and playing more than 27 minutes for the games are tough. Marlies before making his NHL return. “Tight hockey games, he always seems to elevate.” “I mean, I was going to feel like shit no matter what,” said Muzzin. “So And when the organization asks him to play an AHL game for that was a good way to get it out.” conditioning purposes he’ll do that, too. It’s an instance that tells us a lot about the player. And it helps illustrate No questions asked. why the Leafs view him as an integral member of the team.

Sheldon Keefe referred to Muzzin as the “conscience” of the Leafs this week and he was comfortable rolling him out for 22:38 in Tuesday’s 5-2 Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.29.2020 victory over the Nashville Predators in part because he’d shaken some cobwebs out during the AHL conditioning stint.

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“He’s really only concerned about putting himself in his best position to succeed and then our team in a position to succeed,” said Keefe. “Not many players would do that. He’s not really concerned about his ego or any other stuff other than getting himself ready.”

Muzzin’s brief AHL stint earned him extra street cred in a dressing room that features 13 players that have previously graduated from the Marlies. He was presented with the team’s game ball following the win in Nashville and some of his teammates chided him for being their latest difference-making callup.

“I feel like I’ve joined that group now,” Muzzin joked. “I’m part of the boys.”

But on a serious note that spell with the Marlies paid dividends during his first NHL action since Dec. 27. There’s simply no way to properly replicate the intensity of game conditions when rehabbing an injury on your own and he felt more comfortable with the puck than he might otherwise have had he spent all-star weekend doing something else.

“Hands, reads, a little bit of physicality — you don’t get that when you’re skating by yourself or even with a few guys working on skills,” said Muzzin. “You know, and just making plays under pressure. Guys on you, having the poise to make a play and stuff like that.

“I thought it was a good choice by management and for me to go down.”

Tuesday marked the one-year anniversary of the trade that brought Muzzin to Toronto for prospects Carl Grundstrom and Sean Durzi, plus a first-round pick the Los Angeles Kings used on defenceman Tobias Bjornfot.

The initial adjustment was difficult.

Even though it brought Muzzin close to his childhood home of Woodstock, Ont., the deal caught him off-guard and came at a time his wife was seven-months pregnant with their first child. It also took him from a team and a city that he felt a deep affinity for. 1173134 Websites “This is the way I’ve always played,” Hughes said Tuesday before the Canucks travelled to San Jose to open a five-game road trip against the Sharks on Wednesday. “Nobody says anything about it when it works. It was just a freak play for me. It’s a hard league and there are good Sportsnet.ca / How Chris Tanev has helped Quinn Hughes settle into players, but there is a point when I need to know when to (try making a NHL life play) and when not to. I’ll just keep figuring that out.”

Having turned with the puck in front of Perron, Hughes was trying a D-to- D pass to Tanev when he gave it away near the Canucks’ net. Iain MacIntyre | @imacSportsnet “I double-hit it,” Hughes said. “That’s just a play that happens one out of January 28, 2020, 6:27 PM a million for me. That was just a regular backhand (pass) and I double-hit it. If I’d gone up the wall, I probably would have got smacked. And I couldn’t really see who was up the wall, so I just turned back and the guy VANCOUVER – When Quinn Hughes returned to the bench Monday was right on me. I just got unlucky there.” after probably his worst mistake of a rookie season in which he has made remarkably few, neither his hockey coach nor hockey dad said anything Hughes didn’t miss a shift and finished with 20:26 of ice time. to him. They didn’t have to. Kids know. “He’s always trying to make a play,” Tanev said. “He never wants to put “He was fine,” veteran Vancouver Canucks defenceman Chris Tanev guys in a tough situation (with a pass). He gets the puck and he’s explained Tuesday morning. “You’re going to make mistakes. Things thinking: OK, I’m going to beat this guy or should I pass it through that happen. He’s a terrific player. But once in a while, something’s going to guy? That’s so the guy on the receiving end has half-a-second more to happen that doesn’t go the way you want it to go. You play 82 games, 20 make a play when he gets the puck. That’s one of the things that makes minutes every game. Things can’t go your way all the time. He did a him so special. great job of just putting it behind him and going out to play.” “I think the hardest thing for him is it’s an 82-game schedule. That’s the Without kids of his own, the 30-year-old Tanev is getting called “Dad” by biggest thing to adjust to, just getting rest and trying to eat well and several of the Canucks’ younger players, including Hughes, who turned manage your energy off the ice so you can perform on the ice.” 20 in October. Tanev frequently has Hughes and other young teammates over to his Tanev has been playing with and mentoring Hughes since the season Yaletown home for dinner. He’s a good dad. began. He has also been cooking for Hughes, hanging out with him and “They bring a lot of energy,” Tanev said. “Good day or bad day, they’re watching over the rookie who spent the NHL all-star break at the actual always smiling, cracking jokes with each other. Quinn is an incredible all-star game, where he scored a goal that made even Wayne Gretzky player and an awesome guy off the ice. We like to hang out. We both say “wow.” want to be in those big moments against the other team’s top guys. He’s Asked upon his return to Vancouver on Sunday if that experience only going to get better. Each game he is going to learn something and changed how Hughes felt about himself, he said: “I could have had a bad then take it into the next game.” game or not even gone and I would still think I was one of the best players. I’ve got a lot of confidence, but I feel like I’m humble, too, and know where I stand. But throughout the year, playing match-up roles and Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.29.2020 continuing to put up offence, I feel like I’m there.”

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And then three minutes into Monday’s game against the St. Louis Blues, Hughes threw up on himself, flubbing a backhand pass under pressure and turning over the puck to David Perron, who set up Zach Sanford for the opening goal.

Canucks coach Travis Green, who kept on playing Hughes with Tanev in tough matchups against Ryan O’Reilly and Brayden Schenn, said after Vancouver’s impressive 3-1 win that the fierce game was a “learning curve” for the rookie defenceman.

“He was a little too cute early,” Green said. “This guy, he’s a good hockey player and he’s got to learn in these types of games what you can do and what you can’t do.”

With 34 points in 49 games and an average ice time of 21:35 and growing, Hughes is a likely Calder Trophy finalist. He is a rare player, almost unique, in his ability and willingness at five-foot-10 to hold the puck and make plays from his own zone while under pressure from larger, stronger NHL forwards.

Seriously, watch how often Hughes wins a race to a puck and, facing his oncoming opponent, won’t just chip it to safety, but instead pivots with the puck under pressure, skates to create passing angles and then makes a play to a teammate.

This combination of poise and skill is why the Canucks typically drive possession when Hughes is on the ice. When he has the puck, the other team can’t score.

Nobody should want Quinn Hughes to change a game this good.

But as time and space shrink in proportion to increasing speed and physicality during the Canucks’ playoff drive, Hughes will have to continue adapting to the NHL after spending the last two seasons at the University of Michigan. 1173135 Websites "(Monahan) capitalized on some good power play goals. I thought it was a good first game back for our line."

Gaudreau was named the game’s first star. Sportsnet.ca / Flames still searching for missing piece on top line as Monahan was second. playoff push begins Nothing could be sweeter sounding to the ears of Flames fans that are

praying the duo can improve upon a sub-par first half. Eric Francis | @EricFrancis The question continues to be, who will ride shotgun with the duo? January 29, 2020, 1:46 AM They’ve tried almost every combination imaginable, which is why the 30- minute Robinson experiment might actually get a reprise at some point.

CALGARY – Like a scene they could easily have added in Elf, chants of "In high school I used to be a skilled guy so there wasn’t much hitting," "Bud-dy, Bud-dy," rang out at the Dome late Tuesday night. laughed Robinson when asked the last time he heard chants for his physical play. Making his first NHL appearance in four years, 28-year-old AHL call-up Buddy Robinson found himself on the Flames top line late in a 4-4 tie "And then Johnny’s dad (who coached them) beat that out of me when I with the defending Stanley Cup champions. turned 6-6, so I’ll keep forechecking. And if they want to keep chanting that would be great." Throwing his six-foot-six, 225-pound frame into several St. Louis Blues prompted the fan response, but it was a pass that sent Johnny Gaudreau The Flames’ first test was a good one for a team that lost five of six after in alone that had the bench buzzing. last year’s break.

Just like old times, as Robinson and Gaudreau were high school It opened as a track meet that saw three lead changes in a first period in linemates in New Jersey. which Talbot’s rust from being off since Jan. 11 showed.

"It’s a dream to play with a close friend that you grew up with," said Although it was Talbot’s first loss in five outings, let’s just say, it’s clear Robinson, whose eighth NHL game comes after almost 500 AHL turns. the starter in Edmonton will be David Rittich.

"But now that the first one is out of the way it’s time to get back to work Monahan’s second of the night, early in the second, tied it 3-3 before with two big games against Edmonton. Mark Jankowski’s second of the year put the Flames up midway through the game. "I hear it’s a pretty big rival…" Shortly after Andrew Mangiapane opened the third period by hitting the Stream all 82 Flames games this season with Sportsnet NOW. Get over post with a rebound, Zach Sanford skated down the ice and beat Talbot 500 NHL games, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, all high, short side to tie it. outdoor games, the All-Star Game, 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. A squandered power play in overtime by the Flames led to a shootout in After weeks of significant chatter, the Flames are now poised for their which Talbot was beaten by both David Perron and Ryan O’Reilly before eagerly-anticipated home-and-home set, starting Wednesday in the Flames third shooter got his chance. Edmonton. The loser point put the Flames one ahead of the Oilers and two back of On Tuesday the stage was set for the Flames to demonstrate whether division-leading Vancouver. they’d be able to shake off the all-star game rust that’s been so deadly around here the last few years. None of it will matter Wednesday, as The Battle of Alberta returns.

Cam Talbot was the first to demonstrate the rough edges of his and the team’s game by allowing the first shot to get past him in an entertaining Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.29.2020 game that somehow finished with the Flames earning a point in a 5-4 shootout loss.

The fact that Robinson stood out is a testament to the big story of the night, which was the Flames first line.

For the first time in a while they actually had one.

Never mind the fact Sean Monahan and Gaudreau started the night with Derek Ryan on their right side and finished with Robinson. The duo was once again dynamic.

Exactly what this team will need if it is to make the playoffs and any sort of waves thereafter.

A pair of power play goals for Sean Monahan, including his 400th NHL point, came from the slot in which he’s scored so many times before.

Both times Gaudreau was the one who helped get it to him (one on a rebound), which accounts for 57 per cent of Monahan’s 166 snipes since Gaudreau arrived.

Those sequences need to continue if the team is to stay in this Pacific Division rat race.

Celebrating Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada’s 20th anniversary, Sportsnet and Scotiabank unite to bring a 4-day hockey festival to Yellowknife, NT and a 12-hour NHL broadcast to Canadian fans coast-to- coast-to-coast.

"I thought we played in the offensive zone a pretty good amount tonight and had some really good looks in the third with Buddy," said Gaudreau, whose club went three for three with the man advantage, before stumbling on their plum power play in overtime. 1173136 Websites The old Zack Kassian — the one that would take a dumb penalty at crucial times — could be taken advantage of in a scenario like this. That player has disappeared over the past couple of seasons however. Today he claims there is no debt to be settled with Tkachuk, who famously Sportsnet.ca / Expect Oilers, Flames to avoid 80's-like violence in Battle turtled when Kassian wanted a go in their last meeting. of Alberta “Hey, listen. I thought I got enough good shots in there,” he said. “This isn’t the 80’s. We’re not just going to line brawl. Look at the standings. It’s going to be a hard-fought, intense game. But we really have to play Mark Spector | @sportsnetspec between the lines. January 28, 2020, 6:42 PM “It’s about the two points. That’s the way we’re going to stick it to them.”

EDMONTON — “Well, don’t be going for coffee.” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.29.2020 It was almost certainly the shortest, and most prescient, news conference in the history of the Battle of Alberta, back in a time when there was not so much talk, and a whole lot of action.

Edmonton Oilers’ Dave Brown had lost a fight on a Sunday night in Edmonton to a Calgary Flames call-up named Stu “The Grim Reaper” Grimson back in January of 1990. With a Tuesday game on tap in Calgary, the media gathered around Brown on Monday morning, the way they would around Zack Kassian this Tuesday in Edmonton, a full 30 years later.

But Brown, he had little to say.

“What’s going to happen on Tuesday night?” he was asked.

“Well, don’t be going for coffee,” Brown responded, perhaps the only words he spoke inside that 48-hour window, according to teammates to whom we spoke for the book “The Battle of Alberta.”

Less than five minutes into the rematch, Brown had beaten Grimson so soundly that the scribes would change his nickname to “The Grim Receiver.” Grimson’s face was so messed up and broken that roommate Marc Bureau, when he walked into Grimson’s hospital room the next day to deliver a shaving kit, took one look at his roomie and began to cry.

“I must have been really in rough shape,” Grimson recalled, “because he’s sitting in a chair beside my bed, and I’m holding his hand and patting it. I’m saying, ‘Frenchy, it’s going to be all right. I’m going to be OK.’ This hockey player, he’s weeping. Honestly, I looked like a truck had backed up over my face.”

In the here and now, with the National Hockey League’s head of Player Safety George Parro, and Director of Officiating Stephen Walkom both coming to Alberta for both games this week, we’re going to bet against any season-ending facial injuries. (Or uniform sleeves sewn as tightly as Brown’s were, then lathered down with Vaseline like an offensive lineman.)

But that doesn’t mean that the threat of violence, and the emotional juice that it lends to a hockey game, is not still OK.

“You’ve got the fire back,” winger Kassian was saying on Tuesday, the day before he and his Oilers will face the Flames and Matthew Tkachuk. “Edmonton fans are on my side. Calgary fans are on his side. He’ll get booed here, and I’ll get booed there (on Saturday).

“It’s good for the game. It’s about time we got a little passion and fire.”

Amen, brother.

It will have been a full 19 days between meetings in this rivalry, nearly three weeks since Tkachuk landed three big hits on Kassian, and Kassian returned the favour with about 10 wild, unanswered punches, earning a two-game suspension. The Oilers won both games missed by Kassian, while Tkachuk went to the All-Star Game and played on the Pacific Division team with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl that took home the cash.

Re-starting the hype on this thing has been like firing up grandpa’s old 1986 Ski-Doo on a minus-23 degree day. The media, however, has done their best (cough, cough).

“You guys are throwing twists, turns, building it up,” Kassian chuckled. “I thought, what happened on the ice, I handled it for the most part. I got punishment, and that’s that. Obviously we don’t like each other. Obviously, if Tkachuk has the puck and I can hit him clean, I’m not going to pass on it, right? But that’s the game of hockey. I don’t think anyone is going to pass on a hit — especially in the Battle of Alberta.” 1173137 Websites Struggling before the bye-week and All-Star break, Frederik Andersen returned to the Leafs' crease on Monday, securing a win in Nashville. Despite an eventful break, Andersen says the time away was a good mental recharge. TSN.CA / Andersen hits reset, returns to all-star form after break It was Nylander who organized the dream golf getaway to Georgia.

"A guy that I know threw it out there that we could maybe go play some Mark Masters time," the Swede explained. "I didn't realize how special it was to go play there at the time and when I started talking to the boys I found out how

special it was so we got on that real quick." TSN Toronto reporter Mark Masters checks in daily with news and notes Nylander enjoyed playing the famous course so much he extended his on the Maple Leafs, who practised at StarCenter Farmers Branch in stay an extra day – two to three – and it paid off, because he was able to Dallas on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Stars. produce three birdies in his last round. Sheldon Keefe pulled Frederik Andersen aside for a meeting before the "It was a surreal experience," Nylander said. "I was hitting the ball pretty struggling goalie left for his bye week. Andersen had just allowed six good that day." goals on 34 shots in a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. It was the 10th time in 12 games Andersen had allowed three or more goals. Nylander is hitting the puck pretty well of late. He scored in a fourth straight game on Monday and now has 23 goals on the season, already "Wanted to talk to him about a few things and give him a chance to think a career high with 32 more games still to go. He's on track for 38 goals about a few things and just kind of reset himself," the Leafs head coach and is taking dead aim at that target. said. "All indications are since he's come back that that has happened and he's in a good place. I thought he was excellent yesterday. I thought "This is where I want to be," Nylander said. "I think I can score at this he was really good and competitive again in our practice today and we'll pace." keep him rolling here." His coach agrees. Keefe watched Nylander score 32 goals in 75 AHL Andersen stopped 34 of 36 shots in Toronto's 5-2 win over the Predators games before his promotion. Monday night in Nashville. Only nine days earlier, the Dane staggered into the break. A break he badly needed. "There's opportunity for him to keep growing," Keefe noted. "I don't see this as a hot streak necessarily. Certainly, every player does have "It was good to get away for a little bit," Andersen acknowledged. streaks when things go in for him, but I think this is more what Will's "Sometimes the season gets long and the little break was good to capable of." remember some good parts, what we do well." Keefe believes promoting Nylander to the top power-play unit has helped Andersen, a golf nut, blew off steam at Augusta National Golf Club, him get in a better rhythm. playing a couple rounds on the iconic course with teammates Jake Muzzin, Kasperi Kapanen and William Nylander. "My goal was to have him be a part of that core and that group and hope that it would leak into other parts of his game and I think the results have The highlight? been there," Keefe explained.

"Probably the birdie on 12," Andersen said of the par-three hole known Nylander is among the league leaders in goals from the inner-slot area as Golden Bell. "I think the group that won, we'll probably be pretty this season. He's been effective in getting to those spots and also isn't obnoxious to watch The Masters with. Definitely some fond memories." passing up shots quite as often.

Is there any connection between golf and playing net in the NHL? "He's trying to shoot the puck a bit more than he used to," observed Kapanen, "and he’s got a tremendous shot and we all told him he needs "Just trying to have a short memory," Andersen said. "I think that's the to shoot more and (smile) I think he realized the puck will go in when you biggest similarity that you can take from golfing." shoot more." From Augusta, Andersen travelled to St. Louis for his first NHL all-star Nylander is producing 2.88 shots per game (scoring on 16 per cent) experience. The recent dip in play meant the 30-year-old arrived at the versus 2.4 last year (5.4 per cent). mid-season festival with a save percentage (.909) well below his career average (.917). But the moment was still confirmation of his standing in "He's lethal," said Andersen. "His shot is so good." the game, a moment he shared with his dad, Ernst, who made the trip to Missouri. But that's not what the goalie believes has been the biggest change in Nylander's fifth NHL campaign. "To be among the best is always going to give you some confidence," he said. "I think especially in the second game I started to feel more "He's been skating really well this year," said Andersen. "I think I've been comfortable and just enjoying being out there against some of the best noticing that the most, he’s creating space for himself and finds himself in guys in the league and really just enjoying the experience." those good situations to score and the shot is so dangerous that he gets (the best of) most of the goalies." Andersen said the best part of the weekend was simply hanging out with some of the league's elite talent between events. Nylander's edge work is elite and it's always been a strength of his game. Why? "It shows respect," said Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, who has played in multiple all-star games. "It makes you feel wanted and things like that. "It’s just something that (I focused on) since I was a little kid," Nylander For sure, it’s a confidence booster." revealed. "I liked watching , I thought he was cool to watch when he was skating." Andersen's teammates certainly sense that the goalie's aura has returned since he returned from the all-star game. Nylander insists this isn't a hot streak: 'I think I can score at this pace'

"The energy you get from being around the best and knowing that you're With goals in four straight games, William Nylander insists that he isn't in that same category can go a long way," said veteran Jason Spezza. riding a hot streak, and believes this is the level he is capable of always "For him to go there I think can really springboard his second half." playing at.

After a rough stretch, Andersen appears to be back in the fairway as the What did Kapanen think about playing Augusta National? Leafs make the turn. "It was something I'll never forget. I wish I could've stayed there longer, Said Keefe, "The combination of the rest and a little bit of the change of but I'll take the two rounds," the Finn said. "You look at the holes and you scenery and then also just being in the spotlight, as he deserves to be, recognize them from TV, but it's different because on TV people are and with that group of players, that can help." around and it looks more narrow than it is and then you get there and it’s empty and it’s breathtaking and it’s beautiful there. I was very lucky." How unsteady Freddie morphed back into All-Star Andersen for Leafs Like Andersen, Kapanen managed to birdie No. 12, but he wasn't willing to provide many more details. "I knew it was going to be hard," Kapanen said with a smile. "I don't even want to tell you what I shot, but it was an amazing moment."

The right winger was more expansive when it came to the freak injury that knocked him out of Monday's game after just one period.

"I think it was my second shift and I just tried to hit the guy and my elbow kind of caught the dash or something," Kapanen recalled. "Nothing severe, but when that area gets a little bruised up it kind of shut down my whole arm and I didn't have any power so we called it after the first period. We're hopeful for tomorrow."

Kapanen practised in a regular sweater and on his regular line with Pierre Engvall and Andreas Johnsson.

"I felt good," Kapanen said. "I wasn't trying to shoot too many pucks or shoot too hard, but I felt good."

"I'm optimistic," said Keefe. "Both watching him and talking to him, it seems he's recovered well through the night and feeling better today and has more mobility and strength and got through practice with no issues so as long as it continues that way he'll be in tomorrow."

Leafs Ice Chips: Kapanen optimistic about playing after freak injury

After sustaining an arm injury in the first period Monday against the Predators, Kasperi Kapanen was back at Leafs practice Tuesday on his normal line with Andreas Johnsson and Pierre Engvall, which is an encouraging sign for the winger.

During their bye week, William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen and Frederik Andersen played a few rounds at Augusta National, and shared some of their experiences.

TSN.CA LOADED: 01.29.2020 1173138 Websites Myers or Jacob Trouba. Heck, I’m not sure the team was able to prepare for the transition of Tobias Enstrom – a very competent puck mover in his time who saw aging and injuries begin to adversely impact his performance. The front office’s mission, be it at the deadline or this TSN.CA / There are plenty of reasons for concern in Winnipeg about the summer, has to be a targeted approach at enhancing the talent on Jets defence.

In the short term there are only a few buttons you can press, and one of those surely concerns the coaching staff. If the front office feels – by Travis Yost design or by accident – it has put the coaching staff in a bind when it comes to personnel, then we could be at the very early stages of a rebuild in Winnipeg. But if the front office feels it has adequately It is perhaps one of the most important questions facing any NHL equipped Paul Maurice with the right degree of talent to contend, then a franchise heading out of the All-Star break. Winnipeg’s season isn’t lost – change behind the bench may be on the table. their 54 points in 51 games has them on the outside of the postseason race looking in, but they are a recoverable three points back of the second wild-card position with one of the league’s best goaltenders TSN.CA LOADED: 01.29.2020 backstopping them every night.

Still, there are plenty of reasons for concern. Remember last year’s inexplicable collapse, one where the team’s marquee players were significantly outplayed over the second half of the season? I wrote about it last April, with Winnipeg frantically trying to hold onto a playoff position. The headline read: “The Jets Appear Fundamentally Broken.”

The part that I still can’t wrap my hands around – true leading into the postseason and true coming out of the break – is that the top of Winnipeg’s roster, by and large the same personnel grouping as the dominant teams from a few seasons ago, continues to struggle. The Jets are outplayed on most nights and unless Connor Hellebuyck steals a game or the team pots a couple on the power play, they tend to lose. In some cases emphatically.

Winnipeg’s problem is that they predominantly play in the defensive zone, unable to transition the puck and are often limited to one-and-done stretches offensively. That’s why Hellebuyck has been so instrumental in keeping them afloat.

But consider how this team has trended over time, with specific emphasis on play since around the Christmas break of the 2018-19 season:

That is as discouraging a data set as you can find – they have periodically had spikes of favourable goal rates, largely driven by stretches of games where Hellebuyck has been unbeatable. But from a shot share or an adjusted shot share (something that considers the quality of those shots, like expected goal rates), the Jets have been in the red for close to 100 games.

Lately, it has been an utter disaster: the last 20 games have seen Winnipeg run a Corsi% near 46 per cent, an Expected Goal% near 41 per cent, and a Goal% near 39 per cent. That’s a “we are getting a high pick in the draft lottery” type of performance from the Jets.

I mentioned earlier that the most mystifying part of all of this is that Winnipeg’s core players are fighting with just as much difficulty as players further down the lineup to drive play at 5-on-5.

The only differentiating factor between Winnipeg’s high-end skaters and their depth players may be shooting talent. Players like Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele are still in the green when it comes to 5-on-5 goal differential, but it’s taking a Herculean shooting effort – with percentages in excess of 12 per cent, a ridiculously unsustainable level – to smooth out the run of play issue.

When you juxtapose goal differential against expected goal differential to ensnare some of the territorial problems beleaguering this Jets team, it becomes obvious the issue is spread across the entire lineup. So much so that not a single regular Winnipeg skater has an expected goal rate north of 50 per cent this season:

There’s another way to visualize this, and that’s when it comes to the challenges borne out of playing in the defensive zone all of the time (and in the same breath, bleeding high rates of scoring chances against). Consider where shots are coming from against Hellebuyck, and notice how frequently opponent attacking sequences are stemming from the most dangerous area of the ice – the net mouth, where shooting percentages skyrocket:

How do you go about fixing what’s plaguing this Jets team? I think the longer-term answer is easier, and a lot of it has to do with the blueline.

Say what you will about any one defender individually, but the team was ill-prepared to handle the loss of a player like Dustin Byfuglien, Tyler